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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:46 pm
It had been difficult leaving Intuthu to his dreams, but a little alone time would do her well. Yes, she had opened up immensely since her fearful cubhood, but that didn't mean she wasn't without need to keep to herself. She was a thoughtful creature, introverted mostly and preferred to observe and think, meditate if you would. This morning was no different, and like a quiet shadow the female picked her way to the shore of the great lake.
Settling amidst the tall grasses and reeds, tail wrapped gently around her paws, the golden eyes lioness waited to greet the morning. Her tail tip tapped out a quiet rhythm but for the most part she sat in silence, content; she couldn't ask for more, not really. . . her family was still within the pride, Intuthu had joined and confessed his love, and she was a head hunter. Honestly, she'd gone a long way since her anxiety-filled beginnings. . . .
Strange how all that fear came to nothing. She was alive, she was healthy, and she was fast traveling down a new road of love. Amazing how things just. . . happened, for better and for worse. Never had she thought she might fall in love, never had she thought she'd be much use to the Nchi'mahadhi. . . .but look at her now. Life was funny that way.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:59 pm
 Mawi Mai was off on her own for once in a while. She always felt like she was being followed around by some kind of cub. Her own or even others. Then again it came with her job. She loved it, she really did it was something that she aimed for all of her life. She was proud that she finally did it. She was really proud of herself. But once in a while everyone needed a break from the madness, a friend to hang out with. Or in Mawi's case a chance to make some good music.
With a yawn the tan lioness made her way toward the lake. It was the morning and she knew that if she played by the drum circle she would surely wake the others up. She knew that would not be very nice. So she was off toward a spot that she was sure she wouldn't interrupt anyone.
As she approached the water she didn't notice the darker color lioness that already seemed to beat her to one of her favorite spots of the pride. She got closer toward the water, for a moment moving up to it to feel the water hit her toes before she backed up so the waves wouldn't hit her drum. She slipped it off of her neck before she used her paws to gently settle it into he sand. As she adjusted the shakers on her wrists and her tail she stared at the water. She remembered when she was little and always wanted to swim across the lake to where ever it lead.
Pulling back her paws she stared to beat out a tune off of the top of her head. Her paws moving quickly over the drum as she flicked her tail behind her making a rhythm to match with it. This was her life, she loved it.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:35 am
Jumuu's ears flicked as a beat broke through her deep thoughts. Turning her head, she swiftly picked out the vibrant coat of one of the pride's ranking members, Mawi Mai. She had run in to the lioness while younger though her shyness as a juvenile and youth hadn't given her much time to get to know the lioness. Even now, as an adult, Jumuu had yet to make any strong bonds within the pride. She respected Binafsi and looked upon her as almost a second mother figure (though she doubted the silver lioness knew such a thing) and could recite most of the pride by name. . . .
But that was it.
As a huntress she was frequently outside of the lands, tracking and scouting out new prey lands; but such was her fate. She loved her position even if she still felt more like a ghost member than anything. Hnn. . . . perhaps this was as good a morning as any to better acquaint herself with Mawi!
Smiling lightly, her tail flicked instinctively in time with the beat. It was a fun rhythm and she only now regretted leaving her shakers back in her den. But that didn't mean she couldn't join up with the rhythm, not at all! Like a shadowed dart, the black lioness was on her feet and trotting over to where Mawi Mai beat out her song; keeping in time with the beat, she padded over, stomping a dull thump against the ground with her paws before spinning and dancing in time. A leap here, smacking the ground there, and generally assisting in Mawi Mai's song as best she were able. . . .
The ground provided a beat like a drum and there was no place that said she couldn't dance. She wasn't an extraordinary dancer, but she was fast and agile enough to keep up with her rhythm.
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:45 pm
Mawi Mai was really getting into her music. Then again there were very few times that she hadn't got into her music. She loved it so much, it was her favorite thing in her life next to her family. She still really didn't noticing much going on around her, she was too into it. That wasn't the only time that she had done that before she hadn't notice much that was going on around her while she was 'jamming'.
But then something dark caught the corner of her eye. Something was there but it didn't make her stop, she looked up at the other living thing before a smile grew across her face. Jumuu. She remembered the other lioness from a long time ago, when they were both younger. And she also had seen her around a few times. She was surprised to see her jumping into the music though, she had never seen it before. She laughed slightly flicking her tail around making the music louder, adding more beats into her music.
She watched the other lioness keeping up her beat with a grin on her face. She was glad to see others into music, and if she was making the music it made her feel all so much better, it made her so happy. It was a good reason why she loved her job so much. She soon slowed down her beat, ending it smoothly before letting out a small laugh, smiling at the dark colored lioness.
"Hello Jumuu!" She let out a small laugh before nodding toward the lioness, pushing the drum in front of her soon. She hadn't had that much time to talk to the other lionesses and lions around the pride with her cubs and her mate, also with her job. She was glad to have run into the other lioness. "What brings you around this early in the morning?" She asked curiously before chuckling a bit. "For a while I thought I was the only one who was up this early." A smile flashed across her maw, she really was surprised.
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:50 am
Jumuu honestly was enjoying herself. Though music was the basis of the pride, and it wasn't often one didn't hear a rhythm or song or beat being played somewhere on the grounds, Jumuu didn't often get to dance solo. She did her best to teach Intuthu and occasionally she'd take out her drum or her shakers; but being a huntress, she couldn't make music everywhere. In fact, most of her day was spent tracking and following the music of silence and stealth.
Regardless, the golden eyed lioness was pleased to have a moment with Mawi; to greet the early morning with song and dance, a fabulous way to start the day if she did think so herself! Still twirling and beating out a synchronized tempo with her footfalls, Jumuu delighted in the music, slowing when it slowed and eventually coming to a calm and graceful end.
Chest heaving slightly form the effort, the huntress took a few moments to catch her breath before she trotted closer to her pride mate. It was true, she didn't know Mawi Mai particularly well; not out of active dislike but their two jobs kept them busy. Not only had she been skittish and coy as a cub, but after becoming an active huntress in the pride, she found most of her day consisted outside of the Nchi'mahadhi Lands. Furthermore, her pride mate had not just a mate but an entire litter all her own to raise. . . Something Jumuu both respected but was awed about at the same time. It couldn't be easy, juggling her position and her family life, but the smile on Mawi's features seemed to say that nothing could get her down.
Smiling back at the other, Jumuu gave a chuckle and a shake of her head. "Good morning, Mawi Mai," she stated, dipping her head in greeting with a purr of content in her voice. "I was surprised to hear your beat while I was up at the lakeshore; lately I've been rising with the sun more and more, the peace of the early hour lets me reflect upon any stray thoughts. But I will admit, I could get used to a morning dance now and then," she grinned, still delighted at their little duet.
Canting her head lightly, tail flicking showing only a touch of nervousness (she still wasn't the most extroverted, especially around those she didn't know well) she asked, "What about you? Is this a morning ritual or did I just catch you on a whim?" Part of her wondered if the other might take her as prying or poking in to personal affairs; but that was ridiculous, Mawi had asked first so that meant it was a safe subject to touch. Right?
Oh dear. She was pleased to have company outside of her immediate family or Intuthu, but sometimes her social-anxiety still got the best of her. It was too late to bite back her words now. . .
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 12:13 pm
Mawi Mai could see the enjoyment that the other lioness got from joining her in her music making session. It was nice. She remembered when she was younger and really didn't like other females at all. But now it seemed as if that her old ideas about females passed. She didn't mind them now. Not at all, and she somewhat looked forward to making friends with the other female, just like how she was friends with Vinca and her daughter. It was good having friends in this pride.
She flicked her tail behind her then stretched out a bit, checking out her drum for a moment. She wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything wrong with it but of course as she looked down she could see one of the teeth holding down the skin was coming loose. Well at least it was easy to fix. She sighed out of relief then looked at her once more with a grin.
"It is a very good morning indeed." She chuckled softly then licked her lips, looking in the direction that the sun was rising, it was so nice around this time of the day, it was still a little cool, not that bright. It was perfect. She grinned at the lioness before nodding. "Me?" She chuckled slightly once more before looking out at the water. "Its a in between thing. Some mornings if I have the time I'll come out here. Otherwise it was kinda one of those.. I want to be out here things."
She glanced at the lioness with a smile growing wider on her maw. "Well!" She wiggled her brows playfully at the other lioness. "I've seen you with..." Her voice trailed for a moment her brows crinkled as she tried to figure out names. She was still getting used to learning all of the names here. She knew a lot of them just not some of the newer ones. She liked her spot though she had a chance to learn all of the cub's names as they were growing. "Intuthu!" Yeah that was his name. "Is there something going on there?" She giggled softly, with a pride this small normally word traveled.
A small blush grew on her cheeks though. She couldn't help it. "Oh! Forgive me!" She looked down at her paws before laughing at herself. "I... uh... That's kinda rude of me. I hope you don't mind me asking." She was used to being open in this pride. She was probably one of the most friendliest lionesses around here. She was used to joking around with all of the other lions and lionesses here as if she knew them for all of her life. Then again a few of them she did, or she had at least seen them for all of her life.
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:20 am
Jumuu gave her limbs a good stretch before settling contentedly besides the paler coated lioness. She was glad that she was getting a chance to be better acquainted with those within her pride; outside of her immediate family members or Intuthu, she only spent much time with Binafsi. Thankfully, there were other hunters that she took out on the hunt. . . but most of the time such associations were purely business!
Turning to look out over the waters, enjoying how the mists drifted atop of the glass surface, Jumuu couldn't ask for better company. She listened to Mawi's explaination and reasoning. . . "I can't imagine it's easy finding quiet moments, especially with a family all your own!" The lioness had quite the brood, and seeing as they were still quite young and dependent upon their parents, my what changes that had to bring! Any time to yourself was now time to devote to your family, and though that wasn't a bad thing, it certainly had to be an adjustment.
But then the conversation turned, and Jumuu couldn't help but chuckle. Turning away from the sight of the water and sunrise, she peered over at Mawi and gave a little shake of her head. "I don't mind at all, you're quite welcome to question." She grinned, though she felt her cheeks flushing beneath her charcoal coat. Dipping her own head, she added, "It would make sense to question anyway, seeing as I do have a history of shying away from others." Thankfully her maturity and growth, along with support from the Nchi'mahadhi, had quelled many of her fears.
"I've known Intuthu since I was a cub, actually. But . . . uh. . . " She giggled again, still floating on cloud nine whenever mentioned of her pale coated mate came up. "He left the Motoujamii to be here with me." Turning her golden gaze back up to her pride mate, she added coyly, "I suppose there's no question exactly what is going on there under that knowledge." Jumuu wasn't the sort to gossip or gush, but she wanted nothing more than to express just how happy she was, just how much in love was with the crimson maned male. But, seeing as she DIDN'T know Mawi Mai as well as she would have liked, she refrained. . . .
For now.
Ever private, or at least never very good at about being open, she changed the topic so it didn't revolve around herself. "Ah, but enough about me. How is Aapep and your brood. . .? I trust they're all doing well?" Intuthu had made a request for cubs days previous, and though Jumuu was more than open to the idea, she did have a few questions and concerns. . . . Motherhood changed ones life, so was the rumor, but she wondered if it was as trying an experience as some claimed. Perhaps she could question her pride mate about motherhood. . . .assuming she was willing to speak about such things.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:44 pm
The lioness chuckled again before flicking her hair out of her eyes once more, shifting her paws so she could adjust her shakers before looking at the lioness. "It's manageable some times. They like to wander around some times, and they are going to be going to go on their drum quests soon. Its getting a little quiet." She chuckled slightly, she then had a bit of a bitter thought. The idea of her children growing up and leaving the nest made her sad. Made her very sad, she didn't want to see her children go away. However she was trying to spend as much time as she could with them before they grew up, so they would remember the times that she had twith them. She loved her mom but she wished that she had spent a little more time with them.
"Ah well I'm glad I'm not poking further than I'm welcome." There was a down side to being the curious lion that she was some times. There had been a few times that she poked a little further than she should have and others were mad at her some times. "Shying away from others is fine!" She lifted a paw and nudged the lioness gently with it before placing it back on the ground so she didn't loose her balance. "It's what you're like when you're with others is what is important. I think you are a very nice lioness, beautiful too, and you're dancing is also pretty amazing. You should be proud!" She giggled softly, she always looked for the best in others, she wasn't sure if she had ever met another lion that she didn't like.
"Wow." She asked with a small chuckle she licked her maw before flashing a big smile one her face. "He left his lands to be with you that's pretty amazing." She noddded going back toward the days when she and her mate met when they were younger. "Ah, me and Aapep met when we were younger too." She grinned looking down at her paws as she thought about it. "He came from the rougelands, convinced his mother too." She had a bit of a dreamy look on her face before she flashed her another grin. "You never know what might happen." She winked at her then flicked her hair out of her eyes.
"Ah! they are doing very well. Me and Aapep are still close, very close, he's just been a little upset because his mother recently died. But he's getting better. And like I said before the cubs are slowly growing." She grinned before flicking her hair out of her eyes once more looking at the water. "Its a little sad but I still have them around."
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:43 am
Jumuu listened to the pale and vibrantly coated lioness. She was pleased to have found such good company this morning; despite having Intuthu with her, and despite being proud of her great pride she did sometimes feel strangely lonely. Some members were more scarce than others, her immediate family and siblings included. Strange, really, to feel such moments even while one understood that they had an entire pride to fall back upon. . . .
But now was not a time to think of such worries or concerns. She was here with Mawi and they were bringing in the morning together. "It must be quite the change, to watch them grow. . once solely dependent upon you and Aapep, only to one day find them flown the nest." It was something Jumuu didn't entirely understand, but something she could imagine. Having been a fearful cub, she remembered Binafsi's words as she too was getting close to her drum quest. All the fear of the unknowns and, worse, wondering what might become of her siblings. . .
With a litter of her own, what might she fear for her future children? And was it the same fears Mawi Mai felt when she looked upon the faces of her growing cubs? Maybe. . .
Surprised by the pale lionesses compliments, Jumuu felt her ears burn and couldn't help but dip her head, chuckling lightly. "Ah, but you are full of kind words and compliments!" That was something the spotted lioness hadn't ever fully grown accustomed to either. She had always been a touch insecure as a cub, and taking compliments often surprised her. She was. . .well. . . just Jumuu. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special. . .
"Once a mother, always a mother, or so I've heard." She added, golden eyes bright. "No matter how big they grow or how far they roam, they'll always be able to look back fondly upon you. And, all the same, they'll always be your cubs, no matter what!" It was a blessing Jumuu both feared and looked forward to. To have a litter of her own, she feared she might not be a good mother. . . But then again, it was something she wished to have. A family, a real family. . .
"If you don't mind me asking, when did you and Aapep decide to have a family? Was it. . . a surprise or was it something you yearned for?" How did one know when they were ready for cubs? Was there a sign or did it just happen when it happened?
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:13 pm
Mawi Mai stared out at the water for a few moments, she wondered what was on the other side of it some times, she always did. When she was little she used to wade into the water as far as she could before sitting down and trying to figure out where it lead and if it was worth trying to swim across, every time she said that she would she never would. She always chickened out everytime she went to do it, she'd rather play with all of the guys anyway.
"It is a big change." She chuckled slightly before a soft smile grew on her lips. "I remember when they were really little and they'd used to curl in between me and Aapep because they were afraid of the rock monster, now they know it's not real and aren't afraid... But some times they get scared and do it anyway." She laughed slightly at the idea but then a slightly sad look grew on her features. "Although I know that some time they are going to end up leaving... going out with their own mates."
She laughed again before nodding toward her and pawing at her slightly. "Ah, but what I say is true. You are a really nice lioness, and you are pretty." She chuckled slightly before looking up at the sky. "There isn't that many lions around here that are mean though." She flicked her hair out of her eyes before her eyes settled on her new friend, Mawi thought of everyone as a friend.
"It's so true. No matter what happens I'll always be their mom. I'll always be proud of them." She nodded to her. "They will. Thank you for saying that by the way. It makes me feel better about the whole thing, It's always nice to hear it coming out of some one else." She nodded again then stretched her front paws.
"I don't mind at all!" She laughed softly before thinking back for a moment. "Well we were both talking about having a few cubs for a little bit, but it was more of just an idea that was passed between us. All of a sudden Aapep's mother was pointing out my roundness, at first we didn't think we were ready for it but not that long after we realized that we live in a amazing pride who would be more than happy to help us." She iggled a bit a the idea but it was so true, a lot of the females in the pride were mothers or got along with cubs. "I always kind of wanted cubs though. Cubs that would have a father when they grew up. I didn't and neither did Aapep, but we seem to be doing pretty good so far." She chuckled again at the idea, she didn't think she competely messed up her cubs yet. She planned on keeping it that way too.
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Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:17 am
((Gah! Sorry for the delay. o__o; Could've sworn I replied earlier. . .;0; ))
The ebony lioness chuckled, tail swishing rhythmically behind her. She was enjoying the time spent with her new friend; like Mawi, Jumuu looked upon everyone as a possible new friend or acquaintance. Despite her shyness and usual initial reservation, age had allowed her to realize that most weren't looking for trouble. In fact, there wasn't all that much to be afraid of now that she was grown. . . . Oh, yes, she had her fears and concerns - like with Intuthu! Though she cared and loved the lion dearly, she sometimes wondered if his feelings would stay the same, or if he'd ever change his mind, or if she'd be a good enough mate. And now that there was talk of cubs. . . well. . . . would she be ready to be a mother? Would she be any good in such a role!?
There was much to fear but her personal demons were just that. Personal. Overall, she cared for all within the Nchi'mahadhi, even if there were many she hardly knew. Perhaps it would do her well to be a bit more social. . . it was easy to forget about others with Intuthu near. But that wasn't fair to the rest of the pride, right?
At least she could bring in the dawn with Mawi!
"We're lucky to have been born to this pride," she added thoughtfully, gold eyes looking out at the waters and remembering her big trip to the pride lands. She'd been a rogue with a wandering family from the very beginning, but had been welcome in to the Nchi'mahadhi when it was still small and growing.
"I've heard stories of other prides, either at war or just down right more aggressive and conservative on their views of others. Intuthu came from the neighboring desert pride, the . . . . Motou . . Motoujamii. Let's just say they're absolutely nothing like us. . ." Intuthu had been encouraged to leave because he'd been genuinely nice! Though she would have possibly given up her position within the Nchi'mahadhi to be with him, should he have asked, she doubted she would have been happy in the desert.
They sounded tough. And, ultimately, Jumuu was a wimp. She wasn't a fighter, hated confrontation and was easily intimidated. To think of her life there . . . well. . . . .she probably wouldn't of had much of one if they'd let her in at all!
Her black ears did flick forward at the mention of cubs. It was nice to know that even Mawi Mai had reservations, and from what Jumuu saw she was a wonderful mother! Grinning lightly, the ebony lioness pawed at the ground and added, "Well from what I've seen, Aapep and you should be quite proud of your brood. I would have never guessed you had reservations about playing 'Mom', but then you've always been a confident sort." At least, that's what Jumuu had perceived. She remembered Mawi as a cub, albeit they hadn't exactly interacted much. Jumuu had been a bit older but a lot more shy and skiddish. Perhaps her outgoing nature only looked like confidence, but it's how the black lioness perceived her be it right or wrong.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:20 pm
[[It's alright : ) ]]
She noticed the small rhythmic things that she was doing., her tail and little things that she did. It made her smile, she wans't that sure of how many others in the pride were really into music like she was. she just wan't that sure, she knew that a lot of them were born into the pride but she knew that not all of them were born the same way that she was. She really knew that for a fact. She smiled slightly as she continued to flick her tail around herself then grinned a bit. "We were pretty lucky to be born into the pride."
She stared at the water, her mother told her the pride hadn't started that long ago when her and her sisters were born, she was told that it wasn't that long after that her sister was given to her father. She really didn't know or remember that much about her father. Most of the cubs around her, or at least the ones taht were born at the same age they lacked fathers.
"I heard about them." She made a small face. Before shaking her head a bit with a small sigh she didn't know how others could live like that. When she was younger she met a lot of rouges and even some lions from other prides when she wa slittle and liked to wander around. "He must be pretty different though." Mawi nodded with a grin. She wasn't about to judge some one who she didn't know.
"I am pretty proud." She smiled at the lioness before nodding. "I'm way more than sure that you are going to be pretty proud of your cubs too." She winked at her before stretching out some and chuckling a bit. "I'm confident." She chuckled slightly before looking down at her paws. "I really never thought about it that way. The main things that have really ever gone through my mind before was fun and music." She shrugged before lauging a bit. "Then because of my sister family came next in my mind and then Aapep... Cubs threw everything off. But it ins't that bad." She laughed slightly.
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 2:35 pm
Her own cubs. . . . .
The thought hit Jumuu like a ton of bricks, though her tail never stopped its hypnotic rhythm. Would she be ready to be a mother? Would Intuthu and she still be as close and as affectionate with a little to raise. . .?
It was a pretty big responsibility. Furthermore, Jumuu knew she was a bit of a nervous wreck in her own right without thinking of little cus. She remembered how she panicked over her siblings when they were younger, and though her confidence had swelled immensely since her time with the Nchi (she was a head huntress, after all!) there was something a little terrifying about having cubs all her own.
Too much could go wrong, too much would be out of her control. . . . But, at the same rate, they would be such a great blessing too. Deep down, past the fear, the golden eyed lioness knew she'd want nothing more than a family.
Someday. . . . .someday far away. . . . Once she was ready, once Intuthu was ready. Chuckling lightly, the female gave a stretch and little nod at her friends words. "I've always heard having a family your own changes your life's perspective. . . But change isn't usually a bad thing." As the sun lingered over the horizon and a silence fell, Jumuu gave a small sigh and pushed herself to her feet.
"Forgive me, but I should get ready for the day's hunt. . ." Dawn was always a time of activity and at times there were certain trails where the pickings were good. Today would be no exception, of course. Smiling gently over at Mawi, Jumuu was glad to have gotten a chance to better get to know her pride mate. "Enjoy the rest of the day though, and thanks for talking! We should. . . we should do it again sometime." She added a bit shyly, gold eyes bright.
Giving a small stretch, the black and white-spotted female released a yawn before slowly trotting off. There was much to think about that they'd discussed. . . cubs and family most of all. Perhaps she'd have to talk to Intuthu about things. . . . about such changes. She wasn't ready to play mother yet, not when she was so new a mate, but . . . .it was definitely something to think about!
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