The lioness allowed her eyes to rest shut, head laid upon her paws, in the warmth of the rising sun. Dozing was something she did most mornings, drifting between the realms of sleep and wakefulness until she was called upon by someone to complete a task, or hold a conversation. Her quiet nature made others, sometimes, withold from talking to her unless they were family, but she was friendly enough with her pride. Her pride was her pride, those that she was meant to protect and cherish and lead.

The sound of gentle footsteps approaching drew her out of her mind, causing her to open her eyes and turn them towards the sound. The spotted her mother, Macheeba, offering her a warm smile and lifting her head. The contact that welcomed her was not unusual, and she returned it more than willingly.

Ziba loved her mother dearly, despite whatever her sisters thought of the Queen. Macheeba had birthed and raised her alongside their father, the death of the mighty male still managed to hurt her, but she refused to allow her sadness to affect her already haunted mother. Instead, she would provide the aging lioness a place of quiet words and gentle, warm touches. It was the least she could do to repay her for the years spent cherishing her, guiding her, and helping her grow.

"Good morning, Mother," she murmured in reply, voice deep with her soft tone. She used her forelegs to push herself into a sitting position, surveying the pride. She took a quick note of where the most important lions were: Bozho and Aruna were with Kasim, Kamau was still asleep beside his brother Koen, Nkosazana was with Lorn on another boulder with Vilma not too far away from her, Neema was returning from a nearby watering hole, and the rest of the pride slowly waking and mingling.

"Nkosazana is over there with Lorn," she muttered, nodding in the general direction that she had spotted her sister. Well, she had spotted Lorn first, which led her to believe that the lioness beside her was indeed Sazana. The cub was easy to spot, a shade of pale creamy-white compared to the russet-gold of her sisters coat. It was easy to see that she was a child of Koen, the male holding a similar shade to his coat.

"Bozho and Aruna are-" She was going to continue, flicking her gaze to where she had last spotted her cubs, only to see the pair racing towards them across the ground. Her smile was small and soft, watching Bozho get a few strides in front of his sister and easily make the leap up onto the boulder, panting in front of her. Aruna quickly scrambled up beside him, swatting at his face whilst talking.

"Good morning, Grandma," the words were rushed, Aruna's eyes shining when they danced between the two females. "Ma, can you-"

Bozho starting talking at the same time, cutting on top with: "Kasim said I could go on a patorl with-"

"Can you teach me more hunting-"

"Can I go-?"

"Both of you," Ziba interrupted, watching them go silent and allowing a chuckle to escape her. "Speak too quickly. Aruna, what did you ask?"

"Can you teach me more hunting techniques again today? I don't think my pounce is quite right yet, and I want to get it right before I start joining hunts." Ziba nodded, turning to Bozho with a questioning look.

"Kasim invited me to go on a patrol with him later. Can I? Please?"

Ziba lifted her gaze to find the male, blinking slowly, before saying: "That's a question for the Queen, Bozho," and directing her face back down to her cub. "And say good morning to your grandmother while you're at it."

Bozho smiled sheepishly, stepping forward and gently pushing his head against Macheeba's chest. "Good morning," he said, moving to rub the side of his face against the lionesses shoulder.

A satisfied grumble escaped the brute's throat upon agreement that Bozho would like to attend. He figured as much. Kasim enjoyed teaching, even if it were minor things: how to use all senses at once, how to move in a way that nobody could hear you, and how to spot something out of place based on hearing. Small little things that sound plain and easy, but are very helpful to an aging cub.

The masculine's gaze rested on the two siblings. Their size comparison was always something that sparked a chuckle in him. Aruna was smaller, but seemed to have a bigger personality. Granted, they both had rather big ones, but Aruna especially. "You'll grow into it," was something Kasim often said, including now as he nodded at her with a smile. "You'll probably grow up to be taller than this shrimp here." Motioning to Bozho, Kasim teased lightly before his head bobbed into another nod. "If you change your mind upon joining, feel free to tag along." Pausing, Kasim's head snapped slightly upwards upon the mention of Ziba.

"Ah, yes, yes. You should ask her." The idea of taking Bozho on a patrol later without informing his own mother sent a series of chills down his spine. An angry lioness was nothing to mess with, especially Ziba. He needed to be in her good graces.

Lifting his gaze, it settled upon her, who was currently with the Queen. Talk about intimidating. "Go along now I-" Kasim's ears flicked as Bozho told him to tag along. "Well.." Ziba was a lioness who made him nervous, as did the Queen, but in an entirely different way. "..Alright. Let's go then, shall we?" His words were left hanging in the air as Bozho was already off and running, giving the male no choice but to tag along.

His gait was slow and steady, paws creating a thumping as he sped-walked to the others. Before he said anything, he greeted Macheeba first. Bowing his head out of respect, the male then lifted it. "Goodmorning," he uttered with a smile. Long ago had he learned that he didn't have to throw his entire body into a bow when it came to her. That was before he was a pride member and didn't know many of the rules, so he tended to exaggerate them.

The male was about to do the same to Ziba, when Bozho and Aruna began talking all at once. Instead of interrupting, he simply met her eyes and nodded gently with a smile. His actions were clearly implying that he was greeting her, only no words were spoken amidst the other ones.

He waited patiently until Bozho spoke. Eagerly, though discretely, Kasim leaned in out of curiosity at what her answer may be to allowing Bozho attend. When she mentioned asking the Queen, Kasim turned to her. "It will be a short one. A simple outing around the territory, just to teach the kid a thing or two." Glancing at Bozho, he turned back to Queen Macheeba, promising silently to Bozho that he would attempt the art of persuasion and get her to agree. "You can trust that upon any sight of danger, Bozho will be returned safely." Now glancing at Ziba, he hoped that she may see how true his words were. All at once, his seriousness left. "Did I mention how lovely you look today?" It was a simple tease, something he did often when he wanted something. Ask, then compliment, or vice versa. Most knew of his method already. He used it far too many times. Of course, he had forgotten that he was in the presence of the Queen, and turned to her. "Both of you look absolutely radiant."

Grabbing Bozho with his paw, he slid the cub towards him and made him face the two. "Bozho was telling me that he was very excited to go and that he will be on his best behaviour." He wasn't sure if Bozho wanted to go more, or if Kasim wanted him to. "He promises to be good, don't you, Bozho?" Patting the cub on his head, he added on, "besides, Aruna will be practicing her very own skills. Shouldn't Bozho do the same?" His eyes darted between mother and grandmother, eager to hear the answer.

After the little incident near the watering hole, where Neema had thrown her in, Kali since then had managed to dry her fur completely and was off resuming her mission. Well, she didn't have a mission, but she'd find one. She had long ago left the side of her mother, Vilma, and sister, Titilayo. But now, she was intent on finding them. Her eyes peered around, spotting Titilayo and cousin, Lorn. Figures. They'd probably go off gallivanting together without her. No worries, she'd leave them be. Maybe she'd find Bozho!

Her eyes scanned the pride for her half-brother. How she adored and looked up to him! However, she soon spotted him with Aruna and Kasim, along with his mother and grandmother. That was alright, she'd leave him alone for now as well. Maybe she could find her father! The cub began to dart around, searching for him until she espied his sleeping figure. Pah, Uncle Koen was near him as well, waking him up because of Titilayo. Everybody was busy or already off with somebody else, but that was alright. She'd find somebody to occupy herself with.. eventually.

Glancing around the pride, Kali's face slowly fell and she sat her rump onto the ground. Everybody had someone but her. Maybe she needed to befriend another individual, but who? Who looked alone at the moment? Bright eyes sweeping the pride, Kali's smile vanished and her ears rested against her head for a moment until they perked having spotted Sauda. Sauda! She didn't have anybody, just like her!

"Sauda!" She called from a distance. She noted the older lionesses' ears turn slightly, but she made no move to turn around. "Sauda?" The cub picked herself up and began to run. "Oh, Kali!" The lioness suddenly turned, "I didn't hear you there." No, Sauda heard quite well. The only issue was she despised cubs, which was why she didn't have any of her own. She couldn't stand the idea of them potentially outshining her, or worse, being better and stronger than her in every way. "How is my favourite cub?" Sauda chirped, smiling widely. Perhaps too widely. "I'm good! I was thinking that, since you look lonely, I could keep you company!" A small scowl began to form on Sauda's lips, but she played it off into a smile. Her? Lonely? Pah, the nerve of cubs. "Oh, I would love that."

Kali smiled gently and sat down. "Well.. What should we do?" Sauda simply eyed her, hiding her disgust. "Why don't we.." Her eyes raised, glancing around until she spotted Kleio. A sudden grin shot across her face as her mind began to turn. "Why don't say hello to your grandmother!" Oh, she was a genius! If she could get the Advisor and Second in her favour, they could convince her mother to make her the new Queen. Kali simply looked at her grandmother resting and shook her head. "We should let her rest. Mother once said that-"

"Nonsense! Up we go. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you!" Nudging the cub upwards, she pushed her gently forwards and began walking towards Kleio. "Goodmorning," said Sauda, smiling at the elderly lioness. She meant to say more, but Kali had suddenly cut her off, nudging her way to her. "Hello, grandmother." She chirped, nestling herself near her and nudging her paw gently. Everybody thought that her grandmother was snappy, but Kali didn't. They just didn't know her as well. Her grandmother was a wonderful lioness! Most days, Kali preferred her company over others. "I thought that it would be nice for Kali to come and say hello on this fine morning," smiled Sauda as she gazed at the cub. "The two of us didn't have much to do, so figured we could keep you company as well." Sauda was an actress, but sometimes, she surprised herself at just how good she could be. "Have you had a chance to speak with mother yet today?" She asked Kleio before glancing at her mother with Ziba.

What a suck up.

Look at them all. Ziba, Macheeba, Kasim, Bozho and Aruna. All one little happy family. Maybe she should have cubs of her own. That way, she had more chances to spend time with her mother. Hm, yes. That was rather a good idea. Besides, her very own wouldn't outshine her, not if she was a Queen, and she would be able to tolerate them. She didn't need to love them if they were merely props. Turning back to Kleio, Sauda flicked her tail, glancing at Kali who was gazing up at her grandmother.

She hated the lot of them.