{Solo PRP} Caught in the act {Manyara x Nkosazana}

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Manyara thought she felt more hope in the pride since some members had started taking an active roll against the king. Despite the risks that standing up, she was pleased others were starting to find their backbones. Maybe soon this would all be over and behind them. There was some things that time just couldn't heal, she thought sadly. Since their fight and Nko's return from her mission the pair had not spoken.

The young lioness had been looking for ways to do her part in the pride's demonstrations against the king. Attacking or sabotaging the royal dens didn't sit well with her ideals so that was out of the question. She'd heard about those who were replanting Moon Flowers. That had sounded right up her alley. Manyara had spent the previous night looking for some that she could replant into more open areas. Tonight she'd dug the holes where her plants would find their new homes. She had one plant in her mouth on her way to plant it near some high class member's dens when she ran into a distressingly familiar lioness.








She had returned from the disastrous, and utterly humiliating, farce that was suppose to be hunt to bring down Meshach several days ago. They hadn't found him in any case, but a couple of his cubs and supporters. If only she hadn't been paired with that idiotic duo! Nko growled to herself as her tail lashed in frustration. The so-called royal guard would be better employed as a royal jester! And the other was no better than a filthy traitor.

The whole episode left a disgusting taste in her mouth. She'd reported Boinedal as soon as she got back. There wasn't much else for her to do in the last few days. The king hadn't given her any new missions. Discontented she prowled the pride. Suspiciously moon flowers seemed to be popping up all over the pride lately. On one such stroll, she found the answer for at least one flower. It was so odd to see her cub walking in the high class section with a plant dangling in her mouth. "What exactly do you think your doing?"
 

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Manyara looked at her mother, who probably didn't want to associate with one of so low rank despite being family. Carefully she put the flower down at her feet. "I am planting a flower," she replied as if it was perfectly obvious. No need to mention that it was a moon flower and that she was planting it in an obvious place to snub the noses of those in high ranks. Her mother probably already realized that. Manyara wished Nko hadn't found her just at this moment with damning evidence in her mouth.

"I'd rather plant flower than try something else." Something else, like trying to hunt down and kill an ex-prince outside the pride because the king was paranoid? Yes. Again she didn't have to say it, but the words hung between them. She realized this was not going to be a pleasant encounter for her. Why did her mother have to look down at her and her siblings? All because they were low class. She knew Nko had wanted high class children, but never gotten them. Was it the curse of the Great Lion?



Nkosazana knew she was in a bad mood and looking for someone to take it out on. Her daughter was as good a target as any. Particularly as she appeared to be helping the rebels. Oh yes, she recognized the flower that her daughter had so causally placed at her feet as if it was ordinary. "You're wasting your time you know. A bunch of silly flowers won't change anything." Flowers had no power. Granted they represented the Great Lion, but they were still just flowers. An empty symbol.

Lions had power. Why couldn't Manyara see the King was clearly in the right here. She could have so easily been a royal guard! To have power so close, and to see her children fiddle it away annoyed her to no end. Nko wanted the best for her family. Power and fame, and royal prestige. Was that really too much to ask for?  

[magnadearel]

It was a not quite so subtle jab at her mother. Manyara couldn't help but be disappointed that her mother had been took in by the false king and was doing his dirty work. It demeaned their family. Unfortunately the family had never been close when they had been born low class. She had wanted to cry and ask the Great Lion why, but knew she couldn't. It had taken some thought, but she'd figured it out. Nko was too obsessed with power and this was his way of showing it to her. Except her mother refused to see.

She wanted to wince at her mother's harsh words. "Every little bit helps." The younger female declared firmed and sent a swift prayer to the Great Lion that it was true. It may be tiny and insignificant on it's own, but added to the others she hoped it might help turn the tide. "It's better than hunting someone down. The king just wants to kill him or hadn't you heard that part?" Manyara sent her own jab back at her mother. Nko could only be blind for so long! She had been hearing rumors that she didn't think ever got to Nko. She hadn't wanted to be the one to do this, but it looked like now she had no choice.



Nkosazana snorted at her daughter's optimism. "Only fools believed that!" Which meant her daughter was fool. No surprise there. They were just wasting their efforts like they did everything else. Her fur bristled as unexpected criticism came from her cub. Nko was beginning to realize Manyara wasn't really a cub anymore. She had been sort of ignoring that minor detail. "Well of course," she stated as if it was obvious, "Meshach has been trying to disrupt the tranquility of this pride!"

She felt a moment of misgivings. Meshach had once been a member of this pride. How could he so easily go against it? Shangyue was king and that was that. Was that really reason enough to put a death warrant upon his head? These questions were leading to uncomfortable places. From the stance of her daughter, there just might be more in store.
 

[magnadearel]

Manyara had an instant revelation. No one else was going to open her mother's eyes. It had to be her! The young lioness didn't look forward to this in one bit. She just couldn't say for certain how this was going to end. There would be no certain outcome here, so she simply had to hope for the best. "Maybe we're fools then, but at least we have a Cause!" She stood up straighter and looked her mother in the eyes. Eyes so alike and yet so different.

"No Mother. Meshach has been trying to remove a murderer off the throne! Shangyue cares for nothing except power. Just like you. Except he's willing to kill anyone who would get in his way. Including," she paused for emphasis, "family. I don't know about you, but that isn't the kind of leader I want to follow." She had no idea how her words would affect her mother who had never really been motherly to her and her siblings. Now came the part where Nko would see the light or remain in denial.

"You were assigned a task to bring Meshach in. Meshach who is someone's son, someone's brother. How would you feel if someone came after me? Or Father? Or your brother." She glanced at Nko. "I've been hearing rumors. Just as you've been assigned, someone was assign to our family. Specifically Uchanjaa." Manyara flicked her tail nervously. How she wanted those rumors to be wrong, but feared they were right. Her uncle had been open about his position on the matter and that made him an easy target.



Nkosazana sputtered as Manyara actually stood up to her in complete defiance. Never had she seen anything like this from any of her cubs. She hissed at the younger lioness. How could she have been stuck with a daughter so stupid? A cause? What blasted good was that? As Manyara spoke, she seemed to gain strength. Where had this come from?

She glanced nervously side to side as she boldly claimed the king was a murderer. It was a technicality. Wasn't it? The longer this went on though, the more uncertain she became. It felt like everything was falling away from her feet, and not leaving much room to stand upon. The young lioness was bringing up facts that she would have rather remained forgotten or conveniently ignored.

The way her daughter said it, made it sound as dirty as.. well she couldn't think of a good example. For once Nko wanted to hang her head in shame, but stubborn pride kept it up. Manyara was bringing it home by speaking of their own family. As much as she might scorn her cubs, she still had a heart for family. She felt a sharp stab at her heart at the mention of her brother. "No! No, I... I don't believe that!" In the whole time no one had bothered Uchanjaa. Why start now?
 

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This wasn't going the way she'd hoped, but in for a leg in for a head. Manyara felt her heart breaking for her mother, but knew she couldn't stop now. She could see her mother wavering. Something she had said had finally struck home. Would Nko rebound from this or shatter? The older lioness wasn't saying anything and she began to worry. Would Nko turn a blind eye again? She had to keep trying!

"Of course he wouldn't tell you about it. But being in the low class, I hear things. If he can send you after Meshach, then he can surely send someone after Uncle." She must make her mother open her eyes! What could she say to make Nko see the truth? Manyara felt defeat as once more Nko denied what she was told. She didn't have any reason to lie to her mother.



Nkosazana wanted to close her ears to the words spilling out of Manyara's mouth. They made all the wrong, horrible sense. Now she wished she hadn't come across her doing her stupid rebellion things. Her head whirled with emotions that she couldn't or wouldn't sort out. So she lashed out at the nearest thing that she could. "You're just a stupid low class! What could you possibly hear that I wouldn't?!" It was a shout of denial and defeat. The older lioness whipped about and ran back down the path to prevent hearing any further words.

Despite running away though, her mind kept replaying those damning words over and over. Would the king really have sent someone for her brother and not told her? Yes, whispered the little voice in her heart. Perhaps she'd been hoping her actions would give some immunity to her family. It didn't seem to have worked.


Manyara watched her mother flee back down the path with a sad expression. There was nothing else she could do there for the time being. Maybe with luck and time, and the Great Lion's good will, Nkosazana might come around. She looked down at the flower waiting patiently at her feet. A tear dropped onto a petal before she picked it up and continued on to the spot she'd dug for it.