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 Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:35 am
Mirsajadi Two days ago Mirsajadi had found himself in the unexpected position of speaking to his younger brother, Akram'Raja, by the side of the lake. Something had woken him up and he'd been trying to figure out what it was when he arrived at the lake and his brother greeted him, distracting him from whatever it was. The conversation between them had not been as barbed as it usually was, and had finally turned to an actual subject which was almost a real conversation. The direction the conversation had taken was that of banu, and what made one acceptable and desirable. Mirsajadi had provided most of the description, which had come from somewhere inside him he hadn't before paid much thought to. However, it was Raja asking which pads' banu among the pride would be acceptable that had started Mirsajadi thinking and remembering that his friend Zoey was one of Faiz's banu, but would someday have to go to someone else. Mirsajadi had quickly decided that she would be wasted on another pad. Particularly if she got one like his father or his brothers. His father's subtleties were far cruelers than Mirsajadi's were, and he could be violent. His brothers, on the other hand, were stupid and thick-headed compared to him, and would be unable to appreciate her. He knew she entertained silly dreams of fairy tale princes and romance, and she wasn't likely to get those with any of the pads he knew of. Not really. He supposed he ought to warn her. Arezoo She had left the den today, making her way to her second favorite place in the world. The lake. Sure it was a very simple favorite place but when one was happy, why knock it? She purred, stepping into the waters, and then going in to about shoulder deep. Her paws still touched the earth, and she just relaxed in the waters. She swished her tail around in the water, feeling like it weighed suddenly twenty pounds more. She had been coming here more and more often whenever she had to get away from her father and his banu. They were all lovey, they snuggled and she just felt more panged than happy to see it. She was beginning to resent the relationship some of the banu had with her father. She wanted a relationship like that, but she knew her dreams were unreal. They were as likely to happen as her magically turning into a giraffe. She tried not to think of that now though, as she was doing this to get her mind off her troubles. Sometimes she just couldnt help herself. She took a deep breath, dunking her head, and then pulling it out with a smile. She simply loved to swim.. Even if it was somewhere as shallow in places as the lake. She wondered if one day she might see the ocean she had heard of, but then she knew it was all really unlikely. She'd stay within the pridelands.. But she could still see the large rushing water in her dreams. She was humming to herself, more relaxing in the water than swimming or bathing in it. She just liked feeling it move around her body whenever she moved. She liked to watch the rings that formed in the water create more rings outward until they dissappeared from lack of movement. She smiled, sometimes like could be amazing. Even if she was in a state of turmoil within some days lately!
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:15 am
Mirsajadi Mirsajadi's desire to talk to Zoey would have to wait, however. At least for a little bit. He was thirsty, and he didn't know how long their talk would go, so it seemed prudent to get a drink before he went in search of her. He didn't stop to think that she might perhaps be somewhere other than her father's den. Almost every time he'd seen her, she had been there, and he had never spoken to her away from that location. Her father's den provided them with enough seclusion for their friendship to remain secret, and a part of him was reluctant to admit to their friendship in public. He knew how his father felt about hers, and he didn't want to bring down his father's disapproval by befriending a banu at all, but it would be ever so much worse if the banu was one of Vizier Faiz's daughters. He knew that deep in his bones. And his conversation with his brother had made it that much more obvious to him. Raja had been right. While Faiz's daughters might be perfectly acceptable banu by the standards Mirsajadi had set, they were still their father's daughters, which would not please Tariq'ra'd. He was surprised when he reached the lake to see Zoey's dark blue head emerge smiling from the water not too far from the bank where he had lowered his head to drink. It was actually sufficient to startle him into taking a few steps back from the water. Arezoo She continued swimming, playing around and entertaining herself. She knew that she had to keep herself happy.. Because if she lost herself, her courage would soon follow. She knew she had to remember who she was, and keep herself from allowing herself to think she may be a shameful daughter on her father. Faiz was patient, and for that she was thankful. He loved her, and did what he could for her, but even he couldnt give her the mate she dreamed of. She had to find that herself. She really wasnt planning on noticing Mirsa, after all, she knew how he felt about being seen outside her den with her.. She wasnt really pleased that they had to keep themselves hidden, since their fathers truly hated each other...But she knew that if she didnt mean -anything- to him, Mirsa wouldnt come around. He had a reason for things.. Sometimes it was a bit off, but he always had a reason. She caught the movement out of the side of her eyes and she perked her head, spooked herself. She didnt know she'd had an audience, and she also didnt know that the audience had been her friend. Thankfully she hadnt been talking aloud like she tended to whenever she was deep in thought. "Mirsa!" She said cheerfully, though she made sure not to yell it. What if someone saw them? Would he turn and leave and pretend he didnt know her? She didnt know but she supposed it was possible. So she started heading in his direction, waiting to see if he'd leave or wait for her to approach.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:38 am
Mirsajadi "Good morning, Banu Arezoo," Mirsajadi said, carefully polite in this public location. Just because he didn't see anyone around when he was coming up to the lake didn't mean there wasn't anyone there in actuality. When he had been coming to the lake he hadn't thought he would be involved in clandestine meetings. It had occurred to him before, and it occurred to him again, that what he did to her with regards to their friendship wasn't fair. He behaved as though he was ashamed of being friends with her, even though that wasn't the case. His need for secrecy was ingrained and the way their fathers felt about each other, well. "I didn't know that you swim," he said, just to say something. He refused to stand there on the shore looking like a dolt and it would have been rude not to return her greeting. Arezoo She hadnt really thought about fairness in their relationship. She accepted what she got, as any good banu should. However it still gave her slight pangs now and again. She sometimes wondered where her stance was with him, but she knew shed likely never really know. She smiled when she approached, though the smile didnt meet her eyes. She knew he would be leaving soon.. After all he was getting to be older, and ready for that kind of thing. She had briefly wondererd what kind of banu he would bring back with him when he returned. However once she had thought about it, she had tried to never think of it again. It made her almost sick to her stomach. Not the notion that he was with someone else, because, growing up where she had, sharing was a common practice. But.. she felt the new girl would take her place as his friend, and then she would live a life devoted to a Pad that used her for cubs and nothing else. Thats what she feared more than anything. However she hid the unsure look on her face once she was closer to him. "Good morning, Pad Mirsaradji." she said with a bow of her head, obviously showing him the respect he deserved in public. Of course he deserved it in private too, but it was more likely to hear her address him that way in public. She watched him shuffle a bit, noticing that maybe this meeting hadnt been the first thing on his list of things to do today. "I swim sometimes. Clears my head. What do I owe this meeting?" She grinned. She didnt add that her head had been a mix of emotion and turmoil, and she needed anything to make her happy sometimes.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:07 am
Mirsajadi Mirsajadi nodded, accepting her explanation. He didn't ask why her head might need to be cleared. He assumed that, like most people, she sometimes thought things and sometimes thought too many things at once. At least, that was what happened to him when he felt the need to clear his head. Or he'd had another of his hallucinatory fits. But no one knew about those. "I'm afraid it's a spontaneous meeting," Mirsajadi said. "Though fortuitous. I had been planning to come find you after getting a drink. Would you mind coming out of the water?" It was very odd to talk to someone who was standing in the water while he was on the shore. And, having reminded himself of his primary purpose in coming to the lake, Mirsajadi lowered his head to the water and began to drink, his unruly mane falling into his face and into the water. He wondered if it would ever behave properly, like the manes of the other pads he knew. Perhaps he ought to just be glad he was finally achieving some sort of growth at all. Arezoo She smiled, nodding. She supposed she could step out of the water. She had had her swim after all, and now she was just ready for the day. She stepped out of the water, her body sodden and dripping. She shook, letting water fly, and when she was done, her fur was that of an impressive poof. She blushed, and shook again, letting it fall back into place. Finally, she was almost sure she didnt look like a drowned rat now. She wondered what he might have to talk about, though she had a feeling. Maybe he found a banu, Or he was announcing his leave and that she should move on with her life. She prepared, though she didnt let the nervousness show on her face. If there was one thing Zoey was good at, it was masking emotion enough to pretend she wasnt upset, or sad, or dissappointed in the times she was. "Well thats good, seems you're quite lucky today." She chuckled, and walked over beside him. She wasnt sure how close was too close, so she made sure to give enough distance between her and Mirsa. She knew he would like having his own room, as he tended to not like being closed in, or touched, comforted, anything. He just didnt like being coddled, and she could understand. Though she would have doted on him if he had allowed her. She was just that type! "So what is it you wanted to see me about?" She asked, feeling her heart race. She prepared for the worst, though she hoped it was merely asking if she'd like to go for a walk. She liked those conversations. But she had a feeling that wasnt the topic.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:31 am
Mirsajadi "Thank you," he said when she came out of the lake, automatically polite. He also pretended not to notice when her damp fur poofed up to make her look especially fluffy. The sight amused him, but it simply wasn't polite to comment on that sort of thing. He glanced around once more, giving in to habit before he began to speak. "I'm going to be leaving soon. I don't know exactly when, but probably within a few days at the latest." He winced and shook his head. He knew what this sounded like, and he didn't want it come off that way. He wasn't going to be one of those pads who begged a banu to wait for him. He wasn't even thinking of asking Zoey to be his banu. He just wanted to warn her that most of the other pads in the pride weren't good enough for her, and she ought to hold out for one who could help her live her fairytale as much as possible, because she deserved to be that happy. "I wanted to tell you that you deserve a better pad than this pride can offer, and that you shouldn't settle for someone less than you deserve," he said with uncharacteristic bluntness. If he pussyfooted around it, she would think he was asking her to wait for him. Which he wasn't doing. Arezoo He began speaking, and she began listening. The conversation confused her at first, because at first she assumed he was just letting her know he was leaving. She appreciated the notice, but when he kept going her mind was racing. He wasnt asking her to wait was he? Oh how she realized that would be the best thing in the world. She would wait a million moons! She almost got a bit excited before he finished his topic and she dropped a bit. Okay, so that was hopeful thinking.. But she wished he could see the desire to be -his- in her eyes. Though if he did he would likely find it a bit scary and leave. She couldnt win. Her face looked dissappointed, though she did try hard to conceal it. It really wasnt all that concealable. "Im not sure if after awhile, if Ill get a choice," She responded, remembering her fathers words that if she did not pick a pad soon, he'd pick one of his choices for her. She knew already it would never be Mirsa if father picked.. Though it wasnt likely it would be Mirsa anyway from the sounds of it. She took a deep breath and sighed. She liked though, that he had complimented her even a little. That brought up her spirit a bit, though she looked him in the eye with a sad smile. "The big ol' world waits for you, huh? You'll have to tell me stories about it.. Provided you arent too busy with your new Banus." She said.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:48 am
Mirsajadi "I highly doubt your father will force you to take a pad you don't want. Look at your older sister, Farrah. She was allowed to be in your brother's harem until she found a pad to suit her." He didn't know why he knew that piece of gossip, except that someone had mentioned it in the den and he had listened because it pertained not only to Vizier Faiz's family, but also to Zoey's family. In his head he had almost managed to separate the two completely, which made it much easier for him to spend time with her without scowling because of his family's innate disdain for hers. An anticipatory grin spread across Mirsajadi's face as he imagined the adventure yet to come. He was looking forward to leaving like nothing else. He had been looking forward to this adventure for most of his life, it seemed. He and Zoey had even spoken of it in the past. He'd promised he would come back with stories for her, he recalled. "I already said I would," he said with an off-handed air. "And my banu will just have to understand that I've known you longer and that you're my friend. They're just banu. In terms of importance, you come higher." Arezoo She watched the smile spread on his face, and that brought a smile to her own. She really liked that he was being made happy so far. Sometimes it was so hard to see him smile. It was a rare occurance, that she loved more than anything. But she nodded, and chuckled. "I was just reminding you, in case you grew too fast for your brain to be able to retain the information." She grinned, teasing. She thought about him going off and slaying monsters and wooing damsels. It was most definitely going to be like a page out of the story book called her mind. When he told her that she was of higher importance, she smiled. Her smile was large, and touched both her ears. She was obviously extremely happy that she was important to him, even if it meant just as friends. She could be just friends, so long as he always loved her as such. If he grew too bored of her and went to his banu, she'd be officially depressed and she wouldnt care who knew! "Aw well that sets my fears at ease." She said with a nod, her eyes soft. She wasnt sure if he'd take that she was fearing anything from that statement, or if he would let it go, but right now she was too happy to care.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:13 am
Mirsajadi "I don't think it's possible for me to grow so fast my brain stops working," Mirsajadi said archly. In fact, he sort of half wished that he could grow so fast his brain would stop working. Or at least work differently. If he could maybe outgrow the defect that made him subject to seizures and hallucinations, that would be the most amazing thing imaginable. But he didn't let himself think of that. It would never happen, and hoping for it would only set him up for disappointment. "Anyway, that's really all I wanted to say to you. To tell you to wait for the right lion, and not settle for just anyone." With a wicked smirk he added, "You can always use me as your standard of measurement, if you're not sure what an ideal pad is like. I'm pretty close to perfect, you know. And in a conveniently small package." If he was never going to be a large lion, he could at least learn to work with being smaller. There were worse things, after all. He could be stupid, for instance. That would be much worse. Being small and stupid would be even worse than that. So at least he wasn't stupid. Just not particularly observant, apparently, as he had no idea of Zoey's feelings for him, even when they were written plainly in her eyes. Arezoo She chuckled. Yeah she guessed that was true. You couldnt grow so fast that your brain changed. Or at least, not that she knew of. She nodded, accepting what he said and sighing. She didnt want to have to tell him goodbye! She would really miss him while he was gone. Though when he returned she was terribly excited for the stories of everything he did, and all the damsels he saved. She knew he was a prince, whether he thought he belonged in those fairy tales or not. He didnt have to believe them to be one.. Or thats what she thought. When he mentioned himself being the perfect pad to model one after, she snorted with laughter. How very naieve he could be sometimes, either that, or very unobservant, she wasnt sure which. He had no idea how close he was to the truth in her mind, but she wouldnt tell him that. "Oh yeah, you're just the best catch. Why should I even bother looking?" She asked with a wink, teasing him even though teasing him with that made her cringe. She meant it, but she knew he couldnt know that, or at least not right now. Hell, if things DID work and she DID become of importance.. She still knew that he would never be the prince she had dreamed of, but he was enough for her. "How appropriate. Though I think that if you were a large male, Id be in trouble." She said. When she realized how it could be constrewed, she cleared her throat, eyes wide. "I mean, it would be hard to do anything if you were so much bigger than I! Can you imagine?" She asked,
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:56 am
Mirsajadi "I hadn't given it much thought," Mirsajadi said truthfully. "I don't think I'll be able to help growing larger, but I doubt I'll ever be as large as Raja." It was a sore point with him. He stepped away from the water, having drunk his fill and conveyed the message he'd hoped to convey to Zoey. There wasn't really anything else to say. He would probably miss her, but he wasn't likely to tell her that. Admitting to things like feelings and fondness and attachment wasn't something he did. At all. Ever. "Bigger isn't always better though," he said as he began to walk away. "Keep that in mind until I come back. I want to make sure you end up with someone good."
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