-More Questions and No Real Answers-
Manda
Today had been a fairly good day so far as Iar was concerned. There had been no problems on his patrol of the pride's borders, and the only intruder he'd met ... well, he had sent her packing rather quickly. Smirking just a bit as he padded by where Verge was staying on the way to his own den, he spotted several of the other's cubs at play. Hm... perhaps he should search for another female of his own... couldn't let the other out-do him completely.
SkieBorne
Sil'in Drathir looked up from his playing and found the other king walking by. With their father out and about, the cub hadn't been able to ask him about something that had been bothering him recently. With all their adventuring and playing, it had come to the little prince's attention that he... had no idea what he might want to do with himself. Verge had told him that the stronger he was the stronger the pride would be but.... he wasn't sure just how he could be his strongest. And, well, if not one king then the other right? Pulling away from his playmates, Drathir bound over to Iartuupe and started walking along beside him, "You're a King.... can I ask you a question...?" He hadn't really spoken to the other before and felt slightly nervous.
Manda
Iar blinked at the voice from down below and glanced down, a bit startled to find one of Verge's cubs had addressed him. But he smiled faintly and nodded, slowing and then stopping a few feet away. "Of course you may ... what is it you wish to know?" he asked, not sure -what- to expect. He'd watched these cubs at play, but never had one spoken to him before.
SkieBorne
Coming to sit before Iar, Drathir peered up at the larger lion for a moment before swallowing his fear and voicing his question in the most serious manner he could, "What should a Prince become to strengthen the pride? I want to be strong and fearless like you and father...." He trailed off, thinking he suddenly sounded very childish and he was trying to avoid that.
Manda
Iar blinked slightly at that, and then smiled down at the cub. A worthy question... and an intelligent one. It set Iar to thinking about it, tail tip flicking back and forth just slightly. Thus far, there were not enough adults to fill out all of the positions that he had envisioned for this pride, but as these cubs and others grew... that would change. "Well. The first thing to do in this case, is to consider what it is that the pride needs... can you think of anything?"
SkieBorne
"More Demons?" He answered hopefully, glancing around at their still-small group, "And warriors to crush the undeserving?" Drathir had listened well to the words of his elders and held them at his heart, believing in the pride's codes completely. What they needed were strong members... lions to expand the pride and the protect what was rightfully theirs.
Manda
Iar smiled at that, nodding again. "Very good ... but I believe that we must be more specific..." he said, with a little frown, as if he was thinking. He had some ideas, but it might be interesting if this little one could come to some of the same conclusions on his own.
SkieBorne
"More specific....?" He frowned, wrinkling up his youthful features in thought for a moment or two. There were jobs to do... and obviously not everyone could be out defending the territory... "Guards? And those who recruit?... things like that?" He wasn't entirely sure what the other wanted of him and looked slightly confused, tail flicking a little as he looked up at the adult.
Manda
Iar purred softly at the little one, ears flicking back and forth once. "Again good ... both of those things are important. Of course, there are other things that will be needed, after some time. But it's important now that we gather more demons to us."
SkieBorne
"But... what should /I/ do...? I'm not a weakling." He stated that fact firmly, squaring his shoulders and flashing his baby teeth at Iar, "There will be many Demons when I'm big and strong like Father." That was all important now... but what about in the future where he'd be more then a cub? The King hadn't answered that.
Manda
Iar blinked and then laughed softly, head tilting back. My, my ... he should perhaps make some time to talk to more of these little ones. They were interesting... especially until he had cubs of his own. "I can see that... mm... what is your name, little one?" he broke off to ask, head tilting.
SkieBorne
"Huh?" Blinking, he ears flicked in confusion before he answered, "Sil'in Drathir....? But everybody just calls me Drathir or 'Thir.... Why?" He didn't see how this was helping him in his dilemma...
Manda
"You don't think it's important that I know your name?" Iar asked at that, ears going back. His voice was suddenly a low growl and he loomed over the cub, leaning down toward him a bit.
SkieBorne
Drathir's ears lay back against his head at that and he cowered down and away from Iar, unsure how he'd offended the patriarch. Stepping away from the other, he turned half sideways with tail tucked in along his side, "I... don't know why it's i-important..." He found himself wondering if this was such a good idea.... he didn't want to be killed for wanting to strengthen the pride....
Manda
Iar's eyes narrowed at that, but he didn't move to attack the cub. "A good leader should always know the members of his pride well," he replied, voice soft - not quite threatening, but getting there. Surely this one was not so stupid as to not think about things like this.....? Hm. He would have to come up with some kind of test to be sure these little princelings were worthy of that title.
SkieBorne
"T-to prevent sabotage and spot traitors...?" He asked tentatively, bewildered by Iar's sudden aggression. Thinking fast, he lowered his head to the ground and watched the other, sure he'd be smacked for continuing to speak. Why had he approached this one? It had been stupid. Better to seek out family...
Manda
Iar suddenly decided it would be best to leave this talk for later... as it wasn't even sure in his mind now that -any- of these cubs would inherit. Hm... "Yes, that is a good reason," he said benignly, apparently back in good humor. "As to your first question... I would think that such things are likely to become clearer in time. As you grow and learn... your path will show itself."
SkieBorne
But Drathir wasn't stupid, caught that small flash in Iar's eyes that suggested he'd come to some sort of negative conclusion and something within the cub was set afire. He /would/ be strong. He /would/ be a leader and show this aggressive bully just what a Demon should be. Mrring a little, his expression flattened, "I... understand. Thank-you, Iartuupe." Backing away, he got out of paw-range turned and ran back into the midst of his fellows, muttering about showing the world just what he could do. Stupid Iar. More questions then answers.
