Misguided Youth (Private ABB and Saraiya)

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Yeah, I am." He said, smiling and following Kela out of the room. He walked a little closer to her now, nudging her once to get her attention. "Hey, Kela... I jus' wanted ta' say thanks... fo' last night... There ain't nobody else I could be like that around... Thank you."

[saraiya]

"You're welcome. I'm glad you trust me like that." She says with a smile. "I'm always willing to be a shoulder for you to cry on, if need be."

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Hey, if you need that too, Im here fo' ya' too" he said, smiling warmly at her. "Now le's go talk to Mlezi... see about joinin' a pride."

[saraiya]

"I'll hold you to that." Kela laughs. "Where would she be around this time, anyway? You're going to have to lead the way."

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Hey, I think she gettin' the lionesses ready right now. Jus' follow me, I'll take us right to her."

Wapo lead the two down a cave hallway, through the main room, and down into another offshoot of the cave, where all the lionesses were gathered around Mlezi, who was giving them instructions for the day.

"An' I don't want'ya robbin' up against 'ta rogues on 'ta job! I kno' 't's easy when 'ta males be so desperate t'at they give ya' free food jus' fo' a nuzzle an' a flick o' t'a tail, bot 'ya gettin' t'em too catty fo' when t'a females who don't work 'ere be comin' in an' gettin' hit on by a rogue who don't got 'alf a brain 'bout 'im. 'Ya un'dastan'?"

The females all replied "Yes, mama Mlezi" in unison.

"Good. E'vry body on ta' left side o' ta' room, you be on huntin' duty fo' ta' day. Roight side, ya be servin'. An' rememba' if anybody need help, ya' bring 'em to Mama, she take good care of 'em."

Once the lionesses had cleared out of the room to do what they had been told, Mlezi caught the two walking up to her and offered a warm greeting. "Boy! What 'ya be doin' 'ere so early? Ya' need Mama Mlezi ta' help ya' out wit' somethin'? Come along now, tell me!"

[saraiya]

"I want to help Wapo find a pride that would accept him. Do you know of any?" Kela asks directly, looking at Mama Mlezi.

"He doesn't want to always have this type of life, so I'm gonna help him get out of it."

[abalancedbreakfast]

Mlezi's smiled warmly and pulled Wapo in for a hug. "Oh, my boy, y'could 'ave asked so long ago! I spotted 't'on ya' face ta' moment ya' set foot inside Mama's cave t'at ya' were tired! Silly boy, what give?"

"Kela 'ere talked to me yest'day. Guess she knew somethin' was up when I walked in."

[saraiya]

"Of course I knew something was up. And I don't like seeing you upset. It's not you." Kela says, then turns towards the older lioness. "Not to sound impatient, but is there a pride that would accept him?"

[abalancedbreakfast]

Wapo blushed for a moment, before moving a paw to his face in surprise. Since when do I blush?
D
Mlezi smiled a bit before continuing. "I be honest whit' ya', boy. Thea'se not many prides t'at'd take ya'. But, about 50 miles West a' 'ere, d'ere be a pride I kno' wit' a King who have a heart a' gold. He taken in a couple a' lost males like ya'self before. If I can go wit' ya ta' explain ya' story, he'd listen an' certainly give ya' a home. You'd be workin' as a guard, o'course. No free handouts in a pride. An' no unsolicited huntin' boy!" She said, lightly clapping him on the back of the head.

"Ow, ow, okay, Mama! Jeez, y'ain't gotta worry 'bout it. I dreamed a' this since I was a kid."

"Good. I wasn't expectin' ya' ta come 'round ta'day, so I'll need a bit to get ready fo' ta' trip."

[saraiya]

"Thank yo, Ma." Kela smiles, then looks at Wapo. "This is exciting, right? You can start over, in a way." She says, hiding her slight anxiety on what she herself would do now.

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Yeah... this been my dream fo' so long... Hey, Kela-" he said, turning towards her and smiling. "I'm bein' real with you. Thanks."

Mama Mlezi came in to nuzzle Wapo. "My boy, finally joinin' a pride! I'm gonna' miss ya' bein' round 'ere. But at least mama'll kno' ya' in a betta' place. What about you, yo'ng lady? You wanna' go wit' us? I kno' you're not about the pride life anymore, but if ya' want, ya' can see 'im off!"

[saraiya]

"You're welcome. I mean it." Kela says, then turns to Mama Mlezi.

"I'm actually still not sure what I'm going to do next. It's not that i hate the pride life, i just hated my life in my old pride. However, I might travel around a bit more and see what's out there until I can find another home. I'll definitely see Wapo off, though. No question about it." She smiles.

[abalancedbreakfast]

"'den le's plan ta' head off on a' way tomorrow! I need ta' get some things ready fo' ta' trip, you two kids 'ave a good time fo' ta' rest o' ta' da-"

"Mlezi, Mlezi! Something's happening at the entrance! The guards got into a fight!" a lioness said, rushing into the room.

"Calm down, baby girl, show Mama where da' trouble be!"

The lioness lead the three through to the entrance, where a crowd blocked the vision of the three. Mlezi ordered all of her guests and lionesses out of the way to see what had happened. There on the floor, lying in a bloodied mess, laid Razu.

"This guy has the mark of the enemy of rogues. Said he was looking to 'save' the lioness that was 'rightfully his' as he put it. I gave him a chance to back out, but he decided to get all high and mighty, so we had to beat him down" The guards explained to Mlezi.

[saraiya]

Kela covers her face with her paw, letting out a sigh. Why didn't she kill him already. Oh yeah, it's more trouble than he worth.

"I'm sorry, Ma. He's looking for me. I thought we lost him a while back. I didn't think he'd follow me this far. Nor be stupid enough to try. My mistake."

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Well... I suppose if 'e be stupi't enough ta' follow ya' 'tis fah out, t'ere was no savin' 'im. Get 'da body out'a' 'ere!" Mlezi ordered, the guards complying at once.

As the body was being dragged away, Wapo managed to spot a hornbill on a tree branch overlooking the whole scene with an out of place anger. Something didn't sit right with him, and it read on his face.

"Hey, Mama. You mind if I go fo' a walk right quick?"

"O'course, my boy! Don't go too far, tho'. I'mm'a have some food waitin' for ya' when ya' get back."

[saraiya]

"Mind if I come along?" Kela asks Wapo. "Something doesn't sit right with me." She says, not noticing the hornbill.

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Yeah, somethin' ain't sittin' right wit' me either" he said, strutting over to the hornbill's perch, observing it as it simply glared down at him disapprovingly. "Hey, wha's up hornbill?"

The hornbill simply continued his angered stare. "How many tally marks have you upon your shoulder, young man?"

"Hey, why you need to know?"

[saraiya]

Kela narrows her eyes at the hornbill. "Wapo, I think we should get rid of the bird leave as soon as possible. There might be trouble if that bird reports to my father." She says, only loud enough for Wapo to hear.

[abalancedbreakfast]

"I can't do much, he perched too high" Wapo whispers back.

"Hm... I suppose I'll be on my way. Good day." The hornbill said, flying off to the west.

Wapo sighed, turning to Kela with a suspicious look on his face. "This can't be good."

[saraiya]

Kela shakes her head. "Definitely. We're going to have to warn Ma." She says, then looks at Wapo. "I'm sorry about putting you through all this drama with my old pride."

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Hey i's all good. I knew what I signed up fo' when I decided ta' stick with ya'" Wapo said, smiling and giving her a playful nudge to calm her down.

The reality was that he was terrified at the implications this could have as well, and this played out on his face very subtly, noticeable only to the careful observer.

He turned back to the cave, deciding it'd be better not to stay out in the open. "You wanna' grab somethin' to eat? We gon' be here until noon."

[saraiya]

Kela nods and follows after Wapo, thankful for his help."Thank you, Wapo. You really look out for me more than anyone else has."

[abalancedbreakfast]

Wapo smiled at her. "Ain't no thing. You been lookin' out fo' me too. 'f it wasn't fo' this opportunity to join a pride, I'd be stickin' wit you."

After a lunch in the den and hurried, excited planning with Mlezi, it was high noon and off to travel.

When two hours or so of walking had passed, Mlezi had fallen back a bit beside Kela. As Wapo walked on, practically beaming with happiness, Mlezi leaned into Kela's ear.

"Oh, da'lin', wo'd ya' jo'st look at my boy! He's practic'ly glowin' wit' 'ow 'appy he is." She stared at him from behind like a mother proud of her child. "He jo'st so'ch a fine yo'ng lion, ain't'e?"

[saraiya]

Kela nods in agreement. "He really is. You did right by him, raising him like you did." She smiles sadly in his direction. "I know I should feel happy about him joining a pride, but I also feel so lonely, too."

[abalancedbreakfast]

Mlezi turned her head towards Kela's, an understanding look crossing her face. "I see, child. Ya' don't want 'im ta' go, do ya?"

[saraiya]

"I really don't, but I can't be selfish. He's only known me for a few days, and he's been waiting years to find a place where he belongs." Kela sighs. "I am happy for him. I can deal with my loneliness. Maybe even stay at the lair for a bit?"

[abalancedbreakfast]

"Yo're always welcome to ta' lair, sweetheart! Mlezi will always 'ave a place for ya' in ta' cave" She said, beaming warmly. "Jo'st promise me ya' won't be too broken up by the lad leavin'" she said, wrapping her forearms around Kela in a hug.

[saraiya]

"I'll try my hardest, Ma." Kela smiles. "I appreciate what you're doing for me. If there's anything I can do in return, please tell me."

[abalancedbreakfast]

Wapo turned his head for a moment, noticing the half-somber smile on Kela's face and falling back to walk close by her side. "Hey, Kela. You alright? You look a little down."

[saraiya]

"It's nothing. I'm just going to miss your company." Kela admits, then smiles at him. "You don't have to worry about me, though."