[PRP] Desperate Circumstances (Pacha & Nia)

[Basil Brett]

Pacha's surprise surpassed her need for tact and she couldn't help but blurt out.

"You really mean you would adopt the cubs? Take them into the pride?"

It seemed almost too good to be true. But at the same time, Pacha couldn't push away the feeling of guilt that rose up, and reason came with it. She knew nothing about these three or about the pride. Though they didn't seem like it, they may recruit young cubs to be slaves or assassins. Pacha wasn't much for an overactive imagination, but she knew enough that she wasn't about to hand over her offspring to strangers.

But still. If the cubs could be taken in by a pride. They would be given protection, cared for. They would be raised to be upstanding members within a society. Pacha never regretted choosing life as a wanderer, but there were advantages to a pride.

"What is your pride like?" she asked somewhat hesitantly. She hoped they wouldn't judge her and think her so fickle as to give her children over so quickly, but she had to weigh her options.  

[Basil Brett]

Pacha shuffled her paws once again, and sat down.

"So they would be well cared for?"

An unnecessary question, as Pacha was sure they would, but she felt she needed to ask it. The more she thought about it, the more she saw this as a rather good idea. She didn't want to abandon her cubs, but wouldn't dragging them across the lands with her and her sister be equally as cruel, if not worse? They would be in more danger out there than within the confines of a pride. And Mio and Nia seemed very capable of looking after the cubs. Even more, they seemed to want the presence of cubs.

"And I assure you that I won't tell anyone the details of your pride. It wouldn't be right," she assured them. She had her sense of honor and understood that keeping the pride's details to themselves was vital in protecting the pride.

Something Nia had said suddenly caught Pacha's interest.
"Forgive me if this is too personal a question, but why does your House not have any children?"  

[Basil Brett]

Pacha felt a pang of sympathy for the bright lioness. She knew how she felt. Pacha herself liked the idea of a relationship, but because of her sister, it just wasn't possible.

But she had to admit, they did seem like they were ready for children, whether they were there own or not.

"So I could come and visit them whenever I get the chance?" She smiled at the waterbuck, appreciative that they would still allow her to see them. She couldn't really take care of them, but she didn't want them completely out of her life.

She glanced back up at Nia and Mio.

"And you'd really be willing to care for them? It wouldn't be ... a burden?"  

[Basil Brett]

Pacha beamed. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. A cliche of a thought, but very true when you found yourself in those kinds of circumstances. Part of her felt bad at not keeping the cubs with her, but the solution seemed to benefit every party involved. She would be able to care for her sister without having to worry about the cubs, the pride seemed delighted to have the cubs, and the cubs would be safe and well cared for. Pacha could hardly ask for more than that.

"I, well, thank you. I would be truly grateful if you would care for them."

She grinned, somewhat sheepishly.
"I have the feeling they will be here pretty soon. Within a few days or weeks, I believe."  

[WestHouse]

Nia offered a bow, feeling a mixture of emotions. There was uncharted territory before her, and she wasn't completely sure she could do it...but at least there would be many helpful paws if needed.

Her ears perked forward at Pacha, a small smile on her face. "Certainly. You should take the time to rest. We will assist you when we can."

Mio nodded. "We will keep someone nearby your location if you need help with anything. It will either be Dié, whom is a pale coloured maned wolf, or Tishtar here."

The blue waterbuck offered a nod, always happy to be of service to the lioness. "Of course, m'lady." She turned to the lioness before them. "Mattering on what you need, it will be either myself or Dié. Never fear to ask; it will be good practice for the future."

Again, Mio flushed. She was looking quite irritated at this teasing, but she never mentioned it verbally. "We will keep in touch, if you don't mind Nia and I visiting at times."

Nia nodded, watching the yellow lioness curiously. She seemed more relaxed, at least. What their exchange was was a serious one, but with it being so open-ended it seemed like a well written one.  

[Basil Brett]

Pacha smiled warmly at all three of them in turn. She couldn't believe their generosity, but she was too thankful to question any of it. It was amazing what could happen in such a short time. She had gone from feeling truly overwhelmed to feeling true relief. She couldn't rewind time or take back what she did, but she had been able to find a suitable solution.

"Thank you, that sounds very suitable. And of course, visit as often as you like."

She began mentally noting all the things she needed to take care of before the cubs were born. One task above all stood out.

"I do need to go get my sister. I cannot leave her alone for that long. Would it be alright if she stayed with me?"  

[WestHouse]

The three nodded in unison.

Mio paused for a moment before speaking. "If you feel it better for you, you may stay just within the borders. Perhaps if there are any others lurking around they will avoid you if you are just in the lands. We try to keep a strong front, so it should discourage any trouble before you see it."


Nia did her best to not seem so excited, but it was hard for one who was so used to being upfront about everything. "We will see you soon, Miss Pacha. We thank you."


Tishtar agreed. "You've given us a little hope, as in turn we hope we have given you in return." Children had never ran through their House, and the prospect was thrilling, even for the waterbuck.  

[Basil Brett]

Pacha nodded and smiled, especially at the waterbuck. She was especially touched by her words.

"Thank you once again. I honestly can't thank you enough. You do my sister and me a great service, and I know they will be in good care."

She stood and stretched her limbs.
"I will go get my sister and then return. She looks very similar to me, except paler in color, so you know who she is."

She smiled at each of them in turn.
"I look forward to seeing you again."

With that, she gained her bearing and started the trek back to the camp and her sister.