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Shy and reserved was not in the nature of the small dark hare, though it seemed to be quite common in her family- both nuclear and extended-lion families. Cheshi and Mizi, her mother and sister, were among the worst and they had proven not to be completely helpless about all of it. Memetuka was a whole other story, but her situation was so complicated and she wasn't isolated from her family so she was excused. Someone who would not be excused, though, was Kafara. She was not old with a family, she was not trying to be more social, she mostly stayed back when in a group, even around her whole family, and stuck with her mother as much as possible. She was already a lot larger than the hare, but Mnyama was not intimidated.

Standing on her toes, trying to be nose to nose with the little lioness (which was impossible, but she tried), she frowned. She had spent the better part of the last hour trying to talk to Kafara, convince her, and it wasn't working.

"Come on, it's not that hard," she was saying.



Kafara was doing her best not to cower away from the hare. Mnyama had such a strong personality, especially in comparison to the cub. She had no idea of how ridiculous it would have looked for her to be cowering back from the hare, what she did know is that if she cowered again then Mnyama would yell more. Kafara did not want that.

"It's not that easy, either!" she argued, a very distinct whine in her voice, "Why can't you just leave me alone?" The question was much braver than she had been the whole time. She usually did not dare to yell or tell someone to go away or leave her alone, but she was tired of Mnyama poking at her for not wanting to walk up to random strangers. She didn't understand how a hare, something so small and often tasty.. how a hare could be so bold. Or stupid, depending on the circumstances.

Angavu had a lot on her mind. A lot. Mentally, she was cursing herself for being so foolish, so hypocritical. Outwardly, though, she was only quiet, thoughtful and a bit grumpy looking. Anyone would know she was not in a good mood, but she was a lot like Mnyama and had never really hid her emotions so, fortunately, no one had bothered her yet. Her little encounter with the thirsty rogue had been interesting, to say the least. She had been charmed by his voice, his kindness and the fact that he was not from the pride. And now, well now.. she was almost certain there were going to be consequences of that. She thought about consulting her parents, but decided against that. She thought about confiding in her brothers, but they were needlessly protective sometimes among other personality flaws (in Angavu's opinion at least)! She laughed at the idea of talking to Abedari, she still hadn't had a proper conversation with him. No, she decided to go and talk to her grandmother first. Shiri had always had Kei around, even though when Anga herself was young it had not been so constant as now. Meme had two litters, abandoned the first and the second definitely had certain stigma attached. She had help but for the most part she was not with consistent and reliable help. For that reason, Angavu identified most with her and thought perhaps she would be the most sympathetic.

On her way to the den, though, she came across a rather unusual sight. Her young aunt and her small friend, but they did not look like they were having a friendly chat. They looked almost like they were arguing. The frightened look on Kafara was unmistakable.

"Come on, Kafara," she called, jogging up to the pair of them, "You can take her."

Angavu grinned at Mnyama and then at Kafara. She had done enough thinking and she quickly decided the best way to approach her situation was to try a bit harder with the younger lions in her family, and that included Kafara. Besides, this was often how her relationship with Mnyama went. They argued more than they agreed, but it was always for fun and never anything serious.

"Sometimes you have to," she reasoned, stepping around Kafara and shoving at Mnyama with a large paw, "if you want her to be nice."

"Smarter!" she said with a laugh, "Hear that Kafara?" Angavu did know enough about Kafara and about Mnyama to know that she was approaching this the right way. Mnyama would be more serious if she was being completely sincere about what she was saying. No, she was still trying at the same point she was trying at before Anga showed up.

"I can't imagine," she said, taking a seat- and shifting uncomfortably when she realized she was in fact becoming a bit larger in the middle- which made sitting a bit different, "What's going on?"

Unusually self-conscious and surprisingly uncomfortable, Angavu shifted her weight again, her tail curling and uncurling around her. She listened, though, to what they said, smiling at the faces the pair of them made.

"I'm sure she does," she said, "And you are, but I bet you'd be happier having more friends than just your brother." Besides, having so few outside friends was probably related to how easily Anga had been intrigued (and charmed) by the passing rogue. It wasn't a bad thing, necessarily but.. still! Kafara would be happier, she imagined.

At the word 'outsiders', Angavu shifted this time out of self-consciousness. She was behaving very oddly, and she knew she was. It was unfortunate she was around Mnyama, the hare who knew her best. She had to just hope she didn't notice.

"Certainly," she said, agreeing with Kafara, "We never said he wasn't interesting. You can't know he's not less interesting than others if you never talk to them, Kafara."

Angavu stared back at the hare, then looked offended when Kafara said she was being nice like it was an uncommon occurrence. Truthfully, she knew she was being exceptionally kind to the youth- but she had a reason. It was the same reason she was so antsy, so jumpy as Mnyama had put it.

"I'm always nice," she argued, but quickly lost her resolve. It was going to come out anyway, and Mnyama was not a bad one to start by telling. And Kafara was a small lioness, she might be interested in cubs.

"Fine," she said, "Kafara, you have to be a little more social. I might need your help keeping my cubs entertained."

Mnyama's expression about summed up the reaction Angavu was expecting from her family when they inevitably found out. She didn't doubt that it would come as a surprise that she had gotten herself pregnant, especially by a complete stranger that she'd had no idea how to find let alone intended to keep around. She had been very upset with her grandmother for similar circumstances. She would have bet her brothers would find mates before she ever found anybody, and it had always been her intention to find somebody before this. But plans did not always work.

"I'm almost certain I am expecting cubs," she said firmly, standing up and glancing down at the slight bump to her belly, "It would certainly not be a surprise, foolish as I was. Don't you think it's starting to show?"

She smirked at them, wondering how they would answer.