Old Cubs, New Tricks

Mteuzi watched as Taka adressed Umufi. He was stiff and formal, and he was giving off the fact that he really didn't want to be here. He had changed from the Taka she once knew. He had been nothing but a mischevious brown cub when she had met him, and he always had to have a bit of coaxing to join in some fun. But when he got into it, he was a good friend.
It seemed that Umufi got the idea, but still replied with the same formality.
He then asked her name, and Mteuzi smiled a polite smile.

"My name is Mteuzi. Pleasure to meet you Umufi-Tekula, and may I say thats quite an interesting name you have there" She commented, her red eyes sparked with slight interest.

Mala had gradually become more and more annoyed by the males showing up, and before long she was bristling at Umufi, a snarl escaping her lips as he addressed her Taka so rudely. Her eyes flashed with anger as she snapped her lips closed, though the low growl still hovered at the back of her throat. Her claws raked at the ground as she tensed up next to Taka, just barely controlling every urge she had to jump the cocky males and shred into them. She didn't dare show such disrespect in front of the Prince, and she was well outnumbered anyways. Such a brawl would doubtless result in her death.

Wicked as she was, she wasn't stupid.

With a snort of disinterest, she sat down with her ears flat against her head. The anger was still there, but she waited obediently at Taka's side, waiting on his command. She hoped he would simply turn his back on the males and let Mufasa handle it so they could venture into the depths of the Pridelands alone and unbothered by such petty problems as the rogues.

Let the girls deal with them, she thought as she looked from Taugadi and the others to Taka.

Tekua looked back at what everyone was looking at and talking to, For a while he tried to ignore the talking and muffled voices but soon his curiosity got the best of him, He turned his head in an almost 180 degree turn and looked behind him, Noticing another male lion, Just sitting there, And he had heard his name from Mteuzi,

Man.. A lot of people sure do come to this play on a daily basis... Tekua thought to himself, He looked back at Mala, and Taka, Mala still had that ever lasting look of hatred on her face, and she had had it since he got here, And he didn't like it.. One bit, It made him feel.. Uncomfortable.

Taka on the other hand, Once you got to know him, And just make him feel all high and authority wise.. Wasn't all that bad, But still.. He was quite annoying, and while he was thinking these things, He had an emotionless face set upon his muzzle.

"Hey Umufi.. Names Tekua, Nice to meet you" Tekua said with a friendly smile, If he couldn't make friends with Mala, or the others. He could at least make friends with Umufi.

(We need to get someone to play Muffy or Ahadi :-/)
Taka glanced around the others, ears twitching at the low rumbling coming from Mala. Her ears were layed flat against her elegant brown head, fangs exposed just below. He couldn't help but feel bad for the lioness, always so disgruntled and only wanting to please him. With a sigh, he nudged his nose against her shoulder, and turned to find trouble else where.

(( I'm willing to play Muffy! Short post alert - Bell's about to ring. ))

Mala looked to Taka then followed him, smirking to herself. She was getting rather good at keeping him away from the others and spending alone time with him... Which is precisely what she wanted. And that Tekua guy was bothering her - he was too high and mighty for his own fur.

Umufi nodded to Mteuzi, but portrayed a face of disdain unto the female that snapped out at him. Holding his ground, he flashed his tail.
"No need to be harsh, I'm not taking anything from you madam. At least not your Taka."
He didn't speak in sarcasm and nor did he wish to provoke this lioness.
Turning away from this pre-formed grudge, he lifted a brow to the lion Tekua. A male that perhaps, Umufi could befriend.
"Nice to meet you as well. This seems like the place to be if you ask me."
Umufi smiled and transformed it into a grin as he appraoched Tekua, then returned a statement to Mteuzi.
"Yes. It's not my birthed name, but it means "Dead Joke" by the people. It suits me for now I should think."
He smiled politely, turning an eye to her kindly, then looking back to Tekua.
Leaning in he whispered a note.
"What's the title of that pissmire lioness?"
He didn't want to unsettle that lioness' nerve, so he'd best keep it on the down low and between someone he could trust.
This Tekua seemed like a very trustworthy and bold lad. Better than some of his own brothers. And Mteuzi was beyond hospitable, which apparently could not be afforded by some here.

(I always make short posts >_<)

Taka headed down the many steps of Pride Rock, taking his time, and walking lightly. He glanced back at Mala once, and asked,"What do you think of the new males?" He personally didn't mind them, but a natural jealously came up whenever he would speak to the other lionesses.

(( I'm gunna go ahead and bring Muffy in... I feel like balancing my ebil with some good. xD

Name: Mufasa
Fur Colour: Golden yellow
Eye Colour: Auburn ( I think? )
Tail Tuft: Reddish brown
Age: Teen-ish... Just barely Taka's elder.
Likes: Learning the ways of the Pridelands, hearing stories of the past, being with his friends from cubhood.
Dislikes: Mala, Taka's dark ways,
Relatives: Ahadi and Uru - parents; Taka - brother.
Friends: Mtuezi, Rashu, Taugadi, etc.
History: Mufasa was trained to be King from day one, and though as a cub he tried to be nice to his brother Taka's wicked ways soon pushed him away. He is wise for his years, mostly due to learning everything he can absorb from his father.
Personality: Kind-hearted and generous; he's usually very happy and calm. ))

The young prince stood poised at the tip of Pride Rock, his calm auburn eyes watching with a mixture of sadness and anger as Mala and Taka left. The sun glinted off his golden fur and his reddish mane was smooth around his face. The male was large for his age and quite strong, the complete opposite of his younger brother. And he often considered himself wiser than Taka, too; but he never spoke it.

His interest had also been sparked in the new males, and with a curious eye he turned and walked from the pinnacle of Pride Rock and towards the small gathering. His steps were elegant and measured, his pace a slow walk. He came between Merra and Taugadi, studying the rogues before smiling softly. He knew they would have attacked already if they intended harm, and Ahadi had taught him to look for the traits in rogues that were alarms of cruel intentions. These two displayed none of them. His voice was deep yet soft and curious as he studied the males more closely.

"Do not mind Taka or Mala... Both are filled with hatred for things that cannot be helped. What are your names, strangers? From where did you come, and why are you here?"


Mala snorted and shook her head. "I'm no more impressed with them than I am with your goody-goody brother. They're just here to try and take over I bet - no other reason for them to be here." She snorted again then glanced sideways at him. "But I hate almost everyone. What do you think?"

Taka shrugged, and replied,"They most likely have evil intentions. But why should I care? It's not as if Father or Mufasa will listen to anything I have to say." In his sigh, he caught a familiar scent, the warm scent of his brother. "Mufasa's at finally come out."

Mala turned and stared up at the golden form of Mufasa, snorting. "What's so special about him? Why does *he* get to become the King?" She turned to Taka, grinning as she kept in step next to him. "You're much smarter than him, anyways. You know how to really run a kingdom - keep the rogues who present problems out." She shuddered and growled then looked back towards Mufasa. "He'll let the fools take over under his nose."

Taugadi's dark rimmed ears twitched when she caught sight of yet another new male. She tilted her head to the side slightly, now studying them both. They both seemed all right. She didn't feel a threat from them.

"The name's Taugadi," she finally spoke up with a nod of her head. She looked to Mufasa standing at her side, him asking the questions she wanted anwers to. Mufasa was a good hearted lion in Taugadi's opinion. She liked him, but only as a friend, even if she had more in common with him. Besides, the king to be already had Sarabi and Taugadi was good enough friends with her to not want to take away Mufasa, even though she hadn't the desire. She felt more drawn to Taka, anyway, even if she couldn't explain why. Even she had noticed Taka's change lately. Perhaps it was that whole opposites attract thing.

She turned her head slightly to watch as Taka and Mala walked off together. Her ears drooped slightly as her expression became the slightest of worry.

However, she would have to deal with it later. There were other matters at hand here. "Yes," she asked after Mufasa, "what brings you to the Pridelands? We haven't seen newcomers for a while now."

Mufasa glanced down to Taugadi and offered her a small smile. He knew of her attraction to Taka, and also knew of Mala's intentions to tear him away. There had been a period of time where he had wanted Taugadi over Sarabi, but he got over it quickly. Besides, her heart belonged to Taka - he had no sight to set paw in that. He looked back out to his brother and blew a full-bodied sigh, shaking his head slowly before looking to Taugadi.

"Mala took him, didn't she? I don't like her - I wish Ahadi would do something about her. She has been a poor influence on Taka's already twisted mind." He turned his head back to the newcomers, murmuring more quietly. "He would be much calmer if he remained with you..." but I fear his hatred of me is the cause of all this.

(Wow thousands of replies xX Okay here we go, LESH DO IT :D)

Tekua heard a whisper, then understood the message as it was directed to him, and he replied hastily as soon as Taka and Mala had went off on their own to do.. What ever the heck it was that they did while they were alone. "Nice name by the by.. And... I have no clue.. Just got here myself.. She's a bit.. Pessamistic(Sp?), Over protective may I say, Like she's the owner of.. Taka, Shouldn't Taka be the one being over protective of her, Not the other way around?" Tekua whispered back with a smirk set on his face, Taka and Mala both hated him now, for what it seemed, But if it was an enemy they wanted.. Then it was an enemy they had.

Tekua could sometimes put up with Lion's and Lioness' and he knew that some were like that, But never, NEVER had he met someone as ill tempered as Mala had seemed to be acting, Then she just grunts and prowls off? It was just... Weird.

His head swung upwards to look at a lion with fur like gold, It was almost like the rays of the sun that shown down upon them now, And he was.. Well built, A little bit bigger than most Adolescents, He was a lot more powerful then any of the lions here it seemed, Unless someone were to use trickery, and he seemed.. Nice.. Maybe.. To nice.. He must be.. The other prince.. then.. I guess more respect is needed Tekua thought to himself, A smile appeared on his muzzle and he leaned his head forward at the presense of Mufasa, and stated answers to his questions.

"The names Tekua, Sir. I come from Jamahari Prides from the south, Left them for.. Certain reasons.. My only wish now.. Is to join your humble Pride, and for staying here, I offer all that I have." Tekua said with his head still lowered down before Mufasa.

Umufi observed how Tekua showed such respect to this noble lion before them all.
He had never known any respect such as this in the life preceeding this moment. It was, an act he would most likely never accept in his life. However, that did not mean he was arrogant.

"Well sir, I am Umufi-Tekula. I have wandered from the lands very north of here, as far as the barren desserts. I'm a rouge as you have already stated. I have no home, and the world surrounding has pushed me to rely on more, welcoming hearts such as you, and a few others here."
He smiled nodding his head slightly in respect.
Watching Taka dissappear with this Mala, he wondered and thought on it for a moment.
"Nothing good shall come out of this. Though you can do nothing Umufi, but slowly watch as another soul falls to the snare of evil in a females grasp."
His face bore no expression of his thoughts as he looked over to the lioness beside this Mufasa.
"Hello madam Taugadi. As I said, my name is Umufi-Tekula."
He bore her a welcoming smile, but whatever face he wore on the front, did not always proceed the feelings underneath. He was extreamly uncomfrotable. It was expected of him, so he thought. These were foriegn lions and lioness' but he was already feeling their lives, expressions, troubles and even good fortune. He was already become fond, even attached. Was this for better, or worse?

Mufasa blinked, shifting from paw to paw uneasily. He listened to their stories and absorbed him in silence while he studied the males further. His auburn eyes glowed warmly as he suddenly smiled and nodded slowly. His deep yet soft voice rumbled out again as he spoke.

"I welcome you both to our lands, Tekua and Umufi-Tekula. Although I cannot make the final choice on whether you stay or leave, I do not see any reason why you will be forced to leave. My name is Mufasa... I am the Prince of these lands, son to King Ahadi. Please, do not call me sir... It makes me feel old." He winked to the lionesses near him before he spoke again. "And do not call me Muffy either."

He bowed his head lightly to them then moved past them, standing at the edge of the slope leading to the plains and watching after his little brother. His eyes took on a look of deep sadness as he watched the two vanish into the grasses of the plains. His mighty shoulders slumped some and he sighed softly, taking a step to go after him then thinking better of it and sitting down where he was, looking out across the land.

((ooc: Yay, someone brought Mufasa back^^ Maybe someone could bring Sarabi back to, she's my favourite character;)))
Mteuzi watched as Mala sent looks of spite flying towards Umufi. She had to admit, Mala wasn't an easy person to befriend; though if you knew what she was like, you wouldn't even care to try. Taka soon left the group, and not surprisingly, Mala followed close behind. Then Prince Mufasa joined them group, and he consulted Umufi and Tekua with much more respect and politness then his brother. She had to admit, even though Taka constantly spoke ill of his brother, it was hard not to like the golden pelted lion. He was groomed to become a leader, and when the time arose, he would take to the position well. He actually cared about the kingdom, and its inhabitants, and it was a sure sign of a wise king.
The prince left, and now the group was down to five, and Mteuzi took the odd pause of Mufasa's leave to explain Mufasa's forlorn look as he watched his brother. She leaned her head in towards Tekua's and Umufi's and whispered quietly.

"The Prince's relationship is not what you'd call a pleasant one"

She drew her head back, and sat down. She felt comfortable enough in the presence of the new lions, to quietly groom her paw with her soft pink tongue, while she waited for her other friends to bring up another topic to talk about.

(I'll be a last resort to play Sarabi. lol I don't mind doing it, but I type such short posts >_<)
"Where do you have in mind of going, Mala?" Taka at finally spoke up when they had gotten far enough away from the others. He had even noticed a change in his personality, and at times he didn't like the change at all. Quite simply, he had lost his innocence.

Umufi looked to Mteuzi, and flashed a quick grin to her remark, before looking to the distruaght Mufasa resting upon the ground.
So, he had been accpted by the leader, and all was well. Except for this Taka. Who was he to say what was well and wrong, but Umufi noticed the negative behaviour of Taka and Mala effected the very atomosphere of the entire Ga-Pride.
It shouldn't be so. They should be happy, or lest things get worse for them all.
"So how far does the kingdom of this Pride stretch? I assume it to be vast and far, for the number of this pride is in excellent health and size."
He flicked his tail and smiled looking out over the scape of the serengti, pricking his ears ahead, and absorbing the land.
The sun shone it's elligance upon the golden wheat that sighed away with the transparent breath of nature, and the baobob trees casted their shadows in bent like forms upon the wheat with the heat of the sun upon them.
The land was flat and golden out for many many miles, and it amazed Umufi that one could see so far but take such time to sojourn it.
Looking back at Tekua he grinned playfully, like the cub he was.
"I can see why Taka would be upset not to have this haha! It's huge! Is it all laid out to this Pride?"
He poked light fun to this quiet gathering, and flashed his tail too and fro with glee.
Padding his way closer to the edge, he sat upon his dark golden stained haunches and cocked his head on it's left axis, still fascinated with the view.

((ooc: I wouldn't mind playing Sarabi, but if anyone really wants to, then they can))
Mteuzi padded over to her friend Merra, and grinned wildly at her. The hunting party would soon be rising, and she was trying to get in the mood to hunt.

"Come on Mer, I'll race ya to the hunting meeting place!"

She batted her friend playfully, and sprinted off down the grassy hill in front of Priderock. A run always cleared her mind, and a race kept her entertained. Her creamy milk beat rythmically against the ground, and her red eyes gleamed with the thrill of the world flying past her as she ran.

((So many posts! X_X))

Merra sprang up.
"Oh, yeah!" She raced after Mtuezi with unatural speed, soon catching up with her.
"Feelin' lucky Mtuezi?" She yelled over-excitedly.