[ORP] Red Sun Rises (Done)

[Meepfur]

Bright eyes kept searching, from one face to the next. Here and there was someone vaguely familiar, forms barely-remembered from childhood, and more than a few he was certain he'd never seen before. Some young, some very young, cubs the lionesses tightened around at his approach. And the gray male he'd pegged for Ahluke moved, putting himself between Umkhombo and the group. He was either bold for an Ahluke, or his assumption had been incorrect and the stranger was an Inselelo.

He paused his forward movement, considered his words, and decided on simple. To the point. "I am Umkhombo, and I am Umholi now. Move aside. I w-"

Whump. A flash of fur as dark as Umkhombo streaked past Kuhasa and launched itself at the big male, hitting him with a solid weight that staggered him a few steps to the side and utterly ruined what was meant to be a serious moment, interrupting what would have been an assurance not to hurt anyone. Khazine had been sleeping near the back of the group, comfortable beneath the golden hyena pelt she'd worn since their acceptance to the pride, and would likely have continued to sleep the morning away until the hunting party returned with food...but then Imvula had called out a familiar name.

It had taken her time to wake enough to register, but once she had she had sprung to her feet and dashed through the group, jumping over or pushing aside anyone in her way, to leap upon her father with a laugh. "Papa!"

So much for a composed and dignified entrance. He gave up on that image for the moment and smiled, bumping his head against Khazine's. "Hello, azizi."  

[Tanakako]

Maditah wasn't willing to risk her cubs on this uncertain situation. Standing she nudged them all onto their paws. "We will see everyone later.." She said, looking around at the females with her. They were of course welcome to come along, but she was not staying here. Not while a strange male was near. And certainly not if the position of Umholi was now in dispute. Gathering her cubs, she picked Omisa up in her mouth carefully and set off, the rest of her offspring running along to either side of her as she walked steadily but resolutely away.

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Ecavi

SilverLutz

belloblossom

ABVirus

 

[Meepfur]

"Yes, he has one," Sher-Kha-t allowed, "But from how many attempts?" She doubted there were, ahem, performance issues, as word of something like that would surely have gotten around by now, but perhaps he was not very fertile. If several lionesses had approached him and yet only one had cubs, there must be something going on with him. The fault couldn't lie with the lionesses, not when there were that many...

But, hmm...she straightened her posture further as the murmurs circulated, pushing herself into a sit and interrupting Inhliziyo's work. "Umkhombo, Umkhombo...that sounds very familiar. One of Ukuthula's, isn't he? From Gakere's last litter."

Grooming would have to wait, there was drama afoot, and the Ithambo loved drama as much as they loved gossip. Ziyo quirked a smile, but shrugged in answer to Kha-t. "I wouldn't know, that's before my time."

Kha-t wrinkled her nose. "Are you calling me old?"

Tanakako

Nolaku looked back to her aunt when she began to speak, then back to the newly-arrived male, noting as Khanga did the familiar markings. One ear canted to the side, picking up murmurs of a name she knew she'd heard before, but couldn't quite place. The adolescent moved a little closer to her red kin, both intrigued and a bit on edge. What was happening, exactly? "Do you know him, anti?"

Ecavi

 

[Andranis]

A ripple of surprise ran across Imvula's body. She glanced over at Zola for a moment, then back to Umkhombo. He was Umholi now? Then... Where were Andhaka and Bangizwe? Another movement made her jump in further surprise, as a dark blur went by and one of the former Jhay lionesses was on the male with an exclamation of familiarity. At a good look, she could SEE the similarities. It made her feel even better, at least. "Welcome home, Ukhombo!" Then, quietly, "I think..."

Looking between Ukhombo and the other lionesses, then to Kuhasa, and then to the distant horizon, Zola let out a surprised sound. "Wait, but then where are Bagizwe and Andhaka? Did you fight and beat BOTH of them?" Neither had, for all appearances, been weakening in any way that Zola was aware. Had something changed for them? The pride WAS pretty well saturated with their bloodlines. Of course, this presented another issue - Ukhombo was already related to a fair chunk of the pride. He was of Gakere's blood. Would this last?  

[oo Ded]

Emeka had made an almost ritualistic tendency of collecting herbs and whatnot whenever a group left for a hunt. It was, after all, a hunting mishap that left the three-legged lioness in her current circumstances, and while preparing for the worst might have been excessively worrisome it was doing a good job of calming her mind. The Ibzia was just returning, various leaves and plants peeking out of the hide pouch around her neck, when the gathering had become a bit lively.

While Emeka's wound had long since healed, her maneuvering without a hind leg was far from graceful. Yithemba, who had been assisting the healer, leaned in. "What's happening?"

"I don't…" Emeka's eyes set onto the new (but not really new), dark-pelted male. She had trouble remembering all the names and faces coming in and out of the group, but hearing the name spoken from someone nearby brought it back. Umkhombo. His mother was her half sister. The Imbiza fell silent, taking a moment to digest the scene before her. 'I am Umkhombo, and I am Umholi now'

Yithemba, meanwhile, had caught Zola's questioning. Her ears perked. Bangizwe and Andhaka were both gone? So suddenly? Her brow raised and she looked the unfamiliar lion over. Interesting…
 

[Annchen]

As the unfamiliar male drew closer to the place the Ithambo'hlabathi currently called home he caught the attention of the lounging adolescents. Ukufa kept an ear towards the meeting between pride members and strangers while she kept the conversation going with her friend.

As she heard the word "Umholi" she tensed up and lost track of what they talked about. She looked over at the male, too scared of what expression she might see in her friends face. Because if there was a change in Abaholi Ilantshi's father would have to fight. And since this strange lion was here now. What did it mean? Where were the Abaholi?

---

"Hellooooooo," Ilantshi said and waved a paw in front of her friends face, "Where did you go."

She followed Ukufa's gaze in time to see Khazine throw herself at the large dark pelted male. Whoa! That was a bit odd... But maybe they knew each other or something.

"Who do you think that is?" she said to Ukufa. "He's kind of handsome."

---

Marmar had moved close enough to follow what was happening, but she didn't run up to greet Umkhombo. It looked as if he'd kept his promise, after all. Impressive.

Maditah hurried past her, cubs in tow, and as much as she wanted to hear and see the rest of this she felt the other female could use a helping paw.

"Need any help with that," she asked, walking beside her and blocking off one potential escape route for the cubs.

Tanakako

 

[belloblossom]

Safura watched with cautious interest as the new lion revealed himself. He was dark, with small white markings on his coat. He was not altogether unhandsome, Safura noted, but she still did not approach. She let Kuhasa take the lead there, but her ears were turned forward, straining to hear what was being said.

"What?" She gasped, looking around her to the pale spotted lioness beside her, who voiced a better question. Where were Andhaka and Bangi-whatsit? She turned her head, eyes searching those around her, as though she expected the two lions to suddenly appear and explain themselves to he lionesses.

She didn't either of the leading males, but she did spot Maditah hurrying off with her cubs. Is that what she ought to be doing, she wondered, curling her tail around so that it grazed her belly. Hiding? No. She turned her gaze back to Kuhasa and this... Umkhombo character. She would stay to see exactly how this played out.

Andranis

Ecavi

 

[belloblossom]

Mazuri was happy to see the cubs eagerly answering her questions and ready to listen to her, when abruptly it was over. Maditah must have felt too threatened by the new lion and while Mazuri couldn't blame her, she also couldn't help feeling a little disappointed too.

"Another time, girls!" She called to the cubs who were following their mother and then she, too, turned to observe. She came forward to stand beside Imvula, who seemed to know the newcomer. "Imvula, who is this lion?" She whispered. "Where is Andhaka?"

Feeling as though this directly related to her, seeing as Andhaka father to her and her littermates (and most of her pride sisters, come to think of it...) Mazuri took it upon herself to listen closely. She didn't see any of her litter sisters here, many of them had gone on the hunting trip, so she would later task herself with explaining to them what had happened while they were hunting. She had felt guilty initially, in not going to hunt with them, but now, she was relieved she had't gone, especially when there was such interesting things happening here.

Tanakako

Andranis

Meepfur

 

[belloblossom]

When Maditah suddenly took off, Nomvula was right there beside her. She didn't mind leaving in the middle of what others might call interesting. Word would surely get around of what had transpired in her absence, she would get it from one of the younger lionesses. This task, watching out for Maditah and her cubs, was far more important.

At the appearance of a willingly helpful adolescent (something that wasn't found in adolescence too often, Nomvula had found) she smiled. Remembering Maditah had a cub in her maw, Nomvula offered her commentary.
"I certainly wouldn't mind the extra company." She remarked to the young thing. "You're... Marmar, right?" Between new lions coming in more frequently (especially since the drought) Nomvula had been struggling to keep up with names. If Khanga was right and more cubs would be born in the pride soon, Nomvula found herself wary, for that would mean having to learn even more...

Tanakako

Annchen

 

[ABVirus]

Ezinothuzi raised her head when the mother she had been watching got up and began to hurry her cubs along with her. The dusty lioness that was Ezino got up and followed immediately. She knew where her priorities were: with the cubs of the pride, as always. She didn't care too much for politics (it wasn't as though she would be able to make much sense of them even if she did) and the dark-coated lion held no interest to her for the time being.

So, she followed the mother, offering her a supportive smile, before bending her head and picking up one of the cubs as well. She glanced to the two other lionesses, one youngster and another adult, who were joining them too. Good, she thought. The more the merrier.

Tanakako

belloblossom

Annchen

 

[Tanakako]

While cautious, Maditah was not yet truly worried for her family. But for right now, until this whole thing with the new male was settled one way or another, she would stay out of the way and do her best to protect her cubs. As she walked she was grateful for the three who joined her, giving Marmar a welcoming look as the younger lioness came over, but she let Nomvula answer for her as she kept a firm grip on Omisa, knowing that the girl was one of her more adventurous offspring. Indeed, the more lionesses to corral the cubs and maybe carry the stragglers was always welcome, and Maditah would probably be staying away from the pride for a few days too. So having the support of her sisters was even more important.

Amalahle squeaked in surprise as she was picked up by Ezinothuzi, but she didn’t struggle as the brown lioness was walking right beside her mom. Looking across she grinned at the dangling Omisa, lifting a paw and waving it at her sister playfully. While travailing like this was far from graceful, it was kind of fun. Down below, the rest of the cubs and Qisa ran alongside, keeping up with the longer strides of the adults.

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Annchen

belloblossom

Ecavi

ABVirus

 

[Tanakako]

Ishaka shrugged, both in regards to Kuhasa's proposed lack of fertility and the name of the stranger who had just turned up. She didn't pay much attention to the male cubs of the pride, being as most of them left and were never seen again. A few stayed and were as equally uninteresting as Ahluke. Any who returned and managed to win their place as Inselelo would be interesting, but Gabedi was the only one she had known to do such a thing. Tilting her head she watched the commotion up front as one of their newer members torpedoed the big male. "Well, someone is pleased to see him at least." She remarked, curious.

Meepfur

 

[Tanakako]

Sváfa shrugged slightly as she recieved no reply from the three nearby, though she kept her eyes on the stranger and on the pale male. She knew he was Inselelo, and duty-bound to protect the pride when the Abaholi weren't available. Now there was a curiosity... where were the two lead males? It seemed very strange to her that the kings would be absent. Back home a lion fought for their place and then defended it with tooth and claw until they were -usually- killed. Where Bangizwe and Andhaka dead then? And what would it mean for the pride? Sváfa herself was still an outsider, and had no stake in who ruled here. She was only after a peaceful life and so long as the Ithambo remained as it was, she saw no reason to leave it. So, she supposed, she would see how this all played out.  

[Meepfur]

Umkhombo couldn't help but notice that the mother with cubs rose and started to usher them off, and his face fell. He could only assume she thought him a risk to their safety, and though it was understandable, it troubled him. He would never... He considered calling after her, but decided against it. Perhaps he would find her later, when guards and tensions were lower, but noted the pale lioness who moved to accompany her. Marmar. Good, one more Qyrhyeshti accounted for; though he knew from Tala they were well, he felt better seeing it for himself.

For now, he returned his focus to those still present. Some were vaguely familiar, but names mostly escaped him, trivia he'd ignored in his youth, preoccuppied as he'd been with the future and not the present. Khanga he remembered well enough, her mother Nolaka had often watched him and his siblings as Ukuthula had often watched Khanga and hers. Difficult to miss was the dappled lioness with only three legs, who was certainly kin...Meka, maybe? That sounded almost right. Mentally, he chastised his younger self for being so damned oblivious. Impatient fool.

The spotted lioness - sands, what was her name? - questioned him about the whereabouts of the previous Abaholi, and a wry smile twitched the corner of his mouth. "Fight them? No, of course not. They just skipped off into the night and left me in charge." He might have been tempted to leave it at that, but not everyone took sarcasm well...someone would inevitably take him literally. "Yes, I defeated them," he clarified, "But not alone. There will still be more than one Umholi."

His gaze moved to the gray male again, still trying to decipher what his role was and, consequently, whether or not there was the possibility of a threat there. "You, who are you? Are you Inselelo or Ahluke?"

Khazine settled against him as he spoke, looking as smug as she had the day she and her cousins had returned from the hyena hunt bearing trophies. Not only did she finally have her father back, he was in charge. He had promised he would return, and he had - not as soon as she had hoped he would, but he was here now, and that was all that mattered. The world was finally right, or as close as it had ever been in her relatively short life.

Andranis

Ecavi

Nolaku watched the goings-on cautiously, gaze moving back and forth from the new male and the activity around him to her aunt. She shuffled a little closer still, insecure in her sudden uncertainty. If this Umkhombo was Umholi now, then Bangizwe and Andhaka were gone; if things had gone in the traditional fashion - the way they were supposed to go, according to Uheshe - then Umkhombo had killed them to earn his place. They had never been an involved presence in her life, in large part courtesy of Uheshe, who disliked the idea of males meddling in the business of raising cubs, but she could remember a visit from them, Bangizwe concerned for their wellbeing and Andhaka curious to see his first grandcubs. She'd never thought of them as much more than 'the Abaholi,' to be perfectly honest, but the realization that they could be dead and the profound sadness she felt took her completely by surprise. More family gone.

She blinked away the beginnings of tears that she did not want and looked to Khanga, lost. "Now what?"