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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:18 am
ooc|| Arindam = Adona, Mzuka = Kai
Arindam had been travelling for days. Months, years perhaps. Time had blended into one stream of day-and-night-and-day-and-night for the lion on a mission. He veered off course only rarely, in search of food or water, or to chase after a familiar dark pelt that wasn't that of his little Brother's. He was always dejected when it turned out to be a false lead, but damn if his heart didn't soar every time he saw the dark fur that reminded him of his brother. He shook his head to clear his mind, and lifted his eyes from the ground, peering around. He was well south now, and just beyond the great Lake. It felt as though he was treading upon something he didn't wish to tread upon.
A pride. His mind clicked the scents almost immediately, and he winced, looking around. He only prayed it wasn't a pride of militant power, or a bunch of cannibal lions. Snorting a little, he started walking again, staying close to the edge so he could simply veer around the pride and be on his way.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:24 am
Ah, hunting. She didn't do it often - Faiz had the others in his harem for that. As the Beybanu, she instead took it upon herself to tell the others to hunt, while she herself was preoccupied with other...ah, business. Mainly teasing Faiz. But oh, how she did enjoy it when she did decide to go hunting. Especially because she was actually rather good at it. The adult male waterbuck was dead on the ground, soaking in it's own blood. Blood which she'd managed to stay fairly clean of, actually. A little around her maw, and on her left front paw, but nothing else. Mzu smiled. That was how it was done.
Suddenly, a change of wind. And a new scent. A different scent, that definitely wasn't Ukuucha'Wafalme.
Was she that close to the borders? Quickly memorizing the location of her kill, Mzuka'hila strode through the trees, mildly surprised by how quickly she reached the edge of the forest. Whoops. She hadn't meant to go that far. Faiz wouldn't care - he knew she'd never try to run away. Unlike some females, she actually enjoyed her life in the male-dominated pride. But any guards patrolling the borders might not know that. Not that they could touch her, of course. And...aha, there! A male! Just outside of the borders, but a male nonetheless.
But he didn't smell like a pride lion? Perhaps he was a rogue? Emerald eyes quickly scanned the area, checking that no males were present. Confirming the fact, Mzu approached the stranger, albeit a little cautiously. "Oi! What're you doing there?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:28 am
Arindam jerked when he heard someone, and looked over blankly, staring at her for a moment as if he didn't trust his eyes. He swallowed, looking around. "Just passing through." He said, looking over at her. "I'm sorry if I'm trespassing, I didn't realize I was in pride lands until now." It was a lie; he'd realized it. But the quickest way through was through the Pride, not around it, and he had business to attend to. Things that needed to be done, be found, so he could have peace and find a new place for his life. He pawed at the ground nervously, watching her. Something his Mentor had said rose to his mind; A lady should never travel unaccompanied.
"Are you alone?" He frowned, looking around. "It isn't safe so close to the borders. You never know who might be lurking there." He tilted his head, smirking a bit. "For all you know, I could be crazy. Or delirious with hunger." He was neither of those things; Arindam was careful about eating regularly to keep his energy up, and if he was crazy... Well, he didn't know it.
"What pride is this, ma'am?" A strong respect for his mother had been hammered into his head by his mentor, and that extended to all women. They were the Life-givers, necessary in the continuing existance of any pride. They should be respected and honored. His tone was carefully polite as he watched her, eyes never straying to the blood on her paw or her maw.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:34 am
Passing through? The Ukuucha lands were the far side of the lake to be 'passing through' territory. But ah well, she decided not to push the matter. Maybe he was searching for something, or looking for a different pride further west, or south. She couldn't read his mind, now could she? She gave a small shrug at his apology, quickly realizing he wasn't a threat and taking a few more steps forwards so as to talk to him more easily. A quick glance behind her assured her that no guards were around. That was all she needed - to be seen talking to an outsider male. Now THAT would make Faiz unhappy. And jealous...hmm. She smirked a little. It might be nice for him to know how it felt. "You're not in trouble. Or at least...you wouldn't be."
Males were fine. Females were the ones that wanted to watch out. His question of her being alone alarmed the female for a moment, however - why did he want to know that? Was he planning something? His concern soon rose, though, and relief flooded through her. Being attacked by some random rogue was the last thing she needed. "I've got my pride, moron. And I can handle myself, thank you very much. I bet I could take you down."
Well...maybe not. Mzuka was really quite small considering she was fully grown. "The Ukuucha'Wafalme, of course~" she teased, a mocking tone of voice being used. She quite enjoyed this - being able to talk so freely. She wasn't allowed to with Faiz. Most of the time she did anyway, but then he got all stroppy and moody. Sometimes angry, but she usually wriggled out of that by tattling on someone.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:38 am
"Why wouldn't I?" He frowned slowly, arching an eyebrow. "Intruding on a pride's borders, isn't that against some sort of law?" It had been with his pride; although, most kinds of living were against the King's law, too. His father's dictatorship left laws to the wayside and everything merely relied on his Father's mood. It wasn't usually a good one. Perhaps the drought had been a godsend. He shifted on his paws, watching her curiously.
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned, and he shook his head. "Oh, I'm sure you could." He said dryly, smirking a little. He was a trained Guard, protector of the Heir. He was fully capable of taking down any lion that posed a threat, but ladies... Those were his weak point. Deep respect left him honestly unable to attack a female. It was both a blessing and a curse. He'd never strike a lady, but Gods preserve him if one tried to kill him in his sleep. He'd be helpless. He grinned a little. "After all, I'm only a weak rogue." He flopped down, rolling onto his back dramatically. "I could drop dead if a fly landed on me, for all you know." His eyes gleamed up at her.
"Oh, of course." He laughed, rolling back over and sitting up. "And what is the Ukuucha'Wafalme? I mean, obviously I should know, but let's just say I'm a bit slow." He smirked at her, arching an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware of any prides sitting on this side of the Lake." He'd thought it all free land until he'd smelled the signs, anyway.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:46 am
Mzuka shrugged, rolling her eyes a little. Clearly this guy hadn't passed this way before. "Males have nothing to fear in the Ukuucha'Wafalme. As long as they bring no malice towards the pride they're welcome. It's females that have to watch out." His grin was a sweet one - his eyes crinkled and everything. Faiz did that, too. She flashed a bright smile back, after having quickly scouted the area once again. She really didn't want to get into trouble.
She could? Woa, she hadn't expected him to agree - and there wasn't much sarcasm there, either. She could tell, since that was her forte. Her smile widened in gratitude, Mzu allowing herself to sit down in a more comfortable position. Her legs were beginning to get a little stiff. "I'd rather you didn't drop dead," she spoke sincerely, blinking in an utterly believable fashion, "It'd be such a chore to clean up and explain. Besides, you don't seem too bad."
He was playing along with her teasing - she liked that. Faiz didn't do that often, and it was nice to be humoured. Mzu's wide smile broke into a grin, tail lazily swaying from side to side as she pondered an answer, "Well, just because you're so slow, good sir, I suppose I can explain it to you," she began, a twinkle in her eye, "The Ukuucha'Wafalme is a male-dominated pride. Basically, a load of guys with harems full of females - like, a group. They can do whatever they want with their harem. Then there are random females dotted about that no-one wants. They're usually the really rebellious ones."
She paused, frowning a little in confusion, "The Ukuucha have been here quite a while. Since I've been born, at least. And I'm not that old."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:54 am
"Ohh..." Arindam nodded a little, frowning curiously still. He'd heard of prides where males were in charge, but never something like that. Females were the bad ones? Those who brought life were considered a threat? He snorted. A very backwards way for the Pride, but if it was their customs, he wasn't going to dispute it. It was a far cry better then the women being left to fend for themselves.
"I'd really rather I didn't drop dead either, personally." He grinned up at her. "Kind of puts a stop on all my plans, you know." He watched her, amused. It'd been a while since he'd had someone to talk to honestly. Travelling alone had both its pros and its cons. He didn't have to watch over someone, but it did get lonely every now and again. It was the cost he paid for deserting his kin in the first place.
He grinned. "Oh, you're so charitable, ma'am." He said, watching her. He tilted his head, frowning. "Anything they want?" That didn't sound exactly safe. Of course, he could hardly know if the lions in charge were mean or cruel. "It doesn't sound particularly...pleasant for the females." He watched her solemnly, eyes narrowing in thought. "Are you happy here, ma'am?" He asked, frowning. "And the others, are they?" It sounded like something the females would've been forced into. He couldn't fathom a female willingly belonging to a harem. It was so... bizarre. Completely different from his own pride. Perhaps it was a geographical thing; he wasn't from around here, that was for certain.
"I've never been this far before." He explained, smiling a little. "I was born a long, long... Long way away from here." It was kind of daunting, thinking just how far he'd travelled in who knew how long. And with no luck in finding his brother. He'd found two sisters happily mated and in prides or little bands of travelling felines. But no Adhiraj.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:01 am
He seemed a little confused by her words, but Mzuka simply shrugged it off. Quite a lot of lions and creatures in general didn't understand the pride. But hey, it worked, and she was alright with it. Having Faiz to herself would be...nice, but that wasn't how it worked. And she was his favourite, anyway, so she was perfectly content. His grin was soon back, though, and Mzu found herself grateful - she always preferred smiles and grins to confusion and concern. When you were down, all you had to do was smile and you instantly felt better.
"Dying does tend to do that, yes," she humored him with a smug smile, grinning once again. Was he planning on joining the pride? She was starting to hope so - he'd be a fun friend to have. None of the other girls were fun, although Naji was alright. She was sure Faiz wouldn't mind too much. Besides, it'd be nice if he was the jealous one for a change. But charitable? She blinked, mildly surprised - she'd never been called that before. How...odd. She didn't mind, though, and was grinning again the next moment. And...yeah, here came the questions. Why did no-one seem to understand?
She shrugged, "It depends on who you Pad...uh, male, is. If he's mean, then I guess it isn't too nice. But I don't mind it - mine's a Vizier. That's like, uh, an advisor to the King? And I'm his favourite, so I wouldn't try anything," she spoke, voice melting into that familiar mocking tone towards the end. "I'm happy. Some aren't, but that's their problem. We just hunt and carry the cubs, and in return they protect us. I don't see a problem with it."
She couldn't imagine a life different from this one. Really, it was all down to their ancestors - if they hadn't messed it up, females would still be in charge. But honestly, Mzu rather liked it this way. She wouldnl't have as much fun teasing Faiz otherwise. And Tariq...oh, how she loved to mock and tease him, because unlike Faiz, he couldn't lay a finger on her. She perked up a little at the mention of distances, though, "Oh, so you're a traveller?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:07 am
"I know what a Vizier is, we had one in my pride too." He grinned a little. "See? I'm not totally helpless." He watched her, and tilted his head, nodding a little. "Well, it must work." Otherwise the pride wouldn't be there, right? He scratched a spot above his eye with a claw, tilting his head a little. "It's a nice trade off." It really was. It didn't seem so odd if he thought about it that way. The females did what they were born to; hunt and have cubs. And the males protected. It made sense, really... His attention was drawn away when she spoke again, and smiled a little, nodding.
"For now, I am." He said quietly, looking away. "My pride is gone. I've nowhere else to go." That wasn't completely true; his sisters had both begged him to stay. But he needed to find Adhiraj. His little brother had been the center of his world since he was an adolescent, and told he would give his life to protecting him. He'd failed once, but if he could find him and fix things, it'd be okay again. Maybe better. He wouldn't let him become their father. "I've been looking for someone." His ears flattened a little. "Someone I... lost." Abandoned.
"You would've liked our pride, I think." He grinned a little. "It used to be very far north of here. It was... nice." It was perfect, but he wouldn't tell her that. It didn't matter anyway, not really. "So!" He perked up. "Tell me of this Vizier, hmmm?" He smirked, swatting at her with a paw. "You're his favorite?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:14 am
They had a Vizier in their pride too? Surprise crossed her face for a few moments before she wiped it away, replacing it with a playful grin. He was right - he wasn't totally helpless. She nodded - it did work, and it worked well. If it didn't work, she was pretty sure she would've noticed by now. She watched him with mild curiosity as he seemed to be thinking, and she found herself wondering what he was thinking about - his old pride, maybe? She hadn't been aware that he'd had a pride. "What pride were you in, then?"
She hadn't heard of many, but you never knew. Her question was somewhat answered a few minutes later, though, Mzu instantly regretting her question as her ears sunk back against her head. His pride was...gone? How could a pride just disappear? Was it killed off, or did it die out? She didn't want to intrude - which was odd. Maybe she should just...drop the subject. Yeah, that'd be a good idea. "I...oh. Sorry." She paused, wondering whether it was appropriate. "...You know, the Ukuucha will always welcome a new male.Just...y'know. If you're interested. If not, it's fine...but if you come back, ask for me! Mzuka'hila's the name. I'll make sure Faiz lets you in."
She didn't actually have any power over that, and she knew it. But she did have a certain power over Faiz, and that was enough. Her ears perked up again, a small smile crossing her face as she tilted her head a little. She would've liked his pride, hmm? Mzuka wasn't stupid, though - she noticed the change of subject. But she decided to go with it, so as not to upset him any further. She gave a mock cry, batting his paw away with a playful growl. "Yeah! In very harem a male has a favourite - they're his Beybanu, instead of just a grotty Banu. I'm Faiz's Beybanu."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:20 am
He didn't answer her question, simply shaking it off. "It was a natural disaster. Just our time, I suppose." He smiled a little, and his ears perked up a little. "Mzuka'hila." He smiled a little. "Well, I know your name now. It's only fair you know mine, isn't it?" He bowed his head dramatically, peering up at her. "I am Arindam. Apprentice to Rabudal, the previous Captain of the Guard. Well, before I was a rogue anyway." He straightened up, grinning a little. He was proud of his title; he always would be, even when he moved on and joined another pride. Her comment made him pause, though; could he ever really join another pride?
Briefly it made him feel ashamed. How could he replace the place he was born into? The role he had? But it was quickly sent aside. They were gone, now, and he was alive. He needed to live, or else surviving would be for nothing. He grinned a little. "I'd hope to get in on my own merit, but it's always helpful to have a friend on the inside." He said, winking at her.
"Well, he must be very lucky to have such a smart lady for his Beybanu." He grinned wider, watching her. "What's this Faiz like?" He tilted his head curiously. Learning what he could of the pride would be useful when... If he came back.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:27 am
Natural disaster? Ugh, how horrible. Whatever it was, it can't have been nice, and Mzuka found herself feeling sorry for this lion and his pride. A whole population wiped out in mere moments. She found herself wondering, however, how he'd managed to survive. Perhaps, as he'd put it, it hadn't been his time? Once again she didn't want to press on the matter so left it be, simply smiling sweetly. His name was a bit of a...mouthful, though. She grinned. "Imma call you Arin. It's shorter. So, welcome to the Ukuucha'Wafalme lands, Arin."
Captain of the Royal Guard, eh? She nodded, impressed. "Not so sure I could beat you in a fight anymore. Captain of the Royal Guard...very impressive." She was quick to notice her mistake with offering him a home - she'd been a little tactless, hadn't she? He was probably still missing his last home. Now was no time to be shoving another place under his nose and insisting he called it home. Ugh, she really needed to get better at these sorts of things. His joke made her smile, though, Mzuka nodding a little.
Ah, another change of subject. She grinned, feeling her hind begin to wriggle on the ground to indicate her playful manner, "He is, he is! So I'd watch it if I were you, Arin-dearest - Mzu's well and truly taken!" She was joking around, and she recognised his jokes - that was all it was. They were just two lions, joking around and having a bit of a laugh. And she was enjoying it. She really hoped he did join - having a fun friend would really help the boredom she had sometimes. "Faiz? Well, he's kinda busy a lot - he's the King's brother, and until the king, Aali, has a litter he's the heir too. Plus one of his stupid banu just had a litter so he's busy with them too..."
She pouted, kicking a stone somewhat sulkily, "He doesn't have much time for me at the moment."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:35 am
He nodded, grinning. "Thank you, Mzuka." He laughed a little. "Everyone calls me that." He answered to Arin more then Arindam lately. Well, the few he'd ran into. He glanced past her towards the Ukuucha'Wafalme, thinking for a moment on how nice it'd be to have a new home to call his own. Leave this business with his hunting down his wayward brother and just... settle. But no. He had a job to do, and giving it up just because it was easy wasn't how he'd been raised.
"Oh, thanks." He laughed a little. "But you could take me out in a heartbeat, I think. I was taught never to raise a paw to a lady. Kind of hard to protect someone with that kind of rule, but..." He just felt so guilty even thinking about it! "Rabudal said a true lady wouldn't need to be struck anyway, so..." He grinned a little, shrugging. It was a nice loophole, but one he didn't exploit often. Too proper, this one.
"Oh, break my poor little heart why don't you!" He fell back dramatically, putting his paws over his chest and flopping his tongue out. "No reason to live now!" He peered at her, grinning a little wider, and sat up again after a minute. "Lot on his plate, that one." He frowned. "Poor guy." Responsibility terrified him a bit, the idea of being an advisor, and the King's brother, and the heir... And cubs on top of that? Yeesh. "Doesn't just rain, it pours for that poor guy." He grinned a little, and nudged her.
"Chin up, Mzu. Once the cubs're grown and things calm down a bit I'm sure he'll spend all his free time with you. He'd be crazy not to." He grinned brightly at her. Cheering people up, that was a gift from Arin's mother.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:41 am
She pouted a little, although in a more teasing manner this time. She thought she'd been all clever, coming up with a nickname for him and everything! But she shook it off, her tail still swaying from side to side. The subject was brought back to a fight between the two of them, and Mzuka even found herself giggling. She, Mzuka'hila, was giggling a little at his words. And couldn't actually stop until he'd stopped talking fully, meaning she had to remember what he'd said first so she could answer logically.
"I know some 'ladies' I'd certainly like to whack..." she muttered slightly, just loud enough that Arin would be able to hear. A flush crept over her cheeks as she replayed what he'd said, however, Mzu finding herself giggling quietly again. "Well, I can't blame you. I am pretty amazing, y'know?" Why not play along with it? She was actually growing really fond of Arin - but not in a mate way. She was well and truly besotted with Faiz, but Arin was so much fun. She kinda wanted a best friend. Faiz came into the conversation, though, and she shrugged again. "Yeah...and I understand it all, y'know? Just it'd be nice and all..." she trailed off, knowing he'd get the idea. She did like cuddling with Faiz.
His last words touched her, though. Just like Tuliua's words the other day as she'd been leaving her den had made her well up a little, these were equally sweet...although not quite worthy of tears. She wasn't that bad. She smiled, nodding, "With any luck there'll be some more cubs pretty soon...if you get my drift," she spoke, her cheeky grin returning as she even flashed him a wink.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:45 am
Arindam laughed a little, nodding. "Oh, you're absolutely amazing." He promised, grinning a little. He'd noticed the mutter, and shrugged. "You're the most important one. The others don't matter as much." He grinned at her. "If they did, you'd just be another Banu, right?" He arched an eyebrow, grinning. "Sometimes you have to be patient. Males... they can be a bit dense." This coming from a male himself. But he would own up to his own stupid things, too. And probably have a good laugh about it later, actually. Especially that Hippo incident... That'd be one to tell the kids.
"I know what you mean. It's hard watching your mate being so busy to have no time for you." He nodded a little. He'd seen it, his mother always pining after Kaubali while he ruled the pride and slept with whoever the hell he'd wanted. The thought of Kaubali made him growl, but he didn't seem aware of it. He shook his head, and grinned a little again. "Planning a litter of your own, hmm?" He smirked. "I bet that'll be fun. May the Gods give you so many cubs you don't know what to do with." He said dryly, laughing.
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