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 Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:14 am
The talk of cubs with Isi had left Améh somewhat fleeting around her dear companion. Mostly because he hadn’t said anything about it- why hadn’t he? Usually she did not mind the coldness he sometimes gave off... but it did sadden her heart somewhat. Of course- he probably had never countered into his equation how short a time mortals really had. Maybe it was that realization which had her feeling saddened more then anything. Perhaps she’d gone about this thing all wrong! It made her frustrated. She wasn’t used to considering things at any extent- and goddess knows, most people took her to be far too silly to even consider such heavy things.
Against the hot red earth, the small sliver of white seemed even tinier then she really was. She had been to this place before, so long ago just before the plagues had sent her into a withdrawal. Feigned memories- sometimes she had a hard time catching hold of them. But she did remember the red tint, and the clearer air. If she took to flying, Améh probably would have appreciated it more. It was rare for the small female to take on a form other then her humble mortal shape- and this was no exception.
Quietly, the small female strode, her ears perked forward. She had forgotten how lonely wandering was without Phib around to talk to, [even if she tended to have one-sided conversations.] She made note to return back over the ridge shortly before she was missed. At the moment- Phib seemed to have his paws full with the delightful leopard Jaden. She was glad Jaden had stopped by. They were always funny when they argued. She loved them both dearly.
But not quite yet ready to go home. A faint wind struck her across the side, and she leaned into it in hopes of feeling it more correctly. As simple as Ameh was- she allowed her prior thoughts to drift away with it. There was really no time for concerns; she had never worried before. What happened happened, hadn’t that always been her philosophy on life?
Besides- he was probably just being a blockhead.
With a soft yawn, the small female stretched, inhaling a long gulp of the warm air. “Too much thinking.” She remarked to herself, lightly pawing her head. “Not much good for the head.” But she had stopped here for a reason... slowly, she glazed over the area with her pale eyes. What had it been?
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:21 am
The ochre earth was dusty under U'yosi's dark paws as he loped across the savannah. He was a little hungry; the gazelle two days ago had been filling, though he'd had to leave half of it. And... he had none of his family to save it for.
Muscles shifted under flower-tattooed grey fur, the male in his prime now, no longer young but still strong, and filling out slowly again. He was taking care of himself. No use him wasting away like Asa'nunu had.
U'yosi sighed, and then looked up slightly, feather swishing against mane as he turned his head to the breeze. A wanderer approached?
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:32 am
...something...
The same wind caught Améh’s neck again, and although feelings were sometimes hard to translate through herself, she felt it cleanly that time. It brought a delicate smile to her face, and a calming to her tensed muscles. It wouldn’t do to worry what little time she did have with him away. With a soft sigh, she rose up against the breeze, and quietly strode forward. A pair of large ridges flanked her on either side- and she became somewhat hypnotically transfixed by the color orange against the bright blue sky. It was only the sound of a faint tinkle that broke her from her steady staring.
The white female turned, her body slowly curving in the motion as she faced the figure now apparent in the distance. A male- but before she could take more of his figure into account, she became instantly intrigued by the flower like markings along his back and shoulders. As if that alone was an open invitation- she gently moved forward, a warm smile on her face.
“Hello there-“ Améh spoke impishly, and lowered her head considerately. While she waited for a response, she used the slight distraction to lean her head somewhat to the side, and get a better look at the rendered flowers. "I suppose I have walked too far, havn't I?" She remarked amiably.
She had a soft spot for flowers.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:40 am
U'yosi dipped his shaggy head courteously at the spoftspoken female. She was pale, almost cloud-marked; he blinked slowly with a small smile. His life had been blessed for the knowing of so many pale lions.
"Too far is an opinion. These lands are claimed by the Ela'wadiyi, but we do not begrudge passers by." His voice was deep, and he brought his head up, grey eyes distant but a warmer smile.
"My name is U'yosi Gvhi, of no particular standing amongst my pride. Spirits be with you, traveller...."
Unmarked, again. Only to be expected, but it still gave his eyes a shock sometime to see an adult lion which he could not read like a book, lines curving and marking every event in their lives.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:50 am
The tone of his voice and gentle formalities crossed another soft smile about her face. It’d been a while since she’d met a humble man- it seemed like nowadays, they were all trying to compensate for something. It made her wish she knew a bit more of what was acceptable to say in such a situation.
“U’yosi?” She spoke, hoping it was not incorrect to call him by the familiar. “I am Améh. I’m afraid I have been drifting so long that I don’t remember where it is I’m going. But I am glad it is not being wrong to be in such a place.” She spoke, gesturing to the land around her. She had an unusual way of speaking, some of which was underplayed by her soft voice. But it could get jarring.
Softly she smiled, and lowered her head as a faint chuckle pulled itself from her. “I’m afraid I can’t give much of a title- I’m just Améh.” Perhaps a lie- but, she didn’t think it as one.
“I am glad to meet you. It’s been a while that I have met in good company."
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:57 am
"Well, 'just Améh', you are welcome for now to pass over these lands." U'yosi smiled tolerantly. "I cannot see those of my pride complaining." He had not seen any of them in so long....
"What brings you wandering this way, Améh? These lands are a little far from many other frequented territories..." He stepped back a little, not wanting to crowd the gentle lioness with his larger presence, and tilted his head curiously.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:09 am
She giggled softly, and flattened her ears to hush herself. But it did little to keep the smile down, and from where she sat, she gazed up pleasantly through her partially veiled eyes. “It is no worries, yes? I’m afraid this will be as far as I go- I am on a bit of a walk; my mate and I travel, but sometimes I need to walk a bit to think to myself.” It was quiet here- had it always been this way? She tried to remember, but the bad memories of that time period threatened to wash them away. She hated to remember the pain–
Améh turned to gaze at the horizon line, which was obscured by the ridges. “It is far- but, not too far when you are not going from anywhere in particular. We sort of float. Right now- you are very close! Not so far from everything at all.”
“I’m afraid I’m a bit shy as well,” She noted, hushing herself to the side with her paw. “If I can, I try to skirt the edges of large places. So much going on, and it is hard for me to keep track of everything.” Or more importantly- she felt the places too much. The more the people, the more she felt.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:17 am
A strange lilt, a catch to the sentences which felt uneasy in U'yosi's ears, but he smiled courteously nevertheless.
"Your mate is nearby, but he does not travel with you at this moment?" He looked around, raising his profile to the wind again, dark grey strands straggling across his tattooed face. "I will remember, in case he ever does come this way. But you do not find solace in a pride to call your own?" He looked back down, eyes curious.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:26 am
Améh nodded her head. “I do. I am not so far that he might start looking- and I’ll make sure to return before the day is out. Sometimes you have to walk a bit on your own to travel together.” That and she did it quite a lot. When healings were needed, she flittered away about as easily as a butterfly. Phib had gotten use to her absence, although he reminded her that he didn’t exactly approve of them either. “This is just...” She paused, thinking of the right word. “A day walk? I’m sure he has other things to busy himself with.”
Or at least, he always liked to pretend he had important things to do. Most of the time they included sleeping on a warm rock.
The next comment made her paused, and she frowned somewhat. “No- I...” She shifted, considering. “I’ve never needed to belong somewhere. It’s not apart of me to want something- but,... Sometimes I do think it might be nice to settle down somewhere, if only for a little while. It’s nice not to have to walk.”
But more importantly- she worried. Living like gypsies had done them fine for quite a while- but surely it was no life for him to be leading, even if it was the one he endorsed. Pride life did not mean as much as it did to her as to others- but she would like to see him settled. He was getting too old to be a vagabond.
"My mate is older then me." Or, so he thought at least- but that was besides the point. "I sometimes wonder if walking all the time is so good for his health, you know? But, I don't even think I can change his mind about something. But you- you are happy here?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:32 am
U'yosi was nodding his head with a grave smile, but at her sudden question he blinked, sliding the sad grey eyes to the side though his expression was easy.
"This land does not hold the threats of the one we fled to escape. It is a plentiful and beautiful land," he said honestly. "And my daughter grows strong...."
It didn't answer the question, and he knew it, and he shifted his paws uncomfortably, never one to like to hide or evade anything.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:40 am
The small female lowered her eyes solemnly, and nodded her head. That time and era had wrought such a scar in her that she doubted even a rebirth would fix. If she focused too hard on it- she remembered far too vividly the strangled complaints of the others. She’d heard them all of course- and she’d done what she could, but in a time of crushing plague, there was only so much the goddess had been able to do and not tamper with fate.
Fate. She didn’t like that world, even if she was so cautious to work alongside it. She hated to think that some people could live, while others died.
But she restrained the extent of her knowledge. It wouldn’t do to come off knowing too much. “I am sorry...” She spoke honestly, the words burning at her. She apologized in context for another- but in her heart, she knew what she was apologizing for. “I have heard–“
She let it drift. “I am glad though, to hear that finally everything is healing.” The other lands seemed to be booming now after the plague- but it had been all but quiet in this rich land. “Your daughter?” Her face fell back to a smile. “You must be very proud.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:53 am
His daughter. Image of her mother, silent shadow of her laughing deceased brother, the dark hued lion could not help perking up at least a little. It was not practical to dwell on the bad things that happened; much more useful to take heart in the good things.
"Tsi'hilu is a blessing to me," he rumbled warmly. "Cloud marked, white, as yourself.... she upholds the name of her clan well, and is very much her own spirit now. I am proud of her. Very much so."
"Have you been blessed so, or not yet?" He smiled curiously. "Forgive me if that is a too pertinent question."
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:09 am
Améh laughed softly, her eyes lowering. How ironic that she would end back up in the conversation that had put her here! But, after hearing the father speak of his daughter, not even the thought of her own cubs could dampen her spirits.
“It is not.” She spoke, smiling softly. "If only other certain people would ask me such a question. But- I cannot say I have. Someday maybe. I suppose it isn’t for me to choose when that happens, is it...?”
Although really- it probably was very well into her power. But could she deal with losing children just as she’d loose Phib someday? They’d never be like her- and they would always be separated by that. Could she swallow it down and have them simply as a reminder of a life she once had? She wanted to be proud of a child like U’yosi was. But the idea of them going through life and then leaving scared her. She fell too easily in love with life.
"Is it hard being a parent?" She squeaked suddenly, and rose her eyes.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:15 am
U'yosi stilled slightly, and then sighed ruefully, keeping a smile over the stab that pulled at his heart.
"Hard, perhaps, but I would not know much of it. I could only parent my cubs the best I could, but they were not old when the plague struck. By the time I was well enough to walk, only Tsihilu was found, and she had grown to her own person by then. Of no need of her father, I suspect, though I try. I would not say it is easy, but whatever the hardships... I am still proud of my daughter, and that outweighs all the bad points I have found."
The grey eyes were stormy, but a faint smile still crossed the large male's tattooed face.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:22 am
The pale female frowned, for a moment regretting bringing it up. “I’m very sorry...” She repeated again, bowing. “I don’t know why such things ever have to be happening... sometimes it makes me wonder if the powers that be really know what they are doing.” She spoke, taking her own comment to heart. “I don’t suppose it would be easy. Maybe it shouldn’t be...” She trailed, before correcting herself.
“I think I do far too much worrying about things that haven’t happened.” Améh scolded herself. “But it’s good to know that sometimes children know how to manage even on their lonesome- I worry that I wouldn't know how to raise a child... She must be a strong girl to do such a thing.”
"If I ever do have children, I could only hope to be as lucky."
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