[Private] Kiarasmate and Kivuli

[Baya]

Shwari's stomach fluttered as he received her thanks, and she apologized. Though, for some reason, he was not at all satisfied because of the apology, but because he had made her smile. That one smile made all that running, and the weird baboon worth it. When he noticed the lotus petal, he scratched his head. The baboon told him that Zina would have to fill the pouch on her own. "To be honest, I really don't know what it means to a shaman." Shwari said with a look of confusion. The fragrance was strong though, and it smelled sweet. He was glad it was not specifically him she mistrusted, just males in general. That gave him a hint of relief as well.

"I'm glad I could be of help. Didn't I tell you I'm not just looking for one thing?" Shwari said with a small smile, still trying to avoid her gaze.

[KiarasMate]

Lowering her ears slightly as she let the lotus peddle go, watching it being carried off by the passing breeze, Zina replied in a thoughtful voice as she carefully closed the pouch and slipped it around her neck. It was almost a perfect fit but left her scar slightly visible from one angle.

”The lotus peddle symbolizes forgiveness and a chance at a fresh start. Shaman’s use it in many different medicines, mainly to treat issues that plague couples. It’s highly revered as one of the more sacred plants that can be found.”

Looking over at Schwari with a puzzled expression now as she rested her head back down upon her fore paws, Zina inquired.

”Why did you do this for me Schwari, even after what I did to you? Can there really be someone who is trustworthy in life? This isn’t some ruse to try and gain my favor is it?”

Trying not to let her suspicious nature get the better of her as she was already beginning to trust Schwari as best she could, Zina quickly spoke up again before the grey furred male could answer the question she had just posed to him.

”Nevermind. I do appreciate what you did for me and I will try to be a bit less judgmental towards you and your brother from here on out.”

Lightly caressing a fore paw over her new herb pouch, Zina’s smile stayed upon her muzzle as she kept an eye on Schwari, no longer out of mistrust, but rather, genuine interest now.

==========

Once she had made her way into the main den, Vitani took a seat next to Ayari, speaking to him quietly in regards to what they had discussed just moments ago.

”Thank you for being understanding Ayari. I know it’s a dangerous job but honestly, I am the only one, aside from my brother, who would be capable of taking on such a task. With Husudu’s help, I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Leaning in close, Vitani gave her old friend a soft nuzzle, resisting the urge to lick over his cheek as they were surrounded by quite a few faces before she continued. ”You know, I would have chosen you to help me with the guard duties Ayari but I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with you around.”

Letting a quiet laugh leave her muzzle, Vitani lightly bumped her body against Ayari’s in a playful fashion as she smiled at him, slowly getting lost in his eyes as she stared at him.

[Baya]

"That's all I really wanted." Shwari said with a smile. He wanted her forgiveness, and her trust. He felt like he had done a very good thing, and with a job well done, he laid down on his side. "It's big enough right?" Shwari asked, referring to the pouch. He ran all that way, and hoped that he wouldn't have to speak with that strange baboon again.

Shwari turned his gaze towards the sky, noticing the stars twinkling now as the once blue sky was now black. The moon was rising over the horizon, and Shwari couldn't help but stare at Zina. She seemed to glow with the white moonlight.

~ In the Den ~

Ayari purred, as he gazed back into Vitani's eyes. Several lionesses watched, and the others minded their own business. He leaned in, letting his muzzle touch hers for an instant. "I have complete faith in you." Ayari said quietly.

"Thanks Ayari." Husudu said sarcastically from where he laid. Ayari chuckled.

"I'm letting you patrol the borders with my lady. If I didn't have faith in you, then I would've objected to it right away." Ayari pointed out. Husudu nodded, as he went back to sleep.

"Are we going to sleep close again?" Ayari whispered to Vitani, because he knew that he couldn't smother her. It was best that he asked so at least she wouldn't be offended if he didn't sleep alongside her.

[KiarasMate]

Nodding in response to Schwari’s question, zina stayed quiet for a bit. It was obvious that the two of them had been left alone and not typically being used to only having male company around, Zina was a bit unsure of herself and how exactly she should act towards him. As the moon started to rise within the black canvas above the two, giving Zina that eary look from the way her eyes caught the white rays of moonlight, to the way her white fur seemed to be highlighted from the night as well, Zina broke the unplanned silence as she spoke to the grey furred male in a reflective tone.

”My scar. I saw you looking at it earlier. It was the last thing my mother gave me, before she left me for dead when I was about four seasons old. Both my parents were the rulers of the lands that I used to call home and were well respected members of the community there. My mother was one of the wisest Shaman’s in the lands and due to my abnormal fur color at birth, she figured that teaching me all she knew about herbs and curative medicine would be the only thing I’d be good at in life. I can’t hunt worth a damn, because of my fur and my mother saw to it that I would never have cubs in her pride, due to her own pity jealousy. My dad…he cared about me…but only as a physical object. Emotionally, I was nothing to him, so the way he treated me was…well…” Finding herself unable to finish her sentence and not really knowing why exactly she was telling Schwari her life story, Zina continued. ”My mom started to despise what a natural Shaman I was and after I told her about what my father had done to me, many times over, she snapped. She took me out and told me that she was going to leave me on my own for a few days. I honestly didn’t care, since I knew I would be able to live on my own for a short time anyways, but my mom had other plans in store for me. She came back later and acted as though everything was okay. I trusted her…but then she attacked me. She held nothing back and if it wasn’t for my knowledge of herbs, I wouldn’t be here today. I managed to feign death so she’d leave me be. I was lucky that I survived with my life but was cursed to the life of a rogue from there on out. I don’t call myself a rogue though. I prefer Traveling Shaman as I don’t like to associate myself with that class of creature.” Zina flashed Schwari a smirk as she stated. ”Present company excluded of course.”

Adjusting herself so she was now laying with her back against the rock wall behind her, Zina rested her head upon the stone floor before she resumed speaking.

”Being on my own up until the past season, when I met up with Ayari and his small group, I experienced a lot of things and learned all I could about each new land I wandered into. I’ve made very few friends and a crap load of enemies.” Looking over at Schwari with a remorseful gaze, Zina concluded. ”Now you know why I’m so messed up Schwari. It’s nothing personal against you. I know my attitude can get me into trouble but if you lived through what I have, you’d know why I am the way I am. I can’t change my past and it will always haunt me but it’s the kind things that very few creatures do for me, like you did, that keep a little bit of faith within my jaded mind. I really do thank you for what you did and I am sorry for paralyzing you when we first met.”

Staying quiet now as her eyes shifted up to the numerous stars that dotted the night sky above, Zina shivered slightly from the cold winds that blew past, making her snow white fur dance within their gentle ministrations.

==========

Feeling her cheeks starting to flush once more from Ayari being so close to her and having the countless pairs of eyes burning their stares within her, Vitani looked away from him as she answered his question in a muffled tone.

”That’s up to you Ayari. I don’t mind…if you don’t.”

Rising to her paws, and making her way over to her typical sleeping area, Vitani laid herself down upon the warm surface of the main den, her eyes staying glued upon her old friend as she waited to see what his decision would be, her tail swaying thoughtfully as the look in her eyes seemed to be trying to sway Ayari’s choice, which Vitani figured, wouldn’t take much effort in order to do.

[Baya]

Shwari listened intently to Zina's story, surprised that she wanted to open up to him like that. His expression stayed the same throughout the story, but a surge of pity went through Shwari. She had such a hard life, and with so many terrible events in that life. Shwari sighed as he looked down, his eyes only half open. She told him her story, so he'd tell her his.

"I'm sorry you had to live such a horrible life. My brother and I lost our parents in the jungle, because of a useless war between another jungle pride. My father's kind nature was his downfall, and my mother died trying to protect my brother and I. Husudu and I got away from the jungle, realizing it would never be safe for us there again, and into the desert. At the time I was still a cub, and my brother only an adolescent. Food and water were the hardest things to find, and Husudu trusted no one but me. I inherited my kind nature from my father, so I got in trouble, being betrayed many times by anyone I tried to befriend. Husudu had saved me from my own stupid actions many times, and that is why no one means more to me then he does. I grew up with him, in the deserts, stealing what I needed from other rogues, and fighting for a sleeping spot every night. My brother would make the kill, after I knocked the rogues out. Your life was much, much harder than mine I see, but you aren't alone when you say your past doesn't allow you to trust many others. I want you to know, that not everyone is cut from the same fabric. Your mother was wrong for being jealous of how good you've gotten, she should've been proud." Shwari muttered, as he gazed at her with his teal eyes. He then looked up to the stars with a sigh.

"As for your fur, it makes you unique. The reason your mother might've been more jealous is because of how beautiful you have gotten with the white fur, compared to her." Shwari said with a smile.

~ In The Den ~

Ayari smiled as he trotted over towards Vitani's sleeping spot, laying down beside her . Their sides were touching one another's as he laid his head down on his paws. "I would've minded if you said you don't want to..." Ayari purred as he gave her neck a gentle nip.

"You two better not do anything in here." Husudu warned. "I hate loud noises while I sleep." Husudu added with a snort. Ayari ignored Shwari, and nuzzled Vitani affectionately again. At this point, all the other lionesses were sleeping so no eyes were on them specifically.

[KiarasMate]

Zina listened intently to Schwari’s story, an intrigued expression clearly visible on her face as she propped her head up upon her fore paws as she gazed over at the grey furred male with her glowing eyes. Hearing his comment about her appearance, Zina found herself smiling once more. It wasn’t everyday that she got a compliment about her looks and usually it was just in reassurance from Siri. Coming from a male though, especially being from one that she was starting to gain more interest in, Schwari’s words meant more to her than he himself probably could even imagine. Once Schwari was finished revealing his past to the white furred lioness, Zina replied in a sympathetic voice as she casually ran a fore paw through her fur to straighten it from the passing winds.

”I guess that just proves that we’re not so different after all Schwari. Still, I would have given anything to have parents that actually cared about me. Being on my own for so long has taught me so much but I’d give it all up, just to feel loved.”

Sighing softly, Zina rolled onto her back as she gazed up at the stars once again, resting her fore paws against her chest as she continued to speak indirectly towards Schwari.

”You and Siri are the only ones that I’ve told my story to Schwari. I don’t typically open up to anyone like that. I guess I just feel as though I can trust you.” Shifting her head slightly so she could see Schwari, Zina went on. ”Can I ask you something though? Why would you work for someone like Maju if you lived through a past like that? I mean, When I decided to stay with Ayari and his friends, I was very apprehensive and only offered my services to help them because the threat of Maju’s forces drove me to have to find protection. I guess what I’m asking is, would you have changed your past decisions if you could?”

==========

Purring quietly as Ayari joined her, Vitani situated herself so Ayari would have plenty of room. Noticing that most everyone had already drifted off to sleep, yet not feeling exceptionally tired herself, Vitani stayed awake as she brought her head close to Ayari’s speaking softly into his ear.

”So, what’s on your mind Ayari? What are you going to do to keep yourself busy when I’m out on guard duty with Husudu?”

Reaching a fore paw over, Vitani lightly caressed Ayari’s much larger paw as she waited for his reply, her head resting gently against his as the warmth from both their bodies made the night a lot more bearable to deal with.

[Baya]

Shwari's ears drooped slightly, as he looked up at the stars as well. "Desperation. That is the only answer. When there's only one path, it's impossible to forge another. It's when opportunity shows itself, that you have choice. Call me a coward, but I fear dying above everything else. Even my touch macho attitude brother has that same fear. We've been staring in the face of death so many times, and I don't know what it is that draws it to us." Shwari murmured quietly. He smiled slightly.

"You know what my father told me once? He told me to seek the stars for guidance, whenever I am in doubt of myself." Shwari said, trying to change the subject. "Whenever a lion dies, and ascends to the heavens their spirit takes the form of a star." Shwari explained. "It's really weird mumbo jumbo, but it comforts me sometimes to know that my parents are watching over me."

~ In The Den ~

Ayari looked to Vitani admiringly, and purred quietly to himself. "I don't know what I'll do. Perhaps I'll have to sit here, and think of how to counter Maju. I have alot more to protect now, and if I am to protect what I care about i'll need to get far more serious about this." Ayari murmured quietly. "I might not...be as warm hearted. Whenever I think, I tend to be more quiet and isolated. Don't be offended." Ayari warned as he licked her cheek affectionately.

[KiarasMate]

Looking over at Schwari with a deep thoughtful gaze, Zina replied in a soft and understanding voice.

”We’re all afraid of death Schwari. I should know. The main reason for me being a Shaman is to extend life. Everything I learn, everything I do, it’s to prevent death, whether that be my own or someone I care about. Given, my methods might be questionable but when it comes right down to it, I’d never kill anyone using the knowledge I’ve gained, unless it was to save myself or a friend. That might sound selfish but when you don’t have many friends in life, you never take them for granted.”

Hearing Schwari’s comment about the stars, Zina nodded as she responded in a thoughtful manner.

”You probably thought I’d think that was stupid, but in fact, I believe that. As narrow as my personality might seem, I have quite an open mind. You have to be if you’re a Shaman. Part of the magic, if you will, about the cures we use, are in the mind of the user. If one believes that the medicine that they are taking, will help them, it helps the body to accept it, there for, helps the herbs to do their job. I’d be one to talk if I questioned your beliefs Schwari.”

Altering her position slightly, laying on her belly with her head resting softly upon her paws, Zina continued as her eyes met with Schwari’s.

”That night you and your brother approached me. You asked what I was looking for, remember? I was looking for a legendary herb, one that Shaman’s have talked about for generations. It’s supposed to be the most sacred herb in existence and for good reason. It’s said that, if taken, this herb can give new life to those who have recently passed on. It’s something that I’ve learned about ever since I was young. My mom talked about it constantly, as she always hoped to get her paws on it someday. Me personally, I always thought it was just something that Shaman’s told each other just to keep our hopes alive and to keep us on the move, always looking for new things. Honestly though, being on my own for so long and having stared death in the face so many times, I have come to believe in the legend myself.”

Grinning in a rather embarrassed manner, Zina sighed quietly as she rolled back onto her side, curling up to keep warm as she stated in a tired voice.

”Well, you probably think I’m crazy now, more so than you probably did before but that’s what us Shamans are known for I guess. Nothing but a bunch of loony’s that spend too much time with their heads in the clouds.” Letting a tired yawn out, Zina added in as she closed her eyes. ”Well, good night Schwari. I’m tired.”

==========

Vitani smiled lovingly towards Ayari as she heard his uncertain plans for the following day. Leaning in close, the former Outlander planted a soft kiss upon her old friend’s cheek as she whispered to him.

”Just as long as you’re here when I get back Ayari. Don’t miss me too badly now.”

Resting her head back down against Ayari’s warm body, Vitani snuggled in a bit closer before she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, soft purrs emitting from her throat as she lay next to the one lion who was really starting to grow upon her.

[Baya]

"I don't think you are crazy at all. Perhaps later I can help you find it, if you like. Better that you get your hands on it, over Maju." Shwari said quietly. He then noticed her, closing her eyes.

"Good night. I'm going to go into the den if it's alright with you." Shwari said quietly, as walked slowly away from the white furred lioness, and into the den.


Ayari purred in content, as he too closed his eyes drifting off to sleep. He hoped that the next day would not have any ambushes from Maju.

[OOC: Sorry that this post is so short >_<, I just woke up lol]

[KiarasMate]

Giving Schwari a subtle nod as she watched him going back into the main den out of the corner of her eye, Zina actually felt a bit disappointed for once, being left alone. Despite her solitary nature, she had actually enjoyed herself rather immensely while speaking with the grey furred male, although she would never let on to this fact. Sighing quietly to herself, the white furred shaman curled up tighter as she drifted off to sleep.

==========

True to her word, Vitani was up before the crack of dawn. Having to wriggle herself out from Ayari’s warm embrace, as the two had entangled themselves together sometime within the night, Vitani gave her tired limbs a thorough stretch before she silently made her way through the maze of felines that adorned the den floor, being careful not to step on anyone as she looked around for Husudu. Spotting two grey furred figures, Vitani smiled to herself as she gave the larger of the two, a light poke with her fore paw as she mumbled quietly, in the hopes of not disturbing everyone else who were still sleeping peacefully.

[b”Time to get to work Husudu. Meet me outside once you’re ready.”[/b]

Gradually making her way outside the main den, Vitani quickly bounded off to relieve herself before she returned back to the promontory of Pride Rock, where she took a seat to watch the sun rise, as well as to wait for Husudu to join her so they could get their business underway.