Julia was happy. Happy that today would be a day that Kuendesha wouldn't be bothering her, due to spending the day with Lana at Ajabu's tree. More than anything, she was happy that Kuendesha wasn't barking orders at her and instead had focused all of her attention onto David. While David was doing what Kuendesha told him, that left Julia with lots of free time. And she knew exactly how she was going to spend it. And exactly where she was going to spend it, besides as far away from the prying eyes of her family and pridesisters who would no doubt tell Kuendesha her every move.
She was going to see a certain someone today. It was someone who didn't tell her what to do, or what to think or how she should live her life. In fact, he accepted her for who she was, and perhaps that was why she thinks nothing of bringing him food on a regular basis. Such as the small tapir foal that Ni had hunted for Lana, but since she wasn't eating it today she figured it would make a nice present for Julia's secret friend. And, when she got there she called out for him.
"Kyabe?" She called into the cave that she stood in front of, the name echoing throughout the cavern that served as the den for the rogue of that name. And after a few moments, he clearly recognized her voice as he responded. "Julia?" And when Julia looked up her eyes came alight with joy, as the rogue of that name stepped out over the ledge and down the stair-like potrusions to greet her. Although he was a sub-adult like Ni and Malka, he was still an elegant sight to behold. His nice build and fluffy, dark mane complemented his cinnamon fur and the deep, muddy brown eyes that held within them a spark of great intellect and insightfulness. As Kyabe nuzzled Julia affectionately, she couldn't help letting out a purr of approval.
"I see you've brought lunch." He said, and his voice was exactly the kind that one would expect from a mysterious genius, but that just made him more alluring to the teenaged lioness. She gave him the small pig, and as he dug into it, he stopped and looked at her before taking the first bite. "You sure you don't want to partake?" He asked. Julia simply giggled, barely able to contain her affection for the very handsome lion in front of her. "Oh don't worry, I've already had plenty to eat. And, also, I don't need any… sort of suspicion cast on me." She said, and Kyabe knew exactly what she was referring to.
"Your mother is… well she wants what's best for you." He said, dancing around the issue. Julia knew exactly how Kyabe felt about her mother, and she didn't blame her for it. "And acting a fool towards my friends just because she doesn't 'trust' them is what she thinks is best for me?" Julia asked, and Kyabe was happy that it was her saying it and not him. "All Mom cares about is telling me and David what to do and treating us like children. She wants us to be a certain way, and but I would rather just be myself. You understand, don't you?" Kyabe did in fact understand, much more than Julia would probably believe. "Of course. I myself have… well, let's just say I have experience with parents who are overprotective." And I have the bite marks to prove it. He added on mentally, but did not voice.
"Now, if only I could just make her understand, you know? Like… How can I get her to listen to me?" Now that was something Kyabe didn't have the answer to, and that was something he perhaps would never have the answer for, beyond his own philosophy of simply living and letting live. "Umm… I don't know how to say this, but…" Julia both hated and loved it when he stopped short like that, simply because Kyabe was a master of suspense. As she leaned forward in anticipation, he stroked the top of her head with his claw, making her blush with the gesture.
"Your mother just needs to realize that you are growing up and that she has to trust in your decisions. As I do now." He said, his words mixed with his voice melting her even further. And Mom thought my love for this lion was just 'a phase'. Julia thought as she hugged the sub-adult lion in front of her. Kyabe whispered into her ear, sending chills down the teen's spine as he did. "I've something to show you."
As he said this, he lead Julia to what appeared to be a rosebush, but as soon as he cleared it away, carefully but with a skill that indicated that he had done this numerous times before, there lied an un-treaded trail. It was clear that only this lion and now Julia knew of this cobbled, rough path. "Follow me, and stay close. The savannah has eyes, and ears." He warned. But next to the gentle, yet fierce fighter Julia felt as though the danger was in fact her ally. What does he have to fear? She thought as she looked at the aristocratic rogue that had, a month prior, won her heart without realizing it.
And without realizing it, the two young lions made it to their destination. Julia almost wouldn't believe they had walked this far out so quickly, but it turns out that the sun was now high in the sky and it was at perfect arc position to allow the massive papaya tree to provide the necessary shade. "Come on." Kyabe signaled, as he began to deftly and quickly ascend the branches.
Once Julia had caught up to him, she could see that quite a few animals were gathered here. There were animals of many types present, from felids, to mustelids, to canines, to primates and other herbivores, all were gathered and talking amongst themselves. Kyabe led Julia to one of the stumps that served as seats, before calling out to the mandrill arranging sets of fermented fruits in cup-like leaves.
"Hey, Korofi. How's about you pass me and the lady one of those marula fruits over there?" Korofi looked up, and his mood seemed to be lifted slightly when he saw it was Kyabe speaking. "Ah, yes. Kyabe, and a lady friend. Coming right up." The young mandrill said in a friendly tone. Julia looked at Kyabe, and the cinnamon-colored lion simply turned to her and smiled. "Don't worry. I've had these before. Since this will be your first time, I suggest you drink slowly." Kyabe assured her, in the way that only he can. Julia, however, still wasn't certain. "Aren't we carnivores? Won't fruit affect our digestive tracts adversely?" She asked, and Kyabe's laughter mixed with some of the other patrons present.
"That's why Korofi and his assistants ferment the fruits into something that we meat-eaters can process. And, besides, it's no more dangerous than koala meat. Once you get past the strong aftertaste, you might like it." The sub-adult reassured. Julia tried it, and to her expectations Kyabe was right. So right, that she asked for another marula cup. Kyabe's chuckle said it all. As Julia was placing her order, however, Kyabe couldn't help but notice the change in Korofi's demeanor. On the one hand, and to his relief, it wasn't because of anything Julia was doing. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Julia was polite even as she was specifying exactly how much of which fruit should be mixed into her next drink.
On the other hand, he noticed that Korofi kept looking over his shoulder at another pair of felines: a teenaged male lion and a leopard. And the male lion was of definite interest, because despite his lack of stature and musculature he looked almost exactly as another lion from Kyabe's past.