[PRP] Home Sweet Home

[Meepfur]

((RP for Asali'jua, Jabali, Matope, Sehani, and Kimulimuli.))

Asali'jua stepped slowly, though her lashing tail betrayed her excitement, as she passed at last into the swamps of her childhood. It was not caution that had her taking her time, but the simple desire to take in every inch of her surroundings, from the massive and sagging trees to the darkened, rich pools of water that dotted this passage into the swamp, and the deep, sweet scent of the saturated earth.

The sun-marked lioness was, of course, not alone. Jabali, Matope, and Sehani had made the journey with her. The small group had crossed into the old territory of the Jini-misemi earlier in the day, as soon as they'd crossed the border of the river. But the sun had since dried their coats from the swim, and now they made their way into the true heart of the lands, the actual swamp of the Spirit-talkers.  

[Khomi]

(( YEAH. This thread was a pink link. :< -shuts up- <333 ))

The dark-furred lion stepped through the swamplands, exploring every bit of the new area with his fierce, fire-red eyes. With an orange mane splattered with specks dried mud, Matope kept watch on not only Asali'jua, who was quite the guide, but also Sehani, the beautiful lioness whom he had grown to, well, adore. The hanging branches and lush environment sparked the lion's senses; he had never been in a place quite so magnificent before.

"It's... amazing," the male uttered. He gazed first at the surroundings, then to Sehani, and whispered in the slightest voice that perhaps could not even have been heard by the grey lioness (and was probably meant to be a personal thought that accidentadly escaped from his stumbling mouth), "..... like... you." Hani had certainly grown on him. Not in the pestiferous way that flies "grow" on cows, but more so in the way that emotions grow on love.  

[Tamiko-chan]

And just like the lion beside her, Hani watched the new surroundings like a hawk. It wasn't that she didn't trust them to be safe, but rather that she was quite interested in them. Matope wasn't the only one who hadn't seen this sort of environment before.

She, too, thought that this place was amazing. Yet she was still a bit unsure. For some reason the lioness didn't quite think that her friend Gana was hanging around here. This just didn't seem like the type of place that would appeal to him... not that the place wasn't absolutely wonderful of course.

Yet the female didn't have much more time to act or really continue her thoughts much longer, for everything suddenly stopped in Hani's world when she felt Matope's words tickle at her ears. It sent a chill down her spine, but one of pure happiness and pleasure, as opposed to the ones that were normally of fear.

Grinning slyly, she calmly moved her head so that she can look at him. "Handsome brute," she commented adoringly. Then she moved past him, though made sure to brush very closely to him--enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off of his large frame--and give him the impression that she perhaps liked him as more than a friend...

They hadn't exactly talked about their relationship or anything. But maybe that talk would come soon... hopefully.

Moving away from the male she loved so much, Sehani then went to stand beside Asali. "These lands are absolutely beautiful."  

[Vashtya]

Jabali followed a pace behind Asali, head held high as he took in the scents, the sounds...the very essence of the place Asali had spoken so glowingly of. As the rich, loamy scent assaulted his senses, he found that it...intrigued him. Like the lioness at his side, the swamplands seemed to have layers upon layers of knowledge and personality hidden in its often murky depths.

"I can see why this place has remained in your thoughts this long." Jabali said simply, his voice quiet, as if he were half-afraid of disturbing the mood of this place.  

[Meepfur]

At the compliments of her companions, Asali beamed, letting happiness and relief shine through; she had worried that, perhaps, they would not find these lands to their liking, and she had mulled over those thoughts for a good part of their journey. But now they were cast out of her mind, and the sunny lioness gave a rumbling purr she felt all through her body..which was just beginning to look like she'd gained some weight.

"It is good to be coming home, after so long." Pausing briefly, she kneaded her paws in the soft soil, relishing the unique feel of it between her pads. Then, with a mischievious smile, she swiped a pawful of the almost-mud in Jabali's direction.  

[Khomi]

Matope's eyes drifted into those of the grey female's as he lifted one, barely damp, strong paw after the other. He really ought to have been getting more used to this new place, but couldn't stop staring at Sehani. Although the muddy boughs and succulent soil were amazing, the lioness just seemed to steal all the male's attention away, and the feeling was growing steadily stronger than usual...

At the toss of mud, Matope instinctively ducked his head under his paw, cringing slightly, until he saw what Asali was aiming at. Then, with a sly smile shivering onto his face, he mimicked the sun-marked lioness' tactic, but instead of scooping with a paw, he made an attempt at sprinting through the soil, pouncing suspiciously close to Sehani, but in truth, not particularly aiming at any one specific lion.  

[Tamiko-chan]

Sehani grinned as she watched the other lioness start up a game with Jabali. And her grin only widened when she saw what that lovely male with the orange mane was doing. Even though he seemed to be aiming for no on in particular, she had a feeling that subconsciously he was wanting to get her all muddy and such.

Well, two could play that game..

Suddenly, and before the handsome brute could get a chance to get her fully muddy, the female skidded away and off to the right, using her paws to hopefully spring some soil in his direction.

Then she let out a great laugh, one that showed her content and happiness. Yet there was an underlying note that gave away that all was not right... one certain feeling was growin within Hani, and it was scaring her slightly.

...It was a gut feeling... one telling her something big was soon to happen. Yet she tried not to let her fear show as she raced back around to try and pounce Matope.  

[Vashtya]

Jabali blinked, not reacting in time to Asali's movement, and so catching a face full of mud. With a mock growl, he pounced the gorgeous lioness, something warming deep within him--his feelings for Asali had grown to something deep and abiding, like his for his brother--and yet completely different. Tail lashing playfully, he dashed after her, laughing outright--what a sight he must make, dripping mud-like...stuff. xD.  

[Meepfur]

Asali laughed out, the sound ringing sweet amongst the hanging bows; pounced, she slipped smoothly out from underneath him, still lithe and agile. She sprang away then, the tuft of her tail swiping the male across his muddy face, and bounded towards Sehani and Matope.

Her aim wasn't to muddy-up that pair, though. Maybe half of it, later. For now, she called out brightly, "Perhaps we should teach the dear brothers the proper way to mudfight!"

Game of girls versus boys? Maaaybe.

Asali was all light and life now, with a carefree and childish air; for the moment, gravity and mystery were abandoned. She was home, and everything was right with the world.  

[Khomi]

Various slops of mud attacked Matope from multiple directions. A large drop splattered on his nose, which he then twitched curiously. A smirk grew onto his face, as he charged in full sprint in any direction his paws would thrust him, eyes closed to ensure excitement.

A sly glance to Sehani caused the large lion to notice that something seemed awfully... awfully unsure about her expression. He briefly paused his wild rompings to trod over to the grey lioness' side. He nuzzled a lightly muddy nose into her neck, taking in the warm familiarity, and whispered softly, "Having fun, my darlin'?"  

[Tamiko-chan]

Sehani smiled in her love's direction, a slight giggle falling from her mouth as she noticed the mud on his nose. It suited him quite well, she thought, what with his pelt already being brown and such.

Then, when he trodded over towards her and nuzzled that same muddy nose into her perfectly groomed fur, she growled playfully at him. "Do I not look good already without the mud accessories?" she joked, grinning and nuzzling his floofy mane.

"Oh, yes, fun indeed," Hani smirked, flinging some more mud in his direction. She was having fun, she was just a tad unsure of what was to come... she just had this gut feeling that things wouldn't be the same anymore. But at least she would be with Matope..

She purred slightly as she looked up into his handsome eyes. "You having fun, dear?"