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 Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:13 am
Dinaledi paced back and forth across a small patch of grass, hoping that his meeting with Yezi would go alright. His last meeting wasn't the greatest, and he regretted pushing the idea of having cubs on his king. After his meeting with one of the cubs born here in the new lands, the idea was put into his head about changing his role within the pride. He wasn't entirely sure about it all just yet, but he knew that his friend would probably have some advice for him. Never had he heard of someone changing their professions before, unless it was due to a class change, so he didn't want to get in trouble about it.
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:33 am
He'd been informed that Dinaledi was looking for him, and with this in mind Unyezi went looking for his young friend. The king was still rather annoyed with Dinaledi, especially now that they were expecting cubs but Unyezi knew that what happened really hadn't had as much to do with Dinaledi as it might seem. Unyezi acknowledged that the idea of simply being friendlier and happier had been derived from their chat, but beyond that.. well, if they'd actually been thinking about that they would have waited and talked about it. But no, now they were potentially facing cubs that were not high class.
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:51 pm
Ledi spotted a familiar white figure of in the distance, and hurried over towards him. He wasn't entirely sure how Yezi would react when he saw him, but he knew that he wouldn't be bitter. Unsure of what to say or where to begin, he slowed his pace as he got closer. When he finally reached Yezi, he spoke hesitantly. "Hey Yezi... How are you doing?" He didn't even bring his gaze to meet Yezi's, unsure of what might greet him back.
It was now or never, and he didn't want to let the opportunity slip past him. He was sure that if he didn't speak up that Yezi would find someone else for the royal cub guard position when he had a litter. "I've been thinking..." He didn't want to elaborate, because he wasn't entirely sure if Yezi wanted to deal with him after their last meeting.
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:50 pm
"Dinaledi," Unyezi greeted his friend when he approached, offering a small smile though his expression remained about neutral as he tried to determine if this was casual or business. All Unyezi knew was that he was being sought out, and so here he was. His ears perked forward as Ledi went on, but hesitated. It was still ambiguous what this was about, but it didn't look like the younger lion was keen on just spitting it out.
"I heard you were looking for me," he said, hoping to encourage his friend along, "What is this about?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:49 pm
The younger of the two turned his head to face his king, but more importantly his friend. The two had grown up together, lost their parents together, but Dinaledi was having a difficult time getting out what he wanted to say. "It's just... I..." He didn't know how to word it so it wouldn't come off rude. Stability was important in the pride, since the foundation was still being laid. Dinaledi just didn't want to upset Yezi with the change in class he was thinking about.
"First, I met Malkia's son Fafnir. Then, I met Indu. I realize both aren't royal cubs, but they are cubs nonetheless, and they got me thinking. I'm starting to question if I hold the right position in the pride. Don't get me wrong, I have no trouble being an apprentice to a priest, but maybe my mother's nannying gene has been dormant and finally recently emerged." Dinaledi paused for a moment to start pacing around, and to collect his thoughts. "I know I might be ahead of myself with all this, but I really think I'm meant to be a royal cub guard. They're the future, and there's just something inside of me that wants to protect them, because at the same time I feel like I'm protecting the future of the pride."
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:03 pm
It was easy to see that this was not going to be one simple and quick conversation, and whatever Dinaledi wanted to get out was all going to come out at once but it wasn't going to be so simple. With this in mind, the king decidedly took a seat and curled his tail around his feet and waited, just waited. He still couldn't tell if this was personal or business when the talking finally came, but it was cleared up very quickly when he said he questioned his position. Very suddenly, Ledi had Unyezi's full attention and now he had his business face on.
Staring at the venting youth, Unyezi thought back about Dinaledi's mother as she was brought into the conversation, knowing full well where this was going but not intending to stop him before he was ready to stop. Yes, she'd been very good at what she did- and Njiru had been questionable enough when Unyezi was young, the king was not certain how his brother might handle becoming an uncle. That many steps farther away from the throne, if he found a way to boost his rank and assuming the cubs were born during the full moon. Not to mention lands they were still adjusting to. Yes, if there was one certain thing it was the need for a guard.
Sadly, though, the king looked Dinaledi up and down.
"Ledi," he said carefully, "You're still rather young to fully take the duties of any guard position. Are you very certain that you want to leave your apprenticeship and become a guard?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:23 pm
Dinaledi let a slight grimace play out on his face. This wasn't the reaction he was looking for. He wanted to be accepted into a role, but he was just being questioned about it because of his age. If the question was being asked, he wasn't going to let it slip by him. "Yezi, if there's anything that I've been sure about, it's this. I know for sure, that this is what I'm meant to do."
He sat on the ground across from Yezi, wondering if the class change would be allowed. "I know I'm young, but that will just give me more time to train. Please Yezi, I want this so badly. I feel like I'll truly be doing the right thing for the pride." It felt so foreign to Ledi to be begging for something, but there was no stopping him when he became determined. Sighing wistfully he gazed out over Yezi. "I didn't mean for it to be like this between us. I just- I just don't want to see the pride fall apart."
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:38 pm
Unyezi listened, recognizing immediately the defensive stance he took after the remark about his age- but the youth's reaction, to beg, was only further proving the point the king had made. The king stared thoughtfully for a moment as Dinaledi finished repeating his request, saying it with much more certainty. That was better than saying he thought he wanted to be the guard, and coming with something like this was no time to be on the fence or simply considering it and not committing to it. The remark about the pride falling apart made Unyezi snort, and decidedly he got back to his feet. This definitely was business, not between friends but between a king and a hopeful-guard.
"The pride is not falling apart," he said firmly, certainly, "You are a high classed member of this pride, you have more liberties than other members do, Tsebo'Dinaledi. Begging does not help you, nor does talking about the pride as if it were weak. We're small, but we're strengthening and we're safe."
It was not easy to talk so formally to a friend, but then having friendship between you often made it easier and more comfortable when your temper got out of hand. Unyezi might not have been so direct had he not known Dinaledi his whole life, and where the heir was concerned.. well, it was something that mattered to Unyezi. Family mattered.
"However, your point is made," Unyezi said finally.
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:30 am
Ledi turned his head away after realizing what he did and said. His father would have never approved of his begging and constant pleading. He didn't mean for everything to come out the way it did, but there was no way to change it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for everything to be said like that, but it's done and over now." He nodded when Yezi declared his point made, and hopefully this might lead to what job he really wanted.
He turned his head to face Yezi again, and put a smile on his face. He just wanted to forget about all of the tension between the two lately. "I'm sorry about lately. I've just been doing some thinking, and I just completely approached it all very wrong." Wanting to change the subject, he wondered if Aure's mood had lightened. "Oh, how has Aure been lately? Last time we met I think you mentioned you wanted to get her something to cheer her up."
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:03 am
Unyezi didn't outwardly react to Dinaledi's apology, of course Ledi would apologize when Unyezi pointed out how foolish it seemed to act that way- but he made note of it nevertheless and gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Before Dinaledi got a chance to officially close the conversation, as his sudden smile clearly indicated, Unyezi spoke up again, "I will speak to your master and the queen about this and let you know what we decide."
His tail swished behind him and he relaxed a little bit as the conversation shifted though he did not sit down again. He nodded as he received a second apology, and weighed in his mind what exactly he should say about the situation they were in now. At the idea of risking being given more do-or-die advice, he decided to leave out the details.
"I suppose you could say we've made up," he commented, "But now we have a whole other set of problems that .. are being dealt with."
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:48 am
A slight grimace escaped from within, and appeared on Ledi's face. However, he quickly brushed it off and turned it into a smile. He just wasn't pleased that the commitment he made to be an apprentice could not be broken so easily. Nevertheless he continued to keep it positive, and resisted the urge to increase the tension by saying something impulsive. He simply nodded, and accepted Yezi's final statement on his wanted job change. "That sounds fine, just let me know when you figure something out."
Ledi grinned, happy that Aure and Yezi were doing okay again. "Well, it's certainly good to hear that you're doing well." However, as always, the comment about arising new problems sparked an interest in Ledi. Since it seemed that Yezi was not too fond of his suggestions on other matters, he resisted saying much more. "Oh? I hope whatever it is, that it gets sorted out."
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:49 am
Unyezi watched Ledi's reaction carefully, noticing he was holding something back but managed to do it with a smile. It was a very iffy situation, a suitable guardian for his cubs couldn't be impulsive and immature. Of course, then there was the fact that there was very little that seemed dangerous out here now, Unyezi's main concern was how Njiru would react the being that much farther from the throne. But Njiru was far away to begin with, so all was well enough.
Truthfully, nothing had truly been wrong between Aure and Unyezi. The only difference was that now they had managed to break through whatever awkwardness remained from the logic-based decision to become mates.
"It will," he assured the younger lion simply.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:51 pm
Ledi stretched for a moment, and looked out across their homeland. He was home. It never really hit him until now, and he was thankful that he could have these talks with Yezi. An overwhelming sense of belonging swept over him, and came out of nowhere apparently. It was tough to be questioned and somewhat lectured about decisions and ideas, but he knew that it was only helping him become a better member to the pride.
He wasn't sure what brought about the sudden sense of belonging, but he wasn't going to push it away. He was growing older, and he was gaining more privileges. There were no parents to guide him, and the only thing next to his own conscience to guide him was Yezi. This was his choice now, to belong here, and he never wanted to change it. All of the thinking that was going on in the adolescent's mind almost caused him to completely tune out the other lion that was standing near him.
He nodded once, his mind somwhere else completely. "It's good to hear that." A loud, and unexpected growl came from Ledi's stomach, and he didn't want to ignore it. He wasn't entirely sure of the last time he went hunting, but it would probably be a good idea to go get something to eat. "I better be heading off. I'll see you later, Yezi." Before he forgot, he quickly added something, "It was nice talking to you."
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:38 am
Unyezi's mind was swirling around with all of the important things he had to think about now. Unyenyezi was so recently returned to the pride, so soon after that finding your apprentice no longer wished to stay with you.. well, that wouldn't be much of a 'welcome home!' Then there was the general concern about Aure and cubs, and everyone else who wasn't home yet..
His thoughts were interrupted by the comment and then the growl, his ears turned forward and his eyes fell to the youth's stomach with a small smile.
"Ok," he nodded, "I'll be seeing you again soon." With that, the king sighed softly and looked around to decide where exactly he should go next. He had two ladies to speak with now.
Fin.
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