[PRP] Meeting of the Guard (Umeme/Makoto/Simba/Tsubaki)

[Painted Moose]

Today was the day.

That fateful day before Tsubaki would venture out into the rogue lands with Princess Kyria in search of males. The thought itself made her sick with worry. What if something happened to Kyria along the way? She was as hot headed as she was stubborn, and Tsubaki knew in her heart that there would be little she could do to protect the Princess from her number one enemy; herself.

With those thoughts weighing on her head, she paced near the dens, paws fluffing up streams of dust as she lethargically kicked at stones. Her mother, the broad Makoto, sat some distance away, one eye drifting over a group of playing cubs and the other on her daughter. One of these days she was going to have a serious talk with that Princess, and possibly chastise Ebere as well for allowing the girl to get by with so much. That self entitled brat was going to get herself killed out there, and take her daughte down with her!

"Why don't you busy those paws watching some of those cubs? I'm sure the Nannies could use the help. Gods forbid you should walk a patrol or two." Makoto grinned when the younger lioness still, a shamed frown covering her face. "Tsu, calm down. You're alright. It's going to be alright."

"No, it's not!" She snapped, her voice deseperate and worried. "I've heard stories about males all of my life; about how awful, nasty, and vile they are, and you expect me to help find one to leave alone with a Princess? Are you mad?!"

"I told you it's going to be fine, and I meant it!" Makoto stood up, causing quite the scene when she came nose to nose with her daughter. "Calm the hell down, and listen to me for once."

Depawsit

 

[Depawsit]

She'd heard the rumors echoing throughout the pride, and so far she'd been unwilling to believe them. A guard was being sent out into the roguelands with Princess Kyria, a guard! Of all the capable elites within the pride, they had chosen to allow this to happen? The idea simply drove Umeme mad, and she'd made it abundantly clear to her mate Zara. Zara had dismissed her though, explaining that everything would be fine. That Tsubaki was more than capable of keeping the princess safe. Though her words did little to calm the fury and anxiety building in her chest. She'd decided right then and there that she would decide for herself whether this Tsubaki was capable of such a task.

Now here she was today, pushing were her way through the hidden trails, her youngest cub, Simba'moto in tow. They were almost there, she could hear two lionesses conversing to themselves. What a shame it was going to be for her to interrupt their conversation. But their conversation wasn't what was important, the safety of the royals was what mattered and she was here to ensure Tsubaki was up to the task.

-----

"Mom where are we going? I wanna go back and stay with Zaaaraa." Simbi's words wore on her nerves like nails on a chalkboard. He knew his Mother would lecture him later for whining, but for now, he didn't understand why he had to come. Everyone else had gotten to stay behind! They were even going fishing! "Zara is taking everyone fishing, why can't I go?" He knew his Mother wouldn't answer straight away, she was in that mood. The mood she got in when she knew something had to be done. She frequently zoned into it when Zara tried to do something on her own, without his Mom's permission.

Sighing heavily, Simba slipped to the right quickly enough to avoid tripping over a large root sticking out of the ground. "And I know I would have caught a bunch of fish! I saw it happen!" He was of course referring to the dreams he'd been having lately. So strange, yet so vivid, and everytime he had one, it always came true.


----

"Hush now, we're going somewhere much more important today. You might even get to meet a princess!" Her eyes widened with excitement as she tried to take his cares off of his disappointment.

"You want to be a big boy don't you? Well this is what big boys do, they come along on important missions!" Smiling from ear to ear at her little cub, she pushed back some brush before them and revealed the two lionesses before them.

"Now we're going to go talk to these nice ladies, and you should be on your best behavior. " With a gentle pat to his head, and then a nudge in the rump she pushed him out into the clearing ahead of her.

"Good morning ladies! I hope we aren't intruding on anything personal!"

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

The stirring of sisters barely registered to the pair. It wasn't completely unheard of, for the mother and daughter to be arguing in the open, but what had a small crowd collecting near neighboring dens was the fact that Tsubaki was standing up to her mother. Never before had the young Guard been seen standing toe to toe with the brutish Elite, her voice just as loud and clear.

"You should be the one going with her, not me! There's only one reason that she would beg her mother to force my paw into going, and you know it." Tsubaki moaned, lowering her head as her pacing continued.

"Regardless of how this came about, the High Priestess herself said-" Makoto stalled herself, and turned her head to see Umeme and her son approach. While the other Elite was a familiar sight to her, the male was not. She had never held much grudges over cubs, but acknowledging their presence in the pride would only lead to attachments; attachments that would tear at her when they left.

"You have excellent timing as usual, Umeme." Makoto nodded her head to the lioness, passed a faked pleased look to her son, and motioned to her daughter. "Your eyes are as sharp as your judgement, and I would like you to see if my daughter is fit for the mission set before her."

"Oh, mother, that's-" Tsubaki gulped, an 'oh s**t' expression on her face.Perfect! She couldn't have been luckier if she'd walked into a hyenas den. Still, the conversation between mother and son was precious. He really was a charming little thing, wasn't he? One of the only males she'd seen, and he was still young enough to be coddled. "I-It's nice to meet you, Miss, and you as well, little mane."  

[Depawsit]

Simba wasn't impressed by the idea of meeting a princess, he just wanted to fish. But Momma said they were going on an important mission! Surely that would be more fun that fishing right? His thoughts began to race as he tried to 'see' the important mission before him. But nothing was coming to the surface, no matter how hard he squinted his eyes and tried to think of it.

With a heavy sigh he nodded politely to his Mother and followed close behind, nervous about the encounter ahead. A little too nervous actually. He quickly jogged up to his Mother's backside and gripped her tail gently in his teeth. As long as she was close, he would be just fine.

Finally the duo stopped, and he hugged up against Umeme's hind leg, her tail still gently in his mouth. As the three talked, he tried to understand what was going on, but he hardly understood a word. That is, until one of the female's acknowledged him. He jumped with a start and huddled even farther behind Umeme's legs. He knew he had to greet her back, though he was really nervous. The only females he'd ever been around were his sister, mother, and Zara.

"Its nice to meet you too ma'am" His words were low, nearly inaudible between the tone and the bundle in his teeth. But he dipped his head to her just the same, before looking to his Mother for further approval.

---



Umeme stood tall and proud as Makoto sang her praises. Yes, she was quite good at timing wasn't she? Though she hardly knew what her timing was perfect for this time around. She merely nodded at Makoto for a moment, before glancing down to Simba, who was now clinging to her hind legs for support.

"It's alright Simba, they won't harm you." She offered a reassuring smile before glancing at Tsubaki for a few moments. This was the one who was supposed to escort the princess? She did her best to hold back a snort of dissatisfaction. This was going to be a disaster, or at least, it would seem that way. She would find out in due time, but for now, she needed time to get a feel for the girl.

"That's right, i've heard she's been placed in charge of Princess Kyria as the two head off in search of surrogates." She pause for a moment, allowing Makoto time to answer. "Truth be told, that's why i'm here. We can't just have anyone guarding the future of our pride ... can we?" Turning her attention away from Makoto she took slow steps towards Tsubaki, careful to be slow so Simba could follow.

"Tell me Tsubaki ... what are your feelings on the subject? And please be honest, I have a nose for liars..." With little to not warning, she let out a loud, throaty laugh and winked in Makoto's direction.

----

Simba followed his Mother, careful not to step on the other lioness' toes as he passed by her. As the two stopped once more, he sat down beside Umeme's hind leg once more and listened. Still he had no clue what was going on. Though he did have a little something to add at the end.

"It's true, she can smell a liar a mile away!" Nodding his head vigorously, he had the most sincere look on his face as he spoke the words.

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

I AM SO LATE. ;O;

Tsubaki couldn't take breaths deep enough to steady her raging nerves. They were as shot, and frazzled as a startled prey beast by the time her mother started talking with the other Elite. Instead of looking at the pair, her eyes drifted to the little cub clinging to his mother's leg, her tail secured in his mouth. It brought a smile to her face. He, and others like him, were the reason she'd wanted to be a Guard in the first place; male or not, she would die defending him, if need be. He had the blood of the Amazons in him, and that deserved her respect. "Did I hear right? Your name is Simba? A strong name for a strong young male." She only hoped he would stop there, and not become vicious, as she'd heard men were apt to become.

Now that she'd looked back to Umeme, she found her ears flipping back against her skull, and her tail dipping between her legs. They may not have wanted to harm her son, but she wasn't entirely sure this lioness wouldn't harm her!

Unlike the other, Makoto's snort was audible, and with a disapproving stare she took stalk of her daughter's submissive stance. "Stand tall, Tsubaki! Is this how you represent our pride when you're on patrol? When you meet rogues? You're a Guard, an extension of the Queen herself; remember that." Gods above, at least she had one daughter that followed orders. As much as she loved Tsubaki, her daughter was far too meek to stand on her own, but she hoped fervently that the rogue lands would changed her; shape her into something strong enough to temper the Princess.

Looking to Umeme, she nodded. "Princess Kyria has been itching for it since she became old enough to conceive; convincing her mother's took longer." Makoto herself had tried to keep the bull-headed Princess inside the pride, at least until she had learned self-restraint, but she wouldn't have it. "You're right, not just anyone will do." She let the comment hang in the air like a threat to her dear daughter.

No pressure, Tsubaki gulped. "I...I don't want to look for a surrogate, for myself, but Kyr- Princess Kyria wants me to come with her, so I will. I just feel that one of your rank should be the ones to do it; I think I'm strong enough to protect her."

"But," Makoto added, "you are forgetting crutial information, Tsubaki. Please, be so kind as to tell Umeme and Simba why Kyria picked you."

Tsubaki's eyes widened and her heart began to race; not out of excitement, but pure dread. "S-sh-she...shelovesme."  

[Depawsit]

Simba watched with wide eyes as the female's around him conversed. He'd learned from a very young age, that he wasn't to speak unless asked to. Well at least when Momma Umeme or Momma Zara were conversing with someone. But then, one of the lionesses leaned down to his level, and he couldn't help but smile at her. Momma Zara had explained to him that many females would be scared of him and his brother, but this one didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, she was quite friendly, or at least, he thought she was.

Simba nodded politely, trying to keep his Mother's tail gently in his grasp. But it was proving to be difficult to converse and do that. Instead, she dropped his Mother's tail, and sat his rump on her foot. This way if she moved, he would know it.

"Simba MOTO" He corrected her, smiling the entire time. His Father's eye voice coming through as he spoke. "But I like Simba too!" His tail flicked behind him in excitement as he tried his best to not scare the lady away. "What's your name?" He piped up - but only a second too late, her attention had once again reverted back to his Mother. The poor cub's ear flattened against his face as he quieted down once again.



Umeme herself was already standing tall, this somewhat casual conversation wasn't going to ease her stature. Though she was relieved to hear Makoto correct her daughter. At least one of them knew the correct way to represent the pride. They were Amazons, strong proud women. Every single lady of this pride should exude that with every fiber of her being. Tsubaki was no different.

"Oh yes, i've heard about this numerous times. My Dear Zara has told me about the arguments many a time. Even going so far as to bring me before the Queen herself to agree that the idea was ludicrous." Umeme paused, rolling her eyes. Of course it was ludicrous! Royalty did not go out on their own, they needed the proper escort to guide them. Not only was the blood line at stake, but the very being of the pride itself.

Listening intently to Tsubaki's every word, Umeme was taken aback by the confession. And the look on her face probably gave that fact away. Her eyes were slightly wide, her mouth agape.

"Well be your choice of surrogacy as it may, you have been bestowed a great honor in two ways." Umeme dipped her head loyally to Princess Kyria's love interest. "Though I am sorry to say I very much disagree with Princess Kyria's choice in escort." Umeme sneered at the female, then looked back at Makoto.

"If you don't mind, would you allow Tsubaki to take Simba for a small walk? I'd like to test her ability to protect precious cargo."



Simba's heart jumped in his chest at his Mother's words. She was going to let Miss Tsubaki take him away? But ... was that OK? A frantic glace between both Tsubaki, Momma Umeme, and Makoto told him he would be OK. That is, if Makoto allowed it.

Gulping down his fears, the cub rushed to his feet and hopped happily around at Tsubaki's feet. "A WALK? That sounds like fun! Maybe not as much fun as fishing, but still fun! Right?"

Painted Moose

Nonsense! You're not late at all <3

 

[Painted Moose]

The young male's smile helped to ease her troubled nerves to some degree. He didn't seem nearly as intimidating as his mother, nor as stern. It made conversing with him so much easier, and in a way she wished it was a grown version of him that was grilling her at that moment rather than the two lionesses beside her. "I'll try to remember that, Simba Moto." Little things like that, little males - how could they be as dangerous as she was led to believe?

In between conversations, she tilted her head down, and murmured, "My name is Tsubaki," with a soft smile before turning back to the Elite Guard. Unlike the cub, she would much rather be ignored than put on the spot.

Tsubaki's ease with the young male was something that Makoto would have to correct later on. Her heart was too soft and frail; if she had sons of her own it would break her to be rid of them, and that would cost the pride a valuable guard. It was why Makoto advocated getting rid of the males as soon as they were of an age, but he was not her own. She would have to trust that Umeme was stronger than her daughter, in that aspect.

"I am glad to see that both Princess Zara and yourself agree." Tsubaki responded, standing tall. It was obvious she would fall if pushed, so tense was her posture. She might have been tempted to ask Princess Zara herself to talk sense into her sister, but that was far beyond her place to do so.

Seeing the shock on Umeme's face was slightly priceless to Makoto, and was a feeling she had shared at first. At the moment she merely nodded her broad head, verifying the information. How many times had she spoken with the Consort, her own dear friend, about the persistence of her daughter? She'd been laughed off, thought of as a whim of a young girl's affections, but now it was a crisis.

Tsubaki took a step back, not expecting to be bowed to at all, but it had all been a double-edged compliment. What little bit of an ego boost she had had went away with the tide.

Makoto nodded, and turned her head to her daughter. "Tsubaki, walk with Simba, and should he come back harmed I shall see you punished myself."

The pale lioness felt her heart thump inside her chest. Was this okay? As if she hadn't been worried enough looking after a grown lioness, but an Elite Guard's cub?! "Y-yes, of course." She watched the cub bounce around her feet, and resisted the urge to bat at him playfully, as she might have done another of his age. A simpler cub; not one with so much on the line. "Come then, Simba, I'll let you choose the way." Of course, if it wasn't safe, she would pull him out of the path. No way was she screwing this up.

Depawsit

8'D Am I late now? /planked

 

[Depawsit]

Umeme smiled albeit uncomfortably over at Tsubaki as she was given permission to look after her eldest son. She was confident in the girl's ability to look after a cub, but at the same time Simba was quite the handful. She could only imagine what would have happened had she brought Ta-lam along. Tsubaki would have failed the test before it even began. "Very well, go on Simba. Behave yourself as you would with anyone else." Nudging him in the rear with her snout she smiled fondly as the two walked off. Though she kept a careful eye on Tsubaki as she slipped out of eye sight with the cub.

Once the coast was clear she returned her attention to her old friend Makoto once more. "There, that shouldn't take long at all. Now all we need to do is wait patiently." Pulling her hind legs forward, the female sat comfortably before her friend and wrapped her tail around her front.

"Tsubaki is in for a little more than she bargained for that's for sure.

Tell me Makoto, have you ever heard of a seer before?"



The young cub nearly jumped for joy when Tsubaki bent down and whispered her name between conversation. He hadn't expected an adult to pipe up and give him such vital information. Adult talk was important! Not something a cub should be a part of, which is why he had hushed so quickly, but Tsubaki had included him, and now - he felt special!

Now as he bounced around her feet, he was even more excited to hear that Makoto had agreed to allow her to babysit for a while! He couldn't believe his luck today! Tsubaki was really fun, and she thought he was an adult! That wasn't even to mention that she didn't look at him weird like a lot of the other ladies in the pride did! He couldn't wait to tell her all about all the cool things about her!

As the two set off, he found himself running cris-cross around Tsubaki's feet just as he did his own Mother's. Following her as she led him where he was meant to go - but ... wait - he got to choose? "OK! Tsubaki I know just where to go! My brother Ta-lem found it!" He cheered happily, darting off in the direction of he and his brother's first base camp. "But you can't tell anyone its a secret OK!?"

It was here that he would do as Momma Umeme had asked of him, and see if he could see more than one Tsubaki! But it was also here that would tell Ms. Tsubaki just how incredibly cool she really was!

Painted Moose

Nah, you responded! You're not late XD