Upenzi stretched, padding along the desert sand calmly, half trotting. It was a hot sunny day, a nice difference from the norm, and she didn't mind the dry. Many, of course, would cvall her mad. But vacation was vacation, and that she knew.
Mpeko sat, pouting outside the Firekin lands a bit. She was different. Weak in her mother's eyes. And that made her sad. The lioness cub plumked down, pouting, lower lip sticking out mopily.
Upenzi couldn't help seeing the pengi-marked cub-juvenile, and trotted over, ears pricked.
"Well Hullo." She said, blinking.
"What's the fuss, little kiddo?"
Mpeko blinked, looking up. What the deuce? The juvenile sat up, sniffling.
"Momma said I'm weak cause I like hugs.--Hey! It's not funny!"
Indeed, Upenzi, at the mere sentance, had begun laughing.
"Seriously? Your MOM said that?! What a fruitcake! No offense kid, but, she's the pansy. REAL creatures like HUGS." Upenzi squared her shoulders.
"Take my home for example. Hug Mecca. Utter hug Mecca. Great place." She grinned.
Mpeko sniffled.
"Really? Do YOU like hugs?"
"Tch, feck yeah. You know what you need? You need to show yo' mammy you like hugs. Get a group of huggers! Show the world! ESPECIALLY boys."
Mpeko perked, listening. Hugs... A Hug Commune! Yes! That would be good! Hugs and love and pretty flowers FOR ALL.
"EVERYONE needs hugs!" The female nodded. Upenzi smirked.
"Precise--AAARRRGGHH!"
Mpeko had pounced the leopard, somehow glomping on with both paws, and began purring. Upenzi blinked, patting her back with a paw. OK, this was her fault.
"Uhm.... Kid? Kiddo?"
Nothing. Upenzi sighed, rolling and getting up, somehow, not squishing the large juvenile.
"Uhm... Kid..."
"Mpeko."
"Mpeko, kid, I need to get moving...."
"Kay! Where are we going?"
Upenzi stopped.
"WE!?"
"Uh huh! I wanna get ALL THE HUGGERS IN THE WORLD and bring them home to show mommy!"
Upenzi sighed, managing to face-paw.
"....Home. My home."
"Do they like hugs?" Mpeko gave a toothy grin. Mpeko stared, then slumped, sighing.
"Yes. I told you that."
Mpeko dropped off, beaming.
"YAY! Let's get going Miss Leopard lady!"
"Upenzi. My name isd Upenzi."
"Let's get going Miss Upenzi lady!"
Upenzi sighed, leading the way. This was going to be a loooong trip.
