Post by Arazia on Apr 1, 2008 21:16:49 GMT -5
Characters:
Arazia - Barbary Lioness (Rogue)
Elimnyama - Male Lion (Tyne King)
It was not all that long ago that the fluffy wanderer had found her way into the lands of Tyne. As a child, she had heard about the sister-land to Kivuli, but never had seen it with her own eyes, or touched it with her own paws. But as an adult, now far separated from the place she was born, Arazia finds herself trying to eek out an existance in a place she certainly doesn't belong. Seemingly, she'd gotten past one of the guards, and had been staying on Tyne lands since the worst of the dry season. At the moment, Zia rests near one of the calmer tributaries, having followed the water to this place. By avoiding the borderlands, she has thus-far avoided any run-ins with guards looking to make a name for themselves. Still, she's tired. Laying calmly, the lioness rests her head on her paws, her tail swaying only slightly in the grasses as she seems to stare out into space.
They haven't had many grown lions to guard the lands for quite some time, especially since Aitan's disappearnce. Kisasi hasn't been seen in the area for a whie either. It's basically, in fact, just Elim' and faithful Kiapo in addition to all the little half-grown wannabe guards running around, so it's not that surprising that a lone lioness was able to squeeze by security. The king doesn't always come round this way, but today the coolness of the river delta is an appealing thought, and the scent of water lures him closer and closer to Arazia's rest spot. Having resolves his arguments with his children, Elim' is feeling pretty comfortable and relaxed -- which isn't always an easy achievement when you're a king. But here: the lion notices an unfamiliar splash of color in the landscape and fixes yellow-green eyes on Arazia. Hello? What's this?
It would be easy to have an arrival go unnoticed, especially with the sound of water moving down through the delta. It almost seems as if Arazia has no clue that she has been spotted, at least, not until she raises her head from it's resting place against her ruddy paws. Blinking, she turns her head slowly, ears folded back against her skull as she turns in the direction of Elimnyama. What sound had he made to tip her off? Who knows really, but 'Zia has spent most of her life living on her own after the floods in Kivuli. Disaster after disaster. For the moment, she says nothing, simply watching the lion at a distance. There is no agression, no fear, simply a calm acceptance that sooner or later she had to encounter one of the guardian lions of this pride. Of course, she has no clue she's looking at a King. So, finally the shaggy lioness gives a small, polite chuff of greeting, like any pridal would make when greeting a fellow.
She has such a slow, deliberate way of looking toward him. Puzzled, he tilts his head a few degrees to the side and looks straight back at her for a long moment. No, he definitely doesn't recognize her. This lioness doesn't look like anyone else in Tyne. He blinks slightly at the chuff, not because it's particularly surprising, but it does stir him out of a strange dazed state. He clears his throat, bringing himself back to his kingly duties, and begins his resolved approach to the female. On the way he releases a return chuff-y greeting. "Good afternoon," he calls politely.
Slowly, the lioness pushes herself up to a sitting position using the strength in her forepaws. Even with her shaggy barbary coat, it's clear she's a bit on the thin side, certianly not the well-fed type that's lived a pridal existance, but still... she doesn't have the attitude or the skittish nature of a rogue either. "Good afternoon." Zia replies, bowing her head slightly. She doesn't know this lion, but it's best to be polite at least. One of the female's ears tilts forward, the other remaining backward set.
Elimnyama takes in the lioness's thinness as well as the other aspects of her appearance without visible reaction or expression, though he estutely surmises her roguehood. Eyes flitting back to her face, he nods respectfully as she does. It's always best to start off on good terms with those you don't know who MIGHT have it in them to start trouble for a pride, and besides, Tyne hasn't had many visitors for a while now. This encounter may prove refreshing. "My name is Elimnyama, I'm one of the kings here in Tyne. Is there anything I can help you with, miss?"
"Ahh, one of the kings." Zia says with a soft tone to her voice, nodding slightly before bowing her head once more. As she lifts her head again, both ears tip forward. He didn't seem agressive, so she simply had no reason to fear him, king or not. "I'd heard that these lands had two kings from your brother." A small quirk of a smile edges up one part of her maw, followed by a soft chuckle, "I'm afraid that he wasn't a very polite young lion. Kept calling me old." The amusement shows in her voice, giving it a somewhat musical tone. However, at the question of if there is anything the king can do to help... the lioness grows quiet and seems to look towards the skies, as if she were searching the heavens. Then, settling down to earth once more, she sighs. "My name is Arazia... although everyone has always called me 'Zia since I was a child. I'm blood kin to the barbaries of Kivuli... back to the tyrant Akeeto of legend. Or so I've been told." There is another pause, but then she raises her eyebrows, asking with a somewhat pleading tone. "You... haven't met a lion named Undine in your travels have you? He's... my brother. He disappeared during the floods in Kivuli seasons ago."
Elimnyama frowns slightly as he hears she's met his brother already. Couldn't be Aitan, he knows immediately, so that leaves Onaedo or Kamau. "I'm sorry to hear that," the king replies, feeling slightly annoyed with whichever brother it was for apparently being rude to this unusual lioness. "He called you /old/?" This the lion blurts without thinking, but his frown remains firmly etched in place. "Well, I apologize on behalf of my little brother. Both of them are in desperate need of manners." Translation: he'll beat them upside the heads next time he sees them. But anyway. "It's nice to make your acquaintence, Arazia. 'Zia," he adds with a nod. "I have heard of Akeeto. Undine, on the other hand.. I'm sorry, but I've never met anyone by that name. But I was there during the floods. Not in Kivuli, but in the Forgotten Lands when so many of us were seeking higher ground. I'm very sorry that he's missing." And he sounds quite sincere as memories of that dire time flash through his mind. Lots of folks were lost forever.
"It's alright." That soft smile returns slightly. "My brother wasn't much better at that age, but I'm sure he'll grow out of it." Zia catches on that there are apparently two young brothers of this lion king who have this particular disease of the mouth, but she doesn't comment on it. Boys. Hurumph. "It's nice to meet you, as well... Elimnyama." She doesn't use titles, but there is respect in her voice for the king. Still, there is some sadness lingering in her eyes. "I've been searching for him for a long time... too long, I suspect." She looks towards the water, and then moves her paw as if following the motion of it. "They've all moved on, but I'm still here trying to catch the past." Looking back towards Elimnyama, she tilts her head slightly. "Do you ever wonder if we're cursed? First the floods, then the plauge, then the drought? How has Tyne faired through the dry?"
"Oh, Elimnyama's such a mouthful. I think my parents must've been insane," he remarks with an eyeroll. "It's fine to call me Elim'." As long as she doesn't start with the 'your majesty' business, which the king has noticed rogues tend to do when they're making a pass at sucking up. He listens carefully to what she says of her brother, and his face is sad as he too lets his eyes roam to the water, closing them slightly as the sunlight reflects off the surface. "I feel like I get what you mean. My other brother, the one who's my same age, he's been missing for.. quite some time. Not as long as Undine, but we still miss his presence here. His mate disappeared not long after him. Their son is a teen here now, and he feels their absence more than any of us." Looking up, he finds himself met by her striking gaze and he tilts his head slightly, letting his bangs slip to the side the better to see her. "Tyne's had the best of things as far as the drought's concerned; we've got so much water by nature, it never really dried up at all. But the floods and especially the plague were pretty devastating. It took many pridemates from us, including my father. I've never considered that we're cursed.. Even with all the loses, I still feel so lucky to have the majority of my family still with me and happy and safe." He hesitates, keeping a gentle eye on her. "What of your family, Arazia? Why are you here rather than in Kivuli with your relations?"
"Elimn' then." Arazia nods her head slightly. She certainly had no reason to suck up to this lion, and as polite as her nature may be, she certainly isn't one to dwell on titles. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother and his mate. I know how hard it must be for your nephew." She gives a little sad laugh and shakes her head, a few strands of hair-fluff falling into her eyes. "My father ran out on my mother and siblings when we were still cubs. Undine never forgave him for it. I wonder sometimes if that's why he left, too." She shrugs slightly, and then listens to the conditions here in Tyne. She had guessed that things were better here than other places, but it is good to hear a confirmation of it. "As for my family... my father ran off, my mother and sister passed on, my brother disappeared. The only one I knew to still be alive was my sister Weupe, but that was before the dry season. I haven't heard of her since, so I may be the last."
Elimnyama frowns as he hears this, and in an instant he gets a murky glimpse of what this lioness's life must have been like. A father who ran out, a brother who harbored a grudge and eventually did the same thing. And her mother and sisters.. All in all, it sounds as though she's pretty alone now. "Not such a happy situation, then," the lion remarks somberly. "I wish I could tell you where your sister is, but I've never heard of anyone called Weupe. Where was it you grew up?" The only thing he can think of is maybe to point her in the direction of someone who might be familiar with these missing in action family members. After a long pause, he adds, "I wish I could help you find them."
Some were born to endure. This is one thing that this lioness shares with her ansestor of long ago. "No, not a happy situation." Zia manages a wan smile, but then just raises her shoulders slightly. She shakes her head just a bit. "I grew up in Kivuli. My mother was a guard, and my father was a knight... at least I think he was." Her memories of her father are quite faded, even though she has been searching for him all this long time, as well as her brother. "But I've been searching for such a long time, sometimes I wonder if what I'm searching for anymore." She raises her head, looking up at the King with her deep green eyes. "Maybe what I'm searching for is just a place to call home... or others to call family once more." There is a pause, as if she is gathering some courage. "Elimn'... you're king here... would you be willing to let one wandering rogue tired of the dusty life... find a new home here?"
The lion king stares back at her, and it's only a second before the strange tranquility is broken that he realizes the rabid din of internal noise and thoughts he deals with day in and day out has been silenced as he gave her his focus. He blinks, smiles repentently, and shakes the odd feeling out of his head. "I was about to suggest the same thing," he replies with a half-laugh, his expression a little .. bashful, of all things. Elimnyama, bashful about /anything/? What parallel dimension is this meeting taking place in? With a low clearing of his throat, Elim' raises his chin and smoothly transitions into more dignified, taking-care-of-business tone of voice. "I think you'd be in good company here. I'm sure the other lionesses would be glad to have you in their hunting party. Our huntmistress, my mate Waset, has been feeling too ill these days to lead the hunt and they're in pretty bad need of more lionesses to take part."
In some ways, perhaps Zia can sense something strange in the way the lion speaks, or perhaps in the way he moves and breathes. It seems that the lion king has problems of his own... a missing brother, a sick mate, and a pride on his shoulders. Certainly none of these things can be easy on anyone alone. So, she manages a bit of a smile, lifting her ears as she gently reaches out a red-tipped paw towards Elimnyama. "Each of us has troubles... what makes us strong is how we face them." With all of her own trials, Zia seems more concerned with Elimnyama than herself. "If you allow me a place here... then I'll make sure you have one more huntress to help." There is re-assurance from the lioness, and a look in her eyes that make her seem younger than her scruffy look might suggest.
In some remote corner of his mind, the area that is more sensitive to interactions of speech and silence and emotion, the lion is registers the subtle altruism at work in the lioness' words. Superficially, though, the rest of his brain is aware only of the mutual exchange of resources: a place to live for the promise to help with food. It's all more polite than this simplistic breakdown, but males must always have things in staightforward terms whatever courtly manners and flourish accomany the gesture. "In my experience, you don't get much of a choice how to face things," he replies conversationally and with a small smile. "Either you get over it or the pride falls apart. I don't mean to make it sound like I envy your life," he adds, the smile fading slightly. "I know it can't have been easy at all, your father leaving and then losing your mother and siblings like that." It's just hard to keep managing all the responsibilities of kinghood, he continues to himself. He wasn't supposed to be king at all, just an advisor, out of the limelight and shielded from the burden. Sometimes he DOES wish he could just forget it all, pass it all on to someone else, and go after the mysterious, romantic picture in his head of what rogue life is like. Not to be tied down. Not to know there's layers and layers of obligation and duty holding you down every moment of the day. Elimnyama, realizing he's become lost in his own thoughts again, glances at Arazia and grins sidelong. "I hope you'll like it here, 'Zia. Not everyone in Tyne's as obnoxious as me, so you may even make some good friends."
Respectful of the lion's thoughts, Arazia is quiet for a time, drawing her paw back slowly sa she nods her head. Although there is blood of tyrants and kings flowing in her veins, Zia never had to know what it was like to be a royal. Her responsibilities have never been more than just getting enough food and water into her belly to live another day, so she can't even begin to imagine the stresses of a kingdom. "It's alright. I don't know what you've been through, but I can see in your eyes... you've walked a hard path, just like me." Her smile stays soft, supportive, showing that even if she can't quite understand the reasons, she can understand the feeling. "And no worries..." She laughs softly, this time showing that youthful sparkle once more, "From what I've seen... these are beautiful lands, and there isn't anyone in it that I find obnoxious." She wiggles her whiskers at him slightly, and then glances towards the heart of the lands. "I suppose though... that if I'm to stay... I should introduce myself to some of the others." She looks asside to Elimnyama. "Could you show me the way?"
There's certainly something about her presence that is calming. It's an unfamiliar feeling for the lion, to be calm, collected. If it were any other sort of feeling, the fact that it came on so suddenly just from being around someone new would make the lion suspicious and uneasy. But he won't object to a seemingly newfound sense of peacefulness. The roaring white noise between his ears, which consists of all his worries over his family and pride and all his troubles related to keeping the kingdom secure and alive, has quieted again. Elimnyama glances back at her, puzzled by her words but not disconcerted. "Have I?" he asks quietly, the hint of an ironic grin playing about his lips. "All this time I've been telling myself I've had it made. A pride, food, lots of folks close by." That sort of stuff should make life nice and easy, right? Nothing to worry about if you've got food, shelter, and family. He laughs as she speaks next, a rolling, confident sound only to be heard when he's feeling this at peace. "Of course. I'll be your escort. You deserve a proper tour of the lands at last."
Arazia - Barbary Lioness (Rogue)
Elimnyama - Male Lion (Tyne King)
It was not all that long ago that the fluffy wanderer had found her way into the lands of Tyne. As a child, she had heard about the sister-land to Kivuli, but never had seen it with her own eyes, or touched it with her own paws. But as an adult, now far separated from the place she was born, Arazia finds herself trying to eek out an existance in a place she certainly doesn't belong. Seemingly, she'd gotten past one of the guards, and had been staying on Tyne lands since the worst of the dry season. At the moment, Zia rests near one of the calmer tributaries, having followed the water to this place. By avoiding the borderlands, she has thus-far avoided any run-ins with guards looking to make a name for themselves. Still, she's tired. Laying calmly, the lioness rests her head on her paws, her tail swaying only slightly in the grasses as she seems to stare out into space.
They haven't had many grown lions to guard the lands for quite some time, especially since Aitan's disappearnce. Kisasi hasn't been seen in the area for a whie either. It's basically, in fact, just Elim' and faithful Kiapo in addition to all the little half-grown wannabe guards running around, so it's not that surprising that a lone lioness was able to squeeze by security. The king doesn't always come round this way, but today the coolness of the river delta is an appealing thought, and the scent of water lures him closer and closer to Arazia's rest spot. Having resolves his arguments with his children, Elim' is feeling pretty comfortable and relaxed -- which isn't always an easy achievement when you're a king. But here: the lion notices an unfamiliar splash of color in the landscape and fixes yellow-green eyes on Arazia. Hello? What's this?
It would be easy to have an arrival go unnoticed, especially with the sound of water moving down through the delta. It almost seems as if Arazia has no clue that she has been spotted, at least, not until she raises her head from it's resting place against her ruddy paws. Blinking, she turns her head slowly, ears folded back against her skull as she turns in the direction of Elimnyama. What sound had he made to tip her off? Who knows really, but 'Zia has spent most of her life living on her own after the floods in Kivuli. Disaster after disaster. For the moment, she says nothing, simply watching the lion at a distance. There is no agression, no fear, simply a calm acceptance that sooner or later she had to encounter one of the guardian lions of this pride. Of course, she has no clue she's looking at a King. So, finally the shaggy lioness gives a small, polite chuff of greeting, like any pridal would make when greeting a fellow.
She has such a slow, deliberate way of looking toward him. Puzzled, he tilts his head a few degrees to the side and looks straight back at her for a long moment. No, he definitely doesn't recognize her. This lioness doesn't look like anyone else in Tyne. He blinks slightly at the chuff, not because it's particularly surprising, but it does stir him out of a strange dazed state. He clears his throat, bringing himself back to his kingly duties, and begins his resolved approach to the female. On the way he releases a return chuff-y greeting. "Good afternoon," he calls politely.
Slowly, the lioness pushes herself up to a sitting position using the strength in her forepaws. Even with her shaggy barbary coat, it's clear she's a bit on the thin side, certianly not the well-fed type that's lived a pridal existance, but still... she doesn't have the attitude or the skittish nature of a rogue either. "Good afternoon." Zia replies, bowing her head slightly. She doesn't know this lion, but it's best to be polite at least. One of the female's ears tilts forward, the other remaining backward set.
Elimnyama takes in the lioness's thinness as well as the other aspects of her appearance without visible reaction or expression, though he estutely surmises her roguehood. Eyes flitting back to her face, he nods respectfully as she does. It's always best to start off on good terms with those you don't know who MIGHT have it in them to start trouble for a pride, and besides, Tyne hasn't had many visitors for a while now. This encounter may prove refreshing. "My name is Elimnyama, I'm one of the kings here in Tyne. Is there anything I can help you with, miss?"
"Ahh, one of the kings." Zia says with a soft tone to her voice, nodding slightly before bowing her head once more. As she lifts her head again, both ears tip forward. He didn't seem agressive, so she simply had no reason to fear him, king or not. "I'd heard that these lands had two kings from your brother." A small quirk of a smile edges up one part of her maw, followed by a soft chuckle, "I'm afraid that he wasn't a very polite young lion. Kept calling me old." The amusement shows in her voice, giving it a somewhat musical tone. However, at the question of if there is anything the king can do to help... the lioness grows quiet and seems to look towards the skies, as if she were searching the heavens. Then, settling down to earth once more, she sighs. "My name is Arazia... although everyone has always called me 'Zia since I was a child. I'm blood kin to the barbaries of Kivuli... back to the tyrant Akeeto of legend. Or so I've been told." There is another pause, but then she raises her eyebrows, asking with a somewhat pleading tone. "You... haven't met a lion named Undine in your travels have you? He's... my brother. He disappeared during the floods in Kivuli seasons ago."
Elimnyama frowns slightly as he hears she's met his brother already. Couldn't be Aitan, he knows immediately, so that leaves Onaedo or Kamau. "I'm sorry to hear that," the king replies, feeling slightly annoyed with whichever brother it was for apparently being rude to this unusual lioness. "He called you /old/?" This the lion blurts without thinking, but his frown remains firmly etched in place. "Well, I apologize on behalf of my little brother. Both of them are in desperate need of manners." Translation: he'll beat them upside the heads next time he sees them. But anyway. "It's nice to make your acquaintence, Arazia. 'Zia," he adds with a nod. "I have heard of Akeeto. Undine, on the other hand.. I'm sorry, but I've never met anyone by that name. But I was there during the floods. Not in Kivuli, but in the Forgotten Lands when so many of us were seeking higher ground. I'm very sorry that he's missing." And he sounds quite sincere as memories of that dire time flash through his mind. Lots of folks were lost forever.
"It's alright." That soft smile returns slightly. "My brother wasn't much better at that age, but I'm sure he'll grow out of it." Zia catches on that there are apparently two young brothers of this lion king who have this particular disease of the mouth, but she doesn't comment on it. Boys. Hurumph. "It's nice to meet you, as well... Elimnyama." She doesn't use titles, but there is respect in her voice for the king. Still, there is some sadness lingering in her eyes. "I've been searching for him for a long time... too long, I suspect." She looks towards the water, and then moves her paw as if following the motion of it. "They've all moved on, but I'm still here trying to catch the past." Looking back towards Elimnyama, she tilts her head slightly. "Do you ever wonder if we're cursed? First the floods, then the plauge, then the drought? How has Tyne faired through the dry?"
"Oh, Elimnyama's such a mouthful. I think my parents must've been insane," he remarks with an eyeroll. "It's fine to call me Elim'." As long as she doesn't start with the 'your majesty' business, which the king has noticed rogues tend to do when they're making a pass at sucking up. He listens carefully to what she says of her brother, and his face is sad as he too lets his eyes roam to the water, closing them slightly as the sunlight reflects off the surface. "I feel like I get what you mean. My other brother, the one who's my same age, he's been missing for.. quite some time. Not as long as Undine, but we still miss his presence here. His mate disappeared not long after him. Their son is a teen here now, and he feels their absence more than any of us." Looking up, he finds himself met by her striking gaze and he tilts his head slightly, letting his bangs slip to the side the better to see her. "Tyne's had the best of things as far as the drought's concerned; we've got so much water by nature, it never really dried up at all. But the floods and especially the plague were pretty devastating. It took many pridemates from us, including my father. I've never considered that we're cursed.. Even with all the loses, I still feel so lucky to have the majority of my family still with me and happy and safe." He hesitates, keeping a gentle eye on her. "What of your family, Arazia? Why are you here rather than in Kivuli with your relations?"
"Elimn' then." Arazia nods her head slightly. She certainly had no reason to suck up to this lion, and as polite as her nature may be, she certainly isn't one to dwell on titles. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother and his mate. I know how hard it must be for your nephew." She gives a little sad laugh and shakes her head, a few strands of hair-fluff falling into her eyes. "My father ran out on my mother and siblings when we were still cubs. Undine never forgave him for it. I wonder sometimes if that's why he left, too." She shrugs slightly, and then listens to the conditions here in Tyne. She had guessed that things were better here than other places, but it is good to hear a confirmation of it. "As for my family... my father ran off, my mother and sister passed on, my brother disappeared. The only one I knew to still be alive was my sister Weupe, but that was before the dry season. I haven't heard of her since, so I may be the last."
Elimnyama frowns as he hears this, and in an instant he gets a murky glimpse of what this lioness's life must have been like. A father who ran out, a brother who harbored a grudge and eventually did the same thing. And her mother and sisters.. All in all, it sounds as though she's pretty alone now. "Not such a happy situation, then," the lion remarks somberly. "I wish I could tell you where your sister is, but I've never heard of anyone called Weupe. Where was it you grew up?" The only thing he can think of is maybe to point her in the direction of someone who might be familiar with these missing in action family members. After a long pause, he adds, "I wish I could help you find them."
Some were born to endure. This is one thing that this lioness shares with her ansestor of long ago. "No, not a happy situation." Zia manages a wan smile, but then just raises her shoulders slightly. She shakes her head just a bit. "I grew up in Kivuli. My mother was a guard, and my father was a knight... at least I think he was." Her memories of her father are quite faded, even though she has been searching for him all this long time, as well as her brother. "But I've been searching for such a long time, sometimes I wonder if what I'm searching for anymore." She raises her head, looking up at the King with her deep green eyes. "Maybe what I'm searching for is just a place to call home... or others to call family once more." There is a pause, as if she is gathering some courage. "Elimn'... you're king here... would you be willing to let one wandering rogue tired of the dusty life... find a new home here?"
The lion king stares back at her, and it's only a second before the strange tranquility is broken that he realizes the rabid din of internal noise and thoughts he deals with day in and day out has been silenced as he gave her his focus. He blinks, smiles repentently, and shakes the odd feeling out of his head. "I was about to suggest the same thing," he replies with a half-laugh, his expression a little .. bashful, of all things. Elimnyama, bashful about /anything/? What parallel dimension is this meeting taking place in? With a low clearing of his throat, Elim' raises his chin and smoothly transitions into more dignified, taking-care-of-business tone of voice. "I think you'd be in good company here. I'm sure the other lionesses would be glad to have you in their hunting party. Our huntmistress, my mate Waset, has been feeling too ill these days to lead the hunt and they're in pretty bad need of more lionesses to take part."
In some ways, perhaps Zia can sense something strange in the way the lion speaks, or perhaps in the way he moves and breathes. It seems that the lion king has problems of his own... a missing brother, a sick mate, and a pride on his shoulders. Certainly none of these things can be easy on anyone alone. So, she manages a bit of a smile, lifting her ears as she gently reaches out a red-tipped paw towards Elimnyama. "Each of us has troubles... what makes us strong is how we face them." With all of her own trials, Zia seems more concerned with Elimnyama than herself. "If you allow me a place here... then I'll make sure you have one more huntress to help." There is re-assurance from the lioness, and a look in her eyes that make her seem younger than her scruffy look might suggest.
In some remote corner of his mind, the area that is more sensitive to interactions of speech and silence and emotion, the lion is registers the subtle altruism at work in the lioness' words. Superficially, though, the rest of his brain is aware only of the mutual exchange of resources: a place to live for the promise to help with food. It's all more polite than this simplistic breakdown, but males must always have things in staightforward terms whatever courtly manners and flourish accomany the gesture. "In my experience, you don't get much of a choice how to face things," he replies conversationally and with a small smile. "Either you get over it or the pride falls apart. I don't mean to make it sound like I envy your life," he adds, the smile fading slightly. "I know it can't have been easy at all, your father leaving and then losing your mother and siblings like that." It's just hard to keep managing all the responsibilities of kinghood, he continues to himself. He wasn't supposed to be king at all, just an advisor, out of the limelight and shielded from the burden. Sometimes he DOES wish he could just forget it all, pass it all on to someone else, and go after the mysterious, romantic picture in his head of what rogue life is like. Not to be tied down. Not to know there's layers and layers of obligation and duty holding you down every moment of the day. Elimnyama, realizing he's become lost in his own thoughts again, glances at Arazia and grins sidelong. "I hope you'll like it here, 'Zia. Not everyone in Tyne's as obnoxious as me, so you may even make some good friends."
Respectful of the lion's thoughts, Arazia is quiet for a time, drawing her paw back slowly sa she nods her head. Although there is blood of tyrants and kings flowing in her veins, Zia never had to know what it was like to be a royal. Her responsibilities have never been more than just getting enough food and water into her belly to live another day, so she can't even begin to imagine the stresses of a kingdom. "It's alright. I don't know what you've been through, but I can see in your eyes... you've walked a hard path, just like me." Her smile stays soft, supportive, showing that even if she can't quite understand the reasons, she can understand the feeling. "And no worries..." She laughs softly, this time showing that youthful sparkle once more, "From what I've seen... these are beautiful lands, and there isn't anyone in it that I find obnoxious." She wiggles her whiskers at him slightly, and then glances towards the heart of the lands. "I suppose though... that if I'm to stay... I should introduce myself to some of the others." She looks asside to Elimnyama. "Could you show me the way?"
There's certainly something about her presence that is calming. It's an unfamiliar feeling for the lion, to be calm, collected. If it were any other sort of feeling, the fact that it came on so suddenly just from being around someone new would make the lion suspicious and uneasy. But he won't object to a seemingly newfound sense of peacefulness. The roaring white noise between his ears, which consists of all his worries over his family and pride and all his troubles related to keeping the kingdom secure and alive, has quieted again. Elimnyama glances back at her, puzzled by her words but not disconcerted. "Have I?" he asks quietly, the hint of an ironic grin playing about his lips. "All this time I've been telling myself I've had it made. A pride, food, lots of folks close by." That sort of stuff should make life nice and easy, right? Nothing to worry about if you've got food, shelter, and family. He laughs as she speaks next, a rolling, confident sound only to be heard when he's feeling this at peace. "Of course. I'll be your escort. You deserve a proper tour of the lands at last."