Finally Zimran was getting around to checking on the daughter of Mohombi, an adolescent who had managed to conceive at least two children according to some of her fellow nannies. Just how in the world was she going to actually manage to talk to the poor girl and get her to trust her? She barely trusted her father at this point from the sound of what Mohombi had told her when they last spoke. She was entering a rebellious phase that had landed her with a miracle that would change her life forever. With a sigh and a heavy heart, Zimran made her way towards Pride Rock. Maybe she could at least give the girl some kind of peace of mind. If nothing else, maybe she could give her parents peace of mind instead. With the wind behind her, Zimran’s paws carried her through the grass, away from a children’s play area and back towards Pride Rock. Hopefully this entire situation didn’t turn into one giant mess that she would regret.
Alor’el was stationed in a pacing back and forth in front of where his sister was currently resting. Oh when he finally met the male that knocked up his sister, oh how he was going to give that lion an earful he wouldn’t soon forget. How in the world had she managed to go and screw with her life without anyone noticing?! While he wanted to blame his father for not keeping and eye on her and his mother for lacking on her raising tactics, it wasn’t either of their faults. In fact, if it was anyone’s fault it was all Nzasi and now it was up to the family to help pick up the pieces.
As if she could hear her brother frustration, Nzasi’s face saddened as she looked towards her belly. She was pregnant and there was no denying. Having seen her parents reactions to the news as well had not exactly helped. Originally she had hoping that bringing an older boy home would upset her father just enough to get back at him for how he was treating: like a child. She had never planned on actually having the man’s children! So much for her plan. The heavy adolescent sighed deeply, rolling onto her side on the cool stone floor beneath her. It would be over with soon enough at least.
Ah, Pride Rock. It was definitely a sight that was hard to miss to those coming and going from the Pridelands. Zimran smiled as she looked towards it. It was truly a monument for the ages, but it was also the home to much of the pride, including the young lioness she was currently looking for. As she approached the dens inside of said monument, she spotted a younger male pacing outside. Could he be the father of the two cubs? “Hello?” The goddess called out hesitantly. “I’m looking for Ankara and Mohombi’s family. I’m here to check on one of their daughters.”
The maroon male’s head spun instantly to look at the speaker of those words. His expression was that of a protection brother, one who showed concern as his lips raised. In his heart, he had hoped it was the male who impregnated his sister, but alas, the voice was too feminine anyways. It instead belonged to a cream lioness with a rather pretty looking necklace around her neck and a...horn coming from underneath her tuft. She must be one of the gods that his father was always telling them about. Alor’el’s expression slowly returned to normal after he saw it not to male lion he had been hoping it to be. “And who’s asking?”
“I’m Zimran,” She quietly said with a small dip of her head as she introduced herself. “I’m a nanny. Mohombi asked me to check on his pregnant daughter. Do you know where I might fight her?”
“Oh, so you’re the one dad asked for huh? Yeah, she’s a little further back. Looks kinda like my mom, dark tan with typical Pridelander markings in a lighter color, with green eyes and black over-eye markings.” Alor’el responded to her promptly, motioning behind his shoulder before glancing behind the lioness. “Hey, I don’t suppose you know who the jerk was that knocked her up, huh?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I can only hope he take responsibility for his actions.” Zimran said calmly as she walked passed the young male and back towards where the direction that had been pointed out to her. So he was her brother, not lover. That made much more sense on why he looked at her the way he did when she asked about one of Mohombi and Ankara’s children.
“Oh, I’ll make him.” Alor’el whispered under his breath, his golden eyes narrowing as as he continued to keep watch.
Nzasi’s head rose as she saw an unfamiliar figure walk into the secluded den that she was currently lying in. “And just who are you?” She asked, a bit of anger in her voice. While she wasn’t angry at the newcomer in particular, she was just angry and everything it seemed.
“I’m Zimran, a nanny. Your father asked me to check up on you and help you if you need it.” The goddess responded to the expecting mother with a smile. Of course she would treat her kindly. Anything could possibly cause the pregnancy to fail and that was the last thing she wanted to have to tell anyone, especially parents or expectant grandparents.
“I don’t need a nanny.” Nzasi spat back, her green eyes narrowing at the adult before her. “I can handle myself just fine you know. I have so far. I don’t need you or my dad’s help. Good for nothin’.” She grumbled the last part as she lowered her head back onto the ground. How come it seemed so hard for people to actually just leave her alone?! Was it really that difficult of a concept?
“Oh come on now, at least give me a chance. You never know, you might want my help in the future and if you blow me off now, I might not be so willing to come next time.” Zimran responded with as she sat herself down not too far away from the young to-be mother. “Pregnancy is hard even for an experienced mother and for a new one such as yourself, also being so young, it’s going to make it a lot harder. So why not just let me help. It it hurts your reputation that much, you can say I stayed in here arguing with you the entire time trying to get you to co-operate but you kicked me out.”
The ears of the younger Pridelander went back as she continued to look at her even with her head against the ground. This Zimran really was a persistent one wasn’t she? “Fine.” Nzasi finally said with a exaggerated sigh and a roll of her eyes. At least maybe she could get back to her nap if this nanny came and went as quick as possible.
A wide smile appeared on Zimran’s face as she finally heard the agreement from her. While she approached, knelt down and placed and ear against her belly as well as one paw for a bit of support, she couldn’t help but notice the smile was beginning to hurt her face. “The other nanny was right. You do have two little ones in there, possibly more, but I’d count on at least two.” She confirmed what the young mother already knew. “Since this is your first time you might not be eating as much as you should be, you should try and take at least an extra half portion from kills to add more nutrients for the children. I’ll also send over some herbs for you to chew on.”
“And just what are plants supposed to do for me? I’m not some gazelle!”
Zimran couldn’t help but roll her eyes and chuckle at the statement. “They contain agents in them that will help promote healthy cubs, giving them a better immunity towards infection and disease or at least that’s what I’ve learned from using them and giving them to other expecting lionesses.”
“So...others have used them?” While she did not like the idea of pregnancy or children in general, she couldn’t help but feel responsible for their safety into the world. “Alright, fine. I’ll eat your grasses and more from kills. Anything else I should know about or is that about it?”
“Well other than the resting you’re obviously doing so well now, I just suggest accepting the support of your family. You’re going to need their help when you have cubs running around the den. You deny them now, they might not be so inclined to watch them for you later.”
“T-that’s why there are nannies though!” Nzasi quickly responded with as she mouth formed into a frown that looked combined with a pout. Of course that was that was why the rank even existed in the first place! Right...?
“No,” Zimran corrected just as quickly. “We aid families with too many cubs and not enough willing paws around and those who have other duties to attend to. You could only give us your cubs if you were off working. So there goes any free time you might like to have later on down the road.”
The frown on the pregnant lioness’ face just got lower as the words flowed from the goddess’ mouth. “F-fine.” Nzasi agreed, her entire demeanor flustered at the whole situation. As much as she didn’t like it, she didn’t want her entire life to basically be over because of one mistake. Maybe family was the way to do...
“Good, now that that’s settled, I’ll take my leave. Remember, food, herbs, rest. I’ll be sure to bring some of those herbs by every morning for you. Take care...Oh, I don’t even know your name.”
“You came to check up on me but you don’t even know my name? Hahah! Oh well, my name’s Nzasi.”
“Well Nzasi, it’s been a lovely time I shared with you, but I have other business to attend to.” As Zimran left the inner den, she was stopped once more by the maroon male lion who now seemed more worried then angry like he was before.
“Hey! How is she?” Alor’el quickly asked, coming up in front of her just as quickly. Of course during the time the nanny had been in there, he had been worried sick about her and whether or not Nzasi had even been doing anything right during the time of the pregnancy.
“Relax.” Zimran said calmly and instantly it sent a wave of relief of the teen boy’s mind. “She’s fine. She just needs to eat a little more and be sure she chews the herbs I’ll send over every morning, alright?”
With a firm nod of his head, Alor’el agreed. “I’ll do my best. Thank you Zimran, for everything.”
“You’re quite welcome.” And with that said, she departed from the dens and continued about her day.
[Word Count: 1,852]
