((This RP was roleplayed over Skype. Randy2Love's is in black while mine are in olive.))
Asenath had found something strange today. Something she couldn't explain. While out exploring on her own she'd run smack dab into a young little fawn. At first neither knew what to make of the other. She was an adolesent, well on her way to adult hood but still a cub at heart and soul. She hadn't gone on many hunting lessons with her mother yet. So when she scared the poor thing to near death she had to make amends. Well upon further bonding she'd discovered the little guy was lost and by golly she couldn't leave him where there might be MORE lions. So she decided to bring him along home.
So fawn in tow, she leads the thing up the rocky face. "C'mon Corbin..." She called back to him as she approached Siku putting on her best inoccent face.
"C-coming..." He muttered glancing around. He was taught lions were dangerous and there certainly were a lot here. He wondered why he even followed her except she seemed so nice and he was so very frightened. Maybe they'd help him home.
"Moooom! I have something to show you!"
Kisikusiku raised her head from where it had been resting inbetween her paws. Mom. That name had such a nice ring to it. Even though the cubs weren't her's she was happy to be thought of as their loving and doting mother. It was bliss. The young lioness's ears twitched as her blue eyes rested on her daughter.
"Ah, Ase dear." A smile graced her maw as she slowly stood up from her laying position. "What is it?" Slowly she drew close to Asenath. It didn't take long though for her to smell the creature at her daughter's paws.
"Oh?" Siku tilted her head to the side curiously. "And who is this?"
The young lionness bounded up to her mother, tail flickering. "Its a baby!" She said proudly and nudged the little thing forward. "I found him... He lost his mother."
The young klipspringer glanced back at Asenath then up at the larger, more powerful lion and it wasn't long before he was shaking in fear. "... C-C-Corbin..." He answered his ears flattening against his head. His little tail was flicking back and forth rapidly.
"Can we keep him?"
The lioness stood with confusion at Asenath's words for a moment or so. Her blue eyes gazed over the little one who shook and trembled at her feet. "Corbin?"
Siku lowered her belly to the ground to sit eye level with the little thing. Very gentle laughter rose from her throat as she glanced between Asenath and the little baby. "Well Ase....If you look after him very carefully. He's a baby. Are you sure you're ready for that?" She asked gently.
Corbin tried to edge deeper between Asenath's front legs, his tail tucking under. "Y-yes... I can't find my momma..." He complained sadly.
Asenath grinned. "Of course I can! I'll take good care of him. Pleease mom? I can't just leave him all alone." She said nuzzling his little head. He didn't seem to agree with this action as that just met those teeth were closer to him and he ducked.
"Hush little one. Do not worry." Siku purred gently to the floundering baby in an attempt to ease his sorrow and fear.
Kisikusiku watched as Asenath caressed the child lovingly. "You may keep him, but do be careful. Now..." She nudgd Asenath's head away from the youth with a motherly touch of the paw. "Give him some room to breathe before he faints. He is very tiny while you have grown to become large. He sees you very differently than you see him."
Even with Siku's kind words, Corbin tried to keep himself behind Asenath's legs, one of his large, sweet brown eyes peering at her. THough he did relax a great deal when she stopped nosing his head.
The female give Siku a strange look but pulled up when she was told. "Why would he faint? What do you mean he seems me differently? He's a baby and he needs a mom, right?"
Siku knew the little one wouldn't warm up to her quickly. It'd take time but at least he was hiding behind Asenath instead of a tree or simply trying to make a break for it. That meant he felt safe with her, at least when it came to being cornered by other lions.
"Well Ase, please dear think about it. You are the hunter while he is the prey. So his first thought is to be afraid of you. Not only that but you're so big compared to him you look frightening. Is that correct, Corbin?" Siku asked the trembling creature. "Do not worry though, my little one. He will warm up to you and consider you a mother. It will just take some time, love, and nurture."
The adolcesent seem to consider this information. That was true. He surely was very small compared to her. She tok antoher glance at him and frowned slightly. "Oh... I see..."
Corbin gave a few swift nods. He crept out a bit to look up at the two of them. "But... whata bout my momma?" He asked with a frown. "How do I find her?"
The older lioness nodded to Ase, happy she understood what she was trying to say.
"I'm sure Ase will help you look for her, won't you?" Siku replied in order to quell the child's questions. "In the mean time my daughter Asenath will care for you. Do not worry little Corbin. She will make a fine foster mother for you while she searches for your mother."
"Of course! Don't you worry Corbin! We'll find her!" She said looking down at him with a wide smile.
He couldn't help feel a bit more at ease as he climbed out to be more in the open and peered up at Siku. Through she was big her voice was nice, like his own mother's. He gives a small nod. "Okay..." He said, giving a small yawn. He was young and easily tuckered out. He brushed his small head against Asenath's leg and plopped down beside her.
"Do... baby's sleep a lot?" She asked, voice full of wonder at how something could be so scared then so sleepy the next.
"Very good. I'm glad we have reached an understanding." Siku purred returning a nod to the child. She had to admit the little fawn was cute. His shy eyes, big with fear and worry, were painfully adorable. Her own tender eyes followed the youth as he collapsed upon her daughter's leg; his worries eased by their agreement.
Laughter once again flew up from Siku's throat and she nodded to her young daughter. "Well of course they do. You and your sister's slept a lot as cubs. Of course you can not remember that but I certainly do." More laughter followed before she slowly stood up. "Why not bring him further into the den to rest? Stay close to his side though or he will be scared when he wakes up and his foster mother isn't around."
The tan lionness looked proud of her new 'kid'. She glanced down at him as he snuggled, trying to get comfortable. She didn't smell like his mother and that made it difficult. "Oh..." Was all she could say and she nodded. Carefully as she could she wrapped her mouth around him and picked him up. It was a terrible image since it appeared as though she just hunted him.
The young buck cracked his eyes open but was too tired to respond. Instead he just shut them again, sensing she meant him no harm.
She looked at her mother before heading up to the den to put him in bed. She wanted Siku to follow her. She had more questions about baby raising. "What else should I do?" She asked once he was safely tucked in a corner. He settled himself down next ot her body for warmth.
Her mother's eyes watched just how careful and gentle Ase was with the new little one. It was amazing to see her like this. Normally Asenath would be bounding about like a raging wildfire. Rarely if ever had Siku seen her so tender and sweet. Her little cub was growing up.
Ase's silent wish was granted before she could complete the silent plea. As the youth made her way up the slope Kisikusiku followed after her. She knew she needed to help and really wanted to. In a way this was rather exciting. As crazy as it sounded she missed having little cubs scambering around at her feet. Well....Ase and Tesni still scambered but now they were colliding with her chest and torso rather than her legs. Even though this baby was not of kin nor even had a shred of lion in him he was still going to be looked after as their own. Siku was sure of that.
The sun's light filtered into the cave as the motherly lioness followed them in. A proud smile she wore the entire time she was inside. "You let him sleep for now and stay beside him. When he wakens you make sure to speak softly and be gentle. Ask how he is and if he is hungry. Don't worry, it may be difficult but it's still fun." She reassured as she sat her body down beside Ase for support.
She glanced down at the young horned animal then nodded. "I can do that easy..." SHe offered then licked the top of his head. This he reconized and pushed agianst her side, giving another adorable yawn. She lifted her ears at the response and put her head down next to him. "Thanks mom... i'll take good care of him, I promise. Will you help me look for his mom too?"
Gentle blue eyes of the healer looked down at her daughter. Serenity rested in her eyes and hung on her words. "Of course, I will. Every child needs a mother." She whispers before drawing closer to Ase and nuzzling her cheek against her daughter's. "For now I believe you will make an outstanding mother for him. Never doubt yourself, and I'm always here for you."
"Thanks..." She gave a large yawn of her own, and nuzzled her back. "I hope so..." She gave a warm smile and nestled against the older lioness' side, purring slightly. "Thanks mom... You're the best..." She said settling down for a small nap with her new infant.
"Mmm...thank you for giving me the chance to be." Siku whispers as she cradles her daughter's head against her breast. Every so carefully she licked the Ase's forehead with affection while avoiding too much movement to stirr the little one in her daughter's grasp.
