Akram'raja stood at the front of his den, watching over those who dared step near and stare from afar. He partially enjoyed it - the attention, the knowledge that others knew he had done something almost unheard of and to be recognized. He had brought back three females on his adolescent quest - not that it hadn't been possible before, but these three were to be quite esteemed, already possessing some traits that the Ukuucha'Wafalme would favor.The journey back to the pride had seemed long especially with his lagging females, but he made sure they were timely as well. It helped that Naheed was able to keep the other two in check, too. He had to form some sort of appreciation for the elegant, white beauty he discovered in both his dreams and the lands. He looked behind, back into the den in which his now four females had gathered as instructed. Lililamuna was instructing them of the pride mostly - he also had her to thank for that. Without Lililamuna, he would have had to deal with the annoyance of teaching formalities and the way of pride life to the others. It was something he could have done, but unnecessary if he had Lililamuna there to do it.
Some of these things, however, didn't even need to be taught to Naheed. He glanced over, looking over the pale form of his favorite from the rogue lands. As he caught her eye, he motioned for her to break away from the group to come to him.
"Banu Naheed," he said, an order in his voice if it hadn't already been clear to her.
"Yes, my Pad," Naheed cooed as she slipped away from the other banu to settle by his side. As she had been taught she remained a step back from him when she sat, showing that she both respected him and trusted him to keep danger away from their den. She was a bit concerned that he had called her forward, though she knew she had done nothing to elicit anger from him. Since they had arrived she had listened well to Lililamuna, though she found it strange to take instructions from one who was that much younger than her. Raja had been right though, it was important for them to know the history of the pride. There was no better teacher than a banu who had lived much of her life there, so she had kept her silence."Banu Naheed..." Akram'raja repeated, throwing a curious glance at the others.
It seemed like Lililamuna, being her usual jealous self, had looked over to question his beckoning of Naheed. But upon seeing his gaze, swiftly turned back to the charges. He smiled, favoring the building competition between Lililamuna and the females he brought back from outside the pride. Perhaps... that tension and relationship was stressed greater in Lililamuna and Naheed. He couldn't tell now, but perhaps it would develop into an amusing rivalry in the future that would better all of them.
"I acknowledge that you do not need to listen to some of what Banu Lililamuna is able to teach you," he said, making his voice low enough so that the others wouldn't hear, but strong enough to still hold a dominating presence, "But it is crucial since you are new to these lands. Your elegance is at the moment, indeed far surpassing hers. Regardless... I find myself wondering what you think of these lands, Banu Naheed. And our sultan, Aali."
He smiled devilishly, wondering if she had noticed him when the group passed by, "He was the golden-pelted, black and purple one surrounded by most of the females in the pride. As Banu Lililamuna might have told you already, he is the only one allowed to have more lionesses than others. Do you think you can keep him as your sultan?"
"I will give him my respect and allegiance," she said softly, remembering how she admired the graceful females that moved along with him, "But to you first and foremost." After all through the sultan would keep the land safe it was her pad that would defend them should the need arise. And it was her pad who would give her strong cubs to carry on. "I will be happy here," she added, surveying the horizon, "There are many young families, and banu who I may spend my days with. It will give me reason to practice harder." She paused, a demure smile coming over her face, "At least until the den is full of little ones, then perhaps I'll need to train by night." The thought would have frightened her before, but now she had realized that even if the cubs belonged to one of the other banu of the family she would still consider them her own.
"Excellent," he purred out, feeing good that he didn't have to worry over Naheed's training unlike Korofi-uzulu or Jazua'Dania's; despite Naheed's words, he didn't even feel compelled to remind her that she would need to inform him any time she wished to go outside of the den.
"Yes, many live within the Ukuucha'Wafalme, and many families are big. I presume you come from one greatly different. My vizier of a father, Tariq'ra'd, has spread his influence far within this pride. When he is not busy on his duties to the sultan, I will introduce you banu. He is well respected, and I respect him greatly as well, even more so than the sultan."
He paused, not knowing what else to say. It seemed like it should have been a fragile time, for these females to be coming into an entirely different world. He knew that some pads' females were quite resistant. Even Jazua'Dania had shown resistance, but that had been at the very start - even that had stopped. He wanted his banu to have the most suitable environment to grow and learn in, but would that just be a matter of asking them how things were? If he thought about it, perhaps that showed too much kindness that would hinder their progress.
"...Little ones, hmm? Of your own, I presume," he chanced the question, wondering if something could have started back when he spent time with her in the rogue lands, "Do you think you would... have them soon?"
She seemed to contemplate the question for a while, unsure of her own take on it. Until recently she hadn't considered herself the mothering type, but she could certainly become it. She wouldn't do him much good without children, after all. "When you would have them," she decided, looking toward him with curious eyes, "And the other banu, of course. I wouldn't like to give them a responsibility they weren't prepared for." And she would hope the same, though she knew that she would rise to whatever challenge. She would simply have to push harder. Even if it drove her mad she would prove to him that she could reach perfection, in all aspects.
...That was a good answer. Akram'raja supposed that while cubs could be a detriment to distract the banu, he would be sure to keep them in line - everyone, that is. Not even his cubs could escape punishment if they were not up to his standards.
"I expect you all to be prepared for anything, Banu Naheed. You are all responsible to adhere to my wishes first. I only know and suggest the best for you."
And by "you" perhaps he meant himself, but it wasn't the way he thought - if he profited, then his "assets" would likewise profit.
"Banu Lililamuna is young, and that young will drives her to meet every challenge thrown at her. I believe she would be ready, so I would expect that you think you could be better. So, Banu Naheed... I hope you will find comfort in resting with me tonight in my den."
A self-satisfied smile found its way onto her face for a moment, though she quickly hid it behind her veil of naivety. Her father had educated her in the ways of lionesses and their mates, she was not afraid. She wondered if the other banu had been asked already. As he had mentioned, Lililamuna was young yet, and the others were still far off from reaching the standard they must set for themselves. "It would be my honor, Pad Akram'raja," she responded with a flick of her eyes, her voice dripping velvet on his name, "To join you any time you wish it so." She would bear him cubs in due time. There was no sense in becoming fixated, her true task was yet to evolve herself.
"Of course," he affirmed.
He flashed a smile, rising up instantly from his place. Of course, even though all of them shared a den, there was enough space within that acted as chambers that separated from the main mouth of it. It was there that Akram'raja could find peace sometimes, and part of the reason he chose this particular den. He supposed it also could be used for privacy from the others...
"You may return to Banu Lililamuna now," he offered, striding out of the den without another word or glance.
