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 Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:15 am
Long before the sun neared the horizon today, though, the brown lioness had opted to return to her present den. It was a nice deep cleft in a small cliff, snug and comfortable. The skies overhead were lowering with darkly threatening clouds. No thunder had rumbled until after the first rain came pelting down. She was curled just inside the mouth of her cave, staring out dreamily at the sheeting rain. Lightning danced dazzling patterns across the roiling sky, and thunder vibrated the earth beneath her body. It was astounding, enjoyable despite the occasional mist of moisture that blew into her face.
Her enjoyment ended, however, upon sighting a waterlogged and very unhappy-looking lioness. She stood up, eyes growing wide. While it wasn't exactly dangerous out there, clearly this female didn't want to be out in the wet. (Who would?!) "Hey!" she bellowed into the roar of the crazed thunderstorm. "Hey, over here! C'mon, in here!" She bounced up and down, waving her paws and pitching her voice to carry.
And now this. She hadn't taken notice of the sky... why bother, right? She found out eventually why rogue lions watched the skies as well as the surrounding land. Without a shred of warning, she was drenched, then terrified by a teeth-rattling boom of thunder. What was this?! She broke into a run instinctively, a natural impulse to try and get out of the pouring rain. It took some time for her to realize she didn't have anywhere to run to. Thus far, this had to be the lowest of lows. No home, no den, nowhere to go to get warm and dry, noone to cuddle up with to share body heat... no, she was alone and homeless.
There was noone to notice the tears that joined the rain streaming down her face as she slowed to a plod. Her ears drooped and her head hung down as her paws slogged through growing mud. And still the rain came on! Lightning seared the sky, nearly blinding her, and the thunder seemed ceaseless. Somehow a voice penetrated the racket and her dazed mind. Raising her head, she looked around until she spotted movement that was not rain-lashed bushes or dancing lightning. There... was that... oh yes it was! A cave! With a surge of energy born of a desperate hope for getting dry and warm, she broke into a run and barreled into the cliff cave.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:41 am
After years away, he was going home.
One thing that did give the stoic male pause though was a voice. Rising like a song on the wind, calling to...him? No. He spotted them then, a pair of lionesses through the gale. One was at the mouth of a cave, all but dragging the other to join her in shelter from the storm. He watched them for a moment from afar, considering if it would be polite to introduce himself, or better just to move on. He'd had too many distractions already, and it was possible they would not want his company. He seemed oblivious to the soaking rain that drenched him as he thought it over.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:57 am
Rasima reached for the lioness as she came tumbling wetly into the cave, pulling her further in and out of the curtain of run-off that marked the doorway. She tugged and pushed, aiming the sputtering, dripping, staggering female deeper in. She was just about to turn completely away from the mouth of the cave when the sky lit up again, and she stopped in startlement. She gave the other lioness a distracted push with a paw, squinting out into the darkening land. Maybe her eyes had fooled her? She couldn't see anything now...
The sky went crazy with a net of zig-zagging bolts, blue-white light illuminating the area in front of the cliff cave brilliantly. In the midst of that insane light show, deafening thunder, and pouring rain stood a majestic figure. She blinked the brights from her eyes and leaned forward, her whiskers touching the curtain of rain. Yes, there was someone else out there! Goodness gracious, what a day for meeting people! She took a deep breath, knowing she'd have to be even louder now, for the storm's intensity was only rising.
"Helloooooo! Hurry! Come in! Come, out of the rain! Come on!" She beckoned urgently to him as she had to the miserable lioness, even though the large male seemed unaffected by the raging storm around him. Impressive as it was, it wasn't necessary for him to endure the wet, not when their cave was plenty large enough for him to join them. She didn't take into account how her new companion would feel, as Rasima wouldn't allow someone else to prevent her from doing something good. Why be selfish about something when someone else could be in need?
Auri felt rather roughly treated as she was pulled and pushed into the dry cave, but she was presently too grateful to care. Normally she'd have been quite indignant, but this was not normal, oh no, not at all. She staggered towards the back of the cave, as far away from the sheeting rain as she could get. She was moving faintly upward, which explained why the cave was so dry, even in this downpour. With relief she sprawled on the dusty floor at the back of the cave, promptly sullying her beautiful coat with mud as her soaking fur met the dirt. Too tired and cold to care, she huddled in on herself, folding her legs in close and laying her head down.
Her head jerked back up again though as her 'savior' bellowed loudly again. For a wild moment she wondered if she'd mistaken the other lioness' invitation to join her, that she'd really be yelling to someone else, but the bruises from being hauled and shoved inwards was mute testimony that she had indeed been welcomed in... of a sort. She peered towards the mouth of the cave, seeing the other lioness lit by a flash of lightning as she leaned her head nearly out into the rain, clearly intent on someone else out in the storm. Auri shuddered her coat, scattering drop as she felt pity for anyone still stuck out in it. Ugh.
That momentary good glimpse of her rescuer started a niggling thought at the back of her mind though. She paid it no heed as she waited to see who, if anyone, would join them in their snug shelter.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:24 am
Pahale looked on as the paler lioness slithered into the den and out of sight and then...was the darker one motioning to him now? How odd. His ears twisted towards her, catcher her calling him over as well. An invitation to hide out from the storm? Unnecessary, but kind enough. And it was ever rude to refuse the hospitality of a willing host. Without a word the sandy lion began padding towards the cave, pausing to again shake out what water he could before getting too close.
When he drew near he nodded his head in quiet thanks, slipping past the brown lioness and into the den with utmost care not to rub his wet fur against her dry. "My thanks, gracious lady. I don't mean to intrude upon you and yours, but a warm den against the storm is always something I'm glad to have." He worked his way further back into the sloping den, making sure to never move too far ahead as to be out of the darker female's sight. It was very quiet - was it just the two of the lionesses here? He huffed in quiet thought. Two lionesses could be quite fierce, but he was glad it was he himself and not a more villainous male that had wandered by and been invited in.
He spied the other, the dripping pale female as he breached into the back chamber, and paused to dip his (admittedly also sopping) head to her in turn. "My lady. Pardon my intrusion. Your sister has offered shelter, and I hesitate to spurn a host's offer." He coiled in the corner opposite the female, tail flicking idly. "I am Pahale. Of the Dov'Strunmah."
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:53 pm
Rasima stood aside as much as possible to allow the male to go by, realizing he'd scrape himself against the far wall rather than drip on her. She gave him a friendly smile and a nod of welcome. "Oh, it's no intrusion," she answered candidly. "This den belongs to none, as far as I know. As such, it belongs to everyone." Her logic was plain and straight-forward, without any fuss or posturing. "Please, come make yourself as comfortable as may be."
She trailed him into the back, her own tailtip waving in pleasure. She always liked to meet new people, and this was a fine chance to get to sit down and learn more about each of them. Where did they come from, where were they going? However, she stopped stock still with an open mouth when she heard him address the other lioness, calling Rasima her sister. She broke into a laugh and rushed to correct him. "Oh no, we aren't sisters! I know as little about her as I do about you, don't I?" she added, turning to see... someone she recognized. She stopped dead for the second time, her mouth forming a surprised o. "Um..,"
Auri watched as the male came padding elegantly down the den entrance, eyes going round and worry lifting from her heart. Oh good! The sight of a male somehow reassured her as no female ever could. Males led, males protected, males looked after females such as she. Unaware of the dangers of her trusting attitude, she rose to her paws to give him a graceful bow. She opened her mouth to give him reassurance and welcome, but when he referred to the other female as her sister, her eyes darted up to his. As the brown female began speaking, so did Auri. "We are not family, I can assure you, good sir," she said in a tone that carried a faint hint of haughtiness. As if she could possibly be related to... she turned to see what kind of rogue this female was, meeting her eye to eye in equal amounts of surprise.
Perhaps the male was more right than any of them could have realized. Oh, they weren't sisters, thank the heavens, but... well, they most assuredly were from the same pride. Auri's eyes narrowed, her memory honing in on exactly who this was... wait, she had it! She was a daughter of some repute... yes, her father had ben a vizier, hadn't he? No, her grandfather, that's right. And her mother was... the realization of who she faced raced through her like ice and fire mixed. Outrage suffused her, causing more of the haughtiness to assert herself. "You." She showed just a little bit of fang as she spoke. "You... you... kajira!" Her indignation was promptly ruined by a sudden and very explosive sneeze.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:35 pm
Pahale looked in open if mild curiosity between the two lionesses. Not sisters? Apparently not friends either. Strange, given they were sharing a den, if only for a night. The mood changed faster than the weather had, and he sat, divided, on if he should step in on what seemed to be a bit of a spat or let them have it out themselves. It wasn't his place to interfere, but they WERE all stuck here together...relatively speaking. He wasn't sure what a 'kajira' was...but tone meant as much as meaning, and on that note he did rise, gently interposing himself between the females. "Ladies, ladies...Now. I might not know what's suddenly got your fur up, but seeing as we're in this little den, stuck with each other...perhaps we can have a talk about this, rather than ending up with one or more of us back out in the rain?"
He managed a smile and sat back on his haunches. "I take it you two do know each other then... As long as no one here's great uncle killed the other's brother or something like that, there's no reason to be fighting today." He'd seen his fair share of petty fights in his tenure as a guard. Hopefully this wouldn't become one of them. He for one wouldn't mind the rain, if it came to that. "Why don't you two tell me your names, hmm?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 8:02 pm
Rasima was mortified. This was the very last thing she would want to encounter out here... well, next to last thing. A pad tracking her down would have been worse. Even so... come to think of it, what was she doing out here alone?! She gave the golden female an intent, penetrating look, torn between her own anger and a sense of shame that this even came up. She had left her past behind, and now here it was, ready to bite her nose off. She inhaled deeply, but did not rise to the bait. Even so, she was grateful for the male stepping between them. Her heart was thudding madly, her head swirling with memories of a place that had been more a prison than a home. She was free now, and she wasn't going to let any snippy banu make her feel bad for that!
She gave the male a genuine if shaky smile. "Right you are," she agreed to the no-violence sentiment of his words. "My name is Rasima. We don't really know each other, just by sight I think." She peered uncertainly at the other lioness. "We were originally from the same pride, but I left. They... don't take kindly to females doing such things." She gritted her jaw against stronger words, suppressing a surge of renewed anger at the memories of males doing what they pleased while females did what they were told. She shifted her paws uncomfortably, but seated herself calmly otherwise. "I have no quarrel with her," she stated simply, cooling her temper and accepting the words at the heart of the matter, at least on her end.
Auri was feeling a most undignified rage at this escaped banu. In her heart, so starved for the old life she'd enjoyed, she found in this brown lioness a perfect scapegoat. This was all her fault! Her and others like her! For a moment, highly irrational fury made the fur along her spine stand up, but then the male stepped between them. Instantly she was smoothing her fur and lowering her head submissively, not even meeting the large male's cool eyes. She murmured something agreeable, forcing her muscles to relax despite the chaos of her thoughts. He'd spoken, that was the way it would be.
She did raise her eyes to regard Rasima coldly as she spoke. No indeed, they ahd not known each other in the pride. Auri wasn't likely to be caught socializing with the daughter of a kajira, whether she was raised by her or not. It just wasn't seemly. She watched as the other lioness struggled with and won against her emotions, declaring peace. The golden lioness narrowed her eyes once more, but would not allow a mere kajira to have better manners than herself. She straightened a bit, tipping her chin in pride once more. "My name is Auri'temsi. Though I would have had words for Rasima at one time, such a time has passed." She glared at the brown female. "The pride is no more, so there are no laws for her to be breaking now." It was meant as a dart, as if to imply that the weight of this event rested solely on Rasima's shoulders. "I doubt any of us needs to endure the rain." Despite the decorous words, she somehow managed to convey that she would merely tolerate the situation, not let it go.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:21 pm
Pahale nodded when the two let things drop, glad to see some restraint in the two ladies. He glanced from one to the other, eyes clear of thought or judgement, though they were plainly alert and assessing. There was anger in both, but it was hard to say quite why. At least until one or the other began to spill the beans.
Rasima seemed proud of whatever she'd done, and...apparently not fond of this once-home. He could understand that. sometimes the life you were born to wasn't the life you were meant for. He'd met many prides in his wanders, but the sound of one that wouldn't let their females go free if that was their true choice seemed a bit oppressive. Certainly not his ways. He dipped his head in the slightest of recognitions for her being able to calm herself. "A pleasure, Rasima. As a guest I would like to thank you properly for use of this den, even if it's not yours."
And as for the other... There was much more anger there, but perhaps fear, too? This one said their pride had broken (and that Rasima was an outlaw, which made the male look closer at the brown female for just a moment - even if all she was guilty of was trying to go her own way. He would have to hear more.) and she clearly didn't want it be so. The fact that so much anger was instantly...folded away like a scrap of pelt to be hidden confused him. It would surely only fester. And why had the words of a stranger had such an effect? "A smart choice, I think, Auri'temsi. The den's already warming up, and while I don't mind the rain, I wouldn't like to think of roaming in it if it could be avoided. Especially if you are used to life in a pride. The roguelands can be quite unforgiving and wild." He smiled then, for both of them. "Though it can bring good things too." He wasn't about to take a side. Not just yet.
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Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:16 pm
Rasima peered with intense curiosity at Auri. This was most definitely news. "It's.. gone?" She sat back, clearly ruminating on what this would mean. In one way, she too felt a pang of dismay, much as that would have surprised the golden lioness. She had been raised there. It was a her home, albeit her old home. She had no home now, none at all, not even an old one. Somehow this was saddening on a deep level.
But then there was the other side of the issue to consider. If the pride was no more, it meant... why, it might mean many things! First and foremost, no Pad was likely to ever come searching for her, hot on her tail, ready to beat her and bring her back in shame and desolation. No more threat hanging over her head... no more fear of the unhappiness and desperation she'd seen in her mother's face that day she'd helped them escape. In fact, that might even mean her mother was free... or dead. She opened her mouth to ask if Auri knew, but closed it again. If Jazua was dead, she didn't want to know. The image of her mother's body broken and lifeless, all because of the freedom she won for her daughters... it was more than she would be able to bear.
Wracked with worry and sorrow, she wordlessly bowed her head, her body still save for her breathing. Though it was good news, it also was also unpleasant news too. Why couldn't she simply be happy to be rid of the pride forever? Obviously because nothing was quite that easy in life. She gave a soft huff at herself and raised her head again, trying to find equilibrium again. "My apologies for this unpleasant welcome, sir," she finally addressed the male. Had he told them his name yet? She couldn't remember. "Are you traveling somewhere, or merely a wanderer like myself?" Her inquiry was both polite as well as a solid attempt to set aside the previous topic.Auri was seething still, but was too much a lady to allow it to show nearly as much as she wanted it to. It also irked her that Rasima was getting to play hostess, when it was Auri who had the training to do it properly. She gritted her teeth, but curved her lips into a polite smile to the male. It didn't reach her eyes, but what did that matter? it was the action that mattered. One's thoughts and heart could be rebellious, so long as one's actions were properly submissive and welcoming. Her own heart squeezed for a moment as she thought about how close she'd been to having her own Pad to make happy. She swallowed hard, angry all over again by the tears that threatened to come. What was wrong with her? Unaware of the symptoms of unaddressed grief, she fought for a serene expression.
"Yes, so I have found it," she replied to the large lion, her demeanor and tone stiff and distant. Still struggling for self-control, she lifted a wet paw and began to meticulously groom it, allowing Rasima the infuriating opportunity to make conversation. Eyes hooded, she continued grooming determinedly, focusing on making her coat clean and gleaming once more. Anything to focus on was better than being reminded of the kajira that sat before her, charming the first male she'd met in days with her clumsy manners and uncultured language. Augh!
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:35 pm
The male looked from one female to the other, seeing perhaps more than either meant to show. He'd taken it that Rasima had left her pride gladly, but now was somewhat sad to hear it was gone. That made sense. Even if you didn't like where you came from, it would always be a part of you. And knowing that she could never go back even if she wanted would more than likely make anyone think twice. Perhaps she'd even had family or friends there? The good news was that aside from this momentary slump she seemed to have been thriving in the rogue lands, if the gloss of her coat and previous attitude were anything to consider. That was good. She'd be just fine.
The other female smiled calmly, but he spotted the hardness in her eyes, the restrained anger and sorrow. Sorrow he understood, but why anger? She studied her subtly out of the corner of his eye as she groomed herself, taking good care to clean every speck of dirt from one area before moving on. She too seemed quite lively,but more from ritualized method than actually living her life as it should be - happily. Poor thing. It was hard when your homeland was gone, and worse when you'd never chosen to leave.
"I am returning home. I have been wandering these last two..no, three, now, with this one...rainy seasons. My pride is far from here,but not too far. It is a rugged land, but I am glad to return to it at last. We are the Dov'Strunmah," The name rolled off his tongue in a low rumble, like stones grating over each other, or thunder. His people had more than one language, and speaking the one often left their more common speech with a rough accent. He'd never been able to say the name of his homeland without saying it thus - it didn't sound right all flat. "I'm sure if either of you had the inclination, they would welcome you. We are not many, but we take care of our own." And it would be better, perhaps, than skulking in the roguelands. He turned to regard Auri as he asked, thinking her the more likely to want to settle someplace. Not that he wouldn't be glad to escort either or even both of them.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:10 pm
Somehow, despite all that had happened in these brief moments since she'd spotted this lost banu out in the storm, Rasima bristled on seeing the big male's eyes turn towards the other girl when speaking of bringing them with him to his home. Her jaw tightened as her chin came up. Another male trying to offer 'protection' and 'guidance', so long as you were doing what he wanted! Her tailtip trembled with her growing ire and tension. This was exactly why her mother had sent her and her sister away from the pride in the first place!
She supposed he at least wasn't telling her she couldn't make it on her own, or at least wasn't forcing her to go with him, as the old pride's pads would have. But still! The fiery spirit that her mother had foreseen causing her trouble in their pride came flaring to the surface. With a saucy sway of her shoulders, chin still raised, she rested hard eyes on the male. "Thank you kindly, but I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself," she answered him definitively, her tone brooking no doubts. She cast a glare of venom at the golden female, who seemed to bask in the male's attention. "As soon as the storm passes, I'll leave the two of you to continue your journey," she said a little more bitingly than she'd intended. Anything to be gone from this same situation she'd fled from!
Auri, however, continued to demurely, if with a good deal of tension, to groom her coat as he spoke. She was willfully blocking Rasima from her mind's eye, her face angled so that she couldn't even see her out of the side of her eye, unless she tried. She set down one paw and turned her gaze up at the male as he spoke of his time away from his home. When he said the name of his pride, her skin prickled at the odd power that seemed to roll off his tongue. Those words were different, not like what she normally might hear a male speak. In fact, she'd never gotten the chills from hearing anyone back at the pride speak!
She dropped her eyes with a faint smile as he spoke of the possibility of accompanying him to his pride. He clearly loved his homeland dearly. It was in his tone and the words he chose. She was just starting to let herself imagine traveling with him to this exotic pride, whose name held power, when Rasima spoke. The female's harsh voice intruded on the dream, and the words she spoke were... well, offensive! Auri jerked her eyes up to stare in astonishment and accusation at the darker lioness. What was wrong with her? He was merely being polite, offering protection they did not otherwise have!
Her ears canted slightly backwards with disapproval, but she turned away from the spitfire Rasima. Fine, let her act the sulking adolescent! Auri had more sense, clearly. "I, however, would like to come see your home." Her voice was dulcet, pitched to appeal unconsciously. She smiled and raised her eyes again to his face. "Though I very much wish my previous home had remained steady and safe, I find myself wishing for that kind of reliability again." Okay, so she wanted a male to rely on specifically, but perhaps... perhaps this male might deign to share his den with her? Why, she'd even be willing to accept a lesser place, if he had another mate already! Who could turn aside such humility?
She cast an equally venomous look at Rasima very briefly before turning back to Pahale. "Perhaps we could leave when the rain stops as well? The sooner to reach your pride, and the sooner for me to learn of my new home." Once more she lowered her lashes demurely, clearly willing to accept his decision on when to leave. Whatever he chose, she was with him one hundred percent. She chose to ignore the heavy, exasperated sigh from the other side of the makeshift den, content that she had found a way to survive, a way to thrive. A new start, which brought with it new hope.
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