[ORP] Stormy Rescue [Done; for pride members/rogues]

[Ithambo hlabathi]

INTRODUCTION

Change is in the air as Andhaka steps into the role of Umholi. Most members aren't sure how they feel about this development, but any Umholi is better than no Umholi. With a week having passed since the events under the dead acacia tree, the pride is getting ready to continue their migration and head east, following the herds. Before the pride even began, a small rainy season has descended upon the Ithambo'hlabathi, making mud out of the ground thanks to the herds eating the grass down. It also makes water much more plentiful, meaning more competitors for food.

Now on the third day of this migration eastward, a cub has gone missing, one of Ukuthula and Gakere's sons. Simosihle has formed a group of other lions to look for the missing cub. While forming the group, the clouds above began darkening. With the group fearing a large storm, it's a race against time to get this cub back to safety or risk it dying the cub dying in the storm. Now, the lionesses gather, those willing to head away from the main body of the pride, to ready themselves to search for the missing cub.

Last ORP: Dangerous Talk - The lionesses gather to discuss the recent events. Tempers flare. In the end, Andhaka is made Umholi.  

[Ithambo hlabathi]

IC Information

• The pride is currently migrating east, towards the center of the pride. A small rainy season is upon the pride. Read more about changes here: link.
  
  
• Andhaka has been made the new Umholi and not everyone is happy with this decision.
  
  
• Ukwazi has been made an Umama with the backing of several lionesses.
  
  
• Gakere and Surtak's battle scene was discovered about one and a half months ago. Surtak has been missing for close to eight months. Both are presumed dead.
  
  
• Ukuthula gave birth about a month and a half ago to four cubs, two boys, two girls. Her cubs are growing strong, just as she said they would.
  
  
• Litters have been scarce. Ukuthula just birthed one of the first litters in quite a while. Four cubs were born, two males, two females. Gakere is the obvious father. Ukuthula is also a daughter of Surtak, making these cubs rather special.
  
  
• There have been a few lionesses joining recently. One in-particular is Imbali, who joined in the events that took place a month and a half ago. She's now a Cinga for the pride. Some lionesses aren't happy about this, but some appreciate the extra scout. A former Huria from the Firekin, Siantaidh, has also joined, which may make some uneasy as well.

OOC Information

• There is no specific posting order, and you are free to post as many times as you would like. Interact with your fellow players!
  
  
• This will be a primarily owner-driven RP with several plot-forwarding posts intended to come from the mule, Meepfur or Quaji.
  
  
• This ORP will likely be a quick one, lasting only one to two weeks.
  
  
• There will be combat in this ORP. This will be the first ORP where the Permissions given will come into play. If you're unsure what Permissions are, you can read about them here: link.
  
  
• One participating character per person. If you have multiple SoA in the Bonelands, pick one to join in.
  
  
• A character may jump in at any time. They can either have been silent while the others talked or be late to the party.
  
  
• This RP is open to any member of the pride; adult, adolescent and cub. Familiars in the pride may join. Unlined may also join, but keep them small or else they might get eaten. Adult rogues may also join in for this, but keep your distance.
  
  
• One post = one ticket.
  
  
• A new prize will unlock automatically every two pages. 1, 3, 5, etc.
  
  
• The option for more prizes will be able to be earned throughout the ORP.

Prizes


Donated by Meep. Born-in, Gakere x Ukuthula
(This cub does have extra information for when he hits adult.)

Colored by Quaji. Joining rogue, ? x ?, Secretary Bird

Both colored by Quaji. Joining rogues. ? x ?

 

[Ithambo hlabathi]

A migration, such excitement!

Well, it had been until someone called out that the pride was moving on without one of their few cubs. Crud. And of course she and Isidlo were asked to go out looking for said missing cub. Luckily they had a crash course into the layout of these lands already, but it wasn't like she knew them as well as some of the other lionesses. She was available though, as was the vulture who struggled to fly above her in the harsh winds as the storm above them grew ever darker. No rain at the moment, but the rumbling of thunder and the flashes of lightning did nothing to quell her worries either. The threat of fire was all too real and one that made the Cinga's stomach do flips just thinking about.

They had a mission though.

The pair would go on ahead, scout out the area and try to meet up with the group that had already been forming when they had departed the main body of the pride, heading back west in hopes of spotting some kind of sign of the missing cub before the little boy was lost to them forever. Imbali's paws splashed in newly formed puddles, coating her legs with mud as she jogged away from the main body of the pride, set on her new mission.  

[Andranis]

At first, Imvula had been excited about the rain. After all, she'd been named for it. She'd all but frollicked in the growing puddles as if she were a cub, seeing rain for the first time. To make it more exciting, it was the first migration for the first cubs in a long time, and the first migration with Andhaka and the new Umholi. She didn't know about the other lionesses, but she liked him based purely on the fact that... He wasn't related to most of the pride. He could breed with literally all the lionesses, as could Jasiri breed with all the lionesses save a very small few - His daughters. Which, she wasn't sure which she'd pick when the time came that she felt ready for cubs. It'd be a tough call.

Her joys were brought to a halt by one of the cubs going missing, though, and now the dark dust-colored lioness was searching. She was tempted to call for it, but what if there were hyenas around? Or a leopard? She didn't want the cub eaten! She slipped slightly, finding herself in a puddle a bit deeper than expected and muddy water up to her chest. That'd come out eventually, at least...

OOC: I would like to request that all my tickets be assigned to belloblossom heart I've had a lot of luck these last two days and I wanna spread that ~ heart  

[Zosie]

Kinga was feeling a little, lost in recent events. She had never been a fan of Andhaka, exactly. It was mainly derived from her mothers lack of affection about the lion, and the fact that if it wasn't for him, perhaps she may have at least known her father. Her brothers had departed on their journeys into the rogue lands, and though it was long expected in line with the Pride's traditions, she certainly had started to miss him, though she would never admit it.

The unease that was already sitting in her stomach seemed to jostle around as she heard the news of a missing cub. It was probably nothing- hopefully the cub hadn't wandered too far, but the looming storm was a threat. It seemed to swell in the sky.

Kinga wanted to help, and saw Imbali on the move. The white lioness moved towards her gracefully with a smile. She was new, but Kinga had a good feeling about her, after all another scout was useful.  

[Neon Fly]

Machozi had returned to the desert pride shortly before the pride's migration east. She had seen him off in his mother's place and promised to send word as soon as Njalo returned, but there had been a reluctance in their parting. He had been her support through much of the changes happening in the Ithambo and having neither him or his mother to lean on--however invisibly--made her feel all the more uncertain of herself.

Still, she was trying to keep her head up and her eyes forward. In times like this life was best taken one step at a time. Of course. Life had a way of kicking you when you were down. The cruel b***h.

Tilting her head back to gaze at the ominous sky overhead, ashen grey and growing darker still with the storm that threatened to make their mission that much more difficult, Simosihle cursed under her breath. Time seemed perpetually against them these days. Finding a lost cub on a perfectly clear day was difficult enough, but finding a cub with the heavy onslaught of rain to impede their vision as well as cause a myriad of hazards that the little one could potentially be lost to before they rescued him would require as much luck as skill.

For the Umama, failure wasn't an option. Turning her gaze back to the assembling group who had agreed to assist in the search--and the more eyes they had the better in this instance--her voice rose to speak over the harsh snaps of thunder. Most of us know these lands like the back of our own paws, I'm confident we can find him, but we have to hurry! If you're coming, please speak up now! Any Enda or Cinga who wish to help would be greatly appreciated! Imbali has already set out to scan the area, but she's still new and the more eyes we have overhead, the easier it will be to narrow down where to search!

Maybe in a less urgent situation, the grey lioness might have had time to fear that after her most recent outburst, her sisters would look at her differently. In her self-serving need to ensure the safety of Gakere's last litter, however, she didn't bother with such trivial thoughts. After all, she had recently remembered who she was. Umama be damned. Simosihle had been cut free of the strings that held her in the precarious position of being politically correct. Those who had chosen to elect her Umama had done so because of who she had been. She had forgotten that. Lost herself under the weight of trying not to offend anyone.

It had taken unexpected guidance of the young Cabanga to show her that. And now she felt reborn.  

[Lethrossen]

Umoya wasn't particularly upset about all of the changes happening in the pride lately. It was what it was, little to do about it. The news of a little one having gone missing was bothersome, however. It made her stomach twist uncomfortably the more she thought about it. She wanted to have her thoughts elsewhere, but that would do no good either. Focus on the cub, find the cub. It wasn't like there was much else to think about anyways... with Quba not around often lately.

At least Ukwazi becoming Umama was a little ray of sunshine. Umoya's expression perked into something delighted for only a moment before she shook her head. No good looking like a goofy idiot when trouble was under paw! Umoya's fur started to stand on end a bit when hear ears picked up on the rumbling noise in the distance. Storms were fine... when you were safe from their reach.
 

[Quaji]

There was a soft spot in Mcheni's heart for cubs and despite the opposition that Ukame and Mvua had voiced, she had left to join the small splinter group that was currently forming to look for this missing cub. The striped lioness seemed unreadable as she joined the others who had already answered the call. Pausing, she took the time to glance to Imvula, quirking a brow as she saw the lionesses slip and coat her underbelly in mud. It wasn't like Mcheni was free from the stuff either. It coated her paws and went even half-way up all four of her legs.

She wasn't exactly known to be the most social of lionesses, but she knew Imvula well enough to recognize her. Knowing anyone, even just their name, was surprising for Mcheni, even in such a close-knit pride like the Ithambo'hlabathi. Maybe it was the language barrier. Ukame had definitely been the one to pick up the language more quickly, but she had been a cub and readily accepted by many lionesses when the two had joined. Grumbling, Mcheni sat herself down in the mud and waited. Now they just needed the leader of this little expedition and a few others to show up. Hopefully there would be enough eyes to look for the missing cub.

- - - - -

"Someone's coming!" Isidlo called down to her lion companion as he tossed his head back.

The dappled Cinga looked over her shoulder and sighed. Sure, she had just started, but Imbali was optimistic, or so she tried to be. There had been no sign of the cub just yet, but she hadn't gone far before the vulture had told her of someone on the approach. "Go find Simosihle, she's forming a group to go look for the cub! I'm heading out on my own to try and get leads for you all!" Imbali called out to the lightly-colored Umzingeli, trying to yell over the wind. Without waiting for the reply, the Cinga set out with Isidlo's powerful wings above her, leaving the gathering group behind.

[OOC Information]

Imbali is now no longer intractable.

The group will be setting out in 2 hours. 3PM CST is when the ORP will progress.  

[Neon Fly]

Too eager to be on the move to sit and wait for others to gather, but not wanting to pace back and forth either, Simo stood at the head of the forming group. There seemed to be a lot of uneasy faces. Concern for the cub showed in their expressions and perhaps the inclement weather had something to do with the lack of confidence she saw in them. The Umama, knew the talents of many of her sisters, she had faith in their ability to work together. They would find Ukuthula's missing son and they would find him before anything unfortunate could become of the little furball.

Shifting her weight on the soft ground beneath her paws, saturated from the rains that had been visiting the Bonelands, she smiled reassuringly. We can do this, but I understand if there are any who wish to stay with the others. The weather is rough and it's likely to only get worse before it gets better. Once we head out, it might be a while before we can find our way back to the rest of the pride.  

[Andranis]

She let out a displeased sound as she pulled herself out of the puddle, shaking mud and muddy water everywhere. It quickly washed away in the rain. Her gaze went to the striking and distinctly-marked Mcheni, offering the striped lioness a smile. "Ah, more eyes! That's actually quite perfect!" The more eyes, the better. Imvula herself didn't care if those joining the search were Busisa, Umzingeli, Umama, Ahluke... Anybody willing to help was welcome, in her eyes.

She looked to Simosihle as she spoke, listening intently while shaking a bit of mud off a hind paw. She'd be getting that out of her toes for weeks... "Under bushes, in trees, in logs..." The odd and random rock pile... She looked at the sky, then the puddle she'd picked herself out of. "I just hope we don't have to deal with a flash flood..."  

[Neon Fly]

Tilting her gaze toward Imvula who seemed not to be enjoying the wet weather--despite that she had been named for the rain, ironically enough--Simosihle nodded at the suggestion. Many of them had been cubs in these lands once and new the best hiding places, at least the ones that went mostly unchanged. There's a cluster of rocks to the south of here a little bit where me and Nikon used to hide whenever we got in trouble with the adults over a prank that got out of control. Unsurprisingly, they had spent a lot of time hiding under those rocks, giggling mischievously between each other. I'm sure each of us could think of a few places where used to play when we were young. Every little bit helps.

Gazing down at the mud under their paws, she considered the ground thoughtfully before adding, We should be able to mark the places we've checked too. The ground is soft enough to leave markers or we could use the mud. As long as the rain holds out, we'll be able to tell where we've already looked.

A flash flood was the last thing the Umama wanted to think about.  

[Kaliforneum]

Esasile shook the water from her eyes. Of course a cub had to go missing at a time like this. How on earth had he gotten away in the first place? With so few litters being born, there should have been plenty of lionesses and Ehluke to look after the rascal. The female trotted up to stand next to Simosihle, frowning fiercely. She didn't want to have to yell over the wind to speak with the other female. Esasile did hate raising her voice. "We won't be able to use the mud if the rain gets too heavy. It will wash everything away, our tracks included." Light rain would be alright, but if an outright storm broke out, the mud would be useless. "We're going to have to work quickly if we're using the mud. Do we have any idea of who last saw the cub? Would he have maybe gone back to his birth site? It seems like the most familiar place for him to go if he got scared by the storm." The older female suggested, casting a glare at the dark clouds. Talk about terrible timing.
 

[Lethrossen]

Umo considered some of the hiding spots and nodded along, tail giving a little flick. They were all obvious spots to hide, though. How to word that? She knew they should still check spots like that, of course, but what about places where one wouldn't normally think to hide? She hadn't spent a lot of time with Ukuthula's cubs though... maybe they were the sort to pick obvious spots. She wiggled her toes in the mud, content to just listen to the words of the others' for now.

Flash flood would be bad. Scary. Umo's gaze floated across the lands distant to them now, keeping in mind the areas she could see trees. "With all of this mud it will be even harder to spot the missing cub." Her words were soft, unsure. Most of the other lionesses would already be aware of this fact, she was sure.
 

[Quaji]

The weather is deteriorating quickly. It looks like the sky could open up any minute now and let loose as downpour that the lands haven't seen in some time.

The group must now move or else lose the cub to the oncoming storm.

[OOC Information]

Roll one 6-sided dice. Roll only the one dice, no more. Below you'll find a few prompts cooresponding with each possible number. These are prompts for your use while editing your post.

1. You slip and fall onto the mud. Optional: You cut yourself on a rock.
2. You spot something! Further investigation reveals it was only a fallen nest.
3. A lightning strike in the distance illuminates the group. Something seems off about Mcheni...You can't figure out what though.
4. Lightning cracks and thunder booms! You hear an elephant trumpet in the distance. Environmental change: It begins to rain!
5. You run ahead to check behind a fallen tree. Option: Find nothing or find snake.
6. You fall behind but you see the elephant herd in the distance. Note: There is only one herd. If 2+ people roll this, you will see the same herd.

A new post will be made in 4 hours. 7PM CST.  

[Kaliforneum]

Esasile couldn't help the slight flinch she made as the lightning struck. It wasn't safe to be out in the open during a storm, and it seems the sky had finally decided to unleash its stormy fury. There was no doubt the cub would now be scared. And if he had taken shelter under a tree, then that would be even worse. With the rain coming down as hard as it was, Esasile was confident the mud idea would no longer work. Unfortunately, with the rain and the thunder, the female was going to have to shout.
"The cub can't have gone very far. The litter isn't that old. Surely he doesn't know all of the crazy hiding spots we do." Over the sound of thunder, Esasile had heard an elephant. "I thought I heard an elephant nearby. What if he went to go look at them?"