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 Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:59 pm
Xieros had been cast a very unfair hand for being such a little cub. With the violent and deadly takeover of her former pride, the loss of all of her family, and a fear that she too would be hunted and killed made her life rather miserable. She had grieved over her losses, but had been too afraid to truly grieve for herself.
There wasn't time for that. She had to be alert and aware so as not to fall in to a trap. Already she'd been snapped at by various others, creatures that weren't friendly, creatures that didn't want to be bothered by a cub. It was rough being so small and so alone. Unfortunately for Xieros, there wasn't much chance she'd survive long. Her paws were bloody from how far she had travelled over the rough terrain; her form was thin, weak from malnourishment and starvation. Her coat had lost its glossy sheen, she was dehydrated, and was in dire need of a good grooming.
An unpleasant sight, really, but there was spirit to her. She would keep running until she couldn't run any longer. Unfortunately for Xieros, she had long ago stopped running. Her pace was slow, her steps weary, and it hurt to continue. All she wanted to do was sleep and not worry about who was near, about the emptiness of her stomach, and hole in her heart.
She was alone. All alone. And it scared her. Step by step, the little cub shuffled on through the grasses of the savanna. She stared at her paws, not bothering to pay attention to her surroundings. While usually skiddish, right now she was just too exhausted to care who or what saw her and her plight.
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:39 pm
In the here and now, night had fallen, but both she and Tangir had continued padding along, their agreement to keep traveling through the night unspoken. They didn't know where they were headed, but it felt good to pad, side by side, beneath the sparkling expanse of the night sky. The weather was blessedly mild, which also made traveling a pleasure.
Raska was still recovering. There was another miracle of the last few days! Though it was Tangir that had rescued the poor little thing, it was Delphia that she had taken to most. She cast a smile up at the small body nestled at the base of Tangir's neck, buried deep in his thick mane. It was amazing how much life could change in such a short time. Little did she realize the changes were not done with her.
As the moon rose heavily above the mountainous horizon, a steady but subtle source of movement caught the grey lioness's attention. She chuffed lightly to get her mate's attention and stared at the slight but predictable movement of grasses, showing something small moving through them. Something slow. Delphia cast an alarmed look at Tangir. Another little lost soul that needed saving?
Perhaps it was somet motherly instinct, inducing her to move. Despite the fact that the big male slowed warily, the lioness sped up, moving to a slow trot towards this steady movement. When she saw what it was, she gave an audible cry of dismay before slapping a paw across her own mouth. It wouldn't do to startle or upset the little darling!
And oh, what a pitiful little thing she was, too! It made Delphia's heart ache painfully to see her, trudging along mindlessly. It was a cub, obviously gone days and days without food, probably water too. She was in such a sad state, it was a wonder she was even moving at all! But how best to approach her without scaring the poor child more witless than her body could endure? There was no thought as to whether there could be an adult nearby connected to her. No decent adult would have let a cub come to this impasse. Ever.
Something stirred within her, urging her to act. Without preamble, depending on a cub's natural instinct to need caring for, the grown lioness did not speak or hesitate. She merely walked over and gently curled one paw about the cub, laying down and drawing the small, fragile body to herself as she did so. Oh, the night's light was kind! The poor child was naught but skin and bones! Tears fell upon the tiny female as Delphia gathered her close and lent her healthy body's warmth to the cub own meager temperature. Still wordless, with tears dripping steadily down her face for this poor lost little soul, Delphia bent her head and slowly began to lick the cub's ragged fur.
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:48 pm
Tangir watched her move away with trepidation. Their relationship was relatively new, though, and he wasn't sure how or if his words would upset her, nor when. Not to say she was a fickle female. Far from it. She was probably the most grounded, solid, and calm female he'd ever met. Her natural serenity radiated from her, helping those around her to think clearly, see honestly, and react thoughtfully. He had never been a brash male before meeting her, but since he'd joined paths with her and found himself inexplicably bound with her, he'd found himself pondering things more deeply before choosing an action.
So it was that he didn't speak immediately when she left his side. He stopped to consider if it was rude or insensitive of him to call her back out of worry for her safety. Thus, he had just opened his mouth to speak a warning when he heard her cry aloud. It pierced his heart and he very nearly lurched into a bolt to reach her, but the significance of the tone of voice stopped him from moving fast neough to dislodging the healing genet from his shoulders.
Though her voice had held utter dismay, it had held no fear, nor pain. He moved cautiously after her, his mind whilring for what could have caused such a sharp sound to come from the normally mellow female he'd chosen to spend his life with. He saw her bending over something, then lay down, her body unintentionally masking whatever it was. Had she found another unfortunate small animal to care for? He had to smile at the thought of them gathering a menagerie of lesser animals to them as they traveled. But what, truly, had she found?
He moved quietly and slowly around her, so as not to further upset whatever creature Delphia cradled so close to her chest. When he caught sight of her charge, he very nearly cried out himself in alarm. Held tenderly by what comparatively was a rather large paw there was a small, thin, limp little body, very clearly feline in nature, but not at all a serval. Why... was that a starved little lion cub?!
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:09 pm
Step by painful step. It was the only thing Xieros could focus on, the only thing she knew she had to do. Keep walking, as far away from that place as possible. So focused on putting one paw in front of the other, the young cub was unaware that she had been located. In fact, she very well could have walked right past Delphia and still not have taken note of her close proximity. As alert as Xieros knew she should be, as alert as she tried to be, she was just too tired and malnourished to care. She pretended she was alert, but her eyes were heavy, her stomach empty, and her body fatigued. No, for anyone who saw her, she was an easy target.
Exhausted as she was, it was with great surprise that she suddenly found herself trapped. A huge paw reached out from out of no where, and she found herself pulled towards something, someone. The little cub tried to cry out, tried to squirm away and fight, but she was no match to the giant paw made of grey and white fur. All she managed to do was offer a weak and winded mew, more a squeak than anything, and a few nips at the trespassing paw before she succumbed to the wamrth and close embrace. Part of Xieros expected she would soon be chewed up, eaten limb-from-limb, but she couldn't defy her fate. She couldn't keep fighting anymore. . . There really was no reason to stay alive, was there?
Absolutely petrified, Xieros did the only thing she could think of - she hid her head under paws and waited for the inevitable end. An end that, strangely enough, didn't come in the form of pain or bites. In fact, se felt a few drops of moisture, like a rain, upon her back and then the most foreign sensation - she was being groomed!
Xieros remembered grooming. She remembered the warmth of her mother, her siblings, her family, even if some of their faces were blurred. She had been very young when she had been driven away, and it had been a long time since she had felt any kindness. But grooming was both something learned and instinctual, it was a kindness that made her instantly think of that one term she had lacked for so long: Mother.
Even if she wanted to fight Delphia, even if she didn't want the attention, didn't want the comfort, it was too late. That one action was enough for Xieros to give up fighting completely and fall prey to such a tender touch. She continued to cower in a small ball, her small form trembling in fear as she waited for something doomful to happen. Surely . . . .surely they were only cleaning her to eat her?
"Just do it quick!" Her muffled voice was small, almost inaudible with her face hidden against her paws. But there it was, a plea for some unknown mercy, the terror easily distinguished.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:11 pm
Delphia stared down at the tiny, shaking body in her paws with dismay, raising her shocked gaze to her brown mate. Why... the child was afraid of her! Never in her life had she encountered a cub or pup so traumatized as to be afraid of her. It broke her heart, and she vowed in her deepest soul to watch over this small life and guard it from any further harm. More tears dripped onto the dirty coat, and she held the cub closer than ever. Eventually she was able to speak around the lump in her throat.
"Oh little one, poor baby," she murmured, still grooming the small body. White coat was beginning to show through the grey and brown of dirt and dust. "Dear one, we are not here to hurt you." Her voice was so soft, so gentle, steeped in comfort and caring. "I would rather cut off my right forepaw than bring harm to a helpless one such as you!" She nuzzled the little body tenderly. "My own baby is long grown, but that does not mean I am hard of heart to you!" Oh how her heart pained her to see the state this she-cub was in!
"Here, look at me," she coaxed, leaving off her grooming and craning her neck to peer at where her face was hidden by her tiny paws. "My name is Delphia, and this is my mate, Tangir," she spoke solemnly, not as one speaking down to a child, but as one conducting serious business that required respect and honesty. "As we live, we will not let anyone else harm you either. Come, tell me your name, little one."
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:18 pm
He was unused to cubs, having not been around them. However, he was not immune to the clear upsurge of feelings in Delphia's eyes as she looked at him after the cub's piteous plea. He was moved both by the little female's plight as well as by the deep compassion his new mate was exhibiting. He couldn't say it surprised him, for it was very true to her character. Even so, he was not aware how strongly those traits could become when roused by the right situation.
He agreed wholeheartedly with what she said to the cub, and though at first he'd stood well back, he came forward when Delphia introduced him. With a teeth-rattling purr, he came close, settling before Delphia and wrapping his forelegs around hers, wo that the cub was encircled twice, a loving embrace of protection to shield her from the cold, hard world. He could see that she had suffered much. Starvation was only one problem here. Exhaustion, injury, and torn paws were evidence of a long and difficult time for one so young. He longed to hear what had put her in such a condition, but Delphia's soft ways were clearly the best route to take. For now, she needed reassurance. Then she would need food. Already his mind was working about what he should catch, and how soon he could return. But at this moment, the small cub's peace of mind came first.
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:26 am
Xieros was surprised by the soft touch and tenderness of the lioness. Part of the young cub was certain that she'd be eaten, or killed, as there were many cruel creatures in the world. And many more might try to take advantage of a little cub like her. But oddly enough, strangely, there was no impatience or irritation in the voice of the grey lioness. In fact, she sounded incredibly kind and affectionate! Her words were soft, and even though she was still afraid they might be lying, tricking her in to trusting them, Xieros couldn't help but feel her body slowly begin to unwind and relax.
How long had it been since she'd run from her home? How long had it been since her pride had been taken over, snatched up by aggressive lions that only seemed to kill and cause harm? By the time Joh and she had run, they were the only two survivors of their family . . . Her pale coated brother had been older, from the previous years litter, but he had protected her until his own capture. And even then, he had told her to run, to not stop.
But she had to stop. Her paws hurt, and her tummy ached, and she felt absolutely miserable. And now there was a large lioness grooming her, speaking to her, and . . .and there was another too. An even bigger lion, this one male, and of a darker coat. Her head had turned slightly, a red eye focusing on Tangir before she burrowed her face once more in her paws.
Ok . . . . Delphia. It was a pretty name. And Tangir. The names were foriegn, even in sound, and their words were colored by a strange accent. She had run so far that even the words the others spoke, while clear, sounded funny to her ears. Different. But then again, how long had it been since anyone had spoken to her? "I was called Xieros by my family. . . " She finally spoke, carefully, cautiously lifting her head so she might stare wide at them. Her ears were still flattened though, and her legs stiff. "But . . . they're all dead so . . . " She shrugged, averting her gaze and staring hard at Delphia's paw.
Her throat had tightened, but no tears came. Not yet at any rate. She was to tired, too hungry, too weak to cry anymore. Even now, her words weren't touched with sorrow. It was a statement, a fact, and one she had many nights to deal with on her own. It was what it was.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:15 am
Delphia's heart spasmed in stark shock and sympathy as the words tumbled slowly from the tiny form. "Oh Tangir," she cried softly, eyes flying to meet his, the pupils wide with distress. "The poor baby!" This wasn't right! No child should have to go through such a nightmare, not in the waking world! Her eyes begged him for a boon she didn't know how to ask for. They were only newly mated, still learning about each other and how life would be together. This was so much to ask of him... to take on an orphan as their own. But what else could be done? Delphia was not one to turn away anyone in need, much less a cub. Nor was she one to pass such need off on someone else, as if she did not want the responsibility. "Oh Tangir," she repeated softer, silently pleading for his understanding and his permission. She did not want to have to choose between him and this cub. Either choice would tear her apart.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:26 am
He had never thought of himself as the fatherly type of lion. Oh, the thought had crossed his mind to someday have cubs, but he'd always unconciously kept that concept at bay, in the nebulous distant future. However, there was no mistaking the question and pleading in Delphia's eyes. He hesitated, and very nearly clawed his own face for the mistake. In those few breaths when he hesitated, he was an indescribable fear cross his gentle mate's face. The whites of her eyes showed slightly, looking more like prey between his paws rather than the one dearest to his heart. How foolish of him to doubt that this was the right thing to do, even for those few moments!
He leaned forward his great shaggy head and nuzzled her, breathing warmly on her face. "Never fear, my heart, of course we shall take her as our own." He leaned down and also nuzzled Xieros, intentionally warming her bony body with his breath as he did so. "You are ours now, little one," he rumbled softly, his voice deep but kindly. "I won't ask you to call me Daddy, but perhaps that will come someday." An odd little smile quirked the corner of his mouth. To think of the offspring of another lion and lioness, whom he'd never met, becoming his own cub. It was a strange idea, even stranger than having his own cubs, but the look of grateful adoration Delphia had for him was worth all the strangeness in the world. Loving her was easy. Loving Xieros would be equally so.
He rose from his position curled around the two of them and shook out his fur. The night was clear and fine, if a little cool. The moon was rising, giving a pure, white light by which hunting would be relatively easy. Many many creatures stirred in the soft night hours. "So what sounds good to my two ladies for a late supper?" he asked lightly, padding a few steps away and glancing back at them with a smile. "Or shall I just bring back whatever leaps into my paws?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:35 am
Xieros kept herself curled up tight against Delphia's sides. She heard the female cry out her mate's name, and she wondered what might come of her lot. It didn't much matter what happened anymore. The red eyed cub was so very tired, but also absolutely terrified. Life had been cruel to one so young, and the gentle-hearted girl found it difficult to see hope.
Well, until she was found by Delphia and Tangir.
While she hadn't paid much attention to their words, the comfort of another's touch was almost too much for Xieros, and she found herself wanting to drift off to sleep. To nightmares, to hunger. But her ears did p***k when suddenly she heard the words 'take her as our own'. Whatever did that mean?
They were going to claim her, going to keep her? Would this be as a slave, a servant, as nothing more than a toy? It was unfortunately the only sort of life she had witnessed. The lions that had raided her own pride, had killed her own family had been terrible. They had been cruel beasts, without morals or hearts, and she had been lucky to survive.
But then he mentioned something else. The term, daddy. Father. Did he meant to keep her as some sort of orphan? To adopt her? To feed her and to pretend to be a surrogate family? The cub didn't quite understand these things, so she didn't exactly understand that she could be someones daughter even without being born to them. Her confusion caused her to lift her head, her eyes still wide and a bit frightened, even as she looked from Delphia to Tangir. "You're . . . you're g-gonna keep me?" She questioned hesitantly, not entirely grasping the concept of what they offered.
It wasn't her fault, she was young and had only witnessed chaos and the crueler sides of life. The tenderness Delphia and Tangir were giving her was foreign and confusing. But it was something she found herself enjoying, even as her skiddish nature warned her to be careful. There were such things as tricks. Trust didn't come easy with her, but perhaps someday that too would change.
At the mention of dinner, Xieros couldn't stop from licking her lips and her stomach rumbled in objection. It had been empty a long while, and the bugs and dirt and grasses she had chewed upon hadn't done much more than make her feel worse. Still, she said nothing, afraid to speak up and afraid to say the wrong thing. She didn't want to assume food he captured would be meant for her, everything was very much just a little frightening for Xieros, and she didn't want to risk doing the wrong thing and having it all disappear.
They might change their mind if she said the wrong thing. And then she'd be alone again, and hungry, and even though she didn't understand Delphia's intentions, she did appreciate the warmth of her touch.
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:21 pm
Delphia kept the cub curled close to her and gazed up at her mate gratefully. It was a lot to ask him to take on, to provide for someone else's cub, but he'd stepped up grandly and done the right thing, not because she'd leaned on him, but because he had a good heart. "Beloved, catch whatever you find and come back quickly?" It was a pleading... with one so small and helpless in her paws, she almost didn't feel strong enough to provide enough warmth and love to fill that empty little heart.
The pitiful voice repeating their words only broke her further, and more tears rolled down her cheeks. "Hush now little one," she murmured, nuzzling the frail form. "You rest, and food will be here soon. When you are stronger we can talk about it."
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:24 pm
Tangir rumbled a purr at the little one's words. "Yes child, we are keeping you, and feeding you, and seeing that you get enough rest, water, and exercise." A gleam of amusement shone in his eyes, and he rubbed cheeks with Delphia. "Never fear, love. I will be gone and back before you know it. I shall find something sweet and tender for our little ragamuffin." He chuffed a soft sound of affection at them both and bounded off into the darkness.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:34 pm
Xieros really was overwhelmed by this sudden change of events. She had gone from terrified, dirty, lonely little thing to suddenly having two adults wanting to care for her. It didn't make sense to her, and she worried that they might be tricking her, or change their mind. Hopefully though, maybe, just maybe, if she was good enough and behaved nice enough, they would keep her for always. If she didn't fuss or complain, maybe they would let her tag along and keep her safe.
Surely the terrifying lion Adenru and his pride wouldn't hunt her down if she was safe with adults. Surely she had run far enough that they wouldn't find her, wouldn't hurt her. Their memories had been ingrained in her mind, and she feared them greatly. But it was hard to be very afraid curled up in Delphia's paws. . . .
". . . okay . . . " She spoke quietly, hesitantly, experimentally resting her head upon the grey lionesses paw. She watched as Tangir left, worried that maybe he would go get one of them and lead them back. Worried that maybe what he said wasn't true. The poor cub was used to being tricked, and trust was something she had little experience in.
But she did understand tears, even if she knew not why Delphia cried. Tears only happened when ones body or heart hurt. She wanted to ask her if she was all right, but was a bit afraid to. Hadn't the lioness told her to hush and rest? It was time to be quiet, and while she wanted desperately to sleep, she also was afraid to. . . .Even if her eyes were exhausted and her paws were glad for the respite. It was hard to sleep, because all she'd dream about were nightmares.
So she waited, somewhat afraid to see what might happen next.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:47 pm
Out of the darkness another body came. It was grey like the shadows, mottled like grass under moonlight. It came quietly, but with a greeting chirp to announce its presence. Delphia raised her head and turned at the chirp, giving an answering chuff of a greeting. "Come slowly, Raska, gently," she called urgently but softly. "We have a frightened little newcomer." She returned to grooming the small body cradled in her paws.
The small furry body crept closer, large ears swiveling and little nose quivering. It was a genet, about the same size as the malnourished cub, but clearly well rounded with good food and health. She peered inquisitively at the exhausted cubbie. "Raska am I," she announced in a surprisingly musical voice. "Glad I am to meet you, little one." Her voice was also high and lilting, her expression sweet and questioning.
"Xieros," Delphia said quietly, "this is our friend, Raska. She'll help us look after you, and be your playmate." Granted, Raska wasn't all that young really, but she certainly was full of energy. She also was quite capable of taking care of herself, thus why she hadn't been with them when they'd found the wandering cub. She'd been off hunting, filling her own belly in her own way. "Raska, this is Xieros. She's lost her family and needs us." Delphia's voice glowed with warmth and pride at claiming the child. Raska, bless her little heart, gave a soft trill and climbed into the circle of Delphia's arms. The lioness made a little extra room as the genet curled up so as to add her own warmth to that of cub and lioness. The little feline purred fiercely, though her purr was rather soft. It was an odd little family they made, but Delphia couldn't help being pleased with it.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:52 pm
He did his best to find what Xieros needed as swiftly as possible. He returned with a fat hare to find the three ladies all curled together, cozy as could be. He smiled around the mouthful of fur and padded close, a purr rumbling his throat the closer he got. He crouched down and dropped the prey as close as he could without touching Delphia's paw with it.
"Xieros sweetie," he said, "come here." With an amazing amount of dexterity, he hooked a claw under the hare's chin and slit it open, jaw to hip. The nutrient rich innards slid free, their scent tantalizing to any hungry carnivore closeby. The cub would hopefully clean up the filling meal quickly, or he might have to finish it all off in order to not attract unwanted visitors.
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