[PRP] Hopefully Not Intruding (Azhar'Hilel, Naheed) - FIN

[Mogami]

Azhar was sitting at the mouth of his den, fiery eyes watching the pride activity all around him. He was finally growing into those big paws of his and his movements weren’t quite as uncoordinated as before. He was growing up.

With a slow and deliberate fluid motion, the young dark lion stood up and stretched. Ignoring his many (many!) young siblings and half-siblings, Azhar moved towards his older sister who was watching them and told her he was going for a quick walk. If there was one good thing about being a male, it was the fact that he didn’t have to justify his every move or find an escort every time he wanted some time on his own – well, sneaking off was always an option but the young lion knew that it wasn’t a good idea to worry or anger his father’s beybanu.

After exchanging a few quick words with Mozhgan, the little dark lion trotted off towards the lake. It was a popular location and getting to know the pride and the families that lived in the Ukuucha’Wafalme was one of his duties as a young Pesar, after all.
 

[Dulcea]

The lioness was found the way she often was now, reclining by the lake with a smooth sheen of water across her coat. She spent much of her mornings practicing her dancing now, and by noon she needed to cool off. Her pad did not seem to mind the routine so long as she showed progress and maintained her other duties, so she spent the time she had allotted wisely. This morning she had finally perfected a step that had given her much trouble, and hoped to impress him by showing it later. To do so though, she need also look her best. She'd pulled plants from the surrounding area to create a sort of bath scrub, and had scented herself lightly with their flowers afterward. Now she relaxed, perched on a rock to keep her pale coat free of excess dirt.  

[Mogami]

The young Pesar moved towards the edge of the lake with quick steps without noticing the pale lioness that was ridiculously close to his location. It was only after he’d taken a few laps of water that Azhar finally realized that he had company – the correct term for his arrival was probably “intruding”. If he was, he hoped he could find some kind of hint in the lioness’ words or body language.

“Good afternoon.” He said tentatively, taking a few steps to ease the gap between them. He knew he was supposed to be the one to speak first but he didn’t usually approach strange adult banu.  

[Dulcea]

She nodded, though she wasn't sure what else she could do. Her pad had been very clear that she was in no uncertain terms forbidden to speak to other males, even ones as young as this one, until she knew their name. But surely a greeting was the same invitation? Her head often spun trying to keep the rules straight. Things had been simpler in the desert, but they had also been lonelier and that she did not miss. Deciding that no harm would come from at least acknowledging him she offered a soft smile, "It is, young Pesar." She straightened up her shoulders, feeling the water fall off her coat in tiny rivulets as she moved. Soon enough she'd have to go back in the water or face the exhausting heat again.  

[Mogami]

“I’m Azhar’hilel, son of Pad Anwar’Mazin.” Azhar said with small nod, relieved that the lioness who he believed to belong to one of his uncle’s harems didn’t look offended by his sudden approach. A claimed banu had to be treated with proper respect and courtesy and while the young Pesar still hadn’t perfected a set of manners that would make his father proud, he knew enough of the basics to understand how he should react in the presence of strange banu – even when they were likely bonded to a member of his family. He wouldn’t have any of his uncles criticizing his father’s education.

“I hope I am not bothering you, I was distracted before.” He almost offered to leave if that was her wish but he realized it was not his place to allow a female to dictate such things. Then again, he hated the idea that he might be intruding or burdening her in any way. He seemed to always find the prettiest banu near the lake… maybe that was something he should remember in the future…  

[Dulcea]

"Pesar Azhar'hilel," she repeated, committing the name and his appearance to memory. She'd need it in the future, if the family continued to expand. He was a nephew of her pad, she suspected, but she wasn't sure. Even having been in the pride for some time now she still often had trouble connecting all of the massively interconnected family trees. She thought perhaps others kept a reference book to keep things straight. "I am Banu Naheed, of Pad Akram'raja's harem. And you're not bothering me at all," she assured him, "I was hoping I'd find such interesting company, it's such a shame to spend one's day alone. What brings you out to the shore on such a lovely day? Were you looking to swim? The water it truly indulgent in this heat."  

[Mogami]

“I am the nephew of Pad Akram'raja...half-nephew.” The young lion said when he heard his uncle's name and then paused to think. Did that term even exist? Either way, he was pleased to have properly recognized the lioness as belonging to one of his uncles. The fact that she seemed to be happy with his company also helped, of course. Indulgent? The young Pesar did not know what that word meant but he decided to commit it to memory and ask his father later though his frown did betray his puzzlement.

“It feels nice.” He said as took a step into the water. His paws felt cool while the rest of his dark coat remained quite hot but he didn’t feel it would be proper to throw himself in considering he had company. “I hope everything is well with my uncle and his other banu. My father seems to think I might get some cousins soon.” Judging by this lioness’ elegance, clearly they would not be coming from her just yet.  

[Dulcea]

"Quite a few, if the rumors are to be believed," she told him, trying to stifle her own sour thoughts on the matter, "Your dear uncle is a wise Pad, he knows best how the family should grow."

And it would not be with her anytime soon, not at this rate. Perhaps it was her grace, or her looks, she couldn't be certain. Or perhaps she simply had some inability. That thought did frighten her, a banu, even one with aptitudes for entertainment, was worth little if she was barren.

"Where I come from," she told him, deciding to shift to a more gentle topic, "Folks would fill the ponds with those big sweet smelling blossoms, a girl could lose herself in them. You should remember that, when you've got banu of your own. Most every girl, no matter her age or personality, has a soft spot for beauty and luxury." She nodded, as if she'd said something profound.  

[Mogami]

Azhar was part of his father’s last litter and so he had little knowledge of how a Pad went about creating and increasing his harem. He’d never really thought about the type of planning that was required for that growth but it seemed obvious that it was one of a pad’s responsibilities. He felt like he was learning a lot just by talking to Naheed.

“Beauty and luxury.” He repeated seriously, nodding slowly. He wondered if his uncle had used that approach during his quest but somehow he doubted it. According to his father and many others, Akram’Raja was the strict type of Pad that demanded complete obedience from his banu. “Lose herself? They were that big? Were the girls ever found?” His eyes widened with worry when he misunderstood the golden-eyed banu. It didn’t make sense that Naheed could be so happy about the idea of drowning girls.  

[Dulcea]

At first Naheed was stunned, looking at the pesar with wide confused eyes, but then the mistake dawned on her and she let out a soft melodic laugh. "Oh no, I'm sorry dear Pesar, I meant that their minds may wander. And if you're the cause of such relaxation, well, they're all the more likely to listen to what you have to say. Deep down they may know that you have all their best interests at heart, but some may yet resist on misguided principle."

She had never been that sort, ever willing to follow and impress, but she had seen many who fought their Pads. It was a thought she couldn't even entertain. For all she might revel in compliments of her beauty, she felt she would be nothing without Akram'raja. He had pulled her from the sands and made her a queen. He had yet to name a beybanu, but that would come in time.  

[Mogami]

Ah, so that was the adults called a figure of speech. It wasn’t to be taken literally then. He repeated it in his mind so he wouldn’t forget it, doing the same with the banu’s advice.

“Oh.” Azhar felt rather embarrassed. Learning was good but he didn’t like to show his ignorance too much. It might give others the wrong impression regarding his education and the young Pesar hated to think what judgments could be made on his father because of his cubs’ actions. He decided it was best to leave before he said another silly thing. When talking to a polite banu, it was sometimes difficult to tell whether or not his presence was becoming unwanted. Azhar had learned recently that females could be very good at hiding their true feelings behind a mask of complacent politeness that suited the pride’s customs. He wasn’t really sure how he felt about that.

“I will go back to my den now.“ he said softly after taking a few laps of water. He was still feeling a little embarrassed and part of him believed such a pretty and polite banu had better things to do than to talk to a kid. It was his duty to be the first to leave or dismiss the banu but for Azhar it didn’t really feel right to wield such power over an adult like that. “I don’t want my mothers to worry. It was a pleasure to meet you, banu Naheed.” He dipped his head, just a little before he turned to leave.

- FIN -