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 Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:29 am
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Anyone else in the house would say 'finally!' Ria would not agree with them. Tying the knot with Alizeti meant giving him half of her power. Though Alizeti was a calm lion, Ria was too much like her father, and resented the fact that he would be on equal ground, instead of just her consort. The falter that her parents displayed by being absent at the Empress' wedding to her own consort had forced the West house's hand. Ria would ascent to Lady, and Alizeti would be Lord at her side. It would happen today.
Alizeti let out a sigh of relief. Though he had been consort, he had always wondered if Ria would nullify the deal and send him back to the Mwezi'Johari. It had been strange for a lion like himself of lower-middle class stature to be picked as a ruler by a stranger, but here he was. Far from home, about to become Lord in a complex society built around politics. He knew he'd never be ready for it. As long as he could keel Ria in check, everything would be alright.
The two of them emerged from the 'royals' area, both of their eyes meeting those of the West house. Those that depended on them, and in turn the royals would require their loyalty.
Mio presented the pair, proud that they were finally at this stage. "I present to you, the new Lord and Lady of the West!"
(This will be up for about a week. Anyone in need of a JRP for Tianxia is welcome to post. Please check with your SoA's house owner (North: PhiferWolf, East: Nerpin, South: Nuxas), but it is very feasible to have representatives from the other houses to attend and report back to their respective houses.
The actual ceremony binding the two happened off-scene; they're being introduced to the general population of the West and Tianxia as a whole at this point, and mingling is occuring!) |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:10 pm
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"But it isn't even night."
"I know."
"They just walk out?"
Ria and Alizeti had appeared, Mio was presenting them.
"Shhh!"
It had come as a surprise to everybody when Selene and Fuu showed up for their visit to Fuu's homeland just in time for the wedding of Ria and Alizeti. Alizeti had been here since before Selene was even born, he came when her cousin was still queen- it was one of the last official things she did before she was assassinated, agreeing to send him away and creating the alliance the prides shared.
Now that she was out of her element, Selene was not doing quite as well as she might have done at such an important ceremony at home. It was confusing, she wasn't sure anything had happened except the presentation. She couldn't figure out anything remarkable about the event and she knew she might not be looking for the right things. Fuu, however, was keeping respectful quiet and she'd been forced to start asking questions in a hushed voice and the longer he withheld explanation the more foolish her questions became.
She didn't need to be shushed again, especially now that something was really happening. Now she simply looked on, trying to take in everything so she could ask better questions later.
Fuu wasn't as surprised as he let on when they arrived, finding out that Ria was still putting off the wedding. He wasn't surprised it had come to this, either. He had more confidence in the face of his family now than when he had first been sent away, some of it was from his experience being independent and important.. and some of it was that he was just too happy to be here to worry about offending anybody with smiles.
It helped that Selene was obviously at a loss now. He didn't want her to feel bad but he knew this was an extremely convenient way to help her understand how he felt when they were home.
He was all smiles, even shushing his mate, when his mother presented the couple.
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 8:13 pm
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It would hardly be proper for Ting Lan not to come for the ceremony, even if her own wedding had been sort of snubbed by the bride's parents. She was a bit surprised by how quickly after that, really, Zahi and Mio had decided to 'retire'. But it saved her having to deal with them, so the Empress didn't mind too much.
The first Lord and Lady of the west would always be remembered fondly, of course. Even by her. But she was pleased with this wedding, it meant moving forwards. It was about time. She sat in a very nice spot, with her own new husband.
––––
It was sort of his job to look out for the West House nobility, so naturally Bo had turned up. He was sitting beside Zisè, and was quite glad when Mio stepped up. The young duchess could be quite chatty, but even she knew better than to keep yammering about once things started getting underway.
He looked up at who was now the former Lady of the East, with his same mild expression as usual. The female by his site cheered a bit at the announcement, always happy for a bit of fun, but he only smiled a bit and looked around. He hadn't gone to the big wedding in the central house, and this was all very strange to him.
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:10 pm
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For a while, Nyayo was completely speechless- a rare occurrence for the active young bard. She was too excited that something was actually happening to say anything to anybody who was around her, though she was fidgeting quite obviously as she tried to take in everything around her. Lucky for her, she had known better than to take a place near the front. There was so much going on, even just in the crowd around them, and she wanted to see it all.
The only time she stood still, from her spot with the view of almost the whole crowd gathered there, was when Ria and Alizeti came forward and were presented by Mio. As soon as she was standing still, though, she couldn't seem to keep her mouth shut a second longer.
"Yay!" she cheered.
Then she realized her mistake and very quickly ducked down in hopes that anybody who had heard her and looked back to find the source of the disturbance wouldn't be able to find her. Having gotten her excitement out in a thoroughly embarrassing way, she began to calm down.
But it was lucky she didn't start laughing at herself.
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:33 pm
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(I have so many West members, its safe to assume they're all watching, I'm just lazy)
Ria took the front step, and it was apparent to everyone that she was going to be the leader between the two of them. If someone didn't know that...well, they certainly didn't know the new Lady that well. Alizeti would be her calm waters, and absorb and fix any damage that the Lady might do before she got some sense knocked into her.
Her pale purple eyes noticed the Emperor and Empress....and her stomach flipped flopped. What were they doing here? Had Mother not told her? Certainly they couldn't have been hiding from everyone this entire time!
First, they would have to express their thanks for them to come...it was most unexpected, and flattered Ria a bit.
Alizeti was a little more...worried that the Emperor and Empress were here. Probably of what Mio had warned them of. The West was on a bit of a watchlist for what the past Lord and Lady had done. He and his new wife would have to be in the good graces of the new leaders. It was just getting Ria to agree that was the cringe-worthy part.
"My Emperor, Empress," Alizeti said with a bow. He had to remember to use Chinese names to anyone else he spoke to, as it was foreign to him. His eyes turned to face Fuu and Selene's. He liked Fuu, but he didn't really know Selene. He had been gone from his home for too long.
----
Miandui leaned against his wife slightly, content to be here with her. It was a good show of support between the two of them, and it was nice to be able to see the other areas of Tianxia. He knew that his personal guard was behind him, and it was easy to relax. He nodded to the new Lord and Lady in thanks.
----
Kahawia had already been here, mingling around and a little awed onced the pair came out. He had no reason to ever speak to the royals, and so he didn't know much about them. It was a bit exciting to have a new Lord and Lady, and hoped that it would bring new prosperity to the West house. Especially in his own life.
Speaking of...a voice he recognized! Nyayo! He turned and saw the red lioness, and trotted right over to her. It wasn't like the Lord and Lady were going to speak with him.
"Li Biyu!"
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:19 pm
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Fuu watched Ria and Alizeti carefully, smiling as Ria tried to show her dominance but let Alizeti make the first move with the Emperor and Empress. It was hard not to stare, it only seemed natural. He was curious about the new ruling pair, everything seemed to be changing at home now.. even if it was all fairly recent. He arrived at just the right time to keep up with things as they happened.
"From the Central Pride," he said in a hushed voice to Selene, then he glanced around to see where his mother had gotten to. He would have liked to go talk to Alizeti again but it didn't seem appropriate to interrupt now.
For now, though, he decided not to move from where they sat.
Selene nodded absently when Fuu stated the obvious fact that the Emperor and Empress were from the Central Pride. While she had trouble imagining maintaining a hierarchy like the one here, where you seemed to have so much authority but then answered to a pair who didn't even stay here.. that was one of the simpler things about it. The rulers came from the center.
"What do you think?" she asked, looking to her other side to Uchanjaa.
Absently, she wondered where Wambazi had gotten to.
*
Still ducked down, Nyayo only perked up when she heard a familiar voice call out her very own name. Carefully, and not without a quick glance around, she lifted her head back up and saw Kahawia headed her way. She wasn't surprised to see him. In fact, she was very glad to!
"Good day, Yuang Wang," she greeted him with a small snicker, "You found me."
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:43 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:05 am
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Jing Xinli, known to some as Izimbali and his mother as simply 'Mbali, had come to the Tianxia as a cub. He had grown up within the West house; trained by Zahi himself to be the Chamberlain.
Change was, certainly, something that he was coming to accept in his life. It happened when they came here, it had happened when he took Rangi to be his wife and it had happened when their cubs had arrived.
It was happening again and he could not help but smile, feeling more at ease with this 'change' than he had with one in some time. Ria had been brought up well by the same two lions who had helped guide his own development along with his mother's stern teachings. He had no doubt that she, and her new Lord, would do well for the West.
Jing Qìgài stood alongside her father, watching the first 'big event' of her own life pass by. It wasn't often that she saw this many lions gathered together; guests from all houses, not just the West. It was incredible... And Ria looked so lovely and so powerful at the same time.
Rénài Dingshao kept a watchful eye from the outskirts, taking his duties as a guard quite seriously. There were enough bodies here to set anyone on edge, but he trusted well enough that they would all behave themselves at such a public event with so much at stake. Either way, he would be more than content when they all just went back home.
He let out a puff of breath, blowing a tuft of mane out of his face with a bit of agitation before letting his eyes drift back to the happy new couple and their surroundings.
(( Eryu & Jiǎngqíu are also here and about; Historian getting his history keeping on and brother being supportive. XD ))
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:17 pm
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Lord Xun'lin rested comfortably where he had placed himself. This was one of the first times he had acted on his own accord without the suggestion of his father. As a Lord, he would have to keep up appearances and hold strong relations with the other houses. It would be unwise should he miss such events like this. Of course, when his father discovered his 'venture, he ordered his brother to tag along.
"Dohzou, you must stay close to me as my guard. The last thing we need is father getting angry at you after your last stunt." the rather stocky lord nodded over his shoulder to a slightly thinner, darker lion. His brother was a mere guard of no significant rank. As he was, the Duke had not progressed through the new Lord's recent changes to the way his father had the North House. Ranks were changed, promotions were restricted, and the Trials were done away with. After seeing his sister return with nothing, he realized that she had been gone for too long and came back with nothing. If his father was still in charge, things would have been vastly different for her.
"Talking to Uncle isn't a 'stunt', I was simply looking for advice. How was I suppose to know that he'd attack me?" Dohzou replied. Since he was a guard, he had came to his Uncle, a Major within the North House's military structure for advice for progressing through Xun's new rank order. Though, he was immediately attacked upon entering his den. "But, you're right. Can't let anything happen to you or else the Empress would get mad at me. And to be honest, I am more afraid of her right now."
Changing the subject, the white-silver Lord chuckled at the comment. "Yes, Empress Ting would have your hide if something were to happen to one of her Lords. Then she'd have to go through the task of replacing me and then teaching them her way of running the North."
"Has she taught you the way she wants the house to run?"
"No, not yet. Though, I look forward to meeting her privately for a meeting."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:31 am
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When the new couple came over to greet her, Ting Lan smiled and nodded. "My Lord and Lady," She replied. They deserved respect from the emperor and empress. "I'm certain you will rule the West with wisdom and intelligence." As did Ria's parents. But ideally even better. She didn't mean to hold their attention for too long, after all, the new couple might like to walk about and see their guests. It even seemed some outsiders had even come to visit!
So she relieved them of the the need to engage in a conversation with her with one last little smile before turning to look at her own husband. "Having fun?"
––
"Is thaaat..." Zisé blinked as she looked around through the crowd. Bo didn't really look with her, and kept his attention on the new lord and lady, even as the duchess stood up. "Hey, that's Chao!" She grinned, then remembered something. "Or Fuu." Right, he wasn't in Tianxia anymore. But she would probably always remember her brother by his proper name.
Or maybe not. She could get used to just Fuu. She knew better than to just shout at him to come over, but quite happily trotted over to see her brother, and whomever it was he was with. "Fuu! It's good to see you!" She smiled, happy that she found someone less boring than Bo to engage. Never one to dodge around anything, Zisé was also quick to greet the lioness. "Hi, I'm Amazilia." She supposed this was a situation where it was fine to give her proper name to an outsider, but still, it wasn't often the duchess got to use her other name. Maybe it'd be fun. "It's nice to meet you! Are you Fuu's wife?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:15 pm
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Ria and Alizeti moved from the Emperor and Empress, happy that they had come to the wedding, but also happy that they seemed content just being observers, and nothing more.
That was when Ria/Zhao noticed a decendent from the North. As the West's royal house would be known for their purple, the North was known for their reds, blacks, and pale grey coat colours. She decided to be bold and approach the two of them. With a small nod, she acknowledged them both. "Hello, you two," she said, her eyes resting on Xun'lin. "It is a pleasure to host you here while you visit."
Alizeti/Wailai was a little...well, he thought it was strange that they would come, and perhaps a bit unsettling. He had let Zahi have too much of his ear lately, and the old lion wasn't terribly trusting of anyone, not even those in the Central house. "Thank you for coming," he said after his wife spoke.
-------
Kahawia was so happy that he found Nyayo. Sure, she might have embarrassed herself, but it made it possible for him to find her, and away from her brother. "I did. It seems like you're having a lot of fun. Keeping an eye out for good stories to compose?"
-------
Miandui nodded to Ting Lan. "Yes. Its nice when its not your own wedding. And its not quite as spectacular as ours, which is even more relaxing. We're not the center of attention, and that's the best part..." And he dared to give her a little nuzzle, just a quick one!
--------
Akasha, the firey Royal Guard from hell, as Zahi viewed her, lurked near her son. There might be some replacements happening as the royals changed, and she was a tad worried about losing her job. She didn't want to speak, as her venomous ways could get her into even more trouble than she had to in the past. Ria was too much like her father, and probably wouldn't hesitate throwing her out if she dared to ruin this day.
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:38 pm
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"Mhmmm," Selene murmured when Uchanjaa answered quietly but honestly. She didn't know much about this pride either, even from Fuu's explanations from the very first day they met, she still felt lost. She didn't like it. She glanced back to Fuu in time to realize a lioness very like her mate was headed their way.
Her gaze stayed on the purple stranger and she put on a smile.
"Zisé!" he greeted his sister with a bright smile, practically jumping up to his feet now that someone was talking to them- someone he was very pleased to see. Fuu kept on smiling as he turned to look at Selene while his sister introduced herself. He was almost surprised to hear her common name when she introduced herself, but he'd been so busy focusing on the fact that this was a formal event and their Chinese names would be more common here now.
Selene hid her reluctance and got to her feet to meet Fuu's sister as he did, smiling as she introduced herself. Amazilia was so cheerful and though she found herself nodding to the question without hesitation, it surprised her to realize she was accepting of that particular label. Fuu hadn't been wrong to accuse her of selfishness. But that was a thought for another time.
"My name is Selene," she introduced herself, "It's nice to meet you, Amazilia."
Fuu was beaming as they got through formal introductions before he got an idea. Not a new idea, exactly, but perhaps another opinion on the thought.
"What would you think about giving Selene a Chinese name?" he asked, looking to his sister and happily talking about Selene as if she weren't there, "Maybe a bit strange but our marriage was part of an alliance. Maybe it'd help her feel more at home while we're here."
He thought it was a nice idea, he'd been thinking about it for a while but he didn't want to go just giving her one without seeing what his parents thought. They were busy and his sister's opinion was valuable enough.
Selene might have been annoyed Fuu was talking over her but she was thrown off by what he was saying. She looked back and forth between them, trying to look neutral.
*
Nyayo never stopped smiling at Kahawia, it was too exciting and she was glad he was here with her now. She was indeed having a lot of fun! Everybody should be. It was a shame all the nobles seemed so bent on being so formal.
"Absolutely," she answered brightly, "How often will I get to tell a story like this? If only something especially interesting would happen!"
It was a lovely story and she would find a way to tell it in the most interesting way regardless.. but who didn't love a twist?
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:31 am
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