⚜The making of⚜
Zeliesh began his apprenticeship at the age of 8 months, two full months earlier than the usual juvenille. Understandably, Zeliesh was not happy about this. At all. Instead of pleading with the chief, or setting a better image of himself, he instead stormed into his first training session, reufusing to do anything except glower, occasionally gracing his mentor with a sarcastic smirk. Meeting his mentor, Valeric, with his parents had gone well, his mother had found him charming, and even his father approved, commenting on the older lion's muscled build. Zeliesh had put on his best adorableness act, distain hidden behind shining eyes and laughter. The chief had approved the pair just a few days after the imposed arrangement. 'It'll be good for the new guy, get some experience under his paws. More than he'll need in this lifetime.' he had said with a chuckle, to which Zeliesh, who was sitting across from the overseer, responded to with a huff. It was easy to see the dismay Valeric felt, and at first Zeliesh thought he would be able to push him out of this 'partnership.' Wrong. Valeric began to work the little guy, ignoring his indignified complaints and small antics he performed during teachings. Using the young lion's ego to his advantage, Valeric frequently used reverse phycology to get Zeliesh to cooperate, poking pins into his confidence and daring him just to try and get them out. Those pins were ripped out alright, Zeliesh displaying them proudly with each exercise, with his mentor silently grinning in satisfaction.
As time went on the two slowly began to get closer, whether it be by a simple compliment to the little lion's training, to the habit of Zeli's of joining his mentor for lunch. Instead of having to be taunted, Zeliesh began to actively seek out activities that would push him to his limit, and become a better lion in the tribe. Zeliesh wasn't able to acheive several of the goals he set for himself to reach (they were rather high, considering who this bio is about!), his disablity hindering him. Zeliesh couldn't help but feel humiliated, even as his mentor made sure he was fine with true concern and worry.
Zeliesh did eventually get stronger, though the problem with his lungs did cut in from time to time. His training had gotten harder and rougher, molding and pinching his legs into muscles. Play-sessions with this fellow grew into spars, which eventually led to scuffs over disagrements or simply out of boredom. Zeliesh's mentor wasted no time setting him straight, however they'd both laugh after it afterwards, Zeliesh bragging about how he'd almost had ripped the mane out of the weakling and Valeric cuffing him over the ears for being so conceited.
