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 Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:19 am
Tofauti The plan was set. Tofauti and Shujaa had talked with Zurvan in hushed tones. They were all utterly convinced that Kosoko knew more than what he was letting on, and with Zurvan's help they were going to get him to talk. They had their suspicions that Kosoko had the sight, and while they did not wish him harm nor did they want him to find himself in trouble, Tofauti did want more than anything for Shujaa to have her memory back. Perhaps then she would be more open to his advances. Tofauti nimbly made his way to where he thought Kosoko would be -- near the outskirts of the shrine so that he could easily watch the comings and goings. Theluji and Hoaka were probably nearby as well, and with any luck Tofauti could slip in unseen and then slip out once more with Kosoko by his side. Catching sight of the lion, Tofauti slunk closer as fast as he could without looking suspicious. Kosoko Kosoko was feeling troubled. He couldn't forget the way that Shujaa's eyes had filled with tears, nor could he forget the graceful way she'd accepted his declination to assist her. Kosoko just could not put himself at risk that way -- soon they would start calling him mad and he would be removed forcefully from the pride. He would lose his rank and most importantly he would lose Safura -- this was something that he could not put at risk. It was something that he would not put at risk. His first chance at happiness with Safura, and he was not going to destroy it. ...back at Zurvan's den... Shujaa "I hope he can pull Kosoko away from his duties," Shujaa said in worried tones to the older, dark-pelted male that stood watchful nearby. Zurvan had proven to be priceless in his assistance. There was hope that because of his place in the pride -- not as a midwife but as grandfather to Kizuka's firstborn litter -- that he would be able to persuade Kosoko to help them. The darkness in her mind was eating at her heart and more often than not her days were filled with tears. Tofauti had come up with the plan to drag Kosoko back to Zurvan's den under the guise of the older lion requiring assistance in one thing or another. With a soft sigh she moved to stand next to Zurvan, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. Zurvan "My grandson can be quite determined when he finds it necessary," Zurvan said in cultured tones. He'd been in the pride since his grandchildren were mere cubs and he'd gotten to know most of them pretty well. There were a few that he'd not spent as much time with compared to the others, but Tofauti was perhaps the one he'd gotten closest to. It still amazed him how strongly Tofauti acted when Shujaa was around, and how quickly the boy had bonded to the pretty female. Then again, Zurvan could not blame Tofauti. Shujaa had a presence about her, something that soothed and calmed. He only hoped that she would remain this way after Kosoko assisted them.
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:50 am
Tofauti Tofauti belly-crawled towards the large stone that Kosoko was leaning up against. Once he was close enough, he peeped his head over the large piece of granite, his pale eyes locked on the back of Kosoko's head. His voice was a faint, faint whisper when he spoke. "Kosoko. Don't look alarmed. It's me, Tofauti. I need your help." Kosoko Lost in his thoughts, Kosoko didn't hear Tofauti's approach. A shiver wibbled its way up his spine at Tofauti's whisper, though, and he slowly spun around so that he could peer over the rock at Tofauti's face. "What are you doing sneaking around?" Tofauti "Like I said, I need your help. Well, Zurvan needs your help, really. A large... uh... stone. It fell near the entrance to his den and he needs help moving it." Oh, that was weak, Tofauti. Weak, weak, weak. "He asked me to come after you and to follow you back. Three is better than one, and stuff." Tofauti was a terrible liar. Kosoko "I see. Lead on, then." Kosoko couldn't quite figure out why Tofauti had been slinking around like a snail, but then again he didn't understand a lot of things the younger lion did. No matter. The sooner he could finish helping the old man move the stone, the sooner he could get back to his duties here at the shrine. ...back at Zurvan's den... Shujaa "He is a capable lion, isn't he? Tofauti, I mean." Shujaa took a few paces out of the mouth of Zurvan's den before creeping back in. She didn't want to ruin whatever stories that Tofauti had told Kosoko. That would put an end to the plans that Zurvan and Tofauti had gone to such lengths to carry out -- plans that they'd come up with all for her. All so she could have her memory back. Of course, if Tofauti had other reasons, she wasn't sure of what they were. She wasn't going to question him about them, either. He would come to her when he was ready. She only hoped he would feel the same after finding out what had brought her to the doorstep of their pride. Zurvan "He has grown much in the past weeks," Zurvan fudged the truth a little -- the honest truth was that Tofauti had grown since Shujaa had made her way to the Intaba'umbikezeli. Tofauti had turned into something of a hermit, making his way out only to pay his daily visit to his mother and occasionally extending that visit to Zurvan himself. "Stay calm, Shujaa. Kosoko is not going to be happy about this, but I truly feel that he is the only one that can help you. He has to know that he can trust us. Keep Tofauti under control at all times. This is crucial." His bright gaze swung towards her once more before turning again to the direction that Kosoko and Tofauti would come from.
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:41 am
Tofauti As they drew closer to Zurvan's den, apprehension started a chain of doubt that had Tofauti debating if what they were doing was right. He'd been the instigator, after all, and he'd dragged Zurvan into the whole thing. Tofauti loved his grandfather and he wasn't quite sure that what he was doing was the right thing, especially as each step carried them closer and closer to Zurvan's den. The den that just so happened not to have a stone near the entrance. As they moved around the corner that blocked Zurvan's den from view, it became very, very evident that there was no stone whatsoever. Tofauti hurried into the den just as Zurvan came out. Kosoko Kosoko had the feeling that he'd been had. "Greetings, Zurvan," he said slowly, watching the dark lion with slight confusion. "I was told there there was a stone here that you needed assistance moving." He tried to peer past Zurvan to catch a glance of Tofauti but the inner sanctum of the den was dark and Kosoko could not make out any distinguishable forms. What, exactly, was going on here? Zurvan "Kosoko," Zurvan said quietly, "I have been.. approached by another in hopes that I could persuade you to give assistance. I know that there are reasons that you might not want to give the assistance that is so direly needed, but ... I beg of you, Kosoko." He frowned and shook his head. "Please, give the help that is so direly needed." He could see the confusion spread on Kosoko's face. Zurvan did not know what else to say and so he stepped aside so that Shujaa could make things more clear. Shujaa As Zurvan stepped aside, Shujaa stepped from the dim interior of the den and offered a tremulous smile to Kosoko. She watched as first understanding spread over his features, soon followed by a scowl and finally a shake of his head. "Please, Kosoko," she whispered. "You've seen something. Your visions are safe with us, I promise you. I only want to know what has happened in my past, what has brought me here. I feel stuck without a way to move forward in my life, and it is a most terrible feeling." She paused in order to compose herself before continuing. "Just tell me what you've seen. This is all I ask of you, Kosoko."
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:58 am
Tofauti As Shujaa spoke, Tofauti stepped up next to her so that he could offer support if she needed it. He wasn't sure why he was so gung-ho about finding out about Shujaa's history. He couldn't explain it to himself, so how could he explain it to anyone else? He only knew that the lioness he'd come to cherish in so short a time had clammed up after speaking to Kosoko the other day, and it broke his heart to see her attempt to deal with such anguish. It broke his heart that she had distanced herself from him, and it hurt even more that there was nothing that he could do to help her. Kosoko was the only one with the power to do so. Kosoko Exhaling softly, Kosoko peered first at Shujaa, then at Tofauti. Shaking his head, his attention then went to Zurvan before he dipped his head in respect. Part of him was terrified that in telling this group of the visions he'd seen that others would soon find out that he carried the sight. Safura already knew, and now Tofauti, Zurvan and Shujaa? What hope did he have of keeping this a secret? Then again, what hope did Shujaa have of living a normal life if he kept his visions from her? She deserved to know what he'd seen. "I will tell you," he said quietly. He wasn't sure what would happen after he told them of what he'd seen, but in reality they had asked for it and he would give them what they seemed to want so badly. "My vision is of a pale lion. He is dead. Scattered around him are the four bodies of cubs. All dead." His gaze was locked on Shujaa as he spoke. "A lioness that resembles you, Shujaa, though not an exact copy -- she lies dead at the mouth of the den. Next I see a flash of you covered in blood near this den of death. You are crying though I do not know what for. I do not know who this lion was, I do not know who this lioness was nor do I know who these cubs were." He fell silent as he watched Shujaa, his expression unreadable. Zurvan Zurvan had been expecting to hear a vision of death, yes, but so many lives lost? No. He had not been expecting to hear of the deaths of children and mothers. He slowly turned to look at Shujaa, taking in her shocked expression. It was obvious she had not been expecting to hear such words either. "Is that all?" His voice was rife with emotion, gravelly. He hoped that Kosoko's words were the extent of the vision he'd had. Shujaa Shujaa's heart sank with each word that Kosoko spoke. Tears threatened to roll down her cheeks but she blinked to hold them back, her expression stoic and unchanging -- though a glance at her eyes would show of all the tumultuous emotions that were roiling in her mind. "I remember parts," she whispered, "I remember now. So much is still foggy. The lioness -- my sister. The cubs were hers, my nieces and nephews. We had been traveling together in hopes of escaping the father of the cubs -- the male that you saw." Her voice seemed dead, holding no emotion. "I had gone on a hunt so that we might eat. I left her alone there, and when I came back to the den she was dead... and he was in there. He'd killed the babies," her voice broke. "I killed him. He was a monster and we'd only wanted to find a place that we could start anew. We were coming here, to this pride -- we'd heard that it was safe and secluded." They hadn't made it. That much was obvious. Shujaa burst into tears.
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:09 am
Tofauti Tofauti could not understand what he was hearing. He'd known that there was evil in the lands outside of his home-pride, but that there were such beings out there that would take the lives of others simply because they could? Tofauti brushed his nose against Shujaa's cheek, his heart aching for her. She shook with the power of her sobs, tears rolling unhindered down the pale fur of her cheeks. Part of him felt as if they'd done more harm than good in having Kosoko tell her of her past. Part of him, though, was glad that they had. The healing process could begin now if only she would allow her heart to heal. Zurvan Zurvan knew that monsters existed. His own son, Angra, had grown into the epitome of hate and destruction. Zurvan was saddened that one so gentle and kind as Shujaa had had to deal with such destruction. He shook his head and butted his head against her shoulder, offering at least a little support. If only he could eradicate all the hate and pain in the world, those he cared for would never have to deal with such awful beings. Beings like his son. "Thank you, Kosoko," he said simply, his voice grave. Kosoko Kosoko nodded briefly, his dual-toned eyes still locked on Shujaa. She'd taken the life of a monster if what she said was true -- and from the look of utter grief on her face and the ring of pain in her voice, he could not doubt that she'd spoken the truth. "I am sorry," he said mildly before rising to his paws and respectfully bowing before the trio that sat in the mouth of Zurvan's den. It was all he said before he turned around and made his way back to the shrine. The thoughts of the vision rang in his brain, but he did feel better about telling Shujaa of what he'd seen. He could only hope that she and the others kept quiet about hsi visions. If they did not, well. He only hoped that the pride would allow him to stay. Shujaa Shujaa nodded at Kosoko. Though the memories he'd reawakened had been sorrowful, she couldn't help but feel as if he'd finally brought her peace. Though there were still small holes in her memory, at least she could remember what had brought her here. At least she could remember the reasons why she was here. She could remember her beloved sister and the laughter of the cubs they'd tried so hard to protect. Bittersweet memories, yes, but now she had the opportunity to forge a new future here in this pride despite the loss of her sister and the nieces and nephews that had not deserved to die so brutally. "Take me home, Tofauti," she whispered to the lion that had been a pillar of support through all of this. "Take me home."
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