Kairu was out and about in the swampiest part of his home, his mom had been letting him and his siblings go off on their own a little now, but of course they had to stay within a certain distance of home. Today though Kairu was on a mission he wanted to meet more of the lions that called this place home, he wanted to make friends.His mom after all was always talking about how much she wanted all of them to socialize, be out going. Something about her past made her want more for her cubs, and Kairu wasn't going to let her down. Nope sorry, he was intent on making his mother proud, and step one was... meeting someone new.
Vastal moved forward and looked around. He had enjoyed be home for some time but he needed to leave soon. He found he was very antsy and agitated. He needed to work through a few emotions namely those that swam to the surface when Hara was about. He was so nervous around her and it hadnt been that way when they met.
Today he traveled through the swampier part of his home intent on spending some time alone before he journeyed off the next day. On his face he wore a slight frown and he appeared to be rather tired though he wasn't.
Kairu's ears perked when he saw the large lion moving towards him, at last someone to meet! He began running toward the adult lion ahead of him, making a lot of squishy noises in the wet earth beneath his feet.
When he got closer to the adult, he noticed the frown on his face, and second thoughts passed through the little cubs head, perhaps he wasn't the best lion to befriend he looked like he was overwhelmed a lot on his mind. Kairu looked around to see if there was a way to leave inconspicuously, but didn't see anywhere to go. Instead he sat with a confused look on his face wondering what he should do next.
Vastal heard the squishy splashing sounds coming toward him and he was slow to react to them. They had stopped before he had even looked up. When he did look up he saw a rather confused looking cub sitting before him.
"Hello" he said," you're not lost are you?"
Vastal looked around and silently wondered where the young cubs mother was. He tried to keep his facial expression light not wanting to frighten the cub unware the cub had already seen him frowning.
Kairu smiled, as he saw the lions face lighten, he wasn't as nervous about talking to him now.
"No" he said clearly, "I am not lost, my den is just back that way." he gestured with his head back towards the direction he had come. "My mom is there she knows that I have left." he smiled, he didn't want the older lion to think he was out causing trouble or anything.
"My name is Kairu, its nice to meet you." he said to the older lion a very polite tone in his voice.
Vastal relaxed a bit hearing the cub wasn't lost and gave the cub a smile.
"Thats good that you are not lost. Kairu is a nice name. My name is Vastal'Farama but you can call me Vast or Vara whichever you like."
Vast sat before the young cub happy to have a distraction from his though, "So what brings you out exploring today?"
"Vast" Kairu said outloud commiting the name to memory, it was easier to remember a nma if he said them out loud once or twice first.
"I am out exploring, and hoping to make friends, my momma says it is good to make friends. And since we live in this big pride with lots of other lions it shouldn't be too hard." he smiled at Vast hoping he caught what he was trying to say.
Vast laughed a bit, "I remember my first adventure to try to make friends. I ended up falling into the swamp and crying."
Vast shook him mane out slightly, "So Im guessing I get to be the first new friend you make. I'd have to say Im honored. I do hope you exploration goes better than mine."
Kairu listened to his story and couldn't help but crack a smile, it was hard to imagine, the full grown lion in front of him falling into the swamps and crying, he seemed so manly now. "I like the swamps though, I don't think I would cry if I fell in." Kairu stated boldly.
"Though it is possible that less lions will want to be my friend if I am all covered in mud, they might think I am gross." he laughed a small cubs laugh again.
"So I guess you have been in the swamps your whole life then?" Kairu asked, he didn't know any lions that had been here that long, his mother came just before him and his sibling had been born, and all those she talked to seem to be here only a short time also. Kairu was intrigued by the thought the lion knew the secrets of the area.
"I was looking at a frog and looked a bit to far. I guess I cried cause I was surprised. Though it wasnt so bad."
Vast laughed at Kairus words, "I don't think they mind that much. Most of us love a roll in the swamps. The smell is so unique."
Vast nodded at Kairu, "I have been here my whole life. My mother was the daughter of our previous queen and my uncle is now king. I have been on my naming quest and obtained my name but other than that I've lived here. I do plan to journey for a while soon though."
Kairu was confused why would someone want to leave the swamps, of course at his young age he only had a limited knowledge of the outside world, and to him everything was here in this wonderful wet land he called home, "Oh you are leaving? All your family is here by the sounds of it, isnt this home?"
The young cub was very confused and he was saddened by the idea of leaving his mother behind ever, she needed him after all.
Vast shook his head lightly, "Everyone has to leave in adolescence for a naming quest where you find your new adult name and become an adult. Most return and do not leave after that. I need to clear my head a bit. I having a bit of a confusing time right now, but thats nothing for you to worry about."
Vast stood, "Why don't we explore for a bit Maybe we will run into someone else?"
Kairu was confused by what the adult lion said, but was ok, he could tell that it wasn't a problem for him to worry about, after all he was just a cub and probably wouldn't understand if the adult explained anyways.
"Yes!" he said excitedly, "Lets explore and maybe we will find some secrets of the swamps along the way. After all you have been here all your life, and are related to the royalty, you must know some secret places." the cub said hopefully.
Vast grinned and moved forward. "I only know of one place. I found it when I was a little bigger than you. I can show you that if you like. It will be really fun."
Vast continued forward heading to the fun place he'd found as a cub. He was excited to see it again. It had been so long since hed been back.
Kairu was over joyed, he had obviously made the right choice in a new friend, he gallop behind the larger lion looking forward to what he had to show. He also made a mental note, to explore the area more on his own, perhaps there were other secrets to be found!
"Thank you for showing me Vast" the cub was truly thankful, he lacked a father figure at the present time, but this little outing made him feel so special, he quickened his pace to keep up with the larger lion
Vast smiled and nodded continuing forward and away from the bustle of the swamps until his came to a curtain of vines. He passed through they carefully calling back to Kairu not to go to fast or he'd get tangled. He walked up to the water when large leaves nearly as big as he was covered the water.
Vast tested it with half his weight and when it held he began to cross jumping from leaf to leaf. He gave Kairu no warning as there were so many leaves the cub should have been able to cross just fine.
When he got to the other side he continued to walk down the back head toward an oddly bent tree.
Kairu passed through the vines, and was excited when he saw the older lion jumping across the leaves. He excitedly came to the waters edge and mapped out a path to follow, he wasnt too far behind the lion as he danced his way across the water, it was an exciting.
He was unsure of where they were traveling but he didn't want to break the silence they had been traveling in, he was enjoying this trip and it jsut seemed right for the time being to stay quiet. Wondering where they were traveling
Vast moved behind the oddly bent tree and started to climb the small incline of tangled vines and branched until he got to the top. Once a the top he lost his grip on the moss on the tree and started to slide down.
"Waaa whooo," she shouted as he landed in the swamps with a splash. He swam the short distance back to the surface and popped up laughing slightly.
"That was so fun and very refreshing."
Kairu didn't hesitate to follow the older lions lead, as he too went sliding down into the water with a fairly large splash. He swam quickly to the top of the water, and looked around for the adult lion that had fallen into the water right before him.
"This is amazing!" Kairu gasped as swam to the waters edge, and got out looking around the area. It was an amazing place all around. "Do no one else know about this place?"
Vast swam to the swam waters edge and plot down in the muddy grasses on the back. "Yes it is amazing and I enjoyed it very much when I was younger. It helped me loosen up a bit. I was quite the worrier. Still am really."
Vast shook a bit getting some of the water out of he soaked mane, "As far as I know, no one else know about it. I guess I never really thought about telling anyone about it. I think it should really be extra special when one finds it. Today was extra special don't you think. You're first big adventure, right."
"Yes" Kairu answered. "Today has been a very exciting day for me." for Kairu it had been a dream come true, and adventure and a friend, all in one go. His mother would be so proud of him when he came home tonight, he would tell her all about it, but he would keep the location a secret.
"Thank you for bring me along today Vast." Kairu looked around him and then thought about the time that must have passed, "I am sorry Vast, I think I have to go, my mom will be worrying about me soon. Do you mind showing me how to get out of here." Kairu was sad that he had to leave but he didn't want to upset his mother either.
Vast rose and nodded, "I am glad you had a good time and of course I will show you the way back. We wouldn't want your mother to worry. I have duties I should attend anyway."
Vast turned and headed back the way they came, going a bit slower across the leaves to give Kairu a bit more off a chance to jump about and enjoy himself. Vast was glad to have made a new little friend and he knew he'd be sharing many stories and adventures with the little one in the future.
