[minifun990]

This is first, I decided to split the one scene into two

“So Jewls? Have you decided what you would like to be?” Pulin asked his daughter, a soft smile on his face. Agan couldn't help but be proud of their mate, from being terrified of the responsibility of cubs to being the best father their daughter could hope for.

Jewls shuffled a little, a curl of her mane falling over her face as she mumbled an answer quietly. Both her parents leaned in, she hadn't even told Agan yet and they were supposed to be the one who helped them choose.

“What was that dear?” He asked, Jewls flicked the hair out of her eyes and sat up straighter as if summoning her courage. Agan smiled gently, he’d be proud of whatever decision she made. She was easily kind and smart enough to be a healer or a hunter, she could even probably become a forager like Pura and they would support her.

“I want to be a warrior.” Jelia said at a more normal volume. She was expecting her parents reactions but that didn't make it hurt any less. They were mostly shocked, and while Agan quickly schooled their facial features into acceptance quickly, her Dad, the one she always looked up to had his face flashing other emotions too, fear, stress, before finally settling on what looked like a frantic pleading anger. She worried he might react like this. It was why she hadn't told either of them earlier. But she loved wrestling with the other cubs, and she wanted to protect the pride in ways she couldn't in any other role. Being a warrior just felt right to her.

“Jewls…” Jelia stared back, trying to be brave at the sound of her father's broken voice. Agan tried to shush his mate, but Pulin pushed past to look his daughter in her eyes.

“Please… Cant you choose something a little more…” Pulin hesitated “Safe?”

“But Dad… This is what I want.” Pulin looked pained, and Jelia could feel it like a spear in her heart. He has always tried to shelter her, never letting any harm come to her but she wouldnt let him shelter her anymore.

“Maybe…” Agan murmured, getting the attention again. “Maybe Jelia can try something else first, see if she likes it then becomes a warrior if she doesn't” Agan said, hoping it would make peace between them. He couldn't bear to see their relationship strained. The two nodded, but when Pulin went to groom his daughter, she darted away and lay down to sleep instead.

The next day Jelia had her neo ceremony. The tension was palpable this time, Siella sending a questioning look Agans way but they just shook their head. Jelia and Pulin had talked that morning but for a moment Agan was still surprised when Jelia chose Omisha as her Paleo. It made sense thinking about it though, Pulin saw it as safe but perhaps also seeing the efforts to undo the harm other lions could inflict while Jelia saw it as an easy way out, Omisha had already had one neo fail, why not another?
(515/500)