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 Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:31 pm
It was early light at the Firekin border. No one was picking about its edges, and the Firekin and the Bonelands had grown bored of staring at each other from across the border. Matifa had been preparing herself for months. She knew all her brothers would eventually take their final steps outside the pride. They had their own families to form. They had to make names for themselves. The young, dark lioness should have been happy that she had the opportunity to perhaps see Machozi again in the future.
Her eyes glanced towards the Firekin guard standing watch. His eyes flicked back towards her and she swallowed. It was dead quiet. Usually calm, strong of thought, and diplomatic, she'd been asked to accompany her brother to the borderlands.
Surtak was there on Gakere's behalf. The two males had agreed Gakere was best equipped to keep the females from prying. But, the large Abaholi would be greeting their new Firekin guest once she arrived.
"You'll be careful?" Matifa was pressing her brother. Another wary glance was cast towards the Firekin. "Don't let them talk you down." Matifa knew from interaction the red-pelts were agressive, and they were loud. Their diplomatic system may have been solely based on who shouted the loudest. It had certainly seemed so when the great band had attempted to push them of their own water.
"That looks like them." Surtak's gravelly accent rolled into the silence, carrying far though he did not speak loudly.
Matifa's eyes were up, and she squinted into the distance. "What happens now?" Her mind was going numb. The tingle in her toes was apprehension.
"We talk in neutral tones, and then Machozi will cross the border. You may wish to say goodbye."
Matifa shoved her tongue against her mouth and schooled her thoughts. Surtak held his own, but his words were often confusing, sometimes foreign, and they felt as though they lacked emotion. He couldn't have been a beast without thought, without empathy, but he often sounded as though he was not capable of projecting it. Most lions spoke a common tongue with ease. There were variations, but nothing vast. It was hard for Matifa to consider what a language barrier might be like.
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Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:43 pm
The two Firekin approaching could not have been more different if they had tried, despite hailing from the same pride.
First there was Elda. A huge lioness with a chunky build that might have better suited a male than a female. Her brow was furrowed low over her golden eyes, her jaw tight as she moved slowly across the hard ground. Elda was not a female known for her looks - nor her smarts, in fact - but she was steadfast and loyal and would follow orders without question. She'd been ordered to see to it that this transfer went ahead smoothly and she would damn well make sure that that happened.
Beside her, in starking contrast, was Su. And whereas Elda looked much like the commoner, Su was very much the princess. She was sleek and elegant and moved with a grace that spoke of her status as the daughter of the ruling regent pair. Her eyes were sharp and bright with intelligence and her form was all graceful, flowing lines. Beside the other female, however, she looked somewhat small in comparison, which spoke volumes. This was not a female who had spent her youth training to become a warrior. She was far too dignified for that sort of thing. She was also young. Young and naive and eager to prove herself. She would learn, in time, that she might not always be as smart as she thought she was.
And despite their differences, the pair were friends. Elda the stoic, unambitious follower and Su the striving go-getter who wanted nothing more than to make a name for herself - to have something that might set her apart from her family.
As they drew within hearing distance, Elda gave a gruff sound - not quite a greeting but not exactly threatening either. Her tail whipped once and then fell still, her bland eyes grazing across the strange faces of the foreigners.
Su, with a polite smile, dipped her head courteously. "I hope we are not late?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:47 pm
It was all so much, so sudden. Only the other day he had stood beside his mother wishing Sekayi a safe journey as Njalo had attempted to impart a few last words of wisdom to her strapping, adolescent boys. A noble effort, but in the end she'd left the pair more perplexed than reassured. It's the thought that counts though, right?
The next morning had come all too early. Machozi would have preferred to walk to the meeting point alone or as alone as he could get with Surtak in tow--which was still fairly alone considering how little the Umholi spoke--but he didn't argue when Matifa had followed. What good would it do? His family was comprised of strong-willed lionesses, arguing with them did nothing but cause a headache.
Secretly, Machozi wished his half-brother had come along for the transfer. Seeing Gakere would have put his mind at ease the way it always did, but considering such it was probably better that he hadn't. The Umholi wouldn't be there with him in the land of the red pelts and Chozi, in his pelt of dusty grey and white, would have only himself to rely on. An idea that, reluctant as he was to admit it, made his stomach churn with uncertainty.
Unlike Gakere, he was no leader.
Unlike Surtak, he was often a raging inferno of emotions that could not be smothered.
Some training had helped him learn to control the chaos that ran wild within his heart to an extent. At least he could now, for the most part, seek more appropriate outlets opposed to lashing out mindlessly. It didn't make him any more confident that he was the right candidate for this affair though. Matifa's voice cut across his thoughts--perhaps by the strength of sibling bond or sheer luck--it seemed as if she were reading his turbulent mind.
There won't be any trouble, he assured quietly, though the open ended way he said it suggested there was more to that story. There won't be any trouble as long as they don't start any. Lusizi or not, Machozi was not ashamed of his heritage nor the pride he hailed from. Both would be defended ruthlessly, if the situation called for it. Granted, he was trying not to think on such hostile terms so early in the day.
Before he could say more the pair of Firekin lionesses had approached too close to ignore, though the Lusizi was polite. Growing up in the Bonelands left the male well trained to keep his eyes level and free from roaming inquisitively across their feminine forms. His tail sweeping low in a lazy motion though he held himself proudly, waiting for the right moment to speak. If one even presented itself.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:20 pm
"I--" she started. Her teeth worried the edge of her tongue. "You know your family here loves you." The breath she'd been taking caught. "I'll mi--" Miss you. They'd arrived, and Matifa felt uncomfortable with them seeing her close to tears.
Eyes flashing, Matifa watched the red lioness bow. Her skin crawled. Fur standing on end, she shoved bile further down her throat. It would be impossible not to tell she was nervous.
Surtak's furrowed brows turned towards her. In the next moment, Matifa had to quell alarm. He'd reached out with a paw and tapped her on the back of the leg with one, firm paw. At first alarmed, Matifa straightened up and did her best to look alert.
"No," Surtak answered. His eyes were scanning Su, and then nodding to Elda. "You are not late." Ears perked, the male raised his head as if attempting to find anyone else who might have thought to eavesdrop.
Then, he adressed Su. "You agree to hold to the Bonelands laws and traditions while you are present and to act as a diplomatic speaking voice between your pride and this one?"
Matifa was growing increasing wonder as to the reason she was here. Perhaps because Machozi's gruff emotions had never shattered her resolve, and because she didn't say stupid things. Surtak had jumped directly into things. It felt like a transaction. It felt foreign. But, this was new to her. Had he done this before? She couldn't read him. He seemed as dead inside as always.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:22 am
Su stepped forwards, swatting Elda with her tail when the larger Firekin gave a low growl of warning. The big brute always was too careful when it came to carrying out her orders. Did she not realise that Su could take care of herself? She might not have the bulk, but she had the wits and she had the basic combat training to go along with them.
"I agree." She declared simply. In truth, she did not yet understand all the ins and outs of the customs of these people. Only what she had been told from those who had gathered out the outpost to tell her. She had yet to see what was mere speculation and what was truth. Nevertheless, this was Su's first ambassadorial position and she was going to throw herself into it with all the enthusiasm she could muster. She was curious to see how other prides operated. Curious about the world in the way that most Firekin were not. This sparked in her eyes as she cast a look across the faces of the lions whose pelts would not have sat well within the Firekin lands.
Life outside of the desert would be a learning experience if nothing else.
"I will uphold the laws and traditions and act with diplomacy, as my role demands of me. I take it there will be some sort of induction? I would not like to trust all I heard at the outpost as truth." Her eyes then fell to the young adolescent male. "And who is this, here? The young one who will take his place amongst my people?"
Elda shifted uncomfortably, her tail flicking, though she remained quiet.
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:36 am
For as strong as Matifa was it made Chozi uncomfortable to hear her voice edged with loss, suddenly finding himself immensely glad that the rest of his sisters hadn't decided to come see him off as well. It was hard enough to handle the one, though perhaps their mother's obliviously cheerful demeanor might have elevated the mood some.
Silently, and somewhat lost in his own thoughts, the Lusizi weighed the odds as he stared at the prim red pelt that would be joining their ranks. With a lioness like his mother in the pride she would be hard pressed to feel entirely unwelcome or entirely out of place. One could only wonder if he would fair so well in her homelands. Somehow Machozi doubted it.
Particularly if her cold faced friend was anything to go by. Perhaps being son to the fallen Matifu was less a disadvantage than he might have initially thought. His hide had grown thick against the feeling of observing his own home as if he lived outside of it. Forever a stranger in the Bonelands. At least he'd have a legitimate excuse for such a sensation now.
An ear swiveled towards the voices that ebbed back and forth from Surtak to the diplomatic entity from the other side of the outpost and back again. Realizing rather suddenly that golden eyes were staring at him with purpose as he met her gaze. For only an instant Machozi recognized that the lioness possessed traits that were immediately different, though not in any way he could have knowingly described. The concept of royalty being a foreign one to him. He didn't allow himself to linger on it long, taking a lead-footed step forward as he introduced himself. Not particularly wanting to give the Umholi a chance to speak for him when he was fully capable of speaking for himself.
Admittedly, that whole incident with Njalo still put a bad taste in his mouth and what the hell did Surtak know of him anyway? My name is Machozi, son of Njalo and of the fallen Umholi Matifu.
For a brief instant he considered mentioning that he and Gakere were related in some way. If they looked with respect to his elder brother, perhaps they might feel something similar for him. The idea fled as quickly as it had come though. Machozi no more wanted to ride the tail of his brother than Gakere wanted to be compared to their father, or so he suspected. If he truly wanted to make Gakere proud he would find some way to earn their respect through his own actions. Choosing instead to speak honestly. I'm loyal to my roots, but my pride's done all they can for me. I'm hoping that with your people I can still be further shaped, if they're open to teaching me.
Certainly nothing so elegant as she had proposed, but at least Machozi had gotten his thoughts across, right? The red pelts seemed more about formality and rank, he would have been surprised if there weren't more dated rituals awaiting him once he crossed the border.
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:45 pm
Induction? The word grazed past Matifa's ears, foreign and composed of dribble. Unlike her brother, this Firekin seemed to be brimming with confidence when she arrived. It made her all the more inclined to distrust this red one. Who would be so confident traveling to a land completely unlike her own?
Matifa would keep a wary eye on her. This whole event did not settle right in her stomach. But, she had never reacted well to extreme, sudden change.
"You will be introduced," was Surtak's explanation. The two dark lions remained silent as Machozi introduced himself and gave his formalities.
And what a hello it was. A mouthful. Had Matifa's brother been practicing?
"You may cross." Surtak motioned to Su before casting a look over his own shoulder. The path beyond was clear. "Does he suit your needs?" The male's red eyes focused on Elda now.
There would be no elaborate ceremony for the crossing. Su was no princess across pridal lines, and Surtak was no guide on a vacation to a foreign country.
"We welcome you into our home," Matifa said with a soft voice. The nod was for Su, but her eyes quickly moved back to Machozi. She could see the hard set in his jaw. "The walk back isn't long," she added. "I know this might feel rushed, but my family will get curious quickly." Whether it comforted Su or not was irrelevant. Matifa said it to garner reasoning for feeling rushed and out of odds.
Hurriedly, she gave her name. "I'm Matifa."
With the way his gaze remained forwards, Surtak didn't seemed inclined to give his name.
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 8:15 am
Well, that fellow certainly had a long title. Su couldn't help but smile just a little at that. It sounded like his parents were something to marvel at - though of course she did not know who they were or who they had been. She made a mental note of the names, however, to look into them later. Njalo and the fallen one, both. It sounded like there might be some story behind that. The term fallen depicted that he had died or been shoved from his post. Did that mean that he had been shamed? Maybe that was why the young lad here was being shipped off to a foreign country? He seemed polite enough, though. How he would fare in her homeland, though, she was not sure. There were some who had been angry at the Hongshan taking root in the desert with them and this one here didn't even have the look of a Firekin about him. He would stand out amongst the rabble, that was for sure.
"I won't lie to you, Machozi." Su replied. "Some of my people might not be so accepting of you. It will be hard to win them over. But prove yourself and, in time, you will find friends amongst us. Some are harder to befriend than others but so long as you steer clear of them, you should have no problem in finding your feet. If you have interest in learning of our culture and history, I'd advise you seek out our Scholar, Fia. She is my older sister. Her time is being spent training for war but she cannot refuse to hand over knowledge if someone requests it. She can be a bit...moody at times, but her bark is far worse than her bite." She smiled a little at remembering her family. She would miss them, though not as much as one might have thought. There were too many family members at home, sometimes. So much so that it did get a little suffocating.
And then Surtak's deep voice drew her attention and she looked across at him with interest. She was welcome, then. It was hard to decipher from the small number here what sort of reception she might receive, but if she was worried or afraid there was no sign. Su was truly too naive to be very wary. She inclined her head for a brief moment and then stepped forwards to pass, pausing close to the female. She had a gentle voice, though it gave away nothing of what she was thinking.
"It is nice to meet you, Matifa." She smiled again - a touch amused. "Curiosity is to be expected, I think. I take it that is the reason only a select few are here now?"
The onslaught of questions might have been a little too heavy for her first moments as being accepted into the Ithambo'hlabathi. Su turned so that she was standing by Matifa, glancing back at Elda and the young male who was about to set off on his journey.
The large red female's head had lifted in slight surprise at the question directed towards her. She'd not been told to give an opinion on the matter. She had simply been sent to escort him away. When she spoke, her voice was a deep rumble: "Not my decision to make, Sir. Suitable or not, I am on orders to see to it that he arrives to the Motoujamii safely."
"You won't find her very good company." Su forewarned Machozi with a smile.
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Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:15 pm
Well, at least he could appreciate the red pelt's honesty, though he hadn't really expected anything less. Brawny shoulders squaring purposefully. If they couldn't accept him for what he was, if they couldn't appreciate his willingness to learn their culture then they were just as bull headed and ignorant as the rumors the Abazingeli told. Either way, Machozi was prepared for whatever adversity he might face in his new home. Offering little more than an nod in response to the female's words accepting them for what they were. He appreciated the heads up too, even if it didn't show.
Fia. He would keep her mind if he could.
Meeting Matifa's gaze he found it strange how far he already felt from her and the rest of his family though he had yet to take a step. Take care of the girls, Matty. Don't let Mah go too crazy.
Allowing his eyes to slide over Surtak briefly the Lusizi's stare was indifferent at best, moving at a leisurely pace to join the bulkier of the two lionesses. One who would escort him back to her home pride--as if he were so incompetent they couldn't trust him to find his way without help. Somehow Chozi doubted that a pride full or red giants would be hard to locate, but he didn't allow the snarky thought to sneak into his expression. Adding quietly over his shoulder. As good as any.
Whether it was a compliment or not was up for the two foreigners to decide.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:24 pm
"Curious," Surtak repeated. The brown male chuckled, and he shook out his thick mane.
"Then we are done." The Umholi gave the nod of his head to Elda. Both lions had crossed, there had been agreement and the exchange had moved to completion.
"I can't promise that," Matifa answered her brother. He was going to get in trouble, she knew it. Already she knew it. But, they were turning to go, and Matifa could only glance back over her shoulder towards the border.
"You'll meet Gakere first," Matifa began, hoping to distract herself with conversation. "He's the strongest of our current males and he'll want to meet you." He was liable to be the most welcoming thing that Su would see in the Bonelands during her stay.
"But, be careful about wandering too far at first. We have new cubs, and strangers are going to be given a lot of skepticism." And by skepticism, she meant potential bloodshed. She wouldn't blame them. She didn't want Su near new cubs, either.
"Do not forget to call Gakere by his title, Umholi," Surtak warned. His red eyes flicked to the right, glancing over Su's face as he walked. They were long, powerful strides despite his short stature and his posture seemed more alert now that they were heading back into the Bonelands.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:31 pm
Elda's eyes narrowed at her friend's 'insult' and snorted loudly, shifting her bulk so that she could turn and watch as the young male approached her. Insult or not, however, the comment was true enough. It would be easier to get a decent conversation out of a stone. "Arrive sooner with less talk." She rumbled as a lame excuse, shrugging her shoulders in a dismissive gesture. Secretly, Elda hoped that the male would make the journey at all. Her knowledge of outsiders was severely limited and growing up within the Firekin had taught her that outsiders could not live in the desert easily and that was why they were weak.
What if he collapsed on the way there? She'd have to drag him by the scruff of his neck. Fortunately, Elda would learn that there was much to be said for the strength of 'outsiders', just as Su would discover that, too.
If Elda was better with words, she might have wished her friend the best, or at least told her to take care. Unfortunately, she was not good with words and goodbyes like this made her feel awkward. So, instead of saying anything, she dipped her head in farewell and turned away from them and began to pace slowly away, pausing only to make sure the male was following them.
"Stay close." She warned. "Or the desert will eat you."
Su, smiling fondly, looked back at Matifa. Pausing in response as Surtak interrupted with the addition of Gakere's title. She paused longer than necessary to trade glances with the large male as he moved off, watching him as she replied.
"Umholi Gakere." She tested the name. "Is he your ruler? Your...king?" She spoke the title carefully, knowing that there were many names for a leader. But if he held a title and was the strongest, it made sense that he would be considered the top of the pile, as it were. "Their wariness of me is to be expected." She perhaps even sounded pleased by this. Amongst her people, Su was not considered much of a threat. To be looked upon warily by others filled her with a strange sort of delight - though she'd likely grow tired of it after the first couple of days. "We hold a similar wariness of strangers until they have proven themselves in battle." Which begged another question. How did these people earn respect if not through duelling? Perhaps here, her intelligence would be enough that it did not matter if she was not the strongest Firekin in the pride. Perhaps she need only be herself.
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:18 pm
I can't promise that.
Machozi expected nothing less from his sister, chuckling quietly under his breath as he left her to the task of introducing the new inductee around the Bonelands. Lucky girl. He wondered if she realized she'd end up with such a task when she'd first decided to follow him to the border for the exchange. There wasn't time to ask now.
Standing beside the firekin lady whom the other had simply referred to as "her" Chozi was realizing he didn't know the name of either red pelt, though he had introduced himself to them both. Whether or not they felt he wasn't worth revealing their names to or if there was some underlying reason for the lack of introduction would remain under silent speculation. The Lusizi didn't care to ask. Sighing nearly in exasperation at the idea of having to deal with much of the same once he had reached the other side of the outpost and begun to step into their barren domain.
Machozi was beginning to question Gakere's motives for sending him to live amongst these louts now. Perhaps it wasn't quite the honor he'd first thought it to be. Heh. Again, too late to do much about it now.
An ear swiveling towards his companion and half-hearted guide--or so it appeared give her lack of interest in anything other than obeying whatever commands she had been given before this endeavor. Mostly to get their liaison safely to the outpost and escort himself back to the pride. It was a guess anyhow, given the lame warning. To which he could hardly help but retort dryly, Wouldn't want that, would we?
A lack of the use of "or" muted the sarcasm in Machozi's comment, but not enough to remove it completely.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:55 pm
((This'll be my last post, I think! Unless someone goes OMGPLOTTWIST))King? Matifa had never heard of such a word. Correlated with 'ruler', Matifa gathered some understanding.
"Um." The word was considered and pushed around her mind until she had an apt way to describe it. "We trust his word," Matifa explained carefully. "But he does not rule us." Perhaps he was more like a guide? But, more than a guide.
"Gakere embodies our pride. He is wise, fair, and he has earned his place." Matifa was quite certain he could take on a number of Firekin at once and come out the winner. "And he understands balance between life and death. Every ruler should. Not all are meant to survive, and everyone must pull their part."
Matifa found herself inwardly frustrated. What were the Firekin teaching their cubs? Su looked young, but still older than she, and yet the young lioness seemed to know little about how the world worked. Perhaps all Firekin were spoiled and uneducated like this.
"It is hard to explain," she eventually decided. "You will learn."
"He should be just over this ridge," Surtak interrupted. The border was now an invisible line behind them. It disappeared as they rounded a corner and passed by a rising plateau. In front of them, the rumbles of early morning echoed in the sky. Matifa wondered if she'd miss the morning hunt. "It is better you do not talk, or we will attract attention."
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 2:05 pm
"No." Elda replied to Machozi, clearly not understanding his tone. "We would not." Her tail swished and she picked up her pace, not once looking back. Not once hesitating. She would miss her friend, she supposed, but she would also be thankful for the break. If Su was in a foreign land she couldn't keep complaining about her lack of ambition and drive. Couldn't keep fussing where her fussing wasn't wanted.
Su, meanwhile, smiled politely at Matifa as the female tried to find some word to explain who Gakere was to the pride. Not a ruler, but clearly a wise lion. An advisor of some sort, then? "He sounds like a fine lion." She replied when the lioness had done her best to explain, dipping her head in agreement. Yes. She would learn. She was looking forward to it in fact. Finally, at long last, there was some excitement in her life that did not revolve around the glorified desert of her homeland.
She opened her mouth to speak again, only to find Surtak interrupting. They were close now. Very close. Her heart was pounding with the anticipation and suddenly her head was filled with images of a bright future in which she exercised her authority and proved herself to Bonelands and Firekin both.
To Matifa's warning, she simply gave a short nod. Why they wouldn't want to attract attention, Su wasn't quite sure, but she'd trust in the female at her side.
Today, she had taken a step towards the life she wanted.
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Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:33 am
The friendlier of the two lionesses had been accurate in her warning, her companion and--from all appearances--bodyguard, was already proving to make a terrible traveling partner. Her monotonous tone and lack of enthusiasm was daunting. Given two such drastic personalities, Machozi could only hope the pride would be more like one than the other. Of course, given the truth in the warning about his guide, the Lusizi began to feel a prickle of unease about the den of warriors he would be walking into and the concern the ruby lioness had expressed about his lack of acceptance amongst her own.
As a Cabanga it would be his job to blend into their numbers, learn about them, from them and explain the Bonelands philosophy and mentality to them in matters of council, if he they were open to listening. Yet he felt himself accepting the impending isolation far too readily.
And then, as the big female began to sprint back towards the desert lands she hailed from, there was no time to think. Instead, he lowered his head and barreled forward, like a water buffalo bull, charging into the heart of an oncoming threat. His heavy paws stretching easily into long strides. Come what may, this was his life now, the life his brother seemed to assume he was capable of.
Machozi wasn't about to prove him wrong.
[Sorry, just needed to finish this... been meaning to for a long time. x__x;]
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