Subject: The Single Life Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1998 23:03:37 -0500 From: Rindimo Reply-To: TLK-L@lionking.org Organization: L.O.S.T.--C.A.U.S.E. To: TLK Mailing List The Single Life By: The infamous bachelor himself-- Rindimo Cheetah The times were changing. The sun-- though it's rays still warmed her soul-- were being outdone by the wind with it's chilling caress of her lithe body. Sarabi sighed with discontentment, as she overlooked the beautiful landscape of the Pridelands from the pinnacle of the huge rock outcropping the lions call home. It's magnificense could never be denied, but it has been too long since she shared this time, thoughts, and feelings with another. She was lonely, and though she tried to keep herself busy... the advent of the rainy season reminded her she was only feline. It was a dull feeling, but she couldn't shake it-- unlike dire greif, or some other extreme emotion that passes over time, it clung to her like a symbiotic organism... feeding off of her, and eating at her nerves with it's annoying prescense. It didn't really hurt her, but it was beginning to give her a strange feeling. And then there's the change in the seasons. All lions, no matter how old, still feel like a young adult within, and this new feeling helped grow the dullness into a rather ominent opponent. What began to make her disgusted, was the more she tried to concentrate on the sunset, the more the ache, the dullness would attack, and peck at her rationalizations. Finally, she had enough, and slinked off the top of Pride Rock, to socialize a bit with an old friend and pride sister... "Sarafina?" "Sarabi! Where have you been?" "Oh, just away.... Thinking..." "About what? You have been going away to be with yourself quite often, lately... Is there something wrong?" Sarafina suddenly presented a mischevious grin. "You're not SEEING somebody, are you?" "Heavens, no! However... that is what I wanted to ask you about..." Sarabi gave a deep sigh, "I just feel so terribly lonely. I'm too old to have cubs, but too young to just sit at the side of the road of life..." "Ha! I was wondering when you'd finally admit it!" Sarafina crooned. "Even the best of them fall!" "Saffy! What is with you?" "I've been waiting for you to admit that for a long time! I knew you couldn't possibly not feel the burning desires now and again... You're just like the rest of us!" "Well of course I am! I just don't go running about shouting 'Oh, do I ever need a lion tonight!!'" "Do you want my help, Sarabi, or not?" "YES." "Good." "What do you do to keep from going crazy?" "Me? Well I'll show you! Tonight, we'll meet at the waterhole, me and a few girls, and you can tag along!" "Where will we be going? What will we be doing?" "We are going to Krimson Kopje-- a single's bar. We'll be on the hunt tonight, so dress to kill!" "What? So THIS is what you've been doing all this time? Philandering with rogue males?" "Please! I don't philander, I socialize! And they are very sweet, once you get to know them! Come on, Sarabi! you can't live in that shell of yours forever! Besides, this will be fun! They have dancing, and karaoke, and all sorts of interesting, tantalizing bachelors!" "Saffy! You don't mean you--" "Be there, or be square, Sarabi!" Before Sarabi could finish her probing question, Sarafina was off and away like a gazelle being chased by a hungry cheetah. Alone again, she ponderred the situation. What would Mufasa think? She watched as the sun finally set, and felt the chill of the wind that told of rain coming soon. He was gone from her for now. She needed company for now. She trotted off with some uncertainty to her closet to select what would be suitable from her wardrobe... The appointed hour did arrive, and the pride sisters did as well. Sarafina was a little dissapointed to see Sarabi hadn't made it yet. Sarabi was never late for anything. Well... she just will have to miss out on a wonderful evening-- "Wait! I'm coming!" "Well it's about time, Sarabi! What took you so long? And-- ugh... What's with the long skirt, and jacket? What are you trying to go as? A grandmother?" "Well, at least I can bend over!" "Who said I *WASN'T*?" Sarafina smirked. "Saffy! what will your daughter think of you?!" "She doesn't mind... After all, she's with YOUR son. So long as we don't bring anyone home to Pride Rock, the two of them could care less! Of course, who said we were coming back home, eh?" "SAFFY!! You honestly can't be serious??" "Oh, lighten up you old biddy! You act like we're all unruly children sometimes... Anyway, we're wasting time-- let's GO!" Sarabi timidly followed the group to their destination. So this is what they all have been up to for all this time. She shudderred to think of all the promiscuous activities that have been going on all along. But she still followed them reguardless. She had her own questions to answer, and personal matters she needed resolved in her mind. If this would help her as her dear friends have said, then it is worth an investigation. They did seem happy about going to this place... The Krimson Kopje was indeed a kopje. To the unknowing eye, it looked just like all the other rock outcroppings that occasionally dot the savannah, but when one walked into what seemed like a cave, Sarabi was shocked to see all the different animals inside a huge, hollowed out dome. most of the lighting was red, and there were multi-floors with a bar on each one. In the center of the dome, was a huge dance floor, with a revolving stage in the middle. A band was playing a fast paced song of some sorts for the couples that weren't too occupied at the moment with other things. "Neat, isn't it?" Sarafina asked as she passed by a pillar with melted candles all over it. "It most definitely has an ambience all its own..." "Heh... just wait until you meet some of the guys!" Sarabi was still unsure of all this... Sarafina led her to a small corner near one of the many bars. Sarabi could hear a bunch of males discussing something, and could see only the back of their heads at the time... "WHAT? You get her? HA! You couldn't pick up a rock! Remember that bad back you were telling me about?" "PUH! Dere's nutting to it! When jyou are as sleek as me..." "Hello, boys!" Sarafina interrupted the group. "AACK! I mean... Hello, Sarafina." A certain mystical shamaan exclaimed. Sarabi noticed out of the two that were talking at the moment, one was a rather startled Rafiki. Sarabi herself was rather startled to find that the old sage also went to these kind of places. She felt she has seen the cheetah that was antagonizing Rafiki from somewhere. Though where, she couldn't place it. He was dressed rather casual, but less so as opposed to Rafiki. Where Rafiki wore an open hawaiian shirt with a bunch of gold hanging around his neck and fingers, the cheetah wore a nice short sleeved, beige dress shirt that was unbuttoned a few buttons down from the collar to reveal just one gold necklace that complimented his shining smile. "Rafiki, what were you saying again?" The young cheetah elbowed the Shamaan, and grinned, "You know... being slick and all, and what you would do to--" "SHUDDAP!" "Hee hee!" The cheetah laughed at the old baboon. "So Sarafina, who is this that you brought with you? A friend?" "This is Sarabi, my best friend and pride sister. She's also my sister-in-law." "Well, I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Sarabi! My name is Rindimo Cheetah. I pretty much live on the outskirts of the pridelands, and occasionally help poor old Rafiki out every now and again." This was met by a loud "HRMPH" coming from the Shamaan. "Yes... I think I may have seen you around here a little bit..." "Well, no matter. Is this your first time here? I don't think I have seen you before." Sarabi sighed with relief to meet something that was a great distance from what she feared she would encounter at the Krimson Kopje-- though Rafiki was beginning to creep her out the more she discoverred about him. "Yes, this is my first time. I didn't know what to expect when I came." "Heh... You'd be amazed... That's why normally I just stay over here to the side of all the action... Some of those characters out there can get too wild for me! Heh... well you ought to already know about Sarafina since you live in the same pride as her..." "Rindimo!" Sarafina chided. "What? You're the one that won't wear a decent skirt!" "Yeah, like you don't enjoy it." "Heh... I never said anything about NOT enjoyin-- Eh... NEW TOPIC, please!" "HRMPH! Well you boys have fun, I'm going over to the bar for a drink!" Sarafina scorned. "Ehm, I'll follow her, and hope and pray she drops something... hee hee..." Rafiki followed suit after the lioness. "So what do you guys do here?" Sarabi inquired. "A lot of things:" Rindimo explained, "normally we just talk, but then there's dancing, singing, and poetry every now and again." "Poetry? Here?" "Occasionally some of us in our little group writes some, yes. What? you think we chase after females all night? Hee hee... that's for 'all you can drink Friday,'" Rindimo winked. "Ah, so you're not out here to uh--" "Nothing of the sort. I just come to have some fun, and possibly find someone fun to talk to, that's all." "Oh. Sorry about the assumption. I didn't mean to--" "Oh, no apology needed! Heh... watch out, however, there are those out there who aren't here for the poetry. Hey! would you like to hear a little of our stuff??" "Sure!" Rindimo grabbed a seat for Sarabi, and helped her sit down at the table that a few pridesisters, and a few other males were sitting at. Rindimo casually asked a cocktail waitress for a drink suitable to keep his throat wet for the readings. "I'll have the tequila and some sugar, if you will. Shaken-- not stirred." Everyone looked at him. "WHAT? Heh... you want me to read this personal stuff to you, right? Well I need the motivation..." "Okay," a lioness spoke up, "Who goes first?" "I'll try!" one of the girls spoke up. It's titled: 'What I'm Feeling Now'" "What I'm Feeling Now To My Destined Passion: I am alone- because I want to be. I am alone in this crowded world. I want to be silent; I don't want people to see, I wish to remain unknown, mysterious, my plans not unfurled. I feel lonely. How mysteriously I feel not so free. I feel contentment and unrest at the same time. My mind is swimming in what it yearns to be- A primal instinct entailing sublime. I am detached- I have always been this way. My heart is never where the flesh is. This reality never impressed me in its day. How I often long for fulfillment of my wishes. I don't know where you're from, where you're going, or who you are, But I know my heart, it tells me what is true. I always wanted to be alone, but now I know the rest of the passion by far: All this time, I just wanted to be alone with you." "That was beautiful!" Sarabi was touched. "Who was it written for?" "Whoever answers to the poem." The lioness answerred, "I always wonderred why I hated crowds, and wanted to be alone. But when was alone, I'd feel even worse. I just realized that what I really wanted was someone to be alone with. That's all." "I can understand how that feels," Sarabi said. "Me and my mate used to steal away at times, just to be alone... When he died, I just wanted to get away from it all... but I was still alone. I know he's watching me... but it's just not the same..." "Here, I'll read mine next." A male leopard spoke up at the far end of the table. "It's entitled, 'My Sleep'" "My Sleep Lay me gently-- oh lay me on my cloud, my trickling stream, my caressing breeze, my soft earth. Slide my eyes close, and waft the air of heaven into my nostrils, deafen my ears with the beaty of your silent lullaby, penetrate my shell of a body with your energy-- rejuvenate me. My limbs are dead, my being has shut down. The expression on my face is the mask to keep the pain away. Numb is my knowledge, my wisdom. Numb is my reason and will. Death is upon me, and toys with my worth. He lets me hang to the taught strings of my soul. I can’t be angerred by his skilled hand in the game. Oh, take me away from what I know, take me to where I belong. Take me to where I have longed to be forever since. Take me where I will show you. I’ll show you why death hasn’t let me leave. I’ll show you the virtue I possess. I’ll show you the only glowing life within me. This is what rivals have sought to pirate from me-- be they know it or not. See my magic!! Feel my touch! Take what I have from me, and keep it! It is fulfilling for me, to long last rid of it. Watch it grow, watch it glow. The warmth emanating from it like an etherial star! Now let me sleep. Just stay near me a while, before I slip away for the night. God, I feel such wonderful peace." Sarabi wiped a tear from her eye, and tried not to start bursting in tears. "How did you come up with that?? It was so amazing!" "I was just staying up late one night, and became frustrated. So I wrote down how I felt, and what I'd just love to have for just one night. That's all..." "Here here!" Everyone turned to see Rindimo holding up an empty glass. "I suppose it's my turn. Very well... heh heh... It's not much, mind you... But I so aptly call it: 'Where Are You?'" "WHERE ARE YOU? To My Destined Passion: Where is the one meant for me? Why do you hide from me? Have you not felt the very pains of you heart? The throbs which are the heart calling out for love? Don't you feel that your life is empty? That without me, nothing shall ever be perfect? Are your eyes blind? Are they not open? Are your ears deaf? Do they not strain to hear me searching? What of your soul, your spirit? Has it told you my name? Does it not know your destiny? Are you tired? Do the soles of your feet ache? Are you in despair, having searched as long as I? Don't torture thyself. For lo, I am here. I too, know something's not right. I bless the pain, for when it leaves, My heart shall be ever the more joyful My eyes shall never want to leave thyself My ears shall never tire of your voice I shall sing of a song of joy to comfort your soul, And break the song of sadness. Our souls shall no longer remain separate. They shall be joined eternally as long as there is love. No longer shall there be a speck of dirt on thy hand. Thy clothes shall not be old and worn We shall never again have to search across wilderness For we shall be found. Our hearts shall beat in time, with joy. For we found each other while searching amongst turmoil. Our children shall be blessed with our destined union Generations shall speak of our love. But until then, search on, dear soulmate. Tarry not in any place of darkness. Persist, for I shall persist until we are met. I shall beat all odds for a chance of meeting. Pray for revelation, as I pray so dearly each night. Dream for me, as I you, that we may guide each other. Don't worry about asking. We shall know who we are. Our souls shall tell our heart we are right. Where ever you are, look for me. As for me I'm searching just as hard.... Find me, my love!" Everyone turned to hear Sarabi blow her nose in a handkercheif. Rindimo himself threw the paper on the table, and sighed a bit. "Yeah," He said to Sarabi, "I feel like doing that sometimes..." "That was so sad, and beautiful! Oh, you people must feel so terrible at times!" "At times," The leopard nodded, "But that's why we come here." "Yeah," Rindimo chimed in, "When we tell each other how we feel, it gives comfort to know we are not really alone... at least in how we feel. Just being able to express your true feelings to somebody really helps out." "Yes, we all crave some affection from someone now and again, but that is sort of what friendship is, isn't it?" The lioness grinned. "Even if it only is a few nights out of the week at a single's bar, sharing poetry." "The time will come one day," Rindimo began, "When what we all feel will be appeased by someone special. True, no one knows when... But... Hmm... I forgot what I was going to say..." He sat there perplexed in thought. He just had a most marvelous epiphany in his head, and it escaped him. "Yeah, it's like... Uh... A joy of some sorts... A painful one.... Uh..." the leopard stutterred, "What was it?" "We'll... we'll chronicle this time in our lives for something?" the lioness asked. "YES!" Rindimo shouted. "So when we do leave our despondency, we'll be all the more happier! We will be certain we have crossed the threshold since we identified! Strength in our unity, the war will be won! Uh... What were we originally discussing?" "I think you're losing me," Sarabi began, "But what I get out of it, is that we will all find happiness sooner or later-- be it in this world, or the next, there will be someone waiting for us at the end of it all. We cannot forget our feelings, but we can at least express them to our close friends, and in a way ebb the tide of sorrow that some of us feel... Um... now even I don't really know what I was trying to say... It's escaping me..." "IT SUCKS!!!" Rindimo shouted from the tops of his lungs. "That's it! It sucks harder than an industrial strength vacuum cleaner!" Everyone agreed. The night wore on, and the small group did many other things, and talked of many other things. One in particular was those that seek short term love, and no long term relationships. A few snickerred, and whiperred Sarafina's name a few times in that discussion. It was all engrossing to Sarabi, who had never thought about what lonely people-- who were never committed to someone-- would think and act like. Though there were some things they don't really know yet about relationships, they were at least looking in the right direction in some things. That next sunset, she rolled on her back, and looked at the setting sun from the new perspective. It looked like it was going up into the earth, rather than down. For some reason, she felt the same dullness... But it had no effect. All the frustration and sadness was purged out of her for a while... and she couldn't help but wonder what the others would think when she tells them her poem she just came up with... Heh... She wonderred if the nice lion will figure out it's him she's talking about in the poem... She was rather tickled at its hidden meaning. The End. -Rindimo Cheetah (rindimo@bellsouth.net) +Founder, and only member of L.O.S.T.-- C.A.U.S.E (League Of Simplistic Technology-- Creating All Unforeseen Solutions Evident) +FCOS Lost & Found Clerk ICQ # : 12915153 +Amateur Artist/Writer/Musician AOL IM : Rindimo1 +Bachelor <=( Webpage: http://www.lionking.org/~rindimo/index.shtml + Monorable Member of the Pride Keepers. "One thing nothing can destroy, is our pride deep inside we are one!" ********************************************************************* Well don't stop. Whatever you do, don't stop. Because as soon as you stop, you're forgotten. - Mageuzi *********************************************************************