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 Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:04 am
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:06 am
Kamau Jungle of Secrets, hmm? Perhaps such secrets were meant to be discovered - Or perhaps some were meant to remain shrouded in the darkness of the unknown. Nonetheless - Kamau found himself wandering through the heavy air with his curiosity ever so high. Though these biting bugs were truly irking him the further he ventured in. - CRUNCH - A pause. Was --- Was that a bone of sorts he just stepped on? Ah -- Ah. No matter. No time to stop to see what the bone belonged to.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:07 am
Khalima Khalima had been watching the cubs nap, waking up before them give her. Moment of silence before the orderly chaos. It was spring and the rains had caused enough damage where she has found more cubs.
Her vibrant yet rich green eyes open fully from half lidded when the unmistakable snap of a bone slipped through the cover of her dark and shrouded clearing.
The bones she surrounds this area with have many uses, and that is one of them other than the fact they make good cub toys.
Some of the Cubs had heard it too, and others were more oblivious, and kept biting on the other’s ear.
She listened for a moment until she was certain, the way the birds quieted somewhat let her know that there was definitely the approach of a stranger.
She let out a low grunt to the Cubs, and they instantly knew what that meant.
One by one they vanished in silence under the deep darkness beneath the ferns and wide leaf plants that cradle this place.
Khalima strolled slowly, lean muscles rolling over her shoulder blades, to stand in her characteristic single shaft of light the trickled through the deep canopy.
Her small figure bathed in diffused light, but it was brighter than everything else around, the brooch on her garment caught light the most other than those eyes, those ever watching almost vibrant Emerald eyes.
She let out a roar, not a warning, but one of presents and announcement. One that says “I’m here” and even though it’s raspy and somewhat higher pitched because of her size, it doesn’t sound hostile.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:08 am
Kamau No time to stop and check the bone out but there sure was time to stop at the roar he heard; ears perking up! Then his left one turning ever so slightly in the direction he heard it come from. Kamau took a moment to analyze the roar - No hostility in it. Nothing to worry about. Or so he hopes. "I hear you. I mean no harm. Have I intruded on your home or some such? If so I apologize."Though now the question he had to ask himself was: How do I make myself look smaller? And let this other lion know I am of no harm least need be? Cause who wouldn't want to defend themselves if they were to get attacked? Perhaps lowering his head a bit would work. and so he does lower his head and makes sure his claws are retracted.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:09 am
Khalima Khalima slightly tilted her speckled head, the lion in her dark Jungle had paused a moment, and then he began to holler from over there beyond the edges of her clearing.
It was a male, he was polite, albeit in her opinion, being a little silly to try to talk to someone from through trees and announcing his position, being a stranger in this dangerous place.
But then again, she was highly amused by this and a mysterious smirk crept across her small spotted muzzle.
In her typical raspy and generally grading voice, like she was born with gravel in her soul, she replied. Her words are always somewhat cryptic, with a strange draw and there is a presents that can be felt from her through this place, almost a beckoning presence at the moment, if not just downright mysterious.
He did not feel as though he would be harmful, for Kalima has always had something a little other worldly about her, and she can feel you before she sees you most of the time, especially in her jungle.
“ Come clossser so that we may speak, one who has wandered so ffaaarr into the Jungle of Ssseecretss”
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:11 am
Kamau Such a raspy voice... What a cryptic air to it too. Would it not be wise to turn tail and leave? Well to most it would be. but to him? He had to stand tall, firm and stay like a true warrior would. And so he draws closer, eyes soon landing on the lioness. Cryptid she may be, but gorgeous she most certainly was. Has anyone ever complimented her, he wondered. Or were most t frightened to do so? "If I may say so, you are quite pretty." He decides to compliment her.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:12 am
Khalima Khalima watched with those insightful vibrant, emerald orbs of hers as a rather unusual rogue, male steps into her clearing.
His pattern had… wings? It wasn’t often one saw lions patterned with the wings of insects and she rather did like moths and butterflies.
Her eyes combed him with the strange and wavering sight in her mouth lightly hung open a moment to try and pull his scent from the air. Though she wore a shawl and anklets that glinted here and there, there was always something almost feral about her, something in the way her eyes pin you.
But then he says something she very rarely ever hears, a compliment, but not just any compliment. Most look at her and are either too afraid to say whether or not they think she’s pretty or beautiful, or they are more focused on the fact that she is somewhat leaner than what she would be Had she not missed many meals so that the Cubs could eat.
However, she also knows that he only sees the flesh, he has no idea the dark things she has done and she does carry a strange darkness brooding within her.
But the compliment did not land on deaf ears, and actually rose a small smile on her exotic face.
“Thaaat is something I haven’t I heard before”
She slowly stood, her shawl unable to hide the thinness of her athletic small frame and now that she stands, he can see just how dinky of a Lin she is. Some adolescence are taller. She gets a funny looking somewhat amused expression on her face, it’s mixed with something that’s hard to read as she continued.
“ Sand Wind bringszs charm to the deep and the daaark. I am surprised… normally the jungle has already stripped most ambition from travelers By the time they reach my hidden grrrove.”
She dipped her spotted head softly and then rose it again with a soft bow
And in her scratchy rattly voice, she introduces herself.
A certain aura of darkness and taboo power hangs in her name, many speak of the strange, dark shaman that wanders these lands, and some say, she steals Cubs, others say she’ll curse you with some dark voodoo of hers, occasionally someone mentions her in the way of medicine. So there are many tales attached to the name.
“I am Khalima of the Jungle of Ssecrets”
As she introduced herself, there was a faint rustle of movement in the ferns to their left, black eyes, watch them wreathed in flames.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:15 am
Kamau Something she has not heard before? Ah, what a shame. Sometimes compliments can make another's day. Sometimes they get weird looks or skepticism thinking there's some ulterior motives behind a compliment. Kamau simply wished to compliment, wholeheartedly. "Well you've heard it here ~" A proud puff of his chest and a broad smile to boot! Though now that her thin frame was in view, he felt a pang of concern in his chest. Perhaps he could venture back out here and give her some food? Nourishment? So on? A quiet warrior who stood firm in his beliefs had such a big, big heart it would seem. Khalima? A flick of his ear. That name sounded familiar - Were there not stories of her whispered among the lands? Were they true or simply rumor? Hard to say seeing as this was his first time encountering her himself. To judge one on whispered rumors was highly unfair, he thought. "I am Kamau of.... Well, I am rogue." A nod! His right ear twitched when he heard a rustle, though he kept his eyes on the female before him out of respect. "What an honor to meet a beautiful lioness like you, Khalima~"
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:15 am
Khalima Khalima listened to him, watched him with eyes that feel like the pierce through your very flesh as he spoke, slowly strolling in his direction.
Her scent proceeds her, he can smell the cubs on her, but none of them smell like they are hers from the heat can smell the herbs in the thick scent of bitter medicine.
She actually got a small smile again for a moment when he puffed his chest out, he was right she did hear it here today, and he was in his own way lighthearted without being too silly.
When he introduces himself as a rogue, with a nod, she has stopped in front of him, fairly close, but not too close, looking up into his wide face compared to hers.
Though he gave her his name, it will be extremely rare that she will ever use it.
He compliments her once more with confidence and a warrior’s heart.
A warrior indeed is what she sees inside of him, she sees strength, she sees willingness of dedication and even though he is a rogue, he looks healthy so he is very capable.
Now to see if she can convince him to take one of these cubs off of her paws.
Her jagged voice reaching his ears again
“ As am I Sand Wind, no Pride calls me their oown either.
The question isss, now that this charming and handsome one has come, what will this one do? Ask for guidance from a Shaman? Adopt an abandoned cub? Or did this one come to simply bathe me and compliments?”
She says, with a rye expression and a clear glint of rough handed playfulness in her eyes vibrant eyes that seem to stand out a brighter green than everything around her.
A mischievous little smile on her speckled muzzle as she spoke, sitting in front of him and folding her tail over her paws neatly, the movement of her tail exposing part of a lions skull that was more hidden under the leaf litter, not far behind her.
Being this close to her, his senses can feel the twinge of something dark, but not something evil from her. She feels deep, and she feels mysterious, almost like the jungle that she wraps herself in and in some ways, perhaps even dangerous.
However, her intent is not aggressive, and her tone is actually fairly playful? Oooor was she flirting? Does she even know how to flirt?
Sense the cub wasn’t caught and Khalima seems distracted, the cub creeps closer, trying to get a better view of this warrior that has come.
Rustles and little flickers of black and red are visible as it moves and Khalima flicks an annoyed ear toward the cub. She knows which one it is too, always pushing her buttons this one.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:16 am
Kamau As she drew closer, the scent of cubs on her hit his nose - But none with matching scents. And yet another scent hits his nose ever so steadily; herbs and bitter medicine. So she truly was a 'shaman' as others spoke of. Or perhaps she simply liked to make things from such supply. ' Sand Wind ' is said once more, and that confirms in his head that yes - She has bestowed him with a nickname. A fun nickname no less. He accepts it with pride. Ah -- Ah ! Shaman, so it was true words spoken among the lands and not an empty rumor. "Perhaps someday a pride will call to me. Perhaps not. So far, I have made a good living on my own if I do say so myself." He, too, takes a seat and neatly wraps his tail around himself just as she had done. Though now his eyes go to the lions skull before he can reply to the rest of what she had said. Now his left ear twitched, followed by his right ear -- Both perking up at the same time as he listened and thought and... Felt.Darkness. But nothing... Evil like one would feel around the Nightplains. Nothing aggressive either. "I could bathe you in compliments all day if that's what you wish ~" A proud smile! Then his nose twitches as he smells the approaching cub. "Compliments - the world needs more of them, don't you think? Perhaps if a cub does wish to choose me, I could give them a home. Or, well, as much of a home as I can offer. Teach them how to be a strong one, one who can thrive and hunt."
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:17 am
Khalima Khalima can tell that this young warrior is persistent, continuing to wash her with charming words. Charming words that may not be familiar, but she is not swayed easily.
She’s uncertain on how she feels about them, they well up a menagerie of strange feelings she is not accustomed to, and she simply adjusts herself as she sits. Her expression largely unreadable and the way her eyes look at him, there’s just something about the way she looks that makes most wonder whether or not she’s just simply a little unreadable or if she intends to eat you like your prey, Call it, the lion version of resting b#&$@ face, but she doesn’t have any irritated body language.
But then he begins to speak of a cub, choosing him.
She has no doubt in her mind that he would be able to care for a cub, and with his proud smile and his good heart, she knows exactly which one would need the guidance of someone like him the most.
She begins to speak, her rough voice edged with something more focused and calm.
“ the Cubs do not choose, I choose.
The process is simple, and I have already drrrrawwnn my judgment upon this one.
I seeee….. I ssseeeee a warrior, I see strength, and I see the core of a good heart. I see light in Sand Wind’s paw prints, a light that a certain club I know could greatly benefit from.
All one must do is take an Oath before the jungle, before me.
That one will care for the cub, teach the cub of the circle of life and to value life… and death.”
The jungle Falls completely silent around them. The moment should begins to mention the oath, the air is heavy and humid around them, and the shadows are like deep green walls that cup this place.
Expression is serious and most, if not all of the amusement and play has left her coursing green eyes as she stares up at him and says this one last part that most would judge her for.
“And… vow to never try to bring a cub baaaack to me here again to leave it. For if one does, I let the jungle have it.
If one takes the vow, then I am certain to allow Sand Wind to adopt”
She awaits his answer and so does a little dark colored cub, just a few feet away. It has settled down into a dark deep shadow right next to the two of them and is watching an anticipation.
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:18 am
Kamau Such a hard to read expression. Were the compliments actually too much? She didn't present any agitated body language, though. Simply.... A resting face that was unreadable as can be. The cubs do not choose but she does? That makes a tad bit more sense to him, actually. Some cubs could feel the presence of another and judge accordingly with their gut. Some cubs could not and ended up a meal or some such at the wrong paws. Now the whole atmosphere has shifted. The air itself has as well. Was this truly an Oath or one of her 'curses' people whispered about? Nonetheless, it was something to make sure the cub would be in good paws, yes? To be loved and cherished, taken care of. Being a single parent would pose a challenge no matter the one taking up the small one. And it was a challenge Kamau was ready for. There is a strong feeling in his words as he speaks next, holding his chest up high and proud as he does so. "I will love and value this cub. I will do good by them, and keep them from harms way. The Circle of Life and how to value the living and even the dead. To hunt, to thrive, to live - To make a life of their own someday. This cub shall not be returned to you, but kept under my paw to be loved and protected. Should a pride ever call to us, we shall join. I will keep them and myself away from the darkest corner of these lands as well. You have my word as a lion and warrior."
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 8:19 am
Khalima Khalima slowly stood as he spoke, placing his vow before her end before the eyes of the jungle.
The Oath was not just for her, but for the cub too. To see the dedication of being spoke aloud, impacts the younger mind and helps to weave trust between two complete strangers.
She is happy with his reply and his oath, she can only hope that her judgment is precise, and that he will uphold his word.
She leans forward and rubs her small face in the middle of his proud and puffy chest, marking him with her smell, and the moment she does, the jungle irrupt into life, birds, sing, monkeys, scramble, and chatter, and bugs began to flit through the little beams of light all around them.
She is pleased with his boldness and with his certainty and she replies
In her ragged voice,
“ Sand Wind, Congratulations, this one iisss now a faaather”
Instantly upon her acceptance, a dark cub a blaze in bright and golden fire, leaps out of the undergrowth, thinking himself sneaky and lands right next to his new caretakers big paws, looking up in unbridled excitement.
While he is occupied with the cub, she silently slipped away into the dark. Her green shawl and her pattern make her disappear completely in an instant.
If and When his eyes look from the cub to search for her, she’s just simply not there, the only thing left is her lingering herbal scent in the air and the whisper of her voice from somewhere that says “seeeeek me out where the baobab trees grow if you need me”.
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