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 Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:55 am
There wasn't much to do today. No had taken the girls out for a hunting trip and the boys were with their teachers, learning their skills for future life. They were growing so quickly and he feared the day when they would fly the nest.
The den would be so empty without them...
He sighed. Days like this left him thinking about the past. About his father. His sister. Even his grandmother. And then there was Ripuka. Dear old Ripuka. He pressed his nose to his paws wishing there was something to do.
Maybe he should patrol. Yes. Good idea...but he'd still be left thinking to himself.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:13 am
 Mama was busy with work, and so was daddy for that matter, so the little ones had been entrusted to the pride's various care takers. Ursa, one of the oldest apprenticed storytellers, had taken on the task of watching over Vesta and Korofi, while the other three cubs had gone to Moja and the others. As Ursa toted her little troops around her thoughts were torn between being sharply focused on them and focused on thoughts of Azar, and to a lesser extent, Uuo. It was hard.
Especially since Koro insisted on stopping and darting off to explore every little thing.
"Korofi! Stay away from there, you can't just invade other lion's dens!" Ursa called after the cub, unable to leave Vesta unattended and alarmed that she was making a mad dash directly towards the Regents' den with no heed to Ursa's words.
Of course she wasn't listening. Grinning and giggling she darted towards the scent that she recognized as one that her father carried on him often, only slowing down just a little out of sight. She eased into a curious trot, moving into view at the mouth of the den and fearlessly tilted her head to one side at the large red male. Her world was small, she didn't know him by appearance just yet, but she'd know him by title when she heard it.
"Hey! Mister, what are you doing inside laying around? The day is a'wastin'!" She informed him-- because he obviously didn't know! That's right, she grinned, tail lashing behind her somewhat calmly.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:21 am
His ears lifted as the sound of a voice. He knew that voice. Ursa. Storyteller. Sounded like she was playing cub-sitter today, though. And, a second later a little one appeared, full of life, full of bright, buzzing fire. A true Firekin cub.
Lucky for her, Kidondo was not like the Kings of old. Instead of anger or worse only a smile flitted across his maw and a chuckle reverberated from deep in his chest.
"That it is, young Fireling." He replied. "And I am doing nothing. Nothing but lying here lost in thoughts. Are your parents with you, too?"
Vesta, on the other paw, hung back a little, staying close by Ursa. She still fancied the world as a dangerous place and much preferred to stay by a bigger and stronger lion or lioness.
"Koro!" She chirped warningly. Her eyes darted up to look at Ursa, ears folding back against her head. A little whine ensued.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:27 am
Ursa looked down towards Vesta at the other girl's discomfort, and with a hasty reassurance bent down to scoop up the other little one by the scruff of her neck, carrying the baby quickly after her mischievous sister. Goodness!
She was only encouraged by the greeting of course, though it probably would have taken much to scare her off. She had gotten her father's fearlessness, and demonstrated thus as she invited herself into the den further and brought her paws up to rest against one of his as she sat back on her haunches and looked up. Whoah. He was big! As big as daddy! Much bigger than mama! "No." Was the simple answer as she situated comfortably. "Daddy is busy telling the army what to do, and mommy is busy looking for water or prickle plants."
She canted her head slightly again at him.
"... You don't look lost to me. Why are you lost? Are you bored?" The cub asked, blinking almost owlishly.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:01 pm
He stood to greet young Ursa, a rumble in his chest. She was a dear, pretty thing and her fire was in her eyes, if not her pelt. He applauded her for her sharp mind and was glad she was here. His eyes turned back to the little one. Brave and chirpy, quite unlike her quiet-spoken father.
He smiled. "Bored, most definitely." And then he lowered his voice and leaned closer. "But don't tell anyone I said that, else I'll be in big trouble." He chuckled and let his eyes flicker back to Ursa. "I see you've got your paws full with these two today." He couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride and joy at seeing them. Ripuka's grandchildren.
Yes. The old one wasn't dead so long as her family lived on.
"Where are you all off to today then?" He asked.
Glad to be picked up she curled her little legs up against her belly and hung there, quite content. Sometimes she wished she could stay small so she could always be carried around. It was much more fun than using her own two legs!
She gave a little 'peep' at the sight of Kidondo and flattened her ears bashfully. That was red lion. Red lion was leader, wasn't he? Should Koro be talking to him like that? Well...at least...he didn't seem unhappy.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:18 pm
As finally they rounded the corner to catch up with Korofi Ursa immediately spotted Kidondo, and the cub at his paws. She bowed her head respectfully-- mindful of little Vesta --and set the cub in her jaws down, nudging her once more encouragingly at her shy little peep. Kidondo was harmless to those he protected, Ursa knew this well enough. She'd been fascinated by him as a cub.
"Kidondo, good morning!" She replied just a bit rushed, late morning perhaps but-- "Yes, Yin-li wanted to try to get back to working today and Azarax had to meet with one of the others, I think. That one--" She jerked her head towards Koro, addressing her with mock exasperation, Koro just beamed back at her. "--keeps getting ahead of us though." She smirked, standing with Vesta. "I hope she didn't wake you." She frowned softly then. "I haven't had a moment to decide where to bring them yet, but I thought perhaps the oasis to play for a little bit."
She stepped back to crane her neck to stare up as he stood and then Korofi giggled at his playful remark. It was a "secret" safe with her, at least from anyone but her parents, because of course she could trust her parents, they were her parents!
"Why don't you come play with us, Kidodo..." No, that wasn't right! D: Darn it, tongue, work with me here! "Um... I mean Kidondo! Sorry..." She corrected, looking up at him hopefully.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:35 pm
His eyes sparkled with amusement and he nodded. "A busy morning you've had then, by the sounds of it."
He glanced down at Koro and smiled. Cubs were such wonderful things. He remembered the terror he had felt at knowing he was going to be a father. But, it had brought him so much joy that he had no regrets at all. He adored having children and was a little sad knowing that one day they'd leave the den and strike out for themselves.
"That's okay." He replied fondly.
"Don't let me put a halt on the plans then, do you mind if I accompany you? No is out on her rounds today and I feel quite lost without her around." He loved her very much and he always felt sort of half-lost when she wasn't close by. "It would be a breath of fresh air to spend it with all of you."
His eyes flicked back to the nervous one and he smiled across at Ursa. "So, which ones do we have here, then? I have yet to meet the cubs of Azarax and Yin-Li."
Comforted by his shining, soft eyes, the little one drew closer and in one small breath replied. "I'm Vesta. Mummy and Daddy like you so I'm going to like you, too."
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:50 pm
Ursa smiled at Koro's invitation, and of Kidondo's acceptance. She nodded to their leader, gladly.
"Please, by all means! The more the merrier."
Not to mention she was secretly still not totally sure about bringing the cubs out alone, and would have sought an adult before heading out. After what happened to her brother, Ozai... and they had been older than Vest and Koro, still even. She would not risk having to tell Azarax or Yin-li such terrible news, and was relieved Kidondo wanted to come. She would have been happy even without her worries but it was more obvious this way.
"You should meet them when you can, Kidondo, they're each quite something! There were five in all, two sons, the oldest was Atesh-- He'll grow up to be quite the warrior I'm sure --and Teketea was the youngest boy. They have another daughter too, aside from Vesta and--"
"Korofi-uzulu!" She interjected proudly, wanting desperately to follow Vesta's example and introduce herself too. She moved to her sister's side and nuzzled her with cubbish force, purring loudly. "And I'm gonna like you too!" She informed him with finality then, eyeing him gladly. Yay! He was coming, he was coming!
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:00 pm
He listened to Ursa relay information about Azarax and Yin's new family, smiling to himself. It was just what the tan lion needed. A family. A fresh start away from the pain of his past. Cubs brought joy to life and Azarax and Yin-Li were truly blessed with these children.
"I will make sure to come and meet them all." He replied, almost wishing he could go right away. But no, there'd be time for that later. For now he'd spend some time relaxing with members of the pride.
Glancing down at the sisters he smiled. "Well that's good then, because I like you all, too." He moved over to where Ursa stood and began a slow walk towards the oasis. "And how does your training go, Ursa? Well, I take it?" She was a promising young Storyteller, her mind sharp.
She tipped to one side and almost fell as her sister rubbed against her, purring and giggling. Then, reaching out to bat her sister's ear with a paw, the little one bounced off after the 'grown-ups', intent on leading the way - so long as she stayed in their sights, of course.
"Race you, Koro!"
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