Nanashi had once again carefully removed Satomei from his sister's grasp, which was growing easier now that Satomei was old enough to convince her mother that she did, in fact, want to follow her uncle around like a shadow. He was pleased that he didn't have to fight tooth and nail everytime he wanted to see his young niece anymore, and she was happy to be allowed to follow him on his duties more. He glanced down at the pale creature following him happily, awarding her a small smile.
Satomei glanced up at her Uncle, catching the smile and returning it tenfold. “Where are we going, Uncle?” She asked, eagerly, nearly bouncing on her paws as she moved along beside him. She acted more and more like a cub around him, which made him smile a little.
“Just around the pride,” he assured her. “Do a little scouting.” It was one of the more boring duties, except when exciting things were found during scouting, which were, unfortunately not often. Satomei shrunk a little, looking disappointed but waved it off soon enough, pleased to at least be in her Uncle's company.
-
Nyoka was a sly beast. She got tarou, and Katapatan wrapped around her paw and if mana wasn't always taking Imbra she would have her too. The other one - she didn't really see him much but always stayed by the Nanny. Today- she was flicking her tail as she was going in to get a cub to single out. Ready to test that at any given point. But- someone had found her. Katapatan following her in toe.
When Nyoka realized she was being followed by the lovely cub, she turned and reverted in the direction she originally wanted to go. The craters edge. Almost crossing paths with Nanashi as she reverted the other way with a cub in toe.
Taking an upwards path towards the top of the crater's wall. It was.. High up there to say the least.. and she could hear the child's step quickly learning how to go vertically and against gravity. Until they were about half up she turned around to seek the sight of Katapatan struggling. It seemed like she was until she used her hind legs to hoist herself up in a jump and on the rocky path below her own. With a soft smile, she looked up just as an occassional thing to see her mate. A grin seered in to her face as she saw the cutest cub between his legs. Turning around and back to her mission as if she didn't even see him at all.
-
Nanashi spotted his mate quickly as he approached the crater's wall, pleased to see her but surprised to see a young one tagging along with her too. Ah, it was Katapatan, one of Mana's brood. He and Satomei had met her before, and he didn't mind the young one's company, and Satomei didn't seem to mind either. Plus, he had to admit, Nyoka looked good with a cub following her around. Nanashi hid a smile, and nudged Satomei in the direction of the other two.
Satomei looked surprised to see her Aunt nearby but pleased, and when her uncle nudged her, she set off quickly towards the elder cheetah and the other cub. Well, Satomei didn't dislike Kata, but she wasn't exactly best friends with her either, which didn't really matter, she supposed, but still. She bounced up to Nyoka quickly, Nanashi trailing behind with a pleasantly amused expression on his face.
“Hello Lady Nyoka!” She greeted her aunt politely, peering over at Kata. “And Katapatan. Are you scouting too?”
Nanashi reached the group moments later, and gently nuzzled Nyoka's cheek in greeting, a brief show of affection towards his mate.
-
As if Nyoka was oblivious to it all. She was making her way up but slower now.. and turned downed to greet the small cub. It seems that she was just a bit bigger than she remembered the last time. "Oh Satomei. You have grown to be quite the lovely kitten." Preening a smile to her. Then turned down to Katapatan. "Dear?"
And before the lady even said anything- she bounded under the lges of the boss and bowed almost immediately and wagged her tail. "Good morning, Miss Aiko's Satomei." Of course, she said that to give more respect to her. She knew she would be a higher grunt.. so she had to address everyone with higher regard.
"Aw." She stated before feeling her mate come by and snug her cheek. She returned by leaning in to it and nudging it softly. "Yes~ We're scounting.. and I wanted to show her the 'rings' today. What better way than above." She looked to Nanashi with a soft smile.. then down to the children. "This is dangerous Satomei. Don't lean too forward." Taking her time to getting to it. It fit barely 2 people directly in front of themselves. Closely.
Her paws giving in to the ledge and looking over. Sitting almost instantly and elegantly at that. Katapatan's ears flciked from each side and when she saw Nanashi come around the other side. She went below Nyoka again and down so she could effectively bow. "Sir Nanashi.. its a pleasure to be in your presence again." Nyoka gave a small giggle. "She is learning well. Very sharp." Nodding.. Looking at Satomei's steppings. "Becareful dear." Lowering her head then looking out. It WAS a beautiful sight. "I'm guessing the both of you are.. scouting?" Katapatan then fell in to step right after satomei and sat there. Ears up and looking out like Nyoka did. Copy Catting her to a tee.
-
Satomei preened at her Aunt's compliment, bowing her head politely. “Thank you, Lady Nyoka,” she said, sounding pleased. She knew her coat would be appealing when she was older, but as a juvenil,e she was still very much getting used to her own skin and loved it when others payed her compliments. She was, perhaps, a little vain like that.
Nanashi was pleased at his mate's response to his touch, listening to what she was saying. “Ah, that is a good idea, my lady,” he told her softly, giving her a small smile. As she cautioned Satomei, he cast his gaze towards the young cub. He nodded his head to her polite greeting. “The pleasure is all mine, Young Katapatan,” he told her, giving her the barest of smiles, before returning his gaze to his mate. “Yes, we're scouting as well. Satomei wanted to follow me on my duties for a while, but Aiko is insisting that I do not keep her too long.” He was always somewhat reluctant to release Satomei but he knew he'd have to.
Satomei glanced at Katapan, careful where her paws were so that she didn't make a fool of herself. “Is Aunt Nyoka showing you around the pride?” She asked, rather curious. She never referred to Nyoka directly as 'aunt', simply out of respect, but to others, she did love using the title, just so people knew who she was related to.
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Kata looked to Satomei when she was being addressed. She bowed her head. Noticing aunt, she would have assumed that she was if she was nanashi's niece. She saw them before together.. and even when they played. "Yes. I'm learning as much as I can to become like my fa- ...." She looked down for a moment before looking up again fully proud. "Mana." Nodding. "Its nice to see you again.. I'm glad I get to be in your presence.." She preened a slight smile but it was short lived.. She didn't usually smile unless it was for Nyoka. She was throughly happy when Nanashi spoke to her. It gave her tingles like she was important for a mere second.
Nyoka was certainly a sly woman as she coiled her long tail around Satomei. Protectively. Then securing her safety before looking back to Nanashi. "Oh.. that Aiko. She is such the model mother." Ears going up and being quite happy about this mother word finally. Now that both of her children were.. One whacked while the other was on a mission away from home. She COULD be a mother of something better.
"Have you found anything good?" She would usually say, try looking and overhearing the entertainers but oddly enough. In recent times she got slightly protective of him going in alone there. How many would seduce her model toy. Even the mere THOUGHT got her somewhat fur bristled.
-
Satomei nodded and smiled a little, but it was barely more then a quirk of her mouth. “I'm sure Aunt will be a very good teacher for that. Your Father is held in very high regard within the pride,” she remarked, nodding her head. She was happy that the female was pleased to be in her company, and smirked a little. She wasn't high ranking, as merely a citizen like Kata but it was still nice to be treated properly. “Have you been following your father much?” she asked. “Uncle Nanashi allows me to follow him often, so I can learn a lot.” She shifted, happy and giving a slight purr when Nyoka coiled her tail around her, wrapping her own small tail around the larger one, more out of comfort then need to feel safe.
Nanashi inclined his head to her comment. “Mmm, she is quite the protective mother,” he remarked calmly. He liked that his sister was cautious, especially since they were quite well behaved and good citizens.
He shook his head at her comment. “No, I didn't have much interactions so there wasn't much to find,” he said coolly, knowing what she had been asking about. He didn't notice her bristling. “The females are doing their job well, and behaving as appropriately as required.” From what he had seen, at least.
-
Nyoka looked at him. To reassure herself.. and strickly huffed. "Dear.. your eyes are so observant." She smiled.. though slightly uneasy and trying not to show it. "The girls are quite the muscle when they want to be.. I brought two along that completed a mission with ease.. and the males were equally as sufficient. We need more of that here." Nodding.. "I hope to be that much of a protective mother as well.. so I am scouting now to make up for my absense." Ears went back. "You should know~~~~" She gave a ringing of a hint. Babies may be on the way.
"Oh yes, she is a very good teacher. I am very very honored she would take me along with her." A shreen as if she were showing how happy she was to be there. "Thats good~ maybe I can go on scouting duty with you like last time. To.. give you some company if you'd like?" Offering herself to be someone's right hand already. But when she spoke of her father-- she got quiet and her ears lowered. She didn't know how to hide her feelings YET. Those signs.. "I go on.. duty with father...sometimes." Agreeing and looking down. "I am very proud of my father and I hope to be just as useful as him someday." Looking side ways to her..
Nyoka looked at the girls. "Kata.. it seems we have gotten off course.. " Looking to her mate. As if saying if he wanted he could leave but she wasn't forcing him. This information would also help satomei one day. "The first layer- the forest.. is to help with scouting and watching.. Observing and the alike when new comers come- and when old members come back on missions. Being followed isn't good. But the desert is the desert is good- so much plains with little cover.. means we can see anyone whom comes from afar." Pointing it out with her paw- as if an after thought.
-
Nanashi nodded his head in response to her comments, thinking back to the ladies of the pride. “Yes, they are quite the force to be reckoned with when crossed. A valuable asset to the pride,” he was speaking mostly of his sister, though the other females could be considered as such as well. He placed a paw over his mate's paw at her comments of motherhood, “You are a wonderful mother already, even to those who are not of your blood,” he said, speaking, of course, for the Dysi spawn who had woven their way into her heart somewhere along the line and to his distaste, though he would never speak out against them. For fear of loosing her, rather than out of fear of offending others. “You are caring with Satomei as any mother should be,” he said, glossing over his comment.
Satomei nodded. “Perhaps,” she remarked carefully. She had quite enjoyed Kata's company, if only to have someone to show off to that wasn't family. “You could improve greatly by being around Uncle, I'm sure, as we all could,” she said carefully. She was curious by her lowered ears and such when she spoke of her father, frowning. Of course, Satomei had no father, she perhaps that was a normal reaction when one spoke of their father. The closest she had was her Uncle, and that wasn't close enough, it seemed. “With proper training, I'm sure you will be,” she said calmly.
Glancing up at her Aunt as the female spoke, Satomei listened carefully and interestedly, even if Nanashi simply smiled at them and didn't seem to be listening as closely. “There are always way of dispelling a follower anyway, if someone does try to follow, right, Lady Nyoka?” she questioned, having heard basic ideas of such things, but not the techniques themselves. The thought of someone stalking her was a faintly disturbing thought to her, but she would not need to deal with that for a while still.
-
"I hope to be a real mother soon." She blankly spoke. "As I have not given fate chance to make me one yet." Speaking of course of the wrong sired cubs. Shaking her head. "I have taught Aiko- and Giselle know enough to teach the others quite well. I heard of other families falls.. and this may prove benefitsual to us. In time. We will have more skilled and elite members. Hopefully." The look was simple put to Satomei's question. Looking over them.
"You can dispell anyone in reason. But yes- you can. Many ways are left up to grunts and slaves. That work is only done when need be." Trying not to eleborate on such activities in fear of saying too much to cubs. They were ONLY cubs. "But we try not to let that get too far."
Her tail padding.
"I hope to- and would be honored." Bowing her head again. I am very gracious for your kind words Satomei.. it gives me hope. Kata's face lit up with the knowledge she was given- when Nyoka started to speak. She looked up at her immediately and then looked to the ring around the pride. Nodding. Her tail flicking as her body stayed perfectly still. With the amount of time she speak watching Nyoka on the ledges she figured it out somewhat. To stay alive and prove something. "Anyone that needs to be dispelled ... I must learn these skills. To rid the pride of the unwanted. I will make note of it." They all were speaking so grown up like- sometimes it was hard for her to follow but she tried her best. Like Mana..she perferred to listen and watch other than talk.
-
Nanashi was mildly surprised by her rather unhidden words, and nuzzled her cheek, lowering his voice enough that he would not draw the youth's attention. “Perhaps you will be gifted with cubs soon, if we are fortunate,” he said smoothly. He meant it too. He wished to be a part of any cubs of Nyoka's lives, and he hoped that perhaps he would be the one who sired her next brood, and was able to start a family with her.
Pulling back, he peered at the cubs, frowning slightly at the turn of the conversation. “That is not something either of you will need to worry about for many months to come,” he remarked calmly, speaking mostly to Satomei who shouldn't need to fear of stalkers and of disposing those of the unwanted of the pride, she was still only young.
Satomei nodded at her Uncle, knowing his concern, but curious none the less for what Nyoka was talking about, and what Kata was too. “If I need anyone dispelled, I'll have to make sure to come to you when we're older, Kata,” Satomei said, knowing her Uncle would rather she did not get involved in that sort of thing. She was rewarded with a small smile from her Uncle, which showed his pleasure in her comment, knowing she was trying to distance herself from the darker underbelly of the pride.
-
When she was rewarded with the almost compliment of Satomei her face lit.. her tail padding as she got to her toes almost but quickly sat back down.. Knowing Nyoka was probably watching. "I'd love to." She smiled. "If its my duty- I will do so to the fullest. You won't have to worry~!" Nodding happily. That sheer sign of being wanted made her heart fill with joy- non of her siblings got this treatment. She was with the boss lady, boss, AND a future royal. Her ears went up and fully like a cub's should.. finally showing that through.
"Sooner than you think." She remakred under breath to Nanashi. When she started to go on about the layer- then what grunts did. The interest and knowledge satomei showed almost.. surprised her. Her ears went up and she couldn't hide that fact. "Yes.. Others like Katapatan would be of your service for that. Your safety comes first- " She hunched over with a soft laugh. "Or you Mother Aiko would have their heads- whoever didn't take the best care." Bringing her paw up to her muzzle and her other paw under her mate's where it should be.
The time was flowing by them.. and already. It seemed that she was only beginning to teach Katapatan to be a good right hand. Someone to listen to every word.. a machine of sorts. "Though I am hoping Katapatan will learn quickly.. those rewarded with the best skills seem to always move up in ranks of importance. As long as you stay strong and usefyl. I do not doubt you will become like Mana.. " Her tail poking Kata but then quickly returned around Satomei. "Now girls.. I believe that is it for today. My mate, I am sure you will be taking Satomei home safetly?" She leaned against him and nuzzled her head under his chin just barely enough.
-
Satomei was pleased at the other youth's response to her comment. She seemed very eager and very loyal, it seemed. She liked that. It would be useful, if Satomei did ever need Kata's assistance, she would very happily call upon her now. “I think I would not worry, should it be you attending,” she said, with a pleasant smile.
Nanashi gave a slight frown and shot Nyoka a curious look, but he was normally confused by his mysterious mate, so he let her comment slip and refocused on the youth before them. He chuckled at her comment of Aiko, as did Satomei.
“Aye, I see how Mother would be displeased, I'll be sure to be very careful, and let others like Kata take care of such things,” she said calmly, with a smile, ducking her head bashfully. She would take great care of herself, as she knew that few would not be upset if she had managed to hurt herself with foolish nonsense.
She was a little reluctant when her aunt said that it was time to go, but she nodded. “It was a pleasure to see you both, Lady Nyoka and Katapatan,” she said, smiling slightly at them both, before shifting carefully to slip under her Uncle's paws.
Nanashi inclined his head. “Indeed I can, my lady.” He lent over and nuzzled her cheek once more, the gesture loving and careful. “I will see you later, my mate, when the duties are done for the day.” He smiled gently at her, before gazing towards Kata. “Perhaps we will meet again, Young Katapatan, but until then, best wishes for your studies.” He inclined his head to her, and began to leave, nudging Satomei affectionately in the right direction.
The smile on Nanashi's face for Nyoka only. It seemed only she could place that gentle smile on his face, and it was unique to her. They called out their farewells to the duo behind them, as the made their way back to Aiko's den.
-
Nyoka's tail uncoiled as the girl left her grasp.. and she dropped her head after her mate had left- but quickly straightened it. As she casted her gaze to the side to follow him after he had touched her cheek. The gesture.. reminded her why she had picked him over all else. Then let her gaze follow as she saw that familiar smile... she smiled in return. A caring one. Little did he know.. She then turned her head to Katapatan as she to left her regards.
Her body shivered.. she was SO ready to get on her first assignment- but that was soon banshed from her mind as her 'teacher' gave her a sudden look.. but she had nodded which meant she would probably be protecting Satomei one day. One day.. "It was my pleasure Satomei. You are a delight to have as company." Bowing almost all the way and she gave a the same bow again to when Nanashi had said his goodbyes. Her eyes wide at them and her tail wagging as she was looking the wrong way..her butt to the outside of the pride.. On all fours now. As she watched them leave. Observing them. This she would keep to herself.. maybe. Tarou seemed to be the only sibling she could fully teach on her own. Then her head looked up in to Nyoka's face. Then lowered quickly as she whipped around- almost slipping and caught herself before going TOO forward and to her death.
'Phew...' She sat and leaned back- but then she remembered that it could easily happen the other way too. Re-Balancing herself quickly before looking up at Nyoka- her tail coming up and coiling around her as it did to Satomei. Then it padded her on the head.
"You still have much to learn.. " Shaking her head.
