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 Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:21 pm
((This RP is open to other lions and lionesses who stay in the Caverns at/in Pride Rock, Tai's adopted cubs Zira and Udha, family, and, of course, other pride members. <3 If anyone wants to say their SOA is familiar with Tai, that's fine by me, since she's one of the cub-caretakers/nannies/storytellers.
Not going to enforce any kind of posting order, first come first serve!))
Weeks had passed since her encounter with the rogue who had introduced himself as Kweu'chaka. She had since taken Zira and Udha in to stay in the caves of Pride Rock, where most of the other pride members resided. There, within the cool shade that the rock-walls offered from the ever-beating sun, the lioness withdrew herself. She found the stretch of wall that she usually rested against and settled down with a soft hiss, glad that for the moment the caves were empty as it was the peak of the day and most were out and about enjoying the weather, her own (adopted) children included.
A soft bellow escaped her throat, however. Privacy wouldn't last for long, for she couldn't keep her discomfort to herself. She'd done this before many a time in her old pride, but this would be the first time that she'd be allowed to keep and raise her own children, which made her giddy and nervous all at once. She wished that one of her friends could have been there with her-- in the mountains she'd had something of a healer at her side through all of her births. Here, it was just Tai and the cavern...
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:20 pm
Daimyn heard the bellow and recognized Tai's voice, guessing what was going on. He hesitated at first, wondering if it was really such a good idea to be present, but he had his mind made up in seconds and loped in her direction.
He paused outside the cavern, the familiar smell of the coming birth preceding that of his sister's. "Tai?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:00 am
Ai seemed to pause in his own daily happenings at the sight of his father, his ears flattening back a bit, before he moved to go meet the side of the large white male (hey, he was catching up in size! SCORE!), hesitating a bit, before calling out to him.
"Dad? What's going on?" he inquired, taking to Daimyn's side to peer in as well, a confused look on his face. Hey.. wasn't that auntie? Sure he'd met her once or twice.. but. He wasn't sure exactly.
Why was she laying on the ground like that? SHE WASN'T DYING WAS SHE? AHHHH.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:29 pm
As it was, it was already time for the birthing process to begin before Daimyn arrived. She managed a distracted and pained nod, just one, eyes shutting to focus.
Not only had her contractions started, but already she could feel the first of her cubs making his way towards the birthing channel. Thankful now for her previous experience, Tai shifted her position until finding the most natural posture for the process, growling and snarling as the pain increased. She was unphased by her nephew's arrival, her tail lashing widly behind her in a few rough strokes before thumping to a still on the ground.
Dying? Hardly, she was definitely alive and kicking, as were her unborn children.
Several long moments passed with relative silence, after which the first of the cubs finally lay on the ground, Tai already leaning in and over to clean his fur of the birth-mucus coating his body, and more importantly-- blocking his airway. Rough licks to his back would ensure that his breathing picked up on his own, unhindered now.
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:34 pm
If there was to be any response given to Ai's inquiry, it would be missed by the look of shock which had come over his face, nearly making him stumble back and away, and almost off into the distance. But.. he was ... so CURIOUS. What was -that- thing that his auntie had?
Still remaining at a distance, the dark boy sat down, staring in intently, eyes wide. "...... That's....?"
Was it what he thought it was? It was.. so.. SMALL, he'd expected.. well.. something different.
"Is that......... my cousin?" he inquired with whispered awe, all but pressed against the ground, eyes wide.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:17 am
The first son seemed to ease the process along after that. As her first born was settled by her stomach to feed she quickly settled down again. This time the growling was much calmer, more of a deep and steady rattle between her chest and throat, the second son being born with much more ease than the first with several minutes spaced between.
Same as before she retrieved her child, drawing him in by her paws to cleanse, wiping the birth mucus from his-- stunningly soft yellow pelt! Her eyes blurred by distraction she couldn't see that he bore hints of white stripes such as her own, but took in a sharp gasp. By the stars and the gods! He looked just like his father...
"My... that certainly is a surprise." She ground out through yet another contraction. Oh goodness, more cubs?! Was she in for a larger surprise?
Her second son would have to wait to begin feeding until she'd delivered this next one-- the last. With a pained groan Tai realized that one cub was reluctant to enter the cold of the unknown. For several long minutes she fought with this one to bring him forth, having to take breaks every so often. Finally, with a pained cry, the last son and final cub was birthed.
Already exhausted, Tai didn't miss a beat, retrieving him a bit slower than the others, but diligently clearing his nasal passage and mouth, clearing away the rest of the birth sac from his pristine pelt, no sign of yellow anywhere...
She breathed a happy sigh, not for the lack of coloring, but that the ordeal seemed to be done. Three cubs, three boys. It was a bit daunting... but, if she could raise Udha, she could raise three more sons. He'd be so excited! Three brothers-- she hoped Zira wouldn't be disappointed that there were no girls.
She spent a few moments catching her breath as finally the last two boys were settled alongside their older brother. Tai's hind legs curled in a bit closer, her tail draping over their backs as comfortably as she could manage to provide them protective warmth from the exposure of cold in the cave-- until their fur dried, at least. They were perfect... now five children total, a full litter size. Tai found herself smiling proudly, and she'd be able to raise them all... name them all!
Her blue eyes wandered towards Daimyn and Ai, wondering when, or if, Udha and Zira would find their way back here from wherever they might be playing.
She rested her head tiredly on the ground. She'd eventually need to relocate the cubs further from the entrance, deeper in the heart of the caverns to avoid exposure to the elements, but for now, she didn't want to move just yet, content to lie there and stare at the three tiny pale bundles at her side.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:49 pm
Ai was simply in shock. How many little bodies could come OUT of one being. Where on -earth- had she gotten them?.... AND HOW DID THEY GET IN HER STOMACH LIKE THAT? The boy was more than ready to start interrogating his father, but was too surprised to move, remaining laying against the ground, before taking a cautious step forward.
He was unsure as to how Tai would take to him, even though he was family, invading her space and these new young ones that had been produced from, seemingly, NOWHERE, admiring them.
But...
there sure was a lot of STUFF on the ground.
"... Is there anything I can do fo you?" he managed, keeping a good distance, though he still wanted to help.. SOMEHOW.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:04 pm
Coming into the unknown didn't frighten the small newborn. No, he didn't fidget or shy away from his new surroundings yet only to feel his mothers grasp about him and her tongue wiping his fur clean from the mucus and grime that disguised his creamy, yellow pelt.
The world was dark, it was bleak to the unopened eyes, yet feeling his mothers warmth made him feel safe and secure.
When he was placed aside his other siblings, the young male began to suck and take his fill of his mothers milk. He squabbled and shifted, positioning himself comfortabley and nestling himself close to his mothers provided warmth and protection away from the cold and the harsh, outside world.
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Mila Farrell Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:14 am
The first baby, the little white boy with a splotch of yellow on his nose, had taken in his first breath of air, and was now mewling shrilly. The cold out here was more than his little body was willing to handle, and the fright of being pushed out of his warm place was intolerable. So he did the only thing he could do in the circumstances, something that came instinctively: cry.
The touch of his mother seemed to make him redouble his efforts, as if he now realized there was something out there to actually listen to his cries. Gradually, his shivers cease, and he nuzzles into her belly, drinking greedily and attempting to nose aside his yellow sibling for a better position.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:59 pm
"For now, I don't need anything," She responded wearily, though giving Ai a tired smile. She didn't mind him coming close, family and friends were welcomed. Any protective motherly urges were squelshed in the presence of relatives. She trusted them, had always trusted Daimyn, and always would. "and yes, these are your cousins." She purred, leaning in closer again to groom the first born's back again, trying to soothe his cries. How she now longed for them to be able to open their eyes and begin experiencing the wonders of the world, though somehow she also wished they'd be able to stay this small and dependent forever. No longer did she appear to be so nervous, perhaps just for now, but then again, the future didn't matter much.
For the time being, everything felt perfect.
The youngest could hear his older brother crying, and felt the large presence of their mother looming in close in response. Seeming to pick up on this, the youngest squeaked a little cry of his own, only to find himself coming across food. Well, suddenly crying for attention took second place! He was all too happy to indulge in the feast offered, pawing out instinctively.
"You need names... Hmmm...." She said thoughtfully to herself, eyes roaming over the three boys, first finding the middle-child. She already knew exactly what she'd call him... "Kweu'chaka... after your father. Ai, Daimyn, would you like to help with the naming?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:09 pm
Ai sighed a bit, seeming to be sadden ever so slightly by the concept that he had -no- place in being helpful in any shape or form. Ai drew closer as he watched Tai's actions curiously, his nose almost brushing against one of the little squirming bodies, though he did well to keep from touching them until he was given permission to.
So.. SMALLLLLLLLLLL. He couldn't get it out of his head.
".. there's no more coming out.. right?" he inquired, his voice shakey. Seemed the boy had been a bit shaken by the sudden appearence of the three kids. While there was a slight understanding of where the kiddos had come from.. he was -totally- lost in other aspects. HOW'D THEY GOTTEN IN THERE?
".. Er.. naming?"
He'd had an imaginary friend named 'Grassy' once. Somehow, he got the idea that he wasn't QUALIFIED for naming imaginary things, none-the-less LIVING beings who could give feedback on such decisions.
".... I could maybe think of -something-...?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:25 pm
Kweu'Chaka gave a low cry, more of a cry of displeasure, as his older brother tried to push him aside and out of the way. The soft, creamy, yellow hued male scooted against his brother and fought back in an attempt to throw off his brother. If anything, Kweu wasn't going to let him overtake his position or disturb him from partaking in his fill.
For such a small cub, rebellion was already flowing strong within his veins. Though not in hatred or dislike, oh no, for Kweu'Chaka only wanted to make it clear that this was his spot.
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:31 pm
At first Daimyn stayed off to the side several feet away, as if he would somehow interfere or distract Tai if he came too close. He offered no explanation to his son at the moment, not that he yet realized that Ai really had no idea what was going on because he wasn't paying much attention, truthfully. But by the time all three cubs lay curled up against their mother, he had taken several steps closer, and now sat next to his sister and his son.
"They're beautiful, Tai," he murmured, his eyes riveted to the three miniature forms.
"How about.. Tui?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:55 pm
She encouraged Ai with a patient look, nodding. "Maybe something starting with an A... such as yours?"
A proud smile, and a nod. Tui was a good name, she looked to her first born and decided that it would suit him perfectly.
"Tui for you... I hope you'll look out for your younger brothers." She thought aloud, watching as the two squabbled a bit before the dispute seemed to settle. She chuckled. "They're already a bit of a rowdy bunch, aren't they?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:50 am
It was then did her adopted daughter arrived.
After exploring the rest of the caves and bothering some of the local wildlife, she'd decided it was best to go home.
Or in a more instinctive feeling, she wanted her momma!
As she moved to the cave, she saw the equally pale figure of her 'uncle' Daimyn and the darker figure of her cousin.
A curious look appearing on her face as she eye'd the two from a few metres away...
...Why'd they come to the cave?
...was...there something wrong?...
Was momma hurt!?
Her eye's widened slightly and she padded quickly towards the cave, peeking around the edge before she looked for her mother.
Only when she saw here, she was very suprised what she'd found.
Little things!
There where little fuzzy things next to momma!
She blinked and slowly moved into the cave, the smell making her eyes water before she shook herself.
"...momma?" She asked softly, still not knowing what to make of the small fuzzy things that made such a racket.
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