Characters played by Amy:
Tamani
Viza
Makosa
Safi
Kuhesa
Characters played by DGF:
Kuji
Sukari
Siovu
Urahisi
Nuna
It was a cold, grey night. The day sky had been a harsh blue, and the sun had done nothing than beat down on the backs of its victims. Hot and cold, hot and cold. The cycle would continue for some time. The rainy season had not arrived, and the evidence of its absence was all around; dead trees, dusty ground, greenery almost non-existent. The land had been hit by fire at the beginning of the season. The animals remained talked about it amongst themselves. So much was lost, and it would take time to mend. The looming rainy season was long awaited. The creatures out on the open plains that night shook a collective shiver.
Among them was a pair of lion siblings. Tamani, the younger lioness, was wide awake. Her eyes fluttered around, trying to find signs of life to persuade her mind to focus on something other than ‘when are we going to eat again’ or ‘where is the next closest waterhole’. She rolled onto her back and stared up into the bare branches of the tree she and her brother were laying under. Tamani still wasn’t sure about this whole ‘going it alone’ business, she was fairly cynical about the future. Her pride was her foundations, and with it gone for the past six months, she had to put all her faith into Kuji.
Kuji was probably asleep, and if he wasn’t, he was probably thinking about how to take care of her. Tamani was old enough to hunt on her own. She had helped Kuji before. Thinking of food made her scowl and turn back over onto her stomach. Her mouth was uncomfortably dry. In the near distance, she squinted at the mountain they had spotted the previous day. It was fairly large. Generally, she thought, there are springs that come out of a mountain. The two had been tired and Kuji thought it would be better to rest and then approach it. Tamani, thirstier than ever, now had the mind-set that it wouldn’t take them too long to get there. An hour maybe. ‘We might as well go now’ she thought with her mouth curled into a smile. The almost certainty of water was too great to ignore.
“Kuji” she whispered to wake him up, hoping he wouldn’t be grumpy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The water is a miracle. Viza thought it was sent for her, as a sign, to tell her to keep going. The dark furred lioness had found it herself as well. ‘He didn’t even spot it’ she thought, allowing herself to smile. She lapped at the small waterhole at the foot of the mountain. It would grow so much larger once the rainy season hit. She had left the small cave her mate had found them nearby. Early morning was some of the only time she got to herself. Unless he discovered she had gone and came looking for her; more than likely ending up beside her or at the water’s edge with her.
They hadn’t had a drink for days, and Siovu had got frustrated. He would shout at her, saying it was her fault they were in this situation. Viza had cowered. She didn’t like it when he shouted. At the simpliest noises she would flinch. When a cricket jumped near her paw at the water’s edge, she backed away.
Viza never used to be like this. She wanted to be the best huntress in her pride. Her mother told her that she would. Her pride, on the other hand, thought she wasn’t worth keeping. Maybe she was worthless? Siovu certainly seemed to think so. Frowning, she led by the water, not wanted to go back inside the cave despite the cold air biting at her ears.
