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 Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:57 am
Long, long weeks had passed since the death of her vizier. But they didn't show on the stately creature making her way to her half brother. She still moved as gracefully and silently as any lioness could dream of. Each paw touched ground with almost calculated beauty, neither slipping or losing purchase, no matter what the surface underneath her was.
But one hesitated as she caught sight of Aali. She had been told this was where to find the Sultan. The sight of her half brother sitting there instead of her father sent a bit of a shock down her spine, which she quickly hid. She lowered the paw, nodding her head as she waited for him to acknowledge her.
Even the daughter--no, the half sister of the sultan should know her place.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:22 am
Aali was overjoyed and surprised, he had never thought to see any of his siblings again, but for his brother. To see Amani alive and whole and returned to them was an immense comfort. After all if a beybanu could survive alone in the world then surely the Pesars would return as Pads. He knew how hard it had to be for her to come back, alone, and to all the changes the pride had been through.
He came forward and tipped his head with a soft smile. "Welcome home sister...you've been sorely missed."
He ight have bumped his head against hers, might have playfully pawed at her, or tackled her in a hug, but they were adults now, and such displays of affection were not appropriate when her Pad's fate was not fully known. Yet Aali could only imagine that for his sister to return alone it meant that her Pad like so many of the prides elders had passed on.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:26 am
"I am glad to see you looking so well," she said with a slight smile, her eyes gleaming with love. She did adore her brothers, after all, but so much had changed-- "I, um... I was expecting to see father," she admitted. "So many things have changed since I and the Vizier left-- Is he--?"
She didn't dare finish the question, knowing the answer could easily break her heart yet again. The loss of both Vizier and father was almost more than she could handle.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:33 am
He knew then he would need to say the words out loud, proclaim the changes though he wished thy hadn't happened. He lowered his head, his voice softening as he gave her the sad news. "I'm afraid so...father and his former viziers passed, as did most of is harem, including your mother and mine."
He tried to move past the tightening of his chest, he had done his mourning there was no point in returning to grief. His father and mother would be proud to see how well the pride was doing. "And...your pad?" He asked uncertainly.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:36 am
"He--he--" she looked away, tears threatening. "He is no longer with us," she said, a tiny hint of a sob in her voice. "I--I--wish--"
But how could she have known all of this would happen? She had been so happy to go on the trip, her Vizier had promised to show her so many wondrous things, things she would be able to tell cubs about--
"Forgive me," she said, sniffling. "I'm sobbing like a cub." The tears leaked out and she wiped at them with a paw, still not able to look at her half brother.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:42 am
"Do not be ashamed Amani, he was a good Pad, a great Vizier and he was yours alone for so long, your grief is well understood. It pains me to know he is gone..." Indeed he wished both had returned safe and sound, but he was grateful that his sister was back.
"Faiz is Vizier now." He offered her the news softly as a consolation knowing how much Faiz adored his sister. They had been so close once before adulthood had changed them, yet the bonds of sibling love remained unbroken.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:47 am
She smiled, wiping at the last of her tears. They could wait until she was alone. "Oh how proud he must be," she said with a hint of teasing. "He is an excellent Vizier, no doubt. I wouldn't expect any less from my brother. Just as I know you're an excellent Sultan."
She hesitated, wondering if she dare to ask what would be done with her. It was her place to be given as the Sultan desired, but she was feeling quite adrift. "I would ask," she started out slowly, "where I might stay, if the Sultan wishes?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:00 am
"That he is" Aali chuckled with a smile glad to see her spirits lifted somewhat, Fazi was a great Vizier, as was Tariq, if only he could choose his third. He looked Amani over carefully and sat in silent thought for a long moment after her question.
"In truth sister I am reluctant to place you in the care of a new pad too quickly, you are a treasure to me, and Faiz. We must consult and see where you might be happiest and which pad is most deserving. Perhaps one of our older more stable males...I worry that you've grown used to being the only banu of a harem...."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:05 am
She jerked, ever so slightly, her mind rushing at that statement as her expression covered her dismay as quickly as she could. "I would--" she started out, searching for the words, "I mean, I know your wisdom far exceeds my own, dear brother, but you see--" She was stumbling, which she hadn't done since she was a cub and showed how she felt.
She took a deep breath, then started out more slowly, "I did love my vizier dearly, brother. But it was--it was very heartbreaking to lose him. I fear that an older mate might--might force me to go through the same thing. I fear my heart would surely break far worse."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:38 pm
"I see...you would have a pad more your own age then? Well...I'll try and keep that in mind, though I do hope to find someone mature enough to appreciate you dear sister. You have been a beybanu, you are a talented huntress, and you are still capable of bearing cubs though you haven't any of your own yet." He looked at her wondering if she still wanted to be a beybanu or if she would be content as a banu.
If only their father were still there, he would know exactly where to place their dear treasure, what setting would allow her to sparkle. He was at a loss for the time, no male seemed quite worthy, quite perfect for her. He wondered how he was going to place his own daughters, for the time slowly crept closer when he would need to.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:45 pm
"Cubs!" she said, grabbing onto it like a lifeline. "Oh, yes, please, brother! I have a deep, deep longing for cubs of my own," she added. And other things, but those were far too risque to mention to her brother. "But until you have chosen I am content to wait," she said, realizing how brazen she sounded and blushing slightly.
"Perhaps," she ventured, "I could help with my nieces and nephews until that day, if the Sultan so desires?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:05 pm
Aali chuckled and grinned at his half sisters enthusiasm, "Faiz and I have made you an aunt many times over, we would appreciate your assistance." He smiled as she reverted to her sweet formality, he adored his sister, and he knew how content Faiz would be to have her back as well.
"For now you shall remain with me Amani, you cannot be left alone without a pad to watch over your interests and I fear Faiz might be a bit overburdened. I would not want to place another responsibility on him at the moment. Take some time to mingle with my banu, explore the pride and tell me if you find a pad to your liking."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:12 pm
"Oh thank you, brother!" she said joyfully, far luckier than she had ever dreamed. "I know exactly what I shall look for in a pad," she added a bit rashly, "If he is even half the noble, generous soul you are, I will be quite lucky. But I fear that no male shall live up to my brothers' standards. I am quite blessed to have such a wonderful family."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:16 pm
Aali laughed and grinned, and then because she was once again a part of his family, his sister to care for, he wrapped his paw around her and nuzzled her happily. "I missed you sister, your flattery is worth the world to me, to know you hold me in such high esteem. I shall do my best to make sure and find a pad worthy of you."
He pulled back then gladly and nudged her softly, family, so important in so many ways, and he was so blessed to have most of his back. Amani's return was like an omen of good fortune, a sign from somewhere that he was doing the right things for the pride.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:20 pm
"It isn't flattery when it's perfectly true," she said pertly. "Might I take my leave, dear Sultan? I know you are a very busy lion and..." she gave him a shy little smile, ducking her head and looking up at him, "I have to confess my eagerness to meet the newest additions to our family."
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