[FIN] Indecision (Neema x Lailah K'chol)

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The Shaman was not in her den. That was a deliberate choice on her part, because she was not at all interested in being tracked down by one of the many members of her class who was putting themselves forward as the best choice for Monarch.

Some of those with the best claims had already made it clear to her and to the pride that they didn't want the title, including Liuhe, Shangyue's eldest legitimate child. She wasn't sure what Nketa wanted, but the eldest high class child was even harder to find than Lailah, though the white lioness was quiet certain that the younger female hadn't chosen to leave the pride.

Still, that left far too many lions with big mouths who were clamoring over the empty throne.

The way Lailah saw it, she had two good choices. The first, was to pick a member of the royal family who was not one of Shangyue's children. The second was to discard the current royal family entirely and find someone who was of the high class and far more deserving of elevation.

But she wasn't sure which was best.  

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Of all the people in the pride, it was Neema. It was always Neema. The older sister sighed as the younger came near. She supposed it was clear proof that siblings always know each other best, the way Neema always managed to find her, even when Lailah went out of her way to be hidden.

"Hi Neema," she replied mournfully. Sometimes she wondered if she should just name Neema Queen, the way her sister had joked once. But no, that was a terrible idea on multiple levels, starting with the claims of enpotism that the pride would almost certainly give rise to immediately thereafter.

She didn't ask her sister the gossip what was going on. Neema would tell her without any prompting.  

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Lailah raised an eyebrow at Neema. Was her sister trying to play dumb, or had she genuinely not been paying attention? If hte latter, maybe she'd been wrong. Maybe their mother wouldn't be proud of her.

"I would've thought you'd know the answer to your question already," the blue-marked lioness retorted. Really, why else would Lailah be hiding? The whole situation was a mess, and all she could do was be grateful that at least she was here to help the pride through this...transition. Ugh. In order for it to be a transition, she had to pick a new monarch. Which was so very difficult.  

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"By which you mean that you want to talk to me about it," the Shaman pointed out acidly. "Fine. You're here. Talk."

There were so many people to consider, and so many different factors. Lailah had tried to stay neutral for the past two years, and she could only hope that the the pride would be willing to put their faith in whomever she named. So far they seemed willing enough to forgive her not picking a side. That was all she could really ask for at the moment.

"Are you going to suggest a lion that you think should be the new ruler?"  

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Lailah snorted. "In case you didn't realize, I am alone. If I choose poorly, it will reflect upon me, as well as whomever I've chosen." She didn't answer the rest of the question. It was so hard to take advice. She did want other opinions, yes, but she couldn't allow herself to be swayed by those who were speaking only out of selfishness.

There were good people in the pride, but some of those allowed their greed and selfishness to hold sway. Others were like blades of grass, their opinions swaying to and fro with the direction of the wind.  

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"Maybe I should," Lailah sighed aloud. Her sister had listed some good options as far as gathering opinions, but she didn't want to be seen as so indecisive that she had to rely on others. Still, there was something to be said for getting the opinions of a few level-headed individuals.

It was a fine line, and no one else could walk it for her, or even with her for more than a step or two.

"Are you going to keep standing there?" the Shaman asked Neema, a note of annoyance creeping into her voice.  

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When she was certain that Neema was finally gone, Lailah levered herself to her feet. She had been crueler than necessary to her sister, but she wasn't really in a mood to talk to the other lioness.

In fact, she was of a mind to take her twin's advice.

The Shaman was off to see the Slave Father.