[FIN] I need a break. (Saskiranel & Pingana)

[mouselet]

They were sleeping, the little monsters. And with a friend keeping an eye on the cubs, she was free to get some fresh air and a bit of time to herself. That, the Guard decided, was the absolute worst part of motherhood - no time away from the kids. At least, not until they were a bit older. But she shouldn't think so harshly of them, their eyes had only just opened.

Still, it was a beautiful day and though she didn't dare stray too far from her den, damn if she wasn't going to enjoy it while she had the chance!  

[mouselet]

In a small pride like the Kitwana'antara, it was easy enough to know the voices of most, if not all the adults. Smiling, the lioness turned to face her fellow.

"I'm afraid not for some time yet, Pingana," she replied. It would be weeks before she could resume even a portion of her normal duties, months before she would be back entirely. She'd miss it, she was sure, but at least this time she wouldn't be stuck only-the-Goddess-knew-where with only Mel for a companion.

"So the rest of you will just have to keep picking up the slack," Saskiranel concluded cheerfully. She hadn't been back very long before her pregnancy had forced her to cut back on her work as a Guard, so in all likelihood nothing would've changed too much.  

[mouselet]

It was very refreshing to have a conversation with someone...someone who was very much like her, and shared similar values. Guards and Scouts had a great deal in common, just like Guards and Warriors did. All three were fairly dissimilar to Apothecaries, among other ranks.

In other words, Pingana talked sense, and Mel didn't. So she could have an intelligent conversation with him.

"Four, would you believe it?" she answered with a slight wince. She didn't quite feel up to four, and wondered how some of the other mothers in the pride were managing even more than that. "With any luck three of them will make it to adulthood," the lioness continued on a more serious note.  

[mouselet]

Sas nodded. It was difficult to go anywhere in the pride these days without running into a cub or adolescent. The only cubs to grow up without playmates were the incredibly anti-social, and there were a few of those in every pride.

"We can only hope they are so fortunate," she told the other lion. Then she forcefully changed the direction of conversation. "But what about you? Anything - or anyone - new on your life?" the lioness asked.  

[mouselet]

The lioness snickered. Pingana had something of a reputation for not being involved with anyone, and showing no signs of wishing to change his bachelor status. It was a shame, especially since she knew several females in the pride who'd happily have a litter with him.

"So I'd heard," was the response she gave. "Though while things have been quiet overall, I'm still shocked by the population surge! You'd think that half the adults in the pride were going to go to the Goddess tomorrow!"  

[mouselet]

"No, no it's not," Sas agreed. Starting a family hadn't been something she'd planned on too long ago, but she certainly couldn't argue that there were worse times to do so and this stretch of peace was a great asset for cubs. The lioness had her mouth open to protest that Pingana wasn't keeping her when a thin wail came out of her den.

"Duty calls," she replied with a smile. "Don't be a stranger," Sas told Pin as she turned on her heel and almost ran towards her children who were waking, noisily, from their nap.