[FIN] Someone Who Doesn't Know My Name (Kafele, Ixcatzin)

[Mogami]

Kafele had sneaked away from the Jaw and managed to reach the base of the Weeping Lion without an escort. He wasn’t supposed to meet Kay today but he needed some alone time away from the nearly unbearable pressure of his “home”. It drove him crazy sometimes, being trapped in a confined space with his grandfather, the Shatkona, surrounded by his favorite Ligi.

He was quiet, very quiet and kept to the shadows of the trees in order not to be seen. He wasn’t stupid enough to just go off on his own when there was a whole pride of lions that feared or hated Sahen and probably anyone related to cruel ruler in the exact same measure. If any of the Ligi noticed him leave, they seemed to have pretended otherwise. The red lion sighed, feeling immensely relived just by being outside the beautiful rocky strutcture, tasting the freedom in pleasant breeze as he turned his narrowed eyes to the sky. His brief escapades, whether they were alone, with Kayin or (more recently) his brother Jabari always did wonders to improve his mood.  

[Andranis]

Ixcatzin padded along, enjoying the day. She had to admit curiosity about the weeping lion rock, but trepidation about the Ligi kept her away from it. She wasn't sure about them so much, though she knew not who actually WAS one, or who was what rank, for that matter. She'd heard names, but she'd already forgotten what name went where. So if she'd run into Sahen himself, she wouldn't know who he was, or even register his name as important right away.

Which was why she was surprised to see the red lion. At first glance, he looked... Well, his markings were fascinating, to say the least. Even beautiful, like fire dancing on his back and legs. She did something she didn't normally do, hesitating to say anything. He looked like he didn't WANT attention right away. Not that she didn't attract any, her blue coat standing out against the shrubs she stood in front of. "Uh..."  

[Mogami]

Kafele was startled but aside from the light bristling along his spine, the red lion didn’t show it. He turned, slow and deliberate, ready to be politely scolding by a one of his grandfather’s Ligi but his eyes widened when he found a blue lioness instead. He almost laughed. Her condition was better than most so Kafele assumed she was a Lady – he was quite certain that he knew all the Ligi now – but apart for that small similarity, she seemed to be his complete opposite. Where his coat was mostly red and black, hers was a soft blue and a very light tan. Where bright markings adorned his back and legs, she had almost none. And, most strikingly, where he had eyes of a bright blue that looked like the sky on a sunny day, the blue lioness seemed to have a fire behind hers.

“Ah… hello.” He’d been caught completely offguard and said the first thing that came to mind. He paused. Even the nobility should prod carefully around the Weeping Lion so perhaps he should give some warning… then again, what could he tell her that she didn’t already know?  

[Andranis]

She wasn't quite sure how to proceed. Of course, there was that stunning coat... It was so unlike Kafei's, the male she'd met at the border with her mother. "Hello... You've got a stunning coat there..." She offered a smile, showing how genuine the comment was. "Mine, it's all plain and solid..." Something like water on a calm day.

That wasn't a very good conversation... "So..." She looked up at the rock formation, somewhat obscured by the plants from where they were standing. "That's the weeping rock..?" This was, in fact, as close as she'd ever gotten to it. She couldn't quite remember all the parts of it, but that was just her newness showing through.  

[Mogami]

Kafele’s surprise only seemed to grow and it certainly showed. His coat? He’d been very proud of his Atmaja colors until the day they’d found out he was related to Sahen. Now, only rarely did anyone complement him on it and he had to admit a certain fondness towards the large soothing white mane that had grown to balance his coat out... if only a little.

“It’s pretty. Yours, I mean. It’s very… Tama.” He said without thinking, reacting to her words. Did that make him sound stupid? Well, he certainly still felt a little taken aback by the quick turn of events and her next words only served to further surprised him. “You’re new? To the pride?”  

[Andranis]

Ixcatzen shifted to look at her coat, contemplating it a bit more seriously. It was very Tama... Well, yeah, it was very blue. "I always thought it looked like a calm pool of water, myself..." Of course, if one asked her mother on a more open day, the older lioness would say she was a lake waiting for that rock to set it off into a storm.

Her attention returned to the male, a sheepish smile on her face. "Yeah, I've only been here a little while... So many names to remember... The only names I can remember are Kafei's name, and Sahen... And I couldn't remember who was what rank if you asked me!" She'd get it, eventually. "For all I know, Kafei could be the leader of the pride, or that one green lady I saw could be!"  

[Mogami]

A calm pool of water, huh… yes, Kafele could picture that. Even if her eyes thoroughly rejected the description.

“Ka…fei? For some reason the name sounds very familiar. But I don’t think I met him.” At least he didn’t think so. He eyed the lioness keenly. She was a complete blank slate as far as the pride went. Its history, its people, him… She wouldn’t know anything about Sahen and his children – or his grandchildren. It was so odd. Not seeing that look of anger and fear that usually accompanied the realization of Kafele’s identity, even when he was mistaken for a “regular” member of the nobility. She didn' look unhappy so at the very least, she hadn't been forced to join... hopefully. The red lion smiled warmly.

“Not many ranks to learn, thankfully, I’m sure you’ll learn them quickly. I would... hum… advise you not to say Sahen’s name quite so lightly. Things have been… complicated in this pride.” Should he say more? How could he summary years of history and customs in a few short words? What kind of warnings should he give her? And how long had it been since the red lion had introduced himself? “But it seems a proper introduction is in order. I’m Kafele, Lord of the Atmaja House.”  

[Andranis]

Now her curiosity had been piqued a bit. Head tilting to one side, the blue lioness frowned just a bit. "Did he do something bad...? Or was it another reason...?" She was forgetting something important again, she just knew it. She just couldn't place the name, which was what got her more.

When he mentioned his rank, she couldn't help but smile. "Oh, then it's a honor, your lordship!" She tucked a paw close to her body, bowing to the male in a manner befitting of a lord. For her, it was a manner of respect. When she stood again, she was all smiles. "I don't think I've ever gotten the chance to meet a confirmed lord before!" It made her happy inside.  

[Mogami]

Kafele’s head tilted ever so slightly to the side. Obviously the lioness hadn’t been brought in by the Ligi as she seemed to be completely ignorant of what was going on in the Ashnai’le.

“Sahen is our ruler. The Shatkona as we call him.” And his grandfather. But she didn’t need to know that just yet or at least that was what he thought as he tried to convince himself the omission was justified. “His guards, the Ligi, are… somewhat overzealous regarding their duties. You’ll know them all soon enough, they’re the ones that look well fed and walk amongst the people passing judgment. There are exceptions but it would be wiser to avoid them altogether.” Bullying the weak and crushing any opposition as they did Sahen’s bidding. She would know it all soon enough.

“Ah... no need to…” Kafele started quickly as the lioness bowed. He wasn’t used to an honest sign of respect - just the usual frightened bow, avoiding eye contact and general evasion (more or less discreet). He laughed, he just couldn’t help himself. She looked so cheerful it was almost contagious. “Kafele is fine. No one is watching us. If we had company, then Lord Kafele or My Lord would do. I’m assuming you’ll be joining us as a Huntress then...?”  

[Andranis]

Ixi let out a low 'oooooh...' at the information. She'd have to do her best to remember that. Sahen was the Shatkona, and don't take his name lightly... And the Ligi were his guards and... A bit too into their work.

His laughter made her giggle, and she was quickly covering her mouth with her paw, sitting back. "Okay, then, in private I'll call you Kafele!" It was what he wanted, obviously. Her ears twitched, listening to his question. "Oh, yes, I'll be hunting in the Tama house! Or... With... Um..." One ear drooped a bit. "I think you may know what I mean..." She couldn't recall the Tokolosh having such a split in the pride. It was simply, do what you do, be responsible for what you do, and then there's the king.  

[Mogami]

Kafele truly hoped the lioness’ spirit wouldn’t break after the reality of the Ashnai’le daily life reared its ugly face. He smiled when she giggled mostly because it was a sound that he hadn’t heard in a very long time from anyone other than his sister.

“You are now part of Tama, the ones who think before they act.” He said with an ostentatious tone and a wicked grin though, deep down, he knew that those of the House of Chaos could no longer afford to be as impulsive and reckless as they’d once been before Sahen had taken over. “I take it you haven’t met the Head Hunters yet? ”

Probably not. After all, she said she did didn’t know any ranks.

“You should do that as soon as possible. Also, The Weeping Lion is truly a sight but you shouldn’t come here again. The Ligi guard this place carefully. Even the Lords and Ladies should thread carefully around these parts.” Well, Kafele and his family excluded, of course, but that fell into the "no need to know" category.  

[Andranis]

Ixi's ears went back as she looked up at the rock formation. "No, I haven't quite met them yet... I wanted to explore a little first.. In case they wanted to know if I had questions about anything." Fire-gold eyes turned back to the fire-colored lion. "Is it really that dangerous around here that the Ligi are protecting the residents that well? The lions living there must be REALLY important..."  

[Mogami]

Oh boy, it was hard to have a normal conversation without lying or accidently revealing his identity. Now that his best friend knew just about everything about him, Kafele had to admit he was out of practice. What would Livi or his uncle do in this case…?

“The Shatkona likes to keep his blood close.” He said simply, not really considering himself important at all. He was getting increasingly worried that someone might see the huntress in this dangerous place. At the very least, she deserved at a day of blissful ignorance until the adversities and foul mood of the pride caught up with her. “I should go now. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ixi.”

She gave her a quick wink that could easily be missed if one wasn’t paying attention, wondering how she’d take the little nickname he’d created for her.  

[Andranis]

Ixi couldn't help it, she blushed somewhere between him calling her Ixi, and the wink. Her ears went back, though not in a sign of agitation, as she let out a small "Oh..." She blinked for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah... I should go, too..." She looked up at the Weeping Lion. "It might not be safe for me here, if the Ligi and Shatkona are that protective...." She then offered him a smile, ears twitching to face him again. "It was good to meet you, too, Kafele!" She bowed her head, then slipped off back toward the rest of the pride. Now, she was mindful of who would see her, instead of boldly walking in the open.  

[Mogami]

"Ah..." Kafele couldn't help it. She looked so cute getting embarrassed like that, he had the urge to say something to keep her there for a little bit longer. But he quickly realized how irresponsible that would be and shook his head before dipping it, just a little. "Stay safe."

He sighed as the lioness left, eyeing the cliff to where he'd soon return before someone came down looking for him. His head remained high but his eyes dropped slowy to watch the blue lioness disappear in the distance.

"The pleasure was all mine." he whispered and a small smile appeared on his maw.

- FIN! -