[PRP] Family gatherings (Maisha, Kari & Aspros) Fin

[Tanakako]

Maisha smiled to herself as she spotted a certain golden tan male padding up the path towards her. He had been present company many an evening as he sought out her company for no other reason than to talk. His story was heartbreaking and yet heartwarming all at the same time and she hoped desperately that his story had a happy ending.

His arrival at the pride boarder had been unexpected, and at first she hadn't even known he was there, brought in by the big grey male Szurke as a joining rogue. But he had finally come to her den one morning, sheepish and shy and tired beyond all endurance, asking after a certain dashing rogue with a flame point coat and silver tongue. Of course Maisha had never forgotten the stranger who had left more than a memory behind and she had been more than willing to tell all she knew of the male who's visit had gifted her with seven bundles of fluff.

As Kari's story slowly came to light her heart went out to the young refugee and she had welcomed him into her family like a son. Or would that be son-in-law. She hoped for his sake that the rogue he sought returned to their pride. For she couldn't see any other way for the pair to be reunited.



Spotting the dark female along the path he smiled in return, honestly glad to see her. Any time spent in Maisha's company was pleasant and he knew he was incredibly lucky to find perhaps even the only female in the Savannah who was not jealous in such strange circumstances. He had no idea how he would have reacted in her situation but he had found her to be charming and funny and more than happy to regale every story and tidbit she could recall about her chance encounter.

He missed Fuuen so badly that some nights he couldn't sleep. Food had become a necessity a long time ago rather than a pleasure and the only thing that kept him going had been the rumours. Having found the cubs of his mate and the female who had birthed them, he felt as if he had a tiny piece of Fuenken there with him, enough that it kept him going, kept him hoping. Talking about his lost rogue with Maisha was one of the few pleasures he could find to enjoy and he was just grateful that so far, she didn't seem to mind.

Stopping before her he gave her a cheeky grin and gently bumped her cheek with his own in greeting. "Morning Maisha. How is my favourite girl today?" Her warm laughter made him smile, easing that ache in his chest briefly.

"I am well, thank you handsome." She returns, giving him a warm smile, her eyes full of kind understanding. "I don't suppose you have seen Kali today yet? She said something about a rogue getting too close to the boarder..."

Kari smiled, knowing how much Maisha still worried about her cubs even though the youngsters were not so young any more, all adults and full grown too. But he knew a mother never truly stopped trying to protect her babies so he gave her a reassuring look.

"I will go round and check up on this rogue if you wish. Though I pity any lion who tries to get past Kali. That girl is a wild spirit..." Her role of Ghost suited her mischievous ways well, and he knew Maisha had no real reason for concern.

 

[Kathryn Dragonna]

Aspros had been following Kari most of the morning. She had problems sleeping the night before, feeling very restless, so she started stalking Kari the moment he got up. Of course she COULD have gone to visit her mother and officially let her know that another of her children had returned home, instead, she was making sure the male was not getting himself into trouble by getting lost or some such. She felt attached to this male already just because he was a connection to her father, whom she had never known. She really had not thought about it before, but now she wanted that connection.

When she saw her mother, though, Aspros stepped out of the shadows where she had been slinking, and getting herself rather dirty and tried to look like she HADN'T been following the male. "Hello, momma." Yeah, she failed at looking innocent, but she still tried. The dirt on her fur and few leaves sticking on her gave away that she had been slinking along beside the path rather than on it. "If it is one of my siblings, no rogue will be a problem. They are all capable lions." And she was sure that was the way of things.

Aspros wondered if she was going to be in for a lecture about not coming to visit as soon as she was back in the pride, or not stalking the male. Maybe her mother would lose the lecture in the excitement of her being home? The young lioness could hope, and she would. She did not want it pointed out to Kari that he had been followed by her. It might be considered weird that she had done it. She meant well, though, just keeping an eye on his well being. Really she meant it that way.  

[Tanakako]

Maisha grinned at him, secretly delighted that the male was so responsible. He was such a nice boy and she couldn’t help wanting to include him with her own cubs, even though Kari was likely the same age as she was. He was just so kind and caring, and with such a pure heart that she couldn’t help but want to protect him and knew she was guilty of treating him like a much younger lion. Still, he didn’t seem to mind and his calmness was a welcome breath of fresh air amid the madness her offspring typically left in their wake. Not that she could blame them, or their father. She had never been accused of being sensible herself…

“Thank you Kari..” yet before she could say any more she spotted movement in the bushes and a moment later surprise filled her eyes. “Adimu?” With a cry of joy Maisha darted forwards, around the grinning Kari, and straight to her daughter. Dancing up on her hind legs she grabbed the younger female in a tight hug while simultaneously licking her dark mane tuft. “You are home!” Dropping back to her paws after a long moment with the younger captured in her embrace, she looked Aspos up and down, still grinning. “I thought it was time you got back. How was your pilgrimage? It’s so good to see you. You must tell me everything that happened!” Maisha looked so excited to have another daughter home and as eager as any cub to hear of her adventures.

Kari chuckled as his friend darted round him and shot over to her daughter. He hadn’t caught onto the fact he was being followed for a while, but had noticed his follower a short time ago. Yet as he had already been on his way to see Maisha anyway, he figured it would be a good opportunity for mother and daughter to catch up. Settling back on his haunches he watched the pair, grinning at Aspros’ expression. He knew she wouldn’t have expected such a warm welcome, as he had come to know her over the past few days while staying with her. Not that he really slept much, he just lay awake listening to her breathe and wondering what Fuuen was doing and where he was...

Kathryn Dragonna

 

[Kathryn Dragonna]

Aspros was a little taken off guard by the hug from her mother. She had not been expecting to be practically tackled by the older lioness. She probably should have expected such a reaction from her mother, but it just was not something she really thought about. Apparently her mother had missed her bad luck daughter as much as the others in the litter. It seemed a bit odd to Aspros, but then she guessed her mother might not think her bad luck or just believed in loving all her cubs the same.

"It is good to see you, Momma. It was nice... I liked being out there." Truth be told, Aspros had thought about not coming home to save everyone from her bad luck. But even if she had thought that it would work, she now thought that her mother might have come out after her and dragged her back to the pride. Not that it was a bad thing to be loved by one's mother. Aspros was liking the attention rather a lot just now. "Not much happened. It was peaceful mostly." She was not sure what her mother wanted to hear about.

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Maisha nodded, listening attentivly. "Peacefull? Thats certainly not what I rememebr, though it did get lonely..." Grinning still she moved alongside her errant daughter and nudged her forwards, closer to the patiently sitting male and Maisha's own den.

Flopping down in front of her home she tugged Aspros down next to her, the elder lioness' typically tomboy manners just a evident now as they had been when the litter were cubs. Hooking one forearm over Aspros' shoulders her mother started to groom her, lisking the silky tuft of mane atop her head, reaffirming their bond after so long apart. Between licks Maisha continued, perfectly adept at multi-tasking after being a single mother to seven cubs. "Did you get into any trouble out there? Meet anyone nice?" Of course she wanted to know about everything that had happened to her daughter and Adimu had always been one of the less talkative of her offspring, she didn;t think that was likely to have changed. "And what do you call yourself now?" She added, pausing in her grooming to look down at the younger lioness.

Kari watched the proceedings with interest, having known Maisha for a short time, and her daughter even less, he nevertheless felt like part of the family. Maisha had made him welcome from the begining, as had Aspros. He may have lost his entire life, watched it all fall apart one piece at a time, but this... this family, it warmed him, making the sharp stab of lonliness ease for a time.

"I've found the outside to be rather dangerous." He added with a soft chuckle. He briefly thought of his cheetah companion and wondered how Kyoumei was doing. But she had been well healed when they finally parted ways and seemed capable enough. He didn;t think she would struggle unduly.. And wished her the best of luck in her own quest.

Kathryn Dragonna

 

[Kathryn Dragonna]

Aspros shrugged her shoulders and settled down beside her mother. "I did not mind being alone. There was a lot for me to think about and it was nice to have the quiet time to do so." A lot to think about, like how her pride would or would not fare without her around, which she thought would be quite well, but it had not seemed to benefit from her being gone. She had thought her family might at least benefit more from her absence, but if her mother was indication, that was not true either. It left her wondering if perhaps the damage was already done beyond repair, or if perhaps Kari was right. Maybe. She would reserve judgement yet on that.

"I would not say I got into any trouble... I had a lion track me down to try to get bad luck removed, but I'm afraid I had to disappoint him. I don't remove bad luck." Aspros thought it best not to mention that she had caused said bad luck. She was sure her mother was aware that she was bad luck, but it was just not polite to talk about such things to one's family. Family tended to get offended and try to fight simple truth for the sake of their relatives reputations. "I met a few others, but nobody really interesting." The lioness shrugged again and leaned against her mother. "I am Aspros Fotheea. It is rather long, I know, but Aspros is fine."

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Maisha continued to groom her daughter as Aspros spoke, making agreeable sounds in reply. Once satisfied her daughter's mane was smoothed down properly, she settled back, content just to have the younger lioness close at her side.

"I am glad he didn't hurt you." Frowning faintly at the idea of anyone hurting one of her cubs, Maisha simply huffed and shook her head. Having been born rogue and only joining the Jini as an adult, Maisha wasn't indoctrined with the pridal ways and had a far more prosaic approch to things. "Though why he thought anyone could affect his luck..." Chuckling she shook her head. "Ah well, males can be very strange, No offence Kari..." Grinning she threw their desert-born companion a cheeky grin.


"No offence taken." He replied with an easy laugh. "Though I agree about the rogue." He tipped his head to Aspros, giving her a conspirital smile. They had already talked quite a bit on the subject after all...  

[Kathryn Dragonna]

Aspros got her own cheeky grin on her face as she agreed with her mother. "Oh yes, males can be very strange... especially Kari. You know he took five wrong turns getting here? He also passed several other pride members and did not ask them for directions." Oh yes, she had seen ALL of that when she was following him. Before she had not know where he was headed, just that he kept seeming lost and backtracking. Now that she knew where he had been going, it was all the more amusing. She really was going to have to take the time to show him around so he did not get lost as easily.

"I am glad now that he's in my den. Poor male would find his end in the pride if left to himself, I think." Aspros grinned teasingly as she joked with Kari. He likely would not find his end, but she did worry a bit about his fate if left to himself. He had trouble finding his way around, was always cold, and seemed to think others did not cause bad luck. What kind of fate would wait for such a harmless and handsome lion if he did not have someone to look out for him? She suppressed a shudder at the thought. She wanted no harm to come to Kari.

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Maisha's warmly amused laughter spilled free as her daughter's cleaver tongue found its mark with their visitor. Grinning she turned her gaze to the male, Amber eyes alight with mirth.


Kari himself smirked, tipping his head to Aspros in acknowledgement of her words. "Indeed I did. I am used to the wide open space of the desert where one can see where they are going. All these trees look alike, it is a wonder anyone can find their way at all... I suspect there are a lot of lost lions stuck in the middle of this mountain, not a one ever to be seen again." Certainly he didn't mind their teasing, as the warm smile he wore proved. Typically humble he was happy to be the subject of such friendly jesting. "And why would I need to ask anyone else when I have my own personal escort?" He added, grinning cheekily back at Aspros.

Maisha chuckled at their playful banter. "At least I know he is being looked after if he is staying with you, daughter. I was worried when I hadn't seen him with Kali that he had gotten himself into trouble."  

[Kathryn Dragonna]

Aspros stretched lazily. "I am sure the Ghosts will find them and chase them back out of the trees. I found the paths quite easy... And what would have happened if I had not be stalking in the shadows to see if you made it here? Hmm? I really will have to escort you everywhere." The lioness reached one of her paws out to poke the male in the leg. "I thought perhaps Kali could use the space for starting a family... and making someone a grandmother." The younger lioness pulled herself up to sitting and gave her mother a sideways look. "Someone has to do it."

Aspros stood, shook herself off, and walked over to Kari. The lioness circled him, flicking him in the nose with her tail as she passed, and then sitting next to him on the opposite side from where she started. She leaned over on Kari and gave him a sweet smile. "I have all the time in the world for keeping you out of trouble. No plans for a mate or cubs, and all that extra den space." She reached up and poked his muzzle with a paw just for the heck of it. She was enjoying picking at him. The fact that he took it so well just made it more fun.

Tanakako

 

[Tanakako]

Kathryn Dragonna

Kari laughed softly at the poke, lifting his forepaw out the way and crossing it over the other, eyeing the younger lioness with an amused smile. "Trying to matchmak already?" He grinned. "I don't know if your sister is ready to settle down, she seems to take after her mother in that regard."

"You!" Maisha laughed, aiming a swipe at the male which missed entirely, though her broad grin betrayed the motion as playful. "I think I will take that as a compliment." She returned, chuckling.

Kari dipped his head, smiling. He enjoyed Maisha's company, and her daughters were equally as pleasant, kind and often as quirky as their dam. Golden gaze followed Aspros as she stood and circled him, brow quirking in an amused, questioning expression. "I suppose I can't really argue. So it is a good thing I have you to be my guide, yes?" Grinning he flicked his tail against her side in playful retaliation for the pokes. "I think I'm going to enjoy having a guide at my beck and call." Grinning broadly now he arched a brow, a playful challenge.

Maisha laughed, amused by her daughter's teasing of their guest. Though the conversation did make her wonder just when one of her cubs may take a mate. A grandma hu,,,? She had never considered it. Maybe it was time to consider finding herself one, she wouldn't mind trying the whole couple thing for once...

"Poor Kari, being teased so.... " She smirked, watching the two opera it her.