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 Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:33 am
 -She'd been hiding... avoiding as much of the pride as possible in the weeks that followed an event that has absolutely shaken her foundations. The sight of even friendly members sent her skirting into the bushes, afraid they'd try to drag her into some sort of gossip. And she was rather afraid of what she'd actually say. Inwardly she stewed, thoughts running in rampage, feelings she couldn't have imagine she'd had peeking to the top. Anger... betrayal... fear... And to have these feelings about a friend she'd known forever? To have them of the king?
NO! He was no king now. Betrayer, one who would look to the face of the moon god and SPITE his wishes, Unyezi had turned from his pride no sooner than he had saved it. He was no king now... no friend now. Settling into the short grasses with a huff, she attempted to nap, ears twitching with the disturbance that rocked and poisoned her thoughts.-
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:28 am
Still using his 'spare' time to patrol, to keep himself busy until otherwise needed, he wandered and kept his eyes out for trouble. Guard numbers were increasing, it was a relief to know, but there was no harm in helping out, or so he believed. Heading away from his new den, he was heading from the central lands out nearer the borders where it would be more use to patrol.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:54 am
-She couldn't do it.. as much as her body tried to relax she just couldn't convince herself to settle, to sleep. Her paws twitched a little here and there, her heartbeat rose as thoughts filtered to her mind.. there was just too much. She'd been holding in too much.
Her eyes fluttered, open, gazing towards the sky with a sigh. How long could she avoid him...? Or the new queen? Would her first time seeing him be when she was beckoned to watch over their first disgraceful little slave litter?
She chided herself a little... recalling the many pleasant experiences she had with slaves, never before had she felt the title was so degrading.. so what had changed now? Shifting in her position, she finally pushed herself upwards. If she couldn't sleep.. maybe she could just walk awhile.-
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:34 pm
Mitsuki was not one of the lions in the pride that had an opinion of the situation that was known to Unyezi, so when he spotted her walking nearby he didn't know what he should do. He did not want to cause any more trouble, especially not on any personal, face-to-face level. And a part of him wanted to avoid the upper two classes altogether, the entitled lot were much more likely to voice their opinions directly to his face. He would be quite happy not facing the full and true reality of his choice and it's impact outside of his now quite cheerful little personal life.
So he decided to keep his head down and veer slightly to the side to avoid directly going towards her. He couldn't stop her if she wanted to come up to him, but at the moment he was intending to go along his way.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:19 pm
-Later on she might wish she'd had time to recover.. time to think through her words and debate what Unyezi was to her, a friend or an ex king. But sadly there was no real time as her eyes settled upon the familar pelt in the distance, and the poisonous thoughts along with her grumpy sleep deprived mood sent her at him, though her body remained loose. Mitsuki wasn't the aggressive type, when a war arose it was a war of the mind and words.
Pausing when she finally stood close enough that he had to acknowledge her, her voice sounded in a low accusation, for now the conversation was low enough to be kept just between the two.- "How could you Unyezi?" -She nearly spat the words, but her legs quivered beneath her a sick fear of the unknown nibbling at her stomach. How could she talk to him like this.. the one she's adored so highly in the past? Well.. after all, he had started it. He'd betrayed her and their god.- "Why did you even bother to try and pull this pride back together if you only planned on smashing it apart in the end?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:41 pm
There was no mistaking the sound of being approached, and someone in his position could not respectfully ignore anyone. So he turned his head to her, assuming a practiced submissive stance. He didn't know how surprised it was when she spoke up. It was bound to happen, he was lucky she was not causing a scene.. for now. A frown took its place on his face and he looked directly into her eyes, a bold action that was made habit from so long of it being necessary.. now that he was a slave, it was more likely to get him into trouble than anything.
"The pride has a good queen, she is smart and fair," he spoke in a low and carefully controlled voice, aiming for something he hoped she could not argue.. turn the focus on what the pride did have, the high class queen they should speak only good about. Should being the key word, even if she disagreed to his face, no one could be expected to take his word over hers.
He opened his mouth to speak again, but quickly closed it. What could he really say in his own defense?
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:53 am
"Oh yes! Let us not forget about the child queen." -She actually didn't know what she thought about the new queen yet... Her position and Mitsuki's ingrained teachings demanded respect.. but beyond the required respect Mitsuki had little more to offer. As of yet she hadn't spent much time with her, seen much of what she had in store for the place the lioness called home. In fact.. at the moment all Mitsuki could see was a snippet from the past, babies born beneath a king and queen. Had this been planned all along? She certainly hoped not... Better a moments bad discretion than a rouse.-
"Is that something you're proud of too?" -She snapped finally, "Ripping the childhood from a child's paws just so you can chase your whims?"
"I certainly hope you don't expect too much of your daughter, after all, if you can't handle your responsibilities then why should she be forced to?"
-Her teeth clicked as they touched each other, coming dangerously close to slitting the edge of her tongue as she raged inwardly. Why had it all come to this? What had seemed like a blessing... a new home.. so much new life. It all seemed like chaos now. So many children running rampade... adults acting just like children, just doing whatever they pleased to hell with their responsibilities and duties. It made the duty bound lioness want to cry. Why had it all gone so wrong?
Tears stinging at the corners of her eyes, she turned from him sharply, no longer comfortable with the eye contact that he stole, voice hissing out in lament.- "Maybe your brother would have been the better king after all..."
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:22 am
The more the conversation progressed, the harder it was becoming for Unyezi to remain calm, to mind his new place. Nobody ever spoke to him like this, he'd rarely ever heard an angry word from a pride member that was no Njiru. He took unexpected offense to the tone, to the arguing. Nobody spoke to him like that. He'd never deserved it before, and that one reminder was the only reason he didn't snap. He could absorb it, he kept telling himself that was what he had to do. Just let her get it out.
Until she expressed her doubts about Alcmene. As a proud father, this was too deep an insult and his resolve broke. He might not be on speaking terms with his daughter, but he liked to think he knew her very well.
"Alcmene is a strong and capable lioness, I have complete confidence in her," he snapped, his own tone matching Mitsuki's now, "She understands more and is capable of more than she has had a chance to show, she will be able to keep up with her duties and her happiness." He knew she was taking some time to adjust, but he knew she would get there, she would be able to do it. She was not alone, she had all the help she would need getting ready and he was sure she would have more help..
Already angry beyond minding his manners, he growled at the comment about Njiru- but that's all his reaction to that was, a growl. He seemed to forget that he needed to calm down.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:08 am
-Now that it had been spouted, her mind took a moment to mull over why she'd had any distaste for the former king's brother. Perhaps he was a bit grumpy.. brash even in his disrespect.. but that was it wasn't it? She'd taken Unyezi's side in her mind without question. Njiru had proved to be quite competent enough when they'd traveled shortly together. Her maw drew back at the thought that she'd written someone off so caliously... especially someone who... as it turned out did not deserve such devotion and admiration.
Her ears twitched back in attention as his voice raised defensively.- "Unlike certain individuals I know my duty and my place. I'll place my trust in the Great Lion and stand behind your daughter the best I can."
-Her back remained turned, making it ever obvious the rippling of fur that answered his growl. She was tired... confused.. all and all uncertain. It would take time to heal wounds and resettle her mind on the pride and on her former king. Shifting lightly, she replied mildly finally, attempting to throw any blame that he might be giving to her back upon himself.-
"I just thought you ought to take a look at others for once, since it's obvious you've only been caring for yourself lately." -Well.. himself AND Nerit.. but certainly Mitsuki wouldn't speak badly about her.. she'd never felt any ill feelings to the lioness before. In fact... who was even to say Nerit had wanted any part in what had happened? How could one turn down the king if he'd come onto her first? Glistening, angry slits of eyes turned back to him finally, speaking her thoughts outloud.-
"Well except Nerit. And don't you dare insist to me that one lioness is more important than your family. Than your pride."
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:15 pm
"I did my duty to the pride," he argued, unable to quell the urge to defend himself and his actions, "I took my place without hesitation, I ignored my own feelings to do what had to be done for the pride. I got the pride to a new home, I refilled positions we lost as soon as I could, I produced an heir, I taught her everything she needed to know and I made sure she was ready before I stepped down." He left out that Aureole had had a choice in all of this, rightfully she could have remained queen as long as necessary but she too had faith in their daughter. Shira was willing to put faith into Alcmene as well. But this was not about them, it was about him and what he did. There would be no point bringing them up.
"I have no abandoned the pride, I've taken a different position within it. I have not abandoned my family and soon, soon they will realize that," his confidence fell slightly as he finished his statement. They were having a hard time facing him because of his choice, they were loyal to their mother, they were offended on her behalf, on Ally's. He could help, he could make things easier if only they would talk to him or he had the nerve to force his presence upon them again.
Suddenly he was quiet again, calm again, realizing that she had allowed him quite the generous amount of free speech despite his tone and her opinion of the whole situation. He was insulted, but so was she.. he expected this, he just was not prepared for it.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:16 am
-She listened to his defense without interuption, though it was clear from his expression that she didn't agree and as she sensed the drop in confidence, picked out the words that he probably should have worded better a sad smile touched her shaking head.- "See.. when even your blood and family can't understand you... can't forgive you."
"You've completely deluded yourself."
"You've disreguarded everyone you obviously hurt so much, and written off your job and position like there is some written decree of exactly what a monarch must do. There is no tally. There is no set time of 'when you've done good enough'."
"I wouldn't argue the fact that most members.. nearly all of them are equal in their importance and tasks despite their rank or job. But there is a small exception to that, and that is the king. If your pride would happily bend to your whim.. would follow you to the ends of the earth... would lay down their life in your honor and at your command the least you can do is give a damn about us and hold up to your duties." -Again tears touched her, though this time too forceful to hide at the corners of her eyes, instead streaking down her cheeks as she drew backwards. It'd become painfully obvious just how unimportant they all were in his eyes. How much of a 'hassle' it'd all been to him.
And her.. devoted servant.. what was it that she'd done so wrong to deserve such disreguard? Her words were upset, getting louder the more the tears fell.- "Duty is a lifelong mistress, not one that could or should be tossed aside when you feel you've had enough of it. Do not lie to me Unyezi and tell me you cared for this pride or care for these people half as much as they cared back for you. Your selfish stupidity speaks more words then you could ever muster."
"My only prayer now is that you realize and live with the shame of what you've done. Carry even HALF the burden of pain you've slung so careless onto so many others." -She was done, her paws already quivering beneath her as she spun around, tried to pull herself from the scene. If he followed, he followed. But he was a slave after all... trash under the guise of a glorious king. What right did he have to follow a maiden who had devoted her whole life in a way he'd refused.-
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:46 pm
Unyezi looked at Mitsuki, watched the tears pour from her eyes, took in the words she said. His confidence had failed but still he did his best to maintain eye contact, the first and most important skill he had been taught as a youth. Faced with the blunt truth, there was nothing more for him to say. He couldn't argue anymore, it was only feeding her stinging words. At that moment, he wasn't even sure what he believed. He was selfish, he had wanted his love for himself but he hadn't wanted any of this. The idea of regret pained him worse than anything more she could have said directly. He loved Nerit so deeply, he felt guilty for feeling the regret after Mitsuki's words, as if it meant he did not love Nerit so much or would rather have never done this. Could he regret one part without regretting it all?
He said nothing and watched gratefully as she turned around and walked away. Even if he had the nerve to do so, he would not have followed her. But now he was alone, hurt and alone and unable to face anybody, he headed away from his afternoon duty and his watcher to find some place he could just avoid the world for the time being.
The End? xD
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