A Change of Plans [PRIVATE: AC & The Whistlerify]

[AustralianChaos]

Nala wasn't sure, so replied as best she could. "If we stick to the den for a while, we'll know soon enough." She looked out to the north, and sure enough, she could see Scar returning from the Graveyard. "Come on," she said, gesturing to Pride Rock. "Scar's going to announce Sarabi's 'death' soon...we'll have to be there."

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Sarabi thought for a moment. "They could be along this afternoon, but if not, then it will almost certainly be tomorrow...Sarafina intends on getting them out of there as fast as possible."

She then looked up at the cliffside, remembering one of her favourite spots to be when she was tired, or just wanted to think for a little while. "Stay here for a minute, you two...I want to look at something." But instead of looking for a way of climbing the cliff-face to the high observation point she liked, she instead walked into the cave, heading deep into it. "Don't worry," she called over her shoulder, knowing the two cubs would probably get worried as the darkness of the cave started to consume her. "I've explored these tunnels a little, I know my way around."

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Tanga stared as Sarabi ventured into the cave, before turning back to Marini. "Wonder what she wants to look at?" he asked his...girlfriend, possibly? A small smiled tugged at Tanga's muzzle at the thought.

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba sighed and followed Nala back, wondering how his life has completly changed a month ago, and in a matter of minutes.

As Sarabi walked into the cave, leaving her and Tanga by themselves, she wondered on what was on the lioness's mind. "I don't know," she said, still looking at the inside of the cave, "ask her when she comes back." She then turned to Tanga, noticing the smile on his muzzle. "What?" she asked, trying to sound as curious as she could.

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga's smile involuntarily widened. "Oh, just thinking about us, really," he said vaguely, unsure how he could possibly bring the idea of being boyfriend and girlfriend to her. Should he just come out and say it, or dance around the subject like he always did? "Yesterday really changed things...and I'm not talking about the exile."

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Nala got back to Pride Rock with Simba just before Scar arrived. But rather than calling the Pride to publicly announce Sarabi's death, Scar went straight to Simba. "Nala, could you excuse us for a moment?" he acting king said, with little patience in his voice. "I have to tell Simba something privately."

Nala looked from Simba to Scar, fighting to hide her worry for her friend. But she could see that Scar was just going to tell Simba about Sarabi for now, and so left him behind, giving him to briefest of nuzzles as she passed in an attempt to comfort him. "I'll just go wait in the den for a bit," she said, sounding oblivious to the conversation that was about to occur as she made her way into the main den.

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba followed Nala back to Pride Rock. As Scar showed up Simba tried not to make any eye contact. He was just about to go back into the den when Scar said he wanted to talk to him alone. Simba knew what Scar was about to tell him, but the growing hatred for his uncle made him stay in view of the den, probably an instinct. As Nala passed away and gave him another slight nuzzle, Simba's mind wondered off to that subject again, but he decided he'll think about that after Scar told him about his mother's 'death'

"Ohh..." Marini said, cuddling even closer to him, "Then what are you talking about?" she asked, her tone a little less louder

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga managed a weak, shy smile at Marini. "I'm talking about us." He then sighed and went on, having absolutely no idea why he was opening up to her all of a sudden. "Yesterday you were told of how I had slept next to you that night, and Simba and Nala had caught me that morning...that...wasn't the first time I'd done it..."

He finally could not hold back his feelings any longer, and it all came out. "I've liked you, Marini, ever since we met you've been a great friend. But in the past couple of weeks, things have changed, and I..." he hesitated, then ploughed on. "...you mean a lot to me, Rini...more than as just a friend, too."

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Scar looked down at Simba, making sure they were far enough away from the others so that they could not be heard, before speaking. "I was going to tell the rest of the pride this...but I thought you should hear it first. I...I found Sarabi earlier, Simba," he pretended to hesitated in grief, before moving on. "I'm sorry...she's dead. A group of hyenas ambushed her, and she never had a chance."

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini couldn't help but smile warmly and blush a little at what Tanga was saying, she wanted to say something in return, but oculdn't find the right words to do so. She leaned towards him and placed her head under his, enjoying the feeling of being 'wrapped' up by the warmth of his fur.

Simba looked at Scar as he talked, thinking on how was he so stupid and fell for Scar's acting all the time. He had to respond at some point though. All he did was look down and pretend to be holding his tears back

[AustralianChaos]

Tanga laughed as Marini placed her head under his, giving him the opportunity to nuzzle her. "Come on, Rini, say something, I'm dying here!" he said light-heartedly, at the same time hoping she would answer him. He had opened his heart out to her, and despite her affectionate response, he still was not sure whether she returned his feelings.

He decided that, if he wanted a response from her, he would have to be far more direct. Pulling his head away from hers so he could look her directly in the eyes, he summoned up every last bit of courage he possessed, and opened his mouth. "Rini...will you...will you be my girlfriend?" he asked, blushing furiously, but refusing to turn away from her.

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Scar faked a sad, grieving look as he saw Simba lower his head at the news, taking it hard. "I'm sorry, Simba...I don't know how it happened, but she was wandering near my patrol. I heard her, but she was dead before I could get to her." He put a paw consolingly of the young price's shoulder, hoping that his mother's death, along with Scar's comfort and support, would make the young cub grow closer to him, so dealing with him would be that little bit easier.

"If...if you need a moment, Simba, I understand...but if you ever want to talk to someone, I'll always be around to talk."

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini was a little surprised when Tanga moved away. "I thought I already am..." she said, blushing slightly as she said it.

Scar of course attempted to get closer to SImba. Simba tried not to throw up as Scar placed his paw on his shoulder. He felt liked mauling that paw untill it fell off, but he had to continue his pretending. "I think I could use a moment." he said, using that to move a little away, "Thanks uncle Scar." he said and walked a little away, even though he was everything but thankful towards Scar

[AustralianChaos]

Scar also walked off, heading up to the promontory of Pride Rock, where Sarafina was. Despite Simba's sense of grief, he seemed stiff and slightly unresponseive of his attempts to comfort him. Scar knew what was causing it rather quickly...his exile of Tanga and Marini was still grating on Simba's nerves.

Coming up beside Sarafina, he sat down at the tip of Pride Rock, staring out across the lands. "Simba's having a moment...he, along with the rest of the pride, will believe that Sarabi was killed in a hyena attack. But I'm not sure about dealing with Simba...he does not trust me like he used to."

He shook his doubts off. "It just means we'll need to take a few months to get him to warm up to me again, that's all."

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Tanga kept looking at Marini, smiling a little at her response. "Well, I'd hoped...but I wasn't sure." He then grinned at her. "Is that a yes, then?"

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Sarabi ventured through the tunnels, finally reaching her destination as she came back out into the light. But she was not back at the main opening. She had come out of the tunnel system at a different opening...one that was high up the cliffside, and allowed her a wide view of the lands around the den. The Pridelands was out of sight behind the cliffs, though.

She looked down, noticing Tanga and Marini were right where they have been when she had left them...and they were once again cuddling close. Sarabi sighed as she settled down to watch them...she intended on calling out to them, surprising them with her lookout spot, but she decided to let them have their little moment first.

[TheWhistlerify]

Sarafina didn't noticed Scar was back. But she tried not to act stupid as he showed up behind her all of a sudden. She knew Simba wouldn't trust Scar, and that wasn't only because of Marini and Tanga's exile. "Or I can deal with him." she offered simply, "He'll trust me."

Marini smiled back Tanga and leaned against his fur, purring. "Yes."