[PRP] To Grandma's House

[Neon Fly]

Drinking in the sweet scent wafting off the still warm flesh of her kill, Njalo'sasa peered down at the limp form of the gazelle with pride. The sun wasn't yet high enough in the sky to make the spring heat oppressive leaving mid-morning comfortably cool and perfect weather for hunting. Even the terrain the pride currently roamed through was ideal, the herd beats hadn't yet chewed down the tender shoots of new grass in these plains. They grew wild and unchecked, making ambush far easier on what prey had found their way to this almost mythical landscape.

The Bonelands was a harsh territory to eek out a living in, for much of the year. It was easy to forget what beauty it could hold, if even for a fleeting instant. Good time for cub rearing. Njalo mused to herself as her thoughts turned to the two new Abholi that now shared the responsibility of defending the pride and providing future generations to the many expectant lionesses. Bangizwe and Andhaka had a lot to live up to.

Cub making means lots of hungry sisters. Giggling softly at some private joke the elegant lioness prepared to collect the slender neck of the young buck when an even more exhilarating scent filtered into the air on a gentle gust of wind. Laini?

Njalo would have recognized the smell of one of her cubs anywhere, lifting her head sharply to stare against the horizon with eyes narrowed against the glare of the rising sun. She could barely make out the silhouette of a broad shape above the grass, but she was certain it was her son, bounding over the bloated belly of her kill. Laini!!

A chirping croon filled the distance between them as the muscular female charged towards her son, a goofy, sparkling smile on her maw.  

[Tanakako]

It had been a long journey to this place, years in fact. The last time Laini had laid eyes on this brutal yet beautiful landscape he had yet to grow in his full mane, a lanky, long-limbs sub-adult leaving home for the first time. Now, he was returning, a giant of a lion with a mane as dark and thick as any his homeland could have wished for. Pausing his ground-eating stride he lifted his head, careful not to dislodge the two bundles of blue curled up upon his back. Gazing round he let out a soft sigh as an unexpected wave of homesickness hit him. And yet he had never felt as if he had missed out by leaving. He was a male and it was unthinkable not to leave. It was just how it was. Yes he had missed his mother and his siblings but he could never regret. Especially as that single action had set him on the path he now travailed and he would not give up the miracle of his two daughters for anything.

Glancing back over one shoulder he smiled at the two bright blue bundles. Kala was fast asleep, tucked between his shoulder blades, claws automatically tangled in his thick hair. His more contrary daughter sat next to and half on top of her snoozing sister.

Suddenly a voice he knew as well as his own rang out across the land and he froze, head snapping round. "Mom?" Joy lit his features as the muscular, tall figure of his mother came bounding across the savannah toward him. Grinning as broad as his dam he braced himself in preparation of her loving attack, standing still to receive her charge rather than race to meet her as he was near desperate to do, not willing to dislodge his precious cargo in his excitment.  

[Neon Fly]

Laini!! Repeating her son's name joyously, Njalo closed the surprisingly long distance between them effortlessly, the line of her frame bounding gracefully over each stretch of land. The closer she came to the lumbering lion, the more certain she became--as if there had ever been any doubt--that the male belonged to her. His golden streaked mane was luxuriously thick and his pelt richly dark. If only her sisters could see him now, he would have been the envy of so many lionesses whose sons had measured up to less.

Matifu would be proud. The sudden thought struck a chord in the cheerful lioness' heart so that tears sprang to her eyes, unbidden. Seeing Laini, as striking as his handsome, if overbearing, father reminded her how much his loss has affected her. Granted Njalo had never let anyone know. What tears she had shed for the Umholi had been spilled when no other was around to see them.

Laini! Nja is so glad to see you! Look how much you've grown! Rearing back on her hind legs as the distance evaporated, her paws closed around Laini's thick shoulders. Pride and bliss mingled in her breathless voice as the bongo-colored huntress lovingly rubbed her face against her son's. Whiskers prickling as she lapped her tongue roughly along his maw and up the bridge of his nose. Washing him as if he were still a small cub. Laini... Nja has missed you so, so, so much!  

[Tanakako]

"Mom!" His own deep roar followed his mother's call as she raced at him. His smile as big as her own. Catching her as she threw herself up against him in traditional Njalo fashion the younger lion wrapped his own forelimb about her, pulling her tight against his chest even as she laved his fur with her warm, rough and oh-so familiar tongue. A husky rumbling purr vibrated through his chest as he bowed his head for her attention, nuzzling her cheek lovingly. "I missed you too Mom, a lot." He managed, almost chocking on the unexpected emotion that clogged his throat as he hugged his beloved mother tightly, though careful not to hurt her, mindful that he was much, much bigger and far stronger now than the last time they had held each other.

"Are you well?" There was so much to say, so much he wanted to know, literally a lifetime to catch up on since he had left but it all got stuck behind that lump in his throat so that all he could do was hold her tightly, simply breathing in her comforting scent, letting the long-lost comfort of her love envelope him.

"I have a surprise..." He offered finally, lifting his head just enough to look down on his mother, unable to help the wide yet shy smile that curled his muzzle. He hoped she would welcome the two new additions to their family but he couldn't help but be nervous. After all it was an unusual practice for a Boneland son to return with his own offspring. And the fact that they were so very ... blue. It had not been an easy choice, but he knew it was the right one. So long as Njalo accepted them.  

[Neon Fly]

Wrapped up in the joy of seeing her long-absent son, Njalo didn't stop to question why he was here, so close to the pride. Had she possessed the mind to think about it, she might have expressed her concern and perhaps--underneath it--her disappointment. Sons who lingered too close to the pride, feeding off the leftovers were considered failures. They brought shame to their proud, rugged parentage.

Laini was of Matifu's blood though, all her sons were, so such a thought would never dare to cross her mind. She held their sire and her sons both in too high a regard to think that they would fail out in the roguelands. Not when she had given them all the right genes to succeed out on their own. Of course, that only left one natural question.

Why was he here?

Gently allowing herself to drop to one forepaw, though her other remained, lingeringly hooked on the giant male, Njalo smiled her crooked, cheery smile. Head bobbing with insistence. Nja is well! Happy to see her cub all grown!

Perhaps her body told a different story with the layers of crusty, raised scabs still healing from her battle with the black lion that had attacked Simosihle. Her wounds were clean though, healing quickly and though her body was still sore from the long night, she had proven she could still hunt. In Njalo's world, that was good enough. Reminded of the gazelle she had left behind, the nimble lioness swooped around, facing back in the direction she'd come. Nja has a fresh kill. Is Laini...

Surprise? Her voice fell silent, an innocent and wide-eyed wonder in her gaze as her weight shifted and she leaned back towards the dark figure. Expectantly flicking her tail, she had a feeling that she was about to discover what had brought her son back to his home so unexpectedly, smiling gently with reassurance, What is it Laini?  

[Tanakako]

Just like his Dam, Laini could never have conceived of staying close to the pride once he had left it. He had so many stories to tell his mother, funny ones and scary ones, and one special one that had resulted in the two tiny bundles still curled up upon his back.

Yet his nervous excitment at unveiling his two special passengers was over ridden by the sudden revelation of his mom's condition, visible now that she had moved back enough for him to actually look at her properly. Lowering his head he nosed gently at her ruff and down along her strong neck, worry clouding his bright golden eyes.

"Nja has b-...." Cutting himself off quickly he chuffed low in his throat, embarrassed. As a cub he had learned to speak from his mother, and had used the same manner of referring to himself and others in the third person. It had taken first realisation and then a long period of un-learning the habit to break it but apparently, it was far easier to fall back into that unique and familiar speach. Grinning with inexplicable happiness he tried again. "Mom, you have been hurt...?" How such a thing could happen was beyond him, for she was one of the strongest lionesses he knew, and certainly one of the best hunters. He still swore it was her skill in providing for her family that had made all her sons grow into such massive males.

Pulling his mind from it's random wandering and back to their current conversation, another trait he had picked up from his mom, Laini smiled shyly. "Well.... Umm..." Deciding it was simply best to show her rather than to try and explain, he twisted his head round with practiced ease and caught one of the blue puffs of fluff up in his jaws tenderly. Setting first one, then the other on the ground at his paws he smiled down at his yawning, stretching, sleepy cubs.

"Meet Kala and Ku'e.... My daughters."  

[Neon Fly]

A velvet purr filled the air between mother and son as the lioness enjoyed the affectionate nuzzle along her crest, a cheeky smile curving her maw as laughter bubbled up her throat. Despite her brimming curiosity at Laini's surprise, gaze glued to his gentle care with which he moved, Njalo managed to remember to answer the question. Nothing serious! Simo got ambushed by some nasty lions during the migration. Nja sent one of them off with his tail between his legs and one less ear than he arrived with!

Rolling her shoulders, the Umzingeli's sleek pelt rippled over the outline of her muscular frame, her head rising a notch with warranted and unabashed pride. No rogue attacked her sisters and got away without a parting gift from the devoted female. Especially not her beloved Umama. Had Simosihle not called her off, Njalo would have fought the male to his last breath. Be it herd beast or threat-invoking outsider, the huntress' instincts were the same; kill.

Silly rogues. Nja is certain they won't try that... a....gain. For the second time that day Njalo found her voice fading into silence. Caught off guard by the impossibly tiny cubs Laini placed between his paws, for a long moment his mother simply stared. Her citrus yellow eyes round and wide. They were as blue as a clear day sky, but she recognized Matifu's markings and---more surprisingly--her own as she examined them from where she stood, statue still. Kala and Ku'e. Laini's... daughters?

Suddenly remembering to breathe, the lioness took in a sharp breath, gazing up at her clearly tentative son, before her eyes dropped again to the little bundles of fur, as if they might disappear if she allowed her gaze to drift for too long. Laini.

Her voice was soft as she gingerly dropped to her belly, crawling carefully toward the wriggling pair, obviously disturbed from their restful sleep as they squirmed like little drops of rain. Laini, they're beautiful.

Emotion made the normally giddy female's tone a sober, heart-felt whisper. Laini's daughters. Her granddaughters. Deep in her chest, her heart clenched with a love as fathomless as the one she had known the day her own cubs had arrived into the world. Immediately and unquestioningly, Njalo'sasa knew that she would lay down her life for these precious bundles. They're... they're perfect.

Certainly no cubs had ever been born anywhere, ever, on the face of the planet that could possibly hope to rival her granddaughters in perfection. Her nose inching towards them with the suffocating desire to gather them both against her chest and lavish them in her enthusiastic brand of affection. With great care, her broad, dark nose nuzzled into the neck of the closer of the two, silently admiring her beautiful stripes.






With a mewl of protest to being dragged from the comfort of her fluffy bed, Ku'e lay on the grass, which at least was less harsh than being planted on the hard dirt ground. Not by much though. Rolling towards her father's giant paws she huffed in annoyance, stretching all four paws at him, pushing at his massive, unbudging bulk in protest. Though she had registered a voice separate of her father's lulling timbre, she was only made aware that they weren't alone when a giant maw approached her. Pink eyes widening in horror as she hissed instinctively and rolled to push her feet against the face that was suddenly in her personal space. Scrabbling to get to safety underneath the shadow of her dad on stout, but still unsteady legs that made her teeter. A low, cranky bubble of a growl--or as much of one as Ku'e knew how to make seeping out from where she hid.
 

[Tanakako]

Not given any time to further question his mom about her far too brief explanation for the wounds he tucked it into the back of his mind for later prodding. He needed to know she was alright and was alarmed by her words but knew he would be better asking her after she had gotten over the shock he had just given her.

Still as enthralled by his two prescious daughters as the very first moment he had laid eyes on them, he couldn't help the beaming, yet shy grin of pride that curled his maw upward. Nor could he help the tightness in his chest that caught him every time he looked at his girls. His girls. Despite having been the sole provider for them for some time now, the miracle of them was still enough to hit him right on the inside.

As entranced as his mother, he watched as the two furry balls of blue squirmed sleepily, emitting little chirping calls of protest at being disturbed. His heart ached as it always did, the love he felt for them a physical thing inside him that often made it hard to breathe and impossible to think. They were so tiny and fragile. Though he had overcome his terror at squashing them he still took great care around them, for they were barely the size of one of his paws.

A rough chuckle escaped him as he finally looked up at his mother, and the rapt, entranced expression she wore only made the ball in his chest tighten. Finally he knew he had done the right thing by bringing his daughters back to his homeland. The look his mother wore as she gazed at them was all the reassurance he would ever need. Meeting Njalo's gaze as she glanced up at him he smiled softly, shy still. He was a father, and his mother's approval meant the world to him.

"Aren't they...?" He near whispered, still smiling with impossible emotion as the older cub, Ku'e, stuck her tiny but needle-sharp claws into his toes briefly before turning those same miniature weapons on his mother.




Slower to stirr than her sister, the second cub with Matifu's style of markings on her blue-toned fur squirmed with a squeek, having been shoved by her more active sibling. Kala mewed in plaintive protest, blinking open hazy gold eyes, a mirror of her massive father's own, only to stare directly up at the strange nose hovering over them. Yet unlike her combative sister, Kala squeaked again, a curious and questioning sound as she batted at the dark muzzle with a fluffy front paw. Another curious poke was given before a sudden and huge yawn tipped the youngster off balance and she sprawled on her side, blinking in surprise.  

[Neon Fly]

Amused by the feisty little Ku'e's desperate attempt to escape the stranger nosing her, Njalo tilted her head as the cub disappeared under her father. Lips quirking humorously, her attention turned back to Kala, purring softly when the less skittish fluffball touched soft, still new pads to her muzzle. Lovingly, her rough tongue licked at the bottom of the tiny foot, an arm sliding across the grass to scoop the golden eyed beauty closer so that she could properly greet her granddaughter once she was prone on her side. Pressing her nose between Kala's ears, her grandmother breathed in the sweet smell of new baby. How long had it been since she'd held a cub so tiny? Too long.

With the pale cub tucked into her breast, her eyes danced with delight and an equal amount of pride as she gazed at her son. It didn't cross her mind to consider where their mother was before asking, though she was likely to regret the faux pas shortly. This means Laini has a mate, yes? Nja would like to meet their mother. She must be lovely to have given Laini such precious daughters.

Casting a wry glance toward where the other hid, she smirked at the tiny face that peeked at her warily from behind Laini's leg, face wrinkled into a menacing scowl. There's one in every litter...

She didn't like that Kala was so close to the strange lioness that carried so many new smells with her. What if that lioness ate her?! Of course, she didn't like that the female regarded her with eyes crinkling at the corners, dancing with mirth. Just what was so funny anyway? It was all very suspicious to Ku'e, her little pouting mouth forming a tiny squeak as she stated her adverse opinion of Njalo's comment. No!
 

[Tanakako]

Without the cubs upon his back Laini was able to finally settle, carefully sitting down in place after checking to make sure where Ku’e had crawled to. With the cub safe by his front legs, albeit hidden by it, he gratefully relaxed. While the pair were no burden on his strength, barely weighting enough to even feel them up on his back, he nevertheless was always careful to keep his movements smooth and balanced so as to avoid jarring them and dislodging their tiny frames. Now with both safely on the lush grassland it as safe to let himself sprawl.

His daughters antics never ceased to make him smile and the gentle expression remained as he watched his mother with Kala, chuckling at the rather surprised expression the tiny cub wore when she was unceremoniously corralled against the brown and white fur of her grandmother’s chest. It was a precious moment, and one he would always remember, watching his mother with his daughter. The three females he loved most in the world all together. Even if one of them was being grumpy and was currently digging those tiny claws of hers into his leg as she hid behind it. Careful of her he eased himself down onto his belly, taking the chance to rest while he could and honestly, just wanting to enjoy this moment with his girls. Gently curling his foreleg about Ku’e and settling her against the thick dark fur of his chest comfortingly.

His mother’s innocently joyful words suddenly reached him and he flinched involuntarily, the half-buried pain raising from where it had lived, pushed down under the responsibility of caring for two such young cubs. Dropping his muzzle to nose Ku’e’s fur, needing the reassurance of simply touching his daughter, he forced himself to take a slow, steadying breath. After all, this was part of the story he needed to tell his mother, and the reason he had journeyed so far with cubs too young for the strain of such a trek to bring his daughters back to this land.

After a long moment he looked up to meet Njalo’s gaze, knowing his silence must be worrying her. “She died… while hunting.” Even now the words stuck in his throat. Yes they had only started to get to know one another, and the cubs had been unexpected surprise, but it had been one of the happiest times of his life. All new promise and expectation. Then she had left to hunt one day and never returned. He had found her hours later, still and cold and covered in blood, her side ripped open by what had to have been a buffalo’s horn.

Lowering his head once more he groomed his daughter’s fur almost reflexively, needing to know she was healthy and safe. Taking comfort from the heat of her tiny body wriggling against his chest. Without looking up he confessed to the reason why he had arrived back home when he had never planned to return. “I didn’t know where else to go.. I have been hunting prey with babies so they at least have been getting some milk, but they are too young for meat really and I hate to leave them alone to go hunting. I couldn’t bare it if anything happened to them too. They need a mother and a pride and I could only think of you and to bring them here. They would be safe here with the pride and .. well.. I hoped you might keep them… “ Finally running out of words the huge male’s worried rambling faded away. And still he had not looked up, scared to see disappointment in his mother’s eyes. He was doing the best he could but he was not a mother and he felt as if he was fumbling about blindly in the dark.


Wholly unaware of her dad’s pained confession, Kala was squirming about against her Grandmother’s fur. Tiny demanding chirps issuing from opened jaws though what she wanted, even she didn’t really know. Warm fur was nice though she was hungry. But this new smelling lion was interesting and since her Papa was still talking and didn’t seem upset, she assumed it was safe enough where she was. “Yes!” She chirruped at her sister, grinning. It had already become traditional for her to say the opposite of her sister. The two of them as dissimilar in personality as they were similar in colour. Ying and Yang.  

[Neon Fly]

Listening to the pair bicker, filling the otherwise awkward silence that Njalo was too dense to realize was awkward in the first place, her smile was warm and doting toward the pair, mostly oblivious to her son's struggle. Something in his voice when finally Laini spoke made her glance up into his dark, handsome face. She immediately recognized the pain there, felt it extend and reach across the distance between them to nestle in her own chest like an invisible parasite. The hurt her children felt was her hurt too, though like everything else, Njalo weathered it silently, invisibly. Showing him her sorrow, her regret that he had known the loss of a mate so early in his life buried under her almost over-bright smile. Because showing him her pain wasn't going to make anyone feel any better.

She is returned to the land, then. Nja is certain flowers will bloom there this year! Gazing down at Kala, with eyes slightly clouded by the emotions she hid under her bubbly persona, she added softly, And Laini still has memory of her in these two.

Ku'e puffed in loud annoyance at her sister's combative declaration. Why did she have to say anything at all? Narrowing her pink eyes at the figure across from her she hoped that weird lioness—who kind of smelled like dad—ate her sister after all! Yet before she could argue further, the cranky cub was further pacified by the soothing rub of her father's warm, rough tongue. She was tired and her belly ached with hunger, but all of that could be forgotten as long as she stayed like this. Resting against the male's thick, dark fur, her eyes closing as his heat cradled her into a sedated state.

Lifting her eyes once more to level on the face of her son, her toothy maw opened with her elation, head bobbing eagerly. Yes! Yes! Yes! There are lots of nursing mothers here! Njalo will take good care of her baby's babies!! They will be safe here in the Ithambo!

She never considered what taking two so uniquely colored cubs would mean for her future, or theirs for that matter. That things might be more difficult than she planned. Only that Laini needed help with the care of his daughters and he had come to her. It pleased the bubbly lioness to know that her children could trust her with something so important.
 

[Tanakako]

Despite his mother's talent at hiding her emotions, Laini was not her son for nothing and saw the reality of her understanding in her eyes. His own chest ached with a love so great, he had no words for it. Instead he leaned his great shaggy head over to rest briefly against his mother's muscular neck, chin settling on her shoulder for a brief moment, seeking comfort. "I am sure they will." He agreed in a voice heavy with loss but filled with the love he held for his two young daughters. "She lives on in them." He added, lifting his head once more to gaze at the two blue fluffballs, one curled against his chest and one mewling softly between his mother's paws. After all, their startling blue colour had certainly not come from his side of the family.

Lowering his muzzle to rasp his rough tongue once again over K'ue's blue coat, he cradled his crotchety daughter close, knowing he would have to part form them soon, far sooner than he wished to. But it was for their very survival, as they needed milk and a mother, whereas he was far from welcome in the land that had once been his own. As it was he had maybe a week in which to see them settled with his mother before one of the Abholi would be forced to chase him out, or fight him.

Her sudden and wholly enthusiastic agreement to take the two cubs in and look after them made him sigh with relief, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from his weary shoulders. Not that he wanted to leave Kala and Ku'e, but it was nessassary, and at least this way he knew his mother would protect and teach them. Unlike his mother, he knew exactly what their colouration would mean in his homeland, the strick and traditional view of the pride as a whole would be against his girls from the start, but they would baste and fed and watched over, and he was sure that Njalo would protect them from the worst of the taunts and jibes they were sure to find aimed their way. It was the best of a bad situation, but he knew his mother would be the best protector and provider his babies could ever hope for.

Leaning over once again, careful not to squash his daughter where she slept against his ruff, he licked his mother's cheek gratefully. "Thank you... " He couldn't say anything more, his voice getting all caught up in the back of his throat.

Unaware that her dad and grandma were talking about her mom, Kala had settled against the warm fur of her grandma's chest, sending a narrow-eyed squint at her grumpy sibling in expectation. But it seemed that their dad had temporarily tamed her sharp-tongued sister so Kala settled back down, twisting until she was laying on her back, all four paws tangled in her grandma's fluff as she tried to chew on the brown and white fur.  

[Neon Fly]

As Laini held his face against her fur, the bundle of warm cub still cradled against her chest, Njalo smiled with a love deeper than anything she had ever known for her family. Despite the circumstances, she was glad her son had come back or she would have never known the two beautiful children he had sired. It made her wonder about the other two. Machozi off among the red pelts, so close and yet so far away. As far as she knew he took his job as the ambassador between the two prides seriously. Perhaps a little too seriously since he had yet to find the time to have children of his own. She wished she could talk to him. Life was short and though duty was important, having a future generation to carry on when you were gone was important. Sekayi had gone off into the roguelands with Laini all that time ago, a handsome, golden, sun god and though Njalo had not seen him since, she knew that he was doing well because he was Matifu's son.

Ugh. Ku'e Kaiulu had been nearly asleep when her father's constant shifting made her wake up, kicking out one tiny foot in frustration. Why'd he keep having to move? And why did they have to talk? Couldn't they see she was trying to sleep?! At least her sister was quiet, for a change. Despite Laini's efforts not to smother her as he leaned toward his mother, his voluminous mane poured all around the blue cub with her frown wrinkled face. In an effort to have space all four paws were thrust out, but still she was not satisfied with the pocket of space she'd created for herself. To no avail, she made a valiant attempt to bite her father to let him know she was displeased, but sputtered when all she got was a mouth full of hair. Ew!

Deciding that she had had more than enough of this cuddling reunion, the squirmy cub rolled over on her unsteady paws and began the arduous trek over the protective barrier of Laini's massive forearm, making her break for freedom with disgruntled little grunts and huffs of effort. Walking was definitely not her forte just yet. They could stay here and be one big family pile, but Ku'e Kaiulu was leaving!

The quiet sound like constipation made Njalo tip her head puzzledly, blinking at the half crawling, half stumbling effort her grumpy little granddaughter made to get away. A bright, mirth-filled glance dropping to the happy-go-lucky cub resting contently in her arm, making the soft, crescent mark on her chest wet with her chewing. All her happy rubbed off on you in the womb, didn't it?
 

[Tanakako]

The squirming against his chest didn't at first attract his attention, for K'ue was constantly shifting about and either biting at her sister, or biting him while they travailed. The only time she was still was when she was sleeping, or whenever he managed to kill a mother Impala or other female prey with milk for the cubs. But eventually as she began the difficult task of freeing herself from his protective embrace, he lowered his great shaggy head and watched her with an amused, but perplexed expression. His mother's comment made him chuckle, a deep rumble of a sound that almost vibrated the tiny cub off her unsteady paws.

"She has always been this way, even... before the accident." Though he secretly thought she hadn't been quite as violent before their mother had died, but then again they had been barely a week old so maybe she just hadn't had the opportunity.

Curled up against Njalo, the second cub was happily chewing on the white and brown fur, tiny tail flicking back and forth with uncoordinated jerky cing her sister's escape Kala squirmed until she was on her belly, front paws resting atop Nja's forearm, ears pricked as she watched her wayward sister with curiosity. The rumbling voice over her head made her look up, bright golden eyes wide and intrigued. Giving voice to what sounded like an agreement as she mewed with surprising volumn at Nja, though may have just been one of the few words the tiny cub knew.

"Yes. Hungry...." The second word far more hopeful than the first.  

[Neon Fly]

Feeling her legs wobble out from under her with the vibration of her father's low voice, she knew he was talking about her and it didn't sound like praise! Naturally, this meant that Ku'e must immediately and hastily disagree with whatever the giant was saying, drawing a big breath to squawk at him in her loudest voice. NNNN--

Yet before she could get the word out, her paw slipped, small frame sliding over Laini's arm to crash face first into the ground. It was too short a fall to cause much harm, but she spluttered and coughed on a face full of dirt. A once blue nose now gone brown, her angry cry silenced—for the moment.

Having already collected Kala in her mouth, jaws gently pinching the loose fur of her scruff, Njalo's laughter was muffled and muted as she stood with the more cheery dispositioned youth. Nodding for her son to collect the other and follow her in a silent motion to follow. She didn't need any more encouragement to find her grandbabies a place to nurse than the soft, pleading chirp of distress.

Tanakako

Fin?