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 Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:04 pm
 Ezili woke up from a nap in the safety of the Den in the roots of the Mother Tree. She was surrounded by the usual sounds of other young lions sleeping nearby and the soft sounds of babysitters chatting. As she more fully awakened she took note of the shocked concerned tone the gossip was taking. Curious as to what news would prompt such a tone, she cautiously stalked closer to the speakers. She paused in her tracks startled to hear her mother's name.
"Yes, it was Clermeilli-Pie, she came in with a huge python drapped over her."
"Lucky she wasn't killed by the thing."
"I heard one of the warriors happened by just in time to aid her."
Talk among the female babysitters quickly turned to the subject of the handsome warrior, one of those recently welcomed into the pride. Poor Ezili flopped down trying to process what she had just overheard. Mother, almost killed... It took a great effort to hold back her whimper. There was no doubt about it though, the youngster needed to see her mother. Ezili had to see with her own eyes that she was ok.
Of course she was not able to leave the den area without an adult. Though she was growing more adventerous and self efficiant she wasn't even tempted to try sneaking away on her own, but there was one adult she knew she could turn to for help anytime...
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Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:41 pm
 Madzimoyo had just spent some time enjoying a quiet meal and a swim before he had to return to his duties at the den. Though refreshed there was an undercurrent of concern as he made his way back through the branches to Mother Tree. He caught the gossip and whispers of a huntress having faced down and survived an encounter with a very large and dangerous snake. This in general was a cause for concern but when he happened to finally catch the name of the huntress, he stumbled having to stop to catch his breath from the shock. "Clermeili..."
Since joining the pride 'Zimo's more romantic feeling toward the lioness has shifted to a feeling of connection like siblings. Thought he pride referred to each other as "brothers and sisters" he felt the words deeper when used between himself and Clerm. A part of him wanted to go in search of the lioness right then to make sure she was ok, but another responsibility won. His legs carried him back toward the den before he even conciously thought of them, Clerm's children.
With the way information moved through such a close-knit pride the news would have reached the babysitters by now. Though it was nap-time for the most part it was not uncommon to find some youngsters awake and spying on their elders listening to the latest gossip. And Ezili was exceptionally skilled at sneaking about when she wanted to.
The lion was not at all surprised to find the juvenile lioness waiting for him when he arrived. He took a moment to hold the cub close. "Everything I've heard so far is that she's ok, little sister," he reasurred her. "We'll go find her." He took that time to look around for Aziyan, Ezili's brother. The young warrior-to-be could still be napping or perhaps had otherwise not heard the news. With Ezili clearly needing to lay eyes on her mother Zimo decided to head out... He'd come back for him or bring Clerm back, he decided with a nod as he escorted Ezili out of the den area and to the common areas of their Home.
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:59 pm
Clermelli smiled as she watched around her. The snake was being stripped to make a fine meal, the skin had been set to the side to be used by the crafters. She had already spoken to them about making something from it. She had nearly been killed by the thing it was certainly something she wanted to be reminded of in the future and wearing part of the snakeskin would remind her of that for sure.
She was not sure if she should offer some of the skin to the warrior that helped her or not. Perhaps he would want to get some of it himself. She certainly wouldn't mind. She was just about to settle down, having long since parted company with the king and night scout that had both given her an earful over the events, when she noticed Zimo and one of her cubs.
Clerm got back up to standing and went over to them. "Ezili, why do you look so upset, little one? Come here." She puts a paw around the cub and holds her close. "I see you, Brother. How are you, Zimo?" If they heard what happened, perhaps that explained why they where here. Clerm just couldn't be sure what they heard until they explained, though.
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:48 pm
"Uncle Zimo!" she cried out when the teal maned lion appeared and she was so greatful to be held and reasured. He knew just what was going on. He was so smart about stuff like that, Ezili really appreciated having him as a friend.
Madzimoyo seemed to be hesitant somehow and Ezili started to grow impatient while waiting for him to decide to leave. Just as she was about to say something he released his grip on her and with a nod led her away from the den. He seemed more thoughtful than usual and if she hadn't been so worried about her mother she might had questioned the lion...
They moved into the common areas and were near the place of the crafters when they spotted Clermelli. Ezili was happy again to be pulled into the embrace of a loved one, this time her mother the center of her world. A center that could easily have been lost that day. Tears welled up in her eyes and her throat tightened at her mother's question so that she couldn't answer. She just snuggled into her mother's chest wiping her tears in her fur.
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:10 pm
Zimo felt bad for not speaking more as they wandered around trying to spot Clermelli. Of course with so many similar coats among the People, there were a few false hopes before finally a familiar voice. The babysitter sighed with relief at seeing her not much the worse for wear. "I see you, Sister," he replied with a respectful bow. He gave her a moment with Ezili who broke at the sight of her mother.
"I'm quite well. Just worrying about my friend; we heard about the snake," he replied. Of course at that point it was likely the entire pride had heard about the snake...
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Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:41 pm
Clermelli-Pie half closed her eyes and sighed. "Yes, everyone has heard about the snake I am sure. It was not my best moment in live, but I think I handled it rather well. I kept a clear head and planned my strikes... and thankfully for me there was another that happened along to help make my plan work better." She nuzzled her daughter away from herself. "Ezili, do not be upset over what could have been." The mother licked away her daughter's tears.
"No matter how others may make it seem, what matters is that I AM here, not that I almost was not." Clerm nuzzled the cub and smiled down at her. She was very glad she had made it home to see her cubs, and wanted them to be just as happy about it. She did not wish them to always dwell on what could have been. That would not lead to good things for them. "I am quite glad you came to see me little one. Would you like to see what remains of the snake that will be dinner?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:33 pm
Ezili tried to stop crying but the thought that her tears disappointed her mother made her all the more upset. "I was so scared. I didn't know if you'd been hurt mother," she explained sniffling. "I so happy you're ok." She hung her head almost ready to say she was sorry for being a disappointment...
Finally though she looked up to see Clerm was smiling at her. The sensitive cub was able to relax taking some deep breaths. She growled at the mention of the snake. "I..." she hesitated. The thing was dead it couldn't hurt any of them now. Ezili stood and nodded. "Yes, I'd like to go."
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:07 pm
Zimo sat to one side very happy to see that Clerm did not disapprove of his move to bring Ezili to her. He watched the emotions on the young one's face. He'd come to know her quite well; she wanted so much to make her mother proud that she tended to take even reasuring words as a chide. The moment was growing a bit painful to him to watch and he looked around wondering if he should go.
When Ezili finally stood agreeing to see the snake, Zimo stood as well. "Perhaps I should leave you two alone then," he offered. "I'm very glad to see that you're ok. You know how rumors are, painting things in the worst possible light." He was as curious to see the snake as Ezili was but he was supposed to also be a responsible adult and there was Ayizan.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 6:41 pm
Clermelli-Pie touched her nose to Ezili's. "Everyone is scared from time to time, Ezili. Today was my turn at such. And when you see the snake I am sure you will understand why." she smiled rufully and looked over at Zimo. "Zimo, you are welcome to come see the snake as well... I am guessing that Ayizan will yet be asleep. He can always see it later... He is likely to barrel out of the den no matter what he is told on the issue, just to check on me."
Clerm smiled proudly. "My cubs are the best in the world. One is a warrior always trying to protect me, and the other is my little fallen star, always trying to make me proud." She leads Ezili over to the snake which was partially pulled apart by now. The head stilled was half chewed off from Clermelli's fight with it. No one had yet removed it completely. All twenty-six feet of the thing was sprawled across the ground.
Clermelli-Pie directed her daughter's attention to the snake and to the skin already pulled off it. "What do you think? I am thinking I will get something made from the skin to remind me of my close scrape. The warrior that helped me also offered to speak with his sister, another huntress about hunting together. What do you think of that, Ezili? I will have a hunting partner, and you might get a new adult around to pester you out of it." She grinned broadly and nuzzled the cub.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:15 pm
Ezili shivered as she looked over the huge snake. Even though it was still mostly whole, the size of it was too much for her to fully take in and accept. The fact that such monsters were out there in what she was accepting as a safe cozy home was enough to make her cold inside.
Something for a reminder her mother was saying. "I think having a reminder is a good thing," she replied still staring wide-eyed at the skin. Finally she shook off her fear. "Do you think I could have a small piece to have something of my own made someday?" she asked finally looking up at Clerm.
Finally she absorbed the rest of what she said. "Oh he has a huntress sister?" she asked excited. "I'd really like for you to have a regular partner to hunt with. Do you... do you think you and maybe she if it works out could teach me about hunting and being safe out in the jungle?"
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:31 pm
The babysitter chuckled at Clerm's summary of Ayizan's probably behavior. She was a very good mother and knew he cubs personalities quite well. "You make a very good point. I think I'll come have a look." He also thought perhaps it would be good for Ezili to have the company of another trusted adult, this was a great deal for a cub to take in.
It turned out to be a great deal for an adult to take in as well... Zimo stumbled a bit as he walked along looking at the length and girth of the creature. "It'll make a good meal," he commented lamely. The bones and skin would likely be very useful to the crafters as well. A very useful kill, if only it hadn't been at the risk of his closest friend in the pride. "Do hunts bring in beasts like these often, or just in defense such as this kill?" he asked curiously.
He nodded is head in agreement at it being a nice idea for Clerm to have a new partner. "I know how to hunt but I could probably use some pointers for our home here." Being a babysitter he didnt have much opportunity to leave the area around Hometree, but it certainly wouldn't hurt for him to have some more knowledge of life among other parts of the pride. It'd be useful to have the basics to talk about with the cubs under his care as well.
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:08 am
Clermeilli-Pie smiled at her daughter. "Of course you may have a peice of the snake skin, Ezili. I think she will work out... if she is anything like her brother. I do hope I will be able to mentor you and your brother on hunting when it comes time for you to learn. If you will sit still long enough for the lesson." She grinned and nuzzled her daughter. Her cubs usually were very good about listening and she knew she had it much easier than some parents. Her children would likely be very easy to teach when it came to hunting. They already knew how to keep quiet and sneak about. They would be naturals, though Clerm doubted they would choose to be hunters for the pride.
Clerm was glad to have Zimo around to help with the cubs even if they were so easy to handle. Having a babysitter that she knew so well, meant she did not have to worry about what her cubs were hearing and learning while she was gone. If any other cubs got into trouble, Zimo would be there to either make sure her cubs were not involved or give them a tongue lashing before they even got back to her. "It will make quite a meal... I have never seen a snake like this one brought in, but we do often bring in hogs and some of the bigger creatures. These snakes are a bit aggressive to be hunting often. They are big enough to pose a very real threat to an adult... I have never seen one so angry as this one was... and I have seen these snakes before, though that was before I came here."
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