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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:45 pm
Now that the new arrivals were settling in properly and the next full moon was approaching, it was time to get down to some business. Minor business, in some ways. They would need a proper welcome home celebration, which would have to be under a full moon.. and there was a wedding Ally had learned that would need to be taking place, also under a full moon. It was happy business, especially since the whole group seemed to happy to be home at last. The only hard part would be, well, tracking them down. This was what Biti had always been so useful for but he was off on other business so she couldn't send her little avian friend around looking for them. But that was OK, it wasn't a bad evening for a walk and she had a general idea of where to look for them.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:58 pm
 Uchanjaa stretched leisurely in the soft grass as he awoke. No more marching on towards a destination that was more hope than fact, no more wondering if they would find any kills at all this day, no more wondering if the journey would ever end. It was good to be home, even if he and his traveling companions had only just begun to learn what the word truly meant.
He and Kibi had chosen to sleep near the southern mountains, too newly come to this place of peace to stay out in the open. Perhaps that would change in time, but for now it allowed them to sleep soundly.
The young lion had been looking around, though not at anything in particular, when he caught sight of a vaguely familiar and regal black lioness coming their way. Memory caught up with him and he gulped, realizing it was the Queen. He'd seen her briefly when they arrived, of course, but there'd been so very many people there...his mind shied away from the thought. For so long he'd been around so few people, he found it difficult to meet and interact with the many lions and lionesses of the pride.
That was the other reason he had pointed out this spot to Kibi when they had looked for a sleeping place. He hadn't wanted to wake up surrounded by strangers. But now the Queen was close and so he plastered on what he hoped was a smiling, welcoming face.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:47 am
 It had been a long journey indeed for the group, and it felt like the first night's sleep in the Mwezi'Johari grounds was the only night's sleep she had gotten since the war. It had been a long, long time since the pale lioness stepped into what she called her home, the place the Great Lion intended for everyone to stay. The sight of the lands with the familiar inhabitants was very welcoming, and warmed her heart when she and Uchanjaa braced for their surprising but long-awaited for arrival. The company of the other lions was something Kibetinyota embraced, unlike Uchanjaa. Though she had been used to their very small group of travelers, it seemed as if the dreams she had since a very early age were beginning to gain momentum again. She was back in the pride, and though she quickly learned that Unyezi was not the presiding king anymore, there still was hope that his daughter would understand her situation... And she could finally find Mitsuki.
Her sleep was great indeed; she felt serene through the night, and wasn't disturbed by the slightest movement or sound of Uchanjaa's. She felt that he, too, was appreciative of their discovery despite his reluctance to instantly socialize. Even when his head raised when it became early evening, Kibetinyota barely stirred. But something in the back of her mind tugged at her to wake up - that Uchanjaa was up and alert, so she should be as well.
It took a while for her to raise her eyes to the sight before her: she also felt Uchanjaa move slightly away, and all she wanted to do was keep close to his warm fur. But there was something else in their presence, and Kibetinyota realized that she slept for a longer time than normal. At once, she repositioned herself to not look so ruffled from her slumber with Uchanjaa, and she was distant enough from him to look professionally presentable to the queen, yet close enough to Uchanjaa to still feel his body's warmth.
Kibetinyota admired the young yet matured black lioness approaching. Her stride was purposeful, yet not so demanding, and her pale silver eyes looked beautifully like the moon - a likeness to the Great Lion himself. She knew that she would like Alcmene as her queen despite the little knowledge she had so far of the circumstances surrounding the ruling shift.
With a bit of hesitation, Kibetinyota dipped her head respectfully, a genuine small smile on her mouth, and greeted, "Queen Alcmene, we are honored you took the trouble to get to... such an out-of-the-way place to see us."
She figured the queen was here to conduct or query a few matters of business, and continued, "I did not realize how late it was... I apologize!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:22 am
She spotted the pair just as they began to stir, immediately feeling some regret for disturbing them but it would do little good to walk off now, she did have to talk to them. Ally nodded a greeting to them as Kibetinyota greeted her, still smiling at them.
"No, I'm sorry for intruding like this," she said honestly. Most often the pride members were up quite late to see the moon, except on the nights of the new moon, but these lions had just made a long journey, she should not have been so surprised.
"I wanted to talk to the two of you, though," she said, smiling and looking from Kibetinyota to Uchanjaa, "The full moon is coming, I understand you two will be needing a wedding, yes?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:03 am
He was glad for Kibi's nearness, and gladder still that Queen Alcmene had come alone. Alone she was still a Queen, but they could all be more at ease than if there had been others nearby.
Uchanjaa smiled a bit more honestly as she greeted them and brought up a subject that he both dreaded and looked forward to. "Yes," he answered for the both of them. "I suppose we will." His gaze turned to the lovely lioness at his side and he nuzzled her as if reaffirming his commitment. Behind him, his tail twitched nervously at the thought of a public ceremony.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:40 pm
Kibetinyota opened her mouth to respond, but found that Uchanjaa had a quicker reflex at the moment. She had been taken aback by the sudden question as if the thought of marriage was precipitated, yet she and Uchanjaa had obviously long since made their personal vows to each other.
She looked at her brown companion as he leaned into her, and though she received it without another thought, other things started to come up in her mind.
Things were happening quite fast, and yet, they were things that brought excitement and happiness. Perhaps she needed some time to digest all that was to occur, especially with some unsettled business lingering in her mind...
"Indeed, a wedding..." she said softly, trying to peer at and meet Uchanjaa's eyes reassuringly, "And there is something else, if I may inquire... about my apprenticeship to... ah, Mitsuki..?"
Kibetinyota turned back to Alcmene, unable to conceal her sheepish yet hopeful expression.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:18 pm
Alcmene smiled, knowing quite well they were not exactly a new couple but that didn't mean they didn't need a proper wedding ceremony here.
"You need a wedding to make it official, particularly for moving Uchanjaa from the middle class to the upper-middle class with you," she said, looking back to Kibetinyota with a smile. She was taken aback when she brought up her apprenticeship to Mitsuki, she must not have been paying enough attention when Zizi and Sini filled her in on the group.
"Mitsuki took an apprentice some time ago and the empty position as midwife has been filled," she said with a slight frown, "I'm sorry, for now you'll just have to join the hunters or the guards." She was genuinely sorry that she couldn't find a place for Kibetinyota as an apprentice but all of the positions were filled. Perhaps eventually..
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:39 pm
Uchanjaa bit down on his immediate and fearful response, which was to ask if it had to be a big official thing with lots of strangers whom they did not know or barely remembered. Moving from one class to another meant little to him so long as he could be with Kibi.
He brought his attention back to the Queen's words as she answered Kibetinyota's question concerning her apprenticeship. The fact that Alcmene seemed to be truly apologetic was good, considering how his beloved had clung to that part of her past so firmly. He knew she was strong enough to accept this, even if she must first turn to him for comfort. Uchanjaa decided that whichever position Kibi took, hunter or guard, he would do the same in support of her. He nuzzled her again before looking back at the Queen with reproach in his eyes for breaking Kibi's dream.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:26 pm
A nod came at the explanation for the wedding - Kibetinyota knew throughout her time with Uchanjaa in the unclaimed territories they traversed that a wedding was inevitable if they were together, yet the actual reality never crossed her mind. In her heart, she could not wait for the official blessing of the Great Lion on her relationship with Uchanjaa, and the only things making her hesitate were the rapid changes since the post-war banding and searching.
"A-ah," came without thought - an immediate response in an attempt to keep her composure at Alcmene's information.
Kibetinyota tried to hold her attention, to keep her eye contact with the queen, but felt her heart fall as the information processed. Mitsuki had taken on someone else? She had been forgotten? And most importantly, what she had been training and looking forward to during the years she grew into a young adult - was that for nothing?
She couldn't deny the saddened frown that formed as she let a small silence stretch after those words, nor could she take her eyes away from the ground. She couldn't accept this fully right now, or even comprehend it, but with time, Kibetinyota thought she may possibly understand this change of fate.
"O-okay. That is... perfectly fine..." she said, straining to keep her voice from shaking from the small lie, unacknowledging of Uchanjaa's nuzzle, "So be it. Things will look up after the wedding, I'm sure."
She then tried to put on a smile, though weak, and lifted her head just slightly.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 4:44 pm
"You know how important the midwives are here, as the pride grew it became increasingly difficult to leave the post empty," she explained, though she knew that probably wouldn't help, Kibetinyota's reaction to the loss indicated she had been quite dedicated to the idea. It was something that would keep her in mind if something opened up, though there were few priests that Ally could think of in need of an apprentice.
"You may take your time deciding what positions you would like, the both of you," she said, offering a smile as she looked back and forth between them, "Your wedding ceremony will be under the full moon in two nights from now, it will also be used as an opportunity to introduce you and your companions to the other royalty, the priests, the shaman and the other members of your classes. The head hunter and the head guard will be there too, so you'll have an opportunity to join one of them then."
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 4:56 pm
Uchanjaa could hear something in his beloved breaking as she spoke and longed to offer her comfort, but knew Kibi would refuse to show anything to Alcmene. He was sure, however, that once she accepted the Queen's words, she would have the strength of spirit to accept her new position.
He nodded acceptance of the black lioness' words, licking his lips nervously at the thought of meeting so very many other people. But he could, he would do this.
"It will be good to finally have the Great Lion's blessing upon our union," he said softly.
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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:34 pm
Despite the explanation - and it had been obvious, especially if she could have as easily been dead to her pride since the years after the war - Kibetinyota felt too deaf to listen. She was stunned, and it wouldn't take all the words of Uchanjaa or the queen to lift her spirits; at least, it wouldn't right now. Her eyes were still on the queen's, but they were unfocused and solemn; with that expression, she nodded at the request for a different position, the breakdown of her wedding, and tried her best to match the queen's smile.
It was best to not trouble anyone now, not after their long journey to find their home. Perhaps she could even hide her sorrow from Uchanjaa, perhaps it would fade in time.
"I... am glad..." she finally gave, eyes lowering, though she lifted a paw to touch and rest behind Uchanjaa's.
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Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 3:18 pm
With her business taken care of now, there wasn't much reason for her to stick around now. She'd coming bearing bad news as well as good and they would no doubt appreciate the time to themselves to really deal with it. Ally knew she couldn't- and wouldn't- be everybody's friend.
"I'll leave you two to think about it but I will see you again in two nights," she said, offering one last smile.
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Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 4:55 pm
Uchanjaa inclined his head respectfully to the Queen. Kindness and cruelty she had brought to them in equal measure, but only time would tell which she was remembered for betwixt himself and Kibitinyota.
"We will see you then," he agreed. "Thank you."
He only hoped that Kibi would be willing to accept what little comfort he could offer once the Queen was out of sight. He tried to console himself with the thought that they would finally be mates in the eyes of the Great Lion, and that ought to count for something.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:09 am
With an absent nod thrown to the last words, Kibetinyota watched despairingly as the queen left, as if all chances of her hope and dream went along with the disappearing body. She supposed it was good that her probable obvious emotions were not addressed, that the queen probably thought it best to leave before Kibetinyota refused her sudden change of destiny.
She let Uchanjaa's words remain the last to sound the air, and looked to the large, fluffy shoulders she always leaned on during their long journey. Would these shoulders find her upon their side again, when absolutely everything had changed within just a day?
Kibetinyota brushed her head against Uchanjaa slightly, but then walked off slowly, raising it up again as if her mind had not been burdened. She would be stronger now, for herself and for Uchanjaa, now that they were home.
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