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 Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:50 pm
It's not like I'm purposefully trying to avoid anyone, Sirati kept telling herself as she raced across the land. I just really don't want to talk to anyone right now.
The problem was that Sira hadn't wanted to talk to anyone for a while. Something had changed. Once, she'd been very social, very curious, constantly getting into massive amounts of trouble by wandering off. Now, she could only stand to be around her family for short periods of time. Something was definitely off, but Sira couldn't admit it to herself and her family had no idea how to help her.
Perhaps if she was able to speak with her mother and father, but Sira had been finding it quite difficult recently. So much had happened recently, it was difficult to deal with. So, Sirati spent much of her time continuing to explore her pride's lands and roam the borders. She'd maintained a couple of shelters at different spots along those borders and she was headed to one now, a small but cozy cave formed by a couple of boulders, surrounded by trees. It was nice and quiet. Perfect.
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:05 pm
Jua'randa had always been one to talk: to anyone that would listen, really, without prejudice or thought that they weren't really interested in whatever it was he had to say. He was a sociable creature by nature, but he also knew the value of silence and the importance of shutting your trap and listening now and then. It was crucial to a relationship, wasn't it? To listen as much as you spoke?
All the same, sometimes the silence of wandering the savannah alone stretched so long that Jua couldn't bear it any longer and he would take to mumbling under his breath or singing made up songs, only able to remember the melody of the original when it lilted somewhere in the back of his mind. It was one of those such days that he was citing some story or another that his mother had told him, thumping the beat with his pawsteps as he traveled, completely unaware that he was coming upon the boundaries of another pride, which was a dangerous thing for a rogue to miss, but miss he did.
When he caught sight of a cave, he paused and arched a brow, curious, before a sudden noise off to one side alerted him that he wasn't alone. A lioness - and that was when he started to notice the other scents. Mkodi! A pride. Fumbling for a moment, he hesitated before calling a quiet, "Hello there!"
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:30 pm
Sira had started to settle comfortably into the cave structure, breathing deep sighs of relief. It was terrible that she should feel so relieved to be away from everything, but she couldn't help it. Being alone was something that was rarely achieved in her pride and it was nice to be by herself in splendid isolation. It was a unique feeling.
She flopped to the ground with a whoosh and was focusing on finding a comfortable position when her silence was broken with a voice from outside the opening.
Sira startled up to her paws and the quick movement caused her to bump her head on the rock overhead. Muttering under he breath, she moved over to the opening and peered out into the waning light. Her gaze caught on a lion nearby. It was no one she recognized and that likely meant that he was a rogue. That was curious. It wasn't usual that rogues ran across the borders anymore.
"Hello there," she replied cautiously. "What brings you here? Is there something I can assist you with?"
Sira's query was polite. As a representative for the pride, she needed to be. Besides, he didn't look threatening. It was likely he'd simply lost his way and needed to be redirected.
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:46 pm
He certainly hadn't intended for her to be harmed in the way of greeting him, but of course some things could not be prevented. Then again, it wasn't exactly his fault that she had bumped her head - nevertheless, you'd better believe that he was already forming the apology before she'd caught sight of him. "I'm sorry to startle you!" Had the stars from the bump even disappeared yet? It sounded like her mutterings were still echoing off the cave walls.
He didn't come too close, acknowledging that for some this was an inconvenience, or even rude if it didn't at least frighten them. Standing a few feet from the opening, he watched as she came closer to the light and peered out at him. She was a pretty slip of a thing, and both his brows arched in unison before he cast a guilty and suspicious look around him incase her brothers or pridemembers were lurking about.
When she spoke, he was struck by the polite tone that seemed at once aloof and cautious. Naturally, he was a rogue and should be treated with some level of detachment until his exact purpose was determined. He wasn't altogether unfamiliar with meeting pride members of all sorts; this was certainly not the most unpleasant, made even better by the 'representative' herself.
Curbing these shallow thoughts, he turned a charming half-smile on her and shrugged, "Nothing brings me anywhere; I follow where the wind leads me. What pride is this, if you don't mind?" His smile grew marginally, "Unless it's some secret that you'll be chasing me off for asking after."
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:58 pm
Now that she was certain that he meant no threat, Sira shrugged off her misgivings and ventured further out of the cave to sit a polite distance away. As the pain in her head faded, she took a moment to look him over. He certainly was a handsome lion and his coloring was very pleasing. If he wished to, he could fit in quite well with the other members of the pride. As if on cue, Sira's attention was grabbed by his answer.
"These are the Kusini'Mwezi pride lands. Welcome! Sorry for the cautious tone, but it has been quite awhile since we've had any honest visitors. And it's no secret, though I can't promise I won't chase you away."
She smiled to indicate that she was simply kidding. Because he didn't seem to be a threat and because they were a rather substantial distance away from the the main living ground of the pride, Sira didn't think it would be a problem to allow him to stay for awhile, if he wished. At least it was nice to have someone to speak with, other than pride members. This stranger would have no knowledge of the recent commotions and problems within the pride. Very refreshing.
"My name is Sirati, by the way. May I ask yours?"
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 10:13 pm
Very pretty - He quickly amended his previous thought patterns as the female slipped from the shadowy confines of the cave and into the direct sunlight. Her red markings were startling on that golden coat, but in a fashion that likened her to wildflowers and parched grass after a rain. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he cast another quick glance around, feeling a bit like a crude old, wrinkly rogue the way he was thinking about this stranger.
Then again, that wasn't too far off a judgement, really.
Shaking his head thoughtfully at the mention of the pride name, he shrugged. He hadn't heard of the Kusini'Mwezi in his wanderings across Africa, but instead of saying so, he merely nodded discreetly, "It's a pleasure to find myself in the company of the Kusini'mwezi, then." At her joke, he smiled broadly, reassured, "I will have to keep an eye on you then."
Lost in thought for a moment, he let his hind legs fold absently beneath him so that he was settled for conversation as well. Startled from his thoughts, not even sure where they had wandered himself, he blinked a few times at her before the broad, infectious smile returned again. Tilting his head, he nodded, "You may. I'm Jua'Randa. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sirati."
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 10:32 pm
Sira wasn't fooled. It was obvious that he hadn't heard of the pride, but that was no insult. In fact, it was probably a good sign. Sira's pride weren't exactly anti social, but they did tend to like to keep to themselves. The pride's location made that very easy to achieve. Still, she kept her thoughts to herself and just nodded with a sweet smile.
She was pleased at his smile and that he gave her his name.
"Well, Jua'Randa, it is a pleasure to meet you too. Please, call me Sira. Everyone around here does," she said with a chuckle.
Unfortunately, thoughts like that led her to thoughts of her family. Her expression grew troubled for a moment as she considered the circumstances. So many changes, it was difficult for her to keep up. Also, she hadn't had much of a chance to speak directly with her mother or father lately, so much of what she heard could simply be rumors. It was difficult to know what was the truth and what wasn't.
Shaking off her troubled thoughts, she smiled again. Following his action, she settled comfortably on the ground too, a little closer so she could speak easily with Jua.
"So, I take it that you are a rogue. That must be very interesting. Granted, I love my pride and my family, but I've always wondered what it would be like to have no ties, just to be able to travel where I wished."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:51 pm
He wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not, but it was possibly better she didn't call him out on it. That would certainly make things a good deal more awkward, as he wasn't exactly sure how or if he could skillfully cover a blunder like that. Not that it was a particular poor thing for him not to know the pride, unless they were especially sure of themselves, or something, but if she were a good representative of her pride, and he being a good judge of character, than he would bet that they were not overly confident.
Not in a bad way, anyway. Confidence in moderation was, after all, a brilliant quality.
"In that case, feel free to call me Jua." He smiled broadly, "I can't apply 'everyone' to many, but its easier anyway." He liked her laugh; shrugging the thought aside, he glanced off around the clearing as the silence stretched comfortably between them. This was a pretty little place, and the cave was deep. Did she stay here or live closer to the pride? His brow furrowed in thought, when that thought-process was interupted by her sudden closeness. It was only at a conversational distance, but it had been enough for him to look back towards her just in time to catch her words.
"That I am." He confirmed, smiling toothily before shrugging, "Oh, it is, I suppose. Interesting, and dangerous and all the things you hear about such things. I don't know if I agree with mothers warning their daughters off 'us', but I suppose I'm not one to be asked." He shrugged, again, at the bad joke as his expression became a bit sheepish. Grudgingly, he admitted, feeling the urge to the truthful, "It's a bit lonely, but only since my mother died. I have roamed since the day I was born, it didn't seem right to stop after she passed, so... I kept on." He lifted his shoulders habitually and then smiled, "You can wonder what it's like to follow the wind, and I'll wonder what it's like to be tied someplace."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 10:15 pm
Sira listened closely and found herself very interested in what he was saying. She'd spoken to other wandering rogues before, of course, but it was hearing about individual experiences that she found so unique and enthralling in a way. She watched him and found herself smiling with him. She liked his smile and it was infectious. However, she pushed that thought aside.
Sira contemplated his words, imagining what it was like. Since her birth, Sira'd had a home, a family, a pride, and the responsibility that came with all three. As a cub, she'd gotten into so much trouble for wandering away from the pride's lands for days on end. It had been frightening, dangerous, and utterly amazing. She'd met a number of others by wandering into other pride's area. Looking back, she was amazed that she hadn't been attacked. Somehow, she'd managed to stay safe and return home. That had been the extent of her wandering.
Jua however had been wandering since birth? His was a completely different life, the life that Sirati had occasionally longed for. Lost in thought, she found herself speaking in reply to his comment.
"It is certainly interesting. I have a large number of siblings and my family takes up a great deal of the pride. It probably wouldn't be stretching it to say that I had a hundred relatives by now. You're constantly surrounded by others and you have to learn to work together. It can be annoying at times, but you always have someone there to rely on, someone to run to if you get in trouble. You have a place to call home, but you have responsibilities, so it isn't possible to simply get up and leave," she said with a somewhat sad, wistful smile.
Realizing that she'd been rambling a bit, her smile turned sheepish.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to carry on there. Of course, describing it is no comparison to actually living it, so I will indeed simply have to imagine what it is like to live as you do."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:52 pm
Shifting his weight from one forepaw to the other in an absent-minded motion that he wasn't consciously aware of, Jua focused on the soothing sensation of the sun warming the fur on his back. The protected skin beneath the follicles shuddered pleasurably and his lips curled in an answering expression of enjoyment. None of this was purposeful, and only done with half a thought as he watched the lioness quietly.
When she spoke, he nodded slowly, though he couldn't even imagine such a life. He had never been tied down by anything; his mother had always kept moving, never staying in one place for longer than a day or two. The only time he had ever even been reluctant to let the earth pass beneath his feet was when... was when she had passed. It had been so difficult to leave the body to the vultures - to leave her to continue what the Pridelanders referred to as the Circle of Life.
His brow had begun to crease pensively and his smile fade, but it returned in answer to her own sad expression. "Admittedly, I can only barely imagine what it must be like - to be tied down, though I will say that I have often been envious of those who had a place to call home."
Why was he telling her these sorts of things? He cleared his throat, coughing a bit self-consciously before chuckling, "Oh, no need for apologies. It seems we're both..." He shrugged and laughed again, quietly. "We're agreed; two different lives so unalike one another that it's difficult to imagine."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:25 pm
Sira listened quietly and nodded. She felt the warm rays of the sun on her back, sinking into her fur, a delightful feeling. Certainly, this day had proved out to be much better than she had anticipated. She'd been attempting to get away, convinced that she didn't wish to speak with anyone. The truth was, she did want to speak with someone: someone who would listen to her and respond in kind, someone who wouldn't judge her opinions on the current affairs of the pride. She'd wanted someone neutral and she had found that someone in Jua.
It truly was a delight to speak with someone so different and yet so similar.
"So unalike and yet, not really so different," she said quietly, glancing at Jua and holding his gaze. After a moment, she glanced away.
"Though we can't really imagine it, it's nice to be able to hear about it from someone, to get some details to paint that imagination with. Give the thought, the fantasy some clarity, even if it is just that. A fantasy," she sighed with a smile.
"Thank you for speaking with me, Jua. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to run across you today."
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 5:12 pm
A breeze tugging lightly through his red mane seemed to coincide with the sudden feeling of farewell. It seemed an unspoken agreement that their little meeting was at an end, and Jua felt the urge to continue itching his paw pads like a thousand scurrying ants. Furrowing his brow, he listened to her words with a new sort of viewpoint: that they were the last - for today, anyway.
Mentally he took stock of his surroundings, and he attempted to remember the scents that preceded his arrival in the little grove so that he might be able to find it again. Who knew? Perhaps she'd be here again, perhaps she'd look for him too. The thoughts were left unspoken; the hopes dying on his lips before they could form words.
He couldn't remember the last time he cared to see somebody again.
His lips curled slightly at her words, holding her gaze as well, though he couldn't look away when she did. Something clicked somewhere, and he knew he'd come back here even if it was his subconscious that led him there. With a jolt, he realized the farewells had come about and another insistent tug of a breeze drew him to his feet. "Thank you, Sira. It was a pleasure." He hesitated, then added, "I hope we meet again."
Feeling a bit foolish at that, he chuckled and turned to leave, tailing swishing lightly before he paused to glance over his shoulder. He didn't really have anything to say, and so simply laughed and let his head fall forward so that his mane shielded his face - and then started off again.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 11:32 pm
Sadly, it was obvious that the conversation was at an end. Sira tried to find something to say, anything, that could make him stay. How odd! She'd only just met him and already she wished that he could stay longer. She shook off her foolish feelings and focused on saying goodbye. Perhaps, if it was meant to be, they would meet again.
She rose with him and listened as he said goodbye and turned to go. Sira watched him go, trying to find something to say. He glanced over his shoulder, and Sira smiled before calling after him.
"I hope we can meet again as well. I'd like to see you again," she said, grinning. She waited and watched as he left, her gaze staying on him until he faded from sight.
Sirati sighed as she realized her escape was at an end. She needed to get back to her family and back to responsibility. Turning to leave, she looked back at the cave and smiled softly. She would be coming back her often. Maybe, maybe Jua would look to see her again as well.
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