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Mlinzi's heart was beating like crazy with ear step he took closer to their den. Normally visiting his old friend wouldn't be much of a an issue, they would chat until they were both caught up, reminisce about days gone by, and silently hope for the others future. But today wasn't like all the others, today he wasn't going to see his old friend. He had specifically chosen a day he knew N'Seka wouldn't be there. His intentions, while not that obvious, were still necessary. He had to meet his old friend's mate. It just didn't feel right not knowing someone who he felt should be a close friend. But his nerves were getting the better of him. He'd noticed Malaya as a cub, watching N'Seka from a distance but to meet her as an adult. Would she turn him away for his blindness? He hoped not, but one could never be too sure.

The scent of N'Seka was growing stronger, he could tell he was nearly there. But to pinpoint an exact location would be hard, he would simply have to stop at some point and hope someone came along to answer his requests for help. This being such unfamiliar ground to him, there was no hope for him to lead himself around.

Sitting on his haunches, he winced as his boned creaked under him. The pain would subside once he had say a moment, it was just waiting out the pain. Taking a deep breath, the male's shoulders tensed, and his paws began to shake uncontrollably.

"Hello?

I'm Mlinzi, if anyone is nearby, I could greatly use your assistance please!"

His voice, while shaky managed to echo through the dense jungle around them. He was confident that at least one soul had heard his call.

While extremely grateful for this unknown lioness' help, what he really wanted to know was ho she was. It seemed she knew her way around the den area, was she one of the other lioness' the took to bed here? His first instinct was to agree with that, and so he smiled gratefully and walked with her, rather slow at first but as he realized she wasn't going to leave him, he picked up speed to keep up with her.

As the two stopped, and their shoulder connection ceased to exist he listened intently to her next comment. "Thank you for your time .... er ... I'm sorry I don't believe I caught your name?" He felt guilty for admitting it, but he rarely frequented this area of the pride. So it wasn't as though it were the unusual.

"Wait - cubs? Are you sure we have the correct den? I'm looking for N'Seka & Malaya remember?" To his knowledge, he friend had no cubs of his own. In their recent visit he had eluded to the possibility in the future, but nothing soon! His mind was dizzy for a moment as he tried to process the information.

"You're Malaya aren't you?" He lowered his eyes once more at the female and chuckled nervously. "Why wasn't I told of this wonderful occasion? Has N'Seka truly been that busy? Or am I just a terrible friend?"

Naturally his heart sunk at the tone of his own words. He had been a bit out of the loop recently, what with being sick recently. He'd had little to no time to keep up with the pride, and his punishment for that? Missing out on this important event

Words could not describe how happy Mlinzi was for his best friend, he was far beyond them. Nearly speechless in a way, but that could just be because he had also been shocked with another surprise at the same time.

"An apology is hardly needed, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Malaya. N'Seka has told me quite a bit about you." He dipped his head in her direction, and realized his voice had been a bit high when she mentioned the sleeping cubs.

Speaking up once more, with a lowered tone he continued, "Sorry about that, I know how restless cubs can get without their naps." He smiled fondly, remembering himself and N'Seka as cubs, sneaking out at naptime and experimenting with different herbs. Then of course, he knew of the sick cubs, who became more restless by the day without any sleep coming to their aid. "It can definitely be a pain, I wouldn't wish it on you for anything." Chortling at his own remark, he also took to heart Malaya's words. She actually wanted to get to know him? That was a lot more than he had expected when coming to meet her.

"Well in any case, I am grateful to know of them. It isn't often that my family gets any bigger, as I am the only survivor of my litter. I consider N'Seka family, and of course by extension you and the cubs...." Pausing a moment, Mlinzi thought how best to bring up his next question, he was a doctor it was something he needed to do for himself, as well as for them.

"Are they all healthy?" His whispered the words even lower than his previous tone, almost as if the words in themselves were a curse. Looking around he straightened up once more and awaited Malaya's answer. He would tell her all about him, but first he had to know about the cubs.

Mlinzi let out a large hearty laugh, forgetting for a moment that the cubs were sleeping just a few feet away. "Ha, I think i'd enjoy a bit of playtime to be honest. I've been quite absorbed in my work lately." Smiling half-heartedly he heaved a slight sigh. It was true, the weather was changing, and with it came more sickness and death. Thankfully he was able to ease the ailments of most who came to him, but with his blessings came his regrets, there were some he could not help. He tucked away Malaya's offer of visiting with the cubs, intending to one day take her up on the offer. He had been unable to have children of his own, regardless of much he yearned for them. If N'Seka and Malaya were willing to allow him to share in their happiness, his thankfulness would be beyond words.

Mlinzi allowed himself to exhale the air in his chest, he hadn't realized he was holding in. The cubs were in good health, even if it was only for a time, it was good news to hear.

"Well, you said you would like to better get to know me. For starters I am an apothecary for the pride. Currently I am trying to further my rank to a leadership rank, but I have a ways to go. If you or the cubs ever get into some sort of trouble - you should come to me right away. Never underestimate the power of our sickness, always seek me. I have an assistant - he's a younger male - a leopon. His name is Mezlijin, if you can not find me, simply seek him out he will know where to find me." He nodded firmly, making sure to hold eye contact with Malaya. He wanted her to know just how sincere he was in his words.

"I have no cubs of my own, despite my attempts. So your willingness to welcome me into your family ... it means quite a bit to me my dear. The least I can do is care for you and your's in a time of need."

Taken off guard, was a bit of an understatement, but it wasn't an unpleasant one. If anything he was taken off guard that she would allow him to watch them alone. Although he was sure he could manage the job, he wondered whether she was sure he could. With a smug smile of his own, the male looked into Malaya's general direction and nodded his head in acceptance.

"You can rest assured I will be here." His smile was confident, with a hint of his trademark toothy grin. In his mind, he was already thinking of things to do with the cubs. Obviously the antics he and N'Seka had gotten in as cubs were out of the question. But there were still plenty of things they could do together.

"A scout huh? My assistant holds that job as well, though to be honest he's a bit clumsy at it. He tends to take his job as an assistant more importantly. No matter what I tell him." Shaking his head in slight disappointment Mlinzi detoured from his small rant, "I hope one day I can call on you if there is ever need for it. For whatever the reason may be." Pausing for but a moment, he quickly picked up his temp once more, "I won't be a pest I promise." He winked at her, combining his last comment as an answer to both of her final ones.

"You have my deepest gratitude Malaya."

Dipping his head low in response to her question, he responded quickly in kind knowing she would want to get to her cubs sooner rather than later.

"Oh yes dear, i'll be quite alright." Shifting his paws in a fluid movement he ushered her onward to her cubs. "I'll be able to manage on my own, and if I can't, my assistant will be out looking for me shortly. As for tomorrow, i'll be sure to get an escort, since I had trouble getting here today. Now go get back to your cubs, and i'll see you tomorrow."