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*next king*
Nov. 7th 2023:
There was something off about Jua’mrithi when he was born. Tashada rounded Sungali, to see the cub she’d been hiding under her since the day before, saying Jua’mrithi was horribly disfigured. She loved him regardless, and growled at Tashada to back away; but the king wouldn’t have his curiosity unattended to. From under Sungali, the dark king pulled the newborn out by his tail, and turned it over.
Indeed, Jua’mrithi was disfigured.
He had the face of man, and the most monstrous paws Tashada had ever seen. This was not Tashada’s son, this was some deity’s doing.
Nov. 16th 2023:
After long consideration of what to do about the mutated cub, Tashada came to a conclusion. Instead of forcing Jua’mrithi out into the desert— seeing that he might be a bad omen— the king doted on his fatherly nature to nurture Jua’mrithi. Perhaps there was something peculiar about the cub, but the little one’s intense gold eyes gave promise of something big. If Tashada accepted the cub as his own, maybe good fortune would take place in the pride.
From this point, the king decided on his next heir;
Jua’mrithi.
Nov. 19th 2023:
The young heir seems to be quite good-natured. He had found a bee in the watering hole, doomed to be lapped up by a drinking lioness. Jua’mrithi waddled up to the lioness, demanded she step back from the water, as she was about to consume the bee, and swiftly swooped down on the insect to save it from the water. The lioness, Odoka, was rather impressed by his empathy for a small and insignificant creature, and also partially amused by the justice instilled in Jua’mrithi.
Later that day, Odoka approached Tashada, “the young king has quite the saviour complex.”
Tashada kept a closer eye on Jua’mrithi. What other creatures would he prove loyal to?
Nov 30th 2023:
[interaction excerpt] Jua’mrithi, the Golden Heir suddenly decided to rocket out of the den. Goodbye. Oh, he just rocketed back in and tackled a feather. Hello. Enjoy furiously destroying that toy. Oop, he just ran off again. Goodbye.
Dec 1st 2023:
Early in the morning hours, the dark king awoke Jua’mrithi for some training. They wandered off into the dunes while the sand was still cool, but the sunlight could just be seen leaking over the horizon, by the thinnest hair.
“Today you learn how to spar, my son.” Tashada spoke.
He taught the heir how to wrestle in life threatening situations— not just the play fighting he’d learned as a cub, but the real meat of the fight. What would protect and uphold the security of the pride when Tashada could no longer do it himself.
When the sun was 45° into the morning sky, only then did the dark king permit them to head back to Watering Place for a drink, and to finally cool off.
When they’d finally arrived back, the lionesses had gathered around the stoop at the Cave of Lights, looking expectant of the king and his heir. Sungali sat, proudly puffing out her chest, beaming. Tashada stopped before reaching the lionesses, and urged the now confused Jua’mrithi to walk up the steppes towards his mother, Sungali, and when he got close enough, she told him how proud she was of his progress, and how dedicated he had been to becoming the next king.
Presented by Kebera, the Veil of Isfet was draped over the young heir’s body in a ceremonial fashion, and the other lionesses that had gathered near roared to commemorate this moment of pride!
Hoorah for Jua’mrithi!
Dec 4th 2023:
On a patrol that Tashada invited himself on, Jua'mrithi proved himself, yet again, a compassionate adventurer. Upon crossing paths with a lost jaguar, the king was tempted to leap onto the creature and wring him out for being on their territory, but the young heir sat, and gently nudged Tashada's shoulder with his paw, stopping any further movement.
"What Are You?" Spoke Jua'mrithi.
The animal looks around nervously. "I am a jaguar and... I guess I will find a lone lioness for protection or something, this place is really scary."
"Be on your way, then," the heir replied.
Tashada was baffled. Kindness? Understanding? What was this strange feeling that came with avoiding conflict. He was saved so much energy from not lashing out.
"Alright then, Aztec Knight of Justice," the king said, "Time to head back." He flicked Jua'mrithi on the hindquarters and they sauntered back, all the while Tashada poked and prodded at his fast-growing son.
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