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 Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:54 am
 Nkosazana was tossing and turning in her den. It felt a lot bigger since her three, now nearly full grown, cubs had left to get dens of their own. While it felt odd to have room to stretch out, the rusty lioness wasn't sure that was exactly the problem. There had still been no word on what happened to their shaman and her apprentice. Why hadn't any sign been found? A terrible thought occurred to her and made Nko roll onto her back. Had the Great Lion, himself, taken them up with him?
There was also the low number of applicants for the open shaman position and others as some stepped down from positions. Could that be another sign? But of what? Nko didn't like the direction her thoughts were taking. She rolled back to her belly and rose to her feet. There was no way she'd be able to sleep tonight without talking. She hoped her sister-in-law didn't mind a late night intrusion. Quiet as a leaf landing, she slipped from her den and headed to where her brother and Kibetinyota lived. Discretely she scratched at the ground to see if she was awake.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:41 pm
 Days slipped by for the pale lioness, as she was out of work with no shaman or shaman apprentice about. Some of her dreams haunted her, with Shira and Miakoda... She saw them daily when she watched over the rogues and conversed with them during their routine. Though they were friendly only in the working environment and scarcely saw each other when they went back to their dens, she still felt very close to the two. Yet, the last time she saw them... was the last time she would ever see them.
It was a hard thought to swallow, and the small, sweet lioness had many feelings of worry and guilt that plagued her since the day they did not show up in the pride. Sure, Uchanjaa quelled her thoughts and offered a comforting presence when he came home, but she could not see him as often as she would usually. Having taken the place of a babysitter of sorts to Selene, Uchanjaa went off very early in the morning, and came home very late - just in time to sleep. This left the lonely lioness confused at what to do for her days.
Sometimes she thought about Nkosazana, but with the disappearances, the guards have had to keep longer hours and stricter shifts. She couldn't blame them; in fact, it was necessary, especially if there was any hope at all of finding Shira and Miakoda again.
So, it was another night of Uchanjaa's return, and he had fallen to the ground with all his tired, fluffy self almost as soon as he walked into their home. His body was always so welcome and warm to her, but still, sometimes... she just wasn't tired enough to sleep, with all the thoughts lingering in her head. But she laid down next to him anyways, always enjoying just being there beside his warmth. And she waited for day to come.
...Until she heard a few scratches at her den's entrance. Her eyes fluttered open, though she saw Uchanjaa hadn't been bothered, at least by the deepness of his snores. What could it have been? Part of her was afraid it was the cause of the disappearances, but with Uchanjaa here, she wasn't nearly as frightened as she should have been. As well, the guards' tightened patrols would not have let anything evil slip by their vigilance.
"Nkosazana?" she spoke softly when her head turned towards the source of the sounds - though she couldn't make out the colors quite yet, the form was definitely very much like her sister-in-law's.
She got up, padding lightly to the other awake lioness. She smiled, quite relieved, amused, and joyous at the same time that Nkosazana was here - she hadn't been able to catch up with Uchanjaa's sister as much as she wanted to these days.
"What are you doing up? Were you looking for Uchanjaa?" she asked, "I mean, you are quite welcome in our home whenever you'd like, but this is a rather strange hour. Uchanjaa has been in deep sleeps from his long days."
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:04 pm
Nko had been hesitant to scratch again. She knew her brother was working so hard, and he came home so utterly tired. Despite her desire to talk with someone, she didn't want to interrupt his sleep. She had turned away and taken a couple steps back to her den when a soft voice caught her attention. The lioness turned back with a smile.
"Kibetinyota. It's Nko." She greeted the other lioness with a cheek rub, happy she was awake. "I hope I didn't wake you. No, no I didn't come to see Uchanjaa." She glanced back to the den then whispered, "lets move away so we can talk without waking him."
"I'm sorry about the time. I just couldn't sleep tonight. If you'd rather we talk another time I understand." Her soft lavender eyes looked almost sad as she looked watched Kibe.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:52 pm
Kibetinyota received Nkosazana's greeting warmly, smiling as she politely shook her head, "No, I've been awake. This time is fine, I assure you."
"And Uchanjaa's fine - though he's become more sharp and watchful lately, he can get like a stone in these instances. But yes, let's move in case."
She guided Nkosazana to the other side of their den - inside enough to keep warm from any wind that might be coming from outside, but near enough the entrance so that Uchanjaa would have had a hard time hearing in his slumber. She motioned for the other lioness to lay down, and get comfortable - she did so herself, and then watched Nkosazana, concern growing as she sensed something wrong in her light eyes.
"I haven't been able to sleep either sometimes. I understand," she said, letting Nkosazana know she was not alone in that matter, "We have the rest of the night. I hope you aren't appointed to wake up early for your route, though..?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:26 pm
Nko relaxed slightly as Kibe said she'd already been awake. She would have felt horrible waking her this late. So she wasn't the only one having problems sleeping of late. The rusty lioness was glad to hear that her brother was well. She hadn't gotten nearly enough time to spend with him. At least he had Kibe to look after him.
Relieved when Kibe agreed to move, Nko followed her sister-in-law. She had been thinking of just sitting outside, but the comfort of the den soothed her. It was odd how restless she'd been in her own den. Yet the moment she got here it wasn't so bad. Nko suspected that perhaps it was because Uchanjaa was nearby. It took a moment for her to stretch herself out across the even floor. She didn't speak immediately, half brooding.
A smile for the understanding of her fellow lioness. Perhaps Uchanjaa had chosen well. Too bad there hadn't been anyone in the group for her. Even if there had been, Nko wasn't positive she would have taken him up on it. It was nice to be free and be herself. "Thank you Kibe. And no, I have tomorrow off." She kneaded the floor a little with just the pads of her feet, trying to find the words for her feelings. "There's still been no sign of what happened to the Shaman?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:37 am
Though Kibetinyota knew Nkosazana probably came here out of stress more than a fancy whim, she smiled and was glad when she saw her sister-in-law stretch out, relaxing herself - even if a few seconds passed by in silence. It was alright for her, as having another lioness in the den, especially someone so close as Nkosazana brought some form of relief, and even happiness. Even if the visit did come this late.
She suspected there were many thoughts running in Nkosazana's mind, much like hers. She understood that even a few seconds of quietness could help ease a mind - to clear it up and think better.
A nod came to the answer, and the quick thought of perhaps asking to hang out - she severely needed company these days, it seemed. As for the question, Kibetinyota hummed lowly and thought; obviously she knew nothing about the situation with Shira, as well as the entire pride. There was something more in the question, and it implied a curiosity to investigate the events at hand.
"We were doing the usual routine..." she began slowly, "Shira and I. Miakoda, of course, is mostly present for her apprenticeship. It was... just another day. But the next day, they were gone. No trace, no clues, no prints. And the Great Lion was watching the night they disappeared."
She sighed heavily, wishing she had another answer, "I have no clue what could have transpired... There is no one in the pride with malicious intent - I watched over the recently joined rogues, and they have all been good souls."
And then, she couldn't help but ask, "There weren't any troubling signs before their disappearance on your patrols?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 2:27 pm
Nko had a feeling that Kibe's answer would follow along those lines. She gave a soft sigh. At least she'd been reassured that it wasn't the new rogues. There would be no repeat of the event that killed Almcene.
"Everything has been calm and quiet. I haven't heard any of the other guards talking about unusual events." She nodded. "Exactly. It's been quiet, and they were under his full gaze. Kibe, what if the Great Lion himself called them to him? It would explain why we can't find any signs." It was a disturbing thought. Why had they been called if that was truly the case?
"Another thing has been bothering me. Why have there been so few applications to the open positions? There are plenty in the ranks required, but they don't apply." Nko air the other half of her unease. Might as well get it all out. "I'm sure you've heard that some have had to be appointed to it. I don't know about you, but I don't like the thought of a reluctant lion. It coudl spell disaster for all of us."
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:56 pm
The unsettling thought had been but many of the ones to cross Kibetinyota's mind. Of course, many questions and uncertainties about their beliefs arose from this hypothesis, but if it had been the case, then she was almost relieved the Great Lion didn't take her, as well.
"Then may the Great Lion watch over Shira and Miakoda more closely. I have heard of the lack of applicants - Uchanjaa has told me himself, during his outings with Selene, that they crossed by the dens of those in the right class on whims and hopes that they would want to fill the positions. I would think that others, like me, would feel still pained at our loss... that they would feel guilt over replacing our beloved friends. Indeed the role is vital to our duties, but still..."
Nkosazana sure had as many worries as Kibetinyota, even if, as a guard, hadn't been in the middle of things or had it hit closer to home. She was glad she could at least have her mate's sister to talk to about every worry on this matter - especially if Uchanjaa had spent little time at home these days.
"I... will uphold my faith, however, that the Great Lion will allow a fitting candidate for us. I will do my best to work with the new Shaman - the choosing must be near, as the selection has already taken quite a while..."
Really, if only Nkosazana had been a higher class - while Kibetinyota had no prejudice for those who held less sway in the Great Lion's eyes, she saw it as a pity that someone as honest and loyal as Nkosazana could not be a candidate for the role so that they could work together.
"My thoughts align with yours, Nkosazana. These times have very well taken a toll, and it's been harder for me with Uchanjaa gone most of the day. I'm sure you need a lot of rest as well as I. Please, stay here at home with us, at least for tonight - Uchanjaa is too tired when he comes home to mind, though I am sure he would love the surprise of his sister in the morning."
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:08 pm
Nko let her tail twitch. It helped sooth her a bit. She sent a silent prayer that Shira and Miakoda were well taken care of if they were indeed with the Great Lion now. It still bothered her about why. Why hadn't they left any clue or info? Why hadn't the Great Lion given them time to do so? She crossed her paws as she shifted her lower quarters to the side. If it wasn't the Great Lion, then who. How could they make two lionesses simply vanish?
She shook her head to pull her attention back to Kibe. There must be a lot of pressure on those of the correct rank. Nko felt a bit of sympathy for those in that position. She had to smile at Kibe's response to her tough questions. All they could do was continue to believe. Believe in the Great Lion, in his protection, and believe in those chosen to serve him and the pride. They all needed their support.
"You're right of course. It was silly of me to doubt. Everything should be as the Great Lion wills it. Thank you for the talk." She gave a soft purr. "You are welcome to stop by my den whenever you'd like. Your offer is very kind Kibe. I think I will take you up on it." She gave a giggle. "I'm sure he will."
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:40 pm
Kibetinyota noticed Nkosazana's tension coming from the confusion within the pride, and knew sleep was all they really needed. She also knew Nkosazana's children had left her den for their own, leaving their mother alone... She wasn't sure how that would have made the other lioness feel, but she thought that company would be better than no company, and wouldn't want her sister-in-law feeling lonely at night, especially with all the negative energy surrounding the pride.
While he knew Nkosazana still had many questions, as she did herself, tomorrow would be better to exchange words. For the moment, staying up later at night would only make their minds more frenzied. So, she gestured over back to Uchanjaa inside the den, where there was ample space for company. It was silly; though Kibetinyota and Uchanjaa only recently elected to start a family, they had chosen a den big enough for one before that idea occurred.
"Of course, Nkosazana," she said, bowing formally in line with her character, "I'd like to talk with you more tomorrow, if you don't mind. It's rare that I have whole days to myself, but now that I do, it'd be good to catch up... on everything."
She smiled, walking to her place beside Uchanjaa to lay down before sleeping, "Let's rest and stop thinking about these things tonight. Goodness knows it's been keeping us up every night. And I will see you tomorrow."
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:53 pm
"No I don't mind at all." She had to give her sister-in-law a smile. There was plenty of time in the morning. "You're right, we don't talk enough. Thanks for talking tonight. Sleep well Kibe."
Nko watched the pale colored lioness walk over to join her mate. It was good knowing she could turn to her brother's mate in a pinch. The rusty lioness settled herself down for slumber. Her head rested on her paws and she closed her lavender eyes.
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