|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:40 pm
There were, Skinnende was discovering, benefits and detriments to motherhood. On the one hand, it was remarkable that the lion had made his way so far into Stormborn lands unchallenged. On the other hand...he hadn't exactly been interested in proving his right to stay when he had been discovered. So the brown and gold lioness wasn't exactly eager to spread it around who the father of her children was. For those who were so incessantly curious, she'd made it seem as if the male in question was merely out on a raid. Which made her all the more determined to cover up her...indiscrection...by making sure to raise the cubs to be true members of the Myrsky Syntynyt. She'd love to see her boys achieve the rank of Reaver or higher, something that her daughters weren't permitted to do. Not that she doubted they could have the strength or gumption for it, it simply went against what the Warlord had decreed. Skinnende herself hadn't had any interest in being a Reaver herself. Oh sure, it was a higher rank and had more privileges, but it also had more responsibilities, and she wasn't much interested in leaving the pride's lands. This was, after all, her home. And though it wasn't a perfect place to live, it was a good one. For example, there were Thralls. Though Skinnende didn't personally have a Thrall, there were enough to go around that one was currently keeping an eye on the sleeping cubs, giving the young mother a chance to breathe the fresh air and see some real sunlight for the first time in a while. Sure, she didn't want to go too far from her den, lest the kids wake up and need her, but that didn't mean she had to make herself a prisoner for their sakes!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:54 pm
He'd hardly been back from his latest raid, perhaps a night maybe two, and yet here he was preparing plans for yet another trip. Was this the only life he was to know? The life of the captain who constantly went out into the lands, looking for spoils and loot to bring back to a pride that fought for every last scrap they had. It did seem to be that way, least that's the way he'd been thinking lately. His original thought process had been that the more raids he went out on, the less time he would have to remind him of his loneliness. Such was not meant to be the case, and proved to be an utter failure. His companions were beginning to notice the difference in him and had even begun to question his health. He'd pushed them away, denying every accusation and planning more intense raids. But nothing worked, he still yearned for the thing that most males wanted to shy away from. A commitment. Someone to come home to, and a den full of cubs to wrestle and train. One day he would have those things, but until that day came he would raid his nights away. And when raids were no longer an option due to lack of sleep, he would sleep them away with fermented fruit. Which was exactly where he was headed this fine evening. On his last raid he'd found quite a stockpile of the delicious delicacy, and he now intended to indulge in some as he waited for his crew to recover enough to head out once more. Or at least, that was his plan, until he noticed the brown and gold lioness walking just ahead of him. She seemed vaguely familiar, though he knew it was no one he knew personally. Though she didn't exactly look like she had a destination in mind either. "Scuse me miss? Are you looking for someone?" Valbergur asked, his gruff tone and hardened appearance quickly returning to the fore front to replace the saddened miserable expression he'd held just moments before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:08 pm
Skinnende turned at the unexpected and unfamiliar voice. She saw a lion, older than her, she'd guess, and almost certainly a veteran of no few raids, given his appearance. Well, she certainly was less likely than most to know who, exactly, he was. The lioness didn't care to fawn over the Reavers and Captains who went out on viking, not the way some females chose to, at least. She preferred to keep her dignity intact, thank you very much.
Still, she wasn't averse to engaging him in conversation. Adult conversation even, and one she didn't have to worry about small ears overhearing.
"No, not at all," she replied. "Why, were you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:18 pm
It took nearly every fiber of his being to keep his inner voice was screaming out:
'I suppose you could say that, yes.'
But somehow he managed, and the relief was silent but present. His muscles relaxed, his paws became lax and his heart slowed just a bit. This wasn't the time nor the place to show his true self, specially to someone whom you may not know or ever know so well.
"Not particularly no, truth be told I was on my way to my den. A bit of fermented fruit to end the evening. But I suppose a little company before hand couldn't hurt, that is if you're up for a bit of non gossip chatter." Pausing for a moment, he wasn't sure he'd made much sense there, "I know how most females like to gossip, i'm not sure you'd find me much fun to do such things with. That is, if you're even interested in that sort of thing." Shrugging his shoulders awkwardly, it was becoming more and more apparent why had not found his mrs. right yet. "Y'know what, forget I said anything, sometimes stupid things just come out of my mouth and I can't help it." A small snicker crossed his maw as he tried to make the female laugh with him instead of at him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:25 pm
She had to chuckle at that. She really did. It was horrible, it was rude, but dear gods, she hadn't expected such an impressive looking lion to be so socially awkward. Oh sure, the bit about females gossipping was a wee bit demeaning and she fully intended to point that out, but for the moment she couldn't help being amused by his failure to speak straight.
"I'd be happy to overly the "stupid things" that come out of your mouth," Skinnende replied, amusement still evident in her voice, "but I hope that you don't think all lionesses live to gossip." She was still smiling, but those green eyes had gone cold and her tone hard. True, she was no Reaver, but that didn't mean she wouldn't make him pay dearly for the insult if she felt it was necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:33 pm
Ah good, she was smiling once again! This was a good sign indeed! Valbergur could heave a sigh of relief, or so he thought he could have, but then she began to speak once more. Gulping down whatever stupidity his tongue had in store for him this time he simply minded his manners and listened.
Ah, he had struck a chord and it wasn't even an intentional one.
One of these days he would stop digging himself into these holes! But until that day came, he would just have to keep remembering to always bring his shovel.
"But of course not. Though you can not deny that there are lionesses among us that do live for the joy of it." He chuckled to himself on that one, knowing full well how vicious those gossipers could be. He held nothing against any of them, but they each had their own nasty story tell of Captain Val's awkwardness. His crew hardly let him live them down.
"H-How about we just start over, it might just make things that much easier.
I'm Valbergur, idiot Captain of these here Stormborn, and what of yourself milady? Dare I say it is quite safe to assume you are not amongst the gossipers we spoke of earlier?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:40 pm
Hmmm...she supposed she should give him - Valbergur - the benefit of the doubt. Even if he could be remarkably capable of putting his foot in his mouth, he was also a smooth talker when he wanted to be. Which, frankly, made her wonder if he himself was a gossiper. Skinnende had never had the patience for such flowery language herself.
"I'm Skinnende," she introduced herself at last. "Freeborn." There really wasn't much more to say, what with her rank. Though she was slightly impressed that she'd managed to run across a Captain here. They weren't nearly as common as ordinary Reavers and did hold a fair bit more prestige.
She declined to comment about gossipers though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:47 pm
"Skinnende, the Freeborn."
Pausing for but a moment, he dipped his head in respect to her. Not only for being a female, but for being who she was. Val might be a Captain, but that in no way took away from his respect for everyone else. In his book there were very few who did not deserve his respect, and as far as he could see, Skinnende was not one of them.
"That's quite the interesting name you have there." Valbergur paused yet again to try and place where he knew this female from. But still he came up with nothing.
"I hope you'll forgive my intrusion ... do you have any siblings ... or perhaps a daughter who looks very similar to you? I feel as though i've met you before. Yet not you specifically... if that makes any sense at all!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:58 pm
Huh. Maybe, when he didn't let his mouth run wild, Valbergur was actually worth the time. Well, obviously he had to be, the Warlord didn't exactly let idiots become Captains, now did he? Still, Skinnende was intrigued by the white lion when he asked a question she hadn't been expecting.
Siblings? Daughters? He certainly couldn't mean her children, not as young as they were. Though maybe he thought she was older than she looked? It was, sadly, the only possible explanation.
"Why...yes. I have two sisters, and two brothers. As well as two sons and two daughters...but I doubt you're talking about them. My children are very young, and napping as we speak," the brown lioness informed him, her voice softening as she spoke of her offspring.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:10 pm
Val nodded as he listened to her small list of siblings, and then was a bit surprised to hear she actually did have children of her own. He hadn't been expecting that, though he had asked. He did so as a courtesy more than anything. But maybe he was being stupid again.
"Ahh I believe I may have met a sister of your's once. She was quite pleasant. Much like you, but a different demeanor and tone. You both look very similar yet you're so different in person. That's fascinating!" Chuckling to himself, he continued on without much of a pause.
"Ah so you do have some lovely cubs of your own do you? I wasn't sure whether it was appropriate to ask. Congratulations to you. An even mix among them, I bet they'll grow up to be fine additions to our growing numbers."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:16 pm
Ah, that was it. He had met one of her sisters. Or maybe her mother, Skinnende felt a sudden rush of shame that she hadn't even thought of mentioning Talaitha. Whoops. Still, all she could do in response to Valbergur's comparison of her and whichever sibling it was was to shrug. She knew they were different. Wasn't that normal?
"Yes, I'm sure they will," she replied, choosing to focus on the part of their conversation dedicated to her own children. At least she could speak with authority on what they were or weren't doing at the moment.
"Maybe you'll find one or more of them in your band one day," she offered the Captain with a smile. She certainly wouldn't object to that occurance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:26 pm
The idea of finding one of Skinnende's cubs in his band of vikings one day, gave the aging lion more grey hairs than he cared to admit. Though he merely chuckled away the idea. "I would welcome them all with open paw - no viking goes turned down for no good reason in my band. We are a fine bunch, if you feel that someday they are ready, send them my way. You'll know where to find me now!" Again he chuckled, nodding his head towards the den area not far from where the two were standing.
"When i'm not on a raid, i'm back in the dens, most likely enjoying my fermented fruits. They are quite the delicacy after all!"
The rementioning of his fruit rang a bell in his head and reminded him of the one waiting on him at this very moment.
"Speaking of which, I have to be going, before mine disappears. I'd invite you to come along and share, but i'm not sure if you'd be open to it. Though the invitation is open if you'd like, no strings attached - just fermented fruit and a continuing conversation!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:32 pm
She had to admit, the offer was tempting. Not to mention that the lioness was curious to see if simple politeness was all that the offer involved. She was quite firmly aware that there could be...layers of meaning, per se.
However, it wasn't something she could afford to do at the moment.
"It does sound nice, however, I'm afraid I can't at this time." The brown lioness rolled her shoulders in a shrug and offered Valbergur a small smile. "There are the cubs after all, and though there's a Thrall watching them right now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be there when they woke up." She was actually surprised by the strength of her own motherly instincts, but couldn't quite bring herself to deny them.
"Perhaps another time?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 10:41 pm
"I understand completely! Take care of your little ones first, and should you find time for yourself later. Feel free to bother me anytime, company is always welcome! " Nodding his head one final time at the female, he bid her good evening and turned to head back to his den.
To say he was lying would be a lie in itself.
That fermented fruit was calling his name something fierce.
And he was going to enjoy himself with it, and who knows! Perhaps Skinnende would show up some other time and elect to spend some time with him. Gods knew he could always use the companionship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|