Jua had found his way back to the jungle where he was lived, with the exotic lioness Khalima. He had been adopted by his mother, Giza, who had found her way there and once he got old enough, no mate of his own yet, he just started to think of the lioness that had first been a mother of sorts to him. Following a tingling in his paws and a sense he couldn't describe, he found himself walking one day, walking until he found himself back in that familiar jungle. He knew he was close but not close, but it didn't quite look like the hidden clearing he remembered. "Khalima?" he called out, seeing if she'd answer or remember him.
Khalima was lounging under her ferns, a favored dark place when she heard the edges of a voice somewhere out there. Not a familiar one but one of a male lion who has ventured here, and he knows her name. Many know of her, but the way he called was... more. Here lately she had seen two of her cubs of old, she wonders what the chances are of there being another one. She slips out from under her ferns and one paw after another comes to stand her spotted self in her usual center point of her clearing, She saw no one but they sounded farther away. Her green piercing orbs glance about a moment and she decides to give who ever this was a little more guidance. She lets out a scratchy roar, not one of threat, but one of beckoning and to indicate her direction. when she does, the cubs know to hide and so they do. Little scurries and rustles dissipate as the finally get still, her roar echoes through the dense and humid miserable air of the Jungle. Then she fell still, her shawl draping to one side and she waited to see who would come to her bone littered clearing. The jungle seems to have allowed them thus far, so she will wait and see if it permits this stranger entry into its deep and green heart.
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2025 4:05 pm
Revel1984
Kamara and Makena had been talking for a while, now Makena was an adult, Kamara spoke the truth about where the younger lioness had come from which had Makena thinking hard about things. After several days of being on her own, Makena had gone home, well... home being the last place she had seen her adopted mother, thankfully she was still there, waiting for Makena's return. "Mom, i've made a decision, can you walk me to the edge of the forest? i want to go see Khalima" she said, the older lioness just nodded with a sad smile and showed Makena the way
Once at the edge, Makena and Kamara touched noses, "This isn't goodbye mom, this is, see you later" She reassured the older lioness, the only mother she really remembered besides one. She ventured deeper into the forest, stopping at a particularly dense area. She let out a low, calling roar "Khalima!, i'm back, i have questions, i also have a wish, lead me to you" she chuffed, not demanding but far from the nervous feeling her mother Kamara had when she'd been here, she was confident, it felt like somewhere she was meant to be, somewhere she maybe belonged, at least for a little while.
Khalima layed grooming over several cubs, one of them was a bit muddier than the others. She sneered as she licked jungle mud from its protesting face. Then she heard a bold bellow within her dark Jungle of Secrets, a female lion calling her name, speaking of questions. There was a shift in the air in the Jungle, the way it moves and sounds when someone familiar is here, someone it has allowed in or out before. She lifts her head and rolls the clean cub out from between her paws where she had it pinned and grunted at it and the rest, sending them to hide in the undergrowth. She rose to her paws with a stretch and then took her place in the one dim shaft of light that ever hung in her clearing. She responded with a long roar that almost sounded like a ragged "wwhhaaatt? Well come here then!" yet not agitated, just her normal slightly grumpy self, it bounced through the Jungle and it's dank air, scattering birds from the trees in the immediate area, sending them squawking and fluttering off. She was not typically surly but blunt, yes she was. Her slicing green wild eyes stayed pinned in the direction she heard the roar from, waiting to see if the jungle gives way as it tends to with familiar lions.
Jua had found his way back to the jungle where he was lived, with the exotic lioness Khalima. He had been adopted by his mother, Giza, who had found her way there and once he got old enough, no mate of his own yet, he just started to think of the lioness that had first been a mother of sorts to him. Following a tingling in his paws and a sense he couldn't describe, he found himself walking one day, walking until he found himself back in that familiar jungle. He knew he was close but not close, but it didn't quite look like the hidden clearing he remembered. "Khalima?" he called out, seeing if she'd answer or remember him.
Khalima was lounging under her ferns, a favored dark place when she heard the edges of a voice somewhere out there. Not a familiar one but one of a male lion who has ventured here, and he knows her name. Many know of her, but the way he called was... more. Here lately she had seen two of her cubs of old, she wonders what the chances are of there being another one. She slips out from under her ferns and one paw after another comes to stand her spotted self in her usual center point of her clearing, She saw no one but they sounded farther away. Her green piercing orbs glance about a moment and she decides to give who ever this was a little more guidance. She lets out a scratchy roar, not one of threat, but one of beckoning and to indicate her direction. when she does, the cubs know to hide and so they do. Little scurries and rustles dissipate as the finally get still, her roar echoes through the dense and humid miserable air of the Jungle. Then she fell still, her shawl draping to one side and she waited to see who would come to her bone littered clearing. The jungle seems to have allowed them thus far, so she will wait and see if it permits this stranger entry into its deep and green heart.
At hearing the roar, something in him almost wanted to hide but then he felt himself relax and he let out a chuckle. That was her, he knew it. She was guiding him in. Carefully he followed the echos and where the sound came from, going further into the forest until he passed fronds that almost seemed ot whisper 'welcome home'.
Glancing around he continued softly, silently, until his eyes landed upon the spotted lioness. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she remember him on sight alone? He was older now, fully grown. He was in a pride and was thriving with his mother, learning to hunt and guard pride mates. "Hi....." he whispered softly, a small childish grin crawling across his muzzle. He couldn't help but feel how a cub felt when seeing their own mother and knowing they were safe.
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2025 5:25 pm
Fea Line
At hearing the roar, something in him almost wanted to hide but then he felt himself relax and he let out a chuckle. That was her, he knew it. She was guiding him in. Carefully he followed the echos and where the sound came from, going further into the forest until he passed fronds that almost seemed ot whisper 'welcome home'.
Glancing around he continued softly, silently, until his eyes landed upon the spotted lioness. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she remember him on sight alone? He was older now, fully grown. He was in a pride and was thriving with his mother, learning to hunt and guard pride mates. "Hi....." he whispered softly, a small childish grin crawling across his muzzle. He couldn't help but feel how a cub felt when seeing their own mother and knowing they were safe.
Khalima may not have heard his movement as he cam ecloser, but she could feel him, she could sense a familiar beating heart and the moment she saw him, her usually unreadable expression changed into a glimmer of delight and her ears perked in recognition. She knew him, yet again the Kings saw it fit to send her another of her rescued cubs, seeing him all grown, that he was okay, that he not only lived but truly looks like hes thriving. She has never had cubs for herself, but doing what she does she never needs to and he looked so healthy, and handsome too. He spoke his quiet greeting and she stood to her paws and was rather excited to see him, She started a walk that soon turned into a bound as she came toward him, Her body thinner than he would probably like but fit enough, and she was.. so.. small! Most of the cubs she cares for do not realize how short she is for a lioness, then again the world is a bigger place when you are a cub. She still wears the same shawl, its still somehow still clean, still the same metallic ring of her anklets when she moves. She calls out a name only she called him, a name that never left her mind, her voice just as ragged as always " Wild Lightning!!! " She intends to half tackle him if he lets her, leaking more excitement than most have seen from her in a long time.
Khalima layed grooming over several cubs, one of them was a bit muddier than the others. She sneered as she licked jungle mud from its protesting face. Then she heard a bold bellow within her dark Jungle of Secrets, a female lion calling her name, speaking of questions. There was a shift in the air in the Jungle, the way it moves and sounds when someone familiar is here, someone it has allowed in or out before. She lifts her head and rolls the clean cub out from between her paws where she had it pinned and grunted at it and the rest, sending them to hide in the undergrowth. She rose to her paws with a stretch and then took her place in the one dim shaft of light that ever hung in her clearing. She responded with a long roar that almost sounded like a ragged "wwhhaaatt? Well come here then!" yet not agitated, just her normal slightly grumpy self, it bounced through the Jungle and it's dank air, scattering birds from the trees in the immediate area, sending them squawking and fluttering off. She was not typically surly but blunt, yes she was. Her slicing green wild eyes stayed pinned in the direction she heard the roar from, waiting to see if the jungle gives way as it tends to with familiar lions.
Makena had to wait a good few moments before she got an answer from the forest, a faint roar and a scattering of birds. "That way then" she said out loud, confidently stepping further into the jungle and the flora within, vines seemed to catch her coat but release, nothing like her mother had said about her own journey here, the jungle seemed to not exactly welcome her but it didn't deny her passage either, it was familiar but still untamed. She grew thirsty as she travelled, the denge undergrowth producing it's own kind of warmth that, despite the shade, was opressive.
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 3:19 pm
Quote:
Nefarious Muse
Fea Line
At hearing the roar, something in him almost wanted to hide but then he felt himself relax and he let out a chuckle. That was her, he knew it. She was guiding him in. Carefully he followed the echos and where the sound came from, going further into the forest until he passed fronds that almost seemed ot whisper 'welcome home'.
Glancing around he continued softly, silently, until his eyes landed upon the spotted lioness. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she remember him on sight alone? He was older now, fully grown. He was in a pride and was thriving with his mother, learning to hunt and guard pride mates. "Hi....." he whispered softly, a small childish grin crawling across his muzzle. He couldn't help but feel how a cub felt when seeing their own mother and knowing they were safe.
Khalima may not have heard his movement as he cam ecloser, but she could feel him, she could sense a familiar beating heart and the moment she saw him, her usually unreadable expression changed into a glimmer of delight and her ears perked in recognition. She knew him, yet again the Kings saw it fit to send her another of her rescued cubs, seeing him all grown, that he was okay, that he not only lived but truly looks like hes thriving. She has never had cubs for herself, but doing what she does she never needs to and he looked so healthy, and handsome too. He spoke his quiet greeting and she stood to her paws and was rather excited to see him, She started a walk that soon turned into a bound as she came toward him, Her body thinner than he would probably like but fit enough, and she was.. so.. small! Most of the cubs she cares for do not realize how short she is for a lioness, then again the world is a bigger place when you are a cub. She still wears the same shawl, its still somehow still clean, still the same metallic ring of her anklets when she moves. She calls out a name only she called him, a name that never left her mind, her voice just as ragged as always " Wild Lightning!!! " She intends to half tackle him if he lets her, leaking more excitement than most have seen from her in a long time.
Jua smiled, hearing the name that she had called him before and he chuckled. "I haven't heard that in so long...hey!!" he said before he caught the tickling and started laughing more, feeling a shiver crawl down his spine. When she was done teasing him, he let his laugh fade and smiled. "It's so good to see you again...." he said softly, almost forgetting why he was here to begin with. He was too happy to see someone from his past that had taken such good care of him still be living strong.
At hearing the roar, something in him almost wanted to hide but then he felt himself relax and he let out a chuckle. That was her, he knew it. She was guiding him in. Carefully he followed the echos and where the sound came from, going further into the forest until he passed fronds that almost seemed ot whisper 'welcome home'.
Glancing around he continued softly, silently, until his eyes landed upon the spotted lioness. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she remember him on sight alone? He was older now, fully grown. He was in a pride and was thriving with his mother, learning to hunt and guard pride mates. "Hi....." he whispered softly, a small childish grin crawling across his muzzle. He couldn't help but feel how a cub felt when seeing their own mother and knowing they were safe.
Khalima may not have heard his movement as he cam ecloser, but she could feel him, she could sense a familiar beating heart and the moment she saw him, her usually unreadable expression changed into a glimmer of delight and her ears perked in recognition. She knew him, yet again the Kings saw it fit to send her another of her rescued cubs, seeing him all grown, that he was okay, that he not only lived but truly looks like hes thriving. She has never had cubs for herself, but doing what she does she never needs to and he looked so healthy, and handsome too. He spoke his quiet greeting and she stood to her paws and was rather excited to see him, She started a walk that soon turned into a bound as she came toward him, Her body thinner than he would probably like but fit enough, and she was.. so.. small! Most of the cubs she cares for do not realize how short she is for a lioness, then again the world is a bigger place when you are a cub. She still wears the same shawl, its still somehow still clean, still the same metallic ring of her anklets when she moves. She calls out a name only she called him, a name that never left her mind, her voice just as ragged as always " Wild Lightning!!! " She intends to half tackle him if he lets her, leaking more excitement than most have seen from her in a long time.
Jua smiled, hearing the name that she had called him before and he chuckled. "I haven't heard that in so long...hey!!" he said before he caught the tickling and started laughing more, feeling a shiver crawl down his spine. When she was done teasing him, he let his laugh fade and smiled. "It's so good to see you again...." he said softly, almost forgetting why he was here to begin with. He was too happy to see someone from his past that had taken such good care of him still be living strong.
Khalima sat down next to him, just at shoulder height to him, he had gotten so tall and so strong sense she first found him whimpering in the grass, hungry and alone. No one really knows how old Khalima really is, yet no one really has asked her age either. It is hard to say if she would even tell. "Wild Lightning has grown into such a strapping lion. So does this one have himself a Lioness yet? Cubs? " She asks in her naturally haggard tone, her head tilting upward to look at him. Her thick herbal scent was marbled in with the smell of cubs and freshly so.
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2025 2:55 pm
Revel1984
Makena had to wait a good few moments before she got an answer from the forest, a faint roar and a scattering of birds. "That way then" she said out loud, confidently stepping further into the jungle and the flora within, vines seemed to catch her coat but release, nothing like her mother had said about her own journey here, the jungle seemed to not exactly welcome her but it didn't deny her passage either, it was familiar but still untamed. She grew thirsty as she travelled, the denge undergrowth producing it's own kind of warmth that, despite the shade, was opressive.
The Jungle, as unforgiving as it can be, allows Makena's passage until she find herself looking at the tell tale clearing. It was one of the darkest places in the Jungle but in the one strand of light in the middle sat a familiar spotted lioness. Khalima remembered her, remembered the name she called her, it was one of the cubs she had rescued and she has grown into a fine young lioness. Khalima, never seems to change, never seems to get new scars, still having the same shawl, the same piercing green eyes, ever watching. Her words come out in her familiar ragged and scratchy voice but in the form of a question. "Quiet Moon?" a look of surprise crawling across her usually unpredictable and unreadable exotic face.
The Jungle, as unforgiving as it can be, allows Makena's passage until she find herself looking at the tell tale clearing. It was one of the darkest places in the Jungle but in the one strand of light in the middle sat a familiar spotted lioness. Khalima remembered her, remembered the name she called her, it was one of the cubs she had rescued and she has grown into a fine young lioness. Khalima, never seems to change, never seems to get new scars, still having the same shawl, the same piercing green eyes, ever watching. Her words come out in her familiar ragged and scratchy voice but in the form of a question. "Quiet Moon?" a look of surprise crawling across her usually unpredictable and unreadable exotic face.
Though thorns and undergrowth snagged at her fur, it was loose and she passed easily to the clearing. She blinked a few times at the sudden change of light, taking a few moments for her vision to adjust. As her eyes grew used the the change, she saw Khalima, halo'd in a shaft of brighter sunlight.
"Quiet Moon?"
The words stopped her from taking another step at first, she hadn't expected the sudden flood of her earliest memories. "Khalima... no... Mother!" she cried, before running straight towards the spotted lioness, noting for the first time, just how much bigger she now was than Khalima. She had intended to tacklehug her but instead her paws skidded to a halt, right in front of Khalima and she gave her a very enthusiastic headbonk instead, foreheads touching, almost headbutting, the older lioness. "I remember you" she breathed, her jaws drooped in a smile.
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:47 am
Revel1984
Though thorns and undergrowth snagged at her fur, it was loose and she passed easily to the clearing. She blinked a few times at the sudden change of light, taking a few moments for her vision to adjust. As her eyes grew used the the change, she saw Khalima, halo'd in a shaft of brighter sunlight.
"Quiet Moon?"
The words stopped her from taking another step at first, she hadn't expected the sudden flood of her earliest memories. "Khalima... no... Mother!" she cried, before running straight towards the spotted lioness, noting for the first time, just how much bigger she now was than Khalima. She had intended to tacklehug her but instead her paws skidded to a halt, right in front of Khalima and she gave her a very enthusiastic headbonk instead, foreheads touching, almost headbutting, the older lioness. "I remember you" she breathed, her jaws drooped in a smile.
Khalima sat still as the much larger lioness came running toward her at first, she just had a small smile on her speckled muzzle. When Makena slid to a stop and have her a mild headbutt, Khalima chuckled in her raspy voice and bonked heads back. What Makena sais before she took off into her run still baffles Khalima a little. Being called Mother was not a usual response she got from her cubs, normally because of how she wasn't the most tender nor did she baby them, But it was very endearing to hear. When Makena mentioned she remembered Khalima, she looked up at her with a small wry grin on her face, those green eyes always seemed so much brighter than the surrounding dark greens, always seemed so wild looking and always felt like they looked deeper than the flesh. She spoke with her odd draw, something a bit softer in her tone. "So Quiet Moon rememberrrss, I remember this one too. Always a faaairly obedient cub. How is ones mother these days? She did a good job, keeping you healthy." For once Khalima hadn't spoken a nickname for Kamara, Makena's adopted mother, nor did Kamara give her name, it was an interesting interaction but one she was glad she had, for in front of her was a strong and smart fully grown lioness standing where a lost little cub once stood moons ago.
Khalima sat still as the much larger lioness came running toward her at first, she just had a small smile on her speckled muzzle. When Makena slid to a stop and have her a mild headbutt, Khalima chuckled in her raspy voice and bonked heads back. What Makena sais before she took off into her run still baffles Khalima a little. Being called Mother was not a usual response she got from her cubs, normally because of how she wasn't the most tender nor did she baby them, But it was very endearing to hear. When Makena mentioned she remembered Khalima, she looked up at her with a small wry grin on her face, those green eyes always seemed so much brighter than the surrounding dark greens, always seemed so wild looking and always felt like they looked deeper than the flesh. She spoke with her odd draw, something a bit softer in her tone. "So Quiet Moon rememberrrss, I remember this one too. Always a faaairly obedient cub. How is ones mother these days? She did a good job, keeping you healthy." For once Khalima hadn't spoken a nickname for Kamara, Makena's adopted mother, nor did Kamara give her name, it was an interesting interaction but one she was glad she had, for in front of her was a strong and smart fully grown lioness standing where a lost little cub once stood moons ago.
Makena purred as Khalima returned the affection, she saw the breif look of surprise on the smaller lionesses face "You are the first mother i remember, you looked after me, you kept me safe and in the end, you let my mom adopt me because it was the best thing for me, why would i not call you Mother, that is what a mother is supposed to do... right?" she said, her head tilted quizzically before listening to the rest of what Khalima said.
She nodded as the older lioness spoke, "she loved....loves me though i spend more time away now i'm grown, we travelled, never did join a pride" she smiled wryly, as if it was something she might consider now she was a grown up, "I know mom is so grateful to have had the chance to be my mother, thankful to you, though she's a little scared" she laughed, Now she was here, she didn't feel scared. "I'll never forget the first face that cared for me" she purred again, settling down in a 'loaf' before Khalima. "I did have some questions though, if you don't mind?" her tone soft, not scared of Khalima but perhaps afraid of the answers her questions led her.
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:19 am
Revel1984
Makena purred as Khalima returned the affection, she saw the breif look of surprise on the smaller lionesses face "You are the first mother i remember, you looked after me, you kept me safe and in the end, you let my mom adopt me because it was the best thing for me, why would i not call you Mother, that is what a mother is supposed to do... right?" she said, her head tilted quizzically before listening to the rest of what Khalima said.
She nodded as the older lioness spoke, "she loved....loves me though i spend more time away now i'm grown, we travelled, never did join a pride" she smiled wryly, as if it was something she might consider now she was a grown up, "I know mom is so grateful to have had the chance to be my mother, thankful to you, though she's a little scared" she laughed, Now she was here, she didn't feel scared. "I'll never forget the first face that cared for me" she purred again, settling down in a 'loaf' before Khalima. "I did have some questions though, if you don't mind?" her tone soft, not scared of Khalima but perhaps afraid of the answers her questions led her.
Khalima listened and assumed the 'loaf' position too, so now they were both Jungle loafs for the time being. A small rustle and flash of something teal streaked along under the ferns not far from them, being bold and very disobedient but the cub just HAS TO hear what they are saying. Khalima pays it little to no mind to the poorly sneaking cub under the darkness and tilts her head to Makena Well Seeing this one grrrown, healthy and well makes it all worth while. But I am sure Quiet Moon's mom was nicer than this old cat. " She chuckled, her fit but thin body still showing a little bit of ribs, the price one pays for living alone and tending to cubs. " This oneess mom is Afraid? Well the Jungle did give her a what for on her way in I do recall. " Khalima curls her spotted tail around her small frame and is looking upward to Makena, a curiosity in her wild green orbs. Her green shawl laying along her back almost like a small blanket and her scent is thick in the air around them. "Quueesstions? by all means, ask."
Khalima listened and assumed the 'loaf' position too, so now they were both Jungle loafs for the time being. A small rustle and flash of something teal streaked along under the ferns not far from them, being bold and very disobedient but the cub just HAS TO hear what they are saying. Khalima pays it little to no mind to the poorly sneaking cub under the darkness and tilts her head to Makena Well Seeing this one grrrown, healthy and well makes it all worth while. But I am sure Quiet Moon's mom was nicer than this old cat. " She chuckled, her fit but thin body still showing a little bit of ribs, the price one pays for living alone and tending to cubs. " This oneess mom is Afraid? Well the Jungle did give her a what for on her way in I do recall. " Khalima curls her spotted tail around her small frame and is looking upward to Makena, a curiosity in her wild green orbs. Her green shawl laying along her back almost like a small blanket and her scent is thick in the air around them. "Quueesstions? by all means, ask."
Makena didn't miss the flash of teal in the darkness behind Khalima as she loafed facing the older lioness, she remembered, if only vaguely, being made to hide when Kamara had come along too though the memory was old and fading almost as quickly as she recalled it.
Makena chuckled at Khalima's comment "Nicer... is just a state of mind, She was....is my mom, she raised me, loves me, supports me in my own decisions, even if they're not the same as hers" she said, flicking an ear "You cared in your way, i was never hungry and i remember feeling safe with you, that was, is, important to me, i want you to know i am grateful"
She closed her eyes for a moment before beginning again "What i don't remember, is .. before you, before this place, was i abandoned? lost? ... i always wondered if there was someone out there, looking for me" she sighed, "I'm happy, i don't regret anything in my life, but i have to know, if....you know, that is" she said, ears flat "was i.... not wanted?"
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:20 pm
Nefarious Muse
Fea Line
Quote:
Nefarious Muse
Fea Line
At hearing the roar, something in him almost wanted to hide but then he felt himself relax and he let out a chuckle. That was her, he knew it. She was guiding him in. Carefully he followed the echos and where the sound came from, going further into the forest until he passed fronds that almost seemed ot whisper 'welcome home'.
Glancing around he continued softly, silently, until his eyes landed upon the spotted lioness. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Would she remember him on sight alone? He was older now, fully grown. He was in a pride and was thriving with his mother, learning to hunt and guard pride mates. "Hi....." he whispered softly, a small childish grin crawling across his muzzle. He couldn't help but feel how a cub felt when seeing their own mother and knowing they were safe.
Khalima may not have heard his movement as he cam ecloser, but she could feel him, she could sense a familiar beating heart and the moment she saw him, her usually unreadable expression changed into a glimmer of delight and her ears perked in recognition. She knew him, yet again the Kings saw it fit to send her another of her rescued cubs, seeing him all grown, that he was okay, that he not only lived but truly looks like hes thriving. She has never had cubs for herself, but doing what she does she never needs to and he looked so healthy, and handsome too. He spoke his quiet greeting and she stood to her paws and was rather excited to see him, She started a walk that soon turned into a bound as she came toward him, Her body thinner than he would probably like but fit enough, and she was.. so.. small! Most of the cubs she cares for do not realize how short she is for a lioness, then again the world is a bigger place when you are a cub. She still wears the same shawl, its still somehow still clean, still the same metallic ring of her anklets when she moves. She calls out a name only she called him, a name that never left her mind, her voice just as ragged as always " Wild Lightning!!! " She intends to half tackle him if he lets her, leaking more excitement than most have seen from her in a long time.
Jua smiled, hearing the name that she had called him before and he chuckled. "I haven't heard that in so long...hey!!" he said before he caught the tickling and started laughing more, feeling a shiver crawl down his spine. When she was done teasing him, he let his laugh fade and smiled. "It's so good to see you again...." he said softly, almost forgetting why he was here to begin with. He was too happy to see someone from his past that had taken such good care of him still be living strong.
Khalima sat down next to him, just at shoulder height to him, he had gotten so tall and so strong sense she first found him whimpering in the grass, hungry and alone. No one really knows how old Khalima really is, yet no one really has asked her age either. It is hard to say if she would even tell. "Wild Lightning has grown into such a strapping lion. So does this one have himself a Lioness yet? Cubs? " She asks in her naturally haggard tone, her head tilting upward to look at him. Her thick herbal scent was marbled in with the smell of cubs and freshly so.
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.
Makena didn't miss the flash of teal in the darkness behind Khalima as she loafed facing the older lioness, she remembered, if only vaguely, being made to hide when Kamara had come along too though the memory was old and fading almost as quickly as she recalled it.
Makena chuckled at Khalima's comment "Nicer... is just a state of mind, She was....is my mom, she raised me, loves me, supports me in my own decisions, even if they're not the same as hers" she said, flicking an ear "You cared in your way, i was never hungry and i remember feeling safe with you, that was, is, important to me, i want you to know i am grateful"
She closed her eyes for a moment before beginning again "What i don't remember, is .. before you, before this place, was i abandoned? lost? ... i always wondered if there was someone out there, looking for me" she sighed, "I'm happy, i don't regret anything in my life, but i have to know, if....you know, that is" she said, ears flat "was i.... not wanted?"
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."
