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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 14, 2022 22:31:39 GMT
Sam was trying to wrap his head around a lot of things.
First of all: he was in a lion’s den. Like an actual, real life den and that scared the piss out of him, but excited him all at once. Second, they’d made it to their destination - but he was now stranded and being helped by talking animals.
All in all, a lot to take in.
Still he pushed himself into a seated position with a groan of pain. What was he going to do? Honestly, he was used to being on his own - that wasn’t an actual issue. But in the jungle? Trapped with no one having heard of this place? He was in a real pickle.
“Take a deep breath, Sam,” he told himself quietly. “You’re alive and that’s a start. You’ve been in worse jams before.”
That was a lie, but at least it made him feel better
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2022 23:33:39 GMT
The sound of his Bakora staff made a jingle like sound from the different shells and gourds on the top. He used the staff to move about and he made his way at a gentle pace. The great kings had told him the boy would be fine... But Rafiki smiled at the thought that they had plans for this boy and he had no idea what they were. Indeed, Rafiki was curious about the human boy...
As he approached pride rock, he stopped to only speak with Kiara before he went into the den, nodding his head in welcome to any lion or lioness that was inside as well. He approached the human boy and smiled at him, his large teeth bright and white.
"Ah, you must be the visitor," he said as he placed a leafy bag on the stone near him. "I hear you are hurt... Please, allow me to see your injuries." He brought out a calabash with a salve inside it and placing it down. He had brought several large leaves and some string made from sinew and plant fibers. TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pride Rock in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 14, 2022 23:42:27 GMT
Sam looked up.
A monkey? A mandrill he assumed by the looks of it had made his presence known. And he could only assume that he was the healer they had sent for. Go figure. “That would be me. I’m Sam,” Sam replied as he tilted his head. “I think you’re the first mandrill I’ve actually seen up close, sorry. It’s kind of cool..” he added, realizing how long he’d been staring.
Oh right… His injuries. Taking a deep breath he let him see his leg, which was honestly the brunt of it. For the most part everything else hurt but it was a normal hurt. “On the way down I hit it on some sort of rock… I think,” he explained. “Back home I could have patched it up easy. But most of my gear was lost in the fall…”
Clearly it was not the first serious injury that Sam had sustained in his life. But no way would he get into that. “So you’re the Royal… Uh… Mf… Mufa…?” He was trying to remember what the heck they had called him.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2022 0:17:46 GMT
The mandrill focused on preparing his items, placing them out and even washing his hands in the small pool in the den, fed by a spring somewhere within' the rock itself. Rafiki had no idea where it truly was the spring came from, but it fed several places within the large rock and even flowed out to the savannah to a small watering hole.
The spring itself was not large enough to sustain the whole of the Pridelands, but it certainly helped.
"Ah, well, I hope you learn something, young Sam," he said as he brought over the medicine and leaves. He looked at the leg and noticed the state of it. After several days, it had turned dark and showed the likely pain. "Come, let us put it into the pool to let the water and small fish cleanse it." Rafiki offered his hand to the boy and would help him with his staff to the pool.
"I am the Royal Mjuzi... I have served the Pridelands for many seasons, for many Kings and Queens," He said to the young boy before they sat down together. "There, the water will be good for your wound... I needs to be clean," he said calmly before he looked at the entrance to the den.
"So tell me, what brings you to the Pridelands?" he asked the human boy. TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pridelands in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 15, 2022 0:32:33 GMT
Sam didn’t hesitate after all whst was the point.
Besides, Rafiki was right it helped his leg. Which was what mattered at the end of the day as he sighed and leaned back. A Royal Majuzi? That was a new name for him that was for sure, though he supposed he was never the “rich” type so he would be confused, right? “Kings and Queens like… The lions right?” Sam asked. “That’s actually cool. Back where I come from they always joked they were king of the jungle. Maybe we were on to something.”
What was he doing there? Oh right. He supposed he had been a little frazzled and maybe not so clear when he’d gotten there. But then again, he was still freaked out, who could blame him? No one had heard of nice lions or smart animals!
After he’d considered it a moment he spoke. “I’ve spent the last two years working for someone in my species who studied lions. Like a student,” he explained hoping he’d understand. “And he was asked by some rich guy to come with him to uh… Here I guess. Because the region has a lot of lions…”
He shook his head. “I wish we hadn’t come now though. He didn’t make it. And I’m not exactly…” He looked thoughtfully out to the cavern’s mouth as he decided to simply say. “Let’s just say this isn’t the first time I’ve been totally alone. This time I thought it might have stuck.”
He then added. “Not that there’s anything wrong with this place, obviously. Its kind of beautiful.” Considering he didn’t want to insult someone who could serve him up to lions.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2022 11:46:20 GMT
With the human boy situated on the edge of the pool, Rafiki returned to any preparations he had. What knowledge he had about humans were quite slim, but they were known. Humans did not eat raw meat like that of lions, though they could, it was not their preferred method... They instead used fire.
"Yes, here in the Pridelands, our King and Queen is Simba and Nala, the lions... But other places have different Kings and Queens... Such as to the Theluji Mountains," Rafiki waved his hand towards the entrance of the den. "That is ruled by King Sokwe of the Gorillas." Rafiki moved towards the boy and looked at the leg as silent came and smiled at the work the small fish were doing for the boy.
When the boy began to explain, Rafiki found it worrisome that someone had come to look for the Pridelands. He would need to consult the great Kings tonight and see if they could lean him some advice. "Ah yes, being alone can hurt... But, it seems the Great kings have opened a path for you, Sam." The mandrill said as he motioned for the boy to bring his foot up and place it on a leave he had laid out on the ground.
Rafiki went to work once the leg was out of the water, drying it with some plant fibers and then putting the salve on it. "The leg will be fine, Sam, but it will hurt to walk for several more days." Rafiki used skilled hands to tie the string into a nice knot and then placed the calabash by the boy. "Take the bandage off in the morning and place this on the injury, it will help it heal." The rest of the things he cleaned away before he sat down with the boy.
"Now, tell me, Sam... Do you know how to make fire?" Rafiki asked as he put his Bakora staff across his lap. TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pride Rock in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 15, 2022 14:41:23 GMT
Interesting.
Gorillas made sense too, if only because of their brute strength, he supposed. Taking a deep breath as he leaned back and thought about what he said about the ancient kings opening a path… Was there some grand design to this? He didn’t know.
“Maybe… At least when I got here I didn’t feel like it was an accident,” he explained. His voice a little distant. “I kept hearing this voice in the back of my head nagging me to keep going. And I don’t mean like my voice. This deep one… It was weird.”
Well hearing his leg would be OK was definitely a plus. “Thank you, sir,” he managed after a moment. Looking over his leg. “Hopefully by then we’ll know if anyone else survived the crash. And I can get out of your guys’ hair.”
Fire? Well, he certainly hoped he did. “Oh yeah, thankfully. Not my first rodeo in the jungle,” Sam replied. “My mentor took me on a lot of these excursions. I’m actually better around most animals than I am humans by this point.”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2022 15:05:27 GMT
Rafiki listened to the young human as he spoke about his journey after his accident. So, he heard a voice, one that was deep and likely strong. Rafiki had closed his eyes to listen intently, but not to the boy, to the voices of the Great Kings. They did not reveal the answer he sought, but he nodded his head.
"Hmm, voices can be the key to great knowledge from the Great Lions of the past," he said to the human as they sat there. "When one is open to them, they can reveal great things." Rafiki stood and walked over to the entrance of the den, looking into the cloud, smiling as a passing wind ruffled his hair around his face.
As he spoke about leaving, Rafiki returned to his side and smile. "You are no trouble, young human," he said as he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled. "Now, since I know you can make fire, I will help you settle into your own small den... Pride Rock has many small dens..." He said, rubbing his chin as he thought. A smile widened and he nodded.
"Yes, that would be the best place... Come Sam," Rafiki offered his Bakora staff to the boy to help him walk and then lead him through Pride Rock. They came upon a den and at the top, was a hole revealing the sky. It was a small hole at the top, perfect for smoke. "I will ask someone to help you put a rock here for fire and a place for you to cook your food... What is it the humans call it..." TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pride Rock in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 15, 2022 23:33:58 GMT
The great kings of the past?
It almost sounded like magic, but he guessed he shouldn’t be shocked when it came to magic. He was talking to a mandrill. Looking at the monkey thoughtfully he decided to just voice it. “You know about an hour ago I’d say talking lion ghosts in my head was crazy,” he explained. “But I’m starting to come to terms with the fact I’m not hallucinating.”
No trouble? That was a first, usually he was a bother to everyone. Or at least, he felt like it. Something which was hard not to when you were talked to the way he was practically his entire life. “I might not be yet,” Sam explained. “But I usually find a way of overstaying my welcome if you ask certain people.”
With a chuckle he then added. “Meat, you mean?”
Getting to his feet, he decided to follow Rafiki, his thoughts trailing. It was a few moments before he again spoke up. “You know, it’s strange. You guys have been here long enough to have “ancient kings” but no one here seems like they’ve seen a human?” He expressed out loud. “I guess I’m just lucky, maybe. I’ve been working with a lot of lions the last two years.”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2022 0:17:31 GMT
Rafiki let out his crackle laughter as the boy spoke about how he was sure he wasn't hallucinating. "No, most definitely not." Rafiki was still amused by the idea, but continued on towards the den he was hoping Sam would enjoy the most. "The great spirits can be a bit jolting at times though, quite surprising when you do not realize they are there," Rafiki explained to the boy before they came to the den.
Rafiki chuckled at his talk about being a bother and overstaying his welcome. "The pridelands are use to a little excitement... You will be a welcome change and interest for many." It was true. The birds and animals were a buzz about the strange creature. Rafiki was as well, but he knew enough about humans from his years of travel. He had gone beyond the reaches of the Great Lands, had seen humans in his early years, but had returned after he saw the horrors some of them had. The animals of the lands protected by the Great Kings were truly blessed.
Rafiki shook his head. "No, not meat... When I was young, I ventured out to see the lands beyond the great lands... I saw humans and how they worked over a fire with the meat, but it sat on something, so they did not have to hold it with their hands," Rafiki explained as he tried to remember what it was they had used.
The conversation shifted slightly to the topic of humans. "That is a tale that has not been passed down to many... I only know because my mentor told me and the spirits have told me more... It is a long story with much betrayal," Rafiki said as he shook his head. "The Great Lands are protected by the Great Kings of past, humans have not been back in these lands for several generations." TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pride Rock in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 16, 2022 1:34:20 GMT
Used to it?
Somehow he could imagine they were at least, though his mind went to what Rafiki meant after a minute. Right! “Oh you mean like a plate. I uh don’t need those I’m good really,” he chuckled. Keeping his leg moving steadily. “I’m actually pretty used to eating and cooking with my hands or sticks I uh…”
How did he put this without throwing himself a pity party? He considered for a moment before explaining. “I haven’t really had a family most of my life. So I’ve learned to be pretty self-suficient,” he then admitted. “If a little less than socially graceful. So eating with my hands is nothing new.” He tried to joke. “I’m not really the kid who asks for much. Honestly this is already more than most humans would do anyway.”
Generations? That was one heck of a thought, but why now? Hadn’t anyone passed through this place? He decided he’d probably let it go for now, but… “Well maybe you can explain it when we find the others. So y’know the adults don’t go breaking any ancient laws or something.”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2022 14:10:19 GMT
Rafiki was not sure if that was what he was referring to, but he dusted away from dead leaves and looked up at the light coming in. It would be a good place for fire. "This will be a good spot for you to make a fire, the smoke will be able to go out the hole up there." Rafiki understood how fire worked, had witness his own mentor use it before. It was something he rarely used, but there was a place in his tree home where his mentor had once used fire to light the area for them to work late into the night.
As he mentioned that he did not have family, Rafiki felt pity for the boy, but did not allow the expression to show. After walking over, he touched the boy on the shoulder. "It is good to have learned... Simba had to learn on his own as well, though he had Timon and Pumbaa to help him." Rafiki felt that maybe it would be good for the King to meet the boy. "Simba should meet you, but I do not know when that will be, young human." He looked around. It was not a large den, but three lions could easily sleep on the floor.
"You may be joined by some lions at night to sleep, but this area here will be your area... I will let the Princess know... The lions here will treat you well," he said as he motioned for his staff back. "I will also seen someone with a stick to help you walk while your leg heals." Rafiki knew it would be painful for several days. Rafiki nodded when the boy mentioned finding the others. TAG: Samuel IronsLOCATION: Pride Rock in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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Post by Samuel Irons on Sept 16, 2022 14:34:19 GMT
Sam nodded his head it looked good enough anyway.
Learning on your own was hard he thought to himself, but he had survived it. He was tough, always had been, always had to be since he had to grow up when he turned six and be a “man” of sorts. “I mean sometimes I had help, like David. But for a lot of humans back home, they… Uh don’t have the room or money for their own kids let alone me,” he admitted honestly. Trying to hide the fact his mom had also soured a lot of people, having been their area’s drunk. “I mean David tried to get me to put myself out there to family’s. But by then I was so burnt out from empty promises I just decided I was my own mom and dad. David gave me what I needed from there.”
Oh right, Simba was the king. Sam swallowed a little in nervousness at the thought of even meeting a king. He’d never been the type of kid for social graces, and didn’t know a thing about how to even act. “Oh right, the king… So is there anything I should know about meeting him? Like I’ve never really “met” a monarch per-say.”
Oops, handing Rafiki his staff back, he sat himself down. Honestly it would be good to rest for a while, and he was already less than afraid around lions anyway. It helped when you’d already worked with them, even when it wasn’t a major amount. David had almost prepared him for this moment. “Don’t worry I’ll be very respectful to their space too,” he explained as he stretched slightly. “Thankfully my mentor was a lion expert. I’ve learned a lot of do’s and dont’s from him, anyway
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2022 1:03:51 GMT
"It is good to have help," he said with monkey smile before he leaned on his own staff. It was good to have it back in his hands, but the boy had needed it. As he sat, Rafiki nodded as he spoke. "Sometimes, family is not who you expect and not always by blood." Rafiki looked to the hole in the den and smiled when he saw the time was passing by.
"Oh, Simba is a good lion... A fair king... Stubborn... Pig-headed at times... But, fair and good too," Rafiki said with amusement laced in his words as he sat down, crossing his leg before him. "Simba had a rough life as well... But that is a story for another time." The Rafiki said as he motioned his hand in a waving motion.
"You should rest, Sam... It will be good for your healing," Rafiki said as he stood and went to the entrance of the den. "I will check on you tomorrow, bring you some medicine." He said before he headed out of the area. TAG: @username LOCATION: --- in the Pride Lands COMMENTS: ^_^
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