[ORP-Mkhulu] Hippo Hunt [Closed; for pride members]

[Ithambo hlabathi]

INTRODUCTION

The pride is just settling into their new location, near the riverbanks, east from where they had originally come from. These plains were much greener than back home as the rain filled the rivers to the east, causing it to branch out, supplying the parched ground with the moisture it craved. Beyond that, the rain has caused the grass to grow tall and temporary flowers to bloom. It seems much different than back home.

In the midst of these unfamiliar plains, a Cinga had found a rock formation which is now acting as the pride's temporary home. Perched upon top of the stone were the Abaholi and the nursing mothers and other lionesses below them, close for safety. The pride seemed to be growing nicely now that Andhaka and Bangizwe have taken the head of the pride after Gakere and Surtak both went missing. With new blood, new litters hopefully on the way and old litters growing quickly, an Inqina is undoubtedly coming up.

To help promote togetherness in the pride after such a move, Umama Ukwazi suggested something new to the Abaholi. The lions of the Ithambo'hlabathi around about to have a new tradition that is about to happen for the very first time: a Mkhulu.

Excitement is very visibly seen as the lionesses prepare for what they expect to be a dangerous and yet exciting night hunt! With a full moon to light their way, many are expecting a quick and easy hunt, but that always depends on how easily their prey goes down. The group is fairly small, made up of maybe only a dozen lionesses. With a pride much larger, a majority of them are staying behind, letting these brave felines go and take the glory.

Seeing them off is one of the Umholi, Bangizwe, as well as his daughter and one the one who suggested it, Ukwazi, as well as much of the pride. Some are worried about this, thinking it a bad idea to hunt larger game when its not needed, but a vast majority of the pride is excited about the possible opportunity to eat something they've never tasted before or haven't had in a long time.

Last ORP:
Introductions - Bangizwe is introduced to Andhaka as the second Umholi and the (temporarily) split pride is reunited.  

[Ithambo hlabathi]

IC Information

• The pride's migration has finished and they are now in their new home. A new rainy season is upon the pride and showers are common. While cubs drowning is still a fear, adults are in no danger so long as they stay away from the rivers. There will be a major update about this soon.
  
  
• The Abaholi have now been in charge for several months and the pride has been adjusting nicely to the change. While not everyone is happy about it, it's obvious that the leadership change has been good for the pride.
  
  
• Litters are common now! With several litters already reaching adolescence and a few more mothers expecting, this is a happy time for the growing pride.
  
  
• In fact, Ukushisa, one of Bangizwe's daughters is pregnant. Mvua is currently missing from the group and has been for some time. It's assumed that she's giving birth away from the pride.
  
  
• A huria by the name of Arita has joined the pride. She's odd though as she wears the pelt of a brown lion upon her back. Some say she might be an albinistic lion and that the sun hurts her. She has since been given the new name of Umthunzi by Abazingeli. (She's now an adult!)
  
  
• The massive herds that are now around the pride are a new danger as being trampled is a real concern, not only for cubs but also for lionesses. Care must be taken while hunting.

OOC Information

• There is no specific posting order, and you are free to post as many times as you would like. Interact with your fellow players!
  
  
• This will be a primarily owner-driven RP with several plot-forwarding posts intended to come from the mule, Meepfur or Quaji.
  
  
• There will be open combat in this ORP. Due to the nature of this ORP, by posting in this thread you are giving temporarily giving us a permission level 1 to your SoA if you do not have anything posted in the permissions thread. This permission will only last the duration of this ORP and can only be applied in this thread.
  "1. Minor illness and permanent injuries such as kinked tails, torn ears".
  
  
• A character may jump in at any time so long as you signed them up. There are no late-comers though, so it is assumed they have just been silently following along.
  
  
• This RP is open to any SoA who was signed up in this thread, all of Meepfur and Quaji's Bonelanders and anyone else granted permission.
  
  
• One post = one ticket.
  
  
• The option for more prizes will be able to be earned throughout the ORP.

Prizes

Bangizwe x Mvua

x2 Edit vouchers, can be used ONLY on Bonelands SoA.  

[Ithambo hlabathi]

Mkhulu Information

How many rolls can we do?

You may roll as much as you want, but your last post must be filled in before rolling again!

How do I roll multiple characters?

Roll two extra dice for however many characters you're rolling for.

Example: Rolling for Bangizwe and Imbali. So I roll 4, 6-sided dice.
The first two are Bangizwe's, the third and fourth are Imbali's.

To find an adolescent's roll when rolling with an adult, you roll all 6-sided dice. If the dice applicable to them roll greater than 4, turn them into a 4.

Is there risk to this?

There definitely is! If your SoA has permission posted [here], your SoA may be injured throughout the course of the event. There is the possibility of death.

My SoA doesn't have permission posted in that thread, can they still be injured?

Yes. Due to the dangerous nature of this ORP, by posted your SoA in this thread, you are giving temporarily giving us a permission value of one. This will only last the duration of this ORP and can only be used in this ORP.

How do I determine my damage?

In the spoiler below you'll find a list of differing stats as well as a guide on how to read them. Find the one that applies to your SoA.

Rolling Information

show spoilerhide spoiler

FORM FOR TOP OF POST

When you roll, please fill out this form and be sure to include it at the top of your post.

[color=green][b]Roll Information[/b][/color]
[size=10][b]Name of Lion:[/b]
[b]Adult or Adolescent:[/b]
[b]Male or Female:[/b]
[b]What did you roll:[/b]
[b]Total damage:[/b] [/size]

EXAMPLE

Roll Information
Name of Lion: Bangizwe
Adult or Adolescent: Adult
Male or Female: Male
What did you roll: 1, 5
Total damage: 9



DAMAGE AND HOW TO CALCULATE IT

First dice roll determines hit, second determines for how much damage.

Example roll: Quaji rolls a 1 and 5 for Bangizwe.
Male adult, so 1 would make it a hit for 5 damage.

Miss: No damage
Glancing Attack: 1/2 damage
Hit: Normal damage
Critical Hit: x2 damage

If your damage would result in a fraction (such a 1.5), round up.

Adolescents - Roll 2 4-sided dice
[Male]
1. Miss
2. Hit
3. Glancing Blow
4. Hit

[Female]
1. Miss
2. Critical Hit
3. Glancing Blow
4. Miss

Adults - Roll 2 6-sided dice
[Male]
1: Hit
2: Miss
3: Glancing Blow
4: Hit
5: Critical Hit
6: Miss

[Female]
1: Hit
2: Glancing Blow
3: Glancing Blow
4: Hit
5: Miss
6: Critical Hit

 

[Ithambo hlabathi]

The hunt would be on soon.

Bangizwe was anxious about his daughter's suggestion of allowing a larger hunt, particularly one for as of large game as she had suggested to let those under Andhaka and his protection attempt to fell. Still, despite his apprehension towards the entire thing, he was still somewhat excited to see if they could manage, if they could truly manage to take down such a beast. What a feat of strength that would be. It almost made him a little jealous that he wasn't going, but with cubs on the way and a few new little ones running around, he had to stay behind and keep a watchful eye over them.

The Mkhulu would be underway soon and with watchful eyes, and a fast-beating heart, Bangizwe sighed. Careful eyes watched the hunting party swell in numbers, gathering on the outskirts of the current grounds the pride called home. With each new body, a little bit of the worry that clung to him fell away. Maybe things wouldn't turn out as badly as his mind thought they would.

[OOC Information]

This time is simply to prepare your lion for the event, have them arrive and join the hunting party, have family wish eachother well and generally get ready to go hunting!

In this time, any member of the pride, be it cub or otherwise, may participate as this is the gathering for the sending off! After this, only those who signed up or with permission from Meepfur or I will be able to continue posting.  

[Tanakako]

Ilanga grinned. Today was the day! She had been looking forward to this event for a while now. Ever since she had first herd rumours of the Mkhulu being created. She wondered if either of her sisters would be attending and looked round, head up and ears pricked for any sign of either Imvula or Ukungcola. Instead she felt the sharp talons of her vulture companion press down carefully on her rump and twisted her head round to grin at the feathery young female. Idla clacked her beak in greeting, dark eyes glinting. “Good day for hunt!” She chirped, voice excited. The pair of them were usually on their own, scouting far and wide, often not seeing any of their pride sisters for days on end, and even then usually at some distance. But for once they were present for a big event! Ilanga had made sure to stick far closer to the pride the past few days just so she wouldn’t miss this. Even Idla had been content to roost close by and kept flying across to watch the preparations.

Glancing back at the solid, imposing frame of Bangizwe, Ilanga grinned. The arrival of such a strong Umholi, along with the elevation of the previous Inselelo Andhaka had certainly been what the pride needed. A small pang touched her at the thought of their other Inselelo, now defeated and banished. Jasiri had been fun and one of the few Ilanga had got to know a little… She really hoped their short time together had been successful, but she wouldn’t worry about it for now. Only time would take care of that issue. Instead the experienced Cinga turned her attention to the slowly gathering pride, wondering who else would be going on the Mkhulu.



Today was the big day! The Mkhulu was happening! Sobala was practically bouncing on her paws in barely contained excitement. She knew her two sisters would be along any moment, as all three of them had decided to enter the big hunt and honestly, Sobala fully expected them to be some of the best hunters today. The three of them had been hunting together since cubhood, and after their mother passed away they had been forced to rely on each other completely. If there was a group more in tune than her and her siblings, Sobala would be incredibly surprised.

Forcing herself to act casual as she sauntered up to where the gathering was starting, she couldn’t help scanning the few already waiting. Nope, Yimvy and Koku hadn’t arrived yet. She was the first, so she could keep watch for them. Excitement tingled through her tail as she sat down. Then stood, only to sit again. Damnit she wanted to get started right now! Never a very patient female, even when there was nothing to do Sobala was typically doing something, so this sit-and-wait thing was really not her style. Standing again she started to wander around slowly, making a note of who had already turned up, who looked like they were getting ready to hunt and who was just here to see them all off.

It had to start soon right?!



Dania had intended to go on the big hunt, after all it was a brand new event in the Ithamabo. But she had recently discovered she was carrying Bangizwe’s cubs. Already she was looking rather fat and heavy, and just getting about was becoming something of a trial. Dania had not had cubs before and truth be told she was kind of scared about the whole thing. Oh, she certainly wanted them, desperate in fact. Since the loss of her twin sister the young female had been…. detached, constantly nervous and scared, but now she felt more herself. Cubs… her cubs. Tiny fluffy balls of life that would completely dependant on her. It as both terrifying and exhilarating.

Making her slow and slightly waddling way towards where the Mkhulu was gathering, Dania was happy to see a friendly face. “Ilanga!” She called, knowing she would not be able to reach the older female as quickly as Ilanga could come to her. Puffing slightly she lumbered into a heavy jog. There was no urgency, but the last time she had seen the free-natured Cinga had been ages ago, and Dania desperatly wanted to prove to the female that she was better now. Not completely ok of course, but she was taking care of herself and was no longer on the edge of giving up. Refusing to recall those dark days of depression, Dania beamed, excited to catch up with her unexpected friend.



Maditah hadn't planned on coming along to the gathering. She wasn't going on the Mkhulu after all, there was no room for a half-blind lioness on such a big occassion. But lately she had been getting to know a young female by the name of Dania. Recently Dania had been showing signs of pregnancy, and as an experienced mother Maditah had taken up the role of guide and advice-giver as the younger lioness grew more and more anxious. Dania had wanted to come see everyone off, in the hopes of catching up with some old friends, as Maditah had understood it, and watching the young mother-to-be hurry off towards a pale tan lioness with a huge vulture on her back, Maditah was glad she had agreed to accompany Dania. It was good to see the younger female smiling without the worry lines.

She herself followed at a much more sedate pace and instead of going up to Dania and her Cinga friend, Maditah moved to where a few other seemed to be gathering. Looking over she spotted Bangizwe and smiled, if he looked her way she would make her presence known but otherwise she was quite content to watch from the sidelines. Bangi had a lot on his plate, not only organising this event but with so many new litters suddenly arriving, both Umholi would be busy for quite some time.

Maditah settled down, content to watch the proceedings.



Kala had begged to go see the Mkhulu set off. It was the first time it had ever happened, or so she had been told, she didn’t want to miss it! Of course Grandma Najalo had agreed, but then Kala wondered if it was such a good idea… After all everyone would be there, or nearly everyone, and this would be the first time she was around quite so many of the pride. Nerves knotting up in her belly as she wondered just how many would stare at her this time, or if anyone would try and chase her off again. But… No! Papa wouldn’t have let his nerves get in the way of doing anything, so she wouldn’t! Shoring up her uncertain determination, the young lusizi held her head high and ignored the butterflies dancing about in her stomach. Her sister was near by and Grandma Najalo wouldn’t be far away… She could do this!

Spotting several lionesses already gathered kala had to remind herself to keep going. Then she saw the huge shape of the imposing Umholi. Her jaw dropped slightly, as this was the first time she had truly seen him up close. He was even bigger than the male Enda she had met as a cub! Or the nice Inselelo Jasiri, who Grandma had said was gone now. Kala didn’t understand why he had gone, he was been nice to her, so the idea of not seeing him ever again made her a little sad. The males seemed nice to her, nicer certainly than some of the lionesses in the pride.

Anyway, she was here now! Glancing about she looked for somewhere out of the way to settle down. No sense in causing a commotion by trying to get too close.  

[SilverLutz]

Nehanda was nervous. Jasiri had been run out of the pride, she could tell something wasn't quite right about her pregnancy, and now there were dozens of lions going off to hunt massive prey animals that normally weren't bothered with. In part she felt a bit guilty for it, as she was one of the many females that would be having or already had cubs, and in part she was simply nervous for those brave enough to join up. She kept to herself for the most part, simply here to see others off. She certainly wasn't going, not with her bulging belly, and even if she weren't expecting any day now she wouldn't have gone. She was far too weak and small to even attempt at offering help for something like this.

Udaka on the other hand was glad for this opportunity to prove herself. She was a recent addition to the Bonelands and felt as though she had a lot to show her pride mates. This would - hopefully - be her time to shine and show off her prowess at the hunt. She, too, kept to herself, looking at the other lionesses to see who might be useful in this hunt and who might not be. She certainly hoped the multiple pregnant lioness' would be staying put.

Ever true to his nature. Sturm was bopping around those gathered, trying to see who exactly was coming so he'd know who to chat to. He was a fairly recent arrival as well, although he had taken an oath of celibacy to remain within the pride. His blue mane was a bit odd to some so today was the day to show that he wasn't around for just fun and games. He could really help this pride out!

A little female caught his attention thanks to her unique coloration, and he bounded over to her with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey! Look at you, aren't you pretty?" He plopped himself down right in front of her. He had never seen someone so colorful here before, and it was nice that she was blue like his own 'strange' coloration was. "I don't think I've met you yet. I'm Sturm! Are you coming on the hunt with us? Oh, wait, you're a bit young aren't you...that's okay, you can come next time!"

Tanakako

 

[Meepfur]

Andhaka skirted his way around and through the milling group of Bonelanders wearing his usual serious expression, though he did offer nods of acknowledgement here and there as he passed, and at one point stopped to greet Siantaidh and whuffle with polite interest at the four little cubs she had reappeared with only a day earlier. All girls, mostly an acceptable mix of both their markings and colors, although one had a little shock of blue on her tail. Not ideal, but she would at least fare better than the two all-blue Lusizi who had been brought into the pride. Sian seemed worried about it, apologetic, murmurred something about off colors in her family, but he wasn't bothered by it, personally. They were cubs, they were healthy, and tailtufts were of little concern to him.

He soon moved on, though, careful not to linger too long or express too much interest, not wanting to look as though he were sticking his nose too much into female matters, knowing full well that some were touchy about the boundaries of his role and theirs. Sian was quite agreeable, but there was always someone watching - and of course, she had been Firekin, and the speculation that he was never completely died out, so there were concerns about appearances there as well.

As he reached Bangizwe and Ukwazi, however, a glimpse of a lopsided smile replaced his serious look for a moment. Despite the initial tension and concerns of the females, the Abaholi were getting along quite well - were friendly, even, and had become so rather quickly. "After this," Andhaka muttered to his fellow Umholi, "We're having a Kwa, so that they can laugh at you."

Escort duty. This was sure to be delightful, especially if he ended up involved in the hunt himself. He could hunt...sort of. It had been awhile, and mostly on his own or with another male or two. This was another matter entirely.

((Will have to get my ladies in later!))  

[Syrius Lionwing]

Kokulzawa strode through the crowd, working her way towards her siblings. There was quite the throng out here and though she had managed to get herself near the back of the throng she nudged her way forwards until she stood beside her sisters. Smiling lightly she grooms her youngest sister. "I know young-in, but calm down, don't get too excited you'll get hurt." She chuckles at her other sister and bops her on the head gently "and you settle. You know you have to be patient."

She settles herself in to a gentle sit between her two younger sisters watching carefully for the start of the hunt. "Just remember to stay together and don't attack the front end." The eldest lioness smiles and settles her fore paws on her sisters rumps. "Sit, wait, we will be off soon enough."  

[SilverLutz]

Han didn't relax as more lions showed up, including some of the males in the pride. She couldn't help but worry after how the last missions had gone. There were a few of them that had been very badly hurt and were still recovering, in fact. This hunt would be dangerous, that much everyone knew, but it all depended on the temperament of the prey as to just how dangerous it would be. She sat down, wincing a bit as the pressure of her unborn cubs was pressed against her innards, and managed to lay on her side to watch those gathered.  

[CaliWolfe]

Uthuli felt excitement roar through her veins. The Mkhulu that was about to occur was the first of hopefully several to come in the passing years; and being the first it was clearly the most important. The pale lioness walked with a brisk pace to the area where other lionesses (and some of the lions too) were gathering in preparation for the hunt.

The only reason she hadn't arrived sooner was because a certain brown lioness she had been talking to more frequently lately had taken her sweet time in getting up for the send-off of the huntresses.

She huffed out a sigh of relief at seeing the gathering was in the midst of growing in numbers, and with an almost triumphant walk she paced to the center-most point of the crowd.



Ukungcola was not far behind. Though she walked a slower more calm pace than the lioness who had preceded her. She herself had no interest in partaking in this hunt and had chosen to stay behind to mind cubs, yet she had also determined that it would do no good to merely wait for until everyone left on the hunt to tend her duties. The least she could do was see if either Ilanga or Imvula were going partake in it and give them a proper send off.

A smile curved onto her features as neared the busy area, and caught sight of Ilanga already here as well. Though it appeared as if another female was already speaking to her... Ukungcola sat down and gently curved her tail across the ground, she'd merely sit and wait until her sister was done speaking to the other, or until someone approached her instead.  

[Meepfur]

Ordinarily, Siantaidh would have jumped at the opportunity to participate in such a hunt; she'd never had a suitable disposition for fighting, but hunting she had always excelled at and enjoyed. It was one of the reasons she'd grown so attached to the Ithambo'hlabathi, moreso than she had ever expected to. At first, it had been little more than a way to stay close to her family in the Firekin, but she had soon come to love the lionesses here as true sisters. And now she had daughters as well.

The large female lay curled loosely around her four little cubs, which she had birthed in relative privacy and returned with just the day before. Most had her coloring, one with Andhaka's stripes, while one charcoal girl had hints of pinkish-red. Nestled closest to her was a sandy cub with a tiny fluff of blue at the end of her tail, which Sian had self-consciously draped her own tail over. The blue must have come from her side, she assumed, as green had made an appearance in her family before.

She greeted Andhaka cheerfully when he approached, shifting positions to allow him a better view of the cubs - even the errant bit of blue - and was pleased that he seemed pleased, blue or no. Pleasantries exchanged, she smiled when he moved on, letting her confidence be bolstered by his approval. Of course, it was the other lionesses whose approval or disapproval mattered, but having the sire's was something, at least.















Standing near Sian was Ukulambile, who bounced eagerly from paw to paw. She had accompanied the Busisa so that she wouldn't have to birth her cubs alone, and while that had been very exciting - babies! adorable babies! - she had been worried that they might not make it back in time for the Mkhulu. They were going to kill a hippo. Uku, who loved almost nothing more than she loved to eat, had never tasted hippo before, and she couldn't wait to try it! The hunt would probably be fun, too, of course, very exciting and all, but the eating was and always would be the best part. Which was part of the reason she was staying behind, rather than going along. While she very much wanted to eat something new and different, well, she wasn't so sure about undertaking the danger of killing said something. Better to let someone else do the killing, then she could do the eating. Some of it, anyway.

"This is gonna be awesome, yeah?" she gushed to her friend and anyone in the vicinity.















Inkinga wasn't feeling the excitement at all. The young adolescent was not yet Zalwa, despite her attempt to become so in time. She had asked Ukuthula to meet her at dawn a few days prior, hoping to complete her Ukuzalwa, but the dappled lioness had stood her up. It shouldn't have been surprising - she was far too young and inexperienced yet - but it was no less disappointing. So, instead of joining the Mkhulu, she would be stuck here with the cowards and the cubs, sulking.

The youth had the look of a stormcloud about her, sitting at the edges of the gathering with a withering scowl.









Uheshe sidled up beside her with a slightly less than sympathetic smile, brushing the adolescent with the tip of her tail. "Something wrong, Inki?"

When the reply was an emphatic but obviously false 'No,' the patchy young adult patted Inkinga's paw with her own. "I'm so sorry you can't come, I know how much you wanted to." Uheshe's condescension was barely-concealed; she loved that she could go and Inkinga couldn't. Their mothers may have turned from rivals to friends, but the daughters looked to have no such transformations in store. "I'll try to save you a piece, if you want."

Without waiting for further response, Uheshe slunk onward with a smug grin to join the group.  

[Quaji]

Bangizwe's mane shook as he laughed. "I'd be glad for it! Some friendly competition wouldn't hurt and I'm sure the lionesses would love to see us fall over our feet in our attempts to out-do eachother. What a day that would be!" In truth, he was getting a little fat, a little lax, but at least he still looked good enough that the lionesses still vied for his attention and rogue males still turned tail and ran from him.

As the lionesses approached, forming their group, conversing for the short while until they set off once the last body had arrived, Bangizwe chuckled out another reply to his fellow Umholi. "But someone has to stay, watch over your cubs, mine too." So many lionesses were pregnant now and as caught Dania out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but beam with pride. Of course the lionesses could watch out for themselves, but he didn't trust snooping rogue males to keep their distance from the pride. With Jasiri still missing and talk of him being beaten in a fight surfacing, it seemed like the pride was, at least currently, without an Inselelo. This just meant more work for him. He sighed.

There was a sense of pure excitement in Imbali's eyes and in the way she walked as she approached the group with Umthunzi in tow. All while Isidlo sat perched upon her back, ruffling her feathers in a rather grumpy manner. This hunt was going to be grand and even now she could feel the anticipation to head off between those who were already here.

"Ooooh, I told you we should have left earlier!" She frowned, tossing an annoyed glance back to the splotchy vulture who seemed to not care all that much about anything except sleeping upon her bonded's back. It was much too early, the sun wasn't even up yet and she was tiiiired from the day before. Too much scouting ahead for possible leads on where to go for this 'grand hunt'. At least thanks to her stamina and her wings, they wouldn't be wandering around the savannah forever looking for this hippo.

Umthunzi was not cloaked in her usual brown hyena pelt as she expected to be back well before the sun truly rose too high and the weight of it would simply slow her down too much. Instead of hiding behind it, she simply kept her head down and her ears back, letting her long tail sway idly as she walked right passed a few of the lionesses, pausing a moment to look at Sian and the cubs that were nestled up against her. Now that she looked around, there were several other pregnant lionesses who looked about ready to birth around. It was certainly amazing and a different sight from what she had grown used to. Going from so much red to so much brown was definitely something she enjoyed. At least now she was part of a pride that looked more like her.

Meepfur

Re-quoting you again. Gabedi was introduced in Chatter, so you might wanna edit your response post to this to reflect it. <3

[OOC Information]

There will be a post in roughly 24 hours that will move things along. Please take this time to get posts in and chatter about the upcoming events.
You'll have a small window after that 24 hours as well for any final good lucks, but after that this ORP will be closed to anyone except those who signed up and those with permission.
So, if you want to get posts in for breeding count, now's the time!  

[SilverLutz]

More and more lions showed up. It was impressive, really, at just how many were willing to go and risk their lives for the sake of everyone else. If she weren't pregnant Han knew she wouldn't have been able to help. Hippos were dangerous animals and she'd probably just get in the way. Still, there were jobs to be done here in the pride as well. Watching over cubs, getting ready to help any who were wounded upon their return, catching food if the hunt turned out unsuccessful or longer than anticipated.

Her eyes flicked from lioness to lioness, glad that so many strong females were going. Perhaps they would be successful and no one would be seriously injured...that was a wish she held on to as it seemed the energy of the group was building. It was almost time for them to go.  

[Tanakako]

SilverLutz

Startled by the sudden appearance of a full grown male, Kala sat up with a gasp, though almost instantly golden eyes grew curious as she spotted the bluish mane on the adult. He certainly seemed friendly too so she hoped he wasn't just there to tease her. They did share a little of the same colour after all. Surely he of everyone would understand...

"Hi!" She greeted, still fairly cub like in her manner despite her gradually growing body. "Kala is happy to meet you," She replied, shifting up onto her paws in order to talk a little easier without craning her neck. "Yeah, Kala can't go. But she thinks it would best if she stayed back here anyway... She may distract the hunters otherwise, even if she were older.." Smiling a little shyly the vivid blue lioness blushed. She had picked up the unusual manner of speaking about herself I the third person from her grandma Najalo who had raised her.