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 Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:33 am
Her condition had improved drastically in the few days since the wall. No longer was her red pelt covered in sand, back to being well groomed. As well, she was no longer bones and fur; there was some meat on her bones. Ideally, she needed to gain more weight to be normal, but she looked better. At the current moment the Mlumbaji was watching the rogue lands beyond the trees that hid the ocean and her pride.
Her violet eyes had not gazed this direction in many days, not since her love had come back to her. Since the cub had found his way to the pride, she felt the need to be here. Other travelers might be in rough shape too, looking for the place to rest and the home that does not chain them.
There could be sinister forces out there as well, as a mother she could not just wait for lions and others to find their way to her, she needed to be there to greet them and judge their intentions before they could get farther.
It was also peaceful, reminded her of her younger days. They were harder and only seven months before, but they were not the worst times of her life either.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:25 pm
Siti moved across the rogue lands, she was extremely restless and a bit on edge. Her cubs would come by tomorrow, she was sure of that. She was also sure that she needed to find a safe place to bring them into the world. The den where Udo and Korrin currently slept was not big enough for the occasion, and the skins and the three of them.
Siti moved along tiredly searching hoping to soon find a good place. At the same time she did not wish to move to far away from where Udo and Korrin slept. She thought to Jishin and how she was miss the leotah female, having parted from her not to long ago.
Siti figured that she would find a better place in the tree up ahead and if she did not she would head back and try again later. She padded toward the tree focused on her search.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:00 pm
By luck, the wind brought a scent to her, lioness. Turning her eyes, she searched for the figure. Upon the distance, she saw the figure, though was not close enough to get much details. Starting up, she walked closer to the other lioness. Her posture was friendly, ears erect and relaxed movements.
As always, a rogue is to be treated with caution, so she kept distance between them. Once she was close enough that there was a reasonable chance that the two would hear and understand each other, she paused. Calling out, she greeted the other, "Hello, traveler, greetings!" She felt more secure because her cubs were very safe beyond the trees to the ocean. Besides, by first glance, the greatest danger she saw was if she got too close without making her intentions clear. Of course, the distance had another benefit and warning, the lioness was very well rounded. Either she was eating far more than her fill and not moving very much, or she was pregnant. Her own terror over her pregnancy never left her.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:15 pm
Siti was a bit surprised when the other female called out to her and greetful for the distance kept between them. She had never been in the area of the lands before and she did not know if she would be viewed as potential threat. She stopped and looked to the female before calling out to her.
"Hello, good day." The other female did not seem very threatening and she her greeting was pleasant enough, so Siti decided it would be okay to ask her where she was.
"My name is Nabila Siti," she said introducing herself before asking her question. "Excuse me, but would you happen to know where I am."
Siti was hoping that in knowing where she was she would know where she should and should not go. She also hoped that maybe the female would be able to help direct her.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:34 pm
It was a good sign; the female didn't growl at her or back up. Approaching a little closer, but still kept the distance. Hearing her name, she smiled and returned the exchange of names, "Lovely name, Nabilia Siti. My name is Senatla, but you can call me Sen." She'd guess that Nabilia has a shortening of her name as well, but it hadn't been mentioned. The scaring told of fighting a life on the roguelands, but the saying of the name at least told her this lioness had been around others.
Where was she? Well, that was a great opening that begged to be taken, "You are in the rogue lands. Passed the trees behind me is the ocean and the Simbafutaji pride. The pride itself is a safe haven for travelers. We welcome anyone looking for some where to rest, or a pride to call home." Judging by the midsection, a safe place to rest is just what the lioness needed.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:52 pm
Siti smiled. 'A safe haven for traveler' she thought. She could not believe how fortune had smiled upon her. She already loved her cubs so much and now she was beginning to think that they were her good luck charm and silently thanked Mito for them. So far they had bought her companions, which were more like her own children to her now and maybe a home.
Siti had been looking for a pride for so long and wondered if maybe her cubs had chosen for her, but she decided it was best not to rush the idea.
"You may call me Siti, if you like. The pride sounds wonderful, a safe haven is exactly what I am in need of right now. I am almost certain my cubs will come, soon, with a day most likely. The den I am currently using is just not suitable. I wish for my cubs to have a safe birth. Not to mention a place that is safe for Udo and Korrin while I rest after they are born."
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:10 pm
She guess wrong on the part she was called by, one of these days she would get a 2 out of 3 on guessing. Slightly surprised, her mind whirled as she already made a place for Siti in her mind, "I am a young mother myself, Siti. When I found my sister again, I was almost ready to give birth myself, in the roguelands without a pride. You have no reason to worry any longer; there is a den for you and those that come with you. It will be big enough for a whole litter and more. There are a lot of cubs in the pride but my sister and her mate plus I and my mate are more than enough to make sure everyone is happily fed. Resting will be your only worry if you chose to stay with us." She was getting too far ahead of herself memories of the past getting in her way.
Slowing down, she turned slightly so her bod was turned towards to the trees and what lied beyond but her face and attention was on the lioness. "If you would like to tour our pride and see the dens, I would love to show you Siti." Her pride had a lot to offer, so much more then what she had on her own. The only thing she wished was that Ubo and Korrin were not hyena.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:02 pm
Siti smiled at hearing that Sen was also a mother. The thought of there being many other cubs for her cub to play with made her very happy. She had wanted a pride for so long and it seemed as though she had simply walked right into the perfect one.
"Thank you Sen. I have actually been looking for a place to call home for a long time. I thought I had found a home in En Gedi, but there beliefs on unnaturally colored lions was not something I agreed with. It seems to me the Simbafutaji would be a wonderful place. If I were to stay I doubt I would rest long, I love to climb and am good at hunting. I like to be moving."
Siti looked toward the trees and Sen, then back in the direction of her current den. "I would love to see the pride and the dens, but I would rather not wander to far from my sleeping cubs."
It seemed that now Siti always referred to the two as her own, although they were not, but neither seemed to have much interest in leaving her and to her they were like sons. Plus her explanation was easier than the story of how they had come to be together.
She hoped the female would understand, or that the pride was not to far and that the two would be safe.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:19 pm
Listening to her story about the En Gedi, she understood why she was against it. If they didn't like unnaturally color, it was highly unlikely they would like leopons. "My cubs are leopons they love to climb so you'll have novice company among the trees." As one mother to another, she hoped she'd have extra set of eyes to look after her cubs when they were playing in the trees. Remembering her own birth, she cautions, "Trust me, after giving birth to a litter, you'll like a little rest. Between all the adults in the pride, you'll have the babysitters should you need them. One of the rules of the pride is all adults look after the cubs." They were there to support and care for each other, just like a family.
Understanding to the reluctance to leave cubs behind, she told the lady, "You could be there and back before a leaf hits the ground." Well, maybe longer, considering running while heavily pregnant is not the easiest thing in the world. Starting forward, she paused, waiting for Siti to either come, or continue talking here. Rushing a new possible member wouldn't help. More than anything, she wanted the lady where she would be safe and secure before giving birth, to spare her what she went through.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:47 am
Siti smiled at the thought of climbing and having fun and the trees with little Leopon cubs. She thought that maybe when her cubs were big enough maybe they could help teach the to climb.
"Udo is a leopon cub. It will be good for him to have others to play with, although I don't recall him climbing as of yet. We have not been together very long."
She listened as Sen spoke of resting and the rule of all adults looking after cubs and she thought it was wonderful. "That is a wonderful, you know your cubs are being looked after while you are not with them."
Siti was also comforted by the fact that Sen assured her the distance between the pride and her current den was not far, so she looked back once more then headed after Sen. She figured Udo and Korrin would be safe for the time being.
Siti thought that even though she had yet to see the pride or the dens, she already felt as though she had found a home here. Sen seemed warm and inviting and she hoped the pride to be the same.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:47 am
She knew she liked Siti, knowing that the lioness would have no problem with her cubs being leopons proved it. Her worries are always unfounded, but she was happy to proven wrong in that manner. Her own cubs were young enough, playing with younger cubs shouldn't be a problem. "With my six" She said with a smile, yeah, she had huge litter and was pound of her little darlings, "Udo will be encouraged to go climbing in no time, if only to not be at a disadvantage during games of tag." Motsu and Sewelo were huge climbers, and Sewelo was very enthusiastic about it. So long as it never rained cubs, laughter in the trees would be a welcome addition to the sounds of the pride.
It was a relief, especially how the pride was made up, "It is really reliving, to know that even when I am doing my duties as one of the leaders, my cubs always have someone to look after and play with them. There are hardly more entertaining activities then teaching and playing with a lot of adorable cubs." It was her favorite thing to do; then again, teaching was part of her job which made it even easier. Rules were one of her jobs, but that would come later. Siti had already done part of it. She knew nothing of the En Gedi, the young female gave her an insight into the pride thus satisfied part of knowledge requirement.
Assured that Siti was going to follow her, she fully turned towards the pride. Starting off, she kept at a walk. Even moving at a comfortable pace, the forested area around them passed by as the sounds of the gently rolling waves started to mix with the lively sounds of birds and other forest animals, the sound track to her happiness. It was something, everything moving and calling, life was everywhere. Eyes up, the red lioness watched for anything moving in the trees that needed supervision. No signs of her sons or daughters, so she looked forward. Taking a deep breath of salt water in the air, she turned to the lady with her and commented, "Welcome to the ocean." A paw out of the bold green flora, grass began but gave under weight. Unlike the rogelands, sand under the grass made for softer footing. From the short stretch of sand sprawled endless rising and falling waters and wide belt of light brown sand marbled with paw prints. Looking at the prints, you could see a story of bounding cubs, and strolling adults plus a few canine prints speckled around.
The left and right had caves chipped out of the rocky cliff side. "These are the dens the rest of the pride uses, but there are areas in the jungle that could be dug out for a den as well. "Turning, she walked towards the large area of naturally cut out homes. "The biggest one away from the others is the Kifuko's den. In this pride we value information and learning, it is the Kifuko's duty to keep the knowledge so anyone might use it. My job is to handle teaching about the world around us, rules of the pride and teaching about other prides. Members are allowed and encouraged to roam when they wish, above the age of juvenile without needing a parent or guardian with them. I make sure to warn of prides that are not good to travel through and what customs to observe in the prides they pass. The Ipi deals with the defense of the pride and values information on fighting and defense. This pride has never seen violence within its own boarders, but we can act if need be." It took from the beginning of her explanation to the end to find the den she was looking for.
The den was not quite as big as hers; the widest just past the entrance could take three males shoulder to shoulder with an adol on their back. It went five lions deep, besides the very end there was always room for at least two lions shoulder to shoulder. The very end was smaller but far enough back that she felt it wouldn't cause a problem. Standing to the side, she did not go in. As far as she was concerned, until Siti decided she didn't want it, this was her den. Without an invitation, she would not enter another's den. "Here we are, this one is only two den spaces away from my own den, what do you think? It’s far enough that not even the highest tide can come close to threatening the warmth and dryness of the inside. If you like it, it is yours to keep and do with as you like." One day, Sen thought warmly, she would travel and know her den was always there to return to. It was the same for all the pride. One day she would work on building dens in the jungle, in case there was ever a bad time with the water as there was in the Bahari pride. For now, life was safe and content.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:19 am
"Wow, six" said Siti. "How wonderful. I hope that I have a large litter. I do so love being a mother, as I have really come to realize as of late. And I do so hope to see Udo, able to play and have a good time."
Siti had to agree with Sen on the thought of nothing being more fun than teaching and playing with cubs. Passing on knowlegde was a wonder in itself and cubs always seemed so eager to learn. Siti took note that Sen was one of the leader and was assured that the pride itself would be a good one, having such a kind and respectful leader.
Siti followed beside Sen and was surprised paw hit the soft sanding ground. She gasped as she looked to the ocean. It was something she had never seen before and extremely beautiful. This place was amazing and Siti was in awe that she had managed to make her way to such an amazing place.
She turned her attention to Sen again as she spoke, referring to the dens and the customs of the pride. Siti paid close attention, storing away the information into memory. For the most part it was all straight forward and Siti was hooked, being sold of the fact that she could still travel if she wished, her cubs as well. She knew she wanted Mito to meet them someday. She could not help, but to smile brightly, she had found where she belonged. Simbafutaji.
When the pair stopped at a large den Siti starred wide eyed at it. It was perfect and just what she was looking for. She noticed Sen stand aside, then explained it was for Siti. She entered the den and nose around a bit before coming back out and bowing slightly to Sen.
"Thank you for your kindness. This place is beautiful and I would like very much to stay. It feels like home already and I have only just gotten here. I think Udo and Korrin will love it as well."
Siti wondered if Sen would be able to help her move the skins she had collected to the den along with Udo and Korrin as well, but did not really want to feel like a burden, since Sen had already given so much.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:56 am
She wasn't going to say it, but looking at Siti's body, the lioness was sure that the other would have a large litter. Granted, she had never seen anyone else pregnant before and could only go on what she felt with her own body. However, she felt it was a good enough judging. Smiling proudly, her response was one filled with maternal pride, "Thank you, they may be a pawfull but I feel so lucky to have them." Little Udo, she wondered if the cub had reached hard times because of what he was, here that wouldn't happen. Leopons are accepted as any other cub, normal as the waves and the gulls. "I think he will, besides my cubs, there are two other lion cubs in the pride currently, but I suspect my sister is ready for a litter of her own, her daughter will make such a good big sister. My mate found a cub recently that needed a home and someone to care for him, as soon as he is comfortable, he'll make my number of cubs go to seven." There was a family dynamic she didn't think to explain, how they were related and yet not by blood. No longer did she even think of it, fact of life and that was all. As soon as her own cubs grew, she was eager to have another litter before taking some time to travel herself.
She was a good reflection of the rest of the pride in manner, everyone was nice here. Siti seemed a perfect fit for her pride, she was very glad to have found her instead of having her suffer alone with cubs already plus birthing more. There were things out there, like hyena. It wasn't fair, she really needed to stop disliking them in case one comes to live. One proud point, she hid her distrust of the mangy creatures away from her cubs so they would grow up to accept all while she battled the demons from her cubhood.
That gasp caught the young leader's attention quick. Pausing, Sen looked around to see what caused it. Concern faded to a warm smile, the ocean had that affect on others. If she had any less self control, her leadership air would fade to excited adol. This was so much fun, seeing how much Siti liked her home was enough to make her giddy. However, she was trying to behave in a serious manner. The smile never left though, the happiness in helping another had to come out somewhere, after all.
Siti liked the den, now she was really proud of herself. Just watching the lady look around reminded her of when she first got here and was inspecting the place as a new home. Siti would make a great mother, just watching her she could see she had all the instincts. Having taken in others, there was plenty of experience under her pelt.
Somethings didn't need to be asked, such as for help. "Would you like help moving Udo and Korrin into the den? I'd love to help you and your family settle into your new home. As well, a hunt is returning shortly. Cubs and those with cub eat first, you are welcome to your fill if you are hungry." Considering the lady was close to her time, food sounded like a good idea. One needed extra food to prepare for such an event. Speaking of, "My sister helped me with my birthing; we can both be here to help you through yours if you would like friends nearby for comfort and support." Thili could easily entertain Ubo and Korrin, at least Ubo since she didn't know how old Korrin was, so the cub could be occupied during the joyous event.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:21 am
Siti was glad that Sen had offered to help her move in and she was grateful she would get to have a meal before she gave birth. She knew it would be a tiring process.
"Thank you Sen, that would be wonderful. I can't wait to get settled in. I am very excited for the birth, even if I am little nervous." Siti stomach growled slightly. Typically she hunted in the morning, but this morning she had not so, she was indeed hungry. "I guess a little food would be a good thing to have a well."
Siti moved a bit past Sen and turned to face her. "I would love to have your help and I can not wait to meet the rest of the pride, especially all the cubs. I bet they are all simply adorable. Shall we go then, Udo and Korrin will probably be waking soon."
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:49 pm
Helping a new mother move in was a great task, Sen was very happy she was allowed to be involved in the move. Becoming full members was secondary to these moments. She always believed there are two futures, the most imporant revolved around the cubs, the secondary was the pride.
With a nod, she responded, "Alright, lead the way, the ocean awaits them." The look of awe on cub's faces is priceless, same with the adults. Looking to the ocean a moment, she no longer felt free enough to go play, but others could enjoy it. Looking back, she waited for Siti to lead her.
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