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Description
I'm so rusty send hep.

            "The Khweta Ceremony?" The question slipped from Ra's lips before he'd taken a moment to think of it. A newcomer to the Vimbue Tribe, he was still learning many of it's customs, but was ready to take a deep dive into it's histories and customs. He'd only been there a short while, adjusting to the life of his leonid species, something that was easier said than done. With time he would manage, but for now he was ready to make something of himself. Intently he listened to the lioness describe the ceremony, nodding along with her words. It wasn't hard to understand, not at all. To prove yourself and your loyalty to the tribe? Not an easy task, but one he'd undertake very soon. Within a few days in fact. As the lioness finished speaking Ra bowed his head respectfully before lifting himself from the ground. He'd take the next few days to prepare himself, relaxing and meditating before the event.
        The day had come, the time to prove his worth. The male followed their guide through the desert, panting slightly from the heat absorbing into his dark mane. Three others were participating in the ceremony, each of them walking ahead of him. He'd taken the back to ensure no one got left behind, occasionally nudging the youngest of the group to continue forward. Eventually they'd made it to their apparent checkpoint. Their task? Survive overnight. Not easy in the desert, but he'd managed before in his travels. The group split up given their objective, and Ra's first order of business was to cool down. He loped to the bottom of a sand dune and flopped over, rolling vigorously, mixing sand and dirt into his mane to lighten it. He'd have to swim for a long while after everything was said and done, but for now it was a bit easier to travel. Today he wasn't worried about food, instead just wanting to rest his sore paws. In the distance he could see an archway, not too far, but far enough to draw a sigh out of him. Better than digging into the sand, he thought, before picking himself back up for another trek.
          Morning had come, the bright sunlight cascading into Ra's sleeping face. His eyes cracked open, blinking slowly as a massive yawn struck him. He licked his lips, stretching his front legs as far as he could before lifting his rump over his head. He finished his morning routine with a great shake, sand from the previous day hitting the walls of the archway. Time to move. Again he took a roll in the sand before loping to their previous meeting place. The day was brutally hot, and he found himself desperately thirsty. He put the thought aside as he approached, a new set of lions mixed with the previous. Each introduced themselves to their counterpart as a guide, and upon cresting the dune Ra was met with a friendly but scarred face. Her name was Isis, and she was to be his guide in the coming hours. Their next task was a hunt, an hour to capture anything living. Ra hadn't seen many signs of life on his travels, yet he hadn't exactly been paying too much attention. He bowed his head to the lioness before taking off to find a scent, tracks, anything. It took some time before he came across a track, one that was continuous, one that was, slithering. He trailed after the track, soon coming upon it's source. Cobra. Not at all ideal, but he wouldn't give up the first animal he'd seen. Slowly he dropped to his belly, keeping an extremely close eye on the serpent. It hadn't noticed him, but was clearly worn out. Ra suspected it had overheated, and quickly needed a break. His shadow could provide that, for a moment. He curled his tail to his side, swishing it against the ground in a serpentine motion. He wanted to catch the reptile's attention, and he did. The snake extended it's cape for a moment, surprised at a sudden movement, but soon dropped it's head and came closer. Ra didn't move a muscle, hardly breathing as he continued waving his tail. Closer. He thought, mane blowing in the breeze. Closer. He could hear the beating of the serpent's tiny heart as it slithered nearer, desperate for the shade he provided. It moved over the top of his paw, and he made his move. Quickly he slammed his free paw over the snake's head, holding it down firmly as he leaned down to dispatch the critter. He lifted the wriggling body before burying the head. Danger avoided, though he found the body wrapping around his muzzle.
        Upon returning the snake had finally gone limp, and the male could feel his stomach growling on his trek back. He presented his catch to Isis before flopping down to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and though he ate most of it, he split the leftovers evenly between the rest. Afterwards he flopped down onto his side, closing his eyes for the time before the next trial.

Description
I'm so rusty send hep.

            "The Khweta Ceremony?" The question slipped from Ra's lips before he'd taken a moment to think of it. A newcomer to the Vimbue Tribe, he was still learning many of it's customs, but was ready to take a deep dive into it's histories and customs. He'd only been there a short while, adjusting to the life of his leonid species, something that was easier said than done. With time he would manage, but for now he was ready to make something of himself. Intently he listened to the lioness describe the ceremony, nodding along with her words. It wasn't hard to understand, not at all. To prove yourself and your loyalty to the tribe? Not an easy task, but one he'd undertake very soon. Within a few days in fact. As the lioness finished speaking Ra bowed his head respectfully before lifting himself from the ground. He'd take the next few days to prepare himself, relaxing and meditating before the event.
        The day had come, the time to prove his worth. The male followed their guide through the desert, panting slightly from the heat absorbing into his dark mane. Three others were participating in the ceremony, each of them walking ahead of him. He'd taken the back to ensure no one got left behind, occasionally nudging the youngest of the group to continue forward. Eventually they'd made it to their apparent checkpoint. Their task? Survive overnight. Not easy in the desert, but he'd managed before in his travels. The group split up given their objective, and Ra's first order of business was to cool down. He loped to the bottom of a sand dune and flopped over, rolling vigorously, mixing sand and dirt into his mane to lighten it. He'd have to swim for a long while after everything was said and done, but for now it was a bit easier to travel. Today he wasn't worried about food, instead just wanting to rest his sore paws. In the distance he could see an archway, not too far, but far enough to draw a sigh out of him. Better than digging into the sand, he thought, before picking himself back up for another trek.
          Morning had come, the bright sunlight cascading into Ra's sleeping face. His eyes cracked open, blinking slowly as a massive yawn struck him. He licked his lips, stretching his front legs as far as he could before lifting his rump over his head. He finished his morning routine with a great shake, sand from the previous day hitting the walls of the archway. Time to move. Again he took a roll in the sand before loping to their previous meeting place. The day was brutally hot, and he found himself desperately thirsty. He put the thought aside as he approached, a new set of lions mixed with the previous. Each introduced themselves to their counterpart as a guide, and upon cresting the dune Ra was met with a friendly but scarred face. Her name was Isis, and she was to be his guide in the coming hours. Their next task was a hunt, an hour to capture anything living. Ra hadn't seen many signs of life on his travels, yet he hadn't exactly been paying too much attention. He bowed his head to the lioness before taking off to find a scent, tracks, anything. It took some time before he came across a track, one that was continuous, one that was, slithering. He trailed after the track, soon coming upon it's source. Cobra. Not at all ideal, but he wouldn't give up the first animal he'd seen. Slowly he dropped to his belly, keeping an extremely close eye on the serpent. It hadn't noticed him, but was clearly worn out. Ra suspected it had overheated, and quickly needed a break. His shadow could provide that, for a moment. He curled his tail to his side, swishing it against the ground in a serpentine motion. He wanted to catch the reptile's attention, and he did. The snake extended it's cape for a moment, surprised at a sudden movement, but soon dropped it's head and came closer. Ra didn't move a muscle, hardly breathing as he continued waving his tail. Closer. He thought, mane blowing in the breeze. Closer. He could hear the beating of the serpent's tiny heart as it slithered nearer, desperate for the shade he provided. It moved over the top of his paw, and he made his move. Quickly he slammed his free paw over the snake's head, holding it down firmly as he leaned down to dispatch the critter. He lifted the wriggling body before burying the head. Danger avoided, though he found the body wrapping around his muzzle.
        Upon returning the snake had finally gone limp, and the male could feel his stomach growling on his trek back. He presented his catch to Isis before flopping down to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and though he ate most of it, he split the leftovers evenly between the rest. Afterwards he flopped down onto his side, closing his eyes for the time before the next trial.