for the prompt “birds.” I follow the animated movie canon, but I enjoy borrowing things from the live action universe because I’m like the one person who genuinely enjoys the remake to the point that I actually use most (not all) of the 2019 voice cast for my hc. not that anyone would know cuz this isn’t an audio media lol but it’s a silly fact. i decided to pair up that shoebill from the mufasa movie with Zazu.
Zazu and Nyakua (“grab”) met in their young adulthood after Nyakua saved Zazu from an attacking rogue. They married a few years later. Animals would find Nyakua very intimating because of his size and intense face, but he was an earnest, gentle guy. While a little dopey and clumsy to onlookers, Zazu saw his dear ‘Kua as a dashing hero; he saved his life after all, and was eager to help any animal in need. Unfortunately because my current hc has Zazu/Mzingo, my plan is that Nyakua doesn’t survive Scar’s reign, sacrificing himself to the hyenas in exchange for Zazu only being imprisoned instead of killed. (Zazu isn’t banished like the remake, but is similarly trying to undermine Scar and help sneak animals/information out.)
However, I am questioning if I wanna go through with that, cuz I’ve become pretty fond of the guy. Shoebills are so cool. And tvtropes has called Mzingo and Hadithi foils and I’m all about foil ships. But I also really like Zazu/Hadithi !!!!! I think if Zazu is gonna find love again after losing a spouse then it should be with a handsome famous hero. I dunno. I dunno !! I’ll have to draw some of these ships in my style to see which one I actually vibe with. For now regardless of which Zazu ship I go with, I think I am sticking to Nyakua passing; it feels weird to phrase it this way, but I like how it gives him something to bond with Sarabi and Sarafina over outside of just Mufasa’s loss.
pixelskylines
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
germansingergirl
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
