The Dreamcatchers / Night Watch

Ever since she was little Akumu kept to herself. She experienced many hardships in life and most of all - rejection. The lions she hunted with, those she slept with in one cave, even the family she loved - they all eventually left her. Even if they seemed to like her and put faith in her in the end it all ended up just being lies. Not wanting to get hurt anymore she put up a barrier of cynicism and pretended not to care. Everyone who knew her said that she’s one of the strongest lionesses they know. Not afraid of anything or anyone. Laughing in the face of danger. Extremely cool, but completely inaccessible. A lone wolf that cannot be tamed.

However, that turned out to not be true once she met Aisling. They did not fall for each other at first sight as it often happens in films. When they met for the first time Akumu was still shielding herself from getting too close to anyone, afraid of getting her feeling hurt yet again. Yet, Aku’s usual defence style did not work with Aisling. Usually she would turn everything someone said into a joke, tease them or, in extreme cases, be flat out rude. None of that had an effect on the lion. He would always just smile gently at her in response, making her feel a little embarrassed. The reason he never talked back to her was that he could not. Aisling was born mute and has never uttered a single word.

During their lifetime everyone will have to experience lies and deceit and so did Aisling. Unlike Akumu, he has learnt from it. Aku unintentionally turned out to be much like the lions from her past that she hated. She never spoke about her true feelings and did not care for anyone, at least on the surface. Not being able to talk, Aisling learned to listen better than most. Not just to the spoken word, but also to actions, since that was the only way he was able to communicate in. He learnt to look past the flattery and understand the speaker’s true intentions. Himself, he never lied, not because he couldn’t but because he never wanted to. While Akumu buried her feelings deep inside her where noone could see them, Aisling wore them on his shoulder and never hid his true colours.

Akumu would have perhaps stayed away from him if she could. In the beginning he made her feel uncomfortable, as if he could see right through her and understand her more than she did herself. It was in fact, the truth. Being part of the watchmen, they were forced to work together. Aku was apprehensive every time Aisling looked deep into her eyes, touched or hugged her, but with time, especially when they were alone, she started to accept in and eventually even return or initiate it, something she had not done in years. She understood that he was someone she always wanted. Honest, caring, someone she could trust. As their feelings grew thanks to Aisling Akumu learned to open up to other lions as well. She could finally drop her defensive walls and simply be happy.