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 Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:00 am
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Life had been busy, exceptionally so. This wasn't as a result of the young male socialising so much as the amount of cogs that needed to be oiled and turned in order to 'fix' what he considered to be a core illness within his homeland. For a number of generations they had stagnated, hidden behind fear and beholden to a now dead Death Priest.
... The Amoosu's intentions had originally been good, Itiri knew that in the grand scheme of things the priest had done what was necessary to protect the pride. However, as time had went on it had become apparent that the Death Priest cared only for the dead and forgot one vital, paradoxical component within the pride. No one could honour the dead if there was no one there to do it.
Alas, the difficult discussions and arguments that Itiri was likely to have had were abruptly cut short when it was discovered that their head priest had gone missing and then he had later been found dead. It seemed that the rumblings within the catacomb had taken with them the dead's most loyal servant. He would be missed in some circles, though Itiri couldn't help but take that as a sign - change was afoot and welcoming the new blood into the fold was only the beginning.
It was for this reason that Itiri had made a promise to himself to meet a number of the newest members and while he had been slow to do so, he was now attempting to greet them in earnest. This afternoon he was on the hunt for more new blood, he'd already met some...but not nearly enough.
And this was when he stumbled upon Zuru, on his own and well out of the way of the others within the N'ezi. It was enough for him to raise a brow given that he had hoped he would at least be among family, if only to settle in.
"Good Afternoon," he offered as he strode towards him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:13 am
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Itiri's eyebrow lifted at the rather somber tone that he was greeted with. Whomever this lion was, he wasn't feeling all that well and this might have explained why he was off on his own. That being said, even Itiri could acknowledge that those who weren't feeling quite so 'hot' could be subject to scrutiny. There were those in the pride who would see any type of negativity as 'sickness' and use it as some roundabout excuse to exclude those they disliked.
...Or didn't trust.
Fortunately for Zuru Itiri had already noted that he seemed in fine physical health and his somber demeanour could probably be put down to how he was feeling inside. He was no pyshcic and nor did he have the capacity to pursue the art of the seers, and as a result it wouldn't be fair for him to try and guess what was wrong with the male in question.
Homesick, second thoughts, love sick, anxious? It was anyone's guess at this point in time but at least Itiri could identify the difference between the unwell and those who were simply unhappy!
"I am going to assume you are not feeling particularly content this afternoon," he said at last, electing to address the elephant in the room. "You are new, that much I can see," he motioned to the lion and smiled wryly. "But that would seem to imply that things are not going as you might have planned when you arrived."
He paused, albeit briefly.
"Second thoughts?" he hazarded, he wouldn't blame those who might have them. They had entered with their own idea of who and what the N'ezi were and it may not have lived up to some of their expectations.
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:37 am
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"It is a lot to take in," Itiri admitted. He had been born in to this life and knew every nuanced aspect of their culture and their faith. Their belief system was somewhat rigid and as a consequence some of the new blood would probably be intimidated. He had gathered from Imani that beyond the caldera things were more open and there was a fair amount of flexibility... More importantly, where Imani had come from had been entirely lawless.
No rules, no religion, no punishment even for those who may have deserved it. Anarchy had been the way of that world for want of a better word and to come into something so traditional was bound to shock some to the core.
"What were you hoping for when you found us?" he asked and motioned with his paw. "Each of you came with something in mind but none of you came with the same thing in mind," he pointed out. He hadn't questioned a large number of them, but he had at least overheard a fair few discussions. Every new lion had wanted something and he hoped they could find it here, but for some, that journey might be a little longer.
"Did you have a specific want or need?" he added and pursed his lips.
He paused once more to consider his words, for some, he knew that it simply might have seemed like a good idea at the time. Did that therefore mean they felt trapped, bound in chains he couldn't see?
"Or did it seem like a fine idea in the heat of the moment and then transform into something quite different?" he asked gently. He didn't have a judgemental tone, merely one that accepted things for what they were. Zuru could well have regreted his choice and if that was the case, then Itiri had to take measures to reassure him of several things, one of which was the sense that he might feel trapped in a set of circumstances he might not be happy with...
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:48 am
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"I am the only leader of the pride," Itiri smiled wryly. Nche held a place of power and the seer was a lion he held close to him to ensure they remained aligned, but in the grand scheme of things it was Itiri who determined the path the pride took. This was how it had always been until the previous lead priest had wrenched power from the Chieftain and almost destroyed the N'ezi.
...Dead as he might have been now, he had done enough damage to last generations and Itiri was going to clash with the existing Death Priests eventually. Unfortunately they would soon find that while he was considerate of their traditions, he was also very aware of his own duties. They served the dead and they would be reminded of that, he served the living and that meant that while his pride lived and breathed he would ensure they survived.
The N'ezi-Ozu had very specific lines, a division between life and death and their now dead head priest had forgotten that.
Itiri's own father had forgotten that.
Itiri would not.
"My name is Itiri, the lion you met during your introduction to the pride is Nche, he possesses a unique ability," he explained. "He can determine whether you are genuine and pure of heart, or if you would harm us," he smiled warmly. "He is therefore the most fitting individual to determine if anyone should join our families and I accept his judgement," he added.
"That being said, once you are here it is my responsibility to ensure that you are happy and healthy," he cleared his throat. "Something that is going to take quite a bit of work all things considered."
Itiri was a candid lion, he preferred a more direct approach and he would not hide from the truth. Certain elements of the N'ezi were a mess and Zuru was right to point this out. As Itiri had expected, Zuru's family had not been forthcoming in their welcomes. Zuru may have had the misfortune of being received by a family who were still overly cautious and suspicious of outsiders.
"I can only assume that no one told you the reason that our borders were closed generations ago, am I right?" he asked gently. "Perhaps if you know our story then your family's behaviour may make a little more sense -"
He paused.
"Although I cannot say I appreciate their sentiments personally, we are a pride of families and to exclude anyone is unbecoming," he admitted.
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 9:20 am
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"Old wounds cannot be fixed when those in power refused to see beyond their sun dried bones and the scent of death," Itiri shook his head. The Amoosu had done what they could and his father had been foolish to 'concede' to the so-called knowledge the Death Priests had been 'privy' to. Nevertheless, in Itiri's eyes it was only a mistake if you didn't learn from it and it was safe to say the young pride leader had learned.
...He had learned quickly in fact and some had already paid the price.
"It was never Nche's duty to determine who should be allowed in beyond whether or not they caused harm," Itiri shook his head. "Each of you had a different reason for coming here and while there may be regrets, that does not mean he was unwise to let you in," Itiri clucked his tongue. "While it is uncomfortable for some now, the introduction of new blood into our world is good for us."
"We cannot overcome our fears if we do not confront them and that begins with one small step into the unknown - new blood is our unknown," he smiled wryly. "A choice I made and one I made so that they could see that you do not always carry disease and destruction with you," he pointed out.
"When they see that we are not succumbing to plague they will begin to see and they will begin to welcome those who seek solace here," he clucked his tongue softly. "That and tales from the outside can be healthy, an opportunity to challenge previous notions and ideas... What may be true here may be very different beyond our walls."
"I am of the view that I would like for our newer generations to learn what lies beyond, I would like for them to realise that while this is their home, there are valuable lessons that can be taken from the world beyond and the only way they can truly learn those lessons is to encounter those with experience," he motioned to Zuru. "And only those like you have those experiences," he pointed out.
"I cannot promise that the change will be fast, change of this magnitude is often painful and hard, but it will come," he shrugged loosely.
"But I will say one thing that I feel is important for you in particular," he paused and tilted his head to the side. "If you have true regrets then please do not think you are bound in chains to us, we will not pursue you in a rage if you choose another path. We value life as we do death, they come paw in paw, and to live a life in a self made prison is...not a life."
"It is my duty to ensure this pride live their lives well and I will intervene when they do not... This includes you," he pointed out. "It doesn't matter how long you have been here, you are still our family and for now you are in my care until such times as you choose not to be..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 12:07 pm
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Zuru's ideas were food for thought but certainly something for the future; he could barely persuade the pride to welcome blood in to the pride and it would be a different story entirely to get them to go out! That being said as more generations were born then there was every possibility that it could happen, they only needed to plant a seed of curiosity.
Nevertheless, that was something for him to ponder after he had convinced the pride that new blood was to be embraced and he could only do that by getting numerous parties both new and old on board. He had an idea of where to start with it as well, Zuru had knowledge and expertise he wanted to share. The lion had stories, he had an awareness of what lay outside and where better to start than with the new cubs as they came into the world?
...If he had time then maybe...
"Perhaps when you are not busy you can tell our youngest generations your tales of exploration," he offered with a tilt of his head. "Maybe as you tell them stories, others might step forward to listen. Everything has to start off somewhere," he pointed out.
As for Zuru's question regarding the bones, that was a good question and one he had to given considerable thought. He would consult the Death Priests on this one and hold counsel on how each of them viewed it. In his mind the new blood was considered part of a family and while not related to their ancestors...they still had a claim to them.
They should be entitled to one of those bones surely?
"I will get back to you on the hereditary bones," he replied gently. "Quite frankly I do not know the answer yet and the Priests have the final say on that. You are part of a legacy, we will find a way to make this clear..."
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:35 am
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"That is...largely what I am here for," Itiri smiled warmly. He certainly had other duties, but the way the pride was divided ensured that there were responsible individuals across the board that could help. He was fortunate that despite their reservations, the pride still ran itself and it was only his machinations throwing them in to disarray. Nevertheless he had confidence that even those with reservations would come round eventually, he just had to be patient.
...More importantly, he needed to remember that their anxiety and concerns were just as valid as the comfort of their newest members. Both needed to be tended to and this would be his greatest challenge in the coming months.
"We do not have many cubs as of late but in time I would like to hope our fortunes turn," he chuckled softly. Perhaps some of the new blood would coax the N'ezi out of their shells and make them realise that new things could lead to happiness. Quite frankly, he'd have loved for new young blood to enter the ranks of the N'ezi but he couldn't really stamp his paws and demand that they all get busy now!
"But if you can have patience and speak to those who are cautious, but wish to learn, then I would greatly appreciate it," he smiled. "They are frightened because of the damage that was done when we last let someone new in. It will take them some time to realise that while it may happen again, it is improbable. They need to find their courage," he murmured.
"You would have my gratitude if you did not blaming them for their fear, but instead, gave them the chance to see that you are of value and you have much to show them... And in return I will work towards getting firm answers to your concerns as well."
It was quite a bit of responsibility to put on Zuru, he was new and Itiri was asking him to look beyond the fear within his new pride. If anything he was asking him to be the bigger person, something that most other outsiders probably wouldn't have appreciated when they had been allowed to stay!
...Itiri wouldn't blame him if Zuru decided against such a thing.
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Zuru was laying on the shore of the waterway watching one of the herds move by he smiled he had no intention to hunt them right now since he had already hunted that morning. He didn't feel the need to kill more then he needed he was looking at the bones of his kill wondering if he could find some bones that would look good in his mane or something. He wasn't sure if that would fit since the bones of the n'ezi were about honoring the families of the dead not about carrying around whatever bones they found to be pretty or interesting. Zuru wasn't sure if he would ever fit in with the n'ezi, he wasn't sure if he was happy here since he had yet to make any friends and adventure lay beyond the stone walls of the crater that was the n'ezi homeland. 
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