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 Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:47 pm
Beneath the boughs of a large leafy tree, the two lions had settled down the night before. The bright morning sun shone down, delicately spreading its rays and warming the land, slowly stirring everying back to life. Mwovu was not immune to this bright awakening, though he didn't protest having to wake up. With a heavy sigh, the dark lion took a deep breath, his crimson eyes blinking open. He'd fallen asleep using the knobby protruding root as a form of a pillow, causing quite a crick in his neck. Wincing slightly, the small male stood, digging his claws into the dusty dirt as he stretched out. Muffled pops echoed out as the vertebrae popped back into a comfortable position. Standing happily, Mwovu wiggled his toes in the dirt. The past day he'd noticed that the terrain had been changing. It was obvious they were in a new land, and the new range of smells wafting alerted him to a pride living here, not just random rouges. He hoped they were friendly, as he didn't have much bulk to defend himself or Kali.
With the gray and white toned lioness on his mind, Mwovu's head perked up, looking around for his travelling companion. He was confident she was close, however, he didn't want to force her to wake up as well. Perhaps she was already awake? With a calm, hushed voice, the dark animal inquisitively called out,
"Kali?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:08 pm
Kali rolled onto her back, yawning loudly as if in reply to her name before turning back over. Like many lions, she enjoyed her sleep. On the opposite side of the tree Mwovu was under, she curled herself into a tight ball before slowly forcing herself to get up. Blinking groggily she smiled as she recalled how she had met Mwovu, herself sleeping in the long grasses and the young lion practically running into her. Lifting herself from the ground she stretched out, one paw at a time and then shaking her head to clear it.
"Mwovu?" she called out, venturing around the tree to where he was sitting. Smiling as she saw him, Kali padded up and sat beside him, "Good morning." She yawned, her sleep getting the better of her. "It's been a while since we've had a good tree to sleep under, huh?" She brought a paw to her face and ran her tongue over it, pulling it over her head to clean it. She glanced at Mwovu as she cleaned and noticed a patch of fur rebelliously standing out of place where he had been sleeping. "Let me get that for you." She laughed, fixing the patch with a quick lick.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:36 am
A sleepy, yawning sounds responded to Mwovu's calls. The somber lion smiled, glad that his companion hadn't left him. For a while now, he'd wake up in the morning, expecting to see Kali gone. He had no idea how long she planned to stick around, but Mwovu was glad to see her still there, day in, day out. In a way, he'd forgotten how to be in the company of others. All of his years alone had made him wary. But now, he was finding great joys in the company of others, especially now, with his constant companion. His thoughts quickly dissipated as Kali's lithe frame appeared from behind the thick tree. He greeted her with a polite smile and a gentle nod of his head,
"Good morning indeed, Kali. And yes, this tree provided quite a peaceful night."
Mwovu glanced over, his eyes looking to the base of the tree, and trailing all the way up to the dancing leaves. The male smiled, silently thanking the tree for the shelter it had provided. For a moment, he closed his eyes, grateful for all the good fortune the Great Spirit had lately been bringing his way. He'd really been so fortunate since he'd fled the Dark Fire. The more time he spent travelling, the better he seemed to feel. Crimson eyes snapped back open as Kali spoke. The male was confused for a second, but chuckled quietly as Kali flattened down a patch of his fur. Indeed, his fur did get rather unruly in the morning. Mwovu looked to her kindly, a spark of appreciation in his dark eyes,
"Thank you, my friend. I must say, I'm thankful that the paths of our lives had led us here... As far as paths go, Kali, do you gather we're close?"
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:54 am
Kali glanced over at her companion softly and smiled as to say she felt the same way before swinging her head around to survey the land. The scenery had changed from endless grass land to a slightly more colorful landscape. In the far distance she could spy a slight mountain range, or if anything, a sort of rock landmark, and she could swear she smelt something odd in the breeze. The lioness closed her eyes and took a deep breath, parting her jaws to help her scent the winds. She considered it, for it was still a long way off, but she could just barely catch the life-giving smell of water.
Blinking her eyes open she made to tell Mwovu about her finding before she was distracted by a faint noise reaching her ears. Flicking her ears to clear them of whatever bug was pestering her, she scowled when she realized she had not alleviated the problem. The breeze brushed her face as she was about to give her ears a good scratch when the noise got louder and she paused. A rhythmic pulsing was flowing on the breeze and suddenly Kali realized what she was hearing.
"Mwovu, do you hear that? I think we're close."
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:13 pm
Mwovu's red gaze remained fixated on the two toned lioness as she surveyed the lands. He figured that he too should look around, try and grasp somewhat of an understanding of the lands in which they now wandered, however, he couldn't bring himself to tear his gaze away. He felt a bit sneaky, gawking at Kali as she looked away, but he figured this way was less awkward than doing so while she was actually looking right at him. Day by day, he felt his appreciation for the female growing. It wasn't something he had ever expected, and it wasn't something he could ever explain. It was another path his inconstant heart had decided to follow and Mwovu was powerless to tag along. When they had first met, his thoughts had been centered on friendship; yearning for a friend that would last more than a day or two. But now what did he want? Something more? Soon, Kali's eyes were once again upon him, and the dark male averted his gaze, looking a bit flustered as he looked out onto the horizon, trying to look as inconspicuous as he could.
"What is it?"
Mwovu's black head perked up, sensing that Kali had indeed found something out about the lands they were in while he aimlessly gawked at her. His ears flicked up as she spoke. Did he hear? Hear what? The dark lion's face scrunched up slightly as he focused on the air about them. After a few moments, it was clear as the what Kali was talking about. There were dull, rhythmic thuds echoing out over the land. Intrigued, Mwovu strained his senses to hear more. Music. Suddenly, it hit him. Dark, red eyes widened in his stark realization, looking to Kali with obvious excitement,
"The music! The god that makes music! I think you're right. We must be almost there..."
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:01 pm
Kali's mind wandered as she walked beside Mwovu, her thoughts retracing their journey from its beginning as they usually did these days. She recalled the laughs they had shared and smiled to herself as she peered forward. The mountainous region rose ahead of her and she could now distinctly scent the water on the wind. Their presence suddenly stirred within her the notion that the had finally arrived and as her thoughts trailed on... that their journey was nearly over. She looked across at her companion and couldn't help worry that their story was drawing to a close. If Mwovu found his god and his wish granted, surely he would return home. And leave her to return to... she shook her head abruptly. Return to what?
She felt the urge to follow Mwovu, but she was struck by the fact that she was already doing just that. What was compelling her to continue accompanying him on his journey? Kali found herself wishing that perhaps they wouldn't find the god he sought. This surprised her and she felt guilty for ever thinking it, of course she wanted Mwovu to succeed and she abandoned the thought immediately. "What will you do if-" She quickly recovered herself, "when you finish your journey?" The lioness was becoming all nerves now and was glad to pass the mantle of conversation to Mwovu, afraid that somehow she would betray herself by talking too much.
She had never known anyone she had truly cared for and now the possibility that it would all end just like another chapter to a story scared her. She peered over at the handsome male, taking in his kind expression as if afraid it would be all she would have to remember him by. "Will you go home?"
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:36 pm
Before he knew it, the pair had shaken off the hazy morning fog that had been floating about their heads and set off once again. As time had progressed, Mwovu had gotten so used to walking; it's all he had been doing for months now, afterall. How would he feel being stationed back down in a pride once again after all of this roaming free? The thought troubled the dark adult for a while as he walked onward, slowly. Would he feel ostracized... Again? No, he wouldn't let it happen. He had worked so hard just to be able to live in peace with himself and with the Ela'Wadiyi once more. Going home a new lion was the ultimate goal. He'd be happy back there, sitting still, he'd have to be.
Mwovu blinked hard, clearing his troubling thoughts. No time for darkness, not now, not when they were so close. How could he be cleansed if he was still so troubled? He had to rid himself of all worries, of all trepidation; if anyone could do it, Mwovu could. A soft breeze floated on by, ruffling the male's dark mane. He couldn't help but to let a soft smile appear on his face. So close. Meandering on, so absorbed in his own thoughts, Mwovu had momentarily forgotten about his companion. With a smooth motion, his head turned to her. The smile remained, but as he got a look at Kali's expression, it faded. She seemed troubled by something. Was something wrong?
"Is everything all right?"
Mwovu spoke with a light, concerned voice, his brow gently furrowed. The more time he spent with Kali the more he got to know her. And right now, he knew something was bothering her; something heavy had settled upon her mind. They were both experiencing whirlwinds of emotion, but Mwovu had been so absorbed in his own that he'd been feign to notice his dear friend. Softly, she spoke and Mwovu let out a quick sigh. His gait slowed to a halt. In response he nodded, thoughts of going back to his pride overwhelming his other musings,
"When I finish... When I'm fixed... Yes, I'm going home. I can't wait, Kali, I'm starting to forget what it looks like..."
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:27 pm
Kali's head sunk despite her efforts to keep her emotions from showing. Of course he'd want to go home, she'd want to go home if she had anywhere to go. She didn't miss the plains they had left at all, and going back to them revealed no earnest familiarity that Mwovu seemed to be feeling. Kali knew that Mwovu had seen through her attempts at conversation to what she was really feeling and it made the lioness feel embarrassed. Folding her ears back, she shuffled her paws, "I'm fine." She lied, for whatever reason continuing her discovered ruse. Mwovu was on the verge of completing his journey and Kali felt bitterly selfish for behaving this way.
Her pace only having slowed for a moment she regained her step and strode quickly forward, "We're almost there," She squinted to pierce the distant lands, "I think I see some dens in the rocks." She raked her mind for the stories she had heard about these lions and felt fairly confident in her recollections that the lions found here were friendly, though admittedly strange in their ways. As they approached closer she supposed it would only be a short matter of time before they met the pride and found out.
However, it was an odd sensation Kali felt that had caught her attention now, as if the entire land were pulsing to it's own rhythm. It started in her paws and she felt it rise along her form, echoing in her mind. The distant crash of soft waves embracing the shorelines and the winds caressing the grass and trees. With the breeze the sensation faded, but Kali was certain there was something special about this lyrical land. She wished nothing now but for Mwovu to find what he was looking for, resigned to accompanying him until his return home. Things had a way of working out for the best.
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:45 am
There was a complete sombering of Mwovu's facial expression as Kali's head sunk down with his words. Was it something he'd said? Well, of course it had been. But which? That they were almost there? That he was almost cured? That he was.... He was going home. Suddenly, it hit him. He'd figured it out, that sense of forboding that he'd been carrying around in the back of his complex little mind. Mwovu was almost positive that his companion felt it as well. As soon as this was over, they would part ways. Mwovu had a pride to return to, and Kali had... Well, she had her life to return to. They'd been on this journey together for quite a while, and it had been completely surreal. They'd seperated themselves from reality, living in a world of wonder and kinship. But now, that was all threatened, and the real world was creeping in. The dark lion furrowed his brow,
"Don't say things that you don't mean."
The male's tone wasn't angry, just firm. Kali wasn't fine. He knew it well. Everything from her body language to her tone shouted it. She was troubled. Perhaps that was why they made such a good team. They were always troubled with something or another. Mwovu sighed with a hint of frustration as they started moving again. There was a big pink elephant in the area, and neither of them wanted to acknowledge it. Mwovu kept his piercing red gaze ahead of him, staring concretely infront of him, not wanting to glance to the female at his side. His eyes didn't move as Kali spoke and he continued to walk on in silence. Indeed, the land before them was starting to become more characteristic of that of a pride. The ground was worn where many paws had tread; the air was thick with the scent of others; the breeze playing a tune of family; the ground beating a rythmic thud of life. They had arrived, there was no tip-toeing around it. They were here and he was almost at his goal. His god would be here; his cure, and everything would be over. The dark animal hadn't felt so conflicted in a long time. He wanted to go home, but he didn't want to leave his friend; he had developed too much of a bond with her to simply leave her behind. Swallowing hard, Mwovu's head suddenly snapped to intensely face Kali,
"We're here. What's going to happen? What're we going to do? When I'm done..."
Mwovu paused, biting his lip roughly, not sure if he wanted to continue his line of thought. He was sure she wasn't ready to part just yet, but how did she feel on the matter? Would she share the feeling? His gaze locked with hers steadily,
"What're we going to do without each other?"
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:42 pm
Kali felt helpless as Mwovu completely saw through her ruse. But the fact was she couldn't hide from him anymore, "I don't know," she uttered sadly, her head dropping. The breeze from the near-by shore brushed her fur softly and the lioness grew quiet. She'd thought all of this before; it was all she thought about lately. We're here. What's going to happen? What're we going to do? When I'm done... his words danced before her.
'You'll go home', she thought, 'you'll return to your home and I'll return to where I've come from'. She remembered when their paths had first crossed and she had asked Mwovu if he was lost, 'you must be trying to get somewhere? Back home maybe?' A quiet thought entered her mind, and Kali knew exactly what she had always wanted, a home. She looked up into Mwovu's deep red eyes and in their reflection glimpsed what she was seeking. She had seen it the moment they had met, he had a home. She had seen it then and Kali realized that she had followed him all that time ago just to imagine that maybe she could have it too. And now the illusion was drawing to a close, leaving her to desperately chase after it, hopeless to ignore it. And hopeless to hide it.
"I was looking for something when we first met..." She paused a moment, staring into his eyes, "and I saw it in you. I wanted to grasp onto it, so I decided to travel with you. I would follow you forever, Mwovu."
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:22 am
It was odd, this feeling, this feeling of being so attached to someone else. Just about his whole life Mwovu had not known true friendship. He'd not known companionship and trust. But now, seemingly at the drop of a stone he had found it. Or had it found him? With a long, thoughtful sigh Mwovu glanced back before him. The body of water they had both sensed earlier was now clearly visible. In a satisfied manner, the dark lion took a deep breath, letting his lungs fill up with the crisp air that surrounded them. The scents of this place were teeming with life, and all visual cues points to a pride at this location. Even though he couldn't actually locate any other lions other than himself and Kali, he knew that they must be close.
Mwovu stopped at the banks of the lake, dipping a paw in to test the waters. He wiggled his dusty toes about for a while, contemplating Kali's words. The male could relate to his companion, in a way. They both sought something they lacked. He was glad he'd met Kali, honestly and genuinel. He felt that even though he still looked the same, his journey might as well had been over. He'd gained what he had set out for. She'd helped him change. Helped him find his confidence, his will-power, his trust. Mwovu closed his dark eyes for a moment, trying to clear his thoughts. He didn't want to think about ever splitting up from Kali, at least not now. Right now was supposed to be a happy time. He was exactly where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be. Opening his crimson eyes back up, he turned his head to face Kali, a delicate smile on his face,
"Did you find what you were looking for, at least?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:24 pm
Kali could see by the look in his eyes, that reflection of what she yearned for beaming back at her, and the lioness drew a small contented sigh. "I found it when I met you, Mwovu." She swept her head under his chin and brushed his cheek, "But we have not traveled all this way to find what I was seeking, we are here to find what you seek." She stepped back and lifted her eyes to the rocky outcrops ahead of them. The beats ran through her paws and a sense of excitement went with it. She scuffed her paws in the earth below her and took a deep breath, scenting her surroundings, the feeling growing inside her. She hoped now that Mwovu would find his God and she wondered furtively how he would look in a coat of white.
The lake breeze blew past her and ruffled his fur as she looked at him. It was hard to change the only vision of him that she knew, but closing her eyes she could shape a feeling for it. How his eyes would stand out then, blood red against pure white, and his tattoos etched boldly out for everyone to read. Kali opened her eyes and beheld the dark Mwovu before her, causing her to smile. Whatever happened she found herself content.
She could hear their destination, smell it, see it. All that lay ahead of them was just one step away, it was so close you could taste it.
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:41 pm
Mwovu couldn't help it. With Kali's words came a gentle smile, one of adoration and sincerity. As he felt her head beneath his; he offered a light nuzzle in return, sighing contently as he did so. If one could freeze time, he would've kept the moment forever. It was a moment of pure serenity. A moment of the beat of the land and what seemed to be the entwining of their two souls. The small male perked his head up, trying to crane his neck up to seem taller than he really was.
"I suppose you're right."
Mwovu grinned with a playful tone in his voice. It sounded so self absorbed, but this journey was indeed all about him. He had set out to better himself and to change what he was. And here he was, at the brink of finishing it all. He wasn't in sure what lay in store. Would his color change really help him feel complete? It was what he was after... After all. His years of anguish were about to draw to a close; he could feel it. A surge of excitement rushed through the dark male; his muscles twitching oddly as it happened. He hopped up, shaking his paw of the water that had soaked up a few moments before. Sharp colored eyes darted around, desperately trying to pick a way to go. A rocky area up ahead seemed to be pock marked with dens in the solid structures. There had to be other lions there, no doubt. Before bounding off in that direction he whipped around to Kali,
"We'll figure this out. We have to. But now, let's go. Let's put all these doubts of mine to an end. I'm ready."
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:02 pm
Kali took off after Mwovu as he bounded towards the mountains, catching the dark lion's pace and falling into step. The scent of lions was growing as they approached and it was soon clear that this was where the pride made its home. The faint feelings she had felt in her paws now beat soundly through the earth and reverberated in the air, holding a soothing, yet powerful beat. In the rocky outcroppings ahead of them, dens had been carved out for the members of the pride and though these lions were strange to her, Kali felt reassured by rhythms.
"We're here Mwovu."
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