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"Mana," Imbra said plaintively. Her father's name was too long for her to keep track of all the nananas, so she shortened it as she had heard Tomkrie - whom she and her siblings often called Tomkie because it was easier to pronounce - do. "I can't go so fast."

She hated to have to admit that, given how rarely she saw her father, whom she had never called by that title, and how much she wanted his approval, but his longer legs were leaving her far behind as he walked, and although she'd become sure enough of her steps that she could trot along at a decent clip, she couldn't keep up with his long-legged strides. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a little afraid that if he got too far ahead of her, she would become permanently lost in the corridors of the pride. She was determined not to do that, though, because she was sure it would both frustrate and disappoint her father. Even though most of her time was spent with Tomkrie, it was her father's approval she was desperate to earn. All of her siblings felt like that.

Mana forcibly slowed his pace, checking the length of his strides so that he felt as though he was walking beside an invalid. The cub trailing after him - his firstborn - was no invalid by any stretch of the imagination. Tomkrie told him that Imbra was precocious and possessed a great deal of grace and balance for a cub her age. Although he wasn't one for paternal feelings, Mana was proud to hear that his offspring were healthy and hale. Except for one. But he hadn't exactly claimed that one.

Ordinarily he would not be making this visit to see Abhi with a cub in tow, but Tomkrie had promised Imbra a treat and she had decided that what she wanted was more time with her father. Mana couldn't really spare any more time for his cubs than he already did, and so he had warned the cub and her nanny. Both seemed pleased that he'd acquiesced at all. He had the feeling this was going to be a colossal mistake.

Nevertheless, they reached Abhi's quarters and there Mana folded his hind legs beneath him and watched with amusement as Imbra mimicked his actions while he called, "Abhi, is it too early for visitors?"

Mana forcibly slowed his pace, checking the length of his strides so that he felt as though he was walking beside an invalid. The cub trailing after him - his firstborn - was no invalid by any stretch of the imagination. Tomkrie told him that Imbra was precocious and possessed a great deal of grace and balance for a cub her age. Although he wasn't one for paternal feelings, Mana was proud to hear that his offspring were healthy and hale. Except for one. But he hadn't exactly claimed that one.

Ordinarily he would not be making this visit to see Abhi with a cub in tow, but Tomkrie had promised Imbra a treat and she had decided that what she wanted was more time with her father. Mana couldn't really spare any more time for his cubs than he already did, and so he had warned the cub and her nanny. Both seemed pleased that he'd acquiesced at all. He had the feeling this was going to be a colossal mistake.

Nevertheless, they reached Abhi's quarters and there Mana folded his hind legs beneath him and watched with amusement as Imbra mimicked his actions while he called, "Abhi, is it too early for visitors?"

Imbra tried so hard not to stare at the beautiful cheetah, but she wasn't doing a very good job of it. Particularly when she lowered her head to talk to her as if she was an actual person, and not just a part of the scenery. Imbra sometimes felt like Mana wished she and her siblings could be ignored as easily as the scenery. He forgot they were there, sometimes, when he came to see them and he was talking with another grown-up.

Abhishri was much too long of a name for Imbra to attempt, particularly with that tricky "shr" sound in it. She thought if she tried, she'd end up saying something stupid, like "Abizi" or something, which would be terrifically humiliating. Mana might even laugh at her. Sometimes he laughed when she or one of her siblings tried and failed to so something, and it always made her feel horrible, even though he didn't seem to think anything of it.

"I'm Imbra," she said. "And I'd like to call you Abhi if that's okay."

Mana was pleased that so far his daughter had managed not to do or say anything awful. And she seemed to be well-behaved. He had no way of knowing whether she had been instructed to be on her best behavior or whether it was just that she was innately good at it, since he spent so little time with his cubs, and he didn't honestly care which one it was, as long as she continued to behave.

So far so good. Introductions had been made without bloodshed or bitterness. There had never been anything concrete between himself and Abhi, and even she would have to admit that the time between a tryst and cubs being born was considerable. It had obviously been a long time since Tesanya had been in his life, though the first time he'd met the fiery cheetah had been only a little before he'd met Abhi. Abhi was the one he dealt with more regularly.

"It is supremely unfair that you are so beautiful upon waking," he remarked. "I confess, I was half-hoping that you would look more like a normal being first thing in the morning, and less like a vision of beauty. But, really, you're closer to the mark in that I simply missed intelligent conversation."

She watched Imbra with a small smile as she attempted to sound the name out in her head. Most did. Her name wasn't all that easy to pronounced, she admitted, and even harder with for a cub. When the girl finally spoke, her head tilted. She would have a very beautiful voice when she got older. And her coloration would make for an excellent Geisha. Now, if she could get in training right now, she would even pass herself up! Not that Abhishri got many clients by herself, it was mainly a learning experiance. "Well, well. You've a pretty name, and a pretty voice. I'd be jealous if you were an Entertainer such as myself. Where did you get your manners? Surly not from your father." She was obvioiusly teasing Mana while trying to put Imbra at ease. The poor thing looked like she might hyperventilate and pass out if she moved any more.

Looking to Mana, she gave him a wink and a shake of her head. "I'm afraid, Mana, your flattery is getting very good. I'd almost fall for it if I didn't know better." She laughed again, a tinkling sound. Her tail wrapped around her front paws before she raised her brows and nodded. "Tell me, then, what you wish to speak of? Something specific, or just anything that comes to your mind?"

Even though he was disagreeing with her and letting Abhi make fun of him, just the fact that Mana had spoken to her and used her name made Imbra smile a little. She tried hard not to, though, remembering that she was cross with Abhi, and maybe a little cross with Mana. She was a little young to understand the concept of jealousy, but she had a very firm idea of Best, and that was what she wanted to be. In everything.

"I don't need any more sisters," Imbra said, sounding much aggrieved. "I have too many already."

In fact, she had just the one sister, Katapatan, but Kata was so much brighter than any of her other siblings. And Zuri was mostly white, which made him stand out. All of the siblings looked different, in truth, though none could deny their parentage, but Imbra hadn't learned to appreciate that yet. She just knew that it was hard to get anyone to pay as much attention to her as she wanted.

"Please," Mana demurred. "My job's hardly serious. A high grunt simply takes care of those things that need taken care of."

It was a silly charade, the pretense he kept up. No one really believed that he was as unimportant as he claimed to be. Not the way he couldn't help walking like he owned the world, and the way he didn't fear to address anyone, regardless of their station. He knew his true rank, and although he didn't flout it, few people failed to pick up on the fact that there was more to him than met the eye.

"All skills I've observed that you're very skilled at. I have no doubt you'll make Geisha very shortly."

She looked to the little cub with a smirk. She saw the way Imbra's lips were twitching, fighting not to smile. At what, she didn't know, but it was cute to watch. Even Abhi had her weaknesses, and that was cubs fighting to be anything but cubs. They all wanted to grow up too fast. Well, they would learn one way or another about how cruel the world really was. "Alright then. That's settled. You're going to be a fighter and I'll just watch how you do. Female fighters aren't too common, if I remember right." She gave the cub a wink and turned her attention back to Mana.

"And as a Entertainer," she looked toward the sun and nodded, "I have to be off. I have to meet my Sister and see to our first appointment of the day." It was sad, that she had to go so soon, but maybe next time she encountered Mana, he wouldn't have a cub with him and she could continue on with the wonderful banter they always seemed to have.