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 Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 8:37 pm
 Risasi was glad to have found some time to go and visit some of his friends around the pride. He was often so dedicated to his task, pridal and self appointed, he often forgot to just stop by and say hi. It made him feel bad, selfish, and he didn't like it. He tried not to let himself get too wrapped up in everything, but days wasted away and he found they did not allow for visitation. And it was all his own design. Guilty, but eager to make up for it, he decided to go see Atia.
She had, after all, told him he could stop by. And he was still very interested in hearing her stories of being a gladiator for the pride. A female leopard gladiator! It couldn't get more fascinating and awe inspiring for the young leopon. He had a profound respect for her already, and he was eager to talk to her some more.
He trotted along, spirits and head high, and quickly found her with the guidance of some of the other pride members. He was a bit surprised when one of them looked a bit put off that he asked after her, but he chalked it up to not everyone got along. Everyone was entitled to their own opinion, and apparently his hadn't been to favorable of the older leopardess.
He saw her in the distance and slowed, drawing a breath and gathering himself, making himself a presentable, respectable young animal, and then drew closer.
"Good afternoon, Miss Atia!" He called jovially.
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Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 8:52 pm
 Atia paced back and forth, gnawing her lip. The Venus Festival... had the Goddess really been responsible for what was happening to her? She could feel them... she was certain now. The first few days, it had been an inciling... but now she was sure. She had children growing inside her. From an outsider. What would it do to her and her reputation? How could she work this, when she had thought that children hadn't even been possible? How would she explain to Maximus...? She didn't even know if the stupid male would ever come back to discover what had happened! Gods and Goddesses above... she couldn't believe this.
But where there were minuses... there were always pluses. Children. If she survived the damn pregnancy, and she had better because it would be such a stupid way to die, then it meant she had heirs again. It meant that she could still benifit the pride... and that her work would not end with her. Children which were so desperatly and vitally important in the pride right now... which meant that despite her indignantion, at the claim that Venus had chosen her specifically to bring about a new generation for the pride... even if the father wasn't a member, Atia was meant to have the children. She had no choice. The Gods will. It had been on the night of the fesival after all, hadn't it?
She jumped a little when Risasi walked in. Her mind raced. She liked to think that she always had a plan for any possible situation. This hadn't been one, which meant she had to improvise... think of ways to make this right. And here was a perfect start. A new member. Unused to rules and regulations... a strong... powerful male gladiator... Who better to protect the poor old leopardess who had found herself blessed by the Gods in such a strange way? Who better to understand the nessessity of children?
...and really, who better to have wrapped around her claws then him? He would be able to keep her out of danger at the very least... a strong muscle-man never hurt one's chances. Consorting wth outsiders was... a shame, but Atia couldn't afford to be picky. She had to do damage control.
"Risasi! Oh, my poor old heart, you frightened me for a moment." She told him, glad for once that she looked tired and haggard. It had bee a rough week. But it was starting to look up. If she could convince the pride to accept her cubs... then maybe she could truly get the pride back on track.
If her reputation didn't fail her before her body did.
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Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:20 pm
"Oh, I didn't mean to! I'm sorry, I didn't see that you were in thought," Risasi said, smiling warmly, ears down apologetically. He bowed his head respectfully as he cantered up. Sitting down not too far away, but not too near because he didn't want to seem forward, he tilted his head at her.
She certainly looked different. Not in a particularly striking way, per se, but he felt it. She was worn, he decided, tired and her eyes were darker. Her fur seemed out of place, where before, when he had met her, it was almost immaculate. She seemed contemplative, even as she looked at him, and he wondered what reverie he had interrupted.
"Are you okay? You look so tired," He frowned, concerned, "I'm sorry I haven't come to visit recently. I know I should have made more of an effort. I do really want to learn from you, and help you if I can. I mean. I do."
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 3:49 pm
Atia smiled, though she still looked tired. This would certainly be an interesting endevour... a firm step forward before she talked to Maximus. She would make this work to her advantage. She could have children... and her children would protect the pride. Her bloodline would continue, no matter what. And to do that... Maximus and the rest of the pride -or at least the idiot majority- needed to trust her. This was a good start.
"Oh, please don't worry about it Risasi... I'm always pleased to see your bright young face." Atia said, faking a forced smile. Really, it was hard to hold back when she got an idea into her head. Yes. He would do for an excellent "muscle". If he trusted her... backed her up... The kind, strong, likeable gladiator who helped old women across rivers... who could say no to a face like that? And how could a face like that say no to a 'helpless old lady'.
She stood up, feeling her stomach shift. Babies. Babies there. But she would get to this later. She needed to make this about Risasi. About making him happy, and think she was more concerned about him than she was herself. A simple formula. "Don't worry. I know you must have many things to do. Please, sit down... I will be happy to answer any questions and help however I can. You're such a sweet boy."
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:53 pm
Risasi smiled, glad she wasn't upset with him. He wouldn't have felt too good about that, because he was really in it to help. And now she looked like she needed him more than ever. He wanted to ask her why she was so drained, but he didn't think it would be too polite. He didn't know her that well yet, after all. But maybe if she got to trusting him, they could talk more freely.
But he wasn't going to push it. Maybe she didn't even want to hang out with him too much. He knew he could be a bit annoying in his quest for knowledge. He was youthful and exuberant. And kind of dumb. He knew it. She was intelligent, experienced, and aged. That was a delicate way of putting it, right? In any case, he would try to act a bit older around her, if he could.
"Thanks!" he said brightly, immediately forgetting his decision. He sat near her, swinging his tail behind him, "I was just wondering, you know, what it's like to be a leopard, and a gladiator and, you know, a female. I know that female lions are better hunters than male lions. Is that the same for leopards? I'm... a bit of both, but not really trained by either. So I want to try and learn and be the best of both. Better than both. But that just sounds like I'm using you. I'm not. I would never do something like that."
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 2:21 pm
'I wouldn't dream of using you'. Oh, but I would. Atia thought with a small chuckle. She was sure it could be heard as a kind old woman laughing at a rambunctious youth though. That would do just fine. And the more he came to like her... the more likely he was to defend her when the s**t started to fly. And the s**t was going to fly as soon as her cubs were born... whenever the hell that was. But ah, the youth would protect the helpless old lady.
"Don't ever fear dear. I love to help straping young creatures like yourself. After all, why are there elders if not to teach the younger generation?" She promised him, smiling and tilting her head to the side. Yes. Risasi would be her nice young bodyguard... She would just have to take him under her wing.
She thought about how best to answer his question, "Well, I can't tell you much about rogues, I've lived in this Pride my whole life, but here, female leopards are expected to be artisans, or teachers or historians. Not many manage to make themselves gladiators. But I was like you when I was younger. I wanted to stand out as a future protector of the pride. And I understand now why it's important to have our philosphers and our artists and priests, back when I was young, all I wanted to do was fight and protect the glory of the Binadamu, you understand. I am a leopard, full and pure, but I was a female trying to stand in a male's position. I was a lot like you, trying to prove that I could be better than any average warrior." She grinned.
"I have no doubt that I can help you to be the best. I was widely considered to be one of our greatest warriors by the old Caesar, and that isn't something that many females can achieve. I'm sure I can help you do the same. I can make you the strongest warrior in the pride." And yes, she could. All the better if he was the strongest... and under her thumb.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:13 pm
"I'm glad to hear it!" Risasi said, eager to learn. He wanted to ask her a thousand questions, but then realized it was only in his head. He knew he wanted to ask her things about fighting, about hunting, about serving the pride... but now that he had the chance to, he couldn't think of anything in specific. It was all jumbled together, one big mass of interest with no access point. He padded at the ground, glad she was talking on his first point, while he could try to gather his thoughts.
Or, that's what he would have wanted to do. Instead, he listened with rapt attention and stopped thinking all together. He was taking mental notes, and couldn't be interrupted. It wasn't that he didn't know how to multi-task, he just didn't want to risk it and miss something he would have an epiphany about later.
Those, he heard, could be triggered by anything. He wanted one. Somehow, he didn't think it would be that easy. He couldn't just suddenly be struck with an idea and then be the best gladiator the pride had ever seen. But he could definitely keep on hoping for it. No harm in being optimistic.
He nodded.
"I'm fascinated by every job within the pride. I talk to the healers and all the others, if and when I can, and they teach me small things. So I can know a little about everything, and make myself better," his green eyes were shining. He was excited that she considered herself to be like him, though he didn't yet dare to consider himself like her. He would have to work for that.
"That would be amazing! Anything you could tell me would be amazing. What did you have to learn to be that renown? Was it strength, or intelligence, or fighting skills or tact or something else? All of it? Anything you could pass on to me, I'll do my best to learn. I'll consider you my teacher. My mentor, if that's okay."
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:43 pm
Atia smiled, just as glad that he was listening as he was to listen. Time to weave her web... the stronger she could make him, the more grateful he would be. Of course, she couldn't inject her more malicious nature into him. The pride only needed one person like her... until her children were born so she made sure she had a replacement when she was gone. And if she was gone too early to protect them... then maybe she had found someone who could protect him. And she would only let the best take care of them.
"I'm glad that you're interested in everything, because every little job is important." Some more important than others, as far as she was concerned... or perhaps just certain creatures were more important than others. Not that she was naming names. Well... they knew who they were. "And I believe that you can make yourself the best, if you believe you can and you work towards it. And I can help you do that."
She smiled, managing to keep it from being... malicious. She knew exactly how she had become the best. She had destroyed reputations, killed the competition and become a best friend to the royal family... and that had only been in addition to being an excellent warrior. Because being strong and smart hadn't been enough to become a shadow ruler for past Caesars. The most trusted there was... when she was the last person anyone should have trusted.
"The fact is, you need all of those things, plus you need friends in high places. And now you have my ears, and I have Caesar's ear, which is very important." Less important, she supposed, now that they were so few in number... but a key fact. "Friends are always important. In addition to that, you have to have smart ideas, and you have to never fail on the most important things. Every person lets someone down about something... but as long as you're strong on the important issues, you always keep up the important things." She pointed out.
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:19 pm
Risasi nodded. He had always thought it best to pick up as much information as possible. From his first lesson about climbing trees to being tricked into stealing: he was wiser because of every interaction with others he had. Of course, he would prefer if people didn't trick him, knowing himself to be easily misled, but he was hopeful in that his skills for recognizing trickery were vastly improved over when he was a cub.
Probably.
He was ready to work as hard as possible. He would work his paws to the bone if he had to! If she asked him to.
"Friends in high places?" he echoed. He was certainly good at making friends, though he didn't often care what rank they were. Being without a land to call his home for so long, he had never really concerned himself with ranks. And his short tenure in the Achana lands hadn't allowed him to become familiar with rulers and the hierarchy beneath them. But he supposed being friends with people with power would, of course, be of benefit. They, after all, would have earned it, just like Atia had, and they, just like Atia, could teach him how.
He nodded. Vigorously. At every point.
"That makes sense. I try not to let anyone down, but I know it's not possible. Important things. Okay. I'll do that." He grinned, looking a bit more ferocious and a little less like the cub-like hybrid his smile usually lent itself to, "but being strong and fast are still important, right?"
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:10 pm
Atia was pleased. The boy was listening to everything she said. Especially friends in high places... because no one had Caesar's ear like she did. Though it was at risk now with the... things growing in her belly. But she would find a way around that, no matter what. One thing that could be said about Atia was that she never gave up, long after others had. And that usually paid off very well.
"Yes, and fear not, you already have a friend in a high place." Atia told him sweetly, placing her paw on her chest, "I couldn't be happier to be your friend Risasi. But you are right. It doesn't matter who your friend are if you aren't fast enough and strong enough to prove that you deserve your position. But don't worry, you have already shown you have a strong mind, I don't doubt a strong body will follow."
Or it better as hell follow, because Atia didn't like to think that she was wasting her time. There was nothing worse than that... and she was sure she could get her paws on other creatures just as pliable as Risasi was. In fact, she had rarely come across a creature she couldn't get to do exactly what she wanted.
What she wanted in the end, anyway. Whether they liked it or not.
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 9:19 pm
Risasi smiled brightly, though he didn't shake the edge he had picked up. Something about her made him want to be more fierce, more determined. Stronger, wiser, and more adult. He wanted to impress her, and through her impress the rest of the pride. And Caesar. He remembered their conversation, when he had wandered into the lands. He would do anything to prove himself a true Citizen to Maximus.
He nodded. He had been training hard, even as a cub. What had been play for the others had always been more for him. He got hurt more often, though never seriously, and he got stuck in a lot more trees. He made more mistakes. But through all of that he felt he was more capable now. He felt like it had all paid off: he was well on his way to who he wanted to be.
But there was always room for improvement.
In truth, he was much stronger than he had ever gotten to show anyone. He was never in fights, though he sparred and trained on his own, and his clever mind allowed him to keep ahead of his opponents. Where he lacked common sense he made up for in observation and thoughtfulness.
"I don't want anything bad to ever happen here," he said, nodding his head, "but if it did, I'd be ready to defend everyone. Defend you, and Nyao, and all the others. I've been doing nothing but training, I mean, besides what I need to do for the pride. I want to show Caesar that I am a Citizen! I always have been, I just never knew it. But I was brought here for a reason. I think you have a big part in that. If that's not too weird to say."
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 11:24 am
Nyao... why did he have to bring up that cow? Though it wasn't as though Atia's opinion of the girl was in popular knowledge. Nyao knew, she was sure of that, and Caesar knew she thought he could do better... but she did accept that as far as mates went, she was the only real viable option. There was no one else. And now they were planning on having cubs... maybe after that, she could have Nyao quietly taken care of. Once her purpose had been served.
"I'm sure you'll do all those things. And when the pride needs to be defended, I'm sure you will do it with everything you have." She told him, managing to remain encouraging and kind. "I wouldn't worry about Nyao... she has the power of Caesar protecting her. We all do..." She hoped the girl would rot, frankly, had they not needed the healer, she would have seen to it long ago.
"I know you'll be able to stop anything bad from happening here. In fact, I'm completely certain of that fact. You're the kind of creature who stands up for what he believes in, and that gives me complete confidence in you." Atia told him, touching her paw to his shoulder, "And should anything bad ever happen here, I will be counting on you to keep your promise. You should never show cowardice here. And I'm glad you consider me a friend, because I too consider you to be one. And I'm happy that you believe I'm one of the reasons you're here. I feel like I'm here to help you on your path to greatness."
And she would make sure he was great. And she would make doubly sure that he believed with all his heart that she was the reason for his greatness. Oh yes... she had a plan now. And as soon as she believed she had Risasi completely in her pocket, she would implament it.
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 1:57 pm
Risasi nodded. Still, he liked to think he was protecting Nyao, just like the Caesar was. She had been nice to him, and offered to teach him the ways of a healer. Those skills would help him as a gladiator, to treat or even avoid injury once he knew the workings of the body a bit better. He owed her for that much, and he liked her as a friend.
He sat up straighter when she put her paw on his shoulder, nodding his head.
"I won't," he said, green eyes focusing on her intently, "I might be faced with something impossible, or something that's going to hurt, but I'll never let myself be cowardly. I know it's not smart to make promises you can't keep, or that you don't know you can't keep, but this is one thing I'm absolutely certain about. Even if it hurts me, I won't ever be a coward."
He had never been one in his youth, always challenging things and prancing off into danger. Truthfully, back then, he hadn't recognized anything as dangerous. Just new situations to try and do good in. Now he knew better, or so he believed. He could spot danger and he could figure out how to defend against it, instead of just blindly walking into it.
Clearing his throat, feeling like he was getting a bit too intense, he smiled at her jovially and tilted his head. "I should probably go soon, if you're tired and need rest. I can come back in a few days? Maybe you'll be feeling better."
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 10:30 pm
Atia watched him, and smiled. Let him believe whatever he wanted. "Risasi... before you go, can I ask you to make me a promise? I'm old now... I can't defend myself like I used to. I don't have any children of my own..." Though she bloody soon would. "Might I ask... that if I need something, as I've helped you, you help me? Would you promise to help me, should I need it? An old lady can only do so much on her own after all..."
And she was sure now that she had him right where she wanted him. A loyal protector who wouldn't break his promise to defend an old lady's honor even when no one else would. And she would call him on it if he did anything different... but she had a feeling that his sense of honor and loyalty to a promise would keep him on her side, even when no one else was. Most people would have found that honorable. Atia just thanked the Gods for small favors and the almost unbearable tendancy of males to defend a woman they had only met ten minutes before with their lives.
"Forgive me... I shouldn't ask such things of you." Atia told him, feigning innocence and shame. It had always come so easy for her... would her children act that way too? She certainly hoped so. It had worked pretty well for their mother.
And she sure as hell intended to make sure it worked for them.
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 5:55 pm
"Of course," Risasi said, a bit too soon. He smiled, nodding quietly while she finished talking, tilting his head at her apparent reservation at asking him for the favor. Like he had any other ideas! He smiled reassuringly, once again looking his age, rather than the much more youthful persona he often bounced around with.
"Of course I'll protect you. Any help you need of me, that I'm able to accomplish, I willingly promise to give you. You're my mentor, right? I did say I would consider you that, and part of the reason I was called to this place. Because of that I'll treat you reverently, and do what honor I can for you." He nodded.
He made what he considered a bold move and rubbed his head against her shoulder affectionately, then lowered his head before her in his version of a bow. It wasn't overly showy, but it was, at least to him, as meaningful as it was meant to be. He was being honest.
"Any time you call on me, I'll help you. It's only fair, and, really, I want to. Okay? You don't have to feel bad about it. You can ask me for anything."
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