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Acenath was a happy thing, she had been most her life. She had never been alone as Akinyi had been with her since the day she was born. So she had grown up with someone to play with and talk to and so she had never felt sad nor lonely and now she had another friend. Zoran, who was going to stay here, at least she really hoped he would. He had said he would...

Today though she was going to introduce him to her father. Then he would have to make up his mind on whether he wanted to stay or not! She smiled as she walked along looking for Zoran, she was sure he wouldn't be far. Akinyi had mentioned seeing him.

"Zoran?"

She called out, flicking her tail behind her. Where was he? Well she was going to find him because whether he liked it or not he was going to meet her father!

Acenath smiled as she heard his voice and set off towards where it sounded like he was. She found him pretty quick and couldn't help but laugh.

"I didn't know you cared so much about your appearance!" She chuckled half wondering why he seemed to care so much about his fur when she had seen him sopping wet and well looking a mess.

"Come on stop being silly, you get to meet father today and he won't care much about what you look like either!" She chuckled wondering if that was why he cared so much. There wasn't much need for him to make a good impression though, Acenath was sure he could do nothing wrong.

When Acenath had asked her father to come meet this Zoran of hers, Muroki had naturally said yes. The Pharaoh adored his daughters as a father should. He and his queen Johari had raised them themselves. His ancestors may have given their cubs over to attendants and nannies and scribes... but in his Tuait'tekem, the rank Royal Nanny their aunt had once held was just a title given to honour her. Whenever they hadn't been busy, they'd been there as parents themselves.

He'd restrained himself from finding out if it had been Takasika or Matifu who had okayed the male staying in the pridelands. To find out what they thought of him. Muroki had the idea that this male might be, maybe, somewhat special to his golden daughter. He wanted to get a proper first impression of Zoran himself.

So he'd set aside some time to day to do so. The Pharaoh sat waiting by the temple lake steps, idly watching a small ibis look for food amongst the water flowers below.

Zoran of course complied, following Acenath. He didn't know that the golden princess had bent the rules for him. If he had, he would probably have been fretting more. A hair out of place was one thing, but rules were another. When the Pharaoh came into view Zoran wasn't sure weather to stand tall and put fourth as proper an appearance as he could, or appear small and meek. It didn't matter really, because the moment Acenath called out to her father, and bounded off, he tripped over his own front paws. Zoran righted himself mid stumble and stood there untill he noticed her running back towards him.

"I'm coming," Zoran replied, smiling over his embarrassment.

Acenath smiled and waited till they were both in front of her father. She had a stupid smile on her face and was sure her father would adore Zoran. After all who wouldn't? She had a friend, a good friend and he was good looking to which was always good. Acenath was happy even if she was breaking rules. Then again it was Ace and well, she tended to act before thinking.

"Father, this is Zoran, Zoran this is my father Muroki and kind of the pride." Acenath and looked from one to the other. She then turned to her father.

"I have told Zoran of the pride and bits of our history. I have also shown him around too." Her smile was a bit weaker then before this time. She was well aware that her father wasn't going to be overly pleased but she had made the effort! She had taught him some stuff. She had...

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Zoran and you are welcome here..." Muroki inclined his head just a fraction, schooling the frown off his face and replacing it with a smile. But he wanted to get this sorted. It was not a problem that needed long thought and the sooner done the better.

"However, I'm sorry but there's some divergence from the law of our land that I'd like to address before we get to know one another better. Acenath, you know that all newcomers whether they plan to simply stay here or join must be taken to meet vizier Matifu, high priest Takasika or myself as soon as possible so that we meet them and can help them integrate into the pride. You may have meant well and you may have started to teach Zoran about the pride but you have to be mindful of our rules."

"You broke the rules Acenath, Zoran has had more than enough time to 'catch his breath'. I not sure I like your attitude to this. We do need deal with this first of all because it would be unfair to do otheriwse. I try to be a fair ruler, you know that. I was going to overlook this so long as you arranged for Zoran to meet those he should have. It's not his fault after all. But now, maybe I shouldn't." Muroki raised and eyebrow and the frown returned. He loved his daughter but this was serious. Maybe not life or death but it would be unfair on all who upheld the rule if Acenath wasn't called on it.

"Considering you wanted me to meet him, you're making a bad first impression on his behalf with your behaviour."

Zoran was in between a rock and a hard place. He really thought he should say something in defense of Acenath, but didn't want to have the wrath of the Pharaoh upon him. His eyes darted from one or the other. He could understand where both were coming from. Rules were rules and they were meant to be obeyed. But Acenath was his friend...

Zorans ears twitched, and the furrow in his brow was obvious. What to do? What to say? He was half tempted to do a good impression of an ostrich and bury his head in the sand, but that wouldn't help matters at all.