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 Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:11 pm
 Namir had been more than surprised when his pregnant mate had been up and ready to go again, despite the obvious appearance that sooner rather than later they were going to have to stop for.... er.. baby reasons.
But overall, their little walking escapade hadn't been all to unpleasant. Artemis had been rattling off names for children, trying to get his feedback the entire time and he'd been doing his best to not reply with 'I wouldn't be able to remember any of those'. Oh woe was he.
He who would be forgetting the names of those he was going to be raising.
But it wasn't all so bad, really.
Artemis had been happy enough to force his directions right back out of him to play navigator (though there was nobody to stop and ask for directions in this case), even forcing them to take a bit of a break once they'd hit the beach.
Quote her, she'd never been before.
But soon enough again they'd been on their way, his mate beaming in confidence now that she'd finally figured out where on earth it was that he was supposed to be going... 'They' were supposed to be going.
All.. what.. four of them? Five? HOW MANY DID SHE HAVE IN THERE??
Oh the panic. But.. it was easier travelling with them in there than out and about where they could wander away to wherever the hell they'd like.
"So, do we have a land mark to look for or something, dear?" Artemis inquired, looking at him over her shoulder, Namir frowned.
"Ummmmm....."
... Yep, if he had one before, he'd forgotten. Whoops.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:25 pm
Unyezi was not in a good mood. Alcmene had gotten herself into more trouble, which wouldn't be such a bad thing if it hadn't been in such a way that she risked her title as heir. He'd handle it better if he and Shira had been able to agree on what it would mean if she didn't wake up under a full moon..
To keep himself occupied, he was wandering around the lands doing a bit of guard-work. It was much easier to worry when you didn't have to be in front of anybody else and when you had something you could try to focus on. He wasn't expecting to spot anybody, though- the blue lioness stood out quite nicely even from a distance. He took a moment to watch, and it wasn't until she appeared to be talking to someone that he spotted Namir. It had been so long, he didn't recognize him. But they looked lost, and that was reason enough to go and say hello.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:34 pm
It was not hard for the Indigo lioness to catch anybody's eye, really. Unless they were someone who had been blinded by the female who had once previously stood as a 'mate' figure. Then again, Namir was biased.
But that didn't mean that the movement from his peripheral hadn't utterly distracted him in some shape or form, the brown lion turning his head ever so slightly to look at the stranger who seemed to be approaching them. Naturally, Artemis noticed as something else seemed to steal Namir's attention, looking away as well to see what it was he was looking at.
A stranger.
Artemis didn't seem to anxious, though their was a hope in her gut that this male wasn't in league with Martirae and wouldn't be out to strangle her to death. She still wasn't sure if that little hope had been given up on or not, so it wasn't hard to be a tad paranoid.
However, she'd preempt any possible hostility with a greeting. Yes, she would be pleasant, if not a bit antsy, backing up ever so slightly to lean against her mate's side.
"Hello!"
Namir frowned a bit, then bowed his head to the white lion. Even if Namir didn't know names as well as he should have, he did know well enough that he recognized this stranger as someone from the Mwezi'Johari.
"Greetings."
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:57 pm
Last time Unyezi had seen Namir, he had just taken the throne and he was a bit less fuzzy and certain of himself. As soon as he was close enough and Namir showed clear signs of recognizing him, though, Unyezi realized who he had found. The surprise on his face showed, too, as he stood there desperately searching for the name of this particular lost pride member.
"Namir!" he said suddenly and laughed at himself for the delay, "You have found your way home! And-" he paused, smiling and looking to Artemis, "You've brought somebody with you. I'm Unyezi, king of the Mwezi'Johari." He introduced himself with a polite nod, realizing how unusual it might seem to start off into such a happy welcome with a stranger right there. A distraction was most welcome, especially one of this kind.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:05 pm
Artemis looked between her mate and the lion standing before them, a frown planted firmly on her face as they seemed to look between one another with a sort of awkwardness.
Naturally she didn't know it was a game of 'seeking out the other's name right now kthnx', almost ready to back up less a fight break out at the given time, and playing as discreetly as possible with the 'lulz, pregnant mate' role. Though the more she seemed to hide behind Namir, the more she seemed to be just that.
Namir beamed as he was recognized (Oh good, that was that much less street cred needed, ah ha ha), lifting his head and nudging Artemis with her side so she could counter-introduce herself.
A task she floundered over a bit. She'd never exactly met a king before.
"Artemis, I'm-"
"She's my partner." Namir interjected for her, not exactly trying to take control of the introduction, but the term of 'my partner' sounded a lot less....... overly personal? Sort of like 'significant other' in his mind. Artemis didn't really seem to mind the label that she was given.
But she did make sure to return the nod.
Namir continued though, "And I really got lost several times. Artemis was the one who found 'home', really."
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:21 pm
Partner. Interesting choice of words, really. The king glanced back and forth between the two of them, wondering what exactly the term meant to them. Noting the bulge in Artemis' belly, he had to guess it meant mate. But he would leave that line of questioning for later, there were other things to worry about more immediately.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Artemis," he said, and he looked at Namir, "Thoth mentioned he had found you last time he stopped in, he made it back here long before you did." It wasn't meant to as a mean-spirited comment, he was quite friendly considering the rank difference between them and the fairly formal situation they were in.
"It's lucky you were there to help, then," he commented, smiling at Artemis, "So then you'll both be staying here?" It seemed to be implied, Namir had not argued with Unyezi calling this home after all- but it had to be asked. Namir was not a slave, he would not be stopped from leaving if that was what he truly wanted.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:43 pm
Oh geeze, she knew he was looking, SHE KNEW IT. Though it wasn't really out of self-conciousness that she fidgetted. Just that 'YES IS PREGNANT, PLEASE DON'T POINT IT OUT' sort of ordeal. Finding out she was pregnant from the observation of another had been horrible enough as it was.
But it seemed the conversation was going in another direction, so she went, happily, along with it in said direction.
Namir did as well.
"Ah, yes.... I had a few detours and got turned around and lost..." he admitted, Artemis, like a good mate, nudging his side with a teasing grin, "Oh yes, he got very lost. Seemed to have gone around in a giant circle from what I've gathered." she said, all in the game of teasing the brown hunter.
He frowned embarassedly at the point, before moving on to answer Unyezi's inquiry about the two of them staying. "Well, I know I am." Namir replied, then looked to Artemis. He wasn't about to answer for her in this case.
But Artemis pipped up on her own all too willingly. "I've come all this way and heard all too much. I'd certainly love to stay here as well."
Though for reasons outside of just the pride itself. Well, now inside the pride huh?
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:52 pm
"Well, you've found us now and that's what matters," he said brightly, happy to tease but also quite serious about it, "No matter how lost you got, you're the first of the missing members to make it back to us, Namir. We have several priests still missing and the old head of the guard to say the least."
There was a lot to fill the old member in on. It was only recently they started refilling those positions that were missed, it had only been on the last full moon that Unyezi had finally appointed a new head of the guard. Not to mention the numerous new additions to the pride.
"You're welcome to join us," he said, addressing Artemis now, "Namir has informed you of everything, then?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:59 pm
Namir's face tensed a bit at the mention of being one of the first to make their return. Even he who had no sense of direction had been a straggler? That was... horrible to say the least. But it seemed the pride hadn't suffered too badly without all of those whom had been born to the pride.
Artemis took a deep breath as the focus was turned back to her, forcing a confident smile.
"Well, I'm ready as I can be. Here's hoping..." she trailed off, looking to Namir. Namir offered her a smile of confidence, "I've yet to have heard that the trial has any effects on the unborn."
Though Artemis would probably go off and overfeed herself anyways, just to be sure that her children wouldn't suffer for her long nap. Hopefully not too horribly long, though. She'd imagine a lack of food would only be handled by overfeeding for so long.
But they both seemed confident enough.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:13 pm
"Ah, well," Unyezi paused thoughtfully, taking a second quick glance to Artemis' middle and then up at the sky, "I'll speak to the shaman about it, traditionally those who haven't reached adolescence wait until we're sure it's safe so you may be asked to wait until after birth and weaning." The situation had not come up within memory, but perhaps Shira would know what to do. It hardly seemed right to ask an expecting mother to risk herself and her cubs, there were several members without a known class.
"Until we know, you will be treated at least as well as middle class, and all the details will be gone over to make sure nothing was left out" he said, looking back down and then to Namir, "I remember you were a hunter, though I do not recall which class exactly. Are you going to take back your old job?" Unyenyezi or Sini'ngozi would remember, Unyezi was sure they would also be happy to see an old member made it home again. It was hopeful for those worrying about and waiting for lost family.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:24 pm
Artemis seemed to breath a sigh of relief at the comment that she would wait until her children would be able to survive without their mother being awake (though the concept was a tad terrifying in other terms) before she would be subjected to the trial.
Ready or not, it did give her time to get them settled.
Which, on the note of, Namir was quick to answer again. "I shall be." he confirmed. Life as anything but a Hunter would have been very sad indeed. Besides, what with at least four more entering the pride, he'd have to carry some weight so it wasn't all left to others.
Artemis had already been doted on for at least a month in terms of his hunting afterall.
"And I was part of the lower-middle class." he said, knowing quite well that while it wasn't a HIGHCLASSZOMG he could still hold pride in being there. Besides, it could have been worse.
Well, at least he could remember something! Silly old Namir.
"Well, it should hopefully end up amounting to two hunters, mm?" A mundane job, yes, but something they both seemed to enjoy. Ahh commonality.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:38 pm
Lower-middle class seemed an honest answer, anyone lying might try for at least middle class. Even if there was no reason to doubt him, though, it would still have to be checked with the priestesses. And hunters were quite necessary to the pride.
"Very good. If you'll follow me, I'll show you where the royal dens and take you to be reintroduced- and introduced- to the priests," he said, shifting his weight a bit and getting ready to turn to lead the way back, "Formalities should be taken care of immediately, if you aren't too tired then we'll find the priests. Njiru will want to see you as well, Namir, he is still head hunter."
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:46 pm
And it seemed for all of them it was time to go on an adventure (Charlie!), Namir more than willing to get the ball rolling to follow along after Unyezi. Naturally, Artemis came along as well, a nice calm pace to her steps.
Well, that hadn't been a completely and utterly horrible and disasterous of a meeting. Frankly, it had been quite the opposite (and probably because Namir had already filled in his darling on a good portion of traditions and the like).
"Yes, that would serve us all well." Artemis chimed, as it would give her mate time to settle back into his old life, let her meet some new faces, and overall maybe be a positive thing.
Namir didn't seem too horribly bothered by the 'chore of coming home' either. It was simply a 'to do' list of moving back in.
"Mm, I'll have to seek him out once we're all settled in then."
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:57 pm
"We've had many new members since settling here," he said, making some small talk as they went along, "I'm sure you'll meet many of them, especially the hunters. The only others in the lower-middle class right now are cubs, you're the only member remaining." And it seemed likely that that would change once Artemis was safe to initiate, as Unyezi was almost sure he had it figured right. It was sad to admit, each of the classes had had a healthy size before the war and the migration. But they had maintained their traditions and were thriving, it was better than it could have been.
"You'll be working with the slaves a fair bit, they've been acting mainly as hunters while the numbers are so low," he said, thinking through all the real changes that Namir would find. All the hunters, aside from Njiru, were new members. And soon there would be youths joining them. It had been a long time.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:07 pm
That was actually odd news to hear indeed. Yes, Namir had been used to having his 'hunting group' he worked with and seeing those of his own class he was also used to socializing with (How funny was it he recalled a time when his old buddies would be eying higher-classed females with this 'Sooooo....' ideal in mind?)
"Well, as numbers grow, we'll continue to find a way to manage. Trials and all those other philosophical things."
Artemis smirked. He knew he'd trailed off like that because he wasn't sure how to finish the thought. Then again, neither did she.
It was just nice to walk along behind the lion that would be her king at the side of her mate and enjoy the scenery. It had been a long time indeed. A long walk, a long wait, and now she'd be able to pick one place as home and be able to stick with it.
But first, she'd have to wait through all the formalities.
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