Farlest was currently devouring the remnants of one of Ka's successful hunts at the front of the den she shared with the handsome tan lion. Really, he was still such a doting mate, it was wondrously adorable. That she'd found him again, much less been allowed to have a family...ah but the gods must still shine upon her, at least...the gods that were not her sire. Making a face, she swallowed the last mouthful of meat and sighed. Well...at least Morifaer hadn't caused too much trouble for her and her family this round, and if the dainty lioness had anything to say about it, he never would. Kneading the ground gently with sheathed claws, she then went to grooming the last traces of dinner from her fur.
Kaimel couldn't help but be nervous. Moto had told him not long ago that her time as Mwezi was drawing to a close - which meant that his own was drawing near. His mentor had told him he was ready, but that didn't stop the insecurity of his cubhood days from rearing its ugly head at this moment. Maybe that was what drew him back to his parents' den, that old insecurity and the need to have it quieted. His ears pressed back for a moment as he caught the scent of prey. Maybe his mother was still eating. Maybe now wasn't the best time... But he shook his head and pressed forward, peeking his head into the den with a nervous flick of his tail.
"Mother? Do you have a moment?"
Stopping in mid-lick of one paw, she raised her head, eyes alight as she spied her son. "Kaimel!" There was enthusiasm in her tone, and she quickly rose to her feet, delighted to see him. Goodness but he'd turned out nearly as handsome as his father...it astonished her everytime she laid eyes on him. "Of course...it's wonderful to see you here..." The boy had a life of his own now, as did all her younglings. It was a bittersweet feeling to realize that they'd become so independent.
"It's wonderful to see you as well," Kaimel replied, smiling and quickly stepping inside the den to give his mother a quick nuzzle. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been in here - if he remembered correctly, it had been not long after he'd become a Tarajali. The den had seemed so much larger back then... After a moment, he smiled and moved to sit down, absently kneading the ground. Where did he even start?
Sensing that bit of hesitance, she nuzzled him gently in return and then sat before him, tail curling around to flutter over her paws. "You've something on your mind?" A soft prompting, the proverbial nudge in the right direction. She'd always told her children that they could tell her anything...and she'd be all ears...an avid supporter and only a guide if that was what they desired. But it seemed as though her son had more than a single thing pressing on him this day...curious...
Kaimel took a deep breath, looking down at his paws for a brief moment before finally starting. "Well... For starters... I'm gay," he said slowly, his ears pressing back as he tried to ease her into this. She may have already known, but it was the easiest thing he could think of to start with.
Her smile but widened at the words, and she shook her head, "My dear, your father and I prepared our 'surprised' faces for this moment for a very long time...but I think you're past the point where that is needed. We've always encouraged you to make your own choices, and to decide where you feel comfortable...I'm glad." Honestly, the boy was adorable...but then, Far thought all of her children were.
"I had a feeling you both knew," Kaimel said, laughing softly and trying not to let the relief show on his face. His parents had always been perceptive, so it didn't come as much of a surprise that they already knew. Now for the next bombshell, one they probably didn't know about yet. "I guess next I get to tell you that I found a mate not long ago."
Oh! Green eyes went wide, and motherly excitement ran along her spine. "A mate! Oh! Is he nice? You must bring him to meet the both of us..." Pausing for a deep breath, she leaned backwards. "Ah, Kaimel...go on, tell me about him...Goodness, you're growing up so quickly, it seemed like just yesterday you were a bumbling little one." Swallowing that pang, she continued to smile at her son. Oh what a strange thing it was to be a mother.
"I'll bring him by to meet you both as soon as I can," Kaimel said, his grin widening slightly. "He's really great, mother. He's kind, and caring, and he wants kids just like me and Mel. I just can't wait for that day to come."
Sighing wistfully, the dark lioness shook her head, "Goodness, you're all going to make me a grandmother far too soon..." Farlest didn't think of herself as old at all...but then, time tended to pass so quickly it was hard to keep track. "So you're going to have a family...you're hereby ordered to bring them around...and often!"
"Of course. They aren't going to live in this pride without knowing their grandparents!" Kaimel said, laughing softly and moving to give his mother a quick nuzzle. Before pulling back and pausing again. "There's something else I wanted to talk to you about..."
Ah, he wasn't done yet. Ears flickering forward in complete attentiveness, she nodded, "What else was there, Kaimel?" Nudging him affectionately with her nose, she found herself delighting in the conversation, pleased that her son had come to her. It endeared him to his mother all the more...and she already loved him copiously.
"Well, you know that I've been appointed as Chache'mwezi," Kaimel softly, looking to his mother and kneading his paws. It was no secret about his promotion, but this next part was strictly confidential. "Well, Miss Moto implied that she might not be leading us much longer... And I'm kind of nervous about it. What if I'm not a good Mwezi?"
Understanding, she slowly nodded, "Goodness...that is a very big step, but..." Her smile spread across her maw, warm and reassuring. "I think you will make a fine Mwezi. You're a good, kind lion, with an intelligent head on your shoulders...and if you have a supportive mate by your side to catch you if you stumble...I don't think you can go wrong." Farlest, after all, had been lucky to have Ka'hmesh, someone who stuck by her through everything...she hoped that Kaimel's mate was just as wonderful.
"You really think so, mother?" Kaimel asked, his ears flicking towards his mother. It was obvious he was nervous. He hadn't been this insecure about something in a long while. Not since he'd been little.
"Of course...I have faith in you...I did raise you after all..." She reminded, teasing her son lightly. They were good children, all of them, and now they'd become strong lions with bright and shining futures. Farlest hadn't done so badly after all.
"Yeah, you did. And I think you did a pretty good job," Kaimel replied lightly, grinning and nudging his mother affectionately. Talking with her had definitely helped to soothe his frazzle nerves.
