|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 4:53 pm
 |
|
|
 |
Kawani had been enjoying a bit of the quiet that seemed to return to the Wolf clan. She had enjoyed a leasiurely day today, knowing that she was going to go out on a hunting party tomorrow. Work never quite ended, but she appreciated her days off for being lazy, when she wasn't hanging out with family, anyway.
The sun's rays were growing stronger as it raced towards the horizon, the heat a mixture of a blessing and an annoyance. She felt a bit too warm, but it helped to ease the ache in some of her muscles. While she would never call herself old, she certainly wasn't as young as some of the lions running around now a days.
Perhaps she should check in on her mother...or even her brother? She knew her father was fine; she snorted just thinking about him. He wasn't bad, just...complicated.
"I haven't actually checked directly in on my family since yesterday morning, perhaps I should..." |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 10:32 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 3:20 am
|
|
|
|
Jitokeza jumped back in alarm at the cry, giving Kawani a confused stare as she tried to shake the surprise off. He heard every sound she made but he didn't process it quite fast enough, and he'd never comment anyway. His first assumption was always that others were more amiable and eloquent than he was, a single awkward display wouldn't convince him.
The shouted 'uncle' helped him figure out who exactly he was talking to much faster than he might have otherwise. He quickly replaced his confusion with a smile.
"Hello, Kawani," he said, backpedaling the conversation a bit as if he didn't hear the comment about the sunset, "I should watch where I'm going, I was a bit distracted, sorry."
He rambled as much as her, but he didn't stammer.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 3:17 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:17 pm
|
|
|
|
Her correct guess caught him by surprise, though he knew it shouldn't have.. and despite himself, he managed a reassuring smile when she apologized for bringing it up. They were still far from being comfortable as a family, they had all spent so much time apart.. but she was trying.
"It's OK," he said, "I was thinking about the mountain, but those who weren't there during the landslide."
The clarification felt necessary for the tone of the conversation, though it helped the awkwardness exactly none. Luckily, Jitokeza hadn't planned on ending there or it would have been better to just walk away from him instead of letting either continue to embarrass themselves.
"Many pilgrims never come home, but the ones who do won't find anything now," he said, his tone neutral, "And some of us are still just right here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:23 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:35 pm
|
|
|
|
"I'm sure others have the same thought," he said, willingly passing the responsibility of informing and guiding lost pilgrims to the other Jini-misemi, "When we came here, there were still many lions who were reluctant to leave.."
Jitokeza's voice was quiet and thoughtful, as if reminding himself as much as informing Kawani of the situation. Some had moved on easily, plenty of those who came to the Ela'wadiyi were families seeking a sense of stability like him and Kianira, or Khara and her consort.. there were plenty of other less attached and more unpredictable lions in the pride.
"It's a shame you won't get to meet most of your cousins," he added.
But if there was one thing Jitokeza was used to, it was children who never returned home. Tradition meant they were lost but he had hope they simply found something better for themselves. They still had Hupomeno and Gaven, Tseva had gone off with her mate, and Yamokiini had chosen to wander again after seeing those who stayed off to the Ela'wadiyi..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:45 pm
|
|
|
|
Kawani filed away that bit of an idea away, intent on trying to get it passed on to the wanidatsi. She was a stubborn girl, and would keep pressing it on until there was something done. Even if it was as simple as an Ela necklace; something to give them an idea of a new place to start, if they didn't already have one.
"No, as I'm sure they're much more interesting than my siblings," Kawani laughed. "I know its not the same, Uncle, but don't forget that you have me and my siblings around to at least keep you mildly entertained." She could imagine that it wasn't the same at all, but she was happy to get to know him, and hoped that it would continue to grow. Who knows, maybe some day she may actually get married and have her aunt help her raise the little furballs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 5:03 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 5:12 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 5:22 pm
|
|
|
|
"Sure," he said, perking up at the nice idea of having some company for his walk, "We can trade stories, I know plenty from when he was a cub."
A distraction at his brother's expense.. it sounded like a decent plan. And it wouldn't matter if Sado objected, he would be far outnumbered. He had himself a good family, Jitokeza imagined each one of them would love to hear the stories and poke fun at their old man..
"Come on, I'll even start," he offered, turning himself around to join Kawani in heading back to the clan's camp instead of wandering off aimlessly. He had just the story, but he'd have to get it in before they got back to the clan and Sado could cut him off or remind everybody that Jitokeza himself had been involved, too.
Fin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
