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 Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:56 pm
 Still sour about the day she was bullied and Hroovitnir's paltry excuse for an apology, if you could even call it that, Ukombozi finally returned to their den. She had not gone far, she stayed with Hroovitnir's grandmother, Chayah in the mean time. They had seen each other, but not spoken. She had shot him plenty of dirty looks, and he had tried to avoid most of them, glancing away furtively. Brynhildr had tried speaking to her (obviously on her brother's behalf) but she was very dismissive. Brynhildr tried to appeal to her, saying Hro was actually a rather kind master, never asked much of her, provided for her, never punished her and so on. It could be worse, she said. Just keep him happy, Bryn said. She had tossed her forelock and left without another word. But now she was waiting for him. She had cleaned up the den like a good little thrall. He would be back soon, she figured. Any minute now.
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Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:10 pm
 Hroovitnir ducked into his den, eyes and head and spirits low. He was surprised to find the scraps and bones he had left on the floor absent. Pre-Ukombozi he kept his place clean, and he did not leave it just as a chore for her, but in his sullen mood he had not really cared. Next he noticed her scent was strong again. He looked up and their eyes met. He felt a shameful rush rise to his face, but she wouldn't be able to see behind his black fur, and for that he was grateful. He swallowed hard. He didn't know what to say. "…Ukombozi…"
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:07 am
"Hello, Master." There was a patronizing tone in her voice. She knew he identified it by the way his ears flicked back and his eyes fell to his feet again.
"Is there anything you need me to do today for you, master?" She walked around him and flicked her tail in his face.
"I live to serve." She gave him a fake smile.
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:32 am
"Ok, Ukombozi, look." He sat down in front of her and nodded for her to do the same.
"Thrall is just the name of a rank. I appreciate you Ukombozi." His eyes were sad.
"I think of you as part of my family. I know how close you are with Chayah…" He shrugged.
"If… If it would make you feel better…" The lion fidgeted with his feet and he could not meet her eyes. He was an adult now, why was he feeling so much like a cub? Awkward and shy… It was so unlike him, it was very frustrating.
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:36 am
Ukombozi quit her teasing for a moment and looked at him. He was seriously trying to ask her something. She tilted her head and sat down in front of him.
"Go on…"
She scooted closer to Hroovitnir and put her head below his so she could look up into his golden eyes, and meet them with own yellow ones.
"What are you trying to say, Hroovitnir?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:47 am
It was rare for her to use his name. Especially since she had been so mad at him lately.
"Well, since I think between you and me, Thrall is just a title, well, I was wondering if you would be happier, maybe, I don't know, being my salt wife or something?" He shook his head.
"I don't know, now I feel stupid…" He mumbled.
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:56 am
Ukombozi frowned. Was he trying to be nice by offering to make her his salt wife?
"Well if you really see me as an equal and titles are just words, why not just free me and call me a Freeborn? Would you rather me be your salt wife so you can still be the boss of me? And call me your salt wife so when you find a lioness you truly love, you can call her your wife, with no qualifiers. Honestly? You think that is such a good compromise, Hroovitnir?" She wrinkled her nose, as if disgusted.
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:00 am
He had nothing to say in response to her. But what if she became a freeborn and left him? He did not think she would go off and settle down with another reaver or captain. But maybe she would find some docile soft spoken freeborn male who she would love and raise cubs with and he would only see her around the pride in passing glances and maybe someday take her offspring with another male out on their first viking? All these thoughts… Did he have feelings for Ukombozi? Or at least the start of them? It wasn't unheard of for masters and thralls to have feelings for one another and even cubs together. So why could he not admit to himself whether or not that's why he did not want to give her absolute freedom as a freeborn?
He still could not make eye contact with her.
"Ukombozi, I just don't want to lose you. I don't want you to go. I couldn't stand to see you with someone else and I'm sorry. It is wrong and selfish and you should not be treated like that, but I can't help myself."
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:02 am
She snorted.
"That is awfully selfish of you, Hroovitnir. You act like I would want to stay with you but I do not have a choice. How can you justify that to yourself. You have me, but not the right way. And who knows. If things were different, maybe I would choose to be with you. But dammit, Hroovitnir, you make it so hard."
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Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:06 am
Her words hurt him as badly as some of Phlegyas' blows had. Which only made him think of how tenderly she took care of him after he got his a** handed to him. He certainly did not deserve her, she was right. And it hurt even worse when she admitted maybe she would be with him if she had the choice, but now that felt like it was off the table. He turned away from her and shook his head sadly. He had been so glad to see her in his den again, and even through their fighting, he was happy she was near. "Just go, then, I suppose. I'll talk to the warlord or whoever about making you a freeborn or I'll have someone escort you to the pride's boarders. Whatever you want, Ukombozi. I'm sorry for being so unfair to you." the end
word count: 1061
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