Nighttime Mission {OPEN}

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Night had fallen and a large black lioness crept silently over the rocks, making her way into the Pridelands. Her fur rippled as she took each step. She lifted her large head, her thick neck arched, and she raised her velvety black nose towards the sky. The black lioness took a deep breath and smirked. Not a single lion was near. She had tried three weeks to figure out the perfect way in and was pleased by the Crocodile Swamp. Passing through there would disguise her scent as well as her body. Once in the Pridelands, Nyota would watch Simba the best she could, waiting for the perfect time to strike....


Word Count: 112
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

The golden pelted male yawned as he made his way across the Pridelands, paws falling near silently along the ground. The Vineland's prince had been out exploring, once again, ignoring the things his parents expected of him. Kijana was getting tired of the pressure he was feeling from his parents, especially his mother. She was always expecting him to do this and do that, and she was also so overbearingly protective. The brute felt as though he were suffocating in his own homelands. As he ambled his way through the territory that was not his, a black shape moving in the distance caught his eye. Freezing, the large male focused his blue eyes to where he thought he had seen the figure moving. As a few moments passed, Kijana determined the movement was nothing more than a trick of his mind, and just as he decided to continue on his way, the movement caught his eye again.

Staring towards the area of the movement, Kijana inhaled deeply and the faint scent of another lion filled his nostrils. Deciding that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, he froze, watching diligently for more movement. The lion that he smelled had to be as black as the night, because without movement, the other could hardly be seen. Hm. With that pelt color, they must be from another pride. Inhaling again, the young prince tried to determine what lands she hailed from, but no defining scent came to him. Watching the other lion for a few more brief moments, Kijana decided that there was more than likely no threat at this point in time, and he chuffed softly in the direction of the other feline, turning his ears forward, waiting to see if the sound would reach.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota was paying no attention after she had scented no one nearby, after creeping forward a while longer, she froze when she thought she heard something. A chuffing reached ears and Nyota fbegan walking again. She altered her course, turning towards the sound. Peering through the darkness, she spotted the other lion. Breathing deeply again, Nyota detected the scent of the vinelands prince and smirked. What is the prince doing here? she asked herself, all the while heading towards him. She would figure out what he was doing here, and, if he dared stop her, he would pay. It didn't matter to her that he was a prince and that probably every pride would be after her soon. She had it in her head that she could take care of all of them.


Word Count: 134
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

Inhaling again to ensure the other lion was still there, Kijana continued to stare out into the darkness. Surely he had been seen by now, for he wasn't hard to miss. His golden pelt stood out in the night very easily. After a few moments, the brute tilted his head slightly and chuffed again in the direction the faint scent was coming from before moving forward a few steps and continuing to gaze into the darkness. Standing in silence for a few more minutes, Kijana spoke, I can smell you, you know. I know you're still there.

The young prince wasn't sure how that would be taken, but no harm had been brought to him yet, and he was sure that if this other lion was a threat then some type of harm would have been inflicted at this point in time. Thought he was curious what the other was doing in these lands, as he was sure they were not the original territory, it was also none of his business at the same time. Perhaps it was just a rogue passing through, one that meant no harm at all. The male had no clue how far from wrong he was. The outlands scent was well hidden from him, proof that the lioness' trickery by rolling in the water at the crocodile swamp had truly worked. Then, the movement of the black shape caught his attention and he stiffened slightly, his defenses rising as a precautionary measure. The other was moving towards him, and at a fairly quick rate. Silently, Kijana stood, keeping an alert watch on the moving figure, on the ready to fight should it be needed.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota worked her way towards the prince when she heard him speak. I can smell you, you know. I know you're still there. Nyota chuckled to herself and responded a few seconds later. Correct, I am still here. By now, she was right in front of him. She decided to act innocent, as if though she hadn't come from around there. And who may you be?


Word Count: 67
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

As the words of the lioness assailed his ears, Kijana focused his gaze right on her this time. Her scent filled his nostrils now that she was right in front of him, and something seemed slightly off, but the male could not figure out what it was. Blue eyes took in her appearance, noting the solid black pelt that was only broken by a small white spot in the center of her chest. The difference in her appearance intrigued the male. He had never seen a lion like her before. Narrowing his eyes quizzically when she spoke, asking who he was, the young prince pondered for a moment whether he should tell her his full title, or simply his name and where he was from. The decision didn't take long.

My name's Kijana. I'm from the Vinelands. Where are you from? No Pridelander I've ever seen has a coat like yours. The male kept the suspicion from his voice, and hoped that she wouldn't take his words offensively. As he awaited her response, Kijana settled back on his haunches, deciding that she was not going to attack him, sure that she would have by now if those were her intentions. After her reply, the gold pelted brute spoke again, If you're caught wandering around here by the King, it'll be a big fuss, so be careful. Despite the lingering thought in the back of his mind that something was not entirely right, he could not stop the words. There was simply something alluring about the strange lioness standing before him.

OOC: it's okay. if you're in a rush, don't feel pressured to reply right away. :3 feel free to take your time and reply later if you need to. no big deal at all.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota nodded as Kijana spoke. My name's Kijana. I'm from the Vinelands. Where are you from? No Pridelander I've ever seen has a coat like yours. She immediately replied, making sure to remain "innocent." One slip, and the prince would know what she's up to. My name is Ny. She made sure not to say her full name. You come from the Vinelands? I've never heard of it. I come from the Sun Clan, on the other side of the mountains and beyond the jungles. She had studied this lion clan for months and knew everything she needed to in order to keep her cover sound. She studied them just in case this happened. I was thrown out. Lions from the clans believe that black lions bring bad luck. I came here hoping to find a new pride. I heard about the great king who lives here and that his pride is the biggest and that he has the most thriving land. Is this the king of whom you speak? Nyota sat back on her muscular haunches, her tail wrapping around her massive paws, as she waited for the prince's answer. Before he replied, she added another comment. You stink of royalty. Are you a prince or king? Excuse me for asking, I have a nose for that.


Word Count: 219
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

The male’s ears turned forward to take in her words. Ny. Her name was Ny, and she wasn’t even from these lands. She’d come from far away. Kijana wasn’t familiar with many prides outside of the ones in the surrounding areas to the Vinelands, but he knew enough to know she had traveled a fairly long way to make it here to the Pridelands. The golden prince nodded slightly when the lioness spoke of the ‘great king’ she had heard about. Undoubtedly she was speaking about Simba. She was well studied up, considering she was from quite far away.

The next question caught the young male off guard and he stared at the black female in silence for a few moments, pondering on how he should answer. Yes, he was a prince. Was he enthused about it? Not in the least. It was not a responsibility he had ever truly wanted, but it was something he simply could not escape. It was in his blood, something that was required thanks to his lineage. Flicking the end of his tail, the brute spoke, Ah, well. You heard correct. The lands here thrive very well, but the King is very strict about his pride. Any lion wanting in usually goes through a trial period. It’s nearly like walking on thin ice. As for my lineage, I was born into it. I’m Prince of the Vinelands, though it does not exactly thrill me to say so.

Kijana was sure he had probably said a tad too much, but what could it hurt? The lioness did not know his parents. She wasn’t about to run off and tell them the words she’d heard uttered from the prince’s lips. No, she was just a rogue lioness in search of a new home. She had him fooled.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota listened in silence as Kijana spoke. Ah, well. You heard correct. The lands here thrive very well, but the King is very strict about his pride. Any lion wanting in usually goes through a trial period. It’s nearly like walking on thin ice. As for my lineage, I was born into it. I’m Prince of the Vinelands, though it does not exactly thrill me to say so. She nodded to the beginning, but his attitude towards being a prince stunned her. In her years studying the prides, she had never seen a prince act the way Kijana did towards his duties. What! You are not proud of the fact that you are the prince of the Vinelands! Why? Why not? You come from a great lineage, the lineage of the kings! What is there to not be proud of? She practically shouted it. As she realized how loud she was, she cringed. Noise carried further in the night than during the day. Any lion in the Pridelands now would know she was there.


Word Count: 174
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

The prince stared at her in silence for a few moments. Her reaction wasn’t shocking, but it was slightly irritating. Sure, he came from a great lineage, but to him, it wasn’t about the lineage. It was about the pressure put on him every day to do his duties, to behave this way and that, speak this way and that because his actions directly reflected on his parents. Not to mention that his mother was so overbearing sometimes that he felt as though he was going to suffocate under her heavy watch. Perhaps if she’d ever experienced those things the way he had, she would understand. However, she had her own type of experiences. Ones that the prince himself would probably never relate to, so how could she possibly relate to how he felt about his duties? You say that, but with a mother like mine, you would hate it just as much as I do.

He would leave it at that. There would be no more information offered up unless she asked certain questions. Kijana did not particularly care to discuss his family problems at this time. Surely some of the Pridelanders running a night watch had heard her raised voice. His blue eyes scanned the horizon quickly before turning back towards the dark hued lioness, Your voice was undoubtedly heard by any Pridelanders running night watch. It’d be in your best interest, as well as mine, to get a move on to some other location for a bit. The golden male would not face as severe, if any, punishment as the lioness would should she be caught right at this moment. Rising to his feet, Kijana cast a slightly charming gaze towards the lioness before slowly ambling away from the spot they were just occupying, hoping ever so slightly that she would follow his lead.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota listened in silence, her eyes towards the ground. She had just snapped at a prince. You say that, but with a mother like mine, you would hate it just as much as I do.

[/b] She sighed. Kijana was right. She had forgotten what his mother was like. Your voice was undoubtedly heard by any Pridelanders running night watch. It’d be in your best interest, as well as mine, to get a move on to some other location for a bit. When Kijana turned away, Nyota stood up. She turned in the other direction, but looked back at Kijana. Something deep inside her was telling her to follow him. She hesitated, still looking at Kijana. She had a mission to complete, but she wanted so badly to follow him, to help him with his family, help him be a prince. She stood there, looking between Kijana and Pride Rock, which stood silhouetted against the night sky in the distance. She looked back at Kijana, her eyes showing longing. What should she choose?

Word Count: 172
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words
[/center]

[Kijana]

Pausing mid stride, Kijana turned when there was no sound of paws falling behind him. Turning his head and casting a glance over his shoulder, he chuffed softly in her direction before speaking, Going somewhere else? The brute would be slightly disappointed if she didn’t come with him, but overall the decision was up to her. Even though he knew this, the young prince wished to himself that she would follow him. There was something alluring about this lioness, something that created a desire for Kijana to know more about her.

Turning his body slightly back to face the lioness, he waited patiently for her decision, blue eyes trained on her. Despite the fact that she was an unusual color, she was by far one of the prettiest lioness’ the young male had ever seen. Perhaps he was just tired of seeing the same thing day in and day out. Perhaps the fresh face was intriguing in and of itself, or perhaps there really was something to this lioness that drove Kijana to want to know more. This was something only time would be able to tell.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota sighed when Kijana chuffed to her. Then he spoke. Going somewhere else? Nyota looked at him, deep into his eyes. What she did next stunned herself. Kijana, what would you do if you were trained as long as you could remember to do something that you aren't sure is right and are afraid of the consequences if you didn't do it? Nyota winced as the words tumbled out. Why did I say that! Her cover was blown, unless Kijana was simply stupid, which she didn't think he was.

Word Count: 89
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words

[Kijana]

The question that fell forth from her caught him off guard. Pausing momentarily, the male stared at her with his blue eyes, realization settling over him. After a few moments, he settled back on his haunches and mulled over the question a bit longer before providing the black lioness with an answer, If you aren't sure it's right, then it isn't. It's one of those things where you're forced to do what's expected of you, despite the fact that you yourself have a desire for other things. At the end of the day, though, it boils down to just yourself. You have to do the things that make you happy, Ny. Perhaps doing what you were trained to do is something that will harm you in the long run more than benefit you. But what do I know? I’m just a silly prince with no knowledge of hardly any pride outside of my own.

Keeping his gaze trained on her, he sincerely hoped his words had made sense to her. Kijana knew, now, that the strange colored lioness had not come from over the mountains and that she had not lived with the Sun Clan. However, the male would not call her on her stories. The life of an Outsider was not something he himself understood, but he knew that if she did not carry out the mission she was sent to do then her life would surely be in danger. He could offer her shelter in his lands, possibly protection from any that came looking for her, but that was all he could do. Offer. He could not speak on behalf of his mother or his father when it came to the decision that would have to be made regarding the offers he could make.

[/size]

[Nyota]

[glow=black,2,300]Nyota[/glow]

Nyota watched Kijana warily as he answered and practically fell over at how he answered. If you aren't sure it's right, then it isn't. It's one of those things where you're forced to do what's expected of you, despite the fact that you yourself have a desire for other things. At the end of the day, though, it boils down to just yourself. You have to do the things that make you happy, Ny. Perhaps doing what you were trained to do is something that will harm you in the long run more than benefit you. But what do I know? I’m just a silly prince with no knowledge of hardly any pride outside of my own. His voice held no tone of anger, hatred, or hostility. He was calm, if not concerned. Kijana, my real name is Nyota -- Giza Nyota -- not Ny. And it will harm me in the long run, either way. If I don't do it, no matter where I am, the Outlanders will hunt me down and kill me. Yet if I do it, the Pridelanders will hunt me down and kill me. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, Kijana. I don't know what to do. Nyota looked up at Kijana. She sure hoped that he could help her.

Word Count: 218
Key:
My thoughts
My words
Other's words