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 Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:15 pm
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The number of emotions Belial was feeling weren't limited to excitement and pride. Miyako wasn't just any lioness, no, she was the Queens niece and these were likely not ideal times to be starting a family. However the thought of having a family of his own had him nearly giddy - they would be the envy of the pride!
Belial could feel his stomach tighten slowly, but surely, as the pale pelt of their Queen came in view. Kimondo was a picturesque Queen in his mind. "Queen Kimondo." The lion swept lightly into a bow as he addressed her formally. They were family, by marriage, but he still felt compelled to be formal. He could still recall the day that she allowed him to swear his loyalty to her, a day he wouldn't soon forget. On that day she had been confident and driven by the need to know where everyone stood. Today she seemed concerned, but mostly in regards to where those pale olive green eyes went - he was in trouble.
The male stood next to his mate and tried to only wear the pride on his face, but he was sure some of the fear slipped through in his eyes. |
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:51 am
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Belial's formality made Kimondo's stomach twist, it was such a stark contrast to dealing with other nobles and a strong reminder that she did command the respect of many of her people and they were relying on her to be a good leader. Great Lion, she knew what was coming and it felt like the worst time to be dealing with something like this, not to mention the added personal guilt knowing Hodari would be here if she hadn't asked her sister to stand in her place while she was gone.
So she had to shake off her frustration and insecurity at that moment. Belial needed her to be the stable authority she had promised and Miyako needed her to be her aunt.
"Congratulations," she said, sounding wearier than she might have in other circumstances but smiling nevertheless. It only took that split second to realize what she was making into such a big deal in her mind, too, and that wasn't fair to the cubs or their parents.
"I knew this would happen, don't worry too much about it, Miyako," she added honestly, "I was expecting it a little later, longer after we got settled in and with better odds of reaching home before.. but we brought two married couples with us."
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:42 am
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Whites of his eyes were likely showing in slight fear at the casual way Miyako dropped the news, but he supposed it was best. Like some dressing on a wound it was best removed quickly and he winced, but the Queen addressed the situation in an appropriate manner - one he almost hadn't expected.
Getting yelled at? He could handle.
Vulgar words thrown about? Sure give him a little bit of that.
The sweet ways of a lioness were something he found himself enjoying more and more, but it still set him up for these moments of 'huh?'. "Thank you." The lion managed to stammer out before he righted himself, eyes relaxing and heart beat slowing. She wasn't wrong - couples, especially of the married variety, started families and so this shouldn't have been a shock to the system at all. He wanted shout out with joy at the sudden relief, now he could fully enjoy the family they had started.
"What will these cubs mean for everything?" Belial realized that he hadn't really known what to do in the situation of cubs. He knew there were traditions, but never bothered to know them in and out - only protect the prides members, that was what he had been born into. Now he fed them, still not a reason to know the traditions surrounding child birth.
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Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 8:26 pm
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Kimondo didn't answer right away, wanting to make sure she knew what the most accurate answer for right now was. Miyako was right, they did bring priests with them but one was a Historian and one still an apprentice.. and both were male. That meant she would have to handle most of the work-- oh, but then there was someone else!
"Antara and I will handle this," she said finally, "Shida and Badru would be out of their element, and they're both males. Antara and I are both trained to be able to step in when necessary, though she might not have spent much time on this.."
Midwives were never really a problem at home.. at least Kimondo had done this herself before.
"I'll find out if there are any rules observed here, too," she added, "We aren't from here but we should respect their traditions."
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 7:30 am
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Distracted from her trouble with the West House nobles and having come to realize there was an easy answer to the 'problem' being presented to her now, Kimondo was finally calm and smiling again. She didn't need to worry Miyako and Belial because they didn't have to worry about this.
She snickered at the idea of telling Shida he was responsible for this, but shook her head.
"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have had to worry so much about this," Kimondo said finally, "I am hoping we'll leave with a larger party than we arrived with, not all parents are married and shared blood is a good way to strengthen an alliance.."
Of course, that reminded her of Alizeti and the surprising ferocity of his loyalty to the Tianxia now. Still, she kept going.
"The Great Lion may be focused on those at home but He can still see us here," she said, "I'll make sure your cubs are just as precious to Him here as they would be at home."
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:38 pm
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Belial shot a look towards Miyako at her suggestion of teasing Shida. "You have a cruel side to you I've never seen before!" Though he mimicked a tone of surprise he found himself smiling and becoming at ease with the situation. "The poor soul will be sacrificing the Great Lion himself to be able to prepare himself for the evening his has to handle that." This time a roaring laugh boomed from him.
"Truthfully, Queen Kimondo, my largest fear was presenting the situation to you." Belial found his gaze leaving the Queen briefly at his admittance, but he steeled himself and forced his gaze to return to her. "Travelling home was and still is the least of my worries. Between Miyako, myself, the pride members, and the Great Lion himself our family will be well looked after." His speech was followed by likely the most sincere look of confidence Belial had ever worn. Never while he was joining the pride had he seen himself face to face with a Queen and his mate, the Queens niece. If he had to admit it to anyone he would have considered himself fodder, dead before Shangyue fell from his title.
To say he was thankful would be an understatement.
"I'm sure He looks over us now." A small smile replaced his previous confident expression, but he was still genuine.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:04 am
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Kimondo smiled at the both of them, wishing with all her heart that Hodari could be here with them but took solace in the fact that she could be here herself. Perhaps she would send a message back to the pride, they had made arrangements with some of the local avians after all..
"Of course," she said, stepping aside when Miyako said she was tired, "You're both new as Hunt Leaders so you haven't dealt with this before but your duties will ease as you get closer to giving birth. Belial, since you're a Hunt Leader and her husband, you'll be picking up most of the slack but I'm sure Kasai would be excited to help you out, too."
It was lucky, too, that the other Leader they had was Miyako's sister.
"I'm counting on the three of you to make sure we earn our keep while we're here," she reminded them cheerily, "You'll just have to delegate a bit more, Miyako."
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She was nervous. It's not like she had been expecting to have cubs so soon in her relationship, but here they were. Expecting.
