Zingling
She could hear the voice of the ocean at the entrance of her den. It's soothing call luring her memories to come forth and present themselves. She had been part of what now has been explained as a 'kidnapping' however, the details as to why have been all but left out. Yet more and more new faces have began to appear in her lands. Some of which being from the group of invaders who had initially attacked them.
Admit it or not, she was scared. Neither daylight nor twilight could temp the sea angel into leaving the safety of her den. Feeling content listening to what everyone else had done with their day, or better yet, speaking with her close brother about what HE personally did, helped her overly active brain steady itself. She could puzzle on that.
Sighing softly, the cub turned to move away from the den's edge and further into it. She always felt eyes on her. Either of pomithii who was watching her, or of her siblings... even her mother. Right now she felt the tingle of someone watching her.
“...Mum?”
Admit it or not, she was scared. Neither daylight nor twilight could temp the sea angel into leaving the safety of her den. Feeling content listening to what everyone else had done with their day, or better yet, speaking with her close brother about what HE personally did, helped her overly active brain steady itself. She could puzzle on that.
Sighing softly, the cub turned to move away from the den's edge and further into it. She always felt eyes on her. Either of pomithii who was watching her, or of her siblings... even her mother. Right now she felt the tingle of someone watching her.
“...Mum?”
Epine de Rose
It had been one of the few events in her life which she could honestly say had been terrifying. She had never been one for fear, anger or anxiety, and yet in a few short moments her life had been turned upside and shattered. Driven by desperation a pride had launched an assault on the Bahari'mtoto and in the wake of the chaos they had taken a number of her cubs. They had all been successfully retrieved of course as the pride leader had not taken to the behaviour well. In a short space of time he had assembled a team and recovered them.
...Though it wasn't without cost.
The events had undoubtably left a mark on the children with some affected more than the others, and it would have come at no surprise that Chessa was aware of the marks it had left on her cubs, especially her daughter.
"Anahera?" Chessa replied softly, turning her gaze towards her golden daughter. "What is it sweetheart?"
...Though it wasn't without cost.
The events had undoubtably left a mark on the children with some affected more than the others, and it would have come at no surprise that Chessa was aware of the marks it had left on her cubs, especially her daughter.
"Anahera?" Chessa replied softly, turning her gaze towards her golden daughter. "What is it sweetheart?"
Zingling
An ear twitched slightly as she watched her mother for a moment, studying her face before turning away again. Knitting her little brows together she puzzled over the feeling she had. Was she really being watched or... or was something just making her think that?
“...Nothing.” The little cub finally spoke, pushing a pebble away from her. Her ears were all be sunken to her head as she allowed herself to get wrapped up in her thoughts.
Again the sound of the ocean came to her, washing away the surrounds. Just the noise of the ocean mother and her own thoughts. Firmly pressing her lips together as she began to think about those strangers in their lands, she looked at her mother again. This time, ready to question her.
“Why are they here, mum?”
“...Nothing.” The little cub finally spoke, pushing a pebble away from her. Her ears were all be sunken to her head as she allowed herself to get wrapped up in her thoughts.
Again the sound of the ocean came to her, washing away the surrounds. Just the noise of the ocean mother and her own thoughts. Firmly pressing her lips together as she began to think about those strangers in their lands, she looked at her mother again. This time, ready to question her.
“Why are they here, mum?”
Epine de Rose
Chessa had never wanted to have this discussion with her children, Peregrine had yet to raise the subject in so much detail but Anahera...She had taken things badly, the affects of the cubnappings had been lasting and if there was to be any healing, then she needed to learn the truth. The problem with this was that she would have to be told in a manner more befitting adults - was it appropriate for the lioness to broach such a mature subject at such a young age?
There were a few moments of silence as she considered this, and it was only after concluding that it was necessary that she finally spoke again.
"They are our new friends," she said finally, raising a paw and sweeping her daughter towards her. It was a move made so that Anahera could sit comfortably underneath her mother to observe the outside world, without feeling like she might experience the same thing as before.
"What they did before was because they were desperate," she explained and nuzzled the top of her daughter's head. "Is this why you won't go outside?"
There were a few moments of silence as she considered this, and it was only after concluding that it was necessary that she finally spoke again.
"They are our new friends," she said finally, raising a paw and sweeping her daughter towards her. It was a move made so that Anahera could sit comfortably underneath her mother to observe the outside world, without feeling like she might experience the same thing as before.
"What they did before was because they were desperate," she explained and nuzzled the top of her daughter's head. "Is this why you won't go outside?"
Zingling
The fact that her mother was taking such a long time to reply made her realize how big the situation was... and that she wouldn't give her a completely false answer. Waiting patiently, Anahera's pale eyes shone brightly with expectation. Her mother would come through for her, right? Sitting up, ears perked at her mothers voice, the expression she held slowly melted away.
A bit of shock and betrayal now ran through the cubs body at Chessa's words. Even as she sat under her mother, she felt distant. The strange feeling bubbling inside her growing stronger, and yet Anahera kept her fortitude strong. Awaiting more details before jumping into a conclusion like most cubs she watched generally would have.
Pale eyes dulled some, her brain processing the information she was given as her mother nuzzled the top of her head. It didn't make sense... at least not as empty as the reasoning had been given. What caused them to do that? That is what Anahera wanted to know. And how did they know it wouldn't' happen again?
Nuzzling her mother lightly, more to reassure Chessa that she wasn't completely cutting herself out of the world, Anahera blinked, then blinked again. The question having been asked giving her a little bit of annoyance. Deciding to avoid it, she questioned her mothers words instead.
“Why did they want to steal us then? … a-and how can you all be sure they won't do it again?!”
A bit of shock and betrayal now ran through the cubs body at Chessa's words. Even as she sat under her mother, she felt distant. The strange feeling bubbling inside her growing stronger, and yet Anahera kept her fortitude strong. Awaiting more details before jumping into a conclusion like most cubs she watched generally would have.
Pale eyes dulled some, her brain processing the information she was given as her mother nuzzled the top of her head. It didn't make sense... at least not as empty as the reasoning had been given. What caused them to do that? That is what Anahera wanted to know. And how did they know it wouldn't' happen again?
Nuzzling her mother lightly, more to reassure Chessa that she wasn't completely cutting herself out of the world, Anahera blinked, then blinked again. The question having been asked giving her a little bit of annoyance. Deciding to avoid it, she questioned her mothers words instead.
“Why did they want to steal us then? … a-and how can you all be sure they won't do it again?!”
Epine de Rose
"They had no cubs of their own and their pride was dying," Chessa explained, levelling her gaze on her daughter who sorely needed closure. Whether it was appropriate or not, Chessa elected to be completely honest. If it forced her daughter to mature more quickly than others then so be it, but she wouldn't have her terrified of the outside world. "The only way for them to survive was to find new cubs so that they could grow again," she released a sigh and stroked Anahera's head gently with her paw, regarding one of the passing Kizingo'zaa merchants thoughtfully.
"However they won't do it again, they have seen how strong our leader is," she continued and cast her gaze back to her daughter. "He went after them immediately and brought everyone home," she shook her head and hazarded a wry smile. "Instead he gave them something better, or rather, a very brave lioness gave them something better..."
"Because the Bahari'mtoto are also small in number and at risk of dying out," she murmured. "The lioness pointed out it was better for the prides to be friends, that way our numbers doubled and new blood could mingle between each pride." She dropped her paw to the ground once more and tilted her head to the side.
"When adults are desperate they sometimes do things they regret, but they have promised not to do it again... they won't hurt what they now see as family."
"However they won't do it again, they have seen how strong our leader is," she continued and cast her gaze back to her daughter. "He went after them immediately and brought everyone home," she shook her head and hazarded a wry smile. "Instead he gave them something better, or rather, a very brave lioness gave them something better..."
"Because the Bahari'mtoto are also small in number and at risk of dying out," she murmured. "The lioness pointed out it was better for the prides to be friends, that way our numbers doubled and new blood could mingle between each pride." She dropped her paw to the ground once more and tilted her head to the side.
"When adults are desperate they sometimes do things they regret, but they have promised not to do it again... they won't hurt what they now see as family."
Zingling
To be honest, Anahera didn't completely understand what it was her mother was talking about. However, unlike most she would make it her mission to understand what it was her mother meant to be in a 'dying' pride. They certainly felt alive to her. What made it such? At the sigh of her mother, Anahera looked up thoughtfully, enjoying the comforting strokes of her dainty paws. She so wanted to pick apart what was being said, to understand it further, however something told her to take the information she had and learn for herself or perhaps ask at another time.
Green eyes slowly began to shimmer more as her mother spoke of their leader and of the brave lioness. She wanted to meet them. If only to just thank them for the help they had given. “Mum! That is amazing... I didn't know that. Can I... meet them?”
Fluttering her eyes, the comment about her own pride dying scared her... and confused her. Tilting her head to the side as her mothers paw left it. She was about to speak, only she was given a answer to her question before it was even asked.
“So... We are like a large family now?” Thinking about it, Anahera didn't know if she was alright with it or not. “...I am not sure I like that. What... if they are mean?”
Green eyes slowly began to shimmer more as her mother spoke of their leader and of the brave lioness. She wanted to meet them. If only to just thank them for the help they had given. “Mum! That is amazing... I didn't know that. Can I... meet them?”
Fluttering her eyes, the comment about her own pride dying scared her... and confused her. Tilting her head to the side as her mothers paw left it. She was about to speak, only she was given a answer to her question before it was even asked.
“So... We are like a large family now?” Thinking about it, Anahera didn't know if she was alright with it or not. “...I am not sure I like that. What... if they are mean?”
Epine de Rose
"If they're mean then you give them a good, swift smack of your paw," Chessa informed her daughter with a firm nod. She had raised her children to have manners, but if someone went completely beyond what was appropriate, she wasn't against them putting the individual in their place! A good slap never did any harm and in the end, the other creature never forgot who was in charge...or alternatively, how to address you appropriately. "Then you tell them to have more respect and help them back up again," she added quickly.
Her smile deepened though as Anahera warmed slightly to certain aspects of her explanation, her body language and squirming seemed to indicate she had more questions but she was holding them back. Perhaps in time she would ask more and hopefully, chessa would be able to answer them... either that, or the lioness hoped her daughter would find these out herself.
"You can meet anyone you like," she murmured with a small chuckle and tilted her head to the side. "Whether it be the heroes of this pride, or your new family in the Kizingo'zaa - they'll all be very happy to meet you," she promised.
Her smile deepened though as Anahera warmed slightly to certain aspects of her explanation, her body language and squirming seemed to indicate she had more questions but she was holding them back. Perhaps in time she would ask more and hopefully, chessa would be able to answer them... either that, or the lioness hoped her daughter would find these out herself.
"You can meet anyone you like," she murmured with a small chuckle and tilted her head to the side. "Whether it be the heroes of this pride, or your new family in the Kizingo'zaa - they'll all be very happy to meet you," she promised.
Zingling
A giant smile suddenly broke out across the mouth of the young lioness. The thought of her smacking someone because they were being mean appealing to her a little more than it should have. Whether she'd actually do that it was hard to determine, however she did like the idea of helping them afterwards. “Haha, could you see the faces of those boys if I were to beat them up?!” Her livily attitude was returning, a sense of calm dusting over the fear that she had for the newcomers. How she'd react when she met them she had no clue, nor was she truly thinking of that.
Anahera was enjoying the smile her mother currently was wearing. Something seemed to be pleasing her, and thus, pleased Anahera as well. For whatever reason, the little lioness looked up to her mother with high regard and noticed nearly everything about her.
With that last remark, Anahera beamed and tackled her mother. Nuzzling her swiftly for a few moments before looking up at her.
“Hey mum? ….Can we go swim?”
Anahera was enjoying the smile her mother currently was wearing. Something seemed to be pleasing her, and thus, pleased Anahera as well. For whatever reason, the little lioness looked up to her mother with high regard and noticed nearly everything about her.
With that last remark, Anahera beamed and tackled her mother. Nuzzling her swiftly for a few moments before looking up at her.
“Hey mum? ….Can we go swim?”
Epine de Rose
"Well, having smacked a few in my time I can tell you now that it's well worth it if the right moment shows itself," Chessa remarked with a small chuckle, pushing her daughter up onto her shoulder so that she didn't tumble to the ground too abruptly. Closing her eyes, Chessa thanked her lucky stars that children recovered so easily given the right responses - Anahera may not have been completely healed but it was a start at the very least.
However, as her daughter made her request, Chessa did cast a brief glance towards the ocean. The guards hadn't indicated any dangers around the shore and the water had been calm as of late. She saw no reason to prevent her children from enjoying themselves now that the borders had been resecured. In fact, she would have been loathe keep them caged even if it had been unavoidable, thus her response should have been predictable as she gave a curt nod and motioned for her daughter to take the lead.
"Of course we can, just remember the rules, don't swim out too far where I can't see you," she explained, repeating her usual rules as she swept deeper into the den to retrieve Anahera's siblings. Best to keep them all together so that she could keep track of them, even if the rest of them did elect to lie about on the shoreline. "And no eating anything that looks weird!"
However, as her daughter made her request, Chessa did cast a brief glance towards the ocean. The guards hadn't indicated any dangers around the shore and the water had been calm as of late. She saw no reason to prevent her children from enjoying themselves now that the borders had been resecured. In fact, she would have been loathe keep them caged even if it had been unavoidable, thus her response should have been predictable as she gave a curt nod and motioned for her daughter to take the lead.
"Of course we can, just remember the rules, don't swim out too far where I can't see you," she explained, repeating her usual rules as she swept deeper into the den to retrieve Anahera's siblings. Best to keep them all together so that she could keep track of them, even if the rest of them did elect to lie about on the shoreline. "And no eating anything that looks weird!"
Zingling
The very thought of seeing her mother smack a few boys a new rear hand Anahera shacking with laughter. She never had before thought of her mother being that sort of lioness. Obviously this have been proven otherwise. Excited with the new knowledge about her, and about the pride, Anahera now felt content. She could puzzle over the information and learn about these new.. 'family' members later.
Grinning, the little one pushed herself outside for what seemed like that first time in ages. Already she felt better, the soft breeze completely hitting her with all it had while the once dim sound and smell of the ocean became full. Although she still looked around shyly, she felt a new confidence. She would get past this bump and grow stronger from it.
“AW MUM! I LIKE THE WEIRD STUFF!” Teasing her mother she pushed further past the den but carefully in sight of her mother and other Bahari members... just in case.
Grinning, the little one pushed herself outside for what seemed like that first time in ages. Already she felt better, the soft breeze completely hitting her with all it had while the once dim sound and smell of the ocean became full. Although she still looked around shyly, she felt a new confidence. She would get past this bump and grow stronger from it.
“AW MUM! I LIKE THE WEIRD STUFF!” Teasing her mother she pushed further past the den but carefully in sight of her mother and other Bahari members... just in case.
Epine de Rose
Ha! If anyone really knew what Chessa had been up to when she was a rogue they would have had a very different view of her. Excluding the rather morbid visions she experienced, she had been relatively carefree until her later years. Now though she had settled down and was comfortable with how she had become. Finding a home for her children had been the last part of this and she was thankful that the leader of the pride had granted her sanctuary. She'd wandered too long, she'd become tired and a continual sense of uncertainty was unhealthy for children. Suffice to say that the Bahari had already given Chessa a great deal, even if her children decided in later life to wander afar.
"I don't care how much you like it, I'd sooner you didn't get poisoned!" she announced, though the smile on her lips indicating she was aware of her daughter's jests. At that point she then fell silent, padding after her daughter as the spring in her step became more apparent. The fresh air was something she had desperately needed and as for the swim... It would be perfect for her as well.
Chessa was confident. If Anahera was able to answer her questions and received the answers she sought, then she would be just fine...
"I don't care how much you like it, I'd sooner you didn't get poisoned!" she announced, though the smile on her lips indicating she was aware of her daughter's jests. At that point she then fell silent, padding after her daughter as the spring in her step became more apparent. The fresh air was something she had desperately needed and as for the swim... It would be perfect for her as well.
Chessa was confident. If Anahera was able to answer her questions and received the answers she sought, then she would be just fine...
