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Post by Onya on Dec 3, 2006 0:28:35 GMT -5
OOC: Like I said, Rai's post. He's left Mbaamwezi. Now that Seth is dead, he doesn't owe anyone any allegiance (unless Seth's Evil Kid comes to claim said debt!) and...well...he's sitting at the borders, not sure where to go or what to do.
Forlorn. Desolate or dreary; bereft; destitute, pitable in circumstance. Yes, 'forlorn' does fit the normally stoic Desert Warrior at this point. Raiyan sits, head half-bowed, stormy blue eyes partially shut. The mane that lines his neck, horselike, shifts with the wind, the gray-tinged forelock flopped over an eye. He's chosen a symbolic spot on which to stop; a place between lands, where no one should really complain about his presence; he's neither trespassing nor retreating. But he can't stay here, obviously.
Where does he go from here? Zira has granted him safe passage this far and safe passage should he wish to return to the pride. Kivuli...they'd recognize him in an instant there, as one of the Mbaamwezi raiding party. In particular as the lion that attacked the Kivulian King. No, he'd have no peace there and any movement through would have to be quick, stealthy, and more like fleeing than anything else.
He's sealed his own fate, one way or another. He's pissed off one or two in Mbaamwezi who would certainly find a good enough excuse for his death and...well, he's already betrayed Kivuli.
Vagabond.
He's a vagabond again and remaining thus seems the only sensible idea. So why does he remain? He could manage getting through Kivuli in one piece, he more than has the skills for that relatively simple task. No, it's not that trek that keeps him here...
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Post by Msasi on Dec 3, 2006 21:05:42 GMT -5
[OOC: Before I join in.. what border is he at? XD Mbaa/Kivuli is what I was guessing, but Mbaa also has borders with the Pridelands. If it's the Kivuli border, I may toss in Khamisa. Or Kiet (who would be harder to RP, I think, but it could be fun). Or both! Maybe. Hm.)
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Post by Onya on Dec 3, 2006 22:01:14 GMT -5
Yea, I couldn't remember exactly what all the borders were. XD He's at the Kivuli/Mbaa border.
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Post by Tilyn on Dec 3, 2006 22:10:47 GMT -5
He'd gone to see how Weupe was doing with her babies, mainly because he wanted to see her oldest daughter [adopted or not], but also because he WAS concerned. Atreyu /did/ get concerned ya know. The pale prince now finds himself slowly making his way towards the Mbaamwezi border, where his paws usually found him wandering when he was suposed to be patrolling.
It doesn't take him long to spot the male settled in the distance. Amber gaze narrowing as a light breeze ruffles his mane of alabaster. Nicked ear rotates fowards as Atreyu changes his pace and slowly wanders in said males direction.
It's hard to tell if he makes any connection with him and his uncles murder, after all Atreyu only caught the very end and was more focused with the wounded barbary. No threat is given, just simple curiosity. This was Atreyu we were talking about. The black sheep of the Kivulian family.
A deep greeting chuff is given, pace slowing to a comfortable distance. For now, that's all.
[Im going through withdrawls. I had to. XD]
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Post by Msasi on Dec 3, 2006 22:24:29 GMT -5
There is yet another approaching the border between the lands of Kivuli and Mbaamwezi. And yet, for once, it isn't in some far-fetched hope of running into Raiyan that brings Khamisa, the petite Kivulian Princess, out to this section of the lands. No, in fact, Khammy is seeking out her dear brother Atreyu. Uncertainty and guilt have eaten away at the young lioness, enough to make her nauseous at times. Her family could be in danger because of /her/ and if something were to happen.. if her brothers or her parents were to be injured or killed because she let heart overtake brain for a moment she would never, ever be able to forgive herself.
So Khamisa picked up her brother's scent and has since tracked him here to the border. While she has every intention of talking to Mizuka as well, she figures that Atreyu is a good one to start with. He is, after all, much more.. relaxed.. than Mizuka. And maybe Atreyu will understand just a bit more.
Coming up a distance behind Atreyu, Khamisa doesn't notice Raiyan just yet. For now, blue eyes finally catching sight of her sibling, Khamisa breaks into a trot, eager to close the distance between them.
"Atreyu!"
[OOC: Miiiight toss in Kiet later-ish. Still trying to decide. Got something planned for him. XD]
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Post by Onya on Dec 5, 2006 18:29:57 GMT -5
In his quiet state, hardly moving, breathing slowed and relaxed, body in the same state, Raiyan's keen hearing picks up the approach of Atreyu before the other greets vocally. But despite this fact, Raiyan doesn't look towards the Kivulian Prince just yet. There could be a potential suicidal thought behind this; if someone would take him out right now, that would certainly end his woes. But, no, Raiyan isn't the type. To die such a way would be dishonorable, to give up...it's simply not what is going to happen.
Briefly, his mind wanders to the past, when he still roamed with his family tribe, before he left to make amends for his older brother's mistakes. Of the lessons he learned and of what shaped him.
But the greeting chuff brings Raiyan back to the present. The opportunity to flee unseen through Kivuli is no longer present to him; so be it. Finally his eyes move to view Atreyu, his head following just so. Through the mess of hanging grey-tipped white mane, he stares at the Prince, well marking Atreyu as one of those that came to the rescue of the Barbary he helped to kill. But does Atreyu recognize him? Raiyan could tread carefully here, perhaps save his hide a few unneeded scars - or would they be well-deserved scars? - or he could be blunt, uncaring of the result. His current mood is inclined towards the latter.
So, facing Atreyu, Raiyan shows no fear, no aggression, and indeed, seemingly no care as to what happens next. Only indication that he has see the Prince and acknowledges his presence.
But it can't simply be left there.
Shock markedly hits Raiyan's features when he catches sight of Khamisa, when her voice hits his cupped ears. Then something else, something Raiyan's not quite sure of, something he's never really encountered. The Desert Lion stands uneasily, finding himself reluctant to face...a lioness? A mere lioness? One that would have never survived in the desert?
There's a deep, hollow, sinking feeling in his chest, quickly filling with ache; a foreign feeling altogether to Raiyan. Whatever it is, it's connected with the appearance of Khamisa, the last thing he expected to find here. The last one he wished to encounter; he could handle anything else and indeed, anything else would be easy in comparison.
Head bowing, he looks pointedly at Atreyu, though he can't help but let his normally stormy-blue gaze - now darkening - flicker to the Kivulian Princess.
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Post by Tilyn on Dec 5, 2006 18:54:47 GMT -5
Eyes narrow breifly as he watches the other lion begin to move. He seems troubled... or as troubled as Atreyu can't tell from this distance. It takes only a few moments, a few threads of memory shifted aside to remember this lion, after all you can't forget his markings easily. Ears twitch back breifly, however that's all for now.
A voice is what snags his attention most and Atreyu thows his glance over his shoulder to catch sight of his sister. Despite his worry for her being near the border, he can't help but smile. Atreyu greets the lioness with a warm nuzzle to the side of her neck, nipping her ear, "What are you doing Khamy? You should be at home..."
He takes a second to glance at the lion, Raiyan's look so fixated on him, catching the light shift from time to time to his younger sister. Now don't get him wrong, Raiyan's done nothing, but this is HIS baby sister. One he's extremly protective of. The lightly colored lion shifts his weight before his sister and lifts his head slowly, ears rocking fowards once more.
"I remember you..." is all he says, his voice rummbling with a deepness it's aquired in his adulthood. "...can I help you?" What? Atreyu saw this lion at the murder of his uncle, excaping with the culperates, and he asks if he can HELP him? That's level headed Atreyu. There's no use getting in a hissy over it, especially with his sister there. Besides, he never saw him lay a claw on his uncle, who's to say he did. *grunt*
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Post by Msasi on Dec 5, 2006 20:19:03 GMT -5
The lioness begins to slow as she draws closer to her brother, pleased to have finally caught up to him. Khamisa has quietly agonized over her decision to speak with Atreyu, her stomach having been constantly tightened with worry ever since her last meeting with Raiyan. But she's rehearsed what she wants to say and really, for the sake of her family, it's best if /someone/ knows. Atreyu may not be the proper royal figure that they have been trained to be, but Khammy knows she can trust him to listen.
She offers a warm nuzzle to Atreyu in return, heaving a relieved sigh. "Atreyu, I really have to talk to...."
And she trails off, blue eyes at that moment finally taking note of Raiyan's presence. Khamisa wasn't counting on the object of that discussion with her brother actually being present for the discussion. Despite how she has probably appeared to Raiyan at times, Khamisa isn't stupid. She's perfectly aware that he has most likely taken the information she so readily - so stupidly! - gave him and reported to Mbaamwezi. The Princess was just expecting him to have stayed down in Mbaamwezi with them.
To see him before her now startles her. And perhaps, for an instant, causes her heart to flutter excitedly. Until realization sinks in, at least. Why else would he be out along the border? While she suspects that he would have done his job and reported to the Mbaamwezi leadership, she has no way to tell, short of him saying anything. So, she reasons, he is either out on border guard duty or...
Hardly aware of the words Atreyu speaks to Raiyan, Khamisa steps sideways to see around her brother's body, blood turning to ice in her veins. Her gaze lingers on Raiyan for a moment before slipping past him, towards the horizon, as if expecting to see the pride he works for coming up behind him to attack Kivuli. It would be her worst fear realized.
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Post by Onya on Dec 10, 2006 13:58:05 GMT -5
True; no claw was laid upon Ronan by Raiyan...but there was the brief scirmish between he and Kiet, in an effort to slow the retaliation upon the fleeing Mbaamwezians that night. For a moment, Raiyan wrestles with an inner conflict. Confronted with feelings of guilt, he tries to convince himself that he shouldn't feel such. He did nothing wrong, after all -- he kept the few, strict ideals in his life and did not betray the pride he was working for. He shouldn't feel guilty, but he does.
Still, he'll not meet this as a cringing cur, either in stubborness or acceptance, as said guilty feelings appear to demand. Rai draws himself upward, body standing with the typical stoic confidence that has so far marked his life. Meeting Khamisa's eyes briefly, he nearly falters, but turns his attention upon Atreyu, bowing his head in a sign of respect. His stance signals no aggression on his part, though he doesn't let it be thought that he'll retreat if aggression is turned instead upon him. He'll face this as he was taught, as he believes he should, regardless of what may come.
"I don't suppose you should hold any inclination to," Raiyan voices in response to Atreyu. Why indeed would a Kivulian of any rank wish to help someone sitting so easily at the Mbaamwezi border? "But all I wish is quick passage through Kivuli, to the northern border, nothing else." Even asking for that seems a bit much, at least to Raiyan; safe passage is simply out of the question. And even if it would be granted, would they still allow him to move through Kivuli if they knew what he told Zira?
His expression grows troubled once more, thoughtful, eyes seeking the ground before his paws. He sought a way to keep the peace between these two prides and, out of loyalty and supposed honor, he gave Zira the knowledge of Kivuli's weakened state. If she did strike...he would be the catalyst. Should he at least let them know? And then what, flee altogether, when this could be his fault? Shifting uncomfortably, he lifts his gaze once again to Atreyu, trying to set his mind on a course of action.
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Post by Tilyn on Dec 10, 2006 22:40:04 GMT -5
He trys to find comfort in his sisters presence, but in the company of this unknown male Atreyu feels nothing but spring-like tension. The pale prince stands tall, however not agressive. His head is held for the first time, at least that anyone has seen, like the royalty he is, as the son of Kiet and Saibh the King and Queen of Kivuli. Atreyu's steady gaze takes in the male, but not just his posture be it agressive or not, but his attitude and mainly his eyes.
The Kivulian prince doesn't miss the few odd times this male glances to his sister. It wasn't a look of mild curiosity, or unknown interest or caution. He knew her. Atreyu's head swings in his sister's direction, nicked ear twitching fowards and eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Khamy.." It wasn't so much a statement as a question. "Unless it's extremly important, it's going to have to wait..." he murmurs gently, whiskers twitching. A gentle nudge is giving lovingly to her neck before the males head swings back to the other in time to catch his hesitation in both the tone of his words and gaze.
Frowning softly Atreyu watches him with a hawk like gaze, a steady emotionless glaze settling over his face. He wasn't telling him everything.. was he.. He couldn't shake the sinking feeling that there was more to this male then just 'safe passage'. He finally lifts his head however, speaking in a voice that sounded very un-Atreyu-like, even in his adulthood. "I will grant safe passage.." he begins, "Only to those I can honestly believe mean no harm to my pride, my family. All you ask of me, is safe and quick passage to our Northern border. All I ask of you is complete and utter honesty in your purpose and your words."
A slow step is taken fowards, ears pushing up through the ranks of his white mane. "So if you are hiding anything... you can attempt to cheat death, or go around. If you choose to lie and say you've nothing to hide. The guilt will ride on your shoulders, and know should any harm come to my pride I will hunt you down and not rest until I rip the hide from your body."
And that was an oath.
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Post by Msasi on Dec 10, 2006 23:59:29 GMT -5
Heeey. Since when did Atreyu grow up and start acting all responsible-like? Khamisa must have missed that change. One white-rimmed ear tilts gently towards Atreyu as he speaks, though she doesn't respond and her gaze remains fixed on the horizon. She doesn't pay too much attention to the males at first, but the seconds tick by and no sign of Mbaamwezi warriors coming up behind Raiyan put Khamisa more at ease.. if only just slightly.
The Princess' ear twitch, tuning into the conversation around her finally. And, it seems, at just the right time. Raiyan finishes speaking and Khamisa's eyes widen, her head turning sharply in his direction. Surprise melts into confusion across her features and the petite lioness steps forward ahead of her brother, addressing Raiyan. "North? You.. you're going north?" She blinks at him once. Twice. "But I thought..." She trails off, glancing south to Mbaamwezi for a brief second, then back to the lion.. paying no mind to Atreyu for the moment, nor giving much thought to the fact that by speaking so easily to Raiyan, she's giving away that she knows him as well.
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Post by Onya on Dec 19, 2006 13:42:23 GMT -5
A hoarse, soft chuckle escapes the foreign lion, eyes rolling towards the sky, as if it'd give him an answer, though his voice is directed to Atreyu, "Are all Kivulians difficult?" Eyes still set on the soft blue sky above, he shakes his head just slightly, sighing in resignation. They will be difficult; so will he. Stubborn pride; or the laws of the desert - perhaps they do not apply here, but Raiyan has no idea how else to live his life.
"I am offering nothing more than honesty and purpose; of you I wish nothing more than a quick passage through Kivuli granted," Raiyan states solidly to Atreyu. Raiyan has no royalty in his blood, no Kings to trace his heritage to for there are no rulers in the desert tribes, yet he matches Atreyu for stance, for confidence. Prince and Vagabond; perhaps one who looked on and knew neither would never guess at who each was. Raiyan meets Atreyu's gaze, holds it steady and silent, and doesn't break...
...Until Khamisa speaks. He can't help it, he really can't.
His gaze is almost reluctantly torn from the the Kivuli Prince to Khamisa, shoulders slumping. He views her for a moment, tail swaying; what does he say?
Turning his head, body arching as though he'd crawl back into Mbaamwezi, Raiyan bows his head and finds a patch of dust, a small depression, on which to stare a moment. His gaze lifts after a bit; they'd not understand, of course, but what else was he supposed to do? What's he supposed to do now?
Setting his stance firm once again, he faces both squarely, chin lifted, neither defiant nor subservient. "I am free of my debt to Seth, to Mbaamwezi. Zira has...offered me a place within her pride, but I don't believe I could endure her minions and their blood-lustful ways. My loyalty before was not to be questioned and I couldn't live with myself if it were any other way," he pauses, hoping the import behind his words will at least be grasped at. He speaks to both, but at this point, ears folding back in guilt, he looks to Khamisa, briefly, "I had to tell her, Khamisa. I couldn't have left honorably if I didn't..."
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Post by Tilyn on Dec 21, 2006 13:32:00 GMT -5
The prince lets a faint almost rougeish smile play across his features at Raiyan's question. "No. I'm the worst." Atreyu was /born/ difficult. HA.
The prince watches the lions posture, the confidence in his face, and he watches it faulter as his sister speaks to him. Atreyu's figure relaxes visibly, but his eyes remain solidly fixed upon Raiyan. That princely cloak is tossed aside as his tail gives a twitch and his shoulders relax.
So they do know each other. Atreyu glances to his sister slowly and then back to the male. Seth... Mbaamwezi... Zira... The prince in Atreyu tells him to imediately run off, if not attempt to despose of this male. Threat, danger, and darkness linger in his past concerning the Mbaamwezi, and Seth. His great Uncle and his great Aunt were murdered... he always thought Kieleaji's death wasn't her own doing he just never voiced his own opinion. For once.
Atreyu's teeth begin to grind as the male speaks to his sister, ears flattening back. The prince in him told him to get his baby sister away from this male.. but the Atreyu... never did anything by the book.
"Tell her what." Atreyu demands softly. He doesn't ask, he expects an answer, but he doesn't say it with force or aggression and its directed at both Khamisa and the male.
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Post by Msasi on Dec 21, 2006 14:18:29 GMT -5
Khamisa's gaze remains fixed on Raiyan, her tail curling and uncurling slowly behind her. And when the rogue reveals that he did indeed pass on the information, her mouth merely quirks into the smallest of smiles. No, she isn't surprised. Quite expected it, in fact. There is no hatred or bitterness about it on her part. He was just doing his job, after all. She is the one with the big mouth. The naive, sheltered princess who went along with whatever crazy feelings she was having at the time instead of using her head. Whatever happens - if something happens to her family - it will be her fault. She doesn't like it, but she's got no reason to lay blame on Raiyan at all.
"I know," Is the petite lioness' reply, gaze dropping to her paws for a moment before lifting back to Raiyan. Mouth parts for her to speak again, but Khammy finds herself interrupted by her brother. Shifting, the lioness slips forward, placing herself pretty much between Atreyu and Raiyan.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Attie," She says quietly. "Whatever you're thinking.. and whatever happens.. it's not his fault." Her head tilts ever so slightly to indicate Raiyan. Blue eyes drop again to her paws, ears slipping back against her skull. She addresses her brother, but only tosses him a look every once in a while.
"Remember.. remember that time you ran into me out here?" Khamisa asks. "And I told you I was just missing Uncle Ronan so I came out to be near where he died? I know you didn't believe that.. but you said I could talk to you about anything, and you reminded me to..." She pauses, shifting her slight weight. "...Reminded me to use my head and not let.. well, just to use my head?"
Blue eyes lift again to Atreyu's face, a pained expression flitting across her features. "I.. I didn't," She admits softly. "Use.. use my head, I mean." It takes all her effort to not glance over her shoulder toward the rogue. Khamisa swallows, gaze dropping from her brother's features again, and continues. "He and I were talking and.. I.. I don't know, I let it slip.. about dad starting to get sick.. and.. Ankarri left.. how I don't want a war because Kivuli isn't exactly at it's strongest at the moment." Khamisa releases a breath in a quiet sigh. "And.. at the time.. I even knew that he was here to try and gather information on us. But I said it all anyway. I didn't use my head.. like you told me to."
Khamisa finally glances up at Atreyu once more. When she speaks, her voice is very soft. "I'm sorry." She knows all the apologies in the world won't help should tragedy strike Kivuli.. should Kivuli fall to a war. But Khamisa won't stand to let anyone lay blame on Raiyan (who had, for all intents and purposes, been trespassing at the time). He was only doing his job, after all. She should have been doing hers as well.
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Post by Onya on Jan 4, 2007 13:22:10 GMT -5
Raiyan is not ignorant of Atreyu's reaction towards the two knowing each other; Raiyan knew he was traversing dangerous ground from the beginning, but Khamisa might not have then. But while another lion might confront Raiyan and do the 'brotherly' thing - chase him off - Atreyu isn't doing so. Yet. Yes, Rai catches the slight, almost insignificant sound of fiercely clenched teeth. Lifting his head, Raiyan once again faces Atreyu; no excuses, no exemptions.
But then Khamisa interjects herself between the two and Rai can't help but stare at her in surprise, mild by his expression, but certainly felt on a deeper level. "...You know?" he asks softly, eyes narrowing slightly in puzzlement, head lowering. If he was to say more, there is no indication; his muzzle remains shut, as Khamisa continues to speak. Will this lioness ever cease to amaze him? The memory of their first meeting flits to mind, of an arrogant, dusty border guard confronting and teasing a proud and naive princess. Perhaps she's grown up since then, or maybe it was always there, waiting for the right moment. This confession is obviously hard on her, yet she handles it magnificently, surprising Raiyan yet again as she instills none of the blame on him.
Selfless. Heroic.
And he? What does he do now? How many times has he asked himself that since he left the Mbaamwezi pride at their waterhole?
He doesn't remain behind her for long as she speaks, moving to one side rather than shoulder her out of his way, he glances southward again, over a shoulder as if, perhaps, he could see Zira and what she might be thinking at this point. "Regardless of how selfless your sister is," Raiyan says with a sigh, looking to Khamisa with the barest traces of a regretful smile, and then turning his gaze to Atreyu, "The fact remains that I betrayed a trust placed in me, as...illfounded as it may have been. That is my shame to deal with. But while we could sit here trying to take the blame, you've action to take now."
The desert lion lifts his head once again, desperate-tinged, devil-may-care grin creasing his white-tipped muzzle, the stallion-like mane floundering about his neck and forelock falling heavily over one eye. "A rogue, in the basest, most despisable sense stands before you while your foe plots behind him, his voice having given them a key to employ sooner rather than later. A prince...or princess," he pauses, looking between both again, "Is what your pride needs now."
Raiyan settles once again, solemn, and strangely calm. "I've nothing left for myself; I am at your judgement and what fate you decide for me, I'll not run from and certainly deserve." Be that passage, debasement, banishment, or even death. Raiyan's made up his mind this far and that, to him, is good enough.
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