|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:22 pm
 It had been only mere moments since Adi'sa left the company of his dear friend Tawa'di, and yet, it felt like eons ago. Time seemed to stop or have its own agenda in the Stargrove, whether that was because it was fairly dense and overgrown, with less light to tell the time of day by, or because it truly had slowed in the presence of so much essence.
Adi'sa had to stop occasionally, to check where he was and to just drown out the influence of the spirits for a few moments. As much as he was greatly humbled by his gift, it could sometimes be overwhelming, as it was when he first arrived here as a youngster.
Spirits of all kinds were talking to him, talking at him, simply making noise. It could be frustrating.
"Uuugh...how am I ever gonna know when the Goddess gets here if I can't...hear...my...own...thoughts," he said, feeling a growl rumble in his throat.
But then - quiet. He quieted his mind, and so he filtered out the spirits bit by bit, listening to those who wished to be heard. It was a bit draining though, and so, as he continued to talk out loud, talk in his mind, he settled himself in the moss-covered roots of a very large and grizzled tree.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:43 pm
After the goddess had met with Tawa'di, and confirmed her status as a new pride member in her new home, she had instantly fled to the Stargrove, to wait for the earth's child, Adi'sa Kamwana. It had taken a few days for Tawa'di to bring the child here, but it was well enough timing for her. She had given Tawa'di's pleas time to resonate in her mind, time for her to make her decision. Now, though, it was time to tell Adi'sa what his part in this future family was going to be, and to see if he would accept it, as well.
She stood where she had been before, in their first meeting. It was a bit darker this time, though, no bright light to illuminate her.
"Adi'sa," she called out softly into the Stargrove. "Adi'sa."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:12 pm
The Goddess' gentle calls were almost lost to the young adult as he picked through the last few calls of the spirits. But her voice cut through them all, silenced them.
Adi'sa started a little and his body almost thrashed against the nest of roots he'd made. He sighed and tutted himself for being foolish and steadily got up, his insides beginning to knot a little, his mind already whirring with all the 'whats going to happen?'
He plodded around the Stargrove's tangled paths for only a few moments more, hoping to somehow hone in on Mana's voice. He didn't have to though. He could recognise a few features here and there, and just felt like he was going the right way.
Then.
He saw her.
Waiting for him, in the same place she had appeared to him as a youngster. He was dumbstruck for a few moments, approaching her with baby-steps, mouth slightly agape in awe.
Catching himself in such a dishonourable appearance, he shook himself awake and bowed respectfully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:36 pm
He seemed so unsure of himself, the way he slowly approached her. Was she really that intimidating? She couldn't help but let a small laugh escape as he slowly approached her. It was a cute sight, really, and she still thought of him as an adorable little Ela'wadiyi.
"No need for the bow, Adi'sa. We're friends, aren't we?" She smiled, slipping off of the large stump so she was standing on the same ground as him. She soon let herself sit, though, mainly because it might be a while.
"It's good to see you again, though, isnt it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:49 am
Adi'sa was a little embarrassed, and tried to hide it and carry on as if nothing had happened.
"Err..yes.yes! Most certainly," he fumbled for words at first, but the confidence grew in his voice. He kept trying to tell himself that aside from being a Goddess, she was a lioness too. He almost tried to imagine he was talking to Tailsin,
"Yes, its a pleasure to see you again," he smiled back at her. "Tawa'di said you might be waiting to see me..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:35 pm
Mana nodded. "Yes, actually, I was. I wanted to speak with you a bit over our agreement that we had developed a while ago."
She let the words linger on the air for a moment, hoping that a few fireflies would find their way into the grove to make it even more gorgeous.
"I am hoping that you would be able to help me with some things, a bit now to rest my mind, and more to come in the future." She didn't want to tell him, not yet. She wasn't sure what exactly Tawa'di had told him, and so she'd hold it in for just a moment longer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:46 pm
"Well Goddess, you know I'm here whenever you need me, call on me for whatever is required," he replied quite quickly, smile beaming, entire body shifting to a 'perkier' pose.
Adi'sa was oblivious to what Mana would want of him, but he hoped he'd made a good impression. If he knew that he would indeed be helping Tawa'di in some way as well, he'd be be even more eager and co-operative.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:11 pm
The wind goddess smiled again. He was just so cute, and proper!
"Well," she began. "You might know some of the details of our agreement. But to sum things up, he asked me to carry his children." She let her wings shift down to cradle her body. "But in exchange I had him teach me everything about these lands, so I would be able to teach his children well about their blood. The terms have changed, and Tawa'di will live out his days."
She paused, her tone growing more softly as she continued. "Though I fear he won't be around much longer. That's where I need you, Adi'sa. I will need your help in all of this." She motioned to her belly, so he would take the hint.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:29 pm
Whatever scenario he had in his head, nothing could have prepared him for that double-whammy! And he wasn't sure what to grapple with first - the fact he was being asked to aid a GODDESS and her impending brood, or the fact it was his father-figure who was the sire!
Adi'sa just sort of looked at Mana, mouth agape, eyes a little glazed as he tried to soak it in. At least this embarrassing display could be seen as amazement for being asked to take on such a duty, and not his ineptitude for seeing beyond both Mana's and Tawa'di's perceived perfection. It was akin to a child first learning what their parents had to do to conceive them. A mix of shock and confusion.
He had to shake it though, and he started speaking before he fully regained his composure, resulting in a slight slur as he finally returned to the land of the living.
"You'd like me to carry on...where he will finish?" he asked, choking a little on the thought of losing Tawa'di.
It was a reality that he didn't want to face, not when everything here was so good, so happy.
"To lose...Tawa'di...would be a great...loss...but I...I would be most honoured to be there for you...and for them," he took a short bow, and then nodded towards her stomach. "I would do all in my power and will to do you and Tawa'di justice, to do them justice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:15 pm
Ohh...He was more upset then she had expected. Perhaps it was because she was so used to death, or that she simply didn't know just how attached Adi'sa was to Tawa'di, but it did surprise her.
"Well, I'm certain that they will need a father figure to look up to. And since you are obviously very close to Tawa'di, I'm sure he would be pleased if you would help out his children. They are the only children he will ever have, he never was able to have children in his earlier years, with being so busy and never having the opportunity." She wouldn't say that Tawa'di admitted he never thought about it until their numbers had grown dangerously low.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:12 am
"I'd be most honoured, goddess. I can only hope I do my best for his children," he tried to put on a determined expression, he wanted Mana to know he was gravely serious about this task.
As the news sank in, his posture softened and slumped a bit. He wanted to keep an aura of resolution, or strength, but it was hard. He'd have to smarten up before returning to Tawa'di though. He couldn't let the Elder know how much this affected him.
"I'll be at your beck and call whenever you need me. When...will...they arrive?" he asked reluctantly. Was that too personal a question?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:52 pm
"It will be a while before they come," she reassured him with a smile and a nod. Adi'sa...was such a sweet boy, sometimes it was all Mana could do but not give him a reassuring nuzzle. No wonder Tawa'di adored him so!
"And of course you will do the best, Adi'sa!" she laughed. "You could be the perfect figure that they need to help them on their way to adulthood. Just be there for them, and they will turn around and be there for you. I'll always be here to speak to if you have any problems, though."
She was gravely worried about what would happen once the time came, but she would have to deal with that when it happened. She would be upset, yes, but Mana was far too old, and had been through too much to actually cry when he would finally pass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:05 am
A while. Phew. At least he had time to prepare. Adi'sa had a patchy recollection of what it was like to be a cub as it is, he began to wonder just what skills he'd need in the rearing of children. Hopefully, he wouldn't need to step in too much until they were older - he could not imagine trying to be a replacement for Tawa'di in their crucial years.
"Thank you goddess," he bowed to her in deep respect and thanks. It did feel better to know he had another shoulder to lean on, although it struck him then that he actually didn't know the goddess all that well.
"I'd be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I haven't been around cubs for a while, but it will be a learning curve for all of us."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:51 pm
"Why are you thanking me, Adi'sa? I'm the one asking you to take on such a rough job, especially when we will all be upset on what is to come sometime in the future." Though it was a somber topic, she couldn't help but give off a light laugh. Adi'sa was something else.
"You will do well, Adi'sa. Just have some faith in yourself." Really, it was just that simple! It wasn't like they were going to bew newborns; they were probably just going to want to crawl all over him and ask him a million questions. Normal habits of cubs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:06 am
Adi'sa smiled sheepishly at Mana, thinking maybe he had gone a little over the top in his respectful wishes and attitude. It was so hard to judge how to converse with a God, he imagined they were all different - some would want to be feared, others might even want to be normal.
He shifted his weight on his paws a bit, getting a little restless. It had felt like a long day and he'd certainly had a lot to absorb.
"I don't wish to sound rude Goddess, but perhaps its time I return to Elder Tawa'di. There are things we should maybe talk about...and I have spend time with him whilst I can..." he said in a happy-sad way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
