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 Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:10 pm
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Lailah's eyes narrowed momentarily at the perceived insult, but she relaxed again, admitting to herself, if no one else, that he was quite correct. It was a lucky thing, and they couldn't count on luck in the future, if the past was any indicator.
So she could wholeheartedly support the notion of having some backup, another couple lions to learn what she learned, and to do the many duties required. In fact, with more support in the structure, there'd be so much less work for each individual, and far more time to simply be among the pride and to help the various members one-on-one and be able to devote the time needed to each person.
"That sounds wonderful," she agreed with a smile. "Did you have anyone in mind for consideration? It's not something I've thought about at all, so I know Stellaluna and I will have to look over the choices." Lailah thought a bit more before adding on "And did you want the new Apprentices to start as young as I did, or might we also consider older lionesses?" Hmmm...that led to yet another question - how old was too old? Stellaluna had been a full adult, appropriate for the rank of Shaman, but not so much for having to learn all the vagaries and details of the position.
Lailah liked the idea of having at least one of the new Apprentices being adult, if only so that she wasn't the only one in the new group.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:20 pm
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:26 pm
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:35 pm
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"Of course you and Stellaluna are free to consider the options yourselves, it is ultimately your decision," he said smoothly, "If you can find someone I have overlooked, you're free to suggest them. I would be careful to avoid anybody who might be more trouble than they are worth, though."
Another thoughtful pause and they were on perhaps one of the touchier subjects, though there was another element to it that would remain unspoken.
"In fact, that's one reason I believe we need to replace Kibetinyota," he said, his tone unhappy but confident, "She has not caused any obvious trouble herself but her mate is a serious threat. Priests have been deposed for less in the past. It could be dangerous to give Uchanjaa greater cause to hate his king, but letting that hate poison the priests could be far worse."
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:45 pm
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More nodding, as Shangyue stepped back verbally about the choices for additional Shamanic Apprentices. It was something she and her mentor would have to consider very carefully.
But as the King continued speaking, the tone of his voice and their conversation changed. Until now, they hadn't really touched on the issues that had divided the pride so strongly. But bringing up Uchanjaa, and as a reason to demote Kibetinyota? Lailah was quite, breathing deeply as she wrestled with the idea and how to respond to it.
"Your Majesty...Shangyue. I think the only way you could make Uchanjaa hate you less is by bringing your mother back to life," the white lioness said at last.
"To be honest...that's what worries me most about you. You killed your grandparents. And your parents. And I don't know if you've even shed a single tear for them."
For all his good ideas, and he had a lot of them, this was the crux. This was where Lailah found it impossible to completely support Shangyue, to follow him blindly. She could understand, could even empathize with his choices.
But she had to know how he really felt about the murders, hoped to the stars above that what she had seen was simply a mask to take charge while he mourned in private.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:17 pm
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He came to a stop yet again when Lailah addressed him by name and spoke honestly about the issue behind Uchanjaa's anger- and her own distrust. It wasn't a surprise to him, it was something he had anticipated from the very moment his plan began to form.
"I can be a good king but for some, I will never get past that," he said simply, honestly, "I know there is nothing I can do to lessen the hate Uchanjaa feels which is why I don't bother trying. He will hate me until the day he dies, and he is not the only one. It's something I both expected and have accepted."
There was no use denying that. But she clearly needed to hear more, to believe that he had some regret or sorrow for the loss of his parents- and that was something he had not told anyone about.
"My grandmother was a good, gracious queen. One who reluctantly stepped up when she was needed, though she had never expected to take the throne. My grandfather was my idol, I admired every single thing about him," he said, his voice quiet and serious, "My parents were both good and dedicated, as heirs and parents. I make no argument on any of those points. Any real mourning I have done, any true regret I have felt.. is private. What glimpses have been shared clearly aren't sufficient, but what would be?"
And they were back to how nothing would work for everybody, the least he could do was be consistent. It was a regrettable but necessary step in getting him to the throne, now he had to show he deserved it. Just like he always claimed.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:27 pm
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Well, it wasn't bursting into tears, but it had been a year, and so it was a decent amount of time. Nor could she deny him the right to be private with his grief. So she listened, and watched. He didn't seem torn up, but there was a depth of emotion in his voice that was, she was sure, genuine.
Lailah was aware that she was balanced on the edge of a metaphorical cliff.
She chose to believe Shangyue. Maybe because she wanted him to be the King she hoped for, mabye because she knew he had good plans and she couldn't see them come to fruition under someone else.
"I understand. I'm sorry, I just had to ask," the lioness apologized. Then she shook herself, recalling the other portion of his earlier words.
"As for Kibetinyota, I don't know what her...political stance is. But I do know that Uchanjaa has never once used her rank to further himself. They say he was coerced into becoming your mother's bodyguard." Lailah considered what she knew of the older pair.
"I think demoting Kibi might turn her against you, if she isn't already. Her position is very important to her. But..." the yellow eyes turned calculating, "...if you're already planning on adding more Priestesses, it might be possible to promote another lion - or more than one! - to the position of Nurse and simply...slide her off to the side, where she still has prestige, but little power."
Lailah had, after all, grown up near the political center of the pride. While she wasn't fond of manipulating people, she did know how it was done.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:36 pm
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Shangyue nodded when she apologized, but said nothing else. It was a dark topic that was difficult to visit, and saying more could only make things worse. He sincerely hoped that even if she did not truly believe it, she was as willing to accept it as she seemed.
"Naturally Kibetinyota should still be a Lady, if not a priest," he agreed when Lailah concluded it would be best to minimize the shame, "It would be more than Ukene was offered, and her only offense was standing up for her son."
Though it was before he was born, he was well aware of the little bit of history surrounding his mother- though his information certainly did not come from her.
"In fact, perhaps we ought to correct that," he suggested suddenly, seeming to come upon an idea that had not yet struck, "She may not still be a priest but she was. And that might be more appropriate for my cousins, the children of Queen Alcmene, as well. I expect they've outgrown the prince and princess titles."
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:46 pm
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Lailah wasn't sure if the rank of Lady would satisfy Kibetinyota, but again, she didn't know the older lioness that well. To that end, she didn't even know what the Nurse's stance on Shangyue was, and for all she knew, Kibi might have already decided to share her mate's disdain and rage for the King. The white lioness didn't know, and didn't want to say more than she had already on the subject.
But it was an interesting idea, to offer such positions - or at least some of them - to the children Alcmene had borne. One of them was already a priest, so it was fitting.
"Perhaps," Lailah offered. "But only if your cousins are able and willing to do the jobs." She could understand the desire for prestige and power, but the only "empty" titles in the pride, with no expectation of work, were Prince, Princess, Lord and Lady. She agreed with Shangyue's suggestion of increasing the number of priests and priestesses to better support the pride. She would never want those positions to be abused and used only for their rank and not their responsibilities.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:19 pm
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"Ah, I mean making them Lords and Ladies as well," he clarified with a small smile, "Though I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they wanted to participate in other ways. I found it rather boring, bearing a title and no responsibility."
One of many motivations behind his takeover, clearly.
"There was just one more thing I wanted to discuss," he said after a momentary lull in their conversation following the rather somber topic, "The priests have the shaman, the hunters and guards have their heads, the pride has the king.. and yet the slaves have nobody. Just because they would not fight for me doesn't mean I have forgotten them. They should have a leader, someone to watch out for them and who doesn't need to be afraid to speak for them."
A more positive confidence had returned to his voice and his eyes. How could anybody deny the importance and power of the slaves after the role they had played on his behalf?
"It is a tricky situation, of course, since they are slaves," he said, "But I would think ranks akin to a mother and father for all slaves would be safe- and appropriate."
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 3:48 pm
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"Ah, I misunderstood," Lailah admitted as Shangyue explained further what he intended for his cousins. Which, really did make sense in the end. She could only hope that none of them objected, but it wasn't really her business unless if the individuals came ot her about it. The conversation died awkwardly for a moment and when the King spoke again, she could tell he was going to change the subject.
And yet, it wasn't that big a change, considering where their discussion had ranged previously. The white lioness was silent for a time, running the idea through her mind. It was something she'd never once considered but, she had to admit, she often didn't think of the slaves as much as she should. A character flaw common to those born in the higher classes, and one that she did try to remedy. Now here was another opportunity to try and overcome it.
"That is a very good idea," she replied at last. "If only so that the low class has a representative or two who can oversee the others, and bring any problems or grievances to you." In fact, such a person - or people - could only help, by giving the slaves a way to organize amongst themselves without involving other classes. Lailah found herself nodding eagerly at the concept and turned a smile on Shangyue.
"I have to say, I'm impressed by your plans for the pride," she told him, even if he'd only brought some of them to her as ideas, not solid decisions. "I appreciate that you came to me, and I hope that we'll be able to have more conversations like this in the future." Especially if he continued to come up with such good, solid ideas. No amount of work was ever going to erase the bloodshed that had led to his rule, but with changes like these, Lailah was certain Shangyue would be remembered as one of the better Kings of the Mwezi'Johari.
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:26 pm
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Shangyue was very confident in his plans, though he knew a lot of it would depend on support from the rest of the pride- not least the shaman. And allowing the slaves to have a leader was a big step, but the low class had already changed and it only brought those who did not volunteer for the king's dirty work even lower. This, hopefully, would help.
"Thank you," he said, "I'm sure we will."
He considered the other, related conversations that were still to be had but decided this was enough for now. He had what he needed, and he hoped she had a little more faith in him because of it.
"I'll be on my way, then," he said, offering a smile, "Thank you for your input."
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:44 pm
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