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 Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:38 am
After the girl let it's mother see her and say her goodbyes, the raven
haired lass got up and stretched her legs a bit.
"I must be going back to the temple now. I'm being called. Take good care
of these little ones. I don't need to tell you how special they are." Planting a
kiss on patches head, she turned to go, touching Suri as she passed.
When she got to where the Da'Lin was at, she paused. "You did well tonight."
It was all she said, but it was enough. Strictly speaking, she need not have
even said that much. Turning, she exited the cave, returning to the torrential
downpour and continued her trek back to the temple, where she knew she had
two very nervous and expectant mothers waiting for her care. The tiny cub she wrapped in her shawl and put over her back for easier caring. It would
be placed with the others of it's kind, in a special room dedicated to Zahina's
watchful gaze. It was told that their spirits are re-chosen for other cubs that
were born at the temple. The girl smiled, there may have been heartbreak
today, but who knew what tomorrow would bring.
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:02 am
Patch watched her cub and said goodbye one last time. Then she continued to comfort and brighten up Airi, whom at this moment she was very worried about. The hopeful words actually helped Patch fell better to. Still this would always be a wound on her heart. She looked over her cubs and their brave big sister, and it gave her a spark of pride. She pulled her family close and nuzzled them.
In her head Patch counted the lions and lionesses that had helped with the pregnancy. Three lions Marne, Darius, and Caelum and four females if she included the one who helped her before the storm near a pond: Suri, Kero, Saphira, and Hinyari. With one more male that would be enough for godparents, besides the fact that a Dalin wasn't the best choice for a godfather of a Zahina lion. This thought really had no relevance but anything to distract Patch's mind was welcome. "Thank you all so much," she said to everyone.
Kero smiled at the white lioness. She would have stayed ad tried to make her feel more welcome but the girl was leaving into the storm. With Kero's help it could be an easier trek. So, Kero wandered out with the girl. She would be back soon.
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:54 pm
Marne watched the human approached him and bowed his head ever so slightly at her words. He wouldn't disrespect her kindness with his voice; it was best that way.
He let his eyes wander over the crowd of lions and he wondered how many of them would stay. He was almost disappointed to see the glowing female leave, but a feeling inside him told him that she'd return someday. He stood, stretching his limbs with a quiet, but gruff and irritated roar. He'd been spending far too much time with far too many Zahinas, and he needed time to clear his head and regain himself.
He turned his gaze to Patch and Kahawa and bowed his head, lower than he had for the human. "Stay comfortable. Get rest. I'll return in the morning to make sure everyone is feeling well." With that he turned and left, leaping from one jutting rock to the next, and disappeared in a smaller den that was higher up.
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:02 am
Airi was confused for a second. Why wasn't the last cub moving? Suddenly, understanding hit her as a tear crept up in the corner of her eye. That wasn't fair! The cub hadn't even had a chance! She dug her claws into the ground, trying to contain both her grief and anger. Although Airi wasn't violent, she couldn't help but growl at the human, even though she knew it wasn't the girl's fault. "You should have come quicker! The cub didn't even get a chance at life! It isn't fair!"
Her small voice threatened to break at any moment, but she turned and buried her face into her mother's flank to hide the tears before it had a chance. As Patch said the cub was an angel, a bit of the grief left. Surely that wasn't so bad, was it? She was up in heaven with Zahina, right? With a sniff, she wiped her tears on the back of her paw, not caring that it got wet. She pulled a shaky smile and looked at her other siblings. They seemed fine, and a bit odd, but still fine. At least they didn't seem to have realized what had happened as she curled up next to them and lay still, trying to be optimistic.
Caelum's heart really went out to the cub as she started crying. It seemed to wrench painfully in his chest. No one at that age should see something so horrible, at least he understood it was a natural part of life. Although he wanted to go and comfort the little girl, he knew she wanted to be alone with her thoughts for a little while, instead he watched at Marne left.
The guy seemed alright, for a Da'lin, but he could understand that the male was uncomfortable with them around. He gave him a polite nod as he left, and turned to scan the cave. Although a few lions seemed shaky, everyone seemed alright. That was good. Gently, he closed his eyes and sent up a small prayer to Zahina. Please take care of the cub. She died far too early, and would have grown up with a loving family had she stayed. She needs love, and I trust that you will provide her with that, Goddess.
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:41 am
Darius had said nothing for a while, because he knew nothing he could have said would be as meaningful as what everybody else was saying. He knew he wasn't the most eloquent or deep of lions, but the cub's death affected him in ways he hadn't expected. He'd never seen a cub die before; he'd grown up in a very safe place, spoiled and coddled and protected by his mother and father and uncles. But this... this wasn't fair. Airi was right. it wasn't the girl's fault; it was nobody's fault. Death, as he saw it, was a reward for a life well-lived when it came in the twilight years, and an unfortunate happening to a young warrior. But a cub... cubs didn't die. They grew up to be strong... Mentally, he prayed for the parents, the family the little one left behind. He could not speak his words aloud. The goddess would understand. But as the Da'lin Marne offered a den to them, he realized that now, now was the time for him to speak. He did have one thing he could offer the grieving family: Protection. Speaking softly to Kahawa, he looked at the mother with damp eyes. "When the time comes, if you want, I could go with you back to your home. With so many to look after, you might find a spare set of paws and eyes useful. You and your mate have enough on your mind; you shouldn't have to worry about scouting for water and food if it is a long journey." He hoped he hadn't offended the male or insulted his virility or anything. He just wanted to help.
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 3:57 pm
Saphira looked back towards the family and noticed the cub in tears. Her eyelids fell to cover half of her blue gem-like eyes. A hotness lodged in her throat, and noticing such a display of emotion, she scowled and let out a cough-like growl. Then she put her head on her paws, still scowling, and focused on the movements of a small beetle. She sniffed and flicked her tail back and forth, distressed by the events.
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