((This RP takes place before Iar's death))
Once again, Kweu’Rasi was being naughty. He had left his mistress’s den while she was away without her knowing, but this time he went with purpose. Ever since his encounter with the heir Phelygas he had started thinking differently about his place in the pride, and without his willing a plan began to form in his mind. He had no idea if it would work. Only the first step was clear to him; find Rhaen and gain her favor. The rest of his plan was fuzzy, for he knew few details about the pride’s traditions, so he would have to play it by ear, but the reward was worth the risk.
Rhaen was currently stretched out on a flat rock close to the main den area - tail flicking lazily back and forth as she soaked up the lingering heat. Soon, it would be time to go out and hunt. But for now... she had a few moments to relax, and survey the pride that would hopefully someday belong to her and her followers. After they purged it of her crazed brother and all the other idiots.
As Rasi approached the resting lioness his heart leapt into his throat. He used to go out of his way to avoid Rhaen. Now he needed to talk to her.
You were frightened of the heir too, but you still fooled him, Rasi reminded himself. He repeated it over and over in his head, clutching it like a cub to his mother’s belly, and gradually closed the distance. He watched Rhaen carefully. It was really odd seeing her up close like this, like standing eye to eye with a crocodile and noticing the intricate fit of its scales for the first time. “Miss?”
Rhaen blinked at that, having noticed that he was there, of course. But ... she'd never though that the slave might actually speak to her. On their journey here, he had been silent most of the time, and tried to avoid her. Which, she didn't really care about so long as he kept his place. But why would he approach her now..? Well. At least he looked properly respectful - meaning half-terrorized. "Yes...?" she finally replied, slowly.
She’s like a queen, Rasi thought. That’s how she thinks of herself. Why didn’t I notice it before?
His mother was just the same. When Kweu’Rasi and his brother usurped the throne of their old pride (his pride), their mother was the brains behind the operation. Of course she never did any of the fighting. A female’s place isn’t on the field of battle, though he supposed Rhaen would beg to differ on that point.
He bowed his head respectfully. “Pardon my intrusion, miss. Ordinarily I wouldn’t disturb you just before the hunt, but there’s something I need to tell you and I didn’t want to do it in the presence of my mistress, because she would try to silence me.”
Rhaen tilted her head at that, ears pricking towards him. Well, well... this was interesting. Perhaps tonight would not be the boring existence that she had been carrying on outwardly. Glancing around quickly to see if anyone was nearby, she leaned a bit closer to him. "And what might that be?" she asked, the question nearly a purr.
Like standing eye to eye with a crocodile. Rasi felt his fur stand on end. He paused to take a breath and refresh his courage. If Rhaen and his mother had as much in common as he now believed, then he already knew how to deal with her. “A few days ago… I fought one of the heirs, the purple adolescent called Phelygas. It was not intentional. The circumstances would take too long to explain, but a strange spirit came over me and provoked me from within to fight him. I very nearly won, too.” He paused, pretending to be unsure of himself. “I haven’t told anyone else about this. That angry spirit, is that what you call a demon?”
There was another blink at that. She wasn't too terribly happy with him fighting with one of the heirs. But ... this talk of an angry spirit? Hmm... perhaps he might be useful after all. "At times... yes. The demons can be angry. Or they can be jealous, spiteful, plotting, and a variety of other things. Why do you ask?"
“Well… ever since you brought me here… it’s been very strange. At first I was terrified, but lately I’ve been feeling more… well, not comfortable… as if this is where I belong.” He blinked too, giving the impression that he was in the process of figuring this all out for himself. That was true in a way, but not in the way that he presented it.
Now that he was committed to his lie he found it easier to be in her presence. When he committed himself to a lie he let go of all his cares, throwing himself into the lie so that the truth and the lie became one in his eyes, as they had when he deceived the heir. He stepped a little closer to Rhaen, still cautious. “I don’t like being a slave. I could be of more use to you if I wasn’t. I’m a strong fighter, when I’m at my full strength, and if this angry spirit is a demon, then I don’t have any reason to be a slave at all.”
Hm... "So you wish to be of use, to me?" she asked then, eyeing him. "Why? I realize that you may not be happy as a slave, but why not go to your own mistress with this?" Rhaen watched the male, unsure of his goal here. Yes, having another on her side would not be a bad thing... and though it was likely he couldn't rise much in rank, it would be better if he -was- truly a demon. If he had discovered that about himself.
“She forces me to hunt for her every day. Why would she want me to become a demon, when it would force her to hunt for herself? She’s become lazy.” His voice deepened with contempt.
What he said wasn’t exactly true. He was after all a terrible hunter, he couldn’t provide her with meals every day because luck factored into a hell of a lot into his success, but he believed his lie would seem at least a little appealing to Rhaen. Rasi knew nothing about the two gods worshiped by the demon pride, but he sensed some sort of tension between the two lionesses.
Rhaen knew very well that Rasi wasn't a very good hunter, so she could see why he would want to escape that sort of life. The desire for escape wasn't good enough, but the possible existence of a demon ... that could work for him. "What is it that you wish of me?" she asked finally, tilting head.
“I want to prove myself to you. I know that the other two look to you as their leader and if you freed me they would have to go along with it, even my mistress. If I can prove my loyalty to you – prove that I am a demon – will you set me free?”
Freedom was his ultimate goal. The guards knew that he was a slave and prevented him from escaping, but if he became a demon they would have no reason to question him when he wanted to go out for a stroll. He could be free again in no time. Free to plot revenge on his back-stabbing brother.
If Rasi had any idea of the arduous trek through the lava tubes of the pride’s volcano, which he must navigate in order to find his demon’s name, he would have looked for a different plan.
Rhaen blinked at that, and then laughed softly. "You don't understand everything, obviously. I can't just 'set you free'. It doesn't work like that. If you do have a demon inside of you ... once you find your demon's name, you -will- be free. No one can do that for you." She smiled faintly. "However, if what you wish is my blessing upon your search ... then I can, and will give you that."
Rasi thought, Find my demon’s name… well, that sounds easy enough. “I would be grateful for your blessing, your guidance, whatever you can offer! Thank you!”
That smile stayed on her face, pleased with how eager he seemed. "If you have questions... you may ask them of me," she said then, graciously. It wasn't often that true demon offered to help a slave - even one who was perhaps discovering their own demon. Standing, she glanced up at the position of the stars. "Time for the hunt now. I'm sure we'll speak again, later." And without another word, she loped off into the darkness.
((Fin~))
