Post by Kamau on Dec 7, 2007 18:54:33 GMT -5
Cast: Aitan, Pale King of Tyne
Kiapo, Guard of Tyne
Kale'Kizuka, Prince of Tyne
Kamau, Dark Lord of Tyne
Sundahli, Huntress-to-be of ... Tyne
Setting: Tyne - River Delta
Another day in Tyne, another hot one. Moving along the river and pausing occasionally to 'mark' the trees as best as he can is the smallish blob of white easily identifiable as Kale'Kizuka, perhaps the last remaining prince of the current generation without the sleeping sickness. Indeed, he seems to be growing and thriving- though on the smaller side for his age, he's by no means the tiny malformed runt he once was. He's definitely storming towards adolescence at an accelarated rate right now.
Coming up from the opposite direction as the pale-coated prince is the equally pale-coated teenage female. Sundali is back in Tyne at least. Has been for a bit now, actually, though she's been throwing herself into her hunting lessons to avoid her two so-called "friends" who insulted her on her first evening back. Puh. BOYS! Now, with a bit of free time on her paws, Sunny is out and about exploring the lands, and on the lookout for any familiar faces. It is from a distance that she first catches sight of Kale'Kizuka, and instantly the female's ears perk. Aha! A smile streching across her muzzle, Sunny's pace picks up into an easy trot, carrying her in the young royal's direction. Within hailing range, she issues a low chuff. "Hey, Runt!" The greeting lacks any mean-spiritedness that it might have carried when she was with Kamau and Onaedo when they were younger troublemakers. Now, her voice carries an almost sisterly sort of affection. Being away from Tyne like she was seems to have matured the girl quite a bit, and she missed Tyne and its occupants greatly. Even Kale'Kizuka.
Upon spotting his son, Aitan lengthens his strides into an easy, ground-swallowing lope. "Kale!" He calls, obviously eager to see the boy. After caring for many with the sleeping sickness.. Aitan was worried he had contracted it himself, however he opened his eyes this morning, awake and refreshed. Just a touch of the disease, it would seem... hopefully. The King himself has aged a bit. His early 20's boyish looks are fading and his body is thicker, and stronger, but not as fast as it used to be. However, he still has that glint in his eye and as he nears his son, he crouches and swings a forepaw out towards his rear leg to playfully trip him up- claws in of course.
Coming in from that third direction, across the poor excuse for a river, is Kamau. He's padding along with ease, his legs not the awkwardly oversized appendages they once were, and is still qrowing quickly in his adolescent state. While Sunny has been busy learning to be a huntress, Kamau has been working hard with Elim' to become that promise of a future guard. But this morning, he'd been off exploring instead and, okay, maybe pretending he was tracking evil rogues some of the time. He is still quite full of cubbish energy, despite that mane coming in. Spotting all the white across the river, he grins and starts to bound forward, losing some of the grace he posessed while walking. "Sunny! Aitan! ...Monster!" he calls out, greeting each in turn. With the river so shallow, he just crosses at the most dried up spot, splashing about before bounding straight to Sunny. He doesn't seem aware of any ill-will she may feel towards him at the moment.
"Huh?" Is Kale's first response to Sundali's call. And then he suddenly grins, and begins to pound across towards her. "Holycraponamonkey'swalkingstick! Sunny!" Bounce, bounce, bounce. As he comes closer and into better focus, it would seem that he's for sure done a lot of growing up himself. And.. OMG! YES! His headfur is distinctly shaggier and longer, at the 'floppy emo-fringe in the eyes' stage, a look that oddly enough apes his mother's teenage hairdo. Though he'd EAT anyone who pointed this out. "Where the heck have you BEEN? It's been so /boring/ here without you!" The boy enthuses, padding around her eagerly. "You're.. like.. big! And pretty! Wow!" And then suddenly ALL THE WORLD arrives at once. "Dad!!" And at once, the boy is sent sprawling. So much for Mr Ice-Cool-White /there/.
Untouched by the sickness that seems to have spread during this warm time, Kiapo lopes along from the direction of the borderlands. However, he has not been untouched by other things. His fur seems a bit scruffy in some areas, as if he weren't too long from a tussle with someone, or something. Still, the lion seems to be in favorable spirits. Moving on pale paw-tips, the chocolate-toned guard approaches at a polite pace, giving a greeting chuff towards the just-arriving King and the youngsters. "Aitan." He speaks in his usual calm manner, "The rogues are getting more aggressive in the heat. We may have to step up border patrols." The lion gives a pause of consideration, and then greets each of the younger lions in turn, "Lord Kamau, Prince Kale'. M'lady." The lion flicks his ears slightly, watching antics with some amusement.
Releasing his son's leg from his mouth long Aitan chuckles and ruffles his paw through his son's budding mane. "Need to be a little bit quicker on the draw there, buddy... don't want to let a pair of pretty eyes distract you." He grins and gives Sundali a nod of greeting. Rolling on his back to face towards Kiapo, he frowns... listening to his report. It seems that the water situation has not improved... So there are problems that /sleeping/ on it will not fix! Aitan sighs and furrows his brow, small creases are beginning to form there of late... crinkles under his white fur. "I'll take care of it." He says lowly, "Though where we're going to get the extra guards is my guess... a lot are sick."
Sundali laughs, beaming at the younger white male, her gaze trailing him as he bounces about. "Good to see you too, Kid." She is, indeed, bigger. Cubhood pudge has been melting away, and she's been growing into her ears and paws and legs, thus abandoning most of the gangly youth look. Her legs are still long and lean.. she's going to be tall for a lioness. Distraction arrives in the form of adults and Kamau; Aitan and Kiapo are given a small, polite nod each. When Sunny was living in Tyne last, most of her time was spent with Kamau and Onaedo. She knows who most of the adults ARE, but she doesn't really KNOW them. Which.. makes being here now slightly awkward. Kamau is given a quick glance, but Sunny offers him nothing in greeting, not even a nod of acknowledgement. Her tail flicks twice, and then stills as she returns her focus to the sprawling Kale'. "Smooth move," She jokes with a chuckle, reaching out with a forepaw to ruffle the growing mane fuzz. "Guess maybe I should call you Fuzzy 'stead of Runt now, eh?" She teases, grinning. As for where she's been, the girl hitches on slender shoulder in a half-shrug. "Out explorin'. What else." Her grin widens into a mischievous smirk, though a shadow flits across her features for a split second. Apparently, life outside of Tyne wasn't as cool and exciting as she'd imagined it to be. Hence her return.
Kamau is downright miffed by his lack of a greeting, and it is apparent on his face. Everyone calling Sunny /pretty/ all of a sudden doesn't do much to help it either, and his smile quickly slides down into a frown. He comes to a stop rather close to Sunny, perhaps just trying to get closer than Kale, and he looks between the three white lions with a scowl. Kiapo gets a nod in return, but that's all for now. "What, some runt calls you pretty and you ignore your friends?" he scoffs in anger, bristling just the slightest bit. Turning away from her, he looks to Aitan, still scowling but not /at/ him, per se. "I'll go guard. I can do it on my own." Rather than the eager kid he usually is about the task, he's acting hurt and grumpy. Aww, sensitive dark lord.
"Dad, I should start doing patrols and stuff now too, right?" Kale asks, his voice definitely not the piercing cubtone it once was, though still quavery and in the process of breaking. He tosses his floofed mane- which appears to be pretty much communal property at the moment, and blushes some towards Sunny. "Hey, you can call me what you like, Sunny. Just so long as you /stick around/ this time!" Kamau is thrown a slight look. "And hey, Kamau.. not so runty anymore, lion." He finally straightens himself back up to his paws- seeming to bask in the attention from friends and family. Kiapo too is given a smile and a small nod of acknowledgement- /very/ regal of him.
Giving a faint nod of his head, Kiapo's own concern shows momentarily on his face, although it is soon passed behind the mask he's learned to wear. "I'll pull double duty if needed, sire. Although..." There is a slight sideways glance towards Kamau and then towards the white 'puffball' that is Kale'Kizuka. When Kamau speaks up about wanting to guard, Kiapo nods greatfully. "If you think you're up to it, Kamau, the help would be appreciated." The older lion bows his head slightly, showing his respect even to young royalty. "It may not be a bad time to begin the training of the youths who aren't sick, as well." This is spoken towards Aitan, and it's clear that the lion is most likely referring to Kale', motioning a paw in the prince's direction.
Now it is Sundali's turn to bristle in anger, every muscle in her body stiffening at Kamau's words. Hey! She hadn't even /reacted/ to the 'pretty' compliment! Kale' was there during her youth just as much as Kamau and Onaedo were and she honestly missed the guy! He's the only other one close to her age she knows who sports the samel, pale coat she does! Swallowing heavily in attempt to get a handle on her anger, Sundali forces her face into a flat, even expression, pale golden eyes lingering on the adolescent Lord. "Why, thank you for pointing that out, Kamau. I hadn't even thought to thank him for the compliment." Attention is turned fully to Kale'Kizuka, a small, warm smile appearing on her face. "Thanks for the compliment, Kale'. You're the first to say something so nice to me since I got back. /Some lions/," And on the last bit, her tone hardens slightly, a sidelong gaze cast to Kamau. "Apparently can't see beyond their own nose to even notice."
Aitan nods at Kamau's volunteering, keeping a neutral look on his maw. "You're right Kiapo... it's time these two ruffians learn to do some work instead of loafing around all day." He gives the both of them an amused smile. "Though I doubt that anyone could shoulder guard responsibilities all by their lonesome.. Tyne is quite a large kingdom. You would wear your footpads out and leave unguarded holes in the border. It's better to have overlapping patrols." He says lowly... taking care to not snub Kamau's enthusiasm, but also remind him that it's not a one man show. He pricks his ears towards the female adolescent as she speaks. Good god... he's not a young male, and even he feels the venom in her retort! Amusedly he glances back towards Kamau, and smiles conspiratorally at him, 'we don't want to be drawn into this' his looks says. Clearing his throught, he pauses to think. "Elimnyama has been giving you lessons Kamau, correct?" He turns to his son, "What do ya say Kale? You ready to start some training?" Mentally he runs over his father's lessons he recieved when an adolescent in his head. Combat training, dual patrols the first couple of times to lay down the rules and duties of the job, lessons in royal protocol... ect, ect.
"Elim's been training me for ages. He said I was just about ready a /long/ time ago. I must be ready to be a real guard now," Kamau offers, still talking to the older lions and only slightly sulky that Aitan seems to not have noticed how hard he's been working. But at Sunny's jibes, he turns back to her, angry once again. "Just because no one's /said/ it doesn't mean we didn't notice!" he grumps, flicking his ears back. "What's gotten into you anyway? You show up out of nowhere and rather than talk to Ona' an' me you run off? And now you aren't speaking to me? What'd /I/ do? /Ona'/ was the one being all a grump last time!" Indeed, Kamau had been downright giddy the last time he saw Sunny. /He/ can't help if his brother was being mean.
"Dad, I was born a prince. That means that it's stuff I need to know. I mean, REALLY need to know. I've been waiting to learn forever.. but.. well.. you've been asleep." Kale's face falls a little as he thinks of that. "I was kind of hoping you'd pass it on to me, rather than going to Uncle Elim for the training and stuff, y'know?" He takes a small breath.. And thens uddenly things flare up between Kamau and Sundali. Instantly playing protector, he steps between the two older adolescents. "Kamau, you're being a grump /now/. Sunny's been gone for ages, she's back, it's awesome to see her. But you're not really giving her much of a welcome, y'know?"
Kiapo lifts one eyebrow and gives a faint nod towards the king. Afterall, the self-proclaimed guardian has had his own female troubles since arriving here. More than once he was told to back-the-*explitive*-off when it came to any sort of affection towards the former queen of these lands. And, like a good soldier, he's done just that, even if it has made quite a lonesome road. Still, he keeps such thoughts to himself just makes a soft sound. "Easy, easy everyone." He murmurs, ears folding back. "Lord Kamau... I could really use your help on the Southern patrol for a few days. That's where the rogues seem to be the most aggressive." Kiapo, of course, is somewhat telling the truth, but also hoping to use it as a way of judging the young lion's skills. "Once things calm there, I think you'd be well suited for the southwest route. It intersects mine." He's obviously -trying- to change the subject. "Sire, if you wish to start Prince Kale's training... the eastern borders have been quiet as of late. It may be a good place to start?" He certainly won't interfere with a father passing down such things to his son.
"HA!" The laugh is dry, sarcastic, forced. Sundali glares at Kamau, stepping forward to invade his personal space.. though she finds her way blocked then by Kale'Kizuka. But she continues to glare at her friend, lips peeling back to reveal a flash of teeth. "Oho, and who as the one who got all offended when I didn't come find you lot VERY FIRST THING upon getting back to Tyne. No, Great Kings FORBID that I stop to get a drink of WATER first when there are important things to do like locating two stuck-up Lords!" The white female's tail lashes behind her, the aduls in the area completely forgotten. "And who was it who went all sulky when I suggested I might possibly WANT to see Runt again?" Snorting, Sundali takes a step forward, putting her even with Kale'Kizuka instead of behind him so that she can shove her face closer to Kamau's, to invade his personal space, a sneer present on her muzzle. "Maybe if you'd get your head out of your--" And here she uses a word for Kamau's behind that, were her mother around, would get her cuffed into next week. "--you'd realize that the world.. MY WORLD.. does not revolve around the two of you! That there are more important things in life, that there are things out there bigger than any troubles you've come across in your sheltered, pridal life!"
Flicking his ears back at Kamau's defensive reply Aitan pauses for a moment and is about to upbraid the adolescent for speaking so to a lady, however Kiapo's suggestion that he take the dark lion for a test run on the borders seems to make more sense. He nods gratefully at Kiapo. "That sounds perfect." Maybe some responsibility will calm the surly Kamau that obviously inherited Elim's temper rather then Aitan's. He goes turns to ask his son if he'll accompany him to the borders tomorrow, a smile on his face at the thought of bonding-time with his eldest and only, however finds the three young lions ebroiled in a fiece argument. He listens to Sundali's reply, but before Kale and Kamau can come to blows he rises to his feet and lets out an angry roar that reverberates in everyone's chest for a second after it's finished. "I'm ashamed of you three!" He growls, "Yes... all three of you!" He glares at the trio. "Fighting and snarling and growling about who likes who better and who sees who first. You are all almost adults now and if you want adult responsibility you need to back it up with adult behavior." He whips his head around to his son, "Kale! Just because you were born a prince doesn't mean you're entitled. You have to earn everything as much as everyone else." He turns towards Kamau, "And you... How am I supposed to expect you to deal diplomatically with rogues and visiting kings when you can't even retain your politness around a lady and a prince. However I grudgingly call her that," His smoldering eyes flick to Sundali, "Because no self-respecting lady would use language like that." He pauses for a second head high and mouth parted, letting his tirade sink in, daring the youngsters to retort.
Kamau outright growls at Kale. "She has /not/ been gone for ages, she's been back and I already welcomed her," but that's as far as he gets before his brother growls and he hunkers down, flattening his ears back in fear. Suddenly the picture of shame, he shuffles his feet about in the dirt a little. "I'm sorry for being grumpy Sunny, both times. I really do miss you," he murmurs quietly before turning to Aitan. "I'm sorry, brother. I'll go work now." And with that, he starts slinking towards the southern border to start his first turn acting as a real guard. It is not the grand celebration of his coming into an adult profession he has been expecting since cubhood, not at all. It's more like a walk of shame.
Suddenly, things get even more intense. There's shouting, snarling, swearing and Kale's attempts (no matter how cackhanded) at playing peacemaker both totally fail to acheive anything other than pushing and more snarling. And then that roar cuts through everything- his father's words cutting into his heart just as the roar cut through the conversation. "I didn't know I had to 'earn' time with my father. I didn't know I had to 'earn' being taught what I need to know to grow up and become useful." He replies, his voice sounding very, VERY small- and his ice blue eyes lowering to the ground. His tail droops and he takes a few steps away. "But you're right, I guess. Being born a prince /hasn't/ entitled me to anything worth having. Just parents who I never see, uncles who bully me and a load of dry trees to piss on." Aitan seems to have managed with a few short, sharp words to have totally transformed his always lonely son's mood into the polar opposite of the cheery outlook he held a few scant minutes before. "So yeah. I guess I'll be going now. Nice seeing you again, dad. We must do this again at some point in the next season."
Surely, Kiapo is slightly bemused by all of this. There is certainly plenty of reason why the chocolate-toned lion never sought out leadership of a pride, himself, and this is one of those reasons. Too quiet natured, 'po simply didn't have it in him to put youngsters in their place as the King had just done. Then again... he's also never had children of his own, so that also plays a role. The lion licks at one paw and then rubs it against his maw, almost as if he weren't effected at all by the King's words. Giving his fur a slight shake, the guard bows his head politely to those that remain before turning to follow Kamau. Whatever problems Kale'Kizuka may have, that is something obviously more suited to a conversation between father and son. Kamau on the other hand... doesn't happen to have the opportunity to have such heart-to-hearts. "Hey..." 'Po speaks in his usual soft tones, "Chin-up, lad. Long-faces are for elephants." Sure, it's not funny, but at least he tries. "Come on... I'll show you the route you'll be helping me with, then walk you around the route you'll take over, alright?"
Ha! He calls that a welcome back? But before Sundali can retort - her mouth has parted, no doubt some scathing words right at the tip of her tongue just ready to be shot back at her friend - Aitan's roar cuts the air and the young lioness flinches, falling back a few steps. And somehow, being told off by one of the Kings is a lot worse than any cuffing. Ears slipping back against her skull, Sunny's gaze drops to her paws and if she could blush through her fur, no doubt she'd be doing so now. What a perfect way to get the local adults to notice you, Sundali! Act like a complete moron in front of them! You want to find a place to fit in and feel like one of the pride, and you go picking a fight with one of your best friends who you honestly DID miss to pieces while you were away! "Sorry, sirs," She mumbles, ashamed. A glance is given to Kamau at his apology, but before she can offer one in return, he has also appologized to their elders and starts to wander off. The adolescent female stares after him for a long moment, frowning slightly.. and then decides to save her own apology for later, to give them both time to cool off. Issueing a gentle puff of a sigh, she glances to Aitan, and then Kale'Kizuka. "Er.. I should get back to hunting practice. I'll catch up with you later, Runt," She says softly, giving him a slight smile that comes off as more of a grimace. "We can.. stalk Greenbacks or somethin'.." If there are any crocs left in the river, anyway, she thinks with a quick glance to the water. "And I'll tell yeh all about what it's like outside of Tyne." She doesn't wait for a response, instead swinging into motion to head off towards the grasslands.. and slinking by Aitan in the process, chancing a half-ashamed, half-apologetic glance to the King as she does so.
Kiapo, Guard of Tyne
Kale'Kizuka, Prince of Tyne
Kamau, Dark Lord of Tyne
Sundahli, Huntress-to-be of ... Tyne
Setting: Tyne - River Delta
Another day in Tyne, another hot one. Moving along the river and pausing occasionally to 'mark' the trees as best as he can is the smallish blob of white easily identifiable as Kale'Kizuka, perhaps the last remaining prince of the current generation without the sleeping sickness. Indeed, he seems to be growing and thriving- though on the smaller side for his age, he's by no means the tiny malformed runt he once was. He's definitely storming towards adolescence at an accelarated rate right now.
Coming up from the opposite direction as the pale-coated prince is the equally pale-coated teenage female. Sundali is back in Tyne at least. Has been for a bit now, actually, though she's been throwing herself into her hunting lessons to avoid her two so-called "friends" who insulted her on her first evening back. Puh. BOYS! Now, with a bit of free time on her paws, Sunny is out and about exploring the lands, and on the lookout for any familiar faces. It is from a distance that she first catches sight of Kale'Kizuka, and instantly the female's ears perk. Aha! A smile streching across her muzzle, Sunny's pace picks up into an easy trot, carrying her in the young royal's direction. Within hailing range, she issues a low chuff. "Hey, Runt!" The greeting lacks any mean-spiritedness that it might have carried when she was with Kamau and Onaedo when they were younger troublemakers. Now, her voice carries an almost sisterly sort of affection. Being away from Tyne like she was seems to have matured the girl quite a bit, and she missed Tyne and its occupants greatly. Even Kale'Kizuka.
Upon spotting his son, Aitan lengthens his strides into an easy, ground-swallowing lope. "Kale!" He calls, obviously eager to see the boy. After caring for many with the sleeping sickness.. Aitan was worried he had contracted it himself, however he opened his eyes this morning, awake and refreshed. Just a touch of the disease, it would seem... hopefully. The King himself has aged a bit. His early 20's boyish looks are fading and his body is thicker, and stronger, but not as fast as it used to be. However, he still has that glint in his eye and as he nears his son, he crouches and swings a forepaw out towards his rear leg to playfully trip him up- claws in of course.
Coming in from that third direction, across the poor excuse for a river, is Kamau. He's padding along with ease, his legs not the awkwardly oversized appendages they once were, and is still qrowing quickly in his adolescent state. While Sunny has been busy learning to be a huntress, Kamau has been working hard with Elim' to become that promise of a future guard. But this morning, he'd been off exploring instead and, okay, maybe pretending he was tracking evil rogues some of the time. He is still quite full of cubbish energy, despite that mane coming in. Spotting all the white across the river, he grins and starts to bound forward, losing some of the grace he posessed while walking. "Sunny! Aitan! ...Monster!" he calls out, greeting each in turn. With the river so shallow, he just crosses at the most dried up spot, splashing about before bounding straight to Sunny. He doesn't seem aware of any ill-will she may feel towards him at the moment.
"Huh?" Is Kale's first response to Sundali's call. And then he suddenly grins, and begins to pound across towards her. "Holycraponamonkey'swalkingstick! Sunny!" Bounce, bounce, bounce. As he comes closer and into better focus, it would seem that he's for sure done a lot of growing up himself. And.. OMG! YES! His headfur is distinctly shaggier and longer, at the 'floppy emo-fringe in the eyes' stage, a look that oddly enough apes his mother's teenage hairdo. Though he'd EAT anyone who pointed this out. "Where the heck have you BEEN? It's been so /boring/ here without you!" The boy enthuses, padding around her eagerly. "You're.. like.. big! And pretty! Wow!" And then suddenly ALL THE WORLD arrives at once. "Dad!!" And at once, the boy is sent sprawling. So much for Mr Ice-Cool-White /there/.
Untouched by the sickness that seems to have spread during this warm time, Kiapo lopes along from the direction of the borderlands. However, he has not been untouched by other things. His fur seems a bit scruffy in some areas, as if he weren't too long from a tussle with someone, or something. Still, the lion seems to be in favorable spirits. Moving on pale paw-tips, the chocolate-toned guard approaches at a polite pace, giving a greeting chuff towards the just-arriving King and the youngsters. "Aitan." He speaks in his usual calm manner, "The rogues are getting more aggressive in the heat. We may have to step up border patrols." The lion gives a pause of consideration, and then greets each of the younger lions in turn, "Lord Kamau, Prince Kale'. M'lady." The lion flicks his ears slightly, watching antics with some amusement.
Releasing his son's leg from his mouth long Aitan chuckles and ruffles his paw through his son's budding mane. "Need to be a little bit quicker on the draw there, buddy... don't want to let a pair of pretty eyes distract you." He grins and gives Sundali a nod of greeting. Rolling on his back to face towards Kiapo, he frowns... listening to his report. It seems that the water situation has not improved... So there are problems that /sleeping/ on it will not fix! Aitan sighs and furrows his brow, small creases are beginning to form there of late... crinkles under his white fur. "I'll take care of it." He says lowly, "Though where we're going to get the extra guards is my guess... a lot are sick."
Sundali laughs, beaming at the younger white male, her gaze trailing him as he bounces about. "Good to see you too, Kid." She is, indeed, bigger. Cubhood pudge has been melting away, and she's been growing into her ears and paws and legs, thus abandoning most of the gangly youth look. Her legs are still long and lean.. she's going to be tall for a lioness. Distraction arrives in the form of adults and Kamau; Aitan and Kiapo are given a small, polite nod each. When Sunny was living in Tyne last, most of her time was spent with Kamau and Onaedo. She knows who most of the adults ARE, but she doesn't really KNOW them. Which.. makes being here now slightly awkward. Kamau is given a quick glance, but Sunny offers him nothing in greeting, not even a nod of acknowledgement. Her tail flicks twice, and then stills as she returns her focus to the sprawling Kale'. "Smooth move," She jokes with a chuckle, reaching out with a forepaw to ruffle the growing mane fuzz. "Guess maybe I should call you Fuzzy 'stead of Runt now, eh?" She teases, grinning. As for where she's been, the girl hitches on slender shoulder in a half-shrug. "Out explorin'. What else." Her grin widens into a mischievous smirk, though a shadow flits across her features for a split second. Apparently, life outside of Tyne wasn't as cool and exciting as she'd imagined it to be. Hence her return.
Kamau is downright miffed by his lack of a greeting, and it is apparent on his face. Everyone calling Sunny /pretty/ all of a sudden doesn't do much to help it either, and his smile quickly slides down into a frown. He comes to a stop rather close to Sunny, perhaps just trying to get closer than Kale, and he looks between the three white lions with a scowl. Kiapo gets a nod in return, but that's all for now. "What, some runt calls you pretty and you ignore your friends?" he scoffs in anger, bristling just the slightest bit. Turning away from her, he looks to Aitan, still scowling but not /at/ him, per se. "I'll go guard. I can do it on my own." Rather than the eager kid he usually is about the task, he's acting hurt and grumpy. Aww, sensitive dark lord.
"Dad, I should start doing patrols and stuff now too, right?" Kale asks, his voice definitely not the piercing cubtone it once was, though still quavery and in the process of breaking. He tosses his floofed mane- which appears to be pretty much communal property at the moment, and blushes some towards Sunny. "Hey, you can call me what you like, Sunny. Just so long as you /stick around/ this time!" Kamau is thrown a slight look. "And hey, Kamau.. not so runty anymore, lion." He finally straightens himself back up to his paws- seeming to bask in the attention from friends and family. Kiapo too is given a smile and a small nod of acknowledgement- /very/ regal of him.
Giving a faint nod of his head, Kiapo's own concern shows momentarily on his face, although it is soon passed behind the mask he's learned to wear. "I'll pull double duty if needed, sire. Although..." There is a slight sideways glance towards Kamau and then towards the white 'puffball' that is Kale'Kizuka. When Kamau speaks up about wanting to guard, Kiapo nods greatfully. "If you think you're up to it, Kamau, the help would be appreciated." The older lion bows his head slightly, showing his respect even to young royalty. "It may not be a bad time to begin the training of the youths who aren't sick, as well." This is spoken towards Aitan, and it's clear that the lion is most likely referring to Kale', motioning a paw in the prince's direction.
Now it is Sundali's turn to bristle in anger, every muscle in her body stiffening at Kamau's words. Hey! She hadn't even /reacted/ to the 'pretty' compliment! Kale' was there during her youth just as much as Kamau and Onaedo were and she honestly missed the guy! He's the only other one close to her age she knows who sports the samel, pale coat she does! Swallowing heavily in attempt to get a handle on her anger, Sundali forces her face into a flat, even expression, pale golden eyes lingering on the adolescent Lord. "Why, thank you for pointing that out, Kamau. I hadn't even thought to thank him for the compliment." Attention is turned fully to Kale'Kizuka, a small, warm smile appearing on her face. "Thanks for the compliment, Kale'. You're the first to say something so nice to me since I got back. /Some lions/," And on the last bit, her tone hardens slightly, a sidelong gaze cast to Kamau. "Apparently can't see beyond their own nose to even notice."
Aitan nods at Kamau's volunteering, keeping a neutral look on his maw. "You're right Kiapo... it's time these two ruffians learn to do some work instead of loafing around all day." He gives the both of them an amused smile. "Though I doubt that anyone could shoulder guard responsibilities all by their lonesome.. Tyne is quite a large kingdom. You would wear your footpads out and leave unguarded holes in the border. It's better to have overlapping patrols." He says lowly... taking care to not snub Kamau's enthusiasm, but also remind him that it's not a one man show. He pricks his ears towards the female adolescent as she speaks. Good god... he's not a young male, and even he feels the venom in her retort! Amusedly he glances back towards Kamau, and smiles conspiratorally at him, 'we don't want to be drawn into this' his looks says. Clearing his throught, he pauses to think. "Elimnyama has been giving you lessons Kamau, correct?" He turns to his son, "What do ya say Kale? You ready to start some training?" Mentally he runs over his father's lessons he recieved when an adolescent in his head. Combat training, dual patrols the first couple of times to lay down the rules and duties of the job, lessons in royal protocol... ect, ect.
"Elim's been training me for ages. He said I was just about ready a /long/ time ago. I must be ready to be a real guard now," Kamau offers, still talking to the older lions and only slightly sulky that Aitan seems to not have noticed how hard he's been working. But at Sunny's jibes, he turns back to her, angry once again. "Just because no one's /said/ it doesn't mean we didn't notice!" he grumps, flicking his ears back. "What's gotten into you anyway? You show up out of nowhere and rather than talk to Ona' an' me you run off? And now you aren't speaking to me? What'd /I/ do? /Ona'/ was the one being all a grump last time!" Indeed, Kamau had been downright giddy the last time he saw Sunny. /He/ can't help if his brother was being mean.
"Dad, I was born a prince. That means that it's stuff I need to know. I mean, REALLY need to know. I've been waiting to learn forever.. but.. well.. you've been asleep." Kale's face falls a little as he thinks of that. "I was kind of hoping you'd pass it on to me, rather than going to Uncle Elim for the training and stuff, y'know?" He takes a small breath.. And thens uddenly things flare up between Kamau and Sundali. Instantly playing protector, he steps between the two older adolescents. "Kamau, you're being a grump /now/. Sunny's been gone for ages, she's back, it's awesome to see her. But you're not really giving her much of a welcome, y'know?"
Kiapo lifts one eyebrow and gives a faint nod towards the king. Afterall, the self-proclaimed guardian has had his own female troubles since arriving here. More than once he was told to back-the-*explitive*-off when it came to any sort of affection towards the former queen of these lands. And, like a good soldier, he's done just that, even if it has made quite a lonesome road. Still, he keeps such thoughts to himself just makes a soft sound. "Easy, easy everyone." He murmurs, ears folding back. "Lord Kamau... I could really use your help on the Southern patrol for a few days. That's where the rogues seem to be the most aggressive." Kiapo, of course, is somewhat telling the truth, but also hoping to use it as a way of judging the young lion's skills. "Once things calm there, I think you'd be well suited for the southwest route. It intersects mine." He's obviously -trying- to change the subject. "Sire, if you wish to start Prince Kale's training... the eastern borders have been quiet as of late. It may be a good place to start?" He certainly won't interfere with a father passing down such things to his son.
"HA!" The laugh is dry, sarcastic, forced. Sundali glares at Kamau, stepping forward to invade his personal space.. though she finds her way blocked then by Kale'Kizuka. But she continues to glare at her friend, lips peeling back to reveal a flash of teeth. "Oho, and who as the one who got all offended when I didn't come find you lot VERY FIRST THING upon getting back to Tyne. No, Great Kings FORBID that I stop to get a drink of WATER first when there are important things to do like locating two stuck-up Lords!" The white female's tail lashes behind her, the aduls in the area completely forgotten. "And who was it who went all sulky when I suggested I might possibly WANT to see Runt again?" Snorting, Sundali takes a step forward, putting her even with Kale'Kizuka instead of behind him so that she can shove her face closer to Kamau's, to invade his personal space, a sneer present on her muzzle. "Maybe if you'd get your head out of your--" And here she uses a word for Kamau's behind that, were her mother around, would get her cuffed into next week. "--you'd realize that the world.. MY WORLD.. does not revolve around the two of you! That there are more important things in life, that there are things out there bigger than any troubles you've come across in your sheltered, pridal life!"
Flicking his ears back at Kamau's defensive reply Aitan pauses for a moment and is about to upbraid the adolescent for speaking so to a lady, however Kiapo's suggestion that he take the dark lion for a test run on the borders seems to make more sense. He nods gratefully at Kiapo. "That sounds perfect." Maybe some responsibility will calm the surly Kamau that obviously inherited Elim's temper rather then Aitan's. He goes turns to ask his son if he'll accompany him to the borders tomorrow, a smile on his face at the thought of bonding-time with his eldest and only, however finds the three young lions ebroiled in a fiece argument. He listens to Sundali's reply, but before Kale and Kamau can come to blows he rises to his feet and lets out an angry roar that reverberates in everyone's chest for a second after it's finished. "I'm ashamed of you three!" He growls, "Yes... all three of you!" He glares at the trio. "Fighting and snarling and growling about who likes who better and who sees who first. You are all almost adults now and if you want adult responsibility you need to back it up with adult behavior." He whips his head around to his son, "Kale! Just because you were born a prince doesn't mean you're entitled. You have to earn everything as much as everyone else." He turns towards Kamau, "And you... How am I supposed to expect you to deal diplomatically with rogues and visiting kings when you can't even retain your politness around a lady and a prince. However I grudgingly call her that," His smoldering eyes flick to Sundali, "Because no self-respecting lady would use language like that." He pauses for a second head high and mouth parted, letting his tirade sink in, daring the youngsters to retort.
Kamau outright growls at Kale. "She has /not/ been gone for ages, she's been back and I already welcomed her," but that's as far as he gets before his brother growls and he hunkers down, flattening his ears back in fear. Suddenly the picture of shame, he shuffles his feet about in the dirt a little. "I'm sorry for being grumpy Sunny, both times. I really do miss you," he murmurs quietly before turning to Aitan. "I'm sorry, brother. I'll go work now." And with that, he starts slinking towards the southern border to start his first turn acting as a real guard. It is not the grand celebration of his coming into an adult profession he has been expecting since cubhood, not at all. It's more like a walk of shame.
Suddenly, things get even more intense. There's shouting, snarling, swearing and Kale's attempts (no matter how cackhanded) at playing peacemaker both totally fail to acheive anything other than pushing and more snarling. And then that roar cuts through everything- his father's words cutting into his heart just as the roar cut through the conversation. "I didn't know I had to 'earn' time with my father. I didn't know I had to 'earn' being taught what I need to know to grow up and become useful." He replies, his voice sounding very, VERY small- and his ice blue eyes lowering to the ground. His tail droops and he takes a few steps away. "But you're right, I guess. Being born a prince /hasn't/ entitled me to anything worth having. Just parents who I never see, uncles who bully me and a load of dry trees to piss on." Aitan seems to have managed with a few short, sharp words to have totally transformed his always lonely son's mood into the polar opposite of the cheery outlook he held a few scant minutes before. "So yeah. I guess I'll be going now. Nice seeing you again, dad. We must do this again at some point in the next season."
Surely, Kiapo is slightly bemused by all of this. There is certainly plenty of reason why the chocolate-toned lion never sought out leadership of a pride, himself, and this is one of those reasons. Too quiet natured, 'po simply didn't have it in him to put youngsters in their place as the King had just done. Then again... he's also never had children of his own, so that also plays a role. The lion licks at one paw and then rubs it against his maw, almost as if he weren't effected at all by the King's words. Giving his fur a slight shake, the guard bows his head politely to those that remain before turning to follow Kamau. Whatever problems Kale'Kizuka may have, that is something obviously more suited to a conversation between father and son. Kamau on the other hand... doesn't happen to have the opportunity to have such heart-to-hearts. "Hey..." 'Po speaks in his usual soft tones, "Chin-up, lad. Long-faces are for elephants." Sure, it's not funny, but at least he tries. "Come on... I'll show you the route you'll be helping me with, then walk you around the route you'll take over, alright?"
Ha! He calls that a welcome back? But before Sundali can retort - her mouth has parted, no doubt some scathing words right at the tip of her tongue just ready to be shot back at her friend - Aitan's roar cuts the air and the young lioness flinches, falling back a few steps. And somehow, being told off by one of the Kings is a lot worse than any cuffing. Ears slipping back against her skull, Sunny's gaze drops to her paws and if she could blush through her fur, no doubt she'd be doing so now. What a perfect way to get the local adults to notice you, Sundali! Act like a complete moron in front of them! You want to find a place to fit in and feel like one of the pride, and you go picking a fight with one of your best friends who you honestly DID miss to pieces while you were away! "Sorry, sirs," She mumbles, ashamed. A glance is given to Kamau at his apology, but before she can offer one in return, he has also appologized to their elders and starts to wander off. The adolescent female stares after him for a long moment, frowning slightly.. and then decides to save her own apology for later, to give them both time to cool off. Issueing a gentle puff of a sigh, she glances to Aitan, and then Kale'Kizuka. "Er.. I should get back to hunting practice. I'll catch up with you later, Runt," She says softly, giving him a slight smile that comes off as more of a grimace. "We can.. stalk Greenbacks or somethin'.." If there are any crocs left in the river, anyway, she thinks with a quick glance to the water. "And I'll tell yeh all about what it's like outside of Tyne." She doesn't wait for a response, instead swinging into motion to head off towards the grasslands.. and slinking by Aitan in the process, chancing a half-ashamed, half-apologetic glance to the King as she does so.
