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~Introduction dialogue~
This primal cub's first memories were of a land she wasn't originally born in, surrounded by a pride who would one day call her theirs. Sired by King Jugram off a wild lioness, she and her mother were welcomed to the outskirts of the major denning areas, in sight of and protected by the resident males until she was weaned. The Pride Den would have use of such a valuable huntress or broodmother like her, once he was grown.
But for now, Mwenyezi was simply overjoyed and honored: his kingdom was now home to a primal heir and many children from a dear friend. It was another "miracle" or a "blessing", simply a "divine sign" that he was making the right decisions, and so was Jugram. "Every cub of his is a gift," he'd proclaimed, "no matter if they're common or mutated, male or female. I will raise these daughters like my own, and they will take their place as esteemed huntresses and cub-guardians of this kingdom. So shall it be!"
And for the time that this Ferus cub, and her sisters, were growing up, that plan was put into action ever since her mother first appeared on the horizon, carrying her in her mouth. No one would yet know just how "blessed" they all were until adulthood, however...
~Adult dialogue~
This lush land, fertile and verdant to behold, looks like a hidden paradise in the savannah. An energetic primal cub leads you here, seeking out a female who must be their protector, gladdened by the safety of her presence. The Ferus female herself is stunning, a prime example of what this pride wants and needs from their family members. The cubs are lucky she's their broodmother.
Although a nice lady, you don't have much chance to talk with her because she's overburdened with offspring; she can't possibly keep track of them all, and they're not all hers, but she has no choice but to follow them every hour of every day, no matter if they're all going to sleep or not.
The truth of this is more than distressing and even gross. King Kuzidiwa breeds almost constantly, forever refreshing his pride with newly claimed lionesses and siring cubs off them, boosting his chance for primal sons and daughters. In his opinion, a common lioness is fit only if she can hunt or reproduce, so Vumbi, like her sisters, is kept safe here but the cubs brought in, although spawned by the king's efforts, are all wild and likely fodder...It's true. This cruel king makes sacrifices of his own children! You'd better clear out of this safe space before he suspects you're trying to steal them away. It might be the only thing that saves you and them both.
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Daughter of Jugram, gifted to Mwenyezi's pride, "Vumbi" is the Swahili word for dust, also named for her coat like Mchanga. As a cub who loved nature and all kinds of different animals, Vumbi was nicknamed the "Sweetheart of the Pride Den" due to her quick ability to befriend cubs from the Giving Tree, the newly claimed lionesses on the unsorted border or even the visitors who stopped by to meet the pride cat by cat. In contrast to her sister Mchanga, who favored a river that frequently transformed into a flash flood with the rains, Vumbi preferred the calm stillness of the largest lakes she could find, even if she traveled and remained away from the pride for days. Just as Mchanga was considered a prime candidate for Chief Huntress, she was heavily considered as a future broodmother, when Punguza especially passed away.
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