Jua, if lions could, blushed at the question and shook his head. "Aah...no..no lionesses or cubs." he said softly, bringing a paw up over his face as if trying to hide it. At her question, though, he remembered what had called him back to her. "I was....here to see you for that reason." he finally said, turning to look at her fondly, like a cub to their mother. "I want to help another, like you helped me find my mother." he said, his heart suddenly pounding so loud he felt like he couldn't hear anything else. He hadn't expected those nerves to hit him so hard and so fast
.
Khalima knew what he meant but she couldn't help but pick on him a little, She got a wry grin and tossed her head back with an insinuating tone and a playful twinkle in those wild orbs of hers " Oh, Wild Lightning! One is muuuch too young for me to be bearing cubs for." She waits a moment and starts laughing, finding herself to be funny in her own dark and sometimes nasty way. With a chuckle still in her tone she speaks again " Yes yes, I know what this one intended, hahahahaaaa. Does Wild Lightning remember the Oath that Little Shadow took the day she brought him home? Wild Lightning must speak the same words before me and the Jungle of Ssseecretsss." Her smile is still plastered to her speckled face and yet she still studies his blue eyes with her still piercing gaze. There was movement in two directions, one on either side of them, hiding in the wide leafed plants that cradled this dark clearing. Two little sets of identically green eyes watched them closely, as if planning a pincer attack in their tiny little heads.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 5:56 am
Nefarious Muse
Khalima raises up into a sit, looking at Makena with a very strange and hard to read expression taking over her face, her eyes a little more hardened. It was a longer story and not exactly a pleasant one. Her speckled head turned and looked at their surroundings a moment then back to Makena. "Quiet Moon has asked for a haarrdd truth and that is a story that little ears with freshly wounded hearts should not hear. Howeeever.." She takes a breath a moment and continues " This one does deserve to know her origin. Soo I propose that after this, we meet up in the edge of the savanna where the marshlands stop and the grass lands start. There I will explain." Then Khalima returned to a softer expression on her exotic face and leans down her smaller head and rubs the top of Makena's head with her nose, Taking in Makena's scent, she can smell Kamara, smell that there is no male in their midst either. Khalima raises her head from the loafing Makena and asks a rather direct question, it isn't surprising for she tends to be more blunt most of the time. " Sooo, speaking of little ears, would this one perhaps be bringing another cub back to your mother? Or wanting one for one's self? There are hopeful little eeeyes watching us."
When Khalima spoke, Makena's eyes misted over, tears threatening, mentally she kicked herself, why couldn't she just have left it alone? .. but it was there now. She closed her eyes as Khalima rubbed her nose on her head, strangely comforting, something she remembered the smaller lioness doing to her as a cub. "My name is Makena now, but Quiet Moon is my heart name" she said smiling, even if it was a little wobbly with emotion. "You're right, of course, im sorry, that is something best discussed when alone" she said, pointedly NOT looking in the direction she had seen the flash of colour from earlier.
"Ah yes...." she replied as Khalima asked HER a question "I..would .." she faltered, unsure of herself now, could she do this? but she heard the voice of Kamara in the back of her head, telling her to trust herself and that she was the strongest lioness she knew, Makena knew her mom was wrong, to her, Kamara was the strongest lioness, she had come somewhere that scared her, to ask someone mysterious for a chance to give a cub, her, a good life, she thought her mom was very brave and strong.
"I.. Yes, i would like to ask if you would allow me to take one of your cubs home, they will be mine to raise but my mother, Kamara, will help, she can always come herself if she wants me to have a sibling" she smirked a little. "I would like to give a young one the chance she gave me" she finally answered fully, feeling a little more confident in herself. She knew the conversation later was going to be a hard one but for now, she would do the second part of the reason she came back.
When Khalima spoke, Makena's eyes misted over, tears threatening, mentally she kicked herself, why couldn't she just have left it alone? .. but it was there now. She closed her eyes as Khalima rubbed her nose on her head, strangely comforting, something she remembered the smaller lioness doing to her as a cub. "My name is Makena now, but Quiet Moon is my heart name" she said smiling, even if it was a little wobbly with emotion. "You're right, of course, im sorry, that is something best discussed when alone" she said, pointedly NOT looking in the direction she had seen the flash of colour from earlier.
"Ah yes...." she replied as Khalima asked HER a question "I..would .." she faltered, unsure of herself now, could she do this? but she heard the voice of Kamara in the back of her head, telling her to trust herself and that she was the strongest lioness she knew, Makena knew her mom was wrong, to her, Kamara was the strongest lioness, she had come somewhere that scared her, to ask someone mysterious for a chance to give a cub, her, a good life, she thought her mom was very brave and strong.
"I.. Yes, i would like to ask if you would allow me to take one of your cubs home, they will be mine to raise but my mother, Kamara, will help, she can always come herself if she wants me to have a sibling" she smirked a little. "I would like to give a young one the chance she gave me" she finally answered fully, feeling a little more confident in herself. She knew the conversation later was going to be a hard one but for now, she would do the second part of the reason she came back.
Khalima felt a pang of sorrow, knowing the details of the story Makena sought was a heavier burden than most would have bared easily, she studied this young and strong lioness as she slowly centered herself, as she spoke. Khalima could literally feel how hard this was in it's own way but the lioness' resolve was good, and Khalima stood with a nod and a slow smile coming onto her muzzle, she thought it was entertaining to hear what Makena said about Kamara coming herself if she wants another cub and was pleased to hear that Makena would be mothering a lost little soul. Khalima will hardly ever use Makena's name, but it was at least a pretty name, and it made he smile to hear that it was her heart name as she put it. Khalima began to speak in her jagged voice "Heart name, I like that. The name this one was given is also a pretty name." She stated before cutting to the chase so to speak. " Quiet Moon must simply take the same Oath that her mother once took before me. To provide for and protect the cub, to never abandon the cub and to teach it of the Circle of life and it's place within its fooolllds. To teach it to vaaalluee life... and death.. and to be grateful of it's blessings. However do not try to return the cub to me later, it will seal it's faaatte for I will let the Jungle have it." Her tone was always serious with the final part, always something she mentioned at the end. She just knew Makena would be a fantastic mother and she was honored to give her a cub that somewhat shared the same lost path.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 7:42 am
Nefarious Muse
Khalima felt a pang of sorrow, knowing the details of the story Makena sought was a heavier burden than most would have bared easily, she studied this young and strong lioness as she slowly centered herself, as she spoke. Khalima could literally feel how hard this was in it's own way but the lioness' resolve was good, and Khalima stood with a nod and a slow smile coming onto her muzzle, she thought it was entertaining to hear what Makena said about Kamara coming herself if she wants another cub and was pleased to hear that Makena would be mothering a lost little soul. Khalima will hardly ever use Makena's name, but it was at least a pretty name, and it made he smile to hear that it was her heart name as she put it. Khalima began to speak in her jagged voice "Heart name, I like that. The name this one was given is also a pretty name." She stated before cutting to the chase so to speak. " Quiet Moon must simply take the same Oath that her mother once took before me. To provide for and protect the cub, to never abandon the cub and to teach it of the Circle of life and it's place within its fooolllds. To teach it to vaaalluee life... and death.. and to be grateful of it's blessings. However do not try to return the cub to me later, it will seal it's faaatte for I will let the Jungle have it." Her tone was always serious with the final part, always something she mentioned at the end. She just knew Makena would be a fantastic mother and she was honored to give her a cub that somewhat shared the same lost path.
When Khalima stood, Makena followed suit, she listened and nodded "I will take the Oath" she said, but stepped forward, leaning her forehead against the smaller female's own and closed her eyes, her voice hardly a breath on the wind "I, Makena, also Quiet Moon, promise to love and care for this lost cub, as fiercely as if it was my own blood, It will never know true hunger or fear as long as it is in my power to provide. I will value life above all, I will teach it to never take the Circle for granted, to take only what is needed for survival for ourselves and those we care about. I swear that this cub will only return to this Jungle of it's own free will like myself, and, like my mother, Kamara, before me, I SWEAR THIS!" She stepped back and roared the last part, not just to Khalima but to the very jungle itself.
When Khalima stood, Makena followed suit, she listened and nodded "I will take the Oath" she said, but stepped forward, leaning her forehead against the smaller female's own and closed her eyes, her voice hardly a breath on the wind "I, Makena, also Quiet Moon, promise to love and care for this lost cub, as fiercely as if it was my own blood, It will never know true hunger or fear as long as it is in my power to provide. I will value life above all, I will teach it to never take the Circle for granted, to take only what is needed for survival for ourselves and those we care about. I swear that this cub will only return to this Jungle of it's own free will like myself, and, like my mother, Kamara, before me, I SWEAR THIS!" She stepped back and roared the last part, not just to Khalima but to the very jungle itself.
A strange tender expression fell into Khalima's eyes as Makena pressed her head to her own, She has always had a soft spot for Makena for several reasons, not just because she was obedient as a cub or for usual reason. The lioness always had a kind of depth to her that was lost on other cubs, and it was something Khalima saw that she carried with her still, She hopes that it never fades with age. As Makena began to speak, the Jungle fell deeply silent, even the insects hushed as if the Jungle wanted to make sure it could hear her words of dedication. When she leaned her head away and roared her final words, Khalima didn't flinch not a single hair, but the leaf cover around them seemed to shiver as if reacting to the Lioness' passion. In that moment they were surrounded with silvery moths that flew up from the foliage under their feet, little wings like reflective blades shimmered in the shaft of light around them, giving this moment a very mystical feeling. The birds and monkeys started making noise again as the Jungle came to life around them, as if it were to respond somehow in it's own mysterious way. Khalima looked up at Makena, eyes brimming with pride because to Khalima, Makena had spoken to one of the only mothers she ever knew, the Jungle of secrets and it was speaking back. In the remaining echos of Makena's roar, Khalima spoke in her rattly and sometimes grating voice, "Congratulations Quiet Moon, You are now a mother and I am so very proud of the Lioness you have become... and ssoo is the Jungle." No sooner had she finished her words when the flashed of teal from earlier became the image of a cub that came bounding up to Makena in all the excitement! That roar was really cool in the opinion of a small cub and spoke of strength. Khalima turned away, this time not vanishing like a ghost of the wild but simply began to walk away into the dark and out of the light where Makena and her new cub now stood, surrounded in glittering silver.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:39 am
Quote:
Nefarious Muse
Fea Line
Jua, if lions could, blushed at the question and shook his head. "Aah...no..no lionesses or cubs." he said softly, bringing a paw up over his face as if trying to hide it. At her question, though, he remembered what had called him back to her. "I was....here to see you for that reason." he finally said, turning to look at her fondly, like a cub to their mother. "I want to help another, like you helped me find my mother." he said, his heart suddenly pounding so loud he felt like he couldn't hear anything else. He hadn't expected those nerves to hit him so hard and so fast
.
Khalima knew what he meant but she couldn't help but pick on him a little, She got a wry grin and tossed her head back with an insinuating tone and a playful twinkle in those wild orbs of hers " Oh, Wild Lightning! One is muuuch too young for me to be bearing cubs for." She waits a moment and starts laughing, finding herself to be funny in her own dark and sometimes nasty way. With a chuckle still in her tone she speaks again " Yes yes, I know what this one intended, hahahahaaaa. Does Wild Lightning remember the Oath that Little Shadow took the day she brought him home? Wild Lightning must speak the same words before me and the Jungle of Ssseecretsss." Her smile is still plastered to her speckled face and yet she still studies his blue eyes with her still piercing gaze. There was movement in two directions, one on either side of them, hiding in the wide leafed plants that cradled this dark clearing. Two little sets of identically green eyes watched them closely, as if planning a pincer attack in their tiny little heads.
It took him a moment before he finally understood after her laughing and he waved his front two paws. "OH NOn o noNoNO! I think...no no..no..not you.." he said before he realized that sounded wrong and he quickly reared back in a bit of a defensed shock. "Not t-t-that you aren't pretty....you are quite lovely.... i..ah..." he fumbled his words again before he shook himself, his mane ruffling. "You are like a second mother!!" he said again before he quieted down, dropping to the floor in an embarrassed slump, paws over his eyes. Only when she finally stoped the teasing and asked hi if he remembered the oath his own adoptive mother took when swearing him in did he dare to peek from beneath one of his paws. "Yes..... i do actually...." he said softly, sort of surprised by himself that he could recall his own mother saying it so precisely. He already felt his heart racing just like it did back then.
It took him a moment before he finally understood after her laughing and he waved his front two paws. "OH NOn o noNoNO! I think...no no..no..not you.." he said before he realized that sounded wrong and he quickly reared back in a bit of a defensed shock. "Not t-t-that you aren't pretty....you are quite lovely.... i..ah..." he fumbled his words again before he shook himself, his mane ruffling. "You are like a second mother!!" he said again before he quieted down, dropping to the floor in an embarrassed slump, paws over his eyes. Only when she finally stoped the teasing and asked hi if he remembered the oath his own adoptive mother took when swearing him in did he dare to peek from beneath one of his paws. "Yes..... i do actually...." he said softly, sort of surprised by himself that he could recall his own mother saying it so precisely. He already felt his heart racing just like it did back then.
She still thought it was the funniest thing how he reacted, how he tried to explain. It kept her slightly chuckling for a bit even after he had answered her question about his memory of the Oath. But in a moment she went suddenly serious, a flash of something intense in her green wild eyes as she looked at where he had flopped. Almost like had hadn't been just laughing what so ever, she gazed upon him and began to speak. "Then rise Wild Lightning, come into ones self and speak the Oath before me aaand the Jungle of Secrets. Tell us the words so those with eyes to see and ears to hear, know of your promise. Do not forget not to try to bring the cub back to me later or else it belongs to the Jungle." She stares at him, almost like a reflection of how intense the Jungle was, swallowing them in darkness all around and falling as still and silent as the dead. Even the near by little lost ones held their tiny breaths for just a moment, it was always eerie how this place and Khalima seemed so at one with each other.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 11:49 am
Nefarious Muse
Fea Line
It took him a moment before he finally understood after her laughing and he waved his front two paws. "OH NOn o noNoNO! I think...no no..no..not you.." he said before he realized that sounded wrong and he quickly reared back in a bit of a defensed shock. "Not t-t-that you aren't pretty....you are quite lovely.... i..ah..." he fumbled his words again before he shook himself, his mane ruffling. "You are like a second mother!!" he said again before he quieted down, dropping to the floor in an embarrassed slump, paws over his eyes. Only when she finally stoped the teasing and asked hi if he remembered the oath his own adoptive mother took when swearing him in did he dare to peek from beneath one of his paws. "Yes..... i do actually...." he said softly, sort of surprised by himself that he could recall his own mother saying it so precisely. He already felt his heart racing just like it did back then.
She still thought it was the funniest thing how he reacted, how he tried to explain. It kept her slightly chuckling for a bit even after he had answered her question about his memory of the Oath. But in a moment she went suddenly serious, a flash of something intense in her green wild eyes as she looked at where he had flopped. Almost like had hadn't been just laughing what so ever, she gazed upon him and began to speak. "Then rise Wild Lightning, come into ones self and speak the Oath before me aaand the Jungle of Secrets. Tell us the words so those with eyes to see and ears to hear, know of your promise. Do not forget not to try to bring the cub back to me later or else it belongs to the Jungle." She stares at him, almost like a reflection of how intense the Jungle was, swallowing them in darkness all around and falling as still and silent as the dead. Even the near by little lost ones held their tiny breaths for just a moment, it was always eerie how this place and Khalima seemed so at one with each other.
Jua, suddenly as if almost feeling the jungle himself, stood up straight, nodding his head as he took a few moments to calm himself. He then recalled the image of his own mother, Giza, Little Shadow, recalling the oath she had said. "I, Jua, also known as Wild Lightning, promise to love, care and provide for this lost cub so long as I live. It will never know hunger, fear or lonesomeness. He or she will respect the circle of life and the pride ways, knowing that should something happen to me, he or she will not be returned here, but will have many more family to care for him or her inside the pride. Starting with my own mother." he nodded, before giving a faint smile. "I also promise....not to meet the great ancestors any time soon so that they may have a father for as long as the land allows me to be." he added, giving a soft gruff roar of determination.
Jua, suddenly as if almost feeling the jungle himself, stood up straight, nodding his head as he took a few moments to calm himself. He then recalled the image of his own mother, Giza, Little Shadow, recalling the oath she had said. "I, Jua, also known as Wild Lightning, promise to love, care and provide for this lost cub so long as I live. It will never know hunger, fear or lonesomeness. He or she will respect the circle of life and the pride ways, knowing that should something happen to me, he or she will not be returned here, but will have many more family to care for him or her inside the pride. Starting with my own mother." he nodded, before giving a faint smile. "I also promise....not to meet the great ancestors any time soon so that they may have a father for as long as the land allows me to be." he added, giving a soft gruff roar of determination
.
A slow and proud smile came over her muzzle, how he had grown both outside and inside too. The very spark of his inner light, grew from a flicker into the large and well rounded lion she saw before her. When he roared at the end the Jungles seemed like it roared back, a flood of sounds from insects to howler monkeys erupted all around them in a wave of pure Jungle ambience. Khalima Smiled, watching as the Jungle spoke in it's own clear words. "Congratulations Wild Lightning, this one is now a father of twin girls." She said with an absolutely huge grin on her face, she was not only sending one with him, but why split up twins? She was sending him two. From either side, simultaneously each cub popped out of the foliage to come and say hello to their new daddy. Khalima turned away and headed toward her ferns which weren't very far, she never says goodbye to cubs she adopts out, because she knows one day, she may see them again. She didn't vanish this time, merely began to saunter away. Note: you do not have to give away one of them unless you want too. per thread rules.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 3:24 pm
Zarie had decided a while ago she wanted to adopt a cub like herself to give it unconditional love and protect like her adopted Father and Mother had given her. She used to think when she was younger how different her life would have been if she stayed in the Jungle of Secrets. She knew Khalima was there to protect her and the others, but her life would have been very different if she had stayed.
Her father understood her need to go and followed discreetly even though she was full grown he still saw her as his little girl and nothing she did would change that. She just sighed and continued on her journey.
The first step she took as she entered the Jungle felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. She sniffed the air, felt the vibrations and hum of the jungle beneath her feet and looked around cautiously. Even though Khalima prowled this land other beasts were around not that she was afraid, her father taught her well.
Turning around to look at her father she gave him a look and she continued on her journey alone. He knew she needed to do this alone but she also knew a part of him wanted to be here. That thought made her pause just for a moment before continuing on.
It didn't take her long to come to a place she knew all to well, it is where she played and slept as a cub. Cautiously she lowered her head and sniffed. She knew Khalima would be close but where that lioness was that was the question Zarie didn't have an answer to.
She kept her gaze sweeping, sniffing the air waitng for Khalima.......
Zarie had decided a while ago she wanted to adopt a cub like herself to give it unconditional love and protect like her adopted Father and Mother had given her. She used to think when she was younger how different her life would have been if she stayed in the Jungle of Secrets. She knew Khalima was there to protect her and the others, but her life would have been very different if she had stayed.
Her father understood her need to go and followed discreetly even though she was full grown he still saw her as his little girl and nothing she did would change that. She just sighed and continued on her journey.
The first step she took as she entered the Jungle felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. She sniffed the air, felt the vibrations and hum of the jungle beneath her feet and looked around cautiously. Even though Khalima prowled this land other beasts were around not that she was afraid, her father taught her well.
Turning around to look at her father she gave him a look and she continued on her journey alone. He knew she needed to do this alone but she also knew a part of him wanted to be here. That thought made her pause just for a moment before continuing on.
It didn't take her long to come to a place she knew all to well, it is where she played and slept as a cub. Cautiously she lowered her head and sniffed. She knew Khalima would be close but where that lioness was that was the question Zarie didn't have an answer to.
She kept her gaze sweeping, sniffing the air waitng for Khalima.......
Khalima could feel a presence within her Jungle, something familiar but yet something new all at the same time. She laid with her eyes half lidded in the darkness of her favored ferns and grunted at the cubs to cause them to scatter and hide, for a lion was in her Jungle. She stayed there for a while, completely shrouded in deep green shadow when Zarie had come into view, standing at the edge of the very place where she had been cleaned, fed and played with other cubs. The same place she had also been adopted by her loving father and where the last time she saw Khalima, slipping away into the dark of the Jungle. While Zarie scanned and scented the air, Khalima got a smile on her muzzle and slipped out from under the deep ferns, coming into view. It was one of the cubs she had rescued and looking upon Zarie, she was just as beautiful as Khalima had figured she would be with her orange coiling fern frond markings and her olive green eyes. The Jungle didn't seem to mind Zarie's presence nor did it seem to send anything to lash out at Kwesi who had waited at the border of this thick and harsh place. Khalima walked forward to Zarie with a murr in her jagged tone as she spoke, her exotic spotting shifting as her shoulder blades rolled under them. She always had this wild way she looked and that hadn't changed one bit. "Well if it isn't Small Story, baaack to see her grumpy caretaker of the paaasstt! How are your parents? Is your faaather still as bonded with your mother as I could feel back then?"
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 11:56 am
Zarie knew better than to let her guard down, even though Khalima knew her, had raised her until she was adopted, she knew that Khalima could be very unpredictable. Agreeable one moment, Unwilling almost discordant.
A voice came off to the side of her and Zarie nearly jumped, but she kept her composure. Turning to her right she saw Khalima move towards her with that measured step she remembered from when she was a cub. She walked with a purpose, one that you never could figure out. She exuded power and that required respect.
The words floated to her on the soft breeze and Zarie lowered her head slightly and answered.
"Small Story?" this puzzled her but she continued on. I have returned to the place where I was cared for in the hopes of adopting a cub of my own. I have no mate and do not plan to have one as of this time. I know that is unusual but then again so are my parents". "My parents are doing very well, thank you for asking" "Yes my Father is still mate bonded to my Mother and will not entertain any other female nor will my Mother entertain any other male. The only way either is even allowed near is if they are a cub, adol or injured and require safety until healed".
"I am sure you are aware my Father is at the boundary before entering the jungle, he knew I had to do this alone, but his overprotectiveness instincts kicked in and he journeyed here with me"
Zarie could not see any cubs but she knew they were near. Khalima would have given a growl and off they would scramble to hide until she deemed it safe to venture out. Her tail was twitching nervously as was a habit she developed.
Zarie knew better than to let her guard down, even though Khalima knew her, had raised her until she was adopted, she knew that Khalima could be very unpredictable. Agreeable one moment, Unwilling almost discordant.
A voice came off to the side of her and Zarie nearly jumped, but she kept her composure. Turning to her right she saw Khalima move towards her with that measured step she remembered from when she was a cub. She walked with a purpose, one that you never could figure out. She exuded power and that required respect.
The words floated to her on the soft breeze and Zarie lowered her head slightly and answered.
"Small Story?" this puzzled her but she continued on. I have returned to the place where I was cared for in the hopes of adopting a cub of my own. I have no mate and do not plan to have one as of this time. I know that is unusual but then again so are my parents". "My parents are doing very well, thank you for asking" "Yes my Father is still mate bonded to my Mother and will not entertain any other female nor will my Mother entertain any other male. The only way either is even allowed near is if they are a cub, adol or injured and require safety until healed".
"I am sure you are aware my Father is at the boundary before entering the jungle, he knew I had to do this alone, but his overprotectiveness instincts kicked in and he journeyed here with me"
Zarie could not see any cubs but she knew they were near. Khalima would have given a growl and off they would scramble to hide until she deemed it safe to venture out. Her tail was twitching nervously as was a habit she developed.
Khalima strolled right up to Zarie and was smaller than was probably recalled, only being about neck high to most other lionesses. She seemed to have a pleasant expression on her face as she studied Zarie's nervous twitch, being alert was a good habit especially in the Jungle of Secrets. She stopped a couple of feet away and tilted her speckled head upward to look at Zarie and finally responded, her voice just as jagged to hear as always but kept a faint purr in it somewhere. "Smaaaall Story's father and mother are indeed unique but each lion to their own, I see they trained this one's senses well." She nodded and continued " Yes I feeeel The presence of this one's father at the border, it is good he is protective of his family, it is his job after all." She slowly sits onto her haunches as the Jungle began to get slowly quieter and quieter and she spoke again " Small Story has grown into such a pretty lioness and come to meee seeking a cub has she?" A small smile on her muzzle graces her face and she seemed to be rather relaxed at this time, but those piercing green eyes just feel like they are looking at much more than flesh and fur somehow.
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:09 pm
Remembering her Father's words she allowed Khalima to come up as close as she wished and didn't flinch. Khalima was considered to be the "Queen" of this place, at least that is what she thought after her Father had explained how and why she was there with Khalima.
As she awaited Khalima to finish speaking, she noticed the jungle becoming quieter the more Khalima moved about. The moment she sat on her haunches it became even more quiet. Zarie was absolutely stunned at this.
Looking directly at Khalima, Zarie saw something in those mesmerizing green eyes of hers, like she was being drawn in. Blinking quickly, the trance like state she felt was lifted and she thought she saw a smile on her muzzle right before she stared into those eyes.
The words spoken by Khalima floated on the air until it reached her ears, she thought for a few moments before speaking.
"I have come seeking you to obtain your permission to adopt a cub" "My parents raised me with love, devotion, and respect for all around us. I wish to pass this on to a cub of my own" she looked directly at her when she spoke. Her body relaxed, non threatening in anyway. She knew Khalima was not done scrutinizing her. She wouldn't give her any reason to see her unfit to adopt.
Remembering her Father's words she allowed Khalima to come up as close as she wished and didn't flinch. Khalima was considered to be the "Queen" of this place, at least that is what she thought after her Father had explained how and why she was there with Khalima.
As she awaited Khalima to finish speaking, she noticed the jungle becoming quieter the more Khalima moved about. The moment she sat on her haunches it became even more quiet. Zarie was absolutely stunned at this.
Looking directly at Khalima, Zarie saw something in those mesmerizing green eyes of hers, like she was being drawn in. Blinking quickly, the trance like state she felt was lifted and she thought she saw a smile on her muzzle right before she stared into those eyes.
The words spoken by Khalima floated on the air until it reached her ears, she thought for a few moments before speaking.
"I have come seeking you to obtain your permission to adopt a cub" "My parents raised me with love, devotion, and respect for all around us. I wish to pass this on to a cub of my own" she looked directly at her when she spoke. Her body relaxed, non threatening in anyway. She knew Khalima was not done scrutinizing her. She wouldn't give her any reason to see her unfit to adopt.
Khalima smiled still, she could see that Zarie didn't remember terribly much about her, and Khalima was mostly a mysterious stranger in many ways to the young lioness. Khalima could see the spark in Zarie's olive green eyes, one of determination, truth, one of caution and self control. It wasn't uncommon for lions and animals alike to be nervous around Khalima. She felt dark, she felt unpredictable and wild in a way that many saw as dangerous, but that played in her favor while trying to protect lost cubs. She opened her jaws lightly, drawing in Zarie's scent, tasting those she's been around, where she has been and yet she still had a smell that was just all Zarie. Khalima remembers it well from times she cleaned the lioness as a cub, but she has developed so much that there were many things that were unfamiliar about Zarie. She finally spoke, her tone wasn't sharp, just naturally edged with rasp "Thiiisss one's heart is strooonngg, like her father's and her words ring true in my ears. The great Circle has been respected by Small Story, the Jungle of sseeecrettss sees this and is pleased by the efforts of thiisss one's parents... and of Small Story's bravery. I have a cub that would be fitting. I do have one question." She raises her head a bit, still eye locked with Zarie." This is just out of curiosity, how much do you remember of you time here? or am I more of a story than a memory? Your answer wont effect if this one gets a cub or not." The intensity of her gaze lessens and seems to simply look quizzical, relaxing their piercing clutch.
