Dragonfly Pond Squeezing through,you find yourself near the edge of a crystal clear pond. Surrounded by the hedge on two sides,tall clusters of trees thickly covered with clinging vines provide a barrier around the rest. Moving closer,you find the ground soft and springy beneath your paws. Not terribly deep,the pond teams with life...from tiny minnows to equally tiny frogs and turtles. It's almost as if nature provided this small pond as a nursery for the forest's creatures. But even all this doesn't manage to detract from the reason for it's name...literally hundreds upon hundreds of dragonflies flitting everywhere. Perched on the flowers that grow in this verdant spot,or flying low over the water,their irridescent,jewel colored wings catch the sun's light,flashing it back at you. Not even your presence appears to deter them. They simply fly around you with curiosity before going back to their usual routine. A large flat rock seems to have been positioned there just for lying on to watch the peaceful scene. You can see Ifile-tu, stunned by the realization..she's getting old! Exits: [Crawl] Back Through [IC ] Ifile-tu, female lioness Ifi is lying at the edge of the pond..sound asleep. Ahrish is standing near the edge of the pond, a few feet away from you. She's peering intently into the water, watching the life there, and occasionally dipping her paw lightly. Each time she does, she hops back a bit and giggles, beaming. Ifile-tu is brought back up out of her restless dreams by the sounds of cubbish giggles. Her eyes flash open, fighting to focus as she sits up and, half awake, searches for the giggle's source. "Maajabu? Wha...??" Ifile-tu spots you and sits back, relieved and startled at the same time. "No... you're not Maajabu.." She pulls herself together and smiles softly. "Hello, little one.." Ahrish hears you and the giggles cease immediately. She whirls to face you and takes several steps back, looking up at you. While she doesn't look quite frightened, she certainly does look alert and ready to run. Ifile-tu stays quite still so she doesn't frighten you. "My name is Ifi...what's yours?" Ifile-tu looks at you. Ahrish relaxes a little bit at your words, still alert, but less tense. She looks up at you. "Hi.." She hesitates, then speaks softly. "I Ahrish.. I play in the watah.." Ifile-tu chuckles softly. "I see that. Do you like our pond?" As she speaks, her eyes are scanning the area for signs of your mother or father. Ahrish smiles at that, and nods. "Lotsa fishes.. is fun! They run when I splash!" She's looking you over now, her eyes wide and curious. "Do you play?" Ifile-tu's eyes return to you, a sparkle of humor in them. "Sometimes.. I have a little daughter about your age and we play a lot." She hesitates a moment and then asks gently, "Ahrish? Where are your Mommy and Daddy?" Ahrish immediately tenses again and her eyes narrow suspiciously. "Momma is all right," she says loudly. "She tell me go play like a big girl, and she come after she sleep." Ifile-tu considers this ominous answer, her eyes sweeping over your tiny unkempt form. Quietly, she asks you. "Where is Mommy sleeping?" Ahrish looks like she has probably only been on her own a few days, and quite possibly doesn't realize that anything is wrong. She continues looking suspiciously at you. "When I little, Momma tell me never to tell where we sleep.. is secret for us only." Ifile-tu nods quickly. "She's right too. It is much safer not to tell anyone. Has Momma been sleeping a long time?" Ahrish's suspicious glare fades for a moment as she thinks about it. She answers slowly, "Not long time... few sleeps?" Ifile-tu keeps her tone soft and understanding. "She must be very tired. What about your Daddy? Is he sleeping too?" Ahrish shakes her head. She speaks with some distaste, insomuch as a cub can express distaste. "Momma say Daddy issa .. a "roog" lion, and he not come back." Ifile-tu chuckles again. "I see. Then, I imagine he be won't be back anytime soon." She leans down, sniffing you gently, as she asks. "Are you hungry?" Ahrish steps back again as you approach, but stays and lets you come close enough. She's tense and watching closely again, but after a moment she nods. "Am little hungry." Ifile-tu slowly settles back on her haunches, not wanting to frighten you. "Well, as I said, my little daughter is about your age, and she's just started eating meat. Do you like to eat meat?" She is wondering if you are weaned yet...and desperately hoping you are. Ahrish watches you closely, and matches your actions now, sitting down as well. She nods, speaking deliberately, "Momma say big girls eat meat and milk is for babies." Ifile-tu nods slowly. "I see. I think your Momma is quite wise. Do you think she would mind if I shared a rabbit I caught earlier with you?" Ahrish matches your nod, too, studying your face now. She seems to be thinking very hard. Finally she smiles, having decided it's ok.. "Momma wants me to eat good, so can share." She looks around, then watches you somewhat expectantly. "Is rabbit here?" Ifile-tu nods with a smile. "You wait right here. I'll get it." She rises to her paws and pads over to a small rock near a tree. Leaning down, she lifts back up with a fairly large rabbit in her mouth. She quickly carries it over to you and lies it at your paws before she sits back down. "You may eat some first. I'm not hungry right now. May I pull some meat off for you, or can you do that yourself? Ahrish smiles, then looks a bit confused as she paws at the rabbit. She doesn't seem to know what to do with a full carcass, and experimentally she catches the fur with her claws, tugging until her paw slips off with little effect. She looks up at you sheepishly. "You show me how?" Ifile-tu smiles as she lowers her head. "Maajabu needs help yet too." She carefully tears off a strip ot meat and skin..lying it, meat side up, before you. "There you go.." Ahrish smiles widely and lowers her muzzle to the meat quickly, not hesitating to tear into the meat, eating quickly and hungrily. She pauses after a few moments, looking up and smiling, remembering to be polite. "Thank you." Ifile-tu has torn off another strip and laid it next to the first. "You're welcome Ahrish. Eat all you want." Ahrish finishes off the first strip and goes immediately to the second strip of meat. She begins to slow towards the end of it, apparenly being sated for now. Ifile-tu settles back to watch you finish. She would love to cuddle you to her and groom that poor fur, but she knows that might frighten you, so instead, she says. "You know, my daughter might be awake now. I should really go check on her. Would you like to come with me?" Ahrish stands up and grins, seeming to be full of energy all over again. "Is your daughter playing?" Ifile-tu chuckles as she gets to her paws. "If she's awake, 'Bu will play!" Ahrish grins and pads up alongside you. "I play with Bu!" You are going to walk along with Ifile-tu. Ifile-tu smiles down to you, giving the top of your head the gentlest of licks. "I think you will like 'Bu and I think she'll like you! It's a long walk. Would you like me to carry you?" Ahrish shakes her head.. "I keep up.. run fast! :)" Ifile-tu chuckles. "We don't have to go fast..." She slowly starts out towards the cave making certain you stay at her side. Ifile-tu walks along, with you following her. Under the Hedge At the end....or at least what appears to be the end of this path, you abruptly find yourself up against a hedgelike growth of thickly clustered bushes. Padding along it's length, there seems to be nothing but huge, deep green leaves blocking you from going any further. Or...is there something up ahead? Moving towads the darker spot, you find a low opening, strangely not overgrown for all this path is so unused. You need to duck down low to press through what proves to be an hole just large enough for a full grown lion to squeeze past. What you find on the other side makes the effort well worth it! Ifile-tu waits for you to crawl through the hedge. Ahrish scrambles through, seeming excited by the journey and the possibility of a playmate Ifile-tu smiles to herself at your eagerness and heads down the trail. Hidden Trail As your eyes sweep over the trees that partially surround the area, you notice what appears to be a slightly worn opening in the undergrowth. Slipping through, you find yourself on a faint trail leading down from the grotto and disappearing from your sight as it twists and turns through the crowded trees. Obviously it must lead somewhere that very few know about, or at least a place few come to any longer. Grotto of Serenity Curiosity gets the better of you. You wade across the brook and push through the opening in the thickly growing plant life, catching your breath at what you find on the other side. Nature created a small, natural grotto in the mountain's side, a place of calm serenity and peaceful beauty. Terraced rocks form the back of the grotto, flowers spilling down their sides and perfuming the cool air with their scent. Lower rocks form the sides...leading down to the lush, green grass, sprinkled with more flowers. Towering trees give you the impression of a living, green roof. Sunlight filters through the leaves in the daytime, creating a soft glow. At night, the moon and the stars twinkling in the sky overhead make this place almost mysteriously beautiful. If you have time, stop and rest here a while. Let your mind carry you where it will. Ifile-tu smiles down to you. "Keeping up okay? We're almost there." Ahrish grins and nods. "I run fast!" Beside the Shallow Brook Intrigued by the harmonious tinkle of water splashing over smooth rocks, you turn from the cave's entrance and pad in the direction of a shallow brook winding gently down the side of Kanisa Mlima and bordering the clearing before finding it's way to the valley below. Only a couple of feet at it's deepest, the sparkling clear water is home to small, colorful fish and numerous aquatic creatures, providing water for the brilliantly feathered birds and fascinating insect life who visit. It offers a perfect place for young cubs to explore their world and a peaceful place for adults to relax and watch them. You may choose to just *rest* here, or perhaps *fish* for a snack. If you have time, you may *wade*, or if you're really curious, explore the mystifying opening you see in the lush vegetation on the other side. Ahrish runs in next to Ifile-tu Maajabu giggles. "A wittwe gween t'ingy? Da siwwy." Ifile-tu leads the cub across the brook at the shallowest area. Looking up, she notices Maajabu and Nehluka and grins, calling to them. "We have a visitor!" Nehluka noddles vigorously. "Yep, it was a tree frogger." Nehluka perks an ear. "Huh? Who's that?" Ahrish grins and runs up to the two youngsters, looking excited. "I Ahrish! We play?" Maajabu crinkles her nose and turns to the sound of her mother's voice. "MOMMY!" she comes a bounding, not even noticing the new cub. Nehluka ducks her front half down and sniffles excitedly, tail a wagging! look nehluka You see before you a scruffy lil' critter with gigantic ears in proportion to her body. She moves with a proud, but clumsy (lack of) grace as she strides around trying to look like she knows what she is doing. She has cocoa brown paws with the same smudge down either side of her nose and the tips of her huge ears, the brush on her tail also bares this mark. Her emerald green eyes flicker with courage (that often gets her into way too much trouble!) Be warned! This lil' bundle of grit and guts can be quite the pawful! She always seems to find the mud and not the water! :) Ifile-tu leans down to scoop Maajabu up to her chest, licking the top of her head. "Hi...you look awake!" Maajabu giggles. "Neh was tewwin' fibs." Ifile-tu grins over Bu's head to Nehluka. "Come over here and meet Ahrish." Jeta is curled at Agiza's side, as always. She slowly begins to stir, her eyelids fluttering open reluctantly. Nehluka perks an ear and laughs. "If this is Ahrish, I think we've already met." Maajabu snuggles up to mommy's paws, still oblivious to the new one. Ahrish grins and runs back towards Ifile Ifile-tu sits down, cuddling Maajabu as she watches all of you with a smile. Jeta yawns, looking around blearily and trying to get a handle on the situation. Ifile-tu grins as Ahrish runs up to her. "Maajabu...this is Ahrish. Ahrish... this is my daughter, Bu..." Ahrish grins up at Maajabu. "Hi Bu! I Ahrish.. you like to play?" Maajabu opens her golden eyes and stares with a blank start. Well, this is a new one! Nehluka giggles and romps up behind the new 'plaything', she taps her on the rump with a playful and dashes into some nearby reeds. Ahrish jumps forward with surprise, then breaks into a wide grin and makes a scrambling turn, chasing after Nehluka. "I get you!" Nehluka giggles and winds through the reeds with remarkable speed. A tiny wake left behind her. Ifile-tu can't help a soft laugh at Maajabu's reaction. She gives her an encouraging nuzzle, looking up to see Ahrish take off after Neh. Maajabu looks up to mommy, a bit confused. Ifile-tu lowers her head to Bu, murmuring. "Ahrish's Mommy seems to be lost, so I thought maybe you and Neh could play with her while we wait for her Mommy to show up." Ahrish grins and runs as best she can through the reeds after Nehluka, losing some speed to unfamiliarity. She tries to guess which way Nehluka will turn to cut her off :) Maajabu cocks her head. "wost? How dat?" Jeta sits up, pricking her ears and watching with curiosity, and a little confusion. She's still not quite used to her situation, and now there seems to be a stranger around, and a lot of giggling. She eyes the new cub skeptically. Nehluka dashes left, then right, she weaves with the speed and persision critters and mousers her size tend to have... at the moment, she is GOOD! Ifile-tu hmms. "I'm not sure honey..but Ahrish doesn't know where she is... and we wouldn't want her out in the forest all by herself would we?" Ahrish is beginning to slow now, not used to running so hard and fast, but still her face is beaming with exhileration as she shouts out again, "Can't get away, I catch you!" Ifile-tu glances up as she notices Jeta waking, giving her a soft smile. "Good morning Jeta. Agiza seems to be better. And..the little imp running after Neh is Ahrish...a visitor.." Maajabu shakes her head solemnly, her eyes turn back to the weaving mess and cocks her head again. Ifile-tu quietly begins to groom Maajabu, wondering if she should push her to join. After a few moments thought, she decides to let her do things at her own speed. Nehluka cheers and shout, looking over her shoulder! "Heheh! No you WON'..... UMPH!" A loud thud announces the fennec's folly... a rather large log! Jeta , her mouth half-open, finds her question answered before she could even form the words. She grins broadly, not really hearing anything but the one key piece of news. "She's gettin' better??" Ifile-tu's eyes swing back to Jeta as she hears the hope in her voice. She nods with a broader smile. "Yes. SHe's cooler and we got her to eat some meat." Ifile-tu now hears a 'thump' and looks up towards the sound. "Neh? Are you alright?" Ahrish grins widely and crosses the few extra steps quickly, leaping to pounce hard at Nehluka! "I get you!" she shouts triumphantly. Jeta hops to her feet, turning to nuzzle the sleeping hyena at her side. Careful to speak softly, she looks up hopefully at Ifile. "Y'really think she's gonna be all right again soon?" Nehluka lies on her back, a lioness cub on her belly between her splayed paws, looking a bit dazed. "Hi Ahrish, who's your friend?" Maajabu purrs softly in her momma's paws, listening to the strange cub and Neh playing. Ifile-tu once again brings her gaze back to Jeta. "I feel very hopeful now... yes. The fac that her fever appears to be gone and that she is eating and drinking is a very, very good sign. I wouldn't be surprised if she wakes up soon. But, for now..she's sleeping naturally." Ahrish grins down at Nehluka.. then tilts her head, confused. "What friend? You friend?" Nehluka points vaguely in the air, "Right there, the lioness next to you." Jeta nods calmly, but the way her tail's flitting energetically from side to side gives away her excitement. "Okay.... I'll try 'n wait it out." Ifile-tu has Neh and Ahrish in her sight..listening in case she is needed over there. Ahrish looks beside herself, tilts her head again, and looks back. She giggles. "Is none there... you're funny." Ifile-tu softly noses Jeta. "She's going to be okay. Now..why don't you see what Neh and Ahrish are doing over there in the grass?" Nehluka wriggles her paws in the air... "Hmmm... how'd I get four front paws?" Jeta smiles up at Ifile, not quite so shyly as usual. She blinks at the second name, looking over to the pair playing in the grass. "Ahrish? Who's that?" Ahrish hears her name and hops off of Nehluka, running back towards Ifi. "I Ahrish!" Ifile-tu wraps a gentle paw around Maajabu, cuddling her a little closer and licking her nose. "Do you want to play too?" Ifile-tu looks up with a laugh. "This is Ahrish, Jeta..." Maajabu wriggles her nose, cocking her head a bit. "I no no." Jeta tilts her head to the side, eyeing the cub again. "Oh, yeah - .. where'd she come from?" Remembering her manners (only a *little* too late), she smiles at the cub. "Hi, Ahrish. I'm Jeta." Nehluka rolls onto her belly and gets to her paws, staggering back a bit awkwardly. Ahrish looks back to Jeta and pads over, grinning. "Hi Jeta. :)" look jeta Dark gold fur, like the grass of the savannah after a hard rain, covers most of this cub's body, except where it fades to a light off-white on her belly, paws, and under her chin. A tuft of dark brown fur tips her tail, which is almost always lashing back and forth with a sort of nervous defiance. This same defiance is reflected in her startling, deep gray eyes - she has the look of one who's come to rely only on herself. Anyone else is either a threat or an obstacle. Ifile-tu answers Jeta first. "She is visiting us for a little while..." Ahrish looks to Ifi, curiously. "I stay here till Momma come?" Ifile-tu now gives Neh a concerned look. "Are you alright Nehluka?" Jeta oooohs, nodding to Ifile as her gaze drifts back down to Ahrish. "... Oh. Her mom's missing?" Nehluka giggles and flops back onto her back in the middle of the clearing, examining her toes with scrutiny. Ahrish turns sharply back to Jeta, speaking loudly. "Momma sleep! Momma come when sleep done." Ifile-tu starts to say something to Bu when she hears Ahrish's question.. and Jeta's comment. "No.." she says soothingly. "..Ahrish's Momma is sleeping and I'm sure she will come as soon as she wakes up." She smiles to Ahrish. "And..if you would like, you can stay here until she does." Maajabu cautiously climbs out of mommy's paws and makes her way over towards the new cub. Jeta flinches, but recovers her calm quickly. She tries to answer pleasantly, glancing over at Agiza every few moments as she speaks, as though it were a nervous habit. "Oh.. sleeping. Yeah... yeah, I'm sure she'll be right back." Ifile-tu opens her paws and lets Bu go..watching quietly now. Ahrish settles down and the smile returns. "I stay." Her ear flicks towards Jeta's comment, and for a moment she seems confused. look maajabu Before you is a growing young cub, she is getting much lankier then the plump cubby stage. Her legs have grown, leaving her tummy behind. Her face is beginning to lose that cubish padding. But, her tummy is still quite bulgy, and her eyes still glimmer with curiousity as her tongue learns to articulate a bit more. In short, the runt is growing. :) Jeta abruptly hops to one side, searching the clearing until her eyes finally settle on Nehluka. She grins. "Counting your toes? Are they all there?" Ifile-tu shakes her head. "It's alright Ahrish..Jeta is just worried about her friend Agiza. She's been very sick and was sleeping a lot. But now she's starting to feel better." Ahrish looks at Maajabu and smiles. "Hi Bu :)" Maajabu gently sniffs Ahrish's tail, not knowing she's been detected. Maajabu looks up. "Uhhhhhhhhhh hi..." Ifile-tu chuckles as she watches the two cubs inspect each other. Nehluka nods "Yep, but a moment ago I had forty... I'm not sure where they came from and where they went?" Ahrish smiles at Maajabu. "You is quiet." Jeta gives Ahrish a quick nod and a nervous smile before turning back to Nehluka. "Forty? .... Aintcha supposed to have.. no, wait..." She furrows her brow, looking down anxiously at her own toes. Maajabu's eyes wander all over the new cubbie. "Ummmm me is not suwe whadda t'ink." Ahrish smiles widely. "We play! We catch her!" She indicates Nehluka. Ifile-tu catches Jeta and Neh's conversation and tries hard to hold back a laugh! Ifile-tu again chuckles. "I think we need to give Neh a few minutes to get her eyes back in focus." Jeta sits down on her haunches, stretching out a hind paw to inspect it closely. "One, two, three, four.." Maajabu looks over towards Neh and giggles. "Catcha da fast widdle fennec sissy? Nehluka chuckles and gives herself a dust bath. Ifile-tu hmmmms and holds her comment, deciding to let things happen as they may and see what results. Ahrish giggles. "She not so fast when she not look where she run!" Jeta , starting to feel just a *little* silly, and noticing the others around her again, darts glances from side to side. She straightens up, looking a little sheepish. Ifile-tu gives Jeta a quiet smile, asking her in a gently teasing voice. "Are they all there?" Maajabu laughs. "Bu' she weally fast when she chasea da micers." Jeta half-grins and nods to Ifile, looking askance at her. "I don't think I'm missin' any."