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 Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:48 pm
Dusk had begun to settle upon the land, a long strip of color stretching throughout the horizon to display the dispersing light. Never a time came when he was most concerned than the evening - particularly the dusk, for as he knew well enough, death and danger lurked within the darkened corners of the world. Rogues and untidy creatures roamed freely, and as he and his crew slept soundly with little cover there was little knowledge as to whether or not they would be startled, ambushed. It was for such reasons that Ndege had become diligent and obsessive about strolling in the late evenings to survey the territory for dangers. A hyena here or there, a lion here or there, cheetah, leopard, he had seen from time to time, but always at a great distance and to the point of which he was not too concerned about. If the creatures were to leave soon after his spotting them, there was no call for worry.
Or was there?
It never seemed to cease. Even as the silhouetted creatures disappeared into the colorful horizon line, traveling far away from him, he would expect them to start running back - and he expected an epic battle to break out in which would never end properly. It was his duty to prevent such a thing, but there was a nagging fear that had been instilled within him long into the past. Though he was not keen to admit it, Ndege was deathly afraid of the shadows and of death. He did not welcome it, and in such a matter he did not welcome the idea of a fight between vagabond animals; thus, as could be expected, Ndege dreaded every sight of a shadow or a creature scattered throughout the scarcely populated savanna.
It was with such somber thoughts and fright that he walked the short distance of his crew, circling about them to check the surroundings - a mundane task of which he would repeat until dawn, or until he could no longer manage to remain within the world of the awake. His heavy paws tumbled forward, and with each motion his bushy mane shook. With his tail swaying about behind him, the wind created a particular noise that had become his rhythmic marching song. However, with the slightest breeze he was caught off guard - and each time his hairs stood up and his teeth ground together to shelter a hysteric roar. To his misfortune, the wind was on its high for the evening, blowing with haste as if to greet an urgency far away. It was a powerful wind that he imagined would have knocked him on his rear were he a weightless cub and not the mass of which he was! It was also incredibly noisy, which created his problem to begin with. Still, he continued solemnly, trying not to be caught by the stretch of his imagination as the ground slowly took on more shadows, and the symphony of crickets took to filling the air.
While walking, Ndege finally met his match in the form of a black bird. The thing had flown above him, its shadow casting over his colorful figure, and its vocal box forcing an obnoxious screech. Unable to contain the fear within, he had let out a sonorous snarl and roar before running, and tucking to the ground. The bird had followed above him, its being elusive to Ndege's eyes, but its shadow as evident as if it were his own. With no source in sight, Ndege had braced for the worse, and his superstitions had managed the worst with him as his frenzy continued, only to cease when the cackling of the bird had rang within his ears and the thing come into sight. Angered, he had lunged for the thing, only to scare it away and miss his chance for revenge - unfortunate, as it left him boiling and exhausted for no good reason at all.
"Be the death of you, heathen!" The lion had shrieked before flopping onto his stomach, inhaling one deep breath. He would rest for a moment - only a moment, and continue his venture. Hopefully - and as he prayed silently for it to hold true - he would not encounter another bird of which wished to mock him for his cautiousness.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:20 pm
Kimya awoke, as he always did, when his father first began his patrol around their camp. He toyed with the notion of falling back asleep, and dozed off for a bit until he heard his father's roar off a small distance away. It brought him straight back to reality. Which a soft groan, he rose from his sleeping place near his siblings and trotted after his father's scent, his paws padded silently toward the sound. He tossed his dark growing mane out of his eyes. Sometimes, coming of age wasn't so much of a good thing.
What had made his father react like that? He pondered over the possibilities. A rogue lion perhaps? Some great terrible creature that was stalking them? Hopefully not, but Kimya was as of yet untried in the ranks of a soldier and he wanted to cut his teeth so to speak, sooner rather then later.
"Father?" He called as he padded along, finally catching sight of the dark unmistakable figure. He padded closer, his tail twitching once against the ground, "Is everything alright out here?"He scented the air, just in case and detected little that was a threat. He looked at his father again, "Perhaps you should rest father? I can take over from here." He offered, vaguely hoping that his father would agree for once, and leave the responsibilty in his paws. He wanted to prove his worth to his father. He needed to prove his worth. He wasn't a cub any longer, he was almost an adult and he deserved and wanted the responsibilty that went along with that. He was going to be a Shujaa when they returned home after all, might as well begin the process now. His tail lashed against the earth, kicking up a puff of dust.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:32 pm
Angusho, Shujaa of the pride that both of the blue lions were a part of, had been on his usual patrol since late that night. The sun had begun to rise and the wind pick up, but the pink brute moved along as steadily as ever, lumbering frame hardly feeling the resistance of the wind, his tail swaying behind him lazily.
He scented the air, walked a while, and repeated the process constantly until he was sure the lands were safe, but today, he had only gone a short distance around the borders when he heard the roar of an adult lion. Instinct kicked in and he crouched down, hoping to hide himself from any attacker. His attempts were in vain, however, as even this tall grass could not hide him with such bright colors in his fur.
Fortunately for him, the 'attacker' was also brightly colored, and what's more, there were two of them. Angusho eyed them suspiciously, too far away to hear the younger one adress the elder. Something about the larger one seemed vaguely familar, and didn't seem like too much of a threat. As a result, Angusho picked himself up off the ground and started towards them quickly, head held high to show that he wasn't afraid, and his eyes firmly fixed on Ndege, though he wasn't aware of his identity as of yet.
"What is your buisness in the Mteo'nyungu lands, strangers?" He boomed, slowing his pace to a walk, "Speak quickly, for I won't hesitate to make you leave for the protection of my pride, I do not tolerate outsiders strolling in casually as if these are ordinary lands." He said sternly, making sure to make his point very clear, still unable to completely recognize Ndege, since he had been gone so long.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:42 pm
[ xd Didn't Angusho venture away from the lands with the lot of them as protection in the beginning? ]
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:36 am
((Hm, I'm not sure xd however, he has a bad memory, and could quickly forget the identity of someone in the pride if they were gone for a long time, especially if they were thought to be dead.))
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:10 am
[ lol Well, I checked the thread, because, technically, the lot of them are still on the trek back and no where near the Mteo'Nyungu lands as of yet.
Angusho and Chuguu did leave with party to help provide food and protection. -nods-
" When the great plague hit Mteo'nyungu, the death toll was large. So large the ancient ritual of thought-blood letting upon a lion's death led to a red stain permanently left between the trees to mark the entrance to the den. Many lions worried for their health, and that of their children or mates.
Embama was a frail lioness, so frail she had never been allowed to hunt, and fears for her health were extreme. As a cousin of Warithi, the heir, she was of royal blood, and after the deaths of Warithi's sisters, next in line should Warithi die of the plague. Her mate, Ndege, asked, and was permitted, permission to take Embamba away until the illness passed, swearing to return. With them they took Angusho and Chuguu, a Shujaa to keep them safe, and an Msaka to feed the party.
Unfortunately, they got lost, never having left the Mteo'nyungu lands before.
Though now on their way back, their prolonged absence has meant that the rest of the pride thinks them dead, and have mourned their passing.
It is time for their return, both to the pride, and to life. "
XD With a bad memory, uhr, yes... But Angusho's been with them the entire time away and on the way back. ]
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:26 am
((Oh! Terribly sorry, I didn't notice his name specifically in that part sweatdrop go ahead and disregard that last RP post and instead you can reply to this one biggrin ))
Ever since leaving his home in thei Mteo'nyungu lands, Angusho never stopped his routine if patrols as soon as he woke in the morning. Now that there was a much smaller area to patrol, specifically, the area around where his companions were slumbering, he finished quickly, and returned to his sleep once he was sure that they were safe.
Today, shortly after his own patrol around the party, the white male had only just settled down to sleep again, when a familiar roar rang in his ears a short distance away. Angusho quickly stood and ran over to the source, his leader, Ndege, acompainied by his son.
"My lord, what has caused you distress at such an hour?" He asked, bowing his head for a moment before turning and facing the adolescent beside him.
"Ah, Kimya, good to see you up and about. A Shujaa needs to be ready for anything, at any hour. It's good to get these habits established early." He said with a slight smile, "You'll make a fine Shujaa once we return home."
Angusho was proud of Kimya, and had honestly considered trying to take his as an aprentice once they got back to their own lands, if he and his father agreed to it.
"Now... Do either one of you know which direction home is? It would be best for us to return as soon as possible."
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:44 am
Begrudgingly, Ndege had heaved a sigh before pawing the ground and rising to his feet. His head was lowered in a modest way - different from the time of the past when it was held high and proud with a streak of firm might. He was shallow within his age and the weary travels, of parenting, and it was more than apparent in the way he no longer carried himself with evident pride.
With the bird gone, things had once again settled, and the late night symphony of crickets had turned up the volume just to play his lonesome song. Unbeknown to him at that time, Angusho too had been on the guard - obligated by an old duty that, if he knew, he would imagine rose from an ancient obligation. Carrying further, his 'young' son [young within the eyes of the father], had awaken from sleep on the account of his sudden jerking and roaring over the shadows that lingered throughout the untamed land.
Upon the approach, Ndege had once more been caught of guard, a squeakish noise flying from his throat as he whirled around only to find that boy of his - Kimya. Faintly, he smiled and bowed his head low as the youth delivered his offer, to which there was no question about - Ndege would be declining. The land of which they stood were dangerous within his imagination, and never would he dream of risking his son to the rogues and lower beings. In disagreement with the idea, he had shaken his head, the golden mane flittering to the left, then right. "To that I must decline, Kimya. Everything is... Perfectly fine, just..." His voice had trailed off with the realization, and the shame, of his over-reaction. There he stood - the one of his blood - and there Ndege stood, a coward in front of the future of his line. The expression on his face became more somber as he carried on the subject, refusing to admit he had been startled by a wise-cracking bird. "You are not yet old enough for the task alone, Kimya. We have discussed this before, have we not?" A forlorn grin crossed his face as he took a few small steps, raising his head, then lowering it in a small greeting fashion. "In time, in time, be patient, and do not worry... I will admit, you're quick on the call."
Just as the sentenced had fled his throat, Angusho had emerged, and once more the shame of the bird had settled upon Ndege's shoulders. "Nothing, Angusho." He had breathed, the formal title stinging a tad. He was no lord.
"Home is in one direction or another. We'll journey on. I swore on everything we would return, and I intend to hold true to my statements. We will be home, but, for now..." A glance had been given in the direction of which the remaining few of the group rested. "For now, rest."
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:20 pm
Kimya flushed at Angusho's compliment, at least someone was recognizing his attempts at helping with protecting the group! He glanced from his father to Angusho and shook his head, "Are you sure, Father?" He didn't need to ask that, his father always refused, quite sure that his son was still too young to take that responsibilty. A surety that Kimya chafed against every day.
He looked over at Angusho, tossing his red mop of hair out of his eye, "Thank you, sir," He replied and stiflyed a laugh at the lion's next comment. Angusho could be forgetful about many things and he always seemed to make those incidents amusing. Well, at least for him and his siblings.
His ears twitched back in his father's direction, "Father...." He began quietly, "Do you know exactly when we'll get there? To Mteo'nyungu?" He asked. He had been wondering about the place they were going to for a long time. It wasn't enough for his mother to tell them stories about the place, "Mteo'nyungu" as the adults called it. Having never been there, having not even been born there, it was a difficult place to imagine. His tail flopped once again on the ground, an impatient gesture. He was getting rather impatient in fact, wanting to get back to whatever place they had come from. The journey was very trying to his mother's health and that fact made him want to get to Mteo'nyungu quickly, and by quickly he meant now.
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Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:47 pm
"Ah, no disrespect my lord, but I find myself doubtful that you would roar only for practice. If something causes you unrest, I will take care of it as quickly as possible." Angusho said with a nod. He didn't care if Ndege didn't see himself as a lord, the title was said partially out of habit, but Ndege was still his superior, and would be adressed as such.
True enough, Angusho normally saw weakness as intolerable, but he also understood how age could slow down the body and make the mind uneasy. Though Ndege had seemed to 'age' more quickly than normal since they had set off from their own land, the pink-maned lion would remain loyal to him until Kita'mauti came for him.
He turned his head to face Kimya, "You are quite welcome, master Kimya." He said with a kind smile. He was still quite unaware of the amusement he provided for him and his siblings, but it didn't matter. Angusho was proud of who he was, bad memory and all.
"Ah, Mteo'nyungu... How I miss that land." He sighed at the name, "If there's one place I'll never forget, it is there. How I long to take on the duty of gaurding those sacred lands once again, to be in such close proximity to Abu'bichi's resting place. To await his call diligantly once more." The lion murred, partially to himself.
Angusho blinked a couple times and shook his head, "However, I am rambling again, you both should rest, I'll watch over you. You have nothing to fear." He said with a sharp nod, "Once everyone is rested, we'll move forward."
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:16 pm
[ Sorry for the wait. D: Got caught off guard in the shuffle of winter break end and stuff.]
Ndege had seemed to shrivel and bristle at the doubt. However true it was, he could not deny what had occurred and that he had, in fact, been startled by a trickster of a bird. Heaving a heavy breath, he had shaken his head to himself as if to discard the entire ordeal. "It was nothing of concern - and has long since passed." He spoke clearly, though his voice had seemed to fade with the following words: "Just the skittishness of too long away and the pranks of a... A hooligan." With haste he shook his head, the golden mane flittering as he tossed his head up high. His eyes settled on the two males, becoming firm, though the hint of paranoia remaining was more than apparent. Fortunately - for Ndege - the mention of the familiarity had soothed his weary soul. He smiled and turned his head to the left. "You can never be certain of a when - only that we will. Time, in time we will be home - and in time you will find your rightful place in such, on my word, Kimya. Be patient. Patience is... A virtue." How hypocritical he was! His patience was easy to wear down - nothing more than a thin wire at times
...
Particularly when it came to birds. "I don't believe I can rest soundly another night - and I take it neither can the two of you?" A swift change of subject. If he were to change it... Maybe they would forget of his frantic roar over the bird? How weak he must have seemed, how senile - how ill minded!
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:44 am
((^.^;; Sorry for the wait as well, my muse fled me for a while. ))
Kimya watched the exchange between his father and Angusho, deciding not to comment for fear of being accused of meddling in things that were not his business. He listened quietly, glancing about a bit incase this so-called "hooligan" reappeared. You could never be too careful.
Patience! Ha! Whoever said adolescent males had patience? Granted, he did have a good share--but he wanted this over already. He wanted everything to be over, his mother back where she belonged where she didn't need to stress herself every day. When they finally reached Mteo'nyungu his father would have to acknowledge that Kimya was old enough to take great responsibilities. Like guarding duty or something even more important, perhaps protecting the royal family...? Ha, he knew that was almost out of the question, but dreaming was okay, wasn't it?
Kimya's ears twitched, recognizing the change of subkject, "I'll stay awake as long as you, father." He replied calmly, fully intending to do just what he said.....no matter how much he was going to miss the sleep.
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:11 am
((That's alright, you two ^^ sometimes I do the same thing.))
Angusho nodded, "If you say so, Lord Ndege." He said with a bit of a smile. "It may please you to know that hooligans rarely appear more than once, for fear of being caught the second time." He said in an amused voice. He had dealt with hooligans before, and he knew that you hardly ever saw the same one twice.
He shook his head, bright mane shaking side to side, "No, the sound nights with sleep will be few and far between until we reach home. For me at least." He admitted, "But that'll only make the return all the sweeter, will it not?"
He gazed up at the sky for a moment, watching the stars twinkle above him. "Though I must wonder how our return will be taken. Indeed, how we ourselves will take our return. Things surely will have changed."
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