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((This is an ORP, Aali will tell the story, then other may share their opinions of it/play/etc.))

Aali loved to tell stories, they were so vital to the pride in so many ways, they taught and entertained. Most importantly the stories that the pride has passed down lion to lion held important messages, lessons learned in the past that needed to be taught to the future. The tale he had in mind was one of the much older ones, it had been told since before the pride had become one, back far far back when they had been divided into four.

He smiled softly and gazed out at the cubs and adults gathered around, the night was chilly, perfect for this story.

“Long Ago our pride dwelled deep in the sand lands, it was hot all the time and water was scarce. Scarce water meant scarce food and this often caused quarrels, some managed better then others you see. The pride then was divided into four and there were four sultans who consulted one another, but in the end they did as they pleased of course. Now the days had been hotter then usual and the prey harder to find. Yet the winds were shifting and all knew that soon would come The Coldest Day, one magical night and day when the sun hid and the air turned icy, the sands turned white and all the prides gathered to play and share meals.

That is where our story begins, in the den of the Sultan Awuor on the eve before The Coldest Day. Now Sultan Awuor was an older lion, his mane had begun to turn grey many seasons ago and they said he was the most ruthless male in the desert. Yet despite all this he was tolerated because of his hunting prowess and skill at finding precious water. Indeed his family flourished and he was the richest Sultan of the four, but he was cold and withheld all forms of love and compassion.

As the sun was setting he lay in his den speaking of rations with his neighboring Sultan, Sultan Maskini. Sultan Maskini was a younger lion, his frame was thin and however much he might prefer to be snuggled with his own family and pride this cold night he remained listening to Sultan Awuor in the hopes he might be given some extra rations for his pride which had not been graced with such luck in finding food or water.

Sultan Awour lifted his head and scowled at his own nephew for interrupting, for he despised company, and uncalled for company was the worst. If he were not Sultan he would no doubt hole himself in seclusion and ignore all others.

“Why uncle! It’s the coldest eve and I have a new mate, come, come out and celebrate with us!” Exclaimed Sultan Awuor’s nephew with a bright smile.

“Bah humbug!” Growled the old Sultan with a sneer.

“Surely you don’t mean that uncle, come and celebrate.” His nephew coaxed hopefully.

“You go celebrate your way and leave me to celebrate my own way!” He huffed out.

“But uncle, you don’t celebrate at all?”

“Exactly! Now get out of my sight!” He raised his voice and snarled softly annoyed.

“Ah but uncle this is a time to spend with family and friends and you should come meet my lovely mate.” His nephew tried once more to coax him.

“Ah indeed!” Added Sultan Maskini agreeing with the sentiment of family and friendship.

“Why, one female is the same as any other, why did you take a single mate anyway? And You!” He rounded on Sultan Maskini with a grumble. “Keep your thoughts to yourself or you’ll be crossed off the rations list all together.”

“That’s love uncle Awuor, I love her, that is why she is my mate. Ah but I see now that there is no convincing you, I’m sorry your mood is foul uncle but I shall not let it ruin my own. A Joyful Coldest Eve to you uncle, and to you Sultan Maskini.” His smile returned even as he turned his back to leave.

“Begone!” Growled Sultan Awuor.

“And a Joyful Coldest Day!” His Nephew grinned and called out behind him.

“Begone I say!” He huffed and turned back to Sultan Maskini eager to be rid of him as well for the night, yet he was interrupted yet again.

“A what a lovely night isn’t? Coldest Eve to you Sultan Awuor, Sultan Maskini, we’ve just come by to see what you’d like to donate Sultan Awuor.” Asked one of the pride’s females, she was motherly and kind and eager to spread the love and food among those who needed it most.

“Donate?” Grumbled Sultan Awuor with a scowl

“Yes, for the cubs tomorrow morning and the other prides, they don’t seem to have had quite our luck.” She added gently.

“It’s their own fault, I’ll not give and give without anyone working for it as they should, now get out of my sight!” He snarled.

Horrified the female turned and left thinking what a cold cruel male Sultan Awuor really was.

“And you…” Sultan Awuor turned and scowled at Sultan Maskini, “I suppose you want your rations now? I expect you here early in the morning to go on the hunt, you can’t go taking without replenishing.”

“Yes if that wouldn’t be too much trouble…” Replied Sultan Maskini quickly and then frowned. “but it will be The Coldest Morning Sultan Awuor, there is no hunt?”

“I still hunt, you and the others use me rather ill wanting to loaf and celebrate like fools.” He growled.

“It’s only one day Sultan Awuor…”

“One day! Let us see you go the day without food then! Just be here earlier the next day then.” He grumbled.

“Yes, of course…Have a nice evening.” And with that said and done Sultan Maskini headed quickly home to his own den and family.

~

Now Sultan Awuor went about his usual evening business, he patrolled his pride’s land, he had his dinner, he even journeyed to the small pool that had formed for a drink. With all that done he headed back to his den to sleep. He was just settling himself down, his eyes were barely closed when he remembered his old hunting partner *********. Strange that he should think of him, he had passed away seven seasons ago on this very evening and Awuor never gave him a thought. Yet now his only thought was that ********* too would think that taking a whole day to celebrate was incredibly foolish and wasteful. With that Sultan Awuor closed his eyes fully and drifted to sleep.

It was cold, icy icy cold that forced Sultan Awuor to open his eyes in the darkness, he shuddered and frowned. His eyes narrowed then and his mouth even opened a little for he was quite stunned to see ********* sitting in the entrance of the den, around his paws were wrapped thick vines and his fur was sliced and matted.

“Wh-what is this?” questioned Awuor in horror.

“Do you know me Sultan Awuor?” The spirit of ********* asked in a deep breathless voice.

“You look like *********, but he died seven seasons past and so you cannot be!” Exclaimed Awuor.

“I am *********, and I have come back to this plane to warn you Sultan Awuor, to change your ways. You are a mighty hunter, a powerful leader, but you shall never know happiness if you do not change.” The spirit warned.

“Change? Why *********, you were once as I am now, why should I change?”

“If you do not, you shall be as I am now, eternally your fate shall be miserable. I would change my ways if only I now could, but it is not yet too late for you Sultan Awuor. Tonight I shall send three more spirits to help guide your paws.” He gave a soft wheezing breath and closed his eyes.

“********* think I would rather you did not!” Sultan Awuor was hopeful, but frowned as ********* began to vanish before his eyes.

“It is the only way…farewell…” and then he was gone.

~

Now Sultan Awuor was shaken a bit but managed to find sleep once more slowly until a small light started to glow before his eyes. Blearily he opened them and jerked back startled to see a small cub with glowing blue eyes in front of his face.

“Are you then the spirit sent to me by old *********?” Sultan Awuor finally managed to ask.

“Indeed I am the spirit of cold eves past, and I have come for you come now…” Said the cub and in saying this he began to float and so too did Sultan Awuor.

“Cease, I am a mortal and such a fall might kill me!”

“Touch my paw and you shall be safe.” The cub smiled calmly and with that the air around them swirled and a new scene appeared before them.

Here now was the prides central land, the place where all four met and celebrated, and Sultan Awuor saw himself when he was but a young male himself. His paws were a bit too large for his frame still, but already he was on the cusp of adulthood and he was smiling. He pranced in the white sand with a female his own age as the others curled close and shared meat. Songs filled the air and he could see the vapory breathe rise slowly as the cubs pretended to breathe fire.

“Why…that is me…and Hiba…” He gazed at the young female sadly and frowned watching his younger self nuzzle her.

He watched himself as he shared his meat with her, and the cubs, he even crouched low that they might jump on his back and be given romps around the fine white sand. Her laughter rang out and he closed his eyes and frowned.

“Why show this to me spirit?” Awuor asked the cub unhappily.

“That you might remember you were not always so cold, you once knew what love was, what it was to share, and live.” The cub replied softly.

“I wish to see no more now spirit…” He looked down.

“Then come, let us leave them to their happiness.” Said the cub, and the scene slowly faded with only the soft echo of Hiba’s laughter ringing in Sultan Awuor’s den.

~

Sultan Awuor did not have time to fall back asleep, no indeed he was awake and sadly remembering Hiba. She had been so beautiful and sweet, yet she had been a poor huntress and her pride had naught to offer. Another female had been a much more suitable match…much more suitable. Still he quivered even as he breathed and then he frowned as he looked up and saw a great golden lion in the entrance of his den.

“Are you then another spirit?” He asked.

“Indeed I am the spirit of cold eves present!” Boomed the golden lion. “Touch my mane, for we must be off now!”

And though he did not truly wish to, Sultan Awuor did as he was told and touched the mane of the great golden lion. He gasped as he found himself standing before the den of the Sultan Maskini.

“What are we doing here spirit?” Asked Sultan Awuor with open curiosity, for he had never gone to visit Sultan Maskini.

“Watch and you shall see, though they shall not see you.” Said the golden spirit.

And Sultan Awuor watched the scene as it unfolded before him, for there was Sultan Maskini’s Sultana and she was bustling about after all her cubs. Some cubs were a bit older and helping their mother, but some were quite small. One in the corner was playing but every few moments he gave a rattling cough and his weak little frame shook dreadfully, and then Awuor noticed that his hind leg was bent at an odd angle. Finally the Sultana sighed and walked over to the smallest one to comfort him.

“Come Mahali my little love, come and I’ll warm you. Your big sister is terribly late I hope she is alright, and your father as well.” Said the Sultana in her worried tone.

“I’m here mama, I’m sorry to be late, but we stayed longer trying to find something…the hunting is poor tonight though.” Said the young lioness before smiling and snuggling against her mother and little brother. The entire family looked rather thin and ragged, certainly they had not been eating or drinking well enough, but they were all smiling, even little Mahali as he wheezed and hacked and limped about.

Just then Sultan Maskini entered the den and smiling he rolled onto his back as his children swarmed over him, happily he rumbled and nuzzled against each of them before standing to nuzzle his Sultana. “I am sorry to be late my precious but look at the feast I’ve managed!”

Feast, thought Sultan Awuor, for the haunch of meat was a meager ration that he had given Sultan Maskini for only himself.

Little Mahili limped over and snuggled against his father while eyeing the meat happily. “Oh Papa it’s such a wonderful Cold Eve, and the sand outside is turning white, maybe we can play outside in the morning? If everyone sees me they shall be very happy papa!”

“Oh?” Said Sultan Maskini curiously.

“Yes papa, they shall be so very grateful to have four good legs!” Exclaimed tiny Mahili.

Sultan Maskini looked stunned for a moment before he pulled his son close and nodded. “In the morning then we shall play, come now and let us eat!”

As they settled down around the meat they didn’t squabble over pieces and the cubs were given the largest share. “Let us give thanks of course! We must be glad we are all together, that the air is cool, ah and thanks to Sultan Awuor for sharing his great rations with us all.”

The Sultana frowned at that for she thought Sultan Awuor rather cold and cruel and wasn’t afraid to say so. “You may thank him if you like, but I would like him here to tell him to stop being such a-“

“My love! The cubs!” said Sultan Maskini and shook his head. “ A Joyful Coldest Eve to us all either way.” With that the family dug in and ate their meal happily. After the family all snuggled close and sang little made up verses to one another. They did not sing well, and they appeared rather scraggly, but there was something touching about the scene.

Then the family vanished and Sultan Awuor found himself standing beside the Golden Spirit in front of another den. This den was more familiar to him for it was his nephews and inside his entire family was gathered and feasting, they laughed, joked, sang, and snuggled together. He saw his nephew and a small group in a corner and listened to them curiously.

“And then he said Bah Humbug! Imagine that!” His nephew said to the crowd.

“Shame on him dear, he should have come to spend the evening with us at the least, honestly it’s as if your uncle weren’t a part of this family at all except for being it’s patriarch!” Exclaimed his nephews new mate.

“Well we can thank him for this fine meal at least!” Chuckled one of the others, and they all laughed and nodded.

Then they took turns making faces and guessing who they were trying to imitate, some batted their lashes in imitation of the pretty ladies, others gave mighty roars to imitate great warriors, finally one scowled and huffed.

“Why that’s Uncle Awuor!” They laughed and the scene slowly faded away.

Sultan Awuor found himself back alone in his den, no sound of laughter, no rich scent of food, no warmth. The great Golden Lion was gone as well and he slowly lay down feeling quite low of spirit.

~

The air became colder, infact Sultan Awuor could see his own breath, and he lifted his head and was truly afraid. A shadow was cast upon him by a solid black lion, it’s eyes were glowing red and the ground beneath it paws swirled with a dark mist.

“Are you then the third spirit?” He asked, though he knew already the answer. “You are the spirit of cold eves future then?”

The great dark beast nodded slowly and simply turned and walked away, and though he truly truly did not wish to follow Sultan Awuor did. The mists swirled and when Sultan Awuor looked they were still standing before his den, why though? He watched as his nephew sighed and walked inside.

“It’s a pity it is, but ah well, we shall have to see now who shall take place.” His nephew shook his head and walked out.

“Well he was so isolated and greedy, if he would have stopped and relaxed with us he might still be alive. Besides we have bigger things to concern ourselves with, he’s gone, and we’re still here.” He heard another voice speaking from far away, one of his pride members.

Then the mists swirled again and they were before the den of Sultan Maskini, and in the corner the Sultana cried. The children were all gathered around, but little Mahili was absent, Sultan Maskini was nuzzling his Sultana comfortingly.

“Little Mahili…but what happened to him?” Sultan Awuor asked the spirit, but it did not reply.

The mists swirled again and they were in the hunting grounds, a flock of vultures was huddled over a distant shape. Sultan Awuor trembled now and shook his head “No Spirit, no take me from this place, I have seen enough!”

Instead they moved closer, and closer still, and when they were near the vultures flew away and Sultan Awuor was faced with his own future fate. “Please! Please no! I will change, I can change this gruesome fate!” Exclaimed the Sultan and he shook his head backinga way in horror until the paw of the dark spirit touched him and gave only a bare nod.

~

Sultan Awuor awoke in his den alone, he trembled and quickly darted outside, he peered up to see the sun slowly lifting. “What is today!” He roared out wildly hoping one of his pride members would tell him.

His nephew walked up curiously and tilted his head, “Uncle it is The Coldest Day, let others sleep and have their revelries.”

“Yes! Yes I shall!” Exclaimed Sultan Awuor and bounded forth to nuzzle his astonished nephew. “I must pay some visits though, and then prepare for the celebrations!” He pulled away then happily and turned to bound off and collect meat from the rations. He paused and glanced back “I shall meet your lovely mate later then nephew Joyful Coldest Day to you!”

His nephew stood gaping in astonishment before heading home to tell his mate about his uncles remarkable change. Meanwhile Sultan Awuor dragged rations out one by one, huge kills that they had been saving as best they could, and indeed some of the meat was as fresh as a day, and with the cold to keep them they were fresher still. He dragged a gazelle all the way to Sultan Maskini’s den and smiling bestowed it upon them.

“Come, come out and play and eat, we shall have a lovely Coldest Day!” He exclaimed, and they did and every season that passed, every Coldest Day it was Sultan Awuor who was the most festive and giving among them, for he had the most to share.

“And we shall all be very grateful!” Said Little Mahili, and they were. “
~

Aali smiled out at the group and licked his lips, now his voice felt weak. He stood and shook off moving to lap some of the icy cold water from the lake and giving a contented sigh as it refreshed his throat.

One of the newest members of the pride, Misilivuma, who hailed from the Pridelands far to the north, came to listen to the Sultan's story with peaked ears and an eager look upon his face. The story was unlike any he ever heard before. There were no grand battles in Ali's tale, no bloodshed or violence, and in the end the stoic Sultan Awuor saw the error of his ways and turned compassionate. Though the story had a strange ending, it held his attention all the way through. Somehow the story struck a cord with him. He would need some time to think about what it meant.

Zarha, Vu's daughter, was there as well, curled up against her father's side. The story did not seem to hold her attention as well. Of course it was getting a little late and she had spent the entire day running around, practicing her hunting skills and playing games with her siblings. She was an extremely active little girl and the Sultan's deep and steady voice had put her to sleep.

Aali smiled at Amaya and moved closer to sit by her side again glad she had enjoyed the tale. Granted his eyes strayed to Rahim in mild surprise and so he quickly set about trying to explain better. After all the moral was the most important part of every tale the pride had told.

"No, not the fear of death, for that does indeed come to all, but the fear of being completely forgotten once dead, of not even being remembered or cared for by his own family and to have lost out on every joy in life." Aali shook his head softly "You see dying is alright, so long as you know your life was lived to the fullest, had purpose. That was why he had to see his past and present first to understand what he was missing."

He smiled at Rahim hopefully.

"I understand it, I think." The cubs asked difficult questions, but as he thought about the Sultan's answer he started to see the meaning of the story. "I think it means that... after you're gone, your greatness is determined by the deeds you did in life. If you spent your life only caring about yourself then you won't be remembered as great. Your memory will be bitter. But if you're selfless everyone will remember all the good things you did for them..." he looked at the stars, brow furrowing, "and you'll live on, because your greatness inspires others."

That was how it was with the stories of Mufasa he heard as a cub. The stories of his strength and bravery inspired Vu to follow in the paw prints of his ancestor. He also felt compelled to gain the respect of his father, but in the end he never did. Looking back on it now, Sultan Anwar reminded him of his father, selfish and only thinking of himself. He frowned, wondering how he was doing back in the Pridelands.

The darkly colored cub at his side streatched and yawned, woken by the sound of her father's voice. She looked up at him groggily and at all the other faces gathered around to hear the Sultan's tale. Everyone seemed quiet now. Had she missed the whole story?

Anwar couldn't help but agree with his elder brother. Once someone was dead, it didn't matter what they'd known or what they did. No one else would ever know, because they were dead. As far as he knew no one who was dead had ever bothered to complain about being forgotten. Because they were dead. It was the end of, well, everything he knew. And he didn't want to die, but he still didn't see what that had to do with making someone change their whole way of thinking. Everyone died, and it seemed to him like Rahim was right about everything he was asking.

He glanced over at his brother again, glad that the other cub was giving voice to his own questions. Anwar didn't really like asking questions, he just liked knowing the answers. Rahim asking for him suited him just fine. He nodded his agreement, before glancing at the Pad who might be Zarha's father, since she was curled up next to him. He offered her a tentative little half-smile, before looking curiously up at the male. He'd spoken about being great, but that seemed like it might only count for when they were alive. It didn't keep someone from dying... this story was so confusing!


Finally tearing her adoring gaze from her father, Suha looked over at the olive-furred siblings as they questioned her father's story. What did dying have to do with it? Surely the story had been about finding happiness, not becoming great or dying. It had been about being happy in life. Right?

Confusion plain on her features, she looked from Rahim who was asking to where Anwar nodded his agreement. Had she gotten the whole story wrong? Maybe she shouldn't have asked her question, she didn't want to make a mistake in front of her daddy, she wanted to show him how good she was, that she would be a good banu and make him very proud of her. She didn't want to look foolish or silly or incompetent. Her silver-tipped ears lowered very slightly, and she looked over at Rahim again, wondering how she could have gotten the story so wrong.

At least Zarha hadn't said anything, she was just listening and finding out. Or so it seemed to Suha, because she couldn't imagine anyone falling asleep during one of her daddy's stories. Feeling oddly embarrassed for making a mistake in front of her daddy and her friends, she let her gaze roam over Zarha where her friend lay beside the Pad that looked like he might be her daddy. Was this the brave rogue lion the other cub had told her about. She looked up at him, curious for a moment, before offering an uncertain smile at the dark furred banu cub, and looking anxiously back up at her father.

He wouldn't be upset with her for getting in so wrong, would he?

Amaya listened intently to each of the cubs with their questions. She knew she would have to endure the same sort of thing when she was going to tell stories, in the future. One simply couldn't just tell a tale - there had to be thought behind it. She'd have to have answers to all the possible questions. It made her sort of nervouse...