Abeni

[Mercy]

Name: Abeni (Pronounced Ah-ben-EE)
Name Meaning: "We asked for her, and behold, we got her." in Yoruba. Can also mean "Answered prayer".
Nickname: Abby or Bright Eyes to her friends. She is also known as The Ambassador, The Ambassador of the Kings, or The Navigator of the Stars.
Species: Lion
Age: Abeni is a young adult. Her age can vary in RP's however.
Gender: Female

Description: Abeni is a young lioness, even though she looks older than she actually is. She has eyes the color of the sea during a storm, though they can appear bright blue if the lighting is good. Her irises are flecked with rings of bright fern green. Her eyes almost always have a sparkle to them. Her sclera (white part of your eye lol) are a startlingly, vivid, lemon yellow. She also has long, thick eyelashes. Her upper eye shading is a light brown that is almost the same color as the tuft of fur at the end of her tail. Her lower eye shading is a pale yellow-cream color that matches her belly, muzzle, and paws. Abeni has thick, mocha colored eyebrows which have a few tufts of fur on them. She has large, well-rounded ears which have a dark brown ring on the outer edge. Her inner ears are a dark gold color. Above each of her eyebrows Abeni has a small, flame like area of fur. There is a larger, flame-like marking in the center of her forehead as well. These markings are all the same shade of cream as her belly, paws, and muzzle. Abeni's pelt is a rich tan. Her fur is soft though windblown. She has a pale, dusty pink nose, and light pink pads on her feet. Her feet are tough and her legs are strong. She is well muscled, with broad shoulders and large feet. She has long, sharp claws, and brilliant white teeth. 
I've added a picture of her here, I have more pics in my gallery in the fan art thread.  

Behaviour: Abeni is gentle, cautious, caring, intelligent, and highly intuitive. She is optimistic and hopeful and she likes helping others with their problems but prefers helping those who wish to help themselves. She trusts her instincts above others and will not compromise her ideals. She has a very strong moral code and this can lead to stubbornness and a tendency to ignore others opinions. She has a very high expectation of herself and frequently those around her. She is very private, and usually tough to understand. Abeni is truly warm but also very protective and incredibly independent. Often times she will abandon her associates to seek the companionship and wisdom of the Great Kings and Queens of the Past who she has a special connection with. She will sometimes disappear to deliver messages, or words of wisdom to those who are troubled or are seeking guidance from the Great Kings, thus leading to her titles, including, "The Ambassador of the Kings." She is as mysterious as she is kind. When she attacks it is hard for her to regain control of her aggression since she does not handle conflict well. She is ferocious in battle and a thing to be feared and respected. She is also insecure, though you wouldn't know it at first glance. She worries over the future secretly.  However, she also has a quirky sense of humor and loves to play! She has absolutely no experience in love and this can lead to some very awkward/hilarious Abeni moments!

Likes: Courageous behavior, hunting, the stars, observing, birds, the wind, family, romance (though she is awkwardly innocent in the subject and would like a mate and family lol), responsibility, honor, running, swimming, teaching, giving advice, kindness, playing with cubs, zebra, and strengthening others.
Dislikes: Arrogance, heights, conflict (but you should see her in battle), creepy crawly creatures, evil, disease, her insecurities, and awkward silences.

History: Abeni was raised by a large pride near the mountainous jungles of Africa. She had a very affectionate mother, the Queen of her pride known as Chikere and her father was the proud King, Nthanda. Abeni had three other siblings, two brothers, and a younger sister. Abeni was the second oldest of her siblings with her elder brother becoming the inherent King of the Pride. He was Rutendo and was three years older than Abeni. Her younger brother Paki and her younger sister Mudiwa were the last children born to her parents, with Mudiwa being the youngest. Abeni was a year older than Paki and Mudiwa.

She was very close with all of her siblings, but she was especially close with Rutendo. She studied the stars with him and together they learned how to listen to the wind and hear the voices of the Past. They would take turns roaming the plains tracking the stars and following the wind, which called them across the safari. When Abeni was an adolescent lioness and had been hunting for a while, she went with Rutendo and some other members of her Pride on a hunting trip in the jungle. But in the midst of the hunt there was a terrible storm and mudslide. Rutendo and Abeni got separated from the party, and then each other. After the storm, Abeni spent many days lost in the jungle calling for her Pride members and Rutendo. She was lost, scared, and confused, but remembered the Great Kings of the Past and humbly sought their guidance.

She followed the stars across the jungle and was reunited with her family and pride but Ruthendo was never found. Heartbroken Abeni became depressed and inconsolable. But in her unhappiness, the Kings and Queens called upon her and she felt the urge to roam the land again, following the stars just as she had with Rutendo. She was called across the Savannah to comfort a lonely King who had been abandoned by his pride in favor of a younger male lion. The Kings spoke through her that day, offering words of comfort and encouragement that held secret meaning to the King. Abeni left him then and returned to her pride but the calls returned and soon she was leaving her pride for weeks at a time. She roamed far and wide providing guidance to those who called upon her. A few months later news reached her pride that a Great King of the Southern land had claimed a throne. He had relayed a message searching for a mysterious lioness with flame-like markings and the tongue of the Kings. Abeni was called to his pride and made herself known to him. He was ecstatic and greeted her hailing her as the "Ambassador of the Kings". He praised her and told her that without her guidance he never would have reclaimed his pride.

Thus Abeni became known throughout the land as the highly esteemed "Ambassador of the Kings." It is said that one simply needs to call to the Ambassador to receive her wisdom for she helps those who wish to help themselves. She is constantly on the move now, and who knows where her journeys will take her? 

Family:

Nthanda: Abendi's father. His name means star. He is the brave and honorable King of Abeni's family pride.
Chikere: Abendi's mother. Her name means God created. She is the affectionate and caring Queen of Abeni's family pride.
Rutendo: Abendi's older brother. His name means faith. He was lost during a hunting party in the jungle and his body was never found. He was the heir to the throne of Abeni's family pride. 
Paki: Abendi's younger brother. His name means witness. He is the playful and mischievous Prince of Abeni's family pride. He is now the heir to the throne of Abeni's family pride. 
Mudiwa: Abendi's youngest sibling and younger sister.  Her name means beloved. She is the known as the dreaming Princess of Abeni's family pride due to her consistent daydreams.