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Somali was an early riser, he enjoyed the cool of the morning and the quiet to start his day out right. He had went to pay his mother, the Empress, a visit this morning, naturally she had questioned him, being royalty as to why he hadn't found himself a mate and become a Warrior in a Harem yet. He had told her it was in the works but had no answer as who who the lucky Matron-to-be was. He had honestly not picked anyone out yet and there weren't many loner females. However this morning he set out from the Imperial den after a visit and went to the the watering hole. Upon approach he kept his senses open for danger and for possible females, his mother's and his conversation this morning had him really thinking. He wasn't happy with being a sub-male in a Harem the way his brother was, he was a laid back male but bold and wanted more for himself than that and he didn't lack the confidence to do so.

He came strolling tot he waters edge, wide shouldered and strapping male who had trained in the ways of a Warrior with his father sense he was young. His frame was strong but not too bulky, he was fit, athletic and calm natured unless he had to become violent. He lowered his upper half to drink, careful not to dip his thick mane into the water as he began to lap at the surface, his shifting earthy hues reflected in the water as he sent ripped panning out from his maw. His blue eyes were open and they lifted as he drank and landed on Nea who was grooming herself in the shade. He wasn't too much in difference in his age from her and he remembered wanting to play with her and her brother when he was young but was always pulled away by his father for training. His father would tell him that his lot in life would be more, that he was expected of, so he could only watched in small moments. He always thought Nea was pretty and as he got older that feeling moved to thinking she was beautiful with her contrasting colors. His fur was always clean, he took very good care of himself, there was a slight shine in his pelt's varying hues in the morning light and he watched her with his cerulean gaze a while he drank.

Somali was a smart one, he knew she was playing a little coy but he liked that about her, noticing without reaction that she kept checking to see if he was still looking. It was a careful balance these courtship rituals were, if he looked away with his eyes and acted too hard to get, she may lose interest or think he really wasn't interested, that tactic didn't often go well for males. On the other paw, if he was too forward or too reactive he would look desperate and that means weakness, he knows a Matron minded Lioness looks for strength in their warriors, but not too cocky or it drives them off. He kept watching as he drank until she licked her paw at the very end, that's when he stopped lapping at the water, timing was everything and in his line of training it could be absolutely crucial in many situations.
As she spoke and invited him over a small yet slightly wry smile crossed his muzzle, he licked the water from his powerful jaws and rose back up from his lowered position, lifting his large frame easily.
He responded in a pleasant and slightly playful tone, " Are you inviting me to groom you Nea?" He said as he stood and started a leisurely stroll in her directions. He enjoyed her contrasting colors, the pale against the dark and he had always thought she was a lovely looking Lioness, but now that they are grown he wonders about what kind of lioness she had become on the inside. His mother wouldn't like it if he went and found some random rogue to bring home, the fact she is within the Dawnlands marks her as acceptable. Though he isn't a momma's boy, he must still take in consideration the Empress' reactions and opinions. He just hoped Nea was without the lazy streak that her mother had and would put in effort into being a Matriarch, unlike her mother who just expects everything to happen for her and her love of food is the only reason she gets off of her tail and hunts.

Somali came to sit casually next to her, it was as if nothing unnerved him, he was so collected about it but these moments were very important affairs. He was eager to sit with her, to speak to her and show her attention no less. With always being consumed by training growing up he was the Prince that no one spoke to but everyone saw in passing.
Gently and going with the flow of fur, he leaned in and smoothly licked behind one of her ears, the barbs of his wide tongue doing well to comb the area, he was thoughtful about it, about making it pleasant instead of rough or against the grain. After a moment or two he pulled away a second to speak, his tone was rich and yet soft with a deeper thrum. " You are right, we haven't spoken much at all. I was never allowed to play with the other cubs or have much social interaction until I was grown. My parents call it "uneeeded distraction" " He said with a slight chuckle in his tone. There was just something so well put together about him, something in his presence that felt so very stable and dependable. He leaned back in, his scent like that of robust earth and rugged dawn with no smell of any other female in his thick mane as he neared her again. Giving the backside of her other ear and head a slow lick, careful to mind the direction and amount of force. She tasted clean and smelled delightful but he was able to keep his composure, careful not to seem entirely too wavered by the closeness. This was the first time he had been this close to a Lioness that wasn't his mother.

Somali pauses a moment, taking in the sweet moment when the lioness he wanted was actively hitting on him. He could start a harem of his own with her and he would quite enjoy that to say the least. His muzzle drew into a smile and he stopped grooming her, leaning in and gently rub his wide face on the side of hers, a deep a soft rumble of a purr had started up in his chest.
She had payed him a great compliment, showing that she approved of the lion he had become, bold, strong and level headed. He would be a very dedicated Warrior for his Matriarch and per his raising, a Matriarch deserved no less.
In his opinion he deserved no less than her, watching her grow into the striking lioness she had become. He had always wanted to talk to her, always wanted to know her more and with her offer, now he can.
It would be completely foolish to blow her off, to not accept what she had to offer in his opinion.
"I would enjoy being distracted by you Nea. Making up for what is lost and perhaps creating something new of it would be delightful. I had always wanted to know you, to be able to see you every day and enjoy possibly doting upon such a worthy lioness."
The very thought made his heart fell like it was glowing, like he could achieve anything. Not that he doubted himself very much, but that the prospect of having a Matriarch to call his own, filled him with purpose, it was what he was born for.