Anasema'hadithi - The Aurrie
&
Na'ima - Das Tor
It felt like just another day. Just a normal day, walking the borders of the pride to ensure the Guards and 'grounded' Warriors hadn't done anything stupid. But it wasn't...entirely normal. There was so much going on inside the pride...so much planning. And soon, things would be normal again. At least...she hoped things would be normal again. Shupavu didn't really have supporters, but he was a lion not to be underestimated. Na'ima sighed, shaking her head and stopping a moment to shake her head. What would Mioyo think of the shamble her pride was in now? She knew poor Dovev was heartbroken at the way things had devolved while he was distracted raising his cubs. But...they could not change the past. They could only influence their future. And hopefully, one day, send word to Mioyo that the pride thrived.
Things were sort of simple, again. Well, maybe not so much, but he had little on-goings in his day to day life as of late. Anasema'hadithi wandered the savanna, much like a ghost, his silver form pushing through the tall grasses as he drifted almost aimlessly about. He had put his all into Refilwe Oluchi. He left his father, his mother, his sister… How me missed her, especially. He felt like a failure. Had he not followed the General's rebellion, would his beloved pride still be around to protect the lands? It was hard to say, but he felt a distinct, heavy paw weighing down his once carefree heart. He felt responsible for failing the pride and, ultimately, failing his sister. The male gave a heavy sigh, his paws moving him along on their own accord. His hip was acting up, much to his displeasure. He was not a young lion, nor was he ancient, yet scars marred his once pristine pelt and the worst one, one that nearly claimed his life several seasons back, bothered him from time to time. There was a distinct limp from his rear, right end and his tail splayed behind him in an effort to keep balance. Maybe, just maybe, he would one day find a pride with which to settle… Or better yet, his lost sister.
Na'ima had been about to continue her rounds when she caught an unfamiliar scent on the wind. Tiamat's arse, that wasn't good! It was best she meet the stranger, in case Shupavu had decided to make a round as well. They didn't need that a*****e giving some poor rogue trouble, just because they didn't plan to stay. Because she doubted it was anyone coming to join the pride. The joka'simba moved towards the scent, attempting to make her large form as un-intimidating as possible. "Heyla, stranger!" Hopefully, it wasn't one of the Mwako coming to visit, either. She was't sure Shupavu could tell ally from enemy anymore.
He was jarred from his thoughts, not by scent, but by sound. Had he really been so out of it that he hadn't noticed the scent of lions passing through these parts? The former warrior felt a wash of embarrassment as his dark ears pricked and he shifted his emerald gaze, albeit rather curiously, towards the female that was making her approach. Her tone sounded nonthreatening and he offered a faint smile and nod of his head. "Hello! May I ask where'bouts I've found myself?" She seemed sure of herself. From around here, no doubt!
Ah...good. He seemed a friendly sort. Though...there was something odd about the way he held himself. Hmm...he didn't look to have any current injuries. "You've stumbled across Matembezi'wasakaji lands, stranger. No worries, though. I'm not here to hurt you. We're supposed to be a haven for those seeking shelter from injustice." Na'ima gained a curious look. "Might I ask what brings you this way?" He didn't sound as if he'd been seeking them out...which was a good thing, in her mind.
Injustice?" His curiosity was definitely peaked. His former pride, after all, had fought against the injustices in surrounding lands… But something in the way she phrased her sentence settled oddly with him. He wasn't too terribly familiar with the Matembezi'wasakaji, though he was certain he had heard the name before. Regardless, he hadn't been seeking them out specifically and not much guided him, save for the wind. "My paws? But in all seriousness, nothing in particular. I've no pride to call home, at the moment and my whims guide me." He chuckled slightly at his little attempt at humor, regardless of however lame it might actually have been.
Na'ima nodded. "Yes. We were originally started because our founder could no longer stand to see creatures tormenting and harming those who wanted only peace." And one day, whether they went out into the world again or not, they would be a safe haven again. She did not envy Nyx the task of ousting her own brother. "A wanderer than? You sound as if you once had a pride." And...that odd stance of his just would not let her be! "And I hope you don't mind me asking but...is there something bothering you? You seem to be favoring your right hindquarters." Normally, she was more blunt...but this was a rogue, not one of her pride-sibs.
"Sounds like a noble cause… And you're right, Refilwe Oluchi, at one time." The name, once so often spoken, felt strange on his rubbery lips, but his voice didn't waver or falter. If anything, he seemed to emit a sense of pride and it mattered little to him whether she knew of them or not. Those had been wonderful days, while they lasted. He tilted his head ever so slightly as she began her question. "Uhm, well, yes, actually." He didn't feel too keen on admitting his weaknesses, but he didn't particularly feel threatened by the polite stranger. Well, no, he was the stranger, here. "I got a nasty rip some time ago. Deep one and it got infected. I recovered and that was eons ago, but it still gives me some grief from time to time."
Refilwe'Oluchi...it was a vaguely familiar name. Mioyo had been contemplating an alliance with them at one point, if she remembered correctly. Yes. Yes she had. Well! Quite the surprise, to run across a former member. She wondered what might have happened, that he was no longer there. But it was not her place to inquire. "Ah...an old wound." That sort of thing, she had herbs for. "I've got something that might help with that. It's a plant easily found around here, and I keep a larger stock of it around in dried form. Some of our members aren't exactly in their prime anymore, nor are they unscarred."
"Ah, you do?" A healer, then? Someone above certainly must be watching over him, for him to have such random good fortune. Especially after he had been complaining silently to himself, not too terribly long ago. "Would you be so kind as to allow me to take some? Or, perchance, show me where I might find something similar?" Fighting and stories, those were what the silver furred lion had been skilled in. Medicine? Not so much. A shame he hadn't picked up on those skills when the opportunity had presented itself, but he was a brawny, sturdily built fellow and it was only natural for him to pursue conquests that required more physical domination.
The joka'simba chuckled and nodded. "I would be so kind, indeed. I can fetch you a bundle to take with you. You only need to chew a leaf or two to get relief, and it lasts most of the day. A bundle should last you a good while. And I've seen the plant other places. It doesn't look very different fresh than it does dried. Just greener and in the ground." Ah...it felt good to be of some help to someone she did not know! It had been so long since she'd been able to truly help someone like this.
"That would be fantastic! You're most certainly a gem. If there is any way I could return the favor, please let me know." His pale green eyes seemed to light up at her generosity. It had been ages since he had such a random act of kindness come his way. A soft, genuine rumble of a purr began in his chest.
Na'ima smiled brightly. "No repayment needed. Knowing you'll be better off is good enough for me. If you'll wait here a bit, I'll go fetch it." None of the Guards would be passing through any time soon, and she could go the route that would ensure Shupavu wasn't coming. And the little 'cave' she kept the stored dried herbs in was nearer to this border than her den was.
The wait wasn't long, certainly not as long as he thought it would take. Perhaps he was closer to the pride's innards than he thought? Either that or time, who's speed seemed subject to situation at times, was buzzing along at a quicker pace than usual. Regardless, the lioness brought him a bundle and the leaves within had a peculiar, yet not completely unpleasant smell to them. The middle-aged male was most certainly grateful, which he voiced once more, before making his way back out into the vast wilderness that was the African savanna, bundle clutched firmly between his sharp teeth. He couldn't wait to down one of those little, dried leaves.
