Zende

[KiarasMate]

Name: Zende (Zen for short, used only by his sister)
Meaning: Strong/Firm (Swahili)
Species: Leo Panthera (lion)
Gender: Male
Age: 3 Years
Allegiance: Plateau Pride
Family: Hekima (father) Kora (mother) Terria (sister)
Appearance: Zende’s body build is slightly above average from a typical lion his age. Living close to a river, as well as their rocky outcrop to which they called home, every member of Zende’s family’s genes seemed to have adapted to the given situation, resulting in very muscular frames, yet still nicely toned to not look overly powerful, a very deceiving trait that they used to their advantage when need be. Zende’s pelt is a tawny brown and much like his younger sister Terria, his underbelly fur is jet black, a trait gained from their father’s side. His mane is of a vibrant brown, almost seeming to have a red hue to it if highlighted by the sun at the right angle. Zende’s eyes are onyx and the only distinguishing feature about his appearance would be the fact that his claws are of a dark reddish color, very unusual compared to any other lions, and he is missing a claw on his right paw. This fact isn’t apparent when his claws are sheathed obviously though. Other than that, he’s just your typical looking male lion.
Personality: Zende is very overprotective over his younger sister, seeing as she’s the only family he has left. A bit short tempered at times, Zende tries not to let his emotions get the better of him if he can help it. A bit illusive with his own feelings, as he always tries to stay strong just for Terria’s sake, Zende doesn’t easily open up to anyone about his feelings, aside from his sister. Untrusting of strangers, yet very persuasive when he wants to be, Zende does everything in his power to make sure that he and his sister live a good life, or at least, the best life they can, given their circumstances.
Backstory: Zende was the first born cub to the proud parents of Hekima and Kora and older brother to Terria. Growing up at a rocky outcrop that overlooked a picturesque river, Zende’s homelands were known as Sunrise Plateau, due to the perfect view of the rising sun one could have if positioned properly from their home. While growing up, Zende was more attached to his mother, as his father was rather hard on him, taking a better liking to his daughter over his son. This fact didn’t really bother Zende and he tolerated his father to the best of his ability. Unlike a typical lion pride however, Zende’s family only consisted of himself, his mother, father and younger sister. There were neighboring prides around them within traveling distance and while Zende’s family got along fine with their neighbors, they chose to stick together by themselves, making their bond a bit stronger to one another in a way, but also weakening their strengths as well. To the opposite side of Sunrise Plateau, down near the river, a very small village of humans actually resided. Both felines and the humans respected each others space and no conflict ever arose from this situation however, the humans presence would have a drastic effect upon Zende’s family in the long run.

One year after having Terria, Kora started to show signs of illness. Her energy levels slowly started to deplete and her once gorgeous fur began to become patchy and unpleasant looking. One of the neighboring pride’s Shamans assessed the sickness as Feline Tuberculosis, caused by the neighboring humans. Being a strong lioness, Kora fought valiantly against the terminal illness, however with each passing season, her condition worsened. During her fight to stay alive, both Zende and Terria helped their mother in every way they possibly could, but the same couldn’t be said for their father Hekima. The more the sickness took hold of his mate, the further he grew from her, even going as far as to order her to sleep in separate quarters from the rest of them near the end of her living days. It was this fact that lead Zende to begin to despise his father, although Hekima did a fine job at reassuring Terria that it was for the best, as her mother’s sickness could be contagious. Zende didn’t buy into this fact however, and would often times, sneak into his mother’s sleeping quarters and stay with her just to keep her company, even if he did receive a verbal lashing for doing so from his father if he was caught.

Sadly, one week before Terria’s second birthday, Kora passed away from the disease, leaving both Zende and Terria in the care of their father Hekima. Both siblings mourned deeply over their mother’s death, yet Hekima didn’t seem phased by her passing. His excuse was that life goes on and not to dwell in the past. This fact became blatantly obvious to Zende upon the sixth night after his mother died. While going out to investigate some disturbance outside their rocky outcrop home, Zende found his father in a very compromising position with one of the neighboring pride’s lionesses. Unable to control himself due to the pent up rage he felt towards his father for everything he had done and the fact that his father's mate had just passed away so recently, and yet he was fornicating with a new lioness already, Zende lost control of himself as he viciously attacked his father as the startled lioness could only watch on in horror. It was over in a matter of seconds, as Zende scored a critical strike to his father’s neck, delivering such a forceful blow with his unsheathed claws, that one of them snapped clean off into his father’s throat. Needless to say that Hekima’s life was ended that night and threatening to do the same to the young lioness who had witnessed the whole thing if she so much as told a single soul of what he had done, causing her to run off in fear, Zende and Terria were now officially alone in the world.

Knowing full well that he couldn’t tell his younger sister of what he had done, Zende quickly thought up a logical explanation for what had happened before he rushed into their rocky home and woke Terria up, telling her that they needed to flee their lands. Putting on quite the act, Zende was able to convince her to run off with him, skirting the important details of why this was exactly for the time being, only wanting to distance himself from their home that now reeked of death and painful memories for himself and to also distance himself from the crime scene. Zende knew that Terria was close to both their parents and she would never understand him if he tried to explain to her what he had done. It was better, in Zende’s mind, if she didn’t know the truth, so as much as it killed him inside, Zende always spoke highly of both his parents towards Terria, just so she wouldn’t know his dirty little secret, even if it was still partially reasonable for the actions he took. Now, alone and without a home or family, both Zende and Terria’s fates hang in the balance.
Image: Sorry, I’m no artist, so there is none. Lol.
Rps Featured In: Past, Present & Failure

[CheetahCat]

Wow, wonderful character you made here, KM!

Your detail is really extraordinary in this one and I like the backstory for this character. ^^ I believe this is the longest character profile you've written out thus far! Zende really does sound interesting and it's sad to hear what happened about his past life. ^^ Overall, it's another cubby god creation from you! You do make wonderful OCs on here, KM! ^^

[KiarasMate]

Aww, thanks TS. ^^ I appreciate your feedback. lol. Yeah, it had to be detailed seeing as pretty much the whole RP that Sparrow and I are doing, revolves around their past.

[DarkLiger]

Very nice character you have here KM. As usual you are nothing less than flawless in your in-depth description. Zende sounds like a unique lion, and his background is very unique that seems to shape the character he is now. Can wait to see him in some of your RP's.

[KiarasMate]

Hehe, thanks DL. Glad you like 'em. ^^ You'll hopefully learn more about him, that is, if Sparrow ever posts in our RP. lol.

[NightyByeSparrow]

[quote="KiarasMate"]Hehe, thanks DL. Glad you like 'em. ^^ You'll hopefully learn more about him, that is, if Sparrow ever posts in our RP. lol. [/quote]

*coughs* I have ears, you know. >.>

Yes, I plan to post in the RP. In fact, I FINISHED a post today, but just then I got kicked off...>.>*excuses, excuses XD*

[KiarasMate]

*pretends to believe Sparrow*

Okay, if that be the case Sparrow, than you're forgiven. lol.