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~Newborn cub dialogue~
The king's first litters were treated like precious survivors; he checked on them more than once in a day just to ensure they were all nursing, warm and safe no matter the weather or the conditions of the land. The Queen Mother was dead, a precaution taken by the storm-colored king to ensure less threats to his lineage. It wasn't an act committed out of evil, even if it did inspire his heir to consider repeating it in the future, be it upon another ruling hyena...or a lion.
But such worries were far from everyone. The new cubs, the daughters of the Chief Huntresses and the princess alike, all would have the same upbringing, at least as far as Isiphepho was concerned. They had enough broodmothers, prey would be plentiful again soon and any other thought was better left for a stronger argument. Lunga, thankfully, didn't use cubs, either living or dead, in her sacrifices, and Kimbia, as the most devoted huntress, was constantly on the march for anything of interest.
The litters would survive. Isiphepho was indeed a proud father of his new daughters. They would replenish the nursery and his princess would lend a paw herself when the time came. As the sun rose on all those little bodies, a new kind of warmth kindled in their father's heart...
~Cub dialogue~
In the area where the royal family usually roam, the princess sees you approaching her half-sisters, but she gets to you before you can reach them. She stands fearlessly in front of you while her parents look on, her amber eyes visible through the dainty headpiece she wears. Despite her size, she is brave and mighty; the courage of a queen flows through her veins even before she's old enough to prove her worth for that position.
"I don't know you, bright eyes," she says boldly. "You carry a lot of stink with you wherever you go, do you know that? I thought you were an unwashed warthog until you came into view. Phew!" She sticks out her little tongue and spits like she's tasted something bad just talking to you. "You want cubs? Look around. We're what's here for now, and we're not going anywhere anytime soon. You can look at my butt, but you won't touch any part of me 'till I decide you can, you got me?"
What a commanding little girl! She acts like she's forgotten that she's the princess and pretends to play ruler all on her own! But after that strange "conversation", you found you weren't able to get a single word in. She saunters back between her mother's paws and falls down onto her side, curling up. Just like that, as if you weren't there or even worth her time anymore, she simply falls asleep within moments. The princess clearly isn't interested in much to do with you at this age, but maybe you'll find her more agreeable in the future.
~Adult dialogue~
The princess approaches you with all the grace and diligence of a queen, her unique crown giving her away before anyone else. Princess Laana, for all her flaws and occasional disputes within the pride, has turned out to be the absolute best little sister that Prince Kuongezeka could ask for; no one could tolerate him and his attitude like she could, which was ironically invaluable for her status as one of royal blood. They shared only the same father, but Laana was cunning. She would take it upon herself to shape her own destiny. It was said that Sababu, Mjuvi and Vuka had all influenced her in some way, leading to her acting as much like her father as the three immortal lionesses.
She came to stand proudly in front of you, whiskers twitching as she took in your scent. "Not now," she said with authority. "You must understand. When I want to see you, I will summon you. You can go sniffing around in the nursery if you desire a lioness right away, but I have my eyes on certain things about the males I choose. A king must have balls and bravery. And he must be handsome. Oh, you'll say there's plenty like that out there, and you're right, but I tend to keep my choices...closer to home, if you know what I mean."
And that's all you're able to get out of the princess. She leaves you there with those ambiguous words like it's a riddle for you to figure out, slipping away under the moonlight that helps her blend in with the shadows. Within moments, she has disappeared from view like a ghost, and the wind takes away her scent just as quickly. No matter where else you look in the Royal Den, you can't find her. Princess Laana spoke the truth: when she's ready to see you again, she'll come find you herself.
~~
Sole cub of Queen Maalum's first litter and the first princess of the royal family in Isiphepho's line, "Laana" is the Swahili word for curse, which was ironically given both due to her coat color and her inheritance. Proud and pretentious, this lucky daughter had the best of everything during the first few months of Isiphepho's reign, for daughters were highly valued to increase the population. She was also in charge of enforcing the king's strength when he was out exploring; her mother's gentle nature meant she often faltered in the face of an intrusion by hyenas or rival males, but Laana was fierce, ruthless and determined even to kill threats that appeared in the den of her family. Only Siagi may have had bloodier claws compared to the princess. With her distinctive decorated look, she seemed to appear and vanish in the plains under a full moon like a vision, leaving a local legend to rise about the "cursed princess" that lived in Isiphepho's pride.
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