Jumoja and K'aaria's Cavern
You move from the main cavern into a smaller, but still spacious,
cave...this one the home of Jumoja and K'aaria. Formed of the same mica
flecked stone that makes up the rest of this cave complex, it too is warm
and dry. A small hole overhead provides natural light and ventilation,
letting the sounds of life outside the cave filter through. Covered in
sweetgrasses, the floor is also liberally sprinkled with small sprigs of
the wild sage that grew in K'aaria's mountains...a flower that she was
thrilled to find here. Tthrilled to find here. Their distinctive fragrance
fills the cave and wafts out the entrance. A natural hollow in the floor
near the back is piled high with the same grasses and flowers to form an
inviting bed, the enticing scent soothing after a long day and holding the
promise of pleasant dreams.

      [C]entral [C]ave

You can see...
[PRV] K'aaria, calmly unaware this will be the last day of her life.
[ZZZ] Mohatu
[ZZZ] Sumozi*


K'aaria
An entire new serenity surrounds K'aaria these days, one born of a new
confidence in herself. But with it has come a bewildering array of
inexplicable changes. No longer green/gold, her eyes have taken on the
soft lavender of her leleshwa. Her fur has darkened, now the deep gold
of the swaying grasses on the ripe savannah. Not quite an adult yet, but
having left behind her youth, she has matured into a quietly beautiful
lioness with a newly found strength of conviction. A seriousness underlies
all she does with the realization thaiousness underlies all she does
with the realization that her actions will effect others. Her playfulness
is tempered by a quiet awareness that she will some day soon be Jumoja's
Queen. With that awareness comes an awakening, and a new blossoming. No
longer is she afraid to speak her mind. No more will she back down and
run off in tears. Standing proudly on her own or at his side, she is
moving unerringly towards fufilling the name given her on her naming
day...K'aaria, she-who-speaks-softly-but-with-great-wisdom. <See her
pinfo for more>

Jumoja
You see a young male lion, nearing the end of his adolesence. His fur
is a dark, almost chocolate brown, with a lighter underside and paws. His
tailtuft is black, as is a soft, flowing mane, which covers his head and
shoulders, and drapes down over his chest. He stands at nearly his full
height now, somewhat shorter than an average lion, but well muscled from
determined training. His face is soft and usually smiling, his eyes a soft
golden color. Jumoja is preparing to move into his role as an adult, and
leader of the Kopje lands, to bring together and lead a new pride with his
love, K'aaria.

Jumoja nuzzles softly, and smiles at you. "It's quiet again.."

K'aaria's head is resting on your side as she smiles up at you. "Yeah..
it's nice isn't it?"

Jumoja chuckles softly and lowers his muzzle to rub against your cheek.
"When the rush dies down, and it's just you and I?" He smiles. "I can't
imagine anything more special."

K'aaria licks your cheek with a soft grin. "Me either. Sometimes I wish
we could just go off somewhere all alone and stay there forever. But...
then I remind myself how much I really would miss everyone."

Jumoja nods softly, and smiles, looking around the room. "Yeah.. I'm glad
for everyone." He turns a bit, running his muzzle along your cheek. "And
if we left, we wouldn't be able to spoil Fevra's cubs."

K'aaria chuckles. "I don't think it's going to be a great deal longer.
She sounded very sure that they'll be born soon." Her cheek presses
lightly against yours as she purrs softly from deep within her chest.

Jumoja smiles, and returns your purr deeply, rubbing his cheek on yours
softly. After a moment he smiles, drawing back a bit. "I think we should
go get some food, we haven't hunted together for a while."

K'aaria nips your nose with a soft grin. "No we haven't..and I am
hungry. Really hungry in fact!" She presses her nose against your chest.
"At least a huge antelope sized hungry!"

Jumoja grins at that, not trying to duck the nip, much. He chuckles.
"I think we can get something much bigger than last time. We can
surprise everyone! :)"

K'aaria laughs. "Do you really think so? I'd love to surprise Dad with a
big meal for when he wakes up!"

Jumoja grins and licks your nose. "Sure! But most important is we can do
it together. :)"

K'aaria's eyes flash up at you as she smiles and wriggles her nose
against your tongue. "I love doing anything as long as it's with you!"

Jumoja purrs and turns to face you, smiling and leaning forward to
nuzzle again. "You're my whole world, K'aaria. And together.. we can
do anything!"

K'aaria cranes her neck up, her face pressing against yours as she
whispers back. "Yes..we can. As long as it's the two of us...we can
face the whole world!"

Jumoja purrs deeply and smiles, then gets to his paws. "Let's head
outside and have a look."

K'aaria rises beside you and grins. "Okay..let's find the most huge
antelope we can!"

Jumoja giggles a bit. "Or a whole hippo!" He pauses, "Nah, there's no
fun in chasing a big hippo. ;)"

Central Cave
You blink to re-adjust your eyes in the dim light. You see you are in a
massive cave. Little peices of Mica are in the walls, reflecting a dim
light around the cavern. The cave seems to have enough room for the pride
lions to rest, or for the cubs to play around in. There are also large
rocks to rest on. The sound of the waterfall and of the birds outside
seem to have a calming effect to this cave as the echo around the walls.
As you look around you see many dark tunnels leading to other parts of
the cave.

      [S]iombe's [P]riv   [S]iombe's [P]rivate [C]avern
      [Back] to the Cliff Promontory    [Na]lia's Cavern
      [T]emi's [T]avern   [M]ohatu and [K]urana's Cave
      [J]umoja and [K]'aaria's [C]avern

K'aaria laughs. "Nah..."

You walk out of the cavern heading the the Promontory.

Cliff Promontory
You climb up the small path on the side of the cliff and walk out to the
edge of the promontory. Beneath you is a spectacular view of the waterfall.
This seems to be the perfect place to relax, or to sit and think about
life. The promontory juts out at an angle so that it can catch the suns
rays, and can also stay cool during the hotter days of the year. Sound
carries quite well from here, making it easy to talk to those below at the
waterfall. This way animals can express their views, or make announcments
to the audience below.

      [Down] to the waterfall   Farther up to the [C]liff [S]ummit
      [Into] the Central Cave

K'aaria glances back up to the summit. "Did I ever tell you that that is
my favorite place on all these lands?"
K'aaria noses your side.."Well...besides our grotto.."

Jumoja pads out to the promontory, looking over the fields below, then
up to the sky. "It's just getting dark... lots of animals will be
starting to move." He pauses, and follows your gaze up there. "No,
love, but it is a beautiful spot.. and always so quiet." He smiles at
that, then grins as you nose him. "Two favourite spots are okay with me."

K'aaria grins and turns her attention to looking down too. "See anything
good?"

Jumoja supresses a giggle and tries to look serious as he looks
right at you. "Yep. :)"

K'aaria notices where you're looking and turns bright red, laughing
softly. "Silly Lion...I meant to hunt!"

Jumoja giggles and nuzzles you softly, turning back to the fields.
"Ooooh, okay." He scans around for a moment, quietly, then points.
"What about that herd over there?"

K'aaria leans against you, still smiling as she follows your eyes to
where you're looking. "That herd of antelope down there?" She studies
it a moment and then nods thoughtfully. "I see several large ones in
there. Should we go down and take a closer look?"

Jumoja grins and nods. "Can't hurt... there's no shortage of food here
if they aren't suitable."

K'aaria nods quickly. "Okay..let go choose the biggest and fattest one
in the whole herd!"

Jumoja grins and can't help but lick his lips at the thought. "Okay,
let's go have a look."

You decide to climb down and see what's going on at the Waterfall.

Bottom of the Waterfall Cliff
You come to the bottom of a large cliff. Just above you is a massive
promotory jutting out of the side, it sends a shadow across the
waterfall. A large torrent of water comes down, creating a large 'lake'
at the bottom of the cliff. Many sweet grasses grow on the edge perfect
for grazing animals. As you look up the clifface, you see a small path
leading to the promotory and then stretches furthur along the cliff.
      To the [K]opje [V]alley   [Climb] up to the Promontory
      [E]dge of the [S]avannah

Edge of Savannah
You reach the savannah at the south of the Kopje Valley. From this place
you can see immense plains where the air is soft and a bit warm. At the
distance you see something that looks like a forest. At the opposite side
you see a valley and you can hear the sound of the water. Heading to the
distant forest, you can see some rocks on wich you may want to take a
sunbath or simply rest for a while, though they are quite far from here...
      [Back] to the Bottom of the Waterfall cliff
      (For)ward towards the distant Forest
      [S]avannah [G]rasslands

K'aaria prances exitedly after you!
K'aaria nudges you with a grin. "See anything?"

Jumoja grins and nudges back, nodding ahead even as he lowers himself
into the grasses. "If we go any closer, I think we're committed."
He grins. "See any one you like?"

K'aaria crouches beside you, peering through the grasses. She says
softly. "What of that big one over there...beside the tree? How does
it look to you?"

Jumoja looks over where you indicate. "Big," is his first response. He
flexes his paws, letting his claws dig into the ground. "But he does look
like he's apart from the rest, and if we do it right, we can use that
tree to keep him apart. Do you think that'd work?"

K'aaria is watching the antelope carefully...eyeing him in relation to the
rest. "I think that would work, yes....  The grass is deep enough for
us to be able to sneak up quite close...I think..."

Jumoja scents the air, frowning a bit. "We have to be careful... the
breeze is changing a lot out here tonight. Can't scare him too
early." He looks at the rest of the herd, then back to the big one,
and smiles. "Otherwise, I think we've got a couple of nights
worth of dinner. :)"

K'aaria lifts her head up and softly sniffs at the night air. "I think
it'll hold...if we stay to the right ..and follow along that little
ridge in the grass." She noses you with a laugh. "At least a
couple!  Dad will be so proud of us!"
K'aaria's tail swishes behind her..an obvious sign of her excited
anticipation of this hunt!

Jumoja chuckles and takes advantage of your movement to nuzzle under your
chin softly, and grins. "Ok... I'll sneak around to the other side, and
try to come between him and the herd, from behind the tree. If you're on
this side, he should come right for you. :)"

K'aaria rubs her chin over the top of your head, smiling. "It sounds a
good plan...but..." She presses her nose against your with a teasing
grin. "You're gonna be so distracting out there...I don't know...."

Jumoja giggles at that, purring a bit. "I have to keep the challenge up,
don't I?" He presses back and smiles. "Be careful, okay?"

K'aaria chuckles, her purr accelerating as she holds her nose over yours
for just a moment longer. "I will love..you do too." Pulling back she
turns more serious as she finds your eyes. "I haven't told you yet
tonight..and I don't want you to forget..I love you!"

Jumoja locks his gaze on yours a moment, smiling softly, purring quietly.
"I love you, too, K'aaria. I always will."

K'aaria licks your muzzle.."Always...and forever and ever..." Lowering
her eyes she pulls back reluctantly and turns to look at the herd.
"Now...my dearest love..let's go get dinner! I'm starved!"

Jumoja watches you a moment longer, then smiles, nodding. "Yeah, I
guess they won't wait for us, and we'll have lots of time after we eat."
He nuzzles you softly and turns. "We'll move a bit closer, then split up,
okay?"

K'aaria grins, nodding silently. She crouches down into the tall grasses
and slowly begins to slip forward.

Savannah Grasslands
You see nothing special.

      [C]ave opening   [N]alia's [C]avern   [W]ilderness [R]iver
      [K]opje [C]liffs   [G]entle [S]avannah Slope
      [E]dge of the [S]avannah

Jumoja smiles as we move into the deeper grass, touching your paw with
his before turning to circle the herd, slowly and quietly moving into
position behind the tree

K'aaria follows you with her eyes as you move away from her and
towards the tree. She then turns back and finds the chosen victim,
studying him quietly for any hint of a weakness.

Jumoja circles around behind the tree, moving very quietly and slowly as
he creeps forward now, seeing his target, aiming to cut him off from the
herd. He looks over to where he knows you must be, but finds he can't
see you through the grasses, and pauses a moment to ensure you have time
to get into position... and also to catch his breath and ready himself.

K'aaria slowly moves forward..never taking her eyes off of the huge
antelope. She reaches the edge of the clearing and lowers herself even
further to the ground, creeping up to the very thinnest grasses. Looking
up for just a second..she looks towards the tree, giving you a tiny nod
and a smile. Then, all serious, she prepares to make her move.

Jumoja just manages to catch a glimpse of you, and ponders briefly his
next move. He smiles and nods, tensing his muscles, edging till the grass
is almost too thin, eyes locked on the antelope. With a low growl, he
springs out, darting between the herd and the antelope, and veering
towards it, sending it darting towards you for escape.

Eyes locked on her chosen victim, she slowly stands and coils her muscles
in preparation...unaware of her danger as a different pair of dark eyes
lock on her. Another antelope has moved just behind her and its black
eyes are filled with a deep anger. With a squeal of rage, the antelope
lowers its head and charges straight for her. She turns, her eyes now
wide with terror...and freezes.

Jumoja runs after the antelope, suddenly seeing the second one. "K'aaria!"
He roars loudly, changing his course to try and intercept the charging
antelope.

K'aaria blinks! coming out of the frightened trance. Trying to dart to the
side she stumbles slightly, but...just enough to keep her from moving
fast enough. The antelope runs full force, thrusting its horns deep into
the side of the small lioness. With another angry squeal it lifts her off
the ground and tosses her through the air, slamming her body against the
massive tree trunk. Hooves crash down.. crushing bone and tissue beneath
them before the enraged animal is distracted by the sight of another and
with a snort, turns and faces him.

Jumoja's eyes go red with anger and horror, and his roar grows louder as
he runs for the antelope, even as the beast charges full bore on him.
He leaps at the antelope, all claws and fangs now, the only sound he
makes is a deafening roar, until he hits the antelope. Severely
outmatched by the animal's weight, it still seems for a moment he's
made ground, his claws and fangs digging in deeply, but the moment is
artificial, time extended by the sheer intensity of actions. With an
angry snort, the beast throws Jumoja down near K'aaria, his chest
wounded already by horns, even as the hooves descend again.

K'aaria is lying in a crumpled heap at the foot of the tree. Luckily
shock is keeping much of her pain abated..but the sight of you being
tossed and injured tears a cry of horror from her. " 'moja....NO!
OH NO!!"

Jumoja manages to move somehow, only just hearing your words through his
rage. His chest bleeds profusely, and his side is shattered, yet he
attacks again, for an awful moment trading blows with the beast, his blows
drawing blood, the antelope's hooves cracking bone, until one lucky slash
catches its throat, blood quickly pouring from the wound. Jumoja falls,
even as the antelope staggers back, momentarily confused, with seconds to
live. He tries to move again, his broken body not even lifting him,
until he sees the antelope fall. "K..K'aarr.." he pants, breath ragged.

Using what very little strength she has, her breathing making an oddly
bubbling sound as her chest begins to fill with blood....K'aaria manages
to pull herself a little closer to you. Her eyes are locked on your
face as she whimpers. " 'moja...oh gods...please...don't..don't..."

Jumoja pants hard, his breath ragged and noisy, as he manages to tilt
his head towards you. He's bleeding from several blows to the head, his
eyes going misty, but somehow he locks onto yours. "I.. got.. im.." he
rasps, speaking difficult. "No.. one... hurts my .. Queen.." His eyes
close for a moment, his breathing catching, then coming back in a deep
gasp. "It.. should hurt.. shouldn't it? Love?"

K'aaria manages to lie her head near yours...attempting to lick the blood
from your face. Oddly, she appears to be unaware of the blood seeping out
of the holes in her chest..or of the fact that her rear legs are crushed
and only dragging behind her. Whispering she croons to you. "Yes......
you got....he's dead...Oh 'moja...he..he hurt you!"

Jumoja's eyes close again, and he shifts somehow, his forepaw resting on
your body, as he looks to you softly. His eyes begin to tear up as he
looks at you, seeing your own damage. But he asks anyway, "But... you're
alright.. right? K'aaria?" He tries to lick your own muzzle back, softly,
managing just a little.

K'aaria nods slowly, the blood loss making her groggy. "Uh-huh. I'm
fine.....he...he never touched..me." Her eyes never waver from yours as
she whispers. "We...home..I..no..I guess...we can't go home...can we?"

Jumoja chuckles once, his voice thick with tears, as he knows you're
lying to him. "then.. we'll be okay. You.. nurse.. me.. like Dad." He
coughs, his breath more difficult now, and his eyes look towards the stars
for a moment, then back to you, his own mind becoming clouded.
"We're.. home.." He swallows, or tries to. "Together.. I love.. I love
you, K'aaria. I'm sorry..."

K'aaria attempts to shake her head, not understanding why she's so weak.
Her paw reaches out, quivering as she touches you. " 'moja...you...
stay awake..don't sleep! Please....I...I love you too..."

Jumoja coughs again, weaker this time. "I.. you're.. my world.. K'aaria..
I'll.. love you.. forever." It's obvious now, that tears flow from his
eyes, mixed with the blood they run down his face. "Will.. we be
together.. after?"

K'aaria tries to lick your face again, her body starting to shake from
the blood loss. "After? 'moja....don't..don't you talk....like that!
We...we're going to..." The words fade as the first wave of pain hits
and she cries out weakly...

Jumoja responds to your cry, if only with a little motion, his eyes
clearing momentarily.. "K'aaria, no!" It doesn't last, his own body
quickly growing weaker. He lifts his paw to your own, covering it, the
simple motion draining him, his ragged breaths shorter. "I... won't
leave.. you.."

K'aaria mutters. "no...no...no..." ..a mantra until the pain passes and
she forces her head up again.." We..we're...we're dying?" The words are
a plea to you to tell her otherwise.

Jumoja finds it difficult to think of an answer... his body slumps,
whatever muscles were still holding him up relaxing under the loss of
blood, except his head, up just enough to see you, and his face, with
a forced smile, looking somewhat out of place with the tears and
cuts. "I.." he coughs again.. "K'aaria," he whispers softly. "My..
queen.. my love."

K'aaria murmurs, air getting harder to pull in. "I won't ...go...
without you...my 'moja...my...my King....." K'aaria's body shudders as
another wave of pain courses through it. Her paws are trembling
uncontrollably, the loss of blood making her shaky as she moans,
"I'm so cold.wanna be warmplease get me warm again"

Jumoja's paw flexes over yours softly, gripping it gently.. looking
sadly into your eyes... "Won't.. leave you.. K'aaria... Love you.." He
takes two short breaths quickly.. "love you forever.." He sighs deeply,
his eyes closing, his paw losing the grip.

K'aaria's eyes widen...trying desperately to grasp the paw.." 'Moja? ....
'moja...please.."  K'aaria shivers uncontrollably, fighting to focus
her eyes on you. " 'moja...wait...wait...for me...wait..."

Jumoja's face relaxes as the last of his energy leaves him, his body now
silent and still. Yet, there's a sound.. his voice speaking softly.
"I'm here, love.. let go."

K'aaria is gasping now..desperately fighting to pull in another breath.
"I..I...I lo..." The word is finished with a soft hiss as her head lowers
to the ground one last time...her eyes wide open and on your face...
As those eyes the color of her beloved leleshwa slowly glaze over, losing
their sight of this world, a collective sigh of mourning wafts over the
gentle breeze. With one last shallow breath, her spirit soars from her
devastated body to join with her sister...the other half of her
being...at last together again. Unknown to any but her, two tiny fragile
lives go with her, ending the line that had begun many generations before
with so much hope. K'aaria never had the chance to live up to her name,
but perhaps, for the short time she was here..her life touched and changed
others just a little. Overhead, in the midnight sky, a shower of sparks
flies across your field of vision. The same meteor shower that heralded her
birth and the night she set out to meet her destiny..now spreads out in
a glorious welcome to the gentle spirit that held so much promise.
Softly...just a gentle whisper...you hear your name called .."Jumoja....
come to me....."
If you are perceptive, you will be aware in the core of your very being
of the cries of the Shaman, Saradaka as she feels the wrench of her
beloved proteges passing and screams out in helpless protest to the Great
King.


Antelope Carcass
A rather large, musclular beast, but covered with wounds, from claws
and fangs. Its hooves are stained with the blood of two young lions,
as is the ground nearby. If you recognize the scents, you'll know they
were Jumoja and K'aaria. Apparently there was a battle, but there were
no winners.