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 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2025 5:36 pm
 Chui had long since figured out her Empress' schedule - getting up before dawn and tending to her duties as Empress just after it. She'd learned to adapt around her schedule. While Khanya was shadowed by her Champion, Shujaa, Chui could go hunt, either pulling other members of the entourage along with her, or hunting smaller prey on solo outings. The latter was what she had done today and she had dragged the small antelope back to the pride. Her tail curved up, her pleasure evident, as she paraded her kill through the pride. She hadn't taken a bite of it since she'd delivered the killing bite to its slender throat. Her hunts were all for her Empress' gain - she could fill her belly on what Khanya chose to pass on. And after our bellies are full, we can find a patch of sun to lay in, and I shall clean the dirt from her pelt and tell her of the gossip I've caught. Chui caught gossip easier than she did prey - with her ears open to the chatter of the matrons and on occasion, even some huntresses between harems. She kept her whiskers away from loners - she was apart of the Entourage, and so couldn't consort with ranks so low in the pride, but that didn't stop her tongue from waggling on about them. She slowed her hurried paws as she caught sight of Khanya. Swallowing down the blood on her fangs, and the skip in her heart at the site of her golden, blue-eyed Empress, she took a moment to steady herself, before she approached, glancing around for Shujaa, who was sure to be shadowing her at this moment, or Kiania, the other Entourage member. Seeing neither immediately, she lay the antelope close to Khanya's paws. " I've returned from my hunt, Empress." She said and bowed her head, dutifully. As she did so, she spoke from the corner of her mouth. " So let's get out of here and eat - I've got some juicy gossip and you're the first ears I'd like to whisper it to."
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Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2025 7:01 pm
 The day had started out much like any other for Khanya. She had awoken early, just in time to witness the rising of the sun and the splendid colors the dawn painted onto the clouds. It was believed throughout the pride that they were closest to their ancestors and the loved ones who left them behind during the dawn hours, and as empress Khanya liked to give those spirits company during their journey across the sky. She would often find herself musing over how her own mother, the late empress Ilanga, would tell her to watch for any bright patches of purple in the clouds after her passing, as that was her favorite color and likely where she would be spending her afterlife watching over her. The thought always brought a warm smile to Khanya's maw, knowing that even in death, her mother was still so close. The pridelands may have believed in the great kings living on as stars, but in the dawnlands, mothers were remembered in the beautiful paintings of early morning clouds. Khanya was just finishing up her morning vigil of the painted sky when her ears twisted backward to catch the approach of hurried paws in her direction. It was one of those rare moments where Shujaa had gone off to scout the territory on his own, leaving Khanya by herself in quiet reflection, and she was curious as to who might be bold enough to approach the empress of the dawnlands by her lonesome. Of course, as soon as she craned her fluffy neck around to glance over her shoulder, she was greeted with a familiar face that brought a genuine smile to her maw. "Good morning, Chui! That's quite the fine catch you've brought in," Khanya responded, her blue eyes sparkling with the whispered conversation of gossip. "Yes, let's go find somewhere shady," she whispered back as she rose to her paws and shook out the little fluff on her neck. The empress did not hesitate to bump her forehead into Chui's shoulder affectionately, a light purr rumbling in her throat at the thought of a good meal and juicy gossip to boot. A slight hint of mischief touched her eyes as she wondered how Shujaa would react to not finding her where he'd left her for his quick lap around the territory. But to be fair, she would be with Chui, a trusted member of her entourage, so she was in no real danger. Perhaps it would teach him to put more faith in her? Then again, it might just make him worry more. Oops. Oh well, she did enjoy making him worry every once in a while. It was quite cute for such a large, powerful lion. Speaking of cute. Khanya dipped her head close to Chui's and lowered her voice back down to a whisper. She didn't want Shujaa or anyone else sneaking up on them and overhearing their conversation. "I know the perfect shade tree for our little rendezvous, follow me," she said with a small grin as stepped forward to lead them to one of her favorite shady spots. The dawnlands didn't have as many trees as it did rock outcroppings, but Khanya knew where to find them all.
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Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2025 8:11 pm
Chui was pleased to see the sparkle of interest in Khanya's gaze when the gossip was mentioned. Chui in turn was eager to share the news. Rumors of the new harem were plentiful - but the latest concerned one of the cubs that the new matron, Nomvula, had brought with her. Another matter addressed the Empress' own son who had at last chosen a harem, but not in the way that one might expect. Her pelt tingled with anticipation - and a flush of heat coursed through her, spreading across her cheeks, when Khanya bumped against her. " I'll follow you anywhere." She replied, before picking up the antelope in her maw and following along with her Empress. With her mouth full of prey, she couldn't chatter along as she may have otherwise, but that gave her more time to observe her surroundings... and to gaze lovingly at Khanya. Often, she let her tan pelt brush against the golden fur of the lioness beside her. Occasionally, she moved too close, too quickly, and bumped against Khanya's shoulder with her own. She made an effort to smile around the prey she held. This is as good as it gets. She thought, her tail curling with contentment. Of course, she held her secrets - feelings for Khanya that she hid in her professions of love, things that were taken often as platonic remarks. And if that's what her Empress was more comfortable with - she wouldn't push. To be apart of Khanya's Entourage, to be among her few confidants and that she could be of use to the lioness she held most dear, it ought to be more than enough. Any secret feelings... they would have to remain that way, at least for another day. Chui occasionally glanced around - they were still within the pride's territory, of course, but she noticed they were pulling away from the other harems and huntresses. She blinked her acknowledgement at any that they passed, but this became fewer and fewer as they went further out. It seemed that they were headed towards someplace they could truly be alone, and Chui would cherish every minute of it.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2025 8:41 pm
Khanya was practically prancing next to Chui, offering her entourage a pleasant grin when they happened to bump into each other as they moved forward together. The morning air was chill and crisp, and the empress was in high spirits with the prospect of gossip, a good meal, and great company awaiting her. She didn't pay much mind to those they passed, perhaps offering them the occasional 'good morning' or polite smile, but her mind was otherwise preoccupied. Her pawsteps were light and springy in nature, as was the energy and demeanor she was radiating outward. Truly, she was looking forward to a little time away from 'empress duties', though she knew it would only be for a little while. All the more reason to treasure the moment!
Her ears perked forward as she caught sight of the tree she had been leading Chui towards, and she bounded forward a few paces, her tail held high in a confident gesture. A-ha! She knew she remembered where to find it! "There it is! This is where we'll have our little picnic," she smiled at Chui, her blue eyes glimmering with pride at the little spot she had picked out for the both of them.
The tree so to speak wasn't terrible large, but it had wide branches that spanned out from its trunk, offering a rather generous amount of shade that stretched onto to the surface of several flat rocks. Perfect for laying out and basking on top of the flat rock surfaces. A few paces away was a small stream, hardly the width of a single lion, perfect for a drink without much fear of crocodiles; unless it was the rainy season and the stream's banks were nearly three times the size it was now. Luckily, it had been somewhat dry recently, and the stream was nothing more than a gentle flow of water.
Khanya was all too eager to hop up onto one of the stones, circling a few times before finally laying down and patting the space next to her with her paw for Chui to join her. "Not a bad spot, I think. We shouldn't be bothered here, at least until Shujaa realizes he's misplaced me," she chuckled, her eyes shining with mischief. "But do tell me, what sort of gossip has reached your ears my dear Chui?" The empress did quite enjoy the good bit of gossip, especially since everyone was always so formal around her. It made keeping up with the harems somewhat difficult at times, until that drama happened to spill over into her lap and a decision needed to be made one way or another.
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