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 Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:37 am
 In the last hours of the sun's reign over the sky, a dark cub found heavy restlessness into the day. Despite the company of her fellow little siblings and the constant vigilance of the nanny, this cub had thought herself to be done a long time ago--that is, done with being taken care of, learning, and everything she was being given by the nanny alongside her siblings. She had, being an important part of her pride, already ingrained in her mind and heart the knowledge of her pride--and all she desired now was action.
Boring were the days since long ago of sitting comfortably in front of the older caretakers, taking in knowledge; she was a well educated cub, and she knew that. She thought it was time to use her knowledge of the world she knew of so far and do something... that had more meaning to it than sitting in one place, waiting to ripen in age for her day to come. There were countless things to explore and do other than waiting, and she might as well make her journey filled with rich experience. She considered herself more than grown up enough to do things by herself, anyways, which could have been what prompted her to stray off, though it was nothing unusual for her. But this time, perhaps she would linger a little longer without the eyes of the watchful nanny...
The cub eyed her litter mates, wondering if this was to be a lone adventure, or if anyone like the bothersome Penzi or irritable Kali would make an interesting quick sidekick. Perhaps such things were better to leave the spirits to decide, and to ditch fast enough to avoid detection.
And so, the oldest of the group bounded off into the night, using the darker and larger shadows to her advantage. She could feel that something was going to happen--with or without her help, and it got her blood running excitedly.
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:39 am
 It had been many seasons since Shetani had left the land of the Mizimu'Tungika, but the guards gave him no qualms as he slipped past the pride's borders. Not many could forget a face like his, and even less felt the inclination to argue with him.
Shetani emitted a throaty laugh as his dark paws led him deeper into the territory. His face had provided far more attention than he'd like it to have, in the past, but there was never any fear of anyone not taking him seriously when he spoke. Not when his face looked prepared to devour the flesh of the onlooker, the gaping jaws filled with razor sharp fangs, ready to destroy.
Ironically, he wasn't nearly as blood-thirsty as his face led others to believe. He was a devious lion, of sorts, but not particularly blood-thirsty. At least, not quite as blood-thirsty as his former brethren, to whom he was now returning.
His face hardened as he walked, his dark form a partner to the evening sky. He didn't particularly care to reunite with his former pride, but she had arrived here, if his visions were correct, which meant Shetani would follow her into the depths of his old home, come what may with any reaction he might receive over his return.
He pushed away thoughts of his sister discovering his arrival. No, Shetani hoped to remain invisible among the pride, at least until he could oust Tukutu from her play. His questions still remained unanswered, and with Anansi unreachable, he was going for the next best thing.
And he was going to corner her, this time!
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:23 pm
In the distance, the small girl could hear the barely audible laugh, but didn't think much of it. However, when she looked around, all she saw were rocks, dirt, and subdued shrubbery. Was it really that hard to find something to do? Something to happen?
So, without another thought, the cub walked towards where she had heard the laughter's origin, knowing that she was walking further away from the rest of her siblings. It was no matter, for she already had a basic mental map of the areas within her pride. Perhaps it was the fact that she could not get lost within her own lands that was boring the queen's daughter, though she hadn't been brave enough to venture out further than a few minutes away from scenery she knew, or a lion she knew to be a member.
She stopped, seeing a dark figure up ahead. Ah, she wasn't that far away from anything, if there was another pride member nearby... Only that wasn't a member she knew of, as her vision became more clear. But he was walking into the lands..? The cub stared on without realizing it, the stranger's presence confusing her, though not alarming. She squinted her eyes, noticing the almost familiar marks over his body--they were similar to hers; was he related to mom? But if he was, why wouldn't she already know him?
"Uh..." the cub said aloud to herself, stuck at what to do. If she informed others of the stranger, she would have a harder time escaping her nanny's watch; and if she approached the stranger... well, there was nothing wrong with that, was there? She rationalized with herself, and continued downwards, putting on an important look.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:18 am
One eyebrow rose as a small black and orange figure appeared from the shadows of the night, and he stopped mid-walk, to watch.
"Aren't you a bit young to be a welcome party, little one?"
Shetani was prepared to be stopped, of course, as he was a stranger in his former home. But to be stopped by a mere child? Shouldn't she be sleeping, at this hour of the evening?
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he gave the cub a closer examination. While black and orange were two colors found throughout the pride, the markings the cub bore were not quite as common. In fact, the telltale marking on her front right paw told him exactly what he needed to know.
"Shouldn't a daughter of Jinichongo be in bed, safely tucked away with all the other princes and princesses?" He grinned, a second set of fangs exposing themselves upon his face. While Jinichongo had not risen to power by the time he had left the land, he knew Hofu's time was well past done, so there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the half blind Heir had risen to become the new Queen.
It was rather peculiar, however, to see a young one bearing the markings of the Queen. Having known Jinichongo's personality, Shetani had not figured the moody female to bear cubs as relatively quickly as she apparently had. Perhaps having the family's bloodline securely remain enthroned was more important than her own personal power, now?
Nevertheless, it was what it was, and the older male leaned down to stare eye to eye with the cub. Oh, what a welcoming party this truly was!
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:20 pm
The maturing cub smiled with an air of confidence as she noticed that she got the dark adult's attention. As she approached, she realized how strange he looked, and there was something especially strange about his face. But before her thoughts could formulate, the stranger had already spoken directly to her. Little one? she thought.
"Who said anyone was welcoming you?" she spoke arrogantly, narrowing her eyes on his. And as she said that, the cub climbed onto the highest nearby rock she could find so that the adult wouldn't be towering over her.
She stared as he got closer, a small chill coming up through her leg; she had not expected this weird stranger to creepily examine her at first sighting. What was even creepier was his recognition of her heritage, and then her fears were reiterated when she focused on his creepier than creepier sudden facial change.
Despite the overwhelming unsettling feeling of the situation, the queen's daughter had to suppress a small snort at the lion; as well as looking like a suitable creeper, his face conversely seemed silly to the girl, and she toyed with the idea of chancing an inquiry about where he got his looks from sooner or later, if he had to stay. For the intimidating fellow he was, the male sure wasn't making that effective of an impression on the cub; perhaps his physical strategy would be more advantageous had the cub not known how important she was, and hadn't spent her previous days meandering around advertising her prestige that came with royalty.
"How do you know my mom?" the child finally asked, squinting her eyes in a feigned anger. "You're not related to me, are you?"
She took another look at his physical entirety and made a grossed out face, as if the idea of being related to him was disturbing, yet plausible, considering the similarities in marks. He didn't seem out of place to the pride, either.
"D-did something happen to your face?" the cub then decidedly risked to ask; he was grown up--he could take it. "Who are you?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:28 pm
He didn't have time for such nonsense; Shetani wanted to find Tukutu, get his answers at long last, and be off and out of the Mizimu'Tungika. Chatting away and answering the inquiries of a bratty child (and a royal one at that!) was not on his to-do list. Not even close.
Dark red eyes watched her move to get higher. She really must be a spoiled one, to think of herself as so much better than a stranger like himself. Hm. Perhaps he did have a bit of time he could sacrifice, if anything to mess with this little haughty thing.
"I am..." he started slowly, crouching down to come face to face with the little Sacrifice, "a lion that would be wise not to insult."
He was used to scaring children. Hell, he was used to scaring and disturbing pretty much anything that laid eyes upon him. Finding a cub that questioned him, rather than ran from him, however, was a sight to behold. Was it not for her ego and attitude, perhaps Shetani might have had a reason to play a bit... nicer, with her.
"I know many things," He continued, moving to sit down where he stood, his head moving to be level with hers. "I know of your mother, yes, and of her sisters and brothers. I know how you, little one, will be sacrificed."
His grin grew wider, and he nodded his head, finishing her questions. "My face is a curse from those you call Greater Spirits. I know them better than you will ever know them, for they have given me sight into their world. Born from a Greater Spirit, I see things you cannot imagine to see, and I have done things you cannot imagine have been done. Do you know what a curse is, child? Do you know why creatures are cursed?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:59 pm
The stranger made the cub's heart race as he dramatically paused for his introduction. While she was still perturbed by the fact that he apparently didn't have respect for boundary lines or her space, her eyes widened, waiting for his identity.
...And she was mildly disappointed, to say the least, as he gave his answer, to which she frowned at, her patience waning.
"You're not one to talk about being wise!" she stated aggressively, "You don't look smart to me! Just hungry."
And she repositioned herself, wanting to not feel the stranger's breath every time he spoke, considering how close he had gotten every time he did. So she scooted back a little, though she kept her eye on him still as if he was under her interrogation. And he should be, for he was her guest in her land!
"Huh?" the cub questioned in puzzlement, tilting her head in instinctive curiosity. This guy knew about her family, but nothing had been said about a creepy dark lion by either of her parents before? But he couldn't have, for mother only had one brother that she was aware of? At least, she thought her mother only had one brother--the uncle Vates--she couldn't recall if she had ever been told that she had more uncle and aunts than old Hodari.
"What are you talking about? Mom's got uncle Hodari. You are crazy. Do you know anything at all?" she almost scolded, and smiled at his latter words. "Yeah, and you wouldn't even be able to be good enough to be sacrificed if you wanted to!"
Her words were spoken reassuringly and pridefully. The stranger seemed to want a quick spook out of her, but he wouldn't get it! But that didn't explain how he claimed he knew stuff about her family, or whether she should know who he was or not. Maybe he was some long lost cousin somewhere? There could have only been one answer: he wasn't important enough to be talked about.
"So, you have a curse on you, huh?" the royal daughter said in piqued interest. She had never met or heard of anyone cursed before! Sure, she knew there were curses and hexes and stuff, but... could that be really why the lion looked as odd as he did? She'd surely be living a cursed life if she looked like that.
"You talk big for a creepy guy. I don't think you really know anything at all because you never really answered me!" she concluded, sure of herself now. "Now, why is a 'creature' like you cursed, then? And bringing your curse into our land? You shouldn't come here... you know. We're good at keeping curses out..."
She paused; he was beginning to sound interesting, she had to admit. "...I mean, after you tell me about your curse..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:39 pm
He laughed, the bellow rising from the pit of his stomach.
"You think I look hungry, eh?" He asked, finding himself quite amused with her attempts at mocking him. "I'd try to make a meal out of you, just to show you how hungry I am, though I fear you appear to be far too spoiled for my tastes, little Princess."
He watched her step back, which only prompted him to move closer. If she was feeling uncomfortable, he wasn't about to let up on her. After all, she was the one who chose to continue the conversation, instead of running off like any good scared little child should be.
"I would never want to be sacrificed, little one, though...." he began, raising one paw up to show off a gleaming claw, "I used to be a Haruspex. You're a smart girl, I'm sure you know what that is. Yes, I used to rip open animals your size in attempts to converse with the spirits. I'd be in the mood for a quick one, if your Sacrificial self is willing to oblige...?"
Chuckling again, he placed his extended paw back down on the ground, shaking his head. It was probably not the best idea to threaten the daughter of Jinichongo, despite her attitude calling to be taken down a notch or two.
"No, my small Princess, I do not want to be a Sacrifice, for there is no reason to die an early death for a nonexistent cause."
His eyes moved to gaze across the sky, the stars brightly shimmering high above. Oh, if this little one only knew that the path she walked was a false one, one he too had walked as a Haruspex, all those years ago. It took a while for him to come to terms with the truth, or so he thought, but with such an influential family, this child had no hopes of learning the truth for herself, before she was put to death, or worse, made the ruler of the pride itself.
"You will be rid of me soon enough, Princess." He continued calmly, moving to walk away from her and her rock. "I'm here for one thing, and one thing only. As far as my curse goes, I think you have more things to worry about than finding yourself cursed with a smile like mine."
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:54 am
The "Princess" was not phased by the little threats of the demented adult, and she was growing quite tired of his continuous creeping up to her movements. Now she would definitely make sure the stranger would have a hard time in the pride if he didn't leave right away--her father would split his chest open in one swipe!
"So you used to live here, didn't you?" she questioned after reluctantly acknowledging that he knew too much about the pride to be a total stranger.
"I'm too good for you, even if you were a haruspex. If you put one claw on me, daddy'll get you," she smiled as she said the last words, "You know who my dad is, right?"
But as the stranger commented on the worthlessness of sacrifices, the young cub wished to know and ask more; she wasn't learning anything new from any minder or even her parents--this black lion was making her think! Despite his ridiculous claim, the educated cub wanted to set him straight.
"For what cause?" she asked, perplexed over the statement. "I won't die early; it'll be at the right time! You should know that, unless you were a bad haruspex and did things dumb."
She was frustrated with the stranger, and felt like giving him away to someone else's notice--someone who was big enough to take him down! He wasn't that scary anyways, and he didn't seem to be smart enough to trick anyone. But as he made to leave, the cub did not expect it, and jumped off the rock she had been on, moving to the front of the stranger's path. She was completely oblivious to the annoying obstruction she was making to the stranger, but it was her right to know what was going on! His prior sneaky answers were not good enough for the royal cub to just walk away in ignorance. And if he was a threat to the pride, she'd be the first to report it! The excitement of the possible praises got the small cub to continue talking to him, and their interaction would end on her terms, not his.
"What?" she asked in a frenzied shout. "Why are you here? Tell me who you are now, and I won't tell anyone to punish you! You're an intruder here now, even if you really were a haruspex before!"
A knowing smile played on her face as she elaborated, "And mom hasn't been liking intruders, so you'll die without my help if anyone sees you. So you should stay with me, if you know what's good for you... and answer me."
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:22 am
One eyebrow rose as he watched the tiny tot plant herself directly in the middle of his pathway, and he paused, debating his choices. It would be easy enough to merely step over the young thing, but judging by her prissy nature, he had a feeling she'd be following him around until she passed out or got the answers she was demanding out of him. Despite being a stubborn b*****d himself, Shetani wasn't willing to suffer through an hour or more of cub torment.
Sighing, he planted his own rump down upon the ground with a thud, his red eyes no longer holding their gleam of mischief at teasing the cub. No, now she was nothing more than a bother.
"Neither mother nor your father would see to my death," he replied boredly, letting out a large yawn. It wasn't until he'd stopped his walking did he realize just how horribly tired his weary body actually was. "Being as your mother and I share the same blood, in a sense."
In fact, she'd probably THANK me for teaching your Prissiness a lesson, he thought to himself, waving one paw in the air. "But that is neither here nor there. I have not come to intrude, as you put it. I have just as much equal right to roam among these lands as you do, Princess, but I am not here to roam."
His paw moving back down into place, as he realized he'd been absentmindedly been motioning. He shook his head and laughed; despite not knowing his father, it seemed they shared a similar fondness for leading into stories, or so that's what his mother had always told him.
"I am here to find....a Goddess."
He paused for dramatic effect, then remembered who his audience was. The little twerp was probably going to try to ruin his story with more snippy questions, so he quickly continued on, focusing not only on the story, but reminding himself to keep his paws from returning to their habit of motioning.
"You see, little one," he began, his eyes moving towards the skyline and away from her petite, judgmental face, "I was born not in these lands, but the former home of the Mizimu'Tungika. I was raised alongside your mother, as my mother was Jinichongo's sister. While you may have been led to believe that only her and Hodari were born of a litter, then you are sorely mistaken. No, your mother had siblings, vibrant and full of life, with so much to live for. Except all of them, including my own mother's life, suffered a premature death as your mother ascended the throne as Queen. Just as you, Princess, have the chance of perishing once dear Jinichongo passes from this world."
Shetani paused, the mood of the moment growing heavy as memories of his mother flooded his mind. He had been young, then, when Jinichongo had risen to power, and he had resented her for it from the moment the sacrificial blood had been spilt upon the ground.
"But that is not the story you're waiting to hear," he cleared his throat, moving the subject onward, "While my mother was born of your bloodline, I was a child of two worlds. Anansi, the great god of Trickery, seduced my mother as an adolescent, before running off to his next conquest. He left behind two parting gifts, myself and my sister. My sister bears the markings of the royal family, as my face bears tell-tale markings of Anansi's presence. The spiders that forever remain on my skin, the false grin across my face, all of my appearance is a trick upon the eye, a curse I bear wherever I go."
Straightening his back, he let out a chuckle. "At least, it's a horrifying one to other cubs. You certainly are a strange one, Princess."
Letting out another yawn, he shook his tangled mane and once again moved on with his story. "Although I was blessed with the blood of the gods, or rather, great spirits, as you would call them, my life was far from content. Like you, I questioned many things, and yet, unlike you, I came to understand the truth, and what a wicked truth it was to discover. Not only had my life been a lie, but my mother had perished in vain; an extravagant ceremony for a lioness who is just as common as any other beast that roams the Mizimu'Tungika."
Sighing, he shook his head. This child did not need to know his burdens, his regrets, his anger. It would be amazing if she retained this knowledge at all, much less acted upon it. "I then took it upon myself to discover the other heritage I possessed... Anansi's line. I left the Mizimu'Tungika in search of him, to ask him all the questions I'd longed to know, to find out why he chose my mother, to find out what caused his drifting ways. It was during one of my many adventures that I happened upon the knowledge of Anansi's other child in this world... a godchild by the name of Tukutu. She herself is the goddess of mischief, and has evaded me for many seasons now. It is clear I will be unable to reach Anansi, so instead, I turn my sights towards Tukutu. She is my last link between the two worlds, and if I am ever to discover the reason behind the Sight I see, it will be through her answers."
Finally, the older lion rose from where he sat, giving a curt nod towards the cub who remained before him.
"Now, Princess, as I have answered your questions and pleaded my case, I would very much like to return to my searching. I am neither intruder nor threat to your royal line or family, but I foresee that if you continue to hold me back from my mission, Tukutu may pose a much larger danger to your relatives. I am certain she walks the same land you and I walk."
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:14 am
Good, the queen's daughter thought as the stranger sat down for her; she had him right where she wanted him. Of course others would give in to her royal persuasion sooner or later! Maybe it wouldn't be bad if one day the spirits chose her to ascend as a queen; at least, with this first ordering around session, she could get used to it.
But as the old lion began his lecture, the cub tilted her head in skeptical confusion. So, this lion was related to her! She knew it!
And the dark male was right in plowing on with his story, for the young cub had almost opened her mouth twice--one at the revelation at their relation, and second for the mention of a goddess. After the second time, however, she had found herself very much intrigued by the lion's words, and clung onto them like sap to a tree. Her ears were all his.
As the stranger was finishing up his story, the cub's mind was reeling, digesting all of the information. While she didn't put all her faith and belief in his words, she did not reject them either; it was new, exciting, and an improvement from the days that had been droning on because she was lacking something new to learn. Though he had yawned a lot, expressing his tiredness for the situation, the cub was the opposite--and completely focused.
However, if what he said was true, then... Well, that would make the creeping lion her cousin, wouldn't it? She made a disgusted face to herself at the realization, and wondered if she would be seeing any more of him in the future.
"So, you are a spiritborn," she said reluctantly in awe. "But you think it's a curse..."
She had to feel a little sad and possibly even pity for her... cousin. He seemed to have a lot of sadness behind his dark body, and some... problems--problems that she couldn't help but feel like she needed to help in solving. And maybe in the process, she could get him to be a part of the family again, even if he did look strange! He sure would have been a change of pace from everyone else that wasn't as interesting.
"I don't get what you're saying about the truth and lies... but I don't think your mom was common," she actually gave a very slight smile as she said it, "If she was my mom's sister, her spirit must have been very important!"
And for now, she was satisfied with his answers. In the future, hopefully, she could seek more, but today was enough.
"Tu...kutu? Here? If she is, mom and dad'll know. We'll find her for you, just wait!.. And my name isn't 'Princess', it's Mfuondoka."
Mfuondoka would no longer pose an obstacle for the newly found cousin. She had her filling of knowledge for the day, and was ready to go back to where her siblings were resting.
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:18 am
He chuckled quietly. If only this little one knew what "common" lioness he'd been referring to.... well, it was probably for the best that she remain unaware that her highly esteemed mother was insulted by the likes of him.
"My mother's spirit was very important indeed," he agreed, flicking away a bit of dirt from one leg. "As is yours, as well as my own. One must treasure their spirit, for once the body withers away, that is all that we are left to possess. Take care of yours, little Princess."
Giving her a wry smile, he nodded, correcting himself. "Mfuondoka, I meant."
Well, her attitude had certainly changed from the way it had been during their first exchange of words. She still seemed rather prissy, but more kindhearted than the ruthless parents she was spawned from. Shetani shook his head, disgusted at the idea of Jinichongo's lies spreading further and deeper into the pride. As he begun to collect himself for departing, he paused, having a thought. "The hunt for Tukutu must be kept quiet, less we anger the goddess for spoiling her fun too soon." he commented, realizing he may have mentioned too much, and threatened risking his potential confrontation with his half sister, "While I appreciate your assistance, Mfuo, we must keep this between ourselves for now. A royal secret, of sorts."
He leaned down, bowing his head towards the small Royal Sacrifice. While she still had much to learn in this world, she was highly intelligent for a cub her age. Perhaps there was hope for her, after all.
"Hopefully we will see each other another time, but until then, I bid farewell." He pardoned himself, before stepping away.
Leaving the cub behind, the large male made his way further into the land, his form dissolving into the shadows of the night.
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