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 Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:22 am
[AIM RP: Tahja & Ume] Laini rolled onto her back, eying the moon lazily as it peeked through the palm leaves shading her. Her tail flopped lazily, splashing the water of the pool before her lightly. She had had a peaceful, lovely dream that had made her feel warm inside. This place was hot but it wasn't the same as what was meant by how her dream made her feel. It was as if she was perfectly satisfied with everything, a cozy dream one wakes slowly from and misses when it's gone. She didn't remember what it was about or the face of the lion in it. But it was a comfort to have such a dream. Usually they were about vultures, sometimes fighting them off, sometimes finding herself their slave. Or dreams about her past which wasn't pleasant either. So it made this one all the better and put her in a good mood if not still a lackadaizy one.
She closed her eyes, a smile on her lips, and breathed in deeply.
He came during the nightfall, the evening hours the only time when he felt he could move briskly and be comfortable. The nights were cold, but with all his extra fur and body mass he hardly felt it in the least. He was seeking a particular lioness, having spoken to Muroki earlier that day already and deciding things. Now he just had this final business to care for before he set out.
"Laini...?" He whispered, approaching the stretch of oasis where she normally slept.
So distracted was she that Laini did not hear the large, fluffy lion approach until he spoke. She breathed in deeply and blinked. Rolling onto her belly, she looked up at him with eyes slowly gaining the appearance of alertness. "Yes?" She wasn't used to late night visitors but she hadn't exactly been asleep anyway. And his interruption didn't make the warm feeling go away so she couldn't resent him. What brought him here, she wondered. Others usually bundled up for warmth here. It seemed only Laini was used to being cold at night.
"Good, you're awake already... I was a bit worried about facing your wrath if I pulled you from your rest." He teased gently, coming to stand before her and lower his head so that she didn't need to crane her neck so much to face him. "Do you think you have a moment? I'd like for you to take a walk with me..."
she nudged him with paw on his leg, which was at her eye-level. "Oh how dare you," she joked softly although not as energetic as she was during the day. Blinking and furrowing her brow curiously, she nodded. "Yea... sure." She pushed herself to her feet and used the available space to stretch adequately. She wondered briefly what he had to ask. But of course, he was going to so she knew she didn't need to wonder pointlessly and just let him tell her whatever it was when he chose to. "It's a beautiful night for a walk anyway," she said, looking up at the moon with a peaceful smile.
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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:50 am
Matifu stared at his leg and the offending paw, then at Laini.
"My my, I had expected so much more more rage than this from the mighty vulture slayer." He teased back with a grin, letting her rise and stretch, admittedly giving an appreciative glance before looking away to lead the way towards the furthest oasis. "Yes it is..." He smiled back, "I spoke with the king, it was agreed that it would be for the best to recruit outside help, since there are so many young here that will need extra protection during the invasion." He began.
She smiled at him ruefully at his comment and shook her head to adjust her hair tuff like she just didn't care. Laini walked beside him, watching his face as he talked. She had to admit she was a bit disappointed that this was his chosen topic but then again, it was something they had talked about together so maybe he just thought it appropriate. That and they were both close to the royal couple. "Oh ok," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "Do we have someone in mind?"
"I know of a pride or two, the Unity Walkers might have some to spare for a bit, as well as the Pridelands. They have quite the abundance of lions actually. Leopards, cheetahs, I'm sure I'll find plenty,"
In truth he was just stalling, doing a very coinvincing job of it though, with all the practice he had. As they headed for that last stretch he glanced up, catching the moon overhead, glad for the lack of clouds in these lands. Their path was well lit, even in the dark.
She blinked, thinking she understood what he was saying. She sucked in a cheek, pressing it lightly between her teeth. "You mean you're leaving?" she asked, concerned. Laini thought he was staying. And she was getting quite used to his visits. Well, she was even surprised that she cared so much. She hadn't known him as long as she had known Muroki or even Johari. She looked down at a lizard running quickly by, insect wings sticking out of its mouth. Why was its life so unadventurous until it was dead? Whereas hers seemed so much more complicated.
She looked back up to him to see what he'd say and hopefully catch any expression that passed across his face while trying to keep herself composed and only mildly concerned as any interested person might.
"Yes... I thought it best to see to this myself. I have many old ties in various places, and would likely have an easier time finding those to join us."
He didn't miss the second wave of disappointment, and sought his next words carefully.
"That's why I wanted to speak to you, before I go. I need to set out tonight while the vultures rest, unaware." If they noticed him leaving they might grow suspect. But there were other reasons for him chosing nightfall to mask his departure. The oasis finally came into view after a bit more trekking, and he led her into it's shade, towards the watering hole there. "I wanted to say goodbye, though it's far from permanent... and I feel that it's only natural that I tell you what's truly on my heart before we part ways for now."
He turned to face her, towering somewhat, and even now when confessing something so deep and with the potential of rejection, he seemed so calm and sure of himself.
"Look..." He sat beside the watering hole, motioning for her to join him so that they could gaze at it.
He directed his own gaze to the watering hole, which in the pure light of the sky reflected the moon and stars at just the right angle. He had been waiting to bring her here, to show her this when the moon was positioned just so in the sky.
"I thought that you might like them, the moon and the stars... I know that it's not the real thing, but if it were physically possible I'd gather them for you in a heartbeat."
He turned from the pool again to hold her gaze if she would only look at him.
"You've given me something that has been missing from my life for months, and I'm not just talking about a place to call home, but the feelings that come with it. If you'd have me, I'd like nothing more than to spend the rest of my days with you, and only you. This pride has a tradition of marriage, and I'd be honored to have you as my wife."
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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:39 am
Laini frowned. Yes he had ties in other places but not like he was the ONLY lion here with that ability. And just because he made it here safely enough didn't mean that he'd be so fortunate a second time. She stopped herself. What was she doing thinking like this. It was selfish of her and she had no right to. What ever happened to the slaves of the vultures and other lions being picked on by them? They needed Matifu to do this. He had to do this. She should be thanking him.
She came to stand by the water and look at it as he asked. The moon and the stars... why would she want the moon and the stars? She admired him for this sort of valiant act but she didn't want the stars and the moon. She wanted something much more material that he could give her if he so wanted. Didn't he know her well enough to know that she didn't need something as.... out of reach as the stars? Well she hoped he did. Wait... what was he saying?!
Her heart fluttered and her head leaned forward of its own will in disbelief, her breathe even leaving her. Finally she gasped and began breathing heavily. She blinked and looked away so she wasn't making eye contact, trying to blink away whatever was in her eyes. The heavy breathing turned into nervous laughter and she put a paw to her face trying to calm herself down. He was probably freaked out right now. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said, still laughing nervously. "You could have warned me before you asked me." Oh gosh, how did she say this without seeming foolish? "I... I'd be honored to except," she replied trying to keep her eyes from tearing up again. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the night air but she didn't remember being such an emotional... fool. It was almost ...it was almost... like her dream?
She tried to compose herself. "I've always wondered what marriage was like," she joked.
For a moment he felt the slightest flicker of uncertainty, had he misread her? Had he been mistaken? It wasn't until she really answered that he relaxed again, and chuckled, moving to draw her in against him, one large forearm coming up to wrap around her smaller frame as he began to groom the tears away gently with his tongue. They were an intense sort of salty on his pallet.
"Then let's find out together. When I return, and we've driven those beasts from our home, it's a promise." He rumbled softly.
She pulled away a little bit, embarrassed for crying. She was probably really young and immature in his eyes. What a silly female she was. But then she gave in. She hadn't had this sort of contact with anyone ...ever. It was foreign to her but not unpleasant. It was to the point that she felt almost like her tears were an excuse to stick her face in his mane and answer the question of just how fluffy was it. The answer: very. Is this what it was like? To be Johari and Muroki or Moyenda and Safiya? Now she knew she really SHOULD have been jealous. "Yes," she whispered.
He smiled softly to himself, the rumble growing in volume until it was a steady purr, reverbarating against his ribs as he rested his head against hers. It had taken quite a bit of traveling, and quite some time, but he'd finally found his place.
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