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 Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:21 pm
Mteuli had decided to patrol just outside the borders of the pride's lands. Ever since his mate's pregnacy and the birth of his two daughters he had been hesitent to stray too far from home, unlike before when he had wandered constantly. But it seemed unwise to not check outside the protective inner wall. What if there was someone who needed to find them or some such thing? Without him being on the move it was harder for them to find him. But when he had tried to leave that morning...well, lets just say his adventurous daughter refused to leave his side. So he had agreed to take her with him if she agreed to be good. As they wove their ways through the trees he smiled at her, though he offered caring words of, "Be careful, Shula. Don't get caught in those thorns there."
Shula bounced among the giant green trees and lush ferns and other plants that made up the world just outside home. She grinned and giggled as she pounced past a few huge flowers, scaring away a bird. She paid little attention to where she was going, lost in the awe of everything around her and barely hearing her father at all.
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:39 pm
It had been a long time since Nzinga had parted ways with Vian. At least, it felt like a long time. Since then, she had wandered quite a ways, not really sure of where she was going, just letting her feet guide her. It was odd; she had hung around the Prideland area for quite a while without feeling the need to change her surroundings, but because of the last words she had spoken to Vian, she felt the need to get away - far away.
She had been a fool with him, she knew that now. Did exactly as her mother taught her not to, the most important thing. She had opened her heart and got it broken. But she was stronger now. She had learned, had covered her hurt with righteous indignation and a false sense of uncaring. They had had their fun and it was time to move on.
But lately, she hadn't quite felt herself. She was so much hungrier than usual, and was starting to tire out easily. Her paws felt heavy on some days, and it was hard to keep moving - she just wanted to sleep. A brief reflection caught in a small pond had shown a different version of herself, more round in the middle. But all this, she attributed to her fatigue of travelling on land (there had been no rivers to swim through for quite some time), or residual emotional effects of that episode with that..that male. Who had abandonded her, just like they all did.
Nzinga had gotten so used to watching her feet take each step, she barely paid attention to her surroundings, and how much they had changed. Her eyes were focused inward, on the hurt she was trying not to acknowledge.
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:16 pm
Shula saw a bright creature skitter into the underbrush. She lifted her head with a smile, curiousity becoming overwelming. Within an instant she was off, vanishing from her father's sight among the ferns. She laughed and chased the beast without direction, until soon it seemed like she was following nothing but her own impulses. She twisted among the trees, moving left and right on a whim and without really looking where she was going.
Suddenly her body was thrown to a hault as it collided with something, sending her reeling and tumbling backward into a bush. But she was up in a moment, bouncing right back with spirit as she peered up at what she had run into. It was a blue lioness. She smiled widely, her tail swishing to the side, "Ohhhh~! Hello!"
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:21 pm
Startled, and quite shaken out of her reverie, Nzinga turned to see a small bundle of fur. She had trouble putting two and two together. Had that thing just run into her? How silly. It wasn't as though Nzinga didn't stick out like a sore thumb around here, couldn't the little thing see her?
Suddenly the little brown thing spoke, and Nzinga realized - it was a cub! She hadn't seen one of those, in what seemed like forever. She was so small. Suddenly she started to feel funny; her chest was tightening. What was that feeling..?
Nzinga shook it off for now. "Hello..?" she began cautiously. "Where are your parents, little one?" She didn't know if the question came from annoyance, or genuine concern for a cub all alone.
Only now did she realize how very different the scenery around her was. It was shocking! How had she not realized the difference? Everything was so green and full of life. What could she have wandered?
Vian must be a million miles away by now, she thought. She didn't whether or not to be happy about it.
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:11 pm
Shula cocked her head. Oooh, what a pretty shade of blue this lioness was! "You're pretty!" She said with a warm smile that was a reflection of her fathers. She was charming...it seemed to run in the family. She looked surprised by the question. "Daddy's right behind me!" she answered, though she turned her head right around to look over her shoulder. "Daddy...? DADDY!"
"I'm hear, darling!" Finally came a low rumble of a call. Affection seemed to ring through his voice. Finally Mteuli appeared from behind a few trees and huge leaves. He smiled when she saw she had found another lioness-she was quite the little ambassador. "Hello there. I hope she wasn't too troublesome," he said to Nzinga, though by his tone he didn't seem to think anything drastic had happened.
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:23 pm
Nzinga took a few steps back, a little wary of seeing a big adult male emerging from the brush. It wasn't like her to be afraid, but she was in unknown territory. It would be best to act amiable, at least. Nzinga was glad the male was wearing a smile; it put her a little more at ease.
Nzinga smiled to the little girl. Maybe she wasn't so annoying. "Thank you," she said. "You're quite a pretty little girl yourself."
"Hello," she said cautiously, nodding to the male. ".No trouble at all..I am sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." Everything was so alien here, she wanted to be extra careful not to offend anyone. Plus, something inside her didn't want to cause any trouble. She just wasn't up to it anymore. "I have come a long way...I am quite tired."
And suddenly she felt how tired she really was, down deep in her bones. If she could just rest a bit...have a bite to eat..she could be on her way. There was no destination in mind, just..away.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:02 am
"The lady said I'm pretty, Daddy!" Shula laughed happily with a spin. She began to circle them, moving in and out of bushes, giggling and smiling. Maybe she could find some flowers....yeah! A pretty blue flower for the blue lady and a pretty red flower for her! Mission set, she went out on her search, though she didn't wander too far from where the adults were, not wanting to get too lost.
Mteuli smiled, "No, no, no intrution at all." He could tell she was tired. He could also see very well that she was pregnant. She shouldn't be moving around at such a fast pace-she at least appeared to be pushing herself a little too much. "Please...why don't I show you a nice place to rest? I could take you to a nice spot along the river. If you like I could bring you something to eat as well." It was only as good hospitality demanded. And, being a new mother she needed the nutrients.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:12 am
Nzinga couldn't help but smile at the child's antics. An alien feeling - maternal instinct - began to bubble up to the surface for the first time.
"Thank you. That...that would be wonderful." Along the river. That would be perfect. She could lie down and rest and listen to the water just like she had so many times before...
At the moment, she was intensely grateful to this stranger; she didn't want to think about what might happen to her out there on her own, unable to hunt for herself. But she didn't like it one bit. She's never had to depend on anyone else in her whole life - she felt so weak.
What was wrong with her? She was so tired. She knew something was different about her body..she was not feeling well at all. But she couldn't figure it out.
Here was this stranger, trying to help her, and he didn't even know her name. Her pride wouldn't allow that.
"My name is Nzinga..
It took a lot for her to say these next words.
I..I think I need your help."
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:33 am
Normally pridemembers were not allowed to bring strangers within the protective walls of the land. Mteuli, however, believed this was a special case. This was a worn female carrying children. If she did not get assistance both she and the cubs had the possibility of not fairing well. "I am Mteuli," he said with a bow of his head, "It would be an honor to assist you. It's very admirable, you attempting to work through your pregnancy indpendently." He spoke with silver words. He was a gentlemen like Vian, but far more so. Vian and simply be naturally honest-Mteuli had a way with words, a way with people. It was his gift. "Come...lets get you somewhere a bit more comfortable."
Shula bounded back into view, two flowers in her maw. One was a pretty shade of blue a bit deeper then Nzinga and the other was a vibrent red. "Look, Lady, I brought you a pretty flower! It looks like you!" She offered the blue one to Nzinga with a bright smile and sparkling blue eyes excited with youth.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:51 am
Mteuli. Nzinga put the name down into her memory. She was about ready to say "Lead the way," when she heard the word "pregnancy." It felt like heart suddenly turned to ice; suddenly her mind was so full of thoughts, everything going a mile a minute. I've gone and done exactly what I said I would never do - I'm so ashamed - That explains my strange symptoms - I don't know how to take care of cubs! - I'll be all alone with children to raise - Vian doesn't know - What'll I do? - I can't believe this is happening to me.
She felt dizzy. She tried to quiet the rampant thoughts for a moment, and focus on the present. "I'm sorry about that. Lead the way; I'll follow. Does there happen to have a healer, of some sort, where we are going?" She was afraid to give birth on her own...she had no idea what to expect.
When the little cub came offering her a flower, Nzinga nearly broke into tears. Unable to say anything, she smiled and accepted the flower, holding it gingerly between her teeth. I wonder if my babies will be as sweet as you.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:58 am
Mteuli paused, waiting as she worked through her distress. She must have been through a lot, poor thing. Well, hopefully their home could be a refuge for her for a while. He nodded his head and offered a small, reassuring smile, "Yes...my mate is an herbalist actually. And if for some reason she isn't within reach I do know a little myself from her teachings." He then turned slowly, letting Shula bounce ahead, and began to walk at a slow pace back through the hidden forest path that would lead down into the valley. He was careful to pause and look back to check on her as well. She was tired and seemed a little emotional, which was only to be expected with pregnancy and perhaps...from whatever situation s he had come from.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:14 am
Nzinga followed as he lead her down a winding path. She didn't want the chance to think anything right now, as it was too difficult, and so she attempted to fill the silence.
"You cannot know the depths of my gratitude," the blue lionness began sincerely. And a moment later, in a conversational tone: "What is this place that we are going to? Are there many other lions there?"
Looking back towards the cub, she added, "She's such a sweetheart. Is she your daughter?"
As much as she tried, Nzinga could not banish the reality of her situation from her mind. The word daughter especially had an effect on her - she couldn't help but wander whether she was carrying daughters or sons...what they would look like...what they sound like...Would they take after herself, or Vian? Perhaps her own mother? Or one of Vian's relations? She hoped for daughters like herself that she could connect to. Without meaning to, she began to speak mentally to her unborn children.
I'm sorry I didn't notice you before...I hope you're doing okay. I hope you don't hate me...or your father, for not being here.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:22 am
"We are going to the heart of my pride's lands," Mteuli answered with a honey slick, comforting tone. "It is a beautiful place...a river runs through the jungle with pans out to a huge lake. There are many waterfalls along its way as well, though none harmful. There are many families here-you should be welcome for however long you stay. We are all very kind and very family oriented, I'm sure many women will relate to what you're going through." All the while he offered her warm smiles in order to keep her hopes up, to sooth her. He let his eyes slide to his daughter who had started to sing as she ran ahead, "Yes...that is one of my daughters, Shula. I have one other." Affection and pride was apparent in his voice, as was it in the soft look in his eyes.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:36 am
The place he described sounded like paradise. A river through the jungle, and waterfalls? Nothing could be more perfect. Nzinga could not wait to see it. And to think, she was welcomed to this place...it was like a dream. "I could not think of a more wonderful place to have my children," she murmured, almost to herself. Images ran through her mind of her surrounded by her little babies, happily playing with other children by the river under the watchful eyes of herself and the other mothers.
Perhaps this wasn't the end of the world. It was a whole new begining. She could already sense herself becoming a different person. After all, she had not said one mean thing in a long time. Not to mention, her opinion towards males was certainly getting brighter. Mteuli was heartfelt and generous, and that was impressive to Nzinga.
Nzinga had never thought about being a mother, and so was now trying to become informed about child-rearing. "She certainly seems to be a bundle of energy. Does she give you much trouble?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:51 am
"Well you are more then welcome to stay," Mteuli offered with a nod. He grinned and chuckled at her question, letting his eyes turn to follow Shula's red form, "Sometimes. All children do at least once and a while. But...it's always worth it." He couldn't ask for anything more then his two daughters. They were his little bundles of joy-and trouble at times, but that was part of having children.
They soon became surrounded by a rock wall that directed them down a path. When they cleared it the forest had changed to a vibrant jungle-and a river was flowing right along the side of the path, leading deeper into the trees.
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