[Backlogged]
It seemed, Ijara thought to himself, that his multiple times of showing cubs around the tunnels had got around. King Nahasi had asked him to help his cousin learn his way around his home. He had no problem with this, he was one of the best Guides in the Brotherhood; having explored and built the tunnels since his youth. And if any of the things Kyung said were true, young Chisulo'Enzi was bright and astoundingly open minded considering who his mother was. He was sure that the Lady Bedienka would have a fit if she learned that her son was best friends with anyone that wasn't a lion, much less a hybrid.
As he approached the Mother's Den -their chosen meeting point- he couldn't help but wonder how this day would turn out.
Chisulo was excited! Nahasi had asked one of the Council members to show him around! 'Hasi had said that he knew the tunnels really well and that he had helped lost cubs before! He had talked to Kyung about him and his friend had confirmed that. Councilman Ijara had helped him when he was younger! He couldn't wait! He would try his hardest to remember everything! He would be lying -thats a bad thing!- if he said he wasn't fidgeting while waiting for Councilman Ijara at the entrance to the Mother's Den. When someone -A leopard!- matching the Council Member's appearance rounded the corner, Chisulo stood and had to restrain himself from running over. He couldn't wait! When he walked over to him, Chisulo did a polite little head bow.
"Hello Councilman Ijara! It is very nice to meet you!"
Ijara returned the bow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Chisulo'Enzi." He pointed his head in the opposite direction from where he came "Are you ready for your tour?"
Chisulo nodded excitedly "Yeah! I promise to remember as much as I can!"
A cub after knowledge; Ijara liked that. He nodded "Do not worry if you cannot remember it all. We live in a very large place and it takes a long time to memorize." Chisulo smiled "I'll still try my best!" and with that they set out.
They had covered the important places in the area and were moving on to the next when Chisulo decided to ask a question that had been burning in his head.
"Councilman Ijara, what's it like being a leopard?"
Ijara looked over as they walked, intrigued by the question. "By what do you mean?"
The little lion happily looked around the tunnels as he explained "Well I know what it's like to be a lion, I was just wondering what it was like to be a leopard! The first time I meet one I asked him where his mane was. Is it weird not having a mane?"
The Council Member thought about it for a moment before responding "I imagine that it is not much different. Both our kind are strong and lean. The only large differences I can think of is physical size and of course your mane. Cheetahs on the other hand-" Chisulo's eyes went wide and focused on Ijara again. "Wait! There are more then just Lions and Leopards?!"
The older leopard nodded."Out of the big cats, there are Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs. There are also hybrids of those three. There are also Wild Dogs, Hyenas and also the smaller animals; Ratels and Waterbucks are a few examples."
The cubs stared at him in amazement "Oh wow, there are so many! Councilman Ijara do you think I will get to meet all of them one day?" Ijara gave a small shake of his head "I do not know if you will or not. The Brotherhood is large and grows larger, so it could be a possibility. You could always go to the surface as well. But you do already know a Hybrid." Chisulo's jaw dropped "I do?! Who is it?!" The leopard tilted his head towards where he knew the Mother's Den was. "Young Kyung is a hybrid, his parents were a Lion and Leopard. Though he would prefer if no one knew."
The little Lion's face creased in confusion. "Why wouldn't he want others to know? Being a hybrid sounds cool!" Ijara frowned. "There are those who see Hybrids as lesser beings and treat them as such. I'm afraid Kyung has already faced some of this prejudice even here within the Brotherhood." He wasn't going to tell the cub that his mother was among the ones who held that view.
"B-but" Chisulo stuttered, distraught "Why?! He's so nice and great! Who wouldn't like him?!" They had stopped now, the cub turned to face the leopard. Ijara looked down the tunnel "Some cannot look past physical differences, and when they see something not familiar to them, they lash out. Hybrids are not the only ones who get this treatment, though they are usually the ones it happens to most. There are those who hold the same view towards any species not their own. Beyond that there are those who distrust the opposite gender. You have seen that here; the Females face that here."
Chisulo was trying so hard not to cry. "T-that's not fair! How can you not like someone just because of how they were born?! They could the best person ever and you would never know it if you never gave them a chance!"
Ijara gave the cub a small smile. "No, it isn't fair. But maybe those like you can help change that one day. You are passionate Chisulo'Enzi, that is something that can be tempered into drive and motivation." Chisulo calmed down and listened to the leopard's words with growing fascination and determination. He nodded "I'm going to try my hardest to make everyone be treated nice!"
The Councilman inclined his head. "Then I wish you well in your ideals. Now," He gestured to the tunnel before them "Lets us continue to get you well acquainted with your home."
With a new fire in his heart, Chisulo followed.
[Word Count: 1011]
