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 Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:40 am
Faeqa stretched out beneath the sun's brilliant rays to warm her fur. It felt good to do nothing but nap for a while in the heat of late morning. She had hunted successfully with her sister the day prior and the harem had eaten well. That meant another hunting trip wouldn't be necessary for a few days at least.
This meant her time was going to be spent lazing around, seeing to the Vizier's needs and keeping one eye on her troublesome sister.
Speaking of which, where was that white-pelted little floozy, anyway? She hadn't seen her all morning and that was never a good sign. The last time she'd been gone for this long, they had belonged to old Laith and that hadn't gone down well.
She groaned and rolled onto her belly, curling a lip as she realised that her relaxation had come to an end.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:50 am
She hated this.
Her stomach was so swollen and heavy! Standing was a task on it's own, let alone moving around. How many of them were in there! The small lionness groaned softly as she shuffled forwards a little further, finally collapsing on the grassy plains near the den - she hadn't walked very far at all. But it had hurt so much, and she was so tired already!
She growned softly, rolling onto her side and closing her eyes, trying to block out the pain. She knew it would all be worth it in the end, when she saw how happy Faiz was. But she was still very sore, and just wanted it to be over with.
At least they felt like they couldn't get much bigger, though.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:58 am
With a grunt, Faeqa pulled herself up onto her paws and moved onwards, keeping her eyes peeled for that sneaky little sister of hers. Why did she do this? Why did she bother trying to drag Naji out of trouble? Why did she attempt - every time - to cover up her mess. Some day she was going to get caught out and they'd both end up getting in a lot of trouble.
Was this her punishment for being too protective as a youth?
She sighed and continued across the grass, spooking a flock of birds that took to the sky with a thunder of wing beats. It was then that she noticed the pretty female Tuliua, very pregnant and seemingly very tired, too.
Altering her course a little, Faeqa decided that she might as well go and see if there was anything she could do to help. She couldn't help the motherly instinct that ran strong in her veins. "Tuliua." She called in greeting, dipping her head a little and slowing her pace as the gap closed between them. "How are you faring?" The news that she was to birth Faiz's cubs had been one of mixed emotion for Fae, but she was genuinely happy and even excited to know that soon the pride was going to have little ones running and playing and filling the day with joyous moments.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:04 am
Hmm? Tuliua managed to lift her head a little, a smile spreading over her face as she spotted Faeqa heading towards her - another of Faiz's Banu. She didn't feel like smiling at all at the moment, but felt she had to make an effort. "Faeqa," she repeated, trying to roll herself over onot her stomach, but gave up after two failed attempts, remaining where she was on her side. She hated being so tired!
"I'm just so tired," she admitted with a long groan, stretching on leg out, "And it's all the time. They're so heavy, too..."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:08 am
She had never been pregnant so she couldn't truly understand what the little female was going through. However, she knew it couldn't be easy carrying around all that extra weight. It would make hunting difficult, perhaps even impossible and in this heat she was probably feeling a little under the weather. Poor thing.
"If there's anything I can do..." She trailed off, knowing there was little anyone could do for her right now. This was a mother's burden and perhaps someday she'd understand, too.
"Hopefully it won't be too long now and when the cubs arrive you'll feel much better in yourself." She continued. "You've made Faiz very happy, you know? He's very proud."
Unknown to the ginger-pelted one, her sister was fast on the approach, bouncing through the grass at as fast a speed as she could manage on so hot a day.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:21 am
Faeqa offered to help and Tuliua offered a warm smile to show her gratitude, shuffling around a little so she could see the other female a little better. She offered her smile again, ears flickering a little as a cub suddenly gave a kick, a frown crossing her face along with a small groan.
"Hopefully," she muttered, eyes closing as she tried to block out the pain. She knew she'd made him happy, and proud. He'd told her several times, and it was the only thing that made this pain bearable. "Yes - and I'm glad. I feel honored to have been able to bear his cubs."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:27 am
Faeqa nodded, dipping her head and closing her eyes. What would it be like to bear cubs? Scary. Tiring. Painful. But despite all those bad things, it would bring much good, too. The pride needed numbers and the males needed girls.
"They will be very beautiful. Your colours match well with the Vizier's." She commented. "If I can help in anyway, once they are born, promise you'll let me know. Even if it fetching food for you in the dead of night." She smiled and then lifted her head at the thud of quickly approaching paws.
Oh, there she was. "So there you are Najiyya. Where have you been?"
Naji pulled herself short and then sidled over to the females, glancing between them somewhat shyly. "Don't start already, Sis. Aren't you pleased to see me?"
She batted her eyelashes and drew closer to Tuliua, seemingly unable to keep her eyes from the female's swollen belly. "Boy, Tuli! How many have you got in there?"
Faeqa gave her sister a low, warning hiss but it was a pointless effort. It went unheard.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:34 am
Tuliua smiled, truly touched by Faeqa's kind words. She inclined her head in gratitude, breathing a little heavier than usual with another nod and a somewhat embarassed smile at the lionness' kind offer. "Thank you for your kindness, faeqa - I'm sure you're help will be much appreciated. I...admit, I do not knowmuch about motherhood."
She paused, before continuing a little unsurely, "I...I am afraid of being a bad mother."
She tried to raise her head to look at whoever else was there, but it failed again, and Fae soon identified it as her sister, Najiyya. Tuliua was about to make a greeting before the younget sister's...odd question caught her by surprised.
"Too many," she replied with a small smile - this was nice. All of them here like this. If only Mzu were here also.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:39 am
Giving her sister a shove, Faeqa intervened, hoping that the white one would take the hint and drop the rude comments. "I don't think anyone knows much about motherhood, Tuliua. Not really. I know I don't and I have been told that even a female who has three or four litters has a new surprise and challenge every time. My mother told me that much of it is instinct. When the cubs are born and you are caring for them, you'll just know." She smiled. "And you have all of us here to help you in whatever way we can, including Vizier Faiz, no doubt."
Najiyya wrinkled her nose and moved away from her sister's shoving to sit closer to Tuliua. "Do they move around in there?" Blinking, she reached out a paw, almost as if to touch her belly and see for herself. "I wonder if they mind being all squashed up like that...I can't imagine being so squashed next to Fae for all that time."
Fae rolled her eyes. "Well, believe it or not, Naji, you were."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:47 am
Such kind words. She really was grateful, Tuliua making an extra effort, pushing herself up with a load groan, shifting herself into a sitting position - but not without a few winces and whines. Eventually she got there, though, smiling warmly to the two sisters before her.
"I hope so. I can't help but fear that I am mising such instincts, though," she admitted quietly, casting her gaze downwards. Naj's movements over her swollen belly amused Tuliua slightly, though, the female smiling and even giggling a little as she moved her legs to allow Naji to move her paws over the stomach. "They move quite a lot - it was get uncomfortable, but it's still difficult to count them."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:53 am
With a squeal of delight, Najiyya pressed her paw to Tuliua's stomach, childlike in her curiosity. She was young yet and there hadn't been many litters recently - none that the white one could remember, anyway! She put on her thoughtful, concentrating face and fell silent - an unusual thing for the usually chatty lioness.
Faeqa, smiling, nodded and the strands of ginger fur fell across her hazel eyes. "It will come." She replied, and she had no doubt of it. This was what a female was for. Bearing children. It was a gift given to them and them alone.
"Oh, I felt something kick! Fae, Fae, they really are moving around!" Najiyya was practically bouncing. "Oh, Tuli, that's so weird and...and cool! I reckon there's about eight in there. Yep, definitely eight." She nodded fiercely and shot a glance at her sister that seemed to say: don't even think about disagreeing.
"Have you thought of names yet, Tuli?" Najiyya asked, seeming to hijack the conversation.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:58 am
Tuliua winced a little at Najiyya's eagerness, yet the lionness became more gentle and so no comment was made. The glowing female smiled a little, pleased that she was making another so happy - she knew she was making Faiz happy, but she'd never imagined her cubs could bring happiness to any others.
Her expression fell a little at the mention of eight, though.
"I...I certainly hope not," she spoke a little meekly, smile gone from her face, "I...I don't think I could handle eight. I'm struggling to imagine how I'd handle one."
Names? Tuliua frowned a little, suddenly aware of how she hadn't even thought about naming the cubs. She just wanted them here, yet she wasn't prepared for it at all. "I...I have not," she spoke, before looking up to her two new friends with a smile, "Have you any suggestions?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:03 am
"Don't worry." Fae intervened quickly, noting the change on the lioness' face. "Eight isn't at all likely. She's just a little...over-excited is all." There she went again, making excuses for her little sis. Ah well, it was a habit of a lifetime, no point trying to rid herself of it now.
"I'd suggest waiting for when they're born. Look into their little faces and I'm sure you'll be inspired." Fae replied. It seemed odd to her to try and name something you hadn't seen or met. Her own mother had waited for her litter to arrive before thinking of names.
"But that's no fun." Najiyya interjected. "If it was me, I'd think up lots of names and then pick from them when they're born." She turned to look at Tuliua. "Name them something very, very pretty. Like after flowers or...ummm...yeah." She blinked and grinned. "I hope they get your pretty markings."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:07 am
She knew eight wasn't likely - but that didn't mean it was impossible. Tuliua signed, growling softly as the cubs began kicking again, closing her eyes to block out the pain, remaining silent for several moments before opening her eyes again and smiling a little, as if to convince them she was fine.
"I think that was what I was planning - but I'd still love to hear any suggestions you had," she spoke, smiling. She was eager to know what kind of names the others thought acceptable.
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:37 am
Faeqa frowned at her sister. Why did she have to do that? Why did she have to worry the poor female? She shouldn't be worried! She was about to become a parent! Embark on the greatest journey a lioness could take. That was their one gift, the one thing no male could take from them.
"Suggestions?" She pondered on it a moment, letting her eyes fall across the glowing, radiant pelt covering Tuliua. It would have to be something glittery and showy and beautiful. No nonsense name. No name that would be overlooked. A good, strong name.
She was about to open her mouth to give a suggestion when Najiyya piped up. The white femme had been staring intently at Tuliua's belly, as if could see the cubs within, see their little faces. And, without warning she blurted a name.
"Ilyas. Call one Illyas."
Faeqa blinked and after a moment gave a thoughtful nod. It wasn't often she agreed with her sister's thinking but she thought the name good, beautiful and strong. She smiled and turned her eyes to the pretty female, awaiting her reply.
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