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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:32 pm
KoloThe sun filtered towards the entrance of the den, the comfortable place that housed his family, mate and the delightful new additions. Before, the cubs would have been forced to endure at least one move by now, so early in their young lives. Instead, they got the luxury to open their eyes, to be swaddled in the comforting familiar scents. The greatest gifts, they had constant love, and complete security. Nadie too had more benefits, no lions to harass her and no reasons to fear when he went hunting; he also felt the relief of knowing he could feel confident hunting knowing they were alright.
Speaking of the safety, it was a good time to let the cubs have the chance to stretch out their legs. Standing up, the gray furred cheetah nuzzled his mate, daughters and son before slinking his way out of the den. Front paws forward, he leaned back and stretched out his back, did the same with stretching out his hind legs. It was very important for cheetah to be completely stretched out, so they didn’t hurt themselves running.
Turning around he called to his little ones, “Come on out, proud little ones, I know you’ve been itching to come out and play.” A firm believer in the superiority of cheetah, he never missed a chance to emphases it, calling them proud, amazing, wonderful, lionsbane and anything else he found in the thesaurus. They were named to reflect, great names. NokaNoka was keenly aware her father was leaving from the moment he nuzzled them. Before she could see, before she could hear, the scents were always there, and the nuzzle meant someone would leave. Cuddling closer to her mother and siblings, she waited for his return until he called. They were allowed to go outside and play?
Wiggling with excitement, she started off, and promptly fell. Powerful cheetah legs started off as wobbly little things. It was frustrating, her mother and father moved so gracefully, and she was face first, butt in the air, into the dirt. Not going to allow that to stop her, she managed to get out of the den before stopping. The sudden movement had her butt on the ground this time instead of her face.
Grinning proudly, the brown cub attempted to follow her father’s example and stretch, ended up with her feet going completely from under her, laying down and looking up at her smiling dad, there was only acceptance, no mockery and she felt loved for it.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:28 pm
Indeed, life had changed very drastically for Nadifa and Kolo. The brown cheetah no longer had to worry about a lion coming across the den, or Kolo running into something dangerous while on a hunt. Actually, she still occasionally worried about that last one… the gray cheetah had the habit of biting off far more than he could chew, and rushing into things without thinking. It was cute, true, but also very dangerous. Luckily, since they had moved to the Duma’Chama, things were much safer.
Not that Naddie allowed her cubs to wander around or anything. Up until now, she had protectively kept her cubs in the den. Whenever one wandered too close to the entrance, she would pull him or her back to safety. Silly little darlings… but, today was different. Today would be their first time out of the den. As protective as she was, Naddie knew that her cubs had to grow up someday and she wouldn’t do them any favors by keeping them sheltered all the time.
Emerging from the den cautiously, she sniffed the wind a few times before she decided it was safe. Sure, she trusted her mate with everything, but he was so rash… she gave Kolo a brief nuzzle before turning her attention to their cubs, their precious little jewels. D’aww… now that was just adorable! Little Noka could barely keep her legs under her, she was so excited. Moving closer, Naddie nuzzled her daughter before helping her back to her feet.
“C-come on, sweetheart…” she murmured softly and lovingly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:53 pm
Kolo watched his lovely mate exit their den, her caution didn’t bother him much. While he’d like to think that his being there meant there was nothing to worry about, it was part of her nature and smart to have the habit of. They were safe, but the demons proved that safety came with vigilance, the reason he took on the responsibilities of head guard, with or without the title, he still did everything in his power to keep everyone safe. His patrols were less during the end of Nadie’s pregnancy because he wanted to be there when the cubs were born, and he spent a lot of time around them afterwards, but still put in the patrol or two.
Returning the nuzzle in kind, he purred gently at her and turned his attention to the den, waiting to see which young cheetah would bravely go where they hadn’t been allowed to go before.
Noka chirped at her mother, smiling brightly and accepting the help up, “Momma!” Nuzzling her mother’s leg, the young cub attempted to go forward. Rocking back and forth on her legs a moment, one paw went out, then the other, so far so go. Following the steady process, she tripped over her own feet, trying to run before she got walking down. Not a complaint was heard as she got her self back up and looked to the den, chirping again, “Come on!” Urging her siblings to push forward, to get out and play, she was insistent on it being a great idea and now they were allow!
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:26 pm
Lephaka'le'maatla
'Awaaaa, I was having such a good dream too! Why does Daddy always have to nuzzle me lik--'
But already the half-hearted complaint was trickling from her brain like water down a stream. Already she was finding herself noticing something.
Or more like hearing something. Outside? Did her Daddy just say outside. The little cheetah cub mewled with a burst of excitement, and first one green eye, then the other, opened, glowing dimly in the den that was their home. Outside outside! She always wanted to out there, but Mommy never let her. And now she watched as her mother rose, and exited as well. So this wasn't a joke. She could see Noka stumbling around outside already.
Maa quickly stumbled to her own wobbly paws, and felt the ground beneath her. She would try to be graceful, just like her parents, just like her Daddy! So she was slow to exit the cave, her eyes watching her every step so as to keep from falling; even though her body shook was pent up excitement. Speed is strength, that was what her name meant, but for now she was taking it rather slowly.
The sun was in blinding opposition to the den from which the dark brown cub had just left, and she squeaked as her eyes burned a little, and squinted them shut. And at this same time, she lifted her right paw in effort to take another carefully calculated step...
And went stumbling, much like her sister, to the ground. Left right, left right, left left, stumble, fall. Her paws felt like they were tied in knots, and the little cub looked rather frustrated as she squirmed on the ground, like she was throwing a silent tantrum. So much for graceful!
Slowly, Maatla opened her eyes and exhaled loudly, glowering at her front paws as she concentrated on getting back up. She was very serious about looking graceful like her father, but so far she had been slow and clumsy.
'Come one!
Maa's head jumped to the left and she looked at her sister, and then laughed, the serious nature melting into something more appealing of a young cheetah cub. Noka was so silly, and not caring if she tripped or fell, because she could always get back up. So the little cheetah pushed herself back onto her paws and wobbly moved over to her Daddy and Mommy, her green eyes glowing excitedly. "Did you see me!?" she asked happily, "Didja, didja! I was doing so good, but I felled! It's okay though! I am gonna be like Noka, just get back up everytime!" her little cub face broke into a happy grin and her butt wiggled with excitement to go play.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:05 pm
Tiriel'ia Purple eyes snapping open, Tiriel'ia gave a shy sound of acknowledgment and stumbled out of the den after her father, her heart racing. They'd never really gone out before. Suddenly realizing she was out of her cozy sleeping area, Tiriel ducked back into the den briefly. But wait. Her family wasn't in there. Heart skipping a beat, Tiriel raced out of the den. She hated being alone.
It was hot and dry outside, but a strange breeze kept her cool. Her father's sweet, encouraging words were like un-touchable strength to Tiriel. They filled her with happiness, even though she never really voiced it. Keeping rather true to her name, Tiriel was more watchful than anything. She was shy and liked to display affection for her family in silence rather than through words. But this time, she couldn't hold herself back. A choked-sounding giggle escaped her mouth and she looked back and forth at her mother and father.
Excitement was racing through her. There were so many things to examine all at once. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the sun! Wow, the sun! She made a leap upwards as if to grab it out of the sky. What she didn't count on was what would happen after that leap.
Tiriel'ia landed on her side with a thud and grunted on impact. Wow, that...Didn't hurt at all! With a smile, Tiriel jumped back to her feet and raced towards her other siblings, eager to play, even though she was more demure by nature.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:10 pm
Fikira
Fikira lay sprawled out on the ground among his siblings. His paws twitched at the air as he dreamed, picturing large fields with lots of space to run and run . . .
The feel of a warm nose nudging his small form brought him reeling back in from his dream. Blinking slowly, he opened his bright eyes and saw his father leaving the den.
"Papa?" he murmured sleepily, stretching. When he was awake enough to realize what was going on, he noticed that his sisters were already up and ready to go. Fiki started to feel excited. Obviously something fun was about to happen. He listened to his father calling them outside.
"Outside? But I thought we weren't allowed outside. Do we really get to go out there, Mama? Really?"
Bounding to his paws, Fiki pranced around excitedly, all thoughts of sleep gone. This was the chance he'd been waiting for. He wanted to see the open spaces where he could run as fast as he wanted to, without any restrictions. Nudging at his sisters, Fiki rushed out of entrance and into the colorful world outside.
The light, the colors, the smells, the sounds . . . it was all amazing! Completely different to the world inside the family's den. Rushing around in the tall grass, Fiki tumbled a few times, but quickly got back up, reveling in the feel of the grass and the sunlight on his fur.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:34 pm
There was a whole new level to pride invented for what he was watching. The cubs were so adorable, and so perfect. Everything a great cheetah should be. Sure, they weren’t graceful yet, but they would grow into it, what they were, was bundles of determination. Every time they fell, part of him wanted to rush to pick them up, the other part beamed at how they got themselves up never to be defeated.
Little Maa looked so determined, just like her sister before her, she wanted so much to be able to walk, but they were learning and would get there in no time. With warm words, he used his pride in her to reassure her, “I did see, Maa, you did so well. I am very proud of your attitude, you are doing exactly what a great cheetah does, gets back up and keeps trying!” For her efforts and Noka’s they received a nuzzle from him, and a lick. Noka was an example of a great cheetah in her behavior, and so was her sister, who was following suite brilliantly.
He wasn’t sure what made him prouder, their ability to get back up and keep going, or the fact not a single one of them complained, they all had such strength of will. Even the shy ones, as the little pale white daughter of his emerged. He could almost see a mental battle, as she struggled to gain the courage to go away from the den, to come out and play. It wasn’t weakness to him, it was simply caution, she was like her mother in some ways and it made him smile even more. “Welcome out to play, Tiriel’ia.” She always stood out among the litter, all that white. It was great to see her out to play.
Out came his son, the only boy in a litter of girls, and he was high stepping eager to play as well. It surprised him a little, that the oldest of the litter hadn’t emerged but he’d give her the time she needed. He grinned a little when the boy looked for reassurance that it was alright to leave the den, they listened so well to their mother. A chuckle to his voice followed his comment, “Like the grass, Fiki? Welcome to the outside.” Proud to see him having such fun, they would have complete freedom to move around when they grew older, the taste of it showed him they would do well.
Noka puffed up, proud she was an inspiration for her sister to get back up and keep going. With a friendly headbutt to the shoulder, she greeted her sister “You are doing great, Maa!” Giggling, she was about to tackle her sister in play when another one came out, it was Tiriel’ia! Wow, this was getting even better! The moment the white cub was close enough, she got a nuzzle in greeting.
With Fiki out, she wondered what was taking their big sister so long to come out and join the fun. Oh well, she’d come out in her own time, they had each other to play with. Thinking of a game, she challenged them all, though it seemed Fiki had the greatest advantage, “Lets play! Last one to tag Momma is it for the game!” With her rule in play, she started running, falling, and getting up to keep moving attempting to get to her mother first, or at least, not last.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:48 pm
Now this was paradise. Freedom in the air, sunlight on her fur, and her new family all around. It wasn’t much, but it was everything that the brown cheetah could have ever wanted. She briefly touched noses with Noka before giving her a light nudge. “Go on… go e-explore… but not too far!” she added quickly, not wanting her cubs to get separated or even lost. Not that the cubs actually could wander all that far; they simply didn’t have the strength for it. But she worried anyway, because that was her job as a mother.
And it did her heart good to see all of her cubs standing tall---or trying to, anyway, even if they did stumble soon enough---and proud. Like Maatla so bravely said, they would fall… but they would get back up too. Even demure little Tiriel was bouncing around, excited to see the outside world for the first time. There was something beautiful in that simple action, refusing to stay down even when they fell.
“I’m so p-proud of you all,” she said happily, truly pleased with her cubs’ actions so far. Cheetahs should always hold their heads high and these cubs had a great start. Uh-oh! Her ears twitched as she heard Noka’s challenge. Oh, so they were going to play Tag, were they? Well, far be it from Nadifa to ruin their game by making it too easy to tag her. It was exhausting, looking after all the cubs while Kolo was out hunting, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world, and all because of the family moments like this one.
She shook herself out briefly before walking at a sedate pace, making sure she wouldn’t go too fast for her cubs, but still quickly enough to make chasing after her a challenge.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:00 pm
Little Maa's chest swelled with pride at her fathers words, and her body shook with that little spark of pride, and with a little purr, she turned to watch her siblings arrive.
First came Tiriel'ia, and Maa giggled at her sisters reaction to the outside once she got up the courage. Her little mouth formed a 'O' at the white cheetah's jump, and she winced at the landing. But it was alright, because Tiriel got back up and kept going.
Fiki was much the same, and she wondered where to go, to the grass with her brother? Or chase around with Noka, or go jump with Tiriel...
"Eep!" Noka scared the little cub, but she quickly regained her composure and laughed, "Thanks Noka! I am gonna be big and brave and graceful, just like Daddy! You and me and all of us!" Her green eyes glowed with her new found pride.
She watched Noka watch Fiki, and then smiled at the idea of a game. "I'M GONNA WIN!" she called out, and then turned, maybe a little to fast since she stumbled over her feet, and started to run towards her mother.
Of course, her mother was moving away, so Maatla pushed her little paws harder, trying her best not to fall on her face as she ran.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:15 pm
Nk'Osazana
Nk'Osazana. Her name meant princess. And with all the time she was taking to emerge, it almost seemed as if she was acting like one.
In truth, this was not the case. Soon enough, the little dark cub adorned with bits of white slowly emerged from the den. She was looking down at her feet after having watched all her sisters (and the one brother) stumble and fall as they left the cave, determined to get this right the first time. After all, she was the oldest! With infinite patience, each step was slow, calculated - left, then one of her back feet, then right, then the other. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
This was why she had taken so long. She was watching each and every one of her feet to make sure they were doing what they needed to do.
But...this meant she wasn't watching what was in front of her.
The little cub squeaked and, much to her chagrin, fell, as soon as she bumped into one of the moving legs of her mother. Darn it! She quickly rolled over and sat, blinking wide-eyed at her new surroundings. All the other cubs were already moving around, playing a game. Oh, she would move...but when she was good and ready. Now was when she was good and ready.
"Hey momma!" she trilled, her high pitched voice alive with excitement. "I'm out now! I wanna play!"
'Osa stood, again. Her little butt wiggled as she tried to decide where to go - go see daddy, or play with the others. Or go see daddy and THEN play with the others. What a decision! Hmmm...daddy first.
"Hold on, lemme go see daddy."
She started walking, not as carefully as before, t'wards her father. Confidence built as she moved easier, not quite as gangly....and then crumbled when a rogue stick tripped her unexperienced feet. She wrinkled her little nose at the stick, then looked up at her daddy.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:25 pm
Pride one of the many traits Kolo encouraged, to have pride in oneself and in Cheetah kind is a high virtue in his view. All his cubs were so strong, getting up and keeping ongoing, it was a proud sight to behold. When their brothers and sisters were growing up, these little moments couldn't be savored, they had to move, move and move more. There was no time for them to find joy in walking, if they stumbled, they were carried.
Aww, the cheetah grinned with pride when his little Tiriel'ia said her goal, to be just like him. Chest puffed a bit with pride, he encouraged his daughter, indeed all his cubs, "You all will be, Tiriel'ia is right. You'll be the best cheetahs this coalition has ever seen. Strong and fast and everything that makes Cheetah the best." The game was a perfect choice as well, tag taught speed, coronation and was great practice for hunting in the future. It was also great because it got Nadie involved as well. The perfect mother and mate, play was part of the perks of the jobs.
Ah, and here comes their first born cub, showing such concentration in trying to walk. She was doing a remarkable job, though didn't look like she was having as much as her siblings had when they came out. Falling did the trick though, there was that happiness that made the little cub shine, it made them all the true stars he always saw them as.
Lowering his head, he nuzzled his eldest daughter and gave her an affectionate lick, "You are doing extremely well, little one, a great example of a young cheetah. Remember to have fun, its alright to trip and fall, you'll be evenmore amazing when you grow up, you and all your siblings." His pride in them all was well heard, and his love nearly tangible in the air.
Noka chased after her sister, going for the moving target that was their mother. Seeing their big sister finally emerges, she giggled and started to call out when she saw her run into their mother. Laughing, she called out to her pale white younger sister, "Looks like Nk'Osazana isn't it." Tail flying wildly behind her, she tried to use it for balance as she continued to run, tripping and falling four feet from where her mother was when their eldest sister ran into her. Getting back up again, she didn't even spend the moment to shake herself off, it was a race she intended to win.
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:48 pm
Tiriel'ia's eyes were wide with confusion and nervousness at the sudden burst of energy everyone had. All of the hustle and bustle, the playing, the shouting. Tiriel winced at the loudness and immediately wanted to run back into the den. But she knew no one would be in there. She wanted to be outside and run under the beautiful sun, but there was so much going on.
With a grunt, Tiriel'ia ran straight for her mother without wobbling once and took shelter intertwined in her legs. Ducking down, she watched through the shade of her mother's body at all of her siblings running around, laughing and playing. Even if it was loud, it was a good thing. She frowned at the face of her papa and at his words. Would she really ever be as good as him?
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:02 pm
"AHAH! It seems Tiriel isn't it either! Maa squealed as she watched Tiriel try hid underneath their mother. She gave the shy little cheetah a quick one over, pausing to do so as running and staring would make her fall. She wondered for a moment if Tiriel would ever be as brave as Daddy, but quickly grinned. Of course she would! She was so quiet that she would be the sneakiest of them all. So with that thought settled, the young cheetah cub stumbled back to a run, urging herself to go fast to catch up with her sister.
"YOU WON'T WIN NOKA!" Maatla called out as she found herself actually catching up with her sister. She was still wobbly, but getting the hang of it, and now it was only her, Fiki, and Noka left in this race to their mother. Of course, Fiki was off playing the grass, so it was really just her and Noka. So with a squeak of encouragement to herself, Maa pushed herself forward, trying to pass Noka. And when she couldn't seem to get passed her sister, she swerved, her plan was to scare Noka off course by faking a run at her, but as it is with cubs, Maa didn't think it through fully and her paws tripped, one after the other, and she found herself tumbling into her sister with a rather loud yelp of shock.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:43 pm
I’m out now! I wanna play!
That was little Zana, the pint-size princess. It was a strange habit of hers, always announcing things like that. Actually, it was a bit of a comfort for Nadifa; it meant she never had to scurry around, trying to figure out what happened to her eldest daughter. She would always announce it beforehand, and possibly expect applause for it too. Not that her parents ever tried to dissuade this; both Nadifa and Kolo were proud of their youngsters, spoiling them in any way possible.
Just looking at those happy cubs, watching them take their first wobbly steps out of the den, that made everything worth it. All of the terror, the worries… all of that bad stuff was balanced out right here, right now. More than balanced out, actually. Watching her second litter toddle out of the den, proud, happy, and ready to play without worries of lions… just this single moment made Nadifa’s heart swell. “D-don’t worry if you fall. Everyone f-falls occasionally. It’ll only m-make you better.”
Uh-oh… little Tiriel was having some problems. By far, the small white cheetah was closest to her mother in temperament. Briefly, Nadifa lowered her head to nuzzle and lick Tiriel, trying to comfort her as best she could. Everyone was being so loud and everything was happening suddenly, it was easy for Nadifa to understand why her daughter was getting nervous. “And it’s a-alright to be scared too… there’s nothing to be a-ashamed of in that…” she murmured to Tiriel.
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:36 pm
Nk'Osazana visibly puffed with pride at her father's words. She was doing extremely well! It felt nice to hear daddy say that. She was always so worried about being good at things - everything - wanting her brother and sisters to take note. The eldest only by a little, but already both protective over her siblings and concerned that she be a good example for them.
'Course, she couldn't have put it that eloquently. It would have come out more like GUYS! DO WHAT I DO! NOW!.
"Thanks daddy!" she purred, rubbing against his face when he lowered it to her. Daddy's girl? Maybe a little.
But then she heard her name. With that ADD that so often accompanied baby cheetahs in a new environment, 'Zana immediately lost interest in her daddy when she heard Noka call her name. "I'm not it?...should I be?" she called, head cocked as her little butt plopped to the ground. Did she do something wrong? Should she be chasing?
Wait! Momma! Her little feet slid from under her as she scrambled from a sitting-stop to a running-go, which left her with a chin in the dirt and a butt in the air. Goodness! Growling - such a vicious sound, coming from her - she pushed herself up and started off at a slower trot, getting faster as she aimed for her momma. She slowed to a quick stop, blinking at Tiriel's hiding under her. Osa crouched down, head again cocked to the side.
"Are you ok? Are you scared?" she asked, reaching out a paw to 'poke' Tiriel. "It's ok! Come on, you can stay with me!"
And then, she got an idea. The perfect game for a cheetah who liked quiet.
"HEY! EVERYONE!" Nk'Osazana announced, jumping a few times in an attempt to get everyone's attention. "LET'S PLAY HIDE-AND-SEEK!!"
She waited for just a moment....then jumped again. "Ok! I'm gonna go hide now! Actually, Tiriel and I are gonna go hide! Come on!" she exclaimed, using her head to push against Tiriel and try to get her moving. This was a good idea! Everyone should know that!
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