|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:39 pm
Laertes stretched languidly, smiling at the lion who was relieving him of his post. He exchanged a few brief words with the other male and took off soon after towards the heart of the pride, a quick light trot an easy indicator of his mood. He usually got the best shift and he always got the feeling that he worked less hours than some of the others. Laertes figured it had been done purposefully, as a sign of deference regarding his coat. Such an odd pride… not that he was complaining, of course. He just wanted to have a task and feel useful so he certainly wasn’t going to complain just because they were not working him hard enough.
Ah, Elsinore. The purple lion took one quick glance at the beautiful mountain, decorated in the yellow tones of the mid-afternoon sun. The lion wasn’t in the mood for a play so he simply paced forward towards his den. A nap. Yes, that sounded like a wonderful idea.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:09 pm
 It had been several days since the birth of her second litter and Maua had found the time to get out of the den. As she was still dealing with the ramifications of said second litter she had set out today with the intentions of handling some 'normal' business so that she might get back into the swing of things.
She couldn't hide herself away from society forever, she still had her purple children to seek a future for after all..and it was for one of these purple children that Maua was out scouting for today - she'd heard of an unmatched but wonderfully purple male within the pride and decided to go and speak with him - if the descriptions she'd heard matched at all with the truth then well...perhaps she attempt to point Raziela in his direction...or even Pur upon her return.
And how lucky she was to come across what must be him just as she reached the dens slotted for the guards. "Good Afternoon" She greeted him as he approached and truly the descriptions had done him justice, he was indeed beautifully colored.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:42 pm
Laertes could always tell when he was being approached by a member of the nobility even if he wasn’t looking directly at them. It was the tone, the way they walked – as if being in Elsinore wasn’t clue enough. He, too, had started taking the little gestures and speech for himself as part of his Suka’Fumo education. In all honesty, he loved it.
This one was older, he concluded when his blue eyes brought her shape from the lion’s peripheral vision, but beautiful and graceful nonetheless even if Laertes thought he spotted some kind of unspecific weariness in her gait and expression. He didn’t remember her name but Laertes was quite certain he’d seen her around with a male. Ah well…
“It is indeed, my Lady.” He said pleasantly, his easy smile widening at once as he gave her a tiny bow of his head. He wasn’t sure if he should introduce himself or ask if he could help her with anything – both options sounded somewhat rude if the lovely lady wasn’t interested in giving her name in return or if she didn’t want anything other than polite conversion. But she had approached him so it was only polite to give his name somehow. “Laertes, at your service.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:00 pm
And he seemed polite or at least properly educated on how to behave as well as purple, of course Maua wanted many more things for the prospective mates of her daughters (and if they weren't about to go and look for said prospective mates then she surely would do so for them),but those two qualities did much to further this lions chances a being placed into the running. "Mwitu Maua," She introduced herself with a warm look.
"I don't believe we've had the chance to meet," She was positive in fact, she was quite sure she would have remembered a lion like him had he run across him before. Indeed if he had been born within the pride she likely would have already tried to foist one of her daughters off on him. They were close to the same age she judged, both her children and he being fairly young adults "Are you new to the Pride then?" She questioned politely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:56 pm
“Yes, I don’t believe we’ve had. Thankfully, the oversight is an easy one to rectify. It is my pleasure, Lady Maua.” He tried not to sound too eager. After all, he did suspect this lioness to be committed and it wouldn’t do well if he were to give Maua the impression that he was flirting with her.
“Somewhat, yes. I’ve arrived… not during the last full moon but the one before.” It would be a full moon tonight as well so that would make two moon cycles since he’d joined the Suka’Fumo. Interesting, the blue-eyed lion hadn’t really thought about it. “It is a wonderful pride.”
He truly meant that last part. It was a pride that had called to him, beckoned him to join and it was full of fun and life and diversity! It was definitely something worth treasuring, worth protecting with his life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:17 am
"Surely the pleasure is all mine" Maua purred at the purple lion in a pleasant tone casting a critical eye upon him - he certainly looked to be a healthy beast, well muscled like her own son Zamba something which spoke of a more robust career choice then most nobles tended to partake in.
Of course that wasn't surprising as she had been led to believe he was a guard...though a newer one. Certainly newer then the two cycles he claimed to have been in the pride. "Indeed it is, no better in all the land could be found" She agreed with a soft smile "My mate and I were born into the pride, there is no other place we would have preferred to raise our daughters." And here she paused to give him a considering look "They are about your age.." She said in a thoughtful tone, as though merely making an observation, though the way she watched him made it clear she was waiting for a reaction..or perhaps a clue as to his own marital status in the pride. If he was already taken there was really no point in pursuing him any further and no point in bringing up his status as a guard either, though being a guard was not to Maua's mind as notable as being a Noble it was still of high enough rank and his coat still so wondrously purple that it did not in itself exclude him from her search.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:52 am
The way Maua spoke gave Laertes the impression that she’d had an entire litter of females. That was not what struck him, of course. He was far more interested in the estimation of the lioness’ age that such information allowed him to attain.
“Lady Maua, I hope you do think it too forward of me but you look far too young to have children my age. Your mate is a lucky lion. I do believe I’ve seen him in passing.” She had a mate… Oh well. She seemed happily mated but at least she had daughters who might be just as pretty. He wasn’t really thinking of finding romance yet and it was even less interested in approaching a lioness whose mother he’d just met – wouldn't it be somewhat awkward? But he felt he needed to be polite just the same. “Should they ever require an escort of any kind, my den is always open to you. I live just below the twin rocks.” He lifted his head just a bit in the direction of his cozy den.
If he had known Maua’s thoughts, he’d probably start feeling somewhat trapped but as it were, the purple lion was perfectly convinced that this was nothing more than a friendly getting-to-know-the-neighbors sort of interaction. And escorting a pretty girl to a play or an errand in the commoner areas sounded potentially enjoyable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:17 pm
"Such kind words" Maua remarked with a slight laugh "And yet alas i do indeed have several daughters and one son who are now adults...and several more only days old" She told him...still it was rather nice to still be seen as 'young'. Not that Maua considered herself old..or even past her prime, she simply knew she wasn't 'young' anymore. Young lions spent their time at social events or pursuing mates...not raising cubs.
"I shall keep the offer in mind - surely it would put my mind at ease to have them escorted by a gentleman such as yourself, while most of the pride is well behaved I do believe there is some riff raff in the common lands and forests I would rather they not be accosted by" Besides it really was improper for her daughters to be wandering about alone all the time - people were going to start wondering if there was something wrong with them. "If I might ask - why did you decide to become a Guard? Surely you had your pick of positions within the pride"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:25 pm
Oh, this was a lot more information that Laertes had expected. So she also had a son (why had she only mentioned her daughters then…?), she had been blessed with another little recently and she seemed to be the kind of noble who openly despised the lower classes, something the purple lion had not yet grown accustomed to. And she knew he was a Guard. That, perhaps, was the most surprising thing he heard. He smiled when she called him a gentleman but it took some effort not to let it falter when she spoke of the lions below.
“Oh well, congratulations are in order then. I wish all the best to you and your family, Lady Maua.” Maybe all the nobles knew each other somehow… maybe it wasn’t that odd. it might be perfectly normal to take an interest in the new arrivals that joined the higher class. Or maybe she was trying to marry her daughters off… oh dear. That was something he didn’t really want to think about just yet so he clang the noble’s question as he would a lifesaver in a turbulent river. “I did, yes. I was given very kind and gracious advice and granted the title of Noble. But I’m afraid I was still somewhat… restless, unused to being idle. Perhaps some inner desire to prove myself worthy of the pride was involved, as well. I requested the change and I must admit, I do enjoy being representative of the pride, greeting the new-comers at the border and making sure that no troublemakers get inside.”
So, basically, no matter how elegantly he tried to put it, Laerte’s change in rank could be easily summarized: the purple lion was bored and he liked to work. Hopefully, she wouldn’t think too badly of him – but, then again, if she was trying to marry off one of her daughters to him, showing a few “flaws” might make her reconsider. Laertes was an easy-going lion. If there was one thing he disliked, it was feeling pressured.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:32 pm
"Many thanks of course, such congratulation's are well appreciated" Maua said kindly though she wondered briefly if he would offer such words had he known about Damisi, the common colored failure that had tainted her second litter. Somehow she thought he might - he had the sound of a lion that was much like Kivuli. Come to think of it the two lions would probably like one another - but Maua was not in the habit of setting up play dates for her husband.
"I see" She told him, tipping her head slightly to regard his coat "Well..I suppose there are worse reasons and worse choices to make" He could have run off into the rogue lands and mated with a mud colored beast and had horrible mud colored children....Like one of her daughters had. Yes there were certainly worse things he could have chosen to do. "A guard is a rank worth some note, though I think perhaps with a bit of creativity you might have found something worth doing as a noble" she admonished him, adding a gentle smile so that the words would not seem to harsh. "My sister chose much the same thing for much the same reasons, our parents would have been displeased but at least she is happy I suppose" She mused.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:31 pm
Laertes realized somewhat belatedly that – though he certainly could’ve phrased his thoughts in worse ways – he might’ve made it sound as if he was implying the nobles were a lazy bunch who did nothing all day. While the Lady didn’t seem to take offense, it wasn’t a very polite thing to say (or inadvertadly imply) so he reacted appropriately lowering his head just a bit while offering Maua an apologetic smile.
“You are right, of course, Lady Maua. But then again, perhaps I lacked someone with your extensive knowledge by my side when I made that decision.” Well, it wasn’t as if he couldn’t go back on it if he chose to. Actually, some seemed to be under the impression that his choice was had been a simple youthful fancy and that would soon grow tired of “real work”. And yet, he doubted he’d ever return to the Noble rank unless it was strictly necessary and it wasn’t just because of that childish wish to prove them all wrong.
“You sister…? I was under the impression that most of the Guards were male…” he spoke without really thinking, completely forgetting all the other ranks that lions graced with the noble color could take.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:34 pm
Maua laughed slightly "I'm sure there are many females in the noble rank would would be willing to leap at the chance of standing by your side good sir" With a coat his color and a clearly good personality honestly it really was surprising that he'd managed to stay single this long. Then again she wasn't entirely aware of his social life - for all she knew he could have many female suitors he was courting - though something in the way he'd phrased many of his responses made her somewhat doubt it.
"She became a nurse" Maua clarified with a slight laugh "I would not want to see her as a guard, but from all I'm told she's a good healer" Maua was just glad that none of her daughters had chosen to follow in their aunts footsteps, though in case of Nyota that would have been a step up to be sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:16 pm
“They must all be hiding, then.” Laertes chuckled because he actually pictured the pretty little noble girls hiding in the shadows every time he appeared. “Or perhaps my character is still being appraised… To be honest, I haven’t been to many social gatherings and my acquaintances are far too few. But thank you for your kindness, Lady Maua.”
He listened to her next words very carefully for they provided precious information regarding not only Maua’s sister but also the general view nobles had of the working tasks of the higher class – and that certainly concerned him.
“Ah, a nurse. Indeed , that does make more sense.” It was an interesting rank, that one. Lions graced with the noble color mingling with the middle class and the Groundlings. Laertes figured it took a special kind of lion to accept such a role in this pride. And apparently their parents wouldn’t have approved, which implied they were either deceased or had left the pride – one subject to avoid. It wasn’t something that he would tell Maua but Laertes got the distinct impression that nobles born in the pride suffered from a near crippling amount of pressure from their parents.
Guards, too, had to deal with the middle class on a daily basis as they were often expected to lead hunting parties but no one had asked that of Laertes. It was odd, but even within his rank, he still felt privileged.
“Well, it’s a good thing she is successful, then.” He said in the form of a conclusion mostly just to get a few words out and avoid the awkward silence that often fell upon two strangers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:52 am
Maua gave him an even smile "Well then..perhaps it is time you made yourself more known, surely a lion such as yourself does not wish to be alone" She remarked in a kindly fashion - no one after all enjoyed being lonely and she herself couldn't imagine life without Kivuli to share it with. Maua flicked her tail slightly already mentally scheming which daughter to send in his direction and how to go about it so that the big purple male would run off. Raziela perhaps - if she could get her daughter interested in a guard rather then a player she would consider that a very large step up indeed. But of course she wasn't about to share these thoughts with Laertes - to do so would only tip her hand.
"It is, she has not the temper to be a guard - far better for her to be healing hurts then receiving them because some brutish rogue decided to test his luck" She remarked before giving him a slight nod "But I have kept you too long already and surely you are tired after you shift, so i shall bid you farewell Guard Laertes...it was a pleasure to meet you"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:06 am
Laertes chuckled lightly but did not answer Maua’s remark. For a moment he wasn’t sure how to explain that while he was rather fond of being around other lions, he didn’t want to settle down with a mate just yet. Well, at least not in a way that wouldn’t make him sound immature in frot of the noble Lady who seemed so friendly and respectful.
“Worry not. No ill-intended rogues will ever get past me, Lady Maua. Or any of the pride’s Guards for that matter.” He tried to sound reassuring, figuring that as a mother of a recent litter the idea of fierce rogues crossing the border would be quite scary on Maua. “The pleasure was all mine, I assure you. But I, too, do not wish to keep you from your cubs. Again, my sincerest congratulations on the joyous occasion.” He nodded a little, waiting for the noble lady to depart before he, too, could return to the comfort of his den.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
