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 Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:31 pm
Eeva stomped back towards the den, a little scowl on her fine-featured face. She was covered in mud, from head to toe. It plastered the tuft of fur on her head so that she could barely see and hung heavy on her back so that she walked with an odd little lope. Yes, it was clear she'd been adventuring again.
If her parents thought she was going to settle down anytime soon they were sadly mistaken. Her thirst for adventure and wandering into the unknown had barely even scratched the surface. It didn't help that there were so many other adventurous cubs in the lands encouraging her.
A twig snapped somewhere to her left and she froze, lifting her head and scenting the air.
Daddy.
She turned towards him, knowing that he'd given his position away on purpose. She knew what was coming now. She was in trouble.
"Hello, Daddy." She called, trying to keep her voice as rebellious as possible so as to maybe cool his words.
--
"Eeva Subiani!" He only used her full name when she was in trouble. "Just where do you think you've been? And what on earth are you covered in? Mud? What were you doing to get yourself so filthy? Oh, Eeva, you're really going to go too far one of these days."
He wasn't angry, not really. He was just starting to get worried that her adventurous streak hadn't passed. He stomped over to her, pinned her tail beneath a paw and groomed the fur out of her eyes.
--
Rehema wasn't far behind Ona, though she declined from announcing herself until her dark form stepped up beside her mate. She wasn't exactly the leader type... but responsibility was something that was was well-versed in. Between herself and Ona, she hoped they could bring Eva's paws back to earth so to speak.
"Eeva..." She shook her head. Even -she- had never allowed herself to cover herself in mud... The lioness pointed sharply to the spot in front of her. She'd have to turn the talk into a grooming session as well.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:52 pm
She gave a little huff and tried to bat Ona's nose away with a paw, not really in the mood for being cleaned. What she really wanted was to dive into the stream and let the water carry all the muck away. Bathing the regular way would take way too long and she wanted to go and tell her brothers all about it.
When her mother appeared, however, Eeva admitted defeat. Ever since her first hunting lesson she respected her mother a lot more. Her mother could be a fiersome lioness and certainly not one to mess with. Besides, if both of them were here, that meant she was in biiiig trouble.
"I was trying to...mask my scent" She mumbled, not sure what her mother would think if she found out she'd tried to teach herself how to hunt on the rabbits just beyond the hedegerow.
With drooping ears and tail she broke away from her father and sat in front of Rehema, looking up at her sadly.
--
"Oh, Eeva." Ona'raha let her go to her mother with no resistance, sitting to watch the conversation that would come between mother and daughter. He hoped Rehema would be better with her words than he'd be. All he wanted was to tell her not to do it again...but that was pointless because they both knew she would.
"Really, dear, you...you can't keep doing this."
--
"You don't mask your scent with filth... if anything a walking mudball is far more suspicious than a lioness." She reached out to scoop Eeva up and settle her at her paws. "You mask your scent in the wind. Hide down wind... learn to listen to your own movements, be aware of all the elements around you-"
She glanced to Ona, cleared her throat, then settled herself down. "But...that's for another day. We're not here to talk about hunting."
Rehema held Eeva gently as she began licking the back of the cub's neck. Mud... not the worst taste, but a -pain- to clean out from a cub's fur.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:10 pm
She listened to her mother eagerly, her mind absorbing this new information and printing it firmly to memory. She wanted to be a good huntress someday, to make her mother proud. It still amazed her that something which looked so simple and easy was, in reality, exceptionally difficult.
Then her mother changed the subject and she felt an 'uh-oh' coming on. Her father's dissapointed words was obviously steering the direction of her mother's conversation.
"Then...what? Is it because I'm late again? I am sorry. I lost track of time and then I tried to come back as soon as possible." She pouted. "You shouldn't worry so much.
--
Ona'raha smiled. If you wanted to know about hunting, Rehema was your lioness. She knew so much of the technicalities, the ways to do things just right. Hunting was a tricky business, but it seemed she had a natural edge for keeping quiet and hidden away. Suiting, really. Shadow Clan had always prided themselves on their great hunting abilities. Another sign that this place truly was where Rehema belonged.
When his mate trailed off, he took the sign to move closer, positioning himself at her side and watching quietly as Eeva was groomed.
And then the excuses again.
"Eeva..." How was he going to put this? "Being late is only part of it..."
Words failed him.
--
Rehema leaned back slightly. "...Eeva. It's time you begin considering your future in the shadow clan." She began carefully. "Our clan is very small... very weak. It wouldn't take much to end the shadow clan. Out there-" She nodded her head, "A carefree life is a luxury afforded only to larger prides, stronger prides." She sighed.
"You are our daughter... our only daughter. In you beats the blood of nobility through your father. Your father and I won't be around forever... we won't always be able to protect you and your siblings, we won't always be here to give you wisdom." She lowered her head, leveling her eyes with those of Eeva, "We need to you to take care of the clan."
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:19 pm
Wow...this was going to be big.
She glanced up at her father's troubled face and could tell he was searching for the right way to word whatever it was he was trying to say. He was saved by his mate, however, and Eeva's gaze returned to her mother. Her expression suddenly filled with concern, with confusion. What were they trying to say?
Were they saying that she wasn't pulling her weight? That she wasn't living up to Shadow Clan expectation? Her little chest suddenly heaved as she tried to contain her panicked breathing and - unknowingly to her - her eyes filled with tears.
"Mummy..." She paused. "You...You're talking about me being Clan leader, aren't you?" Her whiskers were trembling. "But...but I'm trying."
--
Ona'raha watched sadly as the confusion erupted on his daughter's face. He wanted to hug her and tell her it was okay, but if they didn't tell her what was what now, they might not get another chance before it is too late.
"Eeva, don't take us the wrong way, love. We know you are trying very hard. You are practising hunting, you are kind and loving. Those are good qualities for a Clan leader. But then there are others...your constant running off for one thing. We don't want to crush your adventurous spirit. I don't think that's even possible. But there is going to come a day when the Clan relies on you to make decisions and lead them. What would happen if such a time came and you were off galavanting with friends?"
He leaned against Rehema for support.
--
"A leader needs to be responsible, Eeva... there are burdens that you will shoulder that none others can or will." Her expression remained hardened, focused. It wasn't an easy lesson to learn... like the cub's first hunt, there were unpleasentries that had to be faced. Unfortunately, the discussion had no place for her brother to offer his support.
"It's the role of the leader to protect the members of the pride and to keep the knowlege passed down to them. The stories, traditions, cutsoms- everything. A leader should surround themselves with trusted invididuals...protection. If you are killed, the one who takes your life also takes your place. If you're out running off alone, you not only leave yourself vaunerable, but your pride."
She shook her head, "The king of my pride was killed because he wondered off alone. Responsibility includes responsibility to yourself. Your own safety..."
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:57 pm
She listened long and hard to what her parents were telling her and by the time her mother and father seemed ready to hear her response, she found that she felt somewhat scared and alone. She didn't want to have to shoulder this burden by herself. She didn't want to have her wings clipped and be forced to stay in one place like her father was. Yes, she loved home, but she also loved travelling between clans, meeting new friends and learning new things.
But, she realised sadly, she'd spent so much time learning about other people and their clans that she hadn't taken much time to learn about her own.
"I'm not alone very much..." She offered lamely. "Kohana is there or one of my friends..." Like Chepi, Terema, Sahale or Nekoda... it was very rare she adventured by herself - except on days like today when there just didn't seem to be much of anyone around at all.
She swallowed, feeling those tears threaten. She didn't cry! She didn't cry! So then why was she so tempted now? Because she'd been selfish? Because she'd failed? She opened her mouth to reply and a small, sad sound uttered free.
"I just like...to explore. That's all." But she knew that wasn't the point. "I'm sorry...I know I'm the only one who can do it. I'm the only girl and there's no one else." Her eyes flickered. "And I do want to be Clan leader, I promise I do." Yes, it meant a lot of sacrifices, but she knew it was a position she wanted. She wanted to protect people, more than anything. She adored her Clan more than life itself. "I love the Clan." She continued sadly.
"I'll try harder..."
--
Ona'raha nodded. "That's all we ask of you, Eeva. We know you have a lot of energy, and you can still travel the territory when you are Clan leader, not to mention the times when all the Clans meet. That is one advantage to being an Ela'wadiyian. We're typically nomadic when there are no little cubs in our numbers. We've not moved much because of you and your brothers, but as you grow, we'll move, just as all other Clans will shift. We are not stuck in one place like other prides are."
He leaned close. "I know you love being Shadow Clan, I see it in your eyes when you tell people. And certainly enjoy childhood whilst it lasts, Eeva. But...time goes swiftly. Soon your childhood will be gone and you'll be thrust into responsibilities you haven't prepared for. I hate to cut off your enthusiasm, love, but you are growing. Your teen years await and when they come you'll have to focus on learning about the Clan and its ways, just as your mother said."
--
"Part of being the clan leader is representing the treasured ideals and traditions of the clan or pride." She had been grooming the cub here and there, primarily while Ona spoke to her. She had a long way to go- but progress was progress.
"You can't go looking for trouble anymore... exploring and meeting new clan members is one thing- but looking for danger...for monsters." She shook her head, "I don't think your friend is...completely sound mentally. He seems sweet but... I'm concerned. The top of the mountain is a sacred place to this clan, it's not for mortal paws to tread on."
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:26 pm
"I do. I love the Clan." She insisted, rubbing fiercly at her eyes to keep those rotten tears away. "And I want to learn all about them. I do. I want to make you both proud of me." And that was another truth. It was just a shame that she had such conflicting desires. A desire to prove herself a worthy daughter and Clan leader and a desire to have fun and leap into the unknown. The traits just did not mix and in the end she'd have to choose one way or the other.
"Nekoda is fine, Mum, honestly. He just likes to have fun. I think maybe he doesn't get enough attention or something...maybe that's why he does it. But...I promise...I won't go to the Mountain or do anything like that without checking first..."
She pressed herself to her mother's foreleg. "I'm sorry if I worried you...I'll do better. I promise. I'll make it work. Besides, there's only so much exploring I can do around here before I've seen it all." She smiled, despite the tears.
"Do you...do you think I can really do this?"
--
Ona'raha drew close, aiding briefly on ridding his daughter of further mud. "Of course you can. Like I said before. You have a good heart and the best intentions. As you grow older you'll see where your heart lies. We'll always be proud of you, Eeva, no matter what you rise to become."
He looked upwards. "And so long as you're willing to learn, we can teach you. No just us, but the other members too, including your brothers. Kohana is eager to keep you out of trouble. Maybe listen to him once and a while. He'll steer you back on the right path."
--
"We're both very proud of you." Rehema lifted her daughter's chin with a gentle paw. "We're parents... we will always worry, we will always want to make sure that you're safe... and we'll always be protective of you."
She lowered her head and rubbed her nose against Eeva's. "You'll make a wonderful leader. Just listen to your father's stories, remember them well and take the lessons within them to apply to your life. Pay attention when I teach you to hunt and to fight. The day may come when your claws meet with the flesh of another lion. You have to be strong, you have to know right from wrong...and you have to know how to be responsible. That doesn't always mean you have to be boring- there's plenty of fun to be had within those limitations."
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:41 pm
She nodded and buried her face in her mother's fur, breathing in the warmth of her scent that was different and yet familiar to her own. "Okay. I'll try my best. Better than my best. I won't let you down, either of you." She lifted her ears and wondered if Kohana really could help her keep on track. It was certainly worth a shot. Besides, she was terribly fond of her brother. It'd be good to have him around more.
"So..." She murmered. "Can I...go now?" And she was already bouncing backwards out of reach, a smirk on her face. "I need to tell Kohana about the rabbits!"
--
Ona'raha laughed, rolled his eyes and watched his daughter's impatient frolicking. "Go on, then. Just don't forget what we...told you." He shook his head, watching as the form of their daughter dissapeared out of sight, heading towards the den.
He turned to his mate, sighed deeply, smiled and said.
"Do you think we made any difference?"
--
Rehema chuckled as she sat herself up. "I think we did... she's a smart girl." She glanced over, lowering her ears as her maw soften into a smile, "She's still a cub... give it time. Somtimes the tallest trees grow out of the roughest soil."
Rehema nuzzled her head underneath her mate's chin, purring softly. "I'm very proud of our children...I think we'll see the clan blossom before it's our time to rest."
/fin
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