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 Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:28 pm
 Father and daughter padded through the pride lands at a leisurely pace. The sun had risen only a few hours ago, Vu wanted to take his daughter away from the den before she got caught up in another game with her sister. He needed to separate them if they were going to talk. When Zarha and Afsar were together they competed so aggressively that they wouldn’t notice a bull elephant if it was standing right in front of them swinging its trunk.
Ever since Harb’s vision, Vu became increasingly worried about his daughters. Mollie had been teaching them about their role in the pride since they were old enough to understand, but now with Harb’s visions and Zarha’s rambunctious nature, Vu worried it wouldn’t be enough.  Zarha took after her father. Worse, sometimes he swore he saw Imara’s flame burning in his daughter’s amber eyes. He had nightmares about visiting a grown-up Zarha in her new harem and finding her covered in scars earned through disobedience. In his nightmares she always turned into Imara before he snapped awake, panting from a fear like none he’d ever felt before.
As they walked through the pride lands, Vu tried to explain a female’s place in the pride. He stuttered a lot and sometimes had to pause and go back to explain something he should have mentioned earlier or to correct a point he’d gotten wrong or re-correct something he thought he had wrong but turned out to have right all along, unless he was mistaken. He thought he had a pretty good understanding of the pride’s ways. Explaining it to another person, especially his own daughter, was a different matter entirely. While her father struggled with his words, Zarha stared at the ground, nose wrinkled and eyes scrunched, absently kicking rocks out of her path as they went along. Was she being punished for something? She thought she understood the laws of the pride perfectly. Her mother had already explained the laws lots of times. She should know more about being a banu than her father, right? Her dad sure didn’t sound like he knew what he was talking about. She wished she could go back home and play with her sister.
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:55 pm
Aali was enjoying a quiet outing with one of his nieces, normally he preferred to spend time with his nephews. He adored his nieces but he felt he owed it to his nephews to teach them every skill he could to aid them when their time came to set off on their quest for a banu of their very own. Still Parisa was such an enthusiastic girl, she longed to be a good banu and she enjoyed having time to herself.
He slowly headed towards the lake pointing out pretty flowers that had sprung up from the dust, or telling Parisa quick funny stories. The day was peaceful casual and just what he needed to keep his mood high.
He lifted his head and slowly smiled as he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. "Look Pari, thats Pad Vu..." His eyes narrowed slightly and he grinned. "and his daughter I believe." He nodded as they came closer and nudged PAri ahead before following her to meet the pair.
"Lovely morning!" He called out before settling down and tucking his tail over his paws.
Parisa had been enjoying the tale of sooty princess when her uncle told her to look ahead. She smiled brightly at the sight of a pad and his daughter ahead and with only a soft nudge she rushed to meet them. She adored her siblings but variety was the spice of life and she craved new friends. Besides getting to speak to a pad was always a treat and each day as she grew her imagination stirred wildly with hopeful thoughts and dreams of what her own Pad might someday be like.
Still she knew she had a way to go, she needed to improve her hunting skills, learn more of the prides history and stories, and she still had some growing to do. As excited as she was for her future she also dreaded the coming day when her brothers would leave on their quests.
Still she was too happy with her good fortune at the moments to worry about such things, she had her uncle, a pad, and another banu in training all to herself to talk to and ask questions from!
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:45 pm
Vu trailed off in the middle of a clumsy speech on manners as he saw the Sultan approach. His heart almost gave from relief. Maybe Ali could help Zarha understand her place in the pride. When he saw the little female following him his hopes rose even higher. Was she the Sultan's daughter or one of his nieces? Either way, she must know a thing or two about being a banu, being that she was raised by royalty.
"Yes, good morning Sultan!" he called, sitting. He forgot to bow. Since Ali had been so amiable at their last meeting the thought never entered his mind. He seemed much more relaxed now that he and Mollie had settled in with their cubs.
He looked down at the Sultan's little banu and smiled softly. "Who's this pretty little girl? One of your daughters?"
Zarha glaced at her father and back to the Sultan in awe. So this was the Sultan her parents told her about. When she saw the colorful banu a knot tied in her throat. She was so pretty. Zarha bit her lip and looked up at her father again. His eyes seemed to light up at the sight of the Sultan's little banu. What was he thinking? Did he like the pretty banu better than her? Zarha felt her tail go between her legs.
Perhaps her parents' inexperience was to blame. They were new to the pride and new to parenthood, still learning the do's and don'ts of both. Whatever the cause, Zarha felt unsure of her future place in this pride. Although her father encouraged her intelligence there were times when he scolded her for voicing her opinion, calling it impolite. She didn't understand why she was allowed to say some things but expected to keep her mouth shut about others.
Sometimes she wasn't sure what was expected of her, though her parents tried to tell her, so perhaps it wasn't their fault after all. Perhaps Zarha was just a poor listener. But after looking around, Zarha decided that good looks must have something to do with being a banu in this pride and it was in that area that she felt most inadequate.
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Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:06 pm
Aali smiled at the younger male and his daughter pleased to see them roaming the land. It seemed the pride had been the perfect place for Vu and his banu to settle down and start their family. Still the question brought back the nipping reminder that he did not yet have any cubs of his own, but soon...he simply needed patience. He smiled down at his niece pulling himself away from any depressing thoughts.
"This Parisa my niece, she's Vizier Faiz's daughter. Parisa this is Pad Vu and?" He looked at Vu questioningly and smiled down at the other young female.
Parisa tried to sit still and look poised it was difficult but it would mean so much to her uncle if she could manage to control herself. Her legs trembled slightly though as she tried to reign in her excess energy.
"Pleased to meet you Pad Vu." Her voice was sweet and tempered only her bright smile giving away how excited she was for the extra company. She dipped her head in a miniature version of a curtsey.
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:57 pm
“Zarha, my daughter.” Vu smiled. Parisa’s little curtsy sent shivers down his spine. “Wow, you’re… really polite.” Exactly the opposite of my daughters, he thought ashamedly.
Obviously something in his blood must have corrupted them. Instructing his daughters in the art of manners left him choking on his own bile every time, yet he would have to stomach hypocrisy if he was going to live in this pride.
As if on cue Zarha stuck her tongue out at the other female. “Zarha!” Vu scolded sharply and put a paw over her mouth. “Don’t do that. You have to act nice when you meet new people. Say you’re sorry, okay?”
Her eyes darted about quizzically until papa took his paw away from her mouth. She absently drew a line in the sand, as if to build a wall, and sighed softly, “I’m sorry, Parisa.”
“She takes after me, I’m afraid. We’re working on manners.” Vu chuckled uneasily. He hoped the Sultan would understand. Surly not all females in this pride behaved as perfectly as Parisa.
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:35 am
Aali chuckled at Zarha's small display of rebellion and shook his head. He smiled at Vu in reassurance and shrugged. "To each their own, Zarha is pretty enough that most males would overlook any little quirks..." He held back another soft laugh.
"We have some banu more docile, and some that need a firmer paw, as long as they are kept from the dark path of a Kajira you needn't try to stifle your girls personalities Pad Vu, they will each find a place here I'm sure."
Parisa tried hard not to smirk as she caught sight of Zarha's tongue and while the urge to bat at it was strong she resisted. She beamed with pride at Vu's words elated to have a Pad notice and comment on her politeness. Instead of relaxing though she straightened her back and lifted his head determined to continue. She wanted to everyone to think she looked as regal as her aunt Aysel.
Aali smile down at his niece before looking at Vu then Zarha. "Parisa tries very hard because she wants to grow up and become a Beybanu someday." He nodded and gently ruffled Paris fur.
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:35 pm
Zarha’s dark little face suddenly seemed to glow like a star. Just wait until Afsar heard what Sultan Ali said about her! She just knew her sister would be jelous! Zarha stood up straight, holding her chin in the air with her head turned at a coy angle.
Vu nodded in agreement. “Well, I am trying to encourage her strengths. Zarha’s so smart, like her mother. She just doesn’t understand how to use it yet.”
All Zarha’s intelligence seemed to find purpose in pushing buttons and mouthing off when she was expected to stay quiet. Thankfully, Ali didn’t take Zarha’s rudeness personally. Neither did Parisa, for that matter. Vu knew that Zarha had an odd quirk of lashing out at other banus, always ones whose coats were brighter than her own. He had no idea where she got this strange habit. Perhaps it was his fault for doting so much on Afsar, his oldest daughter who looked so much like him. He never spoke of the guilt he felt.
Noticing Parisa’s willingness to interact with the rude Zarha gave Vu an idea. He nuzzled Zarha forward. “You girls should get to know each other. Go on, she won’t bite.”
Zarha tossed a skeptical look her father’s way and turned to the Sultan’s neice. Well, since the Sultan liked her so much, she supposed she could try to be nice. Besides if she could make friends with one of the Vizer’s daughters, maybe one day she could be the banu of one of his sons – or maybe even the banu of one of the Sultan’s sons if she worked really hard. Zarha faked a smile. “So… do you like to play games?”
With the two girls seeming to get along, Vu turned his attention back to Ali. “I don’t want any of my daughters to become kajira. The trouble is, I’m not really sure how a banu can become a kajira, apart from disobedience.”
He remembered Harb’s vision with a cold chill. He had to do all he could to prevent it from coming true.
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:59 pm
Aali smiled softly as he watched the girls move a little aside to play, interact, whatever it was that young females did. How he longed for the day he too would have a daughter. He turned back focusing on Vu and tilted his head with a mild frown.
"You needn't worry Vu, your a good father I'm sure. Kajira are overly rebellious, their wild and dangerous, females who would harm or kill a cub, or lash out at their own sisters and other banu, females who would attack their Pads. Your girl might be a little outspoken, but that can be channeled...I'm sure she'll be fine with your guidance, and her mothers."
Still Aali turned his eyes back on Zarha curious as if trying to see for himself where any concerns of Vu's might have stemmed from.
"You don't have to be nice just because your daddy said so, it's okay...I like to make real friends, like sisters. I love to play games that will help me be a better Banu too, like hunting practice and hide and seek." Parisa let out a breath and slowly smiled, a genuine smile.
"Why don't you like me? We've never even met?" She looked at the cub curiously wondering what she was thinking. If only they could be friends, then someday if they ended up in the same harem they would be even closer. Even if they didn't they might be hunting partners someday. It irritated Parisa that anyone should dislike her, she tried so hard to show her best, put her best paw forward, especially infront of the Pads.
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Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:20 am
“Zarha would never do that. She tussles with her sister sometimes but it’s just sibling rivalry. I was the same way when I was her age.” Vu smiled. He felt constantly surprised by how much of himself he saw in his offspring. In some ways it was frightening. Just think of all the mistakes he made when he was that age!
Zarha quirked an ear. No one ever asked her that question before. She felt caught off guard. “It’s not that I don’t like you,” she said. “I just… well… I just like to tease my new friends. It’s fun.”
She didn’t want to frighten Parisa away. Having the Sultan’s niece for a friend could be to her advantage. She wasn’t sure how, she just knew it would be good. Maybe it would even make her sister jealous. She walked up to Parisa, slowly swishing her tail. “I like to play hide and seek. I’m probably the best seeker ever. But my favorite game… is… TAG!” She tapped Parisa’s shoulder and darted off, giggling. “Can’t catch me!”
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:46 pm
"She'll be just fine Vu, she has every advantage to play with and learn from her fellow Banu from this young age, I doubt you need concern yourself that she might fall to the ways of a Kajira. She seems very bright, maybe she'll even rise to the position of beybanu, you must be certain to match her to a good Pad when her time comes." Aali smiled and watched as the two girls started to run and tag each other.
"See, I'm sure she and Parisa will soon be fast friends." He relaxed and focused back on Vu. "You and your banu are adjusting well? I was concerned, you have only one and a litter can often be overwhelming for one new mother, especially if she requires help to hunt, I could arrange for one of my ladies to bring you a meal or two if that might help?" He offered sincerely.
Parisa grinned and relaxed, ahhh so then she was going to have a new friend in Zarha! Splendid, she intended to make as many friends as she could knowing that someday these females could well be her harem sisters.
"I'll bet your a great seeker wan-Hey!" Parisa giggled and dashed after Zarha swiping with her paw lightly. "I'll get you!"
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:32 pm
Vu smiled warmly as he watched his daughter run off with Ali’s niece. His eyes hazed over in thought. “It’s been a little stressful, but from what Achal tells me parenthood is like that for everyone,” he smiled weakly.
Both he and Mollie were having a difficult time adjusting to their new lives, as new parents and new members of a pride with customs so different from their homeland, yet he hesitated at the offer. He didn’t want to appear as hapless as he felt. On the other hand Mollie was doing most of the hunting. With his mane growing in thicker every day his hunting skills were starting to suffer. Rather than feel concerned about his pride he started to think of Mollie’s burden, so that his mind changed in a heart beat.
“That’s very kind of you. I’m sure Mollie will love having a break to spend time with the cubs. You know, when I was a cub I used to hunt for her all the time. Hares, lizards. Now that I’m bigger I have a harder time sneaking up on prey, even with my tan coat, so even though I try to help out I don’t think it’s doing much good; so thank you, really.
"If you ever need a strong set of legs or a sturdy back, I'll be there,” he promised. Though he was a little wary of the pride's ways at first, he now felt proud to pledge his loyalty to Sultan Ali.
“Oh no you won’t!” Zarha giggled as she raced away, darting behind a tree as she tried to throw Parisa off, but always staying in sight of her father and the Sultan.
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:11 pm
Aali smiled and nodded pleased that Vu was willing to accept help, it was good to know he was growing comfortable in the pride. "It's good to have you and your banu, it's no trouble to offer your family help, everyone needs it time to time."
He nodded softly and filed away the mental note that Achal too had reassured the young male. Achal was solid, reliable for advice and friendship, good traits for a Vizier but he would take time to make his choice.
"Zarha is quick on her feet, you should take her with you on mock hunts, the practice will probably do her well." He smiled and watched Parisa as well glad to see her acting more her own age, she seemed to want to achieve perfection at the cost of fun sometimes.
Parisa wasn't thinking about perfection, she just wanted to tag the smaller female ahead of her! She leapt and giggled darting back and forth in front of the tree trying to anticipate which side Zarha would come around from. Playing with a banu who wasn't a sibling had its own kind of fun to it!
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:47 pm
“Her competitive streak has advantages.” As Vu watched his daughter dart and weave he felt his chest swell up with pride. Just imagine: Zarha, a master huntress! The next time he went hunting he’d have to bring home some live prey for the cubs to play with; maybe a rabbit, something easy for the young cubs.
He turned to Ali, smiling warmly. His red eyes gleamed. “You know, you remind me of someone. I think I just figured out who. My ancestor, Mufasa. My mother used to tell me about him and his mate, Sarabi. He was a great warrior who defended our pride from invaders, but he was also a kind and wise king. I only know him through stories. I try to be like him but I don’t think I’m a very good match.”
Zarha tried to do another quick turn to throw her off but this time Parisa anticipated it and managed to tag her rump. She gasped in surprise. Well, she might be it now, but there was no way she’d let Parisa get away for long. She slowed down just enough to do an about face and gave chase, eyes narrowed on Parisa with a determined smirk.
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:25 am
Aali chuckled and nodded. "Oh yes I can see..." He smiled as he watched the cubs darting around. It was good to think that someday they might be harem sisters, or even just close friends. He turned back to Vu and felt the warmth of pride settle over him at his words.
"You needn't attempt to emulate others Vu, you are a good Pad, a good father thats what matters. You know...when you first came I was uncertain, your a warrior and I wondered if you wouldn't become restless and tire of the family life we have here. Yet you seem to be fine, it's a comfort knowing that you can attack or defend as easily as you can sit here calmly and enjoy the day."
A giggle escaped her as she slid to a halt before launching herself away from Zarha and running towards the Pads. "Can't catch me!" she gasped out with a breathless laugh trying to outrun her new friend.
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:34 pm
“Having cubs helps. They ware me down,” Vu admitted, chuckling. He paused, attention drifting. “I guess it’s good not to be a full time warrior. I’m happy as a father, but I still train whenever I have time.”
His father was never that way. Whenever he saw his father he always looked tense, aloof or tired, having no time and little patience for children. He felt graced to know his children better than his father knew him. Now he wondered if Ghilt had any regrets.
“Oh yes I will!” Zarha bellowed, charging after Parisa and swiping at her tail. She was tired from trying to outrun the older lioness but pushed herself forward anyway. Zarha would never give up on anything she set her mind to.
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