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 Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:32 am
Riad'naim:
Riad'niam was happy.
He was returning home. And he was so close, just over that hill in the distance were the pride's rich forests, full of prey. They must have been in the borders by now, although not close enough to the dens to have run into a guard just yet. Riad wasn't worried about running into a guard - he knew most of them well, having grown up in the pride and lived there all his life.
And not only was he returning home, but he was returning home with a new Banu. Perhaps even his new Beybanu. Jivu was such a different lionness to all those he'd met before, to the perfect Banu that the pride expected of it's daughters. But he liked that, for some strange reason even he wasn't sure of. It kept him on his toes, kept things interesting. He could actually hold a conversation with Jivu, and she'd quite happily voice her opinion and tell him exactly what she thought. It was...refreshing, to have a Banu with such a sharp mind.
"We're nearly there," he reassured the dark lionness beside him with a warm smile, "We'll need to see the Sultan, when we arrive."
Jivutatia:
Jivu was sick of traveling, and she was sure 'Dani was, too. Her scaly friend liked to sit about in the sun, but being around Jivu's neck or on her back was probably not the greatest time. She could probably keep up most of the time, but Jivu knew her friend was still young for her species and they weren't used to the sizable distance.
The green-eyed lioness looked up when Riad spoke, a look of interest quickly replaced by slight annoyance. They had taken periods of rest, but she'd rather take a bit of time before meeting the leader of his pride. It seemed like a very big deal and while she wouldn't primp and preen like other lionesses might, but she'd at least like to take some time to put herself together and all that.
"Do we have to see him right then? This trip has you looking a mess." A smirk found its way onto her face. Yup, better to point out how he was looking travel-worn rather than worry about her own appearance.
"And maybe you should tell me a bit more. Much as I like to cause trouble for those that need it, I imagine I should be on my best behavior," she added, throwing an amused note to her smirk.
Riad'naim:
He noticed her look of annoyance, and frown creasing his forehead as he paused in his stride, confused. Why was she annoyed? What had he said? The frown on confusion turned instead to one of Riad's own annoyance, the male casting the lionness a tired look, sighing loudly, "We don't necessarily have to see him right away, I suppose," he relented with a small smile, "But we have to see him soon after we arrive. He has to accept you into the pride."
Best behaviour? Riad rolled his eyes, before baring down on Riad with a rather serious look. He wasn't glaring, not quite, but he was staring at her, as if trying to make her understand. "Jivu. You should most definitely be on your best behaviour. Not only will you be turned away, or worse, accepted as a Kajira, but I'll be looked at as a fool. Please, Jivu."
He wasn't begging. No, Riad'naim didn't beg. He was asking nicely. And he was prepared to ask a little less nicely if he needed to, that fact was clear.
Jivutatia:
"I will behave, don't worry about that. I just need to know what I should and shouldn't do. I won't act differently per se, but I should know what to avoid doing," Jivu explained, the smirk fading from her face as she caught the seriousness in his tone. She sighed and shook her head, returning her gaze ahead of her.
"You should stop taking everything I say so seriously. I tease, I'm sarcastic. When I'm being absolutely, no doubts serious, you'll know," she added, nodding her head once. 'Dani hissed softly in agreement. The lioness looked over her shoulder at her friend, smiling a bit in amusement.
"So, do's and don't's?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:24 am
Riad'naim:
He believed her word - she said she'd behave, and although he hadn't known her that long, Jivu didn't seem the type to lie. Twist the truth a little and use her words carefully, perhaps, but not outright lie. He nodded, continuing onwards as they spoke. They were almost there, but not quite - they might as well continue moving at the same time. He glanced sideways to Jivu, watching his face as she spoke. When she was being serious, he'd know? Riad wasn't all that sure.
She seemed to enjoy teasing him. That seemed as good a place to start as any as the large lion sighed, shaking dust from his mane, "Well, don't tease me. Don't do...anything that makes it look like I can't control you," he advised, glancing towards her. The control issue was one he wasn't sure of - Jivu would maintain that she wasn't under anyone's control, he was sure. She didn't seem the type to step far over the line, just test it every now and again - he didn't want to control her. They were companions, rather than master and slave. Riad wanted to keep that sort of relationship with all of his Banu.
"Just...be polite, and obedient. Even for just while we're talking to the Sultan."
Jivutatia:
Jivu's eyes narrowed a bit. She wasn't the type to be controlled. Hell, she'd never been controlled, not even by her parents. Sure, she respected and listened to them, but it was because she wanted to, not because they made her. She paused in her walking and gave him a long look.
"I won't act out and will show your Sultan respect and be polite, but I warn you now. I like suggestions and requests. I do not take kindly to commands. I will do my best, but I can't make you any promises on that front," she replied, her tone serious and straightforward.
She didn't want to be harsh and part of her wanted to be good for Riad. He was a good male and she liked him, really she did. But she couldn't bend to the will of another. It just wasn't in her character. 'Dani seemed to sense her inner turmoil and sluggishly moved to wrap loosely around her neck in the snake's version of a comforting hug.
Faiz:
"It's been a while since I've seen those outrageous spots and dusty mane." Faiz's voice came from the top of a nearby rise, where Vizier Faiz had just climbed. He had a grin on his maw, happy to see one of his fellows returning from the hunt. He took a moment to study the lioness. She was small, about the size of his 'Liua, but she was much more plain. Varying shades of gray and white, the only bright things on her were her nose and deep green eyes.
And the snake around her neck, of course. He'd never seen a lion who allowed a snake to do something that required that amount of trust. Her neck was vulnerable to anything the snake might have wanted to do to her. Bite her or strangle her, he would never allow a snake to do that to him.
"Fruitful hunt, huh?"
Riad'naim:
Riad'naim sighed - she hadn't understood him. He shook his head, pausing in his stride to turn and face her straight on, so she could see he was telling the truth. "I'm not saying I'm going to command you - you just need to give the impression that if I was to tell you to do something, you'd do it without arguing. Please, Jivu - trust me, you don't want to become a Kaejira."
He was trying to help her, trying to protect her. His eyes were wearily on the snake as it curled around her neck - he couldn't help but feel a little protective over his new Banu, and snakes weren't usually such friendly creatures. Still, 'Dani was part of the package - Jivu clearly trusted the snake, so he supposed he'd have to learn to do so too.
A familiar voice brought a grin to the lion's face, green eyes turning to meet familiar grey fur as Vizier Faiz appeared atop of a nearby rise. Inclining his head so as to be polite, he noticed the gaze directed at Jivu - most likely sizing her up. Faiz's words worried Riad a little, in the way Jivu might react, but he continued grinning none-the-less, giving a small chuckle. "As you can see! Vizier Faiz, this is my new Banu, Jivutatia, and her...friend, Mwandani."
He wasn't entirely sure how to introduce the snake, but thought it rude not to do so at all. Turning to Jivu, his smile softened, "Jivu, this is Faiz, one of the pride's Viziers. He's the Sultan's brother."
Jivutatia:
Jivu's look softened a bit at his words, she even looked a little chagrinned.
"All you have to do is ask," she replied softly before turning at the sound of another's voice. She glanced over the large male for a moment, keeping her look quick before she returned her gaze to Riad. Vizier, hmm, she would have to ask Riad exactly what the different names meant. Though she had a feeling that this Faiz was higher up, especially since he was the Sultan's brother.
She bowed her head respectively after they had been introduced. Mwandani did the same, both deciding to keep their mouths shut, just to be on the safe side.
Faiz:
Faiz's head dipped ever so slightly in a nod of acknowledgement to the introduction. He tilted his head a bit as he walked down to the pair. He'd known Riad for a time and didn't know how he would have dealt with the loss the other male had suffered. To have lost all his females in one fell swoop... He mentally shook his head. But at least things were... somewhat looking up for the spotty male. His blind banu wasn't really good for too much, but at least this new female, this "Jivu," seemed like she could be capable of hunting. He hoped so, for Riad's sake.
"I think your other banu was starting to worry you abandoned her," he replied with a chuckled, teasing the other male. "Sure took you long enough to get back home."
Riad'naim:
Jivu remained silent - Riad hoped that was a good sign. He turned back to Faiz with a slightly more cheery smile, though that faded a little as Faiz mentioned Adina. Ohhh, he had been gone a long time, and although he knew Faiz was teasing him he was sure there was some truth behind his words. "I wanted to take my time," Riad explained, truthfully rather embarrassed at the time he'd been gone. He'd been gone longer than one of the Pesar on their Coming of Age. But he was back now, and his point had been made - by 'capturing' Jivu he'd shown he was still capable, what he'd been planning all along. "Is Adina still well?" he asked, concern for his Banu clear in his voice.
Jivutatia:
Jivu glanced at Riad when he asked about his other female. The concern she heard in his voice made her respect him a bit more. As much as he told her she needed to at least pretend she would obey any commands he gave, she didn't think he actually would unless it was something very important that he needed her to do. And it seemed that he really cared for the other female, or at least worried about her. She decided he was a good male and it made her feel better that she was helping him.
Faiz:
Faiz shrugged a bit, apologetic.
"I've been a little busy lately, so I haven't exactly been keeping an eye on her, but I think she's been well," he replied with a small nod. He glanced back towards the deeper pridelands. All this talk about banu made him want to get back and yet not so much. 'Liua was worried about her boys, Mzu had her paws full with her babies, and he had his own paws full with Fae and Jiya. All in all, it was a stressful little harem, but... Well, he liked the excitement. It was nice being kept on his toes. But he didn't like his ladies crying. He should go make sure no one was getting carried away.
"Perhaps you should go see for yourself," he added and nodded in the direction of his brother's den. Adina was sure to be there.
Riad'naim:
Riad nodded - he understood. It wasn't Faiz's job to look after Adina whilst he was away, so he wasn't angry. Besides, when he'd left Faiz had been dealing with a young litter from one of his Banu, and a pregnant Beybanu, so he imagined the lion was exhausted right now. He pondered whether to ask how his Beybanu was, but decided against it. Riad didn't like talking about such things - it only brought back bad memories, and he was looking to the future now. A bright future, with Adina and Jivu.
"I will," he assured Faiz with a smile and another incline of his head, "I'll bring Jivu to see the Sultan later today - I'm going to introduce her to Adina first, and her new home." He looked back to Jivu with a bright smile, "Ready?"
Faiz:
"I'm sure Aali will be glad to see another Pad returned to the pride," Faiz replied, nodded once, and turned to head home. Back to his boisterous den and his lovely ladies.
Jivutatia:
Jivu watched the other male leave and turned to Riad once he was gone.
"He seemed interesting and amusing. It felt strange not to be talked to, though..." she said when it was just them again. She nodded a bit.
"Yeah, I'm ready to go. Would there be time for a nap, too?" She couldn't help adding that, a bit of a smirk on her face. She was partly teasing, but more serious. She could use a little bit of rest. When she didn't get enough rest, she got a little slippy, mostly with the things she said. If he thought she was snarky then, he would likely hate to catch her on a day when she was overly tired.
Riad'naim:
"Faiz is a good Pad," Riad smiled, indicating the direction back to his den as he began walking. He was eager to see Adina again. "He treats his Banu well, and is rewarded with many children..." Realizing where he was going Riad was quick to change the subject again, rolling his eyes as Jivu returned to teasing him. "I suppose there would."
He paused, before reaching over to nuzzle her cheek, "Thank you. For behaving."
Jivutatia:
Jivu didn't know if she was entirely comfortable with the nuzzle, but she allowed him to continue uninterrupted. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, in fact part of her liked the little affectionate gesture. Another part wanted to be snarky about it, but she managed to avoid letting that part take control.
"Mmhmm, I'm a lioness of my word, after all," she replied and yawned again.
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