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 Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:32 am
Latifu's face was flushed as she stumbled towards the water hole, leaving the thick forest that was inside of the protective walls of the valley. She was scared, scared that everything was going so fast, and wanting something to just...stop. She liked Bakari, but she felt that he was feeling pressure, being the last one in a lot of his family to bring someone 'home'. And thus, she felt lswept up in the dreams that Bakari had for her. It was bothering her, a lot. Couldn't she just have a little time to get used to pride life, to seeing so many others day in and day out?
She flopped next to the water, her teal face peering into the reflection. Someone to talk to would be great right about now, but she didn't really know anyone but Bakari. Yes, there were lots of nice souls here, but her communication skills sucked. How would she work on that?
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:52 am
Nzinga's daily walks along the river were always pleasant, if sometimes too quiet for her liking. She hadn't met as many friendly souls as quickly as she would have liked. There were a lot of things she wished she could talk about, to a sympathetic ear, but the only one she had found so far was her trusty friend, the river. She no longer swam in it, however; her pregnancy had made her bulkier, and also much more cautious.
It was funny how things can work themselves out, sometimes. Nzinga's whole purpose in her daily walks was to meet new people, and that hadn't happened yet. Nzinga was trying to hold on to her new-found hope and optimisim, but it was difficult to change one's habits.
Her yellow eyes were down, following her own reflection in the water, and not paying attention to her surroundings. She couldn't see that she was in fact coming upon just the thing she was looking for.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:09 pm
Latifu's ears perked up as she heard pawsteps, but it took a while for her head to follow. As she pulled her eyes from the water, her deep blue eyes met the form of another lioness, one a little rounder then she. Latifu wasn't sure if the other noticed her yet, and didn't want to startle her. But....she shouldn't just be quiet either, it wouldn't be polite.
Latifu had seen the lioness around, but had always been far enough away to never speak to her. Perhaps today would be a change? "Ahh," she started out. "Be careful where you might...step." She started, nervous that the lioness might keep walking and literally trip on her! She raised her chest up away from the sorrowful position that it was just out, hoping that she would be easier to see, teal colour aside.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:15 pm
Nzinga's head perked up at the unfamiliar voice and was greeted with an interesting sight. A lioness about her age, and with a coat of colors she had never seen on anyone! A pretty sort of turqoise. Nzinga put on smile on right away, hoping to start out on the right foot.
"Oh, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have stepped on you," she said with a little laugh. "Hopefully I'm not that clumsy."
"I don't believe we've met. My name is Nzinga, I'm new to this area." Noticing the other lioness seemed a bit distressed, she added, "Are you alright?"
She was taking another risk, talking to some stranger. But it was getting easier to be friendly.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:25 pm
Latifu's head drooped a bit as she felt foolish telling the other to watch her step, but she certainly didn't want to risk getting stepped on. The teal lioness pushed herself up into a sitting position, cool blades of grass still clinging to the underside of her belly. Her blue eyes glimmered a bit as her mind latched to the term 'new'.
"You're new here too? Oh, thank goodness." She let out a sigh of relief, grateful that there was another new lion living here too! "I'm new too, and it's quite hard getting used to this...pride life."
"By the way, I'm Latifu." She stated brightly, her soul perking up a bit. "I'm alright, just feeling a little stressed trying to get used to living with my ah..." she wasn't sure on what to call Bakari. Were they mates, or still just friends? "Friend." She would stick with that now, just in case.
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:11 am
"Another newcomer? Why, isn't that a coincidence." Nzinga was suprised, but in a good way. It was nice to have something in common. "Really, are you having much difficulty adjusting here?" Nzinga herself didn't think she had that much of a problem with it. "Were you a rogue before? I understand what you mean. I must admit, it is quite strange to live around so many other when I've lived my whole life alone." Quite alone - til Vian had come along. Now, she won't be alone again for a very long time. Maybe not ever.
"Very nice to meet you, Latifu," Nzinga replied politely. She took note of the hesitation in Latifu's voice, and could only guess at her situation. "Would this be a...male friend?" While she didn't want to pry, Nzinga sensed perhaps they both some things in common, and that could lead to nice discussion and possibly friendship.
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:40 am
Latifu flushed. Well, seemed like this girl saw right through her. Something else new! "Yes, I had been a rogue my whole life, but Bakari asked me to live with him, so..." she fought off the warmth in her cheeks, more embarassed then anything else. "I'm not used to seeing the same faces every day. Bakari is excited but..." she tried to think about what she wanted to say, to say it right. "But he's a little pushy right now, when I just want to get used to this peaceful existance."
Giving a nod to confirm what she said, to herself, before picking up again, laughing a little bit more embarassed then she was before. "Yeah, a male..." Latifu's laughed turned a little more genuine, relaxing a bit. This Nzinga was kind, so she could tease a bit, maybe? "Though sometimes I wonder what got in my head with him..."
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:47 pm
"Bakari, hm? I haven't met him, but then I haven't met too many other natives around here." Nzinga listened to her teal companion with genuine interest. It was one of the first times she had had interest in what someone else had to say. She wondered if perhaps she had prodded into the other's personal life too much, but still wanted to talk to her about it - what would be a gentle way to go about it? She was not practiced in articulate conversation, especially not subtlety. "Pushy, how do you mean?" Nzinga didn't want Latifu to think she was pushy for asking, but she certainly was curious. Maybe she could give some advice?
"What lioness out here hasn't had some sort of trouble with men?" she said, with a little knowing laugh. Her situation wasn't funny to her, but it seemed easier to talk about when she made light of it. "I know what you mean. I question my decision about Vian all the time. Here I am, pregnant with some rogue's children...I barely knew him. And now I might not see him ever again." Ick, that sounded dismal. Trying to lighten it up, she added, "But it's not as bad as I make it sound. After all..I can't wait to have my children. Now I have something to look forward to, and something to live for."
Nzinga had shared more of her personal history and feelings than she had planned. She opened her mouth and her heart had just poured out. Ugh. Hopefully that wouldn't scare away Latifu, she thought, mentally berating herself. Dumb dumb dumb. How's she going to make friends this way?
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:24 pm
Latifu's ears perked as she listened the story of the other lioness. While it didn't disgust Latifu, having been alone her whole life, and assuming that her own mother had a similar situation, she offered a polite nod.
"Umm, wow. My perdicament isn't like that....just, I think Bakari, well. I think he wants kids, and is really hinting to me, a lot. And I'm just...not ready for that yet. I think he feels the pressure because he's an uncle already, maybe." She struggled to really fit her thoughts together, but it was nice to at least rant a little about why she was so stressed out. "I know he'll wait but....then I know he's not happy either."
She swished her tail, now realizing that the other was a little plumper because of pregnancy, not just good food. Whoops~! It was a good thing she didn't assume either at the start, and mentioned it. Females were always sensitive about things like that, herself included.
She was very curious about how Nzinga was carrying cubs, but she wasn't sure if it was smart to ask such personal questions right off the bat, so she kept that part of her mind quiet. Perhaps she could ask better, if they grew into closer friends.
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:32 pm
Nzinga nodded in understanding. "I can sympathetize with you, believe me." She paused, trying to find some bravery and verbal finesse. "If you may allow me to be so bold...you have plenty of time to have a family. It's not a thing you should get into before you're ready." Nzinga paused, as if to silently indicate herself as an example."Don't worry so much about it now, and tell your Bakari how you feel...perhaps if he knows how stressed this makes you, he will relent some?"
Still feeling silly for having poured out her words a moment ago, she began to feel even more awkward by her advice. Why couldn't she just think before she speaks? Words just came tumbling out of her mouth. She disliked having embarrased herself and tried to make up for it.
"Please forgive me if I've overstepped my bounds, you may take my words or leave them, of course. I'm afraid that lately, I've been inclined to "mother" others even when they do not need it, and that includes giving unsolicited advice." Nzinga looked a little sheepish. She offered a smile with her gentle words, hoping she hadn't offended the other lioness. Or freaked her out. It shamed Nzinga to be pregnant and mate-less, even though she knew it was common enough in all kinds of lions. She hadn't meant to advertise that fact, so quickly. She kicked herself mentally and wished for a better brain...or at least a tongue more capable of speaking well.
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:35 pm
Latifu's smile disappeared as she listened to the other lioness. Her tail curled up around her side, her body a little more tense then it was before. Her mind was absorbing the opinions that Nzinga offered, and wondering if she had the guts to really speak her mind to him.
"I....should, but," she started, balking before picking up where she left off, "I'm just nervous about his reaction. But....he might be the type to agree with me. Heck, I would be the one gaining all the weight!" She laughed, hoping to lighten the mood with one well known fact.
Her blue eyes widened a bit as the other apologized. For what? Latifu didn't mind her advice, it was well recieved. She shook her head, "No no, it's quite alright. I needed that little mental kick to really know what to do. I know how I feel, I just worry about upsetting him." She laughed again, something a little more playful. "I used to boss him around all the time, but now that things are more serious, I'm much more....nervous."
Her ears twitched as she gave a little nod, hoping that Nzinga wouldn't regret what she said. "Thank you, though. It's nice to know that there's others around here blunt enough to tell you the truth, no?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:00 pm
If there was one thing about Nzinga that would never change, it would be her strength of character, her self-confidence. She knew that if it were here in Latifu's situation, she would tell that male right away what was on her mind without any hesitating. Letting someone else boss her around would never, ever happen as long as she had life in her. Sure, she was a bit unsure talking to other females, but that was because she wanted to make friends - something she had not attempted to do since cubhood. Males were another matter entirely. There was something in her bones that made always her resist controlling male lions. That was probably because of her father, that no-good scoundrel...but that didn't matter now.
"You know that if Bakari loves you, he will support your decision - or, he should. I can understand you not wanting to upset someone you care about, but he shouldn't get upset about something that is obviously very important to you." Nzinga had been emboldened by Latifu's acceptance of her advice, and so felt free to administer more. Her instincts were encouraging her to take Latifu "under her wing," so to speak. The teal lioness seemed unsure of herself, and Nzinga's strong personality wanted to help her.
"Us girls should stick together," she added with a quirky smile and a wink. "I won't steer you wrong."
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Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:19 pm
Latifu's ears fell against her head, feeling a bit sheepish. She should just let Bakari know how she feels....but she wasn't sure about how deep that feeling went. So a bit of soul-searching might be in order.
Latifu smiled, very happy with this new friend of hers. "You're very right. I should be more sure of myself. I normally am, but things have gotten a little uncomfortable lately, if you know what I mean." Nzinga might now know exactly what Latifu was going through, but she was sure that Nzinga could understand.
She couldn't help but laugh at the blue-jay lioness with her last comment. "Yes, we should! Thank you for this, I feel more...sure of myself."
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:20 pm
Nzinga had this feeling she'd never experienced before. What was it? Something akin to happiness, but different - she couldn't put her finger on it.
It was pleasing to hear Latifu speak as though she thought Nzinga's words had meaning. It gave Nzinga a sense of confidence in her advice-giving abilities. Plus the fact that Nzinga seemed to have helped Latifu...it just made her feel good.
Hearing the other lioness' laugh brought a brief smile to her own mouth. Latifu's happiness was infectious. There was a whole air about this teal lioness that seemed light and optimistic, and her very presence lightened Nzinga's mood. "It quite pleases me to hear you say that." It was Nzinga's own personal opinion that a female should be strong and stick up for herself. She had been weak once, which is why she now was carrying cubs. But she was beginning to forgive herself for that breach of her own rules.
"I wish you good luck with your situation," she said. "But I fear I must leave you for now, as I am beginning to feel very fatigued." She had been sleeping a lot more often recently. "When I see you next, we can talk some more on this, how does that sound?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:12 am
Latifu nodded brightly at her new friend, understanding that she could be tired. She was carrying cubs, and that just seemed enough work for two, not one! She smiled again, hoping to reassure Nzinga that it was fine that she go rest.
"Yes! That's fine. We shall continue next time, and I look forward to it." She offered another nod before continuing. "I should probably go find Bakari now, thank you so much for your advice again." She flicked her tail before trotting off to find the male, her heart full of confidence that she could tell him what she needed to, when the time came.
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