|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:37 pm
 If they were Tarafa's cubs, why was it that Mittere kept getting stuck in the den with them? Oh yes, she knew that her mate did desperately need some time to herself, but couldn't she find someone - anyone! - else to watch the kids? It wasn't like the pink lioness was biologically related to them! To be fair, it was her responsibility as Tarafa's mate...but just because it was logical didn't mean Mittere had to like it, damnit! She hated dealing with cubs. They didn't reason the way an adult could, their logic was...special and they had a knack for getting into the worst sorts of trouble just when your back was turned. And then when you caught them at it, they had the gall to look utterly adorable and make a face that just made you melt inside. Gods above, she hated cubs.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:51 pm
Amani hadn't been born long in this world, but even he understood that all he seemed to do was sleep. He liked naps. He liked being cuddled next to one of his mothers, burrowed in their warmth, enjoying the comfort of their presence. Even though he hadn't been born long, he knew there were acute differences between Mommy and Mom.
Mommy was softer to look at, and softer to touch. She had patience, and seemed much more inclined too accept his cuddles. Better yet, she often reciprocated the nuzzles and licks!
Mom, on the other hand, was harder to touch. She was a brighter color, and had a different scent. The feeling he felt around Mom was . . . different then that of Mommy. Mommy wasn't the one to coddle. . . but that didn't mean he loved her any less. Oh no. Amani adored his family, and as far as he knew, their lives were complete just as they were now. . .
The young cub had been waiting for Tarafa to return to them. He was trying to sleep, but his sister were curled up on one another, and he just couldn't get comfortable on either. Besides which, he really wasn't sleepy. And as much as Amani liked to nap, he also very much liked to play. Struggling to his feet, the big pawed cub only had one option, and that was to play with Mom.
With swiftness that cubs could possess, Amani did his best to pounce on some part of Mittere. A little cub growl entered his throat, even as he lost his footing on his paws and completely misjudged the spot he was hoping to hit. Nope, Mittere was his play toy and there would be no changing that . . . Well, at least not until she snapped and snarled at him to get off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:57 pm
From the sounds in the den, it seemed at least one of the little rascals was awake. Mittere gritted her teeth and willed the cub to go back to sleep quietly. Unfortunately, she was no God, to enforce her will upon others through thought alone.
She supposed the cub must have been aiming for her tail. It was, after all, a moving target and, slow as it had been, possible for a cub to pounce. Assuming, of course, the cub had a little something called "aim."
This one didn't. The impact, as such things went, wasn't much compared to what Mittere was used to. However her haunch already had pink ropes of scar tissue marking old injuries. She hissed as they reminded her of their existence.
The pink lioness craned her neck around to glare at her mate's offspring, not saying a word.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:29 pm
Unfortunately for Mittere, Amani had no understanding of wounds or hurts or scars. He was unaware that the marks covering the pink lioness were painful, or not naturally made. For a moment, he was absolutely oblivious of the pink lioness glower, and did what he could, battling her haunch with all of his power.
That's right. . . he was going to take her down! He didn't know why he needed to take her down, but instinct dictated such a thing. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't exactly gifted in the art of the hunt. While he was trying to bite as hard as he could, her flank was covered in fur . . and his little mouth just wasn't big enough to do much damage. Furthermore, he couldn't get a good grip on her haunch, it was too big compared to him. . . .Growling, and half-choking on the mouthfuls of fur, the young cubs frantic actions only ceased when he caught sight of something strange.
Uh-oh.
Mom was looking at him.
Freezing, he flattened his ears and stared back, part of her fur still hanging haphazardly out of his mouth. "Mm noph phere. . . " He tried to stay, hoping she would fall for his trick. Yeah, he wasn't here. . not at all. If he didn't move, she couldn't see him! Right . . RIGHT!?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:37 pm
It wasn't that Amani was causing severe pain, but he couldn't be expected to understand that distinction anyways. Mittere gave a strictly mental sigh. What on earth was she going to do with these cubs? Not a one showed any strong traits that would aid them in becoming a Warrior. There wasn't anything wrong with other ranks, but it would be a true source of pride for at least one child she'd raised to follow in her footsteps.
She supposed she could always have her own cubs and thus be able to say her offspring, but the pink lioness wasn't at all interested in such a painful endeavor. Tarafa'd had cubs. The pride could be happy with that damnit.
But that was neither here nor there. Here was Amani, frozen with a guilty look on his face and bits of her own pink fur in his mouth. She had no idea what he was trying to accomplish, but he should already have a fair idea that it wasn't what was allowed.
"And what, exactly, are you doing?" she asked mildly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:13 pm
Confounded! He'd been spotted!
Unfortunately for Mittere, Amani had not been granted quick wits, quick reflexes, quick intelligence, or quick anything. He was a pudgy little cub, incredibly clumsy, and still possessed a cubs innocence. . . and stupidity. Thankfully though, he was wise enough to know that one didn't cross Mom or push their luck. When she glared, that was it. . . your life was over.
Part of the cub couldn't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, if he wished hard enough he would disappear! Maybe he'd turn invisible and what a world that would be! He could run around and cause all sorts of mischief! Gone would be his bedtime, gone would be getting in trouble, if he were invisible. . . that would be so amazing!
Giggling suddenly, almost like a cub possessed, he pushed himself off of his mothers flank and burst into a great run around her. In a massive circle he spun, laughing at his mother and her inability to catch him. "I'm not doing anything, Mom! I'm invissssssaaaabllllllleeeee. . . . You can't see me!" It was nothing more than a game, he knew, but it was one he expected his mother to play.
Granted, he knew deep down she likely would not and would either roll her eyes in exasperation or put a stop to his flight of fancy, but for now, he was invisible. She couldn't see him, and that meant he had every clearance to run around her. "The invisible hunter is hunting the worst prey of all. . . HIS MOTHER!" He narrated to himself, his run slowing even as he tried to catch his breath. Faster, faster! Granted, Amani was completely ignoring instinct and likely being the most obnoxious predator to date, but it was fun.
And right now, fun as all that mattered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:33 pm
She had absolutely no idea what the kid was up to, running around her and saying the strangest things about being invisible. Blue eyes tracked Amani as he ran around and around. And now he said he was hunting her? What in the hells was she supposed to do with this?
With a soft grunt, Mittere heaved herself to her feet - logically speaking, this should make it less likely for Amani to run into her. But, to be utterly certain, she picked up the cub in her mouth and set him on one of the rocks, where he'd sit at eye level to her.
The pink lioness considered what she could say, but in the end opted to simply give the boy a Look and wait to see what he had to say for himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:35 pm
Everything was going as planned. He was running so fast that Mittere would never, ever be able to catch him! He would be the fastest in the pride, he would, faster than any of the cheetahs! Around and around he went, even as his energy was beginning to wane. No, he had to be faster, much faster! Even if he didn't find his stamina sapped, Amani realized that the world was beginning to spin at odd angles. Even as his runnign slowed, he felt the world slip out from under him, causing him to giggle a bit madly. He likely would have collapsed in a heap but Mittere interfered and snatched him by the scruff.
OH NOES!
His little paws continued to run for a moment, even as he couldn't help but exclaim his great woe and disappointment. "I've been caught~! Noooooo! The mighty Mittere has invisibility sense!" It didn't matter to Amani that he was absolutely ridiculous at this point, he was a cub, and his imagination quite often ran away with him. One couldn't complain though - he was his mother's son, after all.
Finding himself plopped on the rock, the little green and white cub took a moment to study his mother. Her blue eyes were stern, as always, and she didn't look particularly impressed. But that didn't matter - she was still his mother. "You're good at finding invisible cubs, Mother." He gave a little giggle and reached out to plant a little lick on her nose. She deserved it, after all!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:59 am
The pink lioness gave another mental sigh. She really, truly, did not understand cubs in general or this one in particular. She supposed this might, in his mind, be some sort of game but Mittere couldn't figure it out for the life of her.
And it seemed clear to her that she was going to have to cultivate a...perhaps a stricter manner, with these cubs. How else was she going to discipline them properly? She certainly couldn't allow them to get away with the most ridiculous antics in the world!
Not that Amani was in trouble right now. But his resistance to an expression that had cowed dozens of older lions was a warning, and a stern one, that cubs made her softer than she wanted. Not at all a pleasant thought.
"You are trouble on four paws," she retorted. "Go back inside and take your nap."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:14 pm
Amani only beamed up at his mother, though he knew that she was much more strict than Tarafa. His blue eyes were bright with mischief as he watched her, more curious about her than anything. While it was true getting in trouble with Mittere was far from ideal, unfortunately, he did not fear her. Perhaps it was because he was around her so often, because she did have softer moments that he had witnessed while around Tarafa. It was simply normal for Amani.
While other cubs might fear the irritable pink female, to Amani, that was just par for the course. She was big and tough and serious, and he loved her for it. He wouldn't want any other mother in the world -- Tarafa was good for softness, stories, and cuddles, and Mittere was good for more rough and tumble play.
Giggling a little, the cub dipped his head and lifted up one of his paws. "Nuh-uh. I'm only on three paws. . ." Such a crafty creature he was, or so he truly believed. "Besides, if I'm trouble then what are you? More trouble? You are bigger than me . . . and pink." As if that had anything to do with it. His ears pricked forward, his head tilted as he questioned his mother, legitimately desiring to know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:18 pm
Mittere resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Arguing with offspring in this manner seemed idiotic, but what else could she do? Blue eyes narrowed at Amani.
"Den. Sleep. Now," the pink lioness ordered, avoiding the debate the kid obviously wanted. She wasn't interested in defending or attacking his weird little ideas, she just wanted peace and quiet. As soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:26 pm
If Amani seemed perturbed that his mother blatantly ignored his question, it didn't phase him. Again, he was lucky enough to have a few moments with Mittere to begin with, and without her yelling or snarling at him. Though, if he read her body language correctly, he was already starting to push buttons.
. . . . on the one paw, he should stop and listen and be obedient.
. . . . on the other paw, pushing buttons was fun. Oh, sure, he'd wind up in trouble and yelled at and likely have Mittere grump at him but he was a cub. Button pushing was what he did. He needed to test his boundaries all the same, it was the only way he would learn. Though, it did appear that Amani often didn't retain the lessons he learned. Or he purposefully disregarded them, much to his parents disapproval.
"But I'm not tired yet, Mother. Besides, I . . I can't get down." He turned on the rock and looked down where he needed to jump. It sure looked a long way, and he really wasn't sure leaping off was a good idea. He tried to 'walk' his way down the rock, only to find it unappealing. Rump in the air, tail flicking anxiously, he considered his options.
. . . he was stuck. Nope, it was better to stay on the rock than to jumnp down. "I'm stuck here forever," he added, glancing over his shoulder where Mittere stood. "I will be a pile of bones, and everyone will come mourn the cub who couldn't leap from a rock because his Mother put him too high up. It will be a great story, I think."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:32 pm
She has a very low tolerance for cute. And for cubs. And for anything that refused to obey, really. The pink lioness gave up being polite. She grabbed the cub by the scruff of his neck and carried him bodily into the den.
He probably didn't like it. She really didn't care.
Once there she set him down gently enough, but then pinned him with a large pink paw. That should keep him in one place. For a while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:40 pm
Amani had figured one of two things would happen. Mittere would push him off the rock, in which case he would likely fall to an untimely death (so he assumed) or she would pick him up.
She chose the latter, for better or worse, and Amani found himself once more getting dragged back to the den.
Noooo! "I'm . . not. . . tired though!" He complained, trying to squirm while in Mittere's grasp, but doing himself absolutely no good. Her grip was firm, and there was no escape once she had him. Despite his knowledge of this, that didn't stop him from at least trying . . . Someday, someday he'd be too big to be picked up and then the pride was his! He could go everywhere, and Mittere would be unable to drag him places.
It would be a grand day indeed when that happened.
So it was, the little cub was plopped back in the den. Unfortuantely though, instead of just leaving him to his own devices, she placed a paw on him. Really? "Mooooom," he mewed, struggling beneath her grip. Unfortunately, he was still a very little cub, and Mittere quite strong. He put up a slight tantrum, of course, kicking at her paw and chewing on her toes as he tried to get her to release him. . . . but it was of no avail.
He finally gave up, heaving a melodramatic sigh, and relaxing himself completely beneath her paw. "This isn't very fun, you know." He chattered, looking up at his mother with a small scowl that almost mimicked her own. His tail flicked irritably, but there was nothing more to do. He was trapped. Forever. Or at least until he fell asleep out of boredom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
