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 Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:31 pm
 Lena didn't usually have much to do with the priestesses. She visited her niece Brynja now and then, of course, but the rest of the priestesses seemed very far above her. Lena had never had the drive and stubbornness that defined the lionesses that rose so high in the pride. And of course, they were so very busy. But Lena was a polite lioness, and today she was going to Thokk to pay her respects. She had known the lioness's mother (or at least known OF her), and she hadn't known that Thokk followed in her mother's pawsteps until she returned to the pride. She would have to congratulate the priestess. It wasn't easy to accomplish so much when one lacked the guiding paw of parents. Arriving outside the priestess' den, Lena called softly to her. "Priestess Thokk? Are you in?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:59 pm
 The day had been spent much as the previous ones had, with Thokk taking particular interest in creating and divining several talismans. They were for no one specific, but the lioness had an inkling that they would be needed in the next coming of days. She was busy lying on her belly, working and kneading her claws against the soft surfaces of wood and zebra pelt when the call came from the mouth of her den. Curious. She hadn't expected any visitors today. Without pausing in her work, as it was delicate and one mishap may cause the whole thing to unravel, she spoke over her shoulder, "Raki, do see who it is, and invite them in."
From behind a pile of various pelts appeared the leopard, Raki. Her form was stout, though not unappealing, and she quickly made her way to the front of the den without so much as a peep so as not to disturb her mistress' work. Upon approaching the leopardess set her ears back submissively and her tail curled under her, uncertain of who might be calling at this time of day. Some of the reavers were... unfavorable if met with anything but such a demeanor. However, upon seeing a lightly colored lioness, one she was almost certain she recognized, her maw pulled into a polite smile. "My mistress bids me to welcome you into her den. Please, follow me, if you will?"
There was nothing beaten or disheveled looking to this leopard, in fact, she looked well taken care of despite her submissive posture. As Thokk had taught her, it was important for her stay groomed and healthy as it displayed her mistress' property well. Raki liked that, it suited her. With a polite bow of her head, she turned to pad her way back into the den, not too fast of course, she wouldn't want their guest to think herself unwelcome!
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:28 pm
Lena smiled at the leopardess, charmed by her manners. Lena had a soft spot for thralls, particularly female thralls of a genteel disposition. Some of them were brutes, to be sure -- big males fit for heavy hauling and other labor, certainly not company for a lady. But Lena adored sweet female thralls. "Thank you," Lena replied, following the leopardess inside. Upon seeing Thokk Lena bowed her head slightly in respect to the Priestess. "Priestess. I'm Lena, Thorgrim's wife, in case you've forgotten me." She smiled rather sadly. So many of the lions and lionesses that had been young when she left seemed to have forgotten her. "Your leopardess has lovely manners." And she looked very well taken care of, too. Lena thought that one's treatment of thralls was a good judge of a lion's character. The leopardess was very sleek. Lena's estimation of Thokk rose.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:10 am
In the time it took Raki to greet and invite in their unexpected guest, Thokk had managed to tighten the hold of the pelt against the small wooden carving, keeping it in place by driving her claw into the wood and snagging said pelt against the jagged ridge. Satisfied that the craft itself was finished, she placed it on the ground near several others that had been done the previous days, making a row of five in total. Just as she heard the returning steps of her thrall, and someone else in tow, Thokk scooped a bit of dried mint from a neat pile, gently crushing the leaves against the zebra pelt of her final project. Ah. Done. The mint would ensure 'good fortune', as would the luxury of the zebra pattern. Hmm.
Thokk was on her paws just in time to see Lena bowing her head at her, though she didn't recognize her until she introduced herself. The priestess' brows rose half an inch at the revelation, an untamed impish smile settling onto her maw. Runa's sister was back, it seemed. How fun."I had heard of Thorgrim's return, but haven't had time to check up on it myself", she admitted, wearing a mask of apology once her smile faded.
As Thokk busied herself greeting their guest, Raki went right to work gathering pelts for the two to sit on, and be more at ease in their conversation. She had just finished dusting and grooming them, so she was certain they would be fluffy and comfortable. First Raki went to Thokk, setting hers behind her and folding it over, as she knew that how her mistress preferred it. She was just about to bring Lena hers when she heard the introduction, and bobbed her head once to herself. Yup, Raki remembered her! She had been young at the time, probably a juvenile, but she was impeccable at remembering names and faces. Placing the pelt before Lena the leopardess backed off to give the lioness her space, retreating towards the back of the den. She had heard the praise, of course, but allowed it roll over her shoulder without so much as reacting to it. Praise was all well and good, but Raki wouldn't allow herself to get a big head over it.
"Yes, she's quite the little helper. I'm usually too busy to attend to all my needs, and it can be difficult maintaining such a large den without a husband around." Males were quite the useful beasts after all, ill-tempered usually, but hard and willing workers if properly motivated. Thokk took it upon herself to sit back on her haunches, the fluffy cushion agreeing with her considerably after lying on the ground for several hours. Her face remained pleasant as she regarded the lightly colored Lena, and she decided she simply must go see her delightful sister soon after this visit. "Have you had any difficulty readjusting, Lena-dear? I've heard it can be difficult after such a long time away."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:04 am
Lena settled herself comfortably on the pelt. Raki really was very well-trained. Her own thrall, Stygg, had more-or-less migrated over to her nephew's den these days, and Lena missed the attention of a sweet little thrall around the den. Thokk was lucky to have her. "It has been strange, seeing all the new faces." She gave a little laugh. "When you see outlanders join one by one, it seems natural. But to come home and see so many new lions! It was a surprise." Lena smiled at Thokk, rather wistfully. "And to see so many young lions grown. I don't feel that I've had trouble readjusting, but I do regret the time I missed here." "And yourself, Priestess? Do you enjoy your duties?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:00 pm
Thokk remained seated, ears trained forward as she listened to Lena speak. It was an odd posture in truth, even as the priestess looked attentive to the conversation, her casual stillness might have reminded one of a waiting viper. Oh she smiled, and nodded appropriately, but the tips of her maw curled just a little more than they should have, and her eyes gleamed with something other than the flair of smalltalk. She was thinking, pondering, and maybe even plotting; while never missing the tide of conversation.
There had been an influx of Outlanders lately, and even Thokk hadn't kept track of them all. "I can imagine its probably a relief to be back," she went on, pleasantly, easily. Honestly, she couldn't imagine ever being away from her home. Nothing else was worth it. "It definitely agrees with me. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do around the pride." Which was true, and she was certainly going to be a better one than her head-in-the-clouds mother had been.
The leopardess was keeping an eye on their conversation, but busied herself around the den so as not to distract the two. There were many things that needed tidying up, and she had meant to do them before Lena had showed up. She seemed like a gentle lioness, more so than some of the others she knew in the pride. As a thrall, Raki preferred such mistresses, and considered herself lucky to have ended up with Thokk. Thinking of such, her mistress was probably wanting something to eat soon. Approaching the two delicately, posture low, loose, and polite, she waited for a break in the conversation to ask, "Mistress? Should I prepare a meal for two?" She thought it best to ask, instead of jumping right into it and seeming rude if Lena had no plans of staying.
Thokk considered this request, but ultimately inclined her head to Lena. "What about it Lena, can you stay for mid-morning brunch?" Thokk really was enjoying her time with the mild-mannered lioness, though that may be for reasons all her own.
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