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Post by qazelle on Mar 29, 2008 17:30:08 GMT -6
tears break the surface
salt falls to the clear water
life giver disturbed
Nari sat at the edge of a small pool, probably one of the few left in the drought. After all, it was the dry season, and she should have considered herself lucky that she had found any water at all. She had drank her fill, and now stared down at the water, contemplating.
contemplating lies
does not make them any more true
than other untruths
She had traveled so far in so little time. She knew that she could not turn back now. Nari had forgotten the way home, and even if she remembered, she would die in the deserts that she had barely survived in the wet season. No, it would be safe and better to find a pride to settle down with. The sandy lady knew from the scents that surrounded her that there was a pride here, one in need of another member, lest it fall to other competitors.
to return is death
but to stay may be the same
and to not choose, death
Indeed, it lay at every corner of the savannah. But, did it lie in the marshes as well? Gazing at her reflection, the young lioness realized that it was shaking, upset by the tears that ran down her face and splashed to the water. She hadn't cried in so long. Lowering her head to the water, she felt the salty warmth trickling down her muzzle. It was such a release. Everything, all of her anger, her exaustion, her sadness over everything she had seen since the last time she wept, she felt as if it all solidified into her tears. The tears that poisoned the little pool of water.
tears hit the water
as if my anger will now
poison another
She had seen a mother drown her own cubs, rather than see them brutally murdered by the new tyrant. She had seen inummerable fights, some now over a thing as frivolous as a tiny puddle of dirty water. She had seen prey killed in the worst ways ever, painfully and slowly, and she had seen their kicks and hits get revenge on their murderers. That was all lions were, really. They were all murderers. They clubbed and spiked the young and sickly to death, then ripped their flesh from their bones. Nari had done it herself. She had joined in the hunt, and enjoyed every moment of it. The pain of the prey, the chase, the blood, the warm feeling of meat in her belly.
is a murder done
to help another really
or is it help
Nari called out, quietly, not knowing if anyone would hear her, but hoping someone would. She knew that they might nott want her. She knew that they might fight her off their land, or simply kill her. She didn't care.
"Anyone want another lion?"
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Post by Lassiel on Mar 29, 2008 23:39:51 GMT -6
To STaRT aNeW [/size][/center] A paw settled on the withered reeds and ground. Proud head held high and alert, the Queen surveyed the dried marshland with something akin to love. It was her home, and after what seemed like so long a time...she had returned. The thought filled her with joy and a sense of purpose. She knew some of the pride members would not return, but that did not mean the Akina could not start anew. The Lady of the Marsh had loved, and was then abandoned. She had struggled for the lives of her cubs, and only two of three survived. She fought tirelessly for her pride's protection, and they thrived. Kings had come and gone, yet she remained. The Queen knew loss, but she did not accept defeat. The Akina would rise again, and she would see to it.
Lothril took another step into Kinamasi, pleased to see that it was not as dry as the other lands, and not near as parched as it was when the pride had been disbanded. Whatever it was that had caused more moisture to come to the marsh, she was grateful for it. Although she had yet to catch sight or scent of one of the large African Buffalo, there had been signs of smaller prey. With the creatures finally back to feed them, it was time for the lions to return. She continued on, traversing the land and paths she would know while even blinded with ease. Her heart was light with the knowledge that her old life would renew itself, and though there was always a mother's worry about her children, she knew her daughters would take care of themselves and each other. Energy welled up within her and her long stride became a quick jog as she made her way to a large rock, muscles bunching as she lifted her sleek gold body to the top. Deep from within her chest, Lothril roared--not excessively loud and not with the intent to claim, for this land was already hers. No, her roar simply said, "I am Queen, and I have returned."
Deep amber gaze swept across the dried marsh, studying and appraising it. Rounded ears perked forward with interest as, from her higher perch on the rock, she caught sight of a lioness next to a small pool of water--a lioness that she did not recognize. Leaping down from the rock, Lothril jogged swiftly across the ground, eager to discover what this one's purpose was. It was highly likely she was just a nomad wandering through the area, but one could never know. Lothril slowed as she neared the lioness, noticing the tears falling down her face and across her muzzle. A small frown crossed the Queen's own countenance, quickly dismissing any threat that the lioness may have posed. The stranger's soft voice called out then, and for a moment Lothril thought she had been noticed...but no, the lioness was simply calling out a question to whoever might be listening. She wishes for a pride then? Lothril moved forward, intentionally making her presence known. If she wanted a home, then Akina could give her one, for members were needed. She spoke, voice neutral but not cold. And what do you have to offer a pride? The question was asked in complete sincerity, for though Lothril knew she was in desperate need of members, for Akina to rise again every new recruit would have to be strong. |
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Post by qazelle on Mar 30, 2008 9:07:53 GMT -6
Nari did not look up from the pool of water. She had heard the other lioness, and she was probably better seen from her reflection.
reflections speak truth
when eyes may see lies it still,
still is trustworthy
"My lady. I hunt well, and I know that this pride needs another, lest it be taken again."
a lion must be
trustworthy strong and never
lie to another
She did hunt well, although she was not the best at killing. Previously, Nari had been the one to chase the beast, whatever it was, into the trap set for it, whether an ambush from all sides or simply another lioness more skilled at the slashes that brought down prey for all.
i wonder, which is
worse, to kill or to lead to
death by another
[OOC: Sorry for short post: I've never RPed a lion before.] [/size][/center] |
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Post by Lassiel on Mar 31, 2008 19:40:10 GMT -6
The lioness did not move from her position, but her tone was respectful as she answered. Lothril's golden head dipped slightly in acknowledgement, lowering her haunches to the ground elegantly before answering. We are in need of another before we can hold our home with relative ease, and that in itself would be reason enough to let you join. She paused for a short beat, allowing her amber eyes to jump from the lioness to the surrounding marsh before returning. I am called Lothril, the Queen of the Akina pride. No matter your skill at hunting, I fear your choice of prey will be somewhat limited, for they have only recently returned.
The lady's gaze sharpened for a moment then, fierce and intense, but not directed at the one before her. It stood to reason that rumors would abound over the fate of the Akina, for only those who belonged to it truly knew. But taken? She would not so easily allow that to happen. Her long tail twitched, irritated at the gossip her pride had been exposed to--but it would be proved wrong when they returned. That is the true reason we disappeared--the prey vanished, and we were forced to go our separate ways in order to survive. A pride of females we may have been, but we were never an easy target for others. Her eyes had softened as she spoke, and a light smile pulled at her black lips by the end. She refocused on the lioness. You are, of course, welcome to the Akina. All I ask in return is your loyalty to the pride.
ooc: It's fine. ^^
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Post by qazelle on Apr 1, 2008 9:55:11 GMT -6
Nari looked up at the lioness before her. She could tell that the look of resentment was not angled towards her, but Nari was still striken by the intensity of Lothril's anger.
if one is long gone
but remembered with feeling
is not truly gone
"I readily swear my fealty to you, my lady. May your former subjects have safe journeys and healthy lands. I did not know that the Akina had disbanded previously, but I would be very interested in hearing the tale."
Telling tales ruins Death's plans, for if remembered, no one is ever gone.
Nari rose and stretched her limbs. The tawny carnivore looked about. It was the dry season, and although there was water here in the marshes, there was not much shade.
"Is there a camp that has yet been set up, or is the pride still young enough to be nomadic?" |
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Post by Lassiel on Apr 5, 2008 18:58:50 GMT -6
Another soft smile flitted across Lothril's face as the lioness pledged her allegiance to her and the pride. It was good that she wished to know the story of the Akina, especially since it was to be her home. At her question, black lips pressed in a firm line as Lothril's amber gaze swept across the dry horizon. When the pride was still together there had been a meeting place of sorts--a small grove of trees that has taken root it the moist soil. Now though, the chances of them offering much protection from the sun was low. But still...every little bit helped during this hot time of the year.
Rising swiftly, Lothril began walking toward the trees, pace smooth easy. There has not been time yet to set up a meeting place--mostly because so few of the original pride remain. However, I do know of a place where we may take shelter from this heat. The bright sun heated her fur, soaking into lithe muscles. It was a tad uncomfortable, but nothing she could not handle. As she moved, a frown of thoughtfulness crossed her features, and she glanced at the other lioness. I don't believe I caught your name. The corners of her mouth turned up kindly. I will be happy to tell you what happened with the Akina, if you can tell me what to call you. A reflective look entered her eyes, and her voice lost its light, teasing air. And then, perhaps, you can tell me what had you so sad when I first saw you? It was, of course, simply a request--for it was the lioness's own business. However, Lothril took her position as leader seriously, and, for her at least, part of that position included making sure each member of her pride was content.
ooc: I am sorry for the wait. It takes me awhile to write a post, and I simply haven't had enough uninterrupted time to do so lately.
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Post by qazelle on Apr 6, 2008 15:19:24 GMT -6
Nari grinned, trotting energetically after the older lioness.
I am called Nari. I was... merely thinking. Forgive me if I upset you.
Nari had been more than thinking, but that was no matter now. She could and would learn from the mistakes of others. It did not matter anymore. It would not matter to her, no matter how much it had before. Without thinking, Nari began to speak again.
I once met a lioness that belonged to a pride that had recently been taken over. We talked after we saw each other at a watering hole. We hunted a small rabbit together , and she told me of her troubles. The new pride leader had killed the other cubs, but she had hidden hers. Now, she was worried that he would find them, because he had been dropping hints. She stopped talking when the rabbit stopped moving. Later that night, I went back to the watering hole for a drink of water, and I saw her drowning her own cubs, rather than see them brutally murdered by the new leader.
The smile that had adorned Nari's features was now gone. She sat silently in the slight shade of one of the trees, panting. [/size][/color] |
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Post by Lassiel on Apr 10, 2008 19:53:13 GMT -6
The tawny queen settled beneath a dry tree, its barren branches providing only some protection against the burning sun. The eyes that watched Nari were steady, though inside Lothril's heart clenched at the scene painted before her. This...tragedy was what the new member of the pride was thinking of? For the mother of two, the story was exceptionally painful and brought up her own memories. Her daughters--still cubs--and the new king from so many months ago. The fear--the all-encompassing terror over what would happen to them. He assured her they would not be harmed...but still... It did not matter now. He was gone, and her daughters had lived and grown.
Lothril exhaled softly, the sound light and barely noticeable, before shaking her head slowly, eyes lowered. And that is what you were thinking of? Her voice was low and muted, the earlier contentedness gone. I can understand why that would upset you. A slight shudder went through her lithe frame. I do not think I could ever do that to my cubs, though I understand her desperation. Her head rose, seeking Nari's gaze. Do you know what happened to her? She wanted to know what happened to this mother--this lioness that had shared the same situation with Lothril, though the Queen had never been forced to take such actions.
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Post by qazelle on Apr 11, 2008 16:15:22 GMT -6
Nari shook her head slowly, sadly.
No. I confronted her, and she told me that she had not killed them, but the new king. I knew she was lying through her teeth, but I let it go and left. Sometimes I wonder if I should have told the new king what she did, ask him if he really would have killed her cubs. Not all males do. I've thought of her often but... my own father loved sayings, and he told me one from the Far East once. She paused for a moment, remembering, then continued. Contemplating lies does not make them any more true than other untruths. It fits it perfectly, do you not think? |
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Post by Lassiel on Apr 20, 2008 16:05:30 GMT -6
It was true that not all males killed cubs--Lothril knew that all too well. Now that she was older, and hopefully wiser, she wondered if she had responded correctly to what she saw as a danger to her children. The fierce, protective mother in her responded with a resounding yes, but the quieter and more contemplative side spoke of caution. But there was little she could do now, save think her actions through more in the future. And knowing if the male Nari spoke of would not have killed the cubs was pointless now that the deed was done. Indeed, for Lothril, the knowledge could very well make the whole story harder to deal with.
A short sigh escaped the lioness, and she dipped her head slowly in agreement. It does. And truly, I do not think I would even like to know if he would have killed them. If he would have let them live, it would have made the whole story all the more tragic.
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Post by qazelle on Apr 24, 2008 15:03:00 GMT -6
I know.
When the blackness draws
its curtain away,
who will you see?
When the last moon glows
and you look to the north,
who will you see?
Will it be me?
When you look away
and you need help,
who will you ask?
When you find yourself
trapped in your mayhem,
who will you call out to?
Will it be me?
When the last dawn comes
and you look to your side,
who will be there?
When the last wind blows
and you need warmth,
who will you ask?
Will it be me?
When the last snow falls
and the last tree creaks,
where will you be?
When the last bird calls
and the last prey is caught...
where will you be?
Will it be with me?
[[OOC:: My own lyrics. Copyright.]] |
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Post by Lassiel on Apr 29, 2008 16:39:39 GMT -6
She rested silently beneath the scanty shade of the tree, letting a quiet moment pass by after Nari's agreement. It was not uncomfortable--at least, not for Lothril--but there was a heavy, pensive aura about the two lionesses now. A depressing topic, one she was glad she had not been forced to contemplate, and desperately hoped would never happen.
A deep breath of air filled Lothril's lungs before she released it in a heavy sigh. There was little else to say on the subject, and she had promised Nari an explanation. I suppose I should tell you what happened to the Akina. Her voice was still contemplative, but her eyes flickered toward her companion. I'm afraid there isn't much to tell--there was no takeover by another pride, or anything of the sort. It was not as if the Akina disappeared in a sudden blaze of glory. No, it was more of a slow dying of the flame. One that flickered and sputtered before vanishing entirely. The prey just disappeared, and what was left could not support our numbers. So I had the pride split up in the hope that we would be able to survive in pairs, or even alone. Amber gaze swept across the dry marsh as if searching for the scattered lionesses of the Akina. I am reforming them now, but the chances of former members hearing of this and returning are slim, I admit.
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