paixaorpg | Awkwardness [Completed]

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Awkwardness [Completed]

Character(s): Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Kiara
Content: An awkward cast meeting of sorts.
Setting: Jogo da Crianca
Time: Night times
Warnings: Awkwardness levels OVER 9000!!!!

This was one trip Simba really didn't want to make. Apparently, in the future, he returns to the Pride Lands and has a daughter. If that's true, then what the hell happened to Hakuna Matata?!

Simba trudged behind Timon and Pumbaa. The last time he had experienced so much anxiety was when his father died, and Scar had told him to run away, which he did. Thanks to Hakuna Matata, he didn't dwell on the subject much. At least, until now. Still, they had yet to reach the park, their meeting place. It wasn't too late to back out.

Simba stopped. The park was close enough to be seen in the distance, but they still had a bit of walking to do. "Do you really think this is a good idea?"

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Pumbaa, for his own part, was very excited to meet Simba's future daughter. He really didn't understand how Simba could be here, and his daughter too, when Simba had never met another lioness, but there were a lot of things about this place he didn't really understand anyway.

"I think it's a great idea, Simba! Kiara sounded really nice when she was talking to Timon, and I bet you'll be happy to have another lion to talk to who isn't your creepy Uncle Scar." The warthog hoofed along cheerfully with Timon on his head, and smiled back at Simba to try to reassure him. "And maybe we can teach Kiara about Hakuna Matata too!"

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Timon quickly piped in before Simba had the chance to respond. After all, her invented Hakuna Matata. As far as he was concerned he got to choose who he wanted to share it with and who he didn’t. Besides, Hakuna Matata was the only way he had convinced Simba to agree to this meeting in the first place. Inviting Kiara into it so soon seemed a little much. “Now common, Simba, don’t tell me you’re afraid of some girl.” he called back to the lion teasingly. “Are you a lion or are you a chicken? ‘Cause I’m startin’ to see some feathers from over here…”

Pumbaa’s enthusiasm failed to surprise Timon. He knew the moment the warthog discovered Kiara was Simba’s daughter he would want them to meet. Not only that, but have some big cheesy bonding experience which would make them closer. The meerkat rolled his eyes. Of course, he also knew Simba was absolutely horrified of this concept. He was a father. The idea scared Timon a little too. When did- or rather would Simba start showing interest in girls? How did he meet Kiara’s mother? Did this make Timon an uncle? They were simple questions compared to the others that arose but more than enough to distract him from others he dared not think about. He knew a lot more than he ever anticipated on yet, at the same time, so little. Both parties looked to him for answers that he could not give, or in some cases want to give.

Kiara couldn't believe that her father had actually agreed to come meet her. How Timon had pulled it off, she really wasn't sure, but none-the-less, she was excited, yet also nervous. ...Very nervous.

She knew all too well she had to be careful. One wrong word, and he'd be calling crazy again. She also had to make sure she didn't slip up and accidentally call him Daddy. She was going to do her best. This was undoubtedly going to be awkward enough as it was. Still, she really wanted to be able to gain his belief and trust.

Standing out in the open, she paced back and forth, nervously waiting for them to arrive. Kovu had agreed to keep out of sight as it was probably for the best for both him and her father. It was comforting to know he wasn't far, at least.

Simba ignored Timon's comment, and not just because he didn't know what a chicken was. His head was swimming with thoughts of how there were so many things that could destroy any chance of him getting along with this lioness. He couldn't think of her as a daughter, and yet the very idea of meeting her made his stomach churn. Hopefully, she wouldn't have too many questions for him.

The lion merely followed the warthog and meerkat in front of him, keeping his head down and looking at the ground. He felt like he had to face his ~~angry~~ disappointed father, like when he had taken Nala to the Elephant Graveyard. Once again, such memories surfacing at this particular moment were not helping.

Pumbaa spied a lioness in the distance, pacing back and forth with her tail swishing behind her.

"Oooo, I bet that's her! Come on Simba, let's go meet up with her! Ooooooh I'm so excited!!" The warthog was positively beaming, a stark contrast to the moping lion who was trailing so far behind. He couldn't help but be so enthusiastic, he'd never even met a lioness before, much less one that wasn't going to try to eat him. Most of them just shied away...though most of them also wanted to have him for a meal, which meant that the fact they didn't come near him really wasn't so bad after all.

It was obvious there had been a lot on Simba’s mind and not just judging by the growing distance between them. Simba had that look on his face, that deep and concentrated look which Timon had greatly grown to dislike. Simba did not wear it often, but when he did it usually resulted in a mopy lion around the jungle. Timon only wished there had been time for him to at least squeeze in a pep talk with the lion before their meeting with Kiara. The way he miserably carried himself behind them could have easily given the lioness the wrong idea. It was as though he did not want to see her – well, he really didn’t but if Kiara knew that it would likely break her heart. He groaned. Simba wasn’t ready for this sort of responsibility yet. Heck, he wasn’t ready for this sort of responsibility yet! He didn’t even want to think about responsibility, much less encourage it. It went against his motto. He would have to come up with some sort of excuse for it that did not counteract with Hakuna Matata.

Timon gave Simba one last glance before he turned his attention back to the warthog. “Pumbaa, calm down, she’s not the one we have to worry about.” He said quietly and gestured back at Simba. “I think we gotta case of cold feet going on back there." The meerkat paused for a moment, sure the warthog misunderstood him. "I mean he's nervous. Just make sure Kiara’s not standing upwind if you catch my drift and we shouldn’t have any problems."

Edited 2010-08-27 05:11 (UTC)

Pacing back and forth several more times, Kiara glanced around again, and came to a full stop when she realized she could see the familiar sight of a warthog starting to approach the park and the more distant form of her father, trailing behind them.

She lept forward a few paces, before slowing herself down a bit. No, no being overly eager probably wasn't going to be a good thing. Settling herself, she approached them at a more relaxed pace, but she couldn't help but offer her 'uncles' a warm smile. It wasn't often she was actually glad to see them, since, more often than not, they had been sent to keep an eye on her by her father. This time, however, she was more than glad to see them.

"Timon! Pumbaa!" Kiara greeted them, when they would be close enough to hear her without having to yell. It was very clear that the two were more than familiar to her. "I didn't really think I'd get to see you guys any time soon."

Simba's stomach was doing backflips. This meeting completely went against Hakuna Matata. His mind told him that he should turn tail and run away. Now.

However, Simba kept himself from doing so, for fear of breaking...her heart. He walked up behind Pumbaa, but kept himself behind a bit, not wanting to be in the center of attention, even though he knew that he already was, in a sense. He sat down, his head bowed to the ground, and said nothing.

His buddy's solemn demeanor didn't go unnoticed. "Simba?" Pumbaa whispered. "Are you gonna be okay?"

Then he turned his attention to Kiara, who sounded really excited to see him. "Hi Kiara! Uh...Sorry I don't really know you..." He looked embarrassed--more like he'd forgotten her, than like he never knew her at all. "But I can't wait to be your friend!" He gave her a big, broad grin, just like the excited ones he used to give Simba when he was just a cub.

Admittedly, Timon had never met Kiara in person. Kovu, the old Kovu, had spoken of her. Gosh had he ever. And Timon had the brief opportunity to speak with her over the journals her first visit to the city but that was where it ended. As she made her approach he could not help but feel a twinge of nervousness however, it was quickly forced down with excitement. Pumbaa radiated more than enough for all three of them to share. He offered the lioness a warm smile in hopes to make up for the contrast in Simba’s behaviour. It did not appear as though he could even share a glance with the lioness.

“Kiara!” he called out, raising his arms into the air, as though to wave to her. “Long time no see – well, ever see really. But let’s not get bogged down with the details. How you doin’, kid? Hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long. Simba had some bad bugs for lunch. They’ve left him feelin’ miserable ever since. And trust me, tryin’ to drag a sick lion around this place ain’t an easy task.”

Edited 2010-08-28 05:02 (UTC)

Kiara shook her head, and gave Pumbaa a warmer smile, unable to hold it back when he was giving her such a big, warm grin back. "It's alright. It's not your fault," she replied. She wasn't quite sure what it was that was to blame, but it was certainly not the fault of any of them.

She then turned her gaze to Timon. "I'm alright, um, all things considered, I guess," she responded, her gaze hesitantly then turning to Simba.

He did look younger. That was the first thing that struck her, but he was still much as she knew him. Her father's scent hadn't even really changed, except for the lack of her mother's scent, mingled in. Still, it's presence was comforting, in ways.

It took her a moment to find her voice and to figure out what to say. "Um... heh... Hi."

It was awkward, and felt pathetic. "I... didn't really think you'd come," she added, honestly. She really still was surprised he'd come. She was so sure he'd want nothing to do with her ever now.

Simba ignored the meerkat and did his best to look up at the lioness. Just at his first glance, he was strongly reminded of Nala, except that he remembered that her eyes were blue instead of brown.

"Hi." Simba managed eye contact for that, at least, then looked down again. This wasn't just weird. It was frightening. He couldn't imagine himself with a cub! He did his best to keep such thoughts out of his head, but it was useless. He toyed around with a small rock on the ground as he spoke.

"I didn't think so either. It's really...awkward."

Pumbaa scooted out of the way a few steps, and sat on his haunches, wanting to leave Simba and Kaira some space. After all, they needed to work this out on their own, or they might never be able to! And of course, if things started to go bad, Pumbaa could always jump in the middle and try to save the day.

But for now...it was better if he stayed quiet. Kiara had to feel weird enough just talking to Simba like this.

Pumbaa save the day? Unlikely. Although, Timon was not very likely to either. Not only did he play the role of wacky and irresistible sidekick best, he preferred to play it above all else, this particular time especially. The thought of stepping between two potentially upset lions did not strike him as clever, regardless if he knew them or not.

He sighed quietly and got comfortable on Pumbaa’s head. There was no telling how long this would go on or really how it would go other than awkward for the pair of them. Timon could only hope for the best and that he would not have to start parenting both of them. One kid was enough.

Slowly Kiara swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. Her father almost looked frightened of her. As much as she'd steeled herself to face him like this, it already was breaking her heart. She hadn't been ready to see him look at her like that. Though she'd had disagreements between her and her father, never had a wall between them like this existed.

Lowering her head, she felt her heart clench. Awkward didn't even begin to cover this, but she found herself agreeing anyways. "Y-yeah..."

She trailed off, falling silent as she tried to think of what to do, noticing that Timon and Pumbaa had backed off a bit to let them talk. She would have to thank them later. How could reach out to him and not frighten him away more? She needed to find a way to help him sense the connection that existed between them. 'We are one,' her father's voice echoed in her head. 'Like the earth and sky...'

A thought then struck her, and she raised her head, glancing to Simba a moment then upwards to the sky that was filled with stars. She took in a soft breath, then let it out, trying to calm her nerves before she spoke.

"The stars are pretty here, huh? But... the sky is so different..." Kiara said softly, keeping her gaze on the stars, for now.

In truth, Simba was a bit frightened of her. She wasn't even supposed to exist, yet her she was, right in front of him.

He looked up at the sky along with the lioness claiming to be his daughter. He was reminded of when he and Mufasa had done the same, and though the memory was a bit painful, it had a comforting effect on him as well.

"Yeah. They're really not the same as they are back home." For him, home was the jungle, though if Kiara wanted to interpret it as the Pride Lands, she could. If that was where her home was, then that's where it was. Hakuna Matata.

Simba hesitated, but eventually lay down and rolled over on his back to get a better look at the sky. "So, do you look at the starts often?"

She stayed where she was at first, tracing her gaze across the unfamiliar constellations, before glancing back down to Simba, giving an affirmative nod. "I always have... Ever since I can remember," Kiara explained, with a faint smile.

She'd spent so much time with her father looking at the stars as a cub. It hadn't happened as much as she'd gotten older, but still... the stars always took her back to those times.

Hesitating a moment, she padded a couple feet from Simba, making sure she was giving him space, before she settled down and rolled into her back in the same way. It was so much easier to see the whole sky this way.

Simba just nodded as he kept his gaze up at the sky. He really didn't have a response for her, and the awkward feeling in the air hadn't dissipated at all. He shifted uncomfortably, but still tried not to make it to obvious for Kiara. So far, things were going alright, but Simba still had a terrible feeling that everything was going to fall apart.

He did what he could to keep the subject of the lack of conversation light and simple. "The stars might be different, but they still make pictures." He pointed up with his paw. "See that one? It looks like a grub."

Despite the small smile on her muzzle, Kiara suddenly almost felt like she could cry. It took every ounce of will she had not to. Daddy... It did give her a spark of hope. The father she loved was still very much in this lion beside her, who was so frightened and unsure. Not that she had really doubted it, but it reaffirmed that fact.

The fact also that he was trying to talk to her, despite his fears, meant a great deal to her. Of course, there was no possible way he could know that this simple gesture was something that could strike such a deep chord inside her. To do it without even knowing...

Swallowing, she forced herself to smile a little more, tilting her head as she followed Simba's paw upwards. "O-oh! Heh... It does!" she managed to reply, trying her best to sound cheerful.

It didn't take her long of scanning the sky herself to find something. She'd had a lot of practice over the years, after all. Lifting her paw, she pointed to another cluster of stars. "Um... That one looks like an antelope! See the horns?" This time the words came a little easier.

Simba had to tilt his head a bit, but he saw it. "Yeah. Right over there?" He gestured with his paw.

Unlike Kiara, this activity, in Simba's eyes, was simple and detached enough for him to start feeling comfortable. In fact, he was starting to feel like he had when he, Timon, and Pumbaa looked at the stars. He went on, looking for more shapes. "Hey, right next to it, there's a dung beetle!"

Strangely enough, he was starting to enjoy the lioness' company. This wasn't so bad after all.

"Oh, yeah! I see it!" Kiara replied, looking where Simba had pointed.

Looking across the sky, she raised her paw again to point at another part of the sky. "And that one looks sort of like a cheetah!" she said, pausing as she tilted her head. "...With an extra leg."

Kiara giggled, relaxing more. Maybe this could be okay, somehow.

Simba laughed. He kind of saw what the lioness had, and the visual it gave him was pretty funny.

"Just look a little that way." Simba's paw arced against the sky. "I think that one looks like a crocodile with a zebra on it's back." The stars here really were odd. Nothing like the Pride Lands or the jungle, and yet, they still provided plenty of entertainment.

As long as this kept up, without Simba having to get too close to Kiara, at least for the time being, then it wasn't as awkward and frightening as it was before. If she really was his daughter, then perhaps he had nothing to really worry about.

Doing exactly as her father said, she laughed as she saw what he'd pointed out. She was really starting to enjoy the moment, in spite of every thing.

"I wouldn't want to be that zebra."

A fresh sky of stars did allow for all sorts of new images.

"Oh! Hey! That one over there looks kind of like Zaz--a hornbill," she said, quickly correcting herself, as she cringed a little inside. She wasn't sure if mentioning someone from the Pride Lands was a good idea or not. Kiara knew she was walking on sharp rocks as it was. She hoped that one slip up hadn't just ruined everything. Why was she always so clumsy?

"Me either." Crocodiles were bad news. But as long as they stayed as images in the sky, Simba could tolerate them.

Simba knew what Kiara had wanted to say, even though she stopped herself. Oh Zazu. He had tried so hard to keep Nala and himself out of trouble, and his mind flashed back once again to the Elephant Graveyard, and then to the stampede...

He remembered the hornbill had helped Mufasa find him amid the chaos of the wildebeests, but that was the last he remembered seeing him. Despite his annoying nature, he still missed Zazu.

Simba lay quiet, lost in his thoughts, and momentarily forgetting that he was with another lion. Somehow, he shook himself out of it.

"Y-yeah."

Slowly turning her gaze to her father, she could see how distant he'd become. Just the mention of Zazu had thrown him off so badly... That had been so incredibly stupid of her!

Kiara sat up a little, opening her mouth, searching for words to say. "I... Are you..." she uttered softly, words dying on her lips with each attempt. Finally she gave up, resting back down, frantically trying to figure out something to say or something in the sky to point out that could somehow recover this.

"W-what about that one? Do you think it looks like a frog?" she asked, pointing to another cluster of stars.

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Awkwardness [Completed]

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