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 Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:04 am
The maned wolf, Dié, was more apprehensive to get this over. Tishtar was enjoying the little 'vacation', even as serious as the mission was. Why not enjoy a little time out from the heavy burden of the Lord? Such a vile beast he could be, and Tishtar would enjoy breathing easier at the moment.
"Come, Dié, must we rush?" Tishtar asked, walking next to her companion. She only received a glare for her words. "Really, pairing Miss Ria up with anyone will be a trial, why rush it?"
Dié enjoyed her companion, but not at the moment. "Because if he works, we need to bring her out here to complete the deal. The Lord would have our heads if we brought anyone into the lands."
The quarreled for a bit longer, ignorant of those that might easily be listening to them nearby.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:16 am
He listened, raising a brow as he tried to sort out what they were talking (arguing) about. Torn, he watched them go for a moment longer before deciding to intervene. If anything, they might not want to be in the midst of a pride's territory.
"Excuse me," he said, chirping shrilly to get their attention as he hopped down and fluttered after them.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:24 am
There were slowly starting to settle down, Dié winning their little argument. Tishtar wasn't one to keep it going with the maned wolf, as she was more knowledgeable in their mission than Tishtar was. Still, she didn't want to have to run all the way back to Tianxia. It was pretty far.
Dié blinked as she looked to see that their pair had turned into a trio. "Hello," she replied, never quite able to lose that gruff tone in her voice. Tishtar was much more eloquent than she was.
"Oh, hello!" the bright waterbuck replied as well. "Are we talking to loud?" she asked, wondering if they had interrupted something. Whoops.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:34 am
"No, no," Biti said, shaking his head and pushing himself down toward the ground, landing before the pair of much larger creatures.
"I wasn't sure if you knew but you're in the middle of the Mwezi'Johari pride lands," he nodded matter-of-factly, "Are you looking for something?" He still couldn't figure out a very good explanation for what he heard, it seemed like a good idea to just ask.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:43 am
Before Tishtar could say anything, Dié cut her off. The waterbuck liked to talk too much. "Actually, we are," she replied, ignoring the crestfallen look that Tishtar gave her and the bird. "We have a proposal for your leader, and we are well aware we tread of pridal lands."
They probably should have asked first, but not being lions may have given them a slightly better chance of not being chased out. Who knew, really, unless they were busy elsewhere.
"Yes," Tistar agreed, keeping it at that.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:51 am
"Oh," Biti muttered, looking the pair of them up and down. He couldn't think of any reason they wouldn't be welcome to at least talk to Ally if they had something to discuss, they weren't dangerous looking and he could always see if there was anybody else strange around later. Except the guards would probably catch on to anything really suspicious. And Ally could decide, too. Better to direct them than have the wander.
"I can take you to the queen," he said, puffing up importantly, "Follow me." He pushed himself off the ground again and took off towards the royal den, chirping every once in a while.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:58 am
The pair cast glances at one another, wondering if it really had been that easy. Well, they were used to dealing with their difficult Lord, so perhaps it wasn't fair to assume that any other hierarchy worked the same way.
The followed after the bird quietly, amused by it's occasional chirps. Tishtar followed along happily, while Dié kept her ears open, making sure that there wasn't anything funny going on. It was Tishtar that would be in more trouble than her, as the prey beast only had size on her side to help her.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:04 am
Biti chirps became louder as they neared their destination, projecting the calls out to get the attention of the queen, hoping she hadn't gone far from the den this afternoon. Of course, he wouldn't have complained if it was Fafnir that came out, though Biti didn't think he'd be as decisive as Ally. Alcmene was not far from the den but she was the only one, Fafnir was off on some personal business, none of the princes or princesses were visiting that afternoon and things were peaceful and quiet in the afternoon so she didn't have to worry about anything. She was laying out in the warm sunshine when she heard Biti's calls. It didn't sound urgent but he was clearly trying to get her attention so she got to her feet and headed out towards the sound, spotting the blue creatures following below him.
"Hmm."
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:15 am
Tishtar was happy as coule be, but Dié was not as carefree. She had thought about what she would say in her head, over and over, but still she wondered if she would say it well. Dié didn't want to insult the Queen and fail in their quest. There were other prides to look at, but Dié just kind of wanted this over with.
"Oohh," gasped Tishtar. She didn't know what she was expecting, but the Queen was quite pretty. She gave herself a little shake, hoping that she looked good. Dié was making sure she was presentable as well, as they hadn't cared too much until a moment ago.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:27 am
Biti swooped down and landed comfortably on Ally's shoulder, an awkward place to sit to keep himself in the conversation. But Ally was used to it and would certainly angle herself slightly so he could still see.
"Visitors, your highness," he addressed her formally, though very cheerfully, "Said they have a proposal, I thought it best to bring them to see you."
"Thank you, Biti," Ally answered, indeed turning her body slightly so that the small bird didn't need to stand awkwardly to see the pair he had brought along with him. She didn't look away from Dié and Tishtar, though, smiling at them. They were definitely an odd pair.
"I'm Alcmene, queen of the Mwezi'Johari," she introduced herself, "How can I help you?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:39 am
Dié nodded, and offered a slight bow of respect. Tishtar followed her lead, and the waterbuck remained quiet.
"We've come from a pride far to the north called the Tianxia," the maned wolf said. "Our Lady Mio requested us to find a suitable companion for her heir. We believe we may have found someone within your pride."
Tishtar took her part, and took a step foward when Dié took a step backwards. "We are here to see if it would be possible to seek an alliance with your pride. While the Lady is not the sole power behind the Tianxia, she carries enough weight to make this alliance an ideal one."
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:54 am
She nodded in response to their respects, and listened as they explained the situation they were in. They were hunting for a companion for the heir of a neighbouring pride. Having been in a troublesome situation regarding a consort in the past herself, she could sympathize with the situation to some extent. And the idea of an alliance with a neighbour was intriguing. She wasn't sure she liked that they had gone ahead with checking out the pride without her consent, but they certainly did not appear to want to steal someone away.
"I am not opposed to the idea but I won't consent to anybody being sent away against their will," she said thoughtfully, "Who have you been speaking to?"
Watching silently from Ally's shoulder, he realized suddenly everything made a little more sense. And it was probably a good thing he had brought them here, this wasn't something that would be good to have happen under the nose of the rulers. They didn't indicate the gender of the heir or the lion they had (presumably) interviewed. A male would be easier to request but if they had picked out a slave, it would not be easy one way or another.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:28 am
Tishtar nodded. "We understand. We wanted to see if there was someone who might suit Miss Ria before offering, as she is quite a difficult one to please." Impossible really, as she didn't want to be paired, but they hadn't been able to find anyone else that would work out, and wanted to avoid the other families of the houses. Complicating the breeding lines would get messy in a generation or two.
Dié added on, "We found a male that might work, and wanted to request an audience with you to explain our situation a little more. Ria is quite headstrong, and as such were looking for an adaptable male for her. We were not looking for someone of a high ranking, one to hopefully not be offended by her strong will and domineering personality."
Tishtar spoke now. "We came across Alizeti of your pride, and he seemed like a candidate."
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:37 am
"Alizeti?" she repeated, not expecting to hear her nephew named as their candidate. It shouldn't have been so surprising it was a family member, though, she was related to a large number of pride members. If not directly then through marriage, as was her relationship with Alizeti.
"Did you tell Alizeti about your quest?" she wondered aloud, "He is not high ranking but he is a part of my family, from another noble family." Were they a pride that valued blood over spirituality, Alizeti would not be so low. Lineage was important to some prides and so it was worth mentioning, but it was also some indication that she might be more cautious. She should not play favorites but she also did not intend to offend any families, least of all her in-laws.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:57 am
Dié and Tishtar exchanged looks before turning their attention back to the Queen. "No. He briefly explained the ranks to us," Tishtar said carefully, as the way their own ranks were carried was different. Blood usually determined rank, unless marriage raised them. "But he didn't mention that he was a part of the royal family."
Dié was feeling impatient, though she shouldn't. The Queen had been hospitable to them. "We explained what we required, and he seemed amused, but not adversed to the idea. I do not mean to be rude, but we would not spend more time than needed to judge one for suitability. There is much pressure for the heiress to be betrothed. The Lord and Lady wish for an outside source to be her consort, and that is why we roam your lands."
Tishtar interrupted. "Though we are sorry for barging in without meeting you initially before our interviewing."
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