|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 22, 2007 22:18:21 GMT -5
A large pale shape padded through the lions no-man's land. Though his white mane and pale colors made him stand out, initially one might have thought he was an illusion. The heat making his form appear to waver added to the effect, as he looked like nothing more then a walking spirit. As if a dead lion had come to roam the lands. He was as pale as if there was no blood in his body. But the water was disturbed as he drank, proving that he did indeed have a physical presence. His eyes were pale, he seemed almost blind. But again assumptions were disproved as he looked around. He seemed wary. As if he were being hunted. Odd behavior for one of the creatures the fabled as "king of the jungle." A mighty hunter, fleeing. And a big one, at that. He stood by the edge of the Outlands, noticing the boundaries and he wondered about the lions in here. Some part of him wanted to try again. Some part of him wanted to find a plac ethat might finally not chase him out. But he knew he could not. He would put them all in danger, for his enemy would never stop hunting him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 22, 2007 22:46:54 GMT -5
Narifia was padding along through Kube, as she routinely did just to get away from it all. Kube was a quiet, peaceful place, and as a new queen she sometimes needed to clear her head. Leading a whole pride was not as easy as it had seemed.
After taking a drink of water, she looked up and noticed what appeared to be some sort of a spectre. The wind blew her way however, and she caught his scent. "Definately a living creature, then," she thought as she watched him.
Though Morobi, overprotective as he was, had told her to never allow herself to interact with foreign lions, she walked over to the strange lion cautiously but in a friendly manner.
"Hello there," she said, stopping a few yards away from him. "I don't believe I've seen you around before."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 22, 2007 22:54:31 GMT -5
Just as the thought crossed his mind to move on, he noticed another nearby. Unlike most he had met, she seemed friendly and inclined to talk to him even if he was a stranger.
"You wouldn't. I came from far away from here." He said vaguely, his pale blue eyes gave off a strange feeling, as if they could see more then her physical form. "Are you wandering through here too?" He sat down, his white tufted tail swaying a bit in the sun. It was nice to have someone to talk to for a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 22, 2007 23:02:56 GMT -5
Narifia sat as well.
"No, I come here often. It's a nice place to go when you need to clear your mind," she said.
If she noticed his strange eyes, she didn't give any indication of it.
"So you come from far away. Why wander so far?" she asked, just out of genuine, friendly curiosity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 22, 2007 23:12:36 GMT -5
At this question, his eyes suddenly would not hold her gaze for a split second.
"....I just have a tendency to wander." He said quietly, a calm smile on his face. Although he knew, in his strange way, that she did mean it as a friendly question he had very good reasons for avoiding giving away details.
"Hard for me to settle down, so I don't get around to staying in too many places."
He was thankful that he seemed to be getting away with being vague still.
"So you live in one of the prides nearby then?" He asked polietly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 22, 2007 23:21:48 GMT -5
His answer seemed to satisfy her. Narifia replied, "Yes. You see the border there? That is my home."
She motioned to the border between Kube and the Outlands that Kivuli had been at earlier. It didn't occur to her to mention that she was queen there, for some reason it just didn't cross her mind.
"My mate and I settled there just recently. A few aquaintances came along," she added, "I'm still getting used to everything, really. Change isn't easy."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 22, 2007 23:31:39 GMT -5
Kivuli took a good look into the Outlands. Her home lands appeared very hospitable. How nice it would be to be with others again. But everyone else had cast him out. What would make them any different? Perhaps the other pride members were not so friendly. And how could anyone accept him if they knew what was after him? If they knew what he'd done? He didn't even deserve a pride.
"It looks to be a very nice place." Kivuli nodded, looking it over. "You and your mate seem to have made a wise choice. And where is he?" He paused. "Your mate, I mean." He added, noticing that he was absent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 23, 2007 20:12:10 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm sure he's bouncing around somewhere. Probably in a panic over where I am," she said as she began to absently wash her face.
Narifia had a little smile on her face just thinking about it. Morobi, her love and muse, was such a worrier. He did nothing but watch her every move just to make sure she didn't get hurt. Annoying though it was, she couldn't help but be thankful that he cared so much. It was a great feeling.
A thought came to her mind, and she looked up at him and asked, "Why don't you come with me? I need to be getting back, I'm sure Morobi will be glad to meet you."
It then occured to her she hadn't asked her name or introduced herself. "How rude for a queen to act!" she thought.
"By the way, my name is Narifia. What is yours?" she asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 23, 2007 20:44:23 GMT -5
"Come with you?"
A slight look of surprise crossed his muzzle at the words. Rarely had he ever been allowed in, much less invited. He was also unsure as to whether her mate was so welcoming of random strangers.
"I'm not sure you'd want that."
His thoughts strayed to his enemy that hunted him. It had been ages since he had detected his presence. Maybe, he was gone? Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea, if they really would allow him.
"My name is Kivuli. Pleasure to meet you, Narifia." He nodded his broad head politely.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 23, 2007 21:01:03 GMT -5
Narifia grinned and replied, "Well, Kivuli, it's a pleasure to meet you as well. And, seeing as our population right now is rather low, I would be honored to invite you into my pride."
"Invite who into our pride?" came a masculine, questioning voice from behind Narifia. It was quite obviously Narifia's mate, Morobi. The lion wasn't the biggest around by any means, in fact he was rather small for a male. But the way he carried himself broadcasted his dominance and obvious confidence in winning if he were to find himself in battle.
This lion was obviously a king.
Narifia turned and literally hopped over to greet her mate. She nuzzled him and said, "Hello dear. I was just talking to Kivuli here."
Morobi gave her a look that clearly said "You know I don't like you wandering off." He looked towards Kivuli, then back to Narifia.
"Narifia..."
Narifia flashed a cublike grin, "He's a fine lion, Morobi. And we DO need more of a population..."
"We need more females, Narifia," he said, but it was obvious he was tamed by her smile. How easy it was for a female to tame a strong lion down. He looked over Kivuli again, sensing no obvious threat. He was a fair lion, and decided to give him a chance.
He walked over to Kivuli, leaving a still smiling Narifia behind to watch. As he stood next to Kivuli, he was quite obviously smaller than him, but it made Morobi no less intimidating. "Your name is Kivuli, hmm?" he stated it more than he asked it, his voice commanding yet surprisingly gentle.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 23, 2007 21:21:46 GMT -5
Kivuli's eyes looked to the male who had just joined their conversation. Kivuli could sense his confidence, he certainly gave off that sort of impression. He seemed to be accepting also, which put Kivuli more at ease. He kept his gaze on Morobi as he asked his question.
"That would be what others call me, yes."
He said, his reply short but still polite with a nod like the one he had given Narifia. Maybe he should go with them. What could it hurt? If he was still being hunted, he could always leave. But could he stand being exiled again?
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 23, 2007 21:26:38 GMT -5
Morobi seemed to sense Kivuli's tenseness. After a moment of thought, he uttered, "Hmm."
Narifia padded up to stand beside him. He didn't look at her, but he knew that she was still flashing that sweet, melting smile. His only weakness.
He nodded, "Nice to meet you Kivuli. My name is Morobi, and I am King of the Outlands. You are welcome to stay."
"As I said before," Narifia added, "We would be glad to have you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 23, 2007 21:43:40 GMT -5
A conflict raged within Kivuli's mind, although it showed little outwardly. He looked at them both, his pale blue eyes scanning their forms, and sensing no ill intent in either of them. They were rare lions indeed, to be so trusting so fast. Maybe it would be okay. He paused for a moment and blinked at Morobi.
"King?"
He looked at Narifia.
"I had no idea you were the Queen."
He bowed slightly.
"I would be honored to be allowed to join you, King Morobi and Queen Narifia."
Kivuli only hoped that they would not regret their descision.
|
|
|
|
Post by Narifia on Jun 23, 2007 21:51:04 GMT -5
Narifia scratched at her head, "Oh... must've slipped my mind..."
Morobi shook his head and chuckled. The first smile that had been on his face all day.
"Come along then, Kivuli. And, as for YOU..." he turned to Narifia, "Please, PLEASE stop wandering off?"
Narifia scoffed and padded along towards home. "You act as if I'm a cub and not a queen."
Morobi whispered to Kivuli, "I believe she's just a little bit of both."
"I heard that!"
Morobi chuckled and turned to follow her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kai on Jun 23, 2007 21:57:21 GMT -5
Kivuli chuckled a little at Narifia and Morobi's teasing eachother. He could see they liked to do so, and Narifia seemed to almost enjoy making Morobi worry. Just a little.
"Are there any other pride memebers?"
He asked, padding along behind them, with pawsteps that were almost impossible to hear.
|
|
