Welcome to Gaia! ::

The ocean was quiet today. The afternoon sun hung high and bright in the blue sky and clearly illuminated the beach and the cliffs below. Zuri, full from his latest meal, rested in the half-assed shade of a stunted tree. It grew closer to the water than its brothers and sister, and half of its roots had starved themselves in the sand.

The adult lion yawned and stretched, eyes peeled for any sign of his sister. He had chosen this spot to nap because he knew that he would most likely find Hana here. At his feet there lay a lovely and vibrant collection of seashells, which had been washed up on the shore that morning. Zuri had found them and collected them for Hana, because he knew how she liked them, and he was eager to give them to her.

It would be nice to see her smile.

There was something wonderful about family. Zuri knew that not all were as loving as his and he felt nothing but compassion for their members, but also had difficulties understanding exactly how families became like strangers. He may not have been a very outgoing or particularly friendly lion, but Zuri was fairly laid-back. He considered himself to be approachable. This was something he'd learned from his brothers and sisters, as well as his pride.

A soft grin lighted on his face when she addressed him.

"I'm well, sister, and glad to see that you look happy." A part of Zuri considered it his personal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of his family. They were very important to him.

"Hana," Zuri called fondly, and gestured at the collection of shells in front of him with a paw, "I've got a present for you."

Zuri cheeks flushed warmly with embarrassed delight at her praise. He had not collected the shells for Hana because he wanted to be a good brother, but simply because he knew that she would enjoy them. It meant a lot to him to know that his family, and it was such a large family, was happy and healthy.

"It was nothing," he murmured softly. The joy on her face was thanks enough for him, "but you are very welcome."

He shifted to the side slightly so that there was room enough for her to also rest in the shade. It occurred to him now that the cripple tree he had chosen had not been the best choice, but then again he hadn't exactly expected to share it with anyone. Which seemed silly now that he thought about it. Of course Hana would want to sit and share his company.

"Things are fine," Zuri smiled at her, and vaguely wondered in the back of his head if she tell her anything about Kaa. He decided he might as well. Hana obviously cared about him, so it would be okay.

"I've met a lady," he told her slowly and then paused, uncertain of how to continue. "You may have seen her. She is new to the pride, and has being staying with me."

Zuri knew that Hana would understand what this meant. He wasn't the type of lion to let just anybody into his personal space.

((I know this RP was started before he met Kaa, but i think it'll be more fun if we set it shortly afterwards. just because Hana can tease him now. LOL))

Zuri had never thought about it that way, but he supposed now that it was rather scandalous. He had not known Kaa for more than a couple of weeks and already they were 'shacking up' together. Zuri was always every bit the gentleman, however, and always gave Kaa the space that she deserved. If she required it. His cheeks flushed even darker at that train of though, and he quickly derailed it.

"Proud of me?" he laughed in shock. It was a strong, robust sound and came straight from his belly. "What? Didn't you think I was capable of wooing a lady? I am rather handsome, you know."

He was playing with her, of course. Zuri didn't think he was very handsome at all, but only because he didn't really care. There were far more important things in life than appearances.

"Jatukaa is…" The lion trailed off, in search of the right word. When he decided, he turned back to his sister with smile, "very honest. She makes me happy."

She complimented him and, if it was possible, he flushed even darker. Hana would say those things. He was her brother. She was supposed to care, and to try to make him feel better about himself. Zuri appreciated the sentiment, but was unconcerned about his ego. He was healthy and happy and quite possibly in love. It didn't matter whether he was handsome or not.

"You can meet her whenever you like," he smirked at his sister, "visit sometime, and we would be more than happy to welcome you into our home."

The words flowed off his tongue before he could stop them, and it was a moment before he realized the strangeness of this fact. It had never been anything other than his cave before. Zuri wondered exactly when he'd started thinking of it as belonging to her, too.

Probably the moment she'd stepped over the threshold.

"She will meet everyone, in time. At the moment she's just getting used to the pride," he chuckled meaningfully, sure that Hana would get the joke, "I don't want to bombard her with too many personalities at once. The poor girl might go stark crazy."

His family's support meant the world to him. Hana was just one of its many members, but it made him feel good to know that his happiness was important to her. In a family as large as theirs was, it was difficult to know everyone very well, but they managed the best that they could. It was wonderful to think that they would always be there for him, even if they didn't get to spend much time together.

"I think she would like that very much," Zuri nodded and smiled, "I would also like her to know you. It will be good for her to make friends. She is more… social than I am."

Wasn't that the truth.

"It makes me very happy that you like these shells so much," his eyes crinkled in delight as he considered his sister, "I was sure that you would, but it is still nice to hear. I will help you take them where they need to be."