Taka comes into the cave from outside, having just had another 'successful' patrol of the borders. His ears flip upwards to see his father at home and awake, and he grins. "Good evening, Father!" Of course the king is home, though he looks around the cave rather worried. In fact he has been awaiting the arrival of his son, and a small grin forms on his face, almost revealing those teeth of his, how pointy and sharp they can be. Ahadi merely nods to his son, dipping his head and looking around the cave. "Taka, can you please join me out on Pride Rock? To oversee the kingdom." What's this about? Could Ahadi be formally announcing the reign his son Taka will have over the kingdom? Or perhaps a heart to heart talk in the most desireable spot in the entire kingdom. The edge of Pride Rock. Taka's ears come further to attention at the request, and indeed those thoughts run through his mind. His head bobs rapidly. "Of course!" he responds, eagerly. The lessons have been few, and his main belief is that May'ii finally spoke to Ahadi about it, and he's finally about to start receiving his formal training. There's excitement in the adolescent's eyes as he asks, "What are we going to see?" Ahadi exits up the path to the top of Pride Rock. You head to the top of Pride Rock. Pridelands - Top of Pride Rock ------------------------------ From here you can see much more of the majesty of the Pridelands, stretching out in all directions from Pride Rock. To the north, rich savannah plains stretch out, about to the water hole, and beyond that the dark shadows of the elephant graveyard. To the south, more savannah, ripped open by the deep gorge that crosses the lands. Beyond the gorge, desert and mountains. Ahadi seems to slowly walk to the top of pride rock, looking behind him to make sure his son is in tow. Then he seems to narrow his eyes, not in anger but in contemplation as he looks out into the majestic kingdom. The man looks over all the yonder beasts running wild, even the zebra who are free from the hunt at this moment. "We all have a place within the Circle, the Circle of Life son, and some people can only fill the roles that are designed for them." He seems to hang his head, almost as if saddened by this, though he looks up hopefully, hoping his son will understand. He loves them both, that isn't the issue. "Though I have come to the decision, much to the dismay of what your mother has intended, I have started to train Mufasa." And if that wasn't enough, the nail can be dug deeper. Once then stop, all paws just staying on the cold ground beneath him, he looks at Taka, straight in the eyes: "Mufasa will be my heir to the throne. I am sorry Taka." Taka looks his father in the eyes, the grin still there, not comprehending the words that he is hearing. Only his eyes betray his confusion at first, and when the realization sets in there, it begins to spread across his features. "But... I... don't understand." He knew the kid would take it hard. He loved him since he was a cub and always will, even if the intentions for him to be king aren't there. "Son your mother made a false announcement. She lied to you. I do not know why and I haven't been able to talk with her about it. But you are not going to be king. Mufasa is being trained and raised to take over Pride Rock after I pass." Ahadi nods affirmatively as if this is definitely set in stone information. Taka shakes his head, stepping backwards from you, his ears laying flat. "No... no! She wouldn't! Dad... I..." he stops, looking back up to you, pleading. "Dad, I've been working really hard! I've been training and learning and I can't break my word to..." he stops, breaking the sentence in a hiss. He can't let that secret out, even now. "Dad, please!" Ahadi seems to blink and once again he hangs his head. Instead he tries to focus on the matter at hand. "Son your mother didn't consult me, and I don't know what you promised to who, but Mufasa is my decision. It was close son, and Taka I do not love you less. You are still my son and you are still part of this royal family." The lion awaits to see if he will accept this information. The young lion doesn't seem to, shaking his head again. "But... Mufasa doesn't know anything! And.. besides... he said he would be there to help me.. why... why wouldn't he tell me? You didn't even give me a chance!" A change of tact, now the anger is surfacing. "Mother always said you were too distracted to train me properly! You can't make a decision when it's your own fault!" Ahadi frowns now and he seems to throw his head upwards and stare at his son. "My decision is my decision. Your mother guaranteed you something that is not her decision to make. It is not me that has lacked in manners here, it is her and you. This apparent division is not my fault!" He actually roars. A loud, angry roar. Only then does he see that he lets anger get the better of him. "A king will never be angry like that..." his voice returning to that level, yet still bold and booming tone. "I'm sorry son, you need time to think. You shouldn't lash out at me either." Taka cowers back at the roar, genuinely frightened - so rare it is to have seen his father angry! His voice is shaking as he replies, his body flooded with adrenalin and emotion, even as those last words soothe the fear. "It's not fair... it's not. I had everything planned..." The tears are ready to flow as he dares to meet your eyes again. "Father... I'm sorry... whatever I did, I've always done my best. Please... don't do this to me." Ahadi shakes his head. "There is nothing I can do. In life you have to make deicisions. I made mine Taka and it is Mufasa. You can accept this or you can deny this, but if you want a lesson, it's that you do not make plans for something you do not have. As well, Taka my son, you do not place yourself above your kingdom." Might as well show him what he did wrong to show him how confident he is in Mufasa. "You did both, and that should be indication enough that -I- didn't do this to you..." he doesn't finish those words. Taka's teeth clench together, and he hisses back, "You're the King.. you could do anything you want." His head turns, and his eyes squeeze tightly shut, trying to fight the tears back. All fight noticeably leaves his body, and his cheeks dampen. "What do I do now?" he asks softly, his voice barely audible. "What do I do?" Ahadi nods to his son and pads his way over to him. He seems to rub his larger body against his son's, in such a manly lionish way as to comfort. "Son you must help Mufasa and aid him in the making of decisions pertaining to the royal family. You are also the immediate heir if anything happens to him. You must keep him safe and protect him. You live in the best parts of the kingdom. As well, the power you want is not always the best. You assume you can forget your lions and focus on yourself," he nudges his head into Taka, "and you can't. You must place everything else before you. A lesson even prominent lions today need to learn." Whoever he refers to he doesn't say. Taka sniffles softly, not acknowledging your touch - yet, anyway. "I only wanted the Pride to be the best it could be... I wasn't trying to forget anyone." He sighs deeply several times, trying to control his breathing and not break out into all-out crying, although the tears are unstoppable now. "Does Sassie know? When are you going to announce it?" "Sassie?" He doesn't seem to know who Taka is speaking of at first, though after a while he blinks then finally he shakes his head. "No, she doesn't. If you want to tell all the people you promised things to when you achieved this position otherwise, I will allow such a time before I make the official announcement," says Ahadi who is standing next to Taka. He looks down at his son, "And Taka, I do love you, both... equally. You do not know how hard this is for me." Taka forces a smile to his muzzle as he looks up at you, but it barely lasts an instant - and he can no longer meet your gaze. "I.. I.. know... I guess. I... what I said.. doesn't matter once everyone knows. Just do it, please." He sighs softly, his face going to the ground again. One forepaw comes up to wipe his cheek. "I can't bear to have to tell anyone.. or to face anyone who knows me... and doesn't know your decision." Ahadi seems to step away from Taka and look around the Pridelands from the edge of the rock. At that he just blinks. "Taka, please... this is hard enough. You can't understand until you ave two sons of your own and need to choose between lions you love equally. You do not understand..." the man hangs his head, almost in ... so much sadness he can't lift it up. With his back to his son, he seems to dampen his own cheek as well. Though he is strong, just... saddened for the time being. Taka looks back to his father... and in the fading light he can't tell why his father turned away - only that his father is standing there, as strong as he has always been. How can he understand? A sharp pang runs through his heart - it could all be alright, if he could only tell Ahadi that he understands - to have his father hold him again like when he was a cub, for a few moments of that Taka is almost ready to do anything. Anything, but this... he doesn't see his father's pain and assumes that it isn't there. His head turns, scanning the horizon, dreading having to move, and dreading having to stay. "I'll... understand," he says weakly. They're the words he wanted, but without the conviction, and he pushes himself to his paws to head back down. Ahadi turns around and heads back down, trying to catch up to Taka as well. "Son, come, you and I can spend a night in the cave, sleeping and wake up with the sun to hunt tomorrow. I still wish to teach you what I can, even though..." he pauses though. He wonders for a moment. He shouldn't finish that with even though Mufasa is being tailored to be king. "...come son, let us sleep shall we?" Perhaps tonight Ahadi can nuzzle affectionately. "You and Mufasa were both a blessing to myself and your mother." It's everything Taka wanted... the words he wanted to hear, the promise of the love he needed reassured. Why, then, does he shake his head, "I... I need to be alone." Even his own mind screams NO! as the words leave his muzzle, but he can't change them now. Ahadi stops in his tracks fully and he nods to Taka. "I understand... I really do son." And with that he just sits there, out on pride rock, maintaining the mask of pride and dignity, even though deep down inside, Ahadi is rather guilty and hurt. Hurt because he had to hurt Taka's feelings, and it wasn't even his fault. It was his mother's. That woman... his eyes seem to grow sharper and ever the more serious as he looks away. "I understand..." he says in a rather understanding, calm voice. Taka's eyes close tight as he turns away from his father. Those two words echo in his mind, and he knows in his heart they're genuine. But he can't take comfort in that, for his own actions aren't even true. He doesn't want to leave, even as his paws take him down back into Pride Rock. The tears flow, as much as for what he lost, as for his own inability to stop himself. Tonight, he'll sleep alone where-ever his legs take him. But through it all, he loves his father... tonight - he only hates himself. --- Taka lays at the very lip of the gorge, his forepaws hanging over it, staring down into the now-dark trench. The tears flow silently over his cheeks, although his body frequently shakes - the late evening is not the warmest time for a young lion to be out and alone. Ah, what a lovely day it's been. The sky had been clear.. the temperature perfect.. and a glorious sunsset to finish things off. Mufasa had been on his way home to Pride Rock for the night, for sleep and warmth, when he came across the scent of his brother. Eager, and in a good mood, the big adolescent felt the need to pounce his little brother and decided to follow it... only to find this. "Taka?" comes Muffy's rather surprisingly deep voice. Taka's ears flip upright at the sound, then almost instantly flip back down against his skull, even as he tries to press himself into the rock - to disappear. To not be caught crying. "Go away!" he calls back angrily. Like it'd be the first time.. Mufasa has seen his brother cry on countless occassions. Though it's always the same.. Tears, shame, a big hug from his big brother, and Taka usually feels better.. Strolling closer, the now considerably larger lion dips his head a little, his own ears flattening, "Hey.." he sasys softly, "..what's the matter?" Any other time, the question would be perfectly appropriate, and Taka would confide. But this time, the question feels nearly an insult. "Like you don't know?" he growls back. "Why didn't you ever tell me, instead of pretending?" "What are you talking about?" Mufasa frowns a little and steps up to within a few feet of his brother, but still keeping his distance. "King Mufasa," the adolescent spits out. The very words tear at him, and he squeezes the fresh tears as tightly as he can, choking back any further words for several moments. He still hasn't moved, still hasn't looked back, afraid to even know whether Mufasa is alone or not, unsure if it even matters now. "So dad told you.." Mufasa's voice is soft and something no one thought the brash and prideful male's voice could be, meek. "Taka, look.. He only told me a few days ago. Ask Sassy! I didn't know how to tell you.. Why'd you think I haven't been around all this time? I didn't want to have to. You were so happy and I just.. didn't know what to do." Taka winces further at that... "Dad.. said she didn't know. Even he can't tell me the truth." He lays quietly a few moments, still crying noticably, looking downwards into the dark. "I should just... push," he comments absently, his voice thick. "I'm no good to anyone now." "Dad didn't lie.. Sassy wasn't there. I told her myself when I was freaking out about it.." Mufasa takes a tentative step towards his brother, "Mom lied. I don't know why.. Maybe she didn't know.." he sighs, "Taka.. I'm sorry.." Taka sniffles heavily. "She hates me now?" It's barely a question. "She could have told me." His left hind paw shifts experimentally against the rock, claws out and catching the hard surface. "Why would Mom lie? Why would any of you lie? I trusted everyone.." Mufasa frowns and steps closer.. just in case. "Taka.. it was just a mistake, I'm sure. No one lied.. Come on, get back from there." The words come louder this time, more clear. There's fear in them, and dispair. "Does Sarabi hate me?" His ears are up again, tracking Mufasa's position. "Zira told me you were all hiding things from me. I told her not to be foolish... to trust you all..." the words are breaking up again. "What??" Mufasa is both shocked at the notion and revelation.. He shakes his head, "No, of course not.." With another sigh, the large teen just lets himself lay down beside his brother. Head turned, Mufasa looks at Taka's scared face, "She cares about you a great deal. She's worried, Taka. very worried. And so am I.." Taka lets his face turn to you for the first time... his eyes are wide and his face is wet with his tears, especially under his scar which collects them into a tighter flow. "I don't want to die, Mufasa. But I don't know what to do!" "Die? Taka.. what are you talking about?" Mufasa is genuinely worried now.. His brother isn't making much sense.. Reaching over, he places his still oversized paw onto taka's shouder and gives a soft squeeze. "You know that we need you. Zira needs you.. Sassy needs you.. The pride needs you." A faint smile is offered, "I need you." "The gorge... I... just .. I thought, .. I'd just.. fall. And that'd be it." Taka's head turns away, every muscle of his body conveying his shame. "I couldn't do it... I'm too scared." He thinks about your words... "What good am I?" he asks quietly. "Everyone will call me foolish for bragging about becoming King." Mufasa gives a soft sigh and draws his brother closer with his paw, leaning in to nuzzle at Taka's cheek if he likes it or not. "Taka, it takes a much stronger lion to live. You're a good lion. Smart.. You know I've always said you are smarter than I am. And no one will think you foolish." he smiles, "Anyone would've done the same." Taka allows Mufasa to draw him close, which conveniently gets him at least a little further from the lip, but he doesn't respond in kind to the nuzzle - not yet. He sighs heavily, fresh tears flowing again, looking downward. "You know they will," he responds softly. "Even Dad said I was doing too much." He squeezes his eyes tight again, breathing heavily through clenched teeth. "Maybe... I'll just leave after my mantlement," he says softly. "Find somewhere new... or be a rogue. But I'll come back with you tonight." Mufasa sighs softly.. His brother, ever the proud one.. Holding Taka close, he continues to purr a little. "You were excited. Who could blame you? Taka.. I'll be honest. When I heard you were to be King, I was feeling just what you are now. But I never once thought you were foolish for being excited. Anyone would be.." Taka sniffs and lifts a paw to wipe his cheeks, the movement feeling strange after laying still for so long. "Mufasa... please don't tell anyone what you saw me doing tonight? Promise? I couldn't bear to face anyone if they knew." "It's our little secret.. Just promise me you'll never let thoughts like that cross your mind again.." And with that, Mufasa gives his brother a hug, drawing his head against his chest and what tufts of manefur happen to be growing there. Taka winces anew, and fights back the new stream of tears, trying to calm himself down. "i... I'll try. I guess... it won't be too bad... more time for Sarabi and I..." Oh great... Mufasa nods a little, "Yeah." is all he offers, and nuzzles the top of Taka's head. "And we can go along with our original plan.. Remember? We're brothers. Partners. I want you to be King with me. We'll share the kingdom, just like we always said we would as cubs." Taka offers a weak smile, finally lifting his head to nuzzle back. "I don't know if I will stay, Brother." He shudders once heavily, sighing out the tears as best he can. "I don't know... anything... anymore. So I won't make any more promises." "Oh come on.." Mufasa nuzzles him again, tipping Taka's head up so the two can look eye to eye, "..I know you feel ashamed. You can't hide your feelings, not from me.. But you belong here. And.. if we keep things between us, who has to know? Only dad, you, Sassy, and me know what really happened, right? So...." the older lion takes a deep breath, unable to believe he's about to suggest this, "....we could just say that you decided to share with me, instead of the other way around." Taka exhales sharply, stepping back, shaking his head. "It wouldn't work. Dad is going to make the official announcement... everyone will know the truth. And besides..." his head lowers. "Mufasa.. you can't run a Kingdom on lies. They'll find out.. and then..." He almost can't bear to think he's advising his brother already... still, he must say it. "They'll lose respect. Just promise me that your every decision will be to improve the Pride - to make it the most powerful and respected pride in all of Africa! That.. is all I wanted." "I just don't want to lose my brother." Mufasa replies sternly, sitting up as Taka does. "Blood is thicker than water, Taka. I want to share the kingdom with you. I want you at my side like we always said we'd be. This King nonsense has already gotten between us far too much.. You can't build a Kingdom on lies, but you can't build it without heart either, and where would mine be with you?" Taka lowers his head and shakes it slowly. "Let me think about it.. please. I... my mind is not clear tonight. Mufasa... we will always be brothers, no matter what happens. Don't let that be a concern in your decision making." Mufasa sighs softly and nods a little, leaning in closer to nuzzle again. "Ok.. But try not and feel ashamed for what happened. You took your appointment very seriously, even if it was a misunderstanding. For what it's worth, I think you would've made a great king." Taka tries to stay solid for the compliment... but it means less to him with the conditional. He looks away, quietly replying, "You will be, Brother." His head comes back to return the nuzzle finally, his eyes closed, fighting for the words. "I'll figure out what to do. You be the best King you can be." Mufasa says, "I'd be better with you helping me. Kings together.."