1 x 1 VOK Roleplay with MySpoons

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~Roleplay for Dylan and Nthanda~

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Nthanda took a deep breath as her father made his way confidently down the path, several members of the Guard walking behind him with samples for potential offers for the alliance he hoped to make.

He had told her earlier that day that he intended for her to be part of a political alliance, likely through marriage, and of course as usual she was expected to simply obey and take it in stride, so that was what she was doing.
She'd at least persuaded him to give her time to get used to this new pride and their customs before the actual ceremony, or whatever it was this pride customarily did for marital alliances.
Now she realized she could catch lion scents on the air and they would likely be greeted by the other prides' greeting party, or guards, whatever the case might be. In her travels she had seen many different traditions and customs throughout the lands and didn't know quite what to expect from this pride. The uncertainty of it was both a little thrilling and frightening.

[MySpoons]

Dylan had arrived quite early for the meeting, but he had held back so he could arrive at the same time as the other pride. It was more polite to make sure neither pride made the other one wait. Especially for a treaty between them.

The king was of modest age, not yet past his prime. Certainly older than the young males that made up his escort. The guards were careful to hang back, silent and unobtrusive. Dylan, Champion King, as was his family's title, was one of seven brothers. He had no mate yet-- part of the treaty's agreement was King Chikondi's daughter's marriage.

From what Dylan had heard, the lioness was beautiful and obedient. King Chikondi and his advisers had waxed much poetics about Princess Nthanda. Dylan's pride had no vital need for an alliance-- even though Dylan's pride was of only an average size, Dylan's brothers and extended family held territory throughout the valley, creating a loose network of alliance.

This was more of an agreement of peace with the neighboring pride. Dylan flicked his tail, instructing the lionesses bearing gifts to place them down in an appealing manner.

A perfect fur of a leuistic wildebeest, a woven cape made out of the colorful leathers of birds of paradise, three baskets of meat cured by the sun, and black iron and gold jewelry. Dylan, not knowing what Princess Nthanda looked like, had refrained from providing her gifts. Once back at camp, things will be picked out for her by the royal attendants.

"Greetings, King Chikondi. A fine day for peace, yes?" Dylan places his paws square under him, making sure he is carrying himself with the good posture and confirmation of his lineage. The Champion King line, as so named, was a family that successfully campaigned three generations ago to claim a large swath of land in the Valley.

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"It is that, Champion King" he responded, his voice deep and his posture confident. His cool blue eyes scanned over the other leader and his party in what might have been percieved by most as casual interest, but Nthanda knew that calculating look well.

The king gestured for two of his lions to come forth and lay down the gifts they brought, though he left the others standing in such a way they mostly hid Nthanda from view. The first lion laid down fine furs, one of them clearly that of a Nyala. The next revealed perfectly shaped feathers that were strung together to form jewelery pieces, each feather the same size and all of them vibrantly colored in various shades. Colorful stones accented aome of the pieces, catching the light. Alongside them were several pieces of delicate gold jewelry, made with intricate detail. The last lion carried some sort of spiced meat, something of a delicacy in their pride.

All the while Nthanda watched the proceedings silently, listening to each exchange of words carefully for whatever it might reveal from either leader. Her father she knew well of course, and had learned long ago for her own safety it was best to anticipate his moods and pick up on the subtle changes in his temper. Right now she imagined he was ascertaining what he could regarding what use this pride could be in the future, if any.

[MySpoons]

Dylan's gaze slid over the offerings-- he didn't exactly care too much about what exactly the other King had brought. Instead, Dylan was looking to see if King Chikondi had cared enough about the treaty to make a proper offer. It was suitable. The personal touch of the spiced meat was not worth too much to Dylan's pride, but it was a gesture of hospitality and probably intended for Princess Nthanda to enjoy in her new pride.

Perhaps Dylan will send a courier at a later date to see if King Chikondi's pride would be willing to trade for more if the Princess ended up being quite partial to it. The furs and jewelry were of good quality. No, King Chikondi had not insulted him. After silently approving of the gifts, King Dylan looks over the other pride's lions. Trying to decide which one is the Princess. He's not sure. There are a few white and grey lions-- one of them is a lioness with striking blue eyes. Similar to the King, perhaps?

"I hope you find our gifts to your liking," Dylan says. "We are flattered by yours, King Chikondi."

The Royal Advisor, a rather plain-looking light brown male lion with a few white splashes of color in his mane steps forward closer to Dylan. Royal Advisor Patton unrolls two carefully treated sheets of vellum, one for each pride. It is for the conditions of the treaty when they've been decided and written down in Common.

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Nthanda knew her father attempted to appear hospitable but never gave more than neccesary either. Now she heard him say in what seemed to be a genuine tone, "Yours are more than acceptable as well and will be appreciated."
He inclined his head just slightly, gesturing for Nthanda to join him. Feeling just a little uneasy but hiding it well she stepped up beside him, her pale blue gaze taking in the other pride's lions calmly.

Her father barely looked at her and she knew he'd called her up for little more purpose than to let her be clearly seen. Though she was clean and presentable she'd not worn any adornment, finding it unneccesary and even foolish to dress herself up before arriving when she knew the journey there was not especially short.

It was evident she was young but full grown and with a quiet but confident air about her. Overall her resemblance to King Chikondi was undeniable, a fact she knew pleased him since at times determining the legitimacy of heirs could pose quite a problem. Of course, now she was left to wonder if the other King would find her a suitable bride.

[MySpoons]

Ah, Dylan had guessed correctly. The white and grey lioness is beautiful-- the king could not deny. Not much else could be said about her. It is too soon to even for first impressions. Well, her first impressions. Dylan knows she's likely been watching him.

There will be much time for that later. First, the treaty. Dylan assumed that King Chikondi had more need to keep the peace than the Champion King did-- but still, less bloodshed could not be harmful. Dylan was not so inconvenienced by the other pride to have denied a mutually beneficial treaty. Unequally beneficial, but the gains for Dylans own pride are not inconsequential.

Especially if he is to get a mate, finally. The trouble with the Champion King dynasty having been in place for three generations is that most of the lionesses within the brother kings' prides are either already married or related by blood.

"This is Royal Advisor Patton. He will be joining us to work out the logistics of the treaty. Do you have your own advisor you'd wish to join the meeting?" Dylan wanted to conduct the meeting semi-privately. It would give him and the other king the space to think, and it could give the prides a chance to mingle.

Princess Divine, a sand-colored lioness with a white head and blue eyes, would be the one to introduce Princess Nthanda to Dylan's pride. She is his cousin, granted her title by blood. Of course, if the marriage comes to be and heirs are produced, her claim on the throne will become more distant.

Of course, that is assuming the Princess does not join her father in the decision-making.

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The king beckoned forth a simple looking lion whom he introduced as his advisor, Basir. "He will be joining us," the king said. Despite his simple appearance Basir had keen eyes that seemed to take in everything around him in an instant. He acknowledged the other lions with a polite dip of his head.

King Chikondi's true motives he kept to himself, and no one present except perhaps his own daughter might expect he was only half honest, or had anything to hide. Though he tended to speak few words most times that was likely for the best in preserving the image he wished to maintain in front of these strangers.

Nthanda knew her father would not wish her to be present for the meeting, but she would be sure to get the details of it later. He had made promises to her that she intended to be sure he kept. For now her top priority was figuring out what kind of pride it was she might be marrying into.

While she knew some things from what her father had mentioned and other pride members who knew of the pride, she wanted to truly get to know them beyond that. Truthfully she wouldn't put it past her father to just tell her what he thought she wanted to hear either.

[MySpoons]

Good, King Chikondi did not at least make the political move of inviting more than the necessary advisors. Dylan was not familiar with the other king, but so far he's been on the reserved side of polite. Nothing Dylan can fault him for.

"Here, sirs." Patton invites the other king and his advisor over to the base of the large acacia tree a dozen paces away. There, he unrolls the vellum. It is well made, clean and carefully stored in a traveling tube. A large metal eyelet had been punched into each corner so the finished document can be displayed anywhere that suits the two owners. Now, though, Patton drives a wedge through each corner to pin them to the ground as to make it easier to write.

Dylan waits for King Chikondi to join them before he sits on his haunches, recalling the rough details they had decided upon. It is a standard peace treaty: no fighting between members, no declarations of war. Dylan also specified his brothers' prides as off-limits to warring-- but the other King did not have to make alliances with them, either, unless it suited him. Marriages or transfers of members between prides was the main thing to sort out here-- and how to deal with individuals who break these rules and if criminals should be returned to their pride for punishment, or if the other pride could punish a non-member with appropriate notice given to the criminal's hailing pride.


Princess Divine, an older lioness who was still quite beautiful and graceful, stepped forward once King Dylan had left to finalize the treaty. She motioned with her paw for her pride to put themselves at ease, giving them permission to socialize and relax a bit. Who knows how long this could take? Hopefully not long-- neither of the kings looked to be posturing much.

"Princess Nthanda, I presume? What a pleasure to meet you, darling! I'm Princess Divine, cousin to Champion King Dylan." Divine is friendly and not reserved. The lioness is of the Champion lineage on her father's side, her father is Dylan's brother.

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Chikondi followed the other advisor with Basir walking just behind him. Once Dylan had settled Chikondi did the same, listening to the details he recited. While he was somewhat reluctant to agree to his brothers' prides being off limits where war was concern, his reluctance didn't show and he agreed to the term in a calm manner.

He stated during the meeting that as long as he approved their request for transfer he was not opposed to his lions changing prides, if it met with Dylan's approval as well. The same being the case for marriages between the prides.
On the matter of punishment he stated he preferred his pride members be returned to his pride for punishment.

Nthanda was relieved really when her father left, feeling no more comfortable in his presence than she usually did.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Princess." She offered a polite but genuine smile. Nthanda knew the other lioness was from a noble bloodline so was prepared to treat her in a way fitting of her station.