Balana And Kikora

Participants:

Balana - lioness, Kopje Valley's Queen Mother.
Kikora - juvenile lioness, pride youth.
Mzohari - lion, son of Balana and Chiboa, King of the Kopje Valley.


Kopje Valley - Bottom of the Waterfall Cliff
You come to the bottom of a large cliff. Just above you is a massive promontory jutting out of the side, it sends a shadow across the waterfall. A large torrent of water comes down, creating a large 'lake' at the bottom of the cliff. Many sweet grasses grow on the edge perfect for grazing animals. As you look up the cliff face, you see a small path leading to the promontory and then stretches further along the cliff.

To the [K]opje [V]alley [Climb] up to the Promontory
[E]dge of the [S]avannah

A sparkling and cool lake
You can see the 'end of' a runoff stream.

"Yes, well… it wouldn't be the /first/ time," Balana says with a smirk. "You all were hidden away, as was the second litter. But Nabana's litter… I guess the drive to hide away wasn't all that strong, I was very young at the time of their birth. Anyway, I think most of the pride saw. If I recall correctly, someone later told me there was even an herbivore watching."

The kid sure hasn't been feeling very well lately — what with all that's gone on recently. Sometime during the night, Kikora snuck back to her usual spot at Kasjari's side with Korzar and Wingu, and is now snuggled inbetween the two brothers comfortably enough. She hasn't seen Kaidi, heard her or even picked up her scent recently and that has left her in an awkward state of both relief and worry … something she's had a hard time dealing with alone. For now, she cracks open an eye sleepily, only dimly aware of Mzohari and Balana somewhere nearby.

"A herbivore? .. Well, I somehow doubt that'll wind up happening again. But still, maybe if ALL the cubs managed to crowd in to watch, it'd make a more lasting impression than one lone wildebeest." After all, that'd be .. what, seven thousand cubs or so? With a few slow curlings of his tail, the muscles in Mzohari's shoulders tighten — before, with a heavy wheezing, he shoves himself to his paws. Tottering just a little as he solidifies his balance, the lion heads for the nearest patch of shoreline — joints popping with every step.

"Them I might be able to tolerate… but any of you boys come close and you'll most likely get whalloped." Balana gives her pelt a bit of a shake, frowning a little at Mzohari's tottering gait. "Careful," is all she really has to say, then realizing it's probably a little unnecessary.

"Waaaatch what?" Kikora asks suddenly, now very aware that Mzo' and Bal' are near. She lifts her head and peers, momentarily sun-blinded, at the two older lions — a friendly, open and curious expression written on her sleepy little face. "Will-d'beest?"

Balana glances over at Mzohari as he apparently decides he's not up for moving much and settles down again. As it is, though, she now has Kikora to turn her attention to. "I told Mzohari that the birth of the cubs I'm carrying is NOT an open invitation to teach all you kids about the miracle of birth."

Kikora's eyes widen with interest, her little black-ringed ears perking in a humorously swift way. Cubs?! "So …. we -can't- watch?" Disappointment passes a shadow across her face, but then she's back to asking questions again: "When will the cubs be here? How many are there? Are they boys or girls? Won't they be Kor and 'Goo's -aunts- and -uncles-?" This last question seems to strike her the most — every aunt or uncle she's met, or had, has always been older than their nieces and nephews. Weeeird!

Balana looks like she's about ready to lift a paw up and squash Kikora beneath it. Too many questions! "I don't know," is the only response she gives, though after a few moments' pause she realizes she can answer the last one. "Yes, they'll be Mzohari's half-brothers. Korzar and Wingu's aunts and uncles. And no, you can't watch." Especially if she should not survive… she'd just as soon not have them all thinking that cubbirth leads to death!

Kikora, unaware that bringing little fluffy-furred cubs into the world could possibly -kill- someone, doesn't seem to share Balana's desire for her not to watch … but what can she do? She issues a billowy little sigh and lowers her ears some, nodding, "Oookay, no watchin' … but we can all play with 'em, right?" Her tail swishes a bit against the sleeping Kasjari, signaling Kikora's renewed vigor and hope. New cubs!

"Once they're big enough to walk, of course!" the elder responds as she leans over to nip at Kikora's eartip. What is she, a tyrant? "I'm not sure when they'll be born. Probably sometime in the next quarter-moon or so. But they won't be big enough to play with for a while." Like all cubs, of course.

Kikora nods, understanding that they'll probably be just a bit too small and too clumsy to play with at first. "'Kay, I c'n wait until they're big enough, then!"

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