Hakuna felt...odd. Disappointed, angered, relieved, and shameful, all at once. Yes, Iar had not grown out of his insanity like she had. He'd stayed a ruthless, chaotic lion fueled by pain and blood. But he'd gained a grudging respect from Hakuna. Now...he was gone. By the claws of one of her own sons. But...that was not how it should have happened. What had driven her fool of a son, one of the two she HAD been proudest of, to call out Iartuupe? She knew that tone of voice he'd used...she'd heard it from her own sister before. Vengeance. And that was where the shame came from...
From the realization she DIDN'T know one of her own sons like she thought she had. The Sinta'hare lowered her head, ears back, in the closest to crying she would come. Maybe if she'd paid more attention...
Dome watched from his place between his father's forelegs, aquamarine eyes wide and unbelieving. Were...were they allowed to kill in a duel? Wasn't that wrong? Why kill a fellow demon to settle a personal score? The cub looked up to his father, questions in his eyes and expression. Why?
Even Nyota wasn't quite sure how to respond to such a turn of events. Drathir had never been weak, not by any means, but this? He remembered a time, not so long ago, when he'd be at the edge of the arena roaring his encouragement for more bloodshed. To look back on that was shameful, and to see just what Drathir had turned into...
"Damned fool," he growled, narrowing his eyes as his brother tore out Iartuupe's throat. He almost made to cover his sons eyes, but resisted the urge. Domefae was strong, and if he was to be a demon, he needed to be used to bloodshed. Instead, he leaned down to give his son's head a rough lick, and said something to him. "Promise me you will never do something this foolish, Domefae."
Dome nodded his dark head, growing tuft of bright blue mane-fur bobbing along with. I shan't Father, his expression spoke. He would never do something like that. A demon was a demon...it wasn't right to kill one another, unless the other had broken pride law. It...it just wasn't right. He looked over to his grandmother and trotted over to her, nuzzling against her leg.
Hakuna started and looked down to her grandson. So young, and he'd witnessed one of the worst parts of being a demon. She leaned down and pressed her nose to his cheek. "I shall be fine, little one. Your grandmother is a strong lioness."
Nyota couldn't help the small swell of pride at the conviction in his son's eyes. The pride could say what they would about the fact that Nyota never spoke of his mother, but it didn't change the fact that his son was every father's dream. It didn't matter than Domefae never spoke a word. His father and grandmother understood what even the smallest of expressions meant.
"Don't fret over her, Domefae. If you should worry about anyone, worry about me. I must fight in the tournament to take the Aran'shale's place," Nyota said absently, looking towards the slain form of Iar and shaking his head.
Hakuna shuffled Dome back to his father, sitting herself before her son. "You are strong. And...I will admit, I was a fool and chose to pay attention to one more than the others. But this fool is proud of that one. Keep me proud, my Star." She was suddenly glad her second litter was completely ineligible for the throne. She couldn't stand the thought of Rinca or Vito fighting for Morifaer's throne.
Dome frowned and rubbed his head again Nyota's leg. His father was strong. Surely his father would survive the tournament and more! He sat back, then put his weight on his back paws so he could hug that same leg.
"You were young and foolish, just as I was when I lashed out at Mvua. I will never let you down, Mother," Nyota said, leaning forward to give his mother's cheek a comforting nudge. And once that was done, he smiled down at Domefae, once again moving to groom his young son. "I won't fall in a tournament for the throne, Domefae. No lion would dare kill a Tarenai in an honorable duel."
Hakuna nodded. "We did many foolish things in our youth." She sighed. "We can only try to not make the same mistakes." She would not make those mistakes with the little ones in her belly. She would need to talk with Verge and Te later. She wasn't far along but...she knew the signs well enough by now.
Dome gave his father a very serious expression. Then he looked to the fallen Aran'shale's body, and back to his father. They killed an Aran'shale. He didn't want to loose his father! Grandmother was nice, but she wasn't Father.
"Drathir killed an Aran'shale," Nyota corrected absently, his tail flicking behind him. "And I imagine Father will be having a word with him about going to such drastic measures. He's slain one lion in the pride, he can't slay another without any consequences."
Hakuna nodded and gave her son a lick on the cheek, then licked the top of Dome's head. "I must go. I want to talk with the twins, then Drathir." She started off. She wanted to know why.
Dome drooped, nodding. And he leaned against his father after letting go. He...he wanted to see Yakuti. Maybe Yakuti would know what to do. She ALWAYS knew what to do.
"Good luck, Mother. And give my brothers my regards," Nyota said lightly, although he didn't need to mention that she didn't need to pass any sincerities along to Drathir. She'd understand that without him saying a word. Drathir was his sibling, not his brother. And once she'd gone, he leaned down to nudge Domefae to his paws. "Come on. It's time I taught you how to patrol the borders." Of course, he wasn't really going to be teaching Domefae. He knew his son had a friend he saw on the edge of the pride, and he was more than willing to give him an excuse to see them.
Dome got up and followed his father willingly. It would give him a chance to wander off and find Yakuti. He hoped this was one of the 'visit' days. He really did.
