Icarus and Nyota lied next to each other as they watched their cub play a game of tag. Well, lead a game of tag as she was winning constantly. Lana's dark chocolate pelt and purple eyes reminded Icarus of not only himself at that age but also of his father. In fact, she had looked exactly as he did when he was a cub, and probably resembled Daedalus at that age, too. As a result, Icarus wondered if the idea of reincarnation was entirely farfetched. David and Julia was of interest, too, as they were Saul's cubs. And they had inherited much from him; though they had their mother's tannish-beige pelt, everything else were firmly Saul's traits. David especially took after Saul, as he had his green eyes and was rather chubby, just as Saul was as a cub. Meanwhile Julia was lean and blue-eyed like Kuendesha, but was still full of energy as Saul had been at that age.
Seeing the three of them play so innocently with the other cubs without a care in the world also brought back memories of his own cubhood. "To think Saul would leave this world before ever meeting them." Icarus said, not quite knowing he said that out loud until he noticed Nyota and some of the others sharing in his emotional state. "Sorry, I just cant stop thinking about it." Nyota nuzzled him, and reassured him. "One does not simply forget their best friend, Icarus. No matter what they may have seen or done in the Wastelands."
Icarus was happy to hear that, as he needed confirmation that he wasn't weak for letting his emotions be known. And then lamented that he had spent most of his life in the Wastelands, as that had ingrained in him the tendency to suppress and even at times give up his sense of empathy, kindness and mercy. Not doing so was death, and everyone who had any hope if surviving learned that very quickly if that wasn't immediately obvious from the start.
Which is exactly why Icarus and Saul both were so eager to find a territory away from their homeland, and escape that life. And for what it was worth, at least Saul was able to end his life as a king and not a mere rogue, constantly fighting and doing horrible things just to eat one more scrap of meat or drink from a tiny, questionable pond one more time.
Icarus and Nyota hadn't even notice that two of the other cubs were trying to get their attention. "Hey, Icarus." The female cub finally called out, tearing his attention away from his mate and cub. "What is it, Masika?" Icarus said, recognizing the golden brown female as Namana's cub, and the reddish brown male as Nyarai's cub. "Lana told me that you took her on a fun adventure. Tomorrow, can we go too?" As she asked her question in her friends' stead, her deep brown eyes held within them a deep admiration for the king, perhaps as though he were indeed her father and not simply her king. In fact, Icarus noticed that quite a few of the cubs had seen him this way, and a few times he has had to remind them that he in fact sired only Lana; that was why she was his 'favorite'. "Now, Masika, you and Akato know that, as Lana is the future queen, she is entitled to certain responsibilities. So that's why my morning lectures are for her and her alone. Once you get a little older, then I will allow you to join us, okay?" Icarus said, in an almost fatherly tone.
Akato and Masika both frowned at that answer. "But David and Julia were just talking about how you'll be taking them to see the hyena caves tomorrow, and they aren't your cubs. So why can't we get to do anything fun?" Akato complained, Icarus looked to Nyota. I'm so tempted to give in. Icarus thought, and Nyota picked up on his cue. "Akato, Masika, you know Kuendesha's cubs were fathered by Saul, the other lion responsible for freeing your mother and this Pride from the Blonde Tyrant. So of course those two will also be treated as the next heirs to this kingdom." She explained. Akato rolled his eyes; his own mother wouldn't shut up about how great Icarus and Saul were and how they were 'heroes who liberated the Jungle'. Masika, however, thought that just made Icarus even cooler.
"But, don't worry. Soon enough, you two will be able to join the heirs on their morning lectures. And then wish you had never asked." Icarus chuckled at his own joke, and Nyota was tempted to laugh alongside him until it was clear that the cubs didn't get it. Icarus sighed. "Fine, run along now." Icarus said as he returned his attention to where Lana and the twins were playing… Or at least, where the cubs should have been playing. They were gone, nowhere to be seen. Icarus and Nyota both stood up, their minds frantic with worry.
Where had they gone to!? And how did they disappear so quickly?!