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 Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:22 pm
Meeting that wretched Hyena had put a cap on Kizuka's week--no, her life. First the plague, then the invasion, the battle for survival, finding the valley like THIS, triv's desertion, and now.... Her thoughts trailed off. Shaking her head in annoyance, the simmering lioness headed back to the cave entrance that had become the trios home back when they had been a quartet. And now, they were a duo. Her ears went flat against her skull as she thought of Ushuafu's desertion. For the first time it occurred to her to be angry about it, no matter that he was just a scared little cub--that really wasn't it, was it?
She was in love with him. Kizuka'd already admitted it to herself, no matter how sick it made her feel. She'd BEEN in love with him... perhaps that was why triv'an had left them. Not that it excused his abandoning Kimaji along with her. As Kizuka reached the cave she began to pace, wearing a long stripe in the ground in front of it. As it was still daylight outside she wasn't too worried about the adolescent since she already knew there wasn't much left here that could hurt her. Even the herds that had been becoming so dangerous from starvation were becoming too weak to fight back--the very, very few who were too sick to walk away.
That brought up yet another problem with the area. Not only was the water slowly dripping away, but there was less and less to eat. Kizuka knew that her own ribs were starting to show. Her only consolence was that Ushuafuand she had both been sacrificing enough food to keep anything from showing on Kimaji's form. No matter what he'd done, he deserved that much respect from her. Kimaji wasn't his daughter, but he'd treated her like family... Kizuka snorted when she realized that she was speaking as if Ushuafu had a reason to be jealous of the daughter she already had.
Did she want him to have a reason?
The answer to that made her growl again. Kizuka plopped down in front of the cave and began to wash her paws roughly. Kimaji should be home soon and they had a lot to talk about. Unwantedly, the last suggestion of the hyena rand in her head again. Perhaps it was time to give up the dream and chase a new one.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:00 pm
Too restless to remain in one place for too long, Masika had excused herself from her newfound 'family' and gone for a walk. It hadn't been easy, to assure the others that she would be back, and that she wasn't just running away, but that she wanted to go alone. In the end, she'd become victorious but not without a hassle. It'd been insisted someone come along with her, that they could show her around, but there were things she wanted to discover on her own. She needed time alone with herself, her thoughts, and her lands.
And here she was, roaming around with her thoughts for company, trying to absorb all that she'd soaked up days before. The mistweaver's daughter, patrolling her lands. Everything was as it should be, right? Crystalline eyes, though seemingly hardly observing what they saw, memorized the land around her. Every step, every land mark, every sound was commited to her memory, certain things tucked away in a special place, so that other travels would yield further exploration. For now, however, Masika wanted to gather it all in, and see all there was. It was far too hot for her to be out, but that didn't bother her. It was more important to become in tune with the land around her, and determine for herself the state of the land.
The princess' stride was regal without meaning to be. Her necklace swung slightly at her chest, every once in a while gently colliding with her shoulder as she trotted along. Her scar was still healing and forming, a blemish on the mousy blue and grey fur, the only mark she bore of her 'old life.' As she leapt over an obstacle of unknown origin, the cavern caught her eye, but was quickly dismissed into her mental file of 'things that should be explored later'. It was unclear whether she overlooked the lioness in the cave, or whether she'd seen and chosen to ignore, but she was out in the open, in plain sight for the other to see.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:27 pm
Kizuka looked up from where she was laying half inside her make-shift "den" as she heard something out in the forest beyond. Was it that hyena again? It could have been Kimaji, of course but.... no, the little lion was too perky. She would have called out for her mother before then. Startled a little out of her brooding, the Lioness didn't even tense a she listened to the sound. It was obviously large, but soft footed--not hoofed, at least. The hyena had also menchioned a lion with him, but there wasn't any wind to betray the newcomer's scent. It wasn't until she'd jumped over some bushes blocking the little clearing from sight that Kizuka was sure of what it was.
Her eyes went wide as the new female looked at then past her, seemingly not noticing Kizuka's existance. Of course, her name wasn't Kizuka for nothing, and the lack of notice didn't bother her in the slightest. She, instead, was busy looking over the mousy female. Sleek build, trademark hair mane tuft, the facial features, the stance.... A sudden pang of both sadness and joy hit Kizuka's heart, almost closing her throat.
Then panic arose as the other went to continue whever the path was taking her, moving away from Kizuka again. The lioness was one her feet as quickly as she could be, and surged forward after the other. She'd been here months searching the place, and the day she'd all but decided to leave it'd come like a bolt from the heavens. "Praise the Storm King," She heard herself whisper reverently before she'd caught up with the girl, "Excuse me!"
All trace of anger was replaced by this keen excitement, and Kizuka knew she was all but trembling. "Excuse me!" Getting in front of Masika at last, she turned to face the other female and block her path, "Excuse me. There isn't anyway you're from the New-Mistweaver's pride, are you?"
.... There was something familiar about her. That thought hit Kizuka hard in the second that she'd caught the female's face. There was a long moment as she stared, long and hard at the girl again, then sniffed involuntarily at the scent. A memory came, running through her mind with the speed of a storming wind. A new cub--a princess--the priest presiding with the king and queen standing by--so, so proud.
"... Mis... mas..." It was on the tip of her tongue, but wouldn't come. She watched the girl--Kizuka was somehow certain that she was younger than her person--with imploring eyes. It couldn't be! .... could it?
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:17 pm
Masika's pawsteps were cut short by the bounding of another in front of her. Alarmed by the sudden-ness of it all, and the fact that it'd been explained that there were unwanted lions within the territory, Masika laid her ears back and bared her fangish front teeth, misnamed the canines. Her body tightened up, ready to spring should the need arise, claws already brandished and stabbing the ground in front of her. Lashing her white tufted tail, Masika hissed softly. "Who are you?"
The question was odd to say the least. Was she from the New Mistweaver pride? How many actually knew of the pride in the first place? From what little the firekin had told her, she'd been under the impression that the mistweavers were a secretive pride, hence the name Umande'mfuni. Mistweavers. The mists hid them well during raids. Or did before the drought came.
However, this was certainly no way for the Princess to act. She continued to glare at the other slightly, but eased up her posture, allowing claws to sheath once more, and settling back upon her haunches. She remained ready to jump at the slightest chance of trouble, but she would play along for now. Whether this lioness was putting on an act to try and gain favor or not was to be determined.
"I am from the mistweavers. Why do you ask?" It could be noted that she did not disclose whether she was from the new, or the old mistweavers. Holding her pose, she searched the area around the lioness, making sure that no others would be sneaking around to jump her while she was thus occupied. There were still many dangers within these lands, potential hostiles, though she knew not what they would look like or appear as. And despite the fact that she was home, everyone was a potential hostile to her after her live with the firekin. No one was trusted until proven innocent.
Her ears flicked forward curiously, however, as the other lioness started pronouncing a word, a strangely familiar word that she was still not yet used to. She waited, listening to hear the last half of the word, if it was to come.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:27 pm
She should have been expecting a hostile reaction, and it gawed her that she'd forgotten. Was she so young that excitment came before thought? Kizuka jumped a step backward when the other bared fangs and tensed herself. Though her ears flew back she didn't offer her own threat--after all, that would do neither of them good. She waited until the other had calmed and presented her own question before she spoke again.
That word, that name, still buzzed in her mind though she couldn't pin it down.
As it was easier to answer than try and find a half-forgotten word, Kizuka did. Having seen Misaka's reaction her own guard was up again, however, though it would be silly to dodge the question now since she had sparked the conversation. "I'm looking for them," Was the initial, gruff, answer before Kizuka realized she owed the other a better explanation. "... As you are of the Mistweavers--the Umande'mfuni--you should know what happened here. I'm..."
How much could she say? How much could she hope for. A moment of indecision it her--could she lay her wishes bare before someone who was probably just a... No. This HAD to be her. She was the right age, if she'd survived.. "I had heard a rumor that a small group had begun to recollect here... and I'd--we'd, that is, my daughter and myself--thought perhaps it was time to return home." A slight emphasis on the last word clearly said she meant this valley. Suddenly, the word clicked and she added, softly, "Masika?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:16 pm
Still warily eyeing the other lioness, Masika gathered herself further, her body settling down into a rather regal pose, whether she realized it or not. The her poise and demeanor when settled, probably painted a decent picture of her mother, Kunge. And was probably the trigger that let loose the name in Kizuka's head.
"I do indeed know what transpired here, unfortunately." The royal mistweaver quirked a brow at the fact that Kizuka emphasized the word home. Having heard of others claiming this was their home, she was slightly unsure whether to deem the female friend or foe just yet. However the mention of her name was clue enough. Either she was a friend of Maji and Ramses, or she was one of the ones painted up on the wall along with herself and her parents. She decided to test the lioness however, to make sure the knowledge she knew, was first-hand, and not something she'd overheard while passing through.
"Who are you, to know my name?" Crystalline eyes watched this newcomer carefully, watching for tell-tale signs of hesitation in the story she was more than likely about to weave. "And what is it that you think transpired here, during your 'absence'?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 6:58 pm
There was a hesitation there, as Kizuka herself looked over the lioness before her. She backed off a step or two and sat to show that she wasn't a threat, however keep out of range herself. Had she gotten the name right? Kizuka was certain she had. Now that she'd said it, the memory had played itself in full, but she knew that there was still a chance she was mistaken. This female looked so much like the old Queen, though.. what was her name? Kizuka searched her memory, her hesitation playing off like any of the old oral storyteller's--a pause to get your bearings before a long speech.
Kunge. Her mind supplied after awhile. It would have vanished from her memory a long time before hand had she not had a daughter of her own. She'd raised Kimaji on stories of the mistweavers--their legends and Kizuka's own childhood. Though she'd never admit it aloud, a small part of her had mourned having a cub when she'd first become pregnant. Life was always so hard for them, and bringing a cub into that hadn't been planned. It hadn't been too long before she was certain it was the best thing she'd ever done--though she'd never again bring a child straight into hardship--such as the Mistweaver valley in the state is was now. Why that had slipped into her mind at this moment was unknown to her and she gave a mental frown towards her thoughts.
Whatever the reason, she was certain now that she should and could tell this female her story.
"I am called Kizuka," The brown and white mistie began, patiently, her voice lapsing from its usual cautious edge into the tone she frequently took when telling a story to family or friends, "and I was born to Kuguoko and Ukuhlwa of the Umande'mfuni many years ago... just a few moons before yourself, actually." Kizuka chuckled, eyes growing softer and shook her head at the addition to her story. Moving on, "That is, of course, how I know you. Or, to say, know your name. I was there at your name-day, at my own mother's feet, as the Princess was introduced to the entire pride. You were so small, it would be a miracle you remembered. This was very shortly before the plague ran through..."
Another hesitation, one of thoughtfullness. Kizuka's eyes turned dark for a moment, her eyes watching Kimaji but not seeing her. After a minute the mistie shook her head, "I needn't tell you what happened then, you would know as well as I. Some of us got out of there, the cubs old enough to run. Some died on the run... I left with four originally, but only two of us made it. As for what happened in this valley since I left--its rather obvious isn't it?"
The question was blatantly rehtorical, and so Kizuka continued without much pause, "It was obvious from the start. Somehow we--or our elders, whichever--did something to anger the Storm King. Because of this the plague came, because of this came the flesh plague," The emphasis on the last part could have caused a river to boil. She hadn't needed to say the call-name of the lion pride that had torn apart their people, it was obvious in her demeanor whom she meant. The pure rage that boiled beneath the calm-seeming fur was at once revealed and masked again, with only the memory of her tone and the sight of earth-burried claws to mark it. "and then... this."
Once more she paused, her eyes flickering around them, sadly. After a moment, Kizuka shook her head and gave a half-hearted shrug. Adding more softly--calmly--, she let her eyes close, "Triv'an and I heard from birds and land creatures cryptic marks about 'lions of mist and legend' reassembling. We thought perhaps some of our fellows had returned to reclaim our lands, and thought to seek them out if they had.
"When we got here, we found the land dying. It... It can't have been in drought since the invasion. If it had, it would have been long gone by the time we returned... So something or someone else must have further aroused His anger since then, and he in turn took the storms away as well. .. though I do have an idea what."
Kizuka paused once more as her eyes opened and lifted to meet Masika's. There was no need to state the threat obvious in her eyes, should her next question be met in the affirmative, "I see now, with your presense, that the pride must yet live--and don't deny who you are, My Queen, your mother's face is branded in my memory and you are but a picture of her. Are the second set of rumors we heard true? Has Firekin blood been allowed to weave within the Umande'mfuni?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:45 pm
Masika sighed heavily, closing her eyes momentarily to try and form the words in her mind. This lioness knew much more than even she, it seemed, and thus needed the respect of a former pridemate that she'd never known. At the remark of 'Queen', she flinched, not used to princess, let alone the much more important title. She did wish others would stop referring to her by royal titles, she was who she was, but that didn't mean they needed to identify it quite so blatently.
"There are indeed rumors and possible sightings, though I myself cannot confirm either way as yet, that Firekin members reside in the valley somewhere. What is to be done about this, I have yet to determine. Rest assured, they will not be welcome in our lands. Ruthless Blood, who cannot fathom love for even their own familial ties, will not be allowed here. Too much history and far too little change between the generations has proven that they just cannot be trusted. This matter will be dealt with when I can figure out more about what's going on."
Pausing, Masika sighed yet again. "If you know the history, then you probably have a good idea what happened to me and the final members of my family. If not, then listen well, Kizuka, for my story may shed light on even my own severe dislike for the Firekin, as yours is written clear as day upon your face."
"Those that call themselves the Blood, and consider themselves better, and above all other prides, rogues included, stole into the valleys we called home. A pair named Sumba and Waka, as I later came to know them as, slaughtered my aunt, Bahari, and left my mother for dead, weak with the plague a rogue brought in. Apparently, it was assumed that they killed me as well, though nothing proved, nor denied it. I was taken to the den of the Blood and raised as a slave, I knew no better, and every time I asked them of my family, I was beaten down for it. My name was not my own, as I was Dama to them. Dirt, to be tossed around like a rag-doll upon the sun-heated sands. The king, Makadari, was the worst of them all, oft calling for me and my fellow slave to cuff when his daughters or sons angered him. No love eminated from any of the pridal members, towards each other, and certainly not towards us. I watched helplessly as Makadari condemned his wayward daughter to death for dealing with a rogue."
With a distant glance towards the direction of the firekin lands, Masika paused, remembering the poor cubs that more than likely never made it to their juvenile stage. "My bondmate and I ran that day, as fast and as far as we could, making it to the pridelands. We encountered the slain daughter's sister there soon after, but she was so haughty and set in her ways, I doubt it was long before someone struck her down for her sheer attitude." She turned to look at Kizuka again, her cool calm eyes showing the slightest bit of fire within them. "They are monsters, more so than you could probably imagine. The fact that they don't seem to love each other is proof of it. To kill your own child because of a simple thing, is unimaginable. I pray, for your daughter, as well as some of the other cubs now growing up in the valley, that these are simply just rumors, a coat color mistaken, and that the horror has not reached out to our lands once again. But of this, even I cannot be sure..."
"Indeed, the pride does seem to live again, though I have yet to meet even a handful of most of them. I've only recently returned myself, having never known a family, or pride existed that I belonged to. The kindly King of the Pridelands clued me in and, against his better judgement, sent me on my way home." Her oversized necklace, the spitting image of her father's old necklace, and indeed it was Nyunya's, clinked against itself for a moment, breaking the stillness of the moment. "But home I have returned and let's hope that home is where we stay, from now on..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:07 pm
The story she was told sent races of both fire and terror running cold down Kizuka's spine. She knew the Firekin were a bloody lot, oh yes, for she had seen in hiding the horrors they'd bestowed upon the people of the Mist. However, she'd never had the imagination to think they'd do these on injustices to their own people. Somehow this made them better and worse in her eyes. Shaking her head clear, she allowed her gaze to return to Masika's. The other seemed to give her the slightest bit of heed now, or, at least, she wasn't inclined to distrust her orgin. That was headway, but the last part made her sigh.
"There is still death here in the form of this heat and dryness--If you've heard from them, the others of what could loosly be called our pride--then you've likely heard that what hunting there is is scarce. We've been doing our best to only take the old and sick, but more and more they're all old or sick, and so are we to eat them."
Kizuka turned a moment, letting her back show to Masika in a way she'd never done to any lion she'd only just met, and looked over her shoulder. Kimaji was still out there, and their could be Firekin about after all. "We've been here many months, Masika," She continued in a slow sort of voice, "And never seen a trace of the Mistweavers. We'd.. given up and..."
Kizuka licked a maw suddenly gone dry. "I never want to leave. Indeed, I've wandered every day since I was a cub, never able to stay in any place long enough to call it home for my heart is buried here. However... The one who brought us rumor of the possible blood taint stayed with us for a long time. So long that he has become family to us... but some misunderstanding has caused him to take flight across the desert now. I had just made the decision today to leave, for a short time, and find him. .. and I wasn't sure if I was going to come back, having found no pride and only a dying land in its stead."
Her eyes raised to Masika's. "... You're young," it wasn't a statement, though Masika was only a few moon's Kizuka's younger. More it seemed she meant of experience. Though she'd been a slave, Masika still wasn't certain about her place, that was obvious to a watcher as keen as the one in front of her, "and unsure, if you've never known of this place or people. To be blunt, I would be worried if you were so sure of yourself. Only a fool would come to claim a crown they'd never heard of and have no doubts or worries in her mind about it.
"Despite this... despite all of this... I can't bare to leave my homeland behind me again. It would kill me to know that I could never walk in The Storm King's chosen land.. as well as the knowledge that I may have helped, even in my weakened state, to support my people. There is also the matter of my daughter..."
"Kimaji is young and strong. She's only known this place at its worse, but I've taught her everything I knew. All the legends and stories, as well as tales of my own... and even the tale of what happened here. I'd like to hope there might be a place for her, for the young need some amount of stability in their lives that I haven't been able to provide for her yet."
Kizuka gave a slight snort at herself, "I suppose what my rambling is all about is that I should like to return here, despite the drought, after I've collected the.... brother... that has taken flight. He too is a good male, and I believe he's come to care for this land though he'd deny it to his last breath. But... would we be welcome? Now that I know there is a pride here, we can't continue to trespass... even if history may say I, at least, have a right."
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Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:00 pm
"As I've come to find out, those who've lived here have been secretive of their presence. Wouldn't do to seem like a pride lives here, to make others aware so they may join. With so few resources, this land cannot support as many as wander through." With a sigh, Masika did hate to admit this, but it was truth, none the less.
"While I'm sure the others wouldn't refuse you and your daughter, please realize that times are incredibly hard on everyone, and despite my born rank, I cannot simply wave a paw and say you may join. However, I am more than willing to take you back with me, as well as your daughter, and escort you to the others, as well as vouch that you are indeed lost family." Masika's crystalline eyes wavered slightly as she glanced this lioness over. "However, your companion... may very well need to prove himself to us before he's allowed to wander. I cannot say I know what he'd have to do to prove himself, except that he cannot be a freeloader. We cannot afford to feed the mouths of those who cannot, or willnot help the pride above all else." She hoped, that that sounded intelligent and understandable, but she was new to this whole 'royal' stature and wasn't entirely sure how to go about dealing with such matters quite yet. Instinct had simply turned on, when she'd encountered the question and she ran with it, instead of questioning her heart.
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Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:03 pm
It wasn't the prompt answer a part of her had been hoping for, but the logical side had been expecting far less. After all, a chance encounter shouldn't gain as much trust as even this small token of passage. Kizuka gave a silent prayer of thanks to their king above as she bowed her head in deference to her Queen--even if she weren't given admittance, Masika would always be her Queen.. this land would always be her home, and she would always pay homage to the Storm King.
"I am grateful for this," Kizuka let some of these thoughts set upon the air. Facing Masika once more, she wasn't shy about looking the other female in the eye. "Time are hard, and I hope you'll forgive me for implying I was asking for admittance right now. In truth, I only meant to ask if you thought there might be a place for us."
The splotched female turned to look about the dry valley foliage about them. Sighing softly for the sight she was met with, she continued softly, "As it is.. as much as my weary heart longs to go with you to meet this pride.. there is a larger portion that must find the part of my family who has gone astray. I understand your unease in my mentioning him, but I have no doubt that, if given the chance, he will prove himself as he did to us. .... but I would need to know how to find the caves once more, when we return...
"It seems as if some effort was made to hide their location, and my memory, while good, isn't clear concerning exact locations... Perhaps, when you are ready, I could see them before I leave?" Kizuka knew she was rambling and damned herself for it, mentally. It wasn't like her to speak without thinking, first, and yet here she was, cowed by the simple presence of one lioness. She blamed it on being weary--weary of running, of fighting, of endless dissapointment... and here it was, the end of the journey she'd set out on so long ago, and it was likely to be ripped from her again. In the back of her mind she wondered if she could handle it, were they to deny her entrance to their ranks. Though she wouldn't admit it, it had never occurred to her that she wouldn't be welcome.
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Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:41 pm
Kimaji had wandered off again, and now she was following the familiar scent of her mother as it lead her back to the "den". She was taller now than she was when she first entered these lands that her mom seemed to love, the lands that she hoped that she could love with the same enthusiasm one day. She just wished that she was old enough to hunt, to do something productive instead of eating most of the food. And she wanted to know where her daddy was.
Her nose eventually lead her to her mother, but she could also see a strange new lioness engaged in conversation. She was not certain where this lioness came from, other than possibly the same area as her friend Sevati, who she had not seen for a while. She didn't know who this stranger was, but if Mommy was talking to her, she had to be nice. Maybe this lioness was even a member of the long-lost pride Mommy talked about.
"Mommy, I'm back!" Kimaji said as stepped toward the den, making as many leaves rustle as possible. "Hello!" she added cheerfully to the stranger.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:08 am
Masika nodded politely to the other lioness' request. "It is the least I can do. Perhaps that alone will bide you safe passage within the lands when you do return with your friend." Her answer was short, but hopefully enough for Kizuka to find hope on.
Flicking an ear, Masika watched this new lioness, apparently Kizuka's daughter, prance into their presence. She doubted the girl was a threat, but caution was best had when one was out-numbered 2 to 1. For appearances sake, to the greeting 'Sika bowed her head to the younger female. "Hello young one." Smiling, she turned back to Kizuka.
"I hope that you're right, and that he does prove himself. But do give him fair warning before you return. I'd rather have newcomers warned fully before they throw themselves to the lions, so to speak." Chuckling softly she shook her head. "I'm sure he'll do fine though. I just hope the Storm King shows his favor once more upon us, and soon...." The lioness looked worriedly up to the sky, unsure of what exactly would happen if the rains didn't ease the parched throat of the land beneath her claws.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:49 am
"Thank you." Kizuka nodded to Masika just as Kimaji came up upon their group. She turned her head to the young juvinille with a smile, and bumped her forehead to Kimaji's in greeting. She was growing up well and strong, and Kizuka knew herself to be somehow proud that Masika see her daughter like this. Even though the lioness herself was showing the signs of the drought upon her bones, she'd made certain that her daughter didn't. No, even if Kimaji was skinny, she certainly wasn't starved. .. and she was happy, even in this coming wasteland.
The thought that Kimaji WAS happy dawned on Kizuka just then, causing her ears to perk. That alone got her spirits to rise; her daughter was happy for their time here, despite the hardship--the same daughter who'd wanted to leave as soon as they'd gotten here. Kizuka found a smile drifting to her lips, "Kimaji, this is Masika, the Princess I told you about... well... Queen now." Kizuka chuckled, lightly at that. "She's come home."
After a moment's pause, Kizuka let her eyes fall back on the lioness she'd blithly offered her back to, "Masika, my daughter, Kimaji...." It was then that she caugt what Masika had said. Her eyes raised upward too, but the worry in her voice was certainly taken over by the sheer weight of her belief--the love, and conviction--held in the next simple words. "He does what is necessary."
Epiphanies seemed ripe that day, for she continued father than she thought she would, "Perhaps we're looking at it in the wrong fashion. It isn't that we're out of favor.. its his sign that there's something wrong here, still, on a more subtle level..." The lioness wasn't sure what, but... She shook her head. The revelation left as swifty as it'd come.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:00 am
Kimaji smiled back and bobbed her head a little lower at the other lioness' greeting, since it was only polite. She didn't know that another lioness could see her as a threat, for Kimaji still felt that she was little Kimaji instead of...well, she was skinny, but she certainly wasn't cub-sized anymore.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she heard her mother formally introduce Masika. The Princess? The Queen?! This was an interesting day indeed. "Welcome home, Ms. Queen Masika," the gold and white cub said as she bowed her head even lower as a sign of respect. She wasn't sure what Mommy and the Queen were talking about, but she did know one thing. "I'm sure the Storm King will come one day, Ms. Queen, and when he does he'll show favor upon those who still remember him." It was this that kept Kimaji happy each day, this one hope that she had left in what was truthfully a wasteland. The Storm King would come back one day, for they were his lions.
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