Faith in the Fauna

[magiccat]

Maybelle was jolted from her thoughts by the arrival of a snake. She snarled, her mothering instinct taking over, and leaped so that she was standing no more than 10 centimeters away from the new arrival.

"I'm hardly going to leave an injured cub in the care of a snake I have only just met!" Maybelle said with a snarl. She picked up Zelda in her mouth and placed her between her legs. The snake had not gotten at her yet. She could hear the cub mumbling in his sleep and growled.

"You don't look very innocent to me, more like a killer" She said with a growl. Noticing the snake didn't smiled a look of terror crossed her face. Deciding to see just how far her royal name (even if she was no longer a Queen) stretched Maybelle stood to her full height looked down at the snake and said loud and clear.

"My name is Maybelle, I am Queen of the Gerand pride and a fiercely protective mother! Now, get away from that cub, leave us alone and kindly take your horrid disgusting slithery body somewhere else" She reached a paw down and held Zelda back, just in-case she tried to run to the cub. She bent down to her, keeping at least one eye on the snake.

"Don't try and run to Moona sweetheart. If you do, that snake might decide to make you it's lunch. I can handle this, if you see the snake trying to hurt him, tell me. I promise we'll get him over here with us, safe and sound"

[kyto7878]

Moona noticed the snake and was terrified instantly,but Maybelle told him not to run and thats what he would do. Moona jumped up from his spot and looked for the nearest tree he knew he could jump on top of. Moona sprinted towards the tree running as fast as he could. When Moona got to the tree he jumped up and sunk his claws into the branch and pulled himself up.

Moona began to think "theres no way the snake can get me up here." Moona began to sob "I wouldn't even be here if I hadn't left my mom and dad i wouldn't even be here."

[Tamber]

Feja noticed as she entered the valley how eager the lioness seemed to see her. The cheetah pricked her ears back to made sure Tad was still following, and hearing his stammering footsteps, she again put her attention on the lioness, who introduced herself as Kianga. Slightly before she reached the huntress, she heard her call out a happy greeting.

"Greetings, and Solet's blessings to you..."

This took Feja aback for a moment. Oh, great, a religious type, she thought initially, holding back an annoyed snarl Please don't preach to me.

Feja hadn't met a religious animal in a long while. However, the one's she had met always ended up angering her. They were so full of certainty of how everything works, where everything comes from, and what happens to you when you die. Even those who didn't damn her to Agon or some other hellish place were abnoxious, raving about Solet and Vista and all these products of fairy tales. Sure, Juail was a nice belief system, but Feja had enough to believe in. She believed in what she could see and what she learned from experience, and after speaking with a Juail or any other kind of believer, she was always left feeling very proud and free that she didn't have such a certain and binding system to follow. Although she found it unlikely that anything divine existed, she never ruled anything out, knowing that some things animals claim just can't be proven or disproven. It was freeing to be able to question without fear, and it was the way Feja tried to see everything.

Tad, meanwhile, trotted up behind Feja and stood next to her as they finally reached Kianga, and the Juai reference went right over his head.

"Nice to meet you," Feja responded with a polite grin and a slight bow of her head. "And welcome back home. A beautiful land this is when the wet season wakes everything up. Where have you been traveling?"

[mahewarac]

"My name is Maybelle, I am Queen of the Gerand pride and a fiercely protective mother! Now, get away from that cub, leave us alone and kindly take your horrid disgusting slithery body somewhere else"

Fira hissed sharply. So she had an attitude. Unfortunatly for her, she also had a condition very common in cats. She called it "over-confidence in personal power syndrome," or OCPPS for short. Titles such as queen may work well in the feline side of things, but a strong jolt of venom was much more effective in the real world.

"Dear, I would not act so harshly." She did smile this time, showing her gleaming white fangs. "One must not judge on appearences. And the fact that we cobras do have the ability to squirt a jolt a poison from a distance. Oh, we do get greif about that."

The cub she had a bone to pick with jumped back into her tree, obviosly not a very wise choice. Why does he think she's wants his death in the first place?

She once again started up the tree, easily and quickly meeting the branch he was perched on. She wasn't called a Black Tree Cobra for nothing. She wrapped around him again, and opening the flaps around her head, a cobras own personal way of threatening and saying that someone was very likely to die very soon.

"I would not agitate me, love, for as there is little you can do to me when I'm up here, there is much I can do to you...and this adorable little lad." She smiled at the cub, making sure her fangs showed well.

Looking back down at the lioness, Fira realized that she probably wasn't going anywhere any time soon. She would need to get rid of her. Still facing the cub, she put her ventriliquism talents to good use and, making her voice high and distant sounding, made a scream that sounded like it was coming from a distance.

"Oh dear, that sounded unpleasant, hm? Surely a fine mother like you wouldn't ignore a scream like that, hm?"

[kyto7878]

Moona looked at Fira is fear "Are you going to hurt me? All i want to do is find my mommy and daddy." Moona began to cry, his tears ran down his cheeks and dripping from the branch. Moona then had an idea burst into his head; he would bite the snake and then jump down and run. Moona then looked at Fira ready to be her when he could feel her squeezing him tightly. Moona tried to scream but he couldn't breath. Moona never had felt so helpless. The pressure of Fira was getting tighter and tighter. Right when Moona was ready to bite down into Fira he fainted.

[Deleted]

Zelda turned to spot the reptile ready to kill Moona. "Moona!" She cried. Disobeying her mother, she ran with ease she dug her claws in the tree and pulled herself up. Before the snake could get any closer to Moona, Zelda and pounced. She gasped as Moona let out a terrified scream. Swiftly Zelda sunk her teeth into the snake. In the few stunned seconds of the snake Zelda had manage to headbutt Moona off the branch. "Come and get me you worm." Zelda taunted. With great agility and speed Zelda jumped of the branch and headed off into the distance. Hoping the reptile would follow her. Before getting any further Zelda skid to a halt. Her mum had said it now she would. "I'm Zelda, princess of the Gerand Pride." She stood her ground, waiting for the reptile to come to her then, she would run.

"Mum. Keep an eye on Moona please. I want to do a royalty chance and get the snake to follow me." Zelda lowered her gaze ready to run at any given moment.

[magiccat]

Maybelle growled when the snake followed the cub. The snake smiled and Maybelle froze. Now absolutely petrified. One shot of venom and either of the cubs were dead. Suddenly what sounded like a distant scream hit her ears and she panicked. The snake pointed out the same as her brain did. Something could be in danger and it could well be a cub like Zelda. Coming to a conclusion Maybelle dug her claws into the ground and glared up at the snake.

"I'll go and help whoever screamed. But I'm taking that cub with me!" She yelled the last part and was just about to leap up at the tree when Zelda ran from beneath her. She watched, too horrified to move as Zelda climbed the tree and then bit the snake.

"ZELDA!" She called, half angry, half scared. She watched her daughter head-butt Moona out of the tree and then jump off the tree herself. Even though she didn't want to think at a time like this, she was suddenly amazed and proud. Her cub was doing just what a mother would do. Protecting the cub and luring the snake off. Oh, she was going to make a fine lioness.

"Zelda..." She wasn't sure what to say to her brave daughter. "Don't you dare do it!" She said with a harsh look. Suddenly remembering that they had another cub to worry about she darted forward and picked Moona up in her mouth. She ran up to Zelda and whispered to her.

"Zelda dear. That, is a Black Tree Cobra. It can kill a cub like you with one stream of venom. Please, I've already lost your father, Don't let me lose you" Although it was slightly muffled by Moona's fur, it was clear enough to make out. "You are growing up so fast but I won't let you do this. I am your mother, and I will not lose another member of my family. Let alone my daughter!"

So saying, she placed Moona beside Zelda "You can run and get him to safety, I'll trust you to do that without me" Quickly she leaped in front of the two cubs to give them cover. She stood defensively, her claws dug into the ground and her teeth bared. She snarled at the snake.

"You want that cub? You're going to have to go through me!" She yelled at the snake.

[mahewarac]

Just as Fira was about to bite the cub, he let out a yelp and fainted.

"Well, all in all it makes things easier for me. No struggling." She was about to sink her fangs into his neck when a sharp pain exploded on her tail. She sceeched, just to see the little brat lion cub shove her prey over the edge, a rather stupid thing to do given the fact it was by falling off the tree he had hurt himself in the first place. For being royalty, these lions were not very intelligent.

The cub leaped away, seemingly thinking she was safe. By the forhest, Fira had told them she can squirt poison from her mouth from a distance, don't they listen? She could blind them instantly! Still, the cub may have injured her tail, the little peice of rubbish! She deserved an instant death.

"I'm Zelda, princess of the Gerand pride."

Yes, child. Because it worked so well for your mother. That quite stopped me in my tracks.So the cub had OCPPS too.

She leaped from the tree herself, landing just in front of the cub. With lightning fast speed, she lunged forward, fangs open, ready to make her the deadly bite cobras were famous for.

[kyto7878]

Moona felt a sudden urge of pain when he saw himself falling from the tree branch landing with his paw bent the wrong way. Before Moona could scream in pain he felt Maybelle pick him up by the scruff and ran him towards Zelda. Right when Moona was given to Zelda his paw began to bleed from the deep cut. The cobra had bitten into his paw barely. Moona began to start seeing things. He saw Zelda's face but it looked as if it was Fira ready to bite him.

Moona began struggling to get out of the Cobra's mouth when he noticed that it was really Zelda. Moona stopped squirming and yelled in pain from his bent paw. "AUGH!!!!!!!!" Moona began to cry non stop.

Moona began to think to himself that this was all his fault. Moona said out loud to Zelda as she sprinted "This is all my fault im a bad animal." Moona also explained to Zelda how he was part Panther and part Lion.

[KanuTGL]

OOC: Don't worry, the post isn't quite as long as it looks xD There's a lot of dialogue in here.

IC: "Hey. Hey, hey! Time to go, brother! Time to rise and shine!"

Gacoki groaned and slowly opened an eye only to find that that younger brother of his was blotting out the entire savannah with the toothy and way too cheerful grin he possessed. "Go away, Dajan, let me sleep..." The older lion shoved his brother's face away with a large paw and shifted to lie on his other side, away from the sunlight. It was still way too early to get up; he was sure that the sun had barely climbed over the horizon yet. Gacoki had never been much of a morning lion - he preferred to lie in and wait until all the cooling shadows of the acacia trees had moved away from him, but Dajan, his younger brother and travelling companion, thought differently. He wanted to get up with the dawn and not miss out a single second more of a day than what was necessary. He was full of adventure and a craving to discover and experience all that the world had to offer. Their home in Habari had obviously not been enough for him... That was why he had decided to get out and see what was beyond their kingdom borders. To stop him from getting himself killed, or worse, Gacoki had agreed to come along for the journey. This hadn't been without certain reluctance though, as the older brother never had felt this 'urge to explore' and liked their home just the way it was. Their father, the King of Habari, had encouraged his oldest son to go with Dajan however and had told him that it would be important for a future King to know the ways of the world. And, true, as heir to the Habari throne, it was also important to know the ways of the world. If only Dajan wasn't so prone to get into trouble... He hadn't changed a bit from their cub years, had he?

"Come on!" the younger lion mocked and carried on nudging his brother "You're so boring, Gacoki! Who knows what we might be missing out on while you're lying here like another old lazy fart. It might just be the adventure of our lives we're missing!"

Gacoki winced and rolled onto his back to be able to face his brother. "So you don't think we've had enough 'adventures of our lives' yet? The hippo incident wasn't enough for you? Or that elephant you decided that you wanted to taunt, I remember quite clearly that--"

"Oh, please! That was long ago, I've learned my lesson now; I promise!" The golden lion smiled a what he was hoping was a reassuring smile, but Gacoki wouldn't be fooled that easily.

"Yeah, right..." He gave Dajan a playful prod with a paw and slowly got up, stretching carefully. "My back is still sore from yesterday - if I break it today I'm blaming you!"

Dajan laughed, returning the nudge which made the older lion tip over back onto the ground, and ran off before the other was on his paws again. "I'll get you for that!" Gacoki shouted and chased after Dajan, suddenly not at all minding the early morning. And how wonderful it was to finally feel the soft green grass beneath one's paws again! The drought had been hard on all the creatures of the savannah, so even Gacoki was glad to run again.

"You'll never catch me, Gash! Never!" the younger male cried between his laughs and ran even faster.

"Hah! We'll see about that! ...And don't call me Gash!"

The race went on across the plains. The younger of them in the lead, laughing like an insane hyena, and Gacoki following at a steady pace - he didn't want to run at full speed because of his back. It was strangely refreshing to run again and even though the older lion could easily catch his brother even at this pace, he didn't really feel like it. The earth under his paws was cool and soft, the sunlight warmed nicely and the wind gently caressed his face. Maybe this could actually be a very good day! Not noticing that Dajan had stopped, Gacoki had closed his eyes to fully enjoy this stretch, he carried on running and didn't come to a halt until his brother called out to him. Slightly embarrassed, he returned to Dajan's side. "Hah! You were good and lost, you were." the younger brother laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Gacoki mumbled, rolling his eyes at his own stupidity.

"Aww, don't be like that." Dajan gave him another nudge with a paw. "At least it was a good run, weren't it? And I told you you wouldn't catch me!"

"I could easily catch you if I wanted to - and you know that, Daj." the older brother replied, a very small smile forming on his fuzzy muzzle. "Why did you stop anyway?"

"There're some other lions over there." He pointed. "I thought we could go over to them and... you know, say hello. Maybe they'll know if we're allowed to hunt here or not - my stomach's on the growl!"

Gacoki peered at the odd little group underneath one of the trees. They weren't all lions - one was a teal-furred cheetah - but they did have a fresh kill right next to them. Then they most likely knew what the rules for hunting were in this area, and that was information that he and Dajan needed. Yet, he was hesitant. Gacoki didn't like approaching strange animals in strange lands... Dajan grew impatient. "Helloo? Gacoki, come on!" When the green-maned lion didn't answer, he sighed. "Alright, we won't talk to them. Let's at least go to the water hole, yeah?" Gacoki winced, snapping out of his deep thoughts, and agreed. Water holes were usually good, neutral ground; few ruling prides would deny travellers a drink. "Well, let's go then." Dajan trotted off and Gacoki followed.

[Deleted]

Zelda gasped as she saw the snake trying to coax her, with great agility she pounced on the snake, after injuring it's tail she bit the middle of the serpent. Quickly she ran straight to Moona and her mother. "I'm part panther, part lion." Moona said to Zelda. She looked at him herblue eyes glistening. "I don't mind what you are we are friends and that's all that matters." She said softly. "Mum I need you to look after Moona. I'll be fine. I have so much of dad in me. If I die. I go down fighting. But I won't die. I'm faster then that snake. I promise." She stood on her hind paws and licked her mum. "Moona. Stay with my mum. SHe'll help you." Turning Zelda raised a paw and dived towards the snake. Her only hope was to run and wish another creature would see her and help. With a final glance at her mother and Moona she ran off past the snake. "Come get me you worthless animal!" She cried.

With a final jolt forward she was far ahead of the snake,

[mahewarac]

Fira hissed again when the cub dodged her bite. She felt her teeth in her back, and ripped away.

"You are to brave for your own good." She hissed at "princess Zelda." As the cub ran off to give an overly dramatic speach to her mother. That cub would die in an instant of she would only stand still!

The brat continued to run, foolishly taunting her to catch her. Fira started after her, Though a snake was most definatly not the fastest animal in the world, atleast on land, they had many advantages over others. Oh well, she tried to warn them.

Getting close enough to be in range of the side of the cubs eye, she sent a blast of poison at it. It would not kill the little beast, but it would blind her, and a blind lion is much easier to bite.

"I warned you, child, not to agitate me. You did not listen, and it cost you. As is the way of the world."

[magiccat]

Maybelle gasped as the snake tried to bit her daughter. Once again Zelda reacted before her. She bit the snakes middle and Maybelle smirked. She ran over and told her to look after Moona. She listened to her daughter. Although she wanted to refuse, to hold her back. She knew what Zelda meant. She did have a lot of her father. But that was what scared her. She smiled as her daughter as she licked her and suddenly remembered something as Zelda ran.

"Zelda! It doesn't matter if you're faster! It can hit you with it's venom from a great distance!" Maybelle called, hoping that her daughter would hear. Maybelle felt herself tear up.

"Moona, Zelda is right. If she can get that snake to follow her to more lions. They can chase it off and you'll be safe. But I won't have anybody call me a horrible mother. So we're going to get help" As she said that she grabbed Moona again and held him tightly in her mouth. She ran forward and took a route around Zelda so that the cub didn't see her helping. Solet if you do exist you'll keep my daughter safe. Maybelle thought to herself. Finally she came to two lions who were heading to the waterhole. She stopped in front of them, her white fur stil clean despite running through bushes. She panted, her gray tipped tuft of hair hung low over her eyes. She placed Moona on the ground.

"My name is Maybelle and I am Queen of the Gerand pride" She stated, hoping that they would not know off her exile. Normally she would get them to help her by flirting. But right now she hoped and hoped that they didn't even take note of her beauty

"You have to help me. A Black Tree Cobra is trying to kill this cub here, Moona. My daughter distracted it but now it's chasing her. I really want to help her but I have to look after this cub. I can't save her and protect this cub, and I'd be risking their lives if I tried. I have no mate to help me. So, please, help me!" She begged the two lions. She waited for their response. Preparing to show them the way.

(OOC: She's talking to Gacoki and Dajan by the way)

[kyto7878]

As moona was being given back to Maybelle, Moona was still crying more then ever. Moona was set down on the ground by the water hole. Moona covered his face trying to hide his tears. Moona repeated as Maybelle was talking to the two lions. "If I had never left my pride i wouldn't have caused this mess its all my fault. Im the worst lion in the history of lions."

Moona began flicking his tail back and forth wishing he was a full lion and not a mix.

[Zorayda]

((OOC: 0.o Wow you guys wrote a lot.))

Taro glanced over his shoulder, tongue hanging loosely out of his mouth, to see that Sarumba was quickly gaining speed. The young male put some extra speed on to reach the waterhole first, leaping in after hesitating for only a split second.

Unfortunately, he landed in an awkward belly flop and cold water went up his nostrils and into his sinuses. He surfaced and came out coughing, his black mane flopping into his eyes.

I hope Sarumba didn't see that...

He looked up to see her facing his way.

dangit...

He turned towards her and sent water splashing her way with an outstretched paw.

"C'mon! The water's great!" He shouted playfully.

[KanuTGL]

"Are you sure we shouldn't talk to them? I'm really hungry, brother, seriously." Dajan's rumbling stomach emphasized his words. He glanced towards a herd of grazing wildebeest and licked his lips, for the moment wishing nothing more than to sink his teeth into some fresh meat...

"We can't, Dajan. As much as I'd like to grab something to eat, we can't. Not while we're on unknown land." Gacoki sighed. He too wouldn't mind some breakfast, but until they knew whether they were on pride lands or unclaimed ground hunting could be incredibly risky, not to mention rude.

"Can't we just pick a small one? I'm sure no one would even notice..."

"They would notice a stampeding herd. Daj, please. Later."

The younger brother sighed and hung his head low. "Fine. Whatever you say..."

So they plodded on. The liquid in the pleasantly sparkling water hole looked fresh enough though, so that was at least something to look forward to. The atmosphere in the area didn't feel fresh and peaceful as it had done just a few seconds ago however. Gacoki raised an eyebrow and sniffed the air. He couldn't smell anything funny, but something sure didn't seem right. Dajan had noticed it too and stiffened for a moment. They both recognised it - it was that eerie feeling of coming danger. Gacoki shivered in the morning warmth. "I don't like this." Despite that, they carried on walking - chances were that this danger didn't concern them.

Instants later a lioness carrying a cub appeared out of nowhere and stopped right in front of them, desperately begging them for help. The brothers flinched in unison and stared for a moment at the rather strange pair. They both looked terrified and it was pretty clear that Maybelle, as the lioness' name was, told them the truth. Dajan couldn't take his eyes off her though - he found her very beautiful. Maybe she was a little old for him, but she was stunning; her coat was as white as the snow he had seen on the mountain tops and her eyes... her eyes! He could barely remove his gaze from them. How could one possibly say no to her plea! "I'll help you!" he said and stepped forward boldly. His grumbling belly was suddenly forgotten. Gacoki stared now at his brother, jaw dropped. "Dajan! Th-this is a tree cobra we're talking about!"

"But Her Majesty's daughter is in danger! We have to help her!"

Gacoki shook his head in disbelief. Yes, she was a Queen, and a beautiful one at that, but a cobra! His brother had surely lost his mind now.

"Fear not, my Queen" said Dajan, turning back to face the lioness, and bowed low. "I shall do my best to aid you in your need!" Then he bravely darted off through the tall grass, not even knowing where he was headed.

"Dajan! No, wai-- Oh, great..." Gacoki groaned and covered his face with a paw. "Come back here! You don't even know if you're going in the right direction!"

"Oh, right." The golden lion returned, grinning sheepishly. "Show us the way, milady. Me and my brother will assist you in any way we can."
Gacoki was about to protest but decided that he at least had to come along to make sure that Dajan stayed alive...

[Deleted]

(OOC: I might not be on for a week or so I will try and come on when I can for now I've messaged Magic asking her to take over until I get back)

Zelda didn't know how long she had been running but she knew she was getting tired. "This is for Moona, mum and dad." She muttered to herself. As she said that she got a strong burst of hope. Pushing herself forward she ran. After what seemed like an hour she ran straight into something large yet soft. She looked up nervously. A light breeze blew her white fur and the newcomers dark mane. A lion. Zelda cowered at the sight of him. "I-I'm princess Zelda of the Gerand pride. My mother's the queen. She whimpered. "Please help there's a snake following me and I'm getting tired.

As she said that she instantly lay down her paws too weak to hold her anymore. She looked up at the lion then turned to see the snake was nowhere in sight. With that she let out a long sigh and closed her sapphire eyes.

[Kirsui]

"Nice to meet you. And welcome back home. A beautiful land this is when the wet season wakes everything up. Where have you been traveling?"

Kianga smiled faintly at the teal cheetah as well as the caramell lion, ignoring the fact they hadn't told their names. It didn't matter, not all that much... It was their choice to make whether or not to tell her who they were, and she wasn't going to force them to tell.

"I've been here and there", she replied simply. "I left shortly after my mother died.."
She paused, frowning slightly.
"I still don't understand why she passed away... She was... young and healthy, not the type to fall down with an illness and die."

The light creamy shook her head sadly, both to shake off the memory as well as to get rid of the cloud of doubt that threatened to break loose every time she thought of that specific time. And so, she forced her doubt back and let a faint smile come to her lips again.
"I couldn't stand the sight of my home any more, it brought memories and thoughts I didn't know how to face. So I left to see the land and search answers for questions that I had no answer for..."
She chuckled un-amusedly.
"I didn't get the answers I was looking for though.. So I decided to return. Which reminds me..."

Kianga glanced over her shoulder. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly when she noticed the white lioness hadn't still shown signs of movement or waking up.
"I found her on my way back", she told the cheetah and the lion.
"I don't know who she is, or why she's unconscious. She's been like that for quite some time now, and I begin to worry she might not wake up at all... Strange thing is she doesn't seem physically hurt at all."
She paused.
"If the scar on her paw isn't counted... That is the only strange thing I could find."

[Lorien]

Sarumba watched, a bit tired from the run, as Taro belly flopped into the waterhole. She couldn't help a slight chuckle as she stopped right beside the pool. She was about to jump in herself when she heard voices in the air -- and not very far away.

"Do you hear those voices, Taro?" she said, looking around the area. And then she spotted the voices' masters. Two male lions she saw and a white lioness, much like herself. The white lioness seemed frantic about something, though she could not make out what the three were speaking about. Sarumba looked behind her for Bagymo, but he had not made his way to the waterhole yet.

"I'm going to go see what's up, Taro..." She knew that something was wrong and couldn't play at a time like this. Someone might be in danger. Taking off at a quick trot, she made her way to the three, looking behind her to see if Taro was going to tag along. "Is everything all right? You seem as though something is wrong. She got there just as one of the male lions had finished speaking to the female. Apparently they were going to go somewhere.
_________
Bagymo, as he followed at a slow pace behind the two young adults, taking in the scenery and everything, was suddenly aware of a small cub running his way. The small one, who reminded the older lion much of Sarumba, bumped into him, and he smiled down upon her as she looked up, hoping not to frighten the little one. She then told her of her plight, and the look on Bagymo's face hardened.

"It's all right, little one. I do not see any snakes about. If it follows you to me, it will be sorry that it had." He looked out into the savanna, hoping that the snake had stopped its chase. He patted the head of the cub and looked around for any other lions as well. "Where is your mother, young one? We'd best find her to let you know that you are safe."

(BTW, I don't know if you meant for it to be Bagymo that Zelda ran into. If not, just tell me and ignore that part with him.)

[Tamber]

Feja became uncomfortable for a moment as Kianga began to speak of her dead mother. She couldn't stand it when others ranted off about their depressing pasts. However this lioness came off it quickly and didn't mope, so Feja was grateful. Instead she turned and motioned behind her, and for the first time Feja noticed the bright white lioness lying motionless in the trees.

"Hm," she responded thoughtfully to Kianga's story of the lioness. "So she's unconscious, but she's not injured or dead. Perhaps the ate something that got to her, or maybe she's malnourished. I'm sure there's a good explanation for what's wrong with her."

Tad sat behind Feja, quickly becoming bored with the conversation, like a cub losing interest so easily. Rather than paying much mind to the two speaking, he looked about, taking in the beautiful sights and smells of the savanna around him. Though his herd was gone, he still felt that, in a way, this was his valley.

At hearing Feja mention something about someone being unconscious, Tads spun around. He looked about for a moment before noticing a bright white body lying in the woods. For some reason he suddenly became anxious. He himself was not hurt, but he feared that somehow this animal's sickness loomed and foreshadowed his own.

"Would you like me to take a look at her?" Feja offered. "Maybe I could spy what's wrong with her."

[mahewarac]

Fira sighed as her venom missed the speeding cub. She was usually so accurate. Besides, she picked just that moment to join with many more adult lions. If Fira took the time to bite her, that might be enough for them to kill the snake. Oh well. "Princess Zelda," if you really beleived the brat, would have to learn her lesson later.

"Sometimes, revenge is best when the victim least expects it." She said. Crying out to the cub in the distance, she gave a warning. "Watch what grasses you walk in, child, you never know when I may strike. And mark my words, after my bite you might not have enough time to wish you treated me different."

She slithered back to her tree, wrapping around a branch. Looking from her perch, she cursed the child and her imbecile mother. How is it that lions, who kill everyday for their meals, gasp and sob at the thought of their own kind getting what they deserve? Fira blamed the parents. That is, the presence of parents. They babied the to think it is the center of the world. Snakes are left to grow up in their own, and that is how they got to be so feared!

[magiccat]

Maybelle sighed with relief as the two males agreed to help her, albiet with a bit an embarrassing start. She smiled politely.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much! I am so sorry about all this trouble. After all, tree cobras are not something that I would like to get into a fight with. You two, are very brave" She began scanning the lands to find Zelda. She heard a new voice behind her and turned, defensively due to how high her nerves were. But she relaxed instantly when she saw it was a young adult lioness. White, like herself.

"Yes, something is very wrong. I won't explain the whole thing because we haven't the time. My name is Maybelle, I am Queen of the Gerand pride but that doesn't matter right now. This is Moona. To sum it all up quickly a tree cobra tried to kill him. My daughter Zelda, she led the snake away but now it is chasing after her and I fear she does not know of how far the snake can be to be able to send it's venom to her" Maybelle was getting a bit frantic and impatient. This young female may be helpful but she was causing them to lose precious seconds. Each one closing on the end of Zeldas life. As she looked over the females shoulder she saw a young male.

"Friend of you..." she didn't finish the last word because she had just spotted the shape of a cub in the long grass. She watched it disappear from her view, and could see a snake slowly slinking away from the shape.

"ZELDA!" She yelled, forgetting that it would surprise her companions. She placed Moona on her back.

"The snake's pulled off, but that doesn't mean she's safe!" Maybelle explained frantically and ran toward where she had last seen the shape. As she got closer she could see a male lion sitting by the shape of her cub. She dashed for wards and leaped. She landed in front of the male and panted heavily. The adrenaline had worn off now.

"Zelda, Zelda! Oh I am so glad you're alive!" She lay down next to the cub and pulled her close so that her cheek was pressed against the small cubs. She looked up at the male and jumped to her feet. Assuming he had done something.

"I cannot thank you enough sir! I am Maybelle, and this, is my incredibly brave daughter Zelda! She got that snake to follow her, all to save this little chap her, Moona. I am so thankful that she is safe!" Thinking back to what she had said earlier, a chill almost ran down her spine. Maybe this whole 'Solet' think. Wasn't a joke.

"Who might you be?" She asked. Looking over her shoulder to see how her companions had reacted. For a strange reason. She hoped they were following. She owed them her thanks for being concerned.

[Kirsui]

"Would you like me to take a look at her?"

"Yes, please", Kianga replied with relief.
"I honestly don't know what to do with her, so if you could come up with something...?"
Worry was written all over her face, and she knew it shone in her dark eyes. She wasn't worried of having to look after the white lioness, or of having to stay with her when she could have kept wandering..

Instead, as she looked upon the motionless white figure, she worried there would be nothing they could do to save her from what ever it was that had kept her unconscious this long. She worried that maybe, maybe this white feline would die, like her mother had, for no explainable reason. She knew she should have been able to let go, to wish both her mother and this white feline - if she died, that is - a safe journey to Utop, and pray Kaelut to keep them safe...

But she didn't. She held her prayers back, and only questioned over and over again why this had to happen. Why did someone, who was still very healthy, have to die? Because it was their time to move on? Kianga frowned slightly at her wandering thoughts, not really noticing that all her confused feelings were written all over her face as she kept her gaze locked on the motionless white lion.

[Zorayda]

Voices?

Taro quickly scrambled up on the bank and shook out his fur. He turned his ears up and forward to listen.

Yes... there were definitely voices. And some figures off in the distance.

He walked a bit ahead of Sarumba, already feeling protective of her.

"Stay behind me and we'll check it out," he said quietly.

"Bagymo!" He shouted. "Come quick!" Taro did not feel that he could handle three older and bigger lions on his own if they turned hostile--and he didn't want the blue-eyed lioness next to him get hurt.

Sarumba called out to the lions and Taro winced reflexively, unsure that they would not become territorial or aggressive.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Magic you’ll need to take over for me for a bit until I can next come on)

"Watch what grasses you walk in, child, you never know when I may strike. And mark my words, after my bite you might not have enough time to wish you treated me different."

Zelda whimpered at the words before turning to the lion, “Thank you.” She said before turning to see her mother running to her. “Mum!” She cried. When her mother reached Zelda she instantly went to nuzzle her and see if Moona was ok before collapsing in a heap on the ground. “The snake...” She said weakly. “Where is she? I think I lost her.” Zelda spoke more to herself then to the others before closing her eyes and slipping away.

[Lorien]

Sarumba listened to Maybelle's story and followed behind her when she ran after her cub. She smiled a bit, seeing that the lion next to the young one was Bagymo.

"Bagymo, there you are." She trotted over next to him and settled down in the grass, reclining to her slender haunches. "I should have known you'd come to the rescue...," she said with a playful smirk.

Bagymo smiled as the mother of the young Zelda came and doted on her child. "I merely was here for moral support. You have a very brave daughter there, Maybelle." He bowed his head slightly, in introduction. "And it is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Bagymo. But I am glad that I could help, if help I did."

Bagymo had watched the grasses move as the snake in the distance slithered away. "Thank Solet that things turned out the way they did. That snake will not bother you again with so many around, young Zelda." He smiled down at the other little cub. "Moona, you are also brave. A snake like that is a true threat, and only brave cubs such as yourselves could have made it out of its grasp."

Sarumba smiled at the large male. He was so good with cubs. She remembered the first day that she had run into him, lost and almost starved to death. Her life had been blessed ever since then because of her mentor. She didn't say much, but was glad that things had turned out as they did. If the snake had not given up chase...well, she didn't want to think of what the consequence could have been...

[magiccat]

"Nice to meet you too Bagymo" Maybelle smiled as the white lioness from earlier came and sat beside Bagymo.

"And thank you, for your concern. Not many can be bothered to help someone with something that does not concern them." She nodded to the lioness. She smiled as Bagymo spoke to Moona.

"He is right Moona. You were very brave." As Zelda collapsed Maybelle went to her side and sniffed, concerned that the snake had gotten a shot at her. She sighed with relief when she saw the reason.

"She's just got a very small injury, more like a scratch than anything else. and I would imagine she's tired. If we have to move I'll carry her." She then looked at Bagymo and this lioness, who looked like she was his friend. Her ears perked up rather sharply when she heard Bagymo say 'Solet'. She looked between Zelda and Bagymo curiously. If this wise old lion knew of Solet then maybe...Maybe it wasn't all a joke. Maybe Zelda was onto something. She looked between then curiously once more and then took a deep breath. Perhaps she could learn more about the religion.

"Ah, another Juail. Zelda is a Juail. I am not quite one, but I am not entirely opposed. In fact, I am leaning towards becoming a Juail." She said with a cheerful smile. She had a sudden thought.

"I owe you something for helping. And as me and Zelda have been travelling for many nights and days. We are hungry. Perhaps I could catch us all some food? That includes our two male friend back there."

[kyto7878]

Moona smiled as he heard he was really brave. In moona's mind he knew that he wasn't really brave. "Um Bagymo have you a black lepord around here anywhere?" Moona walked over to Bagymo and looked up at her. Then after Moona went to Maybelle and told her that once he finds his mom I might never see her or Zelda again. Moona frowned at this and looked up into the sky and began to pray to solet.

Moona layed on the ground and began to fall asleep in the dirt. Moona didn't know what would happen in the future all he knew was that he was lost and lonely. Moona began to shiver from the cold breeze. Moona had, had a long day.

[Tamber]

Feja watched Kianga as she spoke uncomfortably to her about the unconscious lioness. She had all sorts of worried and unsure expressions crossing over her face, and Feja felt compelled to help her. "Well then, let's go!" she said as she forced a sweet smile and tried to act particularly happy to help her. "Tad," she said as she peered behind her. Feja nodded her head toward the lioness, telling him silently to follow her and Kianga.

"That was a nice catch you made, earlier. Hope you don't mind us watching," Feja told her as they walked along, Tad following close behind them. He heard his friend's words and grimaced, glaring with a pouty face at Kianga.

"Heh...you got pretty lucky. Tad here was about to take that whole herd for himself," she teased with a smart smirk as she jerked her head back in Tad's direction.

Tad's ears perked up in astonishment that his friend would say such a thing. They soon laid back against his head as he growled silently and bared his white teeth. How dare she make fun of him like this. He tried so hard. Why was she being so cruel to him?

"Oh! By the way, this is Tad. I'm Feja. We travel together."

[Kirsui]

"That was a nice catch you made, earlier. -- Tad here was about to take that whole herd for himself."

Kianga's ears flattened slightly before they returned to their normal position.
"Was he now...?"
She glanced over her her shoulder, and though she saw the very displeased expression on Tad's face, she still smiled at him.
"You hid very well", she told him quietly.
"I honestly didn't see you when you were hiding. Perhaps some day you indeed will take a whole herd for yourself."

She turned her head forward, towards the unconscious lioness. Tad was lucky, to have Feja to teach him. True, she had had no one to teach her... but learning herself had been so hard she thought it was still a miracle she was alive.

The light creamy lioness stopped walking when they reached the white lioness. She was still unconscious, and showed no other sign of movement than breathing. Kianga thought she looked like she was just asleep, but the fact the condition had remained the same this long and even when the white lioness had been moved made Kianga believe this was something more than just simple unconsciousness.