Back to Her Beginning

[Unzumi]

Place: Approaching the Tyne border from the Forgotten Lands
Time: Mid-day
Involved: Msasi, Seif, (Tyne members)

Summary: Msasi and Seif, after their long and lonely trek through the surrounding lands, return to Tyne with some misgivings on Msasi's part, and stoic indifference from Seif. What they find is for time to tell.

****

Their slow walk has been long and uneventful, save their few conversations and brief glimpses into each others hearts and lives. That in itself is a story, however their purpose is wholly another. The drought has hit many of the pridal lands hard, and they have encountered little to no life, and even less water, throughout their trek. Having had little interaction with the Kivuli for many seasons, and even less with his direct family, Seif's journey was more of a solitary one than anything, as he wasn't sure what he might have been looking for with Msasi besides water; he didn't find anything, so he hardly lost anything, either. Their pawsteps had always been steady and even, and while they traveled forward there was always a kind of muted sense of urgency though it never boiled over into what could have been considered concern.

Reluctantly, he felt, his traveling companion turned her paws in a new direction and haltingly approached the borders to her old lands; the place she left for reasons unknown to him, and, he feels, to her, as well. Without much thought to it he turned and continued to walk side by side with her, his head lowered slightly and his gait steady and plodding. Paw up, paw down, paw up, paw down. He watched the sand spread awya from his paws, he watched the grass splay down under his weight, he watched Msasi's gentle shadow dance across his field of vision; he felt her unease. At one point, he lifted his great hulking head with a sigh and shook his crimson and gold mane from his face, silvery gray eyes holding fast to the distant horizon where greenery seemed to sparkle in the setting sun as if a kind of paradise waited and its end. His sigh ended in a deep and melodious churr as his tail curled up and back around him.

Seif glanced at Msasi and moved a pawstep sideways to brush his shoulder against her side in a silent gesture of solidity and comfort before he continued on, gaze narrowed to the trees beyond.

[Msasi]

This particular leg of their journey has seen a change in Msasi. While she was previously content to walk along at whatever pace they set for themselves, sometimes engaging in conversation with her companion, now the huntress is obviously ill at ease. Much more so than she has seemed previously. She moves, not with the smooth grace of a hunter she has shown before, but quite stiffly as if her body is protesting this new course, the very picture of feline agitation.

Nor has the lioness spoken in quite some time. Thoughts and memories war in her mind - she hardly even seems aware of the brush of Seif's shoulder against her side - and the entire time she reminds herself.. there will be water in Tyne. Enough water, anyway. They cannot live without water. And even if they could, their sources of food cannot live without water, and the prey beasts will not linger where water is too scarce. It's wise to return to Tyne now, and nothing says they have to longer. Surely the dry season will break soon, and she and Seif will be able to take their leave of the lands.

Msasi, whose gaze had been directed at the dry ground before her paws, blinks, and looks ahead. Yes, there is a visible change in the landscape where Tyne should be. It looks green (or, at least green/er/ than anything she has seen in quite an age). And yet, instead of thoughts of a paradise, the very sight of the lands she used to call home really brings all Msasi's concerns to the forefront. Life in Tyne has moved on since she left. No doubt things have changed. But how much? And does she really want to know?

The lioness' pace begins to falter, her ears slipping back against her skull. Suddenly, Msasi would give anything to be somewhere else.. anywhere else. Returning to Tyne was never in her plans. When she'd left, she had planned on it being for good. Never had she thought she might one day have to return and face those she'd left without so much as a word.

And then she stops. Rarely is Msasi so uneasy, but now that she is, it shows itself quite clearly in everything about her. The way she stands, with her ears laid back and her head hanging. The nervous way her tail twitches behind her. The continual shift of her gaze; from Tyne just ahead, to Seif, to the ground at her paws, to the horizon off to the west. And even her voice, when she speaks, lacks its usual strength and tone of confidence.

"... I can't."

Msasi is afraid.

[Unzumi]

The powerful and overwhelming feeling of being ill-at-ease begins to wash over Seif like an ocean wave, the undertow threatening to drag him along for the ride as his eyes peer through his bangs at Msasi beside him. As she faulters, he slows with deliberate caution, eyeing the lioness who, until this point, showed a kind of iron resolve he thought nearly unheard of in many pridal lions. Imperceptibly, his maw opens and his darkened lips part as if to speak, but the sound that comes from him is only a low rumble, a grunt, before the lioness' words flit by on the hot breeze and leave him nearly dumbfounded. Standing statuesque, one shoulder pointing to the horizon where the Tyne border looms large, the other angled to Msasi, Seif stares at the female with muted gray eyes. They are quite different, lion and lioness, one with little care and no resolve, the other with compassion and an urgent sense of what is right and what is not, and as he stands there with nothing to say, a hot and dusty breeze whips by and encompasses them both.

Seif waits, squinting away the whisps of his mane and the grains of sand that fly about them, watching through that slitted vision and Msasi as she backpeddles slightly, as a nervous cub at its first sight of an elephant. Its then that he steps in front of her, blocking the view to the north and staring into her eyes with an intense scrutiny behind his own, before a blink calms the look and he gently shakes his head from side to side. The male steps forward and touches his nose to her shoulder, waiting, before inhailing softly and muttering into Msasi's pinned back ear, "There are many things in life that we cannot do. There are many do's, do not's, can's, and cannot's. I wish I had learned that sooner, in my youth, though regardless of when it is an important lesson that all must learn. If you cannot, then we will not, but the fact remains that the situation calls for entrance into Tyne, misgivings or no."

He pauses, again eyeing Msasi with a solid gaze of silver-gray.

"What is more important? Pride, or the necessity of life?"

[Msasi]

The lioness meets his gaze, at least until the point where he moves close enough to touch her shoulder, at which point she is left gazing at fluttering strands of his mane as the warm breeze drifts through it. It is on those locks of mane that Msasi studies as Seif's words echo in her ear.

It would be easy - so easy - to just say, 'Yes, let's go, somewhere else.. anywhere else.' To turn around, despite the promise of water, and head elsewhere. Back to Kivuli, perhaps; after all, Kivuli hadn't been all /that/ dry (although who knows how they stand now). Of course, nothing is stopping from Msasi going elsewhere by herself, and Seif staying in Tyne. They've continued to travel together since their first meeting outside of Kivuli, but it is not as if they must continue on together indefinitely.

Seif's last questions stir a sigh from Msasi. Is she really considering refusing to enter Tyne again because she is afraid of the sort of reception she'll receive if (or when) the pride realizes she's there? It isn't as if she feels she's not deserving of any negative reactions.. /she/ is the one who left, and of her own free will, she was not forced out.

She meets Seif's gaze briefly, then grunts softly and swings into motion once again, her side brushing momentarily against his. There is still an air of unease about her - that is not something that is just going to go away - but Msasi's paws are carrying her to Tyne, instead of away.

Of course, she grumbles aloud as she goes. Because she is Msasi, and that is what she does. Especially when she feels uncomfortable and a touch embarrassed.

"I'm getting too old for this," She says, her ears still folded back as her pace settles back into a stiff walk. "Too old. I should have stayed in Shambahla, where everyone knows their place. Or I should have found a nice pride in need of a huntress and settled down to raise cubs. Instead, I followed a male across the great expanse of the savanna and came /here/ and got myself into all this mess in the first place, getting involved with Tyne and their idiotic beliefs in what a lioness' place should be. And Fuadi insisted on continuing on in to Tyne, because there would be food and water and really, Msasi, what have we got to lose?" A pause. "And now I find myself in that situation /again/. All that's changed is the male." Another pause, her gaze fixed on the green that lies ahead. "And my age."

It's a pity she doesn't really listen to herself. She'd probably find her own grumblings amusing, if she did.

[Unzumi]

When Msasi finally deigns it time to return his look, Seif is met with only the most brief of gazes before he blinks, seeing afterward the back of the lioness' head as she turns and moves northward again. What he does not do, however, is follow, and instead watches her pawsteps as they haltingly continue in the same unconsciously unnerving direction and as she brushes by his eyes flit to the sand below him and his ears cant and sway her way. Unlike Msasi, Seif does little else but listen to the world around him and hardly speaks, and he does hear her grumpy little speech to no one in particular though at first it seems as though it makes little impression on him, his face remaining quiet and undisturbed.

Then, a noise builds from deep within his chest and rises up into his throat, echoing from his muzzle first low and reserved, though soon the noise grows in intensity and range, a rich, sonorous laughter that peals from his maw in a seemingly endless barage. His rounded face is creased in his laughter, teeth glistening in the light, and though he takes a pawstep to follow in Msasi's wake, he can do nothing but plunk his hindquarters down on the ground and laugh that rich and deep laugh, a thin line of tears staining his dark facial fur at the edges and running into his wild mane. He'd like to talk to her, really, but his belly and sides ache from trying to hold it in and he can only wait for the merriment to subside before even attempting to speak again.

[Msasi]

Alas. Msasi, ears turned back slightly, continues forward, the border of Tyne growing closer with every step. The myriad of emotions that the simple sight of her old homelands cause within her amazes even the huntress herself. Fear and discomfort, yes.. but also a sort of longing. Though one would be hard pressed to get her to admit it, given how things were going when she left, Msasi has missed Tyne, and those living there, more than she would have ever guessed she would. Just as much - if not moreso - than she has always missed the Shambahla. And also... wait, what is that?

Frowning, Msasi pauses as the sound of laughter reaches her ears. Immediately her ears lift, pressing forward, and then turning back slightly as she catches the sound coming from behind her. Brow furrowing, Msasi pivots on the spot, turning just slightly to be able to cast a look behind her, where she'd figured Seif was walking. Surprise momentarily lights the lioness' face as she realizes that /he/ is the one laughing, before melting into a look of confusion and faint irritation. What is he laughing at? Is he laughing at /her/? And whatever for? Is her misery really /that/ amusing?

But irritation is short lived as her companion continues to laugh and his merriment stretches across the distance between them to tease a small smile from Msasi. Her features smoothe into a bemused look, ears cupping forward to catch the sound of Seif's laughter. Thinking on it, Msasi doesn't think she's ever heard him laugh.. or, at least, not like this. It's a wonderfully pleasant sound.

Clearing her throat loudly, Msasi takes a few steps back in the male's direction, her tone dry when she speaks as she tries to shove a bit of irritation into it.. but the amusement that continues to linger on her face is a giveaway that none is actually felt. "Are you quite through?"

[Unzumi]

In truth, he hasn't heard, or felt, himself laugh like this in a very, very long time. Maybe even since he was a small cub nestled in his mother's grasp. Still, it's sometime before his laughter subsides, and even when Msasi turns around and gives him that female look of feigned discontent, a few chuckles manage to wrest their way through his clamped lips. He looks a little silly, really, but Seif doesn't seem to mind as he lifts one of his great paws to wipe his tear soaked cheek fur, replacing the paw back on the ground to stand and swivel a few steps Msasi's way. The male shakes his head and 'harumphs' two or three times, trying to regain his manly composure. To that effect, he poofs out his chest and strides to the lioness' side, lifts his head and nods as solomnly as he can manage.

"Quite," he replies, but instantly afterward he clamps down his muzzle as another series of giggle fits threatens to burst from his maw, and he drops his head in an attempt to hide his laughter. It doesn't really work that well, though, and as he tries to reclaim his solomn dignity, he 'pffts' and 'snrrts' through his teeth and nose. Eventually he manages to reign himself in and with another shake of his head he returns his attention to Msasi with a mild and crooked grin resting along his muzzle, and he sniffs regally.

"You know, you really should pay more attention to what you say," he coughs again, hiding a chuckle (or, trying to), "It really is quite amusing." That said, he bites his lower lip and snort-laughs once more, lifting a forepaw to idly comb through his chest fluff.

[Msasi]

OOC: Sorry so slow. Fighting a cold. ;

Msasi regards Seif with continued amusement. Once he has reached her side, and still obviously trying to contain his laughter, she snorts, a gentle puff of air through her nose. The sight of his laughs, and attempts to keep them stiffled, put her in mind of another situation, and another time, all together.. one that makes her chuckle at the very image.

"You're worse than a lioness on her first hunt," She remarks of his giggles, turning and once more sets off on the trek in the direction of Tyne, deliberately bumping her shoulder into Seif's as she passes.

"And as I already known what I have to say, I have no need to listen to what I say," Msasi continues, paws carrying her forward on her set path, the grass so dry that it rustles loudly just from her movement. "I'm glad I entertain you, however." It probably comes out sounding wry, or lightly sarcastic, but in truth.. Msasi actually means it. If anything, it means that he was /listening/ to her, even if it was just a bunch of grumbling. Which is.. nice. Refreshing.

[Unzumi]

OOC: It's okay, feel better!

A broad smile continues to linger across Seif's muzzle, and at the unexpected shoulder bump from Msasi he takes a few small steadying steps to the side, ears twisting up and forward as she begins to move on again, toward Tyne. He watches for a moment or two, a hint of mischief hidden behind his sparkling silver eyes, colored like the sky just after a storm, before he turns and bounds two are three large strides to catch up with the lioness, his paws thrumming the ground heavily and he lifts a forepaw in midstep, thwapping at Msasi's tail tuft like a young cub before slowing to a trot, then back to his easy walk beside her. He laughs one more time, a subtle gesture mixed with a purr before his attention is turned toward Tyne's growing boarder. For a while, he doesn't say much of anything, content to continue their walk in the solomn way that they have, but eventually he turns his face to Msasi's again, smile lingering.

"At least I know that you can laugh, too."

[Msasi]

The heavy fall of paws coming up from behind her catches Msasi's attention and she casts a glance back over her shoulder just in time to see Seif swatting at the tuft of her tail. She laughs, then; not a deep, belly-aching, tears-streaming-down-her-face sort of laugh, but still more than her usual chuckle or breath of amusement. A light, easy sound that would be at odds with her usual strict, rough-around-the-edges personality.

And as Seif settles back into a walk alongside her, Msasi is caught up in a moment of light-heartedness, giving the male a rare, full smile; not a smirk, or a small grin, but a smile that lights not only her brown eyes, but her entire face. It is, in fact, a transformation that overtakes her completely. While Msasi does not walk with a bounce in her step - a huntress does not /bounce/, thankyouverymuch - her head lifts slightly, as does her tail, the tip curling lightly. And, faintly, the sound of her rough purr rumbling gently on the hot breeze. It is a transformation not unlike a flower in shadow, it's petals tightly closed, that is suddenly touched by a ray of sunlight. The petals unfurl and the flower spends a moment completely basking in the warmth and light.

But only a moment.

For the flower, it takes but a cloud to move across the sun, or the sun itself dipping behind a tree or a rock to cast it into shadow once more. And so the petals fold back up on themselves, sealing the flower tight. It does not wilt completely, but its closed posture certainly lacks the brilliance of its momentary sun worship. For Msasi, it is Seif's comment. First, it tempts from her a chuckle. Yes. She can laugh. She does not do so often - not /really/ laugh - as she sees no need for it. But as her gaze settles again on the looming Tyne border, Msasi's light-heartedness fades. Like the flower, she does not wilt.. does not allow her fear to again take over her and turn her from confidant huntress to cowering cub. But her smile vanishes, her tail drops and her head settles back into a position even with her shoulders. Her expression again becomes on of unease.. though it is mixed with resolve this time as well. She does not /want/ to go back into Tyne, but she /will/. Because where else are they going to go?

Beneath her paws, Msasi can already sense the change in the land. Slowly, the closer they draw to the border, the earth becomes less dry. It's not an obvious change, but it's there if one is attentive enough. The grass does not crackle so much when stepped upon, dust doesn't rise with every press of paw against ground. It will be nice to finally stop and rest in a place where there is water, and where sleeping on the grass will not cause her to wake with a ton of it broken, dry and clinging to her fur. But from the members of Tyne itself, Msasi still fears what their reaction will be to her presence after so long. So, yes. She can laugh...

"..For now."

[Unzumi]

OOC: This is so poor in comparrison. M'sorry!

And in that instance, for all Seif knows, she could be the only flower left on the barren savanna for mile upon endless miles, unfurling those delicate petals to face the scorching sun for the briefest of moments before a shadow passes over head and they are shut away for who knows how much longer. Still, next to him, the subtle and uneasy fear that he has felt coming from the lioness once their paws took them back to Tyne, in one moment, has vanished. Watching, through gray and slightly faded eyes, Seif feels, for a moment, as if he were young again. He was once, young and full of the kind of adventure that, as an older male, he has no use for. Seeing Msasi beside him, he sees a glimpse of what once was, his young mate beside him in the days before the awful cold befell Kivuli and he left, returning only seasons later to grown daughters and no mate.

"... what a wonder, the past ..." he murmurs, his eyes still trained upon Msasi's smiling face before she turns again to the north and the vision in broken. The male blinks and harrums deeply, shaking his head before giving an ear twist to the lioness' way, nodding once.

"... Well," he offers, paws once again pulling him along at Msasi's side, though, perhaps, a step or two closer this time, "Nothing lasts forever, anyway..."