Tahzhoo - m. Elder Lion
Kweu - f. Lioness
Ryngia - m. Lion (King)
Ghedi - m. Lion (Former King)
Jelani - f. Lioness
Uzima - Top of a Hill
Only a short time after the incident at the hill slope the elder makes his way to the top again. When having reached it he looks around for other who might have gathered here..
Several days spent in the caves watching over Mamela and her cub gave a well deserved walk to a lioness whos legs could use a good stretch. With several others there now to replace her for the time being, Jelani's made her way past the hill to the jungle and beyond. Returning only half a day later, its the hilltop where she takes to resting. Sitting up-right the chocolate lioness watches the lands below not really paying much attention to anything but one of the small herds that has a few new members running about from their group.
[Tahzhoo] He can see Jelani, and Kweu being asleep - but no one else. No Ghedi, no Ryngia. A soft sighs expresses his disappointment of either having missed the gathering already - or it didn't happen. Heading for the lonely lioness he nods his head in a greeting, after he followed her look for a moment. "Looking for some good meal? Hello, Jelani. I'm a bit surprised to see only you here. Shouldn't there be a gathering here, due to Ghedi's announcement? Or did I get the time wrong?"
[Jelani] A single ear turns to meet the elder when he nears. "A gathering yes, but it seems Ghedi never showed to make such an announcement." She had noticed his lack of presence when she arrived. Eyes shifting along the plain she says, "So, I imagine your timeing still fairs well." Looking to the lion now she nods. "The young play. The herds are surely on high alert." She knew better than to hunt when the kids
played.
[Tahzhoo] He frowns when hearing about Ghedi never showed up. What reason might there be for him not appearing here and not leaving a message or sending a messenger, either? Did something happen to him? Is he in trouble? He starts to feel restless, while at the same time know how long it would take to search the whole valley. On the other paw, there's another search to be done, anyway. The subject of the herd being pushed aside for now he wonders, "So Ryngia is looking for him?" He's seen Kweu but not Ryngia, assuming he might be searching his father.
There could of been many reason why Ghedi was not here or even why her son has left the hill. Perhaps he was indeed out searching for his father, of perhaps something else of importance drew his attention. Jelani tried to keep an eye on her family but even she loses track at times. Senseing the elders restlessness over the situation she looks him over through her silence before meeting up at his eyes. "It is quiet possible." Turning away and back out to the valley she hmms. If they were indeed out there, then perhaps they could be seen from here.
[Tahzhoo] The lion sighs when he, too, looks out over the valley. No time to talk with Jelani, not before his worries are calmed down. There's something else he needs to ask though, before he starts searching for Ghedi. "Might you know some kind of healer, Jelani? Someone still in the valley?"
Ghedi climbs up the hill, looking tired. He glances around, expecting to see dissapointment in the faces of his family members… "I'm sorry I'm late. I went for a walk to refresh my memories of the valley, and to think about what I was going to say. I found that it was not easy… So much of what I was is still hidden in the fog of my missing memories. This should be a happy time for me, and a happy time for my son, yet I find myself troubled. I can't keep you all waiting any longer though…" He sits and glances around… "Now, where is the lion of the hour?"
"A healer.." Jelani, once more looks to the elder with raised brow. "I asumme you want one to look at Mamela then." It was a good idea but she has failed to see anyone with such skills left in the valley. "I am sorry, but I have seen none." It was a sad thing really, knowing you had someone ill that you care for and not be able to do anything about it. "Has she not improved?" It may have been a short time since she's seen the cheetah but alot can happen in the shortest of time. A familiar voice comes to earshot when her words fall quiet. Looking across the hill its the very lion they'd been speaking of not long ago who appears. "Say their name and they show.." she smirks. "Hello hon." Looking past him to see if by chance Ryngia was following behind, she waits.
[Tahzhoo] "Yes, for Mamela. I'm worried about her slow progress when it comes to regain her strength. And that run in with her brother surely didn't help— Ghedi!" Focused on how to begin the search and answering Jelani he doesn't notice his son until he hears his voice. Getting up and turning around he heads for him in a quick gait, greeting him with an affectionate and very relieved cheek rub. His voice doesn't show disappointment but joy, glad to see Ghedi here and well, not having to search for him in worry.
[Kweu] She had been doing something similar to Ghedi, albeit for different reasons and for a different length of time. Having found that she needed time to think over some events of recent days, the lioness moved away from the gathering of cats for most of the day but once refreshed and with a clearer mindset, she returned to the hill a few hours ago. And of course, sleep ensued. That is what she has been doing until now, her body tucked into the grasses.. yet when voices are heard growing in volume, she stirs and wakens.
Ryngia had left the hill when his father didn't show, but it wasn't to find the reason he didn't but rather to fill his curiosity. Spending a better part of the day down by the falls talking to one he had seen sleeping several times before meeting awake, he noticed his father heading toward the hill when he, himself, had head out to return there. Picking up his pace, Ryn meets up behind his father right as they reach the top. "Right behind you." He announces, bumping Ghedi in the rump with his nose before moving up alongside him.
[Ghedi] "Ah… Good… I suppose the others left already. I am sorry about that… Ryngia, I had hopped to have more of myself back by now, but there I still far more forgotten than remembered. This pride has sustained me, and many others for a long time. There is still very rich history, and I had hoped to pass that on. I suppose now that task will have to fall on my father. My son, I pass on to you nothing you don't already have. You are a leader, and you have the respect of the pride. The Natamba, as best as I can recall, have never stood on titles or stations. If you wish to call yourself king, that is up to you. All that I ruled over, all that I posses, all that is mine by right, I now pass to you. Natamba, this is your new leader." He dips his head to his son.
[Jelani] So Mamela still lacked a regain in strength- odd. She could think of no reason why she'd remain in such a state other than if she wasn't eatting or the pregnacy put to much stress on her that her body was unable to recover properly. Hearing that Ryn had a run in with her too puzzles her. What could he of said that would require concern. For the time being though, that is not the question that lies at the top of what seems everyones list. Seeing her son appear from behind Ghedi was a question answered. Turning around to face them, she watches Tahzhoo approach his son and show his relief. Taking a seat after her rotation she listens to what is said before looking to their son and back. It was rather sudden, Ghedi's speech, but also long over due.
[Tahzhoo] After having rubbed his whole flank along Ghedi's he turns around and sits down by his side. A movement is noticed from the sleeping lioness, and Ryngia is arriving, or better: returning. When Ghedi speaks he listens quietly, with a hint of pain on his face. Yes, he might be the only one still preserving the whole history of the pride, and except for what he was able to pass to Janja and Ghedi it might gone with him, sometimes soon. None of the former lionesses is left, none of his daughters and just two of his sons (by some strange, ironic reference to his father's pride none of those he shares blood with but those he adopted), one of them having lost so many valuable memories. Most of them he'll hopefully find again, one time, but so much will be lost, including Banliogan's heritage of white hued fur and somewhat larger paws. And now the pride will enter a new area, with Ryngia being pride leader now. The former melancholy is replaced with a soft smile. So much might be or get lost, but after all he's still here, and he's granted the rare luck to witness leadership being passed to one of his grandsons.
Kweu wakens swiftly when she recognizes several of the voices and realizes that something of great importance is happening. With a small, hard exhale of breath, the lioness pushes herself up to her paws and arches her neck to lift her head as high as possible over the grasses. Yes.. there is Ghedi, and Ryngia, and Tahzhoo, all three generations. So it must be time. She steps forward quickly but does not join directly in the intimate circle of the lions but rather she keeps a respectful distance, and then sits down again. She does so in time to hear the official passing of leadership from Ghedi to Ryngia, and a warm smile is given to the now retired king and then to her mate, the newest ruler of the valley.
Along side his father, Ryngia looks to see who was all here; a fair number, even his own mate. A soft smile he gives to her. Taking a few steps toward Kweu, its his fathers voice that brings him pause. When turning to look toward him a brief moment is given to his grandfather, nodding to him in a manner most apologetic. He would do the same to his sister when time granted. To his father now, he finds no blame in his forgotten memories. Life has its way of making things difficult and he understands this. Its through those difficulties that have made them who they are, who he is. Further listening to his father, there are so many things he has failed to learn, to hear, and to experience but with time on his side there was plenty of it to make up for. Toward the end of Ghedi's speech, Ryn looked to tear. He had waited for this moment since he was a cub but to have it placed upon him now was a feeling he could yet describe. Watching his father dip his head before him a soft smile appears over his maw before dipping his own. It was out of respect. "I shall do my best to continue on where you have left off. To ensure the Natamba lives on for years to come and to protect not just the valley but those that call it home." It is when Ryn raises his head to everyone that a hint of wet falls down a cheek. Looking over everyone his gaze falls longest upon his mate whom he now approaches and nuzzles. She had been there for him and hoped she would continue to do so. Moments later he turns back to the group approaching them all seperate.
Ghedi sits beside his father and smiles over at his son. "I know you will be a great leader Ryngia. You still have me to help you out if needed, and mother still knows best." He gives his mate a wink and a smile. "Well dad, two generations retired… What will we two old cats do to fill the time?"
Jelani sits quietly through every word spoken and every action taken. It was a moment of passing that would surely bring a change to the valley and most certainly the pride that lived within it. The history that not even she was all to familiar with now lays open to be continued by her son and those who stand by his side and bring into this world. It was a sad moment and yet a joyous one. A moment she thought to come years in the making. Giving her son a nod she sits there watching him ad he makes his rounds before looking to her mate with a smirk. "I can think of something." She moves over to Ghedi's side, brushing up against him in nuzzle.
[Tahzhoo] "You'll find it difficult to stop reacting to a roar, a threat or just a stranger, the way you used to do," he answers his son, in a mild voice. "You might also feel a relief, Ghedi, as a huge burden is taken from your shoulder. Though most of all you'll feel a hole in your life, the feeling of something very important being missing, of not being needed any longer and lacking a task.. You'll have to find something to fill that hole, son." It took him a very long time to do so, but in the end he was blessed with a new responsibility that needs him. When Ryngia approaches him he dips his head. "Congratulation, Ryngia. May your decisions be guided by wisdom and your actions be as considered as your words. May your leadership be a long and good one to remember, and blessed by the Great Kings of the Past." He pauses shortly. "You should now make pride and valley hear your voice, and tell all those lurking at the borders how well-protected this valley is. Roar, Ryngia, roar as loud as you can."
Kweu leans into the affection that Ryngia offers and returns it with a ready nuzzling of her own, taking a moment to whisper her congratulations into his ear. But she keeps her place when he withdraws and begins to spend a few moment with each lion gathered here. So as her mate is busy with such things, she turns an ear to Ghedi as he makes his comment about retirement. Jelani's words bring a bemused smile to her face, and so of course she must add in her own teasing remark. A light hearted flick of her tail punctuates her words as she says, "And you will be busy with hunting meals for the pride so that the lionesses may spend more time sunbathing.. of course." She tips her head up a little, although the playfulness fades from her face as Tahzhoo speaks earnestly, and she looks to her mate.. waiting.
Nearing Tahz, Ryn is hesitant. For a long time he had resented the lion; for the things he had, the respect he held with those he only dreamed to stand next to. It was now his turn to try and gain that same respect. Listening to his grandfather, he nods and without much notice he nuzzles the elder lion silent words reaching out that say 'thank you'. They may not of seen eye to eye all that often but in a way, he was grateful to him him around. Pulling away he saves the roar for later, moving to his mother. All the trouble he had brought her growing up and yet still still loved him for who he was. Nuzzling her aswell he at last moves to his father whom out of all the lions here respected the most. Nothing is said for he had a feeling Ghedi already knew. A few words shared from Kweu he smirks. His father hunting.. Giving himself space now, its the roar his grandfather insisted that he takes focus now. His thanks are given, now it was time to let all now he was ready. So lifting his head high he reaches out with a voice from the heart.
* Ryngia's roar echoes all across the valley. *
Ghedi smiles… "Well, he has good volume, but I'm not sure about the accent." He chuckles… "He is my sone for sure." He gives his mate a nuzzle… "I feel so proud right now. Everything I hoped for when I met you has come to pass. And now that I am retired, perhaps you will say the same." He gives his father a nuzzle too… "And thank you for your words dad. Both for me, and for my son. The passing of the mantle is both a relief, and a burdon, but our future looks bright."
Ghedi lifts his head and roars…
* Ghedi's roar echoes all across the valley. *
Jelani found Kweu's suggestion rather amusing but she just couldn't see him doing that. Not just yet anyway. Nuzzling him once more she smiles. "I am proud of you, our son; of everthing thats lead up to today." She could not of hope for anything more then this day. With her sons roar, then her mates, she takes little time to follow suit with one of her own.
* Jelani's roar echoes all across the valley. *
[Tahzhoo] The elder returns the nuzzle he receives from Ryngia, nodding his head to him when he pulls back. His eyes follow the younger lion to Jelani and Ghedi, nodding to him and his words. And when Ryngia's roar echoes through the valley Taz stands up and adds a roar of his own, his share of the pridal roar. It lacks the presence of strength it once was carrying way beyond the borders of Uzima and into the hearts of enemies and foes, but it still contains the determination and dedication that has been with him all the time since cubhood, and that will accompany him even to his very last step. It's not as loud as Ryngia's but still deafening, and it comes by heart.
* Tahzhoo's roar echoes all across the valley. *
Kweu is the last to join in the chorus but she makes up for the fact with her enthusiasm. Once the calls of the others are rolling through the valley, the lioness tilts her head and pulls back her ears before letting out a roar of her own. It is not so deep and heavy toned as the males' but the notes of it blend well with Jelani's as she celebrates her mate's rise to leadership.
* Kweu's roar echoes all across the valley. *
Each roar following his was like that of a single note that would make of the song that would begin his reign. Each roar filled him with confidence and acceptance. Listening to them fade across the valley Ryn looked to those who remained and was glad to have them here with him. "I'm glad to be able to call you all my family. For being there and having my back- thank you."
Ghedi smiles as the echos of the roars return from distant hills and trees… "Well, what ever neighbors we have left, they certainly know we are home. Well done my son." He sees that his father has slipped off to sleep. Well that is one advantage to being old… You can sleep instanly almost anywhere… "I think I might take a nap myself. I didn't get much sleep last night."
