Name: Habari
Meaning: "hello" in Swahili
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Age: Young Adult/Depends on Use
Generation: Kiara's Cubs' Gen

Parents: Huria, Walinzi (adopted)
Sibling/s: Roshaun (half)
Crush/Mate: Malaizi (crush)
Cub/s: None

Pride: Pridelands Pride
Rank: Guard
Former Pride: None
Former Rank/s: Cub

Personality: Habari is known as one of the kindest, sweetest lions in the Pridelands, and he is always looking out for his friends and family. Ever since he was a cub, Habari wanted to be the best pridemate he could be, and he tries his best to treat everyone with kindness and respect no matter what. He cares very deeply for his friends and family, and he's willing to do whatever he can to secure their happiness even at the expense of his own. Though he cares so much for others, Habari doesn't always show the same care to himself, and he often worries about how others perceive him. Habari is known for sticking to the rules, however others often see him as a stick in the mud, and this really knocks down his confidence. He wants to be friends with everyone, but when his values don't line up with theirs, he often blames himself for it, and feels like he did something wrong. Despite this, Habari has still clung to his values, and as a young adult he's much more mature and responsible, and he makes it his duty to look out for and protect his pride. Habari is incredibly loyal to his friends and family, and even if they treat him terribly or do him wrong, Habari refuses to turn his back on them. He believes there is good in everyone, especially those he has grown close to, but his blind trust in his friends and family may lead to him getting hurt in the process.
Like/s: Malaizi, His Family, His Friends, Flowers, the Pridelands, Cave Paintings
Dislike/s: Breaking the Rules, Rogue Males, Arguments with Kirita

History:

Being born only a month before the Pridelanders and the Outlanders made peace, Habari grew up in a time of healing and unity. Though he only had his mother Huria, he always felt loved by her and the other pride lionesses, and in his cubhood, Habari was surrounded by affection and attention. The older lionesses in the pride all adored Habari, even Mgumu, the grumpiest lioness in the Pridelands, however the same could not be said of the other cubs. Huria had taught her son to always follow the rules, and her protective nature encouraged Habari to always listen to the adults, which often put him at odds with the more adventurous and daring cubs, including a female cub named Kirita. Whenever they wanted to break the rules and go on adventures, Habari was the only cub who refused, and so they began to pick on him and call him names. When Habari revealed this to his mother, the cubs who had picked on him got in trouble, however this did little to fix the situation. Now, instead of teasing Habari, the cubs stopped talking to him altogether. All the cubs except Kirita. Though she thought he was too sensitive and soft, Kirita didn't stop hanging out with Habari, and while he didn't always like the way she acted, Habari was grateful to have at least one friend.

As Habari began to grow, he noticed his vision was beginning to change; things up close were clear to him, but far away objects were difficult to see, and he began to experience headaches and eye strain.* While they initially thought the problem would go away, when it persisted Huria called upon the pride's shaman to check him out, and the shaman revealed it was an eye condition that could not be cured. Habari wasn't initially too worried about it, but Huria feared he wouldn't be able to survive if he had to live on his own, and she became more protective of him than ever before. Her worries soon became his worries, and he began to stick closer and closer to Priderock and the other lionesses because of it. Kirita, however, didn't care and wished to continue their adventures, and one day, despite his protests, Kirita left Priderock. Habari initially hesitated, wanting to follow the rules, but he feared Kirita would get in trouble, and so he followed her to bring her back before the adults noticed. He tried to convince her to go back to Priderock, but Kirita ignored him in favor of messing with a cobra. When the cobra attacked, Kirita escaped, leaving Habari alone, and he was quickly cornered. However, before the cobra could strike, a rogue male appeared and fought off the cobra.

Before Habari was able to thank the rogue, Huria appeared and attacked, believing he was threatening Habari. Habari quickly protested and spoke in favor of the rogue, who introduced himself as Walinzi. Wary of this stranger, Huria decided to bring him back to Priderock, and with permission from Kiara and Kovu, Walinzi was allowed to stay in the Pridelands. Upon finding out about Habari's condition, Walinzi offered to help as he, too, had vision problems, and while Huria was still wary of him, Habari was eager to learn. Walinzi began mentoring the young cub with Huria's supervision, and the three ended up growing rather close. Once she had warmed up to Walinzi, Huria seemed much happier than usual, and Habari was glad his mother seemed to be enjoying Walinzi's company as much as he did. Though Walinzi and Huria did at one point having a falling out, Habari and Mgumu were able to bring the two back together in the end, and it wasn't long until Walinzi and Huria became mates, and Walinzi took Habari on as his own son.

During this time, a new lioness joined the pride alongside her daughter, Malaizi, and Habari made quick friends with her even though she and Kirita didn't get along. Malaizi's sweet demeanor was very much like his own, and the two quickly grew close, and only grew closer as they aged. As Habari and his friends approached their teenage years and Habari's mane began to grow, Huria became pregnant, and Habari was eager to have new half-siblings. However, his mother grew incredibly ill during her pregnancy, and when she finally gave birth the pride feared she and the cubs would not survive. Habari and Walinzi waited anxiously for days until finally, they were allowed to meet the newest addition to their family, Roshaun. Habari quickly became attached to his little brother, and vowed that he would always look after Roshaun, and once Huria and Roshaun were back at full health, things seemed to be looking up. Though his vision problems persisted, Habari decided to become a guard, and he took his lessons with Mheetu and Walinzi very seriously. In addition to training with Mheetu and Walinzi, Habari took extra lessons with Mgumu and Kirita, and through training and practice, Habari's skills improved immensely.

In his teenage years, Habari also took a new interest in Malaizi; while he had always liked her as a friend, he began to see her as something more, and his crush only grew with time. However, he did not reveal his feelings, as he worried Malaizi would not return them. Even so, their friendship only grew stronger, until one day she confided in Habari about her grandmother. Malaizi wanted to know the truth behind her grandmother Zira, and to do this she wanted to venture into the Outlands to find her. Habari protested, fearing that Malaizi would get hurt, but when it became clear she wouldn't change her mind, Habari relented and went with her to offer her protection. The night they snuck out, they were confronted by Kirita, who urged them to abandon the plan. Malaizi, however, refused to listen, and the trio were captured by the Outlander lionesses. Habari and Kirita were separated from Malaizi, who went to meet Zira alone, but Kirita formed a plan, and with her help Malaizi escaped unscathed. The trio never told their parents about the ordeal, but they would always remember that night.

Their friendships continued to grow and eventually they all mellowed out as they became young adults. While Kirita was still very brash and sarcastic, it was clear she cared for Habari, and he was happy to see that their friendship continued despite all the hardships they'd been through. Now a full member of the guard, Habari felt proud and content with his place in the pride, and with his newfound confidence, he gained the courage to reveal his feelings to Malaizi. After going on a special walk, he revealed his feelings for her, and when Malaizi told him she felt the same way, the two quickly became a couple. Habari felt like the happiest lion alive, not knowing that their newfound relationship would have dire consequences...

*Habari has myopia or nearsightedness.

TLK Relation: Grandson of Sarabi and Scar, in love with Zira's granddaughter.