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 Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:27 pm
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Mgbamizu's gaze locked with Isithunzi for a moment, as he gave her a small wave from where he was.
Ears flickered when the male approached him. He almost leaned closer to hear the low words. "Oh, Zuko," his voice was also quiet, though the more Mgbamizu spoke, the louder he seemed to become. "Indeed!" He was probably excited for all the wrong reasons. "Although," he started, glancing at the darker male, " the Trials have brought out a lot of excitement in general. Hearing the news of the Ebere and a rogue being found on the border and brought into our ranks is just the top of it I think."
The brown male wanted to meet this rogue, but he was sure she was probably being watched until the buzz calmed down. "What do you think of her joining?" He questioned the Agha.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:53 pm
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Naani was pretty sure she jumped a mile out of her fur, whirling her head around to stare wide-eyed at the other lion. It took her a moment to recognize him. He was from a different family, but he was also her biological uncle. That said, she hadn't talked to him much... if ever. She was too frazzled at the moment to remember.
She stuttered out a response, "I-I'm fine," while casting a nervous glance around at the group of gathering lions. While grateful that he seemed to be blocking anyone's view of her, she also hoped it didn't bring anyone over to her as well.
All she wanted was do get this over with. Congratulate the new Onyeisi, show that she was representing the Uju family here (much as she loathed the idea of doing so), and then hightail it back to her den.
She tilted her head to let her mane fall across the side of her face, hoping to hide behind it, fruitless as the action would be. "I'm just.... tired." Which wasn't a lie. She felt like she could sleep for forever, but she also knew that that wouldn't happen.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:24 pm
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 It was amusing really, to hear the murmurings of those who had sincerely wished he hadn't succeeded... And yet in the midst of it all, they proved one critical point. Not a single individual in this pride knew anything about either Itiri or Owu. To imply that Owu was less liberal than Itiri would have been absolutely laughable, but if they were to be that naive then Itiri would certainly use that to his advantage.
He was the better diplomat of the pair though and his face was a picture of benevolence. Not a soul would know what he knew, none of them would truly realise how utterly ridiculous their notions of his brother were and for now...Itiri would happily play this game. The traditionalists were undoubtably a problem, something that would destroy the Pride if they were not simply informed of the direction they were heading in.
...But he would do it softly.
For now.
Thus, he allowed the discontent of those traditionalists to disperse like water off a ducks back. He'd remember the mutterings, the musings, and he'd certainly use them to his advantage in the future but it was neither the time nor the place for it. On the contrary, now was the time in which the dark lion should present himself in an approachable fashion and provide the same level of fake pleasantries towards those very traditionalists that would very much wish he had died during that trial.
Such a shame that his fake smile would always be so much better than their's, he could at least keep the truth of his dissatisfaction from his gaze.
No sooner had he finished listening in to yet another series of discontented utterings than he finally made himself visible. To any of those who had been near him it, there was every possibility he might very well have overheard them...his demeanour however, gave nothing away... |
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:42 pm
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He followed her gaze and snorted softly. Of course the new Onyeisi would be taking his sweet time to get here, he took note of, leaving the rest of them weary and wondering...
"You should rest if you need it." He commented sensibly, knowing that there was always another opportunity to see their new chief, if that was her main concern.
Though he had the feeling it wasn't. But it wasn't as if he could pressure her into an honest answer, whether or not he felt inclined to do so.
And then, Itiri had made his appearance, and Gbaruo sighed, flicking his gaze back to Naani.
"Congratulate him, and be on your way." His voice was a calm undercurrent, but he couldn't prevent himself from snipping out his request as an order as he gestured with a mere toss of his head, rather than the concern of a fellow pride member. The Onyeisi grated on him for the mere celebration alone when work was to be done, which came to the forefront of his mind in an instant. "I'm sure he'll understand your need to be off."
And as much as Gbaruo himself would like to be on his way, he had hoped this gathering would bring out Isiike and his... strong opinionated voice. But he supposed eating would be a good reason to stay otherwise. And maybe track down the other half of the Uju duo he had ties to.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:53 pm
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As Mgbamizu mentioned the rogue Zuko had to fight not to roll his eyes. He was more traditionalist in nature but was aware that things did need to change if the pride wanted to survive. It was imply the matter in which she had been let in that didn't settle properly with him. It shouldn't have been a snap decision whether or not she was pregnant. A discussion should have happened, in his mind.
"I think it was rushed," he said honestly, not bothering to hide his discontent. "There were ways to help her if she required it without bringing her into the fold so quickly. But what's done is done," he added, a little sigh leaving him. "The new Onyeisi has his work cut out for him already, it would seem."
As if summoned, Itiri stepped into the clearing quietly. Zuko glanced his way for a moment but didn't move, anticipating he'd be swamped in a moment with congratulations and well-wishes. He had nothing against the lion or his more liberal agenda and he felt that the pride did need a breath of fresh air to clear out the cobwebs, so to speak. It would be interesting to see how things changed with him at the helm.
"I think, aside from the new leader, that youth that found his way into the catacombs is far better gossip." Mostly because he had been dealt with swiftly and properly.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:09 pm
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 The pride was abuzz with news and rumor: about the Trials and the new Onyeisi, about Ebere's punishment at the claws of Isiike, about the pregnant lioness who'd come from outside the lands. Any one would have been a talking point - an arguing point - but all at once? It was quite a lot to absorb and argue about. Not that Nkocha was doing any of the latter, no; she kept well out of it all, listening quietly rather than engaging or offering any opinions unless she absolutely had to. Even then, she was quite practiced at polite brush-offs and non-answers, so there wasn't a soul in all the lands who knew just what Nkocha thought of the recent happenings...or much of anything, really.
The young lioness had been reserved for most of her life, bordering on reclusive, preferring to observe rather than participate. She did her part in hunts, and could be found at the fringes of gatherings such as this one, but there were none who knew her well enough to call her friend. Some probably thought her antisocial or strange, but that was fine, especially when there were almost certainly others who thought worse of her; she assumed there were, whether they said so or not. It was in her family, after all, that the plague had originated, brought into the pride by her grandsire, Kivuli. His mate had borne him one child before they'd both been taken by the sickness, and Ajo in turn had produced only her, in a difficult birth that had killed her mother. The legacy of her bloodline was death, and the shadow of it hung over the N'ezi-ozu to this day. Her father had named her well before he'd fled that shadow.
Wary red eyes tracked and assessed each figure at the gathering from where she sat slouched in on herself, looking for the subjects of all the gossip: Itiri, Owu, Ebere, Isiike, and especially the stranger. |
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 4:36 pm
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Naani watched him from the corner of her eye, fur bristling at the commanding tone, but only nodded in response. She would say this, Ebere's pushiness had brought back some of her former fieriness, but she was uneasy enough right now to know not to challenge that tone.
Instead, she followed his gaze over to the approaching Onyeisi. Oh, finally. She wanted to do her piece and then be off. Unfortunately, before she could even raise herself up to her paws, she froze as she finally took notice of at least two of Ebere's family standing nearby. Oh, now she definitely didn't want to be here. Naani shrunk even further down, noting the aggressive look on the older N'anya's face. She was happy that he hadn't come near her, but it was enough to put her off. She cast a glance towards Itiri again, weighing her options and trying to decide if she would make it to him without anyone noticing. Attention was gravitating towards him though....
"I.... Yes, I will." She swallowed thickly, "But perhaps I'll wait just a moment for things to... calm down." She wondered if she could just slip away entirely. Was that an option? Her uncle, at the very least, saw her here. Did the Onyeisi really need congratulations from a young adolescent?
But then her brain reminded her - she and her brother represented the Uju family. She did need to do this. Blast it all to hell! Why did she have to be do this? Why did she have to be in this situation? This should have fallen to her paren-
And then she cut her thoughts off, having to fight the tears once more as pain bloomed in her chest. 'You need to get over this...' she thought to herself. It was thoughts like this that started this whole mess in the first place. And this celebration wasn't the time or the place. When she was done, she could go back to her nest and pretend the world didn't exist.
Hmm... but perhaps she didn't have to go alone. She glanced sidelong at Gbaruo, "We could..." She paused to consider her words, clearing her throat, "Perhaps we should go together as well, once everyone has stopped gawking. Kill two birds with one stone."
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:08 pm
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Gbaruo had taken notice to the immediate attention the Onyeisi's presence was stirring, and he was inclined to agree with his niece about waiting. He raised a brow, but any comment he may have made was kept to himself, and he merely muttered an affirmation.
He should've expected as much, of course he would be a focal point the minute he'd entered and approaching him right away would be near impossible.
At her request he glanced at her, caught off-guard and momentarily without speech, but he quickly recovered with a nod, making an effort to come off much more peaceably than he had moments before, "Agreed..... If my company isn't too much of a bother in the meantime."
Of course, he had to figure out how he would congratulate Itiri when he was having his own inner debate on whether or not he accepted the lion's ideals, though he supposed a simple 'congratulations' didn't necessarily bring any underlying issues to the surface.
And, he had to admit, whether he approved of the chief's views or not, he would live by them. As long as they didn't hinder his work, who was he to openly oppose a decision if, and only if, it didn't bite them venomously further down the line.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:19 pm
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:34 pm
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-
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-As the Onyeisi made his appearance, Sadiki could feel the change in the lions around her. There was tension, first and foremost. A tension in the air that she was sure everyone could, or should feel. A shiver ran down her spine as she watched everyone talk amongst themselves, whispers here and there, and the occasional small smile and friendly glance here and there.
Well. No one else seemed like they were going to do it, and her grandmother wasn't there to tell her not to. Once she licked the last sliver of meat off the bone, she discarded it, stood up, and made her way over to Itiri. though she tried hard to smile as nicely as she could, she was so nervous she probably looked...well, nervous! But aside from keeping her head down as a sign of respect, she was otherwise as casual as she could be.
"Congratulations are in order, I think! So...um...congratulations?" How was she supposed to refer to him? His title? His name? Sir? Your Highness?Sadiki was feeling overwhelmed, but she earnestly, truly wanted to at least try and help the celebration feel like just that.
"Will your brother arrive as well, soon?" she asked, tilting her head to one side curiously.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:50 pm
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A surprised look crossed Mgbamizu features. "Perhaps, but we don't really know the situation of what really brought her in, or why..." Mgbamizu shrugged lightly. He was just excited for the fact that there was a rogue here. The last time this had happened was before his time and well, the light brown male had really thought they were the last of their kind.
"What's done is done..." he repeated, nodding. He obviously had different thoughts on the situation, and Zuko did not seem to want to dwell on it too much. Mgbamizu was okay with that; he'd probably discuss it with another later.
"It's like you speak his name and he appears," Mgbamizu mused, his gaze falling on the dark male.
"Poor Ebere." The lion started, shaking his head. "It seemed like it was not long ago I was consoling (...well trying to console) young Naani in what seemed to be courting attempts from him. It's quite a shame what happened, but, it has been told to us the consequences of entering those areas."
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:23 am
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A single brave lioness stepped forward to meet him, he knew of her family, but was also aware of the fact the lioness was one of those more inclined to keep herself out of the way. Not everyone was a social butterfly, and thus it was with some element of surprise that he regarded Sadiki. If there were any lions that he expected to step forward first, it hadn't been her! He did however, afford her an encouraging smile as she did what no other would. Flattering as it was to be peered at like a circus sideshow, he was rather more inclined to conversing...
"Thank you," he replied gently and gave a small bow of his head. Courteous at always, he hoped that he could at least set the quieter lioness at ease. She'd already taken a big step in approaching him first rather than simply staring, so she was deserving of the gratitude. Nevertheless, at the mention of his brother he afforded a moment to consider her question before shaking his head slowly. It was unlikely his brother would be showing himself in any immediate fashion given that both brothers had agreed a course of action in regards to the pregnant lioness upon her arrival.
"I don't believe he will be here quite as quickly as I arrived," he said finally. "He is ensuring that our guest is settled and feels a sense of security before he joins the celebration," he explained. He lifted a paw and motioned to those around him with a vague smile. "It is safe to say that her arrival is not without controversy and we would very much prefer she did not feel uncomfortable given the severity of her condition."
...He would never accuse his own kin of causing harm, but their negativity might cause needless anxiety that neither he or Owu believed was appropriate for their guest. She was a chance for something very new, and very exciting... More importantly, she was the new blood they so desperately needed if she wished to stay.
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:11 am
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His frown did not lift from his brow however, he managed a small smile, a mere quirk to his lips. Placing a paw behind his tons head he pressed his head to his sons. “You know I am proud of all of you, even if you are a group of idiots.” He releases the younger lion a look of pride in his gaze, he was proud of his child, he was proud of all of them.
Taking a deep breath he once again spoke his duel coloured eyes fixed steadfastly upon the younger male, he was putting much on the young males shoulders but there was much to be said and if things did not go well, he knew he could rely upon his more sensible son. “If you see Naani on your travels, tell her it is not her fault.” He raised a brow and looked towards the new Onyeishi, words needed to be spoken to the new pridal leader.
Lifting a paw he ruffled his sons small mane. “Go and eat and enjoy yourself.” He paused for a moment, thoughts wandered through his mind. “Don’t do anything too foolish.” Again the shadow of a smile lifted on his maw. He wanted to let his son be a child at least for this moment.
With that said the grey and white male turned his tail on his son and made a beeline for the new Onyeishi. His jaw once again aligned, if he kept grinding his teeth like this, he was certain he would have none left but it stopped him from yelling. He would have to wait his turn to speak to the dark male, a younger female now stood before the new leader, but as the representative of the N’anya family he had to pay his respects, he would speak for his family both as a whole and on a personal level. He had a complaint to make and though this complaint would not be, entirely, aired here, he would make sure that a meeting would be arranged to discuss the great injustice done upon his child. |
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 5:58 am
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Kemmasi suppressed a sigh as he looked over the gathering. Celebration was traditional in the wake of a new Onyeisi, yes, but other matters weighed on him. The trespasser in the catacombs...and the rogue in their midst. Isiike had punished the former, but thus far had yet to emerge from those dark tunnels to offer his guidance on the latter (not that anyone couldn't guess what the ancient one would say--no). It bothered Kemmasi, as he wished the lioness had at least been kept under quarantine until her worthiness had been determined. Ignoring the risk of another disease was reckless! Nonetheless, he would need to offer Itiri public congratulations as a member of the Elo line...eventually.
For now, he drifted along the edge of the gathering until he spotted a familiar red pelt. His sister's daughter...a pang ran through him, but he smothered it (with the habitual nature of long practice) and composed himself before speaking. "Hello, Nkocha. Are you well?"
If he was stiff and formal...well...he was trying, damn it. |
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