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 Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:01 pm
Queen Alcmene was not yet back to full health and she was already tired out from the evening spent clearing the names of each of the Ilanga'Izwe lions and welcoming them to the pride. She was not alone as she walked, though she was surprised she'd managed to shake Fafnir. Thoth, one of the guards and an uncle of the queen, trailed nearby- though he gave her plenty of space. He seemed intent on being on duty every moment until Nyota and Ally were well again. Alcmene was privately glad to have him there.
But she was not just out for a stroll after all the things that had already happened that night. She was looking for someone- Nkosazana. So much had happened lately, she wasn't sure how Nko would feel about leaving now.. or if she thought perhaps the queen had forgotten about giving her permission. But Ally had not forgotten.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:25 pm
 (Oh yes, Nko found herself a familiar too. XD Useful for long distance scouting.) Nkosazana was lounging that night. She'd just finished a nice meal brought to her by one of the hunters. Now she was laying and watching the moon rise. The last several weeks had been rough on the red lioness. The guards patrolling the border had been tense. It was almost as though they were waiting for an attack. With the queen injured, it could be likely.
With news that Alcmene was on the mend, Nko felt able to relax just slightly. A quiet dinner by herself was just what she'd ordered. Now that the lions had been cleared and joined the ranks, it meant it was a full moon. A full moon. This was when Alcmene had asked she wait until. Nko watched the moon. Was it really a good time? She wasn't sure.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:41 pm
A grunt from the purple lion trailing behind her alerted Alcmene to the fact the lioness they were looking for was nearby- and a quick glance around was enough to verify. She was relaxing, it didn't really look like she anticipated leaving tonight. She had said she would come to her, hadn't she? But then.. a lot had happened since they made their original plans.
It was slow going but Alcmene was shortly within earshot and she cleared her throat to announce her presence before speaking up.
"Nkosazana," she called, wearing a small smile.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:14 pm
Nko started as someone cleared their throat. For a moment she was irritated. Who would be bothering me at this time? She'd done her patrol around the borders today. A cheep from a nearby tree warned her. She turned her head just in time to see Alcmene coming toward her. Oh!
Frantically, Nko scrambled to her feet. "Queen Alcmene!" For a wild moment thoughts flashed through her head of things gone wrong. Calmness asserted itself quickly after. Alcmene wouldn't be out here with only one guard if something was wrong. Her eyes glanced toward the lion trailing behind.
"It is good to see you up and about. Is there something I can help you with?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:26 pm
"It's good to be up and about," Ally responded with a pleasant smile. She stopped when she was a reasonable distance from Nko and, rather than standing as would be more proper, she did take a seat- it was easier for her.
"No, there's nothing I need but I thought you might still like to go out in search of a mate tonight still," she said, "I didn't want you to think I had forgotten."
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:35 pm
Nko politely sat when the queen did, so she wouldn't feel the need to stand or have Nko tower above her. "It is good to see you around." She ducked her head shyly. "You had me worried for a time there."
She smiled at the queen's words. "Queen Alcmene, I knew you had not forgotten. There was simply far more pressing matters to be attended to. First most was your health. The second was the other lions trying to join." Nko took a deep breath. "My search can certainly wait awhile longer if needed. I do not want to deprive you of a guard when you might need them most."
Nko had been spending a lot of time thinking about it since the attack. If the choice came between guarding the pride or finding that perfect mate among the rogues, Nkosazana knew she'd stay and protect.That answer had come to her after many long and painful nights of soul searching.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:48 am
"I think we can trust the remaining Ilanga lions," she said, though the dedication and concern was admirable. The guards had been very good since the attack, probably in part due to the hit they suffered with Nyota's injury. Thoth was certainly taking his job very seriously now.
"When the pride first came here, we remained paranoid for some time," Ally said, speaking on history she had learned, not experienced, "I don't want that to happen again. We can feel safe here, the guards all do a marvelous job."
Nko was one of the guards, she did a good job too. She was still new to the pride and the profession but she was talented- and she was still young. If she desired a family, she ought to pursue it.
"You can decide when you'd like to leave but the moon will start to wane again after tonight."
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Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:50 pm
Nkosazana wondered privately if the queen was perhaps letting the Ilanga lions off too easily. It wouldn't be too hard to hide their intent from the pride lions would it? She glanced up, Could they hide evil intentions from the Great Lion? A brief prayer went up in hopes that they could not. She could also see why Ally didn't want the pride to become overly suspicious of new members.
"As you say Queen Alcmene. Being too un-trusting is as bad as being too trusting. At some point we must let go and trust." She nodded, accepting her queen's opinion. After all, it was Ally's life and that of her subjects on the line should she misplace her trust. Nko knew she had a better chance of survival from a traitorous attack if she were out looking for a mate.
"Indeed it will, Queen. I will begin my preparations tonight and depart within a couple of days at most. I humbly thank you for your wisdom and support." She gave a low bow to the dark lioness.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 11:54 am
Alcmene nodded, smiling at Nko when she finally decided on her plans for her departure. The sooner she left the better, it wasn't ideal that she would not be leaving tonight but the cause of the delay was unexpected and couldn't be helped.
"All right," she said, pushing herself up to her feet, somewhat shakily, "Make sure that at least Baba'Nyota finds out when you've gone. He'll make sure we know."
That was all that needed to be said now and she was rather looking forward to resting again. She glanced back to where Thoth was waiting, before looking back at Nko to take her leave.
"Have a good night, Nkosazana," she said, and then she turned to go back to rest for the remainder of the night.
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:58 pm
Nko felt a surge of confidence. She would go out and hunt down the best male she could find. He would provide her with wonderful cubs and the start of a great family line. How she could be sure of this, Nko couldn't say, but she wasn't going to accept failure.
"Baba'Nyota will be informed before my departure." She nodded, then in a great act of daring and compassion, she lightly rubbed her muzzle against Alcmene. Being careful to avoid any of her injuries. "Take care my Queen," the rusty colored lioness murmured softly.
She stood still for a moment after the queen left. Collecting her thoughts and staring unseeingly at the risen moon. It was time. There was much to be done before Nko felt she could safely depart. Decision made the lioness burst into a flurry of action.
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