Welcome to Gaia! ::

The dens were nice in the pride. That much was for sure. The zebra from the night before was better then anything she had tasted before. The pride itself was something she could enjoy but some place she thought staying wouldn't be completely out of the question assuming she could find her place in it. The lioness yawned as the sun began to break into the den that she had occupied for the night to keep. With a smile on her face she placed her chin upon her paws. She could get used to this but even so, she was a guest of one of the pride's leaders and would likely be unable to stay for that long even if she wanted to.

With her ears turning back, her smile faded into a frown at the thought of leaving. Though perhaps it was the best, but she had not given anything back to the pride yet. Maybe aiding in the hunt that night would help make up for the generosity that Tichaona and the others in the pride had shown her.

Contrary to his son's belief, Tichaona had been awake and noticed his son's passing by his den and when he heard his voice coming from the den next door, he promptly rose and ducked into Maya's den. He pushed Bakari aside, a little roughly, and stood before the lioness, not knowing much of what to say. He hadn't outright told her about his cubs, and had kind of skirted around the topic as a whole, as he was worried about the effect it would have on his plans for a future with Maya.

"Good morning, Maya. I see you've met my son. I'm sorry if he woke you."

Bakari gave the lioness a small smile as she spoke. She seemed kind. What a funny piercing, though. He hadn't even seen her scarring yet. It was too dimly lit in the den from the angle the sun was presently at to make it out. He didn't much fight or object to being moved, this was the way of the world. Tichaona was king, he was but a prince for now. When Maya spoke of him he puffed up a little. He was proud to look so much like his father. Unbeknownst to him, that's what cinched him the spot as heir anyway. He stayed quiet, however. This was his father's conversation now and he wouldn't speak unless spoken to, wouldn't leave until dismissed.


Tichaona patted the cub on the head, the image of a proud father. His paw fell a little heavy on Bakari's head. He wasn't actually all that practiced at being affectionate, but he never hurt his cubs nor his females. He taught them lessons, but they were not the actions of a cruel lion, but one who cared for their betterment. "Yes, that he does. He's the heir after me, so he's got a lot to learn, a lot of people to meet. And now he's met you, so I guess that's one more step on his path," the lion said.

Little did Bakari - or any of Tichaona's children - know, was that if a better, stronger son was to come along, Bakari would lose his stolen birthright. Casting a glance to Maya, he thought that she just might be the one to give him that stronger son. She must have better, stronger blood than that of Kefilwe, who was coddled all her life. Kefilwe never had to fight. She'd never been burned. She'd done nothing and meant just about as much to Tichaona.

Tichaona nodded and patted his son again. "I'm sure." If not, then hopefully any cubs by Maya would be a great fallback. Though he may not wait and see if that was the case and instead promote the strongest son of the litter. Well, that is if there was even a litter had between them. His eyes searched Maya's face, as though he would see their future written out on it, or maybe the secrets were hidden somewhere in her extensive scarring.


Following his father's eyes, Bakari's landed on Maya's scars. Oh wow! His eyes got big but he knew better than to so much as gasp. He swallowed quietly and looked back up at his father, now uncomfortable to stare at Maya lest his eyes wander back to her wounds. He did dare to sneak a quick glance at the lioness every few moments. He was disrupted by his father's heavy paw. The cub looked up at him, but found it was not that he was being chastised, but it was praise? Oh, how uncommon. Bakari let his mind wander and ignored for the most part their ongoing conversation, despite its content being focused around him. He was used to it.


Tichaona tilted his head at Maya's question, as though he were deep in thought. "Why don't I show you more of my pride's lands? You're right, and you've reminded me that there's much more to do and much more to show you." He'd try to find the most romantic location and woo her on the spot. It's not that the king was impatient or particularly lusty that day, but time was of the essence because of Maya's vagrant status.

Tichaona smiled. "Well how grand!" He patted Bakari on the rump. "Run along, then, son. I've got to entertain our guest." When the cub was out of the den and out of sight, he extended a paw before him. "Ladies first." He'd have to give his cubs lessons on not barging into dens. He could see how Bakari could understand that, as it was the den his mother occupied from time to time, but with the new litter growing as it was, he found little time or need for her company that called for her to spend the night as his neighbor.


Bakari was rather sick of his father's touchy-feel-y mood at that point and was rather glad to leave the den. He stuck his tongue out as he left, feeling disgusted a little bit. He'd go find his mother now and spend time with her. He was feeling rather in the mood for a family member whose affections were genuine for him. Forget going to the sitter as he ought to have.


Tichaona ducked out of the den and let his mind wander as would also be the case with the tour. There wasn't much of a point to it other than being alone with Maya and using that as an opportunity. The only real thought on his mind was concocting a way to ensure that she would stick around for a while more.