[ORP] Meditating on pain (N'Seka, anyone)

[Annchen]

((Open to N'Seka's family and friends, and I guess just about anyone that have the need for a priest.))

N’Seka's was propped up in an awkward looking position outside the den he shared with his mate and his cubs. His lungs hurt, and after lots of trial and error he had decided that this position made most sense to help him breathe without wheezing too much. Each breath still hurt to some degree, but it was a pain he could manage. This was almost like meditation. He got a pause that was nearly without pain between breathing in and breathing out. The sun warmed his coat. Today was rough, but bearable. Lady Pestilence liked to remind him that he belonged to her, and that she'd call him home for good sooner or later. He wondered if he'd get to see his cubs grow up. Each day they learned something new, and each day they gave him so much laughter and joy. He was blessed to have Malaya and the little ones.

"The Goddess gives and the Goddess takes," he said softly.

He didn't move around as much, but he'd found that people still came for his services. He could still perform many of his duties as a priest, and he was easy to find if someone needed him. The stronger and younger priests could handle the ceremonies that required more strength than he had left. Breathe in, pause, breathe out. The pain was slowly fading away, or perhaps it was just him getting used to it.  

[magnadearel]

There were days when she felt guilty about not being sick. It hurt especially bad when N'Seka suffered the most. Malaya did all that she could to care for the ill lion. Today had been a day off from scouting, and she had taken Tryphena out with her to hunt. The cub had been on her best behavior. Malaya had successfully taken down an antelope. When Tryphena had expressed interest in the unusual patterning on the pelt, she pulled the piece off and gave it to her to bring back to her father.

Malaya kept an eye on her cub as she carried her prize the same way she was doing with the antelope. It made her smile to herself. As the pair made their way back home, Malaya searched the area around the den. She was pleased to see N'Seka outside in the sun. His position looked uncomfortable to her, but he said it helped and she wasn't going to argue. Setting the family's meal down for a moment so she could greet her mate; resting her forehead lightly against his as she purrs.

"How are you doing N'Seka?"





She was so pleased when her mother allowed her to go on the hunting trip. Even if she had to stay back and watch. Quietly she cheered as her mother broke cover and chased after the prey. As soon as it was down, Tryphena bounced out of hiding and ran to congratulate her. The unusual pattern caught her. Naturally she commented on it. Much to her delight, Malaya pulled the piece off and gave it to her. She flopped on it and hugged it until the lioness was ready to go.

Tryphena grabbed hold of it by a corner and dragged the rest between her front paws. A bit awkward, but manageable. She wanted to show this to her father. By the time they reached the den area she was tired. The pelt got heavier and heavier. She didn't want to admit it and have her mother carrier it though. When Malaya went to greet N'Seka she took the chance to stop and catch her breath. Breath caught she pulled the piece up for her father's inspection.

"Look what mother let me carry home! I like the pattern on it." She proudly spread it out for his examination.

(If you own a cub from Malaya's litter and wish to be returning with her, go ahead. ^_^ )  

[Mogami]

Dumaka was having a good day. His chest didn’t hurt too terribly and he hadn’t coughed up anything greenish in color so he’d been near the border for most of the morning. As he passed the den of one of his brothers, Dumaka considered the possibility of paying N’Seka a visit if he didn’t look too busy.

As he moved closer, however, the Guard spotted the black and blue lioness and hesitated. He’d rather not interrupt a little family moment… then again, he was family. There could be no harm in just saying a quick hello. With a little nod to himself, Maka started moving forward again.

“Hey.” He greeted the little group with a friendly smile, taking in his brother’s state in silence. N’Seka didn’t seem to be at his best. Maka could almost feel his pain just by looking at his brother.  

[Depawsit]

Mlinzi had been at the borders, much as he was everyday. Greeting passing rogues, listening to their tales of freedom, you know, all the good things in life! But today, had not been a good day, in fact it was downright slow. Not a single rogue had encountered him on their journey. It was highly unusual for him to go so long without meeting someone, but he thought little of it.

Until he had caught a familiar whiff in his snout.

Malaya and Tryphena.

A small smile formed across his maw as he thought of his friends, and how long it had been since he'd bumped into them. Perhaps it was time for a visit yes?

----

It took him a fair bit of time to get back to the dens but when he did, he could both smell and hear they Malaya and Tryphena were already back. Coughing lightly to clear his throat, he took a step further and dipped his head. He had no way of knowing exactly where his friends stood, so he simply dipped his head in a general direction.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I caught Malaya and Tryphena's scent, and realized just how long it had been since i'd seen my old friends.

May I stay for a spell and visit with you, my friends?"

Annchen

Xil was doing his typical morning routine, sleeping, and sleeping LOUDLY. So he hadn't gone with his Mother to hunt, and had yet to realize how rough of a time his Father was having. In fact, it wasn't until he heard the familiar voice of both his Mother and Sister that he rolled over a yawned his large cublike yawn.

Standing up, he was a little woozy on his paws and nearly fell over once or twice. But soon he found his footing and pranced out of the den, his eyes still full of sleep. Bleary eyed, he looked around at the lions around him and realized not only was his Mother and Sister home, but Uncle Mlinzi was here as well. The little cub's heart jumped in his chest, but he knew better than to run at his Uncle. Instead he made his way over to Tryphena.

"What is that?

Where did you get it?!"

It was too late for her to try and hide it now, Xil had his eyes on it and that meant cubhhod jealousy wasn't far behind.

magnadearel

 

[Annchen]

N'Seka had reached a trance like state where the pain existed, but was something separated from him. Breathing and focusing his thoughts on the Goddess could do that. The arrival of his mate and cubs made him snap out of his dreamy state. Company was good too. When his cubs played around him, he thought less about what his own body was up to. N'Seka studied the treasure his daughter had carried home. The pattern was unusual and beautiful.

"Very nice," he said and smiled. He couldn't afford to use many words today. "You carried it home?" There was pride in his voice. She was strong, and if the Goddess should chose to bless her he knew she would be able to cope with it.

He was glad to see Dumaka and nodded to him in greeting. Family was always welcome here. His old friend Mlinzi was as good as family.

"Mlinzi," he said, knowing that the apothecary might not have full use of his eyes today.



Isifo had enjoyed the hunting trip. She might not have anything to show for it, but she had definitely helped! She'd stayed silent and watched while mommy hunted and she'd chewed a bit on the antelope's leg to make sure it was properly dead.

"Uncle Maka!" she chirped and ran up to the striped lion to give his forelegs a friendly head butt. He was blessed like dad, but not as sick so she didn't have to be as careful if she felt like pouncing him. "Did you guard stuff today?"

She caught another familiar scent, and turned to see Mlinzi. He used big words when he talked and the cub had to think for a moment before getting what he was saying. He was visiting too? Cool!

"Uncle Mlinzi!" she called, and waved with one paw. It hadn't dawned on her that the pale lion probably couldn't see her gesture.

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Mogami

Depawsit

magnadearel

 

[magnadearel]

Annchen

Mogami

Depawsit

Malaya looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see two familiar faces approaching. Seeing how N'Seka was probably in a great deal of pain she remained standing to greet their guests. "Dumaka, it's so nice of you to stop by. Seems you're just in time for a family chat." She smiled at the white and orange lion.

"Mlinzi dear you know its never an intrusion. Family is always welcome here, and so are dear friends." Malaya chuckled slightly as she watched Isifo run to greet Maka. "Tryphena be a dear and show Mlinzi a place to sit, Isifo you can escort Dumaka." She settled herself by N'Seka, casually scooping her son closer to give him a bath. "Slept all day did you?" The lioness asked between licks.



Tryphena gave an eager wiggle as Maka and Mlinzi joined them. Her ears flicked as she heard Xil's voice. She looked down her nose a moment at her lazy brother. "I," she emphasized with a bit of hautiness in her voice, "got it by going with mother to a hunt. If you had come with us instead of sleeping you might have gotten one too. Don't you dare think of stealing it Xil! This is a present for daddy." The female cub huffed, then pushed the skin close to N'Seka. She gave him a light affectionate nuzzle on his cheek.

The cub looked up as her mother asked her to see Mlinzi to a seat. "Yes mother!" She bounced over and rubbed against the bigger lion's leg. "This way and come sit by mother." She walked beside him, keeping her littler body close and purring.
 

[Mogami]

Dumaka could tell his brother wasn’t doing too well. Old habits die hard and when Dumaka saw N’Seka hiding his pain, he instantly had the urge to cough. He stopped it on time and instead just smiled at all the little moving shapes that now littered the ground.

“It’s good to see you.” He said to his brother before giving the white lion who had joined them a quick nod of acknowledgement. He then turned to Malaya, his smile widening. “They’re growing up so fast.”

To the cub that had called out to him, the Guard lowered his head and grinned.

“Hello, Isifo.” She was such a pretty little girl. Actually, that was one thing N‘Seka should be proud of: he had one really good looking bunch of kids. “I did. No bad guys on sight.”  

[Annchen]

((Sorry! My muse just went: "lol nope!" for a while there))

N'Seka smiled. He loved being surrounded by family and friends like this. It warmed his heart that Tryphena wanted him to have the pelt, and that she'd been strong and stubborn enough to carry it home. She'd probably be perfectly capable of protecting it from her brother too, but hopefully things would not have to come to that.

"Play nice Xil," he said, "We can look at it together. Why don't you cubs tell uncle Mlinzi what it looks like?"

He traced the pattern with his paw.


"Oh, good," Isifo said and bumped her head against Dumaka's front legs again, "I don't like bad guys."

She wasn't doing a very good job of escorting him, since it would be hard for him to move without stepping on the bouncy little cub. Eventually Isifo realised that and took a few steps towards the family gathering. She was much more interested in talking than admiring the pelt, so she ignored the squabble. The pelt was nice, sure, but it hadn't managed to capture her interest for very long and she was already bored with it. It was much more interesting to talk to the grown ups!

"We can sit over here," she announced, and ran in circles in the spot she wanted Uncle Maka to sit.

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Mogami

Depawsit

magnadearel