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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:13 pm
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She had thought a lot about the big lion with the gentle voice since she'd talked to him. In fact, she's talked quietly with her brother and sister during the times they were falling asleep. In fact, she'd stopped to talk with him briefly a few times since then, but something had been on her mind, growing more so by the day.
It was by no fault of her own that their new "mother" didn't feel like one to the cubs. They had all agreed about that, to some extent. To Haruma's mind, though, Sliabh's large frame, soft eyes, and kind nature felt more... well, more parently! The had talked it over together and come to a decision. Now it was time for Haruma to act as the message bearer.
Despite having the agreement of her siblings behind her, she found herself terribly nervous about going to him with this request, though. What if he said no? What if... what if he didn't want them? She knew it would crush all of them, but most especially her. Her little cubbie heart was already so tender and closely guarded, such a blow would surely destroy all faith she had in the pride and other lions.
Still, she was a brave girl, and faced her fears. With quivering whiskers and slow pawsteps, she made her way to the play area after all the other cubs had gone home. She thought she'd be likely to find him here, and she was unwilling to have others able to witness what to Haruma was an intensely private affair.
She was going to pick a father.
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Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:39 pm
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It had been a normal day for the large Guard, mostly. The rains had made his rounds particularly bleak, and a face off with a testy rogue male that had ended in a short but violent scuffle. The long, thin wound down his flank had scabbed over but cracked and oozed as he moved. It wasn't particular bad, just itchy and he kept stopping to bite at it.
Eventually his tour was over for that part of the day and he retired to the cub grounds. He enjoyed seeing the youngsters of the pride at play, it was a reminder of why he was there and why he did what he did... but also, of late there had been a new joy in his life.. one particular little cub of cream and chocolate fur and black stripes and gorgeous green eyes. Her calm and serious manner made him want to protect her and her siblings from the world, and more and more he found himself coming to lie under the old twisted branches of the tree where they had first met.
It was where he lay now, as the day slowly drew into evening, listening tot he quietude of the breeze and the far off sounds of the pride members as they began to settle in for the eve. Soon enough he heard something else, paw-steps, closer to him than most others. Lifting his massive head he turned, bright orange eyes settling on the young cub that was making her way to him.
A bright, delighted smile curled his maw as he watched her, moving up onto his elbows and looping his tail over his hindquarters. "Haruma." He greeter her with his low soft voice full of warmth and affection. After Eva'raja, Haruma meant the most to him within the pride's individuals.
He would have stood to greet her, but his size was so very large against her that he felt she was more at ease with him laying down. he still dwarfed the small cub, but at least they could speak with relative ease.
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 3:59 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:32 pm
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Instantly the dark-coated male was concerned, having grown to know Haruma at least a little bit, he could recognise that she was not wholly herself today, indeed, she seemed stressed over something. His gaze followed her as she settled in front of him, noting the unsettled manner with which she shifted. But it was her eyes and expression when she finally looked back up at him that gave him the biggest clues.
Lifting a paw he very carefully, very gently, extracted her tail tuft from the tight grip she had on it, then tenderly, so very slowly in case she didn't wish it, he slid his massive paw around her to draw her tiny figure against the thick fur of his chest. It was her eyes, so bright and shining and holding so much pain and fear, far more than any cub should possess, that left him unable to ignore it. Her silent voice cried out through that gaze and despite having always tried to let her keep that polite distance, he felt compelled to wrap her up in his strength, to protect he from all that was troubling her. While he knew it was likely impossible, he simply couldn't let her sit there with those silent tears and not reach out to her.
"I'm here Haruma.... what is it that is troubling you?" He murmured in a soft, gentle voice, his vocals low and thick, powerful yet so tender as he murmured softly to her. Massive furred neck arched over her protectively as he gently licked the tuft of fur on top of her head.
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:46 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:04 pm
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Reassured with her tiny body pressing into the thick ruff of his coat, he dipped his head, nuzzling her gently as he held her close, muscular foreleg wrapped gently but protectively around her fragile little figure. As she shivered, he let a deep rumbling purr vibrate low in his chest, a sound that was more felt than heard where she cuddled against him as he tried to comfort her any way he could.
He had never seen her so distressed and it worried him so, concerned that something had happened to her or her siblings, all of who he had met and loved, though she was his special one. His fragile, delicate yet so very brave little cub.
Relaxing his grip a little but keeping his paw wrapped close round her body, he held her gently as she began to speak, gaze attentive and serous, giving her his full, undivided attention. Her words shocked him, not in a bad way, but that she was asking something he had never thought to hear. As the surprise wore off a warmth filled his chest, travailing all the way through him until he couldn't help but smile softly down at her.
"Then stay with me, I would love to have you with me Haruma. You and your siblings. You know I would do anything for you." He murmured softly, nuzzling her cheek with tenderness, amber gaze warm.
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:21 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:32 pm
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Her tears were expected but they still tore at his heart, drawing him to ease her closer against him, his hold protective, tender. Nuzzling the soft fur at the back of her neck he purred continuously, that deep, powerful rumble like underground thunder, his strength, his warmth, all of it surrounding her as he held her close.
"I will, it is an honour that you wish me to... I promise to protect you Haruma, always." Lifting his other foreleg to wrap round her he rested his furred cheek against her, tongue grazing over pale fur gently, trying to reassure her, to calm her.
"Shhhhhhh..." He murmured softly, comfortingly as she cried against him. "I'm here for you Haruma, I'll always be here... from now on."
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:54 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:05 pm
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:21 pm
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Thus reassured and in complete belief that there could be no other grown-up as wonderful and welcoming as her new daddy, she settled against him contentedly. Her siblings were safe with their nanny, so she allowed herself some time to enjoy and savor this moment of completeness.
She leaned against his chest, hearing his heart beat steadily beneath the pulse of his vibrating purr. The warmth of his paws about her, his gentle tongue grooming her, his breath gently wafting over her face... she relaxed slowly, muscle by muscle, until she was a limp puff of fur in his paws. Amazingly for this stand-offish little soul, she slid into sleep comfortably, cradled safe and sound by the new center of her world.
All was well, for once in her young life.
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