Mydas found himself growing up wanting to be just like his papa. Unfortunately that meant that he was getting really good at bullying pridemembers -- not because he was a bad boy, but merely that's because he thought that was what Guards were supposed to do. He'd taken to 'patrolling' the nearby forest with a stiff-legged walk that boasted of infantile arrogance. Mydas wasn't going to take any guff from anyone, and that was the way things were.

Spotting a green lion that was apparently sunning himself on a wide rock, Mydas crept closer to the big fellow. All seemed to be well, as it were, and Mydas was going to just creep away without bothering the older lion. However, that wasn't what Guards did, and so Mydas cleared his throat rather loudly in order to gain the attention of the big, fluffy green lion that was dozing away (and snoring rather softly) in the heat of the warm sun.

Nohokai slowly opened his eyes, cutting off the last bit of the lazy snore that grumbled past his muzzle. Dark green eyes met bright blue ones and Kai blinked at the sight of the little sandy-colored cub that stared at him quite intensely from a few feet away. The cub gave him a meaningful look before clearing his throat again, this time a bit more loudly.

"Can I help you, young one?" Nohokai hadn't met this little bloke before -- he was quite familiar with most of the cubs in the pride, and he wondered who this little one belonged to.

Mydas held back an insufferable sigh. Adults always were calling him 'baby' and 'cub' and 'young one' -- it annoyed him to no end, but he merely kept quiet and respected his elders and all that nonsense all the while enduring their baby-talk and hair-ruffling. Oh, the hair-ruffling. Everyone did it, even his papa and mama, and he couldn't stand it.

"I am Mydas," he said to the stranger, "and I was just making sure that everything was going well in these parts." That sounded nice and Guard-like, and Mydas felt a bit of pride surge through his chest. His papa would be proud, at least Mydas liked to think so.

Nohokai's brows slowly rose as he took a moment to think about what the little cub had said. He'd heard a grown lion, a Guard, say those words before (or something similar) and Nohokai wasn't sure what exactly was going on here. "Mydas," he said, giving himself some time to feel out the situation, "I am Nohokai. I haven't seen you before today; who are your parents?"

Of course Mydas scowled at Nohokai's very justified question. Mydas didn't really want to answer - he'd likely be scolded if his mama found out about his daily escapades, and he really very much enjoyed the freedom that he had. Then again, if he lied to the big lion before him, his mother would certainly find out. He hemmed and hawed a few moments before deciding that it was in his best interests to answer Nohokai's question, and he did so as if sharing a huge secret.

"My mother is Kivumbi, and --"

"Ahh, I know of Kivumbi. I met her not long ago, she is a gentle lioness. You are lucky to have her for your mother!" Nohokai beamed at the cub, now feeling more comfortable with the little cub. That was wonderful that Kivumbi had had cubs with her mate -- there was nothing more wonderful then a new family just staring out, and Nohokai hoped that someday he would be so lucky to start a family with Sabbia.

Mydas was feeling fortunate that he'd told the green lion the truth. It was just his luck that the big lion knew his mother, and thankfully he'd opted to be honest as opposed to fibbing his way out of the situation. "Yes, she is a good mother," Mydas hedged. She was, that was true, but it bothered Mydas that Nohokai had yet to answer his question. All Mydas wanted to do was help, but the adults in the pride sometimes made that quite difficult to do.

Nohokai nodded with a small smile before continuing, "Yes, Mydas, all is well here. I was just enjoying an afternoon nap," he chuckled, "The sun is so nice and warm against my fur, after all." Finally everything fell into place, and Kai realized that perhaps the cub was mimicing someone. His father, perhaps? With a twinkle in his eyes Kai decided to play along, hoping that would strike up a friendship between them. "I am glad you stopped by, though, Mydas. It is good to know that the pride is being watched over by one as attentive as yourself."

Mydas took a moment before he realized what Nohokai had said to him, and when he did realize it, the little cub's chest puffed out in pride. He held his head high and merely gave a gracious nod in response to Nohokai. All the while he tried to keep his little body still -- just wait until mama and papa heard about this! He was so excited. "You're welcome , Nohokai," Mydas mumbled graciously with a dip of his head. "It is my duty."

"A duty well done," Nohokai grinned at Mydas before nodding his head curtly. "It is why our pride is so strong. You do your pride proud, Mydas, and I'm sure your parents are happy to call you their son." Nohokai wasn't making fun of the cub or anything of the sort. No, he firmly believed that cubs needed this gentle encouragement and Nohokai was very willing to give it. He knew when he had his own family he would do the same thing to his own cubs.

"I must be off," Mydas rose to his feet with obvious self-importance before he dipped his head in a bow to Nohokai. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Nohokai and I will tell my mama that I met you. She will be happy that I did." Mydas grinned excitedly before he turned 'round and left the way he came, leaving Nohokai to watch after him with an affectionate smile.

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