"Timon! The cubs are being shown. Hurry!"Nala exlaimed. The little merecat scurried over to Nala. They watched everyone bow down as they did also, in respect of Nala's daughter.

Keehla nodded and bowed down. She saw Nala and sighed. Maybe the cubs will be good. She thought to herself.

Rowan was still in Rafiki's grip, despite her showing the rebellious side of herself. She kicked, squirmed and clawed at his hands, though receiving a rather negative response to her struggles. He didn't seem to be minding her. As they stepped out of the den, she stopped abruptly, as the shimmering morning sun glimmered on her midnight black pelt. There was a generous amount of green down there, it hurt her eyes, being accustomed to the dimness of the den. There were all kinds of animals as.sembled below, big, small, short, tall, fat, thin... Rowan's purple eyes widened at the variety, for she had not seen another creature except her parents and siblings from the day she was born. 

Wondering what her siblings thought about their new to-become playground, she turned to look at them, with a small squeal, which meant to convey, "Hey, look at this place!"  

Kovu made a gentle, low guttural noise, which was supposed to be a purr, though it would not strike anyone as being anything close to it. He set Kali carefully down, between his forepaws. "Like it, son?' he mumbled. It was kind of a rhetorical question, because he knew they would love it, the way he did. 

"The oldest must be shown first, now isn't that the right way to do it," Rafiki stated, turning to the mother and father. 

OoC: Who is the oldest, anyway? x) 

((Uh... Let's see... Kali is the firstborn son, and Phoenix is the firstborn daughter... Hard to say. -bl
ink-

And by the way...I think my cub is the only lion here with an actual African name. His name means 'Strength' in Swahili.))

((Mine's greek. I could change it, but I don't feel like it.

EDIT: Pheonix is last born. She is the runt of the litter.))

OoC: I have no idea what Rowan means, and I don't think it's African either.

Awrighty.

Kovu gave Kali a gentle push with his nose towards Rafiki, who had by then set Rowan down beside Kiara. Breaking one of the fruits off his stick, he cracked it open expertly, like he had done on Mufasa's, Simba's, and Kiara's Presentations. Dipping his fingers into the red juice inside, he smeared it on Kali's forehead. Then, scooping up the young cub, he mumbled, "You'd make a good king, my lad." Not that he minded which one of the trio was crowned, as long as they were able and sensible rulers, and didn't start another feud. He walked to the edge of the rock, his gaze travelling over the gathering, then into the sky where they fixed momentarily on the Sun. Here they are, Mufasa! A smile played on his lips as he raised the little bundle of fur into the sky, where every beast could see him. The reaction below was spontaneous, almost violent. The animals went crazy, They made all the sounds their kind was able to make, and bowed in respect to the young prince, their chins touching the ground as they did so. Rafiki raised Kali even higher, feeling the wind ruffle his fur.

Kovu watched with silent pride as his son was Presented. He wondered if all the Presentations were done in the same pattern, same way. It didn't matter now, the past, he said to himself as he gazed up at Mufasa. He was thankful for all he had. He had become the king, like his mother wanted him to become, and he was with the love of his life. And he was happy he didn't kill anyone for this. He wouldn't have minded if he hadn't got the throne, Kiara mattered much more. Kiara, and now, their cubs. 

Rafiki walked back to his parents and lowered the cub slowly onto the ground. There was a short pause as most of the animals straightened their necks, awaiting the next one to be shown. Rafiki slipped his fingers into the fruit again, and smeared it, this time, across the surprised Rowan's forehead. She hadn't expected this, and was grinning to herself as she watched it being done to Kali. With a disgusted snort, she wrinkled up her nose in annoyance. Ugh! And to her disappointment, she was whisked up again, into the air, but this time, she stayed silent. Her violet eyes widened in pure amazement as the animals enthusiastically pranced around again. The wind was cool as it ran through her fur, the Sun was warm on her skin, and her forehead felt uncomfortably wet. Her eyes wandered excitedly over the gathering as she surveyed them through avidly. "Wow!" she mewed with quiet admiration. Suddenly she noticed a few animals that had a distinct resemblance to her mother. Narrowing her eyes from the glare of the sunlight, she watched them, knowing they were kin to her in some way.

This sight lasted only for a few minutes, for Rafiki let her go again, and this time, she wished he hadn't. He repeated what he did with the other two with Phoenix, thrusting her slowly and carefully into the air.

Rafiki sighed. He saw it too. But he was pleased the animals accepted the cub as quick as they had all the rest, despite her defect in speaking. He slowly lowered her to the ground, and turned to face the parents. 

A shadow of sorrow and concern p*censored*ed over the father's face. Kovu's green eyes wore the ex
pression everyone felt for the unfortunate young cub. But he knew it would not, not for the slightest moment, make him love Phoenix any lesser than Kali or Rowan. She would forever be the same to him, mute or not. She would just need some help, that's all, Kovu thought to himself, and knew Kiara felt the same.

Looking down at Kali, he gave him a smile, and patted his little head with his right forepaw.Then he got up and walked up to his daughter, and nuzzled her re*censored*uringly. Rafiki knew it was a real blow for her family, and he watched quietly as Kovu picked Phoenix up by the scruff of her neck and walked back into the den, where he knew she probably would feel safer. 

Rowan looked at Kali in some confusion. She watched as her father exited, and turned around to face the crowd. Seeing Melody, Nala, Nammi, and the others, she gave a little squeal in greeting. Turning back, she gestured to Kali to sit near her, and looked around for Phoenix, then suddenly remembered. She wondered if she should follow her sister, but the impulse to watch the other lions overwhelmed her, and she turned her gaze to the gathering below once more.