[ORP] New Arrivals [Done]

[Quaji]

INTRODUCTION

It's late, it's hot and no one really wants to do anything. With the rains having left too early, the land is drying up and beginning to crack. Water is fading fast and the pride is obviously stressed at this point as conflicts with the resident hyena clan are at an all time high. Not to mention the danger of drinking from the river, what with the crocodiles and hippos taking refuge in what water remains.

Still, the pride is bound by blood and that's a tough thing to break and they've made it through worse! For now, the sun begins to set and the pride begins to stir and become more active as the Cinga ready themselves to spread out and search for the few remaining herds that live within a reasonable amount of walking distance. These herds are thinning from over-hunting. The young are grown and the old and sick are dead, leaving only the healthy to hunt from, leaving many a lioness grumpy at the sheer amount of work needed to hunt these stubborn herds.

Last Event:
Often Go Awry - Umkhombo, last son of Gakere, returned to challenge Umholi Bangizwe. After losing, Umkhombo revealed why he came back at all...  

[Quaji]

IC Information

• The pride hasn't moved far from the spot it ended its migration at. The rains ended early and the terrain and those that live in these lands are suffering for it. Check out more on these changes in the Updates.
  
  
• Cubs are becoming rarer, with most cubs now grown into adolescents or adults.
  
  
• Inselelo Emrys was defeated by Tawa'shilah some weeks ago.

OOC Information

• There is no specific posting order, and you are free to post as many times as you would like. Interact with your fellow players!
  
  
• This will be a primarily community-driven RP with several posts intended to come from Meepfur or Quaji.
  
  
• This is open for all members of the pride, and any ex-Qyrhy lioness who followed Umkhombo to the Ithambo'hlabathi.
  
  
• There is no danger posting in this ORP.
  
  
• One post = one ticket, but you cannot win more than one prize.
  
  
• The option for more prizes may be available throughout the ORP.

Prizes

Ex-Qyrhy Lionesses. Busisa.
Aniketos x Nesf bint Adala

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Their father Aniketos died before they were born, their mother is Nesf bint Adala.

As far as names go, she'll have given them traditional Qyrhy names (__ bint Nesf), but they may choose or be given a Zulu name later. Nesf was not in a happy place when she named them, so happy/hopeful birth names are unlikely. XD My girl's name, Sinir, means 'fury.' (Nesf's own name just means 'half,' because she's a twin.)

They've been living as nomads since they were tiny, working their way towards the Bonelands. They've been taught about Qyrhy culture as well as Bonelands culture, and have been taught to fight. There are 5 sisters all told, as well as their cousin Khazine (Umkhombo's daughter), who was raised alongside them.

If the RP reaches 4 pages, this Andhaka x Ukulambile cub will be added to the pot!  

[Meepfur]

What a colossal mess! If only Umkhombo hadn't insisted on being so rigidly traditional in how he went about all this, they wouldn't be in this position of having to seek refuge. With a half dozen capable Muharip at his disposal, all he'd had to do was choose one to fight beside him against these 'Abaholi,' and they'd have won.

Though he'd explained his reasoning more than once, Nesf couldn't say that she truly understood it. Survival was paramount, victory more important by far than the means through which it was achieved. But he was their Bey, and she had to trust his judgement where this new world and wildly different culture were concerned. She had not expected him to lose, much less accept the loss when it came. Now he waited well away from the territory, where he would remain until he received word as to the result of the Qyrhyeshti lionesses' attempt to join the Bonelands.

One-eyed Nesf walked at the front of the group, which was comprised of herself and five other battle-scarred lionesses, plus six young adolescent females: five of them hers, one her late sister Aribak's. The band was an assortment of mostly-natural colors, with sizes ranging from small to average with one stark exception in the form of Sabit, who stood out from the rest with a stature fit for the most pureblooded Firekin. The grim-looking lioness was stationed at the back, keeping a careful eye on both their surroundings and on the younger members of their party.

When Sinir bumped into Khazine, prompting her cousin to shoulder into her, it was Sabit who interrupted before it could devolve into something less than dignified, shouldering between them and sending Khazine forward to walk with her aunt. There was no mistaking that the leggy adolescent was Umkhombo's, or else they might not have had to admit to any connection to the former Lusizi; but her coloring was all his, or perhaps more accurately, all Surtak's, though she was unaware of that resemblance. Her lineage had been taught to her, but they were little more than recited names belonging to lions and lionesses she had never met, and more than a few of them were dead.

Khazine settled into step with her aunt with a quick flash of bared teeth, making clear her annoyance at being reprimanded and sent forward, away from her cousins and to the front lines of whatever was about to happen.  

[Quaji]

This night was as foul as any other as far as Bangizwe was concerned. Even with new cubs frolicking around him, he couldn't help but scowl, something that he made no move to hide from the lionesses that clustered around him and Andhaka as the night began to creep in. The Cinga were prepping their birds, talking with the other hunters to get ideas of where they should check next for their scarce quarry. Hell, some of them had already left, trusting themselves and their birds. Not that it worried him all that greatly. The Abazingeli of the Ithambo'hlabathi were capable and that feeling spread through the ranks, even now some of the lionesses were growing anxious as they formed small hunting parties. The pride was busy as it had ever been, but with so many mouths to feed it had to be not only active but efficient as well.

And that brought him to the lingering thoughts that left Bangizwe in such a rotten mood.

Umkhombo's words had been eating at the back of the golden Umholi's mind and only with his striped partner had he shared them. He knew they were expecting guests, but when was the question. Could they even support more mouths? Would they have to turn some of them away? Or maybe Umkhombo was bluffing about how many lionesses had left this so-called pride with him. A sneer grew on Bangizwe's face as he felt a growl begin to form in the back of his throat.


OOC
Guys, I just wanna mention to keep interactions with the newcomers to a minimum for the time being to allow time to set things up before bringing them in too quickly. :> This is also to allow other ex-Qryhy members time to chime in.

Speaking of...quoting those of you who had previously posted in Meep`s thread.

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SilverLutz

Excited Apathy

Annchen

Puhterodactyl

 

[SilverLutz]

Tawa padded through the lionesses that were gathering, his size and color making him stand out among the otherwise natural pride members. The murmurs of finding food and water were heard through the entire land it seemed, and even he was starting to worry about the state of things. Coming from the desert, he was used to very little water and making it work for a pride that seemed uncountable in number. Here, though, they had other competition for what little remained.

He paused as he caught sight of Bangizwe growling to himself, which really seemed to be the norm with the Umholi. They hadn't had much interaction yet, but the younger male knew when to keep his nose out of his and Andhaka's business unless he was called upon for assistance. For now, he was just a comforting presence - hopefully - to the gathered females.

Nur walked along with the group of lionesses, sent forward despite their Bey being defeated. What pride was this that would accept them when their 'ambassador' had been beaten? She wasn't terribly keen on this place just yet, accepting weakness like that. If it had been her, she would have killed any challenger so they couldn't send word back! Pah...

She grit her teeth as dirt and sand cracked in her mouth, her entire throat parched and aching for water. It seemed this area hadn't been blessed with rains this season which was more the pity. Too long they had spent fighting over water in their old home, if she had to do so here she wasn't sure she'd stick around for too long. Still, for now she would see if it was worth all this fuss.  

[Excited Apathy]

Baysan was tense, wary, suspicion plain to see in her eyes and a grim cast to her expression. She had conflicting thoughts on this whole mess. That they were here at all was, well...at least they wouldn't starve, if Umkhombo could deliver. But could he? He'd lost. Instead of negotiating from a position of strength with their Bey, they were throwing themselves upon whatever mercy they had. Without him. If the dun lioness walked as though expecting a potential trap, it was because she was. She hadn't made it this far by being naive, and if things went to hell she'd fight her way out or die trying.  

[Meepfur]

Ukulambile had rolled onto her back, trying in vain to find some position that wasn't hideously uncomfortable, but as she was learning, there was really no such thing as comfortable when one was pregnant. It hadn't been so bad early on, but as she got further along, she was starting to seriously wonder just how her late mother had had so many litters. She hadn't even had hers yet and she was currently rather regretting the decision!

The lioness groaned. She was miserable! She was hot, and tired, and- "Nngh," she complained, "I'm hungry." Ukulambile was always hungry, but it was a hundred times worse now. "Stupid hyenas, why do they have to keep stealing our food?"

Wodi sat quietly at the edge of the group, her attention wavering between the cheerful activities of the cubs and the large presence of their new Inselelo...and the grim look that Bangizwe was wearing. Something was certainly bothering the golden male, and if it had been Surtak looking so grim, Wodi would have wasted no time in pestering him. She was bored enough that even though it wasn't, she was seriously tempted.

Andhaka lay beside his fellow Umholi, in a mood markedly less foul than his partner's. His posture was relaxed and his expression neutral, his tail swaying lazily behind him. He knew of the fight with Umkhombo and of what had been said, but he was not quite as concerned as Bangizwe. He was more curious than anything, to see these dozen lionesses Umkhombo had supposedly acquired only to lead here. Why? There were so many questions, and they would only be answered if and when the lionesses appeared. A part of him looked forward to it.  

[Annchen]

If Marmar was tired she didn't show it. The desert was unforgiving, so she was used to keep moving despite the heat. Her near white coat didn't offer much protection against the sun, so if she wasn't careful she'd get sunburnt on her nose, ears and other places where the fur grew thinner. It was fixable as long as she remembered to keep some hide from their kills and cover her head if they moved during the sunniest hours of the day. Walking at night felt good, despite the lingering heat.

She walked near the front with her sister, wearing her warrior face. This was not what she had expected when Umkhombo suggested relocating to his old home. She'd liked what he'd told them about close knit family groups and a life without war. It didn't make sense that he wouldn't join them after all, and she still hoped he'd catch up to them, telling them it was just a mistake. However, it wasn't likely.

When Khazine joined them she looked at her niece, a bemused smile replacing her grim expression.

"What did you do this time?"

Not that Khazine was much more troublesome than the average adolescent...

Meepfur

 

[Annchen]

((They grew to adults very recently, I hope it's okay that I play them as adolescents/young adults in this RP))


Intuthwane was resting in a very awkward position, half on her back and half on her side with her hind legs pointing up. Her eyes were closed, but her ears were moving and from time to time she opened one eye a crack. Time grew close to the day her brothers would have to leave, and the thought of losing her twin made her feel all twitchy.

Her mother was probably off scouting already, but Intuthwane had never shown much interest in trying to charm a vulture into becoming her companion. Being a Cinga seemed like and awful lot of work. No thanks! She hadn't even asked anyone to accompany her to her Ukuzalwa yet. There was no hurry, right? If she avoided growing up her twin might do so too.

"Why is it so hoooot," she moaned to no one in particular.

---

Jasirku's mood rivaled Bangizwe's. He paced near the edge of the gathered pride. A male luzisi could only hope to snag one of the better resting places. It was hot and sticky and he couldn't wait to leave all this behind. It was probably not as warm where the Abaholi were resting, he thought and scowled.

His mane was growing by the day, and soon he'd be kicked out. Unless he got fed up and left on his own accord. That'd show them! He stared towards the horizon. Maybe not tonight. He huffed and clawed at the dry ground.  

[Syrius Lionwing]

AstoriaFallen

Tanakoko and yes RP!

The chocolate coloured lioness saddled up behind her sister and licked her fringe with a smile and a small chuckle "you really need to trim that little sister" she whispers settling down in to a relaxed sit, pressing against her sisters side. "It's been a while little sister how are you faring?" She questioned looking down at the Cubs. They had drifted a little since the hippo hunt, Kokuzalwa felt they had lost their way a little but perhaps now was the time to return to the family unit they had once formed.

Taking a deep breath she looked around carefully hoping their other sister would appear from the crowed. "It really has been too long since we participated in a hunt together."  

[Meepfur]

"Nothing!" was Khazine's immediate, defensive response to her pale aunt's question. "Sinir wasn't watching where she was going, it's not my fault she's clumsy. It wouldn't even have been a real fight, but Sabit's a stick-in-the-mud about everything." And truth was, she sorely needed a little tussle with her cousin(s) to let off steam. She was too proud to show it, but a tangle of anxiety had been roiling in her stomach ever since they'd gotten word that everything hadn't gone to plan.

Even if this pride did accept them, what was she going to do without her father? She had aunts and cousins - and Sabit, whatever she was - and the rest of the Qyrhy lionesses, but Umkhombo was her father. As much grief and gray hair as she gave him, she loved him, and she'd be losing him just to live with a bunch of strangers and their strange ways.

Overhearing the exchange, Nesf snorted. "I distinctly remember thinking exactly the same thing about Sabit when I was your age."

Now that she was older, with children of her own, she understood why their mother had relied upon the former Borclu so much, with Kotu missing, half a dozen daughters to raise, a pride to lead and a war to fight. Even without the latter two problems, Nesf had her paws full.

--

Andhaka looked up when one of Bangizwe's older children approached to ask after his welfare, and decided that it would be an opportune moment to go, hmm, somewhere over there perhaps. The red Umholi rose to his feet, dipped his head respectfully to Chikomborero, and took his leave. Of course, now that he was up, he should probably do something, rather than just move away and lie down elsewhere. He didn't want to look like he'd simply tired of his counterpart's company or some such thing, although he had certainly noticed that Bangizwe had not quite been himself lately. Not that he would ever say as much to anyone else, for any reason.

He paced out into the group, moving as though he had a purpose when, in fact, he wasn't going anywhere in particular. Just going.

When no one responded to Ukulambile's complaint about hunger, the Umzingeli groaned again and rolled over onto her side, but that wasn't any better. If anything, it was worse! Neraby, an adolescent who had twisted into a position she envied the ability to achieve complained about the heat, and Uku gave a sympathetic grunt. "'s terrible."

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Annchen

Also quoting you guys in case you're interested, since you have Nesf's other two girlies. <3

Safaia

Ecavi

 

[Annchen]

AstoriaFallen

"I'm Mthunzi! What is your name?"

The sulky adolescent debated ignoring the small cub at first, but she made it pretty much impossible. Jasirku scowled at her and stopped clawing at the dirt. From the looks of her she must be one of Andhaka's recent litters, but he couldn't guess the mother. Not that he cared. Spoiled brats getting better treatment just for having a father in the pride... He was told he looked a lot like his father with annoying frequency, but what good did that do him since Jasiri had been defeated before he and his siblings were born?

"I'm Jasirku," he all but growled, "And you shouldn't stray this far. It could be dangerous."

She was just a tiny cub and she didn't know anything yet.

"I'll go away soon," he said haughtily, "Maybe tomorrow night."

---

"I know, right?" Intuthwane said after rolling over to see who had spoken. She watched the very pregnant lioness with curiosity. "When will you go away to have them?"

The young female didn't have a very solid idea of where cubs came from yet. A female spent some time with one of the leading males, she got preggers and then she went away with a couple of friends for a while. And then they came back with a bunch of cubs toddling around. Some came back without cubs, but that was just too sad to think about. She started cleaning her front paws and made an amazing discovery.

"Hey! It actually helps a little bit to do this!" she exclaimed happily and continued to lick her paw pads.

---

Inkungu liked to stay near the pregnant lionesses. Perhaps she thought their luck would rub off? There was nothing she wanted more than a family of cubs to call her own, but until that happened there were plenty of cubs to help out with. Her sister was family, of course, and the other lionesses of the pride were like sisters. Still, she wanted more than that and she wouldn't hesitate to trade places with Ukulambile despite the fact that the other lioness was in obvious discomfort.

"They'll be here in no time," she said to Intuthwane and Ukulambile, "And before we know it they'll be as big as you. I remember when you were just a little ant!"

---

Marmar grinned at Nesf. She remembered a couple of instances when Sabit had ruined their fun. Probably for the best actually... "Are you sure she can't hear you right now?"

A bit of friendly banter made the walk easier, she'd found. It helped take her mind of things, but naturally thinking about it made her mind move back to what lay ahead. She mulled over what they'd been told about the habits of their future home.

"Isn't it weird the way they mate," she said out loud, "Just a few males and so many females. Do you think the females at least stick to one of them?"

Meepfur

 

[Tanakako]

Khethiwe meandered this way and that, eyes examining everything and everyone. She spotted her sister Mthunzi but didn't go over to her. She didn't look to be doing anything too interesting, just talking to an older boy. One of Mako's brothers she thought. Turning she spotted her papa stand up from where he and Bangizwe had been resting and start what looked like a patrol. Grinning broadly she jumped over paws and tails and raced to his side. "Hi Dad!" She called up at him, beaming even as she struggled to match her own stride with his far longer one. Head up and chest puffed out she had to jump forward every few steps in order to keep up with him. She didn't say anything else, focused on simply walking like he did. Her papa was the best! And she wanted to be just like him when she grew up!

Meepfur

Sobala suddenly flopped down on top of her two sibling, right between them so her bulk -once more the sleek, lean frame she had possessed before her cubs were born- wedged itself between their own. "Hello Koku! Yimvi!" She purred into their ears, grinning fit to burst. It had been a while since she had spent any amount of time with her siblings. The cubs had been keeping her exceptionally busy, even with the rest of the pride around to help out. She was still their mother after all. She was just grateful the cubs were growing up and required less intensive care. Not that she didn't want them, not for a single second. She adored her babies. Glancing over she spotted two of them nearby and knew the rest wouldn't be too far away.

Wiggling so she wedged herself more firmly between the two lionesses she stretched and sighed happily. Sure, the pride was struggling with the lack of rain, food was scarce and everyone was on tenterhooks, but Sobala was ever the optimist. She was already looking forward to taking her little ones on their first hunt.

"How are we all today?"

Syrius Lionwing

AstoriaFallen

Mako smirked back at her sister as Jaila followed along behind, tail low and green eyes casting about. "Mako...." She breathed nervously, hurrying a little to catch up with her dark sibling. "I don't think this is a good idea!" She hiss-whispered, jogging now to catch the other girl and bat at Mako's lazily swaying rump. The darker adolescent snickered softly and looked back, giving her sister a reasuring smile, though by the look on Jaila's face she wasn't very successful at the reassuring part.

"Oh stop worrying!" She laughed, careful to keep her voice down. "It's just a bit of fun." Suddenly stopping she eyed her target. Intuthwane was resting and apparently oblivious to their approach. Slowly creeping forwards she started to slink along, belly brushing the ground in a classic stalk, all while Jaila followed in a hunched and worried shuffle, trying desperately to talk her sister out of whatever it was the darker lioness had planned.

Annchen

The little cub yawned sleepily as she looked about. As one of the newest litters born during this time of fasting, Sifiso had no idea just how difficult life had become. Her mother was always close by as were her siblings. Not much else mattered to her. Another yawn rocked her frame and she squirmed, trying to find a better place to nap. But the soft murmuring of the adults all around kept disturbing her rest and she opened her eyes again, resigning herself to being awake for a while. What was going on?