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 Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:54 pm
Quote: He didn't realize how much his namesake could disagree with him. In the Firekin lands it had seemed so much easier to roam around, perhaps because he hadn't truly ventured that far out into the sands, but they were surely disagreeing with him now! The male, normally so aimable and warm, grumbled to himself as he managed to make it from the border patrol duties to the oasis string, or one stop along it's way. With a heavy exhale he wondered about more pleasant things, such as the lioness, Laini, he'd come to meet here, or his niece who seemed so much more outgoing and vibrant, and strong, though still so modest and soft spoken. Admittedly, though, most of his thoughts went to Laini, her missing son, and that strong countenance... There had to be something more to her, though, he felt it, but what?
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:55 pm
Quote: Some things had happened to Laini since she had met Matifu and welcomed him into the lands. She had stumbled across a cheeton dying under a dead tree. And she had declared herself eager to wag a war against the vultures. The vile things had done too much to the dawn walkers already, people she was beginning to already see as her own people. Each and every one of them.
She walked through one of the specklings of Oasi, a peaceful place to be. Many spent their days among them, refreshing as they were and full of life. She had a particular one she favored. It was out of the way and thus took an effort to get there but she liked it because it was thus empty and beautiful. At first she didn't notice anything but soon she picked up the sight of a sandy-brown form. Matifu? She couldn't explain it but she was happy to see him. Smiling, she moved to close the distance between them.
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:56 pm
Quote: Matifu didn't bother to lift his head, but was aware of the other's movement as they approached. If it had been an enemy, surely it would have come from above to try to peck his eyes out, suddenly at that.
"Laini... Well speak of a devil..." He greeted in a subdued, but happy tone, clearly a bit needy of a rest, or he might've stood to bow, the flirt that he was. "Seems you've caught me in a lazy moment. How are you today?"
He was certainly glad to see her, though he noted a different scent on her this day, one he hadn't noticed last he saw her, or perhaps hadn't been there?
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:57 pm
Quote: She smiled. "Oh I wouldn't say devil. Not unless you think so little of me," she teased. His tone and posture had a way of putting her in a good mood that maybe others couldn't accomplish as easily. But then, she contemplated, with the way he was, he probably had practice and talked this way now out of habbit. Not that she minded at all. "Lazy moment is not a bad moment. I've been doing well I should believe. Been keeping yourself busy, I see?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:58 pm
Quote: "Oh. Very." He grinned a bit, as his position might indicate the opposite, so while he had been busy, he wasn't quite -that- busy either. "Care to join me for a spell? I can't think of a better way to soak up the moment than with a spot of good company." He ambled, turning onto his side and reaching up a paw to scratch at his chest through the streaked mane.
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:57 pm
Quote: Laini shook her head with a smile, staring down at his lounging form. "Sure, what's the incantation?" she laughed. She laid down perpendicular to him, facing him with an ackward smile. It seemed almost funny for her to be doing something like this especially after all she'd done and gone through and become. But there was something about him that was so intriguing. "Tell me," she said. "Tell me what it's like to be you."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:02 pm
Quote: Matifu watched from his odd angle as Laini settled beside him, and posing her question as she did, he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes a bit with a teasing "ha ha" look. Her second question, though, did warrant some thought. He relaxed his expression back to normal as he regarded her still lazily.
"What it's like being me? Well, right now it's incredibly hot and exhausting." He kidded, referring to his excess bulk and the excess sun, and excess sand all working against him. "... In all seriousness, I'm not quite sure how to respond to that... there's much that I went through that I wouldn't wish anyone to have to bear, but knowing where it would lead, I'm sure I'd probably do at least some of it the same. At my age, the only thing that most have left to look forward to is that final rest when we rejoin the great circle. To be me, however? I'm too stubborn to simply lie down and quit, even if I am a lazy oaf. I'd like to raise another family... and maybe this time be able to keep them together..."
He glanced upwards, looking past her head as he confessed this, his thoughts drifting to the two sons he'd lost to division and feuding.
"I'd imagine I'm probably an old grandpa by now. It's strange. I waited nearly my entire life to have children, and once I did they and their mother were all I could think of. Life should've gone back to the way that it was, but it just seemed so empty for the first time in all these years."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:03 pm
Quote: She listened to his answer respectfully but at the same time figured he hadn't exactly answered it. But she supposed in many ways he did. He was very clearly a family man without a family. So he was old but Johari was youthful and well. So what could have happened to his family, she wondered. "You're quite a guy for wanderer. Surprised the Unity Walkers ever let you go," she joked. She almost wondered what she had wanted from her question considering she wasn't sure she got it. "But everyone goes through hard times they wouldn't wish on other. I can understand that." She wasn't quite sure where she was going with this conversation and really hoped he took it in some sort of direction with meaning least she keep making horrible conversation.
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:04 pm
Quote: If asked, Matifu would have replied that he was glad to answer. Self reflection never hurt anyone unless it was destructive. He kind of got the feeling it wasn't the answer she sought, though, just a hunch by her initial response somehow. He chuckled.
"I apologize, these things weigh heavily on my mind now and then. Being around children again just kind of brought back memories. I don't mean to sound depressed or depressing. I'm really far from it, and I believe they're in capable paws now. There's much new blood in the pride. I'd like to visit again sometime though."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:32 pm
Quote: Laini nodded. No she understood what he was saying. It made her think of her son and wondered if he thought ill of her wherever he was. It was her fault, whatever had happened to him. She could have prevented it but she probably only encouraged it. She really did love her son. She was just a horrible mother. How else could it have happened? She had never heard of another mother who lost their son in such conditions. It was a condition that plagued her almost daily. It had made her almost a much different person that she had been back then. "Children really do have a bad habit of doing that, don't they?" she smiled sadly. "Can always count on them to invoke memories, both good and bad. Children are a blessing." that she surely didn't deserve.
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:33 pm
Quote: "Always." He confirmed quietly, watching her from where he laid on his side yet still. For a moment he fell silent, then pulled himself up, rolling onto his stomach again and letting the sand drift loose from his fur absently. ".... These lands... they really do feel like home... at least the closest that any have in a long time. I have you to thank for that, Laini. Thank you."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:35 pm
Quote: She shook her head. "No don't thank me. I might not be as whole physically as I am today if it wasn't for you. So really I should thank you." She laughed ackwardly and licked her lips, adjusting her gaze sort of off into the distance. "Not to mention you'd made my days a bit brighter since you've come here." She really had to admit she didn't feel down so much when he was around. She had never been too good at conversation. But there were some people who made her feel better even with her inadequacies. She looked around, feeling the need to shift the conversation ever so slightly least she become embarrassed. "But these lands really do make one feel at home even if their past can draw no ties to it."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:36 pm
Quote: He simply rumbled softly and glanced to the grains beneath massive paws at that, a thought occuring as he let her modesty slip by. "Oh you'd be surprised..." He replied, glancing out at the horizon with a genuine smile, small and warm. "You've been a part of the Unity Walkers... I'm sure if you think of it you'll realize."
Blood ties they did not or might not have, but these lands were perhaps the most unified that one could find. The sands stretched on for miles to kiss the sky. Here, and only here, the earth danced in magnificent swirls, deadly sand storms, but here... He looked over to meet her eyes, stone meeting sky, their contrasting coats only further hinting at just what his words implied.
"Sky and Earth are truly one here..."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:42 pm
Quote: She smiled at the thought that this place was in unity, that it was a peaceful place to be. But the vultures were a fat scar on its face. They had had a place in this circle of life and they had stepped out of line. And for so long, they have gotten away with it too. Someone needed to show them that it was time to get back in line. Way past due. The beauty of this place did not deserve to be permanently marred by their black bodies and crooked necks. "But some would not wish us to see that unity." She turned her head and sighed, looking in the direction of the temple. "When will we ever fix this problem. It's like a roadblock determined to keep us from peace and harmony." I just want to be happy and lazy and enjoy the life so many other females have had the priveledge to enjoy, she thought to herself almost in agony. Frustrated with her life indeed.
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:50 pm
Quote: Matifu's eyes narrowed at that, looking towards the temple as well as an unconcious growl rumbled in his chest and throat.
"Soon... I hope. It's infuriating to think of the way they've abused these lands." He'd heard of the cubs corpses being dropped for them to find, and the idea made his blood do more than just boil, it made him seethe, claws eager to rend into those infernal bird's arrogant, gangly hides.
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