The Ela'Wadiyi was thriving. Everywhere around the pride - or clan, rather - there was new life and joy. Plenty of food, a warm but not too hot weather pattern, and of course, cubs. Well, cubs and young lions not yet fully grown. The tan lioness sighed, watching a pair of siblings play across the grassy rise near the center of the clan's temporary territory. Some days she missed her own cubs. Many had left their company on their trek from the Aali, and she wondered after them. Were they still even alive?
Kuhesh knew his mate well enough to know the look of creeping sadness she did so well at hiding. She was a wonderfully sturdy female, she took no crap and spoke her mind. She was perfect. But he'd known her long enough now to know when she was hiding something or something was bothering her. He stalked up behind her, dropping to lounge alongside her with a grunt and a puff of dust. He didn't say anything, and to anyone watching he'd look more resigned than happy to tend her, but tend he did, bending near to fondly groom the fur on her shoulder.
She shook her head when Ku dropped beside her. Darned male knew her too well. That or she was slipping. She fondly batted at him with a paw, shoving him away from her a fraction of a foot. It was a very sedate version of the game the cubs on the field were playing, and the tussling pair caught her eye again, distracting her enough to give up resisting his charms.
"...You miss them?" He'd caught her glance at the cubs. She missed them, he knew. He missed them too. But he'd been on the move for years before this. The Ela was his third home. Hopefully final home, but one never knew. He understood the need to follow your need to roam. Some souls were born far from home and had a long way to go to find a place to settle. Some never settled. A thought dawned on him as he watched the two play. "Perhaps we could ask the visitors to keep an eye out, hmm?" He tugged at her ear gently.
That was actually a good idea. She let Kuhesh tug her, nuzzling close. "We'll ask them later today. I hope they've seen some of our little ones. Not so little now though I imagine." How long had it been since their den had last been full? It seemed like forever. But what an explosion of life and love it had been! A record litter. She grimaced at the reminder of how exhausted she'd been. But oh had it been worth it. At the time she'd never thought of having more cubs. Heck, she'd had too many to ever think she'd need more! Of course, that had resulted in an even greater feeling of loss when they'd all, to a one, gone their separate ways.
He really felt like he could almost read her mind some days. They were cut from much of the same cloth. Differently embroidered, but still the same at the base level. He let a thought slowly form, and he leaned close, in no rush at all. It would be her choice, he decided, just like before. He still felt sure he had no right to even ask, to suggest it, but if it would make her happy. Help fill the little holes in her heart... "Amu?" He nudged her, then grunted abruptly. "Could always have more. You're not so old yet." Neither was he, but it was his nature to hide his 'mushy' side with a bit of callous grumblyness.
His offer took her by surprise, but at the same time felt like just the right idea. Of course they could have more. She wasn't OLD. She nearly swatted him again, but instead lazily smiled at the cubs playing. A new little family for their new home? It seemed reasonable. And perhaps if the Aali hadn't collapsed the others wouldn't have left. The Ela was more than stable - if ever there was a time or place, this was it.
She didn't say anything but he knew he'd made the right suggestion. Of course, he wouldn't try anything until she invited him to...but he'd certainly be on watch for the right time and place to push his luck. For now they could just relax and enjoy the lovely day and the calm and quiet of the peaceful pride. "Then again, you are going a bit white around the nose," He teased, leaning over to lick at the white streak along the bridge of her nose. She looked as young as the day he'd met her.
Oh that was it! With a fake snarl she half-twisted to shove him away from her. In a flash she was on top of him, biting at his neck and tugging at his mane. It was all in play though, and she was laughing through her half hearted snarls. In a minute or two she had him pinned and she rather smugly flopped down, draping herself over him so he couldn't get up. He was a good mate, and she did appreciate his offer. It had been floating around in her mind before this, but something today seemed to settle it.
He feigned fear when she pounced him, and enjoyed the tussle almost half as much as he enjoyed seeing the smile on her maw. That was his lovely mate. And even when she decided he'd make a good throw pillow (his paw'd be cramping under him soon enough, but for now it was worth the odd feeling) he was happy to let her. As long as she didn't seem so downcast anymore, he'd do anything. Anything. Their cubs before had proved him wrong about his fears of his bad luck passing to them - this time there'd be nothing to worry about. He could give Amu anything she wanted and do it with a clear conscience.