Rasul paused in front of the water, inspecting his fur. It stood out at random ends, giving him a very rough look. He scowled, dipping a paw into the water before he tried to smooth it down. It wouldn't help to look shabby when he was trying to impress. Then again, he didn't want to look like he was trying too hard. He shook his mane out again. Well, it was better than before, or worse, he wasn't sure. The den his father had pointed out to him was just over the ridge and as he crossed he steadied himself, prepared for a discussion he felt he was wholly incapable of conducting without stumbling. "Pad Kame'bufuu," he called out in a cheerful voice.
Kame heard a call coming from outside his den. The voice was male, and a scowl poured over his face as it seemed older to him than he'd expect to hear calling. It was obvious that the person calling was not calling for one of his sons, as they would call for them by name, but for him. He could only imagine, someone was coming to inquire about his daughters. His ears flattening to his head for a moment and he got up to answer who was calling.
"Who beckons me?" Kame answered sternly, as he approached the entrance to his den. Today his legs were stiff. He had rewarded Tai and Kinaya for their hard work by giving them a feast last night, and he was feeling the aftermath in his aging body. This life was proving too lax for him, he needed to train again. He needed to be on his toes.
The tone caught him off guard and for a moment Rasul thought of turning to flee. No, he had decided to do this, and he'd find himself in trouble if he just came back. "Pe- Pad Rasul," he stuttered, trying to hold his head up straight, "Son of Pad Kwea." He needed to remember to drop that part in the future but at the moment he was hoping to use some of his father's reputation to start this conversation properly. "I came to speak to you about one of your daughters, Banu Tasleem."
"Tasleem?" Kame repeated. His tone a bit shocked to hear her name out of anyone else's lips aside from her family's. Kame knew his daughter Tasleem, and he knew her well. She was so quiet, so polite, never an ounce of trouble to anyone. To hear that someone, a Pad even, had come to him to speak of his daughter caused a look to form on Kame's face of utter concern.
"I hope she hasn't done anything wrong... It'd make for a very disappointing first," Kame said carefully.
"No, not at all," Rasul assured him, squaring his shoulders as he sat. He kept his eyes level but slightly below Kame's. "I've seen her around the dens," he explained, "She's quite a sweet girl, she seems to enjoy watching the birds." There was a hint of admiration in his voice, he had to admit a certain liking for those that enjoyed the signs of nature. "I spoke with her briefly, and I was wondering about her future?"
"Tasleem's future is undetermined," Kame commented, looking down at Rasul warily. He had heard of Rasul's father and his heavy-pawed tendencies and worried internally about Tasleem's fair there. What he had heard wasn't much, aside from that one tid-bit. He spent much more time with his Banu and his family than talking to other Pads, and the one's he did converse with had little ones of their own to look after, and were as involved in family as he was.
"Tasleem was raised well and is the most modest of my daughters," Kame said bluntly, "Her humility is only matched by her willingness to learn properly."
Rasul nodded. "I have heard only good things about her and your family. My own," he trailed off a bit, "I am unlike my father in many ways. I am a scientist of sorts, as is my beybanu. We dabble in nature and the past, above all the beauty of such things." He nodded toward the entrance of the den though he did not know if she was home, "Your seems to have an interest in such things as well, but with a much stronger connection to her role than my beybanu admittedly has." He cleared his throat, bracing himself to look into Kame's eyes as he had been avoiding. "I would appreciate if you would consider her coming to join our home when she is ready, I can assure you she would be well provided for and allowed her fancies. I do not believe in... heavy constraints."
"Her considerations are my considerations," Kame said bluntly. He was not one to mince words, and though Rasul's declaration that he was not like his father in the ways that made Kame weary had calmed him considerably, it was still a hard pill to swallow that she would have to leave him.
"Allow me to be blunt with you, Rasul," He said, looking away for a moment and heaving a heavy sigh, "I am an old man. Most of my life was spent at war and the only children I have are the ones who live with me in this den. They are my world, and you are asking me to give one of them to you..."
Kame stopped for a moment and looked back to him with a tired look, and flattened ears, "If you are who Tasleem chooses, she may join your family as soon as she is of age. Her education is very important to her mother's and I. I am sure you understand that..."
"Of course," he agreed, relaxing noticeably, "I would not ask that she come against her will. She was not entirely forthcoming when I suggested I speak with you, but I think that may have been to save any stresses should you disagree." He scratched a paw on the ground, marking something reminiscent of a bonestone absently, "If and when she decides, my den will be open. I take no others." He wasn't sure if this pad was one who respected large harems or agreed to the simplicity of a small home, but it felt important to mention. In all, the conversation had gone better than he had expected, even though he wasn't too sure on the outcome.
"Tasleem considers everyone with the decisions she makes," Kame said, a small pleasant tone to his voice. At least his daughter could see plainly how much of a task it was for him to part with her like he would soon have to. For such consideration he was grateful for her, and would take the next set of months to spend as much time with his beloved gray daughter as he could.
"Family is forever important," Kame said, his whiskers bristling a bit as he spoke, "When everyone else has abandoned you, they will always be there to take you in, whatever your condition."
"I wish you well, Pad Rasul. Whether Tasleem chooses you or not, I wish to you nothing but the best to you and yours."
"And to you," he said with a nodding, taking a cue that it was time to leave. Standing, he offered a respectful nod, "When the time comes, if she decides my den will be open and my beybanu will be there to welcome her." He took a few steps away, smiling softly to himself. With a consideration for the older male's words he added on, "You are a wise pad, I hope to grow into one at least half your strength."
