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 Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:04 am
Blake didn't move for a few moments as he considered what he should do next. Looking over the lioness, he thought of what she'd said...and how she'd said it. He didn't want to seem paranoid that "every lion was out to get him and his family" and so he decided to accept her at face value for the moment. That, and having spent the previous part of his life trying to woo other females (and usually getting himself in trouble with their mates), he had gotten pretty good at reading them and their emotions.
Lifting his head, he relaxed and nodded to her with a smile, showing her that he accepted her answer. "It's a new pride...I should probably expect such intrusions from time to time until it becomes, uh, a little more well known. You are quite forgiven. Come, you must be thirsty...and there is plenty of shade to rest in." Motioning for her to follow, he turned and led the way, trotting back towards the den, wondering if Synda had awoken yet or not.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:13 pm
"T-thank you kind King. My apologies again for entering, especially on new ground." She said politely, the smile returning to her face as he accepted her across his border and offered his hospitality. She followed willingly, but kept on high alert; after all, she didn't know this lion. And after what her childhood entailed, her trust was limited, but she always stayed positive.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:31 pm
Once to the oasis, Blake sat down in the shade of a tree and waited for the lioness to drink and find some comfort herself out of the sun. He smiled as a pair of rabbits peeked out from under one of the bushes, curious at the newcomer. He had always left most of the wildlife in the oasis alone, perfering the bigger and more challenging hunts in the grasslands not too far away. Not to mention, a rabbit could only fill a pregnant lioness so much.
"I am Blake, and I welcome you to the Whispers in the Dark Pride. If you don't mind my prying, what brings you here? Wandering, I mean," he asked finally, as he lay down with his front paws crossed. He wondered if she wanted to join, but had no idea how to go about asking such a forward question, particularly when he knew so little about her. Aah, he was jumping the gun already, time to relax and just see what she had to say.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:04 pm
The lioness drank, great full for the cool water that engulfed her dry muzzle, it had been a while since she tasted water this good. She wondered if she would wear out her welcome by getting too comfortable under the shade of the Oasis, so decided to stay sitting while answering the question that came from the King's mouth. "I am Inari, thank you for your welcome and hospitality." She answered with a shy yet normal smile, his question ringing through her ears. "Well, my childhood was rough, my entire family destroyed by those we thought of as allies, friends. The only survivors were my brother and grandfather, but they were oblivious to the fact that I was alive, I thought I would just get in the way while grandfather taught my brother the ways to being a good King; and how not to make the same mistake my father made." She paused at the thought of her family, she rarely spoke of them and when she did it only brought sorrow to her timid heart. She didn't mind however, and continued, getting to the point. "So I set out on my own, wandering for days until I met up with other lions of my kind. They were all so different, but so friendly. I resided in a small Pride not to far from here called Darkest Warmth, Pride of Scribble and Shey. They were such great leaders and I couldn't have asked for more. Scribble, however, became like a father figure to me and raised me as a cub until I grew to what I am now. My life as an adult became rather boring and I felt that I had no place in his Pride that I could be proud of. So again, my travels begun, a journey to lead a more exciting life where I would possibly have a family to call my own, or settle into a Pride in which I could be something, to lend a paw to those I care for." She looked down at the small grass blades beneath her paws before looking back to the black and white male.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:30 pm
Blake once more took a moment before he answered her, studying her over. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself, knowing that he would be pretty forward asking this of her. "I'm sorry to hear about your childhood, ours have not faired well either. As I said earlier, this pride is very new...in fact it has few members at the moment. Well...two, really. There's only me and Synda. She is...pregnant right now, as well, and she thinks the cubs will be born pretty much any day now. There is much to do, and many responsibilities that need to be filled, and well....Forgive me, let me ask this in a better way. I would like to offer you a place in my Pride, contigent on Synda's agreement. What do you say?" He smiled, hoping she'd accept.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:44 pm
The mahogany female couple help but to smile at such kind words. This King needed help, her help, for the arrival of new lives and to start off his Pride. She was more than willing to accept his invitation and nodded. "I humbly accept, King Blake." She bowed to him gently and swished her tail feathers happily. "It is good to know, I am needed somewhere in this life. I would be honored to help." A smile as wide as the sky formed across her muzzle, probably the biggest it has ever been so far. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach at the thought of a new life, a new pride, a new slate.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:53 pm
Blake chuckled, happy that she had accepted. Of course, final decision was still Synda's, as he didn't like to do much without her input. "Thank you...and you may regret such words in a few months when the cubs are older and driving you insane. Along with the rest of us. And just call me Blake, being called King is a bit...weird...yet. Only thing I can guarantee is that you will not be bored anytime soon."
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:37 pm
Inari nodded her head, the smile still stretched across her muzzle. "I will accept whatever words the Queen may have, this is her Pride as well after all. And I love cubs, I'm sure I will do well assisting as a den sister, if that is where you wish to place me, however." The lioness chuckled at the King's request. "Ah, must not be used to "King" I suppose. Alright then, Blake it is." She finished with a light bow of her head and sat more comfortably, loosening up. She hoped that Queen Synda would accept her as Blake did, it was nice to know she had something to call home.
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:41 pm
A loud, gruff roar could be heard from inside the cave. Apparently Synda had awoken and this was her version of a yawn. Getting up, the heavily pregnant lioness stretched as well as she could, which was quite awkwardly. Chuffing gently, her ears flicked as she heard voices. Quirking her maw slightly, she walked out into the sun. Her eyes squinted as she tried to get used to the light. Slowly, her version returned. Licking her muzzle, she trotted toward the pool of water.
Of course, it took her a while. Seeing as she was pregnant, she had to move slowly and carefully...atleast that's what Synda thought. The lioness had no idea on how to be a mother and her mother obviously did not teach her. Flicking her ears, she finally came into view of the pool. Seeing Blake, she chuffed a greeting. As she came closer, she noticed he wasn't alone. With a strange lioness, no doubt. Ahh, Blake, Blake, Blake. Apparently, even if Black turned back on his playgirl ways, the playgirl ways could not turn back on Blake.
"Hello." She said smiling gently. Her flakes and tail flicked as she walked beside Black. Nuding him gently with her snout, she licked his ear before going to get a drink fo water. "Ahh..that's better. Excuse Synda, she was a little thirsty." Her unusual green eyes stared over at the lioness. "Hi. Stranger must be new. Synda is Queen of this pride...awkward to say, so just call Queen by Synda, ok? Synda welcome to pride." Moving slowly, she settled down beside Blake on her side. She gave a small 'oof' sound and began to lick her belly. Apparently one of the cubs was antsy. Stretching, she looked over at Blake. "Blake, does Stranger wish to join pride? Or is just passing through?" Her head tilted a little in curiosity. "Fill Synda in on details?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:52 pm
"I know that would definatly help Synda out alot, being a den sister, but it's really wherever you would feel the most, I guess comfortable would be the best word. Some enjoy watching cubs, and other lions enjoy hunting and things along that line...Ah, my Desert Rose has awoken!" Blake smiled widely as he saw his mate appear and greeted her with a loud purr, nudging her in return as she finally lay beside him. He always felt the best, and the most relaxed, when she was nearby.
"Synda...this is Inari. Inari, meet Synda, my lovely Queen and mate." Quickly he filled Synda in on the details of Inari's story, leaving nothing out. "...so she left their pride to travel once more, hoping to find either another pride where she would be needed and could lend a paw, or maybe start her own family. I offered her a place here in the Pride, contingent on your agreement to the idea. We can certainly use the help, my love, what with cubs on the way and....well, what do you think?" He couldn't see a reason why Synda would say no, since Inari would be able to help out with the hunting, patrolling, babysitting..there was certainly enough to keep them all busy for a long time to come.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:06 pm
Inari greeted the Queen with a shy, yet warm smile. She was beautiful and she watched her as she sate down beside Blake, the two looking as if they were made for one another. She noted her swollen belly, filled with life about to come into this world and listened to her speak, her way of doing it so different than others; Inari liked that. "Thank you for your kind welcome, Synda" She said, keeping the smile across her muzzle.
The lioness nodded to Blake's words, still not relaxed enough to lay down like the others, but good feelings flooded her heart as she looked at her surroundings, feeling home already. She was going to speak up, add her comments and assure the Queen that she would be of great help, but swallowed her tongue, afraid to speak out of place. The last thing Inari wanted to do was make a bad impression.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:55 pm
Synda listened silently, showing no emotion. Every once in a while her tail flicked. Getting up, she gently shook the dirt from her body and walked over to Inari. "Synda see no reason for Inari to join pride. Synda welcome Inari!" The pregnant lioness nudged the female in a friendly, compassionate way. "Please, Inari relax. Inari must be tired from journey. Synda get food." The Queen turned and looked at her mate. "Blake not bother to stop Synda. Just because Synda bear cubs soon does not mean Synda is helpless. Stay with guest and make sure Inari comfortable. Show Inari around. Synda will be back home soon." She licked Blake's nose and nudged his mane gently before trotting off to find food.
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:34 am
"Yes'm," Blake replied with a grin, nuzzling his mate before she left. Watching her trot off, he really had to admire her stubbornness and strenghth. "There goes one fine lady," he purred to no one in particular, watching Synda till she was out of sight, then turning his attention back to Inari. "Come, I'll show you a bit around the Oasis, and the den before you rest and relax. Feel free to explore around here today and I'll show you the borders of the pride tomorrow maybe..." He let his voice trail off with a wide yawn and a long stretch of his body before getting up, and trotting slowly off.
He waited for Inari to catch up as he pointed out little bits of the Oasis to her, about where the little grove of trees were that Synda had hid in her game of hide and seek when they had finally gotten back together to stay for good, about the various flower producing plants and bushes that he'd been working hard to keep up since he'd first discovered this place as a cub, especially his prized rose bushes, and even pointed out the family of rabbits that was following them in open curiosity about the new lioness. "We usually do not hunt the animals that inhabit the Oasis, as they are small and not very filling, so they aren't scared of us," Blake chuckled. "Our actual hunting grounds are in the grasslands, which isn't actually very far away at all, despite all the sand you see around here." He gave her directions, about how it was only about a half an hour's walk away from the den to the hunting grounds.
Finally, their tour ended at the den, which looked like a small hole in the ground at first glance, barely large enough to admit a grown lion. "The den was once an underground spring that somehow become diverted many many years ago and now empties into the pool that provides the water to this land. What's left is basically a wide tunnel that ends where the river takes over once more...don't worry about the cubs drowning in it, because when I first discovered this place, I fell in. After a bit of a ride, you end up in the pool." He chuckled, looking at Inari. "It became one of my favorite pastimes, to jump into after that whenever I got bored of things. Too bad I'm too big for it anymore...used to think I'd one day I'd widen the tunnel a bit, but never got around to it....Anyways, there's plenty of places to sleep, as you can see," he said, pointing out a few shelves that the river had cut into the sides of the tunnel. Sitting down, he rubbed a paw on the side of his head as he tried to think of anything else he'd forgotten. "Well...I guess that's it that I can think of...do you have any questions? Concerns?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:15 pm
Inari smiled as Synda nuzzled her with friendly affection. It was nice to know that she was cared about, and was welcomed into the Pride. "Thank you Synda, your welcome is most appreciated" She smiled as the Queen got up to go hunting and was about to turn her kind offer down, not wanting her to endanger the lives within. But the strong lioness spoke before she could, directing her words to Blake, so Inari kept quiet.
As Blake turned back after watching his Queen blend in with the sands, she willingly followed him on the tour. She admired his Pride Land's beauty, everything was so peaceful, desolate, and quiet. The perfect place for a small family and with plenty of room to grow. Most of all, she loved the inside of the den and the story Blake told to go with it. She giggled and sniffed around curiously, taking notes in her mind as to where she liked the most, hoping it wasn't already occupied. As Blake turned to her with questions, she shook her head and smiled her shy smile. "None at all. Your Pride is beautiful, I feel quite at home already."
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:36 pm
Synda came back dragging a wilderbeast calf in the dirt behind her by its neck. Her tail flicked as she grunted along with the calf. Getting to the den entrance, she dropped the carcass and shook herself a little. "Whoo! Long haul..." She panted, ears flicking. Looking over at the two, she smiled. "Blake give tour already? Good good." She looked over at Inari and smiled. "Synda hope Inari will enjoy life here. Remember, Inari need anything, Inari don't hesitate to ask." The lioness then picked up the carcass again and began dragging it to the den motioning the other two to follow with a small grunt. Dinner was served.
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