[Eupe/Kosa/Me] So Life Begins

[nima]

Leading the way to the oldlands was a lioness, who knew the way despite not having been there since she was a cub. It was indeed Nima leading the way, her paws carrying her at a rapid rate. Surprisingly energetic, she fell into a nice jog from her previous run. Panting heavily, she saw jungle vines and the trees.. Entering the jungle like area, desolate or so it seemed, save for a few prey creatures wandering around, she soon the shrine up ahead. "We're here... We're here!" She screeched happily, walking up the many steps to the shrines entrance. What she saw horrified her. Lions skins.. Spread out on the ground... Ignoring this fact, she turned back to the duo behind her, forcing a smile.

"Heh.. Um.. I love this place.." She said, half lieing. The lie was she didn't love the idea of cannibilism that she had just seen.. The furs seemd old, but still... She wondered if these lions were cannibals.. if they had been the ones to end those lions' lives. A tinge of fear prickled down her spine, she walked back down the steps. She stepped on a piece of jewelery, lifting her paw a bit after an "Ouch!" screech and a quick intake of breathe.

She looked at Kosa, then to Eupe. "Excuse me, but um.. " She didn't know quite how to approach the subject of the fact that there were lions skins in the shrine. So she just blurted out, "Why in Mufasa's name are there dead lions.. skinned alive!... in there?" She regretted coming on so harshly, but she had to know that she and her cubs would be safe here. That Kosa would be safe here..

[Kosa]

Kosa looked down at the skins. He looked back up at Nima before replying. He remembered the tales. "Nima, don't worry. These are the skins of every white lion king of this land. They only keep the skins to keep the kings alive in this land." He walked up to Nima as he said this and rubbed against her, licking behind her ear. "The cubs will be fine." he said, knowing what she was thinking, "And I would be able to take care of myself and you and the cubs if it wasn't that. You would always be safe."

[Eupe]

They had been running for a while now, a steady beat that carried them far. Nima, surprisingly, was leading. She wasn't worried for her health, no one knew her more than she, but rather took a blow to her pride that she would not be entering her kingdom first. She ignored her feelings, like she did so many times, and moved on.

As they came up on the Ancestor Shrine, Nima spoke.

"Heh... Um... I love this place." She could hear the twang of a lie in her voice. "Excuse me, but um... why in Mufasa's name are there dead lions... SKINNED ALIVE in there?"

Though taken aback, she understood Nima's worry and acted thus. She was partially satisfied with Kosa's answer, but wished to go more in-depth. If they were to live here, they should know her lineage. "These are my ancestors, our ancestors." She turned to Nima and Kosa and began to tell the age old story that every Oldlands lion knew.

"Many years ago, my ancestor: the great Caesar, had a dream of uniting all of the animal kind. After liberating a herd of cattle in a nearby village (the same village is uninhabited today), he was shot by a hunter. His mate, the widowed Snowene, gave birth soon afterward to the lion that would begin my great bloodline. His name was Kimba. Snowene taught Kimba everything she knew in a short time until she dies as well. Kimba took his place as King and ruled over these lands. Such a time was prosperous for the Oldlands, and surrounding territories as well. Kimba took a mate, Kitty, and had two cubs. The cubs' names were Rune and Rukio." She gestured to the rows of white pelts. "These are the pelts of our ancestors, immortalized before us. These pelts will not disintegrate, and have not for many generations. They are here to be honored and remind us of the lesson all Oldlanders live by, and that you will live by as well. One alone is not enough. All must work in harmony."

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[nima]

Nima looked to Kopa as he comforted her. "I know you'll protect us.. " She whispered, nuzzling him lovingly. She looked to Eupe as she told the story, of sacrafice and of pain. In ending the speech, the last words tugged at her heartstrings. "Um... Yea.. I'm sorry I snapped." She said, then admitted, "It just shocked me to see dead lions laying like that..." She said softly, then looked to Kosa. "Where is the rest of the pride?" She asked after a moment, looking around curiously.

Her eyes landed on a strange lion approaching, she tensed... "Who is he?" She asked, as the tan lion made himself known. His dark brown mane swayed in the wind, his eyes a bit harsh.. having seen what went on.

OOC: That would be my other character Meeko.. Post with him coming.

[Meeko]

Hidden in the brush just ouside the cave, he sat in waiting. Finally he showed himself, his eyes harsh on the female. They softened when she saw she was pregnant. The news of Eupe's recent pregnancy reminded him that she would be wanting more lions to fill the pride. Perhaps she has found these two.. and the expecting cubs.. As new pride members.

Looking to Eupe, his eyes became loving, his muscles relaxing. "You didn't inform me we'd be having company tonight, dear... Are they here to stay, or just for the night?" He asked, looking for the first time at the male. He didn't recognise him, but had heard the bit about protecting the strange female and her cubs against the pride.. So maybe he was onto his parents plan to overthrow the throne.. The plan that Meeko did not want to go through with any more. He looked over the male, the challenge of authority, of who would be the one protecting the pride, shined in his eyes.

"I am far bigger then you, little man." He said sternly. He turned to the strange female. "Perhaps you should think before you two assume that we are all against you." He said, then turned his back on the two, speaking to Eupe. "Eupe, did they insult you? I noticed the female leading.. no respect for authority.. the other male.. Well, he doesn't seem to accept authority either." He said in a tone so low that the two could not hear them. He looked at her, fresh worry in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

[Kosa]

Kosa, upon being spoke to so abrubtly by the other male, was quite surprised. Kosa's shell had been opened for a little while, but the antics of this lion instantly closed it. He had been open with Eupe and Nima, and with them near would have been fine. Now, because of this lion, Kosa was only open with Eupe and Nima.
Kosa raised his hackles and the fur on his nape and back stood erect. He didn't like this lion one bit. A growl rose in his throat at the strange lion spoke to Nima and then turned his back on them, as if though they were hyena-dung. (for lack of a better word and time...)

[Eupe]

"Eupe, did they insult you? Are you alright?" Meeko's reaction was protective, which made her smile on the inside for some reason. His hostile tone was replaced with eyes shining with worry. She looked deep into his beautiful, amber eyes in reassurance.

She replied, loud enough for the newcomers to hear. "It's alright, I'm fine." She rubbed her cheek into his soft mane and looked up at him, her eyes softened. "They're here to stay." In a lower tone, "I'll explain later. Please show them hospitality." She paused, and replied. Her voice was sincere, though still in a low tone. "Thank you, for caring." As she finished speaking, she turned to Kosa and Nima.

"This is my mate, Meeko, the Oldlands King." Her tail arched around and brushed Meeko in a loving gesture.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[nima]

Nima looked at the pair of lions, nuzzling up against each other. Then she looked to Kosa, hearing his low growl. "Kosa, relax." She whispered, licking his cheek. She looked at the queen... "I'm sorrry if our suscpitions roused any trouble. I must be going to rest... These cubs inside me are getting closer and closer to wanting to come out.."

With that, Nima nuzzled up against Kosa, then glaced at the apparent king, flashing him a respectful smile. Then she trotted off into the distance, to lay in the sun for a while.

[Exit Nima. Sorry just don't want to keep RPing two characters in one thread for now. Kosa, if you want to start a thread on our own, we can.. and continue this one as well?]

[Meeko]

Meeko looked to the pair at a glance, thinking he heard a growl from the male. He supressed his own annoyance at the disrespect. Then he listened to his mate, his own true love.. As she told him that they were here to stay. "Please show them some hospitality." She said softly, and he sighed. "Alright..." He murmered. Then he was about to turn back to them when she flicked herself against him, and said "Thank you, for caring." He smiled, nuzzling her and nipping her ear affectionatly. "Isn't that what a good mate does?" He said with a chuckle, then turned back to them, clearing his throat.

"I'm sorry for my behavior..." He said, then looked at the strange female. As she walked off, he said softly, "You and your family will be welcome here. Feel free to eat a good meal. There's plenty of good hunting around. As well as some meat inside the shrine." He said. "And yes, I am Meeko. The king."

[Kosa]

Kosa glared at the king, but relaxed a little when told to by Nima to settle down. After the lions had all spoken and Nima had walked away, Kosa turned to the king, Meeko. (I comapared Meeko and Kosa's profiles and they're the same size!) "Excuse me for my behavior. I never really liked authority or other lions. I'm still getting used to it. Oh, and I'm not little." Kosa hissed the word "little" before turning away and following Nima.
(Fade Kosa, unless meeko or Eupe runs after him. If so, I will be checking this thread...)

[Eupe]

After Kosa had exited, she stood still for a second. The bulk of the tension was over, but not forever. Kosa wasn't the kind to back down, obviously demonstrated by his last-minute insertion of pride. She would watch Kosa, but she still had great trust in him. So long as this pride could provide for him and his soon-to-be family, his loyalty belonged to the Oldlanders.

When she heard Meeko's reply, she smiled gently, "Isn't that what a good mate does?" Then, she licked his cheek and said softly, "It's what a wonderful mate does," she put her front paws on his shoulders and pushed down, putting all her weight on him and leaning against him, "what my mate does."

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Jiwa]

OOC: Kosa can definately help the pride. He's a great hunter as he was a vagrant...