((Joining RP for Safi and her daughter ))
Safi slowed down after running across the planes. She looked ahead of herself to see dunes on the horizon, then she looked back to see if that little... thing was still following her. How could she have gotten herself pregnant? Especially at such a young age. All she needed was a cub tagging along her heels while she tried to get a man. She rolled her eyes, her conscience getting to her. She better wait for the little ankle bitter.
*
"Hello" Alamar called when he spotted another lion out here. Scratch that, another lioness. He'd been out taking in some of the lands - these were hardly the more interesting bits and he didn't like to be out in the dry dusty bits long - because he was a fairly new member himself.
It was hard to believe he'd been here a few weeks already. Besides getting to know Kasa again and befriending his dear new-found sons, he was still getting familiar with all the members, from the leader Muroki down to the other youngsters his daughters played with. But he didn't recognise this lioness at all.
*
Safi looked over to the source of the voice. It was deep. A male voice. A smile crossed her maw as her ears lowered slightly as she started to take in her new prey.
"Hello." She said as she trotted up to meet him, and sit in the soft sand. "You from around here?" She asked. Boy did he have a pretty face...
*
"Yeah. Guessing you're not though." He tilted said pretty face and offered a warm welcoming smile. Once upon a time he'd have been quite a match for Safi. As a teenager after his first love affair with Kasa he'd had a string of flings and girlfriends. But now he was a one lioness kind of guy and happy here with Kasa and his family. All he did was note how pretty she was and move on to more important things.
"I'm Alamar - of the pride who live here. What's your name?"
*
She nodded, "That's right, I came here looking for a place to call home, me and my cub." Half lie. "My name's Safi'moja, and I'm running from the father of my cubs." Another lie. She loved playing the young, innocent girl running away from the crazy lion trying to take over her life.
*
“Sorry to hear that Safi.” And he was. Alamar due to his own shoddy work at being a father, not anything his own father Chipo did, was a bit sensitive about fathers. He frowned, genuinely a bit concerned. He wasn’t one to pry though.
“This is a good place to have come then. I’ve heard that Pharaoh Muroki, our king, has let those with young have sanctuary here before. Some joined the pride, some moved on, but he’s a kind sort of guy. Happy to offer a safe place out here in the desert. I and my daughters are new here too.”
*
She tilted her head to the side, her ears perked lightly, "Yes, I actually have three though only one is with me now." She said, her green eyes looking him up and down. Hmm.. he has daughters too... maybe they have even more in common?
*
“Oh I think I can place you! I've been thinking you looked familiar. Just met her mate’s parents here of all places – half way across the world from her kingdom - you’re Ibtisam’s sister, I think?” Invert the colours, pretty much, for while this Safi was black with a yellow stripe her sister Alamar had met was yellow with a black strip. That perking of the ears had reminded him of her lighthearted curious sister.
*
Her heart beat faster. She hadn't heard from any of her family since she left her parents near the Pridelands when she was old enough to take care of herself. "You've seen Sam?" She said as she stood, her tail swaying behind her, "How is she?"
*
“Achana royalty. She is not the queen of a pride but her lovers are the king and queen so she may as well be in my books. Got a lion mate called Huang, big guy, handsome enough and very calm. She's also got a leopard-cheetah female called Toh Ni, elegant and clever. Last time I bumped into Sam on the edge of the Achana, looked like your sister was expecting cubs of her own and she seemed overjoyed.”
“She’s a sweetheart your sister, one of the nicest girls I’ve ever met besides my own Kasa. I reckon if you’re her sister, you’ve got to be a gem too.”
*
She calmed down as a warm smile came across her maw. "I'm glad.." She said as memories came flooding back. "We were best friends." she said as she sat back down. "We would always play around with each other. I'm glad she's found someone."
She chuckled lightly, "Well, two people."
*
“It’s unusual to have two mates at once isn't it... trust me, I was quite jealous the guy got both girls when I first met them but they’re wonderful together those three.” He nodded. It was weird but they were happy and it worked.
“Had a less rocky time of it than me and Kasa that’s for sure. Speaking of whom, would you like to meet her? My Kasa is nearby. Then we can sort out you meeting the lions in charge here. I’m sure they’ll be happy to offer you sanctuary and in the meantime I can make you laugh over the Time I hit On Your Sister.” He grinned. "Used to be a flirt me, not that you'd know it now."
*
She smiled. He was really sweet. Hard to believe that he used to be like her. Hopefully she wouldn't turn out the same way. "Sanctuary would be lovely." she said with a smile. She wasn't sure if she wanted to meet Alamar's mate. Didn't want the pings of jealousy to tug at her any more. He did have a pretty face.
*
“Shu, the other visitor was going to drop by as well. Guess you can meet him too.” Alamar nodded and sat down. “Soon as your cub catches up – or do you need to go fetch them? – I don't mind waiting or coming with you if you'd rather - we’ll be on our way.”
THE END
