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 Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:44 pm
 Thorgrim took great pleasure in arranging marriages. He really did. It was kind of sick and probably a little twisted, but there was kind of a perverse joy in expecting those in his bloodline to do his bidding. He was the patriarch, and he would be obeyed. It was as simple as that in his mind. Weddings were arranged to be mutually beneficial for both families involved. Njal had a daughter who sought a husband. Thorgrim had a grandson who needed a wife. Summoning a passing male thrall, Thorgrim ordered the lion to find Tallskog and direct him to Thorgrim's den. That done, all that was left to do was wait. Sprawling out on a pile of furs, Thorgrim waited for his grandson's arrival.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:51 pm
 Obediance was not really one of Tall's defining traits, but when Thorgrim summoned you, you went. Even if you didn't want to. Even if you were in the middle of something important. You stopped what you were doing and heeded the summons. Quite frankly, it sucked, and by the time Tall arrived at his grandfather's den the young reaver was scowling ferociously.
He stalked in without any of the usual polite exchanges made to ensure someone was actually home to welcome him. And there was his grandfather, sprawled as if he was the warlord himself, rather than a captain who happened to have the ear of the warlord. Still scowling he muttered, "One day I will kill you. I'm here. What do you want?"
He hadn't done anything to embarrass the family. Gods, he'd actually distinguished himself on his first viking. Not entirely by himself. He had been following Bruten's lead, but there was no shame in that. Not like that moron they'd brought with them.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:18 pm
Tallskog's tone was not something that Thorgrim considered respectful in the least. It irked him, quite honestly, and with a quickness that belied the graying muzzle and the bones that creaked on cooler days, Thorgrim rose from the pile of furs to approach his grandson. There was a snarl on his face, his yellowed teeth flashing briefly, and if Tallskog had been any other lion - any other lion than family - it was likely they would have received a painful, clawed reminder that they were speaking to someone in the pride who had seen Warlords come and go.
But Tallskog was his grandson, his blood, and so all the younger lion received was a warning snarl, a narrow-eyed look, and the threatening bulk of his grandfather very much in his personal space.
"Impudence does not become one of your bloodline," Thorgrim growled harshly, "and you would do well to respect your elders. I'll not tolerate insolence from my grandson, Tallskog."
Thorgrim didn't back away. He would continue to assert his dominance, and returning to his warm, welcoming pile of furs would have to wait.
"I want to discuss something with you, if you aren't otherwise preoccupied, whelp."
Thorgrim's tone made it clear that staying put was not an option.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:41 pm
Not having seen his grandfather in some time, Tallskog had forgotten how large the older captain actually was. Tall was younger and probably faster, but his grandfather still had far more bulk than he did, and he had genuinely expected that he would be struck for his insolence. Holding his ground in the face of that snarl was probably the bravest thing he had done in the past week.
There was a difference between holding ground and being stupid though, and so Tall broke eye contact long enough to make it clear he was not challenging his grandfather's authority and angled his head to one side, almost showing his throat. Besides, it wasn't like Tall would just have his grandfather to deal with. If his father heard he'd been disrespectful, he would have him jumping down his throat, too.
"I apologize. What was it you wished to discuss?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:15 pm
Thorgrim gave a small grunt. He had little doubt that Tallskog could hurt him if the younger lion chose to. Thorgrim was not as fast or strong as he had been in his younger days, but he had a certain commanding presence, something that he had come by through many years as a Captain. It suited him, but it would not get him far in any sort of actual fight.
In a foul mood now, Thorgrim narrowed his eyes and very simply cut to the chase.
"I've found you a wife."
It was all he said, those five little words that would either please his grandson or infuriate him. Thorgrim was betting on the latter. He watched Tallskog closely, his eyes mere slits in the dim of his den.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:25 pm
Tall stared, slack-jawed at his grandfather for several seconds, which was entirely too long to go without saying anything, but he couldn't think of a thing to say which wasn't some sort of profanity. Based on the past few seconds, profanity would not be a good first response. After another few seconds in which Tall worked hard at not glaring, he also had to decide on which question was more important: who or why? In the end, he decided that who might imply why.
"Who?" he asked.
His posture and expression were creeping toward surliness despite his best efforts. He was a young lion and the idea of having his wife picked out for him was awful. Tall hadn't given a moment's thought to marriage. Sex, sure, but he knew for a fact that marriage was not a requirement for that. Not with all the thralls in the pride, or a world full of outlanders that he need never see again, for that matter.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:47 pm
"A suitable match. Naaja. One of Njal's daughters."
Thorgrim didn't mention the fact that Naaja had been hopeful of marrying Ru. The thought of that still made Thorgrim feel an odd mixture of queasy dissatisfaction and ugly humor. He was glad he'd been able to dissuade the lioness from that particular dream. His grandson was no captain, but he was a budding reaver, and that was good enough for now.
Thorgrim watched Tallskog intently, soaking in every aspect of his grandson's reaction. It was oddly satisfying, watching that slack-jawed stare turn into an almost-glare before his voiced question - and at the first hint of surliness, Thorgrim's claws glinted briefly.
He would brook no argument, it was made very clear by his posture and his narrowed eyes.
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:01 pm
Tall barely stifled a groan at the word suitable. That sort of thing never boded well. It usually went along with words like duty and honor. Those words had not been neglected in his upbringing, although he hadn't been raised as strictly as many in the pride. Probably not even as strictly as the lioness he was going to be forced to marry.
"What have I done to deserve this?" he asked, muttering to himself under his breath. It was less an actual question than an imprecation. He managed to keep the cursing purely mental, at least.
He had seen the claws. He would not do anything to see them applied to his person, even though it meant biting his tongue for the most part. As far as Tall was concerned, he was within his rights to ask questions, as long as he didn't devolve from asking to complaining. Experience had taught him that in this family, complaints meant nothing. Arguments might, but only if they were well-reasoned, and he couldn't come up with any good reasons not to marry Naaja, except that he didn't particularly want to marry anyone at the moment.
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:10 pm
Thorgrim merely grunted. He hadn't heard what Tallskog had muttered, but he'd heard the softly uttered sounds. He was certain it hadn't been something that he'd wanted to hear, so Thorgrim didn't press his grandson to speak up. It didn't matter. What was done was done, and Tallskog would do as he'd been told. "You really should work on your rank. I know you've recently become a reaver, but as a part of this family, Captain should be second nature. You are my grandson, and soon to be the Warlord's son-in-law." Waving his paw, Thorgrim grunted. "You may go. It would be wise to get to know your bride-to-be, I think. Spend some time with her so that it is not too awkward when the time comes to provide her with cubs."
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:08 pm
So he was going to be married to someone he didn't know and he was expected to become a captain. The captaincy was more expected and less upsetting than the marriage, but in the back of his mind he was already becoming reconciled to both things. It was deeply ingrained in him not to fight his family, to obey. He would not go against Thorgrim's will.
"Yes, Grandfather," he said before removing himself from the den.
He was furious at himself for not fighting, but what was there to fight about, really? He had to marry somebody, and he had planned to become a captain one day anyway. This was just hastening things along. And it wasn't of his choosing. That was what infuriated him so. He was a freeborn, but he was not really free in any real ********," he hissed, stalking off toward the pride's borders in search of a fight.
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