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 Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:01 pm
The likelyhood that she would ever bear children again was slim to none. She had failed in her duty to continue her line and protect her children. She had failed her dead mate. But she would not fail her pride. She would see too it that it grew, and that Maximus' line was solid before she let herself die, or give up. Besides, the boy was kind. And kindness resulted in a dead emperor in her experience. Unless he had someone like her on his side. And she had always been on Maximus' side... after all, someone had to get rid of his enemies if he wouldn't do it.
And Atia had never had a problem with ordering people dead. She had even been an executioner herself, it was a perfectly respectable position. Every now and then, people simply needed killing. Right now though, they needed everyone to live... and make as many babies as possible if they could. And those who couldn't... well, she would find ways to make use of them. She was very good at finding what made people useful. And disposing of the useless.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:45 am
 The newly appointed Gladiator was in high spirits. He was glad to be a Citizen in this pride. It was a relatively new home, compared to how long he had been in the rogue lands, but it was more of one than they had ever been. Here he felt like he was finally accomplishing something and, more than that, working toward what he had always wanted to do with his life.
He was learning a lot from the other members of the pride, the slaves he had been acquainted with as he had been proving himself as well as those he served. But his deepest respect was still reserved to the leopards and lions that he shared the blood of. He still craved meeting more, learning from them and becoming the best of both worlds.
Trotting along, he spotted a leopardess up ahead of him. She seemed deep in thought, and he slowed his canter a bit so as not to disturb her as he passed. He walked now, looking toward her as he neared, not sure if he should say hello or just walk by quietly. He noticed she looked older, more so than any of the friends he had made, and he blinked.
"Are you okay?" he asked, thinking she might need some help from a spry young hybrid.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:24 pm
Atia blinked and turned abruptly. The boy... he was a new one. Someone who had joined after the string of tragedies. A hybird boy... she couldn't remember his name for the life of her. Someone new. Someone who didn't know who she was. Or perhaps someone who hadn't had the misfortune of meeting her, really. Though she meant him no harm... and since he had joined, he was a citizen now... She supposed that meant Maximus would want her to be nice. Not that he really mattered... hybrids couldn't contribute much in the long run. But as a short term solution, he would do nicely. And besides... he did have a rather lovely pelt.
"Oh... Yes, dear, I'm fine." She said, the old leopardess taking on all the charm in the world in that moment. She had been called that a lot in her life, when needed. Charming. Pleasent. A psychotic b***h with two faces. She rather liked the last one. "Just a wave of nostalgia on a poor old leopardess. And what about you my dear boy? How is the pride suiting you? You are... one of the new ones, yes?" She asked, all sweetness and light. She had just been thinking about how much she needed a slave... a kind young citizen doing an old woman a few favors couldn't hurt either.
"What a handsome young thing you are..." She told him, "A fine young citizen in the making, I hope." She said, getting up and approaching him thoughtfully. How interesting... and they both had so many things in common. Her, too old to have children... him likely to never do so. Odd games the Gods played indeed.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:18 pm
Risasi smiled at her, as nice as ever. He was of the mind that everyone in the pride was accessible and approachable. Why should he feel anxious about talking to what, ultimately, amounted to his extended family? They all lived in the same home, followed the same Gods, and served the same Caesar. That meant they would all get along.
Right?
"Nostalgia?" He knew the word, but he wondered what she was thinking about. It wasn't really his place to ask, and he wouldn't press the matter. He smiled brighter when she asked him about his coming to the pride.
"I love it here. It feels like I was meant to find this place. I'm going to do something amazing, one day. I'm going to help people here. I just became a gladiator! I'm trying to learn a lot more, though. I like talking to the healers and the others, and they teach me little things, too."
He tilted his head at her. He didn't know how he felt about being complimented, though he had been so before. It just felt a bit weird, was all, like she was saying it because she had some sort of ulterior motive. But why should he be suspicious of her? Maybe his time in the rogue lands had made him paranoid.
"I'm uh... I'm going to be the best citizen I know how to be."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:38 pm
Atia smiled, tilting her head to the side. They had obviously made a good choice in this boy. He was a little... optamistic for her taste, but she supposed that the pride needed a little encouragement to get going. Yes, he would do nicely for a temporary solution. A shame he hadn't brought more family with him really...
"Ah, yes, of course, I'm glad that you like it here so much. We need more young boys like you around I think. Give us some life. Don't you think?" She asked, watching him thoughtfully, though her voice was sweet. The boy seemed to prett genuinly want to be the best he could be. Which meant he would be loyal, show no threat to Caesar... good. A little boring on the one hand, because the devious ones were fun to break in a battle of wits. But muscles worked just as well.
"I am so glad you have such a good attitude about all this. Not all young citizens are so astoundingly ready to take on such responsibilities." She told him, her smile never wavering as she watched him. "Well, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me. I am the Elder of the Pride. You may call me Atia."
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:18 am
Risasi smiled, nodding, "Yeah, I wish there were more people my age around here, but that's okay! I don't mind it. There's nothing wrong with making friends with older and younger people," he grinned, not trying to say anything too specific about age, just in case.
He tilted his head at her. She certainly seemed nice! He wondered what she did for the pride, specifically, and if she wouldn't mind teaching him a few things. He had been talking with a healer before, and she had promised to show him a few things, but he didn't know if everyone would be as willing to teach a Gladiator of their crafts.
And then she told him. He blinked, then nodded his head deeply, in a show of respect and submission.
"I'm Risasi," he said, smiling, "it's nice to meet you. I didn't realize... I'm sorry if I haven't been properly respectful, I just get a bit excited about meeting new people... Elder of the pride, that must mean you know a lot about everything, right?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:18 pm
Atia couldn't help but smile even more. Yes, he wasn't what she would have considered to be the brightest bulb -though for Atia, anyone smart was someone she had to try and manipulate to prevent them from straying for her place, and Risasi didn't seem to be that type of creature- but he was enthusiastic about his duties and joining the pride. Good. She supposed she would like someone more stoic around... but he was eager. Eager would do just as well.
She very nearly laughed when he mentioned that he hadn't been properly respectful. Oh yes, he was a rather ideal candidate for someone she could later use for her advantage. She would have to be very kind to him indeed. Brawn was always a good thing to have in one's pocket for later.
"Oh, never fear Risasi, I'm not angry. You're new, you could hardly have known. If you were a slave, perhaps it would be different, but no, you seem to be a perfectly pleasent young man." She told him, waving her paw to show him she wasn't offended. It was rare that things did offend her. One's reactions did, after all, dictate what you could use against people later... She had once even pretended to agree with senators who hated Maximus' father, only to turn on them later and have them all executed.
Atia nodded her head, "Oh yes, I have been in this pride for nearly three generations of Caesars. I dare say that I know everything there is to know. I was a gladiator you know, before I was elder." An executioner, actually, but that was hardly the point.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:20 pm
Risasi smiled. He liked that she thought he was pleasant! He certainly tried to be, at any rate. It came naturally. Being nice was something he had to try at, really. He was just aware of when he could be rude, and simply ignored any slight impulse to be. It was easier to be nice to people, anyway. No worrying if insults made sense, or if sarcasm was effective. All that worrying about looking and sounding cool wasn't really for the young hybrid. He'd rather take the easier, for him at least, and much more noble path.
"A Gladiator, really?" For some reason, looking at her, that struck him as very odd. But he nodded, believing her and very interested in her now, "you were just like I am! Except... you know, not only half leopard. I bet that had it's own advantages. Wow. It's hard to imagine you, if it's not rude to say, doing anything like that. I thought you would have been... I don't know... a healer, or something."
He smiled brightly, "but that just gives me even more reason to respect you. I'm sure you worked hard to get where you are, and I hope I can learn from you and your path, and prove myself to the Caesar as you must have done to the ones you've known."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:46 pm
Atia smiled. Most people looked at her and thought it odd that she had once been one of the most respected and powerful gladiators around. It was something that she was quite fond of personally. It made her very... unique amongst the other members of the pride. Especially the female ones.
"Yes, well... For a female to stand against males, she has to be quite powerful indeed. I may not look it now, but when I was a young girl, I was one of Caesar's most trusted bodyguards... before your time, of course. When I was in my prime... a long time ago." And it had been a long time ago, not that she wanted to say so out loud. She still had trouble admitting to her age, as useless as it made her feel.
She stood up, stretching and smiling. Atia never did give up a chance to brag, if she could help it anyway. "To gain the trust and the ear of Caesar is something... difficult for a young leopardess. I wanted to prove myself, and I didn't let anyone, or anything, stand in my way. To be a loyal solider is to be... Caesar's best friend." She said thoughtfully, doing her best to explain it.
Her own motives had always been complicated. Once, when she was very young, becoming a trusted member of Caesar's family had been about reveange. Eventually, it had been about much more than that.
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:39 am
"I can only imagine..." said Risasi wistfully, apparently doing just that. He grinned, looking at her with a respectful, eager light in his deep green eyes. He was definitely going to stay in contact with this leopardess, if he could.
"I want to prove myself to our Caesar," Risasi said, his voice more sober than it had been through the conversation. He seemed older now, or rather closer to his actual age, and his youthful optimism had faded a bit to make way for his stalwart resolve, "I don't know why, but this place feels more like my home than I've ever known. I keep thinking I want to help anyone I can, but when I consider leaving the pride for that it seems impossible. I don't know if I want to help just anyone any more. I think I just want to make this place the best it can be."
He looked down thoughtfully, having never admitted that out loud just yet. He wondered if it made him less noble, or if had been, or maybe was now, lying to himself. He worried he didn't know what he really wanted, and if it would be a big issue for him later. Right now, however, he felt like what he had just said was the closest to the truth he had gotten in recent times.
"I'm glad the pride has people like you in it, though." He said, listening only to her words and not seeing any of the memories, stories or ideas behind them.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:28 am
Atia smiled her haughty little smile. Yes, he could only imagine what it was to be a female... a leopard against the pride's lion Caesar, unable to be his mate... She had to find some way that she could stand out amongst the other females. A way to worm her way into his heart. And she had. And because of that, she had a life that had been fantastic. Well... fantastic up until a few months before when she had lost almost everything she had fought to gain. Her mate, her children... all she had left now was her position. And she wasn't going to lose that.
"I believe you will prove yourself to Caesar Risasi." She said, rather liking the older more mature boy. Perhaps she had found a new ally... someone who didn't know who she was at heart. A valuable thing to have, and a gladiator with no family in the pride... she would happily play the role of mother and mentor. She could always be nice, that had never been a problem. Her nasty side was one of political nessesity... this boy was a warrior. And she had never lacked the need for a warrior to help her.
"I am glad that the pride will have someone like you to help protect it, now that we need you most." She told him, her grin growing, "I want this place to feel like a family too you, and I will be glad to help you if ever you need it. And clearly you've come to love our pride and everything it stands for." Atia tilted her head, laughing a little, "And if you love it as much as I do... I hope that you will be willing to give it everything you have to make sure it stays strong."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:26 pm
Risasi nodded, smiling gently. It was good to hear other people telling him he would succeed, even if they were relative strangers. He had confidence in himself, sure, but it was good to hear it outside of his own little head. Some how it made it seem more realistic, like he wasn't just living in fantasy as he had been most of the time he was growing up.
His smile broadened when she said she wanted this place to be like family to him. He was already beginning to feel like this was the home he had always been searching for. As a cub he always felt like a wanderer, like a guest in someone elses lands. At least here he was starting to know what it felt like to be home. It almost made him feel bad, to think about the family he really did have, through blood, that he had left behind at the same time. It was like he was betraying them for a new family, but he didn't want it to be that way. He still loved them, but knew they were happy and safe. They had their lives, and he had his.
He was supposed to be here.
"I'd be willing to give everything that I've made my own for this pride," he said, thoughtfully but with definite passion and conviction, "I would never risk any one elses life, but I certainly put my own into full service here. I have so much to learn. I was wondering, if it wasn't too forward, if I could come and talk to you again some time, and you could tell me what it was like to be a gladiator..."
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:13 am
Atia smiled and nodded. Everything had gone according to plan. "Of course, don't fear being too forward with me young man. I'm happy to help however I can. If you're truly devoted to the pride, then I am all too happy to make sure you get what you want." And if she had a new trusted young warrior who was devoted to her and her teachings... well, the stronger the warrior bodyguard, the less likely an attacker was to think about trying something. And Atia had known her fair share of assassins.
Some of which had been her own. After all, there were some things the even Caesar was better off not knowing. Best not to tarish his image.
But this boy... if she could help him become one of the stronger members of the pride... sure, he wouldn't be able to ever be a truly high member, due to his breeding... or lack there of in this case, but if the pride trusted him and he became a powerful warrior, and it was all her doing... Yes, then she would be back on top when their numbers finally returned to what they had once been. And Atia liked the view from the top.
"Yes... of course, I'm always willing to help a devoted and friendly face. Your loyalty will reward you in the future Risasi. And believe me, I'm an excellent friend to have in this pride." She said, smiling and tilting her head, holding out her paw to him in a sign of friendship. And she did make a very good friend.
It was usually when she became an enemy that someone had a problem on their hands.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:05 pm
Risasi smiled. He wasn't thinking too literally when she said 'everything he wanted'. That translated directly to a whole bunch of knowledge on bettering himself, including insight toward his own job and maybe others, so he could have the best of all worlds. That had always been his thing, considering he wanted to be the best lion and the best leopard he could be. Why not apply it to his rank, and others?
He grinned, not the gentle smile from moments before, but a strong, confident expression borne on his eagerness at the talk of his future. He didn't quite know what to do when she lifted her paw, though, so he lifted his own and met hers, flexing his pad against hers and nodding decisively.
"Then I'm glad to have met you!" He said, honestly, "I'll come find you again soon. I should return now, though. I have to train a bit today before it gets too late. I can't be strong for the pride if I don't maintain my schedule. I'll see you soon, my friend." He nodded his head deeply, bowing as he took a few steps back, and then turned away. Holding himself high, walking with pride, he felt like he was already well on his way.
And she hadn't even started teaching yet.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:22 pm
Atia watched him leave, her tail twitching happily as she watched him go. Her backup. Excellent. She had everything she needed now... everything falling back into place for the moment. Sure, she was too old to have her own children... but that didn't mean she couldn't control eveything she wanted to. Risasi would be the first. And as more came into the pride... she would take even more.
She knew very well that she had never been very good at having things out of her control. In fact, Atia was horrible at that sort of thing. But she had every intention of having it all back as the pride grew back to its full size...
"I'm glad to have met you too." She called after him, tilting her head around, lying down to relax. "You made my day, dear boy..."
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