|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 11:39 pm
 The passing days since the arrival of the newest royal cubs were filled with much praise on the pride's part, and perhaps even surprise--but the surprise had grown into excited anticipation for the potential the news brought. This potential was what made each passing day more tense for the old litter; were they to withdraw into the shadows, as most of their youthful vigor was slowly fading away to the aged though young adults they were now? The firstborn lioness of the queen and warleader was surely not something to throw away or rot; she retained all the enthusiasm for knowledge and self-enrichment she held when she was but a cub in training. But then, why did she seem to be looked over, along with the rest of her siblings? Kali'ari was the one she expected to be chosen as heir, if not her, but apparently neither was a possibility...
She was supposed to be joyous. And somehow the matured lioness was, to some degree. There were new youths to play around with, to teach. Perhaps she would slip into the temptation of getting some in trouble, though that was unlike her. But it could have been that with the coming of new siblings came the shift of roles; she still was a royal sacrifice, yes, but things were obviously... a little different.
Unable to pinpoint a particular articulation for her less than tranquil thoughts, the black lioness had gone off from the center of the pride, near the borders. She was old enough and formidable to wander out now, anyways, and with her mother off in her solitude, and her father's attention now all on her very young siblings, no one gave a second thought to her whereabouts. Not even her litter-mate siblings, who all must have scattered around aimlessly themselves to tend to their own matters, would have questioned her. It wasn't often that she went off as far to the pride's borders, but something that gave more chance for quiet contemplation seemed to appeal to her today. Her stride was strong, but posture uneven. While she didn't know where she was going, she was by no means lost; yet, she couldn't really see the outline of the familiar landmarks in the Mizimu behind her.
"Oh, well," she mumbled to herself, "I'll be back before it gets too dark to see where I'm going..."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 1:09 am
The days all seemed like a blur to him now. He had been avoiding lions or any other living creatures for some time now. Boredom had been creeping up upon him so maybe that needed to change. He had all the time in the world to think about the depths of life and it was time to rejoin the living world.
The dark lion looked at his surroundings beginning to realize that the landmarks and smells were becoming more and more familiar. This could potentially be interesting... Siri'harani had been a rogue wandering the lands for quite some time; he spent most of his days observing and calculating his next moves. Other lions were only pawns to him; he was constantly on the move searching for bigger and better things. And right now, his paws were taking him to a familiar place where new opportunities might present themselves.
Deep in thought, Siri almost missed the dark lioness in the distance. Pausing and crouching low in the grass, the lion took his time to observe her carefully assessing the situation. Was she worth approaching? Is she from the Mizimu? Oh yes, Siri was quite familiar with the pride. She was a little far from the normal pride territory but he wouldn't be surprised if she was a Mizimu lion. Maybe even royalty, if he was lucky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 3:19 am
Despite the relatively pampered life she led, the royal daughter of clever Jini and stalwart Sakata was able to sense something draw near, and even make the surrounding grasses a refuge for secrecy. She had never been a spoiled lioness, though she could easily have been; and though the only time she was in a dangerous situation, her actions were compromised as a juvenile. She wasn't eager to experience danger, but she was not the type to be keen on running, either.
So, though she stopped her pace to scan the perimeter, her heart rate neither doubled nor halted in fright; her calm demeanor would have, to a passerby, meant that nothing out of the ordinary was happening. She may have even looked like she was enjoying the ominously quiet evening. There was a bit of recklessness in her bravery, but not enough to be near senseless.
"Who are you? Show yourself," she commanded, though in as low and nonthreatening of a tone she could manage.
She automatically knew this stranger was not from the Mizimu; no one would dare hide in such a fashion from her, lest they wish for her father's wrath in addition to her own capabilities.
"You are very close to crossing the Mizimu'Tungika's boundaries..." she stated, again in a vague, nonthreatening tone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 10:03 am
Siri'harani smirked slightly as she called out to him. It's okay, he wasn't planning to stay hidden for long. Though, it is surprising that she sensed him considering that he trained himself to blend in with the shadows. Standing up to his full height and gazing at her with piercing blue eyes, the lion was still smirking. Whether he knew that she was a royal did not matter, the trivialities of 'royalty' did not affect him a bit and to him, the lioness was just another lioness.
"Yes? I'm just taking an evening stroll and you say we're close to the Mizimu'Tungika borders? So I guess we're still technically not there yet..." Shrugging slightly, Siri was unfazed by her comments. If he wanted to be in Mizimu territory, he could be. "It's getting dark. What are you doing wandering around alone?" There was a slightly sinister tone in his voice as he spoke. She seemed capable of taking care of herself but all lionesses were vulnerable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 1:40 pm
As the figure made a move to come up out of the grasses, she quickly turned her attention to his form, staying her ground in case he had meant harm. She could see the vague etchings of a bony white on his sides and face, and once there, she locked onto his capturing blue eyes. He didn't seem out of place - matter of fact, he appeared as though he could have been just another member of the Mizimu. But she knew he was not, for she had never seen him in all her years of living. It was quite a coincidence, and the idea may have even lessened her caution, if even so slightly.
"No... You wouldn't be able to get in the Mizimu'Tungika with the guards watching a bit aways from here" she answered slowly, wondering what exactly he meant, or whether any implications laid in his words.
The stranger was pretty calm himself for his position. She had heard of many rogues coming in intrigued, excited, perhaps even curiously scared and wary of their lands - but this stranger had already started to present himself in an authoritative air. She didn't like his voice, but at the same time, her penchant for knowledge urged her to continue interaction with the lion.
"An evening stroll though? Do you usually wander around here? I haven't heard any reports of someone like you loitering about. And it doesn't matter what I'm doing; I'm allowed to do whatever I please in or around the Mizimu. You are the one close to intruding. So, do you have business, or do you wish to alert the attention of one of the patrolling lions around..? I think the ones on shift now are quite big; usually they have the ones later in the day."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 2:36 pm
"Uh huh." Shrugging her warning off and speaking nonchalantly, Siri felt that if he wanted, he could get into the Mizimu undetected... As a lion, he felt confident in his abilities even though he's never actually tried to get into the pride. Eying her carefully, he began to realize that she was a little higher up on the chain than a simple follower but... how high? He's had time in his life to learn about the Mizimu so he was no stranger to the hierarchy and their ways.
Answering her question carefully, Siri didn't want to reveal to much about himself. "Nah. This isn't quite the area I'm used to roaming but I'm not completely unfamiliar with the territory. Regardless, we still aren't on Mizimu lands yet and I haven't committed any crime. Trying to intimidate me means nothing because if you were really concerned about my presence, you would have already alerted your guards."
Scrutinizing her once again, the lion was very curious to know who exactly this lioness was because most other lions would have cowered by the sight of him and ran already. "Or... maybe you're just curious to know about me?" Smirking playfully, Siri took a few steps closer speaking while he moved. "So why are you still talking to me?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 3:07 pm
The royal lioness, perhaps used to the hospitality and affection of most her pride all her life, felt a strange irritation build. The stranger had easily waved off her warning! Either he did not know what exactly he was doing, or... He was just too dimwitted to heed her. It couldn't have been anything else. The spirits that walked throughout the lands usually had some pronounced effect on outsiders that made them think twice about going into the Mizimu. And if the presence of spirits didn't subdue them into compliance with the expected behavior, the mighty guards, scattered practicing warriors, and dutiful augurs and scryers surely did. Arrogance was not something normal to bring into the lands for a normal outsider.
"Uh huh," she mimicked his return, noting the information that he wasn't foreign to the pride's boundaries, though he could also have been lying.
"No, you are not a criminal yet, but we have a lot of those within the Mizimu," she smirked as she added, "They've been taught their lessons and are turning a new leaf. Interesting perspective you have, though. The closest guard I know of is longer than the time it would take for you to finish me, but close enough to cross by should anything happen."
She laid it out on purpose; if he did have any ill will, she was exposing herself to perform it now, while her caution was still relatively high. As well, her bravery still persisted in spite of his coolness, which may have been unnerving to others.
"But that's right," she agreed, never the one to lie, "I have made it a - how can you put it - quest. A self-quest to know more than what is adequate. It is something useful if I somehow were able to become heir, anyways..."
Claws tested the ground as the stranger moved in, but she stayed in place with a very attentive eye, trying to distinguish expressions on the lion - if she evoked any.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 3:57 pm
This conversation was proving to be much more interesting than he thought it would be. "Oh yes. Your pride had a rebellion not too long ago?" Siri wasn't anywhere near the pride or the rebels during the war but he had heard whisperings about trouble. The rebels must have lost, what a pity. Not that he sympathized with either side, Siri just enjoyed watching chaos and conflict. Though... the Mizimu'Tungika wasn't just any pride to him so maybe he did secretly wish that the rebels had won.
"The rebellion was rather fascinating from my perspective." Siri continued to move until he was only a few feet away from her and then he looked up to the darkening sky. But then he heard the word 'heir' and his gaze went directly back to her. Heir to what? A wicked smile appeared on his face when he realized who he was speaking to. "I see. Well, if I had wanted to harm you, I probably would have done it by now. Feel free to continue on with your quest. I may or may not answer truthfully." The lion felt relaxed and almost a little excited about the knowledge that he had gained from the lioness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 4:14 pm
So the stranger knew more about the Mizimu than she expected. Or perhaps some of the Dhati that managed to scamper off informed him. She made a small curse to them, though she was glad Sakata was able to capture the most... important ex-Dhati members.
She was almost shocked enough to lose focus on observing the male when he related the rebellion to his fascination; it hurt, in a way, because she was helpless during the rebellion. It was the only time she knew she was truly helpless, and it was not a good feeling. But she recognized the purposeful awareness of the information she gave him - of the potential to be heir - and she gave a smile of her own, thinking she was about to get somewhere more interesting now, and maybe even evoke his offense, to which she would be fully prepared to handle.
But first, she decided to address the rebellion.
"The rebels are now not so fascinating. They succumbed to their deserved punishments. If you know the Mizimu so much, you would be very much aware that it is very hard to triumph our might. That, and the spirits are with us."
Brushing off his comment about possible harmful intentions, she glared at his movement to the space almost right next to her and gave a skeptical expression. She was still unprepared to give this stranger the comfort and allowance of her personal space, as his motives were quite difficult to begin to deduce.
"To start off, what is your name?" she asked, "And would you care to know mine."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 4:35 pm
He heard lots of things from all over the place but he was particularly interested when he heard about the rebellion. Maybe it was good that he had wandered back here because the war was now over. There must still be unrest within the pride... somewhere. You couldn't sacrifice the living without ruffling some feathers. Siri wasn't the type to resort to physical violence and his choice of weapon has always been words.
"Ah, yes, the spirits." Siri seemed to be reminiscing about something but then he chuckled aloud. "No matter. The war is over and the rebels lost and that is the past. I'm more curious about what's going on in the present."
Names were trivial so he didn't care much when giving out his own. "Siri'harani. Siri is fine. And sure, I would like to know your's." His tone changed from menacing to more carefree; he was just curious to get whatever information he could from this lioness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 5:01 pm
Was that a mocking chuckle thrown at her? Her eyes narrowed, unamused, and wondered why the stranger was so curious yet detached of the Mizimu. She wanted to ask so much of him, but she had to restrain herself! Maybe he wasn't worth inquiring. Maybe he was just leading her on; whatever the case, she decided she should stay regardless, in case he actually was a threat to her pride. Nothing else was important to tend to in the lands, anyways - her younger siblings were preoccupied with their playthings, probably, or off working some more on their... training.
She decided not to question the chuckle; it was a ridicule she endured, if it had been one, and it was an excuse to use as a barrier to his query.
"You already seem to know so much, maybe you can answer your own question. Curious to know more so you can laugh again, are you?" and then she added, "Siri'harani."
They weren't going to be chums anytime soon for her to go by his shortened and suggested version. She pondered then, if he knew about the Dhati and more things that surrounded the rebellion, if he would somehow have her name stored in memory. If he was familiar with the Dhati, then it was more possible for hi mto know it. But if that were true...
"I am Mfuondoka," she gave softly, carefully setting a paw forward to get closer, "The war is over and done with, but it also has its lasting effects. You see, I could be called a product of the war... I was captured as a juvenile."
She looked again for any signs that would betray Siri'harani as someone who was involved more than he led on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 5:32 pm
Smart lioness. She was definitely curious to know more about him and so far, he hadn't lied about anything. Mm. She was getting a little feisty but then again he was taking jabs at her pride. The Mizimu pride fostered a lot of loyalty within its members so he should be a little more careful about what he said. "Pleasure's all mine, Mfuondoka."
Even though he wished that he knew more about the rebellion, Siri did not have the luxury of having those kind of connections. Hearing about it from a royal could be advantageous, she would be biased and her knowledge limited but it would be good enough. "Yes? And I'm assuming that you were captured by the rebels. How did you get back to your pride?" Pausing, the lion sat down on his haunches casually hoping that would relax her a little. He had different ideas outside of physically attacking her and she didn't seem like the type to take advantage of another lion.
"As you can see, my knowledge of the war is limited. Please, continue." The corners of his mouth turned upward slightly as he spoke; intimidation was not something he wanted to do now. He should lull her into a sense of security where she would be more open to exposing more about herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 6:20 pm
It seemed her name did nothing to spark his reticent memory, so Mfuondoka lessened her concerns, easing herself right next to him. It was odd, being inquired like this - it would have been a lot more comfortable if he was an actual member of the Mizimu, or if she actually knew why it was he was asking her about the rebellion. Was he just looking for a tale to listen to? Perhaps he truly recognized her importance and place in the pride, which she couldn't discern was a good or bad thing now.
"Hmm," she thought out loud - one of the rare times she couldn't start off with a more articulate response, "It wouldn't compromise me to let you know what happened, for whatever reason you wish to know. My old cousin, Kizuka'ruya, watched over me and my siblings when the war was impending, and when we were just growing out of cubhood. Times were strict, and very grim. She had our family's trust because, she used to show her dedication well, and because she was of course, mother's niece. She ended up attempting to take me and my siblings to the rebel side for leverage, but with our resistance, I was the only one taken."
Though she sensed his own restfulness, Mfuondoka thought Siri'harani was getting too cozy, but was going to continue regardless; this was no secret information, nor information he would have been able to use against her.
"I was able to return with the aid of the spirits. And then, my father, Sakata, won the battle. That is all."
Her ambiguity was left open for interpretation, not feeling the desire to elaborate. As well, she wasn't expecting to spill out some of her history on this meeting; she wasn't even expecting to run into someone.
"You have quite an interest in conflict an enmity, don't you?" she asked, "Now in return, detail a part of your life when younger, worthless or not. Have you ever even experienced a struggle?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 9:22 pm
She was the only one taken? He began to wonder if the war had a larger effect on the lioness then she had led on but he continued to listen to her narrate. She seemed relatively cautious with her words even though she said it didn't matter if he obtained this information or not. "Betrayal by kin? That's unusual but not unexpected." That's why there was a rebellion in the first place... He was aware of the many complications and facets of the reasons for the rebellion but he could make some guesses about the feelings of discontent. "Well, at least you were returned safely." Nodding slightly, the lion pondered a response to her request.
"I can't delve too much about my life but you can say that yes, I've been through a ... struggle, I guess that could be the word. But then again, hasn't everybody?" Siri's dark personality was a product of much more than just his past. "Without chaos, there would be no order so they cannot coexist without each other. But you must admit, chaos is much more interesting." He did his best to answer as vaguely as possible so that to spark her interest even more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 10:57 pm
If Siri'harani was more of a proponent of chaos, he could easily have caused some of it here and now. The two feelings, then, of solace with her safe return versus the interest in chaos conflicted. So what was he arguing for?
His seemingly gullible question of "hasn't everybody" also disturbed Mfuondoka, and she scoffed as a result.
"Okay, you have my interest. What kind of chaos, Siri'harani? What kind of chaos have you recently committed, or notable achievements you would so willingly share?"
She laughed, continuing, "Either you hide the realization well or don't understand - from what I have said, you should have known that I am pretty valuable to my pride. Being the only one captured meant that I was the most valuable one to take at the time - why not another sibling? As well, why bother capturing me if I am just another nameless child of a not so small pride? If you were so motivated to cause chaos, you have your chance, Siri'harani."
Mfuondoka sneered at him, and surprisingly paced close enough to the male so that she could feel his body heat closer than the dying sun. As she was standing, she had a good position over his body, not being a very small lioness herself.
"If you got up now, you would be in quite an advantageous position - except I would be letting you do that, which isn't quite chaos."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
