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Post by Jiang on Apr 1, 2008 21:59:56 GMT -5
Kopa closed his eyes and sighed. A saddened expression creeped onto his muzzle, as he opened his eyes and looked back to Vitani. "I... I don't, Vitani. The So'Kar... They stole everything from me. My parents, my home, my life. All I have is my work as a General." He replied, giving her a very faint smile. "Maybe it is possible that I am Simba's son... But I don't know. My memories of my cubhood... They're scattered, confused. I can hear my mother's voice... But I can never see her face, or remember her name. The same with my father." He replied, looking down at his paws again, his ears flattened against his head.
Kovu sighed and nodded. "Without a doubt, he is the King's son. The resemblance is... Remarkable." He replied, anxiety heavy on his voice. [Sorry, I gotta go. TTYL!]
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 2, 2008 16:03:19 GMT -5
Vitani realized that this was a sensitive issue for General Kopa, so she proceeded with her next question with great caution. "Um...Kopa, do you remember anything at all about your cubhood? I know this must be very hard for you, but I would like to know," she added looking directly in his eyes.
Kitabu merely stood with her mouth half-agape at Kovu's words. She comprehended the political importance of the situation immediately and then asked Kovu, "Sir, if word that Simba's son may be alive gets out, it would galvanize [look up that word!] the Conservatives and Aristocratics." She pointed this out quite grimly.
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Post by Jiang on Apr 2, 2008 16:14:45 GMT -5
Having Vitani's eyes gazing into his own gave Kopa what he needed to make a strong effort to remember all that he could. He took a deep breath and looked down at his paws, summoning up memory after memory. He discovered a few that he never knew he had before, one of his father's face. His father was indeed Simba. "I... I remember my father now..." He said softly, as more memories came surging forward, as if they had tired of being suppresed, forced into the back of Kopa's mind. "I... I am Simba's son..." He added, looking up at Vitani, a smile slowly creeping across his muzzle. Unfortunatly, the good-hearted Kopa had no idea how deep this news would shake the Pride Lands...
Kovu nodded grimly, realizing the weight of the situation. "Kitabu, I want you to rack your brain for any little law that we could possibly throw at Kopa should he try to re-establish the throne. Preferably something we could jail him for. We have worked too hard and too long for democracy to just let this... Outsider come take it away." He whispered, looking her in the eye. "And whatever you do, do NOT let word of this slip to Colonel Jamall. He was one of Simba's strongest supporters. If he learns that Simba's heir is still alive, he'll find a way to put him on the throne."
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 2, 2008 21:00:21 GMT -5
Vitani gulped quietly to herself. She quiverred a smile back at Kopa, dreading the thought of this news ever being released to the public. At this point, she was eternally grateful that Sky had left earlier and did not hear this news. She shuddered to think what Sky would have done with this news.
Kitabu did not understand the rational of Kovu's fears. "Sir, isn't Colonel Mohatu kept in check by the 75-member senate? And the last time I checked, the Liberty Party still held 42 seats, the Conservatives held 17, the Aristocratics held 10, and the Outlands National Party held 6. So, how would Jamall rise to power against the senate?"
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Post by Jiang on Apr 2, 2008 21:12:41 GMT -5
Kovu's face grew very grim, as Kitabu overlooked one major fact. "He has more power than you think, Kitabu. Colonel Mohatu has the support of not only the Noveria Clan, but also the Kingdom of Asria. Besides, last month, I ordered a special poll to be conducted. It was found that over 80 percent of our military would readily swear their allegiance to the Colonel if he asked it of them. He is a force to be reckoned with; a sleeping giant." He said softly, anxiety in his voice. "I don't think Jamall is a revolutionary, not at all. But... He is dangerous. We must be careful in our dealings with him."
"Vitani, I... I have to ask... Is my father still alive?" Kopa asked softly, giving her a faint, anxious smile. Unfortunatly for him, some news in the Pride Lands was slow to travel, and he had no idea if Simba and Nala were still alive.
[Proposal: Shall we keep Simba and Nala alive, so that Kopa can be reunited with them?]
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 2, 2008 21:31:47 GMT -5
Kitabu did not know what came over her next. "Sir, if...Colonel Mohatu....were to...die...what would happen?" she asked.
Vitani hesitated about whether or nor to answer the question truthfully. She was at odds with herself. She did not know what to do.
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Post by Jiang on Apr 2, 2008 21:43:19 GMT -5
Kopa's eyes gazed into Vitani's, searching for her answer in her eyes. "Vitani?"
[Yes, let's PM about it.]
Kovu sighed and shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know, Kitabu. He would no longer be a threat, at the least. But... Sky would take his place." He replied, looking away from Kit. [Oops, thought I posted this already... Sorry SK!]
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 2, 2008 21:54:01 GMT -5
Vitani quickly looked at Kopa. She solemnly said to him, "Kopa....Thay are alive..."
Kitabu was utterly confused. "But Sir, why would she replace him as the military leader?"
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Post by Jiang on Apr 2, 2008 21:57:41 GMT -5
Kovu sighed and smiled weakly at Kit. "She would not replace him as military leader. Jamall's second in command is loyal to BOTH Jamall and Sky. If Jamall died, he, and the rest of the military, would pledge their allegiance to her." He replied, frowning slightly. "Perhaps. I don't know, to be honest. But Jamall is the biggest threat here, Sky we can keep on a tight leash."
Kopa's heart leaped with joy, and a broad smile crept over his muzzle. Never in his wildest dreams had he even hoped to meet his real parents. And now he had the chance. "Vitani, thank you, so so much. I... I don't know what to say." He replied, padding up to her and giving her a brotherly nuzzle on her cheek. "You don't know how much this means to me. Thanks to you, I finally have a chance to have a family."
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 3, 2008 21:29:40 GMT -5
Vitani's mouth was agape, but she smiled nervously back at Kopa before he had a chance to notice. Chuckling softly, but anxiously, she said, "It's not a problem, Kopa."
Kitabu was still confused. "But Sir, even though the military would swear allegiance to them, the President still has the support of the common people, so wouldn't she win the election handily?"
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Post by Jiang on Apr 3, 2008 21:43:26 GMT -5
"Not if the Military overthrew the Presidency and established a military dictatorship." Kovu replied, his voice dark and serious. "Kitabu, understand this: Jamall is a threat, a more dangerous enemy than the So'Kar themselves. He has the military under his thumb, and more and more of the common people are beginning to support his sister in the election. Sky is undoubtedly just his puppet, a tool to garner more power for himself." He added, frowing at her.
Kopa smiled at Vitani and chuckled softly along with her. "Still, I owe you a great debt." He replied, smiling at her.
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 6, 2008 8:19:29 GMT -5
At this point, Kitabu was becoming quite skeptical of Kovu's description of the threat Colonel Jamall presented. She said to him, "But Sir, I have never seen any malicious intent ever expressed by Colonel Jamall Mohatu or his followers at all. So, what reasoning would they have to plunge the Pridelands into instability and reestablish the monarchy? It doesn't all add up."
Vitani decided that doing the right thing, not the political way, was best to do in this case. She decided to reunite General Kopa with his parents that very day. But how to do it? Wouldn't somebody get suspicious if they see the former King and Queen being summoned to meet with a lion that looked remarkably like Simba? All this rushing through her mind, Vitani smiled in a motherly way and simply said, "Thank you, Kopa."
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Post by Jiang on Apr 6, 2008 22:21:54 GMT -5
Kovu slowly nodded, agreeing with her. "You're right. He has never once shown any sign of agression. And no, it doesn't add up, not unless you know Jamall's personal history." He replied, returning his gaze to Kitabu. "Perhaps I am just being paranoid, Kit. Let us pray that is the case." He finally stated, deciding that he had been rambling and should probably quit while he was still somewhat ahead.
Kopa smiled and bowed to Vitani. "It is I who should be thanking you, Vitani." He replied, rising to his full height. "How... How soon can I see them?" He then asked, eager to meet his real father and mother for the first time in over twenty years.
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 6, 2008 22:31:27 GMT -5
Vitani did not know what to say. At that moment, the reality of the political situation at paw came flooding into her mind. Were it were to be known that another heir to the throne was still alive, the Aristocratic Party would no doubt be in the position to win some seats in the elections while swing voters would, in turn, swing away from Vitani's Liberty Party and vote Conservative. Then, if Godi's Outlands National Party could broker a deal with the Conservatives and the Aristocratics, Vitani's Party could lose the majority. While thinking about all this, she simply stared at Kopa with noticeable worry and was at a loss for words.
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Post by Jiang on Apr 6, 2008 22:36:44 GMT -5
Kopa didn't take long to notice Vitani's worried expression. After a moment of thought, he realized what was bothering her. She was the president of the Pride Lands. His return jeapordized her re-election, and the future of her political party. "And Vitani... Let's keep my return quiet until after the election." He said softly, pretending to be thinking out loud. "After all, no sense creating a political firestorm." He added, smiling. What he failed to notice was Sky, standing only thirty feet away and staring at him, having arrived just a moment ago from speaking with the 'spy'.
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 7, 2008 14:30:36 GMT -5
Vitani was astonishingly frightened to see Sky standing a mere thirty feet away from them. Wondering how much she had heard, she said to her, attempting to conceal her anxiety, "Hello, Sky. How was your press conference?"
Kitabu quickly noticed by Vitani's change of tone in the short distance that something unexpected had just arisen, and when she moved her eyes from Kovu to Vitani, Sky immediately caught her eye. Beginning to walk over to the three of them, she said to Kovu, "Sir, are you coming?"
Furejo had been following Sky and was waiting for her to be alone before she could inquire her further, but the opportunity never presented itself as she had been running toward Vitani after speaking with the prisoner. When Sky stopped, Furejo hid herself behind a nearby rock outcrop and listened with sharpened ears.
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Post by Jiang on Apr 7, 2008 14:38:23 GMT -5
Sky collected herself, forced a smile onto her face, then she walked over to Vitani and Kopa. She sat down a few feet from Kopa's side, her gaze fixed on the President. "It went as well as could be expected. I'm like my brother, dealing with the press is not my strong point." She replied, a genuine smile creeping onto her face. "I... Couldn't help but overhear what you two were talking about. Is it true?" She asked bluntly, looking back and forth between Kopa and Vitani.
Kopa smiled at Sky and sat down with her. He listened to her speak, then he nodded, but he remained silent. Better to let Vitani speak, and advise Sky on the political ramifications. He was, in fact, not much of a politician. He was a leader and a warrior, but he had never been good at all the cloak and dagger games that infested politics.
Kovu silently nodded, a grim look on his face. Sky was the last person he wanted to see here. Not only was she Vitani's biggest opponent in the upcoming election, but she had repeatedly called for Hara's immediate and unconditional resignation from office, as well as challenging Vitani's policys openly during the war with Stelonia. He followed Kitabu, staying a few feet behind her.
[Hope I got Stelonia's name right.]
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 7, 2008 14:56:59 GMT -5
Vitani nodded slowly when Sky asked if what she had heard was true and she replied, "Yes, Sky. Every word of it." She looked at Kopa, who had his eyes on Sky, and suddenly, Vitani thought of a good idea. "Sky, do you think you can take General Kopa to Pride Rock and request to speak to Simba and Nala? I mean, it appears less suspicious if the request is coming from a Conservative rather than a Libertist. Furejo was confused. She had not heard what Sky had heard. She was curious what Vitani meant by "it appears less suspicious if the request is coming from a Conservative." Why would a meeting with Simba and Nala be suspicious? Eager to learn more, she leaned closer to the scene, almost risking being in nose-shot of one of them and therefore, being found out and prosecuted for espionage. Kitabu came into the "huddle and sat down next to Vitani, carefulyl listening to every word she spoke. She knew this was a delicate situation, and she agreed with the fact that it would look less suspicious if a Conservative asked to meet with Simba and Nala. Looking back at Kovu, who was following her, she cast him a kind of "are you coming?!" look and motioned her head to the spot next to her. [It's spelled Stelania. ]
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Post by Jiang on Apr 7, 2008 15:07:06 GMT -5
Sky remained silent for several seconds, thoroughly processing Vitani's request. "All right, sure." She finally replied, smiling at Kopa and Vitani. She simply gave Kovu and Kitabu a short nod acknowledging their presence when they arrived, rather than a formal greeting.
Kovu sighed and nodded, quickly making his way to the designated spot. He sat down next to Kitabu, and returned Sky's short nod. She didn't like him too much... He couldn't blame her, though. Not after how he slandered her just a little in a press conference last week. Remarkably, Sky had yet to make one slandering remark against Vitani or Kovu, despite the fact that many members of the Liberty party were constantly attempting to smear her good name.
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Post by SimbaKovu on Apr 8, 2008 19:40:07 GMT -5
Vitani waited until Sky was well out of earshot (she had some ears!) before she spoke directly to Kovu. "Kovu, do you think you could go speak to your son about this for me? He's over at Pride Rock."
Hara was wandering back towards Pride Rock. He had noticed the presence of his ex-mate and had decided to maintain a distance from her and keep it civil. He had told Vitani that he was returning to Pride Rock and was going to call it a day. As Director of Security, he was extremely worn out from taking a load of crap from Colonel Jamall Mohatu about troop movements throughout the Allied Kingdom of Asria. He resented the Colonel greatly.
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