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 Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:54 pm
Really, it was their home, or so he told himself. If Kaanga helped him pick it, she had to have some tie to it. That in itself kept her thourougly locked in. Not to mention, he'd have a blood wish for any male that showed interest. Not that he'd tell Kaanga that. It was purely heiarchical, besides. He had no interest in Kaanga whatsoever. None. She was too annoying. He'd just have to tolerate her, until she accidentally fell off a cliff or something, leaving him to raise the cubs.
Or perhaps he could train her out of that annoyance. The thought of her not being there left a vile taste on his tongue. He shook his head. It was a long ways off, and it may not work out. Besides, Kemeti would probably have his head, anyway. Best not to have such strange thoughts.
What had his brother said?
Ah yes, 'The more you love someone, the more you simply wish to rip their throat out to make them shutup.'
Everyone must have loved Kaanga, a whole heck of a lot.
He went to place his next foot down and slipped, rolling down the remainder of the distance into the sand. Luckily, he hadn't been to far from the earth. Even more fortunate, there was no one around to see.
He gave a grumpy growl and picked himself up, shaking the grains from his rough coat and picking up the pace.
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:22 pm
It was unfortunate that Kidondo’s sister had not inherited his token silence. Ever since she’d run into Kaanga trying to sneak about, the white lioness had stuck to her like glue, asking her all sorts of questions about Kidondo’s journey, and her own home life. The fact that she was interested in what No did back home gave the black lioness some hope that Kaanga was perhaps a potiential ally.
Which was why she regretted lying.
“My parents were rogues.” She spoke simply, adding a quick ‘miss’ to the end of it. No would speak to Kidondo on what his thoughts were on his sister- but until then, she decided she would treat her as being incredibly clever. Which was hard, when the white creature kept being so darned stupid. Maybe it was an incredible farce. But No was starting to wonder.
“Rogues! That’s so interesting!” Kaanga dramatized. No often had a hard time figuring our if she was making fun of her or not. “Kidondo and I...well....I- we’ve been here all our lives.”
No bit her tongue, and bowed her head carefully. “I am happy it pleases you, Miss.”
Kaanga smiled enthusiastically. “Kidondo is so lucky to have an interesting slave. I don’t have one. I mean. Well, maybe I did. I had a friend who was a slave once. I think...” She paused, and No lifted her ears curiously. “No, no. Nothing.” Kaanga had lived enough as a firekin to know that her sympathies towards slaves would not exactly be well taken.
“But, still. I think being a slave is a rather noble career venture, don’t you think? I- Oh!” The white lioness suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, her wide yellow eyes glimmering with the strange look that Kidondo occasionally got. No paused in concern- more concern then she had thought herself capable towards a strange lioness, and lightly touched her.
“Hey, you alright?” No asked, in a voice that was her own and not the fake slave jargon.
“Oh!” She gasped again. “Come come! Hurry!” She suddenly yelled, and the shock of it all sent the blood boiling in No’s veins. What had the princess so spooked?
The two took off- or Kaanga took off, and No attempted to follow by some stretch. After about a minute of running, No was a bit concerned exactly where they were running to.
“Where are we going?”
The princess didn’t answer, and suddenly took a sharp turn at a collection of rocks. No ran up them instead of around them, leaping off the stones to make up for the gap between them. Now matched, the two females bolted down the rock gorge- when just as easily, Kaanga hit the breaks.
No skidded to a stop, the dust swirling and flooding into her nostrils. It was a scent she was becoming familiar with. “Kaanga, what are we-“ And then, her eyes fell upon the form of a rather large lion just at the bottom of one of the slopes. He was covered in the dust and shaking himself off, but No wasn’t sure what to make of the whole situation.
But Kaanga seemed to- and she started to flail and leap around the large firekin male. “Uzulu!” She squeaked. “Did you fall? I felt you fall!” She lurched, and began running circles around him to evaluate if he was alright or not.
No eyed the male curiously for a moment, before bowing her head and resuming the slave stance. “Princess-“ She questioned quietly, and her black tail gently pulsed.
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:53 pm
Uzulu had barely finished making himself presentable when Kaanga came bursting down the hill. At first he was shocked, and nearly went up onto his hind legs, when he realized it was just her. He quickly settled back down, a sigh escaping his lips as he turned his attention to the latest mistake in his life, a small smile creeping onto his lips.
"I'm fine, Kaanga." He laughed, not knowing whether he was disappointed or overjoyed she hadn't called him 'Uzula'. Then he saw what might be the reason.
There, not out of seeing distance, was a dark, dark female. From the looks of her, a slave, but not one that wasn't uncared for, that much was obvious. He'd seen slaves that were completely beraggled, but his one had to be well favored, for her coat gleamed.
He had only one guess.
"Family pet?" He questioned Kaanga, as though No was not present. She surely had to be of the royal house, for she was in such fine shape.
"A good slave, then?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:21 pm
Kaanga turned her head carefully, looking at No with a curious glance. “Yes, she is.” Caring or not- Kaanga also spoke of No as if she was not there.
And then, lower- as if No somehow had some sort of rank of her own among slaves; “She’s Kidondo’s personal slave. He just returned home earlier today. My father and him should be speaking now.” The white lioness uttered, peering at No.
No shifted and for a moment, her jade eyes gleamed. But it settled, and she sat, polietly nodding her head towards Uzulu. “If you are settled here Miss, I really should-“
”No no!” Kaanga scolded. “You have to meet Uzulu!” She eagerly grinned and leaned against him. “See?”
No shook her head slowly. “Good evening, lord.” She commented in a regimented manner.
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:51 pm
Uzulu nodded. He had guessed at least partially right. He knew that the royals often had slaves just for themselves, and it would account for the health in their coat. Those servants would be granted more 'treats' than those of lower status. More beatings would be liably given to them the more people they served. Touch another's personal slave, though, and you'd have your head taken.
"Oh? How is your brother? Will I meet him sometime? All I know of your family is, Kemeti."
He pinned his ears as No spoke. Slaves weren't supposed to talk unless first said something to, or his slaves never did, but he wasn't about to take heat to the subject. Not with it being Kidono's slave. He'd have to show some restraint. Just some.
"Uzulu," He said simply to the slave, not knowing how to 'present' himself towards one. In his day and age slaves did not know masters names, and masters called them slave. Perhaps it was some new ritual? It was very strange indeed.
"What do they call you, slave?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:59 pm
No regretted Kaanga’s insistence on an introduction. Why was she so obliviously pleased with the situation? But the black lioness simply dipped her head, not daring to look him in the eye as he spoke to her. “My name is No, lord.” She thrummed.
“It really is.” Kaanga reiterated. “They have strange names outside of the desert.”
“It’s my master’s will to rename me, if he pleases.” No remarked smoothly.
“I hope he doesn’t. I know No.” She looked at Uzulu. “Isn’t that clever? I think it is. But, even I haven’t seen my brother yet. Who knows what he’s found from the outside world...I only know Kimeti is holding a private counsel with the Prince now.” Kaanga’s ears shifted in thought, and she pursed her lips.
“I suppose we’ll find out when they’re done? Oh!” She glanced towards No. “What do you know of my brother’s journeys?”
“I’m not a storyteller, my lady.” No admitted, and shifted her shoulder. There was some caution about Kaanga- but she seemed a good soul. This Uzulu seemed more the true firekin, and No made sure to watch him carefully.
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:12 pm
Had Uzulu been a humorous fellow, he might have laughed at No's name. Unfortunately, for the group of them, Uzulu wasn't feeling particularily humorous today. He found No's name rather stupid, and irritating. He knew he would have no end to Kaanga's mumbling about it, either. She liked to pick up on things like that.
"I'm sure you can still call her No, whatever he decides." He was just going to call her slave. It was easier, and less confusing. While her brother may wish to have names for his slaves, Uzulu thought slave 1, 2, and 3 suited them all just nicely. He'd call this one 'personal slave', he thought. It suited her well. Or black slave.
"Story teller or not, Kaanga has asked you for a story. Tell." The slave hadn't quite talked back, but any retorts, moderate though they be, should be crushed quickly, for fear the slaves might think they have freedom.
He turned his attention back to Kaanga to throw in a quick word. "Yes, we'll find out when they're done."
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:27 pm
No stifled an indignant remark, and reminded herself that there would be a time when it would be she that was the smiling one. Would they be surprised, she wondered, to know she had kept the charade up? But No conceded, and bowed her head low. “Yes, of course. I apologize.” She ushered polietly. “I only mean to say, my master is a complex individual, who would perhaps benifit from a more apt teller.” She dismissed, and then continued.
“I met with my master in the graveyard- a place far from here where hyenas and lions have joined together. I-“ She raised her head, but only so that they could see the demure expression on her face. “-Well, forgive me for being presumptuous. But I expect that is what the master speaks of to his father. It concerned him greatly. We were attacked by one of the brutes, but the master quickly dispatched with it.” How to go from here? Were slaves happy to be slaves? Certainly not. But...she wasn’t sure how to tell that part of the story. Perhaps she would play the loyal, dutiful slave. It might make speaking of Kidondo much easier, but she worried it could alienate her from other slaves.
She would be careful of such things.
“The master took me into his service, and we departed from there.” No amended, deciding to leave out Nuri. Nuri might not be a welcomed name amongst the firekin, despite her heritage. “And from there, he went into the desert- but not before getting a lay of a rival kingdom. I am not sure for the purpose. But now he’s retired and I wait for him to have need of me again.”
Kaanga- who had miraculously kept herself quiet, leaned on Uzulu and gaped. “Woow. Kidondo gets all the best adventures. What do you mean you were attacked? What sort of thing was it?”
“A hyena, my lady.”
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Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:15 pm
It wasn't half bad. The story in itself wasn't enthralling to say the least, but her know was certainly high. She must have been a well respected individual in the land whence she came, but she was no firekin and educated though she may be, only members of The Blood were to be held in high respects.
He furrowed his own brows in concern to hear of the 'lions and hyenas coming together'. Not only that, but they surely knew that to attack a member of The Blood was certainly a task to fold, whether they were a youth or not.
Uzulu decided right then that someday he would tell Kaanga a real story. He just had to think one up, first. He had a few jungle adventures, certainly some he could hype up a tad.
"You will go on an adventure, someday, Kaanga. To see the foreign life." he comforted her, stiffening as she leaned against him, if only to give her a stronger pillar to lean against.
Uzulu did not know what a hyena was, either. Perhaps Kaanga would have a dream of it, and tell him. He'd already learned that she could sense, and dream things that others could not, which made her all the more special. He wasn't quite sure how, or why, but certainly her 'feeling' his fall wasn't any small clue as to her uniqueness.
"As long as your master has no need of you, I’m sure Kaanga would care for your company, if she'd care to stay a night with me?" Uzulu hadn't yet invited Kaanga to a stay in his home, but he didn’t think she'd mind the invitation, even if it was paintstakingly obvious.
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Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:20 pm
No couldn’t help but arch her brow while the male was speaking to Kaanga. She didn’t know everything about the firekin royals yet- but she had the idea that this was obviously some suitor for the princess. He was being awfully presumptuous to instruct the princess like that...but, maybe she was reading too into it. She was on a high of suspicion, and she reminded herself to be careful of it. She couldn’t become so obsessed with keeping her cover that she sabotaged herself. He was probably just comforting her, and not commanding. It was... the wording of it.
“I would love an adventure!” Kaanga sighed obliviously. But before she was about to go off on a spiel about just how amazing her adventure would be- Uzulu invited her over for the night. It was almost painful how brilliant her eyes suddenly got with adoration towards him. Even with her dreams, and strange thoughts- she saw nothing suspicious about Uzulu at all.
“That would be wonderful,” Kaanga purred and rubbed her head against his shoulder. No somewhat awkwardly shifted, considering this scenario slowly. Well. At least she’d have something to inform Kidondo about.
“If that’s the lady’s wish.” No spoke lowly, and bowed.
“Oh, yes!” Kaanga uttered.
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:16 am
Uzulu didn't know when or how to give Kaanga an adventure, but he was sure something would come up eventually. Perhaps after the cubs had grown? Provided he weaved his cards properly.
Uzulu, too, layed his eyes suspiciously on No. Not because of anything she'd done out of the ordinary, but simply because she was a slave, and he didn't trust anything that didn't bear the distinct mark of The Blood. Red. Even then, a robust body was needed as well, and with No being young, so to speak, he couldn't tell this or that from her.
He wasn't going to waste time sitting around and wondering about the nature of slaves. He had to decide whether to go back now and attempt to please Kaanga until night fell, or go deeper into the Firekin lands to meet a few passerbyes.
He decided on the former.
"Its a fairly long journey, and since the slave hasn't travelled it before, we best get going." It was half a lie. He couldn't say that the slave wouldn't be fit, and he was fairly sure they'd find their way quickly, but precaution needed to be taken, and at the moment, he wasn't sure if he wanted to accidentally run into Kimeti or otherwise. Solitude made you a bit nervous about new company.
"Lead the way, Kaanga?" He played. The slave would have to walk in front of him, too. He didn't want her running off when he wasn't looking. Kidondo wouldn't like it if he and Kaanga managed to lose his personal slave.
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:28 am
Kaanga grinned eagerly, and nodded. “Yes, yes!” More things she adored- he trusted her enough to lead them? That was enough to keep the white lioness bubbling over for the next few hours. She took right to the lead, tripping once over a precariously placed stone which one might have thought she’d known about.
No watched the other female go cooly, before looking at the male through veiled eyes. He wasn’t moving, and she took it as a cue that he was waiting for her to go. The black lioness stood and stretched out her wrist. She hadn’t really realized exactly how much had been happening today, and it was starting to make her body groan. But she was unwilling to let it do more then that.
What was Kidondo doing, she wondered? Still speaking with Kimeti? She would have to think of a clever lie to slip away and find out, as soon as this brute got himself distracted with the young princess.
The princess herself was rather unaware of anything peculiar with either of the other lions, and continued to revel- although she kept quiet the first length of the journey. It was only once they started making the climb towards Uzulu's den that she started in explaining another dream she'd had- but both Uzulu and No would be hard pressed to find any revelence to the situation in it.
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:11 pm
As long as Kaanga kept talking, Uzulu knew that he didn't have to. He'd made her happy, and it would keep the eerie silence from floating in. Over time, as much as he hated it, he'd grown a comfort in the sound of her buzzing voice. She definately had a beautiful voice. On anyone else, it would just seem silly.
He almost ran forwards when Kaanga tripped, but she recovered fast enough that it didn't matter. He gave No a look that said, 'Don't you dare tell anyone I'm so caring' and then followed her up the rockside.
His own muscles ached. He wasn't used to so much exercise in such consistent measures. Hunts here and there, and short travels, yes, but making the treck to the middle of The Blood lands every two or three days was beginning to take a toll. He would be hard pressed not to just fall asleep when they got there.
When it came to dreams Uzulu tried to pay attention, but he really couldn't make much sense of it. Kaanga talked about the most random things.
He paused for a moment, looking back the way he had come. Another idea struck him in the mind.
"Kaanga, let's get some water, and then climb the other way - higher. I want to watch the sun fall from the sky."
It would be easy enough to stay the night on top of the rocky area. The nights had been cool enough as of late, and the winds did not have any great warnings for him. A night out in the open should be safe, especially high up. Provided the slave didn't roll off the cliff in her sleep.
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:55 pm
Kaanga nodded, and stepped off from her path towards the one with the water. There was always a kind of sacred silence about the water that stopped her babbling voice. Maybe it was simply from hearing old Ripuka’s teachings, and father’s warnings about taking it for granted. But she kept her mouth shut as she hopped over the stones, looking back once adoringly at Uzulu.
No was a bit miffed, but doubted she could do much else. She hoped Kidondo wouldn’t worry much over where she’d gotten herself to. Maybe there was a good spin on this- she would watch this brute. So far Kaanga was either a genius actor or a genuinely good person. This Uzulu she wasn’t sure of. But they needed all the support they could get, and she cautioned herself against writing him off so quickly.
She still wasn’t particularly delighted about spending the night with the couple. What was she going to do? Sleep outside when they did goddess knows what?
Kaanga squeaked as they came to the water, and stopped. The orange light was glowing with the sun beginning to fall, and she was quite sure nothing could ever go wrong at that moment. But maybe only time would tell for that.
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