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 Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:08 pm
Shomoro lay sprawled contentedly on a warm rock, soaking up the last rays of sun of the day. She was growing slower in her old age, arthritis having long since taken root in her joints, but she had yet to thin. Her children and grandchildren saw to it that she was well cared-for, now that she was unable to hunt. Thankfully, she still remained useful, and enjoyed her duties as an advisor beside her old friend Mosi. Her greatest joy, however, was and always would be her family.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:11 pm
Arasi was ambling his way home after a visit to Lemaa'sheshe and Safi'dhamira when he spotted his mother stretched out on a rock to sun, and he altered course to go and greet her. He still lived with her, and as such saw her day in and day out, but that still didn't mean he would simply pass her by without acknowledging her - he adored Shomoro. He hopped up onto the rock and settled comfortably beside her. "Evening, Mother."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:13 pm
The lioness turned over, looking upside-down at her son and favoring him with a bright, loving smile. "Hello, Arasi. How has your day been? Have you met anyone new today?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:16 pm
Arasi chuckled, shaking his head fondly. His mother had always been nosy, especially about his social life. He knew what she really wanted to hear was that he'd met a lovely lioness, fallen madly in love, and decided to settle down and have cubs. As far as Shomoro was concerned, the more family, the better! "Just an ordinary day. And no, not today I'm afraid. No more grandcubs in the offing for you just yet."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:18 pm
"You know I just want you to be happy, dear." Shomoro laughed, licking Arasi's cheek. "Of course, grandchildren never hurt. If you wait too long, I might not be around to see them!"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:19 pm
"Don't be silly, mother." Arasi returned the affectionate lick. "You're going to be around for a good long time yet. At least long enough to see some great-great-grandchildren!"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:21 pm
The golden lioness chuckled, then sighed, turning serious. "You know, Arasi, there is something I ought to tell you. You're all old enough to know by now."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:23 pm
"Old enough to know what?" Arasi blinked owlishly at his mother as she rolled back onto her belly, fixing him with her bright green eyes - the very eyes he had inherited.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:31 pm
"Well, you know that I'm old," she began with a laugh, "Quite old, really. Older than Mosi or Lemaa'sheshe...or, I wager, most everyone in the pride by this point. I know you never met them, but you remember Simi's grandparents, right? And the story of his great-grandfather Ahadi and the usurpers?"
Upon his confirmation, Shomoro continued, "The usurpers were here long enough to leave more than stories - they sired at least two cubs. I was one of those cubs. My father was Kamambe. Once I was born, my mother, Dini, ran away with me. I returned after she died."
"Now and then, she would tell me stories - and if they're anything to go by, you look just like your grandfather. We both have his eyes."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:34 pm
...oh. Oh. Arasi listened attentively, and finally gave a slow nod. it was...odd. This was obviously important to his mother, but to him, those things had always just been stories. He supposed what she was telling him was akin to some sort of family secret - she certainly took it very seriously. "Oh. Does...anyone else know?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:38 pm
"Only Bushido. I told Sarabi, of course, when I first came here. She was kind enough to accept me, and not hold my parentage or my mother's cowardice against. Since then, I've done my best to live well, to make up in my way for what my father did. I can never change it, I know, but I could learn from it and not make such mistakes."
"I thought...perhaps it should be your legacy, now. All of yours."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:39 pm
"I understand." Arasi nodded, the brushed his cheek against his mother's. "Will you be telling all the rest of us, or would you like me to?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:41 pm
"Well...there are quite a few of you." Shomoro chuckled. "How about we both do?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:42 pm
"Alright, mother." Arasi smiled at Shomoro again, before pushing himself to his feet. "I'll go find dinner, and meet you at home." He jumped from the rock, padding away in search of prey, and a little time to think.
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