Welcome to Gaia! ::

The male's feet were throbbing in pain as he forced ruts into the dirt at his feet. His constant pacing had finally begun to catch up with him, but he couldn't help it his nerves were simply on edge. He needed his mate, needed to here her voice, feel her caress, and know her thoughts. But she was gone for the day, against his protests she had gone out. Normally this wouldn't have been an issue but today he had it all planned out. It was supposed to be perfect, but a certain somebody had to ruin things. He smirked slightly thinking about her stubborn nature, he found it to be a cute trait of her's but given the current circumstance he wouldn't use cute.

Watching the sunset, he couldn't make out a single thing. All he could do was hope that she would return soon. The anxiety was building in his chest and he just couldn't take it anymore. Something needed to change, his life was becoming too dull. He had promised his mate a life of fulfillment. Something that wasn't happening right now, which is why, they really needed to talk.

Ulimi's heart nearly skipped a beat when he could fully make out her silhouette heading in his direction. He was trying his damnedest to contain himself, and remain calm, cool, and collected but he was nervous out his mind! What if she rejected him? Never in his mind would he have thought that a possibility, but his mate had changed lately. Ever since he had taken in his young cub. Something about her made him feel distant from her. The looks he stole of her, showed hurt and betrayal, and her obvious 'hunting trips' were merely reasons for her to get away. She had more than enough reason to tell him no. He had baggage now, something he had eluded to in the beginning, but never dreamed to be true.

Heaving a sigh, the male quickly collected himself as his mate stepped forward. Immediately he noticed the distance between them. His heart ached to close it, but his mind knew this meant she wanted her space. He could only hope she would choose to close it herself.

"No, no she's been asleep for quite some time. Poor little thing tuckered herself out early today. She's trying to learn her battle stances - AT HER AGE!" He smiled with pride, giggling at the images fresh in his memories. But the look on Nefertari's face quickly pulled him out of his pride.

"Actually, I was out here waiting for someone, but I don't see the point anymore. As she's already arrives." He purred happily, allowing his tail to flit back and forth in reaction. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something, are you open to that? I know lately you've been distant..." Ulimi lost track of his words, and simply let them die in his throat. He didn't need her to become angry or offended with him over this.

"I-I've missed you." He purred, digging his paws into the dirt to prevent himself from breaking the distance she had created.

The tone and expression in his mate's voice cut him to the core. He knew she was just being honest, but he couldn't help but feel a little hurt at her bluntness. He was also not blind to the fact that her recent disappearances were a result of Nia's presence. He had hoped she would outgrow her dislike for his child, but it seemed he was silently asking for too much. "Yeah, she does. But to think she's taking an interest so early on. I feared I would have to force her into it." He paused, pawing at the dirt at his feet. "She does it to impress you. You know that right? She talks highly of you, and each day I see a few more of your mannerisms in her. She doesn't get to see you much, but when she does - you - you make a big impact Nefertari." He sighed heavily, giving into the hurt he felt. "I know you don't care for her, I just thought you'd like to know."

Ulimi offered up a small smile, when he noticed the look in her eyes. But it faded nearly as quickly as her's did.

"I wanted to talk to you about something important. But I want you to have an open mind as I talk to you. You've been closed off lately and this isn't the time for that." He fussed, forcing a tougher tone into his voice to further state the point.

"I wanted to talk to you, about us." Ulimi frowned, feeling his heart beating wildly out of his chest. He had to stop and allow his nerves to calm, though he didn't realize just how bad of a moment he had chosen to do so.

He could see the immediate reaction to his words in her eyes, and immediately he himself was thrown completely off guard. Was it something he had said? HE HADN'T SAID ANYTHING! Panic rose inside him, and his fur rose up on end. She was going into a panic and her next words only helped to solidify the assumption.

H-He was leaving? How the hell had she come up with that?! Was it what she really wanted? She hadn't said she was leaving - but that he was leaving... Taken aback, Ulimi began to pace once more unsure of exactly how to go about fixing this ridiculous error. "Where did you get that idea? Why would you even think that?" His pacing was getting worse, and his voice was getting higher, a heavy note of worry within in. "I said I wanted to talk about us! Us doesn't apply if one of us leaves!" He whined the words, trying to calm his pacing. "Why on Earth would that be the first place you go to? To think I would ever leave you - where else would I go?!" He laughed lightly, anxiety still high in his tone. "I love you Nefertari - and that's why I wanted to talk to you... But now I wonder if what I have to say will just frighten you even more." He frowned, now ignoring her personal space and invading right on into it. "I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. I"ll chase you down, and you'll chase me - remember?" He purred, rubbing his nose lightly against her cheek. "And a deal is a deal." He smiled, patting her paw gently with his own.

Ulimi attempted to let her comments roll of his back, but his nerves just weren't going to have it. He wasn't going to make it through this without a few scrapes, and he had accepted that, but for her to think he'd leave was far more painful than he ever could have imagined. "Of course i'm not leaving. Nefertari I have nowhere to go without you." He attempted a smile, hoping the friendly gesture would settle her nerves as well, of course he knew his hopes were probably a little high.

Her next question brought everything back to the surface, all the anxiety, everything. Ulimi took a deep breath, allowing himself to sit roughly on his haunches. By the way he sat it was pretty obvious he had something weighing heavily on his mind and spirit.

"I think its time, to start a family." His words were low, and close to inaudible but he had managed! He could immediately feel some of the weight release from his shoulders. Though he still flinched away from her, unsure of what her exact reaction would be.

The look of shock and disbelief on her face was more than enough for him to feel stupid for bringing the subject up. It was a bit of a heartbreak for him, to have put his heart and soul into breaching the subject. Only for his mate to be so absolutely stunned by the idea that she can't bring herself to answer. The weight on his shoulders began to build once more, and despite his very stubborn ways, he felt he could cry right about now. But he would try to hold back, he really didn't want her to see his disappointment.

Again she asked in disbelief and again he felt terrible at having brought up the idea. But then she came closer, and for the first time he realized she wasn't shocked in a bad way. She was just as awkwardly attracted to the idea as he was. A soft purr rumbled up from his throat as he nuzzled against Nefertari's cheek lovingly.

"Yes, I really want to. I know Nia is still young, but I know you want cubs of your own. I think ... I think now is a good time to have them." He smiled his nervous smile and continued on. "You've been gone a lot recently and i've been checking in to some things. There are prides around the area, I thought maybe we could look into some. If heaven forbid Nia isn't accepted, i'll set her up with a pride of hybrids." He wasn't incredibly happy with the idea of abandoning his daughter, but he would of course see her as often as he could. "I want you to experience the thrill of a cub or cubs of your own. I thought .. you'd like the idea." Lowering his head slightly he tried to pick up on signs of his mate's feelings. Was she just nervous of the idea being breached so suddenly? Nervous of being a potential Mother? A mix? He had no idea, but he was here to work it out with her, so long as she was willing to let him.

"And I you. There is nothing I want more." He purred, taking the opportunity to step away from his mate. He should probably better explain himself, before he got into trouble again.

"Well no, I guess that was not the right thing to say. While you've been gone, a few lions have ventured near the den. Mostly friendly, a few of them have told me of prides in the area. There are quite a few, but some of them are not meant for us." He chuckled lightly, imagining Nefertari as a half respected female among a pride of viking lions. "But others, could prove to be a good fit. We can take a trip to check them out if you'd like." He smiled a small smile, already having a slight idea in my mind. But not daring to mention it. She was to be the Mother of his cubs, and as such she would choose where her babies would be raised. He would be the loyal mate that would follow her anywhere.

So elated that his mate was on the same level as he was, he hardly recognized her first bash at Nia, but definitely caught the second. He flinched, by now completely understanding of his mate's detachment to the young cub. "I think it would be a great idea. Being with others of her own kind, she will learn about the life ahead of her. Who better to prepare her for such a life than those who live it themselves?" Pausing in his speech, he winked at his mate and continued on. "I will of course be in the wings, prepared to reteach her everything she knows. Because I wouldn't trust their techniques farther than I can throw them. She will grow to be a fine young lady, with a strong sense of self." He was proud of his daughter, regardless of how unhappy his mate was. She was his flesh and blood and he wanted to nothing better than to see her succeed. Which sadly was something she would never get to do, roaming ine the rogue lands.