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 Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:16 pm
 It was, thank the Great Lion, nap time. And while the cubs were old enough to protest the necessity, they were also old enough that they'd stay asleep for a decent amount of time. Allowing Halili and Orion a bit of relief and privacy. She knew, of course, that when the children grew she'd miss them at this age. But for the time being, she took what pleasure she could. And tonight that was to be relieved to watch them sleep. The pale lioness padded softly towards the den's entrance where the air was freshest and a slight breeze carried the night's scents inwards. The Slave inhaled deeply. It really was the simple things in life that made you happiest. Moments like this she often wished she could share with someone besides her beloved Orion. Her father, perhaps, or one of her estranged older daughters.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:27 pm
The reluctant Royal Guard was on his way back to his den after a rather pointless feeling patrol, tired and ready to drop the act for another night.. but then he had run into his grave looking grandfather and his attitude changed. They didn't speak much along the way back to the dens and it only made Orion more and more anxious- he wasn't good at handling thing kind of thing, it was bad enough he was forcefully lumped in with the King's evil minions.
He was relieved to see Halili at the mouth of their den, he even managed to smile- but he didn't call out to her, guessing exactly what time of day it was for the little ones. It was easy to guess that this was hard on Orion but he really felt the conversation they needed to have was better with both parents at once and in the relative privacy of their own homes. He followed steadily along after his grandson, glad when they approached their destination.
"Good evening, Halili," he greeted her politely. Orion smiled sheepishly at his mate and sat himself down beside her, facing Unyezi. Well, they were home now.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:30 pm
Halili smiled to see her mate and the company he brought. Unyezi was everything you wanted in an Elder - wise, caring, and observant. It was always a joy to welcome him to their den, and her smile was genuine.
"Good evening Unyezi." She didn't bother with words for Orion, leaning against him and giving him a little nuzzle. She never asked him about his night anymore - what with his rank of Royal Guard, she usually didn't want to know. He only shared when it was something he knew she wanted to hear.
"What brings you here tonight?" she asked when it became clear that no one else was going to. "The little ones are sleeping right now and I'm happy for them to stay that way as long as possible," the lioness added with a rueful smile.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:40 pm
Orion almost spoke up to allude to the fact his grandfather had already said they needed to talk and had kept him in the dark the whole walk here- and it had been a surprisingly far walk, considering Unyezi's homebody tendencies of late. Instead, he stayed quiet.
"Vesper came by earlier tonight, one of your cousins through Alcmene," he said, nodding to Orion since it was likely that they wouldn't know who he was talking about- or might mistake him for Indu's son Vesper, who was definitely far more familiar to them than Aapep's son.
"Apparently Nyeusi is stirring up a bit of trouble, and he is concerned about her," he said, frowning. He had not managed to find Nyeusi and he had still not seen it for himself so it would be hard to explain. Was there really a polite way to tell a parent their child had seemingly lost their mind?
Orion tilted his head at the mention of Vesper, immediately thinking of the wrong one-- and finding himself unable to visualize this cousin through Alcmene, though the vague image he could conjure up would not turn out to be terribly far from reality. He kept busy enough tracking his own immediate family at this point.
"Trouble?" he repeated, startled by what came next.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:44 pm
Halili blinked at the mention of a Vesper - she'd known there was more than one in the pride, but couldn't put a face to either (any?) of them. Even so, it wasn't so suprising to learn that at least one was related to Orion. It seemed like most people were.
However, what made the friendly smile fade from her face was when Unyezi continued and mentioned Nyeusi...and trouble.
"What sort of trouble?" she asked, more sharply than she'd intended. She'd heard her daughter mentioned once or twice lately, but this was the first she'd heard of actual trouble. Coming from Unyezi, that was even more disturbing, since the old white lion was a sound judge of situations.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:54 pm
"I haven't seen her myself, but I was told she is telling anybody who will listen that the Great Lion has abandoned Shangyue and so has abandoned the rest of us as well," he said carefully, trying to remember exactly what Vesper had told him. That information alone was troubling, but as he had told his informant, the most trouble part was not just what she was saying.
"If she sounds and looks as crazy as Vesper implied then she might be alright," he added, "Except that she isn't just saying these worrying things, she is recruiting supporters."
Orion seemed frozen in place from the moment Unyezi began to explain, trying to process the alarming actions of his eldest daughter. He wasn't surprised this idea was floating around but he was surprised it was his own child that was spreading it, especially where he and Halili were already in such a precarious situation.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:58 pm
"She's what!?" the lioness almost yelled but remembered just in time about the sleeping cubs. Instead the word came out as a high pitched hiss as her pale eyes widened in alarm. Aside from the fact that the very idea made no sense to Halili - Shangyue had been born to the High Class and thus it was far more likely that Halili herself had the Great Lion's back to her - the fact that her daughter was saying it...that was almost inconceivable.
The pale lioness stared at her mate's grandfather, mouth gaping and attempting to form the words that she couldn't even think of. What was there to say. What could she say?
"Where on earth would she even get the idea?" was what the lioness finally managed to ask.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:15 pm
Unyezi shrugged. He had a few guesses at how one might come to these kinds of conclusions but he could not say for certain what was going through Nyeusi's head- and it didn't really matter. What made her think it was far less urgent than whatever made her cry it out for the world to hear.
"I don't know, but I think Vesper came here hoping you two could do something to make her be more careful," he said, "He's watching out for her, but I'm certain she is putting herself and her followers in danger."
"What could we possibly do?" Orion stammered, suddenly coming back to his senses as the feeling of overwhelming panic finally compelled him to act- even if his only available action yet was to ask questions. He looked at Halili, frowning.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:19 pm
The lioness' mood fell further and further with every sentence spoken. She shook her head as Orion spoke and looked at him worriedly before turning back to Unyezi.
"I'm not sure what you think we can do about this," she said carefully. "You may have noticed that I in particular have been...estranged...from many of my close relatives for the past year. That not only includes my father, but my older daughters." It was embarrassing, but she couldn't begrudge them their choices. Even though sometimes their disdain and turned backs made her think maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be a Royal Guard...but she didn't want anything more from Shangyue than he'd already done for their class.
"Orion might have more luck...but then again, he might not. I don't believe Nyeusi cares for his...promotion." Halili sighed. "Truthfully, Unyezi, you probably stand a better chance of getting through to her than we do."
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:36 pm
Orion nodded, looking back to his grandfather with a frown. They didn't have very many options, and not everybody was so understanding of the situation they were in. Naturally Orions parents and grandparents knew better than to think he would accept a position as a Royal Guard for just any reason, but those with more nerve could easily overlook the coercion.
"If she really feels so strongly, or has really lost her mind, then we don't be able to do anything," Orion agreed somberly.
"No, I don't think there is much any of us can do," Unyezi said, reluctant though he was to admit it, "I told Vesper as much. It may be that all we can do it keep our eyes and ears open for trouble, it doesn't look like things will remain as quiet as they have been lately."
He wouldn't call it peaceful, with Shangyue's supporters and guards ever on the prowl.. intimidating any who might disagree with their mere presence. Worse, the King's confidence was recovering. His fear of retaliation was fading away.. and it could be a good thing, but it could also be very bad.
"I will watch out for Nyeusi," he said, offering what little he could, "And I will tell your parents and grandmother to do the same."
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:41 pm
Halili smiled gratefully at the old lion. "We appreciate anything you're willing to do," she told him. The pride was lucky to have him, and it was a wonder that Shangyue had been willing to leave him alone. True, Unyezi had long ago rendered himself ineligible for the throne by marrying a slave, but people still remembered that he had once ruled the pride.
And those same people, plus a great many more too young to remember the old days, held him in high regard, despite his low class.
Which was probably why Unyezi had been even more circumspect than even Halili and Orion. There was no doubt the white male was being watched, considering that he was the most likely candidate around which a rebellion could build.
Halili herself had mixed feelings on thoughts like that. On the one paw, she didn't care for the tension that had infested the pride for a year now. On the other paw, she had to appreciate the way Shangyue had made slaves more than just that. It was a difficult balance to find, but she wasn't certain rebellion was the best answer.
"Thank you," she added, aware that her thoughts had wandered too far for the discussion.
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:53 pm
Unyezi smiled sadly at the pair of them.
"I'll head home then," he said, hoping not to waste what precious quiet time they could find while their cubs were so young and busy, "Goodnight."
It seemed silly to wish them a good night after bringing them such heavy nnews but there was little they could do, they all knew that.. and it seemed unlikely that they could let their worry consume them while they had cubs to think about as well. Considering their situation, they almost certainly had a great ddeal of practice in handling stress.
With a short nod to each, he turned about and headed for his own den not far away.
Orion murmured his thanks after Halili but could only frown even when his grandfather smiled sadly at them. He only kept his eyes on Unyezi until he turned around, then with a sigh he turned his gaze to his mate, leaning on her.
Just what they needed. Something else to worry about.
Fin!
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