Ashanti gave the slightest of sighs as the other spoke, relieved she was in the right place. And though the other lioness seemed strange, she would not judge. Certainly a shaman who lived in the jungle would have their own special way of being.
Sand Paws? Well, that was an apt enough name.
“I’m not here for guidance or medicine, though I am certain both are of the highest quality. Instead I,... well, I have heard that you take in orphaned cubs.” There was no point beating around the bush. Ashanti knew she was better off getting straight to the point and she made her plea with feeling.
“My heart has room for more love and I am here to adopt one as my own, if you find me worthy.”
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 6:49 am
belloblossom
Nomvula walked with purpose through the jungle, trying to keep her paws from sliding through the slippery foliage or to let herself be addled by the sight of lion bones. Was this jungle more dangerous than she gave it credit for? She began to move more slowly, unafraid of being seen or noticed, but more careful now, lest she trip and fall down an abruptly steep cliffside in the jungle. She was just seeing her life weave itself together, she wasn't going to let one misstep cause her end.
My life will not end in tragedy. She thought, her expression set in determination.
In moving slower and putting more focus into her surroundings, she was quicker to notice the other lioness who was standing nearby. She stilled as she took in the appearance of the spotted lioness and then she allowed herself some part of relief and she smiled at the other.
"Your spots hide you from sight so well in this dense foliage, I almost didn't see you." She inclined her head politely. "My name is Nomvula and it pleases me to see you."
Khalima looked upon this interesting Lioness, colored like prey but yet her presence was very much not. Her piercing green eyes gazed deeply into Nomvula, seeing much more than just the flesh and fur and her expression was very much hard to read. Khalima was known for her unpredictability and for many stories, Tales of her bringing medicine to those in need out of nowhere, of her harboring lost cubs and sometimes other baby animals and also fables of her dark and eerie rituals. Many whisper their own ideas, like she is a murderer and the bones of the Jungle are all from her, some even say she steals the cubs she harbors from their parents when they are old enough to eat flesh. Nomvula would just have to find out the truth for herself today. Khalima speaks to this new lioness from where she stands, her voice was mostly unpleasant in sound but not in intention. " I could be colored like the very sun it's self and this Jungle could still hide me within it's endless daaark, but I thank this one for her candor. This one speaks with a resonance like that of high blood, It is unusual for a Rogue, but veeerryy interesting. " Khalima is not moved much by pretty well any kind of flattery and high bloods at times used it to break the ice, but she is not offended either, it beats them being rude and idiotic by far. She gives a tilted bow of her spotted head in return, then back up, however those green orbs of her never leave Nomvula. " Bluestem is very brave for coming this far into the Jungle of Sssecrets, It enjoooyyys the flesh of the living after all" She calls Nomvula Bluestem, a type of grass Antelope favor to eat in Africa and grows prevalent in the wet seasons. One of her little nicknames that will stick forever in Khalimas mind.
Ashanti gave the slightest of sighs as the other spoke, relieved she was in the right place. And though the other lioness seemed strange, she would not judge. Certainly a shaman who lived in the jungle would have their own special way of being.
Sand Paws? Well, that was an apt enough name.
“I’m not here for guidance or medicine, though I am certain both are of the highest quality. Instead I,... well, I have heard that you take in orphaned cubs.” There was no point beating around the bush. Ashanti knew she was better off getting straight to the point and she made her plea with feeling.
“My heart has room for more love and I am here to adopt one as my own, if you find me worthy.”
Khalima, hearing the words from Ashanti was a little disappointed she couldn't toy with her more, but Ashanti's directness was refreshing in it's self too. She Immediately began to close the gap between them, not rushing Ashanti but simply strolling towards her, shoulder blades rolling under her strangely spotted pelt. Her body was fit and athletic for a lioness as small as she was but also ribs were slightly seeable from many nights of ensuring the cubs had plenty to eat. She spoke as she drew closer " Well then, let me take a look at Sand Paws and see what there is to seeee." Her scent came to Ashanti upon a faint breeze, she smelled of many cubs, many herbs, mud and of all things, smoke. Once she reached Ashanti she began to circle around her and slowing her pace, her anklets made a soft metallic sound as she moved and her shawl managed to not snag a single thing. She opened her jaws and drew in Ashanti's scent, tasting at where she had been as she looked this lioness over. "Hhhmmmmmmmm"
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 11:30 am
Nefarious Muse
belloblossom
Nomvula walked with purpose through the jungle, trying to keep her paws from sliding through the slippery foliage or to let herself be addled by the sight of lion bones. Was this jungle more dangerous than she gave it credit for? She began to move more slowly, unafraid of being seen or noticed, but more careful now, lest she trip and fall down an abruptly steep cliffside in the jungle. She was just seeing her life weave itself together, she wasn't going to let one misstep cause her end.
My life will not end in tragedy. She thought, her expression set in determination.
In moving slower and putting more focus into her surroundings, she was quicker to notice the other lioness who was standing nearby. She stilled as she took in the appearance of the spotted lioness and then she allowed herself some part of relief and she smiled at the other.
"Your spots hide you from sight so well in this dense foliage, I almost didn't see you." She inclined her head politely. "My name is Nomvula and it pleases me to see you."
Khalima looked upon this interesting Lioness, colored like prey but yet her presence was very much not. Her piercing green eyes gazed deeply into Nomvula, seeing much more than just the flesh and fur and her expression was very much hard to read. Khalima was known for her unpredictability and for many stories, Tales of her bringing medicine to those in need out of nowhere, of her harboring lost cubs and sometimes other baby animals and also fables of her dark and eerie rituals. Many whisper their own ideas, like she is a murderer and the bones of the Jungle are all from her, some even say she steals the cubs she harbors from their parents when they are old enough to eat flesh. Nomvula would just have to find out the truth for herself today. Khalima speaks to this new lioness from where she stands, her voice was mostly unpleasant in sound but not in intention. " I could be colored like the very sun it's self and this Jungle could still hide me within it's endless daaark, but I thank this one for her candor. This one speaks with a resonance like that of high blood, It is unusual for a Rogue, but veeerryy interesting. " Khalima is not moved much by pretty well any kind of flattery and high bloods at times used it to break the ice, but she is not offended either, it beats them being rude and idiotic by far. She gives a tilted bow of her spotted head in return, then back up, however those green orbs of her never leave Nomvula. " Bluestem is very brave for coming this far into the Jungle of Sssecrets, It enjoooyyys the flesh of the living after all" She calls Nomvula Bluestem, a type of grass Antelope favor to eat in Africa and grows prevalent in the wet seasons. One of her little nicknames that will stick forever in Khalimas mind.
Nomvula dipped her head graciously when the other lioness mentioned the ways the jungle would continue to protect her no matter her coat. Fortunately, it didn't seem as though an apology was being requested; no offense had been caused.
Her ears perked up a little when the manner in which she spoke was brought up and she smiled a little, though she inwardly felt sheepish at being caught. "I don't mean to condescend with my intonation; I was taught by my own mother, long ago, that pretty words often led to prettier results - or rather..." She tilted her head, considering the bluntness of the lesson, before reciting and taking on her mother's accent. "If ye how to be proper, yer less likely to get your brains bashed." She flicked her ears of the embarrassment, and snapped to attention at the last tidbit that the lioness put forward. Never mind the rudeness of not being addressed by her own name, nor the way that the lioness didn't offer her own.
"The Jungle enjoys the flesh of the living." She repeated. "In the same way that the lions of the Night Plains do?" If she was looking at a cannibal lion, she wasn't certain that she'd be able to make it out of here, between the tricky terrain and the knowledge that if this lioness was dangerous, she knew the jungle far better than Nomvula did.
Nomvula dipped her head graciously when the other lioness mentioned the ways the jungle would continue to protect her no matter her coat. Fortunately, it didn't seem as though an apology was being requested; no offense had been caused.
Her ears perked up a little when the manner in which she spoke was brought up and she smiled a little, though she inwardly felt sheepish at being caught. "I don't mean to condescend with my intonation; I was taught by my own mother, long ago, that pretty words often led to prettier results - or rather..." She tilted her head, considering the bluntness of the lesson, before reciting and taking on her mother's accent. "If ye how to be proper, yer less likely to get your brains bashed." She flicked her ears of the embarrassment, and snapped to attention at the last tidbit that the lioness put forward. Never mind the rudeness of not being addressed by her own name, nor the way that the lioness didn't offer her own.
"The Jungle enjoys the flesh of the living." She repeated. "In the same way that the lions of the Night Plains do?" If she was looking at a cannibal lion, she wasn't certain that she'd be able to make it out of here, between the tricky terrain and the knowledge that if this lioness was dangerous, she knew the jungle far better than Nomvula did.
Khalima started to get a somewhat wry smile as Nomvula made the impression of her mother, it was funny to her and the enjoyed the humor, allowing the tension of the situation to slip away more. Then Nomvula repeated Khalimas words, then asked a very important question, which actually made Khalima chuckle, her eyes gleaming with entertainment as she replied "It is but a Jungle Bluestem, it isn't too picky. Now me? I eat prey like any respectable lion. Nightplainers are a twisted sort, ruled by a heartless war beast. Probably some of the reasons I find cubs, if any survive his.... appetite.." Her tone became a bit disgusted at the end of her sentence, but she had no reason to offer this lioness any harm. "well if it isn't the Cannibals, it is the rains and floods or hyenas among things." She casually stated, starting to close the gap between them with a leisurely stroll, her green shawl falling to one side of her body, fit in ways but thin in others for feeding cubs comes before feeding herself sometimes.. and short, she was not a very big lioness. "so, this one comes seeking a cub does she? " How did she know this Lioness' intentions? Other than lions don't come here for any other reason, they don't come to just talk to Khalima, so she figures it is the reason so she had cut to the point. Khalima was not known for a chatty nature after all.
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 3:02 pm
Nefarious Muse
belloblossom
Nomvula dipped her head graciously when the other lioness mentioned the ways the jungle would continue to protect her no matter her coat. Fortunately, it didn't seem as though an apology was being requested; no offense had been caused.
Her ears perked up a little when the manner in which she spoke was brought up and she smiled a little, though she inwardly felt sheepish at being caught. "I don't mean to condescend with my intonation; I was taught by my own mother, long ago, that pretty words often led to prettier results - or rather..." She tilted her head, considering the bluntness of the lesson, before reciting and taking on her mother's accent. "If ye how to be proper, yer less likely to get your brains bashed." She flicked her ears of the embarrassment, and snapped to attention at the last tidbit that the lioness put forward. Never mind the rudeness of not being addressed by her own name, nor the way that the lioness didn't offer her own.
"The Jungle enjoys the flesh of the living." She repeated. "In the same way that the lions of the Night Plains do?" If she was looking at a cannibal lion, she wasn't certain that she'd be able to make it out of here, between the tricky terrain and the knowledge that if this lioness was dangerous, she knew the jungle far better than Nomvula did.
Khalima started to get a somewhat wry smile as Nomvula made the impression of her mother, it was funny to her and the enjoyed the humor, allowing the tension of the situation to slip away more. Then Nomvula repeated Khalimas words, then asked a very important question, which actually made Khalima chuckle, her eyes gleaming with entertainment as she replied "It is but a Jungle Bluestem, it isn't too picky. Now me? I eat prey like any respectable lion. Nightplainers are a twisted sort, ruled by a heartless war beast. Probably some of the reasons I find cubs, if any survive his.... appetite.." Her tone became a bit disgusted at the end of her sentence, but she had no reason to offer this lioness any harm. "well if it isn't the Cannibals, it is the rains and floods or hyenas among things." She casually stated, starting to close the gap between them with a leisurely stroll, her green shawl falling to one side of her body, fit in ways but thin in others for feeding cubs comes before feeding herself sometimes.. and short, she was not a very big lioness. "so, this one comes seeking a cub does she? " How did she know this Lioness' intentions? Other than lions don't come here for any other reason, they don't come to just talk to Khalima, so she figures it is the reason so she had cut to the point. Khalima was not known for a chatty nature after all.
Nomvula did relax when the lioness explained that the jungle was just a jungle, and she was just a spotted lioness that ate prey like any other. She nodded along with her words concerning the leader and lions of the NightPlains - it reassured her to know that whoever this lioness was, peculiar though she may be, that she wasn't aligned with the NightPlains lion-eaters.
"It can certainly be a challenging world to grow up in." She said by way of agreement. Tragedy was abound in their world. "All the better to find a pride to give you safety. I've been particular about the one I've settled on. The Dawnlands... are you as familiar with them as you are the Nightplains?" She asked.
When the mention of a cub was brought up, she blinked in surprise. She hadn't really considered one, but she smiled. "I would not refuse a cub, if you had one to spare." She replied. A gift for the Empress, a promise for the Dawnlands ranks, or even another to add to her harem to be, a cub could be quite promising and if this stranger just had one lying around, who was she to say no? "Is it one you've had yourself, or a foundling? I carry no preference, merely curiosity." She added.
For a moment, Chaaya thought about it, silent and calm. Quiet and still. It wasn't a quiet of refusal but sincere consideration. But there was something in Chaaya's eyes that wasn't cold. Something in his eyes that wasn't lost. It lit with a fire, not of destruction but determination - a thought of another. Chaaya's mind did what it did when he looked into his mother's eyes and saw that loving warmth. No, this time it heard words, words he understood. One he related to. Abandoned. Orp[haned, perhaps. But abandoned.
It reminded Chaaya perhaps not of his mother, but... Himself. OIf realizaing his own father abandoned them as weak, because his mother was a kind soul. Chaaya could be quiet, perhaps even a bit attatched to bones a bit much, but he wasn't... Cruel.
Maybe, he was incapable because he inherited a form of his mother's warmth. Her love. Or maybe it was because one of the most saavage lions of the Serengeti came to a gentle soul and somehow, impossibly, it tempered one cub just right 0 strength. Power. And Compassion. Chaaya looked Khalima in the eyes and spoke, voice even and surprisingly quiet.
"I know what being abandoned feels like. My father abandoned my mopther, sister, and I before we were born. And... I will accept your challenge. I will adopt a cub." Chaaya nodded, calm. But his voice carried conviction., "And - they will know love. Mine. A grandmother as well. They will be wanted and safe. Protected."
A pause, Chaaya feeling a strange and new feeling. Perhaps not even meeting a nrew child, a feeling he did not know himself capable of.
"They will... Be my son or daughter." Because he did not care gender. He woiuld love and empower them. He would.. Be better.
A pleased expression came to Khalima's usually unreadable face, she reached a paw forward, stained with the smells of herbs and the Jungle floor and lightly pawed at the big lions dark nose, her paw was soft and with no claw to be felt. She did have a playful streak to her at times, and funny enough she rather liked Chaaya, though she only knew so much about him, his resolve spoke to her. Her tail slid back and fourth behind her, rustling in the the greenery as she spoke again, even though she had a very Zira-ish voice she wasn't being harsh as the evil lioness of old, there was a small amount of laughter in her tone. " Well first, rise up silliness and look down upon me from this one's tall tower. Daaarrk Shadow does not frighten me, but you must sit up for the right of passage. There is still something one must hear, one must know and one must say." She instructed him, her eyes were wild but at the same time warmer than most would have expected. The jungle around them grew quiet, birds silencing, insects hushing until all was still about them. "One must rise and take an oath, That Dark Shadow will provide and protect the cub, that one will teach it to value the Circle of Life and teach it about its place in it. Know this, do not attempt to bring a cub back to me here or I will let the jungle have it." Her words ended somewhat harshly but it was to detour others from changing their minds later. She wouldn't actually leave it, but they don't know that, and she likes to remain unpredictable.
Chaaya rose c with grace, not to be dramatic - but caution., Care. Small faces may watch and he didn't want to frighten them. He didn't want to be his father. He wanted...
To be a father with love and care. He stood at his full height. He was sleek and muscular, smiling at Khalima's paw as he gently poawed back, no claws, no danger. Gentle, and playful. Chaaya also understood oaths. He understood their importance.
"I swear," Chaaya began in a soft, warm rumble, a sound like a warm fireplace, were sany to know, or perhaps - a sound warmed by a sunny day, an aspecially nice rock, "to protect the cub with my very life. To love them as they are my own. To teach them of the Circle of Life and their place in it. I will guide them with love and compassion - nor will I ever bring cubs into this place., I will not allow cubs to be alone."
It was... A promise. He spoke the words with meaning. He agreed and agreed with theior intent. And - he was willing not only to pledge for this little one. Khalima well may have earned eyes to protect lost cubs elsewhere in the Savannah as his own. Chaaya was taking it seriously - understanding the importance of them. And what to do if he foind more lost little ones. Perhaps something to protect - purpose. Direction.
It burned in his eyes like fire. Purpose.
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 11:11 pm
Ashanti stood steady as Khalima approached, the tip of her tail only flickering slightly and giving away her anxiety. But inside her gut was churning, hoping the other found her favourable.
As the other gave a long drawn out ‘hhhmmmmmmmm’, Ashanti finally broke her silence, stumbling a bit over her words as she hurriedly explained, “I-I have experience. I’ve had cubs before, all happy and healthy. But they’re growing so big now, all ready to see the world, and I thought, maybe I could care for someone else now instead.”
It would be so depressing to return home alone but she would respect Khalima’s decision regardless. She just hoped the other lioness found her worthy.
Nefarious Muse
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 4:43 pm
Nefarious Muse
Chausiku was overjoyed with the sight of the cub that tackled her leg, and she rubbed her face against the cub happily. "Thank you for doing this. Giving cubs a chance at finding a family is everything." She voiced. "Alright, little one let's go find some food and a place to bed down for the night." She said warmly to the little cub and she would have to figure out a name for the little guy.
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 5:30 pm
Nefarious Muse
Zahra stepped lightly into the jungle. This place felt so familiar yet so different as she had once called this home for a time. She remembered being here as a cub, her short time with Khalima and being adopted by her father Zareb. She had never returned since that day, but found herself here again as if by fate. She ventured into the dense forest, her senses on high alert. She wasn't sure if she could remember the way but she hoped to gain some sort of bearring as to where she was going the further she went. It wasn't long until she caught a faint scent on the breeze that seemed to beckon her toward it. It was like an old friend, calling out to her.
Nomvula did relax when the lioness explained that the jungle was just a jungle, and she was just a spotted lioness that ate prey like any other. She nodded along with her words concerning the leader and lions of the NightPlains - it reassured her to know that whoever this lioness was, peculiar though she may be, that she wasn't aligned with the NightPlains lion-eaters.
"It can certainly be a challenging world to grow up in." She said by way of agreement. Tragedy was abound in their world. "All the better to find a pride to give you safety. I've been particular about the one I've settled on. The Dawnlands... are you as familiar with them as you are the Nightplains?" She asked.
When the mention of a cub was brought up, she blinked in surprise. She hadn't really considered one, but she smiled. "I would not refuse a cub, if you had one to spare." She replied. A gift for the Empress, a promise for the Dawnlands ranks, or even another to add to her harem to be, a cub could be quite promising and if this stranger just had one lying around, who was she to say no? "Is it one you've had yourself, or a foundling? I carry no preference, merely curiosity." She added.
Khalima Sat near Nomvula, curling her tail neatly around her paws, her eyes were lightly lidded in a more relaxed state as she listened to what the other lioness had to say. She responded to the first question, tipping her head back some and looking up at the dripping canopy that shrouded and engulfed this place " Aaaahh yes, The Dawnlands. A unique twist on living in an old waaayyy. They seem peaceful enough and have never confronted me while I traveled through their territory. I have noott had to assist them in anything yet but I suppose that is a good sign. " She untipped her spectly head some, looking up at the taller lioness a small smile curled her lips. "I have had no cubs of my own, It is one I found on a river bank like a washed up meerkat. Well the process is simple for Bluestem to have the cub. One bust take an oath before me and the Jungle of Sseecretss. That Bluestem will not abandon the cub, that she will provide for it and teach it of the ciiiircle of life and about its place within it. But know this pretty one, do not attempt to bring the cub back to me, or I will let the jungle have it" Some think her cruel for the last part, but Khalima doesn't care what others think, she doesn't want this choice to be something that others think they can go back on, It gives a weight to it. In the ferns just behind Khalima there is movement and flashes of greys and white, stalking it's pretend prey which is Khalima for now. Soft gold tinted eyes watch the two of them carefully from the darkness under the fern fronds. Khalima flicks an ear backwards at the brazen cub, disobeying her and stalking her but she stays with her eyes and focus fixed on Nomvula.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 8:58 am
Eos Galvus
Chaaya rose c with grace, not to be dramatic - but caution., Care. Small faces may watch and he didn't want to frighten them. He didn't want to be his father. He wanted...
To be a father with love and care. He stood at his full height. He was sleek and muscular, smiling at Khalima's paw as he gently poawed back, no claws, no danger. Gentle, and playful. Chaaya also understood oaths. He understood their importance.
"I swear," Chaaya began in a soft, warm rumble, a sound like a warm fireplace, were sany to know, or perhaps - a sound warmed by a sunny day, an aspecially nice rock, "to protect the cub with my very life. To love them as they are my own. To teach them of the Circle of Life and their place in it. I will guide them with love and compassion - nor will I ever bring cubs into this place., I will not allow cubs to be alone."
It was... A promise. He spoke the words with meaning. He agreed and agreed with theior intent. And - he was willing not only to pledge for this little one. Khalima well may have earned eyes to protect lost cubs elsewhere in the Savannah as his own. Chaaya was taking it seriously - understanding the importance of them. And what to do if he foind more lost little ones. Perhaps something to protect - purpose. Direction.
It burned in his eyes like fire. Purpose.
Khalima wrinkles her nose in a playful way at Chaaya's pawing, This big guy gives her hope in a strange way, that somewhere, out there in all of Africa there might be a male she would have cubs with for she has never had any of her own. It was but a fleeting thought, as that topic always is with her. Then he rose, up, up and up he went and her head tilted up and up in kind, his size nor anything about him frightened her, then again not much scares Khalima anyway. She watched as his eyes were alight with truth, resolve and a deeper meaning to his words. His words rang true in the strange silence that had fallen in this dense place and there was a strange feeling like the Jungle it's self approved. Once he had swore his Oath, Khalima raised up as tall as she could without getting onto her rear legs and rubbed her head on this brawny Males chest, marking him with her herb stained scent. Once she did, the jungle came back to life with sound, birds from all through the canopy calling out in their exotic tongue. She then stood and turned away from him and lowered her head, she gave a soft thrilling call to the wide leafed plants near by where the cub at sat watching. The cub then sprinted forward and up to him in flashes of pink and cherry blossoms, looking up to him with hopeful purple eyes without fear. Khalima was like a ghost, or perhaps a spirit for if he were to look to Khalima again, she is just simply gone. With no paw prints to be seen, just the remnants of a raspy chuckle ricocheting through the trees.
Ashanti stood steady as Khalima approached, the tip of her tail only flickering slightly and giving away her anxiety. But inside her gut was churning, hoping the other found her favourable.
As the other gave a long drawn out ‘hhhmmmmmmmm’, Ashanti finally broke her silence, stumbling a bit over her words as she hurriedly explained, “I-I have experience. I’ve had cubs before, all happy and healthy. But they’re growing so big now, all ready to see the world, and I thought, maybe I could care for someone else now instead.”
It would be so depressing to return home alone but she would respect Khalima’s decision regardless. She just hoped the other lioness found her worthy.
Nefarious Muse
Khalima kind of enjoyed making some lions nervous, it was a fun dark little perk but she stayed focused, she in fact could tell from Ashanti's scent that she was an experienced mother and healthy. Ashanti was fit as could be and Khalima was pleased with what she saw of this lioness and what was within as well. The Jugnle had fallen silent all of the sudden, the usual strange groans and buzzes fell quiet in the heavy air. She stopped in front of her and sat with her head held up high and chest a bit more forward, it wasn't a pose of aggression but something that looked a bit more fitting when one mentions an Oath. She began to speak, her tone a bit warmer perhaps. The Lioness' stammering was adorable too. " Sand Paws seems like the right fit for a cub I have heeere. But Sand Paws must take an Oath before me and the Jungle of Secrets. That She will never abandon the cub, that she will protect and provide for it and that she will teach it of the Circle of life, to value it and it's place within it. Do not for aaaaaany reason try to bring a cub back once you have been given one from me, for I will let the jungle claim it." As Khalima spoke, Fiery eyes watched them from the shadows under Khalima's favored ferns, filled with eagerness to finally have a mother and not a grumpy caretaker.
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 9:33 am
Moxxiie
Nefarious Muse
Zahra stepped lightly into the jungle. This place felt so familiar yet so different as she had once called this home for a time. She remembered being here as a cub, her short time with Khalima and being adopted by her father Zareb. She had never returned since that day, but found herself here again as if by fate. She ventured into the dense forest, her senses on high alert. She wasn't sure if she could remember the way but she hoped to gain some sort of bearring as to where she was going the further she went. It wasn't long until she caught a faint scent on the breeze that seemed to beckon her toward it. It was like an old friend, calling out to her.
The Jungle didn't offer Zahra a single thorn on her way, not a single snake or obstruction, it welcomed her in it's own savage way. This lioness' journey brings her right to the clearing, almost like the Jungle gave her a path there. It was there she saw a familiar place with a familiar face within it, Khalima had this funny feeling, maybe something in the air or perhaps the Jungle told her, but she knew someone was coming. She just didn't know who, but why was usually for a cub. Cubs were hidden and Khalima sat there in her picturesque place in the dead center in the one ray of dim light as she always did, ignoring the bugs with their glassy wings buzzing about her catching light. She still wore that green shawl and her anklets but she is smaller than a cub would have probably remembered her. Her Green eyes still kept a brighter glint against the darkness of the Jungle.
Nomvula did relax when the lioness explained that the jungle was just a jungle, and she was just a spotted lioness that ate prey like any other. She nodded along with her words concerning the leader and lions of the NightPlains - it reassured her to know that whoever this lioness was, peculiar though she may be, that she wasn't aligned with the NightPlains lion-eaters.
"It can certainly be a challenging world to grow up in." She said by way of agreement. Tragedy was abound in their world. "All the better to find a pride to give you safety. I've been particular about the one I've settled on. The Dawnlands... are you as familiar with them as you are the Nightplains?" She asked.
When the mention of a cub was brought up, she blinked in surprise. She hadn't really considered one, but she smiled. "I would not refuse a cub, if you had one to spare." She replied. A gift for the Empress, a promise for the Dawnlands ranks, or even another to add to her harem to be, a cub could be quite promising and if this stranger just had one lying around, who was she to say no? "Is it one you've had yourself, or a foundling? I carry no preference, merely curiosity." She added.
Khalima Sat near Nomvula, curling her tail neatly around her paws, her eyes were lightly lidded in a more relaxed state as she listened to what the other lioness had to say. She responded to the first question, tipping her head back some and looking up at the dripping canopy that shrouded and engulfed this place " Aaaahh yes, The Dawnlands. A unique twist on living in an old waaayyy. They seem peaceful enough and have never confronted me while I traveled through their territory. I have noott had to assist them in anything yet but I suppose that is a good sign. " She untipped her spectly head some, looking up at the taller lioness a small smile curled her lips. "I have had no cubs of my own, It is one I found on a river bank like a washed up meerkat. Well the process is simple for Bluestem to have the cub. One bust take an oath before me and the Jungle of Sseecretss. That Bluestem will not abandon the cub, that she will provide for it and teach it of the ciiiircle of life and about its place within it. But know this pretty one, do not attempt to bring the cub back to me, or I will let the jungle have it" Some think her cruel for the last part, but Khalima doesn't care what others think, she doesn't want this choice to be something that others think they can go back on, It gives a weight to it. In the ferns just behind Khalima there is movement and flashes of greys and white, stalking it's pretend prey which is Khalima for now. Soft gold tinted eyes watch the two of them carefully from the darkness under the fern fronds. Khalima flicks an ear backwards at the brazen cub, disobeying her and stalking her but she stays with her eyes and focus fixed on Nomvula.
Nomvula nodded along as the spotted lioness, spoke of the Dawnlands. It was much to what she'd heard of them herself. That was good - they seemed consistent. When the lioness turned the conversation to the matter of cubs, what Nomvula would need to do, she tipped her head back in thought for a moment, before returning her gaze to the spotted lioness.
"I can promise that I'll provide for and teach the cub, and I can promise that they'll know of the circle of life, though I do not teach it as strictly as the Prideland lions do. You need not worry about me returning them. Once they are in my care, I do not intend on such things." She confirmed.
She heard the rustling in the bushes nearby and perked her ears. The spotted lioness didn't seem concerned, so she doubted it was a dangerous predator of the jungle. Curious, she glanced from the lioness to the rustling leaves and just managed to sneak a glance of grey and white, and gold. She smiled, a twinkle in her eye. Oh, so one of the cubs the spotted lioness had spoken of had arrived already?
