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[center][h1][color=DarkOrange]Scar Lionhart[/color] and [color=MistyRose]Odette Swan[/color] - Present Day - The Pride Lands[/h1][/center]

Taking a moment to pause and drink the dark wine from his goblet in favor of rubbing his temples in minimal annoyance, Scar closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of the cool liquid sliding down his throat followed by the tinge of fire that remained in his mouth from the alcohol. This was... testing. It seemed that from the moment the sun streamed through the cracks in the ceiling from (now) Odette's grotto, all Scar had been doing was answering questions. True he couldn't blame her for being curious about the nature of things within The Pride Lands, but when it was one question after another, after another, up the stairs and through the halls, and all throughout breakfast that Scar was still trying to give his attention to, he found his patience quickly being tested. The wine, at least, helped to give him that moment of silence, though feeling her eyes baring into him, anticipating his answers, wouldn't allow for him to enjoy the moment for long.

"Because..." Scar carefully set his goblet of wine back down on the grand table before him and balled up his fist, placing it in the palm of his opposite and and carefully, one by one, began to pop the knuckles followed by the remaining joints in the fingers as he spoke, finding that it had an equal amount of stress relief as the wine did. "The state of our dress dates back centuries. The Gods we worship teach the human body is not to be covered in shame, but praised and marveled for what's been gifted. The better we take care of our bodies given, the more respect we give in return to those who have blessed us - these blessings in turn shall be received in the afterlife."

Scar chanced a look over at Odette, sitting at his side at the table, and upon looking into her deep, blue pools, realized a good amount of what he had just explained probably hadn't been able to settle.

"...and it get's quite hot here."

Everything within her father’s land was just so… just all so new- she couldn’t help herself; how could she not ask the questions that seemed to want to continuously pop into her mind, even though she could see the flash of annoyance tinging not only his eyes, but also his tone of voice. She was beginning to push her luck, and to test his patience once more, she could see it clear as the morning sun rising above the horizon; and while she didn’t wish for another scalding, her curiosity was far too great to just ignore.

Lowering her head down ever so slightly as she fell into a thoughtful though slightly reluctant silence, she let her beautiful blue eyes glide downward until they came to a stop on the material of the dress that she had been gifted the night prior; her attention seeming so follow the delicate pattern for a few moments before finally, she nodded her head slowly up and down in an attempt to show him that she understood what it was he had said to her about their attire… this was going to take some effort on her behalf, though she was sure that she would be able to do him proud.

“I… understand. Forgive me my curiosity, father; your world is just so amazing, and unlike anything I could have ever dreampt of seeing within my lifetime. I wish to know everything- to learn anything that you wish to teach me… I do not mean to cause you frustration; I only wish to make you proud…” Falling once more into silence, she lifted her head back up so that her bright blue orbs came to a rest upon the plate that was sitting in front of her, the plate itself holding a delicious array of both fruits and vegetables that had been offered to her by those serving them- during her last few days within the Pride Lands, she had eaten more than she normally would have within a week back at Swan Lake; her body wasn’t used to the sudden change in diet, not to mention the sudden change in climate, her only true piece of solace besides sitting by her father’s side being the grotto in which he had gifted to her for personal use.

Bringing her hand up from where she had it resting lightly upon her lap, she reached out to the food that was lain out in front of her, slipping one of the few grapes she had taken into her mouth before she took up the goblet of water, taking her time to finish the small bit of food before she took a sip, unsure of whether or not she should continue to ask him such questions that she wasn’t sure would get on his nerves.

She wanted to learn. She wanted to make him proud. This had Scar chewing the lump of bread he had taken a bite out of while Odette was speaking carefully, taking the time to sort out his thoughts. There was no way he was going to allow her to return to Swan Lake; not while The Great Animal still lived. But did that make her Pride Landian? Even with her "adopted" heritage, probably not. But that didn't mean that he couldn't [i]turn[/i] her into one. She belonged to him, now, after all... and he [i]was[/i] King. Really, he could make it so with a snap of his fingers and perhaps a celebration party - but that would come later. She needed to learn.

"You will." Scar gruffed out after chasing down his swallowed bread with a mouthful of wine. "Learn." he added on, as though to explain his outward thoughts. "I will make it so. With proper instruction, you will be become one with the land. One of us. Truly. You will learn everything there is to know - from the ancient language to the art of war. No subject will remain exempt from the Princess of The Pride Lands. All will be provided." He gave her a sideways smile, resting his temple against his hands he had put together with his elbows now resting on the tables surface. There was a certain shine in his naturally black eyes; pride. The Pride Lands had a Princess, at long last.

The thought of bringing up an heir had crossed his mind before after Vitany's death had settled in somewhat. The Gods knew he had his pick of the litter with how many women working within the castle that were sent to the lion games - more than likely a direct result of being Scar's bed toy. But the King of The Pride Lands simply just hadn't gotten around to it, for reasons that were his own. Because choosing a successor... [i]his[/i] successor... well that just put his mortality out in the open - a reminder that he couldn't rule forever. It also brought up the fact that by choosing someone else, it would mean that he had finally forgiven himself for Vitany's death which was far, far from the truth. Odette, on the other hand, somehow she made the thought tolerable. She made it as though it were the way things were meant to be, with Vitany by his side.

Princess..? Of the Pride Lands..? The slightly confused expression that crossed over her features was more than obvious to all those around them as she stared up at him; her soft pink lips parted ever so slightly from one another, and her eyes glistening with surprise as she tried to understand the words that he had spoken out loud. Was that really what she was now? The only Princess to not just Swan Lake, but now also to the Pride Lands as well? It wasn’t as though she was a native of the land like her new father was... she was used to a much different lifestyle; and even though she was a Princess to another land, she had no idea of what it even meant to hold such a title.

She’d grown up living in the castle grounds, alone, and with no one besides the three others that she had managed to create a bond with throughout her life; Jean-Bob, Speed, and even Puffin- but they weren’t here with her… they weren’t here to give her the guidance that they might have believed her to need; besides, she had already made up her mind the moment that she had run away in search of Scar… no matter what it was, or how hard it was going to be for her; she was willing to do whatever it was to become the woman that her father wanted her to be.

She wasn’t sure of when it was that she had lifted herself up from her seat beside him, or when she had closed the small gap in between them by wrapping her arms tightly around his neck; but she also didn’t care anymore- the sound of the silver goblet clanging against the stone flooring beneath them, echoing around the dining hall as she pressed herself as close to him in a hug as she possibly could; her eyes crinkling lightly in the corners as she closed them, burying her head happily into the crook of his neck in an attempt to show him just how grateful she was to him, “..oh, thank you so much father..! You have nothing but the utmost faith in me; it brings me such joy to hear, and I give you my word that I shall not let you down... I give you my word to be a Princess worthy of the Pride Lands.”

It was reflex; something that she truly never even gave a second thought to, even after the soft and surprised gasps and quiet murmurings began to flicker around the outskirts of the room. Pulling herself away from him ever so slightly so that she was able to gaze adoringly up at the man she looked up to, Odette leant herself just that little bit closer, her bright blue eyes closing for only a few moments as she pressed her lips softly against his cheek, the young girl showing her thanks in a way that she had been observing others do for years- the action, in her mind, just as common an action as speaking one’s mind and telling the truth.

Scar nearly choked on his second mouthful of bread, both because the thin, long arms were wrapped so tightly around his neck and because her actions of public affection had him caught entirely off-guard. Scar took a moment completely to himself, his mind trying to wrap around the situation and what was both best for his adopted daughter and for himself - his image. He could feel the pressing stares; his heightened hearing able to catch bits and pieces of conversation about him. It was maddening, and yet what could he do? Odette knew so very little about being a princess; what was proper, what was expected, what was required... and The Pride Lands held their standards high above any other Kingdom within the land. He expected too much of her, far too quickly. He could only pray to whatever Gods were listening that teaching her how to be both Pride Landian [i]and[/i] a Princess would be a quick thing.

Quickly, Scar cleared his throat and slowly, as not to offend her, moved his arms around the back of his neck to unclasp the necklace of arms from around him and returned them to her person.

"Lessons begin this late afternoon, after we've had you fitted for more practical clothing. Though I do... appreciate The Witch's parting gift by removing you from rags, it reeks of magic and needs replacing." Scar began to explain. Then, with one quick movement, Scar pushed himself up from his throne and stood tall, facing Odette a few heads taller than she - an imposing figure.

"If you've had your fill, then we will go now and not waste morning sun."

She could not let him down-... No; she [i]would[/i] not let him down. He had gone out of his way to rescue her from the only life she had known; a life of imprisonment in the grounds of her own castle, and now here he stood- his ever large and awe-inspiring figure towering over her, giving her the chance to be the woman she was supposed to have grown into had her real father, William, never had died: a Princess. That was what she was supposed to be- it was what she was, whether she agreed with it or not, and now... now she was not only the Princess of Swan Lake; but she was also going to be the only Princess of the Pride Lands.

Glancing down at the plate of food that she had long left abandoned on the table to her side, she took only a fraction of a second to think on his question before she once more lifted her attention back up to the man who had taken her in, her head nodding lightly up and down in response to his inquiry.

"Yes; I fear I could not eat but another bite, father. If it pleases you, I wish to see all it is you have to show me... to learn all that it is you wish to teach. I look forward to my lessons with bated breath, and excitement in my heart."

Her words spread a simple sense of warmth through Scar's blood, making the corner of his lip twitch into what almost looked like a half-smile. She was so eager, so determined to please him. He could ask her to walk over a bed of spikes or swallow fire for no reason and he was practically certain that she would do it. She had heart. She had a willingness to learn; to please. She was perfect. She just needed the right polish to truly make her shine.

"Then come." Scar said then after a moment or two of just looking down at her with a gaze that read nothing short of pride. His arm extended outwards until the palm of his hand was pressed to her lower back, urging her forward to exit the Dining Hall with him at her side. "Time to make a native of you yet, kid."