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 Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:08 am
 He was in search of a slave for reasons he didn't quite understand but he had a question to ask and it needed to be answered.
It was shortly after leaving Ripuka's presence that he had come to the conclusion that he needed to find something out. It was a question he knew that his father would disaprove of but he knew he had to otherwise it would be haunting him for the rest of his life.
Were slaves really any different from themselves?
His path led him towards the dens where the slaves slept and he hoped that he would find atleast one there to answer his questions and talk with him for a while.
Finally he reached the outside of the den and peered into the gloom, his voice breaking the silence. "Hello...?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:52 pm
Zenoni's eyes popped open instantly. He stood up, giving a quick shake to rid himself of sleep, and then blinked, looking into the darkness. Who was calling? Was it Kiburi? He glanced at the sleeping figure next to him. No, she was safe. Then who was it? Only one way to find out. He slowly made his way to the entrance, half expecting to find a Firekin with a job for him. When he reached the front, he stared down at the young firekin, curious. "Yes?" He spoke in a half wisper, so not to wake Kiburi.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:45 am
Kidondo straightened and glanced up into the purple eyes of the slave. Sure this inferior was slimmer and a lot less strong but those eyes, those eyes were still those of a lion.
The black tuft that fell into his strange golden eyes momentarily distracted him but it was not long before he found the words he had been seeking.
"Inferior, slave, or whatever you may be called...I have a need to talk with you." His voice was a whisper too, following the lead of this brown-pelted male, eyes flickering from him tot he other sleeping slave in the den.
His heart lurched with a strange feeling...pity perhaps? Then with a small breath he continued.
"Though if you are busy with duties it can wait until another time." He waited for confirmation that they could talk, not quite sure on how he should approach such a subject.
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:24 am
"My name is Zenoni." He said with a low growl, staring at the young firekin bitterly. He stopped himself. This cub was already being taught what it is to be Firekin, he would someday grow up to be the same blood-thirsty monster as the rest of them. But he was still a cub, there was no use taking his anger out on him, it would do no good. He glanced back at Kiburi. She would be alright for a little bit. "Lets make this quick."
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:50 am
He did not comment on Zenoni's behaviour because he could understand why he would be like that. He was sure that if he had been forced to serve under others he would have been angry too - though anger wasn't an emotion he felt very often.
"Agreed, my father would not like to see me here." He was worried what the King might do if he found out that his son and heir was conversing with slaves.
"I want to know. I want to know why you are a slave. Were you born as inferior or were you branded as such?I need to understand why my pride treats you so different when all of us are lions."His tone was serious so Zenoni could be certain it wasn't some sort of joke.
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:44 pm
Zenoni looked down at the cub strangely, pausing in stride for a moment before continueing on. What a question to come out of such a young looking cub. "I was originally born Pridelander. I came her when I was young by accident, and was made a slave. I was taken away from my family, and friends, forced to labor for the sake of your pride." He sneered. "Yes we are all lions, but the Firekin think because of who they are they are superior to all. And because there is such a small amount of us slaves, there is no way of rebeling and escapeing. It becomes a life. A life of starvation and sorrow. Its enough to break a person." He said, giving a quick glance back to the cave.
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:40 am
His heart did that strange thing again and Kidondo almost bowed his head in shame. He was keen to listen to more of this slave's stories but he was nervous about being spotted.
He supposed he could always say he had been wanting to seek out his father's slave and go hunting whilst father was busy.
"Zenoni..." He spoke the name almost hesitantly, unsure whether he was breaking some rule by using it. Then with a sweep of his tail he raised those strange eyes to stare up into the purple-eyes face. "I am sorry that such a fate befell you. Recently...recently I have met outsiders...inferiors...they dwelled upon the borders with a confidence that surprisied me. I should have told an elder member of the Pride they were there so they could be dealt with, but I could not."
"I was told we were created by a Goddess and that is why we are superior and yet I see strengths in yourself that do not lie within any of my pride."
And it was at that moment that his usually bland eyes took on a deeper sheen and if one looked into them it would be like looking into an abyss, so deep and dark that one could never escape. It was here that he recieved his vision, his vision of the future of Zenoni. Yet as quickly as his eyes transformed they were back to normal again and Kidondo actually smiled a little.
"Please Zenoni. Tell me. What is it like living outside of the desert?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:57 am
He looked at the cub curiously out of the corner of his eye. There was something different about this one. "Its not your fault, it is just they way of your ancestors." He didnt notice the young ones expression, his eyes where fixed on the horizon. "Hm? Oh, the pridelands." He smiled dreamily, thinking back on his childhood home. "Theres green grass that feels like velvet under your paws, and theres always plenty of hunt to go around. Theres a giant rock bigger than you could ever imaging jutting out of the land, a place to seek endless shade. Its the most beautiful place in the world..." He trailed off, thinking of Kiburi. He stopped in mid stride and turned back to the cub. "I should get back. I hope my answers will come to good use." And with that he turned back and sprinted to his den.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:01 am
He listened to the words of the slave in awe, knowing exactly what h spoke of because that was the image he had seen in his vision.
A pinnacle of rock towering up from acres of greenery so beautiful and splendid that he was sure it could be seen for miles around as a symbol of hope and safety.
"It sounds beautiful."
Then as the slave said a farewell Kidondo bowed his head slightly and watched the brown lion fade into the gloom.
"I have seen your future Zenoni of Pridelands. You will see your homeland again..." His voice was a whisper and it was possible the slave never hear it but even still the young Prince knew he could not stay here much longer.
So with that he turned and headed out across the dunes once more, his midn swirling with the images of green grass.
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