Dovev had been so busy as of late, he'd not talked with Primitus in a good while. And he had a feeling he needed to now. He was starting to feel a little lost again, still not used to being in charge of the safety of so many creatures. For the longest time...it had only been him and Belle. He sighed and padded along the path to Nana and Primitus' den, hoping the God might be able to put him back on the right path, before he strayed too far.
Was it bad for a leader to need a good kick to get back on track now and again? He certainly hoped not. He was as mortal as the people he cared for...he just showed the fact less, because they needed someone to look up to and count on, not look over to.
Primitus was sunning himself outside of the den this day, admiring the sun and enjoying the warmth on his pelt. He had been busy-- helping others, minding the pride remain strong despite trying times and circumstances... It was nice to merely relax, even if for a moment. He stretched a bit lazily, and glaced out, spying Dovev, and flicked his tail idly. Company?
Dovev bowed his head to the god, trying to not look too pensive. "Good day, Primitus. I was wondering if I might talk with you a bit?" He sat not far from the large god, tail swishing rather anxiously behind him. "It's nothing disastrous or such...just a leader being the one needing guidance for once."
"Of course." Primitus smiled, sitting up and pulling Dovev over as one would a brother. He may not understand why some felt need to bow, but, as a leader, he didn't object. The male smiled to the leopard, lowering his paw and looked him in the eyes.
"What troubles you?"
Dovev wasn't quite used to be treated like family...He'd never known a real one before the Matembezi. But he wasn't uncomfortable with the gesture, just a bit startled. "Every now and then...I have to keep reminding myself of WHY I'm doing this. That...it isn't just for Belle. It's for everyone in the pride, and those outside of it that we can help." He hung his head. "Sometimes, lately, I find myself realizing just how long I was alone, and then had only Belle. And it worries me that such a life may be impacting on how well I lead."
"Not negatively, if that's your concern." Primitus smiled, looking outward. "If it were, I don't think so many would stay close. You treat the entire pride as you would one you protected... And... Well... Hmm. I'm trying to phrase it well."
Primitus looked thoughtful.
"There's all kinds of leaders. Good ones who make things better, bad whom make them worse. If you were inefficient or didn't meet the needs of the pride... Well...." Primitus chuckled. "You'd know."
Dovev blinked. Perhaps. After all, Primitus was the god of Leadership. He would know. "Well...I haven't seemed to screw things up, so I suppose I'm doing well enough for now." He wanted to be better though. To not have such doubts. "I haven't seen you and Nana in a while...Is she doing okay?" He was more worried about the god's mortal mate than the god himself...Mortals like they tended to be more breakable.
"She's fine. Nana's been resting." Primitus smiled, then looked sheepish. "I.. Er... Well.... She's with cubs, due any day now."
The god of Leadership looked akward, turning a little red.
Cubs? Well now! Dovev chuckled at the embarrassed god. "I believe congratulations are in order then! It'll be nice to see more new life in the pride!" It made him a little jealous though. One day, perhaps, he and Belle would have cubs of their own...
"Well, I hope." Primitus smiled, chuckling shyly. "I'm afraid I haven't been a father in a long time, so I do hope they turn out well."
He cared not to remind himself he was a great, great grandfather, either, actually.
Dovev smiled reassuringly at Primitus. "I'm sure you'll do well. You've already got one up on my own father. You're around. Mine wasn't." His father, he was certain, is who started his life of misfortunes before his early adult months. His mother had never been all there because of his father's disappearance before his birth. "Who better a father than a god who knows how to lead?"
"It's harder than it sounds. Especially with boys." Primitus confessed, shaking his head, then gave Dovev a reassuring smile. "And I hope I can be a good father... Not all good parents stay."
Dovev chuckled. "I'd think it'd be harder with girls..." He'd thought about it, since he and Belle had confessed their love to one another. "With boys, when they grow...you only have to worry about them. With girls...you have to worry about all the boys looking at your daughter." If he ever had daughters...he intended to make sure they only got the best, that they found true love. He refused to let some no-good rogue troublemaker defile his little girls. If he had them.
Primitus shrugged. "I suppose I wouldn't know. I... only have granddaughters."
Not like he didn't exactly worry.
Dovev nodded. "Well...we'll find out soon enough, hm? Life shall teach us its lessons whether we like it or not." He smiled. "It's nice to see all the new life, though."
"It is. It provides proof we flourish." Primitus smiled, chuckling shyly.
"That no matter the hardships we face...we can move on, and keep going forward." Yes...there was the proof he was doing well. The pride was growing, moving on...They trusted him enough to keep going.
Primitus nodded, smiling.
"Exactly. Not just anyone can lead a pride into that." Primitus looked up. "It's not often, actually."
Dovev nodded. "Yeah...Thank you, Primitus." He felt the weight on his shoulders lift. "I believe I never really strayed from my path...I'd just ended up in a patch of fog."
"That's generally how it goes." Primitus nodded. "I've been there myself."
Dovev stood, nodding. "I should probably get back to work." His smile was lighter, more secure now. "Na'ima's cubs aren't cubs anymore...so I need to work them into the schedules for their respective positions."
Primitus nodded, smiling. "Of course. Take care, Dovev." Primitus rumbled calmly. "And don't worry if you need to ask anything of me, feel free."
