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Post by zora on Jun 3, 2012 20:41:00 GMT -5
Pico had left to go hunting when the labor pains began. Zora found herself panting terribly with in moments of her long birthing process. She knew she could call for Pico to come and help but Zora had to do this on her own. She'd be helping other lionesses to give birth to their cubs.
"Remain calm Zora. You've done worse." Zora urged herself as she laid on her side. She snarled in pain, the first contractions were beginning. Her suffering voice echoed off the cave walls. She snarled in pain once again, the first cub was going to come any moment. With a yelp and hiss of pain, a new born baby boy entered the world. Zora licked away his birthing sac and inspected his little frame. He had black fur like his father, and his mother's nose. Zora beamed at her child and went back to birth her next. With in a half hour of her first born the second came forth. Zora cried out in horror and despair at seeing her darling little girl was only a shell of a lioness. She had not survived the pregnancy or perhaps the birth itself. Zora cursed herself for losing her child. She wept, carrying it's lifeless body out of the cave and by a group of rocks. She'd bury her child now. When the grave had been dug and a stone place to mark the spot, Zora named the child Ndogo Baraka which in Swahili meant "Small Blessing". Zora allowed herself no more time to cry, she needed to tend to her living child. When Pico came back she'd present the child to him. He would name their son. Her son took no time in finding her stomach and he began to suckle her, Zora rested on her side, numb of the loss. She wasn't sure how to react. She was so excited to have a son but she had lost her beloved daughter. She would tell Pico later, she wanted him rejoice in their son's birth and not mourn the loss of their daughter. She had to stay strong, she was no stranger to loss. So like everything else Zora had lost before, she buried the pain deep in her heart.
Then she a gentle roar, so quiet no other lion in the area could hear. She took a breath and closed her eyes, resting.
(OOC: Okay I know it's a bit early but tomorrow is going to be busy for me. So I wanted everyone to be able to respond and do stuff with the birth. I'll get on sometime later tomorrow. So until then just ignore this post. Sorry again for it being early! Love you all! <3))
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 4:31:06 GMT -5
Pico
Black Lion
I had gotten lucky at my hunting.
The sambar stag i was tracking had had a new born foal by his side so i killed both.
I clamped my jaws over the huge stag and draped the foal over my back.
In a long and painful hour i had dragged all the meat back to Zora.
And then i saw a clump of fresh soil with a stone on it and it smelled weird.
I shook out my main and entered the cave.
I saw Zora was sleeping or something, her back to me.
And then i heard a small yelp, too small and childish to be Zora.
A tiny wet black cub no bigger than my paw stumbled towards me.
I dropped the meat and rushed forth to rub my cheek and body warmth against my cub.
My son!
The cub was fully black with a longer tuft of fur covering its neck and it had Zora's nose.
It blinked it's eyes which was strange as it was new born.
It had my bright deep amber eyes.
"My son. Cray, my son" I licked the cub and smiled tearfully.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 11:59:28 GMT -5
Zora stirred at the sound of her mate's voice. His strong tone, cut through her dark sleep. Her eyes were red and there were deep circles under her gray-blue eyes. She shuttered before rolling over. "Pico," She whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. She tried to gather her composure but the grief was starting to weld up inside her heart again.
"He's beautiful isn't he? He looks just like you." Zora gave him the best smile she could make. She slumped against the cold stone floor of the cave, tried.
She watched the two interact, Pico looked so proud, it lifted her spirits a little. The cub wondered back to her, and he resumed his suckling. She licked his fur, hearing him purr a little.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 12:36:40 GMT -5
"Yes. With your nose. And a unique mark on his face" I cried with happiness.
I then realised some thing.
"The new soil out side, the bit of earth marked with a stone ... what's under it?" I gulped, fearing the worst.
I already knew what it was so did not wait for an answer but went over to Zora and sadly nuzzled her face.
"At least we have one little cub" I smiled.
But it would be hard breaking Cray out of the pride.
Maybe i would keep him a little longer ...
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 12:56:09 GMT -5
Zora cried into Pico's fur, she had grown weak again and she cursed herself for being so weak. "I know, and I'm glad I was able to deliver at least one." She sobbed. "She was a girl. So beautiful. She looked like my aunt. She had your ears." She sighed and pulled back, regaining her composure. "Sorry my love." She bent down and licked her son again. "I'm alright now."
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 13:16:05 GMT -5
A girl?
What a loss ...
But a son would be even better!
I would have endless grand cubs and great grand cubs if this handsome cub managed to lure in lionesses for the pride.
"Don't worry my precious, every thing is fine. Our family will be bigger with another male" I explained.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 13:40:01 GMT -5
Zora nodded, burying the pain. "What did you bring for us to eat today?" She asked, changing the subject. She looked past him searching the cave for food. Cray began to cry and little and she groomed him some more. Nudging him with her nose.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 13:44:56 GMT -5
"A sambar stag and a sambar foal" I proudly brought them over and left the huge stag for Zora, devouring the foal in minutes.
I ripped off a tiny piece of meat and popped it into Cray's mouth, watching him rolling it in his mouth to get a taste.
I laughed when he spat it out, knowing he would not be able to eat meat/solids for at least 3 months.
I sighed happily, watching my new family.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 13:59:14 GMT -5
Zora giggled. Watching her son struggled with the meat. "In due time my dear. He will be hunting and learning skills from you and I soon enough!" Zora exclaimed with excitement. She then began to eat with great speed and ferocity.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 14:02:42 GMT -5
OOC - Can u make your posts at least four sentences long please?
I smiled and held Cray up with my paw, and then carried him with the scruff.
Dropping him in the pond and using my paw to support him, i watched him splash happily and laughed when he slurped some water and it dribbling down his chest.
I took him back to Zora and let him get on with his peace ful suckling and sooking.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 14:13:11 GMT -5
Zora waited for Pico to return, she felt her strength returning greatly. She began to groom her son when seeing he had taken this first swim. She felt happy make sure Cray would be the best lion he could be. She sighed. "I think it's best if he gets the lay of the land as soon as old enough." She watched him closely, wondering if he'd be a great king one day. Pico was right, he'd keep the family line going for a very long time. She watched Pico as well, glad to be safe and warm. She loved them both dearly.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 14:24:39 GMT -5
"Well, my old pride said that as well. Usually, the cubs can walk proper great distants at a week old. But Cray might be special" I nuzzled him lovingly, looking with interested at the great care and love Zora blessed him with.
"I am going to hunt for more lionesses. I will be an hour at the latest. Are you alright without me?" I wanted to make sure.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 14:36:38 GMT -5
"Of course dear." Zora responded smiling at him. Cray had for some reason already had his eyes open. He was going to grow up faster then she thought. She watched Pico leave, knowing she may have some pride sisters when he returned. But she'd be queen, she had the first child. She growled at herself, angry for becoming jealous. It wasn't about her. It was about Cray, Pico and the pride. Not her. Cray mewed and she looked down at him lovingly. "You'll be a king too one day." She beamed at her child.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 14:41:19 GMT -5
I searched the lands for 2 hours, a little over my time.
I ended up getting 3 miles more in every direction so that i had about 20 miles of land.
I rushed back to tell Zora.
"I never found any others, but i have about 20 miles of land" I reported proudly, bounding in.
I had picked up a goose for them to eat on the way so my voice was a bit muffled.
I kind of felt bad for having no more lionesses for Zora.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 15:13:06 GMT -5
Zora closed her eyes, resting. She dreamed of a field and of Cray. He was bloody, he was looking at her with sadden eyes. Then he turned back and walked away. Zora cried out for him to stop but he disappeared. He was grown, he turned and roared, but not at her. His father. Zora begged him to stay but he only ran away. Out of sight. Zora shot up out of her deep sleep, she looked down at Cray and cradled him. Grateful he was still here.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 15:16:24 GMT -5
"What is wrong, my precious?" I asked from my perch, leaping down from a rock.
Zora was shaking and cradeling Cray, as if he had been killed.
I soon realised i would maybe need to find a bigger cave if another LION was going to live here.
Although, it was already very very very very really really big.
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 16:26:49 GMT -5
"Everything is fine. I just had a bad dream." Zora smiled at her mate. She was growing restless. The night was coming fast and she was not tired anymore. She stood up and said, "I'll go for a walk if that's alright." She walked past Pico and brushed up against him as she did. The night felt good and as Zora left the cave, she made sure not look over to where she had buried her daughter. A wind blew through the grass bring the scent of many animals around her. Being a mother was hard work!
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 4, 2012 16:34:16 GMT -5
I stared at Cray, left on his own, snuggled into a ball on the floor.
"I know what it's like to be left alone" I went over and curled him into my chest, crying now.
I had bad history and did not want to be reminded.
I waited staring down lovingly at Cray.
He gave small cute murmurs in his sleep so i left him for two minutes and went to dig up my dead daughter, to see her.
I started roaring in pain and anger.
She was beautiful, and she was white.
"Why?!" I roared, crying out loud publicly.
I crouched over her still body, screaming in pain.
Why?!
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Post by zora on Jun 4, 2012 18:52:34 GMT -5
Zora heard her beloved cry out and she flew with swiftness and speed to his side. She saw him weeping over their dead daughter. She wished he didn't have to see her, but it was too late. She rested her head on his shoulder and licked his tears away. Silent. She had no words of comfort. She wanted to but she was to grieved to comfort. There was no comfort. Their daughter was dead. Seeing her pale beautiful white face made her choke back a sob. She looked so much like her aunt. She had creamy white fur. And apparently her mother was a darker shade. Zora had always been told she looked more like her mother. She sighed and leaned down and kissed her daughter. "Ndogo Baraka," She whispered, "My small blessing." She then pushed away her feelings. She had to comfort her mate. "Shh my dear." Zora soothed. "She is with my mother and father."
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 6:40:56 GMT -5
I stood up and gently lifted her back into the hole, which was now damp with my tears.
I laid the stone on top and kissed it and then turned and marked a boulder next to it.
Cray had wandered a metre from the cave and i smiled through my sadness and picked him up with my paws.
I swung him around so he was sitting between my shoulder blades.
He gurgled and i laughed over at Zora, trying not to look at my daughter's cave.
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Post by zora on Jun 5, 2012 10:04:06 GMT -5
Kasi
Dark Rouge
Kasi had been wondering through Pico's land, hoping to find some food or perhaps a lioness. Either would do. He sighed and climbed atop a large boulder, when he saw a lioness walking off on her own. She looked tried a bit distraught. He silently walked over, making sure not to surprise her but also not let her know of his coming. He was only a few meters away, when he caught the scent of a male lion near by. Kasi cursed and ducked behind a boulder. Glancing around it, he saw that the lioness was still alone, and she was still unaware of his presence. She had dark fur just like him, and a sleek long back. She was healthy. She would do nicely.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 10:06:55 GMT -5
I burst out of the cluster of boulders, snarling.
"Zora! Take Cray and get back to the cave. NOW!" I roared, handing Cray over to Zora.
I scanned the land with my eyes.
I scented the male.
He had been spying for a while.
"This is my land and my cubs and female. Get out ... there WILL be trouble" I rumbled, watching the boulders.
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Post by zora on Jun 5, 2012 10:20:29 GMT -5
Zora hissed, she hated being startled. She'd protect her son with her life, she held Cray firmly in her mouth, but she did not hurt him. With great speed and grace, Zora flew into the forest of boulders, protecting her son. She had found a perfect hiding spot for him just a month before his birth. Now it was time to use it. When she reached the space, she bushed back a rock, showing a small hole. Zora bravely stuck her tail inside to see it with was safe, the soft padding of grass and leave she had put in there were still a bit moist. Nothing could harm her baby in here. Zora gently tuck Cray inside and scented the rock. She had trained herself to picked the rock out of a dozen others. She planted a kiss on Cray's head and rolled the rock over the opening, leaving just enough for Cray to have some fresh air.
Then she made her way back to Pico, she had to make sure he was okay. She would kill the rouge if she had too. She had done it before.
Kasi came from behind the boulder, his stance relaxed. "Now why did you have to go and scare her off?" He sounded annoyed but only slightly. He was fully aware of the male's status in this pride. He just didn't want to start a fight.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 10:23:21 GMT -5
"Get out. Your lucky if you go with your life! Don't you dare make a move on her, she is mine" I looked to Zora, willing her to confirm this.
"Don't piss me off" I growled at the male.
I would protect my life, Zora's life and Cray's life with my own.
I would kill this male if needed.
And probably so would Zora.
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Post by zora on Jun 5, 2012 10:32:01 GMT -5
Zora snarled her agreement, spatting in his general direction. /How dare he look at me as fair game!/ Zora thought with rage. She took a step closer and snarled, You threaten my pride, you threaten me. Back. Off.""
Kasi backed up, "Okay, okay. No need to go starting a war. My mistake. I'm sure any male would be falling over themselves to get to a pretty lioness like you." He smiled, trying to break the tension. "I guess, I'll be on my way." He lowered his head and walked off, slowly and silently. "I wish you... all the best." Kasi planned to come back, this land was filled with prey and other lionesses would come here. Then he could pick up one on there way in. But Kasi did not show his plan on his expression.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 10:35:21 GMT -5
"Oh and male? Come on my land again, either for prey or lionesses, you are dead. I patrol it 24/7. Got it?" I snarled, stepping in front of the rouge.
"And i'm serious" I hissed in his ear.
Zora and Cray were mine, but deep down i felt sorry for this male, alone and pride less.
I had a cave about a mile from mine and it was un used ... so ...
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Post by zora on Jun 5, 2012 10:39:12 GMT -5
Kasi flattened his ears and nodded his agreement. "I wouldn't dream of it sir." He sighed and began to walk off again.
Zora felt some of her heart strings get pulled as the rouge wondered off. She felt sorry for him, she knew what it was like to be lost and alone. It's scary and frightening to wonder when your next meal is. Walking silently over to Pico she whispered, "Can't we lest him stay the night?. It's so cold out."
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 10:42:45 GMT -5
"Fine" I hissed to Zora.
"Male? Wait. Your name. I'm Pico, this is Zora. I have a cave i don't use ... i shall show it to you. Zora, go back to our cave with Cray. I will be back soon" I added.
I walked over to the male and motioned for Zora to get our cub and go.
I could see i was stronger, bigger and older than this male and had the fighting experiance.
I would be totally fine.
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Post by zora on Jun 5, 2012 10:47:20 GMT -5
Kasi bounded up to Pico was a smile on his face, "Really? Oh thank you sir, I'm Kasi, sir. Thank you so much!" Embarrassed, Kasi cleared his throat and said, "Very noble of you sir." He followed close behind Pico matching his pace with his.
Zora planted a kiss on Pico's cheek and bounded off to retrieve Cray, when she returned he was asleep. She swiftly made it back to cave before Pico had arrive, she places Cray next to her and he suckled her a little. She then rested, warming her son up.
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Post by emilycoleman on Jun 5, 2012 10:51:15 GMT -5
"It's a mile from the main cave ... my cave. If you see food here, feel free to kill and eat it. But if you see lionesses on my land, leave them alone. They are mine, or soon will be. And you must never hurt my lionesses or cubs, or mate with my pride. You must remember you are on MY land so don't piss me off" I grufly led him to the smaller cave a mile West from mine.
"Make yourself at home. You can follow my trail to see where my main cave is. I will check back on you soon" I nodded a good bye and sprinted back to Zora.
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