-Let the Games Begin-
Truth.Be.Told
It had been two days. Two rather sleepless days. Maluuni couldn't help but go over everything that could go wrong. And yet...she found herself here. Here in this patch of savanna trees, waiting anxiously for the black and red lion. Would he hurt her? Or would he be kind to her, like Haramu and Indira and Jani had been...It made her head spin with the possibilities. She would wait...and she somehow KNEW he would come.
Manda
Indeed, Iartuupe was on his way at that very moment. He was smirking faintly as he padded along, having left the pride's lands just a little while ago. This place was close enough that it wasn't a long walk, but far enough away that it would be secluded. A very good choice. For if she did not agree to what he had in mind ... he was likely to force it. But he would try honey this time first.
Truth.Be.Told
Her emerald eyes caught sight of the black and red among the savanna grasses, and the anxiousness increased. Oh Sweet Mkodi...she was a fool. But Mwenye had said that over and over, hadn't he. And she knew it all too well. She would probably stay a fool. But...maybe this time she wasn't? She could hope, that she could..
Manda
Iar made no attempt at all to hide his approach, padding into the little grove of trees after another moment or two. "Hello again," he greeted, shaking his mane out a bit. He would have to be careful here... but if he played this right, he might soon have cubs of his own to begin to rival Verge's ... accomplishments. He growled to himself at that. If only females would come willingly to him, rather than him having to hunt them down and then later go after any cubs that might result.
Truth.Be.Told
Maluuni made a small bow. "Hello to you as well. I hope you had sweet waters." Some old mannerisms died hard, and she knew her birth pride would never truly leave her. She'd grown too used to the rituals and phrases used to break herself of them."What is it you wished to talk to me about?" She really did want to know what he found so...special about her. Her, of cursed fur and small size.
Manda
Iar blinked just slightly at the obviously ritual phrase... and suddenly found himself wondering if perhaps he should incorporate such things into the Aikanaro. Ah, but now was not the time to think of that. Not knowing the appropriate response, he just nodded at her words and then went on with his little plan. "Well ... when I saw you before, I must admit, that I found you beatiful. Do you think me silly for it?" he asked, craftily.
Truth.Be.Told
That completely floored the lioness. The only ones who had really called her anything close to beautiful had been Indira and her long disappeared daughter. "I...I find it...Strange, really." She looked to the ground embarassed. "Beautiful is not normally a word associated with me." The thought it could be a trick vanished from her mind. She'd never come across someone 'crafty' before...Quick-witted, yes. Crafty and sly, no.
Manda
Iar tilted his head at that, eyeing her as if she had said something strange herself. "Why is that...?" he asked softly. Oh, this looked as if it would be -far- too easy!
Truth.Be.Told
"W-where I come from...my fur is considered a curse, a symbol of the destroying fires." She smiled sadly. "If my pride had not died, I would have long ago. And even then...the only other surviving member would not let me forget my status as cursed."
Manda
Iar let his eyes widen at that, not having to entirely fake surprise. "A curse! Whatever for?" He had absolutely no idea what her pride had been like, but in his own opinion, her colors were actually rather appealing. "Where I come from ... such colors are held in high regard."
Truth.Be.Told
"Truly?" She had just only begun to not look down on her own coloring. She suspected her talk with Indira had something to do with it. "Where I was born...was a forest. Full of trees and vines and old growth. Red is the color of fire...the ultimate symbol of destruction for a forest-dweller." But she laughed in the back of her mind, for they had died by claws, not fire.
Manda
Hmph... well, that was interesting but... "Fire is not only a danger in the forest," he pointed out. "It seems a bit ridiculous to me to despise and curse someone only for the color of their fur. After all, it wasn't something that you chose, was it? And you certainly didn't intend to burn down the forest."
Truth.Be.Told
He...did have a point. Much the same point Indira had. "Yes...that is true. I am growing to be more comfortable in my fur, so to speak. I've...had a lot of help." Some of her superstitions and beliefs would remain. The bias on fur colors...would not. She would not look down on others as she had once been.
Manda
"That's good," Iar purred in response, moving in a little closer to her. Then he paused, head tilting. "Oh... how rude of me. I haven't exactly introduced myself.. My name is Iartuupe."
Truth.Be.Told
Maluuni stayed where she was, though she did not tense in fear like two nights ago. "And I am Maluuni'jambo." Even her name was becoming less of a heartache. "So...you are part of a pride? Is it a good one?" She wasn't sure if that was a good question or not...but it was her curiosity taking over once more.
Manda
Iar rumbled softly at that. "Perhaps not the best of names for such a creature as yourself... and yet the sound of the words is beautiful as well. In a way." He spoke carefully, thoughtful. Iar rather doubted that this lioness harbored a demon, but perhaps he might take her as a slave. She might actually feel more at home with Aikanaro. "It is a small pride yet... few adults, and an abundance of cubs. But all of us are strong..."
Truth.Be.Told
"It is my name, nonetheless. I do not wear it proudly...but it is mine." She smiled sadly, then ears pricked forward. "Cubs?" Though Maluuni was often frightened by those larger than her...She loved cubs. Loved teaching them, loved raising them, loved loving them. "It sounds like a good pride...A loving pride to have so many cubs." Deluded, deluded Maluuni.
Manda
Aah, caught her interest, had he? Iar smirked inwardly and nodded. "Yes... it's a bit sad that we're rather shorthanded on older lions at the moment." He carefully didn't suggest her coming back with him ... let her come to that conclusion on her own. "Do you like cubs?"
Truth.Be.Told
Maluuni nodded. "Yes. Very much." She was a bit sad now, reminded of the daughter she'd pushed away to save her from Mwenye, and the son he'd corrupted. "It's been a long while since I've had my own...but I will never forget the wonder of being around them..."
Manda
Iar made a sympathetic sound at that, knowing he was getting ever closer to his goal now. "Did something happen to them...?" he asked, making his voice soft, gentle. Yes, confess everything to me, so that I might use it to hurt you later...
Truth.Be.Told
"One...I hid away from her father, and haven't seen her since she was almost near-grown...The other..." She shook her head to keep her emotions in check. "His father has named him his heir, and he does not even remember I am his mother." And she fell for it. He had soothed all her worries away, stripping away her doubt of him...
Manda
A little tilt of his head at that, and Iar moved in closer still, almost touching her now. Slowly, slowly ... careful now. "How very sad ... things like curses and the like really do ruin lives, I suppose..." he murmured softly, looking down at her.
Truth.Be.Told
"Yes...But I shall overcome it. I've gotten this far..." She smiled. "And I will find my daughter again one day. A brilliant child of red and yellow she is..." Maluuni purred. Even when she lived under Mwenye's paw, she had thought her daughter beautiful.
Manda
"Yes..." he replied at that. "The important thing is to remember the good ...and, indeed, to move on." He purred in return then, a low reassuring sound. Then, glancing up at the darkening sky, he murmured, "I must confess... you make me think of having cubs of my own."
Truth.Be.Told
Eyes wide, she looked to Iar in surprise. "Really? I never thought my ramblings would make one think of such..." He would have a lucky mate then. Though...something made her envy that mate. She pushed that stray thought away.
Manda
"Oh?" He tilted head, turning to look at her again. "And why is that..? We were talking of cubs, so it's natural that I would think of having my own ... but unfortunately, I have yet to find someone with whom to spend my life," he confessed quietly. Gods, this was pathetically sugary. But he could... and would ... put up with it for the end result.
Truth.Be.Told
He did have a point. Though as he continued, she found herself stepping into a role she never had thought of till now..."I...am not sure if I could offer myself for a lifetime...But maybe...I could stay with you for a bit?" The envy had gone, replaced with a feeling of opportunity.
Manda
Absolutely perfect! Iar blinked as if surprised, but pleased and purred again. "Ah... I wouldn't ask for such a thing ... but if you are offering, I wouldn't say no," he replied, softly, eyes shining just a bit. But not really for the reason she thought...
Truth.Be.Told
"I do offer." He seemed so different from Mwenye...Maluuni was certain she had nothing to fear now. And maybe...just maybe, having cubs again and being with another lion would raise her spirits again. The jungle was near, so she needn't worry about being taken from her precious greenery again...
Manda
Iar purred again at that, clearly pleased by this turn of events. "In that case... perhaps ... if you will have me, I'll stay out here with you tonight. And in the morning... you could come back with me to our lands."
Truth.Be.Told
Maluuni nodded. "That...sounds wonderful." She made a tentative move to nuzzle him, hoping she wasn't overstepping anything. "I look forward to the morning...and the rest of this night."
Manda
Iar returned the gesture with a pleased sort of sound. "Oh... I also look forward to it, rest assured," he purred into one ear.
