Post by Rynoah on Jan 7, 2007 1:24:26 GMT -5
The Place: Promontory of Pride Rock
The Players:
Uzuri, dishonored lioness
Uru, aging queen
Aziza, Uru's adopted daughter
The Scene:
Snoozing, Uzuri is sleeping in her usual spot. Normally all the lionesses clump up in a big, purring ball for warmth. But Uzuri is alone, and cold. She's still comfortable with the knowledge that she has a friend on her side. Oh, Aziza!
The nights have grown colder, but Uru is still prone to taking walks out there beneath the moon. That's where the queen was previously, but now she's returned to the pridal cavern to rest. She pauses in the entrance to let her old eyes adjust to the darkness and spots Uzuri, lying aloof of the others. To say that she doesn't feel compassion for the young lioness would be a lie, but she remains firm. She gives only a lingering glance to the Palandasya huntress before she slips into the cavern on silent feet and heads for the small ledge that she shares with Ahadi.
Uzuri shivers again, and this time she wakes up. She opens her eyes and looks around. She has to remind herself why, for the first time she's come here as a little one, why she isn't sleeping with the caring warmth of the lionesses. It was because of *him.* Taka. Taka! That evil prince of evil. Now she's under suspicion and is being treated like some sort of outsider, like trust in her never was. Like one of the damned. She sighs. She *is* one of the damned. Taka's going to kill her, one way or another. She shakes her head. What life does she have at Pride Rock?
The queen reaches the royal bed and settles down quietly next to Ahadi, being careful not to disturb him. Her eyes again go to Uzuri, and she notices the lioness is awake. Uru, however, remains silent, resting her head on crossed forepaws and keeping an idle eye on the other lioness.
Uzuri finally makes a decision. Leave or take her own life. She won't let Taka win just because he apparently has his mother under his tyrannical paw. Saddenned and weighed down lioness finally stands up and walks for the door. She needs to make her decision. Go home to where she is loved? Or take a little topple off the edge of the promontory?
The darling green-eyed lion girl of Pride Rock has grown into an equally formidable lioness. She is all long limbs and dazzling eyes this beauty - Yet for now, The royal by adoption slumbers headily in the family den. These are troubled times to be sure; and the mind of the lioness is filled with conflicted thoughts as she slumbers.
Uzuri walks slowly up to the point, to the edge of the Promontory and looks down. Cast out by those she loved, or so she thought, she wonders what love she would have if she did this. Her heart thunders. What does Taka want? Uzuri as a slave? Or a trophy perhaps? Or just a symbol of what his rule will be? She takes a deep breath and leans forward. Just a little more and Taka won't have Uzu to kick around anymore.
Is she doing what Uru is thinking she's doing? The old queen lifts her head, ears perked, eyes wide as she watches the Palandasya huntress lean over the edge of the promontory. Her mouth opens and closes silently, and then she leaps to her feet. "Uzuri!" she shouts, temporarily unaware of the sleeping pride around her. She begins to rush forward towards the promontory. Uzuri may be a rumormonger, but she will not allow her to kill herself.
The sound of her mothers voice rouses the slumbering leonine. Instantly, emerald orbs flicker open - widening as she observes the scene. The muscles of the lioness tighten and she springs forward - alert. "Uzuri!" Her voice is harsh and commanding. No! Uzuri will NOT kill herself "Uzuri come here!"
Uzuri doesn't turn to look at Uru. "Why shouldn't I? I'm *dead* anyway! What kind of life would I have, under Taka... *knowing* that he's going to kill me! Even if I run away, in fear for my life, I know there's someone out there who is going to make *sure* I'm dead! Well maybe I can just spare this pride the wasted energy! I don't know where my family is, but how can my family be in a place where *I'm* punished for doing the right thing?!" she says. Then she takes another step closer to the edge.
Uru stops a couple feet away from Uzuri, knowing that if she attempted to tackle the other lioness, she would risk /both/ of them toppling over the edge. She remains stalk-still, head up and eyes steady, as she speaks: "Uzuri, this isn't the answer." What else can she say? Her mind works quickly, trying to think of something.
"Uzuri, it's me 'ziza!" the green eyed lioness has rounded on her mother, her voice has softened "Please don't do this. I'm your friend. I *will* help you. Don't do this to those that love you, your pridesisters, your family. Uzuri, come now, stop this!"
Uzuri looks back at Aziza with tear-filled eyes. "'Ziza... you're the only one who believes me. I love you so much!" she says. And takes another step.
She can't stand for this. Uru cries out desperately: "Uzuri, stop!" But it's not working. Thinking quickly--or perhaps not thinking at all--the queen takes a chance. Her aging muscles bunch beneath her pelt as she crouches, and then she launches herself at the other lioness, hoping to nab her before she takes the plunge. It's a bit of a double-edged sword, because the momentum of the attack will very likely send them both tumbling over the edge.
"MOM!" The green-eyed lioness's eyes widen - first in shock, then in horror. "NO!" She cries out desperately - lunging forward in what is surely too late.
Uzuri scrapes and flails, but Uru is still bigger than she is. Finally, both lionsses fall over the edge. 12 frantic seconds: Uzuri panics. She latches onto Uru and then does something smart: She reaches out a paw and extends her claws and catches onto one of the high rocks and hopes that Uru *holds on* even at risk of being nearly disemboweled by her.
"OH god!" The green-eyed lioness has rushed to the edge of the promotory, gaising over the precipice in horror "MOM!" She screams again, terror echoing in both her gaze and her stance.
Being airborne, knowing that certain death awaits below, is an almost ethereal feeling. One would expect Uru to panic, but the queen is quite calm. She feels the jerk as Uzuri latches onto one of the high rocks, and she scrambles to hold on. Her claws bury into flesh, and she clings as best she can as the rest of her body falls. Miraculously, she manages to hold on as her back end jerks hard, causing great pain in her old muscles. A soft grunt escapes Uru's muzzle, but she's alive for now.
"Grab on to my paw!" Aziza is leaning over the precipice as far as she can, outstretching her right forepaw to the direction of Uzuri and Uru hoping to pull them to safety.
Uzuri gasps with pain. Oh! This is blinding. "Uru... dig your claws in harder... are you alright?" she asks. She can feel blood seeping from her body. She frees a paw and digs into the rock. She gasps... she feels her wounds. "Uru... just... hold on! Don't let go! Tight!" she says.
"I . . . can't," Uru gasps. Already, she can feel her old muscles failing. Her grip is slipping, despite her best efforts. Her hind legs struggle to find purchase on the rock face, but she's hanging too far away to do anything except brush it with her toes. She looks up into the face of her daughter--surprise and fear evident in her eyes. "I can't hold on!" she exclaims. And in that moment, her claws release, and the queen begins to plummet.
Uzuri gasps and screams. "Uru! No!" And she does something desperate. She leaps out from the rock and down towards Uru. She hopes she won't see it that Uru dies. She just has to catch Uru and... flip around... and take the entire blunt and weight of the fall. Yes, there's a chance she'll get killed... but this is Uru! Uru's important.
Uru was about to flip around herself, until she feels Uzuri's forelegs wrapping around her. She peers up at the lioness, gauging her intentions almost instantly. "Uzuri, no!" she gasps. The old queen struggles to keep her body between the huntress' and the ground. She did this to save the Palandasyan; she isn't about to let her kill herself just for the sake of the queen.
Uzuri shakes her head. "I won't let you die, Uru! I love you! You're my queen! And my friend! I can't have you dying to save me! What kind of loyal lioness would I be?" she says, and grunts and twirls Uru above her. "I'm *supposed* to die for you!" ... WHAM! The two hit the ground, Uru on top of Uzuri.
The landing, despite being cushioned by Uzuri, knocks the breath from Uru. However, it seems that she's alive. The queen lays dazed for a long while, her mouth gaping as she forcefully draws oxygen into her lungs. Breathing is the only thing that occupies her mind. Slowly, however, she staggers into an upright position, staring down at Uzuri with fear. "Uzuri?" she croaks out breathlessly.
Uzuri is out cold for a few minutes, but still breathing and alive. She's bloody and has a few broken bones. She coughs and opens her eyes and smiles up at Uru. "My queen." she says. "Thank you for saving my life."
"Hold on, Uzuri," Uru utters, looking around in alarm, hoping that Aziza has already gone for help. "Don't try to speak. We'll get Rafiki to help you." She pushes herself onto her feet and begins to clean the blood from the huntress' pelt. "Why would you do this?" she growls.
Uzuri smiles and licks her lips. "Because ever since I was a cub I looked up to you. And because... " cough... "... you are my queen. A true lioness gives her all for her queen. I love you, Uru. Like the queen. I don't want you to die for me. It's supposed to be the other way. That's loyalty. Loyalty is saying 'I die for *you.*'" she says. She looks around. "Wow... we fell all the way down from up there? And we *lived?*"
A smile appears on Uru's muzzle, and she too looks up to the promontory. "Yes," she utters. "It's a miracle, I suppose." She looks again to Uzuri, and her smile fades. "I've treated you poorly, Uzuri. I'm sorry for that," she says.
Uzuri shakes her head. "Please. Whatever happens. I just hope... I just hope you're right. I just want you to look into the possibility that... Taka... I'm not sure I could even say this now. I suffered last time." she says.
Aziza has meanwhile made her way down the promotory towards the other two lionesses , her wide green eyes focused on the two "Mom! Are you okay?" She runs towards the elder lioness, lowering her maw to nuzzle her - Fear still grips her entire body - her attention is on the queen for now - she has to make sure she's okay !
Uru was about to speak, but Aziza's appearance interrupts her. She pauses to nuzzle her daughter reassuringly, purring softly. "I'm all right," she utters. "I've just had the breath knocked out of me. Uzuri, however. . . ." Here she trails off, looking down at Uzuri with a worried expression. It's only a guess as to how the huntress managed to survive that fall, but she will need a healer. "She needs help," the queen finishes.
Uzuri sighs. She'll worry about Taka later. She doesn't move. She doesn't want to risk hurting herself. She sighs again. "'Ziza!" she calls out.
Nuzzling her mother firmly and with the deepest of affection Aziza nods at the queens words. She'll berate her later for such foolishness! If anything had happened to Uru.....But such thoughts are dangerous. Instead she moves towards her pride sister - her voice softening "Uzuri..." The eyes of the young lioness move over the other leonine trying to assess the damage the fall had imparted.
Uru steps aside to allow room for Aziza to stand by Uzuri. The queen says nothing; she turns her gaze to the promontory, where other lionesses have already gathered by now. "We need a healer down here," she calls up to them, and the huntresses immediately leap into action.
Uzuri smiles to Aziza. "I think this means I have to take a few days off." she says. Always a sense of humor, even in cases where she almost died.
"You could have died Uzuri. And you could have taken my mother with you" The lionesses brow is scrunched - terror still half grips her, and a fine tremor works its way through her form. She reaches dow and offers a light nuzzle to the injured lioenss "You're going to be okay"
Uzuri shrugs. "Thanks. Thank you Aziza. Thank you, Uru. I think... I think I need to rest now." she says and relaxes. Her head rests on the ground. "I've trained since I was a cub to be a huntress. And a damn good one, too. I hope To prove myself!"
"Shush now Uzuri" The lioness murmurrs, nudging the would be hunt-mistress with her maw, she flickers her desperate gaze towards her mother. Where IS that healer?
Uru is also growing a bit restless. Rafiki will know what to do when he arrives, but his boaboa tree is a distance away. Who knows how long it will take for him to get here?
Uzuri hushes. She just... stares ahead. She finds herself thinking about her little sisters. She smiles.
The Players:
Uzuri, dishonored lioness
Uru, aging queen
Aziza, Uru's adopted daughter
The Scene:
Snoozing, Uzuri is sleeping in her usual spot. Normally all the lionesses clump up in a big, purring ball for warmth. But Uzuri is alone, and cold. She's still comfortable with the knowledge that she has a friend on her side. Oh, Aziza!
The nights have grown colder, but Uru is still prone to taking walks out there beneath the moon. That's where the queen was previously, but now she's returned to the pridal cavern to rest. She pauses in the entrance to let her old eyes adjust to the darkness and spots Uzuri, lying aloof of the others. To say that she doesn't feel compassion for the young lioness would be a lie, but she remains firm. She gives only a lingering glance to the Palandasya huntress before she slips into the cavern on silent feet and heads for the small ledge that she shares with Ahadi.
Uzuri shivers again, and this time she wakes up. She opens her eyes and looks around. She has to remind herself why, for the first time she's come here as a little one, why she isn't sleeping with the caring warmth of the lionesses. It was because of *him.* Taka. Taka! That evil prince of evil. Now she's under suspicion and is being treated like some sort of outsider, like trust in her never was. Like one of the damned. She sighs. She *is* one of the damned. Taka's going to kill her, one way or another. She shakes her head. What life does she have at Pride Rock?
The queen reaches the royal bed and settles down quietly next to Ahadi, being careful not to disturb him. Her eyes again go to Uzuri, and she notices the lioness is awake. Uru, however, remains silent, resting her head on crossed forepaws and keeping an idle eye on the other lioness.
Uzuri finally makes a decision. Leave or take her own life. She won't let Taka win just because he apparently has his mother under his tyrannical paw. Saddenned and weighed down lioness finally stands up and walks for the door. She needs to make her decision. Go home to where she is loved? Or take a little topple off the edge of the promontory?
The darling green-eyed lion girl of Pride Rock has grown into an equally formidable lioness. She is all long limbs and dazzling eyes this beauty - Yet for now, The royal by adoption slumbers headily in the family den. These are troubled times to be sure; and the mind of the lioness is filled with conflicted thoughts as she slumbers.
Uzuri walks slowly up to the point, to the edge of the Promontory and looks down. Cast out by those she loved, or so she thought, she wonders what love she would have if she did this. Her heart thunders. What does Taka want? Uzuri as a slave? Or a trophy perhaps? Or just a symbol of what his rule will be? She takes a deep breath and leans forward. Just a little more and Taka won't have Uzu to kick around anymore.
Is she doing what Uru is thinking she's doing? The old queen lifts her head, ears perked, eyes wide as she watches the Palandasya huntress lean over the edge of the promontory. Her mouth opens and closes silently, and then she leaps to her feet. "Uzuri!" she shouts, temporarily unaware of the sleeping pride around her. She begins to rush forward towards the promontory. Uzuri may be a rumormonger, but she will not allow her to kill herself.
The sound of her mothers voice rouses the slumbering leonine. Instantly, emerald orbs flicker open - widening as she observes the scene. The muscles of the lioness tighten and she springs forward - alert. "Uzuri!" Her voice is harsh and commanding. No! Uzuri will NOT kill herself "Uzuri come here!"
Uzuri doesn't turn to look at Uru. "Why shouldn't I? I'm *dead* anyway! What kind of life would I have, under Taka... *knowing* that he's going to kill me! Even if I run away, in fear for my life, I know there's someone out there who is going to make *sure* I'm dead! Well maybe I can just spare this pride the wasted energy! I don't know where my family is, but how can my family be in a place where *I'm* punished for doing the right thing?!" she says. Then she takes another step closer to the edge.
Uru stops a couple feet away from Uzuri, knowing that if she attempted to tackle the other lioness, she would risk /both/ of them toppling over the edge. She remains stalk-still, head up and eyes steady, as she speaks: "Uzuri, this isn't the answer." What else can she say? Her mind works quickly, trying to think of something.
"Uzuri, it's me 'ziza!" the green eyed lioness has rounded on her mother, her voice has softened "Please don't do this. I'm your friend. I *will* help you. Don't do this to those that love you, your pridesisters, your family. Uzuri, come now, stop this!"
Uzuri looks back at Aziza with tear-filled eyes. "'Ziza... you're the only one who believes me. I love you so much!" she says. And takes another step.
She can't stand for this. Uru cries out desperately: "Uzuri, stop!" But it's not working. Thinking quickly--or perhaps not thinking at all--the queen takes a chance. Her aging muscles bunch beneath her pelt as she crouches, and then she launches herself at the other lioness, hoping to nab her before she takes the plunge. It's a bit of a double-edged sword, because the momentum of the attack will very likely send them both tumbling over the edge.
"MOM!" The green-eyed lioness's eyes widen - first in shock, then in horror. "NO!" She cries out desperately - lunging forward in what is surely too late.
Uzuri scrapes and flails, but Uru is still bigger than she is. Finally, both lionsses fall over the edge. 12 frantic seconds: Uzuri panics. She latches onto Uru and then does something smart: She reaches out a paw and extends her claws and catches onto one of the high rocks and hopes that Uru *holds on* even at risk of being nearly disemboweled by her.
"OH god!" The green-eyed lioness has rushed to the edge of the promotory, gaising over the precipice in horror "MOM!" She screams again, terror echoing in both her gaze and her stance.
Being airborne, knowing that certain death awaits below, is an almost ethereal feeling. One would expect Uru to panic, but the queen is quite calm. She feels the jerk as Uzuri latches onto one of the high rocks, and she scrambles to hold on. Her claws bury into flesh, and she clings as best she can as the rest of her body falls. Miraculously, she manages to hold on as her back end jerks hard, causing great pain in her old muscles. A soft grunt escapes Uru's muzzle, but she's alive for now.
"Grab on to my paw!" Aziza is leaning over the precipice as far as she can, outstretching her right forepaw to the direction of Uzuri and Uru hoping to pull them to safety.
Uzuri gasps with pain. Oh! This is blinding. "Uru... dig your claws in harder... are you alright?" she asks. She can feel blood seeping from her body. She frees a paw and digs into the rock. She gasps... she feels her wounds. "Uru... just... hold on! Don't let go! Tight!" she says.
"I . . . can't," Uru gasps. Already, she can feel her old muscles failing. Her grip is slipping, despite her best efforts. Her hind legs struggle to find purchase on the rock face, but she's hanging too far away to do anything except brush it with her toes. She looks up into the face of her daughter--surprise and fear evident in her eyes. "I can't hold on!" she exclaims. And in that moment, her claws release, and the queen begins to plummet.
Uzuri gasps and screams. "Uru! No!" And she does something desperate. She leaps out from the rock and down towards Uru. She hopes she won't see it that Uru dies. She just has to catch Uru and... flip around... and take the entire blunt and weight of the fall. Yes, there's a chance she'll get killed... but this is Uru! Uru's important.
Uru was about to flip around herself, until she feels Uzuri's forelegs wrapping around her. She peers up at the lioness, gauging her intentions almost instantly. "Uzuri, no!" she gasps. The old queen struggles to keep her body between the huntress' and the ground. She did this to save the Palandasyan; she isn't about to let her kill herself just for the sake of the queen.
Uzuri shakes her head. "I won't let you die, Uru! I love you! You're my queen! And my friend! I can't have you dying to save me! What kind of loyal lioness would I be?" she says, and grunts and twirls Uru above her. "I'm *supposed* to die for you!" ... WHAM! The two hit the ground, Uru on top of Uzuri.
The landing, despite being cushioned by Uzuri, knocks the breath from Uru. However, it seems that she's alive. The queen lays dazed for a long while, her mouth gaping as she forcefully draws oxygen into her lungs. Breathing is the only thing that occupies her mind. Slowly, however, she staggers into an upright position, staring down at Uzuri with fear. "Uzuri?" she croaks out breathlessly.
Uzuri is out cold for a few minutes, but still breathing and alive. She's bloody and has a few broken bones. She coughs and opens her eyes and smiles up at Uru. "My queen." she says. "Thank you for saving my life."
"Hold on, Uzuri," Uru utters, looking around in alarm, hoping that Aziza has already gone for help. "Don't try to speak. We'll get Rafiki to help you." She pushes herself onto her feet and begins to clean the blood from the huntress' pelt. "Why would you do this?" she growls.
Uzuri smiles and licks her lips. "Because ever since I was a cub I looked up to you. And because... " cough... "... you are my queen. A true lioness gives her all for her queen. I love you, Uru. Like the queen. I don't want you to die for me. It's supposed to be the other way. That's loyalty. Loyalty is saying 'I die for *you.*'" she says. She looks around. "Wow... we fell all the way down from up there? And we *lived?*"
A smile appears on Uru's muzzle, and she too looks up to the promontory. "Yes," she utters. "It's a miracle, I suppose." She looks again to Uzuri, and her smile fades. "I've treated you poorly, Uzuri. I'm sorry for that," she says.
Uzuri shakes her head. "Please. Whatever happens. I just hope... I just hope you're right. I just want you to look into the possibility that... Taka... I'm not sure I could even say this now. I suffered last time." she says.
Aziza has meanwhile made her way down the promotory towards the other two lionesses , her wide green eyes focused on the two "Mom! Are you okay?" She runs towards the elder lioness, lowering her maw to nuzzle her - Fear still grips her entire body - her attention is on the queen for now - she has to make sure she's okay !
Uru was about to speak, but Aziza's appearance interrupts her. She pauses to nuzzle her daughter reassuringly, purring softly. "I'm all right," she utters. "I've just had the breath knocked out of me. Uzuri, however. . . ." Here she trails off, looking down at Uzuri with a worried expression. It's only a guess as to how the huntress managed to survive that fall, but she will need a healer. "She needs help," the queen finishes.
Uzuri sighs. She'll worry about Taka later. She doesn't move. She doesn't want to risk hurting herself. She sighs again. "'Ziza!" she calls out.
Nuzzling her mother firmly and with the deepest of affection Aziza nods at the queens words. She'll berate her later for such foolishness! If anything had happened to Uru.....But such thoughts are dangerous. Instead she moves towards her pride sister - her voice softening "Uzuri..." The eyes of the young lioness move over the other leonine trying to assess the damage the fall had imparted.
Uru steps aside to allow room for Aziza to stand by Uzuri. The queen says nothing; she turns her gaze to the promontory, where other lionesses have already gathered by now. "We need a healer down here," she calls up to them, and the huntresses immediately leap into action.
Uzuri smiles to Aziza. "I think this means I have to take a few days off." she says. Always a sense of humor, even in cases where she almost died.
"You could have died Uzuri. And you could have taken my mother with you" The lionesses brow is scrunched - terror still half grips her, and a fine tremor works its way through her form. She reaches dow and offers a light nuzzle to the injured lioenss "You're going to be okay"
Uzuri shrugs. "Thanks. Thank you Aziza. Thank you, Uru. I think... I think I need to rest now." she says and relaxes. Her head rests on the ground. "I've trained since I was a cub to be a huntress. And a damn good one, too. I hope To prove myself!"
"Shush now Uzuri" The lioness murmurrs, nudging the would be hunt-mistress with her maw, she flickers her desperate gaze towards her mother. Where IS that healer?
Uru is also growing a bit restless. Rafiki will know what to do when he arrives, but his boaboa tree is a distance away. Who knows how long it will take for him to get here?
Uzuri hushes. She just... stares ahead. She finds herself thinking about her little sisters. She smiles.
