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 Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:10 pm
At one point in time she had considered the weeping lion home, it was a peculiar thought to her now. It was so much quieter, with pride members afraid to approach, that it had now taken on a very ghastly quality. She saw new aspects in the face, disturbing things that took to her dreams. As the Zahama she had been personally spared many of the atrocities that had been occurring in the pride, but the things her mind created were more than enough to set her fur on edge. She could only hope they were overreaching the truth. Who knew the truth anymore? She could almost laugh at the thought. She had left her chambers open to any that wished to speak with her, though no one had come in. A pity, she thought, resting near the edge of the eye.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:37 pm
It had occurred to him that he had never spoken to her outside the presence of his grandfather. Even now, this meeting wouldn’t be without witnesses as he caught sight of great number of Ligi on his way. And they saw him as well. It wouldn’t be long until Sahen was informed of what Kafele was doing though the young lion doubted the ruler would attempt to interfere directly. He would most likely just ask questions later. The kind of question that always made Kafele feel terribly uncomfortable, threatened and, for some strange reason, guilty.
“Excuse me…” he started quietly, looking for the familiar bright yellow shape. He was somewhat apprehensive, unsure of how the Zahama would take his visit. Most suspected Sahen’s advisors despised him and what he’d done to the pride so Kafele couldn’t help but wonder if that revulsion would extend to the Shatkona’s grandchildren. “May I come in?”
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:45 pm
"Of course, my chambers are always open to those who seek me out," Saengdao said softly as she lifted her head to look at the visitor. A start came through her and for a moment she felt her face heat up. She could see him in this one. In the past she had been angry with them, but they were at no fault for their heritage. They deserved the same chance she gave to any other soul that happened to be born into the pride. It wasn't any fault of theirs if they had been indoctrinated. This one seemed to walk with a certain purpose though, hardly aggressive. "Young Lord," she said with a smile, pulling herself up to a seated position, "What brings you to my chambers?" It would do no good to have word go back to the Shatkona that she did not show some measure of strength.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:52 pm
He wasn’t quite sure what to make of her reaction so far. Her voice had sounded rather pleasant to his ears at first but the look she gave him was somewhat disconcerting – as if her eyes alone weren’t unsettling enough. He moved closer to the beautiful bright lioness but promptly sat down when she did even if there still a good distance between them.
“Lady Zahama.” He replied at her greeting, wondering if that was the proper way to respectfully address the Atmaja representative. He felt a bit like a silly cub in front of the older lioness, questioning his every thought and move.
“I’m not quite sure myself.” He said seriously. It was the most obvious question and he silently chastised himself for not coming up with an appropriate reply on his way up. He lowered his tone, one ear turning back as if to listen for any signs of activity behind him. “I suppose… I feel I should have come to you sooner. Not to… introduce myself – that has been done for us – but to… pay my respect? I believe that’s a good way of putting it. We live so close and you’re the representative of my House and yet I don’t believe I’ve ever spoken to you.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:01 am
She softened, her smile turning a bit sad as she watched him. So gentle, so unlike she had expected. "Do not feel as if you must be so formal," she told him, her tone turning motherly, "I am here for those who need me. What is on your mind?" It could be any number of things, with the status of the world. There was something refreshing about the thought of a young lord coming to pay his respects, Sahen had never indulged in it. He had never hidden his mistrust of his mother's advisers, but his fear of upsetting the balance kept it under control. She couldn't say she was happy with the situation, but it all felt temporary in the grand scheme of things.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:29 pm
If anyone else had asked that question, Kafele would’ve snorted. Loudly, most likely. But this was the Zahama he was talking to and he had the urge look composed and respectful in order to make a good impression on the older female.
“Things that cannot be said out loud.” He didn’t even bother to lower his voice this time and he even laughed a little. If anyone asked – well, if He asked – he would just say he had a little boyish crush on the bright lioness. She was quite beautiful so Kafele figured it was an easy enough lie to defend. “Would you mind if I took a look from the edge? It shouldn’t be much different from the Jaw but I’m a little curious.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:35 pm
Saengdao gestured forward, keeping her eyes on the male. "Go ahead, I often enjoy it myself," she told him, ensuring she wasn't in the way. He was peculiar to be so open, but she supposed his station gave him some greater degree of leniency than she herself was afforded. A shame from a political stance, the majority of the pride might trust Sahen more if he showed he held his own family to the same standards. But of course he would have to do that, and it might conflict with his ego. Still, there was some hope in the form of this younger generation, if they were all like this one. She didn't know, but she made a note to herself to investigate the matter further. Such knowledge might help to quell the fires in the hearts of Nandi and those like her. "Have you spent much time away from the jaw?" she asked cautiously, though the question alone was quite loaded.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:07 pm
“A little higher but not by much.” The red lion thought aloud as he neared the edge. He was about to ask a question but the thought escaped him when the Zahama spoke. It was a simple question for Kafele and he gave it little meaning. It just sounded like polite conversation to him. “Well, I suppose I have. My siblings and I spent a good part of our youth living with the other hunters before we were brought here. And lately, I’ve been assigned an escort so I do spend most of my time outside. Kayin, one of the Mwanasheria’sons. So I don’t have to sneak out anymore.”
He laughed a little, but there was no cheer in it. Sneaking off on his own had been far from a wise. Now he fully realized just how uncomfortable his presence was to the rest of the pride and how risky being alone could really be. So even now, even if he did have more freedom, he still stayed away from those who would fear and hate him. He had slowly come to realize he would never get his old life back.
“Mmm. A long time ago, lions used to come here, right? Would you see them from up here? Did many come?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:17 pm
"Many," she sighed as the image came to mind of lions gathering around the jaw to listen to the Queen, she and Indira at her side. There had been so much laughing, even when times were hard. No one laughed any more, not sincerely. His laugh had reminded her of that. "Sahen values his privacy, his safety," she said quickly, knowing that it was a false justification, "But once it was open to all, I try to keep my chamber the same but few will come here anymore." It was regrettable, the only interactions she had with those outside the privileged few were on her walks. Walks she knew were far from private. "I was much younger then, the world sparkled," she said with a soft laugh, "Everything was bright."
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:20 pm
“Mmm.” What could he say that?! How could express his thoughts in a way that wouldn’t compromise him to those who were (certainly) listening in on their conversation? Kafele had long learned how it was best to keep his mouth tightly shut instead of saying the wrong things. But the red lion had never truly mastered the art of twisting words and giving them a multitude of meanings despite the fact that so many around him seemed to be so very good at it. He made a somewhat pained expression as he searched for something he could say and visibly tensed when he failed to come up with anything that couldn’t be interpreted as bordering on open treason. At this point, he did not even trust the birds that flew past the opening. The world wasn’t bright any more, it was dark and full of spies.
Kafele sighed. He looked around with a closed expression as if looking for something to talk about when he realized something – or someone – was missing.
“You have a daughter, if I remember correctly...?” It was more of a much needed change in subject than actual curiosity but the young lion was somewhat happy to finally be able to get some words out. Honestly, if he wasn’t careful others might think he had a crush on the Zahama’s daughter – not that he cared really. “I trust everything is well with her?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:29 pm
For a moment her smile turned into a frown, worry lines appearing all over her face. "She is," she began, trying her best to regain her composure, "A complex and naive girl, she causes trouble just as all children do." Though in this case the trouble caused had much higher consequences than a small injury or a stern lecture. The stakes were high, Nandi would need to learn much more quickly. She still worried, each time she left her company. "You must know how they are," she said with a hollow laugh, "Having spent time with the hunters and your own siblings." To be honest she wasn't sure if there even were any cubs in the pride at this point, she never got close enough.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:03 pm
“Oh yes, I certainly know about that.” Kafele laughed, a gentle smile quickly replacing his somber demeanor. He was very fond of his cubhood memories.
“I was bit of a bully, now that I think about it. Always rough-housing, acting tough and boasting Atmaja pride while secretly running off to play with the Tama cub I considered my best friend. Thankfully, I grew out of it quickly enough.” Yes, he had been a bit on an idiot, hadn’t he? Kafele grinned, his typical mischievous grin. It was incredible how easily he let his guard down as soon as he began to trust someone, every single emotion blatantly written all over his face. His tone turned serious – as did his expression - and he lowered his voice. “Well, I hope she doesn’t get into serious trouble. But if I can do anything to help… though I doubt I have the power to actually influence anything.”
He hoped the Zahama’s daughter wasn’t in any real trouble (Saengdao did look worried)… and he should remember her name. Not knowing the names of all the Lords and Ladies was one thing but forgetting the name of the daughter of the Zahama was unacceptable. He’d ask his mother or his uncle about it later. He smiled a little and moved towards the exit. He had to admit to being a little happy. Sure, it was almost impossible to have an open conversation inside the Weeping Lion without resorting to obvious lies and subterfuges or running out of things to say but at least he hadn’t been received as the terrible spawn of a terrible ruler. Kafele was curious as to what kind of conversation they would’ve had had there been no one to eavesdrop on them.
“I won’t take any more of your time. It was nice to... meet you, Lady Zahama.” Perhaps it would be wise to ask his diplomatic uncle if that was the proper way to address the Zahama. For a future meeting, a prospect than didn’t scare him quite as much now.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 8:23 am
Saengdao nodded her head to him, a softened smile on her face. Though she worried about Nandi it bolstered her confidence a bit to know that not all of the lords and ladies supported Sahen's ways. She too wished they could have spoken in true private, but such a thing hardly existed anymore. "Young lord," she said when he finished, "I don't think I caught your name. I should like to know who visits my chamber, when so few ever do." In truth she had forgotten the specifics, washed away by the anxiety of other events.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:14 pm
Kafele paused, mildly surprised but trying not to show it. It was the second time in the last couple of days that he had to introduce himself. It was usually unnecessary but it did make happy do it.
Someone as wise as the Zahama would certainly abide by the old saying “Know your enemy”. The fact that she didn’t know his name might indicate she didn’t really see him as a potential threat and that gave him hope for their future relationship. But it also made him wonder if she was aware that he wasn’t just any lord but one of Sahen’s grandchildren. He decided to drop a hint, just in case the Atmaja representative hadn’t made that connection yet.
“Kafele, ma’am. Son of Amira.” He bowed his head respectfully and smiled a little before turning to leave. There was a rustle near the entrance that told them someone had been there listening in on them. Pretty close too… sneaky b*****d. Of course, by the time he’d left the Eye, there was no one in sight. Ligi… they were like pests creeping about and hiding in the crevices.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:20 pm
She nodded, her smile regaining it's motherly quality as she stood to watch him go. She had guessed his heritage from his pelt, the name had only confirmed her suspicions. At some point she knew she had been introduced to them, but at the time she had not taken note of the names. It was unlikely that any of them would be given much power under Sahen's control. Still, if any should she would hope they were much like this one. "Live kindly Lord Kafele," she said as he left, the message masked more than usual as she too heard the rustle. It was to be expected, they so loved to watch her lest she slip up.
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