Feleji had settled in comfortably to the Dawnwalkers. Though maybe not as comfortably as his daughter Shani had; she was now living inside of a preverbal sand castle that she had made for herself out of the natural resources about them. Feleji on the other hand was just getting used to sleeping on sand. It got up in his fur and other places he wasn’t going to mention publicly. But it was always warm like a giant blanket. That he liked.
The female loved her new life, but her heart ached with the thought of losing her first litter. They had left her and she was almost positive she would never see any of them ever again. It panged her heart, and she gave a mounful cry as she stood, and began walking back to their den.
It was a nice den, big and perfect for a large family..Too bad she no longer had a large family.
She saw Fel itching the sand off his body, and gave a soft smile, headbutting him affectionately, and walking past him with a sigh.
He had been her mate long enough that he knew most of the things that were bothering her. But it was fairly obvious above all that she really did miss there first litter. They had both been young and he knew it was bound to happen that most of them would run off. Although he older then her who breed in her adolescence might have accepted it better then she did. She watched her walk by and wished he could do something for her at the moment. But nothing struck him. Then out of the blue and maybe not the best timed statement ever blurted out, “Would you like to have a REAL family?” He couldn’t see any of the cubs leaving the safety of the pride.
She wasnt sure she wanted the pain of another litter.. Not when everyone had left her the first time. What if she birthed another demon? Though it wasnt likely.. this time they would be raised right, and no one would be able to get to them to fill their young minds with such disgusting acts.
"I want my old family back Fel. A new family could start a whole new can of worms. What if one of them is like Roth? Dark and evil? What would the pride think of me?"
That would forever be her worry from his birth on out.
Feleji was never the best with words. “I don’t think anything could ever be as bad as how Roth turned out.” His maw turned into a downcast smile. He tried not to think of his son all that much. But that probably wouldn’t cheer Val up all that much since Feleji just resolitified in her mind that he was a terrible son. He looked away then back at her again moving his large body closer to her. He gave her a reaffirming nuzzle. “But they could all be as good as Shani too-“ He paused. “And we have the pride to help watch them and raise them the right way.” He thought about Satiku and how it was no wonder Roth’s mind corrupted with such terrible things.
The large lioness gave another sigh, flicking her tail and walking over to her mate. She nuzzled him, licking his cheek a few times, before sitting and thinking deeply.
Did she want more cubs? Yes..Almost enough to bear the brunt of more pain like they had caused her.
And he was right, they had protection now, and could defend their cubs from the world. They were safe.
Thank Heavens for the Dawnwalkers.
"I..would like a another litter Feleji.."
He beamed inwardly and outwardly. Those had been the words he had been looking to hear from Val. Though he didn’t want to voice it to her until she was ready. He loved her too dearly to hurt her in anyway and knew that was one of her most sensitive subjects. “I would like a family. One that stays with us.” He also knew with the pride kills would be more available and they wouldn’t have to single handedly rear the cubs having little time with them. “This litter will be wonderful. I promise.” The big male rested his head onto hers.
"I know it will love, deep down.. I know it will. Something in me will always worry, but I know its a worry thats unfounded. You will help me, I know it."
She smiled genuinely, and gave him another nuzzle, a purr escaping her throat. Her and Fel were married in the eyes of the pride, and so she knew that breeding was possible and she could have her dream of a perfect family.
"If you will help keep them in line, I will forever desire to bear your cubs."
He chuckled slightly, but not at her. “I’ll do my best to keep them in line. Though, no promises. I will however be there best friend.” As it was clear the cubs respected their mother more as the dominate figure then him. He was the dad to pall around with. “Maybe you could teach me in the area’s I’m lacking?” He thought maybe if he grounded his children with a better father figure they would grow up less inclined to be evil, he like Val didn’t want another Roth.
“I want to be the perfect father. As you are already the perfect mother.”
"You are a nanny now, I think you will be able to learn your own manner of discipline." Even now, she was dominant, even after being so submissive and loving only moments before. She loved him, and he knew it, and so she said what she felt.
"But you are a good father, and so I think that you will find that being in their lives will be the best thing you can do for a cub."
She replied honestly.
”Your probably right.” It made him beam inside that the pride had thought he was so good with cubs to promote him. Although he wondered sometimes about that since the only cub he had to show for his work with Shani. Did they maybe not look to far into his past too tell if he would be good with them? That they would turn out all right; “I’m sure I’ll be able to learn something from the other ladies…” As he really couldn’t see any other males beside himself taking care of the cubs, it’d be a surprise and a shock to him to find males as calm and family-like as him. Then again being raised as a rogue taught him things he assumed a pride didn’t.
She was happy that her mate had taken the job of nanny. It meant that he could raise their cubs, and she could hunt their meals. Their roles in life were solidified, and she felt happy to know they were safe.
"This is going to be different.. Im rather nervous, I can only imagine what the pride will think of our rambunctious litter. Though Shani, she will maybe grow a little more intellectually if she has babies showing her how young she behaves."
”I’m actually thinking on enrolling our daughter in priesthood classes, if that’s okie with you. I think it’ll better her if she had some point in her life…” And he really couldn’t help adding in, “And find a handsome male of her own.” He blushed at the words but felt so much pride that he’d be able to see that his daughter had the best future possible. “I hope though she manages to SIT threw the classes. But that’s Shani for you.” He chuckled looking back at his sleeping daughter. It was the only time she was still.
She smiled, giving a nod and yawning herself.
"Come on Fel, I’m tired, and we have some making up to do. Lets retire for the evening."
She nodded, yawning once more, and standing to walk inside the den.
She was happy with life, and it was a great feeling to know that life was going so well.
He followed behind her and left Shani outside knowing she would be safe inside the prides lands. But when he laid down the large male wanted to show he could protect them by waiting for Val to fall asleep first. But lid by lid he struggled to keep he’s eye’s pried open. Eventually he couldn’t win over his desire to sleep and lay over on one side with a thud. Snoring away like a baby.
