FW

Can I ask why I've heard so little from you recently? I am becoming worried.
          
          *Fuli and Vitani's First Day at Mtaalamu Industries*
          
          *Fuli is complaining about the uniform she is expected to wear, which Fuli finds restrictive*
          
          Fuli: Vitani, why am I wearing a leg trap? I can't sprint to the stockroom in this. This skirt has zero range of motion; it's as if someone wrapped my legs in high end upholstery and told me to be 'efficient'.
          
          Vitani: I know it's not gym shorts, Fuli, but look ~ the side slit is reinforced. If you actually had to move fast, the seam wouldn't give out. It's 'engineered' for movement, even if it feels like cardboard. Just think about the paycheck. Every hour in that 'leg trap' is another ten prints towards our College funds. We're in this together, remember?
          
          Fuli: It's not a skirt, it's a parachute. I take one step and the 'architectural volume' creates enough wind resistance to slow down a Cheetah. How is this 'Modern Professional?' It's just 'Modern Slow'.
          
          Vitani: It's not a parachute, Fuli, it's urban camouflage. If you look like a 'decorative ornament,' then the clients stop looking at you like a threat. Besides, Sarabi says 'professionalism' is our primary objective today. Think of the restricted stride as a lesson in stealth.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Vitani: Try adjusting your blazer, Fuli. You're showing too much of your gym top underneath. Sarabi said we need to blend in with the clientele.
          
          Fuli: I'm not 'blending in,' Adaana, I'm being strangled. How do you stand the starch in these collars? It's like we're wearing cardboard.
          
          Vitani: It's all about focus, Fuli. If I can ignore the stinging in my bad eye and the glare from the LED displays, you can ignore a bit of fabric. Discipline, Fuli.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Sarabi: This is not just retail, this is our defence against a decade of debt. Every sale is a brick in the wall we are building around your future, Vitani. Fuli, I am grateful for your speed, but, today, 'fast' must also be 'flawless'.
          
          *gap*

First off, Happy New Year 2026!
          
          ---*At Nala's Food Station*---
          
          Nala: Ono, perform a Surface Audit on the Cacao Shipment. I'm logging a 'C-' graininess on the 9:00 batch, and if the Liquid Cacao Silicon isn't frictionless, then it's a bottleneck to the Council's Total Surface Saturation.
          
          Ono: Data received, Mrs. Abioye. The viscosity stands at 98% integrity. I'll perform a logistical reset on the surface vats. We need an A+ level of shimmer for the New Year's Day link up.
          
          *long gap*
          
          *The Council members start to arrive*
          
          Kion: Happy New Year, Mum!
          
          Vitani: Happy New Year, Mrs. Abioye.
          
          Nala: Great timing, you two! Vitani, your hair is draped perfectly ~ you look less like a Ward of The State and more like an Industrial Monument. Are you ready for the Deep Touch Pressure of the New Year's Lion's Portion?
          
          Vitani: I'm ready, Mrs. Abioye. The School year Archives are open and I'm logging 2026 as 'Proper Good'. I'm not a Ward of The State anymore, I'm a managed icon!
          
          *long gap*
          
          Fuli: The Council is synched and the Acoustics Shield is holding. We're a long way away from the chaos of last year.
          
          Bunga: Zuka Zama! The link up is unbungalievable! Now let's archive the hunger and initiate a proper good feast!
          
          *long gap*
          
          *The Council begins to hear a rhythmic creak*
          
          Bunga: Happy New Year, Shaun!
          
          Shaun: *In a detectable English accent* Blimey, you lot, you've achieved an A+ level of shimmer before the first bell has even rung! I'm logging a 'System Spike' of sheer poise over here. Archive the Fixed Gaze for a second, yeah? I'm here for the link up.
          
          Kion: Great timing, Shaun! We were just performing a Surface Audit on the Cacao. Your frequency is a long way away from 'scruffy' today.
          
          Shaun: Nala, please tell me the 'Lion's Portion' is ready? I've been performing an 'optimal stride' across the district and my internal integrity is hitting a Level Red hunger breach. I need that Cacao Silicon to achieve a total system synch.
          
          How does this sound so far to you?

Hi.
          
          How was Christmas for you?
          
          ---*Vitani's Moving Day*---
          
          *Vitani wakes up in her silk ~ lined bed and sits up, looking at the empty cases by the door*
          
          Vitani: The last 6:00 log in this room. It's strange...for 11 years, I've been scanning  for a threat. This morning...the world is just quiet.
          
          Fuli: That's because the threat is archived, Vitani. You aren't 'bolting' anymore. Are you ready for the handover to Sarabi?
          
          Vitani: *nods* I'm ready. I love this house, it was my first sanctuary, but Sarabi is the anchor I have been waiting for ever since Zira murdered Kopa and moving into her mansion is the final seal on who I am now.
          
          *Maana enters with a cup of tea*
          
          Maana: The link doesn't break just because you're moving a few districts away, Vitani. We're a lattice and Julia has already logged the transition. You're just expanding the peremiter.
          
          Vitani: *drinking the tea* A million miles away from the Outlands. Today, I don't just feel like a daughter, I feel unassailable. Let's go to the kitchen. I want to tell Ava thank you before Mei arrives.
          
          *long pause as the three go downstairs to the kitchen*
          
          Ava: *cooking breakfast* Check the temperature on that *states meal,* Vitani. Starting tomorrow, you're going to be auditing Sarabi's kitchen logs and I need to know your sensory calibrations are optimal before you leave my station.
          
          Vitani: It's 165 degrees, Ava, precise and no nuance. I've already logged the macro ~ nutriants for when I move in. I don't want Sarabi to think our system is flagging just because I'm moving districts.
          
          Shirley: *nudges Vitani's shoulder* Sarabi knows you're the most unassailable unit we have, but the kitchen is going to feel...empty. No one audits the spice rack as clinically as you do.
          
          Vitani: I'll be back for Saturdays, Shirley, but, today I need to be the anchor for Sarabi. She's archived everything to make room for me and I owe her the same level of integrity.
          
          Ava: You owe yourself that integrity, Vitani. *long gap*
          
          *long gap*

Can I just ask, are you back home yet?
          
          This one should prove to be interesting. This is a weekend scene.
          
          ---*Fuli knocks on the door and walks in*---
          
          *Fuli is deliberately moving slowly, not running. Vitani is humming a song from her playlist as she stirs a stew*
          
          Vitani: Took you long enough, Fu'. Sarabi's been teaching me her "secret ingredient," but I might be too fast for you to see it.
          
          *gap*
          
          Fuli: Is that actual food I smell, or has Sarabi finally bought a candle that smells like 'Heavenly Stew'?
          
          Vitani: It's called Maafe, Fuli, and, if you vibrate near the cutting board, you'll make me lose a finger. Stand down.
          
          *Fuli unties her hair ties, letting her naturally long, black hair fall down her shoulders*
          
          Fuli: Look at you, from tactical knives to kitchen knives. I guess you've actually got the rhythm down.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Sarabi: She's a natural, Fuli. She has the patience you lack. Cooking is a ceremony, not a sprint.
          
          Fuli: *enthusiastically grabs a wooden spoon* I can help! I can stir at approximately 60 revolutions per minute!
          
          Vitani: And you'd turn our beautifully prepared chicken into a smoothie. Go wash up, Fu'. Oh, and Sarabi says if I can master the base, I can teach you how not to burn our toast next week.
          
          *Long gap*
          
          Sarabi: I heard my name being mentioned. Is the Chef ready to serve, or are you two busy analysing the chemistry of happiness?
          
          Vitani: We're ready, Sarabi. Fuli's just surprised I can hold a spoon without a tactical grip.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Fuli: You know, 'Tani, you look...different. Calm. It suits you. Better than the MREs and dust back in the Outlands, huh?
          
          Vitani: Sarabi tells me feeding yourself is the first step to owning your life. I'm not a Soldier anymore, I'm a chef in training.
          
          Fuli: Well, Chef, if this tastes as good as it smells, I might actually stay in my seat for the whole dinner without scanning for the exits.
          
          Vitani: You'll stay in your seat because it's delicious. Now pass me the ginger, slowly.
          
          Interesting idea?

This is, again, in its most completed state:
          
          *At the Pridelands High Football Stadium*---
          
          Vitani: I thought you told me we were going for a pizza, Zuri?
          
          Zuri: We are, sis. Let's go grab a spot next to Kiara. I'm sure Kion is around here somewhere.
          
          Vitani: I don't care where Kion is, and the floodlights are already giving me a migraine.
          
          Zuri: Oh, stop being so dramatic. Besides, who doesn't love a Friday night Football game?
          
          Vitani: Me, because I'm photophobic.
          
          *Long gap*
          
          Zuri: Oh, look, there's Kion! Go say hi to him.
          
          Vitani: You've engineered this, haven't you? 
          
          Zuri: No, I didn't engineer it! I just thought we all could do with a good night out.
          
          Vitani: You lied about who was coming, you forced me here. You orchestrated a "date" without telling either of us.
          
          Zuri: I keep telling you, sis, you need more friends.
          
          Vitani: And I keep telling you I don't want a boyfriend, especially NOT the Mayor's Son!
          
          Kion: Hi, ladies. 
          
          *long gap*
          
          Vitani: Enjoy the game, Zuri. I'm going home.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Bunga: [mouth full while eating a hot dog] Whoa, she looks rough. She must hate Football. Sucks to Zuri's master plan.
          
          Kion: [genuinely worried] It's more than hating Football, Bunga. She looked like she was in pain.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Zuri: *major huff* The one time I get my sister and Kion together without Miss Sains present and she ditches!
          
          Kiara: Maybe you should've listened when Vitani told you she told you she only wanted pizza and a movie?
          
          Zuri: Oh dear, she doesn't look well at all. Maybe those stadium lights are too bright for her.
          
          ---*Tama finds Vitani leaning against the cool glass of the bus shelter*---
          
          Tama: Migraine?
          
          Vitani: Yeah. Stupid Zuri.
          
          Tama: I'll put a cold bath on for you once we get home, and I'll make sure I dim the lights. After that, I'll give your sister a very serious talking to.
          
          Vitani: Thank you.
          
          ---*Text between Kion and Vitani*---
          
          I saw you leaving the game. R u ok? U looked rough. :K
          
          *long gap*
          
          *knock, knock, knock*
          
          Tama: Come

We were putting up our Christmas Decorations last week.
          
          ---*The Lion Council are walking down the corridor together*---
          
          Kion: [Frustrated] This doesn't make sense! Fuli hasn't missed track practice once this year and Vitani has a 100% attendance record! Where are they?
          
          Bunga: Maybe they found a secret stash of honey buns and didn't invite us? Typical.
          
          Beshte: I don't think that's it, little B. Kion's right, it is weird. They both seemed really tired during History Class, too.
          
          Ono: Affirmative, their attention spans were critically low. Fuli kept rubbing her eyes and Vitani very nearly fell asleep during the pop quiz.
          
          Kion: Exactly. Something's going on and it's interfering with their Schooling. They're both keeping it a secret, and, whatever it is, it's wearing them out.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Anga: You know, they could just be stressed about the upcoming exams.
          
          Kion: I hope that's all it is, Anga, but this feels different from pre ~ exam stress. It feels...shadier, darker, and I don't like that, especially with Vitani and Fuli involved.
          
          Bunga: Don't you trust your own girlfriend, Kion?
          
          Kion: It's not that I don't trust her, Bunga, it's that she has a history that she's going out of her way to keep from us. *long gap*
          
          *long gap*
          
          Ono: I see them! Over there, by the vending machines! Only...why are they sitting down?
          
          *The Council approaches a small crowd of students which has gathered around Fuli and Vitani, both of whom are fast asleep next to the vending machines. Fuli is using her backpack as a pillow*
          
          Student 1: Are they ok? They haven't moved in 10 minutes. Are they sick or something?
          
          Student 2: I'm sure they're fine ~ they probably pulled an all nighter preparing for MX. Thoth's History exam. You know how intense Fuli gets about her grades.
          
          Student 3: And what's with those weird clothes they're wearing? An odd thing to wear to School.
          
          Zuri: I never thought I'd see the day Fuli Haraka wore a skirt. She looks kinda cute asleep, though.
          
          *long gap*

This is again in its most complete state but it could be quite an important chapter:
          
          Kion: Mum, Dad, have you seen my shoe? I can only find one!
          
          Nala: [Amused] The mystery of the missing shoe begins again. He never learns, does he?
          
          Simba: [Chuckles] It's a classic Kion move, my dear. A leader's mind is focused on the big picture, not the location of his footwear.
          
          Nala: Kion, did you check the living room? I think you left it by the TV last night!
          
          Kion: Ah! Found it! Thanks, Mum!
          
          Simba: We're a good team, Nala. The efficient organiser and the calm, problem ~ solving leader. 
          
          Nala: The Circle of Life is mostly managing morning chaos, Simba, and, yes, we're the best team for the job.
          
          Kiara comes bursting in holding up a perfect, knee ~ length skirt which has a tiny crease in it.
          
          Kiara: [dramatically] That's it, Mother! My skirt is ruined! My life is over!
          
          Vitani: [Sarcastically] Your image will survive one wrinkle, Kiara. *gap*
          
          *gap*
          
          Kiara: I can't wear this! Look, a crease! It's a flaw in the system! It's...imperfect!
          
          *Nala smooths the crease out using a small, handheld stamer.*
          
          Nala: There we are, crisis averted. Now, get yourself dressed so we can get some breakfast.
          
          Vitani: *grinning to herself* A crease. The true "Circle of Life" is chaos and creases.
          
          Simba: Welcome to our home, Vitani. *gap*
          
          *long gap*
          
          ---*Timeskip ~ during breakfast*---
          
          *long gap*
          
          *Texts between Vitani and Tama*
          
          V: I had the nightmare again last night. Nothing's working.
          
          Did you take your anxiety meds? :T
          
          *long gap*
          
          ---*after the kids leave for School*---
          
          Nala: Well, the "Circle of Chaos" has left the building.
          
          Simba: Nala, about Vitani...she was texting Tama during breakfast and I saw her texts. They were...stressful.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Nala: Nightmares? "Nothing's working?" She said that?
          
          Simba: It made me think of the nightmares I used to have shortly after Kopa and Mufasa died. It broke my heart when she just shut down when you asked if she was all right.
          
          Nala: I know.

This is for the next Chapter so it is kind of important.
          
          Kion: Hey, girls.
          
          Zuri: Great timing, Kion! My sister was just explaining how excited she is about being paired with you for her Science Project.
          
          Vitani: *Rolls eyes* I didn't say that!
          
          Kion: *chuckling* It's fine, I'm actually happy about it. Te last time I had to do a project with someone, Bunga tried growing gummy bears instead of sugar crystals.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Zuri: Kion, are you catching the bus too?
          
          Kion: Incident in Class, I'm afraid, Zu'; a loudmouth called Maric Gesag. *gap* I offered to walk Vitani here before my Dad comes; he's probably just late, as usual.
          
          *gap*
          
          Kion: Speaking of the Mayor, I'd better go. I'll see you two girls later.
          
          Zuri: Sure. See ya round, Ky.
          
          *gap*
          
          Zuri: Handsome, isn't he?
          
          Vitani: I suppose so.
          
          Zuri: Good looking, too, with that red hair of his he certainly strikes an impressive figure.
          
          Vitani: Zuri, I keep saying I don't want a boyfriend, especially not Kopa's little brother.
          
          Zuri: Vitani, you need more friends.
          
          Vitani: He's Kopa's little brother, Zu'. When I look at him, it's like I'm looking at a mirror image of Kopa.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Zuri: Are you all right? You're rubbing your knee again.
          
          Vitani: I was playing Soccer with Anansi and Asani. We were practicing our goalkeeping and shooting.
          
          *gap*
          
          Zuri: Did you pack your painkillers?
          
          Vitani: I was waiting for the pain to really set in to make it worth it.
          
          *gap*
          
          Zuri: In short, you left them behind again.
          
          Vitani: Yeah.
          
          Zuri: Oh, God.
          
          *text between Zuri and Tama*
          
          Z: V's forgotten her painkillers again [surprise, surprise]. We're stopping at the pharmacy really quick. We will be home in about 15 ~ 20 minutes. Save us some lasagna!
          
          *long gap*
          
          ---on the bus home---
          
          Vitani: Zuri, I want you to jog my memory: what was the last thing Zira ever said to me immediately after my trial, before I was put into social care?
          
          Zuri: What? You really want to talk about this now?
          
          Vitani: Yes. I need the words, Zu'.
          
          gap

This is again in its most complete state.
          
          *The Cooking Class*
          
          *Kion and Vitani walk in*
          
          Vitani: Woah, it's huge! 
          
          Kion: Well, folks say it reflects how seriously we take education here in Pridelands City.
          
          Vitani: I could spend way more time in here than one period. Tama says I have a chef's hands.
          
          Kion: There is a cookery club, if you're interested. They'd love to have you.
          
          *long gap in which the teacher, Ava, introduces herself*
          
          Ava, the Teacher: Who here considers themselves a competent cook?
          
          *A few hands shoot up*
          
          Ava: What's your name, girl?
          
          Vitani: Vitani Adaana.
          
          Ava: Do you cook your own meals?
          
          Vitani: My legal guardian, Tama, is teachng me. She says I have a chef's hands.
          
          Ava: I see. Well, today, we are going to test that claim. You will be cooking your own meals, so, for that reason, lunch will not be provided for you this time around. We are going to make Spaghetti Carbonara. Vitani, please stand here to my left and tie up your hair. I don't want you getting bits of food on that lovely shirt and skirt you're wearing. I will need someone to hand out an apron to everyone in Class. You, what's your name?
          
          Tiana: Tiana. Tiana Ernest.
          
          Ava: Miss Ernest, please give an apron to everyone in Class.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Tiana: Hey. Are you new?
          
          Vitani: Yes, I'm new. I started here *gap* days ago.
          
          Tiana: Well, welcome to Pridelands High. I hope you've enjoyed your time here so far?
          
          Vitani: Well, I've made a couple of friends, and I've had the...erm...unfortunate pleasure of meeting Maric Gesag.
          
          Tiana: *Sighs* Our former *states position?* He your problem too?
          
          Vitani: I'm guessing you and Maric aren't exactly friends?
          
          Tiana: He hates me. The School gave me the *states position* post after he got himself kicked off the Football Team.
          
          Vitani: Hold on, you're a Footballer?
          
          Maric: No, she's a thief is what she is.
          
          Tiana: You got kicked off for a reason, Maric.
          
          Maric: Yeah, because of the b***** Lion Boy over there. *points at Kion*
          
          Tiana: That's not true.

Again this is in its most completed state.
          
          *At the same time*
          
          Vitani: Ok, so how did we wind up in Saturday detention together?
          
          Kion: Well, you left a stink bomb in Wina, Sura and Anele's locker.
          
          Vitani: After they hid my clothes during swimming and got them wet.
          
          Kion: Bunga was too enthusiastic during Science, *long gap* and the floor got really slippery.
          
          Vitani: And Fuli?
          
          Kion: Talking back to the teacher. Again.
          
          Vitani: And you?
          
          Kion: Destroying school property. Something I bought got stuck in a vending machine which exploded.
          
          *gap*
          
          Vitani: Who else is there?
          
          Kion: I think that's it, as far as I know. Oh, and the teacher is Mr. Akarchi.
          
          Vitani: That's the guy who takes religious studies, right?
          
          Kion: Right.
          
          Vitani: Oh, I'm not looking forward to this.
          
          ---*Saturday Morning*---
          
          *Vitani is getting into Tama's car outside the Adaana Family Home.*
          
          Tama: I really am surprised at your behaviour this past week, Vitani. You normally avoid High School drama of any kind. Why this sudden flare up?
          
          Vitani: Winda, Sura and Anele thought it'd be funny to wet my clothes during swimming practice, so they stole them and hid them from me until after the swimming lesson when they conveniently turned up back in my changing room wet through.
          
          *long gap*
          
          Vitani: I'm pretty sure they're the ones who threw the brick in through Zuri's bedroom window and spiked the car a couple of nights back.
          
          Tama: Why would they do that? It feels a bit drastic.
          
          Vitani: It's their sick idea of humor, Tama. The difference between them and me is my pranks are supposed to be funny. They were trying to hurt us.
          
          *long gap*
          
          *Vitani's phone buzzes in her pocket*
          
          Vitani: *Surprised* Beshte?
          
          Beshte: Hey, Vitani, can I talk to you?
          
          Vitani: I'm sorta chained to a desk right about now, and you know how eagle eyed Mr. Akarchi is.
          
          Beshte: Are you still in touch with your social worker?
          
          Vitani: Sylvia? Yeah, I see her every two weeks.
          
          Interesting for you so far? Do 2 weeks sound plausible?