"Thank you Wokabi, my daughter." The word felt good coming between his lips. Her empassioned response gave Vermillion all the confidence and assurance he needed. Her want, he'd give her the world if he could. If it was a father she wanted, if she wanted him he'd move heaven and hell to keep it true. Even if his own thoughts and self doubt came into conflict.
Even as he reassured her that she had done what she was supposed to do, that she did right by obeying her mother. She knew she would never forgive herself if her Ma was injured or – She didnt even want to think it. Family was supposed to stick together and she had abandoned her mother in her hour of need. For the other male had been large, larger than her mother and her though he was probably around her Dads size. Head shook slightly, though she did not utter a word. He may say that she did the right thing, but for the past year she had done nothing but just that – run. She had not even tried to go back later and find her ma, for fear of the male getting wind of her and then her Mas order being all of naught. “We were supposed to stick together though.” She forces back the tears, refusing to let those that weld up in her eyes fall. After all, Ma had always told her that princesses dont cry, and she had always called her, her little princess. A silly nickname from her Ma, the kind that embarrassed her many times when her Ma had called her it. Now there was nothing more than she'd want than to hear those words once more.
As he thanks her for wanting him as her Da, she smiles softly. “You were always my Da, even if you were not there physically. You will always be my Da.” Even if he wasn't always at her side, she would not want anyone else as her Da. Not even if she had never found him again when asked she would have proudly replied she was his daughter. A yawn escaped her then and she smiled sheepishly at her Da. The travel through the lands and the emotions from finding her Da had zapped her energy and she knew she could use a nap. A chance to recharge from the exhaustion she felt deep in her bones. “I think I need a nap.” She said quietly, sheepishly. How embarrassing, needing a nap when she was basically a full-grown lioness.
@Vermillion
Mercifully Wokabi wretched him from the hurt he was feeling, out of the anger out right and into a much more soothing feeling. He thought it quite endearing- the sleepiness in her voice and the humbleness in seeking one of the most simple of life's pleasures. A nap. She thought herself silly and Vermillion instead saw his little girl, not all that grown up, and it brightened his heart a little. The dark lion smiled and felt a swelling of relief in his breast. He felt weak in the knees as he leaned over to thump her head with his muzzle and place a nuzzle along her crown. "Let's find a comfortable place to rest- and I'll be here when you wake." And forever after until life saw it fit to change that. Today however at least was promised to them and today he had a lot to make up for (if it was even possible to do so...).
Despite his words that it was not her fault that she and her Ma were separated, she did not believe it. She wouldnt, not until they were reunited once again. If they were never reunited she would always blame herself, for fleeing... for leaving her mother behind to face whatever with Roman. While she did not believe it, she decided for now to appease her father. So she nodded her head slowly, having heard his growl and the pain in his voice. She knows though that her and her mother could have fought together, but she was only one... only still a babe basically, and he had a pride behind him. She knew deep down her Ma had done the right thing, but at what cost?
It seems though that he finds her sheepishness cute, as her actions bring forth a smile before he nuzzles the top of her head. Speaking of finding somewhere comfortable to rest, and that he'll be there when she wakes. Nodding her head she'd move to stand, to press her face into his mane once more before pulling back. “Sounds like a good idea.” She'd offer her own genuine smile, trusting his word that he'll be there when she wakes. She would follow him to the end of the world if he asked it of her.
-exit-
@Vermillion