|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:56 pm
It wasn't often that Nyumbani had doubts about live. She was always very down to earth, seemingly brainy and loving what she did. But at this very moment, her refelection staring hard back at her, Nyumbani was at loss for words.
A simple tear slid down her cheek, stinging a small cut that marked beneath her right eye. Her mind had suddenly swarmed with regrets as to her attitude. Perhaps she could never please mother, she could never guard her sisters, perhaps she was meant to fail. She was the eldest, and in her mind, the strongest. She had to take care of her sisters. However, she wasn't a cub, she didn't feel it. There was no huge want to play, as playing should be, only to wrestle, to train to protect them.
Was she so young for such trifles? What had she done to receive mothers ignorance. Was she supposed to aid Tara, or was Tara supposed to rule her?
It had just been moments ago she had been sure of everything. She knew her place, it was to watch over her sisters, make mother happy, even if it meant her death. Then she had said something. That Tara, it had invoked rage within Nyumbani, and for the five most horrific seconds of her life, Nyu actually pondering striking her sister into the ground. Here eyes had widened, heart torn from her chest as she realized what she had even remotely considered. She had felt her throat chocking and fled.
Her teeth gritted together, and she struck outwards with her paw, slashing at the water with all the might she could muster. She tore away the small, almost frail, cub that stared back at her. A cub which mother refused to admit existed, and a cub which was following another's destiny. Curses to her family.
No.
Curses to her. Why couldn't Tara have been first born? Why did Nyu have to be the strong one?
Because her sisters needed her. Her mother needed her, they all needed her, forever. She needed mother more than any of them, to learn, to be strong, to show and guide. It was because she was first born, it was this family she needed to preserve.
She nodded to herself, repeating their meaning in her head, and at last the shaking breath of understanding flew from her mouth. The final sobb escaped her throat and she held her head high, swallowing the bile that made her wish to retch.
Nyumbani was first born. Tara was confused, all that Nyu needed to remember was to guard and love her siblings, and to live and love mother. Nothing else. No second thoughts. Just do it.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:33 pm
Six had become a number Hasana loathed. The idea of being a mother had made her so happy at first. To one daughter, and one son. Or maybe more sons... And perhaps one other daughter wouldn't hurt. But six daughters, and no sons? She felt as thought fate had ripped her off somehow.
But there were six, and being as she was but one lioness, it was a chore--and basically impossible--to keep track of them all. Triv did what he could, she wasn't arguing that, but he, too, was just a single being.
It wasn't that surprising Nyumbani had managed to slip away without her notice.
Ohahira, however, did take notice of it, and had promptly followed her sibling. She did so quietly, something one might think impossible for her. And for a while, she remained unnoticed, curiously watching Sister 1.
When she displayed signs of distress, Hahi drew from her hiding place and quietly slunk over. "Sister 1, why the distress?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:41 pm
Nyumbani's ears flickered for a moment before coming to a stop in Ohahira's direction. She stood still for a time, not moving, only listening, before finally forcing herself to turn to her sister. She put her grievances behind her, and tried to stand tall and proud. Whether she had succeeded in her efforts or not she could not tell.
Hahi had startled Nyumbani with her speach, and the cubs body had jumped to hear the voice. That flicker of doubt washed over her mind again. She couldn't even protect herself against her own sister. For the moment, however, she stood adressing her sibling, hiding her shock beneath a voice that quavered a bit from the afteraffects of a mental break down.
She hoped, maybe, that the most dramatic of them all would understand. It seemed like such a ridiculous idea, but other than the 'Sister 1', she found no ploy or joke in the younger's speach.
"Nothing important," she muttered, not sound convincing at all. She realized this only after she had spoken and quickly adjusted her voice and posture to look better. She had to keep up her position, remain alert, focused. Show no weakness in the presence of another.
Yet again, these attempts failed. Soon her head sunk low, and she found herself reiterating her qualms to the younger sibling, finishing the story with a question, "Do you think I do a good enough job?" More than anything Nyumbani needed this answer from a sister. She knew that mother would not answer truthfully, from the heart, because her mother's heart still belonged to her brother and only Tara could fill that place. If Hahi could tell her, of all the sisters, she knew, despite the drama, that Ohahira's answer would fill the most true.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:12 pm
The cub stopped beside her, and tilted her head around 'nothing important'. With the next words, she smiled in an almost uncertain way, breathed loudly and closed her eyes.
As if Mother Nature herself was watching, a strong wind blew past and ruffled the two coats. "A good enough job of what, exactly?" Hahi enquired. "Of being strong? You're so young, Sister 1. Surely there are
more important things to think of for you. And... Is it really strong you want to be, or is it Tara you want to be?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:47 pm
Nyumbani flicked her tail and narrowed her eyes. So what if she was young? She could be strong at any age, she had to start now, so she would never fall downwards. She didn't expect sister to understand what she had said, but she hadn't expected the answer she had gotten.
"No," she snapped, her claws extending. "I am not, and will not be Tara. She does not understand." No one did, but she didn't expect them to. It wasn't as if she wanted it to happen, but her instincts kept her in drive. If mother said something, it was to be done, if the sisters were in trouble, she needed to be there. It wasn't a matter of choice, it was this drive.
So perhaps the question wasn't was she doing a good enough job, it was could she do a good enough job? "Can I keep us safe?"
It was as much as a question for Ohahira as it was for Nyumbani herself, but she decided that the situation wasn't worth all the stress it was causing her. Was it that she wasn't getting the answer she wanted from her sister, or was it because she was annoyed with herself.
"Nevermind anyway. I should probably get back before I worry mother." She gave one last glance towards the water rippling calmly with the wind, and rose, keeping herself asserted and proud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:58 pm
Ohahira blinked, tilted her head slightly and made a thoughful expression, along with a frown. Keep them safe...? All of them? There were so many! Not even counting Mother and Father...
"Sister 1," she spoke slowly. "There are five sisters other than you. It's the old lions job to keep us 'safe' until we can move around on our own." The 'old lions' refered to their parents, and even then, Ohahira wouldn't be surprised--or even angry with them--if one of the Sisters fell before reaching adulthood.
So many...
Without hesitation, Ohahira nodded. Mother probably hadn't noticed Nyumbani leaving, she reasoned. Minus Tara, she never seemed to take notice if only one wandered off. Since the numbers had been cut done to four cubs, she probably did notice by now. "Alright."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:12 pm
Nyu listened someone half heartedly to Ohahira's very reasonable answer. She nodded, showing she'd heard, not wishing to be rude, but was already moving her feet before the other was finished. It was a nervous movement, almost like pacing. She was worried, hoping mother hadn't yet noticed her leave. That was the last thing she wanted to do, worry mother.
She was thankful that Hira agreed with her in the situation, and was very surprised that her sister could be so undramatic. It was a side she hardly ever saw, for that matter, anyone hardly ever saw. "I'm proud of you Ohahira." She felt stupid after the words had been uttered out of her mouth, but she had said them, and there was nothing she could do about it. She revealed nothing of her dissapointment in herself on her face, however, but kept a firm stride forwards, going towards, what she hoped, was mother.
Her pace quickened to a trot, till she thought she spied the black and white colors that designated mother. It could have also been Tara, or another sister. There were so many off them, Ohahira was so very right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:49 am
The cub didn't smile, not outwardly. Her heart ached for Nyumbani, it really did. She loved and adored each of her sisters, but her favortisim lied with that of the eldest of them. She wanted, needed, strived for Hasana's attention far more than Tara, who had it, and didn't seem to want it.
This family was such a mess.
Tail flicking, she trailed after her sister, ears flat. There was a ton of drama ahead of them, and none of it would be caused by her...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
