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 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:42 pm
Unyezi was a muddled up lion over the last several weeks since taking his place as a slave and leaving his daughter to be queen. Alcmene still would not talk to him and he knew how awkward many of the lions in the pride felt around him, truthfully he was only really comfortable around Nerit at the moment- and, surprisingly, Upenzi. He still had a job to do with the young lioness, he'd made sure she knew he would still be there to help her even though he was a slave and now that it was her turn to join the upper middle class officially.. he would be helping her the one last time. Now that she was adolescent and so close to officially being recognized as such, he decided to seek her out directly rather than go through her mother. The party would be that night, and he wasn't sure what she was expecting where the parties were her job. But he knew, he'd respectfully checked with the queen and been given the OK.. and that was more interaction than they'd had in a while.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:48 pm
Upenzi had spent much of her morning socializing with everyone, especially her family. Tonight would be the night, and the air seemed abuzz with all the excitement. Upenzi herself was excited, but there was apprehension, too. It was a big step in her life, and she knew that there would be no going back, no matter what happened. These thoughts drove her to find some solidude in the early afternoon, while the sun was still high and hot.
Draped underneath a tree, the pretty lioness wasn't too hard to spot once the purple stripe down her back was in view. The tip of her tail flopped behind her as her mind ticked away, pale green eyes viewing the horizon before her, a blank stare on her face as she focused only on her thoughts, and not the world around her.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:02 pm
Upenzi was indeed easy to spot against the bright afternoon backdrop of the pride's lands, which was lucky for Unyezi because it meant he did not have to wander too much or too long. Mostly he was not used as a slave while the pride adjusted, but eventually someone would send him on an errand and right now he had a job to do! Once he spotted her, he picked up the pace and jogged closer. He made sure to stop a respectful distance away and offered a nod of greeting- he was working on behaving as was expected of a low class lion, but at the same time he did not want to overdo it. At least, he didn't worry about it so much with the lions he knew best.
"Upenzi," he greeted her, smiling, "Are you excited for tonight?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:15 pm
Upenzi shook her head lightly, but there was a soft laugh on her face, too. It would be....strange when she wouldn't be able to speak to Unyzeni so freely. It was one of the things she wasn't looking forward to after tonight. She understood, but that didn't mean it didn't sit well wit her. Knowing that life was never everything she wanted though kept her in place from really ever voicing her dislike of it.
"Unyezi," she said politely, still trying to go into the transition herself. It was odd, but she would never blame him for his choice. He had that choice, and that was what mattered most.
"I'm...apprehensive. It's such a large turning point in my life~!" Her tail flicked for a moment before settling down to rest. "I'm certain it will turn out all right."
She tilted her ehad to the side, "Is there something I can help you with?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:24 pm
"You have nothing to worry about," he said kindly, wishing he could have enjoyed this kind of conversation with his own cubs on their night but.. it had taken a whole other direction because of his decision, a decision he had to make publicly to prove he was serious, "You're ready to take your place in the upper middle class- and to take your place as Priestess. I've taught you everything you'll need to know, you have experience, the personality and now you have the maturity. So, tonight your brother will remain an apprentice, your sister will become one and you'll officially take over the job of Host."
It was a happy thing, but at the same time disappointing. It was a kind of final step in accepting that Vikesh and Otieno were not back. Thoth had said he found them, had pointed them in the right direction to find home.. but still they had not come back. That would be the only sad part of the night, and mainly it would be shared privately by the older members. But it was no great loss, Unyezi was extremely confident in Upenzi's abilities.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:44 pm
Upenzi flushed slightly. "You're too kind," she said softly, her eyes lingering up to look at him, finally averting their gaze from the horizon. "I don't know if I'm ready, really....it just seems like I'm taking the dive into something I've wanted. And now that it's here...I'm not so sure I'm ready for it." She knew she wanted it, but being ready was something else.
Remembering something she had overheard though, she snorted slightly at herself. "Of course, I'll probably never be completely ready. It'll be something totally new to me!" She chuckled at herself, her paws shifting a bit as she pushed herself up to sit. It probably wouldn't look too good for Unyezi to be 'looking down' at her. Bah.
"I just hope I'm ready for this unknown part of my life." Her head tilted to the other side. "Of course, I'm sure I can take a page from your book. You've certainly done something similar, huh?" she asked, giggling.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:54 pm
When Upenzi stood, the former-king shifted his weight slightly so he was in a more submissive stance. He was catching on fairly quickly- as long as there was no actual instruction or harassment for him.. he was good at the actions but so far hadn't had much interaction. He let Upenzi talk without interruption and get her thoughts out before he spoke up again.
"You could say that," he agreed, "At least you're, without a doubt, going into something good. You'll have a hard time finding anyone who doesn't appreciate what you're doing and what you will do for the pride. Many pride members have varying opinions of my decision-- which they are entitled to, of course." He added the last part quickly, knowing he had to be careful not to complain or speak too freely, even if it was Upenzi he was talking to.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:04 pm
It was hard for Upenzi to completely wrap around the idea that Unyezi was lower than her. She wasn't sure that she ever would. He was like a mentor to her, especially when she was younger. She wouldn't ever forget that. She would just have to be careful, to respect everyone's wishes, as well as the way...that things just were.
She'd never get used to it, but she'd adapt.
"True," she said, raising a paw to lick between the paw pads for a moment. She used it as a way to slow down her speech when she wanted to emphasise something. "They are certainly entitled to their opinion, as I am mine, but at least you did it for a reason that you believe in." Upenzi hadn't come across someone she deeply cared about, so it was hard to understand the specifics, or the sacrifices, but she still admired him for being brave in doing it.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:20 pm
"Thank you," he said gratefully, glad for the lions he did have on his side, so to speak. At least some understood why he had done what he did, it made up for a lot of it. He only hoped that his children, especially Alcmene, would come back around. She was doing a marvelous job so far and he couldn't tell her that.
"Now," he said, realizing he had not fully relayed the message he had for her, "For tonight, I will be acting as host so that you may enjoy the ceremony with your family and class mates. After that, though, you'll be attending and acting independently."
Unyezi smiled, it was a good thing, even if she was nervous.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:28 pm
Her mouth made a small 'o' shape, and her voice also mimicked that. "Oh." Yeah. Back to reality, where everything would hit her so suddenly.
She was greatful that he was going to be there, though. That would help it make at least a little easier. She needed to really start playing as Host soon, since it was important for her to get more social with some of the others in her class, and even outside of that.
"Thanks, Unyezi," she said, just a slight nod of her head to acknowledge her feelings. She was used to doing more but....she had to turn off those impulses.
"Is there anything I need to remember to do? I'm scared I'll forget something...important." Especially with a new royal leading the way.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:44 pm
"Give yourself a little more credit," he said encouragingly, still smiling despite her worries about it, "You'll do fine. And besides, now that I'm a slave, if you need me around you need only ask and I'll be there." Unyezi bowed his head a bit out of respect and shrugged a bit. It was a bold suggestion but he felt obligated to offer his help, even if he didn't think she needed it. But he wasn't wrong to point out she could just tell him to keep coming and he would have to.
"There will always be someone around who can help, besides," he said.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:01 pm
"R-really?" She had been worried that the idea of speaking to him wouldn't be welcome...as it would be more for advice than anything, but that really helped. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled, a renewed sense of excitement in her heart. She would not need to worry so much about facing everything alone.
"Thanks, Unyezi," she said, her ears perking upwards. "That helps a lot. Now I'm starting to actually look forward to the ceremony more than I had beforehand."
She could do this. She really could.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:42 pm
He was pleased with her reaction, glad he was able to find a way to make her more enthusiastic about it. She might be nervous at first, but she would certainly be good at what she did. Much kinder than the old grumpy lion that had been around when Unyezi had gone through it, when the remaining original pride members had gone through this. Not that Vikesh was not missed.
"You're welcome, miss," he said politely, "I'm glad to have helped. I'll see you later tonight, then." Unyezi took a step back, meaning to go off once again if she were OK with it.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:04 am
Upenzi knew that he should probably go to see what else he could help with. She wasn't ready to jump back into the mess of socializing just yet.
"I will indeed," she said with a now. "A few marks from now I'll see you again."
With a small sigh, she settled herself down on the ground, deciding to try and catch a short nap. It would help fight off the weariness that was sure to tickle her eyes this evening at the ceremony. She needed to be at her best tonight, for she had many of the older members to impress, and not just Unyezi anymore.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:37 am
He gave her one last smile and he took another step back before turning and heading on his way. If no one stopped him, he intended to go and look for Nerit. He liked to stick with her as much as possible, one of the few he was comfortable around but also intent on making sure she was adjusting fine- he knew he wasn't the only one everybody looked at or commented on. After tonight, he would be free of any specific responsibility and he found he was getting rather anxious himself.
Fin.
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