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 Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:21 am
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Mhloshana stumbled to a stop, pale eyes open wide for once despite the extra light this allowed to sting them, head whirling with the sheer chaos. Some cubs were chasing one cub, some were chasing others, and it wasn't clear if being "it" meant you were chasing or being chased. How did this game even work? Maybe she'd just watch for a little bit until she had it figured out... Spotting a couple of cubs that weren't yelling and running, she made her way to them, tripping over her paws now and again. "Hi. What's going on?" she asked, looking back and forth between Chiko and Umlotha. The idea that she might not be welcomed by at least one party had not--yet--occurred to her.
After watching some of her litter join the raucous game of tag, Eowyn dipped her head to give Zithulele a reassuring nudge and a quick 'neatening' swipe with her rough tongue. Fewer cubs at her heels now, she made her way to the little knot of lionesses. "Um, hello," she said a touch awkwardly, trying not to crane her neck too much to peer at the litter behind their makeshift corrall of bodies. She'd been here some months, and she was still learning everyone's names, but it was hard not to at least know of the resident Cinga. "Jasiri's get, aren't they? They're so young!" It seemed to be the custom to bring them back a little older, and she'd been keen to fit in, but maybe she was mistaken? Or maybe the Cinga liked to buck tradition--there was at least one of those in every group, it seemed.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:16 am
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As Njalo approached and drapped herself over the red-backed female, Sanele grinned widely, twisting her head up to lick Nja's cheek in an enthusiastic greeting. As the bongo-coloured female cooed over the cubs Sanele seemed content to lay under the other female, Njalo's muscular weight not seeming to bother the experienced Umzingeli. "Hello Nja, I heard you are going to be going on the Inqira to help Ukwazi." No one really knew how Sanele sometimes found her information, but she always seemed to know what was going on within the pride, even before the lion in question at times.
Nja's admiring look and amused comment prompted Ilanga to laugh from where she lay catty-corner to Sanele and her new Nja-blanket. "Indeed they are very lively already." She agreed, casting an amused and doting gaze over the pile of squeaking cubs before glancing at her two cub-sitters, Sanele having brough Maditah over earlier in the day with the offer of helping transport the litter to the Inqira. "I do, and Ifunci comes and helps frequently too." In truth, Ilanga had much to thank the Ahluke for, as Ifunci held boundless enthusiasm for the cubs that were his youngest half-siblings, and Ilanga often entrusted them to him while she went for brief walks and the odd short hunting trip. Though usually one of her sisters or Sanele would be there also, as honestly the litter was almost too much for just one lion to control. And she knew they would only become more unruly as they grew and before they started to understand the rules of the pride.
Across from the pile of cubs, Maditah greeted Njalo shyly, but with a warm and friendly smile. After volunteering to help with Ilanga's litter she had been meeting far more of the pride than she had previously, as everyone from other Busisa to experienced older Umzingeli had come to visit with the cubs and offer their congratulations to Ilanga.
As Eowyn walked up Sanele looked up and over Nja's drapped body to smile an easy welcome to the new lioness. "Hello Eowyn." She greeted, unsurprisingly knowing the busisa's name instantly. There was very little Sanele didn't know after all. Ilanga was the one to answer her however, the proud Cinga smiling at Eowyn from the other side of the pile of furballs. "Yes they are." She nodded, briefly feeling that small pang of regret that the old Inselelo would never know of his last litter within the Ithambo. "Just over a week old." She added, looking over the pile proudly. Seven fat, healthy and very loud cubs.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:53 pm
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 No sooner had she bared her teeth than another cub came up to her. What part of her body language did these pests not understand? Turning her golden gaze to Chikomborero, she narrowed her eyes and didn't answer any of her questions. Soon a pale lioness came up to them as well and she let the two talk while she turned to go back to her tree. It was within earshot of everyone so she'd know when it was time to go, but there was way too much insanity going on for her to deal with.
 A little late to the party, Udaka appeared with a grim expression on her face. She had recently taken part in the hippo hunt and had earned herself some well-deserved credit within the pride, and now it seemed she was to assist in another less than savory way. She knew cubs were important to keep the pride alive and well, but they were not her thing, so to speak. They were unruly and rambunctious and got into more trouble than they were worth. Still, she knew it was her duty as a lioness in this pride to act as if they were her own and to defend them with her life. She hoped to have a litter of her own some day to further cement her position within the pride as an upstanding lioness, but that was about the only reason.
She stood to the edge of the group of adults, still feeling slightly out of the loop. Udaka wasn't the most social of lionesses and had trouble making connections with others, but perhaps helping look after the cubs on this adventure would change that.
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:48 pm
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A-huh! Njalo bobbed her head with even more enthusiasm, returning the affectionate lick with a rough, fond head-butt. Smile wide and goofy as she lay across Sanele, occasionally leaning down to nose one of the small cubs when they squirmed near enough. Craning her neck awkwardly to gaze at Eowyn, another of the new mothers in the pride, her smile split further, but she didn't interrupt the conversation started between her and Ilanga. Instead, she shoved none too gently off her lioness pillow,, turning to greet the muddy colored female approaching with a less than thrilled expression.
Njalo was certain Udaka only looked that way because she was being left out, standing at the edge of the group. She took it upon herself to corral the hippo huntress closer, rubbing along her pride sister's side and behind her to encourage her closer all the while bubbling happily. Udaka! Why are you all the way over here?! Come! Come! That hippo was so tasty, Nja has never eaten one before in her whoooole life! Uddy was brave to help bring it down! Will Udaka help Nja and Ukwazi with the cubs on their Inqina today? An Enkulu would be a good addition, Nja really thinks so!
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