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 Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:40 am
Kidondo, son of a Goddess and king of the Firekin, no longer roamed the desert. In fact his inquisitive nature had lured him away from the sea of gold and into a land that was just as dead.
The Graveyard.
The only thing that had lured him here was his hope to meet up with Nuri or maybe her mate or sons. His interest in the family had remained firm since his meeting with them as a cub and his plans for the future of the pride would hopefully include them. The future of the Pride. Even now the large juvenile was planning his reign, waiting for the moment his father would step down and announce his eldest son as King. It would be a day that would change the history of all the Firekin and a day that would be celebrated eventually - if not at first.
Yes, his plans did mean breaking some of the traditions. The ridding of slaves and the allowance of half-bloods and outsiders who proved themselves worthy.
He paused to let his gaze fall across a skeleton sprawed out on the ground before him and let his eyes settle upon it's hollow eye sockets.
"Strange..." The boy muttered to himself. For before him was not the skeleton of prey, it was the skeleton of a lion and upon it's bones were the gashes of teeth that had chewed the flesh from it's dead carcass.
A shudder ran up the spine of the youth and for a moment 'Ondo wished he was not blessed with such a bright red pelt. He stood out against the gloomy surroundings like a fire at night.
"Perhaps coming here was not the greatest ideas..."
But he was Kidondo and he was of Firekin blood and he would not turn back now.
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Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:26 pm
Silence, all around her.
In any other place it would have been welcome. But in this land, it served only as a requiem for the dead and an eerie reminder of the great stillness which would encompass her should she wander too far or make too much noise. She knew better then to be here- but her days seemed to grow longer and longer the more she waited. She could not swallow the blue skies and bright grasses any further. It was not that she did not appreciate the great lands. On the contrary- she loved her land and the mystical lands past it, the ones her mother spoke of only in brief fleeting moments. But purpose brought her into the land of the dead. She didn’t know its true reason. Perhaps she was just looking for a chance to prove herself, or get into trouble. But as No slowly slunk into the mouth of the great cemetery, the lean lioness child found the tension she had been looking for. The frigid feeling flooding into her veins.
Aloft in the air, a vulture stirred and she heard its wings slap against the air. It vibrated around the grey canyon walls, and with a deep swallow, she moved into the shadows. Only then- did she allow a small, curious smile to cross her face. This was her element.
In a family of such diverse shades and markings, the rather plain No had always realized her shadowy figure did little to camouflage. Even in the night hours she was dark, lacking the blue pigment the moon set onto the savannah. But here, in the nooks and shapes of the darkness she felt herself becoming a part of the shadow. And it delighted her.
Eager with her ability, she danced pleasantly about the fallen skulls and various holes- her resolve flattered even more when a lone hyena female failed to detect her slowly romping about in the darkness. If only mother could see! At once, No frowned, and licked her paw- a brief flash of color from her midnight skin. Mother would be furious if she found out.
But how was she supposed to find her way if she did not try? Older boys talked about this place. She wanted to talk about this place too.
The small female took a careful breath, now sure the hyena had gone, and carefully scrambled up the rib bones of a fallen animal. A haze of dust was swirling about, and she took care to observe her surroundings well before jumping to the ground and gently strolling along. A fear had nestled in her chest- but she tried to appear casual. She could belong here if she wanted. She could belong anywhere if she really wanted-
Her thoughts were cut suddenly by a flash of brilliant red. Amongst all the grey, it almost hurt her eyes, and in surprise, she darted into a shadow nook caused by some bones and stone molding together. Curiously, she watched through muted green eyes as a red lion moved slowly in front of her. He was a big figure- but after some consideration, she realized he couldn’t have been that older then her. She’d heard of rogue cubs before- but this one... the way he moved, it seemed far too proper. He wasn’t like any of the pridelander children- and she swallowed somewhat nervously and rubbed her chin. But no amount of hesitation could stall her for long. She was far too intrigued to stay– and with a wiff of dusty air, she quietly descended the stone structure, making sure small pebbles fell to at least alert the boy of her presence.
No bobbed as she landed, curling her tail upwards and focaling her eyes upon the male. He hadn’t turned around yet- but no doubt he had heard her. “...Why not?” She spoke, her voice hushed in a manner she would have used speaking to someone familiar. Perhaps she questioned whether he had said something at all. "Although, I may say the same come nightfall when my mom smells death on me." She added with reserved humor.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:19 am
Kidondo jolted a little, his head snapping around to st his strange seer-eyes upon the charcoal pelted child. Bangs of black mane fell sprawling across his forehead as he looked the creature up and down, nose wrinkling slightly.
"Coming to such a dangerous place. I may be of Firekin blood but I am still young and not stupid enough to think I could win against the beasts that lurk here." His eyes left her to scan the area and then with a swish of his tail settled his dull eyes upon the young female. She looked to be the same age as him, possibly a little smaller, but he really couldn't tell with outsiders. They tended to be smaller than his kind so an exact age could never be truly determined.
"Why are you here little inferior?" He questioned. The tone he used was not malicious and it was not mockery. In his mind the word inferior could be used only for outsiders and he had no idea of the insult it could cause. He did not dislike the 'inferiors' in fact he quite liked them and the stories they had to tell. Life outside the desert definately brought with it great surprises, so much so he was almost reluctant to return to the endless sea of gold.
"This is no place for us and I certainly wouldn't be here if duty didn't call for it." Yes his tone was definately that of a noble and the way he held himself definately suggested he was no mere commoner.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:39 am
Given any other situation, the harsh sounding term the boy applied to her might have sparked anger. And for a moment, a sour expression did cross her face as she considered it. But either intrigue or caution over the dark lands stopped her, and she took a few careful steps forward. Before she knew it- the word was forgotten in her head as she found herself focusing on other things. A firekin? Her ear twitched as if to recall. She had heard the term before, but knew little of what it really meant. He certainly looked like fire.
No inhaled and looked off wards, curling the end of her tail. “I’m not from here. Where I come from, everything is bright...” She paused and looked up towards the smoky sky. How was it that even the blue skies looked dark in this place? “Little Inferior has never blended in so well as she does here. I like to see what I can do.” She spoke with a slide. “It helps the waiting. It hasn't come to me in the home, so sometimes I go looking for it.”
He was very articulate for a boy. It was funny that that caught her- but perhaps she spent too much time being tackled by her brothers. Curiously, she also noted the way he held himself. It wasn’t exaggerated or child-like either. It seemed very proper. Interesting... she’d always heard outsider cubs were hooligans.
“Duty?” No quirked, and cocked her head to the side. The word got her eager. She’d given up trying to be a hero long ago- but... maybe this was one!
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:47 am
"You certainly do mix with the shadows well. Your pelt must mask you completely when the sun dips down." His ears twitched, "sometimes I wish my fur were darker so that I could sneak around without being seen." He paused then considered her first words. "A place where everything is bright? Is it a desert?" There was one thing that his home had and that was brightness. It would be interesting to explore other deserts if they did exist. "I am from a desert that blazes like the sun, but even there my red fur stands out."
Then with a small nod he drew closer, head tilted in curiosity at the female. "Yes, my duty. My duty to my friends, my kin and my pride, to all of them." He nodded and for a moment seemed shaky - as if all the weight of his title was literally resting upon his shoulders. He had so much responsibility for someone so young. In fact the eyes set in his face were not ones belonging to a youth. Instead they looked old and too wise, much too wise.
"There is much I must do before I ascend to my throne."
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:01 am
No dipped her head and nodded. “Sometimes, too dark for night even.” She dismissed, but couldn’t help feeling somewhat flattered. No one ever really spoke too much of her pelt- probably because in a family of such brilliant and intricate designs, she was surprisingly pale. In that regards, she took after her father. But she balked at the idea of him being darker. “Maybe now- but, you shouldn't have to sneak around. You should make others sneak around and not need to hide.” One regrettable thing about her pelt- but, only in this land did she blend in well in the daylight hours. Amongst the green grasses, she seemed foreign and misplaced.
“No, no desert.” No spoke. “Some of the areas are a little barren, but mostly grass. I don’t think either of us would do too well with green.” She chuckled. Black and gold, on the other hand- she couldn’t help but want to see such a place.
But then, the prior conversation stumbled away as he spoke of duty. The awkward cub’s ears alighted, and she took a few steps forward, suddenly alive with interest. “Throne? You are a king?” Well, not yet she imagined- but that was besides the point. If he was here, then surely that did not bode well for his pride.
“Has something happened to your pride?” She asked lightly, her face suddenly a bit more serious.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:17 am
He nodded, already finding himself liking this female. She seemed rather intelligent and knowledgable - things that Kidondo held in great esteem. "True, true. Sneaking is not as much fun as moving around with strength and pride." He had to admit he thoroughly enjoyed doing that.
"Grass? Hmm I've seen a lot of grass on my way here. I want to see something new, something wonderful. This place sure is different but it's not very...well...lively." He smirked at the attempt at a joke and snuffled in a decisive manner. "I wonder why my kin would want to reside here in such a place..." This comment was said more to himself than anything but was by no means spoken quietly.
"A king? Well...yes. I will be someday. My father is the king and I am his eldest son which means when he gives up his throne, I will be there to take it." He nodded, "but yes...something has happened. My kin are becoming entangled in their own traditions, traditions which will mean our demise if something is not done. Change is needed but my father is too stuck in his ways. If something is to happen then it is by my own paws, though my plans will have to wait until I'm a little older." He nodded slowly, "but I am in no rush as of yet."
"Oh, I am Prince Kidondo, son of Kimeti, and you are?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:28 am
No listened intently, the end of her tail swaying to keep the time of her thoughts. Ah! To think she had buried such notions of greatness in herself- here was someone who really had a chance to be great. Someone who actually knew what he was going to do with himself- she was incredibly jealous. But rather inspired at the same time. He had the look of someone who would be important. Were important people born like that out of the womb? Or had he practiced?
“A king...” She hushed, and skewed her brow. “That’s something you don’t see every day.” She reflected. In fact- she didn’t think she’d ever done so many exciting things in one day. The graveyard would have been enough to talk about to Inari, but meeting this one... it already trumped it.
No walked a careful circle around him, as if to consider it. “Yeah- I can see it.” She concluded, and sat down slowly. “I’ve never met a king before- well, except from a distance. But you can tell.”
Traditions kept the pride from advancing? She tried to think of her own pride’s traditions- but found none that could have caused their down falling. “What will you do? I mean- to make them change their minds? People don’t like to do things new.” She was only a child- but she’d gathered at least that. “Do you think they’ll listen?”
His introduction caught her off gaurd, and she rubbed a paw across her face. "My name is No." She wished she had a nice title to add to it. "No of the pridelands." She finally concluded.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:43 am
He raised his head and closed his eyes, feeling rather flattered by her compliments. He looked like a King? Then his father and Ripuka had taught him well. The two had given him much insight into the traditions, so much so that he could not help but see the errors in it.
Then when his strange eyes opened he found himself feeling uplifted by her words. If he looked the part on the outside he had to be doing something right. He would become a great king and he would lead his pride into a new and better future.
"Well I've never met such a dark-pelted pridelander before. I was told that their coats were all sandy and golden, but here I am proved wrong. A Pridelander pair were staying at our pride until a few days back, I befriended them towards the end even though I wasn't supposed to."
He looked solemn at her words and sighed, knowing very well that his Pride would not like what he had to offer. "My pride will not like it but I know it is for the best. I will give them the facts, I will show them that if something does not change then we will die out completely and become nothing but characters told in stories to scare cubs."
"It is a pleasure to meet you No, though I must say that is a strange name. I have to admit it is good to talk to someone other than ones of my own kind."
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:57 am
She shook her head dismissively. “It’s alright, I know it is. My mother was on a whim, perhaps. I like it though. If people remember anything it’s usually my name, and I think that’s as good a thing as any. Kidondo though- that sounds like it means something. Mine means...well, ‘no’.” Compared to the hyphenated names of her family, it was short and steady. She was the opposite of her family in many ways, although she loved them dearly. “They mostly are. My father is of pridelander blood, but he is white. My mother- she comes from the east. Mistweavers, I think- she brought a lot of the black into the pride. But no one quite like me.”
It would not strike No until later how taboo it might have been for Kidondo to befriend a pridelander. She wondered, perhaps, who it had been. She didn’t know many others besides her family and the other children, but she might have recognized... something. Maybe- something that felt like this one did.
“If the situation really is like that, then they must listen.” She implored, and then with a light smile. “I can’t tell anyone I met a king if there’s no pride to go with it. Are you looking for someone here? From the pride?” She noted before he had talked of being here for a reason.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:11 am
"Certainly it's a name I won't forget in a hurry. My name means 'firewood'. Naming in our Pride is again another tradition that has been kept, though it is one that is not so much of a worry. Our names are usually connected with the word fire in some way or other." He smiled, "it is one of the traditions I quite like, even if it does cut down a lot of options." He smiled, "but I think your name may hold more meaning than what you first think. Only time will tell." He pondered briefly on the word 'no' finding it to be quite rebellious and strong. Was this what she was like?
Was No strong?
"I suppose that is true of all Prides. Our traditional pelt colours are usually red though I know of a fewpurebloods who are white or black." He sighed softly, wishing that appearance was not so important in his pride. He was thankful in a way that he had inherited the true look of a Firekin.
"But don't worry, I will not let my Pride die, not whilst there is still life in my body. I will fight to preserve my kind if it's the last thing I do." Then with a smile he nodded and glanced around him once more. "I search for dispersed members of my pride, there are four in all that I know of but only two that I know the names. Perhaps you have heard of them? Nuri or Naraka?" He didn't hold out much hope but there was no harm in asking.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:28 am
No had to admit, she was quite enamored with the idea of change. It wasn’t even her own pride- but perhaps all of her daydreaming were culminating into someone else’s story. She was glad to see at least some people really did have a chance at what they wanted. Perhaps it would be better if she figured out what it was she wanted before lamenting. Yet... was there chance in this? What if this was the kind of meeting she had been waiting for? She wanted to be needed for something. She couldn’t stand the thought that this was it. The pridelands were wonderful. But she feared living her life with no stories to ever talk about.
"I don't, I think." She remarked. "I can tell that too. If anyone can get what they want, I think you can."
“But...I don’t know them.” No admitted unpleasantly. “These lands are mostly shadow.” She turned towards it, and the shifting dust. “It’s a good place to get lost in. The pride- mine, that is, doesn’t have very good words about the creatures here...” She padded forward slowly, feeling the shadows of the bone piles cross about her form. She had been in a mix of nervous euphoria before, playing in the dust. But now she felt a bit more resolved.
“I think there is a center canyon that all these little ones move towards.” And the imaginary ones made up by rocks and bone. "I saw a hyena before; back there. And I'm sure there are plenty more." Her jaw set, and she sat. In hours still it would be getting late... but she couldn't stand the idea of returning yet. Not with such ideas. "I will help you look for them. I can go ahead- things don't see me well." No concluded in a steadfast manner. She had a habit of making up her mind rather quickly- but, she had never been wrong about anything she'd done up until this point. This was far different from rescuing lost cubs in the savannah.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:38 am
"I can imagine, just from the stench of this place I can get a good idea of what lives here. Why a pride of lions would want to skulk around these bones is beyond me. Your help would be appreciated though." He nodded and his serious face turned to the direction he had been heading.
"No worries, once I have found them and discussed my plans I will take my leave. Father will no doubt be wondering where I am by now. I don't like to worry him." Strange that he rarely spoke of his mother, perhaps because his parents weren't really mates. She had been the vessel in which Kimeti had created his heirs. "I'm sure we'll pick up a scent or two in due time. Let's move forward quietly so as not to draw attention to ourselves, yes?"
He lowered his form and moved forwards across the bones, keeping his paws away from bones so as not to knock them and cause a sound.
"If we get into trouble I don't know how we'll get out of it."
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:59 am
She was glad he had not tried to dissuade her. If there was something she hated more then being left behind, it was being told she couldn’t do something. It wasn’t like she signed onto things so easily- so when she did, her mind was usually set in stone. Invigorated with a mission, she nodded her head in approval. “That sounds best. Luckily we’ve been here for a bit, we’ll probably start to catch some of the stink and not stand out as well.” If it wasn’t the bones and rot that made this place smell- surely it was the hyenas.
After a few footsteps, and pausing once to make sure she was matched with Kidondo, the lean black child started to move. She was glad that she had had some practice moving in the lee of the bones. With all of the scattered rot, it was far too easy to cause a noise. She kept her eyes out for vultures as well. They were likely more then enough to take on a brave vulture, but it wouldn’t due if their position was given away by a flush of black feathers.
No arched her dainty neck and gave a light snort, causing a small spiral of dust to shift around her face. “We’ll be alright.” She spoke honestly, keeping her voice as steady as it could. “If something comes out just split apart. I’m a good hider- I could lead them away.” It wasn’t something she said in a boasting voice. To her, it all sounded very logical. Kidondo would be easily spotted; and well- he probably had a lot more riding on keeping safe then she did.
But she had a stubborn will that told her things would be fine. Hopefully.
Sucking in a distempered breath, she took a few careful bounces ahead, mindful of the stones. There were two ridges ahead- and one of them smelled a bit more of fresh rot then the rest. In the distance, she could just barely make out the carcass of a fallen elephant. There were birds swarmed around it- and hopefully the shadows she saw moving were proccupied by it. “Probably better to stay away from something newly dead.” She hushed, and leaned over to the left path.
[ >83 If they want trouble, I could throw in my hyena if you'd like?~]
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:23 am
Kidondo was not one to deny another some adventure. He was an understanding and calm sort, quite able to see other's points of view and there was no way he would continue on without her now. Besides he had been alone for a long time now and meeting someone of similar age to him was a joy in itself.
His eyes traced her small, feminine form, taking note that she was less muscular than the pridelander girls. However what she lacked in muscle she made up for in grace and he knew then that she would grow up to be a fine lady.
"I'm sure you're right No, especially if we're careful. We may be smaller than most but that means we can slip into places most others can't." He'd already picke dout a few of the larger skulls that could be used for a quick retreat if need be. He had to keep himself safe because without him the Firekin were doomed.
It had been foolish, perhaps, to leave the sanctity of his home without an escort.
His eyes followed No's gaze to the carcass and with a flare of his nostrils the scent of death reached him. The hump-backed figures of the vultures could be seen moving in the gloom and in the darkness Kidondo saw their beady eyes focused on their meal.
"Atleast it'll be a distraction from us. Most creatures are scavengers who'd much rather go for food which won't run away."
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