For a moment, Ellie thought she saw Betta returning from the hunt early. And then she noticed the differences, even from afar. Smaller, sleeker. A female scent and different markings were also dead tells. More white. But the colors...they were Betta’s. They were very much Betta's. And the way the girl carried herself reminded her so very, very much of her little Lhach…

“Good day!” Ellie shook herself out of her thoughts when the female called to her.

“Ah, hello! Who are you?” The female stopped a lion-length away, smile on her small face.

“Beti! Of the Jini-msemi. And you are?” The girl was such a friendly soul! It was so surprising to Ellie, even with her own friendly spirit!

“Lith’elen. But...you can call me Ellie.” The little lioness looked so shocked at her name, purple eyes wide.

“Mother of Lhach? Mate to Betta?” Ellie was...shocked herself. How did this...what was…

“Yes...why do you ask?” Beti squeaked happily and practically danced.

“Because you are my grandmother! And I have been searching for you!” Ellie stared, orange-amber eyes confused.

“I...what? But…” She frowned. None of her cubs had had cubs...had they? The girl giggled and danced a little.

“My mother was once called Lhach. Father was once called Wahadi. Mother, when I started my Name Quest, said that finding you and Grandfather would be the best start on my journey!” The pale lioness reached a paw out and pat her grandmother’s black cheek. “And it was. I have found a mate, and friends, and though I haven’t found my adult name yet...I have had so many experiences and adventures, Grandmother.” Ellie was stunned. She remembered Wahadi, and Lhach’s fondness for him. And before her…

Before her stood the proof that Lhach was still alive and doing well and had continued the family line. She chuckled and leaned forward to nuzzle her pale granddaughter.

“You...welcome to the family, Beti. Welcome...In my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I’d see hide nor hair of Lhach and her boy again. And yet here you are, in the flesh and such a pretty lioness who seems to know very well how to take care of herself.” Beti coughed and nodded, nuzzling her grandmother back.

“Mother made sure I knew how to look after myself. Though my mate likes to think he’s doing all the work.” She giggled. “I let him think that. He’s sweet enough in his own way.” Ellie couldn’t help her smile.

“You’ll have to bring him to meet us later. This is wonderful and amazing!” Beti giggled.

“It is! Oh! I have more than just some of your colors!” Looking at her grandmother, she could see little similarities...not large ones. But enough to mark them as family. “We’ve the same markings at the corners of our eyes, and around our muzzles!” The older lioness looked Beti over carefully, then nodded.

“That we do! Though you certainly took more after my mate than myself. Hmmm...perhaps that’s why your mother called you Beti.”

“Very likely! It does sound a bit like Betta, but with a twist to it.”

They spent a great deal of time talking. Beti met an uncle, raised by the sea, and her grandfather. Her grandmother showed her the origin of some of her mother’s fighting moves, moves Daima-tii-mlei had adapted to work in the swamps. And Ellie told her about the lioness who birthed her and the pride she left so she would not stain their bloodline. Told tales of the older brother she had adored, who she hoped was a leader now. Hearing those tales woke something in Beti. A drive.

“There’s...a lot of us, aren’t there? Scattered across the lands?” Ellie looked thoughtful, then nodded.

“Yes. Yes there are.” She eyed her granddaughter oddly, then frowned. “What are you thinking, Beti?”

“Maybe the journey to my adult name lies in finding everyone. In...in maybe connecting us all back together somehow. Not in one place, no. But...just knowing we all still live, still breathe. Knowing that we’re out there to reach out to.” There was power in bloodties, in family. There was power in community. There was strength and love and so much more. Ellie looked...concerned, however.

“I cannot stop you, but I can warn you. You must be careful, dear one. The pride of my birth does not take well to pale lions. Be cautious, and keep your mate close, because there are those who would try to capture you, and make you a slave. Some treated their na’artu well. Others...others did not. And I will not see my own flesh and blood enslaved. So please, please be cautious.” Beti nodded, determination in her eyes.

“I promise I shall be cautious. I’ll keep Shupavu close, and I’ll be on my guard.” Carefully, she nosed her grandmother’s shoulder. “Should...should I tell them you’re alive and well?” The darker lioness did not speak just long enough that Beti thought she’d asked the wrong question.

“Yes. Yes, you should. It is high time I stopped pretending. And you can tell them exactly why I left. That they can come find me by the sea if they truly wish to see with their own two eyes.” She closed her eyes, then took a deep breath. “I expect someone will come wanting to check on things. Perhaps even a sibling!” Perhaps...Nyota. She had missed her brother, the first Star, so much. Possibly as much as she’d missed her mother.

“I’ll make sure to tell them, Grandmother. And I’ll show them that the skills your mother passed to you have been passed down to your daughter and to me. I’ll show them that even though you have no demon like they do, you are still strong.” Ellie’s breath caught in her throat as her face showed just how much the words touched her.

“Thank you, Beti. Your parents did very well with you. You have a good heart and a brave mind. And I wish you all the best wherever your life and journeys take you.”

[Word Count: 1,008 according to Google Docs]