"Taalis, you should say please when you ... ask someone to do something, remember?" His voice was between . Ezekiel was the father of fourteen, seven of whom stayed with him in his home here in the Pride Lands while the other remained with their mother who traveled as was her duty as the Goddess of the Hunt. Taalis was one of his more ... trouble of all the siblings in his opinion. She was quite the free spirit, she wasn't the typical female that he has experienced in his life. She liked to play, and when she plays, no one leaves uninjured or crying. However, she only plays hard and domineering when a male was ignorant enough to say anything offensive. However, Taalis was a good girl, she was good around her mother and playful around her father, she respected them both and made sure she took care of her siblings if she had to. However, she was still a brat at times and thus needed a little discipline from time to time. Something Ezekiel did not like to do. "Say, you haven't seen your brother have you?" Taalis wiggled around and moved up against his belly, hiding from the outside as her father's large form and mane became her own little fort. Strong legs that could send him off like a bullet. Fangs and claws that could snap bone. A mane as fluffy and warm as a pillow. A body large enough to encompass a few of his offspring in a warm embrace. She sat down and looked up at him with auburn eyes. "I am assuming you mean, Eiji'dai, right? That dude needs to be more ... active, he is always whining and worrying over something ..."
"That's because you make him worry!" Her father laugh as he placed a large paw over her head. No matter what he did, he could never, ever be mad at his family. He supported them to the utmost and did whatever he could to keep him safe. Needless to say, he had time for his private life. The two frolicked for a bit before another scent came into the vicinity.
"Ah, there you are, Mr. Ezekiel," a young male's voice came. Over the hill, breaking through the grass was the white, yellow streaked juvenile, Aeonus. After what their encounter a few moons ago, he often made his presence around Ezekiel and his family. With seven to fourteen cubs running around, he had someone to play with all the time. He paused as all he could see was the top of the lion's head, covered in auburn mane. Ezekiel and Taalis tilted their heads up and looked at the newcomer. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I come at a bad time?" "Aeonus!" Taalis squeaked as she hopped off his father, whom gave an 'umf' sound, as she rushed over to her friend. "Hey! I was starting to wonder when you'd show you."
"I-I'm sorry? My father wanted me to eat my lunch before I went anywhere," He replied, sitting himself down, his tail flicking over his paws. Aeonus was a little older Taalis, he was slightly taller too, but then again, he was only a juvenile. His fur was starting to come out, it was clear when he occasionally scratched his head and neck from time to time. Those he hung out with got used to it, even Ezekiel spent some one on one time with the little one. Someone to relate to what he was going through. As usual, he started to rub the back of his neck as he spoke to Taalis, their conversation inaudible as the older lion's mind wandered off.
Such a large family... and I'm still young. I am glad I have Aeonus and everyone to help, and my family is getting the interaction with the pride and friends too... A soft genuine smile crept on his maw as he watched Taalis fall back, pawing up at Aeonus as he tickled her. How he could have been so fortunate; a wonderful mate, a grateful Goddess, a passionate pride, and such good friends.
"Daddy?"
"Mr. Ezekiel?"
Their voices snapped him out of his thoughts. Looking down at them, he smiled.
"Daddy, come on, lets go to the water hole for a while before Aeonus has to go home!" His daughter spoke as he nipped at his legs to urge him to move.
"I only got until sunset today, Mr. Ezekiel, my father wants me to get back home before the sky gets too dark to see where I am going. I sort of stick out like a sore thumb."
Ezekiel nodded, licking his daughter softly on her forehead and pushed the juvenile with the back of his paw. "Alright, come on, last one there is a rotten egg!" Without a count down or a warning, the speed demon dashed off, having the little ones chasing after him in distant complaints.
Very lucky...
