Amiable Mchungaji Amani

His name means "Peace". "What?" The new King yowled in surprise. The former King blinked, startled. Really? The kid had just been crowned five minutes ago. What could he possibly be griping? "What's the matter, Amani?" The new Grandpaw asked. Since they were in private, they needn't call each other Mchungaji. The title was taken from the old tongue's word for "Shephard", as a reminder that the Kings of the Golden Plains were meant to be guides, and not dictators. "All that training, all that medlar to get my exp points up, all the beetles you spent, not to mention your hard work to get so far, but I still have to start my time as King at level fooking ONE?" Amani spluttered, his Flintlands accent slipping. Even after two and a half years with Mwako's family, he hadn't been able to fully lose it. Sometimes, he wondered why the royal family of the Golden Plains had adopted him specifically to be Mwako's heir, over another, stronger, more beautiful male. Why take in an orphan at all, rather than secure the legacy of the bloodline like other families? It seemed like an odd tradition. "It'll be okay, Heavy." Mwako said, using the nickname he'd given him as a cub. "You have time. I didn't choose you for your looks or your numbers. Hell, you might eventually get a higher level than me." "Then why did you?" Amani asked softly. The tone took Mwako aback. The snarky fuzzface Mwako had trained normally would have quipped something about the newborns in the nursery being 500+ in stats. Seeing him vulnerable made his heart crack. "Hey.... When I saw you at the Great Thorn, I saw a Spark in your eyes. I knew that underneath that smart-ass mouth, you had the heart of a great King. I hope I'm here to see that Spark outshine the moon someday." "Better be careful, Old man... The ladies might overhear and think you love me. or something~" Amani half-teased. Mwako rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Frankly, Your Majesty," He said dryly, stepping closer. "I don't give a poacher's left sac." The new King was suddenly bowled over by his mentor, his mane being tousled affectionately. "Hey, no fair!" He laughed. "Pretty strong for an 'old man', eh~?" Mwako teased. "I'm not the one who saddled you with a name that means "bone"." He pointed out. "Touche." his mentor laughed.