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 Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:21 pm
Home.
It was a strange feeling, after many months of wandering with no connection to anyone or anything, nothing but memory to keep her company. This place and pride vastly different from where she'd grown up, but to Wodi, this was not a bad thing - no, this was better. This was a better fit for for her nature than the mists ever had been; she had been too rough, too restless, unsuited to simply be a ghost. The dispersal had been a blessing in disguise for her, she realized that now, though she did sometimes find herself missing her family.
But no matter. This would be her family now...or at least, it would be, once she managed to earn the acceptance of the other females. She had only been here a few days, and it would certainly take more time that that.
It was early morning, and the small lioness sat alone, watching the sun rise.
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:50 pm
She's over here! Over here! An excitable voice called from several paces ahead as a beautiful back, colored like the sun rising up her rump to overshadow the dark of night that created a hood over her head, crested over the top of the grass with every bound. Njalo had been waiting with baited breath for the chance to greet the newest addition to the pride. It unfortunately, made her rather insufferable for the rest of the lionesses to tolerate as she became increasingly antsy.
Simosihle was doing them a favor by taking the bubbly huntress with her to meet the elusive new Busisa. Alright, calm down Njalo! You're going to wake up the entire pride!
With a gentle laugh the dusty grey Umama followed easily enough. She was taller and a bit more solidly built than the prey-like Njalo'sasa and as such seemed to have an easier time moving through the particularly thick patch of weeds. Not that that stopped her cheerful companion from thrusting ahead.
Nja sees her! Nja sees her! Nja.. got her! At first pale white ears and a shock of black forelock was all she could see over the top of the grass, bouncing along eagerly. However, as the grass parted and she tumbled through onto open land cast in the warm, rosy glow of sunrise, Njalo immediately tackled the gorgeous white female.
( Was going to just post Simo.. but Njalo kind of insisted on being here too. XD; )
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 7:11 pm
Wodi was alerted to the presence of another by an excited voice proclaiming that she saw her, and assumed, rightly, that it was in reference to her. Even as she turned her head to acknowledge the approaching lioness - no, pair of lionesses - however, she was tackled. Tackled. It was the last thing she was expecting, and the painted lioness was completely unprepared.
Her reaction was swift and reflexive, sharp from surviving on her own for months. She reared back to throw the stranger off of her, and whirled with fangs bared and claws unsheathed -
And once thought caught up with reflex, remembered where she was, and that these were meant to be her sisters. She took several quick steps back, ears laid back in shame. "I-I'm sorry. You startled me. Are you alright?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:29 pm
Njalo don't---!! The words reached the air just a half a second too late as the bongo-marked female sprung as Simosihle appeared through the grass. Wincing as the unsuspecting lioness reacted the only way she knew how--which was to be expected from a female who had spent enough time in the rogue lands. It was an adaptation required to survive on such harsh terrain and one she could hardly be blamed for. Sitting lightly upon her haunches nearby she smiled gingerly at the reproachful look that immediately overcame the pale lioness. She didn't know Njalo well enough yet, but she would. Good heaven, you are trouble...
Almost as soon as she covered the new Bonelands member a surprising force sent Njalo reeling on her back, eyes wide with surprise as she stared at the upside down image of the Umama. Si-si! You're upside down!
You're the one who's upside down you feather head. Simsihle laughed fondly, rolling her eyes.
Oh. Blinking as she tried to comprehend this new information, the bubbly mother of six gave up after a moment. Instead, Nja shrilled excitedly, rolling over in the process. Did you see that, Simo!? She's little, but she's strong!
Attention shifting to the abashed monochrome figure more perplexed by the way her sister carried herself than the sudden attack. What's wrong? Don't you like being strong? We can never have too many good hunters!
Njalo pressed forward fearlessly to curl around the beautiful lioness, freckled nose leading the dizzying circles as she rubbed against soft fur with a purr thick enough to cut through. She was incorrigible.
But that was part of the slinky mink's charm in Simo's opinion. Her smile warm and inviting as she greeted the startled newcomer. Hello, Wodi.. right? Welcome to our pride. My name is Simosihle... I'm one of the two Omama here.. and this overly-affectionate sister is Njalo'sasa. I'm sorry if she frightened you.
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:54 pm
Bright eyes darted back and forth from one of the pair to the other, as Wodi found herself at something of a loss. She'd been worried that the strikingly-marked lioness would be angry with her for her near-violent reaction, that her slip might jeopardize her position, and yet...she seemed to enjoy it, and was even impressed.
She was still absorbing this whole scene and forming a response when her initial 'attacker' began to rub affectionately and enthusiastically against her. This flurry of a turn of events, combined with the adrenaline rush bleeding from her system, resulted in a wide-eyed, confused look for a moment. "I do like being strong," she answered once she'd managed to gather her thoughts. Ordinarily, she would have objected to being called 'little' - even though it was true - but as it was mentioned in the same impressed breath as her strength, it was acceptable. "But I don't want to hurt someone I should not."
All this unexpected affection was strange, but...nice, after so long apart from anyone. Tentatively, she dipped her head to rub cheeks with Njalo before addressing Simosihle.
"That's right." Wodi nodded. "It's an honor to meet you both, and no trouble. It just been a long time since I...played."
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:20 pm
Oblivious of Wodi's confusion Njalo continued to treat her sister as if they had known each other all their lives and Wodi had simply been absent from the pride for a very long time. As far as welcoming committees went, there was probably none better of course that was the exact reason why she also happened to be one of the worst border guards in the pride. A giggle bubbling her her throat with glee as their cheeks brushed, happily turning her her face to nuzzle and lick the curve of Wodi's neck. Wodi is so pretty! Njalo is glad she came to us!
Simosihle nodded her agreement, earthy brown eyes offering Wodi reassurance. Don't worry, Njalo is tougher than she looks. She happens to be one of the pride's best solitary hunters, but she takes some getting used to.
Examining the stark markings that seemed slapped haphazardously upon her figure as though she'd jumped into a puddle of mud, she was certainly interesting to look at. Turning an absent minded glance towards the glowing orb that had begun a long ascent into the height of the skies Simo admired the view. Content to allow the pair to cuddle as she addressed Wodi. The honor is all ours, really. It'll be nice to have some new blood in the pride. The drought was hard on us..
Pausing out of respect for several of their pride members who had fallen to the harsh conditions, including one of Njalo's own cubs, she picked up the conversation after a moment. We're recovering well, though... you can't take a step without stumbling over a cub these days! I hope you'll be really happy here Wodi.
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:17 pm
Njalo was most certainly not what Wodi had been expecting. She had a very enthusiastic, even childlike manner, that she couldn't help but be taken aback by. The newcomer didn't disapprove, but it was very jarring to suddenly be showered with affection by someone she had only just met. It was also reassuring, though, to be greeted and accepted in such a way.
Still a touch uncertain - such displays of affection were a bit outside her usual comfort zone - she purred nonetheless. She wouldn't want to offend Nja, even if she suspected that might be rather hard to do, given that she'd been delighted by Wodi's near-attack. "I'm glad I came, too."
To Simoshile, she nodded. "Your recovery is impressive. My birth-pride was laid low by drought, and could not be restored."
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:59 pm
Beginning to sense Wodi's discomfort Simosihle couldn't help but feel surprised by the fact that the new lioness hadn't yet lashed out a second time. By now, most of the less tolerant of their sisters would have scowled and threatened Njalo to get lost or suffer the consequences. That cause would have been especially true in the old days when the pair of them were still young and the battle for supremacy between light and dark fur had been in full swing with Njalo stuck somewhere in the middle. She seemed always to be in the middle. Luckily that way of thinking had begun to change as Simo had grown and was now being left in the past as those who had upheld the tradition passed on into the next world.
Some still stubbornly clung to it though, the thought reminded her of her best friend and rival in life, Nikon. It had been a while since they'd last spoken and though the pale Umama would have loved to rub the dark female's nose in her new title, she also would have liked the chance just to talk to her again. For now her immediate attention returned the problem at hand with a tone that was both gentle and stern. Alright, c'mon Nja.. give her some space.
But Njalo... A begging voice began to argue only to be cut off abruptly by the impatient frown that greeted her. Reluctantly, she gave the Busisa one last bump of her head for good measure and slithered away to seat herself obediently near the Umama. Her disappointment at being pried away from the mild mannered Busisa was short-lived though, tail flicking excitedly with more energy than she knew what to do with at such an early hour.
I'm sorry to hear about your pride, that must have been hard for you. I think the fact that we're a partially nomadic group is really what saved us, though it was a difficult decision for us to make. Shaking her head at the memory of what had easily been the most trying experience of her relatively young life, she was glad to be able to put it in the past now. But we really came here to ask---
Why is Wodi all the way over here by herself? All the abazingeli are sleeping waaaaaaaaaay over there! Are you avoiding us Wodi? Don't you like Njaaaa? A chirping voice interrupted questioningly only to be cut off again.
I was getting to that.. Simo sighed. As patient as she was even she occasionally found interacting with the excessively cheerful sister taxing. A wry smile turning on Wodi, We don't bite you know. I'm sure the others would be glad to meet you, too. Though, maybe not as eager as Njalo...
She paused, then added with a tone that sounded relieved. Thankfully.
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:07 pm
Perhaps when she was more settled, more secure in her place here, she would feel free to scowl and shoo Njalo away, but the lioness had done nothing more than welcome her. She would be foolish to dismiss that.
"By the time I was born, it was already in its death throes. The drought began it, but the in-fighting finished it." Wodi shook her head; there was not sadness or regret in her voice, but scorn. "Some tried to rebuild elsewhere, but...ghosts should be left to the past, not raised up again. We learned that soon enough."
"It is better that it's over." It was behind her, gone. Finished.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came over here," she answered. "I guess I've gotten used to sleeping alone. I'll have to work on getting unused to it."
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:14 pm
Both Simo and Njalo were silent for moment and though it was unclear whether or not the freckle-nosed lioness was still with them or if her easily diverted attention had drifted elsewhere the Umama at least acknowledged the story of woe with a small nod. From what she could tell Wodi had a good head on her shoulders. A trait that would certainly suit the pride well given how rash some of their sisters could be. Cooler heads would always prevail, especially in these strange times with the intrusion of the red-pelted warriors to put everyone on edge. Choosing her words carefully, Simo added in a gentle tone, not wanting to upset their new companion. I could understand why they would want to try and rebuild something that they loved. I can't imagine what I would do if our family fell to ruin.. I think it would be hard for me to let go as well, but..
A plucky chord of relief slipped into her voice. I'm glad that our pride is thriving and I don't need to think about such difficult things! Still, I am sorry that it happened even if it was that chain of events that lead you to us.
With a glance at the dazing Umzingeli at her side for confirmation Njalo only stared back with wide, vibrant eyes. Gaze drifting between the pair with a ponderous expression as if still attempting to absorb the story before she finally added her thoughts on the matter. No matter how irrelevant they were. Nja doesn't like ghosts.. they're scary and they try to steal your soul!
For a moment Simosihle could only stare at her beloved friend and sigh. It was becoming habit to simply ignore such odd and unintentionally off-topic comments. Trying to correct her would have taken too long. Anyway, don't force yourself to jump in head long if you're not ready, but don't let your paws get too cold or you might have trouble breaking the ice!
Not that either the slate colored lioness or her bongo-pelted friend would have left Wodi stranded amongst a sea of strangers, but it was certainly sound advice even if Simo meant it with a light heart. As the sun continued to climb into the sky, now high enough to warm the shoulder they turned towards it the Umama rose gingerly. Njalo was already up and prancing several paces ahead, eager to start the day and be back before her cubs awoke. Head inclining with a patient, though expecting, cant. Let's go Simo!!
I'm coming, I'm coming. Taking a step forward the daughter of Nahmba glanced over her shoulder thoughtfully, freely offering invitation. We're going hunting... would you like to join us?
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Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 4:00 pm
To the reaction to her story, the painted lioness simply nodded. She did not linger on the past overmuch, as it did no one any good. There was only now, and the future. And speaking of the future...
Wodi nodded again, more decisively this time, and rose to follow the pair. "I would like that."
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:10 pm
Giggling excitedly as she watched the pair from several feet ahead, eyes bright and eager and almost impatient in their expressiveness, Njalo whipped her tail back and forth. The energy her body contained made it difficult for her to stand still, especially when they were preparing to head out into the grasslands to hunt. One of the peculiar Umzingeli's favorite pass times. When Wodi agreed to come, the slender feline's entire body turned about face in a surprisingly fluid and effortless motion, darting off ahead with the knowledge that Simo and their new sister wouldn't be far behind.
Good, we'll see how much you've learned during your time as a rogue! With a teasing smile Simo gently bumped the small monochrome Busisa's shoulder and darted off to catch up with Njalo before the clever female could disappear between the prey her pelt mimicked so ingeniously.
[ FIN ]
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