[PRP] A Cub's World

[Jovi of Shadows]

((This is just a leisurely RP to introduce the pride to its newest members, and also to get some family bonding time. Owners of the cubs please feel free to post at any time!))

It had been a several weeks of Mahiri mostly sticking to her den with her litter of new born cubs, and she honestly couldn't believe how quickly they were developing already. She also couldn't believe there were eight of them! Each was precious to the new mother, and she had taken the time to pick out each of their names with the cub's father, Strafe. She appreciated the help, and all the help he had offered since then, as she simply couldn't bring herself to leave the eight little mewling bundles. At least not for very long, and not very far, as she managed to snag a few bites to eat or stretch her legs for a brief period. In fact, she had mostly been avoiding the pride as a whole, not wanting to be sucked into conversation by the curious mercenaries, so she could get back to her den as quickly as possible. Her friend, Moya, was probably burning with anticipation to meet all the little cubs.

After several weeks of avoiding everyone, and the cubs growing strong enough to walk and play, Mahiri finally decided it was time to bring them out in the open. Maybe not for very long on this first trip outside the den, but at least long enough for them to get a taste of the outside world. Just maybe long enough for some of her more curious pride mates to seek them out and meet the little ones. And to also to give herself and Strafe some time away from the den.

Mahiri yawned and gently rose to her paws as she crawled out the shallow den's entrance. It wasn't very big, especially with eight cubs and their father to boot, but it had been warm and cozy. "Get up little ones, I'm going to show you the world today," she said gently. Her fur was tussled and ill-kempt at this point, but there would be time to groom herself later. For now, it was the last thing on her mind.

Kuwaka blinked her eyes at the sound of her mother's voice and opened her tiny mouth to yawn. She had been in the middle of a nap, but the idea of going outside excited her. She had wandered a few steps out of the den's mouth a few times, but always very briefly, and always she returned to the safety of her siblings and their warmth as quickly as possible. She was bit unsure of what a 'world' was, but maybe it would be fun! The little cheetah got to her paws, stretching out tiny claws as she yawned once more and shook herself to wake up. They were going outside, and she was more than happy to follow her mother out into the open of the forest around them.  

[Fairy Snails]

Chausiku was curled up at the back of the den, as far from the entrance as she could. When her mother spoke, she scooted back until she was against the wall. She had no idea what was out there and she was fine with keeping it that way. Her attention went to her sister Kuwaka, who was clearly much braver than her.

'What if outside the den was scary? There was no way it would be as comfortable as the den, where I can curl up with my siblings,' she thought as she watched her sister getting ready to leave. 'but if everyone leaves, I'll be all alone in the den, with no warmth and no one to keep me company.'

The idea of being left alone was enough motivation to get Chausiku to get up and hurry to her mother. She clung close to her side. As long as her mother was there it couldn't be that scary right?  

[SilverLutz]

After the birth of the cubs, Strafe had decided he'd stick around to help Mahiri out a bit. He'd always wanted to be a father and leaving his new cubs in the dust along with their mother really wasn't his style. He helped out as he could, bringing some food to the female or staying with the cubs as she went out to stretch her legs and get a drink, but he was definitely starting to get a bit stir-crazy staying in the den so often. That was why when Mahiri decided the cubs were old enough to venture out of the den he was just excited as some of the cubs were!

"Come on, come on," he urged with delight, nudging the more hesitant cubs along gently. "It's a great big world out there to see! And this is just the beginning of it." He'd eventually return to the rogue lands, perhaps with some cubs in tow, and he wanted them to experience everything!

Soila was awake and ready to go as Mahiri urged her cubs from the den, her father's excitement fueling her own. She bounded out with some of her siblings, a grin on her face that quickly turned to a grimace as the sunlight momentarily blinded her. She wasn't used to such bright light even coming through the shade of the trees!

"Whoa," she said with a little laugh, seeing spots as she blinked her eyes. "The sun is so bright! I love it! It felt good on her dark fur, warming her just like snuggling up in a pile of siblings did.  

[Jovi of Shadows]

It was good to stretch her legs and to get out of the den, as Mahiri was finding her muscles to be somewhat stiff. That was hardly a bother though, as she watched some of her sleepy brood find their way out of the den. She couldn't believe she had brought all of these little ones into the world. Though she didn't think she could do it without the support of the cub's father, and when Strafe emerged she gave the male a thankful smile.

A few of the cubs made their way to her paws and Mahiri lowered to head to nuzzle them with affection. Chausiku and Kuwaka first as they were closest, and then Neema and Soila. Some of the cubs were still sleepy in the den, but that was alright. "We won't go very far," she whispered to Strafe, so they could still keep an eye on the den's entrance.

She took a few ginger steps away from the den and glanced at all of the little one's that had ventured out with them. "Let's go for a walk, little ones. Time to stretch your paws and feel the earth under your claws."

Kuwaka beamed at the siblings that had joined her out in the world beyond the den, and she wiggled her shoulders in anticipation of seeing something new. The thought of pouncing one of her siblings was strong, but her mother's nuzzle quickly caught her off guard and distracted her from the idea. Soila was right though, the sun was very bright, much brighter than the den they had spent all of their life in, and that too was very distracting. "Walk!" the little cheetah repeated excitedly, her fur rising along her neck and spine. The thought of pouncing another sibling reentered her mind, and Kuwaka crouched down to eye each one of them with mischief as her tail flicked back and forth.