Post by Elimnyama on Apr 11, 2008 19:59:11 GMT -5
Location: [Tyne] Tyne Rock Base
Characters Involved:
Elimnyama, King of Tyne
Kale'Kizuka, Prince of Tyne
Kamau, Lord of Tyne
Arazia, Tyne Huntress
Anasa, Tyne Huntress
Tolga, Traveling Leopard
In the late hours of the afternoon, the temperature has finally begun to drop. There is a cool breeze starting in the east, full of promise for a very comfortable evening. Elim' has spent his day, like many recently, holed up in the dark of the pridal cavern, glued to Waset's side. He's not sure if she knew he was there today. As soon as the sunlight began to fade the lion made his way out to the stubbed protrusion from Tyne Rock which, in times like this, can serve as a sort of promontory. Filling his lungs, he let out a long, gutteral roar that hopefully carried to the edges of Tyne, but the kingdom is a vast place. It's entirely possible that certain folks may miss out on the announcement. Now Elim' waits for individuals to appear, his eyes squinted toward the blazing horizon.
One of a few newcomers to these lands, Arazia has stayed somewhat close by the main lands, occassionally wandering as far as the hunting plains and the border of the forgotten lands. So, she isn't too far when the roar of summons catches her ears. Actually, she'd been working on a... special project. She's always been good with objects, since she showed her brother how to make colored sticks for Mizuka's coronation as a child. Now, she attends this particular special event carrying yet another of her 'inventions'. It looks slightly silly, the barbary lioness carrying a broken leg-bone of a zebra in her mouth. Still, she makes her way up through the forest and towards Tyne rock steadily, finally letting the bone drop so she can give a nod and tilt of her head, not quite knowing what's going on. )
While his sister-in-law's health deteriorates, Kamau has been healing more and more since his run-in with the rogues. As he makes his way tentatively towards Tyne Rock after hearing Elimnyama's roar, he's barely even limping anymore. He's obtained from scars, but he'll surely be better in no time. Meaning he'll be leaving soon. But today he's stuck closer to home, staying nearby but out of the way of his older brother for whatever secret motives he has. And as he approaches Elimnyama now, however nervous he may be about approaching his brother, there's a sense of determination about the young lion as well, from the way he steadily carries himself up the hill to the even look his brother gets.
Tolga has arrived.
It's not too long until a white form appears, meandering up towards the rock with weary treads of dusty paws. Kale'Kizuka seems to be growing again- ever something of the loner even within his own family, he appears to most to be maturing through some bizarre biological version of stop-motion animation. Though not fully mature, he's filled out a bit with a distinct fuzz of chest-mane to complement his usual white emo-fringe. Plus, that wonderful gift for a maturing lion of rapidly filling muscle-mass is now far more evident upon the more.. sensitive of the pride's princes. He raises a brow at the others as he draws closer to the small pridal gathering, even dropping his slightly older cousin a small and slightly shy smile.
That was /loud/. She thinks her heart might've stopped dead for a few seconds. But knowing that the sound was definitely a summons, Anasa makes her way as quick as she can onto the scene. Her earthy-brown head pokes out of the jungle nearby and quietly she shifts around bodies toward the base of Tyne Rock, eyes raised expectantly toward the King above .... Elimnyama looks down on those assembled, relieved that Kamau and Kale'Kizuka are among them. It would have been slightly awkward, although not impossible, to hold this lionish press conference without either one of them. One brow is quirked slightly as he spots Arazia's burden, but he nods respectfully to her without question of it. Likewise a dispassionate nod is given toward both adolescent males, though Elim' makes eye contact with neither prince nor lord. When he speaks, though his tone is commanding his manner lacks animation. He seems, in short, to have become a talking statue, eyes dully focused on some random point in the crowd. "Thank you al
Hmm? For help just type help.
"Thank you all for answering. I made the decision to call you here because I have an important announcement to make. Some of you may already know what I am about to say, but it regards the future of our pride and everyone who dwells within these borders deserves to be told officially."
The barbary lioness slowly settles into a sitting position, her eyes looking upwards towards the dark form of the Tyne King. She leaves the bone at her feet for now, thinking that an issue best left for a time when Elimn was not making announcements on high. Her head sways sideways to acknowledge the others as they arrive, some she knew... some not. She had heard of Kale'kizuka, but had not met him in person, so she gives the pale prince a nod of her head. Kamau, on the other hand, she knew from a few occassions, yet she still wasn't sure what to think of him. As she settles, she remains somewhat quiet, not quite sure yet where her place is in this pride, this family. Yet... oddly enough, she felt more comfortable this day than at Mizuka's coronation.
Oh. Yea. /Heirs/. Kamau's chin lowers a little as his brother keeps talking, but he keeps his eyes on the King. As a kid, he expected this day to be... exciting. With everyone happy and boisterous and maybe even fawning over him. But the young lion is instead visibly subdued, his face blank and emotionless as the summons turns into a ceremony. A ceremony about him, but the lion feels oddly distant from it. He's here, sure, and he's listening avidly, but nonetheless he's not really all here.
Likewise, Kale' seems somewhat subdued as he casts his gaze around- hoping against hope to spot another couple of familiar shapes of ivory whiteness amongst those gathered. But no. No sign of Aitan or Ukomobasi, not present even for this, probably the most important day in his young life. He shrugs and looks to his uncle as Elim talks, taking a position close to Kamau. The Lord is thrown another quick glance, before the younger of the pair settles to his haunches, giving a weak smile to Arazia as she nods to him. He actually looks slightly uncomfortable being the focus of attention.
The spotty cat comes wondering in quietly, around at all the lions before making his way over to a spot out of the way. This is the first event like this he's been to and isn't sure if there's any special formalities that he should be aware of. So he just takes a spot to the side, wrapping his tail around his legs and gazing up at the current ruler of the pride. His ears were attentive, though it was hard to not be at least a little nervous when there were so many lions about he hasn't met. Probably best to try and stay out of mind as much as possible, neh?
It's a ceremony that had to take place at some point. What with Kamau's and Kale's apparently mixed hot and cold reputations within the pride, Elim' wants everybody in the lands to be fully conscious that these two are next in line for the throne. Let anyone who has to get all their griping out of their systems before the actual day arrives when Elim' steps down and the two boys step up. Hopefully, by attacking the situation early on like this, the transition will be quiet, easy, and peaceful rather than an invitation to rebellion. Before he continuse, Elim' catches sight of the leopard and blinks once to himself. He hadn't been aware of any leopards in Tyne.. although he does have some vague memory of Kamau or Onaedo mentioning meeting one. Oh, well. He's got no problem if Tolga wants to watch. Elim' turns his attention back to his pridemates. "In my brother's absence, I find the duty of announcing the heirs to our kingdom on my shoulders alone. I have decided that the next generation will follow the pattern we have laid out, and there shall be two new kings when I retire. Fortunately before his disappearance, King Aitan did express to me his wish that his son and my nephew, Kale'Kizuka, follow in his pawsteps as king. I hope that young Kale' will do us all proud as he has agreed to take on this tremendous honor and responsibility."
Having only arrived recently, Arazia has little idea about the reputation of either young lion. This surely was different than Kivuli, where often an heir is named at birth, rather than this far on in life. Then again, it Elimnyama and his brother seemed to have become kings fairly young themselves. Watching curiously, she listens to the mention of Aitan, the missing king, and connects the peices in what she's heard, and what is reality. Still, as this is mostly ceremony, she has little to say, and only responds to this proclaimation by bowing her head, eyes closed towards the pale prince, giving him a kind-looking smile as she raises her head.
Kamau keeps listening without much enthusiasm. Tolga's arrival earns a glance and a nod, since Kamau has been hoping to catch up with the leopard, but now's not the time for that. So he keeps listening, turning to Kale' as he gets mentioned but still looking utterly disinterested. This would be a lot more exciting if he didn't already know what was coming. Not even Aitan's disappearance gets much thought - after all, his other older brother had a habit of doing his work outside of the pride's lands. He's probably just off tracking rogues or something.
Likewise, a total lack of surprise is shown on Kale's young face. Only apprehension at the task ahead of him, mingled with a sense of longing for his more immediate family to be here. It's strange, really- what should be a day of pride and celebration seems somehow hollow and empty; between missing friends, half of the royal line being absent, injuries and dying queens, what is there to truly celebrate? He still however holds his head up high, even if only to go through the motions for the benefit of those who one day he will rule. And for the first time the fast-maturing lad /does/ appear 'regal'- his father's spririt and physical traits strongly evident in him as he holds his shoulders high. "I can only try with all I have." He replies to Elim's pronouncement of his future.
The movement of one of the lions gets Tolga's attention away from the large ceremony. It takes him a moment to realize that this was one of the two lions he helped, and a return nod is given. He looks so much different not beaten, battered, and blood covered. It's amazing what a bath can do. He makes a mental note to hang around after the ceremony for a while, but for now there's an announcement about kingship and other such things to listen to and he turns his eyes and ears back to the speaker from on high.
Aitan's disappearance has troubled the king probably almost as much as it has troubled Kale'. They were littermates and extremely close brothers, afterall. Possibly the only person in Tyne who knows how much his disappearance has hurt Elim' is lying in the pridal cavern, weak and delirious from a relentlessly rising fever. Elim', Aitan, and Waset had such a long, close history, she was maybe the only one - other than possibly Tisea - who Elim' felt would understand. Light honey-green eyes slide out of focus as the king begins to think of happier days with Aitan and Waset when both were around and their playful, carefree selves. When they refocus upon Kale' Elim's expression pales suddenly. Gods, he looks so much like Aitan. Without warning some vice-like grip closes around his heart, squeezing it until the king shudders and finds himself struggling to breathe. In a subdued panic, Elim' shakes his head, clears his throat, and tries to return his attention to the crowd. "Um..," he fumbles briefly, shaking his head again as if to clear it. Where was he? Oh, yeah. Kamau. "Uh- likewise, I had the duty to name someone to follow after me as king. For this important task I decided to consider all within my bloodline. This was a difficult decision, but I felt that in the end it was wiser to base my selection off of who I thought would rule best without pandering to my own fatherly pride. I have chosen my brother Kamau to be king after me. Alongside Kale'Kizuka, I believe that he will grow to be a just and wise ruler. It is no less of an honor and responsibility that he takes on his shoulders."
The shaggy lioness's eyes turn once more from the pale prince to look up at Elimnyama. At first, her ears are trained forward, expectant to hear more of what he has to say, but as she watches the King seem to stare into space... they fold downward. There is much pain in this pride, she can sense that much even if much of it is not on the surface. She places her paw on to the bone infront of her, almost instinctively, although the reason for that remains a mystery for now. She shifts restlessly for a moment, getting back on her feet and seeming as if she might just speak up when Elimn' does continue. Now, her eyes turn towards Kamau, the young lion who she had gotten off on such a bad paw with. Yet, she was trying to rectify that situation, and her own bad decisions. As with Kale'Kizuka, she gives another closed-eyed bow towards the second future king of Tyne, trying to hide the strange uneasiness that has settled in her stomach.
Hmpf. If Kamau stays alive long enough, sure. Even as he becomes the one being talked about, Kamau doesn't react. Is it really necessary? He doesn't say anything, either, all of the thoughts in /his/ head being best said in silence right now. Glancing around at the spectator, he starts to try and search out his own brother - well, the brother that isn't Elimnyama or Aitan - and his jaw becomes rather hard-set as he fails to find the golden lord. Missing his brother and his best friend, maybe the currently fighting pair of Elimnyama and Kamau have a lot more in common than they realize.
Loss seems to be the theme for almost all concerned here. As the attention moves on to Kamau, Kale' seems almost grateful- he turns to his uncle and future partner-in-oppressing-the-masses and dips his head slightly in more formal recognition of the role they'll both share. Otherwise he is silent now, sitting back and regarding Elimnyama with those ice-blue eyes of his; the rest of the pride gathered here seeming to fade into the background as the full enormity of the life ahead of him suddenly swims into focus as if for the first time.
It seems like the king's life is destined to go nowhere worth being anymore. He was born into such a close-knit family. He had his mother, father, and brother close at his side, and that strange Waset girl who always had her own way of doing things. Now he's growing older, time is passing before he can get a grip on things, and his wife is dying, his children are dispersing, his younger brothers may get killed while the three of them are still fighting, and where once there were four now Elimnyama alone must parent an entire pride. There is a lot of pain and loss in Tyne, but it wasn't always that way. Things were happier.. long ago, it seems. Elimnyama waits for Kamau to say something similar to Kale', but eventually realizes the boy's not going to open his mouth. Very well. Elimnyama turns back to the rest of the pride and this time he lets his eyes, which are in perfect focus now, wander among all the faces there, even Kamau's. "It is not an easy job to be king," Elim' remarks in a soft but never-the-less carrying voice. Suddenly he is markedly more invested in the speech he is making. "I truly hope that in light of the choices Aitan and I have made, you all will be kind and understanding toward our new heirs. They have not had the priviledge of knowing from birth that they would rule and they will have to adjust. Always keep in mind that what matters most is what is best for the pride. What we must always strive for are tolerance, kindness, and devotion to each other. These are the things that will keep Tyne going for many generations to come." Here he bows his head, seemingly to everybody, and begins to step away from the edge of the rock. "If anyone needs me.. I'll be inside," he concludes quietly, his eyes on the ground. Turning, the king makes his way back toward the pridal cavern and his vigil beside Waset.
Still on her feet, Arazia's tail sways with that uneasy feeling that she's keeping so well bottled up. Living on her own, she certainly isn't used to such things, and in some ways, worry shows on her face and in her body language. As Elimnyama finishes his announcements and heads back towards the pridal cavern, the lioness takes a timid step forward, and then seems to remember the bone beneath her paw. She had propped it up slightly on a rock to keep it form lying flat. Taking a studder-step, she picks up the bone again, carrying it at an angle as she walks. Of course, Zia is a bit slower than others, since she's dragging a big bone along her path. So... it's easy enough for anyone else who wants a word with Elimnyama to get infront of her as she moves towards the cavern.
Kamau is still an apt listener, even if he isn't the happiest one. Things were even happier in his lifetime. Even with a dead father and a mourning mother, Kamau had a very happy childhood with Onaedo and Sunny. Not having any parents - or at least none that pay too much attention - seemed almost a blessing back when it meant he and his friends could slip away unnoticed and go on adventures while the cubsitters were preoccupied with the princes and princesses. As Elimnyama's speech comes to a close, Kamau takes a deep breath and glances over the small surrounding group, then up at his brother. There's a few moments of staring back and forth, and then Kamau gets up to follow after his brother. He'll need to speak with Tolga too soon, but first things first, and Tolga-talks will hopefully be easier. Right after he chats up Elim'.
And so the meeting breaks up almost as soon as it's begun. Kale' just gives a sigh as everyone drifts apart in their various directions, hanging his head a little. A few deep breaths are taken, the feeling of both the weight of the duty bestowed upon him and the oppressive /misery/ that seems to fill the pride taking their toll upon his young shoulders. Then his head lifts, and he turns to wander away from the rock. "Dammit.." He simply grumps to himself as the others file into the cave, his tail drooping behind him as he heads for a drink.