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 Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:41 pm
 There was a change in the air. One of those imperceptible things that nonetheless has great impact upon the world. Uchanjaa, being a sensible lion, supposed it was merely part of being a father, watching his children grow older and mature until they were walking their own paths, and not necessarily the ones he would have chosen for them. It was nervewracking, especially when he noticed his daughters talking to males who were not their brothers. Suddenly he had an idea of how Kibi's parents may have felt, watching the two of them fall in love.
Suffice to say, it was an unpleasant feeling.
Thus it was as Uchanjaa was heading for the border in the grey light of predawn, ready to take his stint as a Guard.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:10 pm
The king wasn't sure he felt comfortable with this plan, he knew that shortly before being relieved of his job keeping an eye on the growing Selene, Uchanjaa had cubs. And they weren't quite independent yet. But if there was anybody he trusted for this, it was Uchanjaa. He would have liked to trust his friend, after all, Badiri knew the way to the Tianxia. But Badiri was also Mazin's father and had been strange for a long while now. He couldn't be sent away with Selene and Fuu. In fact, all of Mazin's family was out and there were a lot of them in the guard.
It was easy to spot Uchanjaa, he wasn't far off a starting route for patrol. And, of course, he knew he'd be around here- he'd already spoken to Nyota, who had no immediate suggestions to make for who to ask.
"Uchanjaa," he called, picking up the pace so he could catch up with the guard before he got much farther away.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:28 pm
It wasn't a voice the brown lion heard every day. Nevertheless, he instantly recognized that it belonged to Thoth, King of the Mwezi'Johari. Of course he stopped and turned to greet the older lion.
"Sir. What can I do for you today?" All of a sudden, that hint of change in the air seemed more frightening than it had mere moments ago. Uchanjaa couldn't think of any reason why Thoth would want to talk to him all of a sudden. Unless...no, Selene couldn't be pregnant already...could she?
If so, he could say goodbye to any time with his own kids for the next year or so. Wasn't there anyone else in the Guard who could be trusted?
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 4:39 pm
Thoth thought he could see anxiety in Uchanjaa's eyes but he hoped he was imagining it. Of course, it seemed very recent, even after a second grown litter, that Thoth had been part of the decision to make him royal nanny. This wasn't that bad, right? It was only a trip.
"Uchanjaa, I wanted to talk to you about a possible assignment," he said, starting carefully. He didn't want to have to force Uchanjaa to chaperone this little adventure and he might not if it came to it.. but he would be happier if he was there with them.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:47 pm
Yep, he could well imagine that Thoth had an assignment for him. It wasn't entirely surprisng, given the assignment he'd finished not so many moons before.
"What sort of assignment is it?" he asked carefully, nervous of what the King might have in store. It was nice that he was being asked, instead of commanded. But the last time he'd been "asked" it had been in such a way that he really hadn't been able to say no. The brown lion had the uneasy feeling that that was about to happen again.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:13 pm
"Selene and Fuu have decided to visit the Tianxia, where Fuu came from," he said simply, though his expression revealed that he was not entirely fond of this idea despite his apparent support, "They need a guard or two to accompany them and help keep them safe."
Thoth continued carefully. Though his request was now apparent, it was better not to force Uchanjaa to guess or verify what it was. Besides, there was an important probable hindrance.
"I know that you have a young family but I also know they are near the time to join their own class," he said, decidedly implying only that he would not be an absolutely necessary presence in his family instead of attempting to sympathize with the father of slaves. He knew what it was like, though Amalthea had been in another situation. His cubs ought to be prepared, not crushed.
"I would like you to go with them."
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:19 pm
Well. That wasn't pregnancy. Yet. It was truly only a matter of time until that happened though. The two were under a fair amount of public and probably private pressure as well on the subject. Still, a journey to Tianxia? The brown lion only had a vague idea of the direction it was from the Mwezi'Johari, not even how far it was or how long they would be there.
"I had hoped to be here when my children took their places in their class," Uchanjaa replied carefully. It hurt a bit, that Thoth was proposing he miss this momentous event. Not to mention that the brown lion was a homebody at heart and not inclined to travel, especially not after he, Nko, Kibi and the others had traveled so far to reach the pride at last.
"Are there no others who can be sent?" he asked, a plaintive note creeping into his voice.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:28 pm
"I imagine they will be ready as quickly as we are to let Selene and Fuu depart," he said with equal caution but also with an obvious measure of pressure, "We can't have them just disappear into the night and certainly not until a full moon, that will give you time to prepare."
He wasn't an expert on judging when it was appropriate for cubs to take their proper places, even after all the cubs he had had.. and he certainly wasn't positive on what stage Uchanjaa's children were at. But he knew he wasn't wrong to say that their welcoming ceremony into the low class might fall on the best night for the visit to the Tianxia to begin.
"With any luck, you won't miss the ceremony for your children," he said, "There is no other guard I'd trust more with this task."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 5:38 am
The brown lion nodded absently. He supposed that, on the overall scheme of things, the Heiress and her mate were much more important than a litter of slaves. Still, despite his duty to Selene, how could his own kids not come first in his own mind and heart? It was a hard thing, to acquiesce to Thoth and potentially give up this important event, but he had his duty.
It was interesting that the King should mention trustworthiness. Oh, Uchanjaa knew there were some fascinating social issues going on in the pride right now, but he didn't approve of gossip and so was much less informed than most other pride members. But it sounded like there were a lot of Guards that couldn't be used for this escort duty for one reason or another.
Sighing, Uchanjaa finally replied. "Very well, I'll do it. But I do have one small favor to ask," and here he gave a crooked smile. "Will you or Khathelela please explain this to Kibi?" If he was going to do this, the least they could do was keep his mate from biting his head off when she found out.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:49 pm
He knew it was a lot to ask of a family man but the trip would not be too long and he was the most appropriate and trustworthy choice of guards. Selene had been reluctant to accept the suggestion but had given in when it was implied they must take a guard or they could not go.
"Of course," he agreed very easily to the request, family politics were something special and if he thought it might be best for one of them to explain the situation to his mate then he would oblige, "Perhaps the queen would be a better choice, she will be able to judge if your children will be ready for their ceremony the night before you depart."
That would be terribly convenient.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:38 pm
"I bow to your judgement on the subject," Uchanjaa replied neutrally. Was the King actually implying that they might hold the ceremony early in order to ensure that he would accompany Selene and Fuu to the Tianxia?
Maybe he was just being overly suspicious. After all, this wasn't anywhere near the top of his preferred duties. Witness how long it had taken Thoth to get him to agree today?
"If that is all, I should get on to my duties for the day," he added at last.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:44 pm
Not long after he said it, Thoth recognized the shady side of his suggesting that Uchanjaa's cubs might already be old enough to join their proper class. He didn't let it bother him, though. He and Lela were pretty good about following the rules, though they privately knew it wasn't something that was true for every monarch that had been.
"Alright," he agreed with a nod, "We'll be in touch."
Now they had a chaperone, they could start planning properly.
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