Jaribu

Jaribu- Swahili for "try"

Born during the era of Angani the Meteor.

Queen Wakipanda assured the pride that her cub - their princess - would fulfill her destiny, and that they needed only to offer her their faith and a little patience. Sure enough, as the days passed, a few patches of color began to appear on the cub's fur, and soon a striking pattern reminiscent of the previous queen, Ushindi, emerged. The pride was relieved at this, believing that it was a sign of Jaribu's true fitness to rule, and in time, the cub herself blossomed into a well-mannered young lioness with grace, poise, and a mind quick as a whip.

Jaribu adored her mother and followed her everywhere, eagerly absorbing all Wakipanda had to teach her. She loved listening to the stories of the far-off lands Wakipanda visited on diplomatic trips, and how colorful everything was in the tropics. Jaribu was even known to sneak off between lessons and return with fresh-picked flowers to present to her bother. The two were nigh inseparable, and though Jaribu was excited to begin her reign over Shaded Stones, she was filled with sorrow at the knowledge that it would be without Wakipanda at her side. Age was finally catching up with the elderly royal, and she could feel her time approaching, but she managed to hold on just long enough to see the day of her daughter's coronation. As Jaribu stood tearfully at Wakipanda's deathbed, her head bowed and body trembling with sobs, the old queen pulled a brightly colored feather from her headdress and tucked it behind her daughter's ear. "It suits you, my dear. I know you will lead our pride to a bright and beautiful future," she whispered as her final breath left her body.

Taking inspiration from her celebrated predecessor's adornments, Queen Jaribu fashioned herself a headpiece of feathers from local birds, as well as a chestpiece adorned with an owl's skull as an echo of the impressive snake skeleton her mother once sported. When she has a moment to herself, she enjoys spending a quiet moment by the river, listening to the sound of rushing water.

"You were having trouble deciding what carcass to haul over for dinner tonight, so you recruit Jaribu to come help you. He makes some great suggestions."
"Jaribu rolls in front of you to play, but then she realizes there is a blood stain on her belly. She looks embarrassed and leaves in a hurry!"
"Jaribu enthusiastically brought you a wildebeest liver as a treat! Too bad it's your least-favorite food. Ah well, she doesn't have to know that."
"You say hello to Jaribu and ask how she is doing. She says she is fine, and both of you sit in silence for a minute before just sort of...going to do...something else. Ahem."

bd 12/21/17

bc to Ice
slots 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 added

Gonarezhou with Feather Crown, Guernsey Lily [1], Southern White-Faced Owl Feather Necklace, Silene Capensis, Cape Snow Bush, Kalanchoe Flowers