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 Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:11 pm
“No no, your mother is right,” Kovu agreed, nodding sagely. He once more stepped further away from Bannie, making certain that the lioness knew he meant no harm. It didn’t help that she automatically looked down on him. How presumptuous- these were the snobbish, uptight Pridelanders he’d been told about. He clearly wasn’t going to hurt the girl, or he already would have. His size and scars ought to have given that one away from early on. Looking back to the older lioness, Kovu’s face was perfectly blank and stilled.
“I found her out here, just as I said. I clearly meant the girl no harm,” he told her, as sweetly as possible. He’d love nothing more than to give this lioness a re-education on the threats of rogues, but… not this time. He would bide his time and bite back his anger. Particularly if this plan was going to come into fruition.
“But yes,” Kovu continued, sitting a bit more regally. “I am, in fact, a prince. Someday king, when my pride has strength enough to stand on its own paws once more. But we are mostly family and friends. Nothing a Pridelander need concern herself with.”
Well, damn. That wasn’t nearly as charming as it had sounded in his head. Sighing, Kovu spoke quickly to make up for it.
“I merely wanted to see how the Pridelands operate. I’ve heard so many stories, from when I was a cub, about the lush grasses and ease of life. It is something I envy, and… I’d hope to inspire such loyalty in my own members. To give them such a good life.” Here, he offered a slightly pleading look.
“Your daughter was merely humoring my curiosity on the subject. Is there harm in that? If there is, I apologize for it.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:20 pm
Oh how she already did not like him, but alas, she could not do anything. At least not with her daughter there. She was still too young and be subjected to violence now was nothing something Ki wanted for her child. As such, she restrained herself and retracted her claws. It could wait. "A would-be king of where?" She asked again, the annoyance of him dodging her question apparent in her voice. "It is a concern of mine. You were speaking to my daughter. I'd like to know where her friends come from."
The fact that he was looking into how the Pridelands operated also raised a red flag to the huntress. If he was prince, he could just come in and be welcomed by all, shown around and taught how the pride worked. Unless... Unless he was an enemy of the pride or an exile. Either that or he was lying about his royal blood. If it was to truly inspire his people, it was noble enough but it was still suspicious to her.
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:46 pm
Ah. Persistent, this one. Kovu gave what would seem like a nervous laugh, out loud, and shrugged sheepishly in response. No way was he going to answer this- not with the cub around, when she was so impressionable.
“We don’t… quite have a name yet, miss. As I said- it’s all friends and family. We don’t call ourselves much of anything, if I’m being quite honest. My father says we ought to get a better name- he came from the Pridelands, once,” he changed the subject quickly, hoping it would at least pacify her anger. This wasn’t a fight- physical or verbal- he truly wished to engage in. While he could be charming and suave, a mother would always hold more influence over her daughter.
For now, anyway. The darling little princess… well. She deserved adventure, and the Outlands could certainly provide it.
“Is a name truly so important?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:53 pm
"As of right now, yes. The name is important. While the Pridelands have their allies, they also have their enemies. I'd like to know my daughter is consorting with any of the latter." Ki responded, her voice smooth as she tried to straighten herself up and not appear in such a barbaric state in which she would rather just rip out the male's throat and be done with it. The snarling had stopped a while ago actually and her claws were now put away. Her grip on her daughter also loosened, much to the cub's appreciation.
"If your father was from here, then surely you already knew that though. If your father wants you to change it, then you have a name, even if it is not much of anything but it seems you are not quite willing to share it yet. I wonder why that is. I am, after all, just a huntress in the Pridelands. What harm could it really do?" The lioness asked, her last question nearly purred out of her mouth. Just as quickly as she asked though, she threw her head to the side and grinned. "But I suppose there are other ways to find out."
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:02 am
“Your daughter has no enemies here,” Kovu nearly snapped, but kept his tone even. He would not fight with this lioness in front of Bannie. Instead, he rose from his sitting position, and cocked his head at the older lioness. No, he would not challenge her here. But if she were unlucky enough to cross him alone…
That would be another story entirely.
“I wish you the best of luck in whatever methods you choose to find out my pride. But for now, I must be off. I am perfectly aware of when my company is not sought after, and I shall take my leave.” He offered a mocking bow, and turned to trod off. When he was a fair distance off, he turned back once more and called.
“Take care, little princess!”
And with that, he was gone.
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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:31 pm
Of course Ki was still less than pleased at finding her daughter chatting with a rogue, even if he claimed he was a prince, an heir no less! He kept his pride a secret which came off as suspicious to the mother as she watching the strange lion turn and walk away after saying his goodbyes.
What she didn't see is that when the 'prince' gave his mocking bow, her daughter gave him one in return. Innocently, Huo Banshui turned to look up at her mother. "Mama, why were you so mad with him? We were just talking."
"You must be careful what you say around strangers, dear. Not everyone can be trusted. Come now, we need to go home." Ki responded before leaning down, picking up the still growing cub in her mouth before turning around herself to head back towards Pride Rock.
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