The golden lion lay lounging on one of the rocks jutting out from Kiasi's den, a look of pure content on his face. It was only mid-morning, but the sun was bright and warm on his face. His closed eyes were squinted, though, to keep out the harsh rays of sunlight. Uzalishaji was currently on his back, front paws resting on his chest, back legs resting lightly on the warming rock. It was an almost comical position, especially with how he was squinting. But, other then that he looked perfectly at peace, and was even dozing off.
On normal occassions, he wouldn't dare relax around this time, because this was when Kiasi's litter was most active. They had shaken off their sleep, fed, and would be ready to play, and Shaji took it as his personal duty to make sure they were happy. But he had woken up early that morning, and towing each of Kiasi's large litter of seven cubs behind him, he had led him off to his father's den and promptly dropped them off there. Ezeoha was still asleep, but with seven little voices pounding in his ears... it didn't take much to wake him. His father had been a little irritated with him, but Shaji knew that he truly did not mind. So, making sure the cubs were settled in, he had returned home, though he did make a pit stop to Kiasi's place... and hadn't quite moved away from it yet.
He had promised her a day off, or at least he had made the promise up in his head as a sort of treat for Kiasi. He knew how straining it could be with seven growing cubs, and so he did everything within his power to guarantee Kiasi's comfort. The cubs were a handful, and once or twice Shaji had been woken by playful jumping on his back, and biting on his ears. It was tough, and so he thought that they both deserved one day to relax, at the very least. Shaji chose this day, if only because it was sooo warm out, and Shaji could almost sleep the whole day away.
Kiasi herself was still dosing, soundly and comfortably asleep in her silent den, unaware that her cubs had been stolen away and dumped upon the unforunate Ezeoha. He had become a makeshift grandfather to them, and as well he should since her own father had disappeared from the lands shortly before they were born. It was only a vague impression in the back of her mind, but Kiasi slowly began to realize that for some reason she shouldn't be sleeping. Slower and slower, the feeling grew until her great jaws cracked with a yawn and her deep, ocean blue eyes spread to the world.
A puzzled gleam spread across her features as she realized how late it had gotten, not one of her cubs had woken her yet. She supposed that Shaji could have simply taken them out, because he sometimes did, but it wasn't often that she got the luxury of sleeping in so late even when he did so. With a deep sigh, she pushed herself up to her feet, and casually began her stroll from the mouth of the den - she'd need to go out and find them. As much as she liked her alone time, she didn't really feel too peaceful at mind when she didn't know where they were. It was when she saw Shaji that the confused expression upon her face grew more noticeable and merged with worry.
"Shaji, where are the cubs?" she asked, though her voice was still calm. He wouldn't have let them out of his sight, despite how lazy he appeared at the moment.
"Hmmm?" He hadn't heard her leave the den, and only came to notice that she was there when she questioned him over the whereabouts of her cubs. With a yawn he opened one eye, peering casually at her. He could see the worry creasing the features of her face, and that drew a little frown onto his own. He rolled onto his stomach in preparation of getting up and starting the day. But, first he figured he should address her concern. Shaji didn't want her to worry any more than what was necessary. It was her day off, after all, and not one intended to spent on worry.
"I took them to my father this morning, he was happy to take them for the day." He smiled sincerely at her, red eyes trying to pass on the message that she had no need to worry - his father would take good care of them. "I figured that you deserved a break for a day. I told my dad I would pick them up tomorrow morning, the trip will be a little long, so you'll be able to sleep in tomorrow, too." He didn't sound smug about sprouting this surprise on her, he just seemed happy to be able to do her a favor. Shaji admired her, especially for the work load she had taken on by giving birth to all those cubs. It was one of the largest litters he had ever seen.
"The day is free for you to do whatever you want to do." He suddenly wasn't feeling as tired and lazy, and so he casually stretched his front legs out, curling his spine up into the air to work out a few kinks. "We could do something together, if you want. But, it's your day off, so you take whatever pleasure you may find today, and enjoy it."
Her brows rose in surprise as he quickly explained the situation to her, her fears alleviated and her mind calming. She had faith in Ezeoha, for as much of a flirt and as many litters as he had born to however many lioness it had been, he had still raised the cubs left to him very well. She had faith that he could handle her little munchkins and he seemed to like cubs just as much as Shaji did. "It was nice of him to take the little monsters," she said with a smirk, jokingly calling them by the term of course. She loved them, but they were devils when they were all in one place at one time. She had taken to seperating the boys from the girls at night sometimes, making some stay with Shaji.
She let out a soft sigh of gratitude as she looked out over the lands, for once feeling as she had before her cubs were born and the burden of their raising had been placed upon her shoulders. She still had the burden, but today she could do what she wanted. "A day off? I've not had one of those since they were born, thank you for this." She turned a pleasant smile upon him, her eyes dancing with sincerity. She could certainly act spoiled beyond reason, but she saw no need not to actually thank others when they did such great things for her.
At his suggestion to do something with him, she measured his eagerness, watching him in silence for a moment. She had been spending more and more time with the golden lion and though she had not meant to, honestly, she had quite enjoyed. So, with a smile, she simply nodded in his direction. "That sounds nice, Shaji, but.. do you have any idea what we should do?"
He grinned in pleasure when she seemed genuinely pleased to have a break for the day. "My dad can't turn me down when I ask him nicely. He's got a soft spot for all of us kids, and if he didn't love your children already, he would have watched them for us anyways." He had been tempted to say 'grandkids', but that would have been insinuating that Kiasi and he were in a relationship beyond his simple helping out. Sometimes he liked to entertain that the kids were his, but he was truly just a helping hand. He wanted them to look up to him, to adore him, but he wasn't sure he wanted to be considered a father, especially if Kiasi prefered that he wasn't. Shaji was just being careful, because he didn't want to accidentally insult his friend.
"Oh, it's no problem, really. I'm glad to be of a help to you. You do so much on your own that you deserve a little retreat." But even as he said these words, a flush of pleasure rose to his cheeks at the thanks. He couldn't help but be happy to hear how she appreciated his gesture. Really, in a weird way her happiness was his own, and if she wasn't happy, he just couldn't bring himself to be. Besides, he knew parents who took days off from taking care of their cubs, even when their litter numbered only one. Even his father had foisted them off on someone else every now and then so he could enjoy his day. It was a common enough practice, he supposed.
"As to that..." he grinned sheepishly, "I have no idea. We could visit a watering hole, you could go see your family, even. Really, today is about you. I'll be willing to do anything that you want to." He was being honest, he really would be content doing whatever she pleased. He didn't think she'd drag him through anything terribly unpleasant... and if she did, he would grin and bear it. He was determined not to ruin her day off - fiercely determined.
