It sounded so easy...[o]

[Tyra]

Each tread of the brute was matched by two ofthe cubs, trotting obediently at his heel like a dog to it's master. Each movement he made she attempted to mimick. Adia looked up to Maston, and he cherished her above all. But he knew deep down that he couldn't give her what she needed yet. He couldn't teach her what a woman could. She was the apple of his eye in many ways, and though there was no blood lost they were bonded stronger than many families. They were there for each other, had not seperated for months. But Maston knew what hadto be done, though it hurt his heart to think he would be leaving her. Adia was also feeling the weight of his coming words before they were spoke, had seen in that apologetic look a hint of what he was about to do.

Upon reaching the shelter Maston lowered his haunches and licked the cubs head with his rough tongue and nuzzled her, soft and affectionate. His friend, his companion, his family in all ways but blood. She parked herself between his massive pillars, tiny in comparison to him, so different and yet so close. There was no denying the great bonds of friendship and love between them.

"Of course you may." Adia looked up at her guardian, considering what on earth he could be going on about. Why wuld he ask permission to ask a question, when normally one would just ask? It seemed out of character, and he seemed nervous about asking. What would her reaction be? Would the ess chase them from her lands?

"I do not wish to be imposing, but I was wandering if perhaps Adia could stay with you, just for a few months?" the brute shifted his weight, standing and looking down at the cub whose ears had laid back across her skull, as if she were about to strike. But he knew deep down that she would not. Whatever had plagues her past had brought about a hatred of violence within her, a need for peace in all matters.

"Maston, why do you wish to leave me? Where are you planning on going?" she asked, tongue scraping across her mug, and looking straight up at him.
"Don't make this any more difficult than it already is, Adia. I'm looking out for your well-being, and it won't be forever," he looked to Lothril. "I ask for a mere few months. I cannot teach her all she must learn, and what I am going to do will be dangerous. There is no way a cub can come until all has settled. Please, lady Lothril, will you accept my beloved Adia into your care, upon the promise than when time permits I will fetch her?" He looked back to Adia. "Plus, Amara may need some help with the cubs. You'd like that."
"Well... Ok then... As long as you promise to come back, and it's ok with Lothril of course." The cub's head turned to Lothril, tilted slightly, hoping. Her ears had flicked forwards, and deep down both knew that this was, at least for now, for the best.

[Lassiel]

All too often, it happened that young cubs would lose their family to the dangers of the wild, whether through sickness or some other more violent means. In some instances, the children were even abandoned by those who should have loved them more than anything--an act Lothril found to be despicable. Yet despite their inexperience in the world and the lack of a parent's guiding hand, some still managed to survive. And it seemed Adia had been one of the lucky ones to find another who would look after her. It didn't take much to see that Maston cared deeply for the young girl, even though there was no blood relation between them. That Adia returned that adoration was easily seen as well.

The Queen listened silently to Maston's request, mulling it over as Adia questioned him. So this was a decision he had come to on his own, and though another might see this as an attempt to pawn his charge off on another, Lothril had already been given the chance to see the relationship between the two. Maston truly had the cub's best interests in mind. Adia would need stability at some point, and if Maston was about to participate in something dangerous, as he put it, than she would need a safe place to call home--at least for awhile. Lothril had always been a nurturing sort--a trait that brought her to be a pride leader--and this was simply a request from a kind-hearted lion to look after one he cared for. Although her own daughters were now grown, that did not mean she had no desire to look after more.

With a reassuring look in her amber eyes, Lothril inclined her head in agreement. "I will be glad to look after Adia. The Akina will be her home, until you return. And even afterwards you both will be welcome." Head tilting slightly to the side and the end of her tail flicking, Lothril's gaze narrowed, though not unkindly. "I must ask though, what it is you are planning on doing. If it is dangerous, as you say, I would like to know if it is going to affect my pride." Although her voice was still amiable, there was a certain firmness to it. Despite her kind nature, Lothril still took her title seriously. She was a queen, and she would look after her pride and those who depended on her.

[Kamaria]

Amara listened with great interest, though she declined from the conversation. This would be between Lothril and Maston, and Adia as well, but Amara would have no part in it. She wouldn't give her input until it was asked, and no one had spoken a word to her on the subject yet. So she sat back on her haunches and listened.

Maston's question came first, along with Adia's replies. The cub seemed reluctant, but gave in to her guardian's coaxing. Amara wondered what the lion was going to do, after he left. She wondered what would cause him to leave the young girl behind in someone else's care. He cared about her deeply, that much could be said for sure. So why would he leave her? Then came Lothril's reply, accepting the cub into her care for the meantime. But it seemed the Queen had the same questions as Amara. Curiosity must have gotten to both of them, for her to ask such a question.

Amara looked down at the cub. She seemed resigned, knowing that everything was for the best. The soon-to-be mother sighed, wondering if it really was. Again the question came to her mind. What was so dangerous that Maston was forcing himself to leave the cub behind? She tilted her head, ears pricked toward him, waiting anxiously for his reply.

---

Blech, sorry for the shortness.

[Tyra]

He had put a lot of thought into this. He'd been analysing the two femmes since the moment he had met them. Kindly creatures, who he was sure would take great care of his girl. For in his mind she was just that. She was his family, she was the only one that mattered now. All of this was for her, to secure her future, to ensure her safety. Yes, everything had to be perfect for her, but for it to be so he had to take steps to make it that way. He had to think of care arrangements for while he started his mission and for if, for one reason or another, he could never return. In other words, if he got killed.
Both friends listened to the kindly lioness, and Maston smiled, licking Adia's head. "You will be safe here. They will care well for you. And you, you'll make me proud."/color]. He turned to the queen. "Thank you for your kindness, it is a rare pleasure to find one so generous. I am planning on forming a pride in the grasslands, the Sekayi. But I cannot be sure what will lie there. I could be faced with dangers, or maybe none at all. But I must ensure her safety, and this is the best way."[/color] His head turned to Amara, the pregnant ess. "Please, ask what you will of her, she is a good kid, and she'll do what she can. I hope to see you, and some healthy cubs, when I return."[/color] He turned back to Adia. "You will behave, won't you?"[/color]
The cub s iles, her tail waving slightly, ears forwards. "Of course I will. And I'll be waiting for you to come back. You can't leave me, Maston, not forever."[/color] She padded over to Lothril and stood before her, head bowed. "Thankyou, kind lady, I will serve as best I can in my stay."[/color] Then she turned to Amara, smiling warmly. "I'll help with the tykes."[/color]

[Lassiel]

A new pride, was it? It could be a dangerous undertaking, if one was not prepared for it. But despite Maston's youth, he appeared to be both competent and kind--qualities needed for any leader. If he ended up being successful with his plan, perhaps there would even be an alliance of sorts between the two prides. Although Lothril's pride had yet to meet any obstacle that required the help of another group--as the Akina tended to keep to themselves in their marshland home--one could never predict the future.

Nodded her head in understanding, Lothril met the male lion's gaze. "I wish you luck then, Maston. It can be a difficult endeavor, but also rewarding." Crouching so she was at Adia's level again, she spoke to the young cub. "You will be treated just as another member of our family would, Adia, because that is what we are. You may stay with me, if you wish, or any other lioness that agrees to let you. Never hesitate to come to me with any problem you have." She would take care of Adia as if the cub was her own, not only because she had told Maston she would do so, but because Lothril simply wanted to. Adia was now under her protection, and would be treated just as any other cub of the Akina would. She would learn pride life and be taught the basics of survival any young lady would need to know. With thoughts of what Adia would need to learn in her head, the Queen looked toward Amara next, who had stayed silent for some time. "That goes for you as well. As a member of the Akina, there is no trouble that needs to be met alone."

[Kamaria]

Amara kept silent, listening patiently. So it was the chance to rule that was calling Maston away? It was understandable for him to leave the cub here. Taking over a pride could be dangerous, if there was already a ruling male. And Adia would be safer here than in the midst of it all. She smiled at the cub as she turned to volunteer. She nodded, unsure of what to say.

When Lothril's eyes turned to her, Amara met her gaze quietly. She bowed her head, not used to this sort of pride. Her mother and aunts had been helpful to some degree, but they had never offered their help. She'd always had to ask. And God knows her father would never do such a thing as help someone. He had been there to rule and nothing more. She blinked once, bringing herself out of her thoughts. "Thank you, Lothril. I take my leave then," she said, glancing toward the cavern. Standing, she walked inside to ready a nest. She would birth soon, but not tonight. She knew for a fact. As she passed young Adia, she winked before stepping into the shadows.

[Tyra]

((Just gonna say Maston left and Adia stayed, cos not got time to post. Sorry.))