Itzel was gone.
They'd known that the day they'd set out looking for her. But still, that's what they did. Eventually, they gave up and Ilyas, with her help, went off and came back with a new Banu. One Afsar was going to get a long with.
Elsa was a stunning lioness who didn't know the first thing about this pride. But that's why Afsar had to teach her. It was her job as Beybanu. She wasn't even sure what made Ilyas pick Elsa other than some kind of attack or something. She didn't beg for the details or anything. It didn't matter, because Elsa was actually easy to get along with. They hadn't really spoken, both of them had been kept busy with their jobs. Afsar was making connections for Ilyas, not like he needed them, but that was part of a Beybanu. To seek out potential Pads for her future cubs was another part of her job.
Stepping out into the morning light, the orange Beybanu stretched herself out and let out a loud yawn. Was Elsa up yet? Her brain was so muddled she didn't know.
She was still learning her place here, that was sure. She was a bit uncomfortable for the most part. She had figured out what a Beybanu was, and it had meant mate. She was told that Banu meant the same thing, she just wasnt as important. But that bothered her in its own way. She tried to ignore it though, because she hadnt really been looking for love when she met Ilyas, and she really.. just didnt love him. Sure she might eventually grow fond of him, but he didnt seem truly willing to work on her. In fact, she had heard it was the females job to get to know her pad. That was odd in itself. Obviously females werent preferred here. Pff. She went from being of noble blood to that not mattering at all, and now she was a simple commoner in another pride. She sighed, and the lonliness today had kept her in her den. She didnt want to go out and do her job, not right now. She would though! Just not now.. She had also learned that a Kajira was someone who did nothing and fought the power of the males in the pride. They also were at risk of being killed by their pads, and that filled her with fear. Ilyas hadnt told her what the pride was about before she had joined. She supposed he had done what she asked though. He kept her safe. She had noticed banu's being hit by their pads here sometimes, and she was thankful that he had never struck her. SHe wasnt sure if she could handle it!
So she sat in the darkness of the den, resting on her belly, and deep in thought. Her thoughts were on mother, and her old home. She was beginning to wish she had never left, but she supposed it was too late for those thoughts now. No, now she had to be happy with what life had given her. At least she was alive. Her wounds were almost completely healed, though sometimes she still limped. But that was mostly if it was beginning to rain... She wasnt sure why.
Coming back into the den with breakfast for everyone, she still looked tired. Afsar was hardly a morning lion. In fact, usually, she slept well into the morning and got started late. No one seemed to midn because she did what was expected of her without being lazy or cutting corners. But, she figured she and Elsa could get to know each other a bit better today. Seeing Elsa awake and looking in thought, she dragged the baby waterbuck up to the Banu and geeted her with a smile. Elsa, certainly was beautiful. Afsar was jealous how well her colors with with Ilyas; they'd have the most beautiful cubs. Oh, yes, jealousy reared it's ugly head, but she squashed it down quickly. No need to get jealous, she was the Beybanu. Ilyas' favorite, and she was friends with the Sultan. Ever since she was a cub! Shaking her head with that, she just watched the other, not wanting to bother her when she was obviously thinking about something important.
Her green eyes glazed over as she started to get lost in her mind. Ilyas and her had a long history with each other, lots of moments together. Things between her and her Pad were rock solid. Often than not, Ilyas stole her away for some affection away from prying eyes. Oh, sure, she got in trouble a time or two for trying to wrestle with him in the pride, that was left for the den, but she didn't feel comfortable enough doing it in front of Elsa yet.
Right, Elsa! She snapped back to reality and finally made a noise; clearing her throat. "Morning."
The arrival of Asfar only furthered her wallowing it seemed. She liked her, as she was pretty kind from what she had seen from her. Like today, bringing the baby waterbuck to her and obviously inviting her to have some. Rogues killed for less, and so she figured she should be happy of where she was. She would take some time to get used to the new lifestyle. She hadnt known it would be so very different from before. She had assumed she'd join, be on her own, find love, and start a family in a new pride that loved her like her old one did. But she should have known that was wishful thinking. Things just didnt work out like that, they never did.. She made eye contact with the orangeish lioness, and then looked down at the carcass with a curious gaze. She didnt want to deny the meal, even in her old home that had been rude. Elsa hated being considered rude, though sometimes it had been a trait she couldnt help. She'd found she would need to hone that skill of keeping her mouth shut here. She was no longer a noble.. She was a banu. She hated that word.. Banu. It was like a word that expressed ownership over her. As if she was no where near a free living creature at all.
"Good morning." She said, answering reluctantly. She was fearful of Asfar, same as she was of ilyas for the time being. She would get over it, and likely rather quickly, but trust was hard to earn sometimes. She wasnt sure what Ilyas intentions were, but he had never been anything but corgial. Though she was told she was expected to bear him cubs, and raise them amongst the rest of the females in his harem.. Which really was only Asfar. She didnt want to have cubs with someone she didnt love. But she respected him, and was thankful for her life.. She supposed she could give in if he asked. A good deed for a good deed.
"I'm s-sorry. I should have been up by now, but I simply dont feel well." She said, which was partially true. She didnt feel well, but it wasnt an illness of a physical nature.
"Oh, psh. I start my day later. We get cut slack because Ilyas is the son of a powerful male in the pride," a grin and a wink was thrown in to show that she was in a good mood. She really was. Afsar had nothing to complain about, even with Elsa there. She moved and laid down in front of the other Banu and watched her. "I brought this for you or Ilyas, whichever of you want it. You don't have to take it, 'cause I know some don't like waterbuck. I.. don't know your favorite meal, I'm afraid." She looked the other over and then shrugged. Why be angry with someone who was brought here for saftey.
"Elsa... If you have any questions or concerns about anything; Ilyas, the pride, anything at all... I'll be more than happy to see if I can answer them. 'f not, my mom could! I'm sure of it. Or I could ask the Sultan. I guess what I'm trying to say is that they'll be answered either by me, or by someone else. Ahah...." She sighed after that and hung her head. Why was it so hard for her to interact with other females? Maybe because Afsar was more comfortable around a group of Pesar, playing and romping with them, teaching them things they'd need to know for their time in the unclaimed lands. "Uhm.. So... yeah. Hi."
Knowing that she started her day later, made Elsa relax her tensed muscles. She had been expecting to be told she hadnt been doing her job. Why should she eat if she didnt work, right? But it wasnt like she hadnt planned on working that day. She just needed a bit of time to feel sorry for herself.
She looked over the meat, her mouth salivating and she did her best not to lunge on the meal when she said htat it could be given to Ilyas if she didnt want it. She didnt eat as much as she used to, she was sad and hunger never really struck her these days. But she stood, wandering over to the meat
and smiling up at Asfar. She didnt want to seem rude, she really did appreciate it. She smiled softly, lowering her head to tear into the carcass. She wasnt really insanely picky. She'd eat waterbuck, even if her favorite was zebra.
"Im a fan of zebra.. I dont know why it just tastes smokier." She said with a grin.
Tearing at the meat, she swallowed a few mouthfuls before looking up with a blood stained maw.
"Im.. Im sure Ill have concerns and questions eventually. Right now Im taking it all in. Its a huge change, and Im trying to get used to it." She responded, not informing Asfar she hadnt realized she would be belonging to part of a harem.
"But hello, good morning." She smiled. She was maybe slightly older than Asfar, but not by much. Still a younger adult, she had the tendencies to be a bit childish.
She gave a grin as Elsa started eating. Afsar was glad of it, it was something of a peace offering, though there wasn't any... fighting between them. Maybe a bit of tension, but no real fighting. Of course the girl would be confused and have questions, but it seemed the purple lioness wasn't comfortable enough asking those questions. "Well... even if I'm a Beybanu... don't worry. Ilyas is a good lion and won't ever treat you bad. He's fairly sweet, and so is his family. Mine, too. I don't know if you saw him yet, but my brother, Zuberi? He's still a cub, he comes in here sometimes. He's a good guy too. But if you ever see him it's OK. You don't have to be nervous. He's kind of this grayish brown with two stripes on his back and a gray mane. Blue eyes. He came from my parents last litter. Like... my parents. Not the other den mother." She hoped this wasn't going to overwhelm her.
Green eyes watched Elsa eat as Afsar paused for breath. She talked when she was nervous, apparently. Yes, she was nervous talking to a Banu. In the back of her mind, Afsar didn't want Ilyas to have any Banu, but he'd get whispered about if he didn't. He wouldn't live up to his father's expectations, now would he? Shuffling this way and that, she set about straightening up the den; pushing straw back in the bedding.
She appreciated the kindness, and offered a smile. She normally wasnt such a talker herself, but that would likely bode well for her and this females relationship. Asfar seemed to talk plenty enough for her. She was okay with that.
Giving a smile, she nodded her head. She would keep an eye out for the little Zuberi. Maybe the more she watched and learned about everyone, the more comfortable she would be. So she made it her mission to learn everyone around here.
She watched Asfar push the bedding back, and chuckled. It was such a domestic thing to do, that she could tell Asfar took her job seriously.
NOdding once more, she smiled.
It wasn't that she took her job seriously, it was just what she did. It was part of the routine she built up since moving in with Ilyas. It was pretty domestic, though. "I have to talk to some banus today, arrange some meetings with their Pads and Ilyas. Trying to secure future cubs' positions, you know. Then I'm going to drag some food back for supper. Any requests?" It was like she was talking to her sister or something. No, Zarha would shove the fact she had cubs in her face and piss her off. It's what those two were good at doing to each other. And yet, they were hardly ever at ends. For all their bickering, Zarha and Afsar were on pretty good terms. "Oh, wait, zebra. I'll bring you bag a big leg of it." With a wink and a chuckle, Afsar headed out again. "See you tonight, Elsa!"
