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 Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:50 pm
He spent a day wandering around this huge rock for a good day. He remembered leaving the Elephant Graveyard with the prince's regards and then spent the rest of the day walking in circles asking natives where the Pride Lands was. They only laughed. Who knew how many he had asked and how many laughed. It just made him feel ignorant or something as if he was missing it.
At least it made him feel better when a family of ratels asked where the termite mounds were. They seemed new to the area just as he was, and fortunately he knew where it was. He had directed them himself to it, took him a while waiting for them patiently, but they reached it. Shortly after he returned back to that huge pointy rock. Strange, lions came out of wazoo as if it was some sort of den. But when he looked at it, everything seemed so grim, dark, melancholy. Actually, many of the local residences seemed like that too. Even the ones that had laughed at him, excluding the one that called him a 'freak'.
Something must've happened here that was very dramatic that could have affected everyone.
Looking up to the large pointy rock formation, he decided to ask them. Surely someone there could help him out. He just had to find the Pride Lands, the female named Sarabi and that was it. That was what his father had told him, given the very bad directions that almost got him killed in teh Maziko lands, he planned to finish this task.
The massive male, much larger than any normal lion, walked along the path cautiously up to the promontory. This was not his home, he was intruding. He felt great guilt about it, but what could he do. He needed to find these lands and talk about Sarabi.
Trig poked his head up and his aqua green eyes traced the area. The lions were gone. A glimpse of what seemed to be a tail disappeared into the mouth of a cave as it would seem. Strange place.
"Hello? Anyone there?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:41 pm
It was so cold in the darkness, the shadows laying acrossed the pale fur almost tangible with their weight. Silence assaulted her ears, almost as painful as the kindly voices that came once in a while to try and pull the old queen from her greiving. But she would not be pulled, would not be coaxed or cajoled.
Her slat-ribbed sides heaved fitfully, rising and falling shallowly. Why should she care how faster her body was deteriorating? Why care that she ached everywhere? The eyes of those that came to see her were so sad... their voices urging to rise, to eat, to live!
Sarabi sighed, the sound nothing but the softest puff of air from her maw. What was that? Another voice was calling out, asking something. The old queen sighed again, unstirring as she sprawled like some old skin acrossed the stone floor.
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:30 pm
The massive male cautiously moved upon the promotory and looked around. So big, much bigger than himself. He stared up to the pennicle of the rock structure and down to the path leading up to it. This place seemed...magnificent. His green eyes turned to the opening of the cave and cautiously moved toward. He could hear sighs and struggled huffs. He was already trespassing on claimed territory and he was probably walking straight into the royal family's den and the king and queen may be there. He was almost frightened that he would get mobbed by the entire pride because of it. He self-consciously curling his body as if protecting, hiding, himself.
"Hello?"
He called out in a soft, yet powerful deep voice. His brows curved into those of concerned as he stood at the entrance of what seemed to be the main den. His brown mane fell over his shoulders as he moved about cautiously. His eyes caught something moving, slightly and almost unnoticeable, but it was something. His head dipped as the mane fell over his eyes, it was a lioness? In that very instant, his instincts snapped in as he rushed to her side, putting her needs before himself. He completely forgot everything about himself and focused all on her. His nose got close to her as he observed her.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
His voice was smooth and caring, his eyes showed the same emotions and softness to her. The same softness that his mother, Suzuko had carried when she was still around.
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:21 pm
Another soft sigh, the barest of air, came from the lioness as paws gently patted the stone nearby, carring the voice closer to her. Only when it emenated directly above her, and sounded rather upset, did her red eyes slid open. The color was dulled, gone misty with age, her soft paws gently twitching against the floor. So cold...
"Who are you?" She asked softly, her voice rusty sounding as she gazed on a lion she'd never seen before. He looked like dear little Ger... but Ger couldn't possibly be that big, could he? A frown furrowed her brow as she remained sprawled, looking up at this stranger that can come to her in the very heart of the pride's den. Either he was a welcome lion, or very stealthy, to have made it this close.
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:47 pm
"My name is Trig, son of Argoko and Suzuko. My father had told me that my mother had desired me to visit the pride in the Pride Lands, however, I got lost and came here for directions. As much as I have helped others, I have never came to these parts before. I am suppose to looking for a lioness named Sarabi, she was a friend of my mother. That aside, how about you? Are you alright? You seem ill."
He said his head and body crouched low to just speak with her. The problem was that even in the position he was in his body was still a bit from her. He was a bit weary to approach another, but it was part of his job. When there was someone in need, he was gonna be there if they liked it or not.
He was cautious to why there was no one around here yet. Maybe it was because they were out hunting for this lioness or maybe finding herbs to aid her somehow. If he was asked, he would offer his help as well.
"M'lady, may I offer my company? Lying down is not good for the bones. You must get up, just for the little while. Heh, I am just a stranger here and now I telling someone to do something. Forgive me."
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:35 pm
Sarabi frowned as she listened to him, shifting her head so she could look up at this stranger. Suzuko? The name was familiar, but in her lethargy she couldn't place it. She was so tired, worse than she ever felt, but she welcomed it in a way.
"Trig... I am not ill, so to speak, but I do not wish to move..." She let her head fall back, sighing heavily. "Why would you wish to see an old, decrepid lioness? Kamilika is queen now, you should want to see her." Sarabi's voice was rusty and dry, harsh in her throat. Her attention was fast fading, letting her drift back into her peaceful wait for death. This stranger had drawn her out, but she didn't want to stay awake... it hurt too much.
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:20 am
"Kamilika? But I am already looking for a lioness."
Trig lied down beside her and carefully placed his ears back. She did not seem right, nothing seemed right around here right now. This lioness was lying here clearing in pain or exhausted and there was no one around aiding her or watching her for that matter. He grew more concerned as he thought of why there was no others around. Maybe there were but he had not spotted anyone else yet. His attention fell back down to the lioness.
"I am not looking for Kamilika, I am looking for Sarabi. I was to tell her something but I cannot recall what it was. My father, Argoko, is pretty bad with information."
He rubbed the back of his head, letting the hairs of his mane slip through his digits with a bit of a breath. His teal eyes opened back down to the female and a slight chuckle.
"I even got myself lost in the Elephant Graveyard because of him, however, Prince Duhushi was able to lead me here. I was told Sarabi was in the Pride Lands. But I sort of got lost and came here for directions. Hell, my father probably misled me about her being here too."
He rolled his eyes and looked out of the den. His father was quite the foolish male. He tried really hard to try to appear young and he had a habit of giving bad information. At first, it would seem right. That is until one actually follows it and ends up with a dead lead.
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:22 pm
Sarabi sighed softly as he settled in, his voice pulling at her. Good manners demanded she rise and respond, but her heart ached so terribly... what was the use of it all?
"If you must know... I am Sarabi." She sighed heavily once more, refusing to open her eyes. "Say what you must... but you'll need to be quick..."
Her voice faded as her paws twitched gently, tail laying limply over the ground. She was so tired... tired in body and soul. It would be so much easier if he would just leave her be, let her go back to her half-doze and dreamless sleep. Depression overwhelmed her for a moment, casting a dark cloud over her thoughts.
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Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:28 am
His ears perked a bit and smiled softly. She was Sarabi? The friend of his mother? So he was in the Pride Lands after all, that was good. At the very least, his father actually gave him the right directions this time and he actually got here.
"My mother's wish was to have me come to you, here to this place I guess. However...it was my father, Argoko, who relayed the message. Sarabi, I was told that you knew well of my mother and her...relations with my father. It is only fair that the cub born from her womb with his pride's blood to tell you that...she is no longer of this world."
His ears pinned back as he sat before her. She was already ill as it seemed and this news mustn't have helped her in the least bit. Though, she must know the details of Suzuko's death. Now what was it that Argoko had told him again? It was something along the lines of Sarabi the only one to know of Suzuko's relations outside the pride. What was the king then?
Now how long as it been since he had last seen his father again? A month? Three? It had been some time, following his directions to this place was like following a mole above ground. He was gonna stay for a while as this is his mother's pride and this female seemed to be in need. Curious as to what of she knew of his mother....
"Your Highness...have you heard anything about my father? Argoko? The last thing I could recall before my departure was that he wanted to find another female, I sort of tuned it out. Has he been in these parts as of late? I mean...maybe you heard something?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:02 pm
Sarabi sighed as she closed her eyes, hard pressed to answer him calmly and politely, when she felt anything but. Argoko? She hardly knew the lion, coudn't even bring up his image in her mind. Susuko had been a friend, and it saddened the queen to hear of her death, but it wasn't suprising. The lioness had been missing for so long, it was almost a given that she no longer walked this world.
"No, I havn't heard or seen anything. Why do you ask me this? I've... lost contact with much of the pride." She sighed again, her sides rising and falling. "You would be better served to see my daughter, the new queen."
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:18 pm
"The new queen you say? Well, the last thing I heard of my father was that he wanted another female or something like that, that is when I left to find you. I was to inform you of my mother's death....and well, I've got nothing else to do."
He looked out of the cave once more and looked back to her. She seemed too troubled, too troubled for him to even help. This was one situation that his assisstance would do little to no good at all. Trig looked concerned for her. It seems as this queen had given up and already conferred the throne to her daughter, as it would seem.
"The new queen you say. I hardly doubt she'd know of my parents. I dunno if I would spend the rest of my time here. Someone told me that I had a brother somewhere, but I dunno. Rumors are rumors, if I did have a brother he would be around the same age as me," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "They say that the lion came from here and so that was sort of my other task here too. But I guess you dunno either. I thought perhaps that if you knew or heard anything about my father, you could tell me if he did anything stupid while I was gone from his side. I suppose the new queen could help me if she knew any."
He rested a paw softly on her shoulder.
"Your Highness, you are the mother of this pride, you've served it well from my father's stories of my mother and this place. It'd be best if you could spend a little more time with your children while you still can," he murmured. It was all he could do, give advice. He was saddened that this female, the only one that seemed to know of his mother and father was dying slowly through her heart and body. He was glad that he was able to meet her, to be able to talk with her. Trig wished he could have learned more from her though....he'll stay a little longer before the sun setted.
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:37 pm
Sarabi sighed gently as she listened to him, feeling his gentle paw settle on her shoulder. He was kind, probably more so than he should be. Most would have left her by now, even the pride had left her be when she proved unresponsive. That he would stay showed he was stubborn, overly worried about other, or maybe even too foolish to take a hint.
A soft smile pulled at her maw, another sigh slipping from her as she started to feel the effects of being awake for so long. "Speak with the pride. There are others here that may know of a lion who might be related to you. Spread around your father's name, and you might get a response."
Her eyes opened, and she turned her head to look at him for a moment. "Thank you for visiting me, Trig. I'm sorry I've been such bad company." Courtesys paid, she lay back slowly onto the dirt floor.
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:10 pm
Trig dipped his head. It seemed that this female could not recall anything about his father. Trig himself would up and search for him, but the male had a habit of relocating so often it was hard to trace to his last sleeping spot. Their job was strange, wander about and aiding others. Strange when they kept moving and when someone needed help they were no longer there. Sometimes he thought his father was insane or something. Trig smiled and withdrew his big paw.
"Thank you for your time, Your Highness. I am glad that I was able to meet my mother's friend. This home of yours...you've taken good care of it and the lions that have put faith in you."
He spoke softly, as he got to his feet and moved to the entrance. Sitting himself to the side so he was still visible to her but not an annoyance. He stared out to the savanna that he could see and why it was a peaceful place. Any cub that grew up here was fortunate. Rogues had to do things themselves and not rely on others to aid. Was this what his mother wanted? For him to join a pride? Looking down at his paws, thinking about his secret. No...he can't afford to stay in a place with many eyes. It was not for him.
"I will be staying a while, waiting for the new queen's return. Please, don't let my presence bother you. Rest now."
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:27 pm
Sarabi smiled gently as she let her eyes slide closed, a soft sigh of breath passing her lips.
"You're welcome, Trig... and thank you for the compliment." Her eyes cracked again for a moment to see him settle himself not to far away, then closed again as she thought over his words. While she didn't particularly want the distraction of his company, a part of her she couldn't completey forget rather enjoyed his prescence.
"Yes, talk with Kamilika and perhaps others of the pride. It was... nice to meet you, and I... hope you find what you're looking for." It was hard for her to keep her mind on what he'd said, or even what she was saying back. Sleep called to her strongly, her meager strength giving out so she tumbled back into the oblivion of sleep, even for just a little while. It wasn't yet time for her forever-sleep.
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