Mogami
Laertes woke up earlier than he’d expected. After a few moments of quiet contemplation of his surroundings, the large blue-eyed lion rose to his paws and walked to the mouth of the den where he took his time to stretch lazily, one silent yawn escaping his maw. Daizee stirred when he left her side, one dark eye opening in the darkness to see what her mate was doing and Laertes smiled at her. He decided to take a quick walk before taking the kids to eat something and he looked around to see if any of the cubs was awake. His eyes looked to Vor at first and the Guard was pleased his son was sleeping peacefully, apparently unaffected by any strange dreams tonight.
Buffy_the_Bloody
The purple cub saw his father rise, and instantly his attention was caught and he stood himself. His little butt wriggling he ran over to him to headbutt his paw, before bouncing on his hind legs with his front paws batting at his father's mane.
"Dad dad dad dad.. Will you take me with you?" He asked. He had seen his father take his brother out the other day. Even specifically asked to take just him! But he had put it aside. He knew that dads had to spend time with all their cubs. He just couldnt help the feeling that he wished all his time was spent with HIM.
"Pleaaaase?"
Mogami
“Well, I don’t know…” he replied in mock seriousness, before grinning widely as he lifted one paw to ruffle the cub’s mane. He loved looking at Montague. He always considered his son to be a prettier version of himself, the improved Laertes! With even more purple than his father and with those lovely wing markings of Daizee, he would be on good looking lion one day. “Of course you can come. Let me just tell your mother. But be quiet, your siblings are still asleep.”
Like a shadow, the guard drew closer to Daizee without making a sound and exchanged a few words and a few cuddles with the lioness before returning to his son’s side. Lowering his body next to the young lion, Laertes whispered softly and grinned. “Climb, Monty.”
Buffy_the_Bloody
With the approval from father given, he could hardly contain his excitement. This was how you learned to be a good Guard! By following the best! He watched with anxious eyes, his father go to his mothers side and exchange words. He almost paced in place, and he wanted to call to his father to have him hurry up. But he minded his fathers warning before, and he didnt want to wake up his siblings. This was his time after all.
It took Laertes long enough to return to him, but when he did he followed his fathers command immediantly. He scrambled up on his fathers back, peering over his head at the world before him. This was what it was like to be tall!
Mogami
Laertes tried not to be too loud when he laughed but his son’s excitement was contagious. And he had already found time to speak with Vor and Veselko so this was the perfect time to have a few words with his son. He strained his neck to look at the purple boy and grinned again. He just loved being a father so much, there were really no words to describe the feeling that overflowed deep within the Guard.
“Easy with the claws, little lion!” Laertes said with a chuckle as he left the den. Cub claws were small but so sharp! “Keep your body low if you lose your balance. Do you want to go see the Guards training?”
Buffy_the_Bloody
He narrowed his eyes mischeviously and nodded. He supposed it was a good idea not to tear up his dad's back. He might not let him ride along anymore!
"Alright dad." He said, sheathing his claws and lowering his body so that he was almost over his fathers head. He peered down at his fathers face when he was positioned between his ears.
"You mean it? You'd really take me?" He asked, excitement making his baby blues that much brighter. He had the best dad, just let someone tell him otherwise!
Mogami
Laertes did his best not to laugh again – even though he really wanted to! – but instead he kept his eyes on the path ahead and a slow string of chuckles echoed deep in his chest.
“Of course I’ll take you there.” This was actually a really good time to discuss Montague’s future in the pride. “You know that you’re very purple son. There are certainly many that are jealous of your coat. There will be some pressure for you to take the rank of Noble in the future. I certainly found some resistance when I switched to Guard. But you know your mother and I want you to choose what makes you happy, right?”
Buffy_the_Bloody
He listened to his dad's words, and took them to heart, nodding. Oh he knew he was very purple, and he was old enough now to understand that being purple, meant being special. But he felt he had better things to do than be noble!
"What makes someone a noble anyway? I should be noble for wanting to be a big Guard like my daddy." He said, speaking wisdom wiser than his years suggested.
"Don't worry dad. You and Momma are the best, and you always want us to be happy. But Ill be happy being like you!" He said, a gleam in his eyes as he settled back against his fathers mane. He batted at his ears a few times, and was just so anxious! He couldnt wait to see the guards training, or at least to see where they trained .Maybe dad would give him a lesson!
Mogami
Oh boy. This was harder than Laertes expected because it was really hard to keep his feelings in check. The truth was that he wanted to throw Monty off his back, give a big fluffy hug and then proudly shout to the world: “You see! He wants to a Guard just like me!”
But no… fathers weren’t supposed to do that sort of thing…
Avoiding his son’s gaze at all costs, Laertes’ body trembled with excitement as he continued speaking.
“Being a Guard is indeed a very noble thing to do. We protect the borders from dangerous rogues and welcome the new members to the pride. We lead the hunters so that everyone can eat and we are the King’s trusted warriors in times of war.” Laertes smiled as he looked ahead, feeling perhaps a little too proud of himself at that moment. “But the Nobles, like your mother, are also a very important part of the Suka’Fumo. They know the pride well and tell the king when something is wrong and they offer the Bwana vital advice on what is going on or what should be done. They are the eyes and ears that help the king lead us. The opinions of males are held in high regard though I dare anyone to say that your mother’s or Luce’s opinions are any less important than theirs.” He took a deep breath and finally turned his head to look at his son. “All lions play an important part in this pride. It’s too soon to make your decision, son. You have plenty of time for that. But when you do choose, you should remember your mother and I will support whatever decision you make.”
Buffy_the_Bloody
"Momma is great. Shes the best noble ever." He said proudly. There was no doubting that. He had the best momma ever, no matter what her rank. He loved her, and he loved father. Only he felt his true calling with father. He narrowed his eyes and snorted, blowing a strand of mane fluff out of his eyes.
"Oh dad. You don't have to tell me all that stuff! I know." He grinned and pawed his dads mane from behind. But he did wonder what would happen if momma or Luce got made fun of for being girls. He imagined momma would scowl in disdain, and Luce, well she'd beat the hell out of them. Of that he was sure.
"I bet they'd be really angry, dont you dad?" He asked, not really looking at his dad, but more out around him. He was just too damned excited to go see the guards training!
"Oh dad, I already chose! But Ill keep that in mind." He said, rolling his eyes knowing his father couldnt see. He wouldnt change his mind! But no point in upsetting dad.
Mogami
“Angry, perhaps… but they’re much stronger than they appear to be. They would know how to handle the situation far better than I, I’m certain.” Laertes laughed again until he realized he was looking a little too pleased with his son’s words. He conceded gently, always leaving the door open for a change of heart. “I hear you, son. Just remember what I said.”
“We’re almost there. Just one more thing, Monty. About your brother Vor... you know of his gift. You’ve heard of what he can do, of what he sees in his visions.” He looked back at his son, slowing down his steps. “There may be those in the future who will fear him, envy him, curse him…. Family is everything, Montangue. As Veselko will most likely rise to a respectful position and guard your brother through his mere existence alone, you will be Vor’s strength hiding in the shadows. It’s alright if you don’t understand what I’m saying now. I just want you to remember my words in the future. No matter what happens, you must stay close and should anything ever happen to me, it’s your duty to protect our family as I would. Don’t forget, son. Family is everything.”
Buffy_the_Bloody
He saw was so excited and then his father was back to talking to him. Pulling at his ears with his teeth, the cub pouted a bit. Not that he wasnt enjoying himself, but man he was so anxious and this walk seemed like it took forever! Though he was extremely happy to be out with his dad.
"Yes dad?" He asked when Laertes had mentioned Vor. He loved Vor. If he was close to anyone, it was Vor. He didnt much understand what his father meant.. He wanted to be Vors guardian not his goofy brother. But he supposed he could argue that point later.
"Ill defend them with my life dad." He said, his voice almost sobering. He understood THAT. He did want to be his family's defender, but not at the cost of his father.
"I wont ever forget dad. Im Montague." He said, with a proudful tone.
Mogami
“Yes, you are. You truly are my son.” Laertes said proudly, silently acknowledging his son as the inheritor of his will. He lowered his body to the ground and smiled. “Down you go, little Guard. We’re here.”
Laertes looked around to see who was sparring before he spoke again, this time in a quiet whisper.
“We will watch silently at first and then we will practice a few moves of our own. Understood?” he winked at Montague, ruffling the cub’s mane one last time before he made his way to a better spot.
Buffy_the_Bloody
When his father said he was truly his son, he beamed with pride and puffed out his chest again. He was so happy to be with his dad.. He was such a good guy. He knew that if he turned out just like him, he would be fine..
"Okay dad." He said, sliding off his back and then hopping around his paws excitedly. He tried to calm himself so he didnt call attention to himself but he couldnt help it!
When his father whispered, he nodded, his mane fluff bouncing on his forehead. He made a motion that his lips were zipped and he smiled. He followed his fathers footsteps, keeping up with him, but still each step was almost as long as Monty was!
- The End -
