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 Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:20 pm
The trek to the pride had been long and hard, especially on the older male. He had to stop many times to rest when the younger ones could have easily continued. He could hunt but it was clear his old bones were hardly up to the challenge if they didn't have to be.
Now in the pride he was making up for his lost rest. He was laying down near his den panting despite the cool weather and looking out his land with his tired red eyes. He had offered his den up to Aekea. The other could make her own in the pride. They would welcome her with open arms. They needed the new blood. Closing his eyes he enjoyed the sun thinking about the trip and the young lioness he'd taken with him. Aekea certainly proved herself as a strong huntress and a brave lion. He enjoyed her company and was glad she'd decided to join him.
During the trip to the pride, Aekea had overcome the stutter, for the most part, and grown into quite a lioness. She'd put on the muscle from hunting, her mind was sharpened quite a bit from learning the ways of the pride. Right now, Aekea was dragging a gazelle back with her to store away in their den until they got hungry. The lioness knew that Kafele was tired, still, from their journey. Getting to the den and dragging it in despite him being in the entrance, she stashed the gazelle in a corner and moved back out to lay next to him, headbutting him in that affectionate way of her. "Hey, Kafele... St-till worn out-t?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:28 pm
His ears flicked toward her when he heard the sound of something dragging across the dirt. He opened his eyes closing them a few times before the sleepy look cleared. He hardly shifted as she pulled the gazelle passed him. When she came back with the affection he returned it gladly and rubbed against her front leg. "I'm getting better..." He said with a smile. "I just love the sun. I see you were hunting. Did it go well?"
The orange lioness laughed when he nuzzled up to her leg and then snorted. "Old man," it was affectionate, that was for sure. Her tone was teasing and light as she spoke, moving to chew on his ear and tug a few times. Her tail flicked against his and then she nodded to his question. She looked up to the sun and squinted a bit. "Yeah.. I lov-ved the sun... Feels nice after a -ccold spell. Or when your just-t want-ting to bathe in it-t." Aekea stretched out again, flopping onto her side and then closed her eyes against the rays. "Kafele... It's small here.. I like this pride..." It was so much smaller than the one she came from; not as much to remember.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:35 pm
He smirked at her and yawned stretching himself out. When she nibbled on his ear he let out light growl. He didn't mean it. "It does... Oh? I'm glad to hear that. You've been doing wonderfully here. I'm glad you like it." He pushed himself up, stretching. "Walk with me?"
She practically beamed when he spoke to her and complimented her. With a nod, Aekea got back up and then gave a light noise. "I will! W-where are we going?" She asked, looking at him expectantly, like she had since day one that he said he was going to bring her with him. Even to this day, she acted like a cub whenever he said the were going somewhere.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:49 pm
He gazed down at her with his soft eyes and continued on. His joints were sore but he was making good speed today. A long resting period had helped him. "To a nice cool pool of water." He responded then gazed back at his den. "I wish to talk to you about something."
Uh-oh. He had to talk to her? That made her ears droop a bit, but she still followed him. She saw he was walking quicker than usual, and that made Aekea smile a bit more. No matter what made her smile, she couldn't help but feel that knot in her stomach of nerves. Why did she feel like she was going to get in trouble? With a flick of her tail, she took a deep breath and spoke: "W-what... what do you w-want to talk.. about-t?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:31 pm
Kafele arched his back letting his spine crack and gave a light purr. That felt good. He made his way to the pride watering hole and paused. She sounded nervous and raised an eyebrow. She looked like she'd just gotten in trouble. He chuckled, "I wanted to tell you I enjoy your company... I had a mate once. She was taken by illness but our arrangement was ...well just that, an arrangement. It was... not for companionship or happiness. Neither of us were. But I'm very content with you. I know you can move into your own den...but I would enjoy it if you stayed with me."
As he spoke, her eyes went half mast with sadness. Aekea hadn't known he'd had a mate before. But when he said she'd died, well... she felt even worse. But it wasn't for companionship or happiness? What was it for? Then he dropped the bomb and she blinked and turned her head to look at him, brows knitting together. "I... wasn't p-planning.... on l-leaving," she said, her voice quiet. Aekea didn't really understand what he was saying.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:41 pm
He didn't expect to see such a sad look from her. He frowns slightly and coughs slightly. "Well that's good..." He responds shifting slightly. He makes his way to the water. "But... perhaps you do not understand. I ... would like you to stay with me... as more then just a denmate."
More.. than a den mate. Aekea's eyes went wide and then she flushed a little bit. "A-as.... mates..?" She asked, stopping in her tracks as she stared at him. She would actually have a mate if the answer was favorable. "You... you want to be m-my mate..? C-cause...." She liked him, and to anyone else it was obvious, but she didn't know if he knew it. Aekea wouldn't say the words, but the look she gave him should say it all.
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:01 am
He turned toward her with a small hesitation. He probably should have waited until they were together longer. She would probably prefer a younger more spry male. He paused before bowing his head in a nod. "Yes. That is... if you'd like to. I know I'm not..as young as I used to be and you have plenty of life before you. I would hate to take that away from you."
No, he wasn't young and wasn't lively, but that was alright with her. He'd provided her with a new family, new hope that she could have cubs and not have them separated from her at some point. Sure, they would go off to train, but they wouldn't be looked down upon because they were dark. If they got dark cubs. Look at her, getting ahead of herself already. Aekea blinked again and flushed, the pink mixing with the orange to create an odd color. She nodded and gave a happy smile before speaking again. "I-I want it-t," she said, moving closer to him, placing her head against his without the headbutt that usually went with this movement. "Ag-ge... doesn't b-bother me... Y-you should kn-now that."
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:22 am
The old lion waited with baited breath. Hoping her answer would be yes. He shifted where he was watching her think and consider his offer. When she smiled he felt his entire body relax. He closed his eyes and rubbed his head against her's in return. "I'm glad to hear that. I happily welcome you as my mate."
She tilted her head up and tapped his nose with her own with a little laugh. She was bubbling inside, but tried to remain calm. Aekea moved then and rubbed up against his side, all the way to his rump and then turned around, repeating it until she put her own head under his chin, a loud purr coming from her throat as those blue-lilac eyes closed. She couldn't have asked for a better talk! There she was, all a bundle of nerves when she had absolutely nothing to be scared of. When Aekea came to the pride, marriage was explained to her, but she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do now, considering she didn't have parents here. Was there a ceremony? Did they have to go before the King? She voiced these opinions now. "What-t do we d-do? Go... t-to the King? A c-ceremony?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:27 am
He watched her as she went along him, shivering. It'd been a long long time since he'd been the object of someone's affection. He and his wife weren't close. Moments like these were few and far between. He closed his eyes listening to her purr then looked down at the younger lioness. "Yes... We go see the king. I'm not sure this instance has happened before. He will decide if we can wed."
Aekea's chest gave a hard thump. They might not be able to wed? She hadn't planned on that. With a nervous nod, she cocked her mouth and her face took on an odd expression. But, the King would know what was best for his pride. Surly he'd see that the two were going to provide cubs for the pride, in the future. Aekea still wanted to settle into her roll, learning the ways of being a Lady. She needed to talk to some of the women in the pride now that she was actually here and Kafele was taken care of. Her ears flicked, lost in thought, she simply stood and stared ahead of her as she continued to think. Maybe she should go tomorrow, early, and find a Lady so she could shadow them, see what they do. Aekea could aquire that position, if the King saw her fit enough too.
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