Uzuri

SPECIAL NOTES:
Special Lioness.
Won by Kiongozi I on 10/24. NOT for sale!
2nd Sepia Lioness.
1st Special Lioness mutation.
First Feline 2 of any color.

Name: Uzuri

Meaning: Her name means "beauty" in Swahili.

Rank: Queen.

Bloodlines: Special Lioness (won 10/24 by Kiongozi I)

Offspring: 0 (none official in the pride) | 0 living; 0 dead

Personality Traits: Though young, Uzuri is intelligent, well-spoken, and keen-minded. Her inexperience and youth does show now and then, but, more often than not, the elegant lioness is the picture of regal grace and elegant refinement. In short, she is every inch a queen, if sometimes giving the impression of arrogance in her efforts to behave 'properly'.

Physical Traits: Uzuri is an exotic beauty to most with soft, silky fur and refined features. Though not the largest of lionesses, she is lithe and beautiful with rarely seen markings and sepia-colored hide. Unlike many lionesses, she is free of scars due to having limited experience hunting and fighting. Bred to be royalty, she has all the features of a queen: poise, grace, and beauty in addition to intelligence.

Companion(s): Uzuri is often accompanied by a pair of Lilac-Breasted Rollers, a mated pair called Kai (the female) and Jas (the male) that bring her news and help her to keep an eye on the pride.

Currently: Uzuri and Nkanyezi's relationship has grown strong. She has matured and is ready to take the mantle as queen when he becomes Kiongozi soon.

History: Uzuri was born to be special. Bred in a far away pride with noble lines and rare beauty, she was born to travel to the lands of Lioden as an ambassador and to offer her royal bloodlines to a worthy king. Like those that had come before her, many kings sought to impress her. Kings of many kinds strutted before her. Some were good and kind while others were cold and evil. Some had fur of dusty and golden shades while others were more exotic with pelts of starry shades, fire, or shadow. While all were impressive and strong kings, none caught Uzuri's eye.

As the days past, she was unsure of who to choose for none seemed right. It was not until a tsavo-maned male by the name of Kiongozi presented himself to her. While he was a fine king, what truly caught her eye was the yearling lion with him. With a lighter pelt and creamy-colored tuft of mane, the blue-eyed younger brother of Kiongozi caught Uzuri's gaze and grinned playfully at her. He wrinkled a nose and made a face as his brother and the other kings strutted, causing a soft laugh from Uzuri. Although he was at least a year younger than she was, his bright gaze and playful smile attracted her more than the displays of the older males.

So when the time came for her to choose, it was the blue-eyed yearling who she thought of and so it was his brother's pride she decided to join. Kiongozi was very proud, welcoming her into his sizeable pride as a queen. It was there she learned the young male's name: Nkanyezi. Uzuri felt a shyness to be around the young male, aware that her attraction might prompt jealousy from the true king plus the differences in their ages were a bit unusual. She was happy that Nkanyezi was warm and friendly, delighted to welcome her as well.

For a time all was well and peaceful in the pride. Nkanyezi and Uzuri's friendship grew, slowly becoming something more of a quiet romance as the young male grew more mature. The peace was shattered as an epidemic of rabies swept through the land. The surrounding area was full of sick and diseased beasts, even ones whispered to be zombies and demons. Sickness and violence spread to many prides, resulting in deaths and even undead if the rumors were true. It was only a matter of time before it stuck Kiongozi's pride, though the king tried his best to protect them from it.

Ironically, it was the king himself that was struck with rabies. He struggled against the disease but even Batuuli's healing could not help him. In the end, he turned on the pride and attacked many of them, even killing cubs in his rage. In the end, there were only three left: Uzuri, Batuuli the Soothsayer, and Nkanyezi. Finally, Kiongozi turned his mad fury on them, ready to rend them as he had many others in the pride. Uzuri was surprised to see that Nkanyezi leapt to defend them, though he was young and not near as strong as his brother.

Nkanyezi and Kiongozi battled as Uzuri and Batuuli cowered, unwilling to raise their claws to their king but afraid of his wrath if the young prince should fail. It was a shock when another lion appeared, attacking Kiongozi just as Nkanyezi was thrown to the ground. Unable to help herself, Uzuri rushed to the prince. She nuzzled him, moved when he struggled to his feet, bracing himself before her. Nkanyezi joined the stranger, attacking his brother with reluctant determination. In the end, Kiongozi fell, dead in the jaws of the large red-gold lioness that seemed to come from nowhere. Uzuri, Batuuli, and Nkanyezi were shocked but grateful.

The strange lioness was Jehlani, an older but powerful lioness with an oddly masculine look to her. Despite her unusual appearance, Jehlani was kind to them, taking them with her as they left behind the bloody water hole that had been Kiongozi's territory. Uzuri grieved for Kiongozi, but this new freedom allowed her and the young prince's budding romance to continue unchecked by honor or free of the king's wrath. Batuuli was kind-hearted of such things for she herself seemed to find a strong companion in Jehlani. Uncertain but strengthened by the now future king's affection, Uzuri took it upon herself to learn from Jehlani to be less a figurehead and more a useful queen as the small pride traveled in search of a new home.

Uzuri has grown in experience and wisdom. She has learned to hunt well, though she doesn't have Jehlani's strength or talent. Still, she is proving herself to be a capable and intelligent queen that gets along well with her pride members. She was surprised but pleased to welcome two more lionesses from the distant lands she came from to join the pride. Others have come as well and the pride is small, but strong. Iklwa is aging, but Kiongozi is in his prime, soon to take the mantle. Not wishing to bear cubs before their sire is officially ruler of the land, Uzuri is looking forward to offspring of her own.