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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:38 pm
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Life certainly had its twists and turns, and J'B had never expected her own to travel the path it had. She had not seen herself settling down with a male any time soon, but the unexpected pregnancy had forced her hand a little. It was a small miracle that Shujaa was the type of lion to want to raise his children. Over time, it had been clear that J'B had never been quite ready for it. They had cubs, and she had to learn quick how to handle and raise them.
Shujaa caught on better, but then again he was stuck at home with the cubs most of the day. Now that they were all adolescents again, maybe they would have time to actually get to know one another as a couple rather than just as parents. "No kids today?" J'B asked as she entered the den. Her feet were silent as they landed on the ground - even though she was consumed with her new duties as a Councillor, she was as nimble and as skilled a huntress as she had been in her younger days.
"I figured at least one or two of them would be around - which reminds me that I haven't seen Mwitu for a couple of days? Are you sure he's not harassing some of the huntresses. I don't know where he gets that from," she sighed. Her kids were trouble, and if she thought them as cubs were a handful - them as adolescents were far worse.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:34 pm
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"They are far from being adults," J'B agreed with a small, concerned frown. She had to trust that her kids would be mature enough to take care of themselves on their own... but she did not necessarily believe they were ready. She had yet to take them on their rite of passage into adulthood - their first hunt. They were at that precarious age between youth and adulthood, and she was sure that soon all of them would actually be the adults that they thought they were.
She arched a brow at Shujaa's pinned ears, suspecting perhaps that he had more to say on that subject. It would be something she inquired about later, right now she did not feel like picking away at him for whatever details of his life he was not ready to share with her.
"You're right, I'm sure someone would have told us something about one of our sons being inappropriate." J'B would have been one of the first to know if her children crossed the line. She was far more accessible to the rest of the pride now that she was on the Council. In the past, though, it seemed like Shujaa knew the actions of their children far better than J'B.
"I'm fine, just decided to leave early from a meeting to try and catch the kids. What irony it is that they are all not here." They were probably used to their mother never showing back up on time. "At least I found you here, if even you were gone then I'd start to be really worried..." She joked with a rough laugh.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:05 pm
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"He certainly didn't get that trait from me..." J'B answered, her tone amused. Renahi had always been the most timid of his siblings, though she wasn't sure quite why he had turned out the way he was. Perhaps there were just so many big personalities in the children that one of them was destined to be more passive to balance them out. Over time, she hoped her poor son developed more of a backbone.
Following his cue, J'B entered the depths of the den and took the spot next to Shujaa. She laid down, her body pressing only lightly against his own. It was the most physical intimacy J'B usually displayed. She was not an overly affectionate lioness, and seemed to love on her own terms (especially after the incident that got her pregnant to begin with). With so many cubs, it was hard to find any moment to be intimate and private with one another, and so their relationship on that front hadn't developed much at all.
"I swear if I end up pregnant again it'll be your golden head on the chopping block first," J'B threatened lightly, making it difficult to discern whether it was an actual threat or if she was joking with him. Truthfully, cubs had not been the worst part of her life. They had brought her joy that was unexpected, but fulfilling... and she hoped she had done enough on her part to raise them right.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:14 pm
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There was a small purr from Shujaa when JB took her spot right next to him. While they slept next to each other nightly, Shujaa was normally already sound asleep by the time JB would come in. Likewise, either he was gone or she was when either would wake. He would enjoy this, even if it lasted only seconds.
"Nope." The gold male was quick to respond. "I mean...not that I am against the idea, but," he nudged the female a little, "only when you are ready for more. I...make no guarantees though if we get eight more hellions." He chuckled. Oh goodness, if JB decided she wanted more cubs (and it would be on their terms, not the silly one night stand that through them to this point in their life), maybe she would have a bit more time to spend with the cubs? Maybe they wouldn't be as wild as what their current litter was?
Shujaa showed just a hint of a frown. Well...maybe trying for cubs wasn't such a bad idea. He was curious if any more of his future spawn would turn out like this last litter.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:33 pm
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J'B turned her head towards him, unable to hide the brief surprise that flickered across her features. It was hard for her to describe their relationship, and she had been convinced for a long time that he had stuck with her for their cubs. She was hard-headed and brash, and at times was a master at giving someone the cold shoulder. Her time on the Council had forced her to open up and be a bit more receptive in nature to others around her. The fact that he would even consider having more cubs with her proved a commitment that she wasn't sure would last.
It was reassuring at the same time as it made her feel foolish for doubting his loyalty. She looked away, as if trying to hide the expression he had undoubtedly already seen. "If we can raise eight, I'm sure we could handle whatever comes next," J'B answered. She wasn't convinced she was ready for more cubs, though the idea wasn't as off-putting as she had expected it to be. Perhaps if there wasn't quite eight of them the next time around, the idea would be more inviting.
Eight had simply been too many for the young family, and perhaps they would see the effects of that in the future. "The children are at the age that they're ready to make their own ways into the world." She imagined a quiet den for Shujaa would get to be boring now.
"How about I put the idea on the table for discussion at a later date," J'B offered, and allowed herself to lean completely against her golden partner, using him as the perfect pillow.
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