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The life of a thrall needed all the lifted spirits it could get.
"Miela," Badoura called softly as she approached the small, immaculate den that the thrall called home - one she shared with a few other thralls.
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"Badoura," Miela rose to her feet and shifted out of the shadows. The violet swirls that decorated her pelt seemed to shift and move with the slow, purposeful gesture. Miela offered Badoura a slight smile. It did not quite reach her eyes.
"What brings you out so late?" She was curious, really, but she supposed that she should feel lucky that some rampantly horny Reaver wasn't hunting her down for companionship.
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It was an incredibly depressing thought, in all honesty.
"Walk with me, hmm? I have good news to share - news that might bring a more genuine smile to your face." Badoura wasn't too hopeful, but this would be a Good Thing for Miela, whether she knew it or not.
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At any rate, the odd look turned a bit curious as Miela waited for Badoura to continue. She knew that Badoura looked after the majority of the thralls that populated the pride, and found great satisfaction in finding proper homes for them where she could.
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"I have found a home for you," she began softly, peering at Miela with a gleam of happiness in her eyes. "A good home, with a wife and a husband. They are quite dedicated, and you will live with them in a small den near their own."
Badoura gave a satisfied sound as she slowed her pace, so that she could glance up at the stars. The sky was truly beautiful from their elevation, and the thrall let out a soft sigh as she lowered her head so that she could peer at her fellow thrall.
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All in all, it was good news to learn. Miela dipped her head in thanks before briefly shrugging her shoulders.
"I thank you, Badoura. You spend far too much time looking out for others."
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Badoura lifted her paw.
"You will belong to a male, named Sakhr, and his wife - Parmelia. Outlanders, both, and young. Friendly. Kind."
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"He will not wish to rut on me, will he?"
It was a legitimate worry for a female in the pride. It did not sound like it would be one of her duties, but it never hurt to ask, just to be on the safe side. Miela tried to smile at Badoura, to lighten the mood just slightly, but it wasn't a very good attempt. Her own mood was not feeling light, and so there wasn't much else for her to do.
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"No." Badoura shook her head. Sakhr is very much in love with his wife - from what I could tell - and it is not something that you will have to worry about." She spoke the earnest truth. Sakhr would not be the type to take a saltwife.
"I will walk you back home. You will meet her tomorrow, at her den." She gave vague instructions to the other lioness as they walked.
"Good night, Miela."
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Things that were highly unlikely to happen, now.
"I will be there early," Miela assured Badoura, dipping her head as the other lioness said her farewell. "And thank you, Badoura. For looking out for me."
She watched the other lioness leave before she entered her den, thoughts tumbling through her mind.