Tsubame fallowed behind Tendaji as he led her to his family. She was still not very sure as too how Ten was able to convince her to meet his parents, all she knew was that she was following behind the young lion. For the first time in years she was about to meet more than one other creature, normally in her wondering she encountered one or two others but rarely was it any more than that and from what Ten said she would likely meet around 10 others, all family. Tsu had never had a large family let alone seen one that big, she knew about prides that were that size but normally bigger but a family? They could be a small pride all on their own. She thought as she came closer to that group that she had seen in the distance right before she met Tendaji.Siti lay in front of the den watching her young and their many different personalities. Her family was staying not to far off from Mito's den and currently they had two guest. A young adolescent lion on his pridal quest and another male lion who was simply travel. Currently the adolescent Gao was getting a climbing lesson from Lilavati; it was quite a sight to see and Achal lay near herself helping her keep an eye on everything and chatting with her.
Achal looked to Siti and smiled, his time with them had been extended by the kind female who seemed to enjoy the presence of other and he really become an honorary uncle to Lila and Ten, although he hadn't gotten to know the other cubs.
"Poor Gao, I don't think one should learn to climb tree at that age," he said laughing as Gao tried and failed yet again to make it into the brances. Achal winced at the failed attempt, "I bet that landing hurt a lot."
Siti was very tempted to put an end to the lesson or at least see if Udo could help them out a bit. "Yes, if you want to be proficient at climbing, being a lion, starting young is your best bet," she said responding to Achal.
Tendaji was within hearing distance before he called out to his mom, “Hey mom I found someone who wants to meet you.” He was really greatful to Tsubame and was happy that she took him up on his offer to meet his family and maybe stay a day or two. “It will be great, they will really like you.” He said talking to Tsubame, thinking as all young cubs think that those that they like others will like too.
Tsubame was starting to have second thoughts; there were too many others for her to deal with. “Um, Tendaji, I think…” she started to say but it was too late Ten had already called out to his mother, now she had to meet them if only for a bit then she could leave after all she never promised that she would spend a few days Ten just suggested it.
Siti turned hearing Tendaji voice and was very happy to see him back at the den safe and sound. Siti sighed, he and Lila always seemed to slip away. And lately it seemed every time the one of the two slipped away they brought back a guest.
Siti raised herself up and headed toward her son and the lioness who was with him, "Tendaji, how many times have I told you I need to know when you are going to wander off. My goodness what if something happened to you."
Achal watched as Siti headed toward her son and the newcomer. It seemed to him that the friendly family attracked quite a lot of company. He found it rather comical, but he remember Siti saying it had been the same for her when she traveled alone and even when they were in the pride it was the same.
Tsubame watched as the redish-brown and white lioness approached with some apprehension, she showed no signs of anger or aggression but still Tsubame was nervous. Normally when Tsu meets someone new they seem all interested in her but when she starts to like the other person they say that they have to go, it never fails it always happens so she had come up with a plan. Never meet anyone new. But now that plan was done since she had no chose but to meet Ten, now it seemed like she would meet his entire family starting with his mother. She was so focused on Siti that Tsubame hadn’t even noticed the male that was lying near a den.
“Aww Mom I’m not a cub anymore I can take care of my self,” Tendaji said in a way of a greeting before reluctantly adding, “well sorta.” He added that last bit because he needed Tsubame’s help in getting down from the tree he got stuck in but he was not going to admit that unless he had to. “Any way, mom this is Tsubame. I met her out there.” He said, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the tree.
Siti frowned at Tendaji words, "You are a cub and need I remind you that it is I who catches you meals, cleans your fur and teaches you to hunt." Siti nuzzled her son affectionately to show him she really wasn't angry more worried than anything. Worried what happened to her as a cub wouldn't happen to her little ones and they would be without a mother. It worried her a lot now that they were traveling.She didn't have time to dwell on that as Tendaji introduced her to the female that was currently with him. "Hello Tsubame. I hope my little on has not been to bothersome. I am Nabila Siti. It is a pleasure to meet you. May I ask how exactly you met Ten."
Tendaji knew his mom was not really angry at him but he still felt a little pang of guilt, after all she really did do a lot for him and his sisters. ”I know mom… but poppa helps now too. And I’m pretty sure Mito would help too if we asked.” He felt compelled to add as Siti gave Ten a nuzzle. But when she turned her attention to Tsubame he took a discreet step back. He knew that his mom would be nice but when she asked about how the other lioness how they met he immediately started to worry. Please don’t tell her! He silently pleaded with Tsubame with his eyes and his body posture not daring to make a noise incase his mom turned to him.
Tsubame watched the interaction between mother and son with detachment, only a feeling of slight jealousy filtered through her consciousness. And when the lioness, who had introduced herself as Nabila Siti, addressed her she showed no emotion, avoiding others had not taught her how to react in situations like this. Tsu saw Ten take a step back and seemingly wanted to tell her something but did not know what so instead she answered Siti’s question honestly. “He was no real bother Nabila Siti,” She said at first, being formal since she did not know what else to call her, “And how we met was also not such a big deal although I would recommend that if Tendaji is to climb any more trees that he get over his fear because next time some one might not be around to talk him down.”
Siti smiled at Ten's statement. It was true that Ja'ka helped and also true that if asked Mito would certainly lend a hand. She loved her mate and her friend they were such wonderful lions.
Her attention turned to Tsubame as she spoke and for a moment she relaxed happy Ten hadn't been a bother, but the relief didnt last as she found out he'd been stuck in a tree. Siti turned to Ten, giving his a look that said we'll talk about this later before saying, "I hope you learned your lesson."
She turned back to Tsubame and smiled, "Would you like to come rest for a while, maybe have a bite of zebra, their is still plently left from our earlier meal. We have to guest already and will their help I was able to bring down larger prey. Though even with all of us, our eyes were bigger than our stomaches."
Achal watched from the den wandering what was going on and hoping everything was okay with his 'nephew'. They seemed to get on well and he sincerely hoped the cub hadn't gotten into any trouble. He wondered if he should have gone with him when he wandered off.
Tendaji gave a sort of sheepish smile when his mom looked at him. He was in trouble, he knew it but it all turned out all right so it was all good in his mind. “Yes momma.” He said softly but with a smile in his voice. He then turned to Tsubame and said “Oh yes you have to come meet everyone.”
Tsubame was surprised with Siti’s offer. She couldn’t remember another time where anyone had offered the same thing so she had to think for a moment. She wanted to say ‘no thank you’ but when Tendaji asked her to, something inside of her relented and against her better judgment she said “Yes thank you, it sounds like a great plan.” Even as she said it she felt the first stirrings of apprehension; Would they like her? How will she fit in this big group? What if something goes wrong? Will she have to leave again?
Siti smiled and lead the way for the group back towards the den where her family and guest were running about enjoying their day. When she finally made it she watched as Achal stand and look over to Tsu. She laughed lightly, "It seems we have another visitor today."
Siti looked back at Tsu and then to Achal, "This is Tsubame, seems she helped the ever determined Ten down from high up in a tree." Siti looked back to Tsu. "This is Achal, he is a guest my daughter brought with an injured paw and we've just been enjoying his company so far."
Siti looked around and pointing out the other's to Tsu giving their name and personalities.
Achal simply looked over the lioness that stood before him for a long moment. She had such a blue coat and Achal thought it to be lovely. After Siti had finished giving introduction he turned trying not to make it so obvious he had been staring.
"Hello," he said, "Its nice to meet you. Seems as thought this family is a magnet for visitors. They are very friendly and such an energetic bunch."
Tsubame was feeling a bit over whelmed with all the lions that she was meeting; four girl cubs, a older male that was almost an adult, Ten’s dad and biological father, as well as Achal; over all she met eight other lions besides Siti and Ten. That was by far the most lions she had ever encountered in one place and for such a solitary lioness such as her it was reasonable for her to feel a little out of her element. As Siti pointed out the others Tsu could feel Achal’s eyes on her but she didn’t really know what to do about it so when she turned back to him she made no mention that she knew of his look. “Hello.” She responded shyly, something about this male intrigued her, “Yes it does seem like they are a haven for visitors such as us. So how did you end up with this small ‘pride’?” She asked but immediately looked away and blushed because she remembered that Siti had already said how Achal had come to be there.
Siti went over to her son and nuzzled him, "Why don't you go play with Lila and Gao. Lila is trying to teach him to climb and he is failing miserably at getting up the tree, maybe you could help. I'll be hear if you need some help, Ja'ka and Achal too." Siti gave Ten a slight nugde toward the tree waiting to see what he would do.
Achal laughed lightly at Tsubame's question and looked around, they did look like a small pride. He knew Siti had told her how he came here, but not in very much detail so elaborated for Tsu. "Well I was wandering and I got a thorn stuck in my paw, but when I tried to get it out it just went in further. Lila saw me, helped get it out and brought me to her papa who is a healer. He cleaned me up and invited me to stay for a night, which somehow turned into several nights."
Achal smiled brightly, "What brings you to this part of the savannah?"
Tendaji laughed lightly as he imagined Gao trying to learn to climb, “I’ll go and check it out but I think I’ve had enough climbing for one day.” He said right before he ran off to watch his sister teach his friend. He really wasn’t going to do anything more then offer suggestions and possible laugh. After the fiasco of earlier today Ten knew that he would not be climbing anytime soon, at least not that high.
Siti watched Achal speaking with Tsubame for a moment then decided to let the pair talk. "I had better go make sure the climbing lesson does not end badly. Siti turned and headed off in the direction of her cubs and thier new friend."
Tsubame was grateful that Achal did not laugh at her slip but elaborated instead. So when he asked what she was doing she answered truthfully, "Just wondering, seeing the world." and avoiding others for the most part. she added silently, not wanting to hurt his feelings thought she really couldn't understand why she cared since normally she wouldn't worry about hurting others feelings.
Tsu watched as Ten ran off to play with his sister. A pang of longing shocked her as she watched him run off, she was imaging him as her cub and for some reason was wishing for her own. So when Siti distracted her with taking her own leave Tsu gave a mental sigh of relief because that small distraction changed her thoughts away from cubs and family, basically everything she didn't have.
