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Serket, Akuji's sister

Serket's search for her own cub, in Khalima's Jungle of Secrets.
Tue Mar 25, 2025 - Wed Mar 26, 2025



It had rained last night , the jungle was still glistening this morning and the ground was still soft with water. Mysterious ricocheting sounds of creatures, life and death meet the ears of your Lion as its view is filled with what everyone forebodingly calls "The Jungle of Secrets". Lush foliage covers even your paws as thin blades of light dance through the shimmering green. Insects fly and buzz by your ear as your lion gazes into the foliage, there is no path, no clear markings to know where to go, or how to find Her... Her.... Stories of Khalima have been whispered for some time now, That she is a strange dark shaman of sorts whom Lions from Rogues to even Pridelanders have sought out for several reasons. Medicine for ailing Pride memebers, Spiritual guidence and "dark rituals" for those who seek it, but here, in this vast and deep Jungle is where they look for her to adopt an Orphaned Cub.
Some say she is just crazy, Some think she is dangerous and can consume your spirit's essence (or YOU for that matter) but others say that she cares for the Orphans here, where the Jungle can conceal them. The buzzing and chattering of the Jungle are disrupted by a sound, a splitting and somewhat thunderous sound. Khalima's roar, slightly jagged sounding, bellows from between densely hanging vines from somewhere deeper in and seemingly strait ahead... Seemingly that is, it' is difficult to follow sounds here, the trees and the Jungle likes to play tricks on your ears and as her roars continue a moment or two, it bounces through the trees in many directions. Did she know you were coming?!?

Serket the Pale hesitated at the mouth of the jungle. The sun flew high in the sky for Serket had timed her journey to bring her early in the day. Her hesitation was only a moment, enough to catch her breath. The lioness was white on white, markings so pale that they looked like tricks of the light, or shadows in the water. Some people feared her coloration and her weird red eyes. But she was just like anyone else, except weaker by far. Breath returned to her lungs and she broke through the dense green of the jungle. She felt almost shunned by the very leaves as they tried their best to keep her out. Finally she made it through the first heavy underbrush and continued on.

It was several hours later when she heard the roar. Well, the polite thing to do was to return her call, right? So Serket roared, not in challenge but in announcement. She did not stop. She was perfectly capable of walking and greeting at the same time. Here I come, ready or not.

Under the shadows of her favored ferns Khalima lays, she can feel the presence of a new lion in her Jungle but it surprises her a little to hear the roar through her jungle in return. Her ears perk forward as she raises to her paws, her finite body that of an attuned huntress but adorned with a silver clasped shawl that drapes to one side. Khalima waits standing there, more in the open than before but her spots can make her hard to see still... However, she has absolutely no problem spotting the flickers of white that are coming her way. She mumbles to herself "This one is... wwwhite?".
If it weren't for the fact she can tell the difference, Khalima would have though it were a spirit, but spirits don't make so much noise in the broad green undergrowth. After a few more moments the two Lionesses can see one another, Khalima's eyes seeming to pierce into Serket's very being, even from a slight distance. Khalima's presence is unpredictable and her expression unreadable.. For now..

Serket's purposeful steps brought her through the jungle, attempting to follow the land as it was described by others. Animals may or may not have hidden themselves in fear, but she saw none as she passed through. She heard silence more than she heard animals... except for the insects. Her steps are soft and cautious, even as she walks heavily to make her presence known.

When finally she saw a lioness whose spots were unique and beautiful. She bowed with respect, for any lion that could survive this jungle was one worthy of respect. However, she was cautious, even seeing the description of Khalima in this lioness. "I am Serket the Pale. I seek a particular lion in this jungle. Are you the one I seek?"

Khalima makes a predictable amount of sound as she moves to meet this Serket the Pale, her ears staying forward and her senses focused, some of her lost little ones are near by but they know to stay hidden and silent. Her voice is kind of raspy and sharp as she speaks to the pale one, an odd lingering in her speech on certain words, there is a strange feeling of curiosity about Khalima.
"I am Khalima and I am the ooonly Lion that dare dwell in the Jungle of Secretsszs. This one is brave for venturing so far into the deep and daaark. The Jungle has a taste for morsels like thiiis one."
Though she is fables to care for Orphans, there is something unsettling about Khalima, something dark or dare say maybe even something worse. Her body language isnt threatening as of yet but she has a slight tension in to her.
Khalima, closing the gap between them, doesn't hardly seem bothered by the small buzzing insects that fly up around them from the undergrowth as they disturb it, creating quite an enchanting looking scene.
The light plays on them and the two Lionesses in defused patches as Khalima takes in the full view of her visitor, White and milky with the soft subtle pinks, it is intriguing that an albino would ever come here. Khalima knows of their usual weaknesses and yet at the same time, it makes sense that Serket is here, coming to her. There are only two reason Lions ever come to this Jungle seeking her, they either want a cub, or they want to die. The Lioness before her seems to move with purpose and the fact that she has made it here shows determination.

Serket stands stiffly before the strange lioness. She is smaller and thinner than Khalima, in a sickly sort of way. She is smaller than other lions her age. She has nothing to hide though, and nothing to lose except for her life. She has nothing to offer except for herself. So she says as much. "I have traveled this jungle so far from home to bring a cub home with me." She tilts her head toward Khalima. "I do not wish to take one unless one wants to come home with me. I have no cubs of my own, but I've always wanted them. I have lost two litters too soon, it broke my heart each time." Tears threaten to fall, and even if they did it would not matter. "I know that I will be a good parent to any who will come, even though I am just a rogue lion. How does this process work?"

Khalima's stride is not hasty as she listens to what this small and pale Lioness has to say, Her bright green eyes focused with smaller pupils on something but it feels like she is looking into Serket, not at her.
Khalima watches the emotions fill Serket's reddish eyes as she continued to explain and she can feel Serket's certainty and her honesty.
Even tho Serket has stopped, Khalima, athletic and tightly muscled, on the other hand doesn't stop walking. She swerves to the right side of this dainty little Lioness about 2 feet between them, her mouth slightly open to get Serket's scent within her jaws before passing her leisurely and turning to circle.
As she does she responds in a slightly sharper tone.
"This one is smaaall, frail.... but..Truthful.. Respectful."
Her voice settles out more with less sharpness but gains something eerie instead, Khalima's own scent is almost unidentifiable against the smell of the Jungle and its hot thick air.
"Thizs one has seeeen the eyes of death, felt it's cold paain... Almost nothing hurts quite as much as a Mother followed by ghosts and now one comes to mee for a cub of her own. To teach... To provide for, but can sshe protect it? "
She asks, she doesn't answer how this works yet, the young are often impatient.
Khalima keeps circling, looking over this pale little Lioness. She is not the hugest Lioness herself but she is certainly much bigger than Serket, however she does not underestimate this beautifully white thing she sees. Serket's heart is speaking to Khalima in a way that Serket herself cannot hear.

The feelings she got about Khalima were fueled by stories she'd heard about her. "Her bright green eyes look into your soul." "She speaks in riddles." But she was harsh. She spoke the truth of what she saw. She was not a malignant person. But she was not one to trifle with. Serket realized this lioness could kill her where she stood and feed her to the cubs she kept hidden away. And no one but her brother would wonder or mourn her passing. The death of someone close. It haunted her like it could never haunt her brother, or so she thought. How could she possibly protect a cub? Her stunning red eyes widened in shock. What would she do? The child would run. Run and be killed once she was killed herself? She gulped softly and, not realizing the paranormal burden she carried, watched the larger lioness circle her. She had no idea how she could protect. Life unfolds in cruel ways, sometimes. Would a cub be better off here, in this dangerous place than back home with her brother and his mate? Even an adult lion could die here, the bones poking up through the dark soil, had proven that. "A rhino, a rogue gang, another lioness, famine and drought. I cannot promise that a cub would not die in my care." She sighed. "But a cub in your care could also die. When fate comes, it cannot be diverted. But I will do everything in my power and more to protect that cub."

Honesty... It is brutal just as Africa herself is also just as brutal and in so many ways, Khalima walks as a reflection of that honesty with every brutal step.
She stops in front of Serket finally, The Jungle has literally fallen silent and still as the grave as tho holding its breath. Khalima sits, neatly folding her tail over her paws as she watches Serket's reactions. Many fall short here in this moment, when the sweet things someone could say would all but tarnish in the Jungle's still air. It is hard to tell if it is Khalima or the Jungle it's self that judges Serket but Khalima's face finally shows some form of expression, a fang graced smile. There is real and solid truth in Serket's words and Khalima does not doubt that Serket would lay down her life for her cub, That reguardless if she is able, she is willing to pretiect and do what has to be done. No matter how hard someone tries, even Khalima hasn't always been able to save her wayward cubs and still may watch the Jungle take another. Serket is smart, and wiser than most would think, her answer was impressive and so very on point. No empty promises, Something Khalima cannot stand, Only realism.
Her voice is much smoother than before as she speaks however still somewhat sharp, is she... happy???
" This one is veery corrrect. Not even I, with knowledge of medicine and a strong bite, can ultimately succeed in saving a cub... Not always, for even they have their place to take in the Circle of Life. But at least This one will try to prevent it."
Her eyes finally refocus more on Serket's face and into her warm colored eyes, Khalima tilts her head and in her expression is something most motherly.
"This one, Serket the Paaaale.. Surprises me. That does not often happen.
So, you want to know how it worrrks?
One must take an Oath to neeever abandon the cub,
To teach the cub not only to survive but to value life... and death.
To teach the cub of the Great Circle of Life.
Only then will the Jungle of Seecretzs let you leave with one alive.
So my next question is veeerry ssimple little Ghost.. Is one prepared?
For if you try to return a cub to me, I will let the Jungle eat."
There is a small rustle of movement near by and as one small bright green eye peeks from between the Jungle leaf fronds. Khalima's tail twitches with annoyance at the Cub whom is disobeying her and lingering way waaaayy too close is making noise in the silence but she stays focused on Serket.

All at once Serket realized that the jungle had gone quiet. Even the crawling insects and bugs had fallen silent. What could that mean? Then Khalima sat in front of her, her green eyes seemingly piercing her brain through her own red eyes. The greater lioness smiled a toothy smile. She understood that even cubs had a place, and sometimes they had to die. Serket huffed a heavy sigh. What had she been expecting, some answer as to save the cub in the worst of circumstances? Well, no. It was not possible in every situation. There was no secret word or ritual that would keep this new cub safe for ever. So, she would do her best in every situation. She could do no more, and was not willing to do less. So she nodded. She was ready. "Yes, how does it work?" Then she listened. She would do these things Khalima asked. She would have anyway. And she would nenver give that cub back. She doubted she would be willing even if Khalima came to Serket.

"Khalima," she paused and raised her voice. "Cub. I will never abandon you. I will teach you many things, including about life and death in the Great Circle of life. And I will love you as a mother to her child!" Then she blinked and glanced at Khalima, as she heard a rustling of leaves. Was it one of the cubs? She looked at where they had heard the noise. She thought she saw a faint glimmer of green beyond the variable dim light. She bit down to hide a smile. She was still young herself, and not beyond a silly child's antics.

Khalima's mouth opened as to say something and the rustling interrupted her. for A moment the annoyance makes her eyes sharp but this white Lioness speaks rather boldly. Khalima can feel her absolution and in a way has a good deal of respect for one like this to still bravely be standing here. Serket sees movement of black and white in the edge of view as the lingering cub starts to move in closer, attempting to sneak and still not realizing they know he is there.
Khalima smirks and stands, almost towering over Serket and leans into her face, rubbing the velvet of her nose and her forehead on Serket's light colorless face. The moent Khalima does, the Jungle starts to return to its mysterious on the ambience. Pulling her head back she speaks " I am convinced and so is the Junngle. Here, sense he wishes to be nosey, he is yours."
She looks to the moving undergrowth and makes a groaning rumble deep in her spotted chest. Out of the brush tumbles a not so usual male cub, almsot like the Jungle spat it out. Patched in white over black and having an excited expression. its so strange... even tho no one saw Khalima leave, when Serket looks back, she is gone.
(congrats! )

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