[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

[OOC: It's fine. I blame mother nature, not you xD]

He chuckled as he watched her leave, and rested his head down onto his paws. She was confused right now, and needed to gather her mind, Kivuli knew that. He also already knew that she was a different lioness. He too had grown and experienced alot of things in his time within the desert. He had learned that trust was not something to be given, but earned. Ayari figured that if he actually stayed here a bit, he could convince Vitani that he was deserving of her trust. His eyes narrowed in thought now, as his prime objective struck his mind. How could he rebuild a friendship, that is based on lies? What he was doing is putting the pride lander's and Vitani's lives at risk in place of his own. Was he actually being a coward, like Siri kept on saying? "No...I'm protecting my pride...I am...doing my duty..."He thought to himself, as his mind grew weary with fatigue. "I am putting them all in danger anyways...Vitani...Siri...Zina...I can't risk them."

Kivuli's amber eyes followed the movements of Vitani, towards the den. "It seems that you and Ayari are old friends hm?" Kivuli grunted from where he was laying down.


Siri sighed as she listened to Zina's story. It was quite upsetting to keep hearing that story over, and over again. Not because it was boring, but because of the torture Zina had been through. Siri never had a mother, or a father. She was on her own since she could walk. She knew the pain of not having parents, but Zina actually had parents and they betrayed her trust. It saddened Siri to even think about having parents like that. "Zina. The sky is dark. We should...get to the pointy rock." Siri said referring to pride rock.

[KiarasMate]

Vitani’s train of thought was disturbed by a voice that she vaguely recognized. Turning to face the direction to which the voice was emitting from, Vitani’s eyes fell upon Kivuli. Shaking her head briefly to clear her thoughts, the former Outlander made her way over towards him as she replied in a calm manner.

”…something like that, Kivuli, wasn’t it?”

Halting a few paces away from where the relaxing male was positioned at, not wanting to invade his space, Vitani took a seat as she managed to work a friendly smile on her muzzle as she inquired.

”Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable here Kivuli or would you like me to leave you alone?”

Just wanting to be hospitable and knowing that Kivuli must have been a good friend to Ayari, much like she once was, Vitani did her utmost to make him feel welcomed as she waited for a reply.

=========

Simply nodding to Siri as she made her way back towards Pride Rock, remaining quiet as she kept her stare upon the ground. Upon arriving at the main den however, Zina’s focus seemed to drift around the large estate, noting all the new faces that seemed to be looking at her, or at least, in her mind, they were. To Zina, there was nothing worse than being around too many creatures. So many potential threats, so many ways that things could go wrong for her. It was too much for Zina to handle as she felt her heart rate picking up within her chest. Turning to face Siri, her face looking a bit flustered, Zina managed to stammer out.

”I…I think I’m going to sleep out here.”

Moving off to one side, finding a spot that was partially shielded from the light breeze that was already beginning to pick up as nightfall rapidly approached, Zina curled herself up against the smooth surface of the rock, her fore paws wrapped tightly around her pouch around her neck as she rested her head atop them, closing her eyes, yet remaining awake. She wouldn’t fall asleep until the last sounds of anyone else died off. Only then could she be certain that she would be safe enough to afford even a short nap at best.

[Baya]

Kivuli closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "I am fine. You should be careful as to how close you get to Ayari this time. You never know when his enemy could be lurking about..." Kivuli muttered as he turned his head to gaze at the horizon. "Ruthless monsters, who care nothing for honor, respect, or mercy." Kivuli spat bitterly. "They'll take everything you have, and let you live with it..."

Siri looked confusingly at Zina. What was keeping her away from the others? Siri did not know, but she stayed close by Zina, so that she could feel just the bit secure. "Zina, we aren't in the desert anymore. These lions and lionesses are not the ruthless beasts we are trying to avoid." Siri explained through a whisper.

[KiarasMate]

Vitani wasn’t expecting such a reaction from Kivuli, but she was genuinely intrigued by what he had to say, causing the former Outlander to perk up her ears as she asked curiously.

”Enemy? You speak of that rogue that Ayari warned us about earlier, is that correct Kivuli? Tell me, do you really think that he will come all this way just to take over our lands, or did Ayari do something to invoke this upon us?”

Hoping not to sound too straight forward and intrusive, although knowing that Kivuli had brought the subject up himself, Vitani was going to see just how much information she could get out of this new lion. Waiting quietly for a reply from him, Vitani’s thoughts of her own problems with Ayari seemed to take a back seat to this new threat to which both her old friend, and now Kivuli, spoke of.

==========

Gazing up at Siri with an untrusting stare, Zina replied in a uncertain tone.

”And how do you know that Siri? Don’t be blinded by their hospitality. From all the time you’ve been with Ayari, has there ever been one time when we’ve been welcomed in some place without any strings attached? Was there any time when we weren’t driven out on our asses because you and I wouldn’t conform ourselves to being nothing more than some male’s object? I don’t care how nice they might seem. Deep down, all male’s want, is the same thing in the end!”

Knowing that Kovu was the only new male that she had seen within these new lands, yet still feeling that uncomfortable around him and all of the lionesses he ruled over, Zina’s better judgment told her to stay put. She didn’t care if she’d freeze to death outside, just as long as she was safe from the prying eyes of strangers, that’s all that mattered to her. Lowering her gaze once more, Zina murmured softly to Siri before she closed her eyes.

”Don’t worry about me Siri. Go inside where it’s warmer. Ayari would probably kill me if you stayed outside with me and froze to death. I think he really does like you, you know. Not that I’d say that it’s a good thing, but at least you hold some significance in his eyes.”

[Baya]

A dark grin spread across Kivuli's face, and then he chuckled. "So your great friend Ayari did not tell you? That enemy of ours was originally part of our pride. He left when Ayari denied to follow his new order of things in the desert. The tyrant betrayed Ayari, and vowed to kill him with a pride of his own. Now here we are, trying to warn you of the tyrant's need for a land, and to make sure we can survive a night without running away." Kivuli muttered. He wondered if telling Vitani all this was truly a wise decision, but if he did not Ayari would be in deep trouble in the end. Kivuli planned to tell Ayari of this little confession the next day.


Siri sighed as she looked over to Zina. "Zina, you are judging them all based on what those around you wanted. Ayari would never hurt you like that, anymore then he would hurt me. You know we are sort of like a family. Why would Kivuli or Ayari violate that bond?" Siri pointed out. "One of these days you'll see that not everyone is looking to hurt you." Siri said with a smile. She then got closer to her friend, so they could share body warmth throughout the night. "Until that day, I'll make sure to walk alongside you." Siri said as she closed her eyes.

[OOC: Siri is just a really good friend x3. There's nothing else going on there]

[KiarasMate]

Vitani had to do everything in her power not to lose her temper from what Kivuli revealed to her. She couldn’t believe that her old friend would come back, just to endanger her and her pride’s lives and not even make any mention about it. She was furious, yet at an impasse of what to do. One side of her told her that she needed to report this information to her brother stat, but that would result in Ayari and his friends being most likely banished from their lands permanently. Vitani couldn’t do that since she just managed to get reacquainted with her friend and being apart from him once again was just something that the former Outlander couldn’t bare to think about. On the other side of the spectrum however, Vitani knew that she would have to get the truth out of Ayari, which in turn, could sour their friendship in the very same way. Torn between two options once more, Vitani knew that there was only one way to decide on which option to take. Glancing back over at Kivuli, Vitani spoke to him in a serious tone.

”I hate to ask even more of you Kivuli, but can I ask you something? I assume you’ve been a friend of Ayari’s for quite some time now. Has he…ever made mention about me to you or your friends, up until now? Did he say anything at all?”

This would be Vitani’s deciding factor. Whatever Kivuli told her would lead her to make the ultimate choice. Betray her own brother, or an old friend. If Ayari had even spoken about her during the time he was gone, Vitani hoped that there was some sort of connection that they still shared, but if he hadn’t said a single word in regards to her, she knew that there would be no future with him in it, as far as she was concerned. Waiting anxiously for Kivuli’s response, her tail flicking nervously as she kept her focus upon the male, her breath held in anticipation to what he might say.

=========

Lowering her ears, not feeling quite up for an argument with her friend, even though Siri’s words held some degree of truth to them, Zina simply murmured a response as she felt her friend joining her.

”I know Siri, but it took me so long just to trust Ayari and Kivuli and I know they’d never do anything like that, but I just can’t bring myself to trust anyone that much. You honestly are the only one who I put as much trust into as I can. I just need time, is all. If we are going to have to stay here for a while, I will have to get used to them all in due time but for now, just let me deal with things my way, okay?”

Leaning her body against Siri’s, more for warmth than for comfort, Zina managed to exchange a friendly smile to her fellow rogue as she let out a tired yawn, whispering quietly to Siri before she fell silent.

”Thanks Siri. You really are a good…well, thanks…”

[Baya]

Kivuli closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed with a nod. "He tries to avoid talking about his past. He never speaks much of anything beside pride business. However, there was that day he spoke of you, not by name, but I'm guessing he was talking about you since he hasn't spoken with any other old friends so far now has he?" Kivuli muttered. "I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday. He had saved me from being mauled by hyenas, and I lost... a good friend of mine in that attack. Ayari told me, that every body loses friends, and has to make sacrifices at one point in their life time. Only reason I understood that is because he had experienced it. He told me that he had to let one of his friends go when he was very young, and I'm guessing that was you." Kivuli said quietly. "Anymore questions?" Kivuli asked as the moon shone down on his gray mane.


Siri nodded as she was given thanks. Sometimes, she didn't even believe she was a rogue based on the way she acted. A smile spread across her face, as her eyes remained closed. Ayari is why they are so close to one another. He created this pride in hopes of trying to build a bond of trust between rogues, and to change the way things are. "Your trust...is going to get you killed Ayari." Siri thought sadly as she finally drifted off to sleep.

[KiarasMate]

Flashing Kivuli a thankful smile, Vitani shook her head as she responded in a gracious tone.

”No, that’s all I needed to know. Thank you Kivuli.”

With this said, Vitani bounded off, out of the main den, her elegant figure only illuminated by the moonlight from above as she made her way back towards where she had left Ayari previously. Hoping that he’d still be there, as they would be far enough away from the rest of the pride so that she could speak with him in private. Fortunately for Vitani, Ayari hadn’t left the place where they had been a short while back. Unable to hold her anger back any longer at this point, yet not wanting to actually hurt her friend, Vitani sheathed her claws as she advanced upon Ayari, delivering a swift, sharp slap to his muzzle with her fore paw as she exclaimed in a low, yet frustrated voice.

”When were you going to tell me that this so called rogue that you came to warn us about, used to be part of your own pride Ayari!? Was that after he showed up and tried taking over our lands or just when it was most convenient to you!? Do you have any idea what my brother would do to you and your friends if he knew about this!?”

Not knowing why exactly, Vitani felt tears starting to form in her eyes as she looked away from Ayari, scratching deep furrows into the earth below her as she tried to compose herself.

==========

Zina simply nodded to Siri as she stayed close to her, staying awake for the mean time, pondering over the words her fellow rogue had spoken to her as the moon shown above the pair.

[Baya]

"Vitani!" Ayari said quickly as he stood in alarm. His eyes widened as she began to just about scream at him, and he sighed closing his eyes. "Vitani. Quiet down. I said what I said for a reason. Does it really matter that the lion was once one of my pride? He isn't anymore. That's the reason my pride is so small now. We used to be much larger then we are now, but the fool thought we could become stronger, and take over what ever we saw fit. I did not believe in that philosophy, but some of the rogues...did. They wanted me dead, and I ran with my only supporters. It isn't my fault what's happening Vitani. I tried to kill him, but even when I had him by the throat, I could not do it." Ayari said looking down. "To kill a monster...you have to become one." Ayari muttered.

[KiarasMate]

”Yes! Yes, it does Ayari! It makes all the difference in the world!” Vitani snapped back at him, trying to contain the mixed feelings she was experiencing. ”Don’t you realize what position this puts both you and I in now? You coming to warn us about a potential threat looks noble in my brother’s eyes, but if he finds out that this rogue has a vendetta against you personally, how do you think he’s going to view the situation? Do you honestly think he’ll still welcome you and your friends with open arms?”

Wiping a paw over her eyes to clear away the few salty tears that had formed there, Vitani met with Ayari’s gaze for the first time since she came back to scold him, a look of despair clearly present within her blue orbs as she stated.

”You put me in the worst possible position too now Ayari. I have loyalty to my pride and their wellbeing always comes first but now…you’re in the picture and…I…I can’t bring myself to tell my brother about this. I can’t, and I won’t! I’ve been apart from you for too long and I’m not about to ruin what little friendship we have left over this matter. I’m leaving it in your paws Ayari. If you want to make things right, you’re going to have to tell my brother the truth eventually.”

Picking herself up, Vitani started to walk off, looking back over her shoulder as she apologized.

”I’m sorry for striking you Ayari but you don’t know how much it hurts me to know that you’d only come back here to escape your own problems and bring them upon me and my pride. I always thought better of you. Maybe I was wrong…”

Turning to take her leave, feeling a few more tears making their way down her cheek, Vitani dashed off before Ayari could see her in such a vulnerable state. Deep down, she wanted to go back to the way things had been when they were younger, without having any cares in the world. Now, everything seemed to be thrown out of balance for her and the new feelings she experienced whenever she was around Ayari, still confused her to no end. The best thing for now, in Vitani’s mind, was to separate herself from Ayari until she could come to grips with everything that had happened.