His ear swiveled, followed with his navy gaze, to Rexanna as her muzzle brushed against him and she spoke, ”Teach them your language…” The King’s brows furrowed slightly, even as he physically saw the relief flood her body. He saw the strain, the tense muscles, the drooped back and stiff shoulders relax into place. Though the Elephant could, even from this short interaction, see the challenge his son may give his dam, were both twins difficult? Were raising them alone that demanding? In Dorobo, with the Makutano on the march, mothers often raised foals alone; but the tribes banded together to share the load.

Rexanna had been alone. And it seemed that these gilded, ink-dipped children were draining his golden siren. This gave him all the more reason to need to be with his children and their mother—he gave her a burning look before returning his attention to the foals outside the cave. Seeing them together, in the fading light, their mirrored faces and bright eyes; leaning together and moving (breathing) in unison.

Twins were rare in Dorobo. Much rarer than they seemed to be in Helovia. But, even for the sets of twins he had seen thus far, these two acted…as one. His navy eyes watched them curiously, fascinated by adoration, as his head dropped to their level. A dark gaze glanced towards the morphing of Kiada’s flames—they did not seem to burn her brother. A grin crossed his muzzle at his daughter’s exuberance to learn his language; though it faded at his son’s snapped response to his question. Dark eyes sharpened on the colt, “When you bond something to your soul, you owe it the respect of name and a decent life. Does she not faithfully follow you and share your emotions?” His deep rumble was reproachful, goaded into rebuke by his son’s surliness. He shook his head slightly at both himself and his sullen princeling; he had just met his son and already he was chiding him.

Though his grin returned at Kiada’s entreaty to help them name their companions. His thick horn’s tip motion towards his daughter’s white, hovering companion, “Your tai may be named Khairi. It means ‘kingly,’ and he may be an always present king to watch over my princess.” His low rumble was soft, eyes warm as he watched for his daughter’s reaction.

And the his attention shifted to Kianzo, the dark prince, and his companion, whose hackles had raised the long, dark hair along her back the moment his navy gaze had hit her bright blue one. The Elephant’s lips pursed for a moment, knowing he could not give such a touching name to his son’s companion. The colt would not stand for it. So, with another small motion of his massive horn’s point towards the hyena, he spoke, “And the fisi shall be Keusi, named for the darkness that her kind hunts in.” Little did the Elephant King know that ‘her kind’ included both of his children.

He could not watch and wait for his son’s reaction to the name, for Rexanna had begun speaking to him; answer his question. The question. And it was not a ‘no.’ Not was it a ‘yes.’ So, as the Elephant King’s traitorous heart was wont to do, hope began to bloom inside the thick ribs of his chest. She would tell him her answer in the following season. Never had the Elephant King yearned for colder weather, until this moment. Though want and need flamed from his eyes, his head dipped in a slow nod, “I will return for you, Rex.” His simple answer held volumes of promise, and his muzzle reached out to gently lip and kiss the crest of her withers.

But he froze with his lips on her satin skin, “Be sure to invite Adaeze as well. You can thank her for their names.” Adaeze, the woman from his past that he had knowingly mounted in attempt to give her the gift of motherhood. He had thought Rexanna has forsaken him; and he had wanted to share that intimacy with the cheetah. A soft sigh pushed out his nostrils, knowing that a time would come where he would have to share such things, and more, with Rexanna.

But now was not that time. Now was the time for his family.

So he gently and playfully nipped her withers, “Are you already sending me away?” His neck then wrapped over hers, his gaze returning to watch their children with their newly-named companions.