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 Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:44 pm
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So much had happened, life had changed, his world literally shaken by the quake and the darkness that followed. Even now, as life at last settled and peace returned, Ufunuo felt lost, would it ever be the same again?
But through it all, he had his sister. After all they had been through together, he could not help but feel closer to her. Without each other, where would they have been? And Daga, the crowned eagle who had so quickly become a cherished friend. And in that, he was happy, even in the darkness he had found good.
A small smile crossed his maw as he affectionately nudged the bird, glad that he had remained unharmed but for a few ruffled feathers. But he missed--
A dark shape, a familiar scent, markings that he could not mistake. Was he really seeing it? Was it--
"Papa?"
He was on his paws, rushing toward the figure, all thought of past events forgotten, exhaustion vanishing. It was really him, it was his father!
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Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:36 pm
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His mind still in a haze from everything, Umoja wasn't quite sure what to do next. There were many things that needed to be done, but the now-king wasn't sure as where to start. His paws carried him around, trying to account for all the faces that were still floating in his mind. There were too many lost.
His ears caught the sound of a voice that he hadn't heard in much too long.
Ufunuo.
Mfalme screeched in joy, the bird soaring upwards to give Umoja the moment he needed alone. He'd return in a moment, anyway; Mfalme missed the little runts too.
Umoja's deep violet eyes caught sight of the cub bounding his way towards him. Even through everything, Umoja let everything dissolve away. The tension, the fear, even the sadness that was still to come. His son was all right, and he knew that his daughter must be as well.
"Ufunuo!" He laughed, letting himself bounce in place for a moment before loping up to meet his son. His paw extended towards him, wanting to bring his son under his chest. He lowered his head to offer the young boy a nuzzle.
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Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:44 pm
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A smile lit his eyes, even through the tears. He couldn't believe it, it was really his father, how he had missed him, wondered, feared the worst. But he was really here, and in that moment, that was all that mattered.
"Papa!"
With an excited squeak, Ufunuo looked up at his father, a broad smile crossed his maw. Energy renewed, his body weaved between his father's legs, cherishing each touch, his own muzzle raised to brush against his fathers.
"Papa, I missed you, I didn't know if I'd ever see you again."
His voice was soft, broken by the tears streaming from his eyes, though whether from the joy of finding his father or the sorrow of all that had passed he did not know. Papa, Ufunuo wanted to cling to him forever, he would never let go, never lose him again.
"I was afraid."
Following behind, though far enough to not intrude on the precious moment between father and son, Daga watched, a smile in his gaze. They were together, and at least for a moment, his young friend had found all the happiness he could have ever hoped for.
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Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:52 am
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Ubele sat quietly and somberly, gazing around her at the land that seemed so familiar and yet so different. So much had changed in the last few weeks. The quake, the visions, the vulture attacks, everything . . . they had changed her. Ubele was not quite sure what she was supposed to think or to do anymore. All she could feel was worry, fear, anger, and occasional relief at having her brother still. Throughout everything, they had survived. And yet, she still felt that their family was broken.
"Mother. Father," she whispered, her head falling in worried grief. However, as if she had summoned, a familiar figure walked towards Ubele and her brother. It was Umoja, their father.
Ubele sat in shock and watched as Ufunuo bounded over to meet him. Ubele held back however, unconvinced that this was not another one of her tricky visions. She had trouble believing in anything now. And yet, as she heard his voice, she couldn't help herself. She had known that voice her entire life. It could only be her father.
Racing over, she flung herself at him and her brother, a wide smile on her maw. She pressed herself against Umoja's side, needing both the comfort at the reassurance that he was indeed real.
"Papa! Papa! You're back! You're back!" she cried with joy. Out of all of the pain and fear and uncertainty, she still had her brother and she now had her father as well.
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Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:14 pm
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Umoja's ears pricked forward to hear Ubele, but she had rushed underneath him to settle next to her brother before he realized. Content, he lowered his head again to offer his daughter a nuzzle. It was such an odd feeling, to be able to touch his children again. The past few weeks had felt like an eternity, and the idea that he was home with his children was one that needed some time to sink in.
He took a step backwards to settle down onto the ground, giving readily access for him to reach his children and let them gather up around him.
"I think we were all afraid for a bit," he said to Ufunuo. "Nothing wrong with that." The earthquake had done a little too much in ruining their lives. But at least the three of them were still here. With a heavy sigh, he lowered his head onto his forepaws. "But at least we're all here, and safe."
Just then, Mfalme let himself enter the happy family, landing on the ground a bit away from Umoja. Folding his wings neatly at his sides, he noticed the other eagle that was watching the scene nearby. He hopped over in that direction, just close enough to be heard but no too close in case the other didn't want him there.
He unfolded one wing to stretch it, away from the other bird. "So, which one is yours?" he asked. Any old bird wasn't going to sit here and watch unless they were Bonded.
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Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:38 pm
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A soft smile to a sister, a quiet sigh, Ufunuo settled against his father, his small body pressed against Umoja's chest. He could not bear to lose that touch, not yet,, as if he feared the moment would end and he'd wake up from the dream if he did. Together.
But he missed his mother. All the emotion, all the stress and fear, everything that he had felt since the quake broke through, spilling from his tears as he buried himself into his father's mane. What would they do now?
"Papa..."
Daga had watched in silence, his own emotions turning as he watched his friend. Tragic events had brought them together, events that no creature should endure, events he would see Ufunuo never had to face again, he swore he would protect him.
"Hmm?"
It was a moment before he realized the martial eagle had spoken to him, before he realized what he had been asked. His bonded, yes, a smile crossed his expression. He had not thought about it before, but now, he liked the sound of that.
"Ufunuo, he is my bonded, I am Daga."
Yes, Ufunuo was his bonded.
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:54 am
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Umoja let his children snuggle into him. He needed them just as much as they needed him, as their family had gone through an irreplaceable rift. He licked the top of Ufunuo's head, possibly ruffling up the little tuft of hair that was growing on his head. It mirrored Umoja's so closely, it always made him smile.
"Everything will turn out all right. We'll just have to get through it together, and stick together." He gathered up Ubele even closer to him, to mush them all together as the annoying dad he always wanted to be. A small grin appeared on his face as he thought of Nyonda. She'd probably get a kick out of it.
Mfalme nodded his head. "Good pick," he said, ruffling his feathers as he tried not to make a lughing sound. "If you said Ubele, I would have given you all my sympathies." Mostly everyone knew how difficult she could be, stubborn as all.
"I'm Mfalme, Umoja's Bonded. I'm sure we'll be spending quite some time together by proxy." His tail twitched at the thought. Not from irritation, but from pleasure. It would be good to see the little brats grow up with their bonded birds already.
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:25 am
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Ufunuo nodded, curling against his father and sister. His thoughts followed his father's words, it would be okay. Through it all they had each other and so long as they were together, no matter what happened, it would be okay.
Cheered by that thought, he smiled at his father, a gentle nudge to his sister, settling comfortably with his family. He had wanted to tell his father about Daga, to show him that he had found his bonded, or maybe Daga had found him, he knew Umoja would be proud of him. Bur for now, the only thing was his father's touch, the comfort of family, everything else would come in it's time. And though he hoped that the peace had returned would remain forever, he knew that whatever happened in the future he was not alone, and they would make it through, together.
Daga laughed at Mfalme's words. Though he had only known the cubs for a short time, even he had seen that stubborn streak, recognized the troublesome nature.
"I suppose I did get the better of the pair."
Watching his bonded another bird might have felt slighted, or perhaps forgotten, but Daga knew better. He knew that now was the time that Ufunuo needed his father, to cherish the company of the one he had thought lost and mourn the one he had lost. And whenever Ufunuo needed him, he would be there, to protect and comfort, whatever may come. And always, they would be--
Together.
(( /end dolly, if you want to add a conclusion for Ubele, go for it ))
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:20 pm
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Ubele might have snapped out Mfalme for his remark, but she was too busy. She had her father back and she had her brother and that was all that mattered. She was a bit surprised at her brother having found his bond bird, but Daga seemed like a good match for Ufunuo. She only hoped that she would have similar luck with her own. But that could wait.
For now, she had everything that she needed. Through all the tragedy, the pain, the worry, and the fear, they were still a family. As long as they still had each other, they would find a way through.
Snuggling close to Umoja and Ufunuo, Ubele vowed to never let go. As stubborn as she could be, she could admit that she needed her them. They were her life. And they were together.
Truly that was all that mattered.
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