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 Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:06 pm
 Nkosazana was desperately trying to control her nerves. She had felt so confident asking for this interview, but now Nko felt like she was going to shake to pieces. Her claws dug into the soft ground and she exhaled. Once, twice. She could do this; she had reasoning behind her.
Nko tried to go over her perfectly logical reasons to have cubs in her mind and nearly face planted into the dirt when she couldn't. How could she have forgotten the whole key to her argument?! It was too late now to cancel her interview with Queen Alcmene, so she'd just have to wing it.
At a nod from the guard Nko moved forward and bowed low. "Good day Queen Alcmene."
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:43 pm
With some suspicious lions allowed to join the pride under probation until the full moon (when a final decision could be made).. Alcmene was keeping plenty busy. She maintained they had the right to be suspicious and so long as the new members were willing to put up with that to start, things would be all right.
While it wasn't entirely uncommon, nobody had formally requested an interview of sorts with her in some time and Alcmene was happy to meet up. She was between jobs in checking with some of the other guards when they met up.
"Good day, Nkosazana," she greeted the familiar lioness, smiling at her. She remembered when they'd last spoken, she'd been deciding what she should like to become. In fact, it hadn't been all that long ago.
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:47 pm
Nko smiled. This would be easy. The queen's warm welcome boosted her confidence and she purred. "How have you been? Do you need a treat now or then? I could easily bring a young zebra or gazelle back for you." Good things happened to you, if you pleased royalty. What better way to persuade them than a tender young beast? Nko thought.
Now to business. Nko met the eyes of her queen. "I had a little something I wanted to talk to you about. You see, I haven't found anybody in the pride that I'd like to settle down with." She spoke softly and brushed her toes across the dirt. "If it'd be alright with you Queen Alcmene, I'd like to find a rogue mate." She was watching closely to see how the lioness took it. Her reaction would tell Nko how much she had to argue her point.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:31 pm
"I've been very well, it's been busier than usual around here lately," she responded, smiling at Nko's offer but not addressing it specifically, "You may not have noticed, you're still getting into the swing of things, aren't you?" She seemed to be adjusting well, she looked perfectly happy- this wouldn't be a meeting before a permanent departure.
The change in Nko's eye contact and tone signaled she would find out the exact purpose of this meeting-- and when she said it, Ally was surprised, though not put off.
"A rogue mate to bring back here or just to father cubs?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:12 pm
"That is a shame. No, I did not realize. Everything seems so calm, and people are happy. I've done very well. The other guards have been a great help. It feels almost as if I was never away." She was happy. Her coat perfectly groomed for this meeting.
Nkosazana opened her mouth to reply, then closed it. She hadn't considered that aspect of it. Her thoughts blurred together she felt them moving so fast. What would be acceptable to her? She took a breath. "I'd forgot to consider that. I think, in the end it would be his choice. If he wanted to join, you know I would be very picky who I accepted."
She nodded. Oh, Nko was going to be V-E-R-Y picky in choosing her male. Not just a common rogue would do. She offered the queen a smile. "Of course if he chose not to come, I would still hold very high standards." Would this point turn the queen from letting her go?
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:21 pm
"Of course," Ally murmured when Nko said she would be picky in selecting a mate. Choosing a father for cubs rather than a permanent mate didn't have to make it much quicker or easier.. in some ways it would be, but in others it would be much more difficult.
"If you're sure this is what you want to do, you will certainly be allowed to go find yourself a mate," she said after a moment's pause, "You are high enough in rank you can leave without permission and since you have informed me, if you become pregnant without a mate present it will not be so suspicious."
Nko could leave the pride if she wanted, she was not a slave, this was just a formality- and it reflected well on her.
"However, the new moon is approaching and you would be best to wait until a fuller moon to leave the safety of the pride," she said, "And with our suspicious guests it would be best we not lose any of our guards until we are sure we can trust them. They are in plain sight now but I expect those more practiced at it would be better observers and protectors, should there be any need of it."
She smiled.
"So wait a couple weeks, by the time the full moon is here we will have to make a decision about the Ilanga lions and the Great Lion will be able to watch over your journey."
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:07 pm
There were plenty of males within the pride, but Nko desired a far wider selection. Some of the males of the pride might feel that her middle rank wouldn't be enough for them. By picking a rogue she'd bypassed that problem. Nko was determined to find the healthiest, strongest, proudest rogue male she could.
Nkosazana purred gratefully. "Yes Queen Alcmene. I do want this and have thought long about it. Thank you for your permission. It does mean a lot to me. I want strong cubs to give to the pride." Her mind was a bit giddy. She had the queen's permission to go out and look for a rogue.
A nod followed the mention of the new moon. There was that to consider. Nko wasn't quite ready yet to go hunting a rogue, and she absolutely did not want to leave her pride when they needed protection the most. "I am not quite ready to leave. Plus, I had no intention of leaving while our guests are still here. There is no rush for me, and I can afford to take some time." She bowed low. Once said guests had left, then she would prepare for her hunt.
"I will be honored if he were to turn His Eye upon my quest. I pray He will lead me to a strong lion to father strong cubs. It shall be as you ask, Queen." Nko knew her time with the Queen was over. She offered another deep bow of respect.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:40 pm
Ally beamed at Nko as she agreed to the terms she put forth. It would be for the best. Nko could leave without worrying-- unless the Ilanga lions had to be sent away and then it might be best to wait again until they were sure they had left and would not try anything on wandering members.
"I wish you luck when your hunt begins," she said, smiling, "I'll see you again before you go."
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:00 pm
Nko felt the approval of her queen like a strong beam of sunshine. It felt good. She would use the remaining time here wisely. This was time to prepare, be sure she was fit, make her plans, and determine where she would look. If it took a long time, she was prepared.
"Thank you Queen Alcmene." Nko gave a soft laugh. "Well, hopefully more often than that. If you need me for anything, please do not hesitate to call. Shall I come to you when I feel it might be time, or would you like to arrange something else?" Nko wasn't sure what might fit in with the Queen's schedule better.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:43 pm
"Come to me when you're ready to go, I'm not usually hard to find," she answered, nodding, "And I'm usually not too busy to approach, if I am, you'll know."
And that was all that needed to be said. It was settled, Nkosazana would be allowed to leave and return either with a mate or possibly pregnant and nobody would think twice about the circumstances.
"Have a good night."
Fin.
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