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 Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:20 pm
The lioness laid on a rock with a bit of shade from an young, overhanging umbrella thorn tree that rested somewhere near-enough the border that some rogues were spotted every now and then, but few enough that they weren't a problem. She was taking her daily rest before joining the afternoon hunting party, just as she had the day before. Based on the position of the sun, that was maybe a few hours away. Huo Banshui's head drooped as her laid against her paws, her bright eyes staring downward at the ground as they slowly began to close. It was that brown male again. That 'prince, that she saw when she closed her eyes, even for just a moment. Eyes snapping open, a scowl quickly took the forlorn expression that had been there previously. It had been months, months since she had seen him last and even her sister thought she was lying! Ooooh how she was going to give him a piece of her mind if he ever dared to step foot on the borders of the Pridelands again.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:31 pm
But then, he had made a promise. And while Kovu was one to smooth-talk his way through things he’d rather avoid, a liar he was not.
So when he carried himself to the edge of the Pridelands, his bright eyes fell upon the young lioness there. She was different, certainly. Larger, more feminine. She had a pride in her pose that had not previously been there. But at the heart of it, he recognized the little princess. Managing a very genuine, yet tired smile, Kovu paused in his trek.
Meeting with her would cause no harm, would it? He had not told the girl of his plans- she had no knowledge of the downtrodden thoughts which played at his mind. They could merely be friends- him visiting every so often, and her wondering what he was. It would likely upset her, but… well. Who said Pridelanders had to always get what they desired? Were his demeanor not so beaten, the thought would have brought Kovu great joy. Instead, it left a sour note in his mouth.
Whatever way this went, he had promised to see Bannie once more. Light on his paws, he snuck up to the young lioness, sitting behind her with a bemused smirk.
“Hello again, little princess. Though…” Here, Kovu cocked his head to the side.
“You don’t seem so little anymore. I might have to scrap that title. Will princess suit you just fine, or shall I come up with another epithet for you?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:44 pm
Ears perked forward in surprise of hearing a voice that she had been dreaming to hear once more and just as quickly her she jumped onto her paws and spun around to meet face-to-face with the 'prince' she had met when she was but a child. "What took you so long?!" She yelled, her brows furrowing as she looked at equal height, probably the only time she could be able to do so due to his height. But her expression was not one of annoyance or even happiness. No, she was angry and with her lips raised, she showed it as she leapt from her sunbathing rock towards his person.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:52 pm
Kovu did not step back at her anger, nor did he falter. Instead, he regarded her, in the way a parent might regard a misbehaving cub. He had been gone a while, certainly, but it did not necessitate anger on her part. But instead of voicing his opinion, Kovu sighed and gave a slight bow of his head.
“Times have been tougher than I anticipated in my kingdom. The hunts have not been as successful as I’d have liked,” he admitted honestly, looking up to meet her gaze dead-on. It was true- even with their newly growing numbers, finding food to nurture his kin was… difficult. The herds did not frequent his lands, and they had to press on further and further to find meat worth eating.
“What kind of king would I be if I left my people in need of food? Not a very good one, I should think. And while visiting you is a grand pleasure, it is not one I can often afford.”
He looked the lioness over once-more, now that he was provided a frontal view of her. Even furious, she had a great charm to her. The older lion gave Bannie a smile, flicking his tail.
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re angry when you’re beautiful?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:12 pm
While his words had managed to slow Huo Banshui's charge, his last statement managed to get her to pause in her tracks, skidding to something of a stop. Finally, she came to sit, her ears turning back as the shame began to pile itself on her from her earlier outburst. Some, even her mother, would have blamed it on her age but she could not. While she had been glad to see him, she was also angry, a flame that still burned though ever so slightly now as his words had begun to smother it. Choosing to ignore his last statement, at least for the time being, she formulated a response.
"I--"
But the words stopped there. What could she even say to something like that? To the openness of his and his pride's troubles.
While her anger had subsided, a firm frown was still present on his face as she raised her head to meet his gaze. "You could have at least sent a message or something."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:18 pm
He nodded in agreement to the last of her words, pleased that he’d managed to so catch her off-guard. But had he really meant to say the last of that? Kovu would berate himself more on it later. Instead, for now, he focused on the present company- the little lioness who had grown into quite the lovely thing. No weight of a spoiled cub remained on her- she was lean and fit, the build of a huntress. It was a gratifying sight, to say the least. But it was not the time to dwell. He still had a great deal of explaining to do, if he was to calm Bannie’s temper.
“I’d have sent word, princess, but… I feared upsetting my pride, should I send an able-body elsewhere. The members of us who are active and around… We are all working as hard as we can. I could not be so selfish as to discard our efforts for my own gain. I pray you’ll forgive me,” Kovu offered, fairly genuine in his tone. He truly had been focused on the efforts towards the Outlands- they weren’t nearly the pride he dreamed they could be, and it was a struggle. A great one. Even Calypso acknowledged the slim odds they faced. So his own wandering would be seen as weak. Unfit to be a king.
“And I did not wish to have you waiting for me, on a word that might not have met with truth. Had I said I could come sooner, and not shown up… I fear you’d be a great deal more upset than you are now. And that, I would hate to see.”
The would-be king cleared his throat, and tried to force the conversation in a more pleasant conversation.
“I… did manage to make it to you, however, as I promised. A bit late, but here none the less. Might I simply enjoy your company, for the time I have it, while I’m around?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:31 pm
The frown turned into a pout as Huo Banshui broke her gaze from him to turn her head to the side, her eyes closing in the process as her ears turned back. None the less though, she finally nodded, but not looking back at him. There was no way she could get away with waiting so long to come back, no matter the circumstances. Even if it seemed selfish, well...it was, but she really couldn't help it. She didn't really know his pride and even though they suffered. A shake of her head to get the thoughts out of her head before turning it to look back at the so-called prince. No, she needed to stop thinking about it or she'd end up making herself feel bad.
"Fine. I would have been more upset if you never came anyways."
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Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:39 pm
“I wouldn’t leave you without sending you word, first. I am not entirely cruel,” he offered, smiling a bit weakly in an attempt to appease the little lioness. Not so little anymore, really. Kovu had to keep reminding himself of that part of it. His princess had well and truly grown into a beautiful lioness.
“What a lucky mate you must have, to have such a lovely young lady by his side. I only regret not seeing you grow so well myself,” Kovu lamented, a touch of genuine remorse coloring his tone. He did not lie when he spoke of Huo Banshui’s beauty, not in the slightest. Bright eyed and fiery, she was truly a sight to behold.
Realizing he had distracted himself from his initial purpose of enjoying an afternoon with the young lioness, Kovu snapped himself from his thoughts, and regarded her with open curiosity.
“Is there anything you should like to do today, princess? That I might assist you with, or accompany you for?” The chore might be a bit beneath him, but it was certainly a welcome reprieve from the struggles he faced back home.
“I do not mind anything, so long as the time is spent with you.”
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