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 Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2026 11:29 pm
 Kulungu was a lioness in the Dawnlands pride. More specifically, she was a loner in the dawnlands pride, and she had been for qutie some time. She loved her homeland and she'd wished that she would have been able to stay longer in her parents harem, but that went against the rules of the Empress. All cubs must leave their parents' harem either to create their own and become a Matron, or join another as a Huntress.
Kulungu could hunt very well - her browns blended into the tall grasses and her spots played off of the light. However, Kulungu didn't want to join another harem. She was certain that there were plenty who would take her, if she'd asked. There were plenty of experienced Matrons and start-up beginners who would have been happy for the prestige that came with adding another to their rank. She didn't want to exist solely to boost someone else's power, however. Yet, contrary to what some may have thought, she didn't want power of her own, either. She didn't wish to become a political advice-giver to the Empress; what knowledge could she offer to someone like the Empress, who was surrounded by her perfect Entourage, with her perfect Champion? Plus, all the Matrons were already practically tripping over their paws to catch her eye. Join in that mess? No thank you.
What Kulungu wanted was unusual, she knew that well. She wanted a mate of her own, just to herself. She didn't want huntresses to fawn over her, because she could hunt just fine by herself, and more importantly, if she found a male lion to call her own, she would not want to share him. But that's what a harem was, wasn't it? Sharing one male among many lionesses. Surely no one would actually go for her idea, anyway.
If you were a lion raised in the Dawnlands, it was your expectation that youd' get a harem with more than just a Matron. Maybe it would take a while to grow your harem, but eventually more lionesses would join one way or another. Or, to rogues who joined the Dawnlands, they may have initially thought to settle with one lioness, as she'd heard was the norm in the roguelands and beyond, but once a lion got a taste of multiple lionesses instead of one, she saw one after another denounce monogamy and be content with the Dawnlands culture.
Kulungu didn't wish to leave her home pride. She loved the Dawnlands, even if her desires for the future would probably label her as a forever loner among them.
She spent more and more time on the outskirts of the pride's territories these days, thinking about her future... or the potential lack of it. She was pacing through the long grasses and finally came out to an exposed clearing. In the open air, she let a breeze ruffle her fur and she sighed, tilting her gaze to the sky. For a silly moment, she sent out a wish, that she might find someone of her mind, who would only want her as a mate and no other. Then, she shook her head.
"Don't be stupid." She told herself. "An eligible bachelor is hardly going to fall from the sky and proclaim his heart to you at first look. Be reasonable."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2026 12:20 am
 Moto shook the dust from his fur and huffed as he got gracefully up from the dirt he had recently found himself in... again. He lashed his tail and stared daggers into the other lion he had basically let put him back in his place moments ago. The arrogant male didn't deserve the lioness he had attacked him over. As if one glace and a smile was reason enough to show off his prowess, dominance, or whatnot. Of course he had lived in this dust pit all his life and new when it was smarter to make a show and take some lumps than get himself truly hurt over the most trivial of nonsense. But he was very, very sick of this hell hole. Basically no food, foul tasting water, and only the most aggravating lions to deal with. More than a little peeved and wanting to blow off some steam, he picked up his pace and made towards greener pasture so to speak. There was juicier prey in other territories and he wasn't the only one that regularly ranged out of the outlands to find actual prey. When he had long left the lands of his pride he paused at a water pool for a drink and sniffed the air as the breeze lightly ruffled his mane. He smiled and looked about and the happy languidness he had been settling into as he prepared himself for a long hunt evaporated. His eyes caught a small movement from beyond the tallest grasses in a clearing ahead. He immediately crouched down entering stalking mode. Though if what he had glimpsed was an antelope or something it would likely be in a herd as it had not fled at his earlier lack of even the hint of stealth. Slowly he padded to the edges of the tall grass for a better look, almost hoping it was an injured antelope for some easy pickings. But his narrowed crimson eyes widened slightly at the sight of what he was certain was a lioness. She blended so well with the grasses and rocks about that even just standing there staring up into the sky she didn't stand out overly much. His nose twitched as he picked up her scent more clearly. Dawnlander, for sure. But what to do, he wasn't just gonna turn around an leave now that he was here. A smile crept onto his lips and his eyes softened as he relaxed his hole body in the same moment that he smoothly rose up and stepped proudly from the tall grasses like he owned the place. "Why hello there, fancy meeting someone like you all the way out here on the outskirts." He said is greeting, his words and calm and silky as the casual grace with which his continued to approach her.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2026 12:32 am
Kulungu started at the sudden appearance of a male lion and on reflex, she backed up four steps, widening the distance between them. She was no fighter - she could hunt grass-eaters, but lions were another matter entirely, and the one who stood in front of her was massive!
This is why you should've just, joined a harem! She thought. Because then you'd have a Warrior to protect you from rogue males you might mean you harm!
But she didn't have a Warrior male running to her aid, and this far from the main territory, she doubted her pridemates would hear her even if she roared for help. So, she'd have to figure out a way out of this herself.
But wait, wasn't this what she had asked for? She'd wanted a lion to call her own, and now one had presented himself. She wouldn't let her guard down, but she smiled at the newcomer, and cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What do you mean, someone like me?" She asked him. "Who are you, anyway? You don't smell like you're a rogue, the wind doesn't carry in your fur, and you're certainly not of the Dawnlands, because I know everyone that's joined the pride in the last three seasons." She raised her chin and tried to look more brave than she felt. "So then, what's your name, stranger?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2026 1:18 am
Moto's keen eyes did not miss the lioness's moment of worry of maybe it was only surprise he caught flash in her eyes as she backed up from him. He felt fairly confident that if she had help nearby she would have called for it immediately to chase off the invader. He was also much larger than she was, but at least for the moment he had plans that did not involve even threatening the striking female. He hadn't stopped his slow, graceful approach until her eyes told him she had made up her mind and she quirked her brow and smiled back at him in a way he greatly approved. His tail was held high with a slight hook at the end and his smile morphed into a grin as she spoke. He chuckled softly, a deep warm sound before he replied. "Why, I only meant a lone beauty of a lioness is not often found alone pondering the skies so near dangerous lands." He replied smoothly. He then tossed his head to send his mane billowing as he continued. "As for me, I'm Moto, Moto Chokeleti. And I unfortunately can not call myself a part of the Dawnlands." He stared at her steadily, calm and confidence in his whole posture. But a hint of mischief lie in the glimmer as if he knew he had not fully answered her question and wondered what she would do next.
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