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 Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:58 pm
Haini sat atop an outcropping of rock, watching the sun set gloriously. A rising hot wind ruffled his mane, bringing not relief but further oppression. Oppression. That was a word that carried much weight in this rebellion. Oppression of the innocent, oppression of those with certain colors. Oppression perhaps of those in places of authority? An ear twitched back towards the main camp. They would be settling down for the night soon, and Haini had volunteered for night watch. It suited him to prowl in the dark. Dark always covered most color differences, washing all to shades of grey. It also covered things you didn't want others to see.
His tailtip swayed, brushing up dust from the crevices of the rock beneath him. The scatterings of ochre earth streamed from the movement, the light catching them and creating curves and arcs in the air before they disappeared. They weren't gone, of course, though they appeared to be. No, that same earth woud grow next year's grasses, or wash in rivulets with the monsoons and flee towards the sea. But it was never gone. Its circumstance only changed.
So it was for himself as well. He wanted to change his circumstance for the better. Permenantly.
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:11 pm
Even among the Dhati he got looks. Kwa Hofu had never set foot in Mizimu territory, so he could only imagine the glares and gazes – or those that avoided meeting his, in some cases – that he would’ve received anyways. Why? Simply because of his colouring, something Hofu had no control over – though, they said, the spirits did – nevertheless, it was not something he, personally, had chosen, and so it seemed unjust to label him for things he did not and could not control. But that was how it was. And, Hofu had learnt, it was much easier to make enemies than friends, so he watched his tongue and spoke nothing of it, lest he cause some sort of tension to become dominant throughout the Dhati. They needed to be as stable as possible, if they wanted their ambitions to be pulled off.
He made light steps, quiet and cautious, through the night air. His breathes were sharp and soft, everything to dull the chances of him being seen, not that, amongst those who claimed to be friends – or allies, at least – the lion really needed to worry. But he always did anyways, and it had been woven in, through his skin and it ran through his blood – some things would never change, he supposed.
In the darkness it was hard to tell just what he was. Much less if he was green or red or blue or yellow or rainbow for all he cared! The point was, you couldn’t tell. He liked that. Darkness coated him, and though moonlight illuminated the bones that sang their solemn song – through the bumps and clacks they emitted – his colouration was only to be seen by those who really, really tried, and those who were at a distance Hofu would let no stranger come close to. In the darkness he was safe.
His quick steps carried him out to where he knew a friend would be sitting. Night watch was something the younger lion was fond of as well, not that he was particularly suited for it – if anything his speed only proved useful as a scout or hunter – but he liked jobs like this, because, usually, he didn’t have to deal with anyone, and was safe in the isolation of his own mind. However, this evening he was seeking advice from another’s mind.
“Haini!” He called out, as the lion’s familiar figure became visible, glowing in the escaping orange rays, the older lion was one who Hofu could identify with ease, after all, you had to know you’re friends well. And, despite the saying, Hofu preferred keeping his friends closer than his enemies.
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 2:06 pm
The older lion paused, turning his head partway towards the voice that called his name. Ah, the young one. The grizzled warrior knew the younger's name, but never thought of him by it. Often enough, he called him Young One as well. Perhaps it was a habit he'd learned, a way to distance himself from others. Even those who bore the same shameful color as he could potentially betray you. Any could. However, this young lion was so eager, so naive, an outsider come among them. Haini tended to lower his defenses a little when the bouncy, twitchy youngster was around.
He chuffed a greeting, returning his gaze outward, away from the pride that settled in for the night. His eyes slitted against the setting sun's light, the last piercing rays enough to blind the unwary. "What brings you, young one?" he queried gruffly. It wasn't his intention, but the way his voice came out. Haini was not a tender, gentle lion, and neither was his voice. The lack of smoothness was enough to make a fearful cub cry, under the right circumstances. "Come to share night watch with me?"
This was unlikely, as such a duty usually was reasonably solitary. Which, of course, suited him quite well. He liked patrols too, but night watch was practically as good. Beneath the stars there was space to think, quiet to do it in, and no nosy, prying questions about his past, or his future. He liked to think about neither, save for the hope of better to come.
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