[ORP] Inqina [Open; Cubs/Adolescents]

[Ithambo hlabathi]

INTRODUCTION

In the recent seasons there have been so many litters that the prides' numbers have swollen by nearly two dozen. Many lionesses called for an Inqina many months ago, but had been pushed back with the arrival of new Abaholi and the turmoil the pride was going through as a result. Now that their litters are among the new arrivals, more calls for an Inqina have sounded and it seems like this one is going to happen!

Of course a number of lionesses, mainly mothers of younger cubs, are wary. Badriya had lost an eye on the last Inqina and had very nearly been snatched away by a leopard! With so many cubs for only a few lionesses to watch over, many mothers have apprehensions about letting their cubs go. Still, it was tradition that cubs have their Inqina and due to not having one earlier, it seemed like adolescents who had not become Zalwa were also being allowed to participate to help ease the mothers' worries.

As the morning sun rises two weeks after the magnificent hippo feast, mothers began to appear near the border of where the Ithambo'hlabathi were making their home. Behind them trailed cubs, with some being carried in their mother's mouth.

Last ORPs:
Hippo Hunt - A group of volunteers heads off in the night to take down large game in a display of skill!
Chatter - While the hunting party is off, the lions rest and talk about recent events and future happenings. A familiar face shows up...  

[Ithambo hlabathi]

IC Information

• The pride's migration has finished and they are now in their new home. The first half of the rainy season is coming to an end and the pride is entering the dry spell. Showers are considerably rarer now and a cub drowning is much less likely to happen, and while the ground is starting to dry up, mud is still a concern in a few shaded or naturally wet places. The grass is still green, but has been mowed much shorter thanks to the migratory herds that are currently residing in the Ithambo'hlabathi's territory. Careful of hidden snakes or other dangers!
  
  
• The massive herds that are now occupying the same land as the pride and being trampled or starting a stampede is a real concern for the pride. With the dry spell about to grip the land, water supplies are about to become more treasured which means the herds may be drinking from the same water the pride does. Extra cautious is advised.
  
  
• Cubs are extremely common now! Several lionesses have recently given birth and brought their cubs back to the pride. Older cubs have also grown since their introduction, but it seems like there's always someone to play with now!
  
  
• This ICly takes place while Gabedi is still Inselelo.

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 community-driven RP with several posts intended to come from the mule, Meepfur or Quaji.
  
  
• This is open for any cub or adolescent SoA that is part of the pride. Adolescents will need to not ICly be Zalwa yet to participate (so they can't ICly be Umzingeli).
  
  
• !! Due to this being (very) late, I am going to be extremely lenient on the aging here. I'm hoping this won't happen again. If you, or anyone else from the same litter, has roleplayed an OOC adult SoA as an IC adult, they are no longer eligible to come. However, if no one has RP'd a littermate as an IC adult, an OOC adult SoA, but still IC cub/adolescent, can come so long as they meet the above requirement! Make sure this is okay with the mother's owner first!
  
  
• For more information on the age of cubs, please refer to the mother's owner! Some cubs may be younger than their OOC art indicates in this ORP!
  
  
• There will be no IC stragglers. If you are posting late, it is assumed your SoA has been silent.
  
  
• There is no danger posting in this ORP.
  
  
• One post = one ticket, but you cannot earn more than one ticket.
  
  
• The option for more prizes may be available throughout the ORP.

Prizes

TBA  

[Quaji]

The pride had been running smoothly since Andhaka and Bangizwe had taken over. There was stability again and it was easily felt that the entire pride was benefiting from it. Cubs were everywhere and Ukwazi hadn't been the first called for an Inqina to happen, but she was certainly one of the most vocal. A while ago Ukushisa had been talked about being the next to take her turn leading one, but her scandalous outing in the roguelands was still fresh in the mind of the pride. Many of the lionesses had been vocal about someone else taking their turn early to avoid the red lioness becoming a bad influence on their children.

Today was the day. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, white, faded by the few scattered clouds. At an interesting small pile of rocks shaped like the (misshapen) body of a neckless giraffe, Ukwazi had told the lionesses to bring their cubs and wait for her as she was going to scout out once more before gathering the group and departing. She needed to ensure the cubs would be safe. Something happening to any of them was not something the golden lioness could deal with easily.

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[OOC]

Ukwazi has not yet joined the group so don't RP like she's there yet. Feel free to RP amongst eachother until she does though.

Feel free to RP with mothers dropping off their cubs in this part of the ORP! When the group moves out, they'll be asked to stay, of course. You're welcome to have them gossip.


Note: For anyone with cubs from one of my lionesses. Ukushisa is not bringing her cubs, their uncle Zotikos is. Mvua is bringing her cubs though.  

[SilverLutz]

Sing bounded along to the meeting place without a worry or care in the world. She knew today and tomorrow would be important for her growth within the pride, but she still had that cub-driven enthusiasm for everything that she wasn't quite as aware of the dangers that could be present as she should have been. She was just excited to get out and see what her home had to offer. There were already a cub at the rocky meeting spot, so she trotted over to her to introduce herself.

"Hi!" she said with a smile. "I'm Sing! Are you going on the Inquina too?" It was a bit of a silly question she realized. Why else would a cub be here? She stuck by her question, though, tilting her head a bit as she waited for a reply.

Quote:

Umlotha, on the other hand, walked slowly to the rocks from the den she and her family shared. She had no intention of making friends on this outing, only gaining as much knowledge of the lands that she called home as she could. She wasn't sure if her brothers would show up soon, but if they did she wasn't going to let them distract her.

She wrinkled her nose in distaste at the sight of the two brown cubs that were already at the meeting place. Where were their mothers? Surely they'd start to cause trouble if no adult showed up any time soon. She kept a good distance from the rocks, close enough to hear but far enough to sit under the shade of a scraggly tree and avoid detection. She'd wait until whoever was leading the group showed up to make her presence better know.  

[Tanakako]

Musa’wenkosi trotted along behind his sister, following the darker cub with a curious gaze and rapidly moving paws. They were too big for him still and every so often he tripped, nearly pitching nose-first into the ground, but each time he managed to catch himself and remain upright, hurriedly glancing about himself to check to see if anyone noticed.

"Chiko!" He called out in a rather exasperated voice. "Mama told us to stick together! Wait up!" He refused to go any faster than he had to, in an effort to preserve what dignity he had, and eyed his scampering sister's stripy behind with an annoyed glare. Pausing to glance behind him he squinted when he didn't immediately spot any of their siblings. "Chiiii!" He called with a note of a whine to his tone. "Slow down!" Giving up he bounded on after her, determined not to loose his energetic sibling before they had even properly arrived.

Suddenly he spotted two more, one their age, a brown female, and an older black one. Squinting as he slowed down he eyed Sing and Umlotha, recognizing both of them. Scowling slightly at the oldest girl he picked up his pace again, hurrying to catch up to his sister.

AstoriaFallen

Gracie Loff

The two sisters padded along side by side. The sandy-coloured one of the two was quiet, watching the slowly forming gathering up ahead. At her side her red-hued sister grinned. "Come on Cas, it'll be fun!" The brighter female said, bumping her tan sister on the shoulder. Cashile returned her gaze to her sibling after a moment, offering a shy smile. "I guess.... " Sizani, the red cub, grinned toothily at her sister in triumph. The far more outgoing of the litter, she had been looking forward to the Inqina since she had first heard rumors of it actually happening. Her more timid sister had taken some persuading -well bullying but who was going to tell on her?- before she finally agreed to come with Sizani. Glancing back she made sure their mother was near by, the small lioness giving them both a reassuring smile and a nod, silent permission for them to go join the rapidly forming gathering of other youngsters.  

[Tanakako]

Musa finally caught up with his sister, halting in front of her and the brown cub he recognized as Sing. Pouting at his sibling's accusing whine he flicked his tail. "You are too fast! Mama told us to stay together." He repeated in a vaguely annoyed tone. He was rapidly discovering that sisters could be rather trying.

Looking at the new cub when his sister introduced her, he squinted then made himself smile. He shouldn't take his frustration over his sister out on Sing. "Hi. Im Musa. Chiko's brother. I'm so very sorry you got stuck with her..." He said hurriedly before quickly dodging to the side in case Chiko tried to hit him for it.

AstoriaFallen

((Im assuming that as these cubs are only about a week old ICly, they cant go on the Inqina. So Ilanga is bringing them to see off the others.))


The golden Cinga was slowly making her way towards the headless giraffe rock. A golden and tan cub swinging slowly from side to side where it hung from her jaws, the tiny body moving with each of Ilanga's measured strides. Two more of the darker bundles of fluff rode up on her back, which accounted for the Cinga's slower than usual pace. Behind her a couple more lionesses followed, cubs dangling from careful mouths and balanced on their backs. Maditah and Sanele followed the mother with their precious burdens. Both older lionesses curious about the Inqina. Maditah, being a busisa, hadn't seen one before and Sanele just simply wanted to have a new topic to gossip about.

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Quote:

Annchen

nessiaing

Painted Moose

Talencia

 

[Kaliforneum]

Bheko glanced around at the other cubs warily. It wasn't that he was shy, he just knew he was a little different. He didn't quite know anyone very well yet, only knew them by sight. Plus there were so many girls here. It was a little intimidating.

Almost as intimidating as his sister Umlotha was trying to be. Off avoiding the rest of the cubs, being antisocial. That was no way to make friends. Bheko gave her an encouraging smile, though he was sure it wouldn't do much. Maybe if he showed her that it was worthwhile making friends, she would come over to the rest of the group and stop being a grump.

The young male gave Musa a particularly bright smile. At least he wasn't the only boy there.

Tanakako

SilverLutz

Mvua's litter are being played as cubs, and since they're supposed to be older than Bheko and Umlotha, I'm playing Bheko as a cub.

Quaji

Just wondering if Ifunci is allowed to come along. He would love the chance to hang out with the cubs

 

[Tanakako]

Smirking as his sister tried to hit him and missed, he stuck his tongue out at her with a satisfied smile. After all, she was his sister and it was the responsibility of all brothers to torment their female siblings.

Movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned his head, spotting the pale-coated boy standing a short way off. Flicking an ear he grinned back. But before he could call out to the other cub his sister butted in again. Scowling at her he turned and trotted over to the other male. "You don't wana go over there... Girl germs." He explained in a deadly serious tone, shooting his sister another look, this time smirking a little.

Kalforneum

AstoraFallen

 

[Quaji]

Mvua beamed with pride as she walked slowly behind her cubs, letting them speed ahead of her though making sure to keep them within her sight. Her gait was slow and heavy, but she made just to smile and nod whenever one of her cubs looked back to her for reassurance. This at least gave her time to chat with some of the other mothers. Especially since it was too early for her, she normally wasn't even awake until noon, but getting these kids out here on time was important. She knew all too well how much of a stickler Ukwazi was for timing everything.

Little Gede walked proudly beside her mother, keeping her little head head as her belly waddled while she tried to mimic Mvua's movements. She wasn't excited for this at all. She hardly knew all these other cubs! Especially all the tiny new ones that were showing up. She scrunched her nose as she saw Ilanga's litter. They were so...tiny! Still, Mvua leaned down to nudge her forward to which Gede took the hint, though she made sure to frown about it the entire way as she started to jog to catch up to the group.

"Slow down!" The little golden cub cried as she threw her feet in front one another trying to catch up to her siblings.






Zuko on the otherhand was excited! He had been hearing all about whatever this Inqina was from his aunt all week and had even heard about some of the places they might go, 'assuming it's safe'. Whatever, he wanted to see it anyway! But aunt Ukwazi probably wouldn't let them. She was always the one to ruin everything...

His too-big paws carried him well ahead of his uncle. An excited grin was firmly plastered on his face as he approached the others. He didn't know why momma wasn't the one bringing them to meet aunt Ukwazi, but it didn't really bother Zuko since it was nice to be able to spend time with his uncle!









[OOC]

Just worth mentioning Mvua's little is the oldest out of my two, both of which are still ICly somewhere between cub and juvenile, while being OOCly both adolescents already. <__<; Ukushisa's came shortly after, so the two litters are about the same age.
That's the timeline for those two at least. I can't say for certain about the other litters. <3

@Kali: As for Infunci joining in, this is typically primarily a lionesses' gig since they'll be hunting and stuff, so I'd have to say not right now. c:  

[Kaliforneum]

Bheko laughed as Musa came to join him. "Ugh, right? They're practically everywhere!" He joked. He knew girls didn't have special germs. Or at least he was pretty sure that they didn't. Well even if they did, it certainly wasn't worth isolating himself over with no fun to be had.

"I guess if your sister wants us to hang out, she'll have to catch us!" Bheko said loudly, crouching a little bit and willing to dash away if Chiko took the bait. Nothing like a game of tag to get the party started.

Zuko's red fur caught his eye, their uncle trailing behind him. Bheko was sure he would want to play as well, unlike their current grumpy sister. Hopefully she would come over to play with the rest soon.

Tanakako

AstoriaFallen

Quaji

Gotcha! Glad I checked. He'll just have to round up everybody for some cub-games later on~

 

[Tanakako]

Grinning at Bheko, Musa nodded. "Like a plague!" He exclaimed, pleased that he had been able to use the new word head had learned. Having over heard it from someone he had bothered every ear within range as to its meaning, and now took great delight in exercising his new knowledge.

Looking against at his sibling he smirked, crouching as well though cast a sidelong glance at the pale cub beside him. "She can't catch me!" He grinned in classic boyhood bravado, sharing a look with Bheko that included the younger cub. Boys were better than girls after all. But before he could dart away the newest arrivals caught his attention. "Isn't that your brother?" He asked Bheko, head tilting. He recalled that his own mama had told them the other litter were their nieces and nephews, though Musa had gotten very confused since they were the same age, and his older half siblings were like... old. It didn't seem right somehow but he couldn't explain why. Shaking the thought away again he waved a paw wildly at Zuko. "We are playing tag!" He yelled overly loudly before catching sight of his other sister, Gede, trotting along beside their mother. Swallowing a groan he eyed Bheko and Zuko, wondering if the three of them could slide off and play on their own. Girls were such a pain!
However his father's words rang in his head and he sniffed with annoyance though stayed out, "Gah!" He huffed, wrinkling his nose as Gede got closer.

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Kaliforneum

AstoriaFallen

Quaji

With Maditah and Sanele following, Ilanga carried her litter right up to the big rock, though stayed off to one side. It would form a useful corral for the lively bunch, and along with her two helpers, the three of them should be able to keep the furballs contained. Thought with every day that passed the cubs were getting better control of their rolly polly bodies and uncoordinated limbs. Once she had picked a spot away from the main gathering but easily within socialising distance, she set her furry burden down and carefully crouched, letting the two lumps on her back slide off gently. Maditah and Sanele followed, setting their charges down between Ilanga and the large rock until all seven lay in a squirming wriggling heap, trying to sort their own limbs out form their siblings. Maditah settled herself down, flanking Ilanga so the two lionesses formed a rough square with the rock's side. A moment later Sanele lay down, closing off the box and encircling the cubs with three furry walls made up of the lionesses flanks. Ilanga smiled her thanks to the pair and settled back, content to watch the goings on and the older cubs. Maybe she would pick up some tips for when her's got a bit bigger.





Trotting along behind Mvua came Ishaka'sil. Her own paws about as steady as the golden cub up ahead of her though her bright gaze flicked back and forth, eagerness making her little legs hurry along. Behind her, her blue-tipped tail twitched back and forth like a little banner, broadcasting her excitment. "An Adventure!" She exclaimed eagerly, eyes alighting on the three boys up ahead, one brown, one cream and one red. "Hi!" She yelled in a very unladylike manner, rushing her paws in their unsteady trot in an attempt to catch up with the older cubs. "I'm playing!" She added, her tone bold and brash and not allowing for any complaint as she dived into a slightly weaving run, barrelling straight for Zuko.