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~Newborn cub dialogue~
Many cubs came into the world on the morning when Isiphepho's second "official" litters were born. It was as if they were blessed by their ancestors, for they were all strong, healthy and fit for survival regardless of their chances. At the time, the king didn't yet have enough broodmothers to watch every single cub, so he dedicated his life to all of their childhoods while they grew up. It didn't matter if one was born a princess, submale or future nursery lioness; they were all privy to the same education and sense of honor and duty.
They all chose their designated places and were draped in fine adornments. Even as babes not yet weaned, their father was circulating new ideas among the pride. When they were grown, he decided, it wasn't enough that his son would ascend and take his place. In order to achieve true peace and stability, he wanted a "council" to watch over in a similar way as the immortal lions and lionesses now did. Isiphepho respected Sababu's wisdom, Mjuvi's assertive leadership and Vuka's supernatural foresight, but he also saw the gains that would come with having living sons and daughters to ensure his prince stayed on the correct path...
~Cub dialogue~
This child, like all of them that were born at the same time in the litters during February, is kept safe and secure among the queen and Isihe when you're passing by. The lionesses that aren't hunting are busy grooming and sleeping, while one or more of the submales patrols nearby, watching you carefully as you stroll past this place. At the time, these children are all too young and relatively helpless, wandering around with interesting garments and decoration that looks even a bit silly when it's too big for them.
You get some heads turned your way and a few of the females reposition themselves so that if you came with trouble in mind, they were prepared to rush at you. The king himself also appears on the horizon, the safety of his cubs obvious in his stern expression. But with so many claws and fangs that would sink into you before you made it three strides within range of the children, you know it's not worth it.
Getting a second glance at them, maybe they'll be something interesting when they're of age. Maybe there are some pretty daughters in the mix that will give pleasant cubs. Maybe some of those sons will be fitting guardians of this territory. Either way, with not much left to do, you're allowed to continue on and leave them to the safe company of their family, returning to the routine of grooming, playing and sleeping among each other.
~Adult dialogue~
The king's most recent litters who have grown up are formed of a council, each with their own unique status and skills that sets them apart. Looking around, you see that everyone is performing their own tasks and going about their business as they follow their daily routines; you can see that this pride, although now steady once again in number, still has a lot of work to do. These grown children take their roles very seriously, so no matter who you've come to see, many of them only give you a brief glance before they continue on their way.
But not all pass you off as just another guest. Some of them approach and start chatting with you, helping you figure out what you want to know. If it's a friendly conversation you want, some are able to provide that or direct you to those that are more social; maybe you found some nursery lionesses that caught your interest and you've come to them with questions. Whatever the case may be, they're obviously used to helping anyone who comes asking, provided you come in peace.
They're an awfully nice bunch of lads and lasses. It all comes down to what your needs are when you see the council, but sooner or later, they've all got something to share. When you're done visiting with them, they let you go on your way and then pick up where they left off, never faltering in helping their father's goal of establishing power and protection back in the territory that so desperately needs it.
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Firstborn from Mbali's first litter, "Vito" is one of the Swahili words for gems, referencing his eyes and how they had an otherworldly quality to them, like his mother's. Adorned in a spiked collar that once belonged to a fighting dog in a local village, Vito took on the companionship of a maned lioness because he viewed all "freaks and strange oddities" of Africa as allies in disguise, no matter who they were or where they came from. The maned lioness, for her part, tired of being confused for a male, was refreshed to see such a polite non-royal prince treat her with such courtesy. Like his relative Hilbert, Vito was smaller than the dominant males of the pride, so his role as a submale meant he took on tasks that required a delicate turn of foot or quicker reactions compared to the muscle of Mwotaji and Tafakari.
On the council, Vito existed as the "Diplomatic Gatekeeper," which was a fancy, elongated term for his ability to check on threats quickly without being spotted. It was Vito who usually noticed when the hunting party brought back kills, his task being to run to his father to let him know before he resumed his patrol.
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