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 Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:56 am
Vesta looked like she'd been slapped in the face with a wet fish. There was no other way to describe it. Fia, then, was rather happy that they were expecting company. She wasn't sure whether she'd be able to put up with the moody little female all by herself for the entire morning.
Shaking her dark pelt, she stretched herself leisurely and gave a short chirp of greeting as Vesta came to a halt two paces in front of her. Perhaps if she pretended not to notice, she'd cheer up and they wouldn't have to discuss it.
"You're on time." Fia pointed out.
Vesta gave her an odd look. "I always am."
"Well, uh, can we wait for a bit? I'm expecting some others to join us today."
"Others?"
"Yes, yes. Don't worry, they won't bite." Fia spoke around a yawn, shaking her head as she turned to see if there was any sight of Xipil and his future girlfriend. At her side, Vesta said nothing and Fia looked down at her with a slight curl to her lip. The girl really needed to bulk her confidence up a little bit. She was actually surprising that some of her own stubbornness and fire hadn't rubbed off on the timid Water-Seeker.
"I don't know them?" Vesta peeped.
"Um...not one of them at least. She's new."
"Oh."
And that was that. Silence fell over the pair as they waited for the two others to arrive and complete their search party.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:24 pm
Xipil arrived on scene first, he had aimed to arrive early in order to provide himself with ample time to get in the "zone" but he had gotten caught up in his daily training exercises and hadn't allowed himself the proper amount of time to meet with his sister and Vesta early. A little grumpy due to this, he wore what appeared to be a scowl on his face as he approached the pair. "Fia, Vesta," he greeted with a nod.
He looked haggard and worn as though he hadn't been sleeping much, which he hadn't, and that he was overworking himself, which he had. But he attempted to offer his idea of a small smile towards the two females, especially when he saw the state that Vesta was in. He opened his mouth, thinking to comment on her state but closed it when he decided against it.
Mii'ah was hot on Xipil's heels as she hurried across the sand, a task she still found fairly difficult, eager to meet with Fia and her friend. She trotted towards them wearing a bright smile, tail flicking happily behind her. "Hello!" She called cheerfully, that was until her green eyed gaze settled on Vesta. Her smile faltered and she frowned slightly before shaking her head and feigning happiness.
"Ah, so you...must be Vesta?" Her speech was quiet and had long pauses between. How awkward.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:44 pm
Vesta's face transformed into one of absoloute shock. Fia had brought her brother along. And not just any brother, but that brother! Memories of her failed attempts at impressing him came suddenly back to haunt her and, without thinking, she backed away shyly, side-stepping so that she was partially obscured by the bigger lioness.
Meanwhile...
"Morning, Xipil." Fia greeted, giving him a slight glance of concern. Sometimes he worked too hard...and now a days working too hard could be fatal. Perhaps they shouldn't go as far as they normally would today. In truth they could all do with having a slightly easier working day. "Is--oh, there she is." Her bi-coloured eyes switched over to the other female's face and she realised, with some small amusement, that Xipil was outnumbered three to one.
"Morning, Mii'ah." And then, realising that Vesta was practically cowering behind her, she swiftly sidestepped, leaving the smaller one completely vulnerable.
Vesta swallowed and let her eyes dance down to her paws. Awkward indeed. "Um...yes. I'm, uh, Vesta. Hello." She shifted a little closer to Fia and blinked across at the pair. She'd not told Fia about her defeat at the paws of a rogue lioness...or anyone, in fact.
Fia made a face, clearly not sure about why Vesta was acting more shy and awkward than normal. She decided to give her a small shove and steer the conversation to better things. "Ignore her. She'll cheer up once we're on our way. Are you two ready to head out? Vesta usually does the leading and I just follow her, right?"
"Um, right." Vesta straightened a little, though she still looked incredibly nervous. "I...uh...this way." And she hastened off.
Fia, with a roll of her eyes, cast a look at Xipil and Mii'ah. "She's not usually this flighty. I think the up and coming vote has her ruffled." And she turned to follow her.
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:31 am
Xipil was blissfully unaware of the events that transpired between the two females nor was he aware of the rather distinct fact that the young Vesta harbored a long-standing crush upon him. Though he did frown ever so slightly at her skittish ways. He wanted to approach her and demand to know what was wrong, he didn't have very many friends yet he would proudly claim Vesta as one and as such, he didn't like seeing her...troubled.
He didn't go to her, not right away, because he did not feel like now was the time, nor the place. If her actions continued however, he would confront her about them, though for now he just passed it off as exhaustion. They had been working very hard, the waterseekers especially, because of the drought and he had no doubt that she was searching night and day everyday.
"Yes," Xipil commented quietly and absentmindedly. "The resulting decision is likely to upset many," he replied as he quickly followed after his friend.
Mii'ah pawed at the ground, choosing to avert her gaze to the sand beneath her rather than that of the skittish lioness who took off quickly in the direction they would be searching today. She wasn't sure how, let alone what, to say and was thankful when Fia began to speak. Did she know that it was her that had bested Vesta in the duel that had allowed her to join the pride?
From Fia's response to the female's actions, unlikely. "What vote?" She asked, ears flattening against her head. She was still so new, information did not flow as easily to her as it would the pair of siblings. Especially considering their parents.
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:40 am
Vesta continued on ahead and Fia, with a confused look at her, turned to continue speaking with her brother and Mii'ah. "Upset and anger. I know which way I'm going to vote and I intend to make my voice heard." Yes...Fia had never been one to hold her tongue, even if silence was the best reaction to something.
Then to Mii'ah: "The pride will be voting on the best course of action with the water. Some wish to prioritise the water to the military whilst others - like me - want to see it shared equally." She growled, long and low in her throat. "I just hope people see that punishing others for their career choice is not the way forwards." She paused, brandishing a paw. "Take me, for instance. I was told I had the skill to be a soldier when I was young. I had the talent and the fire, but I chose not to do that because--" Well, because she'd been too lazy and she didn't like being given orders. "Because I wanted to take a different route and history always was a fascinating thing for me. Now, because of a choice I made as a child, I might be punished for it."
Her eyes narrowed. "And no one cares that I'm out every day searching for this damned water. They'd rather me and all the other civilians just rolled over and died." She'd either forgotten she was in the company of soldiers or simply didn't care.
It could have been either.
"And if they think that we'll just lie down and submit--accept being looked down on--then they'll be in for a surprise."
Vesta's ears lifted in shock at Fia's words and she turned her head slightly to look back at them. She clearly disagreed with Fia's point of view, but her mouth did not open to speak. Instead, she snapped her head back around again and began to ascend into the dunes.
Fia, exasperated, called after her. "Slow down, idiot. We'll be tired before we've even begun."
Vesta's pace slowed a little.
"Honestly, I do not know what's gotten into her."
Vesta might have told Fia many things, but her defeat by the rogue was not one of them.
"Well, Mii'ah, life here isn't easy, but it's never boring." Fia gave the newcomer a wry smile. "Welcome to the Motoujamii."
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:59 am
Mii'ah ears flattened against her skull at Fia's words. A vote to decide how to prioritize the water? Her frown deepened and her brow furrowed as she began to think about the statement more deeply. Would she have a say or a voice like the others or would it be best for her to say nothing at all because she had only been in the pride for a short period of time, though she had spent months searching and trying to gain entry.
She said nothing in response thinking of her new potion within the military, she was a solider and as such she needed to protect the pride but how would they do that if they were too weak to fight? She bit her tongue and decided she would not voice this concern because Fia was her friend and she'd rather not upset the darker female.
When the subject changed the red lioness found herself relieved and she was smiling again, her emerald eyes lit with excitement. "If life were too easy then it wouldn't be enjoyable," she commented thoughtfully, gaze flickering over towards Xipil briefly before shifting to Vesta then back to Fia. "Where is the fun in life without a challenge?" She offered her tone light and somewhat playful. As a child she had been handed everything because her father was easy to push around, but as she matured she realized that that was not what she wanted from life.
She wanted a challenge and she was certainly up against one now.
Xipil might have been a fairly emotionally inept individual but concern rippled across his features at the words of his sister and the action of the lioness he considered to be a friend. He pretended to listen intently as his sister ranted about the importance of sharing the water equally, a motion that had too many pros and cons to debate about now when he himself was not completely sure of his own vote.
He didn't feel up to a debate, not now.
"There will be problems no matter what decision is made, we will just have to adapt as we always have sister, do not worry though," he spoke softly but clearly as he began to pick up his pace, sapphire eyes shifting from the form of his sister to Vesta. "It will turn out fine, we're strong and balance will remain." He sounded so sure, so certain.
He left the two females to their own devices as the topic changed and directed his attention to Vesta. "What's ailing you?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:59 am
"I like the way you think, Mii'ah." Fia replied with a grin. "The Firekin pride themselves on being able to tackle challenges head on and rising victorious every time. Challenge and hardship has made us strong and will continue to do so." She tipped her head in thought. "What is the saying? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?"
Her eyes cast across to her brother and she gave him a slow nod of agreement. "It will be fine. I know it. There hasn't been a disaster yet that we haven't survived."
She flexed her ebony claws into the sand and picked up the pace a little. "So, where did you hail from before you came here? Did you have another pride or were you a wanderer? I've never been in the outside lands myself. Never any need, though I dreamt of doing it often as a child." With her twin sister, Ea. Weird how those thoughts had been so easily dashed in her once she had found her path. This was her home and she felt as if the desert were a part of her. To leave it would be to leave behind her soul. It frightened her, if truth be told. But she was still curious about the lands of green where food was plentiful and the sun not so hot.
Vesta, who had been lost in her own thoughts about her failures, startled at the sound of Xipil's voice and instantly flustered as he drew closer. He was there? Talking with her? What about the others? Would he not rather be with them? Why wasn't she saying anything? He probably thought she was mad, or upset with him! And that wasn't true!
"I, uh, I..." She stuttered. "Just tired."
She released a panicked breath and dared another glance at him. "Working harder than normal lately. Everyone so expectant and hopeful...but never any good news." It was breaking her heart, truth be told. "I feel so helpless."
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:33 pm
Mii'ah was beaming with the comment from Fia. It felt good to know that she had come to the right place, to know that she fit the mentality. "I think you are right," she nodded thinking of the saying. It had been quite the trail to even come across the firekin let alone gain entry. Her gaze flickered to Xipil at the thought before turning back to the black cat beside her.
"Everything it took to get here made me stronger, though at one point I thought I would pass from heatstroke," she admitted mildly embarrassed by the fact. But she had pushed through and survived in an element so different from her birth pride, that had to count for something didn't it?
"Yes, I came from another pride," she answered slowly thinking back to the day she decided that life was too easy, that there had to be something more and she had bid her father goodbye and sought a new direction. "Originally I am from the Pridelands, I left not too long after I reached the age where I was considered an adult," she explained looking forward almost wistfully. "My entire life I had everything given to me, my siblings and I were pampered by my single father but, even as a child it wasn't enough. I didn't like how everything was just given to me. I never felt challenged," she paused. "So I left."
It was simple enough.
Xipil's brow creased in worry when she stumbled over her words and offered him what he thought was nothing but a weak excuse. "Vesta," his tone was almost scolding. He didn't like it when she skirted around the truth. There had to be something more to her disheveled appearance and attitude than simply just overworking herself.
"I know the demands on you and the other waterseekers is great in this drought period but please," he paused speaking slowly because the words felt foreign on his tongue. "Be careful, do not push yourself too hard." Though he wasn't one to speak, he always pushed himself harder than most.
"Let me help you," he said awkwardly. It was odd, expressing any kind of emotion. It was foreign and fairly uncomfortable.
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:04 pm
"It must have been more difficult to adapt. Being born with the sun beating down on your head and growing up with the sand beneath your paws must make living here slightly easier." Probable, anyway. "The Pridelands?" Fia's eyes lit up with interest and she gave a short nod of her head. "It sounds like you were meant for this place, I think. The colours are printed there on your pelt and you have the strength to match."
She looked approving. "My mother came from the Pridelands, originally, you know. The way of life there seems very different from the one that is offered here, but it at least seems to breed good, strong lions." She pondered a moment. "I think my mother probably felt much the same way you did. Some like to have an easy life but there are others who want more. Who have ambition."
Her eyes softened. "Funny...how things work out in the end. My father accomplished so much but I don't think he could have done it without Mother. The two of them are a great team."
She cast a look ahead to where Xipil and Vesta walked. "Who knows, perhaps you and Xipil might make a good team, too."
Vesta's head dropped apologetically. "I--I will try. I just...hate to see everyone suffering and...and I...just want to make a difference." She trailed helplessly, though her eyes snapped up to look at him with some sort of surprise glinting in them. "You...you already are helping!" She was flustering again - and not looking where she was going. She staggered over uneven ground and only just caught herself from falling flat on her face.
Ugh, the embarrassment. "I...uh...you are helping."
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:37 am
Mii'ah nodded slowly, chewing on her words before she chose to respond. "Yes, it was a trial for sure and adapting was difficult but I was determined. I had chosen a new direction and new life for myself; I was determined to let nothing get in the way of that," she admitted a small smile upon her maw as she thought about the struggles she had endured and how much stronger she had become as a result. "To be honest, the heat was less of a test than your brother," she admitted quietly.
Her ears perked of the mention that Fia and Xipil's mother originally hailed from the pridelands. "Did she? I...might have heard of that? I am not sure..." she trailed off. There were so many large families it was difficult to keep track of who was in what family. "More often than not you work better in a pair than alone," she mumbled.
Forever thankful that a blush would not show on her features, the red lioness could feel her face heat up in a flush at Fia's words. "I-I don't think we have the relationship you are implying we do," she stuttered fixing her gaze on the ground. She had never thought of the red male in that way.
If Xipil was a more touchy lion then he probably would have brushed against the smaller lioness but instead he simply stared at her. His expression was hard to read, as always, but the way his brows knitted inward slightly was enough to show that he cared. "You are making a difference," he stated as if it was obvious.
"At one point everyone thought water seekers were low in importance, despite the harsh conditions of our pridelands and now you are high in importance. You know where to look and how to pace yourself when looking," he paused stepping a few paces ahead of her, turning and stopping. "As a soldier who is simply extending a paw and helping with the search my knowledge is few, I would be lost wandering were you not here."
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:55 pm
Fia smiled. "You will do well here, then. Perhaps you can even teach some of those egotistic males a thing or two. There's plenty of them that need to be brought down off of their pedestals. I can give you names. I'll even come along and watch and jeer. I do so love to watch them squirm when they're beaten into the sand by the girls." She smiled, already picturing the faces of those idiot soldiers as they came face to face with a worthy adversary.
"She did, indeed. I suppose not a lot of people speak of her heritage, now. She's been in the lands so long and commands such authority, I think others forget she was not always of the sand. I have to say, my mother is possibly the only Firekin who I would not like to come face to face with in battle. She is...fearsome, to say the least."
She nodded. "Strength in numbers." Her eyes grew bright and the smirk twitched at the corner of her mouth. "Well, if you are interested in Xipil, you'll have to be the one to make the first move. He's not the most open with his feelings, that one." She was almost tempted to give her a shove towards them, when she realised that Vesta and Xipil were deep in conversation.
"Hm, I wonder what those two are talking about. Didn't even realise they knew each other that well."
Vesta, meanwhile, was nodding slowly. "I...I like to stay out of the spotlight. Maybe that's why I chose to be a water-seeker...but now...everyone is reliant and...I suddenly feel the need to - I don't know - prove myself, maybe." She blinked up at him. "Like, um, you know how soldiers duel to prove their worth? Well, I suppose this is like...my duel?" She gave him a slightly timid look and then snapped her eyes back to the horizon.
He was being kind and she felt fluttery and awkward.
"Well, we can work together, then? Just as me and Fia, do? More eyes are always appreciated."
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:38 pm
"I have every intention of doing just that," Mii'ah promised standing straighter. She had faced a humiliating defeat at Xipil's paws more than once, she was determined to one day best him and any other male that questioned her strength and resolve. She was not a female who would go down submissively, she would stand and fight until she could fight no more. Never would she let herself be humiliated by a pity win or backing away when she still had fight left in her.
Mii'ah shook her head slightly, inclining it toward the dark female while looking at the pair that seemed to have separated from them. "Perhaps...I could tell when I faced him before," she admitted turning her attention to the task before them. "I'm not sure it's a risk worth taking truthfully," she sighed. "I have too much to prove now, I have much work ahead of me. I don't think I have the time to chase romance, if the possibility even existed." Was that a tinge of sadness in her tone? It wasn't clear.
Xipil let out a sound that resembled a chuckle, it wasn't often that he seemed to be amused. "I am well aware of that, you've always been a little shy," he commented thoughtfully thinking back to the time when they first met. She hadn't changed much and the more he thought about it, neither had he. But she was one of the few he considered to be his friend and that meant that she was incredibly important to him, even if he wasn't good at showing it.
"You don't need to prove yourself, you're doing a good job already. You've done more than most," he felt the need to point out. He didn't know why this came over him, he never hesitated to point out the flaws in others but Vesta was down and he had been taught to comfort those that needed it, even if it was in his own awkward way.
"Of course, my assistance is there whenever you need it."
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:19 pm
Fia did not often come across many that she could consider worthy of friendship, but already she could tell that Mii'ah was going to be a fine and ambitious Firekin, hard-working and dedicated as they came. "Well, perhaps romance isn't the best thing to start out with, but you can always work on it." She frowned, suddenly thinking. "Better yet, don't come to me for romance advice. I've vowed never to be tied down to anyone. Too messy. I can't be dealing with all that emotional drag. I like my independence. Which means I'm probably not the best candidate."
She nodded matter-of-factly and it was clear that she truly did not care that she might never fall in love or even have children. She had family to take on those roles and no one needed any heirs from her. She was a workaholic and nothing was going to take her away from her duty to the pride. As far as she was concerned, she could serve her kin better in her job than by bearing more children.
"Want to know the history of someone, however, is something I can help with, unless, of course, it's not in the records." She paused in her step and cast a look out across the desert, picking out shapes of others. Other searchers, perhaps? She hoped so.
Vesta blushed hotly beneath her fur at his compliment and gave a shy sort of laugh that held off any response she might have mad. His kindness was unexpected, perhaps, but very welcome, and her heart warmed to realise that if she couldn't have his heart, she could at least have his friendship.
That would have to be enough, perhaps, particularly if there was someone else on the scene. And, compared to a soldier, she had absolutely no chance at all.
"Thank you, Xipil. It means a lot." And then after a brief pause. "You are a good friend."
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:44 pm
Mii'ah shrugged, emerald eyes flickering over to the shadows as the approached. Briefly she wondered who they were or why they were headed their way, she pushed the thought from her mind. She was new, it could be that the lions nearing needed something from one of her companions.
She laughed at Fia lightly. "I'm not on to ask for romantic advice either, never have found a male who interested me," she admitted thinking of the various boys she had met while living in the pridelands and on her journey to the firekin. "But I will keep that in mind, I have always been a fan of history," she told Fia sheepishly. Had she not felt the need to be able to prove herself to everyone, including herself, she might have tried to pursue a job involving the history of the firekin. She was eager to learn more. "Perhaps, when things cool down we could get together and you could share some of your favorite stories from history?"
Xipil's head snapped up as the shadows appeared in his line of vision. He stopped, squinting as he tried to figure out who was coming their way. "I do what I can," he replied absentmindedly, focused upon the arriving company. His tail flicked behind him as he stood there, glancing at his female companions from the corner of his eye.
Ran stepped forward, dark fur glistening under the harsh rays of the sun. His white painted face wore no visible expressions as he moved towards his intended target. He stopped, yards away from the pack of lions. Purple eyes flickered across each of their faces before meeting the sapphire gaze of the red lion.
"Xipil, your presence is needed," he stated coolly before he glanced at the other red lion. "Yours as well," he told her turning tail and walking away without waiting for a response. Xipil's brow furrowed slightly as he turned towards Vesta and Fia, "Excuse me, I must take my leave."
With that the two lions departed.
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:12 pm
Fia mulled over Mii'ah's words thoughtfully and couldn't help but feel a little helpless. It was fine not having a male and romance if you didn't want either (like herself) but what happens if you wanted those things but had never been given a chance? Would it be like craving a rank that you could never achieve? It was a sad thought, actually, and she wondered whether she could help out in some way, perhaps without the other female's notice.
She smiled at the shift in topic and decided to leave the romance lie for now. She could think more on it later. "Of course! I'd love to! The Firekin might lack culture but we do have some rather impressive stories to tell. I just wish that more people had time to listen to them nowadays." She gave a loud sigh and shot her newfound friend a smile.
Then, again, her eyes went to the lions approaching. They were getting closer now, which suggested they might not be just out searching after all. "Hmm." She blinked. "I wonder what he wants." Automatically, she fell back. The markings on the approaching male were rather odd, as if he wore battle paint on his face. He looked serious but perhaps the markings always made him look as such?
"Looks like you've got duty to attend to. We'll continue searching and meet up with you later." Her tail twitched. "See you both later."
Vesta smiled gently in response to Xipil's kindness, though the smile faded as she realised duty was taking him away. She supposed it was always to be that way and wished, sadly, how much she would have liked to have inherited her father's strength and fire so that she might be more impressive.
And then Fia was at her side, joining her in watching the pair depart. "You seem to be getting on well with my brother." She spoke. "Feeling better now?"
"A little. Your brother is...he's a good lion."
Fia eyed her for a moment. "He is. And so is Mii'ah. With lions like them in the pride, I think we're going to be fine."
"I hope you're right." Vesta replied softly. "I really hope so."
/fin.
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