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Shujaa was a large lion, well-muscled, with a thick dark mane that was considered 'desirable' according to the pride's culture and trends. Though he had been born into the dawnlands, he had taken several seasons to himself to travel the roguelands when his adult mane had started to grow in. He and his father had never been very close, and his mother had spent most of her energy raising his sisters, so in early adolescence Shujaa had been struggling to find his place in the pride. Thus, he had considered leaving permanently, and had nearly done so, had it not been for his memories of a certain golden, young empress-to-be. Khanya. They had only spoken in passing when he was young, but it was difficult to forget her little smirk of a smile, her laugh, and that slight twinkle in her eye when a mischievous thought crossed her mind. Even now that they were older, he still thought fondly of her and the light she shone on him.

These were the thoughts Shujaa was dwelling on as he slowly followed the rest of the harem to settle down into their sleeping arrangement. The day had been a long one, and his paws had covered much ground that day to ensure their borders were well protected, but he hid his tiredness within a mask of stern seriousness for his job. After all, the protection of the empress and their harem fell upon his broad shoulders, and he'd be damned if he let any of them down.

So caught up in his own thoughts was he, that he nearly missed Chui calling his name, only coming to a complete stop when he noticed her head dip in his direction. Shujaa quickly recovered from a slightly surprised look that had crossed his features for a brief moment, but he returned the gesture with a dip of his head and a rumble deep in his chest. "Chui. Of course, how can I be of assistance?" He took a few steps away from where the rest of their harem was gathering and looked to the spotted lioness, expecting her to lead him the rest of the way away and where she would be comfortable speaking to him.

He wondered what mischief the empress had gotten herself into, or perhaps it was one of his grown sons that had done something to stir up trouble around the pride. He had done his best to impart the importance of duty into those boys, but they were young and still growing into their mane, there was no telling what they might have gotten themselves into. His red eyes carefully watched Chui and her body language, trying to decipher what the sudden fuss might be about. Though they all happened to be a member of the empress' harem, he couldn't remember a time when Chui had sought out his company for idle chit-chat. Especially right before they settled in for the evening. Something was on her mind.