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 Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:31 pm
He wasn't sure how, but treading the path that ought to be taking him home, Vikesh felt horribly out of place. Different. Tired legs no longer felt welcome at the sight of his pride, and his mind stirred to much to feel any comfort. How much had things changed, he idly wondered? It had been a long time away, he knew that much- enough to watch Otieno grow, and change, and suddenly stand taller than he. Not by much, mind you, but enough to remind the old lion just how old he was really getting. No longer was his mane pristine and well-kept; age, despite his protest, was creeping steadily throughout his body. Padding along the way he'd been told, Vikesh idly wondered if everyone felt this way.
His King, particularly. He'd no news of the pride's events since his training expedition; though ridiculous, it had been a fear for some time that he may return to find no home waiting at all. Times changed a pride, after all. And what of Unyezi, then? Surely he would not be as young as Vikesh so recalled. The memories were familiar, as though they had happened yesterday- somehow, he honestly wished they had. But no, now was not a time for reflections on the past. He had a king to see, stories to trade, and so much lost time to catch up on.
Time- that's what it was, constantly plaguing him. Padding along the grassy path, Vikesh sighed to himself. How much time had he lost? How much time did he have left? Till his life ended? Till the sun rose?
No, there was never an answer. Only more questions. But hopefully, on the star-lit night, Vikesh would find some of the answers to the questions he asked in his good King's wisdom.
Surely, Unyezi would not fail him.
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:48 pm
By chance, Unyezi was out on guard duty near the particular border Vikesh was approaching. As a slave, he could not really be trusted off on his own but as a lion, as Unyezi himself, he had some freedom built in. Especially with Thoth, the guard he was working with that night that was supposed to be keeping an eye on him. They had gone separate ways and would circle back to meet again every once in a while.
He was surprised when he actually spotted somebody, though. So long had Vikesh been gone, so changed was his with age and from Unyezi's memory from how he looked when the former-king was a youth. He had no idea who he was about to run into when he went to investigate. It was impossible to hide when you were mostly white, so he made no effort to conceal his approach. Besides, he could not look intimidated when protecting the pride.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:51 pm
Absorbed in his own thoughts, Vikesh barely registered the approach of another- only when the other was close did he look up, putting on his best smile. A guard, most likely, sent to patrol borders- nothing Vikesh was unused to. Sauntering forward, he opened his mouth to reply to the other as kindly as possible. A good hello, how are you, telling his story... surely, he'd be able to see the king that way! When he finally drew close to the other, however, his steps stumbled and mouth hung agape.
Unyezi... the king? Out here? Fumbling over his words for a moment, Vikesh could not help but stare in a mixture of awe and confusion. How much the king had grown! Unable to keep a genuine smile from gracing his features- genuine, but so old, as he wrinkled about the eyes- the old priest laughed, dropping to a bow as he ducked his head.
"You've grown so much, my king!" He chuckled gently, looking up with happiness in his eyes and tone. "I hardly recognized you from the boy you were when I left. I'm sorry I've missed you growing so handsomly!"
Standing moreso, Vikesh calmed even more, though the light still held true in his eyes.
"I do apologize for my leave, your majesty. So much has happened that I need to catch up with you on!"
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:59 pm
Unyezi was glad to have a complete distraction, a job to do and something to actually do. Too much was going on, so much awkwardness, it was hard to deal with anybody anymore. He was surprised when he got close enough to realize it was someone familiar. He was a bit scruffier, a bit grayer but it was Vikesh! After Thoth had said they would be back around soon, after Thoth actually came back to stay first.. and he was missing somebody. Where was Otieno?
He looked around, hoping to see his young friend, but he saw nothing. His eyes immediately flew back to Vikesh at the 'my king'. This was going to be an awkward conversation, but perhaps Vikesh did not need to know yet.. where was Otieno? He and Aure worried so much about him in the past, he was important to them both but especially to Aure..
"Where have you been, Vikesh?" he asked, standing taller and more proud and stern than he had in a while, "Where is Otieno? Thoth said he'd seen the pair of you ages ago, now he has been home to stay for some time."
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