Post by Elimnyama on Sept 4, 2006 7:30:08 GMT -5
Elimnyama brings daughters Almasi and Miali back up to Tyne Rock and informs their mother, Waset, of the hyena attack. Elim' and Waset urgently discuss what is to be done.
Logfile from Sunrise 2.
===========================================================================
____......____ __.............
_..-'' ^-.._ .::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
.......__ '--._ '-. ``'';;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;... .--' _--'
::::::::::'^^ .-' ''-._
'' .' `:.
''--._ `.
__..--'' ..-''
.' -'_____
.' ':
===========================================================================
_ ____ __ __ __ __ ____ ___ ____ _____ _
/ \ / __/ / / / / / |/ / / o ) / / / __/ / ___/ / \
< * > _\_ \ / /_/ / / /| / / < / / _\_ \ / __/ < * >
\_/ /____/ /_____/ /_/ |_/ /__/\__\ /__/ /____/ /____/ \_/
__ __ __ __ _____ __ __
/ \/ \ | | | | / ___) | |/ /
/ \ | \__/ | | (___ | <
/__/\__/\__\ \______/ \_____) |__|\__\
Welcome to Sunrise MUCK!
To connect as a guest use: connect guest guest
To connect as a character use: connect <character> <password>
To see who is on type: WHO
===========================================================================
[!] Sunrise MUCK's Messages of the Day . . .
Welcome to Sunrise MUCK! Please make sure to visit our site ( http://sunris
emuck.cjb.net/ ) and the forums ( sunrisemuck.proboards28.com/index.c
gi ). The rules and guidelines are over 'News List', too.
- Yllan,
Thu May 11 18:51
## You last connected from 149-159-106-104.dhcp-bl.indiana.edu
}*{ Tyne }*{ Tyne Rock (Pridal Cavern)
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
| |
| Like most pridal caverns, it is spacious and suitable for many leonines and |
| other creatures here. The ground from the entrance tunnel slopes down, the |
| stone of the tunnel turning to gentle, soft dirt that covers the floor. The |
| 'ceiling' of the cavern curves outward like a dome above the cavern. It's |
| cool and shadowy inside the cavern, filled with the smells of different |
| lions and lionesses, old and young. Occasionally a kill will be off to one |
| side, though they're rarely kept within the cavern. Voices and sounds echo |
| within the stone walls, while constantly a gentle silence keeps the cavern |
| welcoming and sweet. The cool air here makes for a nice retreat from a hard |
| day in the outside world, a gentle peacefulness. A tunnel breaks off in the |
| back of the cavern, not the entrance tunnel but another: a smaller one |
| leading to possibly more caves. |
| |
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
| Commands: 'thelp' |
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
Elimnyama, in training.
Exits:
Into the Nursery, To the Entrance Tunnel
[zzz] Asfoura, female lioness [IC ] Almasi, female lioness cub
[zzz] Miali, female lioness cub [zzz] Anasa, female lioness cub
[zzz] Penda, female lioness cub [LRP] Elimnyama, male lion
[zzz] Mohito, male lion cub
Waset has arrived.
It's in the cavern that Waset can be found, resting after her most recent training session with Msasi and some of the others in the hunting party. Fitness is returning (slowly, but it is returning), but with each day the scabbed wounds stretch, causing discomfort.. and a little pain, if she tries too much too fast. Grunting softly, the barbary is stretched out on her right side, back pressed against a cavern wall. She's not asleep.. sleep always takes longer to set in with her left side in pain.. but she's getting there, slowly. Every few blinks her eyelids slide further and further down her eyes. Her tail twitches once, then curls lightly near her hind legs and stills.
She'll find a lot to be awake for in just a few moments. Urgent pawsteps echo loudly in the still air of the cavern just before a mottled little party arrives in the entrance. Elimnyama, his eyes wide and full of fear, with a bleeding Almasi clutched in his jaws, along with Hyacinthe and his mother Anasztaizia, the latter of whom carries a similiarly beaten Miali by the scruff of her neck. The dark prince registers nothing about the pridal cave except an empty spot in the middle of the floor and he makes for it with steps so rapid he nearly trips over his own paws. He deposits Almasi quickly down on the ground, being as careful as he can, and throws a glance over his shoulder to ensure that Miali is close at hand. It's obvious that something horrible has happened.
Almasi is still asleep, and when she's put on the ground she doesn't even move. Other then her sides when every she ake sin a breath. Her right shoulder is a mess, ripped down to near the bone and still bleeding. Other wounds cover her small form but nothing as bad as the shoulder wound. Someone is never going to trust a hyena, or perhaps even canine's in general if she makes it past this night.
The noise of others entering the cavern does indeed draw Waset's attention, the lioness gingerly rolling from side to stomach. It doesn't take but a second to realize something is wrong.. but it isn't until she is pushing her paws beneath her that Waset catches the scent of blood. Steel-blue eyes go wide as she limps quickly towards her mate, gasping when she spots Almasi all torn and bloody. "Baba! What.. what..?" She can't even finish, glancing between the two she-cubs, and then focusing her gaze on her mate. What the heck has happened?
;
Elimnyama jumps at the sudden movement off to the side and glances nervously at Waset. His pale eyes widen at the sight of his mate and he shudders a little on the spot as the instinctive need to stay near his wounded children overcomes his initial desire to rush to Waset. Staying where he is he begins to explain feverishly as Anasztaizia lies the bloody and sobbing Miali down next to Almasi. "We were down by the river and a hyena attacked them. I chased it off, but not before.. before.." Swallowing drily he looks back at the girls and adds in a voice full of numb misery, "Waset, we don't have a healer.. What're we going to do?"
Almasi whimpers some as she seems to be starting to wake up, all the crying, yelling sobbing is starting to wake her up it seems. Soon she's sobbing herself as the aching and throbbing pain is felt again. It would have been better if she was still asleep it seems. She has to stop crying a few moments in order to suck in some air, which hurts just as much as anything else at the moment.
Waset doesn't waste time closing the distance between herself, her mate and her children. Anyone else in the cavern goes, momentarily, ignored. A gentle lick is offered to Miali's cheek, along with a hushed, "Shh.. darling.. Momma's here, it's OK." And a nuzzle is given to Almasi, fear growing in Waset's heart as she gets a good look at the girls' injuries. But she returns her attention to Elimnyama as he begins to explain.. and fear freezes blood and muscles. "Hy..." It's hardly more than a whisper, most of the word fading into nothing as the barbary stares at him, eyes wide. And then she isn't staring AT Elimnyama.. but THROUGH him.. as if she isn't seeing him anymore. Just that WORD sends Waset back in time. She is suddenly alone, facing off against two large hyenas. She can smell their awful stench.. hear their insane laughter. The barbary's breathing quickens, body trembling slightly. It's like she's THERE all over again.. she can FEEL them ripping her body.. taking out chunks.. /CHUNKS/ of her flesh. Watching them eat said chunks.. the nauseating thought that they are /eating/ /her/. Waset's body curls slightly as she stands there, favoring her injured side. It feels as if the wounds are brand new again.. and she could swear she can feel the blood pouring from her own injuries. If there is anyone who understands what her daughters have been through with a hyena attack.. it's their mother, currently lost in the horrid memory of her own attack. Yeah.. this family is gunna be messed up where hyenas are concerned. XD
Hyacinthe has arrived.
The father doesn't need any traumatic memories to help him realize the significance of what has happened tonight. He /was/ there and he'll never forget that horrible moment when the lone hyena burst out of oblivion and fell upon his cubs with him seemingly miles away, a useless spectator to their untimely deaths. It was by sheer stupid luck that they've lived this long, but what can they do now? They don't have a healer.. Elimnyama looks helplessly back at Waset. The sight of her looking so forlorn adds new weight to his heart. He'd so hoped she'd know what to do and he wouldn't have to shepherd the situation on his own anymore.. His grief makes him feel utterly incapable of leading. Yet in the moment when he realizes Waset is not able to step up, he understands the compulsion to do so himself. Some bravey seeps back into him - not as much as he would've liked to feel, but he'll make it work.. and he sets his face before approaching his mate. "Waset," he calls gently, frowning at her and lowering his head to place his cheek next to hers. As her soulmate he understands the terror that she is reliving right now. "Come back. It'll be alright.. just come back. We need to deal with this." Their children could die. He -needs- his other half to be fully engaged in the present moment.
Almasi relaxes somewhat as she hears her mother's voice, the lick helps but not for long. "Ma.." She sniffles out, eyes opening but her vison still blurry from everthing. The girl looks around half trying to sit up and can't get far enough so just flops back to the ground. A wail escapes her at the movement and she figures doing anything like that again would be a bad thing.
It's amazing how /real/ it feels again. The pain.. the fear. Everything. But, as before, Elimnyama is there. Pulled back from her own nightmare by the sound of his voice, the gentle touch of his cheek alongside hers, Waset blinks several times. In only a second, the vision of the dead lands and the two menacing hyenas fades, allowing her to see the sights before her. A quick glance is spared to the Tynian Prince, her head brushed gently against his in silent thanks before she lowers herself to the ground, curling protectively around her cubs as if, by some unknown power, she can prevent death and disease just by being there for them. "Shh.. Ally.. honey, don't move, alright? Stay still, sweetheart. Momma and Papa are right here." Almasi's head is then given several gentle licks, trying to sooth the girl. And all the while, her mind churns. "Healer, healer.. uhm..." Gods, she was out wandering. How could she have not heard of a healer?! "..uhm.. Kivuli?" Blue-gray eyes seek out Elimnyama's. "Or.. the Pridelands? I think Kimondo used to have one.. but no one is there anymore. Kivuli definately should, I would think.. they.. weren't they one of the largest prides when we were kids? When we had to leave Tyne because of the weather.. and we lived in that cavern with the others.. the Kivuli had cubs. Little ones. A few of them were sick.. surely they had to have had a healer.. and still do.""
A small rush of relief wells in his chest and is exhaled through his parted lips as Waset seemingly returns to her senses. He watches her go and lay down with the cubs and he sinks onto his tired haunches a few feet away. It's no small jaunt from the river rapids back up to Tyne Rock; the distance is rather immense, thus it's not unusual that no one up at the cave heard Elim' when he roared for help -- and that in addition to the fight and the stress have made the prince decidedly weary in body, although his mind is working frantically to try to come up with a solution. Thank the gods for Waset. Her words are the best thing he could've hoped for. He stands immediately, his features pale and drawn but determined. "I've got to go to Kivuli," he pipes up at once, glancing toward the cavern's entrance and clearly already plotting his route. "I'll go find Msasi and pick up anyone else I come across along the way to help me. We'll go and see Kivuli's healer.." Elim' looks back at Waset and the girls, and the entire scene makes it suddenly necessary for him to blink heavy emotion back from his eyes. What if they're dead when he gets back?
Almasi swallows some and whimpers while listioning now, she doesn't want to move that's for darn sure. Her ears half perk and then quickly lower while her eyes close some as her head stats to spin again. "Urts.." She murmurs out to her mother, as if that wasn't obvouse with the wounds she has. She just wants it to stop hurting, that's not so bad now is it?""
"I know darling," Waset coos gently to her daughter, surprising even herself with how calm her voice sounds. "It won't be long. Papa is going to get a healer.. and then you'll be all better." The barbary gently kisses her daughter's head again, wrapping forepaws lightly around both girls to cuddle them against her chest. But the lioness' attention jumps back to Elimnyama quickly, silently giving him a once over. She wants to tell him to rest for a few hours.. get some sleep and something to eat. The cubs don't look like the only ones who could benefit from some rest and a little cuddle. But at the same time, she knows that those few hours could end up being crucial. She wants to tell him to send Msasi and a few of the lionesses.. but, really, what good does it do to have both of them here? They only thing she and Elimnyama could do is sit and wait.. and perhaps it's better for him if he's out /doing/ something about the girls' injuries instead of just.. sitting. The look in his eyes is enough to bring tears to glisten in her own, and she can understand his worry. It's hers too. What if he goes and doesn't get back in time? What if he doesn't get a chance for last goodbyes? But.. he could remain and wait, they'd still die.. and he'd be left to wonder if he couldn't have fetched the healer in time to have made a difference. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Waset gives her mate a small, watery smile. "We'll be here when you get back," She says quietly, trying to sound as if she's positive the girls will make it until he gets back and that there is nothing to worry about. "Just don't stop to pick up girls on your way back, eh?" A poor attempt to lighten the heavy mood just a smidge.. and to try and put her mate more at ease.
Hyacinthe has disconnected.
The little whimper from Almasi turns Elim's poor heart to a sad, mushy, miserable mess inside his chest, and he knows he can't bring himself to leave them. He'll never have said goodbye to these two sweet, spirited, perfect little girls, so full of promise.. and no matter how many children are born between this moment and the end of all creation, no two will ever be quite as wonderful as his daughters. He can't sit and wait and watch them die. He's not strong enough. The most he can do is wage a battle against time and do his best to bring back a healer from.. somewhere.. as soon as possible. As much as it will kill him to leave them now, it's the only thing to be done and Elimnyama has never in living memory shirked a duty. "You'd /better/ all be here," he bursts out suddenly, struggling valiantly to keep his voice calm. Slowly and almost warily - for he quite suspects that he'll break down under his present burden of emotion at any second - he approaches the little group and buries his head for a few seconds in the warm niche between the rise of Waset's shoulder and her neck. He laughs muffledly at her joke and withdraws his head to offer her a weak smile. "Don't worry. I'd never find anyone more perfect than my girls."
Almasi ears lower while she snuffles some as she hears her father's voice. "I'm not goin no weres.." She offers as if she could even move around at te moment. Her mismatched gaze opens enough to peer blurried eyed at her father as he moves closer. She swallows and closes her eyes while sleep starts to work on her again.
Almasi has disconnected.
"There, you see," The barbary whispers, one ear tilted down to catch Almasi's words, as her mate's head presses against her. "Out of the mouths of babes. We'll be here." Waset will do everything in her power to make sure her girls cling to life with every fiber of their being. She'll beg the Great Kings, if she has to.. offer her life up in exchange for theirs. Anything. A low, thrumming purr rumbles in Waset's chest as she turns her head enough to plant several kisses across any part of Elimnyama's face she can reach. "I love you, Baba.. please be careful." She wants him to get a healer and all.. to get back to her and their cubs. But she also hopes he remembers to take care of himself too.. and at least get a little rest. Not only will Waset have the cubs to worry about.. she's going to be worrying about Elimnyama too.
;
The poor little family. Surely it wouldn't take something as simple as one hyena to ruin their lives.. The Great Kings would let that happen, would they? Elimnyama doesn't know, not being a naturally religious individual. He doesn't seek comfort from a higher power, only from those he loves who exist in the here and now. He won't let Miali and Almasi become tiny, cold pin-pricks of starlight in the night sky, billions of miles distant. He and Waset will keep them snug and warm inside their own little bodies right here on earth, damnit. Elim' tries but fails to assemble a purr in return, his own throat a little too dry and unresponsive, but the feeling is nonetheless mutual as he kisses her face right back. "I love you too, Waset. You know I'll take care of myself.. I'll sleep. I'll eat healthy.." Etcetera. He withdraws from the three of them quickly and turns immediately toward the exit, knowing that if he allows himself any more hesitation he won't end up going at all. Just before his tail whips out of sight he calls back, "And I promise I'll only eat the NON-fatty parts of the gazelle!" And then he's gone.
Waset watches as the lion draws away, eyes fixed on his form as her moves out of the cavern. Again tears flood her eyes, this time allowed to spill over onto her cheeks where they trace wet paths before dropping, one by one, onto the fur of her forepaws.. and of the two girls she cradles against her. But she can't allow her thoughts to linger for too long upon her now departed mate.. and turns back to the cubs, who she begins to gently groom, wishing to remove all traces of blood from their gorgeous, baby soft fur. She purrs softly to reassure them.. and to comfort herself. It's not like she's /alone/ or anything.. she and Elimnyama are lucky to live in a pride. The pride will help her look out for the girls until Baba can return with a healer, of that she's certain. Lifting her head, she gazes at the two she-cubs for a moment, then snorts softly. "Bet all he eats /are/ the fatty parts," She murmurs in light amusement to herself.. before resting her chin upon the ground, keeping tucked closely around the injured cubs.
Want to get in on the plot? Interested in being THAT healer that could potentially save the day? Let me or Waset know! Thanks!
Logfile from Sunrise 2.
===========================================================================
____......____ __.............
_..-'' ^-.._ .::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
.......__ '--._ '-. ``'';;;;;;;;
;;;;;;;;;;;... .--' _--'
::::::::::'^^ .-' ''-._
'' .' `:.
''--._ `.
__..--'' ..-''
.' -'_____
.' ':
===========================================================================
_ ____ __ __ __ __ ____ ___ ____ _____ _
/ \ / __/ / / / / / |/ / / o ) / / / __/ / ___/ / \
< * > _\_ \ / /_/ / / /| / / < / / _\_ \ / __/ < * >
\_/ /____/ /_____/ /_/ |_/ /__/\__\ /__/ /____/ /____/ \_/
__ __ __ __ _____ __ __
/ \/ \ | | | | / ___) | |/ /
/ \ | \__/ | | (___ | <
/__/\__/\__\ \______/ \_____) |__|\__\
Welcome to Sunrise MUCK!
To connect as a guest use: connect guest guest
To connect as a character use: connect <character> <password>
To see who is on type: WHO
===========================================================================
[!] Sunrise MUCK's Messages of the Day . . .
Welcome to Sunrise MUCK! Please make sure to visit our site ( http://sunris
emuck.cjb.net/ ) and the forums ( sunrisemuck.proboards28.com/index.c
gi ). The rules and guidelines are over 'News List', too.
- Yllan,Thu May 11 18:51
## You last connected from 149-159-106-104.dhcp-bl.indiana.edu
}*{ Tyne }*{ Tyne Rock (Pridal Cavern)
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
| |
| Like most pridal caverns, it is spacious and suitable for many leonines and |
| other creatures here. The ground from the entrance tunnel slopes down, the |
| stone of the tunnel turning to gentle, soft dirt that covers the floor. The |
| 'ceiling' of the cavern curves outward like a dome above the cavern. It's |
| cool and shadowy inside the cavern, filled with the smells of different |
| lions and lionesses, old and young. Occasionally a kill will be off to one |
| side, though they're rarely kept within the cavern. Voices and sounds echo |
| within the stone walls, while constantly a gentle silence keeps the cavern |
| welcoming and sweet. The cool air here makes for a nice retreat from a hard |
| day in the outside world, a gentle peacefulness. A tunnel breaks off in the |
| back of the cavern, not the entrance tunnel but another: a smaller one |
| leading to possibly more caves. |
| |
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
| Commands: 'thelp' |
}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*{}*
Elimnyama, in training.
Exits:
Into the Nursery, To the Entrance Tunnel
[zzz] Asfoura, female lioness [IC ] Almasi, female lioness cub
[zzz] Miali, female lioness cub [zzz] Anasa, female lioness cub
[zzz] Penda, female lioness cub [LRP] Elimnyama, male lion
[zzz] Mohito, male lion cub
Waset has arrived.
It's in the cavern that Waset can be found, resting after her most recent training session with Msasi and some of the others in the hunting party. Fitness is returning (slowly, but it is returning), but with each day the scabbed wounds stretch, causing discomfort.. and a little pain, if she tries too much too fast. Grunting softly, the barbary is stretched out on her right side, back pressed against a cavern wall. She's not asleep.. sleep always takes longer to set in with her left side in pain.. but she's getting there, slowly. Every few blinks her eyelids slide further and further down her eyes. Her tail twitches once, then curls lightly near her hind legs and stills.
She'll find a lot to be awake for in just a few moments. Urgent pawsteps echo loudly in the still air of the cavern just before a mottled little party arrives in the entrance. Elimnyama, his eyes wide and full of fear, with a bleeding Almasi clutched in his jaws, along with Hyacinthe and his mother Anasztaizia, the latter of whom carries a similiarly beaten Miali by the scruff of her neck. The dark prince registers nothing about the pridal cave except an empty spot in the middle of the floor and he makes for it with steps so rapid he nearly trips over his own paws. He deposits Almasi quickly down on the ground, being as careful as he can, and throws a glance over his shoulder to ensure that Miali is close at hand. It's obvious that something horrible has happened.
Almasi is still asleep, and when she's put on the ground she doesn't even move. Other then her sides when every she ake sin a breath. Her right shoulder is a mess, ripped down to near the bone and still bleeding. Other wounds cover her small form but nothing as bad as the shoulder wound. Someone is never going to trust a hyena, or perhaps even canine's in general if she makes it past this night.
The noise of others entering the cavern does indeed draw Waset's attention, the lioness gingerly rolling from side to stomach. It doesn't take but a second to realize something is wrong.. but it isn't until she is pushing her paws beneath her that Waset catches the scent of blood. Steel-blue eyes go wide as she limps quickly towards her mate, gasping when she spots Almasi all torn and bloody. "Baba! What.. what..?" She can't even finish, glancing between the two she-cubs, and then focusing her gaze on her mate. What the heck has happened?
;Elimnyama jumps at the sudden movement off to the side and glances nervously at Waset. His pale eyes widen at the sight of his mate and he shudders a little on the spot as the instinctive need to stay near his wounded children overcomes his initial desire to rush to Waset. Staying where he is he begins to explain feverishly as Anasztaizia lies the bloody and sobbing Miali down next to Almasi. "We were down by the river and a hyena attacked them. I chased it off, but not before.. before.." Swallowing drily he looks back at the girls and adds in a voice full of numb misery, "Waset, we don't have a healer.. What're we going to do?"
Almasi whimpers some as she seems to be starting to wake up, all the crying, yelling sobbing is starting to wake her up it seems. Soon she's sobbing herself as the aching and throbbing pain is felt again. It would have been better if she was still asleep it seems. She has to stop crying a few moments in order to suck in some air, which hurts just as much as anything else at the moment.
Waset doesn't waste time closing the distance between herself, her mate and her children. Anyone else in the cavern goes, momentarily, ignored. A gentle lick is offered to Miali's cheek, along with a hushed, "Shh.. darling.. Momma's here, it's OK." And a nuzzle is given to Almasi, fear growing in Waset's heart as she gets a good look at the girls' injuries. But she returns her attention to Elimnyama as he begins to explain.. and fear freezes blood and muscles. "Hy..." It's hardly more than a whisper, most of the word fading into nothing as the barbary stares at him, eyes wide. And then she isn't staring AT Elimnyama.. but THROUGH him.. as if she isn't seeing him anymore. Just that WORD sends Waset back in time. She is suddenly alone, facing off against two large hyenas. She can smell their awful stench.. hear their insane laughter. The barbary's breathing quickens, body trembling slightly. It's like she's THERE all over again.. she can FEEL them ripping her body.. taking out chunks.. /CHUNKS/ of her flesh. Watching them eat said chunks.. the nauseating thought that they are /eating/ /her/. Waset's body curls slightly as she stands there, favoring her injured side. It feels as if the wounds are brand new again.. and she could swear she can feel the blood pouring from her own injuries. If there is anyone who understands what her daughters have been through with a hyena attack.. it's their mother, currently lost in the horrid memory of her own attack. Yeah.. this family is gunna be messed up where hyenas are concerned. XD
Hyacinthe has arrived.
The father doesn't need any traumatic memories to help him realize the significance of what has happened tonight. He /was/ there and he'll never forget that horrible moment when the lone hyena burst out of oblivion and fell upon his cubs with him seemingly miles away, a useless spectator to their untimely deaths. It was by sheer stupid luck that they've lived this long, but what can they do now? They don't have a healer.. Elimnyama looks helplessly back at Waset. The sight of her looking so forlorn adds new weight to his heart. He'd so hoped she'd know what to do and he wouldn't have to shepherd the situation on his own anymore.. His grief makes him feel utterly incapable of leading. Yet in the moment when he realizes Waset is not able to step up, he understands the compulsion to do so himself. Some bravey seeps back into him - not as much as he would've liked to feel, but he'll make it work.. and he sets his face before approaching his mate. "Waset," he calls gently, frowning at her and lowering his head to place his cheek next to hers. As her soulmate he understands the terror that she is reliving right now. "Come back. It'll be alright.. just come back. We need to deal with this." Their children could die. He -needs- his other half to be fully engaged in the present moment.
Almasi relaxes somewhat as she hears her mother's voice, the lick helps but not for long. "Ma.." She sniffles out, eyes opening but her vison still blurry from everthing. The girl looks around half trying to sit up and can't get far enough so just flops back to the ground. A wail escapes her at the movement and she figures doing anything like that again would be a bad thing.
It's amazing how /real/ it feels again. The pain.. the fear. Everything. But, as before, Elimnyama is there. Pulled back from her own nightmare by the sound of his voice, the gentle touch of his cheek alongside hers, Waset blinks several times. In only a second, the vision of the dead lands and the two menacing hyenas fades, allowing her to see the sights before her. A quick glance is spared to the Tynian Prince, her head brushed gently against his in silent thanks before she lowers herself to the ground, curling protectively around her cubs as if, by some unknown power, she can prevent death and disease just by being there for them. "Shh.. Ally.. honey, don't move, alright? Stay still, sweetheart. Momma and Papa are right here." Almasi's head is then given several gentle licks, trying to sooth the girl. And all the while, her mind churns. "Healer, healer.. uhm..." Gods, she was out wandering. How could she have not heard of a healer?! "..uhm.. Kivuli?" Blue-gray eyes seek out Elimnyama's. "Or.. the Pridelands? I think Kimondo used to have one.. but no one is there anymore. Kivuli definately should, I would think.. they.. weren't they one of the largest prides when we were kids? When we had to leave Tyne because of the weather.. and we lived in that cavern with the others.. the Kivuli had cubs. Little ones. A few of them were sick.. surely they had to have had a healer.. and still do.""
A small rush of relief wells in his chest and is exhaled through his parted lips as Waset seemingly returns to her senses. He watches her go and lay down with the cubs and he sinks onto his tired haunches a few feet away. It's no small jaunt from the river rapids back up to Tyne Rock; the distance is rather immense, thus it's not unusual that no one up at the cave heard Elim' when he roared for help -- and that in addition to the fight and the stress have made the prince decidedly weary in body, although his mind is working frantically to try to come up with a solution. Thank the gods for Waset. Her words are the best thing he could've hoped for. He stands immediately, his features pale and drawn but determined. "I've got to go to Kivuli," he pipes up at once, glancing toward the cavern's entrance and clearly already plotting his route. "I'll go find Msasi and pick up anyone else I come across along the way to help me. We'll go and see Kivuli's healer.." Elim' looks back at Waset and the girls, and the entire scene makes it suddenly necessary for him to blink heavy emotion back from his eyes. What if they're dead when he gets back?
Almasi swallows some and whimpers while listioning now, she doesn't want to move that's for darn sure. Her ears half perk and then quickly lower while her eyes close some as her head stats to spin again. "Urts.." She murmurs out to her mother, as if that wasn't obvouse with the wounds she has. She just wants it to stop hurting, that's not so bad now is it?""
"I know darling," Waset coos gently to her daughter, surprising even herself with how calm her voice sounds. "It won't be long. Papa is going to get a healer.. and then you'll be all better." The barbary gently kisses her daughter's head again, wrapping forepaws lightly around both girls to cuddle them against her chest. But the lioness' attention jumps back to Elimnyama quickly, silently giving him a once over. She wants to tell him to rest for a few hours.. get some sleep and something to eat. The cubs don't look like the only ones who could benefit from some rest and a little cuddle. But at the same time, she knows that those few hours could end up being crucial. She wants to tell him to send Msasi and a few of the lionesses.. but, really, what good does it do to have both of them here? They only thing she and Elimnyama could do is sit and wait.. and perhaps it's better for him if he's out /doing/ something about the girls' injuries instead of just.. sitting. The look in his eyes is enough to bring tears to glisten in her own, and she can understand his worry. It's hers too. What if he goes and doesn't get back in time? What if he doesn't get a chance for last goodbyes? But.. he could remain and wait, they'd still die.. and he'd be left to wonder if he couldn't have fetched the healer in time to have made a difference. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Waset gives her mate a small, watery smile. "We'll be here when you get back," She says quietly, trying to sound as if she's positive the girls will make it until he gets back and that there is nothing to worry about. "Just don't stop to pick up girls on your way back, eh?" A poor attempt to lighten the heavy mood just a smidge.. and to try and put her mate more at ease.
Hyacinthe has disconnected.
The little whimper from Almasi turns Elim's poor heart to a sad, mushy, miserable mess inside his chest, and he knows he can't bring himself to leave them. He'll never have said goodbye to these two sweet, spirited, perfect little girls, so full of promise.. and no matter how many children are born between this moment and the end of all creation, no two will ever be quite as wonderful as his daughters. He can't sit and wait and watch them die. He's not strong enough. The most he can do is wage a battle against time and do his best to bring back a healer from.. somewhere.. as soon as possible. As much as it will kill him to leave them now, it's the only thing to be done and Elimnyama has never in living memory shirked a duty. "You'd /better/ all be here," he bursts out suddenly, struggling valiantly to keep his voice calm. Slowly and almost warily - for he quite suspects that he'll break down under his present burden of emotion at any second - he approaches the little group and buries his head for a few seconds in the warm niche between the rise of Waset's shoulder and her neck. He laughs muffledly at her joke and withdraws his head to offer her a weak smile. "Don't worry. I'd never find anyone more perfect than my girls."
Almasi ears lower while she snuffles some as she hears her father's voice. "I'm not goin no weres.." She offers as if she could even move around at te moment. Her mismatched gaze opens enough to peer blurried eyed at her father as he moves closer. She swallows and closes her eyes while sleep starts to work on her again.
Almasi has disconnected.
"There, you see," The barbary whispers, one ear tilted down to catch Almasi's words, as her mate's head presses against her. "Out of the mouths of babes. We'll be here." Waset will do everything in her power to make sure her girls cling to life with every fiber of their being. She'll beg the Great Kings, if she has to.. offer her life up in exchange for theirs. Anything. A low, thrumming purr rumbles in Waset's chest as she turns her head enough to plant several kisses across any part of Elimnyama's face she can reach. "I love you, Baba.. please be careful." She wants him to get a healer and all.. to get back to her and their cubs. But she also hopes he remembers to take care of himself too.. and at least get a little rest. Not only will Waset have the cubs to worry about.. she's going to be worrying about Elimnyama too.
;The poor little family. Surely it wouldn't take something as simple as one hyena to ruin their lives.. The Great Kings would let that happen, would they? Elimnyama doesn't know, not being a naturally religious individual. He doesn't seek comfort from a higher power, only from those he loves who exist in the here and now. He won't let Miali and Almasi become tiny, cold pin-pricks of starlight in the night sky, billions of miles distant. He and Waset will keep them snug and warm inside their own little bodies right here on earth, damnit. Elim' tries but fails to assemble a purr in return, his own throat a little too dry and unresponsive, but the feeling is nonetheless mutual as he kisses her face right back. "I love you too, Waset. You know I'll take care of myself.. I'll sleep. I'll eat healthy.." Etcetera. He withdraws from the three of them quickly and turns immediately toward the exit, knowing that if he allows himself any more hesitation he won't end up going at all. Just before his tail whips out of sight he calls back, "And I promise I'll only eat the NON-fatty parts of the gazelle!" And then he's gone.
Waset watches as the lion draws away, eyes fixed on his form as her moves out of the cavern. Again tears flood her eyes, this time allowed to spill over onto her cheeks where they trace wet paths before dropping, one by one, onto the fur of her forepaws.. and of the two girls she cradles against her. But she can't allow her thoughts to linger for too long upon her now departed mate.. and turns back to the cubs, who she begins to gently groom, wishing to remove all traces of blood from their gorgeous, baby soft fur. She purrs softly to reassure them.. and to comfort herself. It's not like she's /alone/ or anything.. she and Elimnyama are lucky to live in a pride. The pride will help her look out for the girls until Baba can return with a healer, of that she's certain. Lifting her head, she gazes at the two she-cubs for a moment, then snorts softly. "Bet all he eats /are/ the fatty parts," She murmurs in light amusement to herself.. before resting her chin upon the ground, keeping tucked closely around the injured cubs.
Want to get in on the plot? Interested in being THAT healer that could potentially save the day? Let me or Waset know! Thanks!
