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 Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:24 pm
Jivutatia:
Jivu stood still in her lake, watching the water carefully, looking for a sizable fish for breakfast. Her rain-day den wasn't far off, but this was her lake and the fishing was good and it was cool, clear, clean water, nice for a morning dip. But today wasn't a swimming day, today was for fishing. Mwandani had already had her breakfast probably a rodent or something. Jivu never really cared to ask what 'Dani ate. All she knew was the snake went off and came back later with a bulge of some digesting creature. At the moment, her friend was lying in a sedated pose, coiled on a branch in a patch of sun.
Riad'naim:
Riad'naim had stayed in the area - it was sparse with life, despite it's stark differences to what he was used to. His stomach was somewhat and sullen after his long journey, and so denying an area so teeming with prey was a foolish decision. He'd rest, regain his full strength, and then set out again. He was almost there - this afternoon, he would set out again, and continue his search. But for now, he was parching, his throat dry and sandy. He didn't know the forest well, and so struggled to find what he wanted when he wanted. But he'd found this lake yesterday, and made sure to remember it's location, so he could return today before he set off again.
Moving through the thick vegetation, he paused suddenly in the shadows as he spotted an all-too familiar figure, staring at the lake. He couldn't help the smile that crosed his face. My my my...
Jivutatia:
Jivu held her breath, still as a tree on a breezeless day. Suddenly, much like a snake striking prey, her head was down in the water and pulled back up, a flapping fish in her jaws. She growled and bit down until it stopped moving before she turned and headed back towards the bank. Fur dripping, she laid down in her own patch of sunlight to start eating her catch. It wasn't that big of a fish, so she'd probably have to get another one, but for now one was a good start to the morning meal.
Riad'naim:
Riad watched, frowning a little as she suddenly seemed to freeze. Had she smelt him? He was sure the wind was blowing towards him, so his scent should be masked...but then she struck, and came out with a fish. Riad blinked, mouth dropping open a little, the male incredibly impressed. She managed to catch a fish? He hadn't thought that possible! My, Jivu certainly did have some hidden talents. She retreated to a sunny patch to enjoy her kill, and Riad took the opportunity to emerge from his hiding place, a small smirk on his face.
"Fancy seeing you again."
Jivutatia:
"Really? I can't figure how it would be a surprise. I live here, after all," Jivu replied in a saucy tone, smirking to herself in between bites. He was an interesting character, with weird ideals. Of course, it was pretty generic. Really, how had her family worked? For the most part, her mother hunted for the family and her father was a protector type. Well, more like picking fights with annoying s.o.b.s, but that was another story altogether. Daddy's girl, was Jivu.
"Haven't left, I see. Jungle not so bad after all?"
Riad'naim:
He nodded his head to one side as he moved forwards, padding around the lake to get a little closer to her, so he didn't have to raise his voice as much, "I suppose you're right - still, it's a big jungle."
He chuckled at her suggestion that the jungle wasn't so bad - he supposed to was right. While it was full of nasty insects larger than his paw and vines that were just waiting to trip you up, it was also full of plentiful prey, and was somewhat beautiful if you caught it in the morning light or evening dusk. "Just building my strength up before continuing onwards. You don't need to worry about running into me, so put your mind at rest," he joked light-heartedly, fond smile returning. "How have you been, Jivutatia?"
Jivutatia:
The small lioness licked her lips and yawned, shrugging a bit as she looked up at the spotted male.
"As well as can be expected. things are a little boring, but that's life usually," she replied, an honest female if she wasn't kind. She preferred honesty over lies. She didn't say everything in her mind,but she didn't see the point in telling a falsehood when the truth was easier and sometimes more annoying.
"Pfft, like I would worry about you. You're not some former human-toy or helpless cub or anything."
Riad'naim:
Boring? He chuckled - a boring life was one he couldn't handle. Doing the same thing every day got labourious, and so the Ukuucha'Wafalme was just perfect for him. Some days he'd be guarding, patrolling the borders. Others he'd be watching over the ladies, ensuring their safety. Others he'd just relax, and enjoy the company of his harem. Even if it was only Adina at the moment, that was more than enough. He was out here to prove himself, rather than because he felt he needed a bigger harem. He wasn't a self-conscious lion.
"Boring? I don't know how you manage..." he sighed, approaching the lake and taking a drink to relieve his parched throat. He took a few great gulps, swallowing and savouring before turning back to Jivu with a charming grin, "Nice to know you care."
Jivutatia:
"Eh, caring is a strong word. Feeling sorry for those that can't take care of themselves is more like it." Okay, so that wasn't completely true, but partway at the least. She was like her mother in that since. Her mother was always trying to help others, no matter how much they didn't want it. Oh, she'd heard the story of how her parents met, how her father was moody and aggressive and her mother too stubborn to let him leave before she figured out what was wrong with him. And how he always seemed to be saving her.
"Totally not like my mom, who looks out for every creature under the sky. Except snakes. I think she had a run in with a really big one when she was little, so 'Dani and my father's Vuvi bother her," she added, snorting. 'Dani wouldn't hurt a fly in anything but hunger and Vuvi was too good of a friend to go after one of the family, so that her mother worried was a little silly in her mind.
Riad'naim:
"Sounds like the same thing to me," he teased, before wrinkling his nose at a sudden thought, "Or perhaps you're talking about pity. Whichever it is, perhaps I should rephrase myself. I didn't know you spared a thought or emotion for me. Better?" he joked again, trying to draw a smile from the female. It would be nice to see her smile, before he left. He always found that lionness' seemed to have far prettier smiles than lions.
"Oh?" Her mother? He smiled, surprised she was talking about such intimate matters. He didn't often talk about his parents, not even to close friends. "I think caring about others is a strength, rather than a weakness. It shows you have a big heart."
Jivutatia:
"I didn't say it was a weakness. She's the strongest female I know. I'm just saying, I don't help those that can do it their darn selves," Jivu replied with an amused laugh, sitting up. She didn't mind talking about her mother and father, she looked up to them after all. They were her parents, and she wanted to be like them. But she wanted to be herself, too. She figured she had found a pretty good medium. Her father's sarcasm, her mother's want to help others, and her ideas of only helping those that needed it. And this male didn't really need any more help outside of finding a willing female to take back. Something he could do for himself.
Riad'naim:
Oh, a laugh was better than a smile. It seemed to cause his own smile to widen, Riad even allowing a small grin as he watched her. She looked so at home, so natural in the forest. She was beautiful in her own right. Any lion would be lucky to have her. He chuckled to himself a little, shaking his head as he looked to the ground, before up at her again with a small, sweet smile.
"Anyway, I should leave. Don't suppose you could point me in the direction away from where I arrived? Everything looks the same in this place."
Jivutatia:
Jivu stood and walked over to where 'Dani was still dozing. Cooing and hissing in a soft and tender way that she had used back when they were just little and Jivu was more or less raising the baby snake, she rose up so her front paws kept her supported on the branch. 'Dani smiled and hissed softly back, moving and curling around Jivu's neck, still mostly asleep. That done, Jivu returned to Riad, her ears perked up.
"I'll take you to the edge. It's easier than trying to tell you how to get there," she said with a nod.
Riad'naim:
Riad watched Jivu as she moved towards the snake, making tender noises that surprised him a little. She was such an extraordinary lionness - sarcastic, snarky, strong, independent, yet tender and soft and kind. He hadn't thought it was possible for such conflicting emotions in the same body. She suggesting taking him to the edge and he nodded, before straightening up with a smile. "I'd be grateful if you could. Thank you."
Jivutatia:
Jivu nodded and started walking towards the edge of the jungle. She had to admit, she'd probably be a little... disappointed to see him leave. She didn't often run into other lions, and when she did they were usually boring. At least this guy stayed on his toes. He met her banter word for word and that had been interesting. But she didn't really want to leave, no matter how amusing he had been.
"You don't talk much about family." It was random, but an observation, nonetheless.
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:22 am
Riad'naim followed his new friend, careful as always to ensure he didn't trip or step on a thorn. He'd stepped on one once when he was younger, and the experience had certainly made him a more careful lion. It had been so painful...felt like a bloody tree in his paw rather than just a mere thorn. It had stung so much...
Jivu spoke, and Riad blinked, pausing for a moment before continuing to follow her, contemplating an answer. "I'm sorry, would you like me to?" he offered, surprised by her words, "I tend not to talk about my family. I always thought family was a more intimate topic, so don't often speak about them."
He thought his words through carefully before speaking, not wanting to offend her.
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:41 am
Jivu shrugged, a common action from her, though this one was lighter so as not to bother 'Dani too much.
"Don't really care either way, I was just making an observation," she replied. The forest was thinning around them, more patches of sunlight, fewer trees. They were out of her territory by then. To her knowledge, this was neutral territory, unless someone had moved in since last she checked.
"Never really considered it intimate. Maybe overly personal matters, but just talking about having family and those things about them that make you proud or whatever seems more like... bragging, I suppose."
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:59 am
Didn't care? What an odd thing to sure - surely she did care, or she wouldn't have asked. And to just say you didn't care about something wasn't...wasn't right. You should care about everything, no matter how small. It was almost rude. And again with the intrigue - Jivu wasn't like any lionness he'd ever met before. Riad did feel a little sad, that he wouldn't be seeing her again. But alas, it couldn't be helped. There were less trees here, he could tell their journey would soon be over, and the pair would have to go his separate ways. Where would he go? Riad'naim honestly didn't know - onwards, was the only certainty.
"Ah, but bragging is considered rude by most," he teased, hoping to draw another smile from her. She had a pretty smile.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:08 am
Jivu snorted at his comment.
"Uh-huh, well I guess that just shows how much I really don't care what others think of me," she replied, grinning in amusement. Really, she didn't. She acted how she felt, and ever since she was little she was doing things that her mother scolded her for being rude. Sneaking about in the trees to scare travelers below, bothering others with her blunt questions and unshakable opinions. Both her mother and 'Dani had told her it would get her in trouble one day, but how could she be anything than what she was?
"Besides, my family talks about one another all the time to those we run into. At least, my mother does. Always passing conversation with those she guides by talking about how we've grown or whatever," she added with another light shrug. Her father didn't, in fact her father didn't talk much at all to anyone but her mother, but that was just his way. Some of her siblings were like him in that sense, but not Jivu. Sometimes, she didn't know when to keep her mouth shut.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:15 am
Ah, there it was!
She dropped a comment and lit her face up with a grin, Riad unable to help but grin back in response. He didn't know why, but it was contagious. She was contagious, she had a certin aura around her that just made him happy. Any other males in the Ukuucha'Wafalme he was sure would be driven to insanity by such a lionness, and she might even be beaten for such insolence. Bu Riad had never been one to beat his harem, even less so after...the tragedies of past lionness'. And he had a funny feeling that even if she was beaten, it wouldn't change Jivu.
Not one bit.
"I can understand that," he mused, glancing to the sky, "Parents are proud of their children. They want everyone to know how amazing their child is, how special he, or she, is." His father had gone on about his birth for weeks. He remembered Vizier Faiz, grinning from ear to ear, proudly proclaiming how his Beybanu had birthed nine cubs. Now that had been a miracle. Dropping his gaze, perhaps a little sadly, a quiet sigh escaped the male's maw. He didn't want nine...just one. A son, or a daughter, to call his own.
But no! He shouldn't be thinking of such things, he was lucky enough to have been given a second chance. He wasn't going to screw it up.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:23 am
"So it would make sense that children would want to tell everyone how much more awesome their parents are..." The conclusion trailed off slightly as her face turned into a frown. Oh, what now? Geez, this male was hot and cold. One minute he was smiling, almost laughing with her, and then one heartbeat and he's sad-looking and sighing.
"Boy, do you blow hot and cold," she muttered and shook her head.
"We're almost to the edge. So, got anybody waiting for you back home?" she asked, trying to change the subject. It was kind of a stupid question. He said he'd gone off to find a female to take back and he already had said he felt family discussion was a more private matter, so who would be left? A best friend, she supposed, like 'Dani was to her, but would that count as family, too?
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:01 am
She made a fair point. Riad frowned as he tried to come up with a reasonable response, whilst inwardly pleased with the level of discussion and conversation they were having. It was refreshing, to be able to hold a decent conversation with exchange of opinions and thoughts with another lionness. Adina was a sweetheart, she was, but she was naturally timid. Riad'naim enjoyed the company of more spirited females alongside those that were more timid.
Almost there? How saddening, that their time was almost over. As for her question, it was an interesting one. His parents would be waiting, of course, but he got the impression that wasn't what she was asking. Adina would be waiting, he was sure, but for a pride where you were judged on your charm and wit, one lionness was hardly anything to brag about. Even if she was as sweet-natured and adorable as Adina.
"I have...I have a lionness, yes," he spoke, seeming to be thinking out loud, "I had...I had more." Why was he talking about this? He never talked about this, yet he felt like Jivu would listen. Actually listen. "There was...there were three. Three beautiful girls. But they all died, were taken from me in such cruel circumstances..." he spoke quietly, watching the floor sadly. He wouldn't cry - no, not even Riad'naim was going to stoop that low. But he was upset, which was to be expected. "I have one lionness, Adina, who's been through almost as much tragedy as I. I came out here to prove myself again. Capturing another...I feel it will show me worthy again, after the sadness of the past."
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:10 am
Jivu was about to ask about this lioness and why he would leave her to "find more". The concept of multiple females to a male dawned on her with a strange sort of curiosity, but he had mentioned before that it was, what sounded to her, more of a contract than what her parents had, with the whole females doing the hunting and males doing the guarding. Not so bad.
But then he continued and her heart sank low, dragging her down, stilling her feet. She paused, feeling really low for having brought something like that up. Sure, she was kind of mean in her teasing sometimes... well, maybe a lot, but that... that was real hurt right there.
"I... sorry." What more could she have said?
She started walking again after and moment and tried her best to lighten the dismal mood that had befallen them.
"What's Adina like?" she asked, hoping that talking about his "girl back home" would lift his spirit.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:26 am
Sorry? He offered a sad smile, shaking his head as he lifted it high once more. Why had he brought something like this up? Now she felt bad. "It's nothing you need to worry about - I shouldn't be bothering you with my troubles. I'm sorry."
Adina? Riad'naim smiled as he thought back to when he'd first taken her in, when others had mocked him for taking in what they believed a useless pile of fur. "She's blind," he explained, figuring it was a sensible place to start, "I took her in when no-one else would. Whilst she's unable to hunt, and perform other tasks usually taken by the lionness', she's wonderful company." Jivu seemed to be right, Riad cheering up a little by talking about his Banu. "She's sweet and kind and loving, if perhaps a little timid."
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:40 am
Jivu stopped again and looked at the larger lion with equal parts surprise, confusion, and disbelief.
"Wait, wait, so you're saying you come from a pride where the females hunt for their male and the male helps the others protect the pride, and currently the only one you have is blind? You need more help than I thought," she more or less exclaimed, looked heaven-wards and shaking her head. And his poor Adina! If she was timid and sweet, well, Jivu could imagine she probably felt worthless, not being able to do her job. She knew she would, if she was in that sort of position. What many would call pity welled up in her.
Well, she told herself, you've got two choices. Either forget what he said and the fact that he's actually been kinda fun to mess with... Or go with.
But, then, it wasn't like he had asked her to come back with him. He had said capture once before, did that mean it wasn't common or allowed for the females to come willingly? Seemed kind of stupid, if it was the latter.
But what about her family? Would she be able to see them again if she went with him? Too many questions were starting to give her a headache.
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:02 am
She stopped, so he did too, smiling down at her. This was nice - he was enjoying this. Jivu seemed to be wonderful company, and although he was a little annoyed with himself for letting his guard down, telling her things he shouldn't be...he had to admit, he did feel better for it. Like a weight off of his chest. Jivu spelt out what every other male in the pride had been sure to spell out to him - what, did they think he was stupid? He was well aware he needed another lionness another than Adina, that was why he was out here. Despite his usual irritation at such an obvious statement being stated, however, with Jivu he found himself instead flashing a sheepish grin, though it soon strengthened to his usual charming one at her mention of help.
"I can manage fine, thank you," he stated - a fact. "Why do you think I'm out here, away from home? I want to prove my worth...but I need another Banu, too. To keep Adina company whilst I'm patrolling the borders, if nothing else."
She went quiet, and Riad looked up. The light was getting stronger, trees getting further apart to allow more light in. They were nearly there, he could see where the light was strongest. That must be the way out. Looking down to Jivu once more, his smile softened, becoming one of genuine happiness and gratitude. "I can find my way from here," he spoke, not quite sure whether to give her a friendly nudge of thanks or just a polite nod. He went with the nod, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. "Thank you for your help, Jivutatia, and your company. It's been a pleasure talking to you."
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:17 am
Jivu listened to Riad speak, frowning slightly. He had a confidence in himself that she could respect and she really did want to spend more time with him. And his poor girl back home... She wanted to help.
"Riad, wait," she finally said, looking up with her frown. "Why haven't you asked me to come back with you?"
It wasn't exactly what she had meant to ask, but it got her point across, for the most part. It wasn't like she would be doing much more or less than what she did now. She did a lot of work, hunting for other individuals when she was helping others out. It would be a little bit more trying to hunt for herself and two more adults, but she was sure she could pull it off. That was, if he asked her to come with him anyways.
She would just have to make sure she could come back and visit her family sometimes.
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:27 am
She asked him to wait, so he did, having started on his way. He turned back to face her, amber eyes watched her carefully as she asked a question he hadn't been expecting. It almost...almost made it sound as if she wanted to come with him. Whilst he'd had it that easy on his Coming of Age, Riad certainly hadn't been expecting the same this time around. And Jivutatia was such a fiery, independent lionness. This didn't make any sense.
"I assumed your answer would be no," he answered simply, not particularly wanting to mess around with words. She'd see right through any long-winded answer, he was sure. Riad's eyebrows furrowed as he turned himself around to face her properly, watching her carefully. "You seemed at home here. You're family's here, and you spoke so highly of them I assumed you wouldn't wish to leave." He'd been speaking so much about capturing Banu and how much it meant to him, he certainly hoped he hadn't offended her by not asking!
"...Why?" he asked, unable to bate his curiosity, "...Would you wish to?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:46 am
"I am comfortable here, and I do care about my family, but... I want to help this banu of yours out," Jivu replied and there was a soft hiss at her shoulders.
"It'sssss a tough idea, but I resssssspect your choice," 'Dani whispered, her sharp blue eyes having been watching them for a while. They closed again and Jivu let out a slow breath. She was glad she had her friend's approval. 'Dani was her only real friend, really a member of her family.
She nodded again, a look of determination in her eyes.
"You shouldn't really assume things about me. I tend to surprise people."
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