[RITES] Manning Up (Ur/Omolara)

[Talencia]

They'd been here long enough for it to start feeling like home. The sound of the sighing, roaring ocean was an accepted background noise, and sandy soil felt right under his paws now. He was finding the stability of pride life a great improvement from the dangerous and lonely life out in the roguelands. The change to being a part of a pride was a wonderful one that he embraced fully now.

His recent growth had further triggered his desire to look after his mother. She wasn't alone in the world anymore, but he still felt it was his responsibiliity to ensure her happiness and provision. Becoming an adolescent in the pride also meant he was to perform his rites into adulthood, to become the man of the family in reality. He took these rites very seriously, and was more than willing when it came his time.

That isn't to say it wasn't intimidating. To leave the land behind and walk out into the water was not unpleasant, but knowing how far away each step took him from safety was in the forefront of his mind. He noted with interest how the incoming waves tended to wash the sand from beneath the pads of his paws, shifting his weight if he paused long enough. He waded out into the ocean's grasp, stopping a good distance from shore as the tide steadily pushed the waves landward.

His heart beat loud within his chest as the salt water spun and slid past his legs, dragging at the sand beneath him inexorably. It was odd to feel his fur tugged along as if in a breeze, but beneath the water instead. It wasn't long before the waves splashed against he chiset, sending spray up into his face. He lifted his chin, wrinkling his muzzle at the feeling of the water along his growing mane below his shoulders. It felt... oddly invasive. Like a stranger nuzzling him like his mother might. He gave his pelt a shudder and stood his ground.

Or rather, he tried to stand his ground. As the water surged closer to his head, it became harder to hold his position. It was with a start that he realized that the reason was because the ocean was lifting him bodily fromt he sandy bottom. Eyes wide at the power displayed by such an enigmatic entity as the sea, he treaded water for a string of heartbeats, just taking in the feeling of being held by something so much bigger than himself. A cry of a seabird brought him back to himself, though. Why, he was swimming!

He would have roared for joy, but gaping his jaws wide earned him a splash of bitter water he had to gulp down or choke on. Wiser for the experience, he clamped his mouth shut and angled his body. An incoming wave caught him broadside, slapping against his wet hide and sheeting straight up into the air. This doused the rest of his head, straggling his growing mane into his face. Sputtering but undeterred, he finished the turn back towards land and paddled with his paws, letting the waves do most of the work.

Panting but proud, the sodden adolescent plowed through the rising tidal waves towards his mother. "Did you see, mother?" he crowed at first, then sobered. He was now a working member of the pride, a responsibility that he took seriously. "Mother," he added, eyes sober and searching hers for approval and permission, "I want to be a nyangumi. I want to learn to tend the territory, guard the families, welcome those seeking solace as we were." Still dripping copious amounts of water, he watched her expression intently. "Will you give me your blessing, mother?"  

[Enoh Love]

Omolara wasn't sure WHEN it happened, but it just seemed like one day she woke up and there he was; already nearly bigger than she was, and with a growing in mane. She knew he was growing up, and it...actually made her feel a little sad. Okay, very sad. The bigger he became the more freedom he gained, and the more freedom he gained, the more lonely she started to feel. But, this is what every Mother had to go through, right? Empty Den Syndrome. Letting your precious cub start their own life, on their own.

So she didn't know what to think when the rites were brought up, and before she knew it she was standing on the sandy beach, watching her indigo boy take his steps out to face the Ocean. A whirlwind of emotions swirled through her; Anxiety, Pride, Fear...and she waited with a bated breath to see what the Ocean would decide. Ur had to come out successful. He proved time and time again that he was strong...the ocean just had to accept him. It had to!

When he moved to swim back to shore, the roars that broke out, Omolara's was one of the louder ones. It was shorter than the others though, as she realized he was heading towards her. Not as someone who depended on her, but as someone who wanted her to depend on him. She stared at him with wide eyes, managing a nod to his comment; yes, she did see him. She was so proud...but...

Nyangumi. Of course he did. There really was nothing else that suited him better. Her gaze dropped from his intense stare to the sand under their paws, shifting minutely in discomfort. She didn't want him to grow up. She'd be alone then. So alone. But...she had to let go. For him.

"You...You have my blessing, Ur'ahava." She said slowly, her voice indescribable, but starting to break from pure emotion. "I am so Proud of you..." She murmured, stepping closer to nuzzle him affectionately. "So Proud..."  

[Talencia]

He only had ears and eyes for his mother at this point, and her dismay and joy were both legible upon her face. He moved to her, wishing he was truly grown up and able to gather her close to him, to shelter her from her feelings. Instead, he settled for wrapping one foreleg around her neck and huffing into her fur. "We'll stay together, won't we?" He let his voice, which was deepening noticably, squeak just a little. It was an appeal, but it also was a reassurance. He wanted her as part of his life, he wanted to be there for her and give to her like she had given to him. "Don't worry Mother... I'm not going anywhere," he stepped back with a smile and tousled her topfur with a smirk on his face. She seemed so vulnerable! He didn't like seeing her like this, and tried to lighten the mood. "I mean, you aren't kicking me out or anything, are you?"  

[Enoh Love]

Omolara grunted a bit when his foreleg moved about her neck; ugh, so he was big enough to do that, now? It was all coming into perspective for her. Closing her dark eyes, she nudged his nose with her head, a thin and almost pained smile on her lips. "We will, for as long as possible." She assured him quietly; of course, as long as possible to her meant that she'd stick around until he was sick of her. Something she hoped wouldn't happen any time soon.

Giving a little whine when he tousled her, she bowed her head and pawed at it like he used to when he was a cub, raking it back into place. His tease gained a small chuckle, but also an affectionate nudge to his shoulder. "No, I won't kick you out." She purred out in reassurance. It was good of him to act like this to her; it was obvious that he understood how hard this was.

"Well...So long as you don't start taking up the entire den." She teased hesitantly, under her breath.  

[Talencia]

He relaxed as she seemed reassured, his eyes laughing at her and his jaw dropping in mirth as she mimicked his onw gesture of protest at her fur being mussed. Yes, life was good. It didn't bother him one bit to live with his mother, even though he was old enough to take on the responsibility of a role in the pride. Time enough for a mate of his own. For now, he had enough to do, looking after himself and his mother. For now, life was good.