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 Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:45 pm
Weather: It's RAINING! The sky is dark with clouds as yet another rain shower rolls by overhead, luckily there appears to be some light in the far distance, but it's still a few hours yet before the storm has completely passed. The rain itself is tolerable, falling at a steady rate, but not the hard, heavy sort that can immediately drench anyone caught out in it.
Time & Location: Njalo was sent out early in the morning to pass the word around that a meeting would be held and Simo was requesting the attendance of all eligible females so in other words, the Umama will be lucky if anyone attends. She's certainly hoping that the news spreads by gossip as much as Njalo visiting everybody. For the sake of sanity, we're going to say it's probably late-morning, not quite noon yet. The meeting place is little more than a wedge between a collection of large trees in full leaf to provide a majority of shelter from the elements, though a few gaps may give way to occasional drips and drops, it's relatively dry. Those trying to get to the meeting may not be though!
Guidelines and Info
Female Bonelands members of any rank and of breeding age are welcome to come give advice and/or opinion on the matter.
All other Bonelands members are welcome to join in on the rp. However adult males of all ranks should be aware that they will probably be treated as unwelcome as this is a private female affair!
You may join in at any point! You can always assume your lion was there the whole time, or just showed up to join later.
To keep things moving smoothly, there will be no specific post order, so have at it!
[This format maaaaaaay have been stolen from Kael > u>;;]
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Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:29 pm
Sitting beneath the shadows of the trees it felt much later than it would have if the sky hadn't been filled with ominous clouds. Everything was dark and the dampness gave the air a faint chill, it would probably be cold tonight. Of course the weather wasn't really all that was on the Umama's mind, rather it seemed a layer of half-hearted musing to keep from concentrating on thoughts of deeper concern. Like whether or not this rainy season was even good weather to be baring cubs or which of the Umholi should father them or if anyone would show up to the distress call she had put out! Listening to the sound of rain hitting the leaves overhead and tiny frogs croaking their glee while she waited anxiously somehow failed to do anything more than drive her crazy.
On that note, Simosihle wasn't sure whether she was relieved or ready to strangle the drenched lioness that came casually strolling up as if she hadn't a care in the world. Leaping up to greet the smaller lioness, though she restrained herself from getting too close, least she feel the uncontrollable desire to swat her dear friend upside the head. Njalo!! Where have you been? Were you able to call everyone to meet here? Are they coming? What took you so long?!
-------
Surprised by the enthusiasm with which she was accosted by her long time companion, Njalo mistook Simo's exasperation for excitement and giggled, tail wagging with glee. If she was bothered by the rain, she gave no sign of it. Hi Momo! Njalo was doing what Simo asked her! But then Nja thought it would be faster if she got a bird to give the message and so she tried to borrow one of the Enda's vultures, but they wouldn't let Nja! Nja tried to explain that it was for Simo, but the Endas wouldn't-- they wouldn't--Simo.. your eye is dancing!
The happy-go-lucky lioness gasped in amazement while watching Simosihle's brow twitch over one eye. Attempting to make her eye mimic the motion with some difficulty. Stress wasn't a state of mind the huntress was terribly familiar with. Hopefully others would arrive soon, lest the pride would be down one skilled, but very dopey lioness.
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:50 pm
 Kutoboa'Nadhari had been dozing lazily in the shelter of her den when Njalo had arrived. The steady rain was definitely a welcome respite from the usual savannah heat, but Toboa still had no desire to get wet at the moment. Oddly, Njalo didn't even seem to notice the moisture. She had delivered her message and continued on her way as happy as could be, padding on to the next lioness' den.
Smiling at her pride mate's wistfulness, Toboa proceeded to give herself a quick wash - she didn't want to approach the Umama with a disheveled pelt. She then rose to her paws and fluffed out her fur before trotting off in the direction Njalo had indicated, not quite running but moving quickly enough to avoid getting soaked through on her way to the meeting. Luckily, her destination was close, and Toboa was still fairly dry when she caught sight of Simosihle.
Stopping just inside the cover of the trees, she gently shook off most of the raindrops that clung to her. Head and tail held low, she approached Simo and nodded a respectful greeting. "Good morning, Simosihle. I hope I haven't kept you waiting long," Kuto meowed with a friendly smile.
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Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:03 pm
 Buna entered the sheltered meeting spot and shook her paws to get rid of some of the water. She then proceeded to groom the rain out of the rest of her fur. The shelter here was decent, almost better than where she had been resting when Nja rushed past requesting all females to gather. They didn't have the luxury of permanent shelters when they were on the move, but that was the way it was supposed to be and that was the way she liked it. Well, maybe not on the days when the ground turned to mud while you slept. She'd heard stories about lions living in caves or on mountains, but that was just unnatural. What if the roof caved in or the mountain fell down? She'd rather take some rain if the other option was living with unstable rocks over her head.
It hadn't been entirely clear why Nja wanted them all to meet, but Simosihle was here so it had to be something worth their time. She waited to see what would happen.
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Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:39 am
Toboa! And Bunaaaaa! Njalo chirped happily as the pair arrived nearly at the same time, prancing over to curve her body around and between the two lionesses. She seemed entirely oblivious to the realization that the frustrated Umama had been on the verge of strangling her as she bumped the top of her head beneath the chins of both the monochrome and umber coated Abazingeli. See Momo! Nja did good! They came even without a bird!
Puffing proudly at her close friend, the doting pride member gently licked some stray rainfall from the pelts of the pair she now contented herself to sit between. Not seeming to notice that in rubbing against them both, she had transferred much of the water from her drenched pelt to theirs accidentally. Beaming at Kutoboa and Buna both Njalo stated rather unceremoniously, Momo wants cubs! But she doesn't know which of the Abaholi to pick!
-------
Lucky for you.. Simosihle mused dryly in Njalo's direction, shaking out her short pelt, sometimes the bubbly huntress got her fur so ruffled it was hard to think straight. Not intentionally of course, but when you had to deal with the flightiness almost twenty-four hours a day on a daily basis, well, even the most saintly of creatures could snap. Gazing at the black and white marked lioness Simo recognized her as a new face and tried desperately to recall her name, it took her a moment longer than she would have liked, slightly shaken by the submissive greeting. Sometimes it was hard to remember she was an Umama and someone the others in the pride looked up to. She didn't feel any different from anyone else. Good morning to you, too, Kutoboa'Nadhari---
The slate grey lioness suddenly felt unreasonably proud of herself for pulling out that mouthful on the fly. Adding with a gentle bow of her head, Not at all.. I hope Njalo's summons wasn't too... She tried to find the most politically correct wording, but in the end the best she could do was---grating for you. Either of you.
This time she turned a gentle smile on Buna in acknowledgement of the familiar face, wishing to add a further note, Simo's thoughts were fragmented by the blurted announcement. Njalo!
She might have hissed the name in reprimand if she weren't so mentally exhausted, giving in with a weary sag of her shoulders and a sheepish nod. That is.. indeed why I've called you today. This will be my first litter and I admit.. I'm nervous. I was hoping that you all might help me make some very important decisions as I honestly believe that cubs don't just affect me, but all of us.. and it's important to me that you all be involved.
How was that for an inspiring speech? With hopeful brown eyes Simosihle glanced at the faces surrounding her, praying that they wouldn't seem too disinterested in a matter so close to her own heart.
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:30 am
 She had gotten the summons, but the tan lioness had been on her way to try and catch something. Her reward for her rain-soaked effort was a soggy hare, held proudly in her maw as she waltzed into the copse of trees for the meeting. It wasn't much, and the animal was clearly an older one, barely called a meal. Time had not been on its side. But the fact she'd even caught it in the rain was, she thought, pretty good. A slight limp from catching her rear paw on a root in what had to be the most gloriously failed tackle, though, showed that she wasn't without problems with her little hunt. Even if she HAD ended up taking a flying landing on the animal...
She found a spot and settled down, cradling the hare as if it were a cub. "Hello, Njalo! Good afternoon, Simosihle!" Even wet with a sore paw, the lioness was otherwise chipper and happy today.
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:43 am
Buna's smile looked a little forced at Njalo's very enthusiastic and wet greeting. She opened her mouth, but then decided against reprimanding the other female and closed it again. It was Nja, and this was who she was. She was always friendly, and she deserved respect for raising several strong daughters. But the news of the day overshadowed the inconvenience of getting wet again.
She made a soft noise of approval as Njalo spilled the beans, and Simo confirmed what the bubbly female had just said. It was good that Simo considered wich Abaholi to choose. Buna was still getting used to the concept of having Inselele as well as Abaholi, and she was not convinced it was a good idea. What was the problem of having proper Abaholi? It had worked for their mothers, so it should be good enough for them. Having additional males around was just a way for lazy females to get away with things that were just not right. It calmed her that the Umama was going to do the right thing.
"So..." she said, "You're thinking Gakere or Surtak?"
She didn't mention Kamal, as she still hadn't quite forgiven him for infesting more than half the pride with fleas.
((Also, I'm guessing this is before the pride learns about what happened to Kamal.))
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Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:06 pm
'Toboa purred joyfully as Njalo curled herself around the two lionesses. She knew that some were put off, or even irritated, by the perky lioness; but personally, 'Toboa adored her. She was always so loving and friendly, which was the best part of being in a pride.
At Njalo's abrupt explanation for the meeting, 'Toboa flattened her ears nervously. That sort of news was definitely something the Umama should have announced herself, and 'Toboa worried that there might be a spat. Luckily, Simo pushed on and - for the most part - ignored Njalo's slip up.
'Toboa held her tongue when Buna neglected to mention Kamal's name with the other Abaholi. As one of the many pride members who had only recently rid themselves of his fleas, she was still a little disgruntled and in no way prepared to correct a senior lioness for Kamal's sake.
"Well..." 'Toboa began sheepishly. She felt a little timid about giving the Umama her opinion, but Simo wouldn't have asked her to come if she didn't want to hear from her. "I'm not saying this because he's my brother, but Gakere is a handsome and strong lion. And, not that it's the most important quality to consider, but your colors do go well together."
OOC - I received permission from Kealyndra to use Matifu as 'Toboa's father since I'm trying to actually get her a family.
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 7:42 am
(Now that I have time to finally reply...)
The pale lioness finally caught the words of the two who'd called the meeting, ears pricking. "Oooh, a father for your cubs...?" She smiled broadly. "Call me partial, but..." She put a paw on her chest. "I think Nguvu would be a good father! A lion who can fight off a CROCODILE will surely sire very strong children!" She found his coat handsome, too. When the time came, she certainly wanted to ask him, too. She wanted to bear cubs who could grow up and kill crocodiles. "The others DO have their perks... But have they killed a crocodile lately?" Star struck, Mhisani? Perhaps.
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 8:24 am
Timeline Note: Just wanna get this in real quick! I wasn't sure if it'd come up, so I didn't post anything about it in the top post. There are some changes happening in the pride (as Annchen mentioned), but for now everybody should assume ICly that Kamal is currently out escorting Nahma and Impoqo to the Outpost to deliver messages that they're returning from their migration route.
With a small nod to Mhisani as the Busisa wandered in with her catch, any kill in this rainy weather seemed a successful thing, no matter the size, Simo continued with no small amount of regret in her tone, Umholi Gakere is my brother as well, unfortunately. Nahmba is our mother though we come from different litters...
Thinking about it Simosihle wished her mother were here to help with such an important decision, but then, she wasn't entirely sure she would have liked the advice she got. She found herself wishing Matifu were still alive as well. As the unrefuted lead Umholi, he would have been the clear choice. Now and days, with her half brother holding Matifu's place, she wasn't so sure. With a jealous, side-long glance at Njalo--the last to birth cubs to the great Umholi--the Umama continued quietly. It leaves me pretty conflicted as my choice seems to be either Uhmoli Surtak or Umholi Kamal.
A sigh of resignation seemed to suggest it pained the slate lioness to admit as much. Just the mention of Kamal made her skin crawl with the unrelenting itch of fleas and Surtak... well, when all the lionesses had bombarded him with questions when he'd first arrived it had been Simo who had stuck her nose up and completely avoided the stranger. She hadn't wanted anything to do with him then and she still wasn't sure if she wanted something to do with him now. Did that make her a prude? And if it did, did she have that right when choosing the father of her cubs? How troublesome. It's not that.. that I wouldn't choose either of them, I was just hoping that you all might be able to guide me towards the better one..
At the mention of the Inselelo Simoshle canted her head a little in Mhisani's direction. She hadn't even considered Nguvu as a potential candidate, but maybe he wasn't one to be overlooked. Nguvu...? Did he really kill a crocodile?
-------
From where she rested nestled between Buna and Kutoboa, Njalo seemed oblivious to the envious stare her close friend sent her. Half distracted as she groomed the monochrome lioness beside her dotingly. Pausing only to bob her head in enthusiastic agreement with Mhisani. Nja was going to say so too! There's always the Inselelo if Momo doesn't want Surtak or Kamal!
Given that whole flea business Njalo could understand why nobody was a particular fan of Kamal these days, though they hadn't bothered her personally. Of course, the giddy huntress had been all too willing to roll around in the mud to rid herself of the biting pests. As for Surtak, it was true that he was on the small side and didn't seem very personable in his ever silent state, but Njalo liked him. Njalo liked everyone, naturally. But Nja doesn't know why Momo doesn't like Surtak! He tries hard!
[OOC: Sorry for the delay on this guys.]
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:19 pm
'Toboa felt her face grow hot beneath her fur. "Ah, I'm sorry," she replied sheepishly. "Sometimes it can be difficult to remember who's related to whom. But, in that case, I'd have to agree with Njalo - Surtak does seem nice."
Privately, 'Toboa thought that Nguvu might be a better choice - he appeared to be much stronger. Not to mention more attractive. However, she thought it might be inappropriate to suggest an Inselelo to Umama. Especially when quite a few of the lionesses seemed to frown upon Nguvu's very presence.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:13 am
The brown Umzingeli frowned as Mhisani suggested the Inselelo. But she was a Busisa, so perhaps it was to be expected that she didn't know how to choose a good father. Crocodile-killer or not, Buna saw nothing but problems when she looked at Nguvu. His mane was white and his coat was pale, so even if he had been one of the Abaholi she would have been hesitant to suggest him. The risk of having weak cubs would just be too great.
"It would be more proper to pick one of the Abaholi," she said tartly. She was tactful enough not to stare at Mhisani as she did. The Busisa needed to learn, but she didn't want to make her feel bad for not knowing the ways of the pride yet, "I think you should consider Surtak. He has fathered strong daughters already."
In her eyes, the small Umholi had proved his worth despite his odd foreign ways. Buna wasn't related to any of the current Abaholi so she didn't have to consider that particular problem when spending time with the Abaholi. It would have made a lot of sense for Simo to pick the higher ranking Gakere if they hadn't been related. Surtak wouldn't be a bad choice either, now that he had proved that he could both protect them and sire cubs.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 8:43 am
"Oh, yes, when we were migrating we came upon him just as he felled the beast! If he hadn't, it would have eaten the cubs that were traveling with us!" Of course, it might have also eaten Kamal and his cursed fleas...
She shot the dark brown lioness a look. "But the Inslelo DOES have rights to breed within the pride - He HAS proven capable of protecting us, after all, and he DOES have two sisters within the pride..." Beyond offspring, that was more than Surtak could say. "Who knows, Nguvu would probably sire strong daughters AND sons, sons who could stick around long enough to ensure we migrate safely before parting ways with the pride." Not BREED, though. Mhisani was aware of the pride's thoughts on the male offspring sticking around, and would ensure any sons of hers would be gone before their manes finished growing in.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:11 am
'Toboa's ears folded back nervously. As she expected, some of the lionesses disagreed with Mhisani; Buna was the first lioness to stand resolutely against Nguvu as a candidate. What 'Toboa hadn't expected was Mhisani's rebuttal. The potential for a heated argument breaking out between the two made her anxious.
While she didn't look down on the Busisa as some of the other Umzingeli did, 'Toboa understood that not all of them completely understood the ways of the pride. Most of them tried hard to fit in, or to at least respect them and follow what they said. She sincerely doubted that Buna would appreciate Mhisani's boldness in voicing her opinions. She pressed a little closer to Njalo for comfort.
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:10 am
"We don't know that," Buna said, and glared daggers at the Busisa, "I for one wouldn't have let any cubs near the water until it was safe. For all we know he could have just picked a fight with that crocodile on purpose."
She knew she was being unreasonable, but Mhisani had started! She huffed and rolled her eyes as the pale Busisa started her tirade about Nguvu this and Nguvu that. In Bunas eyes having sisters in the pride wasn't necessarily a plus. All that did was reminding her that he had once been a luzisi, one that had been allowed back without having to fight. What would the world come to if the luzisi came back and were allowed in without fully proving themselves? Either you fought to become Umholi, or not. She didn't like the half-way role of the Inselelo.
"Well, Surtak has showed that he can sire cubs," she said, "Nguvu hasn't even done that much yet, despite his 'breeding rights'. Maybe you should try if he's capable, if you like him so much."
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