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 Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:35 pm
Soali had not ventured out of her den for a while, and it was mainly because she felt like being lazy for the past few days. With the death of their leader, a somber mood had affected her family and most of those around her, even though the new king had already taken power with few changes to their lives. Even so. She didn't feel like doing much.
But today...it was too beautiful to let it go by un-played in. So she had made the choice to go out and explore the sunshine while it was still here. Sometimes in these lands, the rains would come for days at a time and make sure their swamps were ever-so-full. The days of sunshine were cherished and Soali loved them.
Her paws made little padding sounds as she trotted through the grasses, looking around for something to do. When she heard a branch break, she grinned and crouched down, crawling forward.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:44 pm
Domevlo made no effort at silence, as he, too, came out into the grasses, from the darkness of the forest. He used to be so careful about making noise. It had been a habit from his wondering days, but now he was beginning to become more comfortable.
As of present, he was nursing a bit of a runny eye, which made the droopy bottom lids all more present. He found that sunny days brought this upon him, and he who had for the longest time found nature his only comfort, had to shake his head and claim it only a fair-weather friend.
He lifted a great paw, and rubbed at his eye. That same large paw came back down and cracked an unsuspecting branch. The sound made him jump. Realizing it was he who had made the sound, he gave a soft smile, or what he could give of one. The deadened muscles of the right side of his face made it seem less of a smile than it really was.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:54 pm
As she crept closer and closer to the area that the crack of a branch had come from, Soali began to smell something...odd. Like it smelled like a lion but somehow, older. Pft. As if she could really tell the difference.
But her nose proved true as she broke through the grasses with a final pounce, letting out a little roar when she landed. Her eyes were down close to the ground, expecting a rabbit or some other sort of prey. Instead they met the large brown paws of a very large lion. Her eyes went upwards from the paws to the legs, to the chest, to the neck, and finally to the face of the lion standing before her with a runny eye and a drooping face.
Soali blinked and scooted back, startled. "I-I'm sorry!" she squeaked out. "I didn't know there was anyone here!"
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:05 pm
Domevlo had heard a noise nearing him, but had not expected to be pounced by a young one. It startled him, but he caught himself before he could react. He began another smile, and was about to say something to her, before he watched her own startled expression, and heard her squeeked appologies.
His smile dropped, and his ears flattened, and the large lion tried to make himself seem as small as he could.
"No, no, it's okay. I'm fine. ..Don't be afraid," he plead softly, large paw coming out to try to touch the cub.
His thoughts couldn't help but turn to the family that he had torn apart long ago, in his thirst for revenge. There had been a young one, a relation of the one who had cause his deformity, that he had slain. But, he told himself, it hadn't been intentional. ONly after the child had wondered into his hiding place, and begun to curse him, to shout at him. Domevlo had tried to silence him,...
Domevlo withdrew his paw.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:11 pm
Comforted by his reassurance that she had not frightened him, Soali stayed only a foot or so away from the lion. He looked strange, in a way that she had not seen before. It looked like wounds, all over his legs, tail and face. One eye was runny. Half of his face drooped more than the other, and though he smiled, it looked more like a grimace.
But she smiled back and scooted closer, lifting her paw as well to meet his before he lowered it.
"I'm Soali. What's your name?" she offered, being polite and friendly like her parents had taught her.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:19 pm
Domevlo layed down, as to be come on-level with the young one, pleased to see that she was not so scared.
"Domevlo. You have a nice name."
Name. It was hard for him to think that not long from now this young one would be sent out to find fer true name. He didn't understand the tradition, but he wouldn't speak against it. He knew well the dangers of the world, but he also knew the joys,...second hand, as it might be.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:29 pm
She beamed at him at the compliment. "Thank you! You have a nice name too." Her bright blue eyes met his dark gold ones as they blinked in excitement. She had not met this Domevlo before and wondered where he had been for the short amount of time she'd been alive.
"What happened to your coat? You look like you were in an accident. Or a fight." Only after she had asked the question did Soali even realize that perhaps such a question was not a good one to ask right away. That would be considered rude.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Nevermind." She tried to shrug it off with a weak, apologetic smile.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:35 pm
"No, it is fine," He said, after a moment of silence and shifting. He'd never gotten to tell his tale to anyone. "If you wish to know, I could tell you."
It was so much easier to get understanding from children. Their world was so simple, and they were, usually, more open, unless they were taught from birth the prejudice of their parents.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:44 pm
She tilted her head to one side and eyed him. Children, as open-minded as they were, could pick up on small things adults usually ignored. Since Soali's parents were pretty open about their beliefs and thoughts as well as manners (although those were pretty strict in themselves, sometimes) and behavior, the cub didn't think of anything really wrong in the world. If there was a disagreement, she tended to see both sides of the argument and agree with the one that made the most sense, or what she thought was the better solution.
"If you don't want to, I understand. I'm sorry I asked you; I shouldn't have." But she looked at the ground for a moment, then slid her gaze back up to meet his.
"But if you want to tell me, I promise I'm a real good listener."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:17 pm
It was a long time coming, finding a means of confession. Now that Domvelo had the chance, he didn't want to let it go. His past was such a weight, and he knew he'd still carry it, for it was him. There were some things that just didn't need explaination.
"I will tell you, then. Make yourself comfortable."
It was quite a tale.
"I don't remember who I was before the incident that would change me, but I remember waking up. Everything was confusion -- sight and sound. I was like a newborn cub, but there was no mother or father there to help guide me. I knew not how to speak, even. I had to learn on my own.
Alone, alone in the forest,..even the other animals ran from me. Learning what to eat, how to survive,...all alone. Everyone ran from me. Then I happened upon my reflection. I knew then, why they ran. I scared even myself. The wounds, back then, were fresh, and more vile. Not as scarred and, for the most part, healed, as they are now."
As he continued, he could see it all in his mind;
"Finally, I happened upon a small clan. Here then I retreated, and lay down happy to have found a shelter, however miserable, from the inclemency of the season. I hid, unnoticed for the longest time, and watched these beautiful creatures. I imagined them as my friends. Watching them, I learned to speak. It was not simple, and took many, many months. Probably near a year.
One day, the oldest of their group was alone, and I gathered up enough courage to make myself known to him. I hoped he wouldn't run from me. He was blind, you see. He said my voice was sincere,...but then his children returned, and chased me away and hid, sobbing. I returned later, but they were all gone. I roared out my sorrows, and declaired everlasting war against the one who had deformed me. I would later learn that he was nothing but a ruthless tyrant, even to his own pride. He tried to justify his tyrony, but..." he trailed off.
"My revenge was not simple, no. It took a while to 'connect the dots' and track him down. When I did, I knew then I would not simply challange him, but I would make his life as mine. Misery! I would make his life miserable for as long as I could. Much time had passsed, and I had discovered my nemisis had a family of his own. One by one, I took each from him, driving him farther and farther into the realm of insanity."
Was his vengence just? Perhaps not, but he was not the master of his emotions. It took him years after his revenge had been gained to learn.
"Finally, it was just he and I. He plead to be left alone. There was non among the myriads of lions that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No. I went fourth and explained myself--
'How can I move you? Will no entreaties cause you to turn a favourable eye upon I, who seeks goodness and compassion? Believe me, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love, but am I not alone, miserably alone? You, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow creatures, who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me. These bleak skies I hail, for they are kinder to me than your fellow beings. If the multitude of our kind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves to for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me? I will keep no terms with my enemies. I am miserable, and they shall share my wretchedness.' Horrible. I was horrible."
Domevlo shook his head, sorrow in his eyes.
"My nemisis soon after was cast from his pride, and pursued me. We played mind games for one another, till finally his life left him. For while I destroyed his hopes, I did not satisfy my own desires. They were forever ardent and craving; still I desired love and fellowship, and I was still spurned. Was there no injustice in this? Am I to be thought the only criminal? I took to a lonely existence, away from all, while I repented for my sins....untill once again I thought I might at last be alowed some simple happiness."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:32 pm
Soali wasn't entirely sure what to think. Yes, she had listened well and closely to the story Domvelo relayed to her. Her ears were upturned with interest and curiosity. But as he revealed his past to her, her smile turned downward into a frown, then into one of sadness.
She didn't think, she just acted. Her paws and legs moved like they had minds of their own and she rose to stand before him. Then she sat and wrapped her front limbs around one of his front legs, much larger than she, in a small hug.
"I'm sorry," she offered. She was sorry that anyone had to go through what he did. She was sorry that anyone had to make the choices he had made, whether they were the right or wrong choices. "But I am glad that you found your way here. Otherwise I would never have met you, Domvelo." And she smiled up at him.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:39 pm
Domevlo was quite supprised by the hug, and somewhat heasatantly placed his free paw on her head, and smiled, "Thank you. You are a sweet girl. I am glad I came here too."
He'd not had an unkind encounter sence then. He didn't know what was different, and really, he wasn't going to question it. He was happy here. He was more than willing to call it home.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:54 pm
Soali continued to smile up at him. "I got a boo-boo too, but not as many as you. There was a really pointy, tall tree I wanted to climb up on, but it was slippery 'cause it rained the day before. But I was almost to the top when I slipped and fell. Mama wasn't very happy, but I'm okay now."
She let him go from the hug and turned to show him the long but shallow cut on the side of her hind flank, where a pointy tree below the large one she had been trying to climb up on had cut her. It was healing pretty well, but it was still a furious red that stood out on her brown coat.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:04 pm
"That must have really hurt," Domevlo said, "I am sure it quite worried your mother, but you are young, and resilient. It will likely fade with time." He gave a comforting look. "Even I have done a lot of healing. The deepest wounds are inside, and I'd be inclinded to say that you arew flawless"
Domevlo rose, and streatched, looking up at the bright sky above. it is a lovely day. You should be playing,...and avoiding painful trees," Domevo gave a bit of a laugh. He enjoyed watchign the youth of the pride play. He took a odd jobs in the pride, and did whatever he was asked, but his favorite would be watching the young ones. Sure, it made him feel old, but it was a joyful task.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:09 pm
She nodded solemnly. "It did," she assured him. But her head tilted to the side questioningly at what he said. "Why are the deepest wounds inside when the ones on the outside bleed so much?" That was a child's naivety at work.
She stuck her tongue out at him. "I like playing with trees. No one else will play with me. Well," she trailed off, frowning. "I haven't met anyone else to play with, I mean! My siblings are no fun sometimes. They don't like doing the things I do. And I don't know any other cubs here in the pride to play with." Now that the seriousness of the conversation had passed (or so she thought), she had returned to being truly cub-like.
Innocent, topic-changing, and energetic, to be exact.
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