[Closed] Little Stranger (Taraji Chapter 1)

[Mike]

Shani was brought out of his dreams of domination by none other than the king of the lands himself. Shani mentally shook his head as Simba approached. It was a good thing lions couldn't read each others minds or else he would be exiled on his tail within a day. Shani was struck by his nominal king's easy dignity and power. A master of projecting is own regal strength, Shani had to give a fellow professional credit where it was due. It occurred to him that he wouldn't like to battle Simba one on one. The size difference was a real killer, even if Simba turned out to be a total slouch skill-wise.

"Good evening Simba." Shani said politely when the other had closed to conversational distance. "Yes, I've chosen a den from among the selection you left me. I was just admiring your home. I have to say that I have never seen it's equal. I was just about to head up to the den as a matter of fact; I haven't eaten since I met Kovu and Kiara and I was hoping to get a snack after my work patrolling with Kivuli today."

Shani had gone much longer than a simple two or three days without food, but now that he was in the pridelands with a dedicated hunting party and such an obvious wealth of food he didn't see any reason to be underfed. He was happy to lend his talents in exchange for reliable meals until he managed to change his position in some way. For the moment he would bide his time and get to know his pridemates personally, rather than just from second handed knowledge.

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Vitani sighed dispiritedly. She wasn't a lioness that could just sit around and do nothing, but it didn't look like she had much of a choice in this case.

"Yea I guess I'd be a fool to ignore you and Rafiki both." she said. "There's nothing for it but to just take some more time easy."

Vitani listened to Nala's description of the day's events with interest. She always liked to keep abreast with what was going on. "Huh," she said thoughtfully at the end of the little report. "I wonder about all these cubs. The Kings must have a full-time job looking out for them after their parents are killed in attacks. It's a good think we have an understanding king of our own that allows them to live and grow here in the pridelands. I can't wait to get back into hunting though; I haven't made a kill since that dinky little gazelle I brought in for everyone the other night. I'm sure Rahina'll measure up; she looks like she can take care of herself, but anyone can get a few tips from lionesses like us right Nala?"

[KiarasMate]

Smiling unabashedly towards Shani as he stood in front of the smaller male, Simba listened to what Shani was speaking of, feeling quite proud that his fellow pride member thought so highly of his lands. Never being the type to let compliments go to his head however, Simba remained humble as he heard Shani speak of wanting something to eat. Trying his best to recall if there was actually anything left to eat in the main den from when he was last there earlier that morning, Simba vaguely remembered seeing some left over gazelle from the previous day. Hoping that there was at least some of it left for Shani, as Simba didn’t want his newest addition to go hungry on his first night here, the polite king responded in a mutual tone as he started making his way towards Pride Rock.

”Well, would you mind if I joined you for your meal? I’ve already eaten myself, but perhaps we can get a bit more acquainted over a meal, that is, if you don’t mind my company while you eat Shani?”

Simba himself had already indulged himself on some of the more tasty foods that Nala always made a point of leaving him at his favorite thinking spot, so feeling no rush in the situation, the king of the lands casually walked with the former king until they arrived at the main den.

Entering first, Simba took a glance around to see what was happening. He spotted Kivuli and Mila, rather close to one another, as well as his mate and Vitani, who seemed to be engaged in conversation. Feeling no need to question Kivuli’s presence, as Simba simply assumed that Nala had been present all the while when Kivuli was with his adopted daughter, Simba merely gave the fiery eyed male a friendly nod before taking a seat by the remaining amount of gazelle meat, which sadly, didn’t look to be sufficient enough for Shani’s appetite but would have to do for the mean time. Hoping to improve the situation slightly however, Simba playfully called over to Nala.

”Say Love, is this all there is to eat? With all the new members showing up, maybe you’ll have to go for bigger prey now.”

Upon hearing her mate’s voice, cutting into her and Vitani’s conversation, Nala flashed her mate a smug smile as she half heartedly replied in a mocking voice.

”Keep that up Sweetie and you’ll be the next meal for everyone. I’ll be sure to bring you and Shani there, something better to eat tomorrow your majesties.”

Smiling playfully towards Shani as to indicate that her words were merely in jest, Nala turned her focus back to Vitani now, leaving the two males to their own accord. Trying to remember where she was in her dialect before she had been interrupted by her mate, Nala continued speaking to Vitani in response to what she had told her previously.

”Oh, most definitely Tani. I’ve yet to find a hunting partner who is as skilled as I am when it comes to the hunt. You remember that day we took down that huge male buffalo with just the two of us? The looks on the other lionesses faces, as well as Kovu’s and Simba’s when we brought that back, they were just priceless. They didn’t believe that we brought it down on our own and they thought we were trying to fool them with some already dead creature.”

Giggling from the fond memory, Nala rolled onto her side to get more comfortable as she looked over at her fellow lioness with a nostalgic glance.

”Ahh, those were the good times Tani. We’ll have to do that again once your paw heals. Needless to say that Rahina and I are going to start out a bit smaller than buffalo as our prey. I guess I should test her to see how she does with antelope or wildebeests, or maybe even a zebra if she feels up to the challenge. I have no idea about her past hunting skills though, but I assume she must have had to hunt for Kopa when they were living where they were, so we’ll see how that goes tomorrow.”

[Mike]

Shani followed Simba demurely up Pride Rock, and within moments they'd entered the main den. Looking around he spotted Kivuli with Mila. He followed Simba's lead in greeting his new patrol-friend. He wasn't surprised that they were wrapped around each other; He'd been there when Kivuli brought Mila's broken body back to Pride Rock, and could tell that he was fiercely protective of her. He was just surprised that both Simba and Nala were taking it in stride. That didn't seem to fit with what Vitani had told him, and he mentally reviewed his assessments of the King and Queen.

There wasn't much point in complaining about the meal. He couldn't imagine how it would make his life easier if he were known as an ungrateful whiner, so he just smiled politely at Nala's joke and sat down beside Simba as the lionesses continued with their conversation.

"I don't know if Kivuli reported anything when he returned," Shani said while starting on his meal. "But we didn't find any trace of the attackers. It looks like he was right about them being scared off."
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Vitani was made uncharacteristically self conscious and awkward by Shani's presence in the den. He was the one that had put her in such relatively bad shape, but strangely she couldn't summon up any anger or defiance that she imagined she would feel in the circumstances. She was just embarrassed. Not only had Vitani really been the cause of the conflict in the first place, but she lost a fair bit of self-confidence too in relation to Shani because of how easily she was beaten. Vitani was used to being able to take care of herself, and it was exceptionally galling that she hadn't been able to back up her words and attitude in this case. How could Shani ever take her seriously after that?

Fortunately she was able to set these feelings aside with a little effort thanks to Simba and Nala's presance in the den, as well as Kivuli and Mila, though those two were less-than-attentive at the moment. In any case, Vitani didn't have to face her troubled relationship with Shani with so many observers present.

"Count on me to help out on that front as well Simba, just as soon as I'm able to walk." Vitani said dryly, following up on Nala's cheeky remark.

"You'll have to tell me how it goes." she said, then looked down and shook her head in self-reproach. "Sorry, I'm not trying to make you into my messenger. It's just a pain not to be able to do these things for myself. So yeah, thanks."

[Lodrill]

Laini nuzzled Daxis and felt him shiver. "Let's head back to the den. The running should make you get warmer." Laini started to pad towards pride rock. She just hoped Daxis would follow on his own. She did not want to stay outside when it was dark.

[hr][/hr]

Rahina snuggled her back against Kopa and her belly against Almasi. She curled a bit around the cub due it had got quite chilly. One paw on the flank of the little one she leaned against Kopa and purred deeply. It did not take long until she was half asleep while her ears still were perked up to be ready if anything would enter the den. She was to tired to ask if Kopa would take the guard and so she decided to just stay in light sleep like she was used to back in the jungle.

[SinChei]

Daxs followed without saying anything. He only wanted to snuggle against Lainis warm fur in their den. Every step was even colder so he walked very stiff and strained every muscle in his body. Finally they reached the den but Daxis didnt lay down he walked around in the den to warm up his muscles and was waiting for Laini until she found a place to sleep to snuggle against her. The shiver decreased a little.

[Lodrill]

Laini smiled at the young adolescent lion. She lay down on one of the sleeping pelts in their new den and invited Daxis to come and warm himself up on her. The den was much bigger than her old one but it was quite warm in contrast to outside.

Laini waited for Daxis to snuggle up on her and then she closed her eyes with the head on her forelegs.

[SinChei]

Daxis rushed to Laini and snuggled againster her warm body. Her warm and smooth fur made him tired and warmed him up.
He closed his eyes with a soft purr. The pelts were even better then the hard stone ground in Lainis old den. The red maned cub fell quickly asleep.

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli ignored Vitani's comment right now he was more focussed on Mila and insuring her care. Nala entered the cave. Kivuli looked over and the queen and noticed something was not quite right about her figure. Nala distracted Vitani and took her to the side much to Kivuli's relief. He was getting nagged for comforting a fellow pridemember, it was annoying. The lionesses had the voices down a bit, most likely not to disturb Mila, but Kivuli kept his ears sharp and could make out that Nala had some hidden reason why she was not hunting. Kivuli was no fool. He was sure he had figured it out

The gray beast gently slipped out from Mila and lay her head gently on the makeshift bed so not to wake her. HE then quitly made his was over to Nala Excuse me Nala, but I would like a private word wit you when you are finished with Vitani. I will be waiting outside Kivuli took his leave. He made his way outside and onto the tip of Priderock to soak in his amazing home yet again

[KiarasMate]

Leaning his back up against the wall of the den, Simba took in everything that Shani was informing him about, perking his ears from the mentioning of Kivuli and his scouting report, having forgotten about that matter himself. Pleased in the fact that there was no disheartening news to speak of, Simba smiled in a friendly manner as he replied in a gracious tone to the former king.

”Oh, yes, that matter seemed to have slipped my mind. Thank you for reporting about it Shani and I’m glad that there is no trace of those rogues. I think we will have to keep an extra guard up though, until we’re certain if they’re gone for good or not. I have a feeling that we probably haven’t seen the last of them but hopefully my intuition is wrong.”

Glancing over at Vitani and his mate momentarily, Simba looked back to Shani as he chimed in once more.

”So have you met any of the other pride members, other than Kivuli, Mila, Kovu Vitani and my mate?”

Nala was just about to reply to Vitani’s statement, when Kivuli grabbed her attention. Looking a bit puzzled by his request, Nala casually excused herself.

”Give me a minute Tani.”

Rising to her paws, the cream colored queen made her way past Mila, who was still sleeping soundly, making her way around Simba and Shani, who were busy conversing amongst themselves, and silently slipped out into the dark of night to find Kivuli.

Once outside of the main den, Nala spotted the grey furred male, who seemed to be waiting for her. Walking slowly up to him, an innocent smile on her muzzle, Nala inquired to him softly.

”What can I do for you Kivuli?”

[KingKivuli]

Kivuli looked over at the blue eye queen and smiled. In a caring and thoughtful tone he replied Forgive me for being blunt in this matter, but I feel it is only fair you know that I know. I've noticed you not highly active in the pride activities such as the hunts. Your movement is slow and gentle. Something about your figure does not seem quite right either. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say your baring a cub or two. Am I correct? Kivuli waited in silence for Nala's reply. It was clear she was sensitive about the subject from how she was talking to Vitani