|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:55 am
ORP for all relatives of the Kalisetsi and Subiani Family
--
"There he is! My little brother and his beautiful wife!" Eeva Subiani swept towards her short, stocky brother (so much like their father) and ruffled his thick mane with her snout, breathing hard as she tried not to laugh at his obvious embarrassment. What was he embarrassed for, anyway? It was she who ought to be embarrassed! She who was eldest daughter and heir and yet quite mateless and childless...a fact that her parents would not let her forget in a hurry. "Stop frowning, Poa, this isn't an occassion for that sort of thing."
Still, after that declaration, she took a step back to give him some breathing room and cast an eye towards Kalanu. "It's nice to see you both again. Sorry we haven't had a chance to catch up before now. I'd quite forgotten what a whirlwind the festival is." She laughed again, clearly having enjoyed the festivities.
Beside her, equally as cheery, was Laka, all smiling eyes and bouncing excitement. She was literally bobbing on the tips of her paws, eager to leap into the fray and ask a thousand questions under the sun. In fact, she would probably have done so by now if it wasn't for the presence of her father at her side.
The kindly gentleman, Ona'raha Subiani seemed to have tempered her a little - though for how long was anyone's guess. The gentleness in his eyes was enough to give his newly remarried son a little of his confidence back.
"Come , come, sit in the shade and humour us a while. How have you both been?"
And Poa with an apologetic little smile to Kalanu, gratefully accepted the offer of shade, even if his sisters were already rubbing at his nerves.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:15 pm
Kalanu Kalisetsi was having a wonderful time at the festival again this year. Her stone from this year's Rain Ceremony was stored safely in her pouch and she was ready to join back in the general fun of the festival, though she stayed close by Poa's side.
"It's good to see all of you again, too," she said brightly, taking a seat beside her mate and winking at Laka, the sister-in-law she almost certainly knew and liked best. She gave Poa a little nudge to encourage him to speak up rather than just sit and smile quietly.
Gigesdi Kalisetsi watched from nearby for a few minutes before slowing meandering over to the crowd. He didn't see enough of his paternal family, he knew he ought to make more of an effort.. but he didn't exactly share his mother's fearless enthusiasm. He stayed near the edge, Sesere perched in his mane comfortably, observing the crowd.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 5:42 pm
Abeytu Kalisetsi hung around his brother, feeling a bit more bold than him. Still, he was a bit abuzz from this year's ceremony...it was all so exciting! With a freshly full mane and still sore from new tattoos, the ela'wadiyi male was excited and exhausted all in one.
"This is so exciting," he said, a bit breathless to be seeing some of his paternal family up close and personal! He couldn't help but feel a bit starstruck, looking at his grandfather Ona. So wise in his years, Abeytu couldn't help but ooze respect and love.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:06 pm
((I hope you don't mind me kind of lurking in the ORP. I know I'm slow as molasses, so don't worry about interacting much. . I don't want to hang anybody up! I just couldn't resist. n_n; ))
Sagonigei was watching with great reserve, though his pale, blue eyes were bright with mischief and mirth. It was far too exciting a festival to remain completely stoic, and the black and white maned lion had always enjoyed a great gathering. Still, his own bubbling enthusiasm was often held back, and kept close to the heart, like his own little secret. No, he did not wear his enthusiasm like Laka or Eeva, but the brightness in his eyes, and the smile on his maw, were quite clear.
The Sky Festival had been amazing, and the young lion -- for he was still so young -- was doubly pleased to be with his family. . . all of his family. Blue eyes danced between Eeva and Laka and Ona'raha, trying to memorize their colors, their scents, their expression. Family was terribly important, though it was rough to have minimal exposure to his father's side. So it was, the young male wished to bask in the attention of his kinsmen, and bask he did.
The young lion settled not far from where his parents were, a bit detatched from his brothers. He would listen to what everyone had to say first, trying to remember every word, every story that might be heard. The festival never lasted long enough, and only too soon, his family would be back with the others of Mantis, separated once more by their travels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:13 pm
"Of course it's exciting, it's not often the clans meet up and you can meet more extensive family!" Far be it for him to pass up a chance to meet the in-laws. The patriarch of the Kalisetsi family, Dongo, walked up to the gathering, his blue eyes dancing. "Ona'raha, we meet at last!" He glanced at the gathering group of lions, quietly counting to himself. The Subiani family was rather large... At the rate things were going, though, he had a very strong feeling the Kalisetsi family would be the same. They seemed to dominate the Mantis clan so far! He looked to Gigesdi and Saganigei, offering his grandsons a smile. "Come on, now, no need to be shy..."
Which speaking of shy... Behind Dongo, his mate and the matriarch of the smaller half of the family, Huong, hung back a bit, somewhat intimidated by the large Subiani family. If shyness was inherited, she'd managed to pass it down to at least ONE grandson. On her back, Amadeus watched, mindful of the lions who may not have known who he was and what he meant to the Kalisetsi family. The pink-marked lioness glanced at the rabbit, then the gathered lions, before stopping next to Gigesdi. "I think we'll be good for the moment right here..." It wasn't that she didn't like the Subianis. The Mantis Clan was one of the smaller clans, though, something she cherished simply because it was a good way for her to ease into a pride that had males in it. She noted the brown lioness with the white tail, Eeva, and the way she moved and stood. This, if she remembered right, was the next alu'nadi of the Shadow Clan.
Right behind their parents, three other lions approached, one female and the other two male, both flanking her. If one didn't know them, they'd think she had two lions persuing her paw, but indeed, Rajeev and Odakota were Luyu's brothers - One from the same litter, the other from Kalanu's litter. The cream-colored lioness went up to her younger sister, bumping her forhead against her shoulder, then looked to the gathering Subianis. "There's so many of you! How many lions ARE there in your family?" A delight different from her father's danced in her equally blue eyes, as she glanced from lion to lion. Indeed, many looked similar, related. The gray one popped out a big in a family filled with browns and whites, but then... She glanced at Rajeev. HE popped out in a family filled with black, cream, and gold accented by pink. And one white... And one sister who WAS pink... Okay, gray didn't pop out that bad. She felt a paw on her tail and looked over, seeing Rajeev give her a look that told her to quiet down the questions. She only stuck her tongue out at her brother.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:22 am
"Dongo," Ona'raha greeted warmly. "It is wonderful to get the chance to meet at last. That's the problem with these festivals - only once a year. Still, we all seem to be making the most of this one. Come, come, there's plenty of room." The older lion had truly come out of his shell upon the growth of his family. Gone was the timid, frightened youth of old and in its place, a wiser, warmer lion there now was.
"Yes, nice to meet you both." Eeva added with equal warmth. The leaf crown had drooped into her eyes again - one newly weaved for the festival by her little sister, Laka.
Ona'raha beamed. "How many? To be honest, I've quite lost count. There are more grandchildren somewhere close by."
"Big families," Eeva added. "One of the many things I adore about our people."
"I think that is something we an all agree on," Ona'raha added with a rumble. "The spirits of our ancestors must be looking down on us all with such love and pride." His eyes flicked briefly upwards and his eldest daughter leaned against him, sharing the moment of brief remembrance.
Those who were gone truly were never forgotten, after all.
"I can't believe how much time has passed since I saw you both last." Laka burst, directing her words towards Kalanu and Poa. "Your cubs are as big as me! Look!" And she gestured at the three brothers. "Hey wait, we're missing one. Where is your sister?"
Iyaiusati was - for the moment - nowhere in sight.
Poa glanced at his wife, "she's not harassing boys again, is she?"
(( and of course that is fine, Uta <3 !! ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:30 pm
Kalanu beamed when her parents appeared, followed closely by a fair sampling of her siblings. She laughed as they joined in the conversations, so very happy to have so much of her whole family all in one place. She could have say quietly in their midst and just watched them all interact and been perfectly happy. Gigesdi smiled at Dongo but he wasn't easily pushed out of his quiet little bubble, he settled somewhere he could get a good view of pretty near everybody.
"I bet we could count if we tried," Kalanu suggested to Luyu, immediately trying to mentally count how many siblings she had but getting nowhere as the conversation continued- snickering at the idea of Iyaiusati being off harassing boys.
"There's no knowing what Sati is up to!"
Sesere chuckled to herself from on Gigesdi's shoulder, pulling at his mane playfully before pushing herself off of him and into the sky to circle around the group a couple times- trying to count and trying to see how many others were coming. She definitely didn't see the youngest Kalisetsi girl, though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:28 am
 "I'm here, I'm here!" A light voice chirped, followed by the cracking of dry grasses and twigs as the dark-pelted female arrived - albeit late - to the family get-together. She resembled her mother almost completely, with her dark pelt and white points and yet, a closer look revealed traits of her father's side. The stripes of colour in the fur atop her head and along the tuft of her tail being the most prominent. Some - but not all - would all notice that the feather clasped to her ear was from the same species of bird that also adorned her grandfather's ornaments.
"I haven't missed grandfather's stories yet, have I?" Iyaiusati asked.
Eeva laughed, shaking her head. "No, no. But don't get him started just yet, else we won't hear anything else."
Ona'raha gave a good-natured chuckle.
"Can I tell a story, then?" she asked, angling her head downwards so that they could see the scruffy, little raven gripping tight to the leather strap around her neck. The poor thing looked rather malnourished and lethargic, barely looking up as the dark female made its presence known. Some of the feathers in its wings were crooked - perhaps coming loose - and the back of its neck had gone bald from plucking...
...or perhaps some sort of illness.
"She says her name is Swila. Can I keep her, mom?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 10:27 pm
Abeytu was enjoying all the conversation being tossed around. He wasn't sure where to join in, but he didn't feel the pressure to, either. He was just enjoying it...until his sister was brought up. That's true, where is she? he thought...and then suddenly she appeared.
"Sati...what happened?" Abeytu didn't know a thing about birds, but it was painfully obvious that something was wrong with this raven...Sati called her Swila. This was something that was out of his paws, though he was a bit concerned for her health and wellbeing. He looked from his mother back to Sati and Swila, wondering what she was going to say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:15 pm
At Iyaiusati's approach, Sesere descended and landed on Kalanu's shoulder, nipping at the lioness to bring her attention to the right direction. She'd noticed the raven with her immediately, and though she tended to be protective she wasn't outright suspicious- except that the bird looked sick and she didn't want to catch something from it.
Kalanu smiled as her daughter approached-- and did a doubletake when the raven, Swila, was revealed. She was no stranger to birds, having befriended Sesere when she was very small, but she had never seen something looking so sad and pathetic. She simply didn't know what to say- and she looked to Poa, nearly catching Abeytu's glance as she turned. But it was Gigesdi who spoke up.
"She's from the Bird Clan?" he asked, actually stepping up to get a better look at the faint tattoos on Swila, taking himself off the edge of the gathering and addressing the unfortunate little bird directly, "I've never really seen feathers tattooed, did it not go well?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:26 pm
(iFail)
The gold male smiled, bowing his head to the other lion. "Likewise, Ona'raha. I've been eager to meet the upstanding lions who raised my daughter's upstanding mate!" Indeed, Poa was something he liked to see in the mate of one of his daughters. He glanced toward the rest, hoping they found similar mates.
Beside him, his own mate giggled. "Dongo, you flatterer!" She then smiled at Ona'raha. "I find I love the Sky Festival, myself... So many happy memories of not only finding a home, but finding family..." Her gaze turned toward where the distant mountain of the Jini lions rose above the plains. It delighted her to know that Dongo had sisters there, and nieces and nephews. The fact one of his nephews had moved to the Ela'wadiyi had been a pleasant surprise! Having so little family of her own, Huong found she mooched off Dongo's surplus of relatives to fill the otherwise empty 'family' slot in her mind.
Luyu smiled at her niece, going over to inspect the bird. "What an adorable bird! Congratulations, Sati!" She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that not only did two of her sisters have companion animals, but now her niece had a bird! She didn't feel too bad, though - Huong had yet to get a familiar of some sort, but the running themes appeared to be birds and rabbits. She got a closer look and suddenly jerked back, ears folding back. "Oh, the poor little creature! She looks like she needs help! If this story involves how you got her in your care, I'd love to hear it!"
Rajeev peeked at their niece's bird, too, frowning. "Can she eat...? Is she okay? What happened to her? Why does she look like--" He was cut off but not just Luyu's paw over his mouth, but Odakota's as well. He glared first at his sister, then his brother, a frown on his face. He'd been interrupted, and he didn't like this fact. He shoved their paws away, letting out a huff. "You're both pains in my tail, you know that?"
Kota shoved his older brother to the side in a playful gesture. "And you're a pain in our tails." He looked at Sati, a worried frown on his face. "Really, though, what happened?" It was the most common question everybody was asking, and he wasn't immune to it. He then looked at Dongo and Huong. "Should we get somebody from the Bird Clan? They might know more about birds and illnesses and the like..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:01 am
(ifail2)
Poa met his wife's eyes, offering only a shrug in response. Abeytu had already asked the question that had been on many a mind and so he would wait to see what his daughter said. Most likely some whimsical tale that was more make-believe than truth. Still, his father would be happy for a new story, he was sure.
Though speaking of Ona'raha, the older male seemed deep in conversation with his in-laws. Uh oh...
"It seems we both did well in raising fine families." The old, white-maned male was saying to Dongo and Huong. "The festival certainly does well to bring us all together. Cherished moments indeed and they should not be wasted."
Still, after all the questioning, it seemed that Iyaiusati was ready to tell her tale - or the tale of her small, feathered companion, at least. "Well, there I was," she began, "minding my own business. Trying to find a friend to chat with or join in on some game, when I hear this horrible ruckus. A couple of lions looked over disinterestedly but I decided to go and check it out. After all, a loud sound could mean danger and I didn't want anyone getting hurt. Anyway, I made my way into the trees and it sounded again. This horrible, angry sort of sound, up above in the branches and leaves. It starts moving and I follow and then I saw her! This little raven! She was being chased by other ravens. Big, mean fellows with evil eyes! They knocked her to the ground and started pecking at her, pulling her feathers and everything."
Poa grinned. His daughter certainly loved to tell stories but she didn't have a great way with words.
"So," the dark female continued, barely pausing for breath, her voice growing more strained. "I dashed in there and chased them all away, except she couldn't fly away. And she was so scared and it took me so long to convince her I wasn't going to eat her for a snack."
On her shoulder the little raven shuddered.
"But she won't talk to me at all. Why would they pick on her?" And the lioness looked so crestfallen. "Maybe it has something to do with the tattoos she has?"
Jealousy, maybe? Or just bullying her because she was weak and small?
"Does anyone know what I should do?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
