The news was more than she could have hoped for, it had gone well. She knew that their strange family was connected in an odd sort of way. Her surrogate father was his father, but they weren't related by blood, but by the love and support one lion provided. Ahli'mtima had been upset at one point, even regretful, but after meeting Majini things have changed. They could take on the world and the strange looks in stride. They were together and that was all that mattered now.
"I'm glad it went well," she spoke as she bathed in the light of the sun, feeling the earth move beneath her somehow, world turning and becoming new in the sunlight. "I'm glad you weren't pushed or sucked into the mud by looks," she laughed."
"It went better than I expected, and I am glad for it," Majini'wazo said with a smile, watching her across from him. He waded in a pool not far from her form and he sighed in content. It was warmer today somehow and the water was a nice reprieve. "I knew it could be difficult, and you did to, no doubt. That was why I was nervous, though I wish you stayed, the tension was there, but it was still nice, it was still, calm, in a way."
Then he thought of the child. "Amali is such a young cub with a curiosity as big as his heart. Does he always run off like that?"
"Sometimes, but not too often, yet. He is still young and still has a lot to learn when growing. But curiosity is good in a cub, as long as he is safe." Ahli knew that the cubs were beginning to explore and have fun at their parent's expense. It would be alright, she assured herself. Family was strong, and with her and Majini somewhat close by, they could keep an eye out for wandering paws.
"Amali, I think, wants to see the swamps at an early age because of curiosity gripping him, maybe some day adventures with Kimya's permission would be a good idea," she hinted.
Majini'wazo wondered if perhaps Amali would like to go on a walk with him one day. Majini could show him so many different areas, the boy might like it. He'd have a guys day, no mother's attached, but, of course, Majini would be very careful and have a watchful eye.
"Do you think Amali would like it, going out for an afternoon with me?" he questioned, looking at Ahli while he shook his fur free, small leaves attaching themselves to his tail.
"Perhaps, however," she stood and stretched her legs, her body and murred in pleasure of the sun on her back. She turned and pushed some of the hanging branches together, opening them light a curtain, light flooding in and she smiled and closed her eyes. The swamp was grateful today for the sun , the small plants at her paws would be glad to stretch and reach for the light that gave nourishment.
"I think its time we find our own place, forged and concrete, don't you think?" she turned and smirked, crouched down and crawled towards him, tail flicking, "Maybe somewhere within the roots of the far trees? There is plenty of water there?"
"Perhaps," he grinned and walked around her in a circle. "The roots would be good to build upon, but in the wet season the ground will sink in, taking in anything we could build upon the roots. The pools of water are plentiful there, but what about the trees just on the edge of those? They have the earth curl under the roots."
He stopped and thought for a moment, closing his eyes trying to trace his steps, "If we went there, ti would be on higher ground, and there aren't too many mud holes that are deep, it would be safer for little ones."
"Little ones?" Ahli stopped and turned towards him. He gave her a smile and she walked around him in circles now, a smirk on her maw, enticing her prey. "What little ones, what are you thinking of my Majini, hmm?" she stopped and leaned forward to touch his shoulder lightly, and she pulled back. Hopped to one side and crouched down.
"Seeing Amali give you any ideas?" she waved herself around, swaying but moving gracefully, darting in between the roots and branches thathung low all around them, sealing them off from intruders.
Perhaps," he spoke simply and watched her move. His eyes were half lidded and he smiled, watching her deep copper form disappear in between shadows and handing plants, green accenting her eyes, the blue lightning dancing in nature that encompassed her. "His face, his form, its just, I don't know, something about it, family." He wanted his own family.
But Majini wanted to do things right. He would be his cubs father no matter what. He would be involved no matter what and that was that. "They would be ours, and we would love them and care for them as one."
Ahli'mtima snuck up behind him and jumped onto his back, both of them falling together. She stretched out along his side and leaned her head on his paws. "We would bring them into this world with all the love they need, hmm, do you think Kimya would be surprised?" she knew it, most likely. After all, Kimya, from what Majini said, was surprised by his approach, his words.
"Family, true family, bound by love, sounds wonderful love," she closed her eyes and lay beside him, their forms basking in the sunlight. Family, their family.
"Yes, with all the love and devotion they need, watchful eyes and games and fun, learning and family bonds, Amali would have playmates," he suggested and he smiled at the thought. As she caught him and pulled him to the ground he let her lay beside him and he too closed his eyes.
This was life, he thought, with new names and a new forged family, this was what they wanted, as one.
