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 Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:17 pm
 The evening wind brought a familiar scent on it and Mittere raised her head to see Tarafa coming home. It was still odd to think of herself as mated, much less to a lioness. Not that she'd change it for the world, but that didn't make it less odd. The pink lioness was familiar with same sex pairings and had nothing against them, she just never expected to be a part of one. She noted absently that Tarafa appeared to be coming from the direction of the border. The blue and grey lioness had been going that way a lot of late, so the Warrior thought little of it. Probably some Bard thing.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:24 pm
 A weary smile crossed Tarafa's face as she came towards Mittere and home. There was, she decided, absolutely nothing better in the world than coming home to her beloved mate. She knew that the rest of the pride, especially those old enough to remember her betrothal to Uzazi, was a bit taken aback by her apparently sudden change of orientation. The lioness was simply happy to have the secret out in the open. She'd hated having to hide how she felt, but hadn't seen any other way. Not to mention there hadn't been any reason to reveal it. But now...now she could simply be content with her mate, their life together, and the lives she could feel growing inside of her. She hadn't told Mittere yet, and she was reluctant to keep the secret much longer, but she still wasn't certain how the pink lioness would react to being told that they were going to be mothers, and soon. She came up to the den opening where Mittere lay, and settled herself next to her mate, nuzzling the other lioness. "How was the training today?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:31 pm
MIttere's snort was her only answer as she allowed Tarafa to nuzzle and groom her. She wasn't the most touchy-feely lioness around, but it was something the other lioness enjoyed, so the Warrior endured it. Small sacrifices were made in the name of love and who knew, perhaps one day she'd be comfortable enough to return the caresses.
Training the youngsters and idiots of the Kitwana'antara wasn't even worth describing day in and day out. Most made progress. Some didn't. She ensured that training continued to happen. Same old same old.
What wasn't the same, however, was Tarafa. Mittere eyed her mate. The blue lioness seemed to have gained weight in recent days. Not that she was out of shape yet, but it wasn't normal. The pink lioness pondered why that should be as the larger lioness continued her ministrations.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:34 pm
Tarafa grinned at Mittere's snort. "That bad, eh?" she replied, pausing in her grooming. "It's okay, they'll get better. They've got no choice with you around!" The blue lioness noted the fleeting smile near her mate's lips. She'd gotten much better at reading Mittere's expressions. A passerby, hearing their conversations, might think Tarafa was talking to herself for all the verbal input Mittere gave. The thought amused both lionesses immensely.
"Perhaps I should come by and watch you teach again sometime," she went on. "Last time it seemed like they couldn't do anything right - was that their skill, or just because I was watching?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:39 pm
Mittere snorted again. She liked listening to Tarafa talk. The Bard never expected her to respond with any words at all, so she was free to be herself. Others tolerated the pink lioness' unwillingness to speak at times, but Tarafa simply accepted it and loved her for it. It was a comforting feeling.
But the lioness' weight gain was bothering her. In the months they'd known each other before, Mittere hadn't noticed any significant changes. And if it was the disease, her impression was that the sick lion lost weight. What could-
Suddenly the lioness' whole body stiffened as an explanation occurred to her. It was preposterous...but the mroe she considered the idea, the more likely it seemed.
"Tarafa." Mittere spoke quietly. "What have you been doing by the border?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:43 pm
Tarafa had stopped her rambling and grooming when the pink lioness' body became stiff beside hers. Was something wrong? Had Mittere scented danger? The blue lioness looked around quickly, trying to see whatever it was that her mate saw.
Her eyes were drawn back to the other lioness as Mittere spoke. She blinked. Did Mittere believe that there was some sort of danger posed by her being at the border?
"I've been talking to a passing Rogue," she answered carefully. "He was giving me news of how several prides have collapsed due to a plague of some kind." She paused and added "it didn't sound like ours." Mittere had come from out there, after all, and could still have those she cared about outside.
The blue lioness wasn't about to mention that news wasn't all that had been exchanged. Not if Mittere thought there was some sort of danger in him or his news.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:48 pm
Mittere's breath hissed inward and her blue eyes widened. A rogue. A male rogue. It supported the impossible theory in such a way that the pink lioness could not doubt it, no matter how much she wanted to.
She got to her feet and turned to face Tarafa.
"You're pregnant with his children," she stated softly. The accusation was not in her voice, but in her crackling blue eyes. By the gods! What on earth were they supposed to do with children? She supposed that their mating wasn't necessarily good for the pride, but damnit they were mates. Tarafa was supposed to talk to her about things like this! And Mittere knew that the blue lioness wasn't the least attracted to males. If Tarafa was pregnant, it was intentional.
A low growl sounded in Mittere's throat and her lips peeled off her fangs. How could she!
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:53 pm
Tarafa's eyes widened in surprise - and yes, fear - as Mittere got to her feet. Then her own eyes dropped in shame at her mate's words and glare. "Yes," she admitted softly. Oh, Goddess, this was all going wrong! She'd envisioned the joy she felt at her pregnancy reaching out to Mittere and bringing them closer together. Anger and violence...she hadn't even dreamt that the pink lioness might react this way!
"Please," she whispered, desperately seeking the love she knew was still within the other lioness. "I wanted it...to be a surprise for you. You think I would pick just anyone to raise children with?" Blue eyes pleaded with blue eyes for understanding.
She went on. "I didn't want to ask any of the males in the pride because I want these to be our cubs. Just you and me." A passing rogue might not even realize he was a father...or care if he did know. And he wouldn't have the opportunity to interfere or worse, try to take the kids away the way a member of the pride could.
She'd made her plea. Now she could only hope that her cleverness hadn't been her undoing.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:57 pm
Mittere stood there unyielding as Tarafa spoke. She listened to the blue lioness' words, but, more importantly, she listened to the emotions beneath them. The pink lioness heard sorrow, embarrassment, even shame. However, she could also hear love, pride, and a stubborn refusal to give up.
How could she stand against that? The lioness allowed herself to relax again and covered her teeth before settling back down next to her mate.
"Very well," she sighed at last. "But next time, do you think you could mention this to me before you find some rogue to knock you up?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:01 pm
Tarafa's heart fluttered in fear as Mittere stood there unmoving and silent. Then the other lioness relaxed, and she felt herself relaxing as well as the pink lioness settled by her side once more. It was good then. Mittere wouldn't pursue her anger at the subject.
Then her mate spoke. At first she didn't realize what Mittere was saying. Then she purred happily and rubbed her cheek against the other lioness'. Next time! She'd said next time!
"I will!" she promised. "I'm so glad...you're going to be a great mother!"
Tarafa pretended not to hear Mittere's growl. They were going to have a family!
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