[PRP] The Happy Life (Shani, Feid)

[Talencia]

Life was so very good! It had been good since they had come to this place, and had only improved as things went on. Granted, they did move often, and the traveling wasn't ideal, but the clan moved slowly enough to not put too much stress on her aging joints and muscles. And of course, there was her Feid to help her along. But how much happier she had been when first a daughter, then a son had joined them in this pride! She had worried over them wandering alone, far and wide. She would never have chained them down if they chose to wander, of course, but it settled her heart to know that some of them were safe here where she could see them, at least.

Today was a day of rest. They had traveled to a new camp two days ago, and yesterday had been spent reoccupying old dens, fashioning new ones, or otherwise finding places to settle in. Shani had done what she could, which wasn't terribly much, but any participation was smiled on. Today she and Feid had gone a little beyond the dens to lay in the warm sunshine on a sloping hillside. It overlooked a beautiful valley, with the mountains all towering in close. Shani gazed with appreciation at the natural beauty, her eyes squeezing shut in contentment. "I am so glad we came here," she said aloud, voicing her thoughts for her mate to respond to.  

[ShinosBee]

Feidhlim had never been more content in life, he sometimes thought to himself. He did miss his wandering children, but he remembered his own youth with great clarity. The need to explore had never been very strong inside him, but he could see the appeal. He trusted his children, and more, that the gods of the savannah would see no harm come to them. Trials were one thing, but all would be well in the end, he was certain. Proof of that had come not too long ago as well! Joy of joys to find two of their litter returned to them. They were of course with other clans of the pride, but it was enough to know they were happy and near by.

Today he'd done his best to finish cleaning the den he'd claimed for himself and his Shani. He never, ever minded working for her and letting her rest - it made him proud, and happy to be able to do things for her, and he'd been pleased as punch to have gotten one of the more accessible dens for their use. Once the work was done he'd gone to join her one the hillside, savoring the feel of the wind rustling about in his mane as he reclined alongside what he considered to be the best view in all the Ela'Wadiyi - his Shani. He leaned towards her, heart swelling with fondness at her words. It was all he wanted to make her happy. He knew she was happy. But hearing that she was as content as he was gave his heart wings.

"Me too. It's perfect." He smiled gently and nosed at her cheek. "But then, anywhere would be, with you."  

[Talencia]

She chuckled and nuzzled him back, marveling anew at how young and girlish her mate could make her feel. He was so full of heartfelt words and loving affections, it just made her heart soar. It let her forget that she was tired, aching, and old. It was one of the reasons she loved him so dearly. She had many, many reasons to love him as she did, with her whole being. He was the best thing to have happened to her in her long life.

"There... is one thing that might be missing, though," she replied slowly, a faint smile touching her muzzle. She cast him a sideways look, wondering how long it would take him to catch her meaning. "Life is quiet, and life is stable." It was a statement, but moreso a listing of reasons. "Don't you think its time, beloved one?" She turned the full weight of her smile upon him, leaning against him and gazing up at him in adoration and mischievous pleading. She figured he'd catch on quickly, but wanted to watch it happen.  

[ShinosBee]

Feidhlim never felt more at peace than when he knew he'd made his Shani smile. The gentle but firm weight of her leaning into him made the whole day brighter, and he caught himself smiling at nothing as their clanmates roamed around the small 'settlement' below their perch. He knew that now and then she felt her age - she was older than him by a fair bit, but he did try very hard to never burden her, and to take onto himself what he could to ease her way. She was his treasure, and he'd fetch away the sun from the sky if she complained it was too bright.

He 'hmm'd a faint query at her subtle hinting. What was it she needed? He'd give her the stars to hang in her hair if she asked. Of course, it took him some long moments to catch and take onto the meaning of her words. At first he did not make the connection. Their life was wonderful and calm and almost always easy, that was true... But when he still was wondering and glanced her way, he spotted at once that little wily smile, and for a split second she'd have the treat of him looking completely of balance, flummoxed, and bursting with fond love all at once. "No time could be better," He admitted breathlessly. It would make some things harder, for sure...but he knew without a second thought or doubt that he would be able to handle it. He would spoil his Shani rotten in return for this gift. And he'd missed their children too.

He buried his muzzle against her cheek, unable to voice his surprise and delight. "There's no place better for young ones," He eventually offered. Not even their old mist-filled home had seemed as safe as this hidden valley full of wonderful lions they called 'pride'.  

[Talencia]

She beamed at him, having already known how he would react. She knew he loved the idea of having more children, but would never press her for them. Well, he needn't have anyway. She wanted more herself, very much so. She would never speak her deep worries to her beloved mate, but she had recently begun to have a creeping feeling of her age, of the years adding up to weigh heavy upon her. She had no doubt in her mind that, should she indeed give birth to another litter, it would be her last. Her body simply wouldn't last long enough for a third. Her heart ached for her poor mate when her time came. He was still so young and strong! He deserved life-long happiness, but it just wasn't in her to give it.

Instead, she turned her thoughts towards happier things. "I've been talking with the other lionesses," she chatted comfortably, "and it seems that we will need to come up with a second name, a family name, to give to our babies here." She looked up at him inquiringly. "I am not really sure how to pick such a name. Do you have any ideas?"  

[ShinosBee]

Feidhlim could never know the turmoil that lived in his mate's heart, but he was yet aware of it. He knew she worried over her age, his youth. He knew that one day a time would come when he walked the lands alone, no shining, wondrous, perfect mate at his side. But it was because he was young, because he was strong that he could never fully conceptualize it. He had many years left to him, and wouldn't know the touch of old age for several yet. All he could do was try to savor what time was given them, and never make his Shani worry for the hurt her leaving would cause him. He would proudly bear it, to have this time with her, and he chose not to dwell on such things.

Children, on the other paw, MORE children...his head still was swimming, high up on cloud nine. Their first had been the tiniest of blessings, so perfect and small, bits of him and her combined. The idea of more made him feel like his heart would burst. She was a wonderful mate, to give him such gifts. "I've not heard much on it, but I know from the other males that their children always take their mother's family name." He smiled - that would be something they could leave behind together. Even once she was gone, her name, the name they picked or were given, would live. "Some of the others have such family names. Some mean kinds of birds or plants, or feelings. Maybe a name to pay tribute to where we came from? 'Mist'? How would that be called here...svnoyiehinvdo? That is a bit long..."  

[Talencia]

She hummed thoughtfully, mentally rolling the word on her tongue. "It's a bit long," she admitted slowly, reluctant to shoot down his first suggestion. Despite this being, technically, her name, she felt he had as much right to be choosing it as she did. "I like the sentiment, but that is from an old life these children will never know." She gazed around them, at the land so different from their old home. Granted, it sometimes had mists, but nothing so thick or complete as the two homes she had loved before this one. Here it was all about rolling green land, towering and jagged mountains, thick forests, and clear blue skies.

"Something shorter, perhaps," she mused aloud, "along the same lines. Perhaps... home?" She frowned lightly in thought, then slowly repeated the word for home here. "Getsadi? It's shorter, at least," she said, flicking an uncertain glance at her mate, feeling that this wasn't the right name really. "Or... Aduladi? 'Strong of heart' is what you have made me, dearest," she said with a beaming smile, nuzzling him lovingly. "I'd really like a name that reflects you and I, as the start of this new family." She laid her head on her paws, still thinking intently on the issue, waiting for him to suggest something again.  

[ShinosBee]

He listened dutifully to her suggestions - frankly he was more than glad to let her choose. It was to be her name, her children, her choice. He could help, perhaps, with all these things, but it was her choice. He hummed in approval, especially at Aduladi. He'd made her strong? Hardly. She was his strength, his reason for being. Doing for her was why he could be strong, would be strong. And his love for her was like a living thing, pulsing and thrumming inside his breast.

He sighed, content to be musing quietly with his love in this way. He wasn't pointedly thinking of anything - there was, after all, no rush - and he let his mind wander. Such a wonderful place. A wonderful mate. A wonderful life. It was like a dream come true. A dream...funny that. It'd been a dream that'd led him to her in the first place. He'd had infrequent visions as a child and young adult, fewer now by far. Dreams of love and fated meetings...but even then he'd never dreamed of such a splendid life as this. Dreamed...

"Tsagi," He murmured, only half aware. Dreams. That was a sure fit for them, though he wasn't thinking it so much.  

[Talencia]

She hummed back to his murmured word, relaxing into his comforting bulk with half-closed eyes. Yes, dreams. Dreams had brought them together. Dreams were what their lives were made of. Dreams she had never believed could be hers until he'd shown up and changed her life forever. "Yes, dreams," she agreed a little drowsily. My, the sun felt good. Her eyelids fluttered, then snapped open. "Dreams," she repeated, pupils widening.

"Tsagi," she echoed him, leaning up to look at him again. "That is just the right word to take as our name!" She practically vibrated with excitement, going from drowsy to energized in a few heartbeats. "You found just the right thing, my love!" Happiness shone in her eyes that began to glimmer with tears. "The name our cubs shall bear... that all our family from here on shall bear. Tsagi." The tears spilled over, and she buried her face against him, laughing with joy. It just felt right, like when she had first met him. "Tsagi," she breathed into his fur, feeling a ripple of delight down her spine as she did.

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

Her revelation startled her pale mate, but only for a moment. It was a good sort of startle, as it turned out, and the smile that grew across his muzzle to match hers... He'd done something right, chosen well, made her happy. That's what it all came back to in the end, for him, making Shani happy. He folded against her as she leaned into him, tucking her head under his chin. "All our children and their children, from here out, yes."

It was a strange and wonderful thing, to imagine all their descendants born into this pride bearing that name. It was as if even after they themselves were gone, a part of them would remain; the legacy of the Tsagi family. Their dream would, in that way, live on.