Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ani had only just returned to the pride when the fire broke out. The smoke had been so thick and heavy that finding her way anywhere had seemed impossible but so long as she could escape the flames themselves she would consider herself lucky. She had her name, she had to tell her family; she could hardly let a fire be the end of her quest. The thought was sickening – but then, she couldn't be sure if that was the idea or the smoke that turned her stomach.

Running from the flames had seemed the best course of action until her foot was suddenly so securely fastened beneath a gnarled root that the rest of her body had continued forward and she had gracelessly plowed face-first into the earth. Her foreleg hurt from the tips of her toes to the peak of her shoulder, but there was nothing for it. It was pinned and she was in enough pain that pulling it free seemed torture. As the fire drew nearer and the smoke thicker, it was all she could do to keep from crying out in terror. As it was, the smoke veiled her in a heavy unconsciousness before she could think to worry about death.

Her head felt swollen when at last she came to again, but she heard voices and pawsteps. Lions were coming nearer, though her nostrils were burned and she was unsure if she could trust the smell. She tested her forepaw again as she slowly came around and regained awareness of her situation. Fire, smoke, pain; she was stuck, but she was alive. She would need assistance moving the root aside, but at least she could still feel the pads of her paws. Coughing, she hauled herself to her feet and called out, "Here! I'm here!"

Baatar wondered how many more there were to be found, or how many had lost their lives. He shuddered.

He had been fortunate, unlike these lions, to avoid injury, grief and any kind of emotional strife. He knew that eventually it would happen in his life, he just wondered when.

The grey lion continued to prod objects aside - burnt logs, piles of ash. It was incredible and terrifying, how much a fire could do. He tried to carry on scenting, but just received the bitter smell and taste of charcoal.

Wrenching her injured paw free from the root, Ani winced with pain but did not stop moving until the limb was out of the way and she could properly thank the lioness that had saved her. Her lavender eyes took in the other female's pale coat, trying to ensure herself that she was home and this lioness was her pride. Was she among family again? She wanted to be done with all of this finally, as she had thought it would be after finding her name. Her soot covered nose wrinkled and she resisted the urge to sneeze as she nodded a bit wearily, "I can. I'm pretty sure I can. I'll keep up, I promise."

She did not want to be left. Instinctively she knew the pride was in for a long march, and her dirty white coat twitched with anxiety as she gingerly put the least amount of weight possible on the injured leg. She would hobble along, but she was not completely inept at three-legged travel. "Is everyone else alright? Was anyone hurt?" She was worried for the pride she barely knew anymore; she wanted to get to know them all again.

The cub is yours! She won't be born until relocation is complete, but that should be relatively soon. I will let you know!