Cam trotted along the beach, picking up seashells and sea stars as he went. He excited enough for three lions today. Ever since he had spoken to Rosha that first time, things had been going very well. The male took his findings back to Rosha’s den and put them in her pile to give to her crafter friends. They both worked very hard for the pride as hunters, but Cam and Rosha always found time for an evening walk along the beach so they made sure to bring their findings back to Rosha’s den. When they got enough they would take them to the crafters and later the Rosha’s friends would give things to them as payment for their work. It was a nice arrangement that they had.
Rosha looked up as Cam came back. Today they were dashing around more than taking a relaxing walk. She was just as excited as Cam. She was making room in her den for Cam. The shells that Cam gathered today were the last few that they wanted to have made into lovely hanging strands for the entrance of their den. “Cam, if you keep running about like that, someone will think I set your tail on fire!” She giggled and poked his nose as he added the new shells to the pile and picked up the basket they had piled full of shells. When Rosha saw that Cam was ready to go, she walked over and grabbed the other side of the basket so that they could go.
“Nobody would think such a lovely lioness set my tail on fire, Rosha. Though they might think I managed to do it myself.” Cam grabbed his handle in his mouth and walked along with Rosha at his side, smiling to himself smugly. This was the way things should be. He had a beautiful lioness who could not be more perfect as his mate. They would soon have what had been her den turned into the perfect home for both of them AND any new cubs they would get later. That was the one thing they had yet to start working on. The lion could not wait to have a family with his new mate. It was going to be such a wonderful adventure for them.
Rosha set her side of the basket down outside the crafter’s den and gave Cam a gentle nudge on the shoulder. The lioness wanted to pounce him in excitement, but she would contain herself and hold herself with dignity like any proper mate. She might not be a banu anymore, but she still believed there was a proper way for her to conduct herself where others could see. She was happy to see that she was not the only one excited, though. The lion beside her was shifting his paws nervously as if he could not stand still. “This is the last thing we wanted for our den… It is our home now… and almost perfect.”
“It is already perfect just as it is…. With you in it. This is just a trinket not what makes it home.” Cam wanted Rosha to know just how wonderful she was. He loved giving her things, heck he had decorated the whole outside of her den while she was away before he had even gotten the courage to speak to her. From the first time he had seen her, Cam was certain that Rosha was the most beautiful lioness he had ever seen. He was so struck by her that he could not speak to her for months. And the more time he spent around her, the more the male had become struck by the lioness’ kind and gentle ways.
Rosha gave the male a nuzzle and a lick on the cheek. He always seemed so charming as if he had no trouble figuring out just the right thing to say to anyone. She could not understand how this lion could have ever had trouble speaking to her or anyone else. It just did not seem possible to the bright lioness. “You are always so sweet, Camayo.” She looked at her paws and figited a little in embarrassment. “You are the one that makes our den perfect. It was very big and lonely before you joined me.” That was true. Until she got Cam, she had been debating giving the den to someone else that wanted a family and finding a smaller one for herself. Now she had a reason to stay in her large den.
Cam looked quite pleased with himself as Rosha praised him, and lead her along toward the beach for a nice relaxing walk. Now that their last task was done for the day, they could stroll along casually and take in the lovely evening sea air. The walk should help both of them calm down from all the excitement, but the lion was not sure if it would work. He knew he was quite wound up and having problems keeping from running around like a mad lion, telling everyone that he had the most wonderful mate in the world. He likely would never actually do such a thing… but it was a tempting idea.
Rosha followed along on Cam’s heels and grinned to herself. He was headed for the beach where she had always walked before they met and afterwards. She was reminded fondly of all the walks with Cam following after her silently. He had been her shadow for so long, never speaking, and now that handsome lion was her mate. They spoke for hours on end about the things they wanted and were planning for a family. Cubs would certainly keep away any chance of silence returning to their lives.
Cam poked Rosha with a paw. “Do not get lost in your thoughts, lovely. You might step on something dangerous.” He gave her ear a lick and paced himself to walk beside her. “What is on your mind?” He figured they had a nice long walk to talk about whatever it was, so why not use it? It certainly beat sitting around the den doing nothing and trying not to fall asleep while talking. Not that either of them could probably fall asleep right now, but still this was a more enjoyable way to have their conversation.
Rosha chuckled and make sure to watch her paws. She did not want to step on anything like Cam suggested she might. There were a lot of things on the beaches that would not be fun to have stuck in a paw. “You are right, I need to watch my paws… I was just thinking about us… and how nice it will be when we start a family.” The lioness gave a soft contented sigh. “A family of our own… cubs under paw… I think we shall have paradise…” It seemed a fitting conversation for such a nice evening.
