Alizeti bounced along happily. She had managed to escape her mothers view, and more impressively her fathers more intense watch, for a few moments of blissful playtime and exploration. She wouldn't go too far of course, she wasn't silly enough to venture too far from the den, besides, she had discovered she was a little afraid of new things. It was mainly for this reason, and for company of course, that Lizzi had wrangled her sister Machwa into joining her, although she didn't seem too enthused. She was one of the quieter cubs in the litter.
Alizeti blinked at her sister with her large amber eyes sweetly. “Are you okayyy Machwa?” She always finished each sentence with a wide smile – she had a disposition as sunny as her coat that never seemed to wane.
Her sister smiled back gently. Where Alizeti had cheer and sweetness in bucketfuls, Machwa had thoughtfulness. She had a slightly more gentle nature, but both of the the girls had turned out rather caring and considerate in their early weeks – Machwa specifically so. “I'm fine Lizzi, not everyone can be as chirpy as you!” She giggled gently and wobbled over to her sisters side. “What do you want to do?”
They could try and find some flowers, they could go for a run, they could play, they could even try and meet some more cubs so they could have extra super fun times. Lizzi squeaked with excitement and jumped a little on the spot. “Ooohhhhhhh!” Her already large eyes widened. “Um um shall we just go on a 'venture?” Some words were still a little hard to say, and her tongue got a little twisted at times. “We can go on a 'sploring trip toooo...” She waved a paw frantically. “Over there!” Alizeti had indicated a shaded area under a tree with a few birds hovering near it.
Machwa nodded softly. “Yes we can!” An early morning trip wasn't exactly what she'd have picked, but she was more than happy to accompany her sister, and she could see how happy it made her. In truth she also felt honoured to have been picked over their sleeping siblings. The short trek over to their chosen spot for exploring was made a lot bigger by their tiny size. By the time it would take them to waddle over to the tree they would probably be tired, which was good news for Machwa, maybe they could sit and watch the world go by for a while.
“Right, lets go!” Alizeti hummed gently as they began to waddle over to their chosen spot of exploration. She enjoyed exploring but didn't like the idea of certain things, one of them being whatever was beyond the pridal borders. Lizzi did not want to find out, as far as she was concerned, she was safe here, in the pride. “Dontcha think Momma is so much fun?” Lizzi called to her sister, who was walking just a little behind her.
“Yes, I do.” Machwa giggled quietly. It was true, that their mother was a boisterous lady who liked to spar. She had shown her cubs how to spar as early as she possibly could, with their father watching over so carefully that she had to be super gentle and careful. It was more fun when she wasn't and when she made their little hearts beat fast, and they were scared and excited all at the same time. It never hurt of course, and their mother had learnt early on that it was also a very clever trick to tire them out in time for bed.
After what seemed like an age of walking, their tired little legs reached the shaded area under the tree. Machwa was all ready to get her eyes ready for some exploring and some bug finding, but Lizzi had settled down in the shade. After walking in the sun, the shade was sweet relief on their aching limbs, and they found themselves sitting in it for a while, without saying anything to one another. It was a strange turn of events for Lizzi to be quiet, but not so much for Machwa. One of her favourite things to do even as a cub was to sit and watch the world go by. She wasn't lazy, but just quiet and thoughtful. The rust coloured cub smiled to her sister and wandered if she was quiet because she was tired, or because she wanted to give her sister an experience she would enjoy.
Alizeti was having a good think too. She knew that her sister liked to be quiet and to think sometimes, and although Lizzi often found it boring, she was tired and figured she could have the best of both worlds – getting a little rest and making her sister happy. She actually found it rather soothing, and could understand now why she also saw many adult lions sitting and watching the world go by. It really was so nice to sit in the shade in the quiet, in the company of one of her lovely siblings. She yawned and could feel her eyelids becoming heavy. No, it wasn't quite time for sleeping yet! She fought it was as much defiance as she could muster.
The two sisters looked at one another, almost in agreement, and pulled themselves from their resting places. Father had always told them to sleep in the den, for you never knew what might be lurking in the grasses! Mother wasn't quite so worried, and one of them was never too far, anyway. They hadn't managed to explore, they were young and tired easily, but had still managed to spend some time together which was to them, as equally as important. Waddling back to their den, Alizeti looked to her sister. “You know. We look different, an' an we think different, but I think in some ways we are the same!” She chirped.
Machwa gave her a smile and replied gently. “You know what Lizzi, I think you're right.”
WC:1007
