Post by Bahati on Jan 6, 2007 0:33:17 GMT -5
Palandasya - Majestic Kopje
Three huge slabs of stone form the base of this majestic sculpture, accentuated by multiple smaller stones along the sides - making climbing at least partway up this structure possible. Acacia trees grow around the base of these giant monoliths, and one or two have found root further up the rock. Entry to the inner cavern is made possible by balanced slabs of rock, accentuated by fallen branches. It's obvious that this space is well-used.
Exits:
[East] to the Baobab Grove
[West] to Lake Kweupe
[Into] the kopje
Present:
[IC] Hukumu
[IC] Limuka
[IC] Kimua
If there's anything worse than the dry heat of the Kalahari Desert, it has to be the sopping humidity of the East. Dusk offers little respite to Palandasya's native lion pride--situated around an old, sprawling kopje covered in bright-beaked oxpeckers. King Hukumu will not patrol his lands until the sun has sunken below the horizon; instead, he rests on a large, flat rock near the entrance to the pride's den, watching his lionesses with a hungry twinkle in his dark eyes. Alas, it's still too hot for whatever thought he's entertaining.
Kimua slips through the darkening landscape, her meaty paws slamming down and ruining any aspect of surprise she might otherwise be trying to cultivate. There's no need to be quiet when you want your approach to be announced, after all. Even her gait is masculine, lacking most of the grace that other females have in favor of firm, snapping muscle that indicates just one thing - pure physical power. This entire thing should be interesting.
And who should follow but the estrogen side of the family? Limuka's steps are considerably more quiet; he picks and chooses his steps with a grimace. "I still don't get why we have to go /here/. It's /hot/. And /slimy/. Kimmy, let's go bother someone else, okay?" The large lion is almost comical in comparison to Kimua, because even with his complaints, he's just as polished as his sister. "C'mooon!"
Hukumu is alerted to his visitors by the alarmed chitters of the Capuchin monkeys that attend his lionesses with large green fans fashioned from glossy leaves. He turns his head, and slicks back his ears in obvious displeasure when his fantasy is so rudely interrupted. All it takes is a low chuff; two maneless warriors come slinking out of the den to flank the King's side, bristling with anticipation.
Kimua sighs quietly and turns her head to squint back over at her brother, though she can't hide a bit of an indulgent smile. "Shush, sweetie. We can bother this king and his call for females well enough. I'll even kill you a zebra when we're done, /just/ for you." The sweetness is gone the moment she catches sight of the warriors, the burly lioness coming to a halt and tensing her muscles before letting loose a thunderous roar.
"Zebra!" Limuka chirps, instantly cheered. "Can I poke it's eyes out can I can I?" But when he sees the King and his attending lions, his whole act changes; he bristles, closing the gap between Kimua and himself. Flicking his ears back, he glares, although he refrains from roaring. Your lands suck, kingy-guy. They make my mane soggy. ):<
Frowning, Hukumu scrutinizes the pair without speaking. He doesn't need to. The forbidding expression on his scarred face should tell Kimua and Limuka how he feels about them. The two guards join in, adding their voices to the chorus of roars that shake the kopje and draw more members of the Palandasya pride out of hiding. Lionesses appear out of cracks and crevices--curious, but wary. "State your business!" the larger of the two snarls, stepping forward to protectively shield his King while his partner flexes his claws and paws impatiently at the loose earth.
Kimua just smirks back towards the males, her shoulders rolling slowly as she starts to stride forward, heading for the more vocal of the pair of guards while letting out a gravelly purr. "I think that it's your king who's sent out the invitation, sweetie." A lash of her tail is accentuated as the purr stops, replaced by a growl. "So get out of my face while you still have one to blabber with."
Limuka follows behind Kimua, padding towards the other guard. "Yeah, what /she/ said! You guys want lionesses and she might not look like one, but this lovely lady is a girl!" Although his speaking skills are lacking, he's still suitably threatening.
As Kimua speaks, Hukumu narrows his eyes and lets out a low growl, summoning one of the monkeys to his side. He lowers his mighty head, murmurs something against the primate's ear and sends it off with a firm nudge of the nose. The two guards look less than pleased. "Her?" the smaller asks Limuka. "You've got to be joking!"
Kimua glances over at her brother with a slightly irritated scowl, her growl rising in volume. Oh, Limuka's going to /pay/ for that /later/. The newly disrespectful guard gets snarled at, and the female performs a short forward rush with one huge forepaw raised to *SMACK* at the male's face.
The life of a Palandasyian warrior is an easy one--most of the time. After all, it isn't often that rogues venture into the pride's territory; and, when they do, it only takes a small amount of posturing to drive them off. Clearly, this particular lion wasn't expecting Kimua to actually /charge/, because he reels back in alarm, curling his lip and flashing his teeth at the female. "Enough!" Hukumu's voice punctuates the air. "Shomari, Salehe--you will treat our guests with the respect they deserve." The King's eyes shift to the strangers, sparking with quiet fury. "And *you* will cease. Immediately."
Kimua is all bristly already, snapping teeth and rolling enraged eyes from offending male to offending male. No, she doesn't like these lions - but in the interest of playing nice, she just stands steady and lashes her tail about, narrowing her red gaze so she can squint at the apparently higher-ranking feline. "And who are you to tell me what I will and will not do, male?" Rawr.
Hukumu pauses, toying with all the different ways to answer Kimua's question. He eventually settles on a thin, wry smile that pulls his lips tight across his muzzle. "Sit," he says, stretching his short, muscular neck as he gestures to a vacant spot in the shade. The monkey returns, carrying a gourd full of fresh creek water which it sets down in front of the lioness. A peace offering?
Kimua sends a quick glance back at her brother before moving again, stalking forward and directly in between the two guards, making sure to shoulder each out of her way before proceeding to the indicated spot. The monkey gets eyeballed as a possible future snack, and the lioness slowly slides down onto her belly, curling one forepaw inward. In all likelihood she's just met the king, and she knows it. "My name is Kimua. My brother is called Limuka, and if any of your pretty little boys give him trouble I'll remove their ribs for them."
"My dear," purrs the King. "If my guards give your brother any trouble, there won't be any ribs left to remove. I'll have tossed them to the monsters that live in the Zuberi." He closes his eyes, a groan of pleasure bubbling up from his belly as the monkey begins to groom his long black mane. "Now, Kimua, tell me again why you have come."
Kimua dips her head forward and sniffs at the water-gourd a bit suspiciously, but seems to find it acceptable since she's soon lapping at the refreshing stuff, delaying her answer until the gourd has been emptied. Once finished she cranes her neck back so she can stare at the male, tail flipping to one side. "The little birdies squawking about your land looking for females caught my interest."
Hukumu chuckles deeply, and his whole body seems to quake. The poor monkey gives a shrill, demanding squeak of protest. Don't shake while I'm trying to work! "Please," Hukumu rumbles. "Do go on."
Kimua turns her stare onto the monkey, who's still looking very appetizing to the big female. "My brother and I had nothing else concerning us, so I decided to come out here and see what it was all about.. so why don't you tell me, and make my trip worthwhile?"
Limuka is watching all this silently, hushed by his sister's irritated glance. Still, he seems a little put out. /He's/ the important one, /he/ should get water and sittings.
"I am in need," Hukumu explains. What kind of need should be readily obvious by the way he rolls his hips and shifts his weight from side to side every time he glances out the corner of his eye at one of the lionesses hanging around the kopje's perimeter. "My harem has lost some of Palandasya's most precious treasures."
Kimua turns a little to stare over at Limuka. What are you still standing around back there for, you idiot? Humuku is stared at after a moment of hiding a smirk, the lioness flexing her claws in and out. "Oh? How unfortunate for you to be so enslaved by your urges." /Males/.
Oh, right! Right! Limuka hurries up beside Kimua, ears pinned down. "Kimmy? I don't think this is a good idea, Kimmy. They want... bees! And birds! /Birees/!" Being a total drag queen, he knows nothing of 'birees', but the thought of his sister going through that - whatever the plan - alarmed him.
"It is *very* unfortunate," Hukumu agrees with a slow and solemn nod. Limuka receives a stern look, but the King continues, undaunted by his strange behaviour. "But my misfortune is another's gain. Have you come here to seek the reward I've offered for foreign beauties? Or are you presenting yourself to me?"
Kimua nods slightly along with Humuku, allowing herself a low chuckle. "Both, perhaps.. depending on what I get out of the deal." Now that the section of business is clearly stated, she can return her attention to her brother - who gets lightly swatted at. "/Shush/. Sit down, Limuka."
Limuka whines, "But... but!" Still, he sits, although he has a very worried look on his face. Don't do it, Kimmy! They'll make a mockery of you!
There's that smile again. Tight and insincere. "I am flattered, darling Kimua," Hukumu replies reproachfully. "But you must understand that I do not accept every lioness into my harem who lays herself at my feet. There is, ah, certain *quality* that I look for in my breeding stock. However, if you were to bring me a creature more exquisite than any other in my possession, I will happily grant you whatever it is that you desire."
Kimua seems.. amused, rather than murderous, which is a change. "I was doing no such thing. Suggest it again and you'll live just long enough to regret it." A purr grates its way out of the female's throat, the female leaning slightly to the side so she can roll herself upwards, sitting next to Limuka. "Besides, a lion like you couldn't tell quality from scrap if it bit you in the face." Quality is a female that can rip her way through a hippo's belly in ten seconds or less.
"Kimua is really, really exquiz-... exquiy-... great!" Limuka jumps to the defense of his sister, although his lack of speaking skills shows through again. "She kills way better than those hairless thingys, I'll bet! She even does it better than me!"
The easygoing feeling is mutual. One of the guards starts forward when Kimua insults the King, but Hukumu stops him dead in his tracks with a throaty hiss. Then he turns his attention back to the lioness as though nothing happened, darting a quick glance between brother and sister. "If you two are such connoisseurs, then I welcome you to find me a female worthy of my harem."
Kimua flicks one ear back and to the side, turning a vicious gaze onto the briefly advancing guard with a look that very clearly conveys an impending storm of violence. Rawr! "I wouldn't presume to tell you what you'd perceive to be 'quality', king."
Limuka growls at the guard, glaring at the poor, unfortunate citizen. Don't you dare! Remembering what his mommy told him about saying something nice or nothing at all, he says nothing at all. Stupid kingy.
"I enjoy them small and dark," Hukumu says. "With long whiskers and eyes that shine. She must be intelligent, and if she is not obedient then she must be breakable. I do not mind a challenge, but I prefer to keep the blood off my paws whenever possible. It would be a shame if you brought me a pretty little thing that I had to kill for being too insolent."
Kimua smirks and rolls her powerful shoulders again, shrugging once. "So you want prissy little weaklings that can't hold their own in battle. It's a shame that most males seem to think of them as the epitome of feminine beauty.. they're /useless/." Aww, Limuka's so adorable when he tries to be growly.
Limuka isn't adorable! He's SCARY! He peers at Hukumu, and says the first thing that comes to his mind; "does it count as small if I've gotta break her legs off first?- uh, what she said!" Limuka gives a firm nod.
"Useless, perhaps, but a pleasure to look at--and a pleasure to rub up against." The very tip of Hukumu's tail gives a contemplative flick. "Kimua, please do not be offended. Lionesses like yourself are a valuable and essential part of my pride. Without them, we would all go hungry and the kingdom would be invaded by rogues, ready to take advantage of Palandasya's weakened state. I do not mate with my Hunt Mistress or her huntresses, just as my concubines do not mate with my guards."
Kimua flips her ears about and lifts a forepaw, using it to push gently at Limuka's side. "Shush, I said. You remember what I told you about talking - it's not something you do well." She shifts her weight, leaning on her brother while watching the king, still amused. "Then I imagine you'd sire underdeveloped cubs. The strong must match with the strong, not with the pathetic."
Limuka harrumphs. "Yeees, Kim," he grumbles, pouting. The lion satisfies himself by nodding at her next statement. Kimmy is really really smart!
"Underdeveloped is perhaps the wrong word," Hukumu says, but his tone suggests that he doesn't exactly disagree with Kimua's assessment. "The girls, like their mothers, are prized for their beauty--and betrothed to foreign Princes and Kings who can appreciate them. The boys disperse. As for my heir, Dawa... his mother is no whore."
Kimua raises a brow, letting out a fairly dismissive snort. "The word is a correct one, and you simply spread the growth of weak-blooded pansies around the land. How is this something to take pride in?"
"Pansies!" Limuka chimes in, underlining his sisters words. Of course, weak ones are fun to chase around until they collapse, but shh.
The monkey finishes grooming Hukumu's mane and delicately begins weaving the hairs together into long, thick braids. Most of the lionesses who emerged from the kopje to get a better look at the newcomers have since retreated to the shadows, where more primate attendants are waiting to cater to their every whim. "I suspect, dear Kimua, that you and your brother have not lived as long a life as I or my brother, Chioh. When you are older, you will come to understand the joy that earthly pleasures have to offer. There is more to existence than muscle, tooth and claw."
Kimua sends her glance over towards Limuka, grunting. Clearly the rougher of the two siblings disagrees with the king, and even finds his proclamation amusing. "The length of one's life means little in conjunction with what they've done with it."
"And claws are fun," Limuka adds, returning Kimua's glance. He's captivated by the monkey's weaving, and keeps sneaking peeks at it; those things could make his mane PRETTY and WITTY. It is already gay.
"Look around you," Hukumu suggests. "Stay awhile, and then tell me that what I have done with these lands is not great. My brother and I are masters of our domain--and there is no rogue within a thousand miles who would dare challenge us. Strength *is* contentment, and I am content in my strength."
Kimua seems faintly intrigued, but only so long as it takes her to adopt a toothy grin. "Are you so sure? I am far closer than a thousand miles."
Limuka looks around. "Yeah, we're like... a thousand UN-miles!" Eh-heh-heh-heh. He seems to take his statement a lot more seriously than it should be.
Hukumu laughs a deep, hearty laugh at the thinly-veiled threat. Maybe he takes it seriously. Maybe he doesn't. It's impossible to say one way or the other. "I adore you, Kimua. You're bold like my Tania. Please, I implore you and Limuka--stay, eat and drink your fill. Make use of my attendants and sleep in my den, for tonight and tomorrow, my home is your home."
Kimua lifts her chin slightly so she can stare suspiciously down the bridge of her nose at Hukumu. After a moment or two of that she just chuckles back and nods. "Very well, we'll do that. And I think my brother is interested in your monkeys." Yes, Limmy, Kimmy /saw/ those looks you were giving.
Limuka wrenches his head back towards Kimua, and he would have blushed if he could. Eheheheh! "If you think it's a good idea," he shrugs, sneaking another glance at the grooming monkey. This place is so muggy, you'd /need/ attendants to keep yourself looking good.
"As long as he promises not to devour them, they will serve." For the first time in many hours, Hukumu rises from the stone slab, dislodging the monkey without giving any warning. "Kunjuka is the name of my Hunt Mistress. Find her, and she will feed you. If I recall correctly, the herds are still dropping foals in the North--so you're in luck if you like your meat young and tender."
Kimua nods again, curling her back and allowing her spine to pop and snap several times in the process while her muscles shift beneath her pelt. "We prefer to do our own hunting, I'm afraid." Picky eaters.
Limuka's eyes follow the monkey as it tumbles off, and he dismisses any thoughts of mid-afternoon snacks. Maybe he can pick off their birdies instead. "I wouldn't eat them!" His ears perk up at the thought of 'young and tender', but he nods at Kimua. Own hunting, indeed.
Hukumu heaves a sigh and rolls his shoulders on his way back to the cool darkness of the kopje's interior. There are lionesses waiting for him, and the King does not wish to disappoint. "If you insist," his voice echoes in the hollow.
Three huge slabs of stone form the base of this majestic sculpture, accentuated by multiple smaller stones along the sides - making climbing at least partway up this structure possible. Acacia trees grow around the base of these giant monoliths, and one or two have found root further up the rock. Entry to the inner cavern is made possible by balanced slabs of rock, accentuated by fallen branches. It's obvious that this space is well-used.
Exits:
[East] to the Baobab Grove
[West] to Lake Kweupe
[Into] the kopje
Present:
[IC] Hukumu
[IC] Limuka
[IC] Kimua
If there's anything worse than the dry heat of the Kalahari Desert, it has to be the sopping humidity of the East. Dusk offers little respite to Palandasya's native lion pride--situated around an old, sprawling kopje covered in bright-beaked oxpeckers. King Hukumu will not patrol his lands until the sun has sunken below the horizon; instead, he rests on a large, flat rock near the entrance to the pride's den, watching his lionesses with a hungry twinkle in his dark eyes. Alas, it's still too hot for whatever thought he's entertaining.
Kimua slips through the darkening landscape, her meaty paws slamming down and ruining any aspect of surprise she might otherwise be trying to cultivate. There's no need to be quiet when you want your approach to be announced, after all. Even her gait is masculine, lacking most of the grace that other females have in favor of firm, snapping muscle that indicates just one thing - pure physical power. This entire thing should be interesting.
And who should follow but the estrogen side of the family? Limuka's steps are considerably more quiet; he picks and chooses his steps with a grimace. "I still don't get why we have to go /here/. It's /hot/. And /slimy/. Kimmy, let's go bother someone else, okay?" The large lion is almost comical in comparison to Kimua, because even with his complaints, he's just as polished as his sister. "C'mooon!"
Hukumu is alerted to his visitors by the alarmed chitters of the Capuchin monkeys that attend his lionesses with large green fans fashioned from glossy leaves. He turns his head, and slicks back his ears in obvious displeasure when his fantasy is so rudely interrupted. All it takes is a low chuff; two maneless warriors come slinking out of the den to flank the King's side, bristling with anticipation.
Kimua sighs quietly and turns her head to squint back over at her brother, though she can't hide a bit of an indulgent smile. "Shush, sweetie. We can bother this king and his call for females well enough. I'll even kill you a zebra when we're done, /just/ for you." The sweetness is gone the moment she catches sight of the warriors, the burly lioness coming to a halt and tensing her muscles before letting loose a thunderous roar.
"Zebra!" Limuka chirps, instantly cheered. "Can I poke it's eyes out can I can I?" But when he sees the King and his attending lions, his whole act changes; he bristles, closing the gap between Kimua and himself. Flicking his ears back, he glares, although he refrains from roaring. Your lands suck, kingy-guy. They make my mane soggy. ):<
Frowning, Hukumu scrutinizes the pair without speaking. He doesn't need to. The forbidding expression on his scarred face should tell Kimua and Limuka how he feels about them. The two guards join in, adding their voices to the chorus of roars that shake the kopje and draw more members of the Palandasya pride out of hiding. Lionesses appear out of cracks and crevices--curious, but wary. "State your business!" the larger of the two snarls, stepping forward to protectively shield his King while his partner flexes his claws and paws impatiently at the loose earth.
Kimua just smirks back towards the males, her shoulders rolling slowly as she starts to stride forward, heading for the more vocal of the pair of guards while letting out a gravelly purr. "I think that it's your king who's sent out the invitation, sweetie." A lash of her tail is accentuated as the purr stops, replaced by a growl. "So get out of my face while you still have one to blabber with."
Limuka follows behind Kimua, padding towards the other guard. "Yeah, what /she/ said! You guys want lionesses and she might not look like one, but this lovely lady is a girl!" Although his speaking skills are lacking, he's still suitably threatening.
As Kimua speaks, Hukumu narrows his eyes and lets out a low growl, summoning one of the monkeys to his side. He lowers his mighty head, murmurs something against the primate's ear and sends it off with a firm nudge of the nose. The two guards look less than pleased. "Her?" the smaller asks Limuka. "You've got to be joking!"
Kimua glances over at her brother with a slightly irritated scowl, her growl rising in volume. Oh, Limuka's going to /pay/ for that /later/. The newly disrespectful guard gets snarled at, and the female performs a short forward rush with one huge forepaw raised to *SMACK* at the male's face.
The life of a Palandasyian warrior is an easy one--most of the time. After all, it isn't often that rogues venture into the pride's territory; and, when they do, it only takes a small amount of posturing to drive them off. Clearly, this particular lion wasn't expecting Kimua to actually /charge/, because he reels back in alarm, curling his lip and flashing his teeth at the female. "Enough!" Hukumu's voice punctuates the air. "Shomari, Salehe--you will treat our guests with the respect they deserve." The King's eyes shift to the strangers, sparking with quiet fury. "And *you* will cease. Immediately."
Kimua is all bristly already, snapping teeth and rolling enraged eyes from offending male to offending male. No, she doesn't like these lions - but in the interest of playing nice, she just stands steady and lashes her tail about, narrowing her red gaze so she can squint at the apparently higher-ranking feline. "And who are you to tell me what I will and will not do, male?" Rawr.
Hukumu pauses, toying with all the different ways to answer Kimua's question. He eventually settles on a thin, wry smile that pulls his lips tight across his muzzle. "Sit," he says, stretching his short, muscular neck as he gestures to a vacant spot in the shade. The monkey returns, carrying a gourd full of fresh creek water which it sets down in front of the lioness. A peace offering?
Kimua sends a quick glance back at her brother before moving again, stalking forward and directly in between the two guards, making sure to shoulder each out of her way before proceeding to the indicated spot. The monkey gets eyeballed as a possible future snack, and the lioness slowly slides down onto her belly, curling one forepaw inward. In all likelihood she's just met the king, and she knows it. "My name is Kimua. My brother is called Limuka, and if any of your pretty little boys give him trouble I'll remove their ribs for them."
"My dear," purrs the King. "If my guards give your brother any trouble, there won't be any ribs left to remove. I'll have tossed them to the monsters that live in the Zuberi." He closes his eyes, a groan of pleasure bubbling up from his belly as the monkey begins to groom his long black mane. "Now, Kimua, tell me again why you have come."
Kimua dips her head forward and sniffs at the water-gourd a bit suspiciously, but seems to find it acceptable since she's soon lapping at the refreshing stuff, delaying her answer until the gourd has been emptied. Once finished she cranes her neck back so she can stare at the male, tail flipping to one side. "The little birdies squawking about your land looking for females caught my interest."
Hukumu chuckles deeply, and his whole body seems to quake. The poor monkey gives a shrill, demanding squeak of protest. Don't shake while I'm trying to work! "Please," Hukumu rumbles. "Do go on."
Kimua turns her stare onto the monkey, who's still looking very appetizing to the big female. "My brother and I had nothing else concerning us, so I decided to come out here and see what it was all about.. so why don't you tell me, and make my trip worthwhile?"
Limuka is watching all this silently, hushed by his sister's irritated glance. Still, he seems a little put out. /He's/ the important one, /he/ should get water and sittings.
"I am in need," Hukumu explains. What kind of need should be readily obvious by the way he rolls his hips and shifts his weight from side to side every time he glances out the corner of his eye at one of the lionesses hanging around the kopje's perimeter. "My harem has lost some of Palandasya's most precious treasures."
Kimua turns a little to stare over at Limuka. What are you still standing around back there for, you idiot? Humuku is stared at after a moment of hiding a smirk, the lioness flexing her claws in and out. "Oh? How unfortunate for you to be so enslaved by your urges." /Males/.
Oh, right! Right! Limuka hurries up beside Kimua, ears pinned down. "Kimmy? I don't think this is a good idea, Kimmy. They want... bees! And birds! /Birees/!" Being a total drag queen, he knows nothing of 'birees', but the thought of his sister going through that - whatever the plan - alarmed him.
"It is *very* unfortunate," Hukumu agrees with a slow and solemn nod. Limuka receives a stern look, but the King continues, undaunted by his strange behaviour. "But my misfortune is another's gain. Have you come here to seek the reward I've offered for foreign beauties? Or are you presenting yourself to me?"
Kimua nods slightly along with Humuku, allowing herself a low chuckle. "Both, perhaps.. depending on what I get out of the deal." Now that the section of business is clearly stated, she can return her attention to her brother - who gets lightly swatted at. "/Shush/. Sit down, Limuka."
Limuka whines, "But... but!" Still, he sits, although he has a very worried look on his face. Don't do it, Kimmy! They'll make a mockery of you!
There's that smile again. Tight and insincere. "I am flattered, darling Kimua," Hukumu replies reproachfully. "But you must understand that I do not accept every lioness into my harem who lays herself at my feet. There is, ah, certain *quality* that I look for in my breeding stock. However, if you were to bring me a creature more exquisite than any other in my possession, I will happily grant you whatever it is that you desire."
Kimua seems.. amused, rather than murderous, which is a change. "I was doing no such thing. Suggest it again and you'll live just long enough to regret it." A purr grates its way out of the female's throat, the female leaning slightly to the side so she can roll herself upwards, sitting next to Limuka. "Besides, a lion like you couldn't tell quality from scrap if it bit you in the face." Quality is a female that can rip her way through a hippo's belly in ten seconds or less.
"Kimua is really, really exquiz-... exquiy-... great!" Limuka jumps to the defense of his sister, although his lack of speaking skills shows through again. "She kills way better than those hairless thingys, I'll bet! She even does it better than me!"
The easygoing feeling is mutual. One of the guards starts forward when Kimua insults the King, but Hukumu stops him dead in his tracks with a throaty hiss. Then he turns his attention back to the lioness as though nothing happened, darting a quick glance between brother and sister. "If you two are such connoisseurs, then I welcome you to find me a female worthy of my harem."
Kimua flicks one ear back and to the side, turning a vicious gaze onto the briefly advancing guard with a look that very clearly conveys an impending storm of violence. Rawr! "I wouldn't presume to tell you what you'd perceive to be 'quality', king."
Limuka growls at the guard, glaring at the poor, unfortunate citizen. Don't you dare! Remembering what his mommy told him about saying something nice or nothing at all, he says nothing at all. Stupid kingy.
"I enjoy them small and dark," Hukumu says. "With long whiskers and eyes that shine. She must be intelligent, and if she is not obedient then she must be breakable. I do not mind a challenge, but I prefer to keep the blood off my paws whenever possible. It would be a shame if you brought me a pretty little thing that I had to kill for being too insolent."
Kimua smirks and rolls her powerful shoulders again, shrugging once. "So you want prissy little weaklings that can't hold their own in battle. It's a shame that most males seem to think of them as the epitome of feminine beauty.. they're /useless/." Aww, Limuka's so adorable when he tries to be growly.
Limuka isn't adorable! He's SCARY! He peers at Hukumu, and says the first thing that comes to his mind; "does it count as small if I've gotta break her legs off first?- uh, what she said!" Limuka gives a firm nod.
"Useless, perhaps, but a pleasure to look at--and a pleasure to rub up against." The very tip of Hukumu's tail gives a contemplative flick. "Kimua, please do not be offended. Lionesses like yourself are a valuable and essential part of my pride. Without them, we would all go hungry and the kingdom would be invaded by rogues, ready to take advantage of Palandasya's weakened state. I do not mate with my Hunt Mistress or her huntresses, just as my concubines do not mate with my guards."
Kimua flips her ears about and lifts a forepaw, using it to push gently at Limuka's side. "Shush, I said. You remember what I told you about talking - it's not something you do well." She shifts her weight, leaning on her brother while watching the king, still amused. "Then I imagine you'd sire underdeveloped cubs. The strong must match with the strong, not with the pathetic."
Limuka harrumphs. "Yeees, Kim," he grumbles, pouting. The lion satisfies himself by nodding at her next statement. Kimmy is really really smart!
"Underdeveloped is perhaps the wrong word," Hukumu says, but his tone suggests that he doesn't exactly disagree with Kimua's assessment. "The girls, like their mothers, are prized for their beauty--and betrothed to foreign Princes and Kings who can appreciate them. The boys disperse. As for my heir, Dawa... his mother is no whore."
Kimua raises a brow, letting out a fairly dismissive snort. "The word is a correct one, and you simply spread the growth of weak-blooded pansies around the land. How is this something to take pride in?"
"Pansies!" Limuka chimes in, underlining his sisters words. Of course, weak ones are fun to chase around until they collapse, but shh.
The monkey finishes grooming Hukumu's mane and delicately begins weaving the hairs together into long, thick braids. Most of the lionesses who emerged from the kopje to get a better look at the newcomers have since retreated to the shadows, where more primate attendants are waiting to cater to their every whim. "I suspect, dear Kimua, that you and your brother have not lived as long a life as I or my brother, Chioh. When you are older, you will come to understand the joy that earthly pleasures have to offer. There is more to existence than muscle, tooth and claw."
Kimua sends her glance over towards Limuka, grunting. Clearly the rougher of the two siblings disagrees with the king, and even finds his proclamation amusing. "The length of one's life means little in conjunction with what they've done with it."
"And claws are fun," Limuka adds, returning Kimua's glance. He's captivated by the monkey's weaving, and keeps sneaking peeks at it; those things could make his mane PRETTY and WITTY. It is already gay.
"Look around you," Hukumu suggests. "Stay awhile, and then tell me that what I have done with these lands is not great. My brother and I are masters of our domain--and there is no rogue within a thousand miles who would dare challenge us. Strength *is* contentment, and I am content in my strength."
Kimua seems faintly intrigued, but only so long as it takes her to adopt a toothy grin. "Are you so sure? I am far closer than a thousand miles."
Limuka looks around. "Yeah, we're like... a thousand UN-miles!" Eh-heh-heh-heh. He seems to take his statement a lot more seriously than it should be.
Hukumu laughs a deep, hearty laugh at the thinly-veiled threat. Maybe he takes it seriously. Maybe he doesn't. It's impossible to say one way or the other. "I adore you, Kimua. You're bold like my Tania. Please, I implore you and Limuka--stay, eat and drink your fill. Make use of my attendants and sleep in my den, for tonight and tomorrow, my home is your home."
Kimua lifts her chin slightly so she can stare suspiciously down the bridge of her nose at Hukumu. After a moment or two of that she just chuckles back and nods. "Very well, we'll do that. And I think my brother is interested in your monkeys." Yes, Limmy, Kimmy /saw/ those looks you were giving.
Limuka wrenches his head back towards Kimua, and he would have blushed if he could. Eheheheh! "If you think it's a good idea," he shrugs, sneaking another glance at the grooming monkey. This place is so muggy, you'd /need/ attendants to keep yourself looking good.
"As long as he promises not to devour them, they will serve." For the first time in many hours, Hukumu rises from the stone slab, dislodging the monkey without giving any warning. "Kunjuka is the name of my Hunt Mistress. Find her, and she will feed you. If I recall correctly, the herds are still dropping foals in the North--so you're in luck if you like your meat young and tender."
Kimua nods again, curling her back and allowing her spine to pop and snap several times in the process while her muscles shift beneath her pelt. "We prefer to do our own hunting, I'm afraid." Picky eaters.
Limuka's eyes follow the monkey as it tumbles off, and he dismisses any thoughts of mid-afternoon snacks. Maybe he can pick off their birdies instead. "I wouldn't eat them!" His ears perk up at the thought of 'young and tender', but he nods at Kimua. Own hunting, indeed.
Hukumu heaves a sigh and rolls his shoulders on his way back to the cool darkness of the kopje's interior. There are lionesses waiting for him, and the King does not wish to disappoint. "If you insist," his voice echoes in the hollow.