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 Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:04 am
"Tai?" she called out when she thought she was within audible range of the lioness she was looking for, still running the risk of being seen with wings but unsure that would be so bad right now. For good measure, she called out once more before turning to remove the cub from the safe nest her wings made. All the feathers, including the two odd metallic ones, glimmered and faded out of sight. 
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:27 am
Tai had just gotten all five of the little ones to actually sleep, no small feat by any means. They were curled about her paws and side, Ayato and Zuri draped between her forepaws and curled up, while Udha and Kweu and Tui made another little bundle between her elbow and stomach. The mother was keeping a watchful vigil, not only over her five, but for the other young ones staying nearby as well. She heard another's approach and peered in Mtima's direction, but she relaxed and her gaze softened as she heard the other female's voice.
"Mtima," Tai greeted in return softly as she carefully detangled, rising to all fours, but stopping short as she heard a baby's cry. "oh my..." Another little one abandoned...? It made Tai's heart swell, she hoped this wasn't the case. "Whose this little one?" She asked quietly, and in hushed tones as the two came within view.
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:53 pm
Mtima was relieved to hear a familiar voice greet her, she'd found who she was looking for. She sighed and stepped closer to Tai before gently setting the little cub on the ground, putting a paw next to him to attach himself to.
"He's the son of a friend of mine," she answered in a quiet voice, "She won't be coming back." It was a simple explanation, but to the point. She glanced down to the nameless boy sadly, before looking back at Tai. It must have been quite obvious what the situation was, but at least in this case she had some happier news.
"Luckily," Mtima continued, "I know who his father is, but not exactly where to find him."
The cub yelped as he was put on the ground, shivering in the second he was left on his own. When a paw appeared beside him, he inched himself toward it and nuzzled into the goddess' foot.
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:25 pm
The storyteller looked a bit disheartened as the news reached her ears, another mother leaving her children behind, but she simply wondered why...? She'd never been able to bring herself to part with her litters in the past, and had to be forced to let them go. Even with her apprehension about her own now she couldn't imagine seperating herself from them, not even Udha and Zira, whom she'd gotten because of an identical situation. At least Mtima knew the father, however. Tai smiled a bit relieved at that and let her eyes drift to the little boy again.
"You need someone to look after him until you've found his father then, I assume?" She questioned, understanding and always glad to be of assistance. Her own three sons were still old enough to nurse, though she suspected that Zira and Udha might be ready for solid meat soon, if not already. There was enough milk to spare however, and she certainly wouldn't mind having another to look after for the time being. She'd find out first if that was indeed what Mtima needed.
Behind Tai, Ayato's gray tail flicked from the pile, though he remained asleep.
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Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:43 am
Mtima had feelings much similar to Tai, or she had until her mind was filled with doubts only recently. But the disguised goddess knew more about the situation and the feelings of the mother, she knew it had been hard for Boma to do what she did and that she was doing what she thought best. This situation had a good side in that she knew who the small ones father was.
"I would very much appreciate it," Mtima said gratefully, happy to hear Tai guess it right and sounded so willing to help, "I can't make sure he gets fed properly myself now, and it might take some time to find his father." She trusted Tai, and from past experience she had guessed that the cub would not be turned away. Her blue and gold eyes went down to him once again, wondering how Kubwa would handle knowing he had a son. Surely he had to expect that it was possible.
"Is there any chance you know where-about I might find a young lion called Kubwa?" she asked hopefully, looking back up, it might be that Tai had more ideas of where to find people than she did, "He is very pale, almost as white as you, I would say. I don't know who his family is, but I do know they're here too." Mtima provided as much information as she could in hopes that it would help. Even if Tai had no idea, the goddess had a couple about where to start- but this early in the morning a den might be morely likely a place than a tree top.
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Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:37 am
Kubwa, was it...?
No, she was afraid that she didn't recall any lions named Kubwa, and she knew only of her brother that had a pelt like hers. Did they sleep in the main den? She was sure she had likely seen him in passing, but trying to pinpoint when with so many faces in the pride was impossible.
Tai looked back to Mtima again and shook her head softly, regretfully.
"I'm afraid that I can't recall meeting such a lion. I believe that one of the other mothers-- a lioness with a pelt like mine as well, is serving as record keeper for the pride. Avelleno, if I'm not mistaken, is her name? She has a daughter about the same age as my nephews and nieces, an adolescent. She'd likely be of more aid in finding Kubwa, as it's her job to know who is here within what family."
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Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:28 pm
Mtima watched Tai hopefully, but was not too discouraged when she said she didn't know where to find Kubwa. It was a reach, but she had to at least ask. There were a lot of lions in this pride, that was for sure. She listened carefully to Tai's suggestion.
"Avellano," she repeated, making note of the name and smiling, "Sounds like a good idea, where might I find her?" The goddess would take a look around, and if she couldn't find him, then she would have to find Avellano.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:08 pm
"I believe that she stays someplace close to Priderock, with her daughter. I'm afaid that I haven't spoken with her often but... Her pelt is white like mine, with a reddish brown marking on her shoulder. I'll see what I can find out from the other members here in the dens, and I'll let you know what I find." She offered softly, moving forward then to gently take the little one in her jaws with now practiced ease.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:33 pm
"Ok, thank you very much," she said gratefully, "I have an idea of where to look, but if I don't find him I'll look for Avellano. I'd apprecite the help very much, but.. try not to mention the cub." Mtima had to try to think about Kubwa's feelings, but mostly she hoped to tell him about the cub herself. It'd not be good to hear rumours of such things floating around.
She sighed, and moved her paw so Tai could easily pick up the cub.
The whiny fluffball he was, the cub squeaked indignantly when the paw he'd been clinging to moved. Nothing seemed very consistent, and he'd just fallen asleep and gotten comfortable!
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:11 pm
Tai smiled for a moment and nudged her with her head against Mtima's before stepping back again, carefully easing back down amidst her cubs, settling the little one next to her stomach where he could feed should he wake. Tai curled her hind legs in closer for warmth.
"You're welcome, Mtima, and I wish you luck in finding him. I won't say a word."
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:31 pm
Mtima beamed at Tai, watching as she settled back in with all the cubs and set the small newborn down beside her. She knew the cub had to stay with a nanny, and she knew she'd made the best choice coming to Tai. Of course, she knew this nanny and was a little biased that way.
"Thank you for all the help," she said again, "Hopefully Kubwa will be about soon to meet and name his son." She glanced back down to the cub and smiled, then with a farewell nod to Tai she turned to start looking for Kubwa.
The cub whined lowly until he felt the ground and the warmth of Tai's stomach and leg around him again. He wiggled a bit and found that this was much more comfortable- especially when he found a food source was actually right in front of him. Hopefully he could stay like this for awhile again, instead of moving around so much.
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