[PRP] Breaking the Rules? [Xun/Lahn]

[PhiferWolf]

The little male of white crept down the top most tier, the left side of the Royal den, to the opening area within the pride's territory. Surely, his femme fatal friend was wandering around here being her usual diva/princessy self. Since his last talk with Lahn, he has mellowed out around her. Well, he got himself straightened out now, at least he think he has. Around the adults, he had to be proper and mannerful. Around Lahn and his friends, he can loosen up some.

"I just hope I don't screw things up again," he murmured.

In the clearing, he passed the large pass that lead to the House from the flat savannas. Doubling back, he sat himself down looking through them to the open sky and rolling plains, remembering what his father had warned him about.

-----

"Dad, what's that sound?"

"Hmmm... Do you mean that roaring sound?"

"Y-yeah, it sounds like you but more quiet."

"Heh. It wishes it sounded like me!" The king lets out a bellowing roar with a laugh. "That would be the waterfall. It is what gives our House our water."

"Oh! Can we go see it?"

"Another time, maybe. I am a busy Lord."

"Can't I just go myself? I can just follow the river to the waterfall."

"No. You will never go outside these walls without an escort. You must have Ushu, your mother, or myself with you."

-----

"It's just up the ways..." Xun thought, turning his back to the pass and up to the entrance at the Royal Den. No peering eyes. Not father's. Not Shu's. Not Fuku's. Nor Mother's. So no one will notice right? ... Maybe this is something that would win Lahn over a little.

"Lahn!" The duke called out, running off to look for her. It's nothing big, no one will know, right?  

[Whimsical Blue]

Just outside the royal dens, where the sun fell -just- right, the pale blue and white cub sat with a variety of rocks displayed before her. Her bright eyes were intent as she moved them about in ways only she understood, all the while her voice rolling out in different pretend voices.

"Come, Mother, we need to put the cubs to bed before it gets dark. There are all sorts of dangerous creatures out here at night." She said in a voice depend to mimic an adult male, her face taking on a serious, pompous expression as she moved about the largest rock.

"Oh my, dear! You are quite right! We musn't let the little ones get eaten by hippos and hyenas!" She said in a higher voice, over-bearing and nasaly. "Come along, children! Its time for bed!" The medium rock was the one she moved this time, placing it near three smaller rocks in a small group.

"Aw, Mom!" Lahn intoned in a more normal voice, mimicing what she could of a group of young cubs.

Play like this was much the norm for Lahn, who couldn't seem to make friends with the other cubs her age. They called her bossy and mean, just because she knew better than they did, and told them so. It wasn't her fault... Outcast from the group, she prefered to play by herself anyway with playmates that didn't argue with her, or even talk back. She'd found the little pile of rocks and had dubbed them a family, lovingly naming each and giving them personalities and rolls. She could entertain herself for hours with them, acting out the stories in her head.  

[PhiferWolf]

The young Duke moved up the spiral passages, taking quiet yet swift steps to the top to the Royal Dens. About this time, some of the family was either snoozing or talking amongst themselves about duties and what was to be done that day. Either way, they were busy and should not be disturbed. The white male glanced around quickly before picking out the lone cub whom he knew as his friend and, to his reluctant dismay, mate. He gave a hissing sound to get her attention and gestured her to follow.

"Hey Lahn, come on, lets go do something," He whispered to her. She was close enough to hear, at least he hoped so. Any louder and everyone else could hear him! Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he ducked low behind the corner and peered back out toward the white-blue female.

Slowly, they were growing older as time passed on. His tuft of what seemed to be a mane was slowly coming out and it just got in his way most of the time. However, since their talk about him being uptight, he was doing what he could to make it so he wasn't. Well, at least around Lahn since she was the only one that minded it.

"Come on, I got something for us to do."

Not waiting for a reply, Xun turned tail and started to head out to the House's "foyer".  

[Whimsical Blue]

Lahn started at the hiss so close to her that wasn't coming from her own mouth. For a moment, she almost thought one of the cubs had come to life out of her imagination, till logic asserted itself and she scowled, turning to view Xun.

"Do what?" She hissed back, adopting his hushed tone even though she didn't know why he spoke so softly. Her reluctant partner in crime more than a few times, she had learned when to take her cues from him. Her blue eyes narrowed as he ducked back around the corner, curiosity drawing her to own paws to pad after him. Her toys were forgotten for the moment. She knew, with the belief of a child, that they would be where she left them till she returned.

"What is it?" Lahn demanded irritably as she came around the corner, her tail flicking behind her. Just like Xun, she had been growing too. While she had gained size, she'd also gained length, her limbs longer and more gangly than before.

Picking up her pace, she used her longer legs to her advantage, struggling to catch up with Xun.  

[NorthGenbu]

< They are juvies here, I do believe. He won't start ignoring her until adolescence XD; >

"I think it is about time we actually do something. It seems so darn boring nowadays that we should do something... well, just for us, y'know?" It was a rhetorical question as he pressed on with a smile over his shoulder. He didn't see Lahn as a 'mate' but more of a close friend whom he couldn't get rid of even if he wanted to. She was just there and he was already attached to her in the sense that they were in the house together. As he exited the den's entrance on the ground floor, the Duke casually strolled along the side of the wall, passing in front of all the entrances of the ground floor's den openings as if he had done this many of times. Walked up against the walls of the House's territory and standing just before the gate, staying close to the wall and, hopefully, out of anyone's sight.

"I'm going to the waterfall. We hear it all the time and we drink from its river. I want to go see it now. If you want to come, you can, if you don't, then you can just stay here and play with your rocks or something," again, he didn't wait for her to reply. He gave a few glances at the Royal Den's opening and quickly slipped out.

He knew it was wrong. He had been told many of times to never leave the House without permission and a guard with him. He was sure Shu had said it a few times. He was certain that Fuku had warned him too. And he was definitely, positively, sure that his parents have told him countless of times.

But it was too late, he was past the gate and strolling up the river at this point. Well, that would be the situation if he wasn't standing just on the other side waiting for a certain someone to join him.  

[Whimsical Blue]

"You're insane."

It was a simple statement and one Lahn was starting to get all too used to saying. "You know your dad, and Shu too, will kill you for going out alone like this." Even as the white juvenile chastized her companion, she moved to join him on the border of the 'safe' are, casting secretive glances around to make sure they weren't being observed.

"Of course I've heard all about the waterfall, but I don't understand what it is about it that makes you want to see it so much. Its just falling water." She grumbled, softly, as she stopped beside him to give him what she hoped was a grown-up, disapproving look. Of course, it never worked very well on him, but she never gave up trying to make it. Lahn liked to think of herself as Xun's concience, at least when it suited her, so she took every opportunity she could to point out why he shouldn't do something, or how it was wrong. Young pride kept her from admitting that she wanted to see it almost as much as he did, even to herself.  

[PhiferWolf]

"Tell me something I don't already know?" He smirked as he pushed it aside. He knew he wasn't insane, but it amused him that she did tell him that a lot.

Xun gave a slight shrug as he kept on walking up along the path and up the river, the simple streaming water quietly running past the two Zhi Ming members. "I know father will, but Shu? I think of him more of a pacifist unless something incurs his wrath and I have yet to see that really happen unless either of us were in mortal danger where our lives were easily on the edge of death. Then again, I might just be an arrogant and oblivious fool to think that," the Duke smirked and looked over his shoulder at her. "Knowing that, you still followed me out here, huh?"

"Haven't you ever wondered what you are drinking? Come on, it could be coming form out of nowhere! Everyone tells us that a waterfall comes down from higher up in the mountains. But what if I told ya that a thunder storm comes from the sky when it is angry and it rains when it is sad, would you believe that? I mean, you would have to see something to actually believe it because then you could not prove it wrong," he scoffed. "I've been hanging out with Ashiking a bit too much..." Xun kept on walking knowing that behind him, she was glaring at him or doing something to that affect. Actually, she always did that when he was doing something wrong and it would weigh on his mind a bit that he was upsetting her. The sole reason he was doing this was to get closer to her and have her open up a little for him.

"Besides ... I've always wanted to go see it. I mean, it must be kinda cool to see all that water coming down from up in the mountains and crashing down here. What sorta thing could make so much noise anyway?"

Besides the fact that father keeps going up here.  

[Whimsical Blue]

Lahn sniffed delicately, just loud enough for Xun to hear her do it. Her eyes rolled as she listened to him, privately rather agreeing with him. She was just as curious as he was, and though she wouldn't admit it, they thought alike in many ways. But where he was eager to get closer to her, she wanted nothing more than to be left alone inside her safe, little, icy shell. When people got close, it hurt, was her line of thinking.

"Shu would be very cross with you, but no, he wouldn't lay a paw on you. You're his little darling, after all. Xun can't do any wrong, in his eyes... 'Its just youth.' he'd say. 'He didn't get hurt, and he learned something.' He couldn't reprimand you even if he wanted to." She grumbled. She decided not to comment on the falls at all, let him think what he wanted to without her help.

"How far is it? I don't want to walk to far away from the dens and possible rescue if we're attacked by something unpleasant."  

[PhiferWolf]

As much as he tried to impress his mate, it was as if he was just pushing himself away. First he acted too proper, now he was trying to be rebellious and he was getting nowhere with her. It was starting to annoy him. Why didn't she acknowledge him? Why didn't she just talk to him more? But nope! It was all about her and herself and whatever goes on in that head of hers.

"Shu can thinks whatever he wants, he is my dad's advisor and our guard. If he can't advise me not to do something, then something is certainly wrong. I may learn something but that will do us no good if I am dead too," Xun'lin shrugged as he continued on, the sound of the crashing water growing louder and louder with each step. "Besides, when I'm Lord, he'll be listenin' to me." The duke was certain that he will become to lord, that out of his siblings, he showed the most prowess to become the next to rule. Then again... it would take a lot of effort and it would mean he was responsible for the House even if whatever happens wasn't his fault, he was the one blamed. But would that be good enough for his mate? Trying so hard to get her acceptance was being troublesome but deep down, he wanted her to.

"It's just over here," he said, taking a step around the corner. Looking up, the water spilled over the mountain's cliff face, crashing down in an unobstructed fall to the rocks below, mellowing into the river that streamed past the two cubs. These were the waterfalls and he knew it. Xun knew the waterfall and the caverns behind it. He knew his father ventured up here from time to time.

But, Lahn didn't need to know any of that.  

[Whimsical Blue]

The pale female rolled her eyes as she padded over her to-be-mate. Xun's enthusiasm, the way he kept trying to impress her, only annoyed her... why were boys so weird? She didn't need him poking around, trying to get her to do things with him... she really wanted to be left alone to wallow in her own loneliness. She didn't need cheering up.

Or so she told herself.

Lahn blinked as they came out on the fantastic waterfall, temporarily brought to a halt as she filled with awe at the sight. For a moment, she had nothing to say, no smart comment or jibe for Xun. She was filled with a strange, light feeling, like her insides were empty and she was floating. Blinking to bring herself back, she drew a deep breath and turned back to her companion. "Well... Is that all? Not all that impressive." She said hauntily as she stalked past him, head and tail raised. She padded closer to get a better look at it and the surrounding area, her head dropping as she breathed in the moisture-rich air. Any parental threat was forgotten in the excitement of the new place, in exploring and finding new things.  

[PhiferWolf]

XUn simply cocked a brow and came up to her side, watching her expression and her actions. Well, they were here, she may not be enjoying it, but he certainly was. At least he did something not just for himself... well, maybe a little. Looking up at the waterfall, it was as if the river appeared out of nowhere, just flying off the mountainside like when he spat water while he fell in the river. The natural structure did get him to stop and look at it nevertheless.

"You know ... when I do find someone that appreciates it, I'll take them here everyday, y'know? Just to look at it."

Xun smiled and lowered his head before turning around as if it head back.

Wonder... what she'd do.  

[Whimsical Blue]

Lahn slanted a glance at Xun from the corner of her eye as he made that comment, her head still low as though she were still scenting the air.

Come here everyday? It was an appealing thought. Away from the others of the pride, away from things that only reminded her of her self-imposed exile, she could forget for a while and just enjoy existing like other cubs did. The place was beautiful and she could loose herself in that beauty. It rather made her brain itch, thoughts forming themselves into something she didn't entirely understand yet. But... she would like to tell someone about them. It felt like the right thing to do, sharing the things that came to her in a place like this.

"Maybe... I do like it." She said finally as she raised her head, her expression softer, something uncharacteristic for her. There was a slight frown, but it was not for him and more for the thoughts that she chased around her head. She even addressed him in a tone that wasn't harsh or sarcastic. Here, alone, it didn't seem as important to be prickly with him. Maybe it was okay to just relax a little.  

[PhiferWolf]

Xun stopped mid-step, and turned around smoothly, returning back to her side. It was almost if on cue, but little did she know, he had planned a bit ahead. If she had declined, he would have continued going and coax her to follow and pretend all this never happened. If she had said something like that, he would return and just do as he planned before. Relax with Lahn. The duke smiled, looking up to the waterfall, soft mist filling up the air and broken rainbows.

He did not know what to do, he did not know what to say. He just simply stood there beside Lahn, not as a mate but as a friend. And the silence was the silent companionship. Maybe he should try too hard anymore to impress her or get her to acknowledge him as her mate. They were cubs afterall, anything beyond friends was many months away. He was a duke, he had responsibilities to take care of. If he fixed his priorities to where Lahn wasn't always on top . . . would she be upset? Would she still see him as her friend? She'd understand, right? Green eyes glanced down at her from the corner of his eye, thinking and judging her expressions.
 

[Whimsical Blue]

When he came back to her, the pale juve turned back to the waterfall, her face a mix of emotions under deep thought.

What was she doing, really? Skulking around all the time, trying to be alone even though she hated it. It seemed silly, but she wasn't ready to give that all up just yet. But maybe it was the serenity she found here that made her think so hard. What was she going to do with her future? Just keep lurking on the edges and watch other people have fun? She was starting to realize that, yes, she was never going back to her old home. They wouldn't want her back and this was her home now. And part of that was making a place for herself in it, rather than hovering outside it. But... what sort of a place could she have? Sure, she was supposed to be Xun's mate, but what did that really mean? He had his Duke role, something he was and could do, but her? It was a hard question, really.

It was Xun's good judgement that he chose to say nothing right now to break the spell of the place. It gave her a moment to just be quiet and introspective.  

[PhiferWolf]

From the looks of it, she too was thinking about her role here in the Zhi Ming. With no words spoken, he took the moment to reflect upon himself as well.

Lahn was taken away from her home from the pride in the mountains. Why was it? He wanted to know exactly why they, his father and he, took her away from her family and her pride. The Duke looked at her softly with slight sympathy for losing all that she knew for her short period of life she had had and now she was here. Now here, what was she to do? Looking at the house, there was the royal litter, his siblings, the other cubs that were determined to be their mates, and some vagabonds who's loyalties are yet to be determined, and their place in the house and pride territory was running out. Regardless . . . what was Lahn's role going to be? As his friend, he felt bad that she was always alone and not very talkative to anyone else. As her to-be-mate, he was concerned for her future here in the pride if she continues as is. How will father see a lioness who does nothing but keep to herself? Will she hunt and contribute to the pride or . . .

With a deep exhale, he looked up at the waterfall. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to help and play with Lahn, but he couldn't figure her out. Xun opened his maw to speak to her but closed it as he looked at her. What would she do if he spoke now? . . .

God, females are confusing things . . .