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 Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:58 pm
MoonRazor 
With each new, unfamiliar sight that passed, Djakovo felt his heart lift. The past many suns had found him wandering, completely lost, in a wide, elaborate circle that always seemed to wind him up at the same point. There were few words to describe the relief that he felt at having been able to find a new path, though even if there had been many, he likely wouldn't have used them.
The search for his lost sister, though by now a tired and worn-out story, continued, and he rose each day with that one goal in mind, and nothing else. His paws treaded forward steadily, a walk that never varied in pace, only to bring him back to her, Viyana.
She was his guidance, his sense of direction, and without her, he felt he had been wandering swimmingly about in the vast savannah, headed nowhere in particular and for nothing in particular other than to get her back. For such was the power of their bond. He would find her at all costs, regardless of how many more years it took him, or how many times he must walk from one coast to another.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:59 pm
Uta 
The peace was good. . . . but the grey and black lioness still worried. Their numbers had been cut drastically and she feared that they might never recover. She was still quietly mourning the loss of her chosen Escort, and while she understood that it was expected of her as queen to continue on and pick some one new to become not just escort but king . . . .well. . . . . She wasn't ready.
Not yet.
There was still much to be done and starting a family and raising an heiress her own just wasn't in the cards. Not yet. Though she understood that the convenience of time wasn't much of an option, choosing a king also wasn't something that she didn't want to rush in to. There were males available, but her pickings were slim. . . .
For now, Nawiri would wait.
Pausing to sit at the edges of the territory, the lioness stared out at the open savanna. Sometimes she wondered what lie behind the hills, behind the mountains, beyond the lake. . . Sometimes she wondered what she missed due to their plague, due to the law that the sick must stay within. . . .
The scouts could travel. The immune could wnder and roam. But Nawiri could never and would never leave. This was her home, this was her grave. . . and despite her curiosity, the lioness was okay with that. Coughing lightly, she heaved a ragged breath and began to groom. . .
Just because she was ill didn't mean she had look the part.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:00 pm
MoonRazor He could tell he was beginning to near some sort of pridal territory. Signs of life were beginning to show, and here and there, scent markings told him that it would be in his best interest to start treading with care.
He had been many places in his years of wandering. His paws had brought him to places that he had never imagined he would visit, and experience had taught him to be careful when all the signs pointed to the presence of a large gathering of creatures in one place.
After all, he was one lion and a pride was easily five or ten times that. He had never been a top fighter, although he could hold his own against one or two, and he had never had the charm that it took to wheedle his way out of a sticky situation.
He realized then that he had been padding slowly nearer and nearer to a gray lioness, who was sitting, and seemed to be staring almost wistfully out into the distance. But for what? There was nothing out there, nothing but a vast, unending plain of disappointment and unease, of heartache and fear, and loneliness and everything in between. She wasn't missing out on anything, if that was what she was thinking. There was nothing there.
"Excuse me, but you don't sound so well," he said, clearing his throat and gathering what little courage he had in reserve for starting conversations. Or, rather, what little willpower, because while it wasn't all together scary for him, he wasn't all too fond of the prospect either. "If I'm stating the obvious, please forgive me." It wasn't like he had a better opener, and he would at least have liked to find out where exactly he was.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:01 pm
Uta The red and blue eyed lioness paused in her grooming when she noticed the approach of a stranger. For a moment she tensed, knowing full well that to some her pride was considered a threat . . .though time had passed and the war had been called off, though many preferred to leave the Kitwana'antara to themselves than come near the plagued lands, she still couldn't be too sure.
It was a lion, after all, and there were no border guards or scouts nearby as far as she understood. Still, Nawiri'chiwa had faith that she could hold her own and if necessary take flight. . . She knew the lands better than any stranger would, after all. The lioness observed the stranger, and began to relax as soon as he spoke.
If he were out to kill her or cause her harm, he certainly wouldn't be so obvious about his approach. . . And unless he was particularly manipulative, he wouldn't begin with conversation. . . especially one borderline on concern!
"Is it that obvious. . .?" She questioned, offering a small smile and allowing her tail to flick. Despite it all, she had hoped she looked healthy enough. . . she suffered some but could only hope he disease was slow to advance. Fevers, chills, aches, coughs and sniffles were her current symptoms. . . . but did she really look as ill as she felt?
All Nawiri'chiwa could only do was assume the lion had heard of her pride. Strange how he still dared to approach. "I'm actually feeling much better today than I have in awhile," she admitted with a gentle smile. "But I assure you, this little cough is nothing. . ."
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:05 pm
MoonRazor It had been a while since he'd run into another lion. A little surprising, perhaps, but the area around these lands didn't seem to be to populated, and he could only wonder why.
It was... nice, to say the least, to at least have some contact with others of his own species once in a while, and the long break between this and the last meeting he had had with a lion had made the lioness a welcome sight.
Where once, he would have looked at any lioness and found only the traits that reminded him of his sister, he was now beginning to take them for what they were, instead of how much he could relate them to Viyana. It was a welcome change, allowing him not only to keep his mind off his sister, but also to actually get to meet others as well.
"Oh, well it was just the cough," he admitted with a small smile and shrug. Djakovo himself had always been rather healthy, but he attributed that more to sufficient sleep, food and water than to any unusual excellence in his immune system.
"It's probably not any of my business, but I would have thought that maybe your pride might have let you off your duties while you were sick, to let you recuperate." He said, in a somewhat rare display of personal opinion when the matter didn't concern him. And she was a lioness, after all, and it was just a shame and pity to make a pretty lioness like her work when she was ill.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:07 pm
Uta The lioness inwardly winced as the stranger spoke. . . . Though she was glad to meet a kind outsider, she also understood that the news she was obligated to tell him might turn him away. Furthermore, he might grow aggressive and wish her harm. Put her out of her misery or something like that. . . .
Still, she didn't want to assume anything. Not yet at any rate. . .
Chuckling lightly, the lioness allowed herself to edge away. She tried to play it off as if she were shifting, but she wanted to prepare herself to run if need be. There were no scouts or guards near and she had to protect herself. The stranger was larger than she, and much more healthy. . . . It wouldn't take much for him to kill her if he got his jaws around her neck.
"I see you haven't heard about the Kitwana'antara, the pride I'm from," she murmured, eyes gentle but slightly concerned. "It is unfortunate but many in the pride suffer from disease. . . . There are no sick days, because the majority of our pride are sick. But please," she added hastily, retreating a few steps, "Have no fear. It is only spread through saliva or blood. . . . You are quite safe, I assure you, especially so far out on the borders." Her ears flattened lightly, averting her gaze but only for a moment. She didn't dare take her eyes off the strange lion in case he grow hostile. . . .
She was proud of her pride but still felt shame for the curse they carried. There was no cure, the plague was something they'd dealt with for the history of the pride. . . It didn't bother her, but she was aware enough of how leery outsiders became. Just another side effect of plague. . . not a physical ailment, certainly not, but an emotional one to all members.
To be so isolated wasn't easy. . . . they greatly enjoyed the news and companionship of strangers. It was unfortunate though that many of those strangers feared the sickness they suffered. How many had fear of disease and prejudice against the ill caused to run away. . . ? Too many to count or remember.
Somehow she doubted Djakovo would be any different.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:07 pm
MoonRazor She seemed somewhat edgy, anxious perhaps. Frightened of him? He certainly hoped not. It was enough that he was on her pride's borders, but to have her be scared of him... Somehow, it didn't sit well with him, and disturbed him more than he would have liked.
After all, wasn't that the whole point of a pride, safety in numbers? Granted, she wasn't with her numbers right now, but didn't living in a pride foster that sense of... false security that sometimes led to a lion's demise? So perhaps it was a good thing then, her wariness, but it didn't convince him of the benefits of pridal life.
He had good reason to be biased, but this, at least, helped his impression little. It would always be impossible for him to forget that stormy night when his parents had fought so valiantly against the troops of pride soldiers, but to no avail. Two lions against all of them... the memory stirred a bitter note in his heart.
"Sick..." he contemplated the word, watching her with his honey eyes. It seemed a shame, to live in a pride where so many were sick. And then again, what was the point? If they were all going to die at some point, and if, in their sickness, they could hardly defend themselves, what did it all amount to?
And he could tell by the averted gaze and the haste in her voice that she expected him to leave. Of course, who in their right mind would stay, after having been told of an illness that was strong enough to infect the majority of the pride? And yet. "It's not so nice not to have sick days," he said finally.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:08 pm
Uta Nawiri'chiwa couldn't expect the rogue lion to understand. Though there was strength in numbers, though the Kitwana'antara had found their peace (sort of) in recent days and a sense of quiet had over come the remaining members, Djakovo couldn't realize her edginess had its place.
He also had no idea of her role within the pride, and she meant very much to keep it a secret. The death of a queen with no heir would really bring morale to an ultimate low; one of the viziers would have to step up and choose a new queen and oh. . . it would be horrible, horrible. Honestly she didn't know if the pride could make it with no lead and no one to teach. . . . Best to keep her rank quiet for now.
As she waited for the brown and black stranger to make his judgement, to attack or leave, the fact he did neither surprised her. Ears pricked and she canted her head to side in a moments confusion. Was he not afraid of the plague. . . of the Goddesses wrath? Was he not afraid of infection, despite having a very slim chance of catching it without an official induction? Strange, really. . . . but the relief that appeared and the smile the brightened on her features showed she was pleased.
A spot of conversation with a stranger wasn't something she often got to do. Too often her duties called her away, but even the queen needed some time to herself to rest, recuperate and merely enjoy life. Still. . . . "How is not being sick a blessing. . .?" She questioned softly, curious. She'd been sick all her life as far as she could remember, as did the vast majority of her pride. They suffered together because they were the rejects, because they were the ones no one wanted around. . . .
They were the only family they had.
If Djakovo understand the illness that plagued them perhaps he'd take back his statement. But ignorance was bliss. . . their disease was more than just a case of the sniffles.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:09 pm
MoonRazor Something about her made him wonder - about everything. She seemed to exude an air of mystery, a distance that both drew him in and kept him at bay, and although he himself was not one to impart personal information to perfect strangers, he couldn't help but marvel at the sense of depth that surrounded her. There was more behind the pretty face, the brave smile, and strange illness. He could feel it instinctively.
"How is it not?" He countered with a gentle smile. It only made him wonder, once again, just how much there was to her. It was such a strange question, yet somehow so in keeping with whatever impression he had of her. Even that was not something he was entirely sure of.
"It..." He sought for the right words, the right way to answer. "Not being sick, that's the way we were meant to be - we're built for it, all of us." He said finally. "To be able to see a zebra, or a gazelle, and know that if you can run fast enough, for long enough, you'll have something to eat because there's no way that prey animal could possibly overcome your strength, that's the kind of thrill that being healthy can give you." He lapsed into a short silence as he pondered the feeling for himself.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:10 pm
Uta ((Oops. I think I meant how is not not being sick a blessing, as he referred to that in his earlier post. x3 But I'll run with it anyway. . . *giggles* Sorry if that confused you! ))
The lioness listened to the male, curiosity behind her red and blue gaze. It wasn't that she spurned the idea of health, it was merely that sickness was all she had. She had never been particularly jealous of those in good health - in fact, within her pride to be healthy as a lion was a bit of a disadvantage. There were certain duties one could not perform if he or she were immune or showed no symptoms of illness. . . .
and yet. . .
There was a freedom they possessed too. To not have to shiver at night when fever struck, to not have to vomit blood or to witness the suffering of others and know it was someday to be your own. Still, the great Plagued Lady had granted them a piece of her, which is why they all suffered. To die for her was a great honor and death was a relief. . . There was a lack of fear of the great beyond, of death, and somehow that made them stronger. Where others feared an end to the Kitwana'antara, the end was only the beginning of a new dawn, a new future, and a life renewed.
Chuckling lightly the lioness gave a little nod, thoguh she turned her head as a cough escaped soon after. Damn congestion and mucus . . . Still, it wasn't the deep gagging or heaving of some, so she was thankful. "Not being sick is the way the world works. . . Survival of the fittest, somehow I wonder how we've all managed." By cooperating with those healthy enough to hunt, cheating death and extinction by pushing aside pride and relying on others.
If it wasn't for the generosity of the non-lions and those immune, the Kitwana'antara would have long been wiped out from existence. "I have never ran without spluttering and heaving, without stumbling. I have never been healthy, though some days are better than others," she admitted with a soft smile.
"But to be ill isn't necessarily a complete curse either," she added, proud of her pride and what they became due to illness. "If one views the world knowing intimately their mortality. . . .their frailty. . . their weakness. It certainly changes ones view of both their life and the preciousness of life in others."
Tail flicking lightly for a moment, she averted her gaze off Djavoko and added softly, ". . . but we all wish for health. I fear the benefits of it far outweigh the benefits of disease." Some might even say Nawiri's views were a bit of a stretch, but silver linings came in short supply. Sometimes blind belief was all one could seek.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:11 pm
MoonRazor "Perhaps," he nodded his head in consideration of what she had said, a twinkle dancing in his eye at the obvious pride reflected in her voice. Perhaps such, he mused, was the value of a pride - the chance to be proud of something, to understand and fully appreciate the intricacies of a community. "But so, too, might witnessing the deaths of loved ones." As he had. The glimmer in his eyes faded, replaced by a darkness that pooled from within the depths of his soul, the memory of a time so long ago, but still so vivid in his dreams and his mind's eye that it seemed at times that it was still happening.
"But I suppose you have done that too," he said, his voice muted by the notion of death and despair. Without as much violence, perhaps, but he wondered if the absence of violence amounted for much. It could be that watching loved ones being slowly torn apart by unknown and unfathomable illnesses was as damaging to the soul as cruel murder - and perhaps even worse. He had not the answers to such questions, and he was glad for it.
Slowly, the dark faded from his eyes as banished the old memories from his conscious thoughts, back to where they belonged at the back of his mind. The past was not something he could change, but he believed in avoiding pain, avoiding fear. That was the way to save himself, to live as all creatures were intended to live - simply and without contempt - and to leave the rest up to the judgement of the beings greater than himself that lurked somewhere far beyond his reaches.
"We may wish for health," he agreed. "But what has been done cannot be undone, so I suppose there is nothing left to do but to make do with what we have." He was impressed by her apparent optimism, to be able to live with her disease and find some sort of good within its death sentence. Maybe she had found the answer to some age-old question that had been lingering about since the dawn of all their lives. The key to living.
Whatever it was, he had not found it. He hadn't come close.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:12 pm
Uta The lioness listened, her expression softening as the lion seemed to distance himself. There were shadows that haunted his gaze, shadows that were obviously horrible and terrible. Still, she wasn't one to poke and pry and as such allowed the lion to speak his mind. . . she did wonder what those shadows represented. . . obviously the witness of death and demise but from where and form who one could only guess.
He'd obviously lived through experiences no creature deserved to see. . . . A pity life had to be etched with such sorrow and grief. But such was their fates and lot in life. No one could change the path the gods placed them upon. All they could do was make the best of it.
"Indeed. . . truly sir, that is the only thing we can do. Life is nothing more than a series of circumstance and how we respond to each event in turn." To make the best, to seek out a silver lining even if it was imagined was the only way Nawiri knew how to get on and get by. Otherwise the darkness and regret and fear would consume her. . . and what a waste of life that would be!
"Nawiri, Lady~!" A voice called out from behind her, causing teh grey lioness to turn. A cloud of dust drifted away as a leopard skidded to a halt, chest heaving and sides panting. "Hurry, Rezolus' condition has worsened. . . he is. . . . close and requests your presence."
Instantly alert, the ghost female gave a small shake of her head. "Forgive me, sir, for having to break our meeting so short. The Kitwana borders welcome strangers, should your paws cross this way again or perhaps decide to linger. . . . If you'll forgive me." And with that, the lioness turned and darted in to the heart of the territory.
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:13 pm
MoonRazor He inclined his head in acknowledgement as the lioness turned to attend the business that awaited her, and as he watched her slowly receding figure, he felt intrigue envelope him.
Lady, condition, presence. Little escaped the dark lion's attention, and he committed each word to memory. Surely, they would return to haunt him, regardless of whether or not he remembered them consciously. It seemed as though it would bode better for him to do so of his own volition.
There was something about this lioness - her illness, her pride, her circumstances - that conveyed to him a sense of distance, as if the world in which she existed was something far removed from anything he or any outsider had ever witnessed before. Like a dream, it simply was, isolating those on the inside from those on the outside.
Perhaps it was that the powers that be had deemed it right for him to pause a while on his neverending search, to learn more about the world that surrounded him, that he might otherwise never have come to discover.
Still, his eyes rested on the disappearing gray of the lioness, now in the distance, the same intrigue hanging on the golden orbs. Hm. Nawiri.
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