Aisling was nervous. Not because she feared her father. She admired him, loved him as a daughter loved a father. But she was nervous of what he might think of what she wanted to do. It wasn't just a...a 'one night thing', exactly. There was a purpose behind what she wanted to do. She was glad to see him without her mother as she approached the 'camp' with her kill. She could talk with him before they all ate, than. She watched as Seascann turned his head from where he was watching the horizon, blue eyes meeting her pale violet. She placed the dead antelope down a lion-length from him and cleared her throat.
“Father...I want to speak with you on something. It's...it's very important.” It wasn't often she had trouble with her words, and Seascann noticed her stumble. The once-warrior king frowned and stepped over to her.
“What is it, Aisling? What troubles you?” She took a deep breath, black ears going back.
“I met someone while hunting, Father.” Seascann raised a brow, a motion that urged her to continue. “He was a Seer as well, Father. But...his powers were much more active than my own.” She looked to the ground, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “His powers surface not only during dreams...but when he touches another creature as well. And...” She looked back up at her father. “The visions do not come when he touches me. I know he is sincere, Father. I've heard his name in my visions, and it is not a name that brings bad feelings. And he showed none of the signs of lying that I was trained to see.” Seascann listened to her carefully, then nodded.
“Do they wish to travel with us? Or is there something else, Aisling?” The black lioness nodded.
“It is something else. Father...the pride he is from needs new blood. He asked if I would bear his cubs, since he can touch me without visions coming. It is something I would like to do...but I do not want to worry you and the others.” Aisling watched as Seascann frowned, obviously not approving.
“Why do you want to do this? For a stranger, nonetheless.” She knew he'd ask that. That he wouldn't quite understand. Not like her mother would.
“For the same reason Mother bore my brother and I. Not exactly the same reason...but along the same lines. It's something larger than myself, a contribution to a place that needs new blood.” Seascann studied her a moment, weighing her words.
“You are very sure of this. Why?” Aisling smiled slightly.
“Because. Not all things follow the logic of the mind, Father. Some things follow logic of the heart. This...is one of those cases.” She stepped forward to nudge his shoulder with her nose. “I can fight, if things go wrong, Father. You and Lochrann and Laoch taught me well. And I know Mar will watch over me. I may not be of the Blood, but I am still of his Clan.” Seascann sighed and moved to nuzzle her.
“I worry, child. You may not be of my blood, but you are still my daughter. And I know your mother would be as brokenhearted as I if something happened to you.” Aisling nodded.
“I know. I will be fine, Father. You have my word, as a scion of the Clan of Mar.” He still looked nervous, but nodded.
“You won't be able to travel with us while pregnant if the cubs will be going to his pride, so...we will talk with the others. Someone will stay with you to keep you company and help protect you.” Aisling nodded.
“Alright. And when this is done, and any cubs that stay with me are old enough, I shall meet up with you again.” Seascann nuzzled her protectively.
“You shall be missed. And if anything happens to you and whoever stays with you...I will hunt down whoever harmed you, and teach them the mistake of harming the Clan of Mar.” Aisling sighed, giving her father an exasperated look.
“Yes, Father. Don't go on the warpath unnecessarily, however.” Seascann chuckled and gave her a half-smile.
“Of course. I may be a warrior, but a good warrior knows when to use his head.” Aisling had remembered his stories of growing up, how he had not been the heir originally. She cuddled up to her father a moment.
“I will miss you all while I am gone.” The once-king enjoyed his daughter's affection for the moment, nodding.
“You will certainly be missed. You and that brand of wisdom you share with your mother.” Aisling giggled.
“We are alike, aren't we?” Seascann nodded.
“You two are very alike. It's why you took her place as banbharún when she became my mate officially. And you did well before...before the Bati'vichwa came.” The black lioness closed her eyes, mourning a moment.
“I should have Seen them...I should have Seen them, and warned everyone.” Seascann sighed, shaking his large head.
“It would not have helped much, child. They'd been preparing...they knew us, and knew how to strike at us. Tearmann will live again, someday. But for now...the Clan of Mar lives, and thus hope lives. Perhaps, one day, Mar will be born to us once more, and the Bati'vichwa crushed.” Aisling smiled ruefully, but nodded.
“Perhaps.” He would not come from her, she knew. Despite being part of the Clan, she was not related by blood. Seascann groomed the top of her head.
“The others should be back soon. You can talk with Laoch and your mother, and...” He thought. “We can ask Rohodamu to stay with you. She's used to finding her way back to people after they've moved on.” Aisling perked and nodded.
Yes.” She rather admired the Dragan. Rohodamu was good company as well, all smiles and dance and song. “Thank you, Father...for understanding.” Seascann nodded.
“You're welcome.”
