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 Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:41 pm
In all honesty, she Kenna was feeling rather much at home. When she'd first arrived she hadn't been sure she could settle in... call the pride her home. after all, she still believed in the goddess and still held dear quite a few old traditional values. At the same time though, she had been forced to accept that many of Kidondo's views were also for the best, and she had to admit the male was running the pride rather smoothly - he wasn't even holding it's members in fear. They followed him because they wished to, no fear was being used to contain them.
Kenna was, needless to say, both impressed and intrigued. That had been the main reason she had lent them a hand during the murder attempts - that was why despite her probation rank, she had gone out of her way to help them. After all, she'd said with a hint of sarcasm, if someone was going to wreck mayhem and chaos in the pride via murder, it was surely going to be her, not some wannabe. The situation had been settled and she'd returned to her den, but she was well aware she'd gained the reagents' trust. That much had become obvious when some time later she had been promoted up to Magistrate.
All was going perfectly well and according to plan, as far as Kenna was concerned. She wasn't even going to have to do much more to accomplish it. After all, with her on top again, allowed to open her mouth and give advise, she could finally help mesh ideals. Take the best from each side and make this pride greater than it had ever been. She lay in her den feeling rather smug at the though she had accomplished what others had not been able to, and she'd done it while having quite the time of her life, to boot.
Life was good.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:11 pm
Jiryan made his way to his den, which was despairingly empty without the rabble of his cubs, seeking out the one soul in this pride that might make him feel better. His face stung sorely from the swipe and the little bit of blood from the small wound had dried and crusted into his fur. He was aware it would probably inflame Kenna's little 'issue' but he had little other option as he stalked into the den.
"My brother is here," he said bluntly, his frown saying all that he felt as he flopped down next to his mate and leaned against her strong form. He needed comfort.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:54 pm
She'd heard him coming, but hadn't moved from her position, sprawled carelessly (yet somehow still managing to look elegant) on the floor of the den. Part of her form was hiding within the shadows projected by the den walls, and part of her was basking in the sun's warmth; all in all, she was much too comfortable to move. That aside, Kenna could have possibly been able to tell Jiryan apart from the rest of the pride just by the sound his feet made as he walked; everything about him was distinct and unique to the ex-queen.
Thus so, she made no effort to move as the male stalked into the den. It wasn't till he flopped down next to her with those blunt words that the lioness finally opened her eyes and turned her head towards him. For a moment, there was open confusion edged upon her features, but she soon enough shook herself out of it, "Your brother?" a pause, "Isn't your family from the Pridelands, Jiryan? You mean to tell me one of..." another pause, "That he made it here, all the way from there?" granted, it shouldn't have been such a foreign idea to her, since Jiryan himself originated in those lands. However, something about the idea made the lioness arch a brow, "Well, good on him, then, for making it all the way here," from her position, she hadn't been able to see her mate too well, but it was then that she rolled over to fully face him and saw both the marks across his face, and the sullen, bitter expression he wore.
Her ears flickered back, annoyed at herself for not having caught the scent of his blood the moment he'd walked, "The bloody hell? Is that blood?" it was a rethorical question as she moved to groom his face, making a 'tsk' like sound in her mouth by rolling her tongue over her fangs, "Looks like someone wasn't very glad to see y-" and then her words died and her brain added two and two - if he was wounded, it meant he'd probably been the one to fight his brother, and something told her Jiryan hadn't been the winner.
Well, s**t, things were a bit screwed then.
"Can't win 'em all, Jiryan," he murmured as she cleaned his pelt, "You know that," she paused mid lick though, to look him in the eye, "Something tells me that's not what's bothering you though. What the hell's bothering you anyhow? So what if your brother's here?" after all, being brought up in Firekin territory... she had no idea what Jiryan's fears or troubles were. Safest place in the world, if you asked Kenna!
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:12 pm
"I got here didn't I?" he rolled his gaze to look at her sideways, a small frown on his lips as he did so. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised that she was surprised, since most Firekin seemed to think the skills of lions from other prides were subpar, but he still was even after all this time. It didn't so much insult him as just surprise him - he knew the ways their minds worked now.
He sighed and let her commence with the cleaning he had anticipated from the very moment Tut struck him. "That's just it, I didn't even really try to hit seriously hit him," he muttered. Before Kenna could but in with another one of her speeches about being merciful and all that crap, he drew in a deep breath and let his deepest fear flood out. "It wouldn't have been fair. I probably could have taken him out easy, but I didn't want to have to do that. I didn't want to hurt my little brother." His teeth grit, claws unsheathing and digging into the rock of the cave. "Now I've let him in here.."
His eyes shut, the sting of Kenna's tongue the only thing reminding him that he was with her behind the darkness of his eyelids. "Firekin eat lions like him alive, and you know they do. It might be safe for us now, after all this time, but he is emotional and angry with no skill to survive in a place as harsh as this. I left him behind because I was coming here - I never meant for him to follow me."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:28 pm
"Yeah, but you sorta stumbled on me in the desert and I sort of brought you back. The kid's gotten here all on his own. Good on him," granted, he probably wasn't much of a kid, given the fact he was Jiryan's littermate, but for some odd reason, it felt right to say so, and Kenna was used to rolling with whatever felt right at the moment. Needless to say, that caused her to stick her foot in her mouth quite a bit (not that she'd admit to it), however, it'd also helped her in the past.
"Not quite the same, Jiryan - he's fought his way here. M'surprised. S'all," a pause as she lidded her eyes and looked up to the ceiling, "Then again, you two are partly firekin. It's no wonder he's here in the end. Actually, I'd be more surprised if we NEVER heard from your siblings. Blood tugs."
No sooner had his words come out of his mouth that the lioness frowned and indeed stopped cleaning to face him, no doubt about to give him a piece of her mind. She was still firekin at heart - in fact, she was pretty much the same as she'd ever been (which basically meant she was a menace to her enemies and anyone that opposed her without backup or a good reason), and she was sure she was feared even before her recent promotion. Her jaws snapped shut as he cut her off and she pondered his words, "Well, gotta live with your decision, Jiryan," after a moment, she resumed cleaning him, this time more delicately, "Y'know... if the kid really did want in, he probably would've stuck around even if you had beat him. There's no garantee that you beating him would've caused him to leave - it might've meant making him face another adversary, and another and another."
It was her own special way of letting him know that he'd done right - blood WAS ticker than water at the end of the day, and while she might've not done the same as he had, she could appreciate and understand where he was coming from,"The way you're talking would give people the impression we've got plague, Jiryan! Safest place on the Savannah, this is. Once you're in, anyhow. Protected, strong, and we're growing day in and day out. There's not a threat that could beat us at the moment, I'm pretty damned sure," she hmped to him for a moment, then continued, "He's in, Jiryan. No one'll eat him alive. Hell, I doubt anyone'll dare touch him once they realize he's your brother. They didn't dare cross me while I was on probation, and I very much doubt they'll dare cross me now that I've been promoted OR you. Or our family - it's gotten rather high up in the ranks, if you haven't noticed," she sounded horribly proud.
She pulled away from him when she was satisfied that his skin was clean, and the blood was gone (Though granted, the gashes on one side of his face were setting off alarm bells in her mind - she was doing a good job at shoving them aside), "Can't stop fate or destiny, Jiryan. Can't stop someone from doing what they were meant to do. Maybe he was meant to do this - he can't be that bad if he's related to you."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:09 pm
"I would have found it eventually," he said with a small grump, convinced that he had would have too. After all, he'd had Kat's vision to guide him. Then again, maybe she had a point - he'd had help either way and Tut hadn't. It made his fur bristle a little, the competitive part of himself stroked to life, but he set it aside. Now wasn't that time for pettiness. "He was looking for me, of course he made his way here," he grew quiet then and let her words wash over him.
"You're right though," he frowned and opened an eye to look at her, though it was slightly trippy with how close she was to his face, "he would never give up on this if he really wanted it. If he was determined to be here he would have had to fight another after me." With how poorly he had seen Tut do today, he had no doubt he would have subjected his brother to endless amounts of beatings. As much as it worried him for Tut to be in these lands, it would have been more painful to watch him lose to one after another after another. Kenna's odd way of comfort worked, at least when someone knew how to interpret it.
"At least we built up a web that would keep him safe - I fear for what would have happened to him before. This may be a safe pride, but they are ruthless Kenna, even you should know that." He sighed and leaned his head against her a little, as if he were emotionally drained and utterly tired of this whole ordeal. "He's angry with me," he finally admitted, "and acting like a spoiled child. Nothing I says gets through his thick skull, he just lashes out more and more. I feel so much.. older than I have any right to." And by that, he meant older than his brother, aged beyond his years. Had he been like Tut not so long ago, before he had to take on all this responsibility?
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:38 pm
"Never said you wouldn't have," the was a drop of mirth in her voice that indicated that while she was amused, she didn't doubt her own words. Jiryan was strong - strong enough to have convinced her, of all lions, that new blood was, in fact a good idea. Inbreeding to death just wouldn't do when there were obviously worthy specimens out as rogues - they just needed to prove themselves, that was all.
While it was true Kenna still held many of her ideals from her cubhood, experience had taught her to have a semi open mind. One could never be too sure what the future held for them, specially out there in the ever-changing desert. It was funny how they were the children of Change and yet they refused to change or budge from any given traditions; Kenna glad that she would be able to see that some traditions would be withheld and some maintained, now that she had the power to voice her thoughts again. All it'd taken was patience. Time and patience, "If he's anything like you, or me, or our children, then no. He probably wouldn't have given up, Jiryan. So I guess you did him a huge favor at the end of that day, even if it cost you that... that... horrible, uneven... gash- did it really have to be your face? Couldn't you have used your side, or your arm or..." she lowered her voice till it became a mumble, impossible to understand, her ears flickering back. It was clear where Keahi got his... singular problem from though. The only difference was that Kenna coped with hers rather nicely, while her son was simply unable to function outside certain given lines.
As he spoke again, her eyes lifted to greet his, "Mmmm..." she didn't confirm his words, but her stance seemed to agree with him - yes she knew the pride was ruthless, but still... "Jiryan, I'm possibly one of the most ruthless lions in this pride, and yet I believe that anyone that's in here, anyone that's part of the pride... deserves the pride's protection. They made it in, and are now of the blood, even if not physically, in spirit, or some sort of s**t. If anyone outsider were to touch a hair on ANY member of this pride, I would personally see to it that the suffered," a pause, "No one is going to touch him - no one from the outside is dumb enough to try, and no one on the inside will dare anyhow. I used to be the queen of the safi, and most of them still look up to me. They wouldn't dare, if they know what's good for them. Relax."
She allowed him to lean on her, and after just a moment, the lioness relaxed into him and lowered her head down so she was resting it on him - she allowed few lions the privilege of physical contact outside of battle. Her cubs (even though they weren't so cub like anymore) and mate were the sole exceptions aside her siblings, "I think that you need a vacation, Jiryan," it came to mind suddenly, and though it had been a fleeting notion, the lioness soon enough embraced the idea, "We could always go check on your family - make sure they're all still where you left them and you think they should be. Might also be a good way to avoid your brother for a while, unless you want to invite him and train him on the way."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:55 pm
The seriousness in his voice faded away for a moment as Kenna's little condition surfaced and began to batter at him. He let out a small sigh and looked up at her with weary eyes, though he managed to stay as patient as ever with her. "I was talking to him, Kenna, I didn't expect him to.. to.. hit me in the face like a sissy." In his mind that was exactly how he saw it, after all. Like a girl would reach out and slap a guy that made her angry, except that this girl was large and much fluffier, with claws on the ends of her paws. "I'll know not to get close to him until he's done throwing a temper tantrum next time."
"I know you're right, but it's hard to think of him here regardless, okay? Give me time. The pridelands are.. nothing like this." It was true, Jiryan and Tut were not raised to be violent, and he wasn't sure what his mother would even think of them. If she'd seen the injury on his face now she would probably be just as fussy as Kenna - and then have a motherly disapproving tone for the fighting in the first place. Actually.. Ji probably wouldn't have come home to her after it for just that reason.
He sighed again, this time in a silent pleasure, as Kenna leaned her head on his. It was a great comfort to have her here, leaning her warmth against him and knowing she was simply there. What she said next surprised him so much that he nearly jerked away, only stopping himself at the last moment. "You'd really go to the Pridelands with me?" now he did lean away so he could sit up some and look down at her, curious as to what had gotten into her. "You're not supposed to like the Pridelands you know." His tail flipped a little, brows drawn down in curiosity. Then he glanced out the cave mouth, towards the horizon, and the longing was clearly apparent on his face. He would have asked Tut what had been happening if they hadn't been fighting, but he wasn't sure how much he would even know. He missed his family dearly - his mother, his stepfather, his siblings. Did he have more now?
The thought cut off abruptly as she suggested taking Tut with him, and a thousand ideas ran through his head at once. "I'd have to ask him. I'm not sure he would want to come with me, but then again, he might be more upset if I ran away from him again."
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:15 am
For some odd reason, the way Jiryan was describing the fight and his own brother's attack greatly amused her. However, she was smart enough to keep that particular mirth buried deep down; she didn't particularly wish to upset her mate more than he already was, "Mmmm, yeah well, might wanna do that where all Firekin are concerned," she was making sure to call his brother firekin, yes, including him already into the totality of the pride without problem, in hopes that he would learn to accept it too, "We can be rather bitchy when we're upset. You know that, Jiryan. And while I'm not particularly for low hits.... many lions here would do anything to win. You might want to apply your logic to anyone here."
She'd never seen the pridelands. Not really, but she imagined them lush and cheerful and bunnies and rainbows. Nothing like what she was used to; hence why at first she'd been so surprised to find out Jiryan came from such a pride, "I know they ain't. That's probably was kinda fascinating about them," she smirked as she felt her mate startle under her and pull away, forcing her to lift her head, "Why not?" she shrugged lightly at him, trying to make it seem like this was not a big deal at all. At the same time, she was making mental note to try to surprise him more often, because tell truth... Jiryan was horribly amusing when he was surprised; she should do this way more often, "And why the hell am I not supposed to like them? You cam from there, didn't you? So did your brother. Obviously there must be something worth seeing around there."
That aside, time and age had taught her that strength could emerge within other prides and rogues quite readily - just like weakness could stem from within the firekin pride, "Ain't all black and white you know. Or red and gold, in this case," she watched him debate, but as he spoke again, she smirked, as it soon enough became clear that yes indeed, he wished to go.
"That might be wise, aye," there was mirth in her tone as she leaned back over him, "I think I might tag along for that conversation - if Imma have to be traveling with the kid, I wanna know if I won't end up murdering him mid trip BEFORE we decide to take him with us," she snorted, "I don't think you'd appreciate me killing your little brother mid trip for being a b***h, after all."
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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:22 pm
Jiryan still didn't seem entirely convinced in Kenna's sudden interest in the lands he had been raised in and it was obvious from the way he was watching her. He was completely and utterly confused and it showed in his furrowed brows and slack-jawed gape. "Sure, I came from there, but not all Pridelanders are like me or even Tut. They're the same pride they've always been." He shrugged a little as he tried to explain it, then finally just sighed. "I just find it a little odd is all. I didn't think Firekin much liked them, but I should know by now that if anyone can learn to like something it's you."
He managed a smile for her, even if the bewilderment was still clearly written on his face behind it. He finally settled back down next to her, finally clean and more to her liking despite the lopsided scratch across his face. "I'd like to go though, and I'd love for you to meet my family even if they're nothing quite like.. this." Golden browns and yellows dotted the rest of his heritage and he knew those were nothing like the Firekin held in high esteems. He trusted Kenna not to think less of him for it, though. She had to have guessed, knowing where he came from anyway.
"I'd like that," he admitted as she suggested she come with him to meet Tut. He knew that even if Tut was mad he would want to meet her eventually - plus she was kinda scary. Maybe he wouldn't hit him again if she was there. "I don't want you to kill him, no," he mumbled, shutting his eyes as he leaned his head against her shoulder again, "but I wouldn't mind you roughing him up a little." He added the last bit as a joke - a dry one, but Kenna knew his humor.
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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:54 pm
She couldn't help but chuckle mildly at the expression on his face (in her defense, he looked rather hilarious looking at her like that), "Good lord, Jiryan. You'd think I have an ulterior motive for everything! Can't I just be curious? 'Sides, I think I've won myself a nice dandy lil vacation too, what with the fact I single-handedly took down the god damned murderer during the tournament, and all," reclining herself back against him, the female snorted, "Big long bloody vacation - people think I've been sitting on my a** this whole time, but nooooo, I've not. Goes to show since I'm back at the top," there was a purr laced in her voice and she sounded rather proud, though it was obvious she was proud of her whole family unit, Jiryan included, "Baby steps and patience. Now that I can finally open my jab without having half the pride wanting to pounce me, I can maybe work on merging ideals. Taking the best from each side. But first, I think a trip would do us both good."
That aside, she really was interested in the place. She knew it was big, and had heard it was lush enough that it housed a horribly large pride. It would serve her well to know just HOW large, if only to satisfy her curiosity, "Relax, not gonna eat anyone over there," she didn't voice her next thoughts, but the look she gave him seemed to voice that honestly, she didn't really care what colors they were - she wasn't going to mate THEM, and she certainly wasn't expecting to live there forever. Besides, things weren't always black and white - it would be interesting at least.
Another chuckle escaped her as she lowered her head back down with a sigh, "I promise nothing," she told him as she closed her eyes, "He might make a good midnight snack and all," she was once again enjoying the position she'd started out in; half basking in the sun, half hidden by the shadows of the den, though now she had to admit, she was far more comfortable, what with the living, breathing pillow against her, "Traveling... will do all of us good," after all, it had been while traveling together than she'd gotten to know him, long ago. She still looked back fondly on those days when she felt frustrated and found that just the memory of them helped.
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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 5:22 pm
Jiryan could feel the fingers of sleep grasping at his consciousness, tugging him deep into a comfortable sleep as the warmth from both the sun and his mate swelled up over him. It had been a long and tiring day both physically and mentally and napping at Kenna's side was just the kind of break he needed right now. The promise of a bigger, better break in the future was even more alluring as he realized there would be less work like today's.
"If anyone deserves a break, it's you," he murmured, his voice laced with a heavy sleepiness, "after all you've done for this pride. They may not know it, but they owe you so much." He wasn't just fluffing her pride - he wasn't that kind of lion and she didn't like false flattery besides. "We'll go see the Pridelands, it'll be a nice vacation."
It was with a smile at his mate's jest, the idea of her chomping on his brother amusing him for some reason, that he finally let himself slip off into the gentle embrace of slumber. There were no kids to interrupt him, no brothers to yell at him, just his beloved mate and the promise of sleep.
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