Epine de Rose
"Are you sure that you need to do this again?" The younger lion seemed incredulous as he stared after his father. By now, Ram's paws were already comfortably positioned in the water, his toes wriggling against the soft sand beneath. To the younger lion it seemed peculiar that he would need to subject himself to judgement again when in the grand scheme of things... He was still who he had always been.
"If you recall, the ocean has accepted your brother and I have been away for a considerable amount of time," Ram chuckled. It wasn't anything particularly special, he didn't intend to throw himself off the cliff again just yet, but perhaps in time that would be required. For now, simply allowing the ocean to acknowledge he had returned was something he deemed important... so much so that he had elected to do it prior to inviting himself in to his son's court.
Not that he suspected Shui would cast him out but some traditions were genuinely important.
"If you say so," Huo murmured with a shake of his head, he didn't sound entirely convinced.
"If you recall, the ocean has accepted your brother and I have been away for a considerable amount of time," Ram chuckled. It wasn't anything particularly special, he didn't intend to throw himself off the cliff again just yet, but perhaps in time that would be required. For now, simply allowing the ocean to acknowledge he had returned was something he deemed important... so much so that he had elected to do it prior to inviting himself in to his son's court.
Not that he suspected Shui would cast him out but some traditions were genuinely important.
"If you say so," Huo murmured with a shake of his head, he didn't sound entirely convinced.
AstoriaFallen
Tanginika often found herself by the water, it was more than the stories she told or the fact that they lived so close to them. It called to all of her, body and soul.
The weather was delightful as of late, and the cool waters were starting to warm up but were still refreshing to the touch. Standing in the waters she listened to the sound of the waves as they lapped against the shoreline and the calls of the seabirds in the air caused her to look upwards. Watching as the birds circled the skyline she couldn't help but get lost in their movements.
They were graceful to watch, the way they swooped and soared.
moment before sounds drew her attention from the sea. Her attention was drawn from them as something on the wind caught her ears. Was that voices on the wind? They were hardly audible so she waited to see who was approaching.
The weather was delightful as of late, and the cool waters were starting to warm up but were still refreshing to the touch. Standing in the waters she listened to the sound of the waves as they lapped against the shoreline and the calls of the seabirds in the air caused her to look upwards. Watching as the birds circled the skyline she couldn't help but get lost in their movements.
They were graceful to watch, the way they swooped and soared.
moment before sounds drew her attention from the sea. Her attention was drawn from them as something on the wind caught her ears. Was that voices on the wind? They were hardly audible so she waited to see who was approaching.
Epine de Rose
Huo remained on the shore as his father waded in and soon the blue lion was up to his shoulders, then his nose, before completely disappearing once more. Huo had assumed that he would have seen his father again soon after but on this occasion he had vanished from view entirely. What should have been a routine ceremony soon induced a sense of panic in the younger lion who began to call out as he waded in himself.
...As for Ram?
Well, it seemed that the ocean hadn't deemed it necessary to kill him this morning. Instead it merely embraced him lovingly and rather than cast him back towards his son it had instead chosen to pull him through the currents towards a new destination. The destination? Well, that would be Tanginika, who would soon have a rather distinguish lion deposited at her paws. Wet, but otherwise unharmed, he seemed in good humour even if his song was already barrelling towards him in alarm.
"Good morning!"
...As for Ram?
Well, it seemed that the ocean hadn't deemed it necessary to kill him this morning. Instead it merely embraced him lovingly and rather than cast him back towards his son it had instead chosen to pull him through the currents towards a new destination. The destination? Well, that would be Tanginika, who would soon have a rather distinguish lion deposited at her paws. Wet, but otherwise unharmed, he seemed in good humour even if his song was already barrelling towards him in alarm.
"Good morning!"
AstoriaFallen
She was expecting someone from the shoreline, not the water, so when Ram appeared before her she was caught off guard for a brief moment,⁴ especially when his son was shouting from the sandy shoreline.
"They always say the sea gives the best gifts." Some light humor from the dark lioness as she noticed he seemed unharmed, though it was clear that his son was uncertain given his mannerisms. "It is a good morning, are you enjoying yourself this fine day?" Unaware he had been doing a ceremony with his son prior to this.
Turning her attention towards the shore she gave a grin in the direction of his son to perhaps signal that his father was indeed unharmed and quite well. "I can assume neither of you are hear for a story?" Humor in her voice.
"They always say the sea gives the best gifts." Some light humor from the dark lioness as she noticed he seemed unharmed, though it was clear that his son was uncertain given his mannerisms. "It is a good morning, are you enjoying yourself this fine day?" Unaware he had been doing a ceremony with his son prior to this.
Turning her attention towards the shore she gave a grin in the direction of his son to perhaps signal that his father was indeed unharmed and quite well. "I can assume neither of you are hear for a story?" Humor in her voice.
Epine de Rose
"You need to settle yourself, I told you I'd be fine," Ram gave his paw a wave as his son padded up, motioning shortly afterwards to himself. As the lioness had indicated, he was suitably unharmed, and the ocean had simply chosen to deposit him in front of one of the faces he wasn't so quite familiar with.
Suffice to say that Huo did not look impressed as he drew nearer, though he was certainly relieved. He had the good grace to not act snide though and instead he turned his attention to the lioness. Admittedly he'd been away for long enough to not recognise her himself, he'd so focused on following rumours that he hadn't afforded the time to return. Ah, but it brought him comfort to know that even in the darker and more controversial times, there were those who weathered the storm.
"Stories, no, I can't say we are," he admitted, though his own father seemed intrigued.
"Oh I'm sure we can stay for a little while," Ram mused. "It would be nice to hear something new, I have been away for quite some time you know."
"The pride is aware father, they have had to suffer because of it as well," Huo replied, the bulk of his scathing tone tempered for the sake of manners.
"And it will be corrected, but first, a story!"
Suffice to say that Huo did not look impressed as he drew nearer, though he was certainly relieved. He had the good grace to not act snide though and instead he turned his attention to the lioness. Admittedly he'd been away for long enough to not recognise her himself, he'd so focused on following rumours that he hadn't afforded the time to return. Ah, but it brought him comfort to know that even in the darker and more controversial times, there were those who weathered the storm.
"Stories, no, I can't say we are," he admitted, though his own father seemed intrigued.
"Oh I'm sure we can stay for a little while," Ram mused. "It would be nice to hear something new, I have been away for quite some time you know."
"The pride is aware father, they have had to suffer because of it as well," Huo replied, the bulk of his scathing tone tempered for the sake of manners.
"And it will be corrected, but first, a story!"
AstoriaFallen
She could sense the tension but made no comment towards it, it was none of her business and getting into it wouldnt solve anything most likely.
As the trio stood in the ocean the gave a small nod of her head and smiled before closing her eyes, growing silent. The sound of the waves and seabirds above seeming to be the only noises around them.
Slowly a soft and deep hum could he heard from the depths of her vocals, as if to set a mood, she wasnt sure why she did what she did sometimes, she always just went with it.
"There was once a brave lion, born to the sea and earth like his forefathers before him. Unafraid of anything he believed the sea would protect him always.
One day a storm hit and in an attempt to save someone from drowning he flung himself into the choppy waters but never resurfaced. Those around panicked and searched but there was no sign of him, he was gone, the other lion was washed ashore and survived the ordeal. Everyone mourned the loss that was brought that day.
When he had jumped into the waters the great mother had other plans for him and grabbed him with her cool hands and dragged him farther than he'd ever gone before. Despite how he fought he couldnt free himself from her grasp so he eventually gave in and allowed her to take him where she willed.
Soon, lands came onto view but they were not the ones he called home but he was so weak and tired that he collapsed as soon as she gave him to the grassy shores.
When the young lion awoke there were faces unknown around him. They were calling him a gift of the sea, a miracle. For no one ever went into the waters in their lands and came out alive. This must be a sign they had all said. While he knew that there were no dangers in the waters in his home land he refrained from telling them there wasnt any reason to fear the water for he didnt know their customs or histories. He was the color of the water itself and they were darker, their homes built in the walls of stoney outcrops.
They almost worshiped him as a God and he felt strange for that but there was some good that came of his being there. While he recovered he would often go to the waters and one day a small cub fell in, he raced into the waters and pulled her back to shore and everyone gasped and cried and were filled with wonder. You see, none of this pride knew how to swim, and he realized that and decided then to do something about it.
"Since I am a gift from the sea, there is something she would like of me. I will show you a gift that was passed onto me and it will help you prosper in times to come." He taught them to swim and they were grateful.
One night, months later it would seem, a storm hit once more and he felt a call to the ocean and everyone watched as he calmly walked into the raging waters and disappeared again. She had called him back, his time abroad was done. Allowing her to carry him she brought him a long ways before finally a familiar sight came I to view.
It was his home.
The great mother returned him to his pride and they rejoiced for he had returned to them, unharmed and perhaps a bit changed. While he was fearless he admitted he had been afraid that stormy day but he trusted the mother and knew if it was his time she would deem it so. Fear the water but also trust it because it will both give and take life."
She finished and looked at the two of them.
As the trio stood in the ocean the gave a small nod of her head and smiled before closing her eyes, growing silent. The sound of the waves and seabirds above seeming to be the only noises around them.
Slowly a soft and deep hum could he heard from the depths of her vocals, as if to set a mood, she wasnt sure why she did what she did sometimes, she always just went with it.
"There was once a brave lion, born to the sea and earth like his forefathers before him. Unafraid of anything he believed the sea would protect him always.
One day a storm hit and in an attempt to save someone from drowning he flung himself into the choppy waters but never resurfaced. Those around panicked and searched but there was no sign of him, he was gone, the other lion was washed ashore and survived the ordeal. Everyone mourned the loss that was brought that day.
When he had jumped into the waters the great mother had other plans for him and grabbed him with her cool hands and dragged him farther than he'd ever gone before. Despite how he fought he couldnt free himself from her grasp so he eventually gave in and allowed her to take him where she willed.
Soon, lands came onto view but they were not the ones he called home but he was so weak and tired that he collapsed as soon as she gave him to the grassy shores.
When the young lion awoke there were faces unknown around him. They were calling him a gift of the sea, a miracle. For no one ever went into the waters in their lands and came out alive. This must be a sign they had all said. While he knew that there were no dangers in the waters in his home land he refrained from telling them there wasnt any reason to fear the water for he didnt know their customs or histories. He was the color of the water itself and they were darker, their homes built in the walls of stoney outcrops.
They almost worshiped him as a God and he felt strange for that but there was some good that came of his being there. While he recovered he would often go to the waters and one day a small cub fell in, he raced into the waters and pulled her back to shore and everyone gasped and cried and were filled with wonder. You see, none of this pride knew how to swim, and he realized that and decided then to do something about it.
"Since I am a gift from the sea, there is something she would like of me. I will show you a gift that was passed onto me and it will help you prosper in times to come." He taught them to swim and they were grateful.
One night, months later it would seem, a storm hit once more and he felt a call to the ocean and everyone watched as he calmly walked into the raging waters and disappeared again. She had called him back, his time abroad was done. Allowing her to carry him she brought him a long ways before finally a familiar sight came I to view.
It was his home.
The great mother returned him to his pride and they rejoiced for he had returned to them, unharmed and perhaps a bit changed. While he was fearless he admitted he had been afraid that stormy day but he trusted the mother and knew if it was his time she would deem it so. Fear the water but also trust it because it will both give and take life."
She finished and looked at the two of them.
Epine de Rose
A more smug expression couldn't have been seen this side of the century as Ram turned to look at his son. The lovely lioness before them had blessed them with a story that struck a chord with this particular pride more than others it would seem. Suffice to say that in return, Huo didn't look particularly pleased... It wasn't her fault of course, she didn't know that her story had been pretty much perfect in regards to Ram, but it was just sod's law that she had picked that one to tell!
"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" Huo asked at last, pulling his attention away from his father before he became unnecessarily moody. Moodiness didn't suit Huo, he didn't much like the feeling, but at the moment it seemed to be his default setting. The sooner he had 'fixed' the Bahari's political strife, the quicker he could get back to just being him.
"Yes, I should have remembered my manners!" Ram smiled warmly as he turned to look at her. "It would appear I forgot myself, my son has it in his head that time is of the essence and I really don't have time to chat," he admitted. "But the truth of the matter is that I really should remember common decency at the very least... End of the world doomsday prophecys aside!"
It may not make sense to her immediately, but it might dawn on her later.
"I think he's being a little dramatic, but it is what it is."
Huo afforded a half glance, but his father did not receive a rise from his teasing on this occasion.
"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" Huo asked at last, pulling his attention away from his father before he became unnecessarily moody. Moodiness didn't suit Huo, he didn't much like the feeling, but at the moment it seemed to be his default setting. The sooner he had 'fixed' the Bahari's political strife, the quicker he could get back to just being him.
"Yes, I should have remembered my manners!" Ram smiled warmly as he turned to look at her. "It would appear I forgot myself, my son has it in his head that time is of the essence and I really don't have time to chat," he admitted. "But the truth of the matter is that I really should remember common decency at the very least... End of the world doomsday prophecys aside!"
It may not make sense to her immediately, but it might dawn on her later.
"I think he's being a little dramatic, but it is what it is."
Huo afforded a half glance, but his father did not receive a rise from his teasing on this occasion.
AstoriaFallen
It was clear to her whom the two lions before her were at least she had seen Ram briefly enough in the past to know who he was, though she had always been one to keep to herself and had never truly socialized too much so it was fair to say it wasn't uncommon they didn't know her name. "Tanginika, I'm sure my profession within the pride is clear as the sea on this day." Giving a light smile she gave a small dip of her head towards Ram and Huo.
"I don't believe I've every actually formally met either of you, and I find that the sea is smiling upon us this day now that I am able to do so." Her smile never wavering as she stood in the ocean, her dark pelt contrast against the cool waters.
She could sense there was some tension between the two and it seemed her story hadn't really lightened it too much, though Ram had seemed rather smug after she had finished her tale, had she said something of note she wondered?
"I wasn't getting in the way of anything was I? I could walk with the two of you to shore if you like. As for forgetting manners, I should have introduced myself before, I knew I hadn't had the opportunity to do so before so really the fault lies on me." Trying to perhaps lessen the strife between the two adults. Looking towards the sky for a moment she couldn't help but keep smiling, "We are fortunate for this weather and each other. I am truly blessed this day." She meant every word of it.
"I don't believe I've every actually formally met either of you, and I find that the sea is smiling upon us this day now that I am able to do so." Her smile never wavering as she stood in the ocean, her dark pelt contrast against the cool waters.
She could sense there was some tension between the two and it seemed her story hadn't really lightened it too much, though Ram had seemed rather smug after she had finished her tale, had she said something of note she wondered?
"I wasn't getting in the way of anything was I? I could walk with the two of you to shore if you like. As for forgetting manners, I should have introduced myself before, I knew I hadn't had the opportunity to do so before so really the fault lies on me." Trying to perhaps lessen the strife between the two adults. Looking towards the sky for a moment she couldn't help but keep smiling, "We are fortunate for this weather and each other. I am truly blessed this day." She meant every word of it.
Epine de Rose
"Oh don't mind him, Huo isn't accustomed to the pressures of politics," Ram shook his head with a reassuring smile. The tension would dissipate eventually, Ram knew that it came from genuine concern at the state of the pride. The 'former' King could appreciate this, but given the fact that Tanginika stood before them now, it was proof that life did continue as normal in the grand scheme of things. Seismic changes could wait, had there been death and destruction then Ram would have hurried.
"He wants to address the issues as soon as possible so that he can return to his usual hobbies," he added and glanced pointedly towards his son.
"My apologies," Huo knew when he'd been caught out. The truth of it was that he wanted to return to normal and he had a great deal of confidence in the clout his father brought with him. Even Ram entering that 'special area' would be enough of a seismic shift to shut certain people up... How long change took after that really didn't bother him, all he knew was that it would get better in time.
"Truth be told, he thinks it's high time I came back and knocked down a couple of walls that shouldn't have been built in the last year," Ram explained gently. He wasn't naive and he knew that the Bahari might have their own indiviual opinions on all that might have happened. "I wouldn't call someone regaling us with a rather timely and fitting tale to be an interruption though... if anything it was appropriate," he added.
He did however motion for her to follow, she was more than welcome to 'escort' them back towards the inner areas of the pride, though if she had other personal matters to attend to she was more than welcome to do so.
"But perhaps it might be time to at least show my face, say hello, and then maybe deal with some of the more awkward elements of family reunions eh?" he asked, a hint of humour in his gaze.
"He wants to address the issues as soon as possible so that he can return to his usual hobbies," he added and glanced pointedly towards his son.
"My apologies," Huo knew when he'd been caught out. The truth of it was that he wanted to return to normal and he had a great deal of confidence in the clout his father brought with him. Even Ram entering that 'special area' would be enough of a seismic shift to shut certain people up... How long change took after that really didn't bother him, all he knew was that it would get better in time.
"Truth be told, he thinks it's high time I came back and knocked down a couple of walls that shouldn't have been built in the last year," Ram explained gently. He wasn't naive and he knew that the Bahari might have their own indiviual opinions on all that might have happened. "I wouldn't call someone regaling us with a rather timely and fitting tale to be an interruption though... if anything it was appropriate," he added.
He did however motion for her to follow, she was more than welcome to 'escort' them back towards the inner areas of the pride, though if she had other personal matters to attend to she was more than welcome to do so.
"But perhaps it might be time to at least show my face, say hello, and then maybe deal with some of the more awkward elements of family reunions eh?" he asked, a hint of humour in his gaze.
AstoriaFallen
She listened as Ram spoke and his son is reaction, looking towards the you male she gave Huo a warm smile as if to say no worries she followed along with them silent for a moment. Giving some thought to the words the two shared she decided to drop a pearl if wisdom maybe.
"When was the last time the two of you just took the time to relax and enjoy the feel of the water against your pelt, the warmth of the breeze as it kisses your face? I think perhaps, taking a few small moments to allow yourself to reenter and relax won't delay anything that will happen regardless." Sometimes one could get too sucked into their duties and forget to live for themselves as well.
"It is true much has happened within our pride, but things will rebalance in due time." She had not been unaffected by the things that had happened during Rams disappearance, no one had. Everyone just responded differently.
"At least the moments to come will provide me with fodder to use in future stories. I always like an element of truth behind my tales." She looked at Ram with a twinkle in her eyes and she looked towards the shore as they grew nearer.
"I do hope to cross paths again soon, I truly find myself in good favor from the ocean today." She did have some things to see to, but would walk with them till they hit the shoreline.
"When was the last time the two of you just took the time to relax and enjoy the feel of the water against your pelt, the warmth of the breeze as it kisses your face? I think perhaps, taking a few small moments to allow yourself to reenter and relax won't delay anything that will happen regardless." Sometimes one could get too sucked into their duties and forget to live for themselves as well.
"It is true much has happened within our pride, but things will rebalance in due time." She had not been unaffected by the things that had happened during Rams disappearance, no one had. Everyone just responded differently.
"At least the moments to come will provide me with fodder to use in future stories. I always like an element of truth behind my tales." She looked at Ram with a twinkle in her eyes and she looked towards the shore as they grew nearer.
"I do hope to cross paths again soon, I truly find myself in good favor from the ocean today." She did have some things to see to, but would walk with them till they hit the shoreline.
Epine de Rose
"I have rested personally," Ram reassured her, he knew the importance of taking time to heal. To say that the lesson had been beaten in to him by the Al-Siq might have seemed dramatic but their healers had spent a great deal of time holding him down until he did learn to take life much more slowly. Had it not been for their insistance he'd have been in an early grave by now, expired by the stress and pressure of life as he knew it.
His son however...
"You will perhaps afford me some help and show him where best to relax?" he asked at last, coming to a halt briefly as he looked between Huo and Tan. She made a valuable point and while he certainly had no qualms dealing with any political fallout, his son did need to simply breathe. Perhaps that for this morning it would be time to part ways and allow Ram to do his job while conceding that Huo had done his.
"Take him elsewhere, deposit him where you think he might settle best and I will deal with the rest of this," he motioned to the Bahari with a wry smile to the lioness. It wasn't that he intended to dismiss her from his company completely, but he could take a pearl or two of wisdom when he heard it and she had given this one freely. It would be more logical for her to take his son away and set him somewhere peaceful.
"Father I really think -" Hup finally spoke up with a sigh.
"That your part in this great adventure is over for the time being," the elder lion said with a wave of his paw. "If the lovely lady doesn't mind, you would do well to follow her to a favoured haunt, or alternatively, simply go to one of your own, but I will tend to the rest." Ram remarked. Huo's lips parted, and then closed, if he argued he knew he'd end up going round in circles as his father would talk in such a manner until he conceded defeat!
His son however...
"You will perhaps afford me some help and show him where best to relax?" he asked at last, coming to a halt briefly as he looked between Huo and Tan. She made a valuable point and while he certainly had no qualms dealing with any political fallout, his son did need to simply breathe. Perhaps that for this morning it would be time to part ways and allow Ram to do his job while conceding that Huo had done his.
"Take him elsewhere, deposit him where you think he might settle best and I will deal with the rest of this," he motioned to the Bahari with a wry smile to the lioness. It wasn't that he intended to dismiss her from his company completely, but he could take a pearl or two of wisdom when he heard it and she had given this one freely. It would be more logical for her to take his son away and set him somewhere peaceful.
"Father I really think -" Hup finally spoke up with a sigh.
"That your part in this great adventure is over for the time being," the elder lion said with a wave of his paw. "If the lovely lady doesn't mind, you would do well to follow her to a favoured haunt, or alternatively, simply go to one of your own, but I will tend to the rest." Ram remarked. Huo's lips parted, and then closed, if he argued he knew he'd end up going round in circles as his father would talk in such a manner until he conceded defeat!
AstoriaFallen
So he was at her command now, so to speak. This was going to be interesting to say the least. "I do not mind at all." She gave a small bow of her head towards Ram, it was clear that he was well rested and more sure of himself and the things to come, while Huo was definitely a bit more wound up tight, as a mild way of putting it.
"Huo, if you would please follow me. I think I have just the place we could go." Giving him a smile she hoped that he at least allowed himself time to relax and calm his inner thoughts. Turning back towards Ram she gave another bow of her head, "Until next time. I'll be sure to come up with another story for you to hear." Giving him a wink she hoped she could at least give his son some of the inner peace the older lion had seemed to have found while he was away from the pride.
She led the way towards a spot only she knew about. At least she liked to think it was her spot. -fin
"Huo, if you would please follow me. I think I have just the place we could go." Giving him a smile she hoped that he at least allowed himself time to relax and calm his inner thoughts. Turning back towards Ram she gave another bow of her head, "Until next time. I'll be sure to come up with another story for you to hear." Giving him a wink she hoped she could at least give his son some of the inner peace the older lion had seemed to have found while he was away from the pride.
She led the way towards a spot only she knew about. At least she liked to think it was her spot. -fin