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 Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:55 am
"It isn't stubbornness, I'm almost positive that my face took the brunt of that fall," Jabari said, still more intent on his paw than reading the atmosphere. They were talking, that was good, right? They'd talk, find out that the other was a hell of a lot nicer than he was, then leave him to spend more time together--
Ouch. Maybe he had spoken too soon, he thought as he heard the heir question. But did "heir" outweigh the evil of "Ligi"? She did seem a bit more taken back than when she first talked to him--or was that just his imagination. He turned, looking at her closely, wondering if she knew that he wouldn't have introduced the Shatkona to her even if they were in the same room. But Kafele was different.
"Kafele is my brother's best friend," he said mildly. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't unintentionally offend him." Stressing the word "unintentionally."
There was still hope for this plan... right? Possibly? Probably not. Damn.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 7:04 am
Her (fearful?) surprise was somewhat discouraging but he supposed it was his own fault for giving himself away so quickly. He’d wanted her to get to know him a little better before the truth came out but his interest in the Hunters work was suspicious, of course. Wasn’t it? Didn’t the Lords of Atmaja or Tama show interest in those who put food at their paws or speak with the Head Hunters and Huntresses of their houses? Kafele wasn’t really sure. He definitely needed to get out more and meet some members of the nobility. After all, he would most likely become one in the future – surely, Sahen would never pass the throne to him.
“I’m afraid so.” The red lion admitted, trying not to show how the subject affected him, though he seemed to be standing a little straighter now, offering Jabari the tiniest of smiles. “I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
He was all too aware at how much some would hate him for his lineage alone. Many probably wished for his death as if it would somehow serve as payment for Sahen’s crimes and ease the pain of losing their beloved one to his evil rule. Kafele feared his sister, Sahen’s beloved princess, was at higher risk which was one of the many reasons the young lion was so protective of Dada. The Shatkona probably wouldn’t be too bothered by Kafele’s death – he might consider it an insult or a waste of a red pelt that linked him to Amira’s litter – but Kafele was sure he would most likely just use it in his favor. If something were to happen to Dada though, things could get ugly.
“Mmm. Have any new members joined the hunting ranks recently?” Oh yeah, he was totally changing the subject, hoping the huntress would follow suit and pretend everything was normal. The question was for Jabari as well who, as a Ligi, would probably know more about new members from outside the pride that Iaeratu did. Of course, they wouldn’t need new members if only his grandfather stopped killing anyone who opposed him and the nobility got off their fat butts once in a while but this wasn’t the place to discuss these matters seriously. Or, more accurately, this was not the right company to discuss these matters seriously.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:54 pm
Iaeratu missed what Jabari had said, except his warning not to offend his brother's best friend - one of the heirs. This was crazy. Iaeratu was a hunter! She shouldn't be interact with Heirs and Lords, and Ligis and yet there she was, doing just that.
She hesitated at his words. He did not seem aggressive, or cruel. In fact, he seemed - nice. Today was a very weird day, she decided, and stared at him, as if expecting him to attack, though when he made no move to do so, her eyes went from shock to curiosity - though it was guarded and slightly nervous curiosity. "You cannot chose your blood," she said reluctantly, and glanced aside, hoping he would not find that comment offensive. An Heir. An heir. Ridiculous.
She cast a longing glance towards the path that would lead her to her duties - to hunting and normalcy.
She glanced at him sharply when he changed the subject, not expecting him to change the subject back to hunting, though she conceding the change in conversation. She looked at Jabari, who had been included in the questioning, and answered coolly, "not that I have noticed, but I don't interact with other hunters or huntresses often." Not out of dislike for the other hunters, just that Iaeratu could do work just as well on her own as she could in group - and that way she didn't have to discuss with anyone how to divvy up the kill.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:15 pm
"One or two," Jabari said quietly. "And word has it that Kasim has a son." Which carried a ton of importance in his mind. The most important thing was that he would have to make sure the Ligi didn't find the cub to "play" with. Showing a hunter with a temper like Kasim where he stood in the pride was far too tempting.
But he had only heard of Kasim, never met him directly. He looked away, thinking things over for a long moment. "He probably should have kept the kid quieter," he added mildly.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:29 pm
“No, we cannot.” Kafele agreed with obvious amusement, eyes still fixed on the horizon. The red lion grinned, understanding how easily her words could be taken as an insult. Well, he wasn’t judging. He wasn’t going to openly insult his grandfather either – in the presence of a complete stranger and someone he barely knew at least - so he supposed his answer would sound a bit cryptic to someone who wasn’t familiar with him. Still, though it displeased him to know that Sahen’s blood ran in his veins, the same could be said for Mahabala’s and that was a most comforting thought.
“Kasim? I don’t remember him… is he an Atmaja?” He cursed his previous lack of interest in the adult members of the pride. He might’ve met this hunter before he had been summoned to the Weeping Lion but he had to admit the name didn’t sound the least bit familiar. The part regarding the son, however, worried him far more. A male? Strong and outspoken like his father perhaps? What a terrible combination during these troubled times. “Reckless.” It was a faint whisper, but Kafele’s expression had suddenly closed and the red lion stopped walking. There was a light frown over his the narrowed blue gaze but it would be hard to determine the feeling behind it.
If Kasim’s attitude didn’t make him a target to the Ligi, his son’s big mouth certainly would. He wondered if there was something he could do to protect the cub before he was labeled as a potential “Chosen One”. Who knew… this boy might actually be his future King, if the prophecy was to be believed. Was it not his responsibility to make sure he lived into adulthood then? He wanted to say so much but felt so constricted. Jabari could be trusted, right? He was Kayin’s brother, after all. But Iaeratu was a Huntress he barely knew, who probably mistrusted him and who might share any information she might acquire during this conversation with the wrong lions. He couldn’t afford to be impulsive… not anymore. He smiled, just a little but as gently as he could considering his thoughts.
“Ah, I’m terribly sorry, Iaeratu. I didn’t mean to keep you here when the hunters are always so busy. You are… uh… dismissed if you wish.” And he hoped she did. There were things he’s like to discuss with Jabari… in private.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:17 pm
Iaeratu listened to them curiously, though she did not attempt to join in. She didn't know who Kasim was, or his son, so it was of little interest to her, though she was surprised that an heir was taking so much interest in other lions. She always thought them to be spoiled, but she had never really met one before.
She looked relieved, though she tried to hide it, when she was 'dismissed' by the Lord. She'd be able to get away and hunt! Yes. She nodded her head. "You have nothing to be apologetic for, Lord Kafele," she said respectfully, though she fell back a step or two. "Though I will return to my duties now." She glanced at Jabari, and nodded to him as well.
"Good day, Ligi Jabari, Lord Kafele," she said, keeping their titles attached to their names out of respect. She'd had to be called out for disrespecting them when she was so close to freedom! She turned tail after saying her farewells, and set off at a jogging pace towards the hunting grounds, her movements graceful as she eagerly escaped the presence of the two males behind her.
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