The day was just growing longer and still there was nothing to occupy the goddess’ time. Blue eyes turned upward to briefly check the position of the sun. It was at least the afternoon now and there would be several more hours before the sun began to meet the horizon. A sigh escaped Zimran’s mouth as she continued on. A few more hours of her just walking around it seemed. Her day had thus far been interesting with learning a little more about the inner workings of the female mind. Despite being one, she did not know that some ‘raced’ to see who could have children the fastest. What an absurd thing to do! She worried for children born from something like that and if they were even wanted by their parents for more than just a tool for a petty victory.
In the distance, Mohombi was having his own set of problem. The father of many seemed angry, or at least slightly confused and upset at the same time. His step was hard and his grumbling quite loud as he put more and more distance between him and the Pridelands’ main home of Pride Rock. He wasn’t exactly running away from it, but his slightly hurried pace was a red flag to anyone who actually saw him and in combination with his other physical movements and indicators, it was obvious that something was indeed wrong.
Such movements did not go unseen by Zimran as she moved closer to the father. While she had not meant to actually move in his direction, once she had seen that he was there and their paths already would have crossed, she changed her pathing slightly to make it seem less confrontational. “Salutations!” She called out, putting one of her best smiles before she had said anything. Maybe being friendly would help ease the other’s heavy mood and he would let her help his foul mood. After all, a good smile and a hello seemed to go far now a days.
The call was something Mohombi had not expected and something that was not exactly wanted in his slight brooding mood. “Greetings and goodbye.” He replied with quickly, stealing one glance at her before continuing on his path. The male lion was in no mood to actually talk to anyone, let alone anyone outside of his family. What had him so upset was family business after all and should stay within the family.
Well that was not what she had expected either! Zimran frowned, her eyes narrowing at the back the male that had just promptly blown her off so quickly. He didn’t even known what she was going to say! How did he know that what she wanted to say wasn’t important or something. Granted a hello wasn’t exactly the way a messenger with important message would say. It’d probably be more like ‘urgent message for some lion’. The goddess’ ears fell back as she watched the male move on, but with a sudden bit of determination she quickly moved up beside him. She was determined to help this man. “So what’s wrong? You’re obviously grumpy.” Perhaps a more direct approach would do the trick this time.
“And what makes it your business, huh?!” Mohombi snarled as his head whipped around to stare angrily at the lioness behind him. The expression did not last long as he heard her yelp and promptly dropped his irate demeanor. “My apologies, I did not mean to snap at you. I have...a lot on my plate.” Though it was clear now to anyone that that much was definitely true.
“It’s fine, it was just a stress relief.” While the male’s reaction to her question was not surprising considering that he was under stress it seemed, but it was more-so that he did so without hesitation. While that frightened Zimran, it was not to the point that she would not still try and make an effort to help the man with whatever kind of plague was on his mind. “I’d like to help, if I can. It is, after all, what we do as pride mates. I’ve seen you around the Pridelands and I assume you are a member, just as I am.”
With a sigh, Mohombi gave a nod of his head. “My daughter is pregnant and due to give birth in days. The father is a member of the pride and while it joys me that I am to be a grandfather, she is only a little girl! Just barely a teenager. She is becoming rebellious and I fear she will seek a rogue life instead of continuing to live here with her mother and I.” The words were many and with a heavy heart, he spilled all to a lioness he scarcely knew. He knew not even what her name was, but for some reason he felt at peace around her, or at least to the point that he could share things such as that with her without worry.
Wow, that was a lot on his plate. He wasn’t kidding at all. A teenage daughter, both rebellious and pregnant. Now instead of knowing what he was doing, he was in a spiral of doubt and confusion. Zimran’s ears fell back and her expression softened with sympathy towards the pathetic looking lion in front of her. “You cannot change a person.” She began, “But you can be there for her if she needs you. You are, after all, her father and she will always be your daughter no matter what kind of life she decides to lead. Even if that life is filled with back choices, mistakes and tears. Though the teenage pregnancy worries me. Do you have any guess on the number of cubs.”
“By the size of her belly, some nannies are saying there will be at least two. I fear for her life during labor. She is young and while she is strong, she is smaller in size and has not grown as much as her siblings.”
Ah, a fathers worry. It was heartwarming to see a man care so much for his kin. With a smile, she dipped her head down. “I am a nanny within the Pridelands. I will personally help aid in your daughter’s labor and in the immediate care afterwards for her and your grandchildren’s safety. I’m sure a few of my fellow nannies will agree to help as well.”
Mohombi’s face immediately lit up at that gesture of kindness. “I...don’t know what to say other then thank you...I don’t even know your name.”
“Zimran.”
“And I am Mohombi.”
“A pleasure Mohombi”
He turned to face back towards Pride Rock but not before glancing back at the goddess who had offered him such advice. “Thank you again. I need to go check on my daughter. You are free to apply check ups to her status if you wish. If I am not there, ask for my mate Ankara.” With that, the brown lion sped off back towards their mutual home.
Ankara? Where had she heard that name before. While the gears within Zimran’s head began to spin, she also turned to head back towards Pride Rock but at a much leisurely pace. There was little reason to outright rush back.
[Word Count: 1214]
