|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:51 am
 Angani sat up straight to stretch, spine rigid, making himself as tall as possible, then he slumped a little. The sun was setting on the savannah, painting all in its golden light as it faded away. He watched his shadow grow taller and taller as the sun set, simply enjoying being home. It wasn't the exact same place as the war, but it had come to feel just as friendly. His back was turned on the sun, and his heterochromatic eyes set on the rising moon. Its light was still faint in the presence of the sun, but he knew that it would simply continue to brighten. He gave a contented sigh, he rather enjoyed his free time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:18 am
How many moon cycles had she spent here, among the lions and lionesses that praised the moon as the eye of some great lion? Umeko wasn't sure, but she didn't much care to count. Not when she was so comfortably lounging on a rather thick branch of a tree that afforded her a beautiful view of the moonrise. The lioness gave a concept sigh, one leg hanging from the branch haphazardly. It wasn't until she felt her paw bump into the back of a fluffy mane that she thought to look beneath her.
The figure was familiar, and she quickly tried to place a name to the lion. Alcmene had introduced her to him after she'd become a Guard... What was his name again? Ah! Angani! With a grin, Umeko mischievously lowered herself and playfully ran a paw through the tuft of black atop his head.
"You know, we've never had the chance to sit down and chat." she mused absently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:26 am
Ang jumped a little at the sudden contact on his head, definitely not what he'd been expecting. Both of his ears stuck as straight up as they could go and he lifted his eyes to whoever was petting him. He was greeted with the sight of... Umeko, was her name, sitting in the tree.
"You startled me there!" He said sheepishly, a grin on his face. He didn't mind, but it certainly hadn't been what he'd expected from watching a moonrise. He turned his gaze back to the silvery crescent rising in the distance. "You're right, we've always been on duty, or just passing by each other," he said, eyebrows furrowing. He looked back up, "It's a pity. So how's life treating you, Umeko?" he asked from the ground.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:34 am
"Life's been wonderful. I'm glad I settled down here. It's the perfect home for me!" Umeko said, smiling and turning her gaze back to the moon with a soft smile. After a long moment of silence, during which she just admired the beautiful glow of the moon, she finally spoke up again. "The moon sure is beautiful tonight. The Great Lion is opening his eye for someone..."
For a rogue, Umeko had embraced the pride's belief rather quickly. In a way, she felt like she had been destined to end up here. She was perfectly content with her position. Middle Class suited her. She wasn't an obtrusive lioness, but she was fiercely protective of those she cared about... One of the reasons she'd taken up position as a Guard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:26 am
"Glad to hear you like it here," Ang said cheerfully. "My father was a rogue who signed up, we both fought in the war," he said simply, "and this has just always been my home. Well, not this particular land, but, you know." He said, with a small, dismissive nod.
"And it sure is, I wonder who could be so lucky," He pondered out loud, wondering if maybe his dad had had something to do with it. Angani always liked to think his father was with the Great Lion, but it would be a long while until he knew for sure. "Do you miss it?" He asked abruptly, "the roguelands, I mean?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:43 am
The sudden question startled Umeko slightly, and for a long moment, she contemplated the answer. Of course, she did miss a bit of the freedom that came with being a rogue... But she enjoyed the community of the pride more than she missed the freedom of being a rogue.
"I do... A little bit. But I like the Mwezi'Johari more," Umeko explained, smiling softly and shifting to absently run her toes through Angani's mane tuft.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:07 am
Ang's tail flicked lightly in the grass. The sun had set all the way, and the remaining rays from it were also fading fast. The moon was the brightest light source now, and that made Angani smile. While most lions would watch the sunset, he always preferred the moonrise.
Though, strange as it was, he was quite enjoying the petting. He closed his eyes for a moment and tilted his head a bit so she'd get a spot a little to the left. "I prefer the pride, you get to know people better, you get people who'll watch your back. Nothing quite like teamwork, I suppose," he said, finishing off that topic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:14 am
"I like the company. It was a bit lonely out in the Rogue Lands. Sure, you had a lot of freedom... But you didn't have many companions," Umeko said, smiling and gently attempting to get the spot Angani was no doubt trying to get her to reach. "So... Why did you become a Guard?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:24 am
"I..." Angani started, brows furrowing mildly as he opened his eyes again. He wasn't entirely sure. "Well, I fought in the war and survived, it became apparent to me that I was a pretty decent fighter, I guess," he said as he continued to ponder why exactly he'd chosen to fulfill the duty of a guard- a guard who is called on to make sure those who have poor fortune with the Great Lion don't run off. "So it was natural that I'd fall into a guard's position, I've always been loyal to the royal family, so guarding them and this pride, and helping it grow, are all things that I find important in my life. I guess that's why I'm a guard, my skills fall into that slot, and that's how I help the pride to grow," he finished with a small nod, brows unfurrowing. "How about yourself? There aren't many guards who are female, so why'd you pick to be a guard?" He asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:14 pm
"Because more than anything, I want to protect those I care about. Honestly, the first time I met Queen Alcmene, I was a bit surprised. But one chat with her and I knew I would gladly give my life for her sake," Umeko explained, looking at the moon almost wistfully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:45 pm
Queen Alcmene... He would defend her too, and he had no issues with the exchange of power as some had, but... Did Unyezi, the King he knew, did he have to drop down to slave status? He wasn't mad, nor frustrated with it, only hurt. Like as if you watched a friend getting beat up and couldn't do anything about it. He gladly accepted Alcmene as queen, but no matter what happened, he made a silent vow to himself that he would never treat Unyezi as a slave, no matter what his status. His expression turned quite sad for a moment, as he pondered Unyezi's fall in the ranks, sincerely sad that it'd had to happen that way. He wondered... Whether or not there were many others that felt like he did for Unyezi, who wouldn't be mean to him at all. He certainly hoped so.
"A good reason," he said, pulling himself from his thoughts with a light headshake. "So, Umeko, wanna go check the borders?" He asked, quickly finishing his thought. "I'm starting to get a little stiff, I could use to move," he looked back up into the tree for her opinion. He wouldn't abandon the company, but he did feel a need to move about a little.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
