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 Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:18 pm
Mwali:
It had been a long time since he'd been here. The feel of grass under his paws, real, green grass, seemed so alien now. His body wasn't taxed against the shifting sands, forced to adjust to uneven ground, endure the scorching heat against his pads and back. The gentle environment allowed him to relax- and realize just how weary his body had become. It was something he'd keep to himself- especially in front of his two cubs and the bright blue former-slave.
Pari:
"---It's so weird! It's not natural! Nothing should be -green!- I've only ever seen green in our eyes you know? How does the grass turn green, dad? It's just...ew.... it's almost mushy!" Parizade, the spitting image of her father, hadn't been quiet for a moment since they had crossed the boarder out of the desert. Everything was strange. The smells, the sights, the -colors-! She was hearing birds she'd never heard, seeing animals in greater numbers than she thought imaginable.
Zaph:
Zaphod, as always, walked at the rear of the group. His red eyes gazing out to the distance. Nothing seemed to phase him from his quiet thoughts. The vision...it still troubled him.
Makaa:
With every sentence out of his little sister's mouth, Makaa rolled his eyes. Sure, he was astonished as she was as he walked across these strange lands at his father's side, but at least he held most of his reactions in check. He... kind of liked this place. It wasn't the desert that he was used to, but it was... softer, more calm. Part of him wished that Zapa was there with him to enjoy it with him. No doubt she would be just as amazed as his sister was. By the goddess, he missed her. And she was only his frie-... well, he wasn't sure any more what she was to him. He cared for her, more than any lioness he'd ever met, beside his sister. How had his father gone so long without his Koho? He shook his head and gave his father a small smile. He knew why they were here and this heart was filled with a small song of excitement. He would meet his father's love and maybe even his half brothers and sisters.
Mwali:
"Just a warning." Mwali interrupted, cutting through Parizade's outspoken train of thought. "It's been a very long time since I've been in this territory." He turned his head, glancing between both cubs with his single remaining eye, "The Firekin are not well-thought of...so make sure that you mind your manners at all times."
Pari:
"We didn't do anything wrong." Pari wrinked her nose up, "I don't know why everyone's so hostile to us. All we've done was keep to ourselves."
Zaph:
"Hardly." Zaphod answered. Suprising even Mwali. However, as suddenly as he'd spoken, he'd fallen silent and distant once more.
Makaa:
Makaa couldn't help himself. He laughed at his sister's comment.
"C'mon, Pari. We're the fiercest breed of lions in the world. You know as well as I do there's fire in our veins. We can be pretty hostile when we want to," he shot back as he nodded to his father. True to his words, Makaa had a harsh temper, but there were very few things that set it off. And he wasn't really stupid. He knew in a strange pride would be the worst time to lose it.
"Do you think they'll let us stay here, Father?"
Kiso:
Kiso had been just waking from a nice nap when his sleepy senses picked up the scent of other lions. While there was nothing unusual about that, what was strange was that there was something familiar in the scent. It was a nearly subconscious recognition, but there was definitely something there. A combination of love and fear filled him at the scent memory, which was stranger yet. It wasn't until a voice carried across the grassland that shock coursed through the red lion's body. There was no mistaking it, he had heard his father's voice, and now that his memory was jogged, the scent was his father's as well, confirming that he hadn't just dreamed the voice or something.
Gulping, Kisogo fretted for a moment what to do. Mwali was supposed to be a Firekin now, but there had been so much going on in thsoe lands, perhaps, just maybe, he had returned.... Kisogo knew, deep down, that whether his father was here for good or bad, it was the red lion's responsibility to meet him. Rising to his paws, Kiso started towards the group, stopping when he was a few lion lengths off, hoping that the distance would allow him enough of a headstart to escape if things were hostile. When he looked towards his father, though, changed with time, he could not force his voice to work.
Mwali:
"I don't know." he answered softly, "I was a friend to the Pridelanders when I last arrived, but the others have been causing trouble for outside prides, I'm sure. There's no telling what changes have occured while I was gone...the king was getting pretty old when I left. A change of ruler always breeds a change of all."
Makaa:
Makaa frowned at that, but nodded in understanding. To his knowledge, it had been a rather long time since his father had last been in these lands. He had to wonder how many of his half-siblings were still there, as it was quite clear to him that lions did not always stay in their pride.
"And if they don't...?" It was a difficult to question to ask, and no doubt even more difficult to answer, but it had to be asked, really. Plans were always a good thing to have, for every event.
Mwali:
"We can't expect anything either way." Mwali answered quietly, carefully. It was a difficult question. He'd lashed out against a few of the pride members...he'd abandoned them. Then again, if the rumors were true- the pridelands wasn't the place it once was. "Don't worry about it." He added softly, "Whatever happens, I'll see that we're well looked after. It's hard, but we're strong."
He lifted his head as Kiso approached. A ping of guilt overcame his features and broughth is posture to a weary slump. He'd abandoned his family...his first family. His sons and daughters... Malik had grown strong, but the cub had grown to shoulder his responsibility. "Hang back for a moment, you three... let me speak with him first." He took a few steps forward, his head dipping slightly.
Pari:
"How many relitives do we have exactly?" Parizade didn't really seem all that mindful of the situation. It seemed a safer approach to just... let things run their course. There was no use stressing about whether or not they'd be accepted into a new pride. If the stranger turned out to be hostile, they had two adult lions to protect them- even if Zaphod was a complete sissy.
Zaph:
Zaphod simply watched, eyes distant. The stranger didn't take a hostile stance. He wasn't roaring in or drawing himself up to send a threat towards them.
Kiso:
After observing the group for a few moments, Kiso watched his father walk towards him.
The older male's posture seemed non-aggressive, even remourseful, perhaps he wouldn't have to turn tail and run quite yet. The red lion lifted his head a bit, trying to school his expression. He didn't even know what he was feeling at this moment. Regret, longing, fear, hope? It would just be easier to not show any of them, but Kiso being who he was, his "stone face" turned more into a mutant combination of all four emotions. His eyes, the only part of him he had inherited from his mother, looked at his mirror image, apart from some markings. How could he have gotten so much of himself physically from this male, and yet nothing emotionally? As the distance between them closed, Kiso cleared his throat and lowered his gaze for a moment before connecting stares with his father. His brow furrowed as all the questions he had fought for dominance on his tongue. The most important would have to go first.
In a soft voice, free from anger, the lion whispered, "What are you doing here?"
Makaa:
Makaa watched as his father walked away, towards the other lion and frowned a bit. Neither looked like they were warning the other... Perhaps they knew one another.
"Considering how many older siblings we have just through Mother, I wouldn't be surprised if we had a whole lot of nieces and nephews running around," Makaa replied to his sister, sitting down and watching his father and the other lion carefully.
"Not to mention our uncle's family."
Zaph:
"Hm." Zaphod's eyes narrowed slightly. The incoming male looked...similar to the golden male that had fought in the rebellion. Same body frame, the firekin's frame, but with the softer features of a pridelander incorperated.
Mwali:
"I've grown weary of my travels." He answered behind a weak smile. His remaining eye lifted to inspect his son...he'd grown up so large. He seemed in good health- a relief. "It's time I came home." He lifted his head slightly, "What of you? And the others..."
Pari:
Pari shook her head, "Well I suppose that's one advantage to leaving home. We won't have to worry about keeping track of our relitives. If they all turn out like Ali or Sinbad I'm glad to be rid of them."
Kiso:
Kiso's eyes continued to scan his father's form. His scars were remarkable, he evidently hadn't left them for an easy life. But then why leave? Life for their family had been wonderful, why would he possibly leave to whatever he had found in the Firekin lands? "Home.... You would still call the pridelands home after all this time?" Though many lions would express anger in this situation, Kiso was still so flabbergasted that his father had even returned, he didn't have the capacity of anger at this moment. He could only think of his mother and what these event would implicate for her.
"I am fine, father.... Mother is in the pridelands and.. healthy in body. I don't know where anyone else has gone...."
Makaa:
Makaa chuckled, nodding in agreement to Pari.
"Yeah. Plus, I think I might go mad trying to keep track of everyone, anyways," he added, his mouth twisting in something of a smile. Which was saying something, because since leaving the Firekin lands, he had hardly smiled, and he hadn't outright laughed.
Mwali:
"It's...complicated." He looked to the side, "Kiso... outside of the pridelands I was a prince. My father and brother died, they were left without an heir. The bloodline would have ended." He stepped to one side and nodded back, "...Makaa and Parizade there are your half-siblings. The only two that agreed to return here with me."
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:58 pm
Kiso:
Kiso looked back towards the lions who were supposed to be his half-siblings. Something in what his father said did stick with him though. A better life.... That was originally why Mwali had left the Firekin wasn't it? It made sense that he had wished a better life for the rest of his blood family as well. Looking once more towards the lions in the background, Kiso settled a neutral gaze on his father, "I guess I understand, every creature deserves at least the chance of a good life...." He trailed off, still not settled on what would be the best course of action now. "I-I just don't know what to do Dad, Mother is so.... fragile...."
Mwali:
"The firekin needed more of our blood. That was my job there, Kiso... I know it wasn't right...but it was nessicary. Our kind was dying. And there has to be a kin to redeem the name of that pride, wouldn't you agree?" He smirked, "...I saw Malik. He was angry as well... he said that you and your mother were doing well." His ears rolled back, "Fragile..." It was hard to picture her as weak. Koho had taught him to hunt, how to wrestle and fight.
Kiso:
Kiso shook his head, not wanting to discuss why his father had left any longer. It was impossible for either of them to fully understand each other, and that was just how it was going to be. His father had evidently had this fight with others before, and he would likely have it again before the season was out. Instead the two males needed to focus on how to keep Koho from dying of shock when the little group padded into the pridelands. "I assume you'll want to see her?" There was still an edge of anger to the younger lion's voice, but he also evidently didn't want to assume anything from this lion who had just dropped out of nowhere back into his life.
Mwali:
"Of course I do." There was no comprimise in his tone, Kiso woudl remember it from his younger years. While the words were soft, the tone said no less than what he intended. "She's my -mate-, Kiso... I need to explain myself to her... I owe that much."
Kiso:
Kiso nodded, "You certainly do our her that...." Koho had gone through so much in her life, she had lost her mate, her brother, so many of her cubs had gone away and never returned. He sighed, shaking his mane a bit while he thought. "How do you think we should do this then?"
Mwali:
"Your mother may be frail in body, but she's always had a strong spirit. I don't think she'd appreciate us approaching her any other way but directly." He chuckled, "It's not my style to wade into deep water anyway/"
Kiso:
Kiso sighed, not sure that that was a good idea at all.... But he had reached the point that he didn't really know how to act around his mother anymore. Thought Mwali had been gone far to long to really know Koho at all anymore, Kiso couldn't resist the urge to trust his father and follow his guidance. His cubhood memories were the only ones he had of his father, who had been his hero and role model. His father who he resembled so much, who he had wished he could be, up until he was gone. "I don't know if you're right, but I don't that you'll do it any other way anyway...." Looking over to his other siblings once more, he resigned himself to whatever the gods had in store for him, "Well, I suppose I should meet them.... And then we should go, I promised Mother I'd visit her this evening...."
Makaa:
So, this was one of his half-siblings.
Makaa watched the conversation between his father and half-brother, in part listening, in part lost in his own thoughts.
"Well, at least he's not hostile towards the idea of us being here," he replied, sitting up straight as he watched them. He glanced at his sister and gave her a small smirk as he leaned over.
"Careful not to be yourself, Sis," he whispered his light tease. "Wouldn't wanna make a bad impression."
Zaph:
"Still." Zaphod warned quietly, "Never let your guard down, young master... there's still a lot of pain in his eyes."
Mwali:
Mwali stood himself up and nodded back to the others, "Come on... don't be rude. Go introduce yourself. I'm sure the three of them are feeling quite akward by now."
Pari:
Pari sneered at Makaa's comment. She offered only a flash of her tongue - very maturely - before sitting upright, rolling her shoulders back, and lifting her chin. "We'll see who makes a bad impression. I'm a lady."
Kiso:
Kisogo sighed, looking to his father once more before moving past him to his half-siblings. Despite the fact that his father had been gone for many seasons, his orders were still too compelling for him to ignore. Squaring his shoulders and stopping in front of the siblings, the red lion cleared his throat and met each of the siblings' eyes in turn, "Hello, welcome to the pridelands. I am Kisogo." Well that was blunt.... Kiso was honstly most relieved that his voice held firm.
Makaa:
Makaa dipped his head, red eyes remaining on the older male as he gave him a small, respective smile.
"My name is Makaa'yamoto. It is good to finally meet you..." he paused, uncertain of whether or not it was right for him to do so, but he went along with it anyways, "Brother."
Pari:
Parizade beamed. Unlike her brother, she held her head high for the introduction. There was no need for formalities among family- not for her anyway. "And I'm Parizade! Wow... you have such a nice mane- much thicker than Makaa could ever hope to have. I bet you have to beat the ladies back with a stick!"
Zaph:
Zaphod dropped his eyes and took a few slow steps back.
Kiso:
Kisogo had been a bit taken aback by the surprisingly warm welcome given to him by two of the three in front of him. When the third stepped back, Kiso was actually more comfortable, since he had been expecting either hostility or indifference. The truth was though, that his half-siblings had greeted him on the whole much better than he would have greeted any firekin, and so he gave a weak smile to Makaa and Parizade, and he mumbled something in response to Parizade's compliment, but it was rather incomprehensible. Well now that those were out of the way, Kiso looked to the sun's position and then to his father, "We should go," he then looked back to his siblings, "If that's all right with you all...."
Makaa:
Makaa's eyes widened and he whipped his head around to look at his sister in shock at her words. He was a very proud young male, and as such, her jibe over his mane... Well, that was going too far.
"Take that back, Parizade!" he growled as he pounced her, catching her ear lightly in his teeth and tugging just enough to get his agitation across.
Pari:
"AUGH! Such manners!" She wasn't helping her position at all. But it was too easy...and Makaa had been worried about -her- making a bad impression. She shrieked as her ear was tugged, followed by a shrill call for her father.
Mwali:
"Knock it off you two. Parizade, that was uncalled for- Makaa what have I told you about pouncing like that?" He sighed, "...Zaphod. You've not introduced yourself."
Zaph:
"...It's Zaphod." He answered, quietly, "A servant of this family."
Kiso:
Kisogo nodded to Zaphod, muttering a 'nice to meet you' but a bit confused about his statement. He didn't feel right asking about it now though, and so he made a note to himself to ask his father later. Despite his earlier hostility, he still trusted his father deep down, and couldn't help but look up to him, especially now that the one thing he had ever resented Mwali for was to be righted. Kisogo took a step back from the quarreling siblings, and simply waited for them to stop their wrestling. He really was impatient to return home, and he hoped as he looked to his father that his feelings were conveyed.
Makaa:
Makaa growled, but got off anyways, frowning grumpily. He continued glaring at his sister.
"It still has to grow in more," he muttered sullenly before stanDing and walking to his father's side, touching his paw.
"Sorry, Father. I forget sometimes..." he apologized.
Mwali:
"They're just words, Makaa." He smiled a bit and nudged the young lion forward, "Go on. Kisogo will lead the way. Pari- you too. Don't tease."
Pari:
"Fine fine...he deserved it though." She looked off to the side, "At least you'll get more of a mane than Zaphod. He's almost bald! Have you seen how thin it is!?"
Zaph:
Zaphod cleared his throat but didn't have much to say in return.
Kiso:
Kisogo nodded to his father and turned towards pride rock. Glancing back once more at the group to make sure that they were all ready to leave, he set off at a steady trot. He was happy to be heading home, and at least for the moment he was able to convince himself that everything would turn out all right. And who really knew, perhaps it would....
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