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 Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:07 pm
The sun was little more than a diminutive, scarlet hill far beyond the vast golden sands by the time the young artisan realized how late it had become. The distant sky cast into an eruption of wildfire that was quickly being washed away by the encroaching darkness. Mamake and Kimya would worry if she stayed out in the quarry too late, though it was hard for Beltaine to leave her sanctuary. Surrounded by the towering pillars of stone that were slowly being carved into recognizable shapes. Nobody ever bothered her here.
A few tools were carefully tucked aside in a leather pouch, out of sight and out of mind just in case anyone should happen through. After taking a few seconds to step back from the current canvas to admire the sinewy shapes--slowly coming to life with her aid as they were--in the fading light, Bel finally resigned herself to returning to the temple for the night.
Well, after a stop at the watering hole. Suddenly realizing her tongue was parched.
With casual, even steps the unusual, little lioness strolled along the path back towards the more socially active areas of the pride, wondering if she might find her mother along the way. Word had spread quickly of some new arrivals, but Beltaine was always the last to know these things. Gossip didn’t travel quickly to her corner of the pride. Just as well, really.. I wouldn’t know what to say to them anyway.
Cream colored female mused to herself, uncomfortably aware of how awkward she was in social situations.
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:08 pm
The golden lioness felt out of place as the rather bustling activities that seemed to partake during the day as rather a common occurrence to most of the pride members. She couldn't help but feel as if she had been missing something for so many years living in the desert, not that she was alone it was just the mere members she was traveling with did not count for even a quarter of the population the pride had managed to gain in members. It had taken Nanu almost all day to go around greeting various members learning their names and what they did in the pride, however she couldn't help but feel as if she was nothing more than a burden as an observer than anything else.
As the sun started to cast its crimson paint across the sky the lioness felt rather exhausted, she was sure she wouldn't be able to recall the names to all of whom she had met yet she only hoped not to mistaken them for someone else. She felt the need to head away from the all of the activity that she was surrounded in to give her a moment clear her on thoughts and to get something to drink before attempting to rest for the night.
"no... he was in charge of the.... and he was the brother of..." Nanu muttered to herself as she as trotted along the path or what she thought was the path to the watering hole. She had managed to turn herself around more than once earlier in the day and doubt that it would even be her last.
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:11 pm
As the empty terrain fell to her backside and the land became more tame and predictable, familiar faces began to dot the area. They greeted her in the usual fashion, some more distracted than others as they herded excitable cubs towards the safety of the dens in time for bed. Beltaine’s responses were always polite, if brief, occasionally asking those she was more familiar with if anyone had seen her dear, sweet mother. Thus far nobody had seen the Waterbuck, hard as she was to miss. Perhaps Mamake was already in their den with Kimya. She tried not to worry just yet, though there was something that always sat unevenly in her stomach when the doe wasn’t around. Those she spoke to seemed to know it as well, offering reassuring words. No need to worry, she’s here somewhere, Beltaine.
Sighing softly, she could only nod and force a quiet smile. Picking up a jog now, eager to get to the watering hole and back. Today, however, didn’t seem to be her day. Pale blues slowly roaming over an unfamiliar golden female as she passed by. It was only instinct to avoid the strange lioness and keep moving, but she looked so out of sorts that Beltaine found that she had stopped to stare before she could help herself. Calling out awkwardly, U..uhm.. hey? Hey... are you okay?
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:13 pm
Nanu took a mental note as the looked at the crimson sun to see how the other members of her group had fared and how they were settling into the pride. She still felt in a way that she had done nothing more than let them down, they had spent so many years wandering around thinking the Tuait'tekem pride had perished only to find that they had flourished. Shaking her head she forced the thought out of her head before it started to stain her rather good mood.
"Maybe he was the the father of the the red colored.... argh this is much harder than I thought," Nanu cried as she paused from her walking looking around her gold colored eyes she had failed to even notice the other lioness who had called out to her. Feeling rather ashamed for her own behavior of ignoring someone she could feel heat rising to her cheeks.
"Urrr I'm fine more or less thank you," She replied giving her a faint smile, "I'm Nanu Ialu if you don't mind though can you point me in the direction of the watering hole I'm not quite as familiar with the area yet and I seemed to be going around in circles."
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:14 pm
A perplexed cant caused Beltaine’s head to fall to one side, watching the taller lioness mutter to herself, completely lost in her own thoughts. She could relate, waiting patiently until she was noticed. It actually gave the sculptor time to examine the stranger. Eyes that scrutinized every detail absorbed the rich color of her coat, the markings, even down to the way sleek muscles lay against a regal bone structure. Odd. Even though Bel had never seen her before, there was something familiar about her. Reminded of the royal family, maybe she was a distant relative? Nanu lalu.
Repeating the name, it didn’t seem to trigger any memories. Obviously she was new around these parts. One of the ones that had arrived recently, You’re new...? I.. well I’m going that way. You can come with... if.. if you want?
It was a tentative offer, given that the recluse wasn’t customarily the sort to reach out to strangers, but it seemed silly not to offer. Especially since she was headed that way.
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:15 pm
The smaller lioness didn't look familiar to her however that was to go without saying she had yet to meet everyone in the pride let alone if there were others who were still out on hunts, priest, and etc whom were not around in public during the day. She only hoped that she wouldn't offend her if she had meet her earlier in the day and didn't acknowledge her by her name.
Giving her a small nod and a smile, "If you don't mind that would be great. I am sorry to trouble you, you weren't in any rush were you? And yes, I am unfortunately a little new."
Nanu didn't like causing others trouble, she preferred if she could do anything to help someone else however when it came to herself she was poor at taking care of herself. When she was told that she was princess and she was to lead the survivors in their pride she knew how much responsibility she had, she never wanted those who looked at her for help and guidance to worry so she always put her own troubles aside. Yet now she found herself no longer a princess and a pride that she thought was long ago perish, she could only assume that more changes were to come for her.
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Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:30 pm
No trouble... honest, Bel admitted, shaking calico forelock from her eyes as she turned to lead the way. Slow at first, until she was sure that her companion was following, though even then her pace didn't quicken by more then half a stride's length. Not that the prey-raised lioness had much of a stride anyway, having always been a runt of sorts from lack of proper nutrition as a cub. Things that couldn't be helped given the circumstances. Not good for much else..
She laughed gently, despite the fact that it was brutally close to the truth. Gaze drifting about the pride, still idly searching for a hooved figure half in hopes she might stumble across Mamake in her travels. No luck thus far and the silence was awkward. Ears twitching almost as if Beltaine were listening to her own bustling thoughts, finally murmuring in a sheepish voice. Uhm.. my.. my name is Beltaine. My mom brought me when I was a baby... you'll like it here.
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Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:31 pm
"Thank you again," Nanu replied a she trailed behind the smaller lioness. Peering at her she realized that she actually quite smaller, smaller than Nanu had assumed yet she didn't look like she was younger though however judging one age was not exactly her forte. She just merely assumed that those who appeared to be a lion were and treated them thus so. She only hoped that it wasn't from her being ill, she had seen those who were sick some of the members of their group had perished from however there was little she could other than help ease their pain.
Raising a brow she gave a rather confused look when the lioness mentioned that she was not good for much else, that was untrue or at least Nanu felt so. Everyone was at least good for something, true at the moment she didn't feel like she was good at anything in the pride but never the less she was sure that she would eventually find her own place. Even if her place wasn't as a princess she was sure she could at least be useful.
"I am sure you are a good for something than just helping me to the watering hole," She replied with a soft smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Beltaine, it's a lot more than I expected really well I guess I honestly didn't expect much." She was unsure if she should say anything about her mother wondering if she was still there for her or not.
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Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:32 pm
No need, really.. it'd be silly not to take you. Since I was going there anyway. Thin shoulders shrugged gently as the deep pool of water came into view from over a hill of shifting sand which was far easier on her aching paws than the stone she had been shaving away at all day. Nearly sliding down the embankment as the crest gave way to a subtle downward slope. Thinking better of leaving Nanu too far behind, Beltaine paused to wait. Tittering quietly at the reassuring words that swelled from just beyond the view. She really was new around here.
Nothing that's of any use to anyone... Being an artisan, a sculptor at that and talented though she might have been, it had never been anything she'd found to be terribly useful to her fellow pride members. Sadly, she had never grown large enough to become much of a successful huntress, barely capable of catching small prey, let alone taking down larger beasts like zebra and wildebeest. Not that she was sure she could have , even if she were able too. Chasing down their grass-munching companions always made her think of Mamake and their time out in the bad lands. A lone female waterbuck and a lion cub, they were an easy meal to passing rogues, but some how they had survived. Against all odds it seemed. Well.. I guess it's good.. that it's more than you expected, I mean.
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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 5:59 am
Nanu gave a small nod of her head as she mentioned that her plans was to go to the watering hole regardless of Nanu's own plan. Not that the lioness was intruding on her journey there however she did have the right to reject any company or stopping to say anything at all to the lioness. She was rather appreciative that she was not merely shrugged off and left to her own demise.
She followed the smaller lioness down the embankment her nails digging into the slope as she tried to move as quickly as she could to keep up with Beltaine. Giving her a weak smile when she reached the bottom Nanu couldn't help but feel as if she was almost useless in a way, as if she was a bit of a mere burden upon others with the unexpected changes.
"I don't think that is true," Nanu commented as the lioness stated that her own abilities were not of any use to anyone. "I think anything anyone does in a pride is important one way or another even if it's something of being a stoyteller to a hunter each role is equally important in some fashion," though Nanu felt as if she was doing nothing more than preaching to the lioness or more or less continual reassuring others what she thought.
Feeling the need to ask since she seemed rather particularly interested in insisting its value,"What is it that you do Beltaine?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:13 pm
I think, normally, I'd agree with you. Beltaine admitted while moving skillfully upon the shifting sand, allowing it to slide beneath the pads of her sore paws and carry her to the edge of the drift where the land finally leveled out. She could tell--as she watched the golden female's movements--that she wasn't yet accustomed to the desert terrain. It would come in time though, the artisan only knew because she too had the same difficulties upon first arriving. Granted it was now such a long time ago now that she had no clear recollection of it.
But I guess.. in my case, I can't much see how my-- There was a hesitation to say talent, yet skill didn't quite feel right either, so the youth was left momentarily gaping for a suitable word to describe what it could adequately be called. Settling, finally for the only term that seemed appropriate. Art, is of much use to the pride.
Unlike others of her craft who actually entertained and provided services for the pride, honestly Beltaine was a rather selfish creature. The beauty that revealed itself in her pieces were mostly for her own indulgence. Continuing on her journey towards the lagoon when Nanu was at her shoulder once more, at this time of day it was likely that the place was bound to be crowded. No turning back now though..
And the curious newcomer's question was answered as awkwardly as any other. Shoulders rolling in a half-hearted shrug that seemed almost an apology. I'm an Artisan... w-well.. a sculptor, really.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 3:01 pm
The golden lioness was more than relieved to finally see the shifting hill ease into something a little more leveled for her to walk upon. She was reassured that it was going to take a bit of practice before she could make it down slopes with grace instead of a rather shuffled embarrassment of a walk.
Nanu peered at the lioness with a bit of a pleasant yet shocked appearance, how was it that such a creature did not think that being a sculptor was not of any value to such a place. True that there was little to no such things existing out in the rogue lands considering that moving something as large and or as heavy as a stone figure was rather a large inconvenience to those on the move however having talent for such indulgences such as art was nothing to be ashamed of. Nanu on one hand had no talent or at least not one that she could think of out of her head, she was sure that she had no ability to take a hunk of stone and turn it into something that others would be in awe of let alone creating pictures of colored sand. Nanu knew she could barely come up with her own story to tell cubs before they settled into sleep.
Knotting her brows as the lion next to her gave her a halfhearted shrug, Nanu couldn’t help but feel a stirring of anger and pity. It wasn’t that she felt bad for the lioness position it was more of her view of her talented gift that the gods had given, if Nanu had such gifts she would have been pleased. Yet Nanu bit her lip instead of throwing such thoughts at the lioness that had shown her help. It wasn’t right for her to do so, she didn’t know what it was like to be a sculptor but she knew how she had felt when she lived in the rogue lands as a leader. There were days she was more than happy to cast of the gift that the gods had given her of survival and leader of their pride for just a normal day (in which if she had realized that such a day it would come true she would have appreciated what she had more).
Instead she gave the Beltaine a bit of a smile, “so you have talents for something most do not have? I think being a sculptor is something of an amazement… it wasn’t until I guess you could say returned that I got to see such beautiful works of art and I envy those who have the gift of doing so. I think it brings joy to others to see it or at least it does to me.” Nanu replied in a rather soft voice, “and bringing joy is always needed.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:05 pm
Beltaine was glad when the watering hole came into view--a vision of refreshment in the otherwise arid desert. Though Nanu made no outwardly critical comments towards the young Artisan's self depreciation, Bel's guard raised to the sense of criticism she felt, imagined or otherwise.
Thankfully, given the hour, there was already a number of pride members wading along the bank. Enjoying a refreshing drink. It would be easy enough to lose the lioness in the throng and find herself once more embracing the solitude she was so accustomed to. Not that the young female disliked her lovely, golden companion. She was intelligent and well spoken and certainly seemed intent to lift the spirits of the little rogue-born lioness.
It was only that Beltaine didn't need her spirits lifted and nor did she feel comfortable being scolded for explaining things for what they were. Whether or not being a sculptor was of any real value to the pride, it would always be who she was. There was no changing the stars now.
We're here. Nodding towards the water's edge indicatively, mismatched ears twitched. Shaking the forelock from her eyes as cool, vibrantly blue hues attempted to express gratitude and encouragement. She wasn't very good at these sorts of things. I'm glad... that someone enjoys my work, really. You're a good lioness, Nanu. I'm sure you'll find your place.. if you stop being so hard on yourself.
A beetle calling the ant black, perhaps, but Beltaine never would have considered the idea that she was hard on herself.
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:08 pm
The cool water was a delightful sight for the golden lioness as the soft breeze seemed to roll off the water. There were various pride members spread out among the waterhole, some seemed familiar from her earlier morning visits while others were new faces. Nanu noted that she was going to have to make more of an effort into memorizing names. It was even more overwhelming to realize that she had yet to meet even half of the pride. It was nothing like traveling with her small familiar group though as she looked around the watering hole she didn’t see any of them there. Maybe they were settling in well in their new home?
She dipped her paws into the water letting the small waves of movement roll across the top, she wanted to just sink her entire muzzle in and drink greedily but she felt that doing so would be rude and odd. Instead she gave Beltaine a soft smile, “Thank you for taking me here Beltaine and…. Thank you as well I am sure that one day I will find where I belong.”
Nanu had never considered herself as a good lioness merely doing what she needed to do as her responsibility. Maybe worrying about others wasn’t really how she was supposed to act but nevertheless she felt obligated to.
“I hope the same to you as well Beltaine and I hope that I can see some of your work or at least while you’re working if you don’t mind,” Nanu started to walk further into the water not wanting to burden the lioness any more then she had already done so.
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:10 am
It was no trouble.. I'm glad I was able to have the chance to meet you. Admitting the fact with a quiet and somewhat bashful honesty, the young artisan rubbed her ear nervously. The white appendage appearing comically misplaced upon the otherwise earth toned lioness.
Always somewhat uneasy about revealing her hidden gallery to outsiders, Beltaine wormed at the idea. Her answer somewhat noncommittal. Nobody but Matifu had ever seen the sculptor's workspace and despite how long they had known each other even that had been an event worthy of panic. I.. w-well, maybe.. someday.
Perhaps letting others into her world might have better aided them to understand the outsider's unusual thought process. To allow them into the vividly imaginative mindset that could create stirring images from shapeless mounds of earth. It was a frightening concept, yet Bel could feel a muted thrill of excitement roll down her spine in the same instant. Secretly, she wanted to be acknowledged. So maybe. Just maybe letting Nanu in was a step in the right direction. Adding almost under her breath when finally weasel-like frame twisted around to retreat now that her companion had safely reached her destination.
I think.. I'd like that.
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