Taka - NovaCracker
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Zungu - Das Tor
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Moricorm - Das Tor


Moricorm paced, her belly just bulged enough to show she was pregnant. Pregnant. With Koh's cubs. This...could be disastrous if she wasn't careful. Very careful. But...she would be. Yes...And then there was the matter that her family was NOT inclined to small litters later in life. She'd had two already, and the second had been larger than the first. Perhaps...gaining another slave would be useful. Someone to specifically watch over the little ones. While Ithil was useful for scouting and teaching other slaves, she wasn't the best defense, nor was she good for cubs to wrestle with at all. And Koh...well, he was Koh. Moricorm preferred him at her side as much as possible.

So...another slave was needed. One larger sized. Even-tempered. Willing would be best. She'd have to be cunning to get that... She sighed...and then her ears pricked. Oh? A piece of luck? She smelled the presence of another.

Zungu trotted along, tail swishing back and forth as he hummed a small tune, one with no real rhyme or reason to it besides being pretty to the ear. The limp caused by a badly-healed back leg was obvious, and he was thin...but he didn't let that get to him. No. He was alive, and Taka was, and that's what mattered! From there, things could only go up! "So what will we do today, Taka?"


Taka smiled to her mate, grooming his cheek happily. They'd been cast out from their pride for their love-- considered impossible lovers, but they had one another. Taka wanted Zungu happier, hated seeing how thin he was, and made soft noises at times.

"I'm thinking of hunting tomorrow." She offered. "You?"


Zungu just smiled. "Well...I could try luring a hare again. The last one was tasty." He licked his chops. It had been nice and fat and juicy. And he'd managed to catch it all on his own! That had been the best part! His back leg didn't exactly help a lion hunt, after all... There was a faint sound of bells and his ears swiveled in the direct of the sound, followed by his head. Hm?

Moricorm moved in front of the pair after determining they didn't look to be a threat. "Hello." In fact...they looked like she could use them. Perhaps it was an answer to her unsaid prayers to Morifaer. Zungu blinked at the lioness in front of them, an ear flicking and a curious expression on his face.

"Hello there. Can we help you?"


"Oh, that would be good!" Zungu hunting.... Always good. Then... Bells. They sounded lovely, and Taka looked towards the noise, perking to see another, equally dainty female and she smiled, purring.

"Hello!"


Moricorm smiled at the two of them, none of her usual sharpness in the expression. No...she was working here. She had to handle things...delicately. She couldn't risk them turning on her and leaving her without slave possibilities. "I notice the two of you look...a little weary. And a bit underfed." Especially the male. And he had a limp...that might explain why they were a little skinny. "I am in need of some...help. And your arrival near where I was when I was just thinking of finding some help simply seemed too perfect to be sheer coincidence." Zungu blinked.

"Help? What sort of help, miss?"

"I'll be having cubs soon, and I need aid in watching over them. I'm very busy normally, see...and the others around me either help me with my duties or aren't quite sizable enough to watch after cubs. Cubs do grow, after all."


Taka perked. Cubs! She and Zungu had been trying for cubs a long time, and the female smiled, looking to her mate delightedly, then the female.

"Ah! If Zungu doesn't mind... Please forgive my manners. My name is Taka." She bowed politely.


Cubs? Zungu loved cubs! He'd always hoped he and Taka might have some one day... He perked happily, nodding. "Yes, I wouldn't mind helping out. My name's Zungu, as Taka said." Moricorm nodded, not letting herself get too excited.

"I am Moricorm. And the two of you won't be without recompense for your help. You'll be provided for, and need not worry about food, shelter, or protection." Ri looked after her slaves, dammit! Both willing and unwilling! “We hunt in groups for the good of all, and we travel in a group to ensure everyone is safe.”


Taka blinked.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind helping hunt. I've hunted for many before." She smiled kindly. Cubs~! She got to help a female with cubs~! She danced lightly in the sand.


Ri was amused by the female's dance, and it showed on her face. "No, that's quite alright. Not unless needed." She motioned towards where the others were. "Do not mind some of the company I keep. They're...dark, but they will not hurt you." They all knew better than to hurt HERS. “Some of them are actually very...kind.” In their own ways. And she'd just keep Kuen away from them. Zungu nodded.

"Dark is okay. One cannot judge a clam by its shell, after all."


Taka nodded.

"It isn't appearance that matters. It's the soul within." Taka smiled kindly. "Are you certain I cannot repay you somehow, Lady?"


Mmmm...these two were perfect so far! They would also be good company for Kohrisu as well, she hoped..."Just helping with the little ones will be enough." Zungu grinned, tail swishing about again.

"We will be happy to help, m'lady."


"Yes!" Taka beamed warmly. "Of course! You're the first to show us kindness since we were cast out... Thank you."


Outcasts? THe two were outcasts? WELL! THis just kept getting better and better! "Well...follow me. I'll lead you two home." She turned and started back. And Zungu...the look in his eyes was ecstatic. Home. HOME. That was a word that hadn't applied to Taka and he in so long...And he moved to follow the black and red lioness, gleeful.


Home... HOME! Taka danced again, rubbing against Zungu, then Moricorm, making happy, purring noises much like a cub. This female... Possibly saved them.