[PRP] At the Border (Kamala x Hrdayesa)

[Polette]

Heart pounding, Kamala took careful steps, each one accompanied by a nervous glance. He was in unfamiliar territory, but the journey was a must; he was taking three small cubs that looked just like him to a new home - away from him. It was heart-wrenching, to say the least, but it was something that he felt needed to be done.

The final decision had come after many nights of discussion with the cubs mother, Tuuli. Ah, sweet Tuuli. He had planned to stay with her for a good while, until the cubs were of age and could go off and start their own lives. It was an...unplanned occurrence, but that didn't mean that Kamala regretted it. He really cared for Tuuli, which was why he had taken the three small cubs away as she had asked. This little detour, though, was a bit unplanned as well. The fact that she had been so worried and fearful of becoming a mother made him doubt his ability to father - especially since it would be just him doing it. And this couple that he had heard about sounded so nice, stable and....a little sad. He almost felt a bit guilty, having unexpected cubs with a female that he hadn't known all that long, while they were there, unable to ever have cubs of their own.

Now, the soft light of the sun was just barely peeking over the horizon, coloring everything in a soft blueish hue. He would pause his walking every once in a while to make sure that the tiny cubs could keep up; he had taken them as soon as they were able to walk, just barely weened from their mother. They would stumble every few steps, but he'd give them a gentle nudge with his nose, moving them along. It wasn't far now from where he'd meet the other male; part of him was dreading giving away his own blood, but he honestly felt that it was the best decision, and best life, for his three sons.

 

[Schicksalswende]

Hyrdayesa was exiting the main pridal lands for a jaunt, but it wasn't a care free one. The large and dark coloured leopon was hoping that the male he'd met before, had kept his word. Although he seemed trustworthy, he was still unsure of this situation. The other was a Rogue, and while he was sure that not all rogue lions are sneaky, you could never be too sure. Especially since they had only met once, but Kamala had seemed genuinely sorry for Jinan and himself. No matter how much logic Hrdayesa tried to throw out, there was still the nagging worry. What if this was a trick? Or, alternatively, is he too late?

The young male wasn't so sure in his ability to be a father, but he knew his Banu would be a good mother. They'd had many talks since the leopon took Jinan as his Banu, and one thing she'd longed for was family. Of course, that was also a previously prominent worry of hers. Jinan had been consumed with worry that she'd never find a male to take her, and all because of infertility.

That was no longer a worry, but Hrdayesa absolutely didn't want to return to the den empty pawed.

 

[Polette]

Looking up, Kamala came to a stop, not wanting to bring the small sleepy cubs in too far to the pride lands, in case something was to go wrong. He didn't know too much about this pride at all, and that's where his worry came from.

Watching as the small boys curled up around his large paws, Kamala couldn't help but smile. One day, he knew, he'd be able to keep his own cubs in his pride. But, until that day came, he would remember his first three; these three. Flicking his eyes up, he could see a dark figure heading towards him. They were still a little ways off, but Kamala was fairly sure he knew who it was; it was a gut feeling.

As he saw the other, his heart sank a bit. This was it, this was really happening. It was hard to think about, so Kamala tried to focus on the good parts of it. Hopefully, when these small cubs wake up, they'll be in the loving paws of their new parents. Sure, it was a little sad that they'd probably forget this red male, but he was just glad that he was able to create something so precious.

 

[Schicksalswende]

A scent prickled the leopons' minty nose, and Hrdayesa knew whose scent that was. It had belonged to the large and crimson coloured male lion that he'd met a while back. As he continued to walk forward, his nose picked up lighter scents. This small revelation made his heart jump and skip beats. This meant that the other male was going through with this! He'd actually brought the cubs! This situation was as exciting as it was terrifying. Hyrdayesa couldn't help but walk just a little faster, and see those cubs.

It was amazing enough to him, that another would make such a sacrifice for a complete stranger. Let alone, for a hybrid.

 

[Polette]

Seeing the other come close, Kamala took in a deep breath. He didn't want to say too much; it'd only make it hurt more. That's also why he was fairly eager to get out of these lands, other than the fact that he wasn't sure just how safe he was here. Better safe than sorry, he always thought.

Giving him a small smile, Kamala glanced nervously between his cubs and the dark hybrid. He wanted to soak up their small bodies again, imprinting them forever in his memory.

"....I came." Kamala's eyes looked tired, but he managed a sheepish smile anyway. He spoke softly, in a hushed tone; it almost felt like a secret deal.

 

[Schicksalswende]

" I see that, and I am grateful that you did. " Though Hrdayesa did feel sorry for the other, not that he would be so willing to show it. The hybrid never liked succumbing to emotions, figuring that they get in the way of making important decisions. Much like this one. While he wanted cubs as well, this was more for Jinan. He knew she'd be a good mother.

His red eyes glanced over the tiny cubs, finding it interesting that their father got them this far. Though, perhaps not that incredible, depending on how far they were.

 

[Polette]

Staring at the small cubs a few moments more, Kamala found it hard to look at the hybrid. After he returned to his home, no one would know that any of this happened. Maybe one day, though, he'd get to see them again.

"They're a little worn out; they were barely awake the whole journey." Laughing lightly, he would miss their little paws, trailing behind him. Every once in a while, he'd pick the slowest one up and carry him in his jaws. The trip probably would've been a lot faster if there was only one, but he was glad there were three. At least then they'd have brothers to grow up with, and maybe they could always serve as reminders of the parents they never knew.

"But...they're here now. Their new home." Looking up, Kamala still spoke in hushed tones. This place seemed rather nice, and he wasn't met with anger or resentment upon venturing into them.

 

[Schicksalswende]

He could tell the other male was already attached to the cubs. It was more than understandable, considering they were his spawn and any good male prized his offspring. " I am sorry that this must be tough on you. However, good byes are not forever. " It may have seemed rude to give him some sort of hope to see his children when they were older, but it was possible, at the very least. considering the tradition within his Pride that young males go off into the Roguelands and capture a female, and experience the world at the same time. So, it may be feasible.

 

[Polette]

"Yeah, it's....for the best." Softening his gaze, he didn't want to give the impression that he was going back on his word at all. Regardless of the feelings that bubbled up now, he knew that this was for the best.

"It's....alright. It would be my own decision to come see them later on in life." Letting out a small sigh, Kamala still smiled. He knew that, unless his sons left this pride permanently, they'd never find him, given the nature of his pride. Besides, he didn't really want them to leave this place.

"But, I'm very glad for this. I'm in no position to be a single father right now, and these boys deserve nothing but the best. And I am fairly confident that you and your mate will be able to give them just that." While Kamala wasn't familiar with the practices of this pride, he knew that, if they allowed hybrids, they must have some good in them.

 

[Schicksalswende]

" Did you already name them? " Hrdayesa felt somewhat awkward asking that. He had to ask though, as the hybrid was curious. If the father had already given them names, then there was no going around it. He would use those names. If they were unnamed, however, then Jinan and Hrdayesa could give them names. In a way though, he sort of hoped that the red lion had named them. It could be viewed, in a way, as a parting gift.

 

[Polette]

Perking his ears up, Kamala actually had named them. He hadn't meant to, at first; he had wanted the new parents to be able to name their new children. Right when he was about to leave Tuuli, though, she had bestowed a name upon one of them, the one that had looked like a perfect mix of their genes. She had told him, 'a name from me, a name from you, and a name from their new home.' He had thought it kind of odd, though, only having one with a name, so he quickly bestowed names to the other two on his journey. And, now that he thought about it, he was kind of glad he did. At least with these, they'll have something from their birth parents.

"Ah, yes, incidentally. I'm...sorry if that troubles you." Gently leaning down, he touched his nose to each cub, slowly lingering on them as he said each name. "Sohkihew, Barakoa, and Behrooz'Jamsheed." He stared at them a moment longer, one last look before they left him permanently. "They are now your sons." Smiling weakly at the hybrid, the time had finally come for them to be handed over. He felt that if he spent any more time making small talk, they were just wasting time, and he desperately wanted to be out of the area by the time the sun fully rose.

Nudging each cub gently, he whispered sweet nothings into their ears; comforting parting words before sending them over to their new father. If one delayed, he picked them up gently and placed them down just a foot or two in front of the hybrid.

 

[Schicksalswende]

The dark leopon watched as the male identified each cub, and Hrdayesa did his best to remember which name went to each cub. He hadn't been bothered by the fact that they'd already been named. That was a worry he'd had, and he wondered how other parents decided which names went good with each cub. What if they got older and didn't like their birth name?

" I don't mind that you named them. " the hybrid said truthfully.

He wasn't one to show much emotion, but every now and then, his tail twitched in excitement and anxiety. Especially as he watched Kamala nudge and carry the cubs close to him. Now, he had new worries to think about.

 

[Polette]

Letting the cubs rest in the grass in front of the hybrid, Kamala let out a long sigh. This was it, it was done with now.

"Well, I'll leave them to you now." Giving the other one last smile, he dipped his head, readying himself to leave. It would be the new parents' decision as to whether they'd ever tell the small cubs about him - Kamala had given some details about their mother, but they wouldn't know quite as much because she had stayed where she gave birth to them. She had such a penchant for the sea, especially since her previous pride was right next to it. His own pride was by the water, but he preferred the small inland watering holes more.

"I hope you all have a good, long family life." Turning, Kamala looked ahead, his heart split with emotion. Part of it was so painstakingly heavy, from leaving his cubs in the paws of another; but then again, he knew it was for the best, and it was bringing new happiness to the lives of two others.