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 Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:25 am
While Orod and Kimbio slept, Mugisa's green eyes were open to meet the rising sun. He rarely found the time to sleep during the evening, not when the others were slumbering.
No, if he were to sleep, then they would be at risk. The large lion did not trust Zaliwa or his followers, and would not put it past them to end the trio's lives while they were defenseless and unconscious from the world.
He was restless, this morning, when he typically would feel the tug of sleep's arms, beckoning him to give in to a world of dreams. Instead, he remained alert and awake, with legs itching for movement.
For so long, he'd woken up early to hunt for their food. High in the mountains, where game was much scarcer... and here game was provided. Just... sitting there.
Shaking his head, he turned back to give the sleeping duo a final glance, before making his way out of the cavern. He needed a walk. He needed to think.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:54 am
These newcomers are of interest to Uwayo. New things mean change, and change means opportunity. And opportunity is something that she has never been one to ignore. The snow-footed lioness had watched the trio arrive, from a distance. She listened to their tale, spread throughout the pride in whispers. And she did her own investigations, to find out how much of the tale was truth and how much was lies. What she discovered, however, was that she did not really care for the entire situation.
It's too uncertain. Too many things could change, in too many different ways. So for now she chooses inactivity, failing to voice her own opinion or choose a side.
But she's curious, and so when the opportunity arose to have her patrol 'just happen' to be near enough to the newcomers to keep watch on them, she took it. That is why she is near enough for Mugisa to see when he emerges from the cavern - perched on a nearby slope, her dark form clearly visible against the snow-covered incline, her bright feet fading into the cold whiteness so that she almost appears to be a part of the mountain itself.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:16 pm
He saw her, but said nothing. Mugisa had nothing to say to any of these strangers, as he was sure they had nothing to say to him or his companions. They had been an unexpected arrival, and he gathered it was a very unwanted one.
Zaliwa is even more of a paranoid fool than I took him for, Mugisa thought bitterly to himself. Was this lioness posted to keep an eye on them? For what purpose? Did Zaliwa really think they would stoop so low as to overthrow him during the evening?
The large lion gritted his teeth, growing sour at the thought. While he didn't put it past the leader to want to dispose of the new threat in the land, it was insult upon injury for him just to assume that Orod would be likewise. No, Orod was a good lion, and the rightful leader!
Turning, he finally paid the lioness attention. "You are relieved of your duties!" He called out, an angry tone underlining his words. "Go tend to your other duties, I am keeping watch here!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:29 pm
"Who watches the watchman?" She asks brightly, her voice clear and a little deeper than might be expected. Uwayo rises, moving fluidly from her crouch, and bounds down the slope with grace that seems almost out of place given her large form. She's well-suited to these lands, even if she does not share blood ties to any within the pride.
A safe distance remains between them when she comes to a halt, her gaze flicking towards the cavern - and she lowers her voice, to respect those within. "My patrol duty placed me nearby, my curiousity brought my path closer to your den than I was assigned to be." She states, seemingly at random. But she does not want to ruffle any feathers by making the newcomers suspect foul play, nor does she want to deprive herself of the chance to learn more about them.
"You are... Mugisa, yes? Have you been promoted, then, to one who would have authority over myself?" Uwayo waits calmly, but her gaze keeps drifting towards the darkness where the others sleep.
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:18 pm
"Give me time and I just might be," came the gruff response, his green eyes narrowing as the female drew near. He didn't like the idea that he was being watched, that tabs were being kept or that he hadn't the faintest idea who this female was.
He saw her watching the cave. While she was of a formidable size, he knew, if it came down to it, he could take her down. Grunting, he moved to stand between her and the cavern, disliking the way she repeatedly continued to look back at the cave that held his sleeping companions.
"I am Mugisa." He confirmed, his stance firm and unwavering, "And curiosity has killed many a lion, I'm certain. I doubt you'd care for an early death, stranger, so perhaps it is best you don't investigate curiosities whenever you have a whim to do so."
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:22 pm
"Goodness," she murmurs, as a wry smile twists upon her muzzle, "I shall have to watch my words then, Sir Mugisa, to avoid causing offense to my future boss." Her attention remains fixed on him as soon as he moves between her and the cavern - protective, isn't he? - and she makes herself comfortable where she has stopped.
Seemingly unconcerned by his grumpiness, she yawns and rubs at her chest with one heavy paw. "I'm no stranger, Mugisa, as I dare say that my paws have tread these lands at least as long as yours. You've been away for a while, though, so I'll forgive you for not knowing my name." With another smile she bows her head, bright eyes sparkling as she looks up at him. "I am Uwayo'theluji, but you may call me Uwayo. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mugisa."
"Now so far as your talk of curiousities goes, well, I find it odd that you'd think there would be danger within the protected lands of our pride. Why should I curb my curiousity within these bounds, hmm?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:16 am
He huffed at her response, growing irritable at her mockery. "The pleasure is yours and yours alone."
Mugisa was no fan of teasing, at least, not now. Long ago as a child, he used to play and roughhouse with Orod and the others, taunting one another as they attempted to wrestle each other until one was pinned down against the cavern floor. Mugisa loved winning, but losing was never that bad, at the time. Then the others started getting sick. To his horror, the others soon followed suit just as his mother had, each one losing to the fatal game of life. Left with only two companions, only Orod would dare tease him on occasion, hoping he would 'lighten up', as he called it.
There was no reason to lighten up, not when their lives were on the line, not when so much was at stake. They were home now, but was the danger any less here, than it was in the mountains?
"Not all here share the same opinions on mine and my companions' presence," he bluntly responded, his eyes still trained on her. "I'm sure quite a few would prefer we no longer remain here, so cautiousness should take priority over curiosity, Uwayo."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:31 am
She grins, unabashedly and perversely pleased by his grumpiness, but refrains from further taunts. For now. She knows that it's unlikely he'd retaliate in any way other than closing down and refusing to answer her, not with the tensions in the pride - attacking a loyal member would be a death sentence! But the idea of him refusing to play along even just a little bit is enough of a threat to curb her usual behaviour.
"I would argue that the two go hand in hand, Mugisa." Uwayo flexes her claws, looking down at the furrows she digs in the hard-packed earth, and then shrugs. "At least for now. A curious lion would come to nose around and ask about your business for no reason other than to satisfy that curiousity. But a cautious lion..."
As she trails off she looks back towards the 'heart' of the pride, her gaze distant. A few heartbeats pass before she returns her attention to Mugisa, a wry smirk upon her muzzle. "Well, a cautious lion would want to know both sides of the story before making a decision."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:44 am
One eyebrow rose at her last statement.
"And are you a cautious lioness, then, Uwayo?"
The thought hadn't occurred to him that perhaps others would side with him, as opposed to against the trio. Mugisa had always held the opinion that, despite Orod being the true ruler, that Zaliwa had convinced all of the pride that he was the one who would continue to rule, that none would oppose him. But the idea of gaining another on their side... was it possible? Could and would anyone willingly follow the three strangers that had returned home?
His gruffness did indeed lighten up at this thought, although he remained suspicious. Any lion could be a traitor, just as any lion could be a comrade. His poor mind, however, had grown far too weary this morning to want to even try to tell the difference.
"I have a side to tell, for those willing to hear it." He finally uttered, his vision finally breaking off from the large female. "But now is not the time for telling it, for the sun has risen, and I must return to the others."
He said nothing more, waiting to hear the response from the dark lioness. Was she truly interested in their cause, or was it just another story for bored ears?
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:53 am
"Curiousity brought me to these lands, but caution is what made me wander the borders in secret, learning what I could before I approached seeking admittance."
She rises then, stretching languidly while she prepares to depart. This has been a more successful encounter than she anticipated, and Mugisa's words suggest that he'd like to continue at a late date. But it wouldn't do to seem too eager, not at all. "Would I have said any of what I shared with you today if I wasn't cautious?" Uwayo smirks. She'll get him to crack a smile yet. "Of course I am willing to hear, if you are willing to speak."
"Give me a time and place, Mugisa, and I will meet you there. Or you may come patrol with me, and I'll show you what I can do."
And with that, she wanders away.
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