Post by Arazia on Feb 28, 2007 15:54:17 GMT -5
Characters: Tisea, Ukomobasi, Sanyu, Kiapo
Sanyu sits just outside of the entrance of the cave. The look of bordom is scrawled into her face as she takes in her surroundings. Unimpressed her gaze falls to a pebble slightly out of her reach. Lazilly the cub streches her paw out to see if she can touch it, no luck. Leaning forward a bit more grants succes with a swipe. Click.clack clack... the pebble now lays a good ways away, but a bizarre game of pounce and swipe has quickley rissen from the simple act.
The current Queen slowly makes her way from the cavern, honey-green eyes curiously watching the hunt mistress' daughter in her game of swipe and pounce. Tisea smiles gently, she's getting more excited about her own cubs on the way, her boys and daughter were all grown up, it'd be nice to have some little ones running around. Tis' tickles Sanyu lightly with her tail as she manuvers her way over to the edge of the rock and slides down upon her belly, enjoying her last full day as Queen of Tyne, looking foward as well, to her retirement. She hopes the kids were ok... she knew what it was like the day before you knew you were going to take over a pride.
A prime example sits in the shade a few feet away from where Tisea now flops. She's staring, sort of nostalgically in the direction that Kivuli rises from the earth. No more bouncing between worlds anymore. Now her place is set. Huh. When Tisea /does/, in fact, plop down, Ukomobasi's head turns slowly, the overhang of fur at the right side of her face barely moving, she turns with such slowness. A soft smile is awarded the matriarch, and her swollen stomach. "Soon, huh?" She asks with the assumption that Tisea will know exactly what she's talking about. Like most days. She steps closer to the lioness and then spots Sanyu. "Doesn't take them long. Msasi's going to be thoroughly impressed when she begins her training, no doubt."
Sound announces Kiapo's arrival before he appears from below. It's a strange sort of sound, a shuffle and padding of three paws. And it almost looks as if the lion is limping as he walks towards the lionesses and youngster. At a second glance, though, it appears that he's cupping a sandy rock beneath the other paw, carrying it along with him. Lions don't have thumbs, you know, it makes that whole lifting thing difficult. "Good day." He says in his soft, basal voice as he crouches to let the rock come to sit on the earth, a few little pieces breaking off as he does so. No explination, just the strange newcomer carrying a dusty old rock.
Sanyu had been midswiped as she was tickled. It earns Tisea a squeel and a look of surprise as she stares blankly at the rock. Regaining her composure she sits quickly and licks the inside of one paw while watching the lioness out of the corner of her eye. She has the look of great curiousity as she listens to the adults, and finally moves closer and speaks up herself, "Excuse me."
Tisea greats Ukomo' with a fond nuzzle to her cheek and quick lick to her brow. She can treat them like they're babies, they're /her/ babies. XD Yes, Tisea has subcounsioucly adopted Ukomo' and Waset as her own 'daughters' because a daughter in law is basically that. Besides, she basically helped raise Waset. The Queen nods her head and smiles proudly, "Soon Indeed." She purrs warmly, leaning her head against Ukomo's nearest leg should she still be standing, honey-green eyes focused on Sanyu, "Yes, Msasi is going to be really impressed, if she isn't already.. the girls showing promise even this early.." she drawls off as he attention shifts to Kiapo and she perks a brow curiously in the new lions direction, "Afternoon Kiapo.. what do you have there?" Sanyu snags the Queen's attention next however and she directs a pleasent smile upon the young girl, "Yes Sanyu?"
The white creature stands perfectly still, but not stonelike. The gentle and motherly ministrations are still something Uko's getting used to. Not only from a lioness other than her mother, but from a lioness in general. It's no secret that she was basically raised by her own adoptive father.. which would explain the reaction Kiapo is given almost immediately. They call it the 'stink eye', and Uko, despite being slighter than the queen, is a considerable ally. It isn't until Tisea calls him by name that she relaxes. And replies, "I'm betting she's better at hunting than I am before she's even fully grown." She teases, then eyeballs Kiapo again. Hm. As Sanyu approaches, Uko's eyes trail down to get a better look at the young thing. Msasi's through and through. "Great pouncing." She offers as a means to compliment.
Well, by now, Kiapo is certainly used to getting dirty looks, especially from those who he hadn't been formerly introduced to. Polite, as always, he bows his head towards Ukomobasi, bringing a paw to his chest-fur. "Good day m'lady. I am Kiapo, it's a pleasure to meet you." And, the same look is cast then on Sanyu. Sure, he'd seen her before, but hadn't been introduced to the girl either. "And you as well, little huntress." And, with the pleasantries dispensed with, he gives a small half-smile to Tisea, "It's magic." He winks one eye and gives a little laugh, perhaps not taking it too seriously. Rather than approaching further, he keeps at his usual distance, settling into a sitting position, his tail curled around his haunches.
Sanyu can't help but offer a cheesy and toothy grin to Uko. Like most girls she likes the attention, especially if it is in the form of compliments. She turns her head back to the Queen and suddenly seems rather nervous. Drawing in a deep breath she asks her question. Granted she speaks about a mile a minute and says an awful lot for such a short span of time. "When are you going to have your babies? I hope its really, really soon. I wanted to know if I can help some. I could teach them to be cubs, because all of your kids are grown up and they might have forgotton and..." She pauses taking in another breath. Her pace is also a little more twards the normal, "Cubs are really really cute." She twitches her ear twards the lion and her eyes widen slightly. Any concept of speech seems to have been lost as well as the best she can muster is, "Hi..."
Tisea's smile widens to an all out grin as she regaurds Sanyu. She laughs gently before nodding her head, "Very soon Sanyu, and yes you are more then welcome to play with them and teach them to be cubs, Aitan and Elim' are probably going to be too busy to do such however I doubt they've /forgotten/ how to be a cub. I don't think it ever left their system." she winks gently, "I'm sure my daughter Nonza will enjoy helping you as well." Gaze catches Ukomo's look towards Kiapo and Tisea clears her throat, "I apologize Ukomo', This is Kiapo, me and Waset met him on the border a few moons ago. He's been a very good friend to the pride, and myself, so I allowed him to stay if he wished. Kiapo, this is Ukomobasi, my other son Aitan's mate, and Sanyu our Hunt Mistress Msasi's daughter." Now all he has to meet is Aitan, who she guesses, should give him a good reaction .. save for Waset. Waset is nice to everyone. XD
Uko stares with blatant interest for the young Sanyu as she speaks. "I dunno, Tis, that's a hard offer to refuse. I think our Sanyu here has a fantastic grasp of what being a cub is like. Who better to teach the new ones, mm?" The white creature rolls a lazy, subtle wink off of one lid before turning toward Kiapo as he introduces herself. She remains quiet as Tisea replies with an introduction of herself and the young lioness near them. "Welcome, Kiapo." Uko turns her head to the side in a light, agreeable bob. "Any friend of Tisea's is most welcome. Have you enjoyed your stay thusfar?" Uko's tail slips around while Sanyu is distracted and tickles the girl's side.
Kiapo nods his head as each name is given, putting them into memory. So many new names and faces to learn in such a short time. Soon enough there would be more, especially with cubs on the way from more than one of the lionesses. He lowers his head a bit more towards Sanyu, "Hello to you as well." He wiggles his nose in a playful gesture, giving the girl a smile. Then, he lifts himself up, and gives his mane a little shake. "Thank you for the welcome, m'lady." This is aimed towards Uko, "And thus far everyone has been most kind. I only hope to be able to return the favor." With that said, Kiapo paws the dusty rock forwards, more little bits falling off as he does so. One of these little bits ends up tumbling over towards the grouping of lionesses, but he seems to pay it no real mind. Just a rock afterall, right?
Sanyu looks back to the queen with a bright smile and a nod, "Right. Ill teach 'em all sorts of games. And..." she gets distracted with the tickle and looks sharply to the cuprite. She plants a paw firmly down quickly in an attempt to pin the offensive tail. She turns her head to see if she claimed the tail or not, however when the bit of rock tumbles by Sanyu, she quickly changes targets leaving the tail behind. Raising up on her hind legs and hopping slightly she plants both front paws down to pin the rock.
That grin breaks forth once more and Tisea chuckles. "I think Sanyu would be the perfect teacher yes." She can't help but stare fondly at little Sanyu, she couldn't wait for her own to be born. Tisea's attention shifts to Kiapo and she locks a fish-eye stare on him, one brow raising, "What's so special about that dusty rock? I know your hiding something.." she prods, leaning comfortabley against the pale lioness at her side.
"You know, my father always told me to be mindful of lions with rocks. Rocks are very versatile." Uko allows, peering past Sanyu's head. Beneath her head, Tisea will feel a stiffening of muscles. After all, she's only just met this Kiapo fella, and there are younguns about. One cannot be too trusting in an age where plague claims all, and rogues seek to upset pridal balances. "Yes, tell us. Why the rock?"
As Kiapo gets to his feet once more, seemingly intent on rolling the rock towards the edge of the overlook, he catches the movement of Sanyu from the corner of his eye and turns back to give a little chuff of a laugh. "Me? Hiding something? I have no idea what you could mean, my dear queen." Oh, he has that mischievious look to him that no lion really loses from their cubhood. Still, he feigns innocence. As Sanyu's paws come down to pin the rock, something strange happens. Rather than staying solid like one would expect a rock to do, it breaks into dust. "Oh, you mean that." He points a claw towards the girl and the pile of sandy dust that was a rock a moment ago. "As I said, it's a type of magic." His smile falters a little, "You had said that it seemed a curse was on the kings of Tyne?"
The lion's head tilts slightly, as if waiting for some verification that this is true or not, but either way, he continues by pointing that same claw down at the 'rock'. "The stone is light, with many airy spaces in between. It absorbs the negative energies where it passes. And once it is all gathered, you do as our little huntress has done. Squash it into dust and let the wind carry the darkness away." What exactly is Kiapo anyways - a rogue shaman? Still, he seems to have some belief in it, as strange as it might sound. "My father told me about such things, and even if it's a load of elephant dung, it's worth a try." He shrugs lightly.
Sanyu blinks in complete and utter confusion as her kill disapears right beneath her paws. She steps back to look at it and examine what remains. "That's not fair...." a small voice whispers as she furrows her brow. She looks back twards the lion as he gives his explination. Granted most of that went way above her head, but a smile creeps on her face as she listens to him just talk. "You have a nice voice, but your rocks aren't too good for pouncing."
Tisea taps a small pebble in Sanyu's direction to make up for the one that dissapered and she smiles warmly, "That's very kind of you Kiapo." She doesn't know if It infact works, but hey, he's right. It's worth a try hmm. Tisea stretches her neck out to sniff curiously in the direction of the dirt-rock and retracks her head with a curious look, "But I'll let you handle it..." She's weirded out by.. weird rocks. XD;; The Queen grins sheepishly, ears twitching fowards a fraction.
"I saw them, once. All the nourishment has gone out of them. The rocks themselves have lost the will to be rocks. You truly believe that by bringing in hollow objects you will remove whatever ill befalls our kings? I hope your right, whatever your methods. But perhaps you might employ something more alive. We've had enough of death for a while, as I'm sure you can understand." Not chiding, nor argumentative. Merely informative. Uko's not of a mind to start fights, today, and that is all too clear by the almost vacant look on her face. Cursed kings. No, not Aitan. Nor Elim! No curse could possibly claim them. Her tail sweeps out of view and settles over Tisea. For comfort, possibly.
"Well, I am surely sorry, m'lady Sanyu. I will be sure to bring far more fun rocks next time." Kiapo says in a reassuring voice, raising his head as he looks out towards the lands, and then back again at the two older lionesses. "It is because it is hollow that it can absorb bad spirits. But it isn't my belief that matters." He glances at Tisea and then Ukomobasi, his ears folding back. "I am new to these lands, but your ties run deeper. Your family, your loved ones. The spell is not so much fueled by the rock, but by your hearts." He pauses to let this sink in, and then rolls the rock closer to the edge. "All you have to do, is think of those you want to protect. Keep them in your heart." He instructs, and waits.
Sanyu watches quietly for the time being. The new rock doesnt seem as interesting as she had hoped at first, but then an idea strickes her. She stalks the rock, pounces and claims her new prey. Leaning down she picks it up much the same way Kiapo had first carried his rock. Her balance is a good bit less, but she does manage to hoble closer and drops the small rock, "Don't worry about it. This one, this is a good pouncing rock. You can have it." She nods quite decisivly and looks up waiting for his approval.
It would seem Tisea has gone introspective. A sure thing, too, for such talk of curses and kings must still be quite close to home. Uko licks over the queen's head and steps from the rock toward the fellow. "Perhaps this is a discussion better left when the wound of loss is not still weeping." She suggests, a paw reaches out and smoothing over Sanyu's young ears. "That's very kind of you! His rocks don't seem to be good to play with."
A surprised look crosses Kiapo's face as he absolutely beams towards Sanyu. "Why thank you." The lion's tail swishes as he seems to relax a little. Having been so polite since joined this pride, that sometimes he forgets that it's okay to be himself. "I'll make sure to take good care of it. But... do you think you can help me with something?" He asks, ducking his head down towards Sanyu. "You see, I have this rock here, and you know it's no good for pouncing. Could you help me squish it into dust like the other one?" He keeps his voice light, trying to make this sound like some sort of game to play.
More seriously though, he folds his ears back and looks towards Uko with a somber expression. "I mean no disrespect, m'lady. I have seen the grief and pain here, and I only wish to help. This is my gift to the future kings, in hopes for a long rule and a more hopeful future." And he seems to leave it at that. No one would be forced to participate, or to believe.
Sanyu's eyes widen as does her grin. Listening to his request intently she cocks her head to one side, "If we squish it, does that mean the Kings will live a long time and have lots of cubs?" She sits as if contemplating her answer and then grins, "Cubs have got to have daddies, so yeah...but maybe you should let them squish it at the combobulation...combingnation..." She stals for a moment as she puzzles through the large word, "When they get kinged in..."
"I understand. But perhaps." She glances back toward Tisea who seems to have disappeared entirely. "Perhaps you should have had such measures sooner." At least then they could place their blame on something and squash it. She watches Sanyu and smiles. "Or, perhaps, you could squish it for them. After all, you're very good luck, so I've been told." Over the cub's head she glances at Kiapo, head tilting to the side. Does this seem reasonable, that look asks.
"My apologies for my lack of timing then." Kiapo's ears raise up a fraction of an inch, his eyebrows raising in a 'Hey - I was wandering the wastelands for over a year - whatdoya expect?' sort of look. But he does give a smile of thanks for the toleration of his strange ways. He'll assimilate eventually, but he only officially joined the pride a few days ago. "If you believe in the magic, then yes. They'll live a long time, and have lots of cubs."
The girl's comment about cubs needing father's does make him pause, thinking of Tisea and her soon-to-be-born litter. With that, he lets out a little sigh. Then, he lifts his head, takes a breath and looks back to Sanyu. "Well, it's probably best to do it now. What if they came up here to roar, and it was all dusty, and the wind blew it up into their mouths. That wouldn't be good, now would it?" He tries to make simple logic of it that most anyone could understand. "How about you push down on one side, and I'll do the other?" He suggests, lifting up one of his paws towards the stone.
Sanyu just stares for a long moment. Finally she nods and gently puts her paws on the rock. Leaning back slightly and then rocking forward she pushes down on the crumbling rock.
"It's all right. I do not expect you to know everything, yet. Even I don't know everything, and I've been here a fair time." She says as a means to excuse, then sits back to watch the act of squishing the rock. "A good idea. I'd not like a mouthful of dust when the time comes." Her eyes close as they destroy the stone, mind wandering a ways. Whatever power there is to it, she silently hopes for the best for all of them. "Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate your well-wishing. Your methods are merely foreign to me."
And, the rock crumbles away underneath the paws of Sanyu and Kiapo. When he lifts his paw up once more, the wind catches the dusty fragments and sweeps them up into the skies, swirling on the wind before blowing out of sight. He lowers his voice and speaks most softly towards the little lioness, "Thank you for your help. I couldn't have done it without you." And, as he does so, he takes a lesson from the two lionesses, and tries to sneak his tail around to tickle the girl with the tip. Then, he raises his head and nods towards Uko. "A little foreign to me, too, to be honest. My father told me of many things when I was young, but it isn't often many of them come into play. I just..." He pauses, and seems to think of how to phrase things. Then, he just gives up and comes outright with it, "I just don't want to see Tisea sad anymore."
Sanyu just watches, a slight yawn and a tired expression falling over her features. Sh stands and stretches slightly and then steps closer to the lion and attempts to curl up at his feel for a nap. "Nice voice..." comes a tired little voice through another yawn.
"Be careful where you tread in that direction." Uko's attention drifts to Sanyu. Ah, yes. The suddenness of naptime. "She is a strong lioness and has been a good mother. To her children and to Tyne. She will not easily accept encroachment. I do not say this in warning, but as a request. She is strong, but in matters of the heart, even the most hardened creature can crumble and become bitter. If you intend to keep her company, do so knowing for a while you may be mistaken for Fuadi. Or perhaps not. Just be careful?" She asks, ears turning forward to better hear his reply.
And yet another surprise for Kiapo as the girl comes to rest at his paws. Affectionately, the lion looks down, and then lays himself down so Sanyu can be comfortable resting. "I've seen her strength." Kiapo nods his head at this, having acknowledged it the first time he had met the queen, long before he even knew of Fuadi's death. He seems to take the words of this future queen to heart, though, thinking them over for a moment as his eyes follow the path the dust had left in the sky. "I intend... for now, to be a part of this pride and help in any way I can. If she wishes my company, then so be it. I don't want to take someone else's place, but make a place for myself. I hope... that makes some sense." He turns his gaze back towards the pale lioness, his head tilting.
"That makes perfect sense." Uko says. She remains seated where she is, body still facing the Kivuli lands beyond. "When I came to visit a friend of my younger days, I did not intend to stay. I did not intend to be loved, nor to love. Then again, not all that happens are things that we intend. I am not of these lands. I am barely from Kivuli, and now I am here. Tyne is now my home, and it is here that I will forge a life. It is a good place to do such, and there are many here who will see you very well. Guards, for one thing. We need to start training more of them." She flexes her shoulders, thinking about it. "While Aitan and Elimnyama's training was only half complete when Fuadi passed on, I am not so incomplete."
"My father raised my sisters and I on stories of great kings from far off places." Kiapo gives a soft chuff of a laugh, as if life has taught him that such stories aren't always true. "This place was in one of his stories. A tale that a king of these lands saved two cubs who would go on to be my ancestors. How much of it is true, I really don't know, but I came here with every intention of repaying that kindness. But I'm already seeing that it won't be as simple as that." He glances at the cub who is resting in his paws, and then once more towards Ukomobasi. "I'm sure you'll make a fine queen - kind, yet wisely cautious." At least this was his interpretation from this brief meeting. "As for me... I will be a guardian to these lands. What else comes from that, only the Kings of the sky know."
"What I cannot do, Waset will. What Waset cannot do, I will. As part of this coalition, we have nearly all bases covered. In Tyne, lionesses hunt and lions guard. I am the exception. Hunting has never been my forte. I am a product of war, and thus will be guarding alongside my mate and his brother. This era will see Tyne with safe and solid security." She laughs. "The greatest king I have known was my grandfather, Xian. Majestic both in appearance and in mannerisms, yet not arrogant because of it. I do not know what sort of queen I may be, but I hope to be a good one. I'm certainly going to try. And you may call me Uko, if you like. 'Your majesty' is something I'll probably cringe at."
"Tisea had said that her sons make up for the gaps in each other's training, and it seems so too with their queens." The lion's back legs stretch out languidly behind him as he seems to get into a more restful position, "I've never known any royalty before coming here. Although I must say, the stories don't live up to the reality." He takes a deep breath of the air, seeming to savor the smell of these lands. "I will certainly do my best to help you keep this place safe." This is followed by another soft laugh, seeming to keep his voice down to not wake the cub in his paws. "And, if you wish, you can call me 'po. My sisters used to call me that. It drove my father nuts." A smil curves his maw with fond memories.
"If you truly are willing to help, I think these lands will know greatness again. IT's going to take hard work, but it's not out of the realm of possibility." She observes. "Where do you come from before here?" She asks, head tilting toward him, stray wind picking up strands of fur over her eye and sweeping it past.
"I think that's what we're all hoping for." At least, from those Kiapo had spoken to, everyone seems to at least have some spark of hope for things to turn around, and he is one to try to bolster that into a flame. "As for me..." He gives a sheepish expression as his ears fold backwards. "I'm not entirely sure I could tell you. It's at least as far as the elephants migrate when the dry comes. If not a bit further along than that." Thoughtful, he taps the ground with one claw and then shakes his head. "There was a pride nearby, but I can't recall the name. My sisters ended up choosing to become part of it rather than live a rogue's life. I can't say I blame them."
"It has always been easier for a lioness to attach than a lion. Most times." She says with a soft, reflective smile. The winds change subtly and her eyes follow to the Kivuli direction again. "IF you'll forgive me, there are a few things I need to attend to before this evening. Walk with the winds, Kiapo. And may whatever light shines on Tyne also shine on you." She bobs her head formally and rises, first walking then breaking into a run the likes of which may almost seem impossible.
Sanyu sits just outside of the entrance of the cave. The look of bordom is scrawled into her face as she takes in her surroundings. Unimpressed her gaze falls to a pebble slightly out of her reach. Lazilly the cub streches her paw out to see if she can touch it, no luck. Leaning forward a bit more grants succes with a swipe. Click.clack clack... the pebble now lays a good ways away, but a bizarre game of pounce and swipe has quickley rissen from the simple act.
The current Queen slowly makes her way from the cavern, honey-green eyes curiously watching the hunt mistress' daughter in her game of swipe and pounce. Tisea smiles gently, she's getting more excited about her own cubs on the way, her boys and daughter were all grown up, it'd be nice to have some little ones running around. Tis' tickles Sanyu lightly with her tail as she manuvers her way over to the edge of the rock and slides down upon her belly, enjoying her last full day as Queen of Tyne, looking foward as well, to her retirement. She hopes the kids were ok... she knew what it was like the day before you knew you were going to take over a pride.
A prime example sits in the shade a few feet away from where Tisea now flops. She's staring, sort of nostalgically in the direction that Kivuli rises from the earth. No more bouncing between worlds anymore. Now her place is set. Huh. When Tisea /does/, in fact, plop down, Ukomobasi's head turns slowly, the overhang of fur at the right side of her face barely moving, she turns with such slowness. A soft smile is awarded the matriarch, and her swollen stomach. "Soon, huh?" She asks with the assumption that Tisea will know exactly what she's talking about. Like most days. She steps closer to the lioness and then spots Sanyu. "Doesn't take them long. Msasi's going to be thoroughly impressed when she begins her training, no doubt."
Sound announces Kiapo's arrival before he appears from below. It's a strange sort of sound, a shuffle and padding of three paws. And it almost looks as if the lion is limping as he walks towards the lionesses and youngster. At a second glance, though, it appears that he's cupping a sandy rock beneath the other paw, carrying it along with him. Lions don't have thumbs, you know, it makes that whole lifting thing difficult. "Good day." He says in his soft, basal voice as he crouches to let the rock come to sit on the earth, a few little pieces breaking off as he does so. No explination, just the strange newcomer carrying a dusty old rock.
Sanyu had been midswiped as she was tickled. It earns Tisea a squeel and a look of surprise as she stares blankly at the rock. Regaining her composure she sits quickly and licks the inside of one paw while watching the lioness out of the corner of her eye. She has the look of great curiousity as she listens to the adults, and finally moves closer and speaks up herself, "Excuse me."
Tisea greats Ukomo' with a fond nuzzle to her cheek and quick lick to her brow. She can treat them like they're babies, they're /her/ babies. XD Yes, Tisea has subcounsioucly adopted Ukomo' and Waset as her own 'daughters' because a daughter in law is basically that. Besides, she basically helped raise Waset. The Queen nods her head and smiles proudly, "Soon Indeed." She purrs warmly, leaning her head against Ukomo's nearest leg should she still be standing, honey-green eyes focused on Sanyu, "Yes, Msasi is going to be really impressed, if she isn't already.. the girls showing promise even this early.." she drawls off as he attention shifts to Kiapo and she perks a brow curiously in the new lions direction, "Afternoon Kiapo.. what do you have there?" Sanyu snags the Queen's attention next however and she directs a pleasent smile upon the young girl, "Yes Sanyu?"
The white creature stands perfectly still, but not stonelike. The gentle and motherly ministrations are still something Uko's getting used to. Not only from a lioness other than her mother, but from a lioness in general. It's no secret that she was basically raised by her own adoptive father.. which would explain the reaction Kiapo is given almost immediately. They call it the 'stink eye', and Uko, despite being slighter than the queen, is a considerable ally. It isn't until Tisea calls him by name that she relaxes. And replies, "I'm betting she's better at hunting than I am before she's even fully grown." She teases, then eyeballs Kiapo again. Hm. As Sanyu approaches, Uko's eyes trail down to get a better look at the young thing. Msasi's through and through. "Great pouncing." She offers as a means to compliment.
Well, by now, Kiapo is certainly used to getting dirty looks, especially from those who he hadn't been formerly introduced to. Polite, as always, he bows his head towards Ukomobasi, bringing a paw to his chest-fur. "Good day m'lady. I am Kiapo, it's a pleasure to meet you." And, the same look is cast then on Sanyu. Sure, he'd seen her before, but hadn't been introduced to the girl either. "And you as well, little huntress." And, with the pleasantries dispensed with, he gives a small half-smile to Tisea, "It's magic." He winks one eye and gives a little laugh, perhaps not taking it too seriously. Rather than approaching further, he keeps at his usual distance, settling into a sitting position, his tail curled around his haunches.
Sanyu can't help but offer a cheesy and toothy grin to Uko. Like most girls she likes the attention, especially if it is in the form of compliments. She turns her head back to the Queen and suddenly seems rather nervous. Drawing in a deep breath she asks her question. Granted she speaks about a mile a minute and says an awful lot for such a short span of time. "When are you going to have your babies? I hope its really, really soon. I wanted to know if I can help some. I could teach them to be cubs, because all of your kids are grown up and they might have forgotton and..." She pauses taking in another breath. Her pace is also a little more twards the normal, "Cubs are really really cute." She twitches her ear twards the lion and her eyes widen slightly. Any concept of speech seems to have been lost as well as the best she can muster is, "Hi..."
Tisea's smile widens to an all out grin as she regaurds Sanyu. She laughs gently before nodding her head, "Very soon Sanyu, and yes you are more then welcome to play with them and teach them to be cubs, Aitan and Elim' are probably going to be too busy to do such however I doubt they've /forgotten/ how to be a cub. I don't think it ever left their system." she winks gently, "I'm sure my daughter Nonza will enjoy helping you as well." Gaze catches Ukomo's look towards Kiapo and Tisea clears her throat, "I apologize Ukomo', This is Kiapo, me and Waset met him on the border a few moons ago. He's been a very good friend to the pride, and myself, so I allowed him to stay if he wished. Kiapo, this is Ukomobasi, my other son Aitan's mate, and Sanyu our Hunt Mistress Msasi's daughter." Now all he has to meet is Aitan, who she guesses, should give him a good reaction .. save for Waset. Waset is nice to everyone. XD
Uko stares with blatant interest for the young Sanyu as she speaks. "I dunno, Tis, that's a hard offer to refuse. I think our Sanyu here has a fantastic grasp of what being a cub is like. Who better to teach the new ones, mm?" The white creature rolls a lazy, subtle wink off of one lid before turning toward Kiapo as he introduces herself. She remains quiet as Tisea replies with an introduction of herself and the young lioness near them. "Welcome, Kiapo." Uko turns her head to the side in a light, agreeable bob. "Any friend of Tisea's is most welcome. Have you enjoyed your stay thusfar?" Uko's tail slips around while Sanyu is distracted and tickles the girl's side.
Kiapo nods his head as each name is given, putting them into memory. So many new names and faces to learn in such a short time. Soon enough there would be more, especially with cubs on the way from more than one of the lionesses. He lowers his head a bit more towards Sanyu, "Hello to you as well." He wiggles his nose in a playful gesture, giving the girl a smile. Then, he lifts himself up, and gives his mane a little shake. "Thank you for the welcome, m'lady." This is aimed towards Uko, "And thus far everyone has been most kind. I only hope to be able to return the favor." With that said, Kiapo paws the dusty rock forwards, more little bits falling off as he does so. One of these little bits ends up tumbling over towards the grouping of lionesses, but he seems to pay it no real mind. Just a rock afterall, right?
Sanyu looks back to the queen with a bright smile and a nod, "Right. Ill teach 'em all sorts of games. And..." she gets distracted with the tickle and looks sharply to the cuprite. She plants a paw firmly down quickly in an attempt to pin the offensive tail. She turns her head to see if she claimed the tail or not, however when the bit of rock tumbles by Sanyu, she quickly changes targets leaving the tail behind. Raising up on her hind legs and hopping slightly she plants both front paws down to pin the rock.
That grin breaks forth once more and Tisea chuckles. "I think Sanyu would be the perfect teacher yes." She can't help but stare fondly at little Sanyu, she couldn't wait for her own to be born. Tisea's attention shifts to Kiapo and she locks a fish-eye stare on him, one brow raising, "What's so special about that dusty rock? I know your hiding something.." she prods, leaning comfortabley against the pale lioness at her side.
"You know, my father always told me to be mindful of lions with rocks. Rocks are very versatile." Uko allows, peering past Sanyu's head. Beneath her head, Tisea will feel a stiffening of muscles. After all, she's only just met this Kiapo fella, and there are younguns about. One cannot be too trusting in an age where plague claims all, and rogues seek to upset pridal balances. "Yes, tell us. Why the rock?"
As Kiapo gets to his feet once more, seemingly intent on rolling the rock towards the edge of the overlook, he catches the movement of Sanyu from the corner of his eye and turns back to give a little chuff of a laugh. "Me? Hiding something? I have no idea what you could mean, my dear queen." Oh, he has that mischievious look to him that no lion really loses from their cubhood. Still, he feigns innocence. As Sanyu's paws come down to pin the rock, something strange happens. Rather than staying solid like one would expect a rock to do, it breaks into dust. "Oh, you mean that." He points a claw towards the girl and the pile of sandy dust that was a rock a moment ago. "As I said, it's a type of magic." His smile falters a little, "You had said that it seemed a curse was on the kings of Tyne?"
The lion's head tilts slightly, as if waiting for some verification that this is true or not, but either way, he continues by pointing that same claw down at the 'rock'. "The stone is light, with many airy spaces in between. It absorbs the negative energies where it passes. And once it is all gathered, you do as our little huntress has done. Squash it into dust and let the wind carry the darkness away." What exactly is Kiapo anyways - a rogue shaman? Still, he seems to have some belief in it, as strange as it might sound. "My father told me about such things, and even if it's a load of elephant dung, it's worth a try." He shrugs lightly.
Sanyu blinks in complete and utter confusion as her kill disapears right beneath her paws. She steps back to look at it and examine what remains. "That's not fair...." a small voice whispers as she furrows her brow. She looks back twards the lion as he gives his explination. Granted most of that went way above her head, but a smile creeps on her face as she listens to him just talk. "You have a nice voice, but your rocks aren't too good for pouncing."
Tisea taps a small pebble in Sanyu's direction to make up for the one that dissapered and she smiles warmly, "That's very kind of you Kiapo." She doesn't know if It infact works, but hey, he's right. It's worth a try hmm. Tisea stretches her neck out to sniff curiously in the direction of the dirt-rock and retracks her head with a curious look, "But I'll let you handle it..." She's weirded out by.. weird rocks. XD;; The Queen grins sheepishly, ears twitching fowards a fraction.
"I saw them, once. All the nourishment has gone out of them. The rocks themselves have lost the will to be rocks. You truly believe that by bringing in hollow objects you will remove whatever ill befalls our kings? I hope your right, whatever your methods. But perhaps you might employ something more alive. We've had enough of death for a while, as I'm sure you can understand." Not chiding, nor argumentative. Merely informative. Uko's not of a mind to start fights, today, and that is all too clear by the almost vacant look on her face. Cursed kings. No, not Aitan. Nor Elim! No curse could possibly claim them. Her tail sweeps out of view and settles over Tisea. For comfort, possibly.
"Well, I am surely sorry, m'lady Sanyu. I will be sure to bring far more fun rocks next time." Kiapo says in a reassuring voice, raising his head as he looks out towards the lands, and then back again at the two older lionesses. "It is because it is hollow that it can absorb bad spirits. But it isn't my belief that matters." He glances at Tisea and then Ukomobasi, his ears folding back. "I am new to these lands, but your ties run deeper. Your family, your loved ones. The spell is not so much fueled by the rock, but by your hearts." He pauses to let this sink in, and then rolls the rock closer to the edge. "All you have to do, is think of those you want to protect. Keep them in your heart." He instructs, and waits.
Sanyu watches quietly for the time being. The new rock doesnt seem as interesting as she had hoped at first, but then an idea strickes her. She stalks the rock, pounces and claims her new prey. Leaning down she picks it up much the same way Kiapo had first carried his rock. Her balance is a good bit less, but she does manage to hoble closer and drops the small rock, "Don't worry about it. This one, this is a good pouncing rock. You can have it." She nods quite decisivly and looks up waiting for his approval.
It would seem Tisea has gone introspective. A sure thing, too, for such talk of curses and kings must still be quite close to home. Uko licks over the queen's head and steps from the rock toward the fellow. "Perhaps this is a discussion better left when the wound of loss is not still weeping." She suggests, a paw reaches out and smoothing over Sanyu's young ears. "That's very kind of you! His rocks don't seem to be good to play with."
A surprised look crosses Kiapo's face as he absolutely beams towards Sanyu. "Why thank you." The lion's tail swishes as he seems to relax a little. Having been so polite since joined this pride, that sometimes he forgets that it's okay to be himself. "I'll make sure to take good care of it. But... do you think you can help me with something?" He asks, ducking his head down towards Sanyu. "You see, I have this rock here, and you know it's no good for pouncing. Could you help me squish it into dust like the other one?" He keeps his voice light, trying to make this sound like some sort of game to play.
More seriously though, he folds his ears back and looks towards Uko with a somber expression. "I mean no disrespect, m'lady. I have seen the grief and pain here, and I only wish to help. This is my gift to the future kings, in hopes for a long rule and a more hopeful future." And he seems to leave it at that. No one would be forced to participate, or to believe.
Sanyu's eyes widen as does her grin. Listening to his request intently she cocks her head to one side, "If we squish it, does that mean the Kings will live a long time and have lots of cubs?" She sits as if contemplating her answer and then grins, "Cubs have got to have daddies, so yeah...but maybe you should let them squish it at the combobulation...combingnation..." She stals for a moment as she puzzles through the large word, "When they get kinged in..."
"I understand. But perhaps." She glances back toward Tisea who seems to have disappeared entirely. "Perhaps you should have had such measures sooner." At least then they could place their blame on something and squash it. She watches Sanyu and smiles. "Or, perhaps, you could squish it for them. After all, you're very good luck, so I've been told." Over the cub's head she glances at Kiapo, head tilting to the side. Does this seem reasonable, that look asks.
"My apologies for my lack of timing then." Kiapo's ears raise up a fraction of an inch, his eyebrows raising in a 'Hey - I was wandering the wastelands for over a year - whatdoya expect?' sort of look. But he does give a smile of thanks for the toleration of his strange ways. He'll assimilate eventually, but he only officially joined the pride a few days ago. "If you believe in the magic, then yes. They'll live a long time, and have lots of cubs."
The girl's comment about cubs needing father's does make him pause, thinking of Tisea and her soon-to-be-born litter. With that, he lets out a little sigh. Then, he lifts his head, takes a breath and looks back to Sanyu. "Well, it's probably best to do it now. What if they came up here to roar, and it was all dusty, and the wind blew it up into their mouths. That wouldn't be good, now would it?" He tries to make simple logic of it that most anyone could understand. "How about you push down on one side, and I'll do the other?" He suggests, lifting up one of his paws towards the stone.
Sanyu just stares for a long moment. Finally she nods and gently puts her paws on the rock. Leaning back slightly and then rocking forward she pushes down on the crumbling rock.
"It's all right. I do not expect you to know everything, yet. Even I don't know everything, and I've been here a fair time." She says as a means to excuse, then sits back to watch the act of squishing the rock. "A good idea. I'd not like a mouthful of dust when the time comes." Her eyes close as they destroy the stone, mind wandering a ways. Whatever power there is to it, she silently hopes for the best for all of them. "Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate your well-wishing. Your methods are merely foreign to me."
And, the rock crumbles away underneath the paws of Sanyu and Kiapo. When he lifts his paw up once more, the wind catches the dusty fragments and sweeps them up into the skies, swirling on the wind before blowing out of sight. He lowers his voice and speaks most softly towards the little lioness, "Thank you for your help. I couldn't have done it without you." And, as he does so, he takes a lesson from the two lionesses, and tries to sneak his tail around to tickle the girl with the tip. Then, he raises his head and nods towards Uko. "A little foreign to me, too, to be honest. My father told me of many things when I was young, but it isn't often many of them come into play. I just..." He pauses, and seems to think of how to phrase things. Then, he just gives up and comes outright with it, "I just don't want to see Tisea sad anymore."
Sanyu just watches, a slight yawn and a tired expression falling over her features. Sh stands and stretches slightly and then steps closer to the lion and attempts to curl up at his feel for a nap. "Nice voice..." comes a tired little voice through another yawn.
"Be careful where you tread in that direction." Uko's attention drifts to Sanyu. Ah, yes. The suddenness of naptime. "She is a strong lioness and has been a good mother. To her children and to Tyne. She will not easily accept encroachment. I do not say this in warning, but as a request. She is strong, but in matters of the heart, even the most hardened creature can crumble and become bitter. If you intend to keep her company, do so knowing for a while you may be mistaken for Fuadi. Or perhaps not. Just be careful?" She asks, ears turning forward to better hear his reply.
And yet another surprise for Kiapo as the girl comes to rest at his paws. Affectionately, the lion looks down, and then lays himself down so Sanyu can be comfortable resting. "I've seen her strength." Kiapo nods his head at this, having acknowledged it the first time he had met the queen, long before he even knew of Fuadi's death. He seems to take the words of this future queen to heart, though, thinking them over for a moment as his eyes follow the path the dust had left in the sky. "I intend... for now, to be a part of this pride and help in any way I can. If she wishes my company, then so be it. I don't want to take someone else's place, but make a place for myself. I hope... that makes some sense." He turns his gaze back towards the pale lioness, his head tilting.
"That makes perfect sense." Uko says. She remains seated where she is, body still facing the Kivuli lands beyond. "When I came to visit a friend of my younger days, I did not intend to stay. I did not intend to be loved, nor to love. Then again, not all that happens are things that we intend. I am not of these lands. I am barely from Kivuli, and now I am here. Tyne is now my home, and it is here that I will forge a life. It is a good place to do such, and there are many here who will see you very well. Guards, for one thing. We need to start training more of them." She flexes her shoulders, thinking about it. "While Aitan and Elimnyama's training was only half complete when Fuadi passed on, I am not so incomplete."
"My father raised my sisters and I on stories of great kings from far off places." Kiapo gives a soft chuff of a laugh, as if life has taught him that such stories aren't always true. "This place was in one of his stories. A tale that a king of these lands saved two cubs who would go on to be my ancestors. How much of it is true, I really don't know, but I came here with every intention of repaying that kindness. But I'm already seeing that it won't be as simple as that." He glances at the cub who is resting in his paws, and then once more towards Ukomobasi. "I'm sure you'll make a fine queen - kind, yet wisely cautious." At least this was his interpretation from this brief meeting. "As for me... I will be a guardian to these lands. What else comes from that, only the Kings of the sky know."
"What I cannot do, Waset will. What Waset cannot do, I will. As part of this coalition, we have nearly all bases covered. In Tyne, lionesses hunt and lions guard. I am the exception. Hunting has never been my forte. I am a product of war, and thus will be guarding alongside my mate and his brother. This era will see Tyne with safe and solid security." She laughs. "The greatest king I have known was my grandfather, Xian. Majestic both in appearance and in mannerisms, yet not arrogant because of it. I do not know what sort of queen I may be, but I hope to be a good one. I'm certainly going to try. And you may call me Uko, if you like. 'Your majesty' is something I'll probably cringe at."
"Tisea had said that her sons make up for the gaps in each other's training, and it seems so too with their queens." The lion's back legs stretch out languidly behind him as he seems to get into a more restful position, "I've never known any royalty before coming here. Although I must say, the stories don't live up to the reality." He takes a deep breath of the air, seeming to savor the smell of these lands. "I will certainly do my best to help you keep this place safe." This is followed by another soft laugh, seeming to keep his voice down to not wake the cub in his paws. "And, if you wish, you can call me 'po. My sisters used to call me that. It drove my father nuts." A smil curves his maw with fond memories.
"If you truly are willing to help, I think these lands will know greatness again. IT's going to take hard work, but it's not out of the realm of possibility." She observes. "Where do you come from before here?" She asks, head tilting toward him, stray wind picking up strands of fur over her eye and sweeping it past.
"I think that's what we're all hoping for." At least, from those Kiapo had spoken to, everyone seems to at least have some spark of hope for things to turn around, and he is one to try to bolster that into a flame. "As for me..." He gives a sheepish expression as his ears fold backwards. "I'm not entirely sure I could tell you. It's at least as far as the elephants migrate when the dry comes. If not a bit further along than that." Thoughtful, he taps the ground with one claw and then shakes his head. "There was a pride nearby, but I can't recall the name. My sisters ended up choosing to become part of it rather than live a rogue's life. I can't say I blame them."
"It has always been easier for a lioness to attach than a lion. Most times." She says with a soft, reflective smile. The winds change subtly and her eyes follow to the Kivuli direction again. "IF you'll forgive me, there are a few things I need to attend to before this evening. Walk with the winds, Kiapo. And may whatever light shines on Tyne also shine on you." She bobs her head formally and rises, first walking then breaking into a run the likes of which may almost seem impossible.
