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 Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:58 am
Still shaken despite the events that had changed their lives having been weeks ago, Upendo'mume was determined to stay up throughout the night while his mate and surviving child slept. He didn't blame Dara'moshra for putting the blame on him for the deaths of their other cubs despite there having been little he really could have done. It was almost dawn now as the large green male sat upon a rock so that he had a higher vantage point to keep an eye out. He wouldn't let anything happen to his family, not again. Gold eyes scanned the horizon, adjusting slightly to the African sun peaking over it, illuminating the plains. As he scouted outwards, his head turned, eyes falling upon the still forms beside him. A weak smile spread on his mouth. He had managed to protect something at least. It wasn't all gone and that was something worth protecting.
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:06 am
The recent events plagues Dara’s dreams, playing over and over again each time she closed her eyes. She could barely blink without getting flashes of what had occurred. However as much as she tried to avoid sleeping eventually her weariness took over. This sleep was one such occasion. It was not an overly restful one, but one her body had eventually forced on her. The green lioness lay curled protectively around her one remaining cub. A small noise from the tiny form caused her to rouse from her sleep, worry shooting across her face as she gently licked the tiny head. He was fine though, simply dreaming.
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:27 am
The fur on his back rose as a lone hyena peaked out from the grasses. Still a distance away, the protective father and mate's teeth were already bared and claws unsheathed. Before it even got too close, it ran, likely in fear of losing it's skin to an angry lion. If he was already mad with it being almost out of sight if it had gotten any closer Upendo'mume likely would have charged it. He sighed in relief as it ran from them and quickly ducked out of sight. Exhausted, it likely would have been adrenaline that would have helped him rush as it should he have needed to.
Exhaustion was setting in as the large body sunk onto the surface of the rock he roosted on. It was still cool from the night air and somehow relieving to his aches. Though his eyes still remained open as he was not aware that Dara'moshra was awake just yet.
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:41 am
The tiny form of Dara’s remaining cub stilled once more in slumber and she looked up from him. Eyes blinking wearily against the sky as she saw the sun just peaking out above the horizons. She uncurled herself and slowly made her way to the den’s entrance, pausing in the opening as she stared outside. “Have you slept yet?” She spoke, knowing he would be nearby to hear. Dara glanced back at the tiny cub still laying on the ground, grateful at least that they had shelter for it, before looking back out over the grass. There was no sign of danger at the moment, however her ears perked forward, straining to hear even the smallest of noises that should not be there.
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:44 pm
Upendo'mume's head turned around, a little shocked to hear his mate's voice so soon. The sun had only started to come up after all. "Not yet. I was waiting for you to wake." There was no way he could have gotten any kind of sleep knowing that danger could still be out there. Exhaustion though would at least make sure he got some kind of sleep, even if it was more like passing out then falling asleep. With shaky legs he left his perch coming to stand beside her, gently nosing her. "Did you sleep well enough?" Though he could not imagine it was a restful sleep considering their condition.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:31 am
“Then you should try to get some now that I am awake.” She replied, slowly turning her attention to him as he left the perch and made his way towards her. “No, but it was sleep at least. I can rest no longer though.” She nosed him back, though a bit halfheartedly. It may not have been the most restful of sleep, but at least she had gotten some. Now though she wanted to keep awake, to keep away from those dreams. While she did not like the idea of leaving her cub, even if he would be with Mume, she knew he would not be far off. For now she wanted to sit out in the cool air, hoping it might help to calm her some, though she doubted it really would.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:59 am
Some kind of sleep would be better then none for him, having been awake since his mate had gone to rest. As least exhaustion would make sure his sleep would likely be a dreamless one. "Yes, some is better then none." Upendo'mume could not lose any more. They had already lost so much. The male moved into their small den, likely an old dog's den that had been abandoned some time ago or had run off at two lions making home there. He carefully positioned himself around his one son, curling around the small body to keep it warm and hidden from any potential predators.
He could not sleep yet though. The murky green male turned his head to look at his mate. "There's something left of a rabbit hidden in the bushes beside my perch." At least he had managed to catch something that night, saving some for Dara'moshra, most of it actually, since their only surviving child was still nursing. "I had hoped the smell of the wild berries would help mask the scent of blood and keep away scavengers." And luckily, it seemed to have work as well.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:14 am
Dara nodded silently. Some sleep was better than none, even if it had not been as restful as she would have liked. With the cub to care for she needed as much rest as she could get, though it seemed fate did not feel the same at this time. She continued to watch him and the little one until Mume curled around the young cub, who was now hidden from view of any unwelcome eyes. Just as she was turning to exit the cave she paused to listen to Upendo’mume speak. “Thank you.” She replied, “I will look for it then.”
Hunger had been gnawing lightly at her belly since she awoke, and the prospect of even a small meal was one she was glad for, especially since she was not eating for just herself now. “Rest well,” She spoke quietly, glancing back at the pair. “Both of you.” With that she exited the cave and slowly climbed on to the perch Mume had been using. The remains of the rabbit were not hard to find and she drug them out before lying atop the perch with the meal across her paws.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:19 am
The male watched silently as his mate took her position on the high rocks in front of the den and then found the carcass he had left for her. A smile spread on his face as his head lowered onto his paws. Despite everything they had been through, they had a survived. Picking up the pieces was a different matter though. Hopefully they could at least move on, and try to find some kind of happiness despite the tragedy. A small mew shook Upendo'mume from his dreamy state. His son had stirred, likely from the new body as well as his parents speaking. He cooed softly to it, gently licking the top of the young cub's head. It didn't take much to lull the survivor back to sleep. Content now, Upendo'mume joined his son in falling asleep himself.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:27 am
Dara wasted little time in tearing in to the meal her mate had left for her, however she kept her eyes up, searching the land around them for any sign of danger. Her attention turned back towards the den as she heard the small mew. She wanted to leap up right then and see what was wrong, but no more mews came. Likely it had just been the little one waking and Mume had taken care of him. Dara’moshra turned her attention back out across the land, the perch giving her a nice view over the grass, silently enjoying the rabbit as she kept watch out.
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