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 Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:16 am
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Note: There will be no real 'official' birth post, so this will substitute it. <3 The cubs are still very small, but they should be able to walk and say small phrases. Think age one or two.
Their birth order is the number in which they came. So if your cub was labeled No1a.png, then this is the eldest, and so forth. No will introduce them to Kidondo in the order that they were born.
They haven't been named it, but for RP sake, you may refer to your cub by their eventual name just so there's not rampant confusion.
I'd ask for other pride members to wait until Kidondo is present before posting, but anyone who wishes may drop by to see the kids.
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It was mid morning when No finally decided it was time to return home.
It had been a week since she had vanished from the simo pride, leaving both her mate and people none the wise as to where she had gone. She suspected they knew enough to keep them from looking too hard. No had never been an easy person to deal with when she was on a whim. But even she knew a week was too long for solitude.
Now, the black cat let a strange, new kind of procession back into the Simo territory. But rather then an army, this time she managed a small horde of bumbling, talkative and rowdy children. Eight in all! Who had heard of such a thing? When Kidondo and her had spoken of them, they had been hoping for perhaps two but…
---
She wasn’t sure how she had known - but from the moment she had awakened one week ago, everything about her was on edge like a fire had been lit up her back. Despite the ache in her belly and her desire to keep herself safely tucked away inside of her den, a mother’s instincts roared so loudly inside of her they drove her out into the open. She had spent the majority of the morning grumbling and issuing strange orders- but now everyone was suspect. No place was safe enough.
There had been a passing thought to Kidondo- but she knew he would only worry. And the pride needed him besides that. She couldn’t take him away with her just because suddenly she had antsy feet and wild eyes.
So without a word to anyone- No quickly made herself a ghost, and vanished into the desert.
She knew the place she would go. It was no place to live, but it would offer her the peace and quiet she needed to do whatever it is mother’s did in the privacy of their birthing dens. More importantly, she could view all the land around her in meticulous clarity. If anyone dared come upon her children, she would certainly know.
And god help them for doing so.
But despite having been driven into desert, No did not have her cubs as soon as she would have liked. She waited in the darkness of the den, considering what she’d do once they were here. She hadn’t thought this through, she realized. She might have been able to quiet her nerves by being in solitude- but now she was terribly alone with a task she knew almost nothing about.
But cubs would come whether or not she was prepared. And so did another person. Halfway into her labor, there was a noise at the mouth of the den. Furious at being disturbed, No had been half ready to mangle the daring soul- when she had realized it was Kaanga.
“Babies, yes?” Kaanga had said excitedly. Too weak to drive her away, the strange female had seemingly arrived just in time to aid her in the most taxing birth. It was likely that since then, Kaanga had been keep Kidondo informed on his young family's whereabouts.
---
Now, the small pilgrimage had commenced- and in tow of the black female were quite a small little army indeed. Eight cubs... she could only imagine what Kidondo would say. She sighed in exasperation, and shifted the rather weighty one who struggled in her mouth.
“Down.” The cub said, her paws flailing. They hadn’t quite mastered speaking yet- but they certainly were making a raucous of things as she lead the small little parade. In particular, a set of twins had already lost their 'freedom' privilege. While Kaanga held the eldest of the litter in her mouth, No managed the second twin in hers. Or at least, she thought it was. They were getting pretty hard to tell apart now that they were refusing to stay in her neatly ordered line.
"Hush," No scolded the dangling child. Hastily, No decided to do another headcount. They were almost home now, it wouldn't do to introduce Kidondo to his eight children if there were only seven! "What sort of a line is this, cublings? This won't do. Form back into a line!"
"She is watching," Kaanga smiled, the eldest still squirming in her grip. "Not lose any of them at all. I am a very good watcher."
"Yes, well-" No started, and recounted just to be sure. "They don't make it easy. No, that's a circle... A line is straight, just go behind each other with your aunt at the end."
She was getting a feeling that there was a kind of futility in this attempt. As if on que, the one who would eventually be named Ea started to flail. "Dooowwn, please!" She wailed. "Walk, walk!"
"No walk." No muttered. "You lost that privilege when you tried 'run run from Mommy.'"
"Was fun game," the twin mumbled dejectedly, and looked over at her sister for backup.
No shook her head and looked towards the hills in the distance. It wouldn't be but a few moments before someone came upon them- and she had to quell the skip in her heart as she waited. She hoped Kidondo would be pleased.
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:14 am
Little black paws padded quickly behind her siblings and her mother. She was staying the best she could in this 'line' that her mother ordered the in, but she couldn't help to weave around slightly as she walked, her little paws were still slightly unsteady and it did not help her to stay in a straight line, also the fact that she was getting distracted by some of the things that they were wandering by. She felt like she needed to look at everything that was around her at the moment, everything that was around her, she wanted to learn about.
Azar was once more starting to wander slightly from her place in line before the sound of her mother's voice made her jump, her attention shifted. Line! Line! Line! Quickly she moved back to her spot and puffed out her chest, trying to make herself impressive that she was so quickly back in her spot. She wanted to please her mother and also... Her father. She had heard 'Daddy' and 'father' those two words a few times, she wanted to meet him. He sounded very important, just as important as Mommy, or just as important as their aunt, just as important as her siblings
Speaking of her aunt at the sound of Kaanga's voice made her look back over her siblings trying her hardest not to loose her footing or stop, didn't want to get her siblings angry at her for stopping... again. She grinned proudly before she stumbled slightly she squeaked before composing herself once more and looking forward. The sounds of her siblings voices, especially the one dangling from her mother's mouth made her giggle. She licked her lips as she looked over at her mom, excitement was running through her. It made her want to run to the front of the line and dance around in between her mother's paws, but she did not want to upset her mother, or her father that she was going to meet, not at all. She wanted to put on her best face, and she was bent on it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:17 am
A stray breeze tugged the strands of Kidondo's dark mane across his face - momentarily ruining his view of the desert. The lion was deep in thought and though it seemed as if he were staring out across the horizon, watching for any signs of intruders, his mind was actually far away.
He'd had a lot to think on these past weeks.
First there had been the news that he was to become a father. And though it had come as a shock and he'd been concerned about his abilities, he had finally come to term with the prospect. He didn't feel calm or confident about being a parent, but he'd come to terms with the fact that it would happen and all he could do was try his utmost best to see that he did right by his family. It was a daunting prospect, more daunting than raising an army, more daunting than facing the traditionalists. This was a challenge that genuinely frightened him. However, it could not be changed and all he could do was hope that he didn't mess things up. Guidance and love, that was all cubs needed, wasn't it? Besides, if things got out of paw there was always his sister or one of the other females to fall back on.
Something else had been bothering the Regent. It wasn't just his fear of entering parenthood. It were these awful dreams! Kidondo was a seer. A weak seer but a seer nonetheless. If he had been like Koka, his banished sister, he may have harnessed this gift and become something powerful. But, from an early age, he had shunned this so called gift and named it a curse. It rarely bothered him now. Except, apparently, in times of great stress.
He'd had visions in the lead up to the attack on the Firekin and his father. Now, they appeared again, taunting him with odd images that - for some reason - also included the storyteller Ripuka. Shadows of cubs would dance around his mind, twirling and leaping and prancing so fast and erratically that he could never count them or make out any distinguishing features. Perhaps, if he better understood his power, he could have brought these visions into sharper focus. Maybe that way he could lessen the hold they had on him.
Either way, he did not understand what these visions meant, only that they caused confusion. Not distress, not anger or anything that might really be something to worry abuout. The dreams made him dizzy and he never woke up feeling rested.
Sleep had been even harder since No had left to birth the children. Kaanga had indeed been keeping him updated, but he was eager to see them with his own two eyes. There were no words to describe his love for No. She was everything to him. Everything. He could not imagine life without her. She was so dear to him that being parted from her like this hurt him deeply. He was unable to sleep and even eating had seemed a difficult task - though he managed to stomach a few bites for the sake of strength and appearances. However, no amount of pretending would fool those who approached him. His worry was as clear and blinding as the desert sun.
It took him all his willpower not to go tearing the desert apart looking for her.
But, Kidondo was a controlled lion and as such, he had forced himself to sit and wait - as awful as it might be.
His eyes, that had been dwindling on the horizon, came back into focus and with a long sigh he made to turn back to the den. He'd been standing there a long while and his joints had ceased up. He took a few slow steps and then quickened himself a few paces later.
It was then that he heard the voices and he stopped mid-stride, heart thumping wildly.
Could it be...?
His head whipped around so fast it seemed for a moment he might spin full circle. Desert-eyes fixed upon the horizon where - indeed - a group of lions paraded towards the densite.
His heart leaped and suddenly he felt the hole in it's centre beginning to fill again.
At a quick trot, he moved swiftly across the sand towards them. And as he did so he saw the shapes of little lions sheparded by Kaanga, his sister, and No.
They were his children. His. Children.
It took a moment for the realisation to sink in, but the moment it had all the fear dissapeared, replaced with something indescribable. Joy? Excitement? Similar but not quite. In any case, he didn't dwell on what the emotion was, instead, he wallowed in it and used it to fuel him onwards towards No, his sister and the little ones.
The twin, who would later come to be known as Fia, dangled precariously from her aunt's mouth. She didn't like it. The rocking sensation, the uselessness of her paws waggling in the air, the feeling of her skin being pulled tight around her neck.
She'd been complaining ever since she'd been snagged from the ground and her protests only stilled when she was jerked roughly or her mother sent her an angry glare.
For a moment she was silent, allowing herself to swing back and forth, watching the ground beneath her with a thunderous pout on her tiny, red-striped face.
"Fun, fun!" Fia agreed at her sister's prompt, meeting her twin's gaze with a look that said silently: 'mummy has no sense of humour.' Then, with a huff, she began to wriggle fiercely, not seeming to care that if she fell she'd probably hurt herself.
"Let go! Let gooo! LET GOOO!!"
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:48 am
If Fia was attempting to make a nuisance of herself, the squirming in Kaanga's mouth only seemed to endear the white lion to her charges. As the cub flailed, Kaanga bounced her head a few times in an attempt to settle her. "No need to fuss, almost home! Lookalike babies have big mouths." Kaanga reflected. "I think they shall be good speakers when they grow up."
No was glad Kaanga was optimistic. But still, as frusterating as managing a whole army of cubs was, she couldn't help but watch them fondly. If only they could stay in one place! It was nerve racking enough making constant headcounts. As the little black cub, Azar, stumbled about, No carefully scooted her back in line with the others. "The desert is a dangerous place!" No warned through clenched teeth. "Keeping in a line is very important to mommy."
As if on cue, Ea learned her next word. "Danger danger!" She smiled. "Dangerous mommy."
"You have no idea," No warned Ea, and looked back to Kaanga. "We haven't lost any, have we?"
"Not since a minute ago," Kaanga reported, with what No had to imagine was the strange lionesses own sense of humor. Waving her paw, No gently moved a few more of her cubs back into a neat order, and set the parade moving again.
But, of course- as soon as her back was turned, the careful order quickly fell on the wayside. Behind the children, Kaanga did keep a careful eye, and did her best to gently nose the few that stumbled 'out of bounds' back into the caravan. It was the first time in a long while that the desposed princess had been seen so alight- and even the constant nips and whining of her nieces and nephews did little to detour her own private joy of being apart of the family.
No took a deep breath as she moved. Like it or not, the cubs did tire her out. They'd set out three hours ago for what was really only an hour's journey. But frequent stops to switch up the cubs they carried, rests, and then stopping Ea and Fia from making their grand escape into the outside world had slowed the procession down. Now that home was in sight, her heart was weighty and over brimmed. She couldn't wait to see Kidondo again, and then get some much needed sleep.
And then she saw him. He must have been nearby, because suddenly he rounded towards them from behind the rock outcroppings. It had only been a week- but seeing him there made No realize that it had seemed like much longer. After all, ever since they'd met there had been scarcely a moment they'd been apart. "Kidondo!" She suddenly gaped. Hoping Kaanga had a good hold on the kids, No suddenly bolted and ran towards him.
But- perhaps suddenly struck with a bit of uncharacteristic embarrassment, she stopped before crushing him. "I'm back-" She said softly, her head bowing. As she did, she set down Ea, who quickly scrambled behind her mother's legs.
No was quiet for a moment, considering. "I...well." Her head gently pushed against his, holding for a long moment.
And then, Ea decided to make a break for it. "Run run!" She yelled, and reflexively, No broke the moment and grabbed the cub by the tail.
"...meet the children the world will hold you partially to blame for." She smiled, her face brimming.
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:10 am
The gap closed between them and all was right with the world.
The little cub that wriggled in her mouth was set on the ground, and though he wished not to tear his eyes from her tiny little face he could not help himself.
No was back.
He moved close, a purr at his throat as he leaned into her touch. His eyes closed as he relished in being with her again. The strength of her scent returned in the air, the warm touch of her fur against his was gentle but firm. It was a small, delicate touch, but for Kidondo it meant the world.
And then came chaos.
The cub's squeal of startled him. He hadn't have thought that such a tiny cub could make so much noise. And then, before he could even figure out what was happening, the little cub was making a run for it. However, No seemed to be all to aware of this erratic behaviour and, quick as lightning, captured the cub - ruining her attempts at flight.
Kidondo met her glass-green eyes and a wry smile spidered its way across his maw. "Dear No, what have we done?" And he chuckled, casting his gaze behind his mate to the line of cubs and Kaanga, who seemed to be taking everything in her stride. It made him even happier to note that she seemed genuinely happy for once.
"How...many are there?" He asked then, voice quavering. "Five? Six?" His eyes darted from each cub, trying to count them before they could move and confuse him. Counting cubs - it seemed - was a rather difficult task when they refused to stay still.
"And twins as well?" He looked to the cub hanging from his sister's mouth then to the one held firmly in No's grasp. He could hardly believe his eyes. They certainly had bred themselves a miniature army! The only difference being that these ones weren't keen on obeying orders.
As Kaanga bobbed her head the cub settled briefly, falling quiet to listen to her sister's babbling and mother's empty threats. Mummy did try to act tough. Maybe she was tough. But Fia didn't think so. Fia thought that she put up an appearance because she was the 'responsible grown-up.' Well...she couldn't keep up appearances forever, right?
With a high-pitched keening, Fia's ears lifted as her mother broke free from the group to tear ahead - taking Ea with her. That wasn't fair! It wasn't fair at all!
"NO FAIR!! NO FAIR!! Run aun-tee! Run, run, run, run, run, run, run...run! RUN! RUN! RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUN!" She paused to take a breather and wriggled frantically, desperate to join her sister, desperate to see the strange lion up close.
It was a moment before she realised that the lion mummy was talking with had the same eye stripes as she and her sister did. So, Fia thought, this is daddy.
"Aun-tee! Aun-tee! Let go! Want see daddy! Now! Now! Now!"
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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:52 pm
The little white female knew nothing but the joy of being with her mother and her siblings. The sun and the moon when the day went along-the sounds of her family breathing. All these things she knew. She stayed tight on Azars rear, following her paw by paw-swerving even. She stared intently at her dark 'twins' feet... watching how she placed her paws and being careful to follow the same step. Her little pink tongue stuck out slightly as she went, not sure really what a line was... considering that in nature there were almost no straight lines. So as far as she knew-Mom was making up this 'line'. She felt a bit miscevious and bent down to bite at her sister 'Azars' paw-only succeeding in snapping up a bit of dirt and dust and sending herself into a sneezing fit.
'Ahhh-zoo' Her balance was thrown off momentarily-her spot behind her black sister was now lost as she side stepped and tripped over herself. She stopped momentarily, sneezing again and again with tightly shut golden eyes. She stepped backwards, sideways again. What was this horrible sound coming out of her mouth. She sneezed one final time-and then promptly broke into little tiny cub tears.
"Hurtssss. Head hurts. Nose hurts..." She murmured to no one in general, trying to get back into line with her family-though her little burblings of misery and woe still escaped her lips. "No stop nose crying." She hurried foreward and pressed her little muzzle against her black sibling that she had been following so closely behind. "Nose sister... my nose..." She said softly, not sure how to explain the horrendous storm in her head. One day she would know that this was a normal response to stimuli of the nose but to her in her current state-this was a foreign and horrible experience.
She had always been a bit close to her black sister-being that they were almost opposites in coloration. Perhaps it was because of the maternal bonding they had all spent in the womb-perhaps Azar was the closest sibling during their time in the 'dark'. Or perhaps it was simply because she felt confidant with her sister of 'different color'. As far as she knew her sister looked like mother the most and this brought her a bit more comfort when 'No' was away. "Nose... cries..." She cooed, her tears starting to subside.
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 10:11 am
As she walked Azar didn't really notice how close her sister was. She was so excited, she was keeping her attention forward, trying her hardest to keep into line. Her mother pushing her gently back in place made her attention snap back into line, following the ones in front of her. "Yes Mama." She said quietly, before her mother could pull away she tried to n** at her nose but her mother was moved and she ended up nipping at the air. A pout grew on her face until her the white cub behind her sneezed, making her jump and turn around quickly.
Confusion rushed over the little cub she didn't know if she was supposed to follow in line, or help her sister that she was so close to. Line, Line, Line, Mama's be upset. She thought to herself, but her sister, She wasn't to sure what to do and she could feel some of her own tears out of frustration run down her face. She slowed down some so she was next to her sister for the moment and nipped at her nose softly and then nuzzled her sister. "No, No, No nose cry." Her voice was almost a demand, "No nose." She murmured before pressing her nose to the side of her sisters. She got a long very well with her oppisite sister. Like the twins. But she really wondered how come they looked so much a like, no one else in the family looked that close and it confused her but it was something she was just starting to shrug off.
Once her sister started to calm down she grinned proudly then remembered what they were doing. Line! Get in line. She let out a small squeak of surprise as quickly moved back to where she was, she hoped that her mother didn't see her out of her spot or heard all the noice, she douted it but she didn't care she was still ever so excited. They were going to see daddy, the 'panic' over her sister that she just wen throught was something that wasn't even going through her head right now, already forgot about it, other than the fact that she had a cubs attention span she wanted to see her father, that excitement was coming back.
And thats when she noticed her mother running toward a male. He looked like herself and her siblings and it made her stop in her tracks and c**k her head to the side. She started to wonder who he was. was that her father? She started to shift around eagarly on her feet, it looked some what like she was dancing. She looked at her sister then at her aunt, moving a little closer to her aunt and pawing at her. "Daddy? Iszat daddy?" She looked forward again looking at the male that was with her mother.
Once Ea and Fia started to make nosie she felt more excitement. Her paws moved under her more, and a smile grew across her face, but something kept her from running up to her father. It wasn't that he was bigger than her, no she didn't care about that one bit. But she didn't want to upset her mother. She slowly sat down, hoping it would calm her feet and keep her from running up to her father.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:51 am
A haggard sigh crossed No's chest. It was dramatized- but there was a very real weariness in it as well. She was glad to be back within the pride. Back with Kidondo, and back with a multitude of unsuspecting individuals for which she could pawn her rambunctious children off on. "There's..." She kept it in for a long moment, as though she had to do a recount herself. But, once again, the number was as she feared. "Eight." She lamented.
Almost on cue, Kaanga brought up the rear, shepherding the tiny cubs in stride. Fia was still wailing in her mouth. "We're going to see daddy. She is walking very fast, but she cannot step on brothers and sisters." She said to the wild cub. Another one of the children sneezed, and Kaanga gently sat down Fia [with some reservations], and gently licked the top of the while cub's head. "No crying," Kaanga smiled. And to the other cub- "Yes, that is your daddy. Kaanga's brother."
No turned her head and smiled at Kaanga, and the rest of the cubs. Before Fia could make any escape attempts of her own, she deftly picked up the cub with a hooked paw, and set her down beside Ea. Once there, she kept her paw firmly on the both of their tails. "Ah yes, we have twins. One of these two is your first born, but they've switched so many times... Well, one of them, anyways. They're a bit of trouble. They've lost their 'freedom' privelage until they learn run-away isn't a game." The black cat dipped her head low to the cubs. "You wouldn't want to run away on your daddy, would you?"
Shyly, Ea slunk behind Fia and peeped a response. Daddy was huge! What was with all the hair? Mommy didn't have hair like that!
"Next, your sons." No continued, turning around to fish out her all black cub. He was a bold looking child- with two red wing marks like his aunt, and brilliant red eyes. "Hopefully he won't take after his aunt," No remarked, and fondly fixed his fur so Kidondo could see his face.
"And this one here." With her dark son set beside his noisy sisters, No gently picked up his exact opposite- a bright red boy with a white belly. A good, strong looking firekin like his family before him. "He makes four."
"And then, the rest of your daughters." No said rather proudly. She motioned to her greatest contrasting children- and all white cub, and an all black one with delicate wing marks. She gently put them before Kidondo and smiled. "They like to stick together."
Her next daughter, was another undeniably firekin colored female. "I almost thought this red one was a twin with the other." She laughed to herself. "For a while, I thought she was the youngest- but then, we had one more."
"Then, the littlest." No said with some endearment. This cub struck a particular cord in her- as of all her children, she resembled her grandmother the most. "She reminds me of my mother," No said softly, and put her gently beside the rest.
Now, all eight were lined up before Kidondo. Satisfied, No looked up. "I haven't named them yet. But, this is our army."
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:00 pm
The little red lioness was quiet through the trip. In fact, it was a bit strange. She made no noises when her sisters, the twins, ran away save to call out to her mom and aunt. They had been on top of the event, however, and she was quieted once again. She walked with her head up, eyes forward, her stumpy legs taking her in as straight a line as she could manage. It was easier for her, being so near the back of the line, to listen to her mom. Instead of making sure she was lined up behind the person in front of her, she just made sure the one cub behind her was aligned with her and their aunt behind.
The cub that would be named Runya was glad when they were allowed to stop, though she didn't know what was going on at first. There was a lot of noise, and her siblings were trying to talk to her, or vying for the attention of the adults around them. And now there was a new face, a large male she instantly knew was the 'daddy' and 'father' she had been hearing so much about. She wanted to see him closer. Though, that thought seemed to be with all her siblings. Watching as one sister started to sneeze and then cry, only to be quieted by another sister, Runya sighed. She wanted to be closer to the front.
She waited for what felt like a very long time to the young cub, who hadn't known time for that long anyway, until she was finally brought forward to meet her father. She looked up at him with swimming, curious, intelligent eyes. A small smile formed on her face and she felt a warmth in her chest that was as potent as anything she had yet experienced. This was family! She was happy, she knew it without knowing the words, and she decided that she wanted to feel this way always. Purring on instinct, the seventh born stared up at Kidondo. They were sitting in a line, something she knew they shouldn't wander from, so she remained where she was.
"Daddy!" She couldn't help but call out, without provocation or any real timing, "Daddy and mommy!"
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:47 am
Adara, the last cub was probably the only other one (or one of the few) staying quiet. She seemed to prefer to watch, though she'd already proven she could be quite loud when she needed to. She didn't speak up often, but when she did she made it known. As the family made their trek across the desert Adara was even silent despite how taxing the trip was on her little paws. The sands were hot to sensitive pads, and being the smallest in the lot of eight she had to walk faster to keep up, and at times she had to jog a bit to stay out of the way of aunt K's paws. The rests were appreciated, but now they were... well, wherever they were supposed to be. Some place with rocks and a lot of other strange smells besides Momma's, aunt K's, and her siblings.
For a moment then everything became confusing. Momma had run off ahead and left them to catch up. Momentarily alarmed Adara had looked to Kaanga with plaintive eyes ("Momma?"), but as they continued on all became clear again.
Surprisingly, despite her concern that No had taken off so suddenly it was Adara that hung back, ducking by Kaanga's side at the sight of the large lion, only to be scooped up and brought forward anyway. Adara squeaked as she was set down, looked up at the large face of their father, and immediately dove to duck behind the closest sister-unit-- the second youngest. Big lions -everywhere-, and she didn't understand any of it!
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:36 pm
What a troop!
Kidondo felt his eyes visibly widen as she gave him the final count of cubs. Eight. Was she sure? That many? He shifted to ease the disbelief and tried to make an attempt at counting them again. But the constant shifting madehim dizzy and in the end he knew he'd have to trust No's word. Eight. Eight cubs. He supposed, in all honesty, that a large number could have been expected. He wasn't so sure about No's family, but his line had always birthed big litters. His own parents. His grandparents and probably their parent's before them.
"Eight children." He breathed, watching them bumbling closer, all of them a mix of their parents colours. A hint of pride caught at him and he smiled as he looked at them, thinking that maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
He chuckled lightly as Kaanga stepped forward, the wailing twin squirming in her grip. Then, watched with inexperienced eyes as Kaanga tended to the little white cub who seemed upset about a sneeze. A sneeze? Were they such terrible things? Oh, he truly couldn't remember what it was like being a cub, the oddness of everything in the world, the not knowing. He marvelled at the tenderness Kaanga showed, marvelled at how she tended to the care of the cubs without releasing the other from her attention.
He purred as his sister introduced him and lowered his head to get a better look at her.
Then the proper introductions began and he turned his attention back to No as she drew the twins forward. "Run-away?" He arched a brow. "I take it we'll have to be quick to keep up with this pair, then. Tricksters are they?" He grinned. Such fiesty energy. The twins were certainly going to keep them on their toes and they were only the first of the bunch. What were the others going to be like?
"I don't think they'll run away now." He added, hoping it would be enough to still their intentions. "Will you, little ones?" He chuckled as one of the twins slunk behind her sister and was content that - for the timebeing - they would stay put.
Sons.
He let his eyes trace No's movement and smiled as she washed the fur from his face to reveal a pair of sparkling, bold eyes. "He certainly looks a tough little fellow." Kidondo agreed. He did indeed look like his sister and he wondered, briefly, where the wing marking could have come from. His mother, he supposed, and when he tried to remember her markings he was sad to find he could no longer place her.
At least their children wouldn't have that problem with No. She bore no markings but her pelt was striking and to Kidondo, she was the most beautiful lioness in all the lands.
"He has a good face." He added, waiting as she found the other boy and lifted him up for viewing. He did indeed bear the true, strong marks and colours that the Firekin were so renowned for. His pride increased.
"So many girls!" He replied, curling his tail. "Those boys are going to have their paws full trying to cope with all of them." His eyes sparkled and he noted the look of pride on his mate's face and felt the nervousness in him fade away.
Everything was going to be okay. This was their family. Their family. They'd be alright.
"How is your nose, little one?" He asked of the little white girl fondly. The sisters were indeed opposites in looks and he found it endearing that they liked to stick with one another.
By the time No introduced the red daughter, Kidondo's head was spinning. So many cubs! So many different marks and colours and personalities! He blinked at the red cub. "She's definately like her brother." He agreed, turning his eyes - finally - to the last cub to be introduced.
She was smaller than the others, but just as striking and just as beautiful. "She is remarkably like your mother." Kidondo replied. He had only met the lioness once before, but the resemblance was uncanny. "She would be proud of her grandchildren, I'm sure."
All of them beautiful, all of them different and all of them unnamed. Names. They were so important, especially to a Firekin. They'd have to think long and hard for names for all of them, pick titles that they could carry with pride throughout their lives.
"Then we have a great task ahead of us, I think. Naming eight cubs is going to be no easy feat." He'd pondered on names before now, but looking at his children, he wasn't sure if any of them fitted.
He lowered himself onto his tummy on the sand and moved to nuzzle against them, memorising their scents and their cries. "Hello, little ones." He murmered softly. "Welcome to the world."
--
Fia, who had been sulking miserably as, once again, she was trapped and unable to free herself from her mother's grasp, leaned into her sister. She took comfort from their closeness even if they weren't able to escape.
Then, she fidgeted with boredom as they were introduced and occasionally tried to twist and bat at her sister's face and ears with the pad of a paw.
She stopped only when Kidondo lowered himself and with a playful growl, tried to bounce at his nose, forgetting her tail was trapped. She snagged her tail and was pulled short - flopping on her belly in the sand.
She gave a huff and scrunched up her nose as daddy's whiskers tickled it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:04 pm
As soon as Azar's thought was confirmed that the huge male in front of them was indeed her father, she perked up right away. A smile coming across her face. She still stayed where she was however very anxious to move forward to her father. She looked over at her opposite colored sister then back forward toward her mother and father. She stayed quiet, not shyly hiding like a few were. She stood bold with the same big smile across her maw.
She noticed her mom starting to introduce each of her siblings once by one. She wormed around slightly, her entire small female fulled with excitement. Once she was lifted off of the ground, she wormed in her mother's jaws. About to demand 'walk' before she was set down, once she was the excitement was back. She grinned up at her father before nipping at her sister's ear. She was about to start to wander up to her father but something told her to wait for her mother to continue introducing her other siblings. She was fidgeting a few times that was until her father nuzzled her, before he could move away she took in his scent, he smelt some what like her siblings, and his mane was huge! She couldn't help but to look over at her mother and aunt, also at her siblings. How come they didn't have big manes like that? She wanted to know why he needed it? It looked soft though.
She quickly slid the thought off nipping at him before he could move. "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." She whimpered as he wandered to the next cub. She wanted him to come back over to her, she never got to meet daddy before she wanted to spend more time with him. She inched forward slightly making herself a few inches in front of her siblings by herside. "Daddy?" She whimpered again.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:22 am
"Well, I couldn't let you off the hook for that," No preened. She had a few names in mind... but hardly eight! Besides, she thought it right for the father to do the job. If she birthed them, then he would give them a place in the world. Affectionately, she dipped her head down to the horde of cubs, and nuzzled a few closest to her that had begun to squeal.
"Yes, this is your daddy." She smiled. "Just as important as mommies, you know. And less scarier when man." She added for Ea and Fia's benefit, shooting them a 'I'm still watching you!' gaze. In response, Ea smiled cheekily and cautiously looked up towards her towering father. She was still huddled behind Fia. But in a small moment of bravery, she poked her head out and blinked her peculiar eyes and gave a shy bat of her paw.
"Mommy is dangerous," Ea said flatly, as though a warning to Kidondo.
"That isn't true," Kaanga smiled- finally deciding that the family had finished introductions. Without hesitation she picked up Azar with the hook of her paw, and gently fiddled with Adara's fur. "She thinks they are very beautiful children. Many different personalities make for a balanced family." The white princess adored.
No nodded her head, and lightly bopped Ea on the head. The little cub barred her teeth and attempted to mock spar with the paw- but No's attention was already back on Kidondo. He was sitting amongst the avalanche of small bodies, trying to get to know all eight as perfectly as possible. The black cat smiled to herself, and gently swayed her tail. And much like Kidondo, she came at the same conclusion. It was going to be alright- they'd be alright.
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:16 pm
((IFAIL. I have to get online more >>))
Zii was so caught up with how her nose reacted to things that she really wasn't paying attention at all. Except for when her sister that she adored turned and scolded her nose. She pressed her cheek against her dark sisters, her little pink tongue sticking out in her pleasure of it. She lifted her head to gaze at Kaanga as she was told to not cry and she nodded-her little gold eyes squeezed shut. Zii was pretty well behaved but certain things caught her attention quicker than others. She could see the line stopping-not noticing if Mother had said for them too-and craned her neck to see what was going on. There was a big lion like Mommy in their presence now and she was thrilled at the concept of meeting someone new.
Her little ears twitched upon hearing that this was 'Daddy' from the mouths of her siblings. She grinned, looking to her dark sister and beaming, tongue still out. "Daddy..." She murmered, tongue back to where it belonged. She tossed herself onto her dark sister and murmered the words over and over. 'Daddy' 'daddy'. She hardly seemed to notice when she was lifted from the ground and placed-and shown to their father. She gazed at him with silent gold eyes, pressing herself against her sister more.
"Hello Daddy..." She said quietly, before returning her cheek to her sisters rump-tongue back out to see the world again. She peeked over at him as he spoke to her-concerning her nose. "Mine nose is-no sad no more..." She said sweetly, lifting it up to show him how fine it was now. "Nose unhappy with ground but happy now... Right Mommah?" She asked, looking to No for assurance.
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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:01 am
He moved back to the little one, soon to be named Azar, and reached out to wrap a paw around her and pull her closer. "It's okay, little one. Daddy's not going anywhere." The smile on his face seemed to be permanently fixed there. He didn't think it'd ever go away.
He turned smiling eyes up to his mate. "I guess we'll need to start thinking, then. Either that or we just give them numbers." He laughed. They hadn't had much discussion about names before now, though he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because they had had no idea how many cubs to expect. They certainly had their work cut out for them now!
"Less scary?" He chuckled. "I think I'll agree with you there, no one messes with mummies and gets away with it." His eyes dipped back to the twin who was peeking out from behind her sister. What she said next took him by surprise and it took him a great amount of effort not to laugh. Thankfully, Kaanga intervened and it gave him a moment to school his expression.
"They're certainly all different." He observed. "And you're right, Kaanga, balance is good." And he looked to the two sisters, the black and white, so very contrasting and yet so very close. He reached out to touch his nose to the white's, smiling softly. "We can't have your nose getting sad now, can we?"
His eyes sought No again and his heart was in them. These were their children. Their family. He'd been so frightened and so excited for this day and now, finally, it was here. Their family was finally complete. Love touched him, flled him with warmth and he stood and stepped towards the dark lioness, touching his muzzle to hers.
"What do you say, then? Shall we show the little ones home and discuss names?" He cast a look to Kaanga. "You can come, too, Kaanga. If you like. We could do with another opinion."
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