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 Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:47 pm
Moto had returned from her visit to the Matembezi, feeling more light-hearted. She'd seen Usiku, Mioyo had returned, and life didn't seem so...bleak. But...the Mwezi sighed and looked up to the darkening sky as night set in on the borders of the Mwako. She was still breaking inside. Still broken. She would not be able to hold out much longer as a leader. She had so little of herself left...she wasn't sure how much she could give to the pride. Moto wanted to cry...but she was already inside the pride lands now.
And none of her cubs were fit for the title of Mwezi. She loved them...but Luta was a mother, not a leader. Dogo had too much of a temper. Hekima was too lazy and more a warrior. Tara was warrior with every fiber of her being. Tas was too timid, and Hira...Hira could not speak. Risa hadn't shown inclinations yet. And Enzi had no mate. None of her family were Mwezi-potential.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:48 pm
It had been a long day for Kaimel. Between checking in on Cae, simply to make sure she was doing well in the pride, and gathering the herbs he was beginning to run low on... Kaimel was nearing exhaustion. It was only the fact that Moto was returning to the pride today, and Torame's gentle nudging that spurred him on towards the borders to meet her. Really, he wasn't sure what he'd do without the serval these days. Just when he thought he didn't have the energy to go on, she always seemed to know just what to say to get him moving again...
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:49 pm
Moto's ears flickered as a sound and scent reached her. Turning towards them, she smiled at the familiar lion coming her way. Kaimel...he was no longer an apprentice. But he was still like a son to her. And she had no issues guiding him or sharing more lore with him when he asked. "Kaimel! It is wonderful to see you again." When she spotted the serval, she nodded. Torame had been good for the half-demon.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:50 pm
"It's good to see you as well, Miss Moto," Kaimel said, happily trotting up to give the lioness an affectionate nudge. "I trust your journey was well?" Really, the small conversations they had... The half-demon had always been amazed at how easy it was to relate to his mentor. Even now, he almost missed the days when he was young, and would simply spend hours asking her what this or that herb was used for... How to soothe a cracked pawpad. It had all seemed so simple back then, and she had seemed so strong.
Torame gave a polite nod back towards the lioness, moving to sit calmly at her bonded's side. She could sense that the two of them would talk for a bit before they returned to the lands, and now was as good a time as any to get some rest.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:51 pm
The Mwezi nodded. "It was well as can be. Our allies are doing well...Mioyo returned to them." It had made Moto happy, seeing she HADN'T lost another friend. "And little Usiku is well. Mioyo's daughter Nyx has been taking very good care of him." She gave the younger lion a motherly nuzzle. "I missed you all so much. Especially you and my little ones."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:52 pm
"It's good to hear Lady Mioyo has returned. I can only imagine how much of a relief to the pride it was to see her wellbeing," Kaimel said gently, smiling and pulling back to give Moto's cheek a soft lick. He couldn't deny that he'd always thought of her as a second mother. And how lucky was he, to have both his parents and her? "And I'm glad young Usiku is settling in well. I know how hard it was to decide which cub you would send to live with them, but I think you made a wise choice. I'm not so sure he was truly suited to life here."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:53 pm
Moto nodded. "Seeing him...I know I made the right choice. Risa and Tas and Hira...they belong here. And Usiku has made bonds over there he never would have here." She purred, feeling at ease for the first time in a long while. "Kaimel...remember how I have told you that sometimes the healer must seek healing?" He was the only one she could tell who might understand. Enzi could not, Tara was out searching for Hippolyta...and Serithi was gone.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:54 pm
"I remember, Miss Moto. It is why I am so grateful to have Torame at my side," Kaimel said softly, looking down towards the serval now curled around his leg with a soft smile. He remembered when he'd found her, and how lost she'd looked. He'd given her a purpose, and she'd given him the shoulder he needed when he wasn't sure if he could put another paw forward. "Are you in need of a healer, Miss Moto?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:55 pm
"I am, child. I have been for quite some time. But you all needed my light too much." She looked to the moon, gaining in height. "I will not be able to provide that light for much longer, Kaimel." Moto smiled sadly. "But...I cannot step down without a new Moon to take my place. And I certainly can't pluck the one in the sky down to guide you all." She shook her head. "I am lost, little one. And maybe younger eyes can see what I cannot."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:56 pm
"Even the brightest lights dim over time. I had a feeling that your time was drawing close around the birth of your most recent litter," Kaimel said softly, his own eyes turning towards the moon. "But sometimes, you can find light in the most unexpected of places. The moon itself is an unexpected source of light, and even it must rest before it can shine its brightest. Perhaps you are merely trying too hard to see the new Moon... After all, the moon shines its brightest when the sky is at its darkest. And in these dark times, it's only a matter of time before you see that light."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:57 pm
Moto smiled. "That is true. And I thought I'd done such a good job of hiding my cracks. Alas, I seem to be unable to hide anything from you, my child." She had started breaking with the birth of her second litter...They took a great deal from their father, and then Tas...Tas was colored so like her aunt. Like the sister that had started breaking Moto apart so long ago. "It is just...None of my little ones are suited for the job. And Enzi has no mate, and even then there is no guarantee she would be right..."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:58 pm
"I've spent most of my life around you, Miss Moto. I know your cracks as well as I know my own," Kaimel said lightly, his smile growing just that little bit wider. It was her next statement that made him chuckle slightly. "Then you are narrowing your vision too much. Look among the ranks you lead. There is no law that says the new Moon must be of your blood."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:59 pm
The lioness nodded. "True. But...I was hoping for there to be a connection between the Jua and Mwezi. Like Serithi and I were mates. And Enzi and I are son and mother." She was silent a moment, in thought. There were other connections...What sort of connections did Enzi have? Those of friendship. Of mentorship. Of....Moto started and looked at Kaimel wide-eyed.
Friendship. He and Enzi were good friends. And Kai was perfect. "Kaimel, you are a wonderful genius!"
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:00 pm
Kaimel started slightly at Moto's declaration, before a nervous laugh escaped his maw. "Well, I always thought I was bright... But a genius?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:01 pm
Moto chuckled. "Yes. Though I do not think you were thinking of the creature I've decided on." She smiled brightly. Kaimel was a perfect candidate for Mwezi. He was kind and caring, but knew when to stand up and fight. He could lead the pride with his light when her own fizzled.
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