|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 8:14 pm
Aali paced in small tight circles wearing a pattern in the grass with his large paws, he waited for his half brother. He could imagine that Faiz was occupied with his harem, a thought that made him think of his own. Not that he exactly had a harem, well he had two females as was expected, but that was hardly enough to befit his new station. He still couldn't believe that his father was really gone, the old lion had outlived all but one of his viziers and all of his harem.
Now Aali found himself the sultan, and he had no appointed vizier's, no emir, no sultana, and a rather tiny harem. Well he was about to try and solve as many of those problems as he could, he would choose a Sultana from his two lovely ladies. And if his brother would ever bother to join him perhaps they could find a way to solve his other issues. Aali trusted his half brother in every matter, though most thought him foolish for doing so, did he not fear that Faiz would try to take his place? But of course the idea was laughable, Faiz had no desire to ever upsurp anyone, a more loyal friend could not be found. No matter that their mothers had been different, they loved each other dearly.
Yet it was hard to remember how much he loved his half brother when his patience was being tried. He huffed sending a tuft of his wild black mane upward. He paused and glanced around his blue eyes hopeful, was his brother ever going to get here?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 26, 2009 8:37 pm
Faiz padded up to his brother, yawning in a very bored, undignified manner. He was thinner than Aali, and just a bit taller, traits he had gotten from his mother, along with his spots and coloring. A very laid-back lion, he usually had a tired look about him.
In fact, he had been having a perfectly good nap with his lovely 'Liua, when he had been awakened and summoned to his half-brother's side. Forever-hooded blue eyes considered the younger lion as he stopped in front of him and sat down with a thump.
"Sultan or no, I can still whip you," he said in greeting, yawning again before he leaned over to scratch at one ear.
"You know the two things I dislike most, 'Li, and that's being woken from naps and called away from my treasures. Whatcha need?" he asked, ending his short, half-hearted rant with a rather lopsided smile. In truth, he never really was one to be truly mad. Usually just annoyed or frustrated. And almost never with his little brother. Most of the other males would pay good females to see Faiz lose his temper. Like the moon blotting out the sun in the height of the day, it was a rare occurrence, though not unheard of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:37 pm
Aali relaxed as Faiz finally approached, his muscles uncoiled and he moved to nudge him. "Thank the seven sands you finally got here..." He chuckled and moved to sit down.
"Faiz you know I wouldn't pull you away from your harem without good reason, and it's good reason I need now brother...I find myself at a loss. I am Sultan in name only, but I have only two females in my harem. Treasures to be certain but I shall be the poorest of all our lineage if I do not quickly move to expand." Aali shook his head in frustration.
"I would have a favor of you brother..." He looked at him with sincere blue eyes that matched those of his half sibling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:50 pm
Faiz gave his brother a look that said he thought Aali was making a big deal about nothing.
"Aali, come on. You don't need my advice for that. Take a hunting party and bring back more females. It's not that difficult, Brother," he replied drolly, waving a paw a bit. He sat back a bit, watching his half-brother, intelligent blue eyes shining slightly from behind the mess of his mane that he kept flicked in his face. Faiz liked to be underestimated.
"What's the favor, 'Li?" he asked, tilting his head curiously to one side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:00 pm
"It's not so easy now brother, most of the males are gone in search of females for their own ceremonies. I am Sultan now to leave the pride...I would need to arrange an entire party for such a thing. I was thinking...of leaving the Sultana in charge, but is such a great trust wise? Can a female keep her sisters in order without a male there to ensure they don't do anything foolish?" He sighed and shook his head uncertainly.
"Still...there is another affair...the favor I ask of you. You know I have no cubs of my own yet Faiz, I was so foolish to think father would live forever, rule forever. I never understood in truth what it was to be an Emir, and yet you, you seemed to have understood perfectly. Brother would you be my Emir until such a time that I might be blessed with a son of my own?" Aali knew that Faiz wouldn't deny him, but he asked with sincerity and with full understanding of what the position entailed. While he had never taken the initiative and care he should have, he knew that his brother was the perfect heir.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:14 pm
If it had been anyone else, Faiz might have laughed. But this was his little brother. And he was sincerely troubled over this.
So the older lion simply smiled a bit, reaching out and patting Aali's shoulder.
"You shouldn't even have to ask that question. I'd be honored to be your Emir, though I still intend to be tried to remain Vizier. Never fear, Little Brother. You can always count on me," he replied, his deep voice full of the conviction reflected in his eyes. He sat back again and made a small face as he considered his brother's other statement.
"No, I don't think leaving the Sultana in charge is a wise decision. By rights, should you go hunting, I would have to remain behind as Emir, as well as the Viziers, to lead the pride. As your brother, I should go, but..." he pulled an annoyed face and shrugged a bit. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Yet another thing that Faiz really disliked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:20 pm
"You shall be my Vizier Faiz, I know it...and I know one other who is most certain to claim the spot. His reputation may be whispered, but I feel his advice will be needed often and no one would doubt his ability to control banu and kajira alike..." Aali shook his head before pulling his thoughts away from such a matter, the Vizier's would be picked as always through shows of intelligence and strength and loyalty.
"I have thought of it Faiz, we need all our current males to go out, the pride is only just regaining it's former size and glory. It is not good for us to be strangers to one another a hunt will unite us all again as brothers. I shall have to consider the matter with the utmost care..." He frowned, his heart wanted to trust in his Sultana and leave her in charge for the few days the hunt would take. Yet he remembered the lessons of the past, females could be so foolish when left to their own devices.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:33 pm
Faiz's pride swelled slightly at his brother's confidence in his abilities, though he did his best not to let it go to his head. He also had a felling who Aali was referring to in the other Vizier, and though he was uncertain over it, he wouldn't argue with his brother. It was neither his place, nor in his nature. His dislike for the other lion was simple enough, though he had little other knowledge about the lion. No doubt he would eventually learn.
Faiz slowly shook his head.
"It would be unwise to leave the females to their own will, Aali. I trust my treasures, but not that much. There is no telling what sort of mischief they'll get into without at least one or two supervising eyes upon them..." he explained slowly, rolling his eyes a bit. The gods knew his gems caused him enough grief to make lesser males mad, when they were in mischievous moods. But then, that was part of what Faiz loved about them. He oh so enjoyed variety and a merry chase now and again. Just as long as they didn't cause too much trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:15 pm
"Yes I suppose your right, we shall see, perhaps you could stay behind then brother? I hate to deprive you...who knows what beauty we might find on the horizon." He chuckled and sat back at ease now that his brother had helped lay some of his concerns to rest.
Slowly he sobered and looked at Faiz uncertainly. "Do you think I have what it takes? To be as good as father?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:32 pm
"You're the one in need of females, Little Brother. I am quite happy with my treasures at this point in time," he retorted, waving a paw slightly in an offhanded manner, dismissing it. Talking about his harem made him want to get back to them all the more. Perhaps a romp with his favorite little gem. She was probably quite upset over him spending time with 'Liua. He hated having to reassure her all the time. Sure, he liked them all, but damnit if he didn't have a favorite among them. It should have been quite obvious, but no. Someone had to be contrary and jealous all the time.
Faiz snorted lightly at his brother's change of topic, smirking a bit as he rolled his eyes.
"You've more chance than I ever had. You're smart and sensible, Aali, and you WANT to do a good job. Honest truth? I had no wish to be Sultan. I've never been the leader type, and I think Father saw that. You had just been born, so I doubt you'd remember, but when Father and I found out Almas had birthed a son..." The older lion paused there, the side of his mouth twitching upward in a small smile that had just a hint of self-disappointment. "Father didn't want to be relieved, but when he saw how much so I was... It was then that we both realized the other knew that I wasn't really cut-out for it. He grieved for your mother's passing, but we were both overjoyed that she had given you to us."
He tilted his head a bit to one side.
"Don't get me wrong. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean I'll shirk from my duties. Just know that I'll be the one celebrating the loudest when you have your own son," he added, his small smile turning into a full-fledged (if lopsided and somewhat sleepy-looking) grin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:39 pm
"I am in sore need of some jewels of my own, but you know how I love to have time with both my lovely ladies...with all my new duties I just hope to have enough time to pay proper attention to each female. You never seem to have trouble juggling your girls." Aali laughed and shook his head amused as ever by his brother, Faiz was certainly a charmer.
"I am grateful for your words brother, they mean more to me now that father is gone. Having you at my back is my greatest consolation, I only wish to do the very best for the pride...and right now that means a raid."
Aali stood and shook off his black mane billowing, he was much larger then Faiz, his muscles made him a bulky lion to contend with. Still despite his harsh appearance his eyes were not icy, they were open and friendly with all who approached him with good intent.
"I ought to let you get back to your lovely ladies I suppose?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:45 pm
Faiz chuckled a bit and a gleam found its way into his eyes.
"I think you should. All this talk of heirs and children is making me wonder why I don't have any of my own just yet." His grin turned slightly feral as he spoke. He stood and reached out to cuff his brother lightly under the chin with the back of his paw.
"If you don't have need for me anymore, I think I might track down my wayward Bey and see if she's interested in playing nice with me today," he answered, tilting his head a bit and giving his brother a questioning look.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:58 pm
Aali smirked and shook his head "It's a miracle you haven't managed a dozen cubs with the way you romp brother." He grinned and pawed at the older male playfully, his mood lightened considerably.
"And If your dear Bey won't play nice I'm sure one of your banu will..." He laughed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 10:02 pm
"One day, Brother. I'm quite sure a dozen will just be the beginning," Faiz chuckled as he started walking away.
He paused though, glancing over his shoulder.
"That's why I love my harem. So much lovely variety in my precious gems," he grinned there, winking lazily. "I never get bored."
And with that, he walked off, in search of another, much more fun way of passing his time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:13 pm
"I'm certain Faiz...enjoy the rest of your evening, and thank you for your time brother." Aali streached and turned heading back to his own den to see how his two lovely ladies were doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
