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 Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:09 pm
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:23 pm
Now that his mane was growing in, it was time. He was an odd mixture of excitement and nervousness and a strange near-apathy. He'd gotten plenty of back-slaps and bawdy advice from older lions, but none of it had really done anything to be of any help. So he was now seeking out one of his sisters... either Parisa or Parvenah. He knew they'd listen sympathetically and probably be more likely to give him reasonable advice on how to approach girls outside the pride.
He was padding along the edge of the water, hoping to find one of them lounging in the cool shade nearby. Of course, his luck was such that there was no sign of them whatsoever. Sure, he could have asked one of his father's banu about his sisters, but he really was feeling very ruminative and wasn't wanting to let on to just anyone how he was feeling currently. So instead of truly searching them out, he merely kept walking along the soft soil beside the lake, not quite brooding but very much lost in his own thoughts.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:45 pm
She noticed the male near the edge of the lake but made no sound. It was, after all, the right of all males to choose whether they wanted to approach a female and start an interaction. She inspected him carefully, trying to figure out his ancestry and remember his reputation. One should never underestimate the power behind large groups of gossiping females but this time Mel realized that she knew nothing about this particular male. He was considerably younger than she was and his appearance indicated he was probably not even a Pad yet. Just a kid from a different – that is to say, younger – generation and not someone that mattered to her future.
And yet, even though she didn’t consider him a potential suitor in any possible way or form, the young adult stood a little more elegantly and took a few steps from her pleasant spot in shade so that her golden markings glimmered in the sun. She would wait only a few seconds to see if he would notice her and then simply walk away – Mel wasn’t, after all, in the habit of seeking out male friends.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 3:50 pm
Though distracted, his eyes caught the movement, of shadow separating from shadow and moving into the sunlight. It was the glint of gold that caught his mind's attention, however, and in a moment his eyes refocused on the older lioness. It didn't bother him that she was older than he, since he was at ease with females of all ages, thanks to his upbringing. His face broke into a friendly and genuine smile. "Greetings, Banu," he said easily, moving towards her at the same pace he'd been ambling along at. "Forgive me if I have intruded. "
He stopped at a polite distance, settling his haunches down onto the slightly mushy soil. He noticed her pretty markings and thought he'd seen others with similar coats in the pride. Likely she was pride-born, like he was, which pleased him unreasonably. A bit confused at his own reaction, he tamped down his attraction and added sincerely, "Do you mind if I sit here with you for a bit? If you don't desire the company, I can move on as well." He lifted one paw slightly in the very early stirrings of rising again, but did not lift his haunches from the ground, instead giving her an inquiring look. He'd rather the chance to sit and talk than continue wandering aimlessly on his own, but he'd never dream of bothering a banu with his presence if it wasn't wanted.
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:01 pm
Even though he was young – well, younger – the pale Pesar appeared to be very much at ease around a strange female. After thinking about it for a few moments, Mel decided that she liked that sort of confidence as it didn’t appear to be based on the aggressive dominance that some males tended to display in the same situation. She smiled in return, perhaps not as effusively because she didn't wish to appear too at ease around a stranger.
“It is no intrusion. Good afternoon.” She bowed her head, refraining on adding a title when she wasn’t sure about what it was exactly. It would be potentially grave mistake and one she really didn’t want to make even around a kind-looking male that reminded her of her father. “Your company is very much welcomed, there is no need to move.” She added, pleasantly her tone light.
The young adult’s green eyes rose to meet the yellow gaze of the pale lion for a few seconds before she looked away to watch the glimmering waters, slowly leaning back to sit. She had to fight back the urge to look at him curiously but Mel wouldn’t allow anyone to say that Pad Nywelle and his banu hadn’t given their daughters proper education. And he was younger so no one would think they were engaging in improper behavior... right? She wondered if he was going to introduce himself.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:10 pm
At least she wasn't stalking off in a huff, he reflected, though he wasn't entirely sure how she actually felt about him joining her. She was polite, to be sure, but she seemed to be keeping her thoughts and feelings to herself. He mulled on how best to get her seeing him as a person rather than as a rank. "I'm Pesar Faraji," he offered brightly, "but I'm going on my banu quest soon!" His voice, which had been deepening recently, suddenly squeaked on the last half of his introduction. So mortified was he that he actually slapped a paw to him muzzle, as if he could catch the words and stuff them back in.
Bad enough to have his voice break like that, but why-oh-why did he have to tell her so eagerly that he was going to be off hunting females? It just seemed so... boorish and insensitive! "Forgive me," he said immediately after removing his paw. "That sounded entirely too eager." He wilted a little and smiled weakly at her. "I'm actually still not sure how I feel about going out to find females. I mean, I'm excited, but... females are not for 'taking' or 'owning' or forcing to come home with me, at least according to my family." His easy sincerity had returned, though his eyes were turned out to the water pensively. "It's the start of being an adult, and it's a good thing," he said, pausing a little mournfully, "but how does one win a girl's heart?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:56 pm
“A pleasure, Pesar Faraji. I’m Mel’Tamu, daughter of Pad Nywelle.” Mel said pleasantly, finding the young lion’s enthusiasm adorable in some way. There was a tiny bit of regret deep inside her regarding the fact that she would never leave the lands of the Ukuucha’Wafalme but it wasn’t something that weighed heavily on her mind. On the contrary, Mel was perfectly comfortable in her banu role. “Oh, I understand why you’d be eager. To see new sights, have a few adventures… I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
The part regarding catching females did catch her a bit off guard. She wasn’t sure if this was something a Pesar should be telling a strange banu. There were boundaries to be respected when it came to talking with unclaimed banu, right? This was something he should be asking his mother, right?
“Well…” Mel started slowly, her head rising somewhat stiffly and her expression grew a little colder, detached. “My parents and my father’s beybanu both had long chats with my brothers before they left. They seem to share similar views regarding on capturing females.” Although her father had been a little naughty – as in, not entirely honest - when it came to bringing Mel’s mother to the pride, she had found out recently. But that was private information and Mel wouldn’t discuss it with a near stranger, no matter how nice he seemed. Still, she didn’t want to appear cold so she said to say something to the kid!
“If it were me, I would like honesty from the start but a lot of banu from the outside seem to be rather shocked by our ways at first.” She couldn’t really understand why though. “I’d look for someone who is strong as well as reliable.” But females were strange in the rogue lands so Mel didn’t really feel she could be of much help to the young lion.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:37 pm
He could tell he'd said something wrong, though he really wasn't sure exactly what. But the very suggestion of his parents talking to him about things made his face heat up, and he unconsciously became pulled in on himself in embarrassment. His head sunk between his shoulder blades, his ears folded, and his tail curled tight to his body. He scuffed a paw in the soft soil cubbishly. "Well... a boy doesn't always want to talk to his mom about... girls." He flashed a look at her with his head hung, then looked away again immediately, feeling awkward and foolish. Why was he sharing all this with her?! This was almost as bad as talking to his mother about it!
But what followed was indeed useful. "Honesty, hmm?" He turned his eyes back to her, his posture relaxing as he considered this. "I can do that easily," he mused aloud. "It does seem the most logical way to approach things." Plus he was used to telling the truth. His parents would have hung him by his hind claws if he'd gotten sassy and told lies just to get his way. Well, maybe not by his claws... but he'd have been in big trouble for sure!
He gazed at her attentively as she further advised him. In fact, this was probably more useful than one of his sisters helping him, since they'd likely tell him to find someone pretty or something. He nodded soberly, eyes solemn and respectful. "I appreciate you sharing your thoughts," he tried to sound grown up, and though the words were sincere, they also seemed stilted. Gazing at her so intently was making him aware of how pretty her face was, how bright her eyes were, and it was making it steadily more uncomfortable for him. Mixed feelings floated through him, some he couldn't put a name to at all, so strange and new. Maybe it was time to beat a hasty retreat? Or linger as long as he could beside the pretty lioness?
Time to change the subject, for sure! "Have you seen my sisters Parisa or Parvenah?" he inquired with more animation. "I was looking for them, but haven't found them. Perhaps you know them?" He thought it was a smooth transition, and felt relieved to have redirected the conversation to a safer topic that wasn't about finding a mate and how to charm her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:26 pm
Mel tilted her head, trying very hard not to sigh condescendingly but in the end she just had to smile. In all honesty, he seemed like a very nice and friendly kid even if she was still a little uncomfortable about discussing these matters with a (albeit younger) male. And she couldn’t pretend to know what it felt like to know that you had to leave your home soon, go to place without the order you knew all your life , a place where bigger lions and other creatures live and somehow find a nice and pleasant girl to bring back to the pride without getting baddly injured or even killed. Boys had it tough, too.
She was actually a happy when he seemed to sober up a bit and become a little more formal. Impressed even.
“Mmm. I’ve met a younger banu named Parvaneh once. Dark with pale markings similar to yours, Pesar Faraji. She’s the daughter of Pad Misiviluma. Is she your sister? I haven’t seen her today I’m afraid.” She made sure to remind him that his sister – and him by association – were younger than Mel and her siblings. She wasn’t sure why but it made her feel more comfortable keeping a distance this way.
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Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:48 pm
Ah yes, he'd forgotten the proper titles for his sisters. He gave her a sheepish look, of a boy caught doing something that wasn't exactly wrong, but frowned upon nonetheless. She was right to remind him of those manners he tended to go lax on when with his family. And she had done it so gently!
"Yes, Banu Parvaneh is my sister," he acknowledged meekly, accepting her relegating him as a younger member to be tutored in such manners. Perhaps it was time to take his leave of the pretty lioness. "Thank you for the information, Banu Mel'tamu," he said in a sober tone, falling back into the more stilted but genteel mannerisms of a 'grown-up'. He realized belatedly that he was leaving for this very purpose... to grow up and return an adult in his own right. It felt strange, reminding him once more of why he was looking for his sisters in the first place.
Somehow though this brief encounter had sated his desire to discuss the nearing excursion with them. Her words as well as her presence had given him more to think about. He once again desired to be alone to ponder, rather than reveal his personal insecurities to another female, family or not. He cleared his throat, uncertain of how to disentangle himself gracefully. "I thank you also for taking time to speak with me," he said, rising to all four paws, shifting his weight in a subtle indication of his discomfort, but otherwise holding up under his 'grown-up' attitude. "I will leave you to whatever you were doing before I interrupted." He bowed his head, white forelock falling into his eyes. But as he rose, he couldn't help giving her a boyish smile. "Perhaps I'll see you after I return. Good hunting to you, Banu Mel'Tamu." With that, he broke into a lope, continuing along the lake's undulating shore.
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Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:14 pm
“It was my pleasure, Pesar Faraji.” Mel said, perhaps a little too happy with herself. She liked that the conversation had been short – no risk of anyone getting any funny ideas about the two of them. And she she’d liked his reactions. The fact that he’d asked for advice and even looked a little nervous at times when speaking to her… it gave her a feeling of power and Mel would be lying if she said she didn’t like it.
“And good hunting to you as well.” Now whether she meant the hunting he’d have to do without the help of his mother and sisters or the search for a female to bring back to the pride… well, it was to tell what Mel was thinking behind that polite – somewhat coy - smile of hers.
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