He didn't get too close, but stopped a few feet from her. He looked at her quizzically when she called him "Big Shadow." He hadn't told her his name, so he supposed she had to call him something. "I know your name, but I have not given mine." Bowing his head slightly, "My name is Zareb." He caught a slight familiar smell from her, but also the smell of what must be many cubs. "Adopting cubs? So you are trying to find homes for the cubs you stole? Or maybe there is another story behind your cause." He shook his head and a deep rumble escaped his throat as he chuckled softly. "I suppose I have asked a lot of questions about you." He paused to consider if he had any more, or if her answers would quench his curiousity for now. He decided on one more question, rather a request. "May I.... see the cubs?" he asked softly. He felt a small pang of guilt at the request. Was it selfish of him to ask? He meant no harm, but now that he was here, what if it was meant for him to find her and the cubs. Maybe he was meant to adopt one of them.
Khalima, as dark as she is mysterious still has a small smile on her exotic face as she watches him introduce himself with a politeness she didn't expect. Khalima has never suffered an domineering and respectless male very well nor for very long, he seems to be alright tho. Her ears perk up a bit se he asks to see the cubs, she is not one to bring her cubs out just for the sake of seeing them but her tone is somewhat pleasant even though her voice is jagged with a slight chuckle, still finding the tales of her cub stealing to be amusing. "I do not steal the cubs, however if I find one and no one comes for it within a day, and it is strong enough to follow me here, if it chooses to, I will care for it until I find it a new family, and nooooo Big Shadow may not just seeee the cubs, but I would let this one take one if being a father or a mentor is what one wantsss. It take only an Oath to adopt. " The Jungle has completely fell silent, not even the air is moving. For once the cubs are staying quiet but one little lavender eye is peering from the shadows of Khalima's ferns. Khalima speaks again, more of a seriousness in her demeanor. " One must take an Oath to neeever abandon the cub, To teach the cub not only to survive but to value life... and death. To teach the cub of the Great Circle of Life. Only then will the Jungle of Seecretzs let you leave with one alive... Try and return the cub to me and I will let the Jungle have it." She states, as always making it clear that she only offers her assistance to a cub once. When she said the last part the quiet was jarred by a small gasp within the shrouded ferns behind her.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 4:46 am
MiddyGlow
Chausiku had never been in this part of the jungle before she was nervous to be here but she had heard that there was a lioness here who was protecting cubs and she wanted to see if one of those cubs might want to come with her. She wanted cubs of her own but as she had been raised by females that were not her blood she felt for these cubs and wanted to give them a home like she had been given a home. They never had much but they had enough and she moved on to not be a burden on them
.
Khalima's other worldly senses twinge, telling her that a new lioness has come to the Jungle of Secrets. Her eyes slowly open in the darkness beneath her Favored ferns and she raises up onto her paws, giving a low rumble to signal the cubs to stay hidden. The thick air of the jungle feels so sticky and the movement of a snake on the edge of view has her a bit more alert now. She lets out a brief roar, rugged and edged, to signal that the lioness has been noticed, where Khalima is but it bares no aggression. The Jungle likes to bounce sounds about but this was distinct as to where to go, toward the darkest and deepest part of this seemingly infinite green and the new lioness was not very far away at all, just on the other side of a berm of undergrowth.
Chausiku came into view and she lowered her head out of respect to the other lioness and she said "I'm Chausiku I was once a orphan cub raised by other females, I have heard tales that you care for cubs like I once was, I will not bring the cub back for I understand their pain." She ducked her head feeling like she had said too much too quickly and she needed to slow down. "Well I want you to judge me if you will let me care for a cub and take them to seek a safe pride somewhere.." She smiled "Sorry I am rambling."
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:47 pm
Nefarious Muse
Khalima, as dark as she is mysterious still has a small smile on her exotic face as she watches him introduce himself with a politeness she didn't expect. Khalima has never suffered an domineering and respectless male very well nor for very long, he seems to be alright tho. Her ears perk up a bit se he asks to see the cubs, she is not one to bring her cubs out just for the sake of seeing them but her tone is somewhat pleasant even though her voice is jagged with a slight chuckle, still finding the tales of her cub stealing to be amusing. "I do not steal the cubs, however if I find one and no one comes for it within a day, and it is strong enough to follow me here, if it chooses to, I will care for it until I find it a new family, and nooooo Big Shadow may not just seeee the cubs, but I would let this one take one if being a father or a mentor is what one wantsss. It take only an Oath to adopt. " The Jungle has completely fell silent, not even the air is moving. For once the cubs are staying quiet but one little lavender eye is peering from the shadows of Khalima's ferns. Khalima speaks again, more of a seriousness in her demeanor. " One must take an Oath to neeever abandon the cub, To teach the cub not only to survive but to value life... and death. To teach the cub of the Great Circle of Life. Only then will the Jungle of Seecretzs let you leave with one alive... Try and return the cub to me and I will let the Jungle have it." She states, as always making it clear that she only offers her assistance to a cub once. When she said the last part the quiet was jarred by a small gasp within the shrouded ferns behind her.
He thought carefully about what she had said. He found honor in her quest to find the abandoned cubs a home. Was he up for the responsibility to raise one? It wasn't something he had intended to do when he ventured into the jungle, but now that he was here and had the opportunity, how could he refuse? He stood up tall, raising his head high and shoulders back. He pushed out a long breath of air and filled his lungs with another. "I will. I will take that oath to protect and be a guardian for one of your cubs. I will be a home and safe place for them. I will make it my duty to be a mentor and care for them." His ear perked as he heard the small gasp in the greenery behind the lioness. He watched that spot waiting for a small cub to venture out.
He thought carefully about what she had said. He found honor in her quest to find the abandoned cubs a home. Was he up for the responsibility to raise one? It wasn't something he had intended to do when he ventured into the jungle, but now that he was here and had the opportunity, how could he refuse? He stood up tall, raising his head high and shoulders back. He pushed out a long breath of air and filled his lungs with another. "I will. I will take that oath to protect and be a guardian for one of your cubs. I will be a home and safe place for them. I will make it my duty to be a mentor and care for them." His ear perked as he heard the small gasp in the greenery behind the lioness. He watched that spot waiting for a small cub to venture out.
With that she smiles and Gives a somewhat polite nod to this male lion, he seemed strong and healthy, intelligent and his oath rang true to her. She stood to her paws, her movement had a sort of grace to it and her lean muscled form showed the sure sign of missed meals for the sake of the cubs, but enough travel to keep her fit. She took a few steps forward and rubbed her spotted head on his mane covered chest, marking him temporarily with her rich yet herbal tinted scent, in that moment the jungle started to come back to life with sound. Her eyes lifted to his for a moment "Today, Big Shadow becomes a guardian. Tell Little Shadow Khalima says hello.". With that he turns away and makes a low groan in her chest, a small cub comes bounding from the ferns and skids to a stop in front of him and looking up with her wide lavender eyes. Khalima, like a ghost or a whisper, is just simple gone.
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:06 am
With that she smiles and Gives a somewhat polite nod to this male lion, he seemed strong and healthy, intelligent and his oath rang true to her. She stood to her paws, her movement had a sort of grace to it and her lean muscled form showed the sure sign of missed meals for the sake of the cubs, but enough travel to keep her fit. She took a few steps forward and rubbed her spotted head on his mane covered chest, marking him temporarily with her rich yet herbal tinted scent, in that moment the jungle started to come back to life with sound. Her eyes lifted to his for a moment "Today, Big Shadow becomes a guardian. Tell Little Shadow Khalima says hello.". With that he turns away and makes a low groan in her chest, a small cub comes bounding from the ferns and skids to a stop in front of him and looking up with her wide lavender eyes. Khalima, like a ghost or a whisper, is just simple gone.
((Responding to close the encounter for Zareb)) He held perfectly still as the lioness came closer and her scent enveloped him. He didn't move as she touched her head against him, and when she spoke he curiously furrowed his brow. He still didn't understand why she called him Big Shadow, but his attention was diverted towards the cub now standing in front of him. She looked up at him, her soft eyes staring at him curiously. He looked down at her, taking in the bright orange coat and stark white accents. He was instantly enamored with the little cub. A smile spread across his lips. "Hello," he said to the cub. "My name is Zareb." The cub just sat there looking at him. He started to ask Khalima a question, but after looking around, he realized she was gone. Zareb chuckled and lowered his head to her level. "I guess you and I are stuck with each other now." He guestured with his head back the way he had came and said to her. "Let's go home little one." The cub excitedly ran ahead of him, and as he turned to leave he gave one last look around and whispered, "Thank you, mysterious jungle queen." He followed after the cub as they made their way out of the jungle and back to his home.
Chausiku came into view and she lowered her head out of respect to the other lioness and she said "I'm Chausiku I was once a orphan cub raised by other females, I have heard tales that you care for cubs like I once was, I will not bring the cub back for I understand their pain." She ducked her head feeling like she had said too much too quickly and she needed to slow down. "Well I want you to judge me if you will let me care for a cub and take them to seek a safe pride somewhere.." She smiled "Sorry I am rambling."
Khalima began to walk forward, her jaws opened a moment to take in this lioness' scent. Her eyes seemed to almost glow here in all the dark and green and they seem to look beyond this Chausiku, perhaps the stories of the shaman where true on how they see into an animals being and not just their flesh. She could feel the way this lioness was energetic in the mind, possibly even nervous but that just tells Khalima shes smart. Khalima spoke in her ragged tone as she came closer and closer " Sooo, this one wants a cub. Thiisss one is intelligent and has potential for many things.." Khalima starts to circle the lioness before her, Shoulders rolling under her spotted pelt, her eyes and head staying turned upon her. " Will this one be able to still her mind though? To notice what isn't noticed?"
