Haniel Kader

Boys workin' on empty. Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat? I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I can barely eat.

Well, he supposed it was time to reveal his plans to leave to Iofiel. He didn’t really feel the need to seek approval from Diuris, but supposed he would anyways. No reason to alarm him by up and disappearing. He walked to the male’s den, sitting by the opening and chuffing quietly. It was early evening, but hey, no need to wake him up. It could wait until morning, he supposed.

Haniel had felt sort of... guilty. After his fling with Fíonn. But the dumb Napoleon couldn’t put it together. He’d thought of Iofiel immediately after. Though he was certain it was because he was worried what would happen if he found out. The whole reason he’d laid with Fíonn was to get a leg up in his pride. Yes, he was attractive but... well. Iofiel couldn’t know about it. So he hoped Fíonn didn’t flirt with him or something when they came to his borders. It would be awkward and he’d have to come out and... he sighed as he waited.

@Iofiel

code by corvus

Prince of Law

Haniel had been missing. He noticed it with an intense ache. It felt like when he had been run out of his desert home. But it wasn't his place to say anything. He was a nobody, a nothing. Haniel could go anywhere he pleased and associate with whomever he liked. It had been wrong of him to assume that the peach lion would want to spend a portion of his time with him. And so Iofiel busied himself with what he always did. He studied the plant life growing in the space he occupied. He hadn't taken a true den, that was for members, but had chosen a spot in an alcove near some trees.

Crimson gaze had been turned towards a bit of plant that he was puzzling over. He didn't know if there was purpose other than ornamentation. After all this place was full of greenery unlike the desert. Desert plants had purpose but not everything in the Lagoon seemed to have that.

The pale lion glanced over at the chuffing noise that happened behind him. His heart leapt and lodged in his throat and gaze quickly dropped to the ground after seeing whom was there. "Haniel, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Formality laced his words as he found himself suddenly unable to relax. Haniel had assured him that they were still friends but there was still so much unspoken between them. So much had happened and erased the ease of having been cubs together. Too many responsibilities as an adult, to many lesson learned about how someone like him was meant to act around someone like Haniel.

@Haniel

Haniel Kader

Boys workin' on empty. Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat? I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I can barely eat.

Ah, there it was. The gaze dropping to the ground, as always. It had been quite a while since he’d seen Iofiel’s gaze upon his face. He sort of missed it. But perhaps he had made that up. All the cubs had been taught to keep their eyes from him unless they were of higher ranking. Even sometimes the nobles kids were chastised for meeting his gaze. He shook the idea from his mind and focused on Iofiel.

“I uhm...” he paused, trying to think how to word this, “I got accepted as a Barony in the Oasis pride.” It sort of blurted out of him, and he sighed then, “I became friend... acquaintances? With the King and he offered me the rank so... I wanted to know if you’d like to join me there?” Han paused, “but uh! Don’t feel obligated to. I just know you were interested so... I tried to secure us a good standing there.” He explained, falling silent again. Offering Iofiel a somewhat sheepish smile. Barony was much lower rank but also much less responsibility than he was used to. It was sort of nice.

“If you do go... I’ll try and make a case for you to get a rank... perhaps you could be the other Barony beside me? But we’ll have to see.”

@Iofiel

code by corvus

Prince of Law

So Haniel had been at the Oasis. He had thought the other didn't wish to return to the desert. Wasn't that why they had come to the Lagoon? Had the peach lion tired od the abundant water already? Iofiel certainly was trying to get used to it. The sound of constantly moving water was something to keep him awake more than to put him to sleep. It was such a strange sound to him.

"I am certain you will be made Heir soon enough." How could he not? Haniel had the role in his blood. He knew already what it took to rule and lead. And the other had never been cruel so he would end up making a great leader some day. Certainly Fionn would see that and act upon it. Barony was just a starting point for Haniel, Iofiel knew in his hear that the smaller lion was destined for greater things. And he figured he was being told because Haniel felt bad for having falling so far from where he had been in their birth pride. He wanted to reassure his friend that he was only a starting point and not an end point.

Iofiel shouldn't have been surprised that he had become friends with the Oasis King but he was. It was stupid of him to be jealous. He didn't have a monopoly on Haniel's time and friendship. Besides, Fionn was a more fitting friend for Haniel. Haniel should only be associating with those of prestige anyways. This was good for him, Haniel was migrating back into the circles where he belonged.

Haniel continued on, inviting him to the Oasis and even made mention of trying to get him a rank. A smile twitched briefly across the pale lion's lips at the thought. He would follow Haniel anywhere, he really didn't have to be sold on the matter. "It would be somewhere that I am more used to." He knew desert plants well enough. He could survive there. The desert was familiarity. And with Haniel there it would almost be like old times again. "When is it that you wish to go?" The temperature in the desert wouldn't be so bad to go now, not too hot and wouldn't have hit freezing yet either as the the warmth wouldn't have been leeched out of the sand yet.

@Haniel

Haniel Kader

Boys workin' on empty. Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat? I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I can barely eat.

At the mention of being made heir, he laughed heartily. “I sincerely doubt it, my friend.” He smiled at Iofiel, though, it was nice someone believed in the little man. But no, he wasn’t going to be heir. Or probably anything. Already falling out of favor with Fíonn for the very pretty Aarani. Whatever, at least they still got along. It wasn’t like he was meant to have very long relationships... or at least that’s how it seemed. “Besides, Fíonn has a daughter, when she comes of age, I presume she shall be heiress.” He shrugged, looking unbothered. He was, too. Highest he could hope for was maybe a noble. He would have to see.

Iofiel was silent for a long time, presumably thinking on Han’s offer further. That was okay, he actually quite liked it when the other gave his opinion but... he didn’t. Frustration prickled under his pelt. His stupid birth pride. His claws dug into the soil as his eyes grew distant. They’d made practically his only friend unable to meet his eye. To give his opinion. They’d made him think he was worthless. But he was someone to Haniel. He said nothing. Instead his claws sliding back in their place as he looked at Iofiel. “I’m not an heir anymore. Look at me.” He all but snapped at Iofiel, “you are my closest friend. You always will be. I don’t give a damn if you think you’re lower than me. But I’ll have you know I think of you as my equal.” One of the only lions he thought of in that way.

@Iofiel

code by corvus

Prince of Law

"Do you really think he might give his daughter a position of power?" Iofiel had nothing at all against such a thing. He had served under two Queens while in the Ridge. It just didn't seem to be the most typical of things to have a female in a position of power. It was something that would certainly tell a lot about the lion that led the Oasis pride. He had met with Fionn briefly but not enough to get a true sense of the guy. One thing Iofiel did know what the the King appreciated the rain and rejoiced in it rather than being bothered by it. That made him a desert dweller at heart if he had never lived in such a place before. Only those that went without rain seemed able to appreciate just how important rain truly was.

Iofiel winced at the bite in Haniel's voice. He wasn't used to such displays from his friend and so he wasn't prepared to steel himself against it and not give up a reaction. "alzuruf la taghayur damk." To him Haniel would always be an heir, be a someone. But because it was a command he was forced to look up at Haniel, though it pained him to do so and showed in his gaze. He wasn't able to hold it for more than a breath before he was dropping his gaze again. "'ant almuhima. satakun dayimaan kadhalik." And the pale lion believed that Haniel would be important to more than just him. With his whole heart he believed that Haniel was destined for greatness.

@Haniel
*alzuruf la taghayur damk. = Circumstance does not change your blood.
*'ant almuhima. satakun dayimaan kadhalik. = You are important. You always will be.

Haniel Kader

Boys workin' on empty. Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat? I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I can barely eat.

The topic of the Oasis was thrown away in his mind. But he simply stated, “yes.” Because why wouldn’t he? From what Haniel could tell, Sweet Pea was his only child. But perhaps he’d give one of Aarani’s kids a go if they became mates. No doubt she’d become a queen in time. But he was not going to be an heir. He didn’t deserve it, anyways. He’d gotten into the pride the way he’d been forced out of his last. His shameful, awful, flings with men. Destined to not stay with them for long, to be pulled away by this fate or the next.

He felt Iofiel’s eyes on his face and some of his anger and shame subsided. But the mannerisms were so drilled into him he couldn’t look upon him. Why can’t he see himself as I do? He took a deep breath. Before his voice was sharp again, but clearly not at Iofiel. “kadhbat. lm 'ughadir almunzila. tam 'iijbariun ealaa alkhuruj.”(1) Then it was his turn for his eyes to be cast shamefully to the ground. His rank had been stripped from him. Perhaps if he’d been a taller, heavier, more proper firstborn, he would have been able to stay. But he’d always seen the frustration in his father’s eyes. He’d been a runt of an heir. Haniel always wondered why he hadn’t been killed the day he was born.

“la yahimini baed alana. laqad tabara'at mini.” He took a seat and let out a sigh. No more lies. Well, even that was a lie. He still couldn’t say why he’d been cast out. No, what if Iofiel felt just as Haniel’s family and subjects had? He remembered the looks of disgust and the averted gaze of the noble’s son as he’d been forced to walk out. Publicly humiliated. At least, whatever Iofiel had done, he hadn’t had the eyes of all he’d grown up with judging him. He’d slipped out quietly.

(1: I lied. I didn’t leave home. I was forced out.)
(2: I’m not important anymore. I was disowned.)

@Iofiel

code by corvus

Prince of Law

There was another wince when Haniel admitted to being forced out. "'iinaha ghaltaty." How could it not be? Haniel had still somehow managed to get punished for something he did. After all he had been forced out so that he didn't corrupt Haniel. But perhaps they had worried that Haniel had been too close to him as a cub. Perhaps they had realized what a mistake it had been to let the princeling play among commoners. Still, he hated the thought that Haniel had gotten in trouble something that he had done.

There was another wince when Haniel admitted to being forced out. "qaluu 'iinani 'atharat ealayk bishakl sayi' wayajib 'an 'adhhab." Perhaps they assumed that Iofiel had made Haniel weak. After all Iofiel wasn't a fighter despite his size. Perhaps medicine wasn't and adequate hobby for someone meant to lead and rule. After all Haniel had gotten into plants because Iofiel had been the one to show them off, excited over each new find. Perhaps if he had never run off to Haniel with his plants then the other wouldn't be in this situation. Haniel would still be where he belonged.

"satakun dayimaan muhimun balnsbt li." Not that that was saying much since Iofiel wasn't anyone special. What the pale male thought didn't matter in the larger scheme of things. "hal tueid altafkir fi qararik bijawari mek?" Haniel had never been upset with him before. He wouldn't blame the smaller lion for not wanting him about now that he knew he was the cause behind the peach lion's banishment.

@Haniel
*'iinaha ghaltaty. = It is my fault.
*qaluu 'iinani 'atharat ealayk bishakl sayi' wayajib 'an 'adhhab. = They said I was a bad influence on you and had to go.
*satakun dayimaan muhimun balnsbt li. = You will always be important to me.
*hal tueid altafkir fi qararik bijawari mek? = Are you rethinking your decision to have me come with you?

Haniel Kader

Boys workin' on empty. Is that the kinda way to face the burnin' heat? I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I can barely eat.

He mentioned it was his fault, and Haniel’s brows pulled down in confusion. What the hell was he talking about? He’d been thrown out from his own actions. Not Iofiel’s. Then, at his omission of being forced out because he was a ‘bad influence’ on Haniel, his eyes widened. No, Iofiel being forced out was his fault. Haniel’s shoulder shook. Oh Gods it was all his fault. Iofiel could have had his own life if Haniel wouldn’t have gotten involved. “la , laqad kan khata'ay. 'iidha kan hunak 'ayu shay' , faqad kan li tathir sayi' ealik.”(1)

How had he not been? Iofiel was a sweet, focused kid. Shy and adorable. Haniel threw fits, got in scraps, and all sorts of other shit. How could Iofiel consider himself a bad influence on the heir? He’d been angry at the world from birth. Filled with fire and spite. If anything, Iofiel was the only one who kept him from making even worse choices. “ kunt alwahid aldhy jaealani eaqlana. law lm takun hunak eindama kunaa sgharana ... kunt sa'aqtal nafsi.”(2) Iofiel had instilled some smarts into him, however little. Some common sense.

At his last question, his eyebrow quirked. “ la , ma zilt 'uriduk maeia hunak.”(3) He longed for Iofiel’s presence each day they were apart, truly. It had been hard to be separated the first time, and now that they were back on the same lands? Well what would keep them apart. He certainly wanted Iofiel with him in Andal Oasis. But it was up to him. So the loud, tiny man shut up.

(1: No, if anything, I was a bad influence on YOU.)
(2: You were the only one who kept me sane. If you weren’t there when we were young... I would’ve gotten myself killed.)
(3: No, I still want you there with me.)
@Iofiel

code by corvus

Prince of Law

"'abda. la yumkinuk 'abadaan 'an yakun laha tathir si'." And to drive this point home Iofiel actually looked into Haniel's eyes and was able to meet his gaze for once, something he hadn't done since they were young cubs before all the lessons had started out. Sure, there had been other cubs to play with and Iofiel had run around with them but Haniel had always been his best friend. Haniel was the one that Iofiel had always sought out first. They had been near inseparable at one point, and then things changed. They got older and started learning their places in the pride. Still Haniel was whom Iofiel had sought out to share whatever he learned with. And then the advisor's son had learned of Iofiel's more than platonic interest in Haniel and that was when everything had shattered.

What Haniel had to say next had Iofiel shaking his head. "'ashuk fi dhalik." And then, with a small grin, Iofiel added to what he said. "ma kan li'ahad 'an yamas alwarith." It was as close to a joke as Iofiel got. But there was a ring of truth to it as well. No one would have sought to actively harm the Heir Apparent. That alone would have been a death sentence. So he didn't really see how Haniel would have gotten killed unless by some outside force. But that was all of them living in the desert. Tomorrow had never been a certainty there.

So even after his admission Haniel still wanted him around. This fact ended up causing Iofiel to smile. And then realizing he was still looking at Haniel he quickly dropped his gaze back to the ground. "hal taetaqid 'anah qad yakun min alwiqahat alsuwal eamma 'iidha kan bi'iimkanina 'akhadh bed hadhih al'ashya' mena?" A vague motion of Iofiel's head indicated the plants surrounding them. He hadn't figured out what most of it was or what it might be useful for and he wanted to try to figure it out. Of course it would be a lot of trial and error since plants didn't open up and tell you their secrets but maybe he could find something new to use. Perhaps, he could even transplant some things if allowed.

@Haniel
*'abda. la yumkinuk 'abadaan 'an yakun laha tathir si'. = Never. You could never be a bad influence.
*'ashuk fi dhalik. = I doubt that.
*ma kan li'ahad 'an yamas alwarith. = No one would have touched the Heir.
*hal taetaqid 'anah qad yakun min alwiqahat alsuwal eamma 'iidha kan bi'iimkanina 'akhadh bed hadhih al'ashya' mena? = Do you think it might be rude to ask if we can take some of this stuff with us?