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 Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:32 am
It seemed so surreal to Ayana. What had transpired during the last few days still left her feeling as if there was a Vena-shaped hole in her chest. She still couldn't believe that the lioness had been stolen from her, nor could she believe that the lioness had willingly put herself in harms way so that Aya and Nyeusi had been able to make an escape.
The expression on Vena's face was forever ingrained in Ayana's mind, and since the whole traumatic ordeal Aya had clammed up. It was the only way she knew how to cope. The tears had yet to come. Aya was trapped in a state of shock, a state of shock that didn't appear to be relinquishing its grasp on the leopardess.
She was grateful for Nyeusi. He'd been so tender, so watchful, so broken-hearted by her shock and pain. They'd only known Vena for a little more than two weeks and yet the lioness had been a shining beacon in Aya's life, a source of laughter and camaraderie, someone that she woke up looking forward to talking with, someone that knew how to make her view things in a completely different way.
Run! the lioness had screamed while the hyena that had attacked them leapt upon her back, I will find you! Run to the Shrines!
Terrified, they did as Vena commanded. They'd left that lioness behind because she'd begged them to. She'd sacrificed herself for their safety, for their well-being, and they'd run to the Ulili'Mlindaji.
And here they were.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:35 am
Nyeusi had done all that he could to try and make his lady smile. He felt silly for thinking about Ayana that way, but he couldn't help it. She was, for all intents and purposes, his lady. She belonged to him and he would protect her as best he could. It should have been him in Vena's place, he realized that now, but even a lapse in decision-making would have placed them both in danger.
So he ran.
He ran like his life depended on it, but more importantly, he ran like Aya's life depended on it. When she broke her speed to turn and look over her shoulder to see where Vena was or how she fared against the hyena, Nye made sure to n** at her rump or urge her on with harsh words just to make sure that she kept moving. He would not lose her. He would not allow Vena to make a sacrifice all for nothing.
Silence between the two leopards stretched out for long, long moments of time. No words were exchanged between the two, no words were needed. Not until the reached the boundaries of the Ulili'Mlindaji did they feel safe and secure, allowing themselves a moment's respite before moving deeper into the sanctuary of the peaceful pride.
They were home, but more importantly, they were safe.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:43 am
Jatayu often sat a fair distance from the central workings of the pride. Sometimes he felt stifled, and though he loved his mother and father and all of his siblings quite dearly, at times it was all a little overwhelming. It was not that he did not enjoy the company of both his family and his pridemembers, but sometimes the young leopard yearned for something more. Something... exciting.
Something different.
He would never break his beloved mother's heart by leaving the pride, though. He could never do that to his mother. No, he doubted that he could even do it by himself, in all honesty. These were only the daydreams of a young male who desired adventure and challenges above all else, but he knew that daydreams were daydreams and he was not the wandering type, as much as he often thought about how amazing it would be.
Lost in his thoughts, he did not spot the leopard pair until they were nearly upon him. Visitors to the pride, he thought to himself quietly before rising to his feet and dipping his head in greeting.
"Welcome to the Ulili'Mlindaji," he said quietly, intuitively realizing that something was awry with the pair. "I am Jatayu," he continued, tilting his head to the side. "Is all well?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:46 am
Ayana remained silent. Nyeusi would speak for her. Her dual-colored eyes were dull and listless from both the harrowing ordeal she'd been through and from the resulting lack of sleep throughout the past few days. They were safe, now, and that was something worth appreciating, but she could not make herself smile at the welcoming leopard that had approached them. In time, perhaps, that smile would come, but for now Ayana merely stood stoically at Nyeusi's side, though she did dip her head in the slightest of greetings.
This was a lovely place, one that she knew she would come to love. But now... the pain of her loss was too fresh. All Ayana wanted was a place to rest her head so that she could sleep, a fresh kill, and to be left alone.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:50 am
Nyeusi cleared his throat and shot Jatayu a glance. "Thank you for the welcome. I am Nyeusi and this is Ayana." He cleared his throat again, obviously not sure how much he should divulge in front of his beloved Ayana. "We have been traveling a long distance, and both of us are tired. We are not passing-though, but instead have come to seek a home and duties of our own." He ached to reach out to Ayana, to comfort her. He just didn't know how. He didn't know how to make her smile, and he didn't know how to make it all go away.
That would be impossible.
"We lost a dear friend on our journey," Nyeusi continued, "just a few days past we were attacked by a lone hyena. Our lion friend -- Vena -- put herself in danger so that we might escape." He paused, nuzzling Aya's cheek. "It has been a rough time," he added, leaving his explanation at that.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:56 am
Jatayu had met many strangers, many of them having experienced loss in different ways. Hearing about the loss of a friend was nothing new to the leopard, but seeing the fresh grief on the face of another was something new to him. It was terrifying, yes, and it caused his heart to ache. He could never imagine losing one of his family members so suddenly, though he could put himself in a position where he might find himself sacrificing his own life so that his family could survive.
"I hope you find peace here, Ayana and Nyeusi," he said softly, turning an about-face so that he could lead them further into the pride, further into safety. "There will be places for you to pray to the Gods for your friend. First, though, I will take you to your new home."
"We have many duties for you to choose from," the young leopard continued, glancing over his shoulder at the duo, "from Carvers to Shrinekeeps, we have many tasks that might appeal to either of you."
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:58 am
Ayana spoke for the first time in days. Something that the leopard said had piqued her interest, and she walked a little faster so that she was shoulder-and-shoulder with the younger male. "I am interested in becoming a Shrinekeep," she said gently, watching him with those oddly mismatched eyes of hers. She wasn't completely sure what shine she wanted to watch over, but she knew that if it was something she could correlate with the loss of Vena, perhaps that would be a comforting thing.
She was quiet for a long moment before adding, "I am tired, though. It has been a long time since either of us have had peaceful sleep."
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:02 am
Nyeusi's bright eyes widened when Ayana abruptly spoke, and a smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. This was progress. This was good. If she had a purpose, she would soon return to her old self, or so Nyeusi hoped. It was hard to say, and honestly only time would tell.
"I have an interest in being a Shrinekeep, as well," he blurted, not completely sure what the duties would entail. "I.. I would also like to pay my respects to the shrines. I have long waited to find this pride, and now that I am here I can finally do what I have yearned to do for a long, long time."
He was reminded of Bekeli for some reason, and the leopard had to wonder if the hyena that had attacked the trio was related to the disgusting and slightly stupid (okay, more than slightly stupid) hyena.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:08 am
Jatayu dipped his head in acquiesce, indicating that their preferred duties would be quite possible. "We will fill your bellies first," he said quietly, "and then allow you to seek respite from your travels." He smiled at both of the other leopards, his bright eyes warm and welcoming.
"We are not a heavy-handed pride. Our leader, Salma, does not seem to be the slave-driving type of lioness," he chuckled softly at his own words, obviously finding something humorous in them. "We are a calm and peaceful pride, full of friends, family and laughter. My own parents came here and started a family," he continued, pausing to lift a paw indicating himself, "and I was born here like many others. We really do have all walks of life within the boundaries of our pride, and we welcome them all."
His voice was filled with pride as he spoke of his home. It was obvious that he loved this place, and even more obvious that he hoped they would share that love.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:12 am
((WC: 1,599 on wordcounttool.com))
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