Home. It was good, so good, to be back. And with such a prize as this fallen star as well. Anwar was really quite pleased with himself. Oh, he’d have to leave again soon, to check on those females in case there were aftermaths to his experiments. But for now it was good to be home. Zarha would have to be found and brought into his harem, where she’d belonged as his beybanu. He’d picked her as a cub, just as she’d picked him. A few choice words with her father about how wonderful and precious and how he couldn’t imagine life without the beautiful girl and she’d be his.
But first. First he had his ‘captured’ banu to settle in. "This will be our den, Star," he explained once they’d drawn near the twin caverns. "Obadias has claimed this one. So you will never be without company, even if my banu are hunting." And there was the added notion that he thought he’d caught her eyes on his brother once or twice. Perhaps even she did not realize it yet. But they would surely realize eventurally. At least this provided them with a means and an excuse to see one another. Anwar could care less himself. But if the pride got wind…there would be trouble. He refused to be shamed in such a way.
- -
Star decided she liked the pride, as she had been escorted to the den she would live in with her new...Pad. Anwar had explained the pride in more detail and, although she never really thought of sharing a mate, it didn't bother her as much as she thought it might. She just hoped she'd get along with her new 'sister' banu. She was terrified that she might make the other female hate her and be all alone here, with a mate who might not always love her.
Moving closer to the twin caverns, her fears were momentarily laid to rest. Obadias' harem would be next to her den, which mean he would be nearby. The darker male had captured her attention, he seemed more...sweet then the male who stood beside. Not that she thought Anwar cruel! It was just...Obadias seemed to have more in common with her.
“It looks nice,” Star said quietly, smiling warmly at him as she ducked into the den. It was a nice size, and while a little dusty, it was pretty clean. “Will I get to meet your other banu soon, Pad Anwar?” She asked, more then a little curious. She really did want to know who she would share her life with.
- -
Anwar smiled at the white lioness as she spoke. "Well, we picked them shortly before leaving, and haven’t been back until now. I’m sure we can get it fixed up nicely though," he assured her. And by ‘we’ he did indeed include himself. She’d come from a family that, from the few moments he’d seen them, worked utterly together. The better to ingrate himself to her. "Other banu? Well, there’s only Zarha. She was born here, we grew up together, and I’m going to ask her father for her now that she’s agreed." He was fond of the dark lioness. The schemer. The things they could do…the things they could achieve…
"I suppose you’ll meet her tomorrow. Today I’m more interested in getting you settled in comfortably," he added, nudging her lightly with his muzzle in a manner calculated to be affectionate. "Do you have any further questions about the pride? I know there must be something."
- -
Star continued to smile at him, looking around the den. She could imagine a family here, and wondered if the male who featured was which of the brothers, before deciding that it didn't matter. “It'll be wonderful, with just some tender love and care,” she assured him, happily already thinking of ways of improving the den. Like furs, for bedding. Especially if cubs were around, because sleeping on the floor would be far too uncomfortable for ones so young. She paused. When had she started thinking of cubs? She refocused on Anwar. “Zarha. I like that name,” she said nodding. “Was it a childhood romance?” She prompted, eager to hear the story of how those two had fallen in love. Because obviously they must have been in love.
She looked pleased that today was about her, but hesitated. “Are we meant to have cubs straight away?” She asked almost rushed. Sure, she wanted cubs, but she wasn't sure if she was ready right now to have them. She was only young still. She purred a little at the nuzzle, and tucked herself closer to him, almost shyly. She was still getting used to the fact that she was his, and that he was hers too.
- -
Romance? With Zarha? More importantly, romance with him? "More like…friends," he decided finally. "But she’s a little…" he hesitated, not sure how to explain. He didn’t want to make her sound poorly, but at the same time didn’t know how much of the scheming he cared to admit to everyone just yet. "I value her opinions. But other males are not so understanding of a female who speaks out of turn." He had warned Star properly about that, hadn’t he? Or was that one of the things she’d learned from Obadias? It hadn’t been neglected had it? Proper conduct?
…cubs? "Oh, no," he hastened to assure her. "It is expected eventually but…when you feel more comfortable with the idea," he shrugged as though it meant little to him what she chose. After all, for all he knew he already had cubs on the way. It was an…interesting thought. He wasn’t sure of his opinion on it just yet. "I want you to be happy here. Not feel pressured," Anwar added as she cuddled into him. She was sweet. Quiet and eager to understand. Not many could boast of having found a Banu like this. More than likely most of them had clocked the first female they had and dragged the body back. There would be arguing, perhaps even runaways, or new Kajira. But not his Banu.
- -
Star tilted her head to the side. Childhood friends becoming mates, how adorable! She thought to herself, a die-hard romantic. “Does she speak out of turn or anything like that, or is it simply because she has an opinion most wouldn't agree with?” She asked. Both Anwar and Obadias had told her about proper conduct and that she needed to be seen, rather then heard on most manners. It didn't bother her. She wasn't much for voicing her opinions. She was always afraid that others would not approve, or not agree.
She looked relieved at his comment of cubs, giving him another smile. “I'm glad! I do want cubs...just not straight away,” she said, looking embarrassed at her comment and trying to hide her face in his shoulder so he would not see her embarrassment. She liked this. This new life. He was sweet, she would have a friend in Zarha – she hoped- she would have Obadias and his females, and someday, she would have cubs of her own.
- -
Anwar merely shrugged again. Would this charade get on his nerves if he had to continue it? He wasn’t certain. But it wasn’t hard to pretend these feelings others were so enslaved to. "Zarha is very well bred," he said firmly. "But her voice deserves to be heard. If I am the only one who would listen and know its value, then why would I allow someone else to take her?" There. That made sense and sounded…er…’romantic’ enough he supposed. And as far as the cubs went…
"Well, whenever you’re ready, let me know," he murmured, nuzzling the top of her head as she hid her face. Cute. He liked this one. She would be a well behaved female, and a fallen star as well. Such a pretty prize he’d found for himself. And so long as she was happy here, she wouldn’t want to leave. Once there were cubs…then she would certainly stay. No female in her right mind would abandon her own young after all.
- -
Star sighed. “That's so romantic, Pad Anwar,” she gushed, her smile bright and cuddling closer to him. She loved a romantic story and Anwar seemed to really care for Zahra, and for her. Perhaps this would work, she decided, smiling. Plus, if all else failed, her father had promised to take her away if she hated it here. She didn't think she would though. Anwar was just so nice.
She lifted her face, still resting against his shoulder, her face close to his now. “Thank you, Pad Anwar,” she whispered. “For giving me a home, and a chance at a family – a real family.” She didn't know if he'd understand, but being orphaned, she had always wanted someone to be hers. Someone to want her and want her around. Her parents had been loving, and she wouldn't have traded them for anything, but still, she wanted something...more then that kind of love. Something...just for her...and if it meant sharing it with Zarha, then she didn't mind.
- -
Her words took him a bit by surprise. He still had not yet mastered guessing how she would react, but she did seem to enjoy his attempts to please her. So then he was almost certainly doing something right. He smiled when she lifted her face from where she’d hidden it among his dark stripes and thanked him. Sometimes he wondered how people would react if they knew. Knew who he was. Knew how he worked…how he knew how they worked. But, of course, that was one question doomed to remain unanswered. Because in learning the answer, he might lose his control. The risk was not worth satisfying the morbid curiosity.
"Of course, Banu Star," he purred, "Ever since the night I saw you fall from the sky I intended to find you and bring you to a new home. I’m glad I’ve succeeded."
- -
Star continued to smile, a feeling of contentment filling her body as she rested her head back against his shoulder, nuzzling her face into his fur once more. This...this was perfect, she decided softly. It was like a dream. Like a -
“Like a fairytale,” she whispered, not intending for him to hear. She closed her eyes, content with this new world. It was nothing like what she knew, but it was hers, for as long as she wanted it to be. It could be her forever, if only she let it be.
- -
… a fairytale?
Was this girl for real? It was almost too easy to lead her around by the muzzle with a few words and a smile here and there. No challenge at all. Which was probably a good thing really. He didn’t need extra factors making his life difficult. If she wanted to be as malleable as mud between his paws, well, then so be it.
"There are sometimes ‘real’ happy endings too you know," he told her playfully, knowing she’d eat it up and coo and cuddle happily. And happy was how he wanted her. Happy Star meant no trouble if daddy Dysi showed up. And he was a fan of not getting himself into trouble. If that called for a little sap here and there, it wasn’t hurting him.
