|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 8:50 pm
So many things had happened in Gharadi's life so far. Wandering with his mother, visiting his sister, meeting new friends along the way, watching them go as he wandered on, in search of something that, for the longest time, had seemed to be out of his grasp. Though stranger things have happened still, a friend returned him, and asked a favor, protection for the next generation of life.
Protection from something Gharadi did not know, but did not waste the time in asking.
It had been hard, being around her, Amadet, she was so nice, so caring. Her children were as his, though he was not truly the father by blood. Though Gharadi loved them so.
Though he had returned now, home, and with a name.
The cubs weren't in his presence-he thought it best to have them not be overwhelmed all at once.
Stepping within the borders, Gharadi smiled, breathed deep and sighed, it was good to be home.
Now to finish his journey, and start a new one.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:12 pm
There was no one to meet Sehani's son at the borders - they all sat in silent wait in the heart of the lands, where he'd been given his first name. Asali'jua stood at the edge of the small island, amber eyes trained ahead of her, thinking even as she watched. The pride felt small again, with her second litter gone from home, but just as before, there were cubs now to keep her occuppied, keep her from thinking too deeply about children let go and lost. At times like this, however, there was nothing to keep those thoughts away - only to help rush them forward and overwhelm her.
This was not one of her children returning, and she knew it. Though a small part of her wished that it was Mng'aro or Juu, nothing could change that she was glad nonetheless. She had loved Matope, and his disappearance haunted her still; she saw so many things, but she had never been able to discern his fate. Perhaps the spirits kept it from her somehow, just as they kept from her knowledge of her children who still wandered far from home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:26 pm
His paws carried him even further. It felt so empty here, he wondered if his sister was well, if any others still remembered him from long ago. He was home though, and that is what counted to him most. He had a new name, in a manner, and he would finally be able to have a life in hte place he loved so much.
Have a life with the new little lives he'd be introducing soon enough.
A figure that seemed all too familiar made his smile widen as he came closer, to the heart of his homelands, As Gharadi drew closer, he came to stop, several paces before her, and lowered his head in respect and honor for her.
He remembered her well in the flicker of his memories.
However, from now on forth in time, he wasn't sure whether to speak aloud to Asali, or wait to be spoken to. Though his new name etched in his mind, and his heart swelled with pride.
He was coming home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:36 pm
Unlike the words she spoke to adolescents leaving to find their names, the words Asali spoke now were ones she had spoken only once before; whereas the first were written on her heart, the latter still held a bittersweet newness - bittersweet because she wished with every fiber of her being that the count would be more even, instead of sixteen versus one. Now, it would be sixteen versus two.
With a deep breath, and a voice that gave away none of the pain she felt within, she asked with all solemnity, "Who comes before this pride? Who lays foot on this sacred ground? Who were you? Who are you? Who will you be?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:52 pm
Gharadi held his head down still, not letting his eyes travel up to meet Asali's just yet, thought he smile on his maw never faded and he wriggled internally with anticipation. He was home, he was actually home! He couldn't wait to go seek out his sister and tell her the grand news, but for now, this moment in time, meant so much to him.
"A lion who has seen what of the world as I have been able comes before you. A lion, a child of the Swamps returns upon these sacred grounds, a lion who has been on his journey, and founds answers, and that has changed. I was Gharadi, I am Nafsi'Gharadi, I am and will be the spirit and soul divine, a richer lion then I was, but the same only changed."
He then raised his orange eyes, and smiled at Asali, "I have come here to come home," his eyes were pleading to not turn him away, not now, not ever.
"I've come all this way, and with company, please let me stay, and I will explain the lives that have followed me here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:02 pm
"This is Nafsi'Gharadi, son of the Jini-misemi - see him, bless him, and welcome him home!" Asali's eyes shone with approval as she answered, and sentimental pride even touched her fleeting smile. She couldn't help but think of Matope when she looked at him, the way he had grown up and fallen in love right under her nose. Oh, where had he gone? What had become of him?
Tears welled up in her eyes and she shut them, throwing her head back to roar - once, twice, three times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:16 pm
Gharadi swelled with pride, wouldn't his mother be so proud of him now! Though he waited until after her roars, to go onto what he wished to proclaim and announce as well.
"I've not only brought myself here with a new name, I've brought life as well," he spoke quickly though, to no leave any pauses where suspicions could arise, "Let me explain Asali please,' his eyes were pleading, though he was beaming with pride all the while.
"On my journey to find my true name, one of my friends I had made came to me later with news. She had given birth to a litter of cubs, six cubs, not my own, hers, but she was afraid for them. She feared that something, someone would come after her and the cubs, she wasn't able to tell me, but the look on her face was convincing enough." He watched Asali, and hoped that she would not be troubled by his news, or by him making a promise to Amadet.
"She has a few things to do that are dire to her Asali, and I made a promise to protect the cubs, and I have for some time, but I wished to come home, and what better place for protection and love then the Swamplands? They could grow here and learn Asali, upon finding my new name, I found meaning with it as well Spirit, self, pride and respect. I made a promise under my new name Asali, I hope I have done no wrong under it, I was only looking out for the best interest for the cubs."
"They are with her, Amadet, near the borders now, waiting, I did not have them come yet because I wanted to be sure, please," Gharadi lowered his head in a bow, "Let me return home, and bring this new life to a home as well, please."
"Let them be part of the Jini-misemi as well."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Asali actually laughed a little, the sound good-natured and warm. Poor Gharadi, so worried when there was nothing to worry about! With a beaming smile, she slipped into the water and swam across to Jabali's nephew. Though he couldn't have known, the Queen had fretted lately over the fact that the majority of the pride was related, and the worry had been great enough for her to mate with a rogue - great enough for the Goddess herself to do the same and give her the cubs to raise.
"There will always be a home here for those true-hearted who seek it," she said as she pulled herself from the water. As usual, she didn't bother to shake the water out of her coat. "And all children are true of heart."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:01 pm
Nafsi'Gharadi watched as Asali drew closer, still damp from the water that she had swam across. He smiled at her, happiness gleaming in his orange hues. He nodded, and smiled, "For that I'm glad," he said with a bow of his head. He couldn't wait to go tell Amadet and the cubs!
"I'll go get them in a little while, I think they want to spend a little more time with their mother before she departs, I hope thats alright. Oh! And the cubs, five girls and one boy," he said with a nod, pride beaming in his heart.
Six cubs.
His family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:25 am
Asali'jua nodded in understanding, drawing closer to bump her cheek against Gharadi's. "Now then," she said, "Come and meet their future playmates, hmm? There are seven! And just one boy - the poor dears are terribly outnumbered."
Turning, she made her way into the water to lead Matope's nephew back to the pride.
[fin]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
