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 Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:40 pm
 Nawiri, the pink lioness decided with a glare for her surroundings, was not an easy person to find. She knew the Queen was somewhere in this area, discharging her duties as a Healer as well as ruler of the pride. Given the time of day, however, she should be done soon and thus have time to talk to Mittere. At least, that was the hope. With the sick lions, nothing was ever certain except that one day they would die. And even that would take an undeterminable amount of time. She really hated this part of the pride sometimes. Being here reminded her of those long months she'd spent recovering - after, of course, learning that she was stuck in the Kitwana'antara for the remainder of her life. The long pink tail lashed angrily as Mittere stalked through the scattered dens, looking for a particular grey lioness. She considered calling out, but military instincts and common courtesy agreed that would do more harm than good. Instinct said never give your position away if you could avoid it. Courtesy required that she allow the lions that were managing to sleep continue in peace. Not that the pink lioness ever gave much weight to politeness. It just happened to agree with her inclinations this time.
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:47 pm
She knew what they were going to say. . . knew what they were demanding. . . .but unfortunately what they wanted wasn't up to them. It wasn't up to anyone really, just time. But time was something that always seemed in low supply, especially within the Kitwana'antara! So she had spent most of the afternoon with those near the end, offering what little consolation and peace she could muster.
Stepping out of a small den, the grey lioness looked to another lioness waiting just outside the entrance. "It shouldn't be long now before the Goddess calls her away. I gave her some roots to chew upon, to hopefully induce a deep sleep. Her body is weak and she's lost so much blood already. If you could have Cheth round up her family, I doubt she'll make it through the night."
As the healer turned away, Nawiri heaved a trouble sigh. She knew that the pride was in the midst of better days, and yet, so frequently it was difficult to see the good. With every new birth there was another death. . . and Nawiri was never far from such knowledge. She witnessed far more deaths than she did birth, and sometimes she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.
Oh well.
She stood strong because she had to. . . because this was her duty, now and forever.
Giving a small shake of her head, the grey lioness gave a small stretch. She winced at the pain, her joints sore and her muscles tender. Unfortunately, her rounds were far from over. Rising to her paws, trotting through the dens, a strange color caught her attention. Amidst the familiar healers and apothecaries and ill, there was a splash of pink! And not just any pink, but Mittere . . .
Of all the lionesses Nawiri would have thought to stumble upon this deep within the pride, Mittere was not one of them. Still, she paused in her step, waiting to see where the lioness was heading. Perhaps she was just passing through? Far be it for Nawiri to hold her up, though it was very nice to see the lioness on her paws and moving. She had truly been a fighter and was damned lucky to be alive.
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Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:10 pm
There was a surprising amount of traffic in this area - Healers for the ill, their family members, and those who simply wished to comfort them. Which made it even odder for Mittere to be here. However, her searching had finally paid off and she spotted Nawiri's distinctive markings with relief.
"My Queen," the pink lioness called out, inclining her head. Not too loudly, of course, but enough to get attention. "Do you have time to speak?" she asked carefully. The Warrior didn't want to take up too much time, but she felt it was vital to speak with the pride's ruler at this time.
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:28 am
Nawiri watched as the pink lioness approached. It wasn't entirely surprising, as Mittere wasn't exactly keen on conversation. She was a rough sort, but not necessarily in a bad way. She was smart, a warrior, and quite possibly the most stubborn individual Nawiri had ever met. These weren't bad qualities, even if some others in the pride weren't entirely certain how to deal with her.
As she crossed over, the red and blue eyed female found great pleasure in seeing how well she looked. She had come a long way from being holed up in the den, hardly able to move and covered in blood. It truly was amazing that she had survived such a tough lot, but then again, it would take much more to take down a female such as Mittere. To see her out and about, to see her walking, while she didn't want the lioness to over work herself, she knew without a doubt that the other would only continue to do well. She was on the mend.
"Mittere," she greeted warmly, as she would any member of the pride. Dipping her head cordially, she gave a nod. "I can spare the time, if you would care to walk with me to my den. I'm to meet up with the High Priestess shortly before I continue my rounds, but am in no particular rush." It was also a good place to talk in case the pink lioness had sensitive or private words she needed to express.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:05 pm
"That would be fine, my thanks," the pink lioness winced inwardly at the stilted quality of her words. She avoided speaking in many situations because there were two ways she tended to organize her words. The first, and most relevant at the moment, was a dry, formal quality that was the best way she had to avoid offending anyone. It was profoundly unnatural for her, which made it sound just plain awkward coming out of her mouth.
The other way, which the pride was slowly coming to learn, was to simply snarl out what she thought. It worked wonders for whipping young fighters into shape, but had a distinct tendency to be regarded as rude by the rest of the world, including those fighters for whom she wasn't the final authority.
Given all of that, it was no wonder that Mittere avoided talking much of the time.
And she would much rather focus on that as she and the Queen walked, instead of the reasons she'd actually sought Nawiri out. Unfortunately, she'd made up her mind to have this discussion and she couldn't back out of it now. Well, the lioness supposed she could at that, but it went against her grain. She wouldn't lie, and she'd already determined that she'd do this. The Warrior never backed down from anything, from fights to conversations!
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:13 pm
Mittere's acceptance of her invitation pleased Nawiri, even if formality wasn't entirely in step with the pink lioness. She was gruff around the edges, most certainly, but there was quite a difference between snark and cruelty. Just because she didn't talk and others could be quick to take offense didn't make the pink lioness any less a member of the pride - the world wasn't soft, after all, and it was obvious she took her lifestyle as a warrior seriously. There was nothing wrong with that, even if it she came off a bit crass.
It didn't take long to navigate the lioness to her den. There was still time before others showed, and Kiwi'lan was likely off with the advisers of the pride. It was the King whom Mittere would eventually be assigned to, and it was he whom had the final say when it came to the guards and warriors of the pride, but Nawiri'chiwa didn't like to be an idle queen. She much preferred to be in the know of what happened on both sides of the spectrum . . . It was her duty, after all. Thankfully though, Kiwi'lan was often open about his thoughts and opinions, and kept her informed. There were no secrets.
Bringing the lioness in to her den, Nawiri settled herself and turned her eyes upon Mittere. "Here we are. Now then, what is it your wish to talk about?" She had Nawiri's undivided attention and patience. The grey lioness knew Mittere would likely spit out whatever it was that was on her mind, as idle chit-chat and aimless chatter wasn't her forte. Deep down though, the queen truly was curious on the subject matter. Was it a concern with another? Was it going to be a demand or request?
Thankfully, it was most unlikely Mittere wouldn't keep her hanging for long.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:32 pm
There was an uncomfortable silence after Nawiri asked the question. Mittere was reluctant to open up to anyone, including Nawiri, but it had to happen some time. For the first time in a long time, she was tempted to skirt the issue. There were plenty of things she could bring up, from progress and problems with the pride's fighters to the weather.
But that wouldn't help. The pink lioness' tail lashed with her inner frustration as blue eyes moved upwards to meet blue and red ones. "I believe I have the disease," she admitted softly.
The aches and twinges had been too often, and she was quite familiar with the way they were different from limbs and muscles relearning strength they had once known. Mittere may not have been injured so badly before, but she had indeed been injured previously.
It hurt though, to say it out loud at last. Somehow made the fact that much more real, and the lioness felt her mortality keenly.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:52 am
Nawiri'chiwa watched as Mittere seemed to gather her thoughts. She caught sight of her tail flicking, and sensed a heaviness in the air of the pink lioness. While she was tough, strong, and just a little gruff around the edges, she was a fighter. The air that seemed to fill the small den was different than what Mittere typically seemed to radiate.
It was only when blue eyes rose to meet her and her admittance came forth that Nawiri understood why things seemed off. So the pink lionesses luck had finally run out. It hurt Nawiri'chiwa to hear that she now was struck with illness, with plague. . . It had been on her orders to bring the lioness in to their lands. While they hadn't expected her to survive due to her extensive injuries, they had also assumed it was possible the disease might compromise her recovery or do her in thanks to her weakened state. But Mittere had been lucky. She survived all the odds, and looked to make a complete recovery! She was too damned stubborn to die.
Though the news wasn't surprising, Nawiri had hoped that maybe, just maybe, the pink lioness would have been immune and spared the torment. But this was her future, and the only thing they could do now was to treat her and make her aware of signs and available options. Not that the queen didn't doubt Mittere didn't already know, didn't already understand.
"I see," she finally murmured. Her words were quiet, soft, but her gaze did not hold pity. Not only was it something Nawiri tried not to do as a general rule to anyone, but she also knew without a doubt the pink lioness wouldn't appreciate such a thing. "May I ask what symptoms have been ailing you and their frequency as of the past few moons?" The queen was instantly back to business, her pensive thoughts pushed to the wayside for now.
The more information she knew, the more she could prescribe for the lioness. Even if she had the disease, there was a possibility she could fight it for year. In fact, that was something Nawiri'chiwa found hope in. If anyone would give the plague a fight, it would be the pink coated lioness standing before her.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:49 am
The pink lioness had to look away from her Queen after the admission, so she studied the walls and floor of the den, tail still lashing about in frustration. It had been so good to be able to move on her own again, but even then she had guessed it wouldn't last. It was hard, to think that her ending would not be her own. That was probably what she hated most. Mittere had once assumed she would die in battle...but that no longer seemed likely. And waiting around to die had never appealed to her.
However, that day was far from here. Nawiri was asking about her symptoms, and from what she'd heard here and there, the pink lioness believed she was still in the early stages of the disease. She'd already seen cubs born ill live to adulthood, so it wasn't as if she'd expire tomorrow. And damnit, she would live for a good long time yet!
"Aches, mostly," she replied at last. "Twinges in my joints that I'm now sure are related to something other than my...recovery." The word was like ash in her mouth. Recovery? From near death to diseased for life. Blue eyes glared at no one and nothing in particular as she spoke the awful word. It was full of hope, but what hope was there when she was trapped even worse than before?
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:13 pm
Nawiri'chiwa couldn't help but feel disheartened by the news. She had hoped upon hoped that for all the struggles Mittere had suffered, she would have been spared this trial. Even though Nawiri herself didn't fear the disease, or the suffering that would come her way in the end, it wasn't necessarily something she enjoyed. She loved the goddess, she knew they were chosen for some greater plan and purpose, but it didn't make living with the disease any easier.
When it came to dealing with adults, aches and joint pains could be related to a variety of things -- how much stress they've put on their body, if there was an strenuous activity they put themselves through and a handful of other reasoning's. But Mittere was still at the tail end of recuperation. While she may have pushed herself, Nawiri was all too well aware that the pink lioness knew her body well.
She wouldn't have admitted to the aches and pains if they hadn't been bothering her for awhile now. "Aches and joint pain are indeed one of the more typical symptoms, especially if they've happened consistently and without due cause. Fevers and chills tend to follow as the disease progresses, though that can take months if not years." The queen stressed the word, knowing that while Mittere wasn't the sort to need reassurance, it was often good to know the reality of the situation.
While the disease was fatal, it seemed to run it's course faster or slower in some. "I have some leaves I can give you which may help ease the pain and any muscle inflammation. Soak the leaves in a gourd until the leaves begin to fall apart, and then drink the concoction. It's bitter but should help." Nawiri trotted over to where a series of gourd halves were placed, each filled with a different type of plant. Bringing it over, she placed it before Mittere.
"Unfortunately we've no way to treat the illness itself, but do have ways of lessening its potency and an ability to treat symptoms. So long as you keep us informed of how the illness develops, we've different ways to go about keeping you healthy." She smiled gently, even though the truth weighed heavy in the air.
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:47 pm
Blue eyes flashed in the Queen's direction. Only an idiot could have failed to miss the fact that Nawiri was trying to console her, and the Warrior resented it. Oh she understood well enough that the lioness was just trying to help, but what worked on the average civilian was far from guaranteed to help in Mittere's case.
Her only response to the pain numbing leaves was an eloquent sniff. She'd come across similar herbs before and in her eyes, they were for the weak or from those in extreme pain. Such as losing a limb. Or perhaps someone as injured as she'd been when she arrived in the Kitwana'antara. She didn't know if such things had been used on her then, but she certainly hadn't been conscious enough in the beginning to notice anything like that.
"I will do so," the Warrior informed her monarch curtly in response to the Healer's request. She hated to have to admit - repeatedly! - her progressive weakness to anyone. But she understood that the pride's Healers needed to know.
She nodded to the Queen. "By your leave," the pink lioness told her in a cool voice, and turned to go.
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:09 pm
Nawiri'chiwa wasn't insulted or offended as the pink lioness seemingly disregarded her advice. She hadn't thought Mittere would actually head her advice, but she also understood that the other did have ears. What she might brush off now might come in handy down the road. . . or at the very least, in the privacy of Mittere's den.
C'est la vie. With luck, the proud warrior wouldn't succumb any more than she already had. Good fortune and favor might find her long lived within the pride-- it was something Nawiri could only hope.
"I appreciate you coming forward with this, Mittere." She understood well how the other lioness had tensed and all but twitched in aggravation. "Until then." She gave a nod, dismissing the lioness and allowing her to do what she pleased. She had no other words, as they felt weak against the others admittance to illness. Still, the warrior was unlikely to let her concerns show. . .
Hopefully she had an outlet somewhere in the pride. For as strong as Mittere might be, she wasn't an island, and she certainly wasn't heartless or emotionless. Someday she'd be affected, whether she admitted to it or not. But that was the pink lionesses battle. Sad that all of the battles and wars she might have fought, in the end, it was her own body she would someday wage war against.
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