A Stone's Precious Offering [Private]

[CheetahCat]

Hehe, this is a RP devoted to myself and LadyAnette. ^^ The story revolves around a lion you all are quite familiar with, Mohatu. Unlike from the book series, Mohatu is on a quest to save his beloved lioness from a evil lion named, Nyeusi. Tama, Mohatu's best friend and mate was kidnapped one evening and the regal king is determined to get her back by any means possible. Will the stocky lion king succeed? Read along and find out! ^^

Character Introductions:

Mohatu

Role: Main protagonist.
Swahili Meaning: ?
Physical Attributes: By far one of the largest lions to ever rule Pride Rock, Mohatu has a stocky, yet powerful looking anatomy. He has sandy-brown eyes and his fur is quite dark, but more of a brownish gold pigment. Mohatu greatly resembles the notable Mufasa of his time.
Played By: TeenSimba

Nzuri

Role: Mother of, Mohatu.
Swahili Meaning: Beautiful
Physical Attributes: Mohatu's mother, Nzuri is a gorgeous lioness who excels in great looks amongst their Pride. Her dark, burnished pelt makes her appearance very appealing to the eye and her orange eyes adds a eerie touch to her almost perfect, lean figure.
Played By: TeenSimba

Hodari

Role: Father of, Mohatu.
Swahili Meaning: Strong.
Physical Attributes: Hodari sports a dark brown mane, has a strong muscular body and brown eyes. What's more conspicuous about Hodari is that his pelt is brightly golden, making him distinguishable than most of his fellow Pride Members. Unlike Mohatu, Hodari is far more stockier than his son.
Played By: TeenSimba

Nyeusi

Role: The main adversary.
Swahili Meaning: ?
Physical Attributes: By far one of the dangerous lions in his pride, Nyeusi is a lean, muscular lion who exhibits a dark black mane. Being a little stocky, Nyeusi's tan colored, effulgent pelt is what makes him appear more frightening than most lions. Despite his skinny physique, Nyeusi's emerald eyes can stare down one of the most eerie lions and he's known to be fearless in hazardous situations.
Played By: LadyAnette

Tama

Role: Mohatu's best friend and loving mate.
Swahili Meaning: Sweet One.
Physical Attributes: Tama is a young, attractive lioness who's anomalous pelt differs than most lionesses. Having a slender lean physique and brown eyes, Tama's fur color is a bright yellowish gold, having a small mixture of lighter flaxen colors that illuminate in the blistering hot sun. What's more distinct about Tama's traits are her white snowy paws. Being born with this, Tama wasn't acknowledged a lot by her Pride and was considered an outcast until she met up with, Mohatu.
Played By: LadyAnette

[LadyAnette]

Sunrise. The beautiful golden glow of sunshine glazed brightly through the plains and prairies of Pride Rock. Golden glimpses stroke itself on the rock, casting beautiful patterns. The sky which had previously flew rain from the sky, was now bright and yellow, clouds were scarce, indicating that it would be a warm day. Dimples of left over rain were on the ground, sparkling with the light of the sunrise. Antelope herds were grazing nearby on the soft grass. Their spoonlike ears twitched at every whiff of air and every whisper of sounds. A lion, female, was teaching her young cub how to catch a meal.

"Tama, this is importent. Every lion in the pride expects the lionesses to hunt for food. Even your father."

Tama, a young cub was frolicking about the grass, taking no care to what her mother told her. She was an interestingly laid out cub. Her pelt was a soft, dark brown and had a few speckles of tan dots on her back. Her eyes were a hazel brown, that dazzled in the sunlight. But the weirdest thing about this cub, were her very odd paws. Instead of a light, creamy tan, as most lions had, she was born with a creamy white color. Such as, the pride neglected her and treated her mostly as an outcast. Her additude was laid back, with a caring spirit and a dream-filled heart. Yet, her childhood was not the best of sorts, she still had an optimistic additude. The cubs of the pride, however, treated her as an equal. They sought no difference in her, despite her appearance, and she was quite popular with them, because of her stunning beauty. Even for a cub.

Her mother sighed with withdrawl and sat down on the dimpled grass. She gazed into the eyes of her daughter, so young and carefree. Tama noticed her mother's eyes gazing at her and ran to her, her eyes looked slightly concerned.

"Are you alright, Mother?" She asked worridly. Her eyes shone with concern and caring that even her mother's heart softened.

Tama's mother sighed and looked upon the sight of the running antelope. She turned her head at Tama and laid down in front of her.

"Tama, I wish for you to hunt when you grow up. Every proper lioness does. You might even impress some males!"

Tama had no care for males at all. In a matter of fact, she found them quite dull and annoying. But to please her mother, she spoke,

"Yes, mother. I will try my best to please you." With that, Tama crouched down in the ground, likewise that of her mother did and did an impression of a growl.

Tama's mother laughed. "Haha! Now that you are paying attention, how about I teach you how to do it PROPERLY!"

[CheetahCat]

Meanwhile, a few paw lengths from where Tama and her mother were stationed, there laid a large rock formation that shone brightly from the sun's powerful rays. Sitting high on top of the majestic rock formation was a young, mischievous looking cub. Everyone associated this cub as, Mohatu, the future king to rule the Pride Lands. Even though he had a bright future to look forward to, Mohatu wasn't fond of leading a predetermined path as he sighed ponderously, staring deeply over the horizon to watch a herd of peaceful looking antelope. Slowly moving himself up on all fours, Mohatu didn't want to wait any longer for his father to return as he glanced over to his mother who wasn't too far from where he was laying. Advertising an affectionate smile, Mohatu padded over to his mother and gave her a loving, full body nuzzle before speaking calmly.

"Mom, do you think it's okay for me to go out and play? Father already taught me so much these past few days and I want a break to spend time in our homelands. Is this okay with you?"

Mohatu eagerly anticipated his mother's response, staring fixedly on her furry face to try and point out her reaction concerning his inquiry.
-------
Absorbing her son's inquiry, Nzuri eyed her young cub attentively and leaned down to gently run her raspy, pink, feline tongue across his fuzzy, adorable cheeks as she replied tenderly.

"Of course my sweet Mohatu. I'll tell your father you've been a good cub recently and you really do deserve to go out and play. You already endured so many lectures from your father on how to become a admirable king. When you go out to play, make sure to stay in the vicinity of Pride Rock. I don't want you wandering around far from our home."
-------
Excitement grew within Mohatu as he caught wind of his mother's response. Pasting an excited countenance, the eager cub leaned in to give his cheerful mother a quick huggle to show how happy he is. Without wasting anymore of his free time, Mohatu turned around and dashed off away from the promontory of Pride Rock at expeditious speeds, dangerously coming close to their familiar slope. Slowing down his hasty speed, the young prince took a deep breath and descended down off of Pride Rock until one of his tan fore paws came in contact with wet vegetation. Blinking numerous of times, Mohatu wasn't aware it rained as he shook out his small, yet powerful frame. Now that he had the whole day to play around in his homelands, the curious cub looked over to a nearby tree and decided to embark in that particular direction as he presented a noticeable smile. Without much thought, Mohatu initiated his quest for the tree, having no idea that he was actually heading in the same direction where Tama and her mother were established.

[LadyAnette]

Tama's mother's tail flickered to and fro as she glanced her soft eyes towards the sky. Seeing the growing darkness and the soft shower of rain pouring down on her flank, she turned her head towards her young charge and asked her,

"Do you want to go back to the den, my dear?"

Her eyes looked for resignation in Tama's eyes. Tama's mother, named Mvua, was not as fond of rain as the average fish or antelope. After having a childhood of horrible memiors, she did not like the rain even then. She almost drowned in a water hole once. Mvua could still remember the dark, cold, depths of the underworld of water. From then on, she was petrified of it. But Tama didn't want to go back to the den. Trying to find some excuse, she glanced around the rain pouring down on the ground. A dark figure out of the rain! Coming towards them! Casting a look at her mother, she told her excitedly,

"Mother! Mother! Look! An animal is over there!" She almost yelled as her Mvua scanned the edge of the grass worridly. Her eyes trying to glance anything that came into sight range. Her fears came true as she saw a dark figure coming towards her. Mvua's first fear of rain, came to fear of death. She looked at Tama and whispered to her,

"Tama. Back to the den. I don't want you to get hurt! Run! As fast as you can!"
She licked Tama a kiss goodbye from her rough tongue as she stood her ground, waiting for the dreadful onslaught of the stranger. But to her amazement, she saw a cub walk towards her instead!

---------------------

Had her eyes deceived her? Did she not look to hard? But seeing this young cub brought her no reassurence. All it made her do was get more confused. Tama looked at her and looked at the dark figure. Indeed, it was a cub. But why would a cub be wandering across the plains in rain? Prehaps he was lost? Or just a stranger? Tama, slightly afraid, hid behind her mother's flank and crouched down.

[CheetahCat]

Carelessly moving along steadily at a moderate rate, Mohatu didn't think too much about his current surroundings, having no knowledge that a small drizzle was occurring around him. Mumbling a soft song under his breath that he learned from his mother, the courageous cub realized how abrupt the weather had become as heavy fog began to set in, causing disorientation to engulf Mohatu's conscience. Nervousness quickly sank in as Mohatu glanced around in every possible direction, not able to pin point where he was going, even his home seemed to disappear from eyesight as he perpetuated forward, closing the distance between him and both of the anonymous felines who had no idea that he was en route on their path.

Instantaneously without any warning, Mohatu can see an outline of two incomprehensible felines who were a few paws length from where he was disposed. One of them appeared to be around the same age as him while the other feline seemed a lot bigger, much much bigger than he can envision. Giving one last final step forward, the nervous cub came to an abrupt stop and laid his eyes upon the two anonymous felines, listening to the younger one refer to him as some aberrant animal. In a state of panic in combination of his forelegs being frozen in place, Mohatu eyed the large lioness, wondering what type of pride she's from as he helplessly curled up into a damp, tiny, fuzzy brown ball. Using both of his small drenched fore paws to conceal his innocent eyes, Mohatu had no idea what to do as he hastily spoke up in a frighten tone.

"Pl-- Please don't hurt me! I-- I didn't mean to come between you two on purpose. I got lost from the fog and-- and I didn't see you two in time. If both of you are wondering, my name's, Mohatu. I-- I'm going to be the future king of Pride Rock."

Not realizing what he just said, Mohatu didn't care by this point as he desperately curled himself up much tighter, trying to make an appearance of a lesser target in hopes to keep these two felines from harming him as the contentious downpour of rain became more severe. By this point, Mohatu's immature furry body was completely soaked from head to tail and each passing second, he envisioned his ultimate demise by the much formidable lioness.

[LadyAnette]

Mvua eyed Mohatu with an odd look in her eye. One eyebrow down, the other raised as she carefully tread across the wet ground towards the petrified cub. Seeing the cubs ragged features, she slightly softened. Poor little cub. But she only thought that for a mere moment. Looking down with a stern gaze, she asked him,

"Mohatu you say? The prince? Future king of the Pride Lands?"

She looked around back and forth from her stance in front of the cub, trying to see if there were any royal guard protecting the prince.

"Shouldn't you be with your mother or father?" Mvua asked. She never saught things like playing adequate for young cubs. She always had the theory that cubs should learn to be with their mothers of fathers until they finally learned some common sense. She beckoned Tama with her right paw as she called her,

"It's alright, Tama. This is Mohatu, future king of our home."

Seeing the unmoving child, she beckoned more, getting slightly more angry every time she called and the cub didn't move. Finally after about two minutes, Tama finally got her conscience and it told her to obey her mother and come. Rather grudgingly, she went to her mother and sat behind her rump as she peered afraid at the cub. The cub was actually quite handsome, in general. His soft features and strong muscles made her shudder. But, of course, being a cub of very young age, she didn't care much for males or any of the sort as we have previously learned.

So instead of trying to make contact with the stupified Mohatu, she merely hid between her mother's long legs and gazed at the cub in wonderment. First contact should never be a scary one, I must say, to be friends. Tama had no thought of meeting the Mohatu...ever. But, her mother had different plans. If she could get her and Mohatu to like each other, it would open up great opportunities for her family line and heritage. She nudged Mohatu playfully and lifted his chin with her claw, forcing him to look into her eyes. She raidiated beautifully in the rain and she gently told him,

"It's alright, young prince. We are not going to hurt you. We are from the same pride." She glanced up at the sky again. The rain had begun to pour steadily instead of dripping. "Come, let's get out of this rain."

[CheetahCat]

Upon feeling the formidable, fully grown lioness' claw pressing against his sandy colored furry chin, Mohatu didn't hesitate to glance up at the large lioness. Visually eying every unique physical feature this large lioness presented, the young prince gulped quietly and listened closely to what she was offering. A small smile formed around Mohatu's quivering muzzle lips, having a assumption that these two felines weren't so bad after all as he slowly moved back up on all fours, looking over to the juvenile lioness that appeared to be around the same age as him. Admiring her beautiful, shimmering anatomy, Mohatu's innocuous sandy-brown eyes caught a glimpse of the young lioness' snowy paws as she disappeared behind her mother's backside. Giving a tilt of his head, the curious cub stepped forward and began to follow both of the felines who were trekking off in one direction, most likely heading back to their abode due to the incursion of heavy rain.

Moving along at a steady rate, Mohatu felt more relax to know these two felines weren't going to impose any physical harm on him. One of the consequential teachings he received from his father was to never trust an outsider who seemed suspicious. Regardless of his father's discipline lectures, Mohatu couldn't help but feel these two obscure lionesses weren't going to do anything drastic, especially knowing one of them is around his age.

Directly after his personal thoughts, all three felines ultimately reached their destination, coming up to a shallow appearing den. The corroded surface around each corner of the entrance was one of the first things Mohatu noticed, giving him an indication this cavern was very old and probably used by many past creatures who roamed around the Pride Lands. Shoving these unnecessary details aside, Mohatu glanced over to the young lioness and spoke lightly, demonstrating his thoughts of appreciation as they deliberately moved inside of the cimmerian den.

"Thank you for letting me stay in your den, Tam... Tama. That's your name, right? I'm sorry if I didn't pronounce it right. I could never get anyone's name correct at first. Anyway, I was wondering..." Mohatu paused momentarily to stare down at Tama's actuated, snowy paws, curious to know how she was born with this abnormal characteristic as he inquired excitedly. "I um... was wondering why your paws are white? I've never seen such a thing before. I think they're really cool! You must be the only cub in your pride to have them, huh?"

Mohatu pasted a friendly smile, inching himself a little closer towards the smaller lioness to make sure he'll be able hear what her response will be as they were moving deeper into the unfamiliar sanctuary, staying on the trail where Tama's mother is generously providing for them from excess of rain dripping off of her tail tuft and onto the chilly ground.

[LadyAnette]

Mvua and Tama noticed that his once scared expression turned to a small smile. Mvua smiled as well and beckoned the two cubs to follow her. Tama still hid behind her mother, not wishing to show her embaressing white paws. The rain pit-pattered across the ground, its beautiful shower was pouring and made everything exposed wet. Mvua, though her great fear of water, trudged on. Her soft, beautiful pelt was dampened by the unevitable rain that came down. Tama nudged her mother worridly. The cub was following them. She did not wish to be mocked by this 'young prince' as her mother had called him. Even though her beautiful appearence, the male cubs still mocked her and laughed at her unfortunate white paws. Her mother gave her a quick lick on the cheek tenderly with her rough tongue.

"It's alright, dear. I'm sure he won't tortue you as those other cubs had."

Yet Tama was not much assured at her mother's kind words. Even if the cub didn't mind her paws, he would still eventually notice her paws. Even though she was hiding them. Tama would have to expose herself sometime.

==========

Mvua led them into a large, dark cave. It's walls dripping, making a very eerie sound that echoed and raidiated around the whole cave. Tama shuddered at the dark, scary walls as they were led deeper, and deeper and yet deeper. She began to get worried. Did her mother know where they were going? Had she lost their way? Was she planning a surprise attack? Horrible thoughts filled her troubled mind as Mvua led them still deeper. Finally, Mvua stopped in a rather large section of the cave, it was deepened in a sort of circle. To Tama's surprise, there was blood on the eerie walls. She gasped in fright as her mother explained,

"These are the hollowed walls of The Great Caves. Before there were prides, there were caves. The founder of Pride Rock, Mahiri, used to live in this place. These walls are covered in blood because it's their royal blood. They marked the walls with blood to show power and strength."

The young female cub still shuddered at the thought of having her blood being put on walls for power. Hearing Mohatu speak to her, she softly answered,

"Yes, my name is Tama. But this is not our den. We live in the pride, the same as yours." Her eyes began to fill with tears however at the hearing that the cub had noticed her strange paws. She choked back the tears bravely as she swallowed and answered, "Those are my birth marks." She choked some more and replied so tearfully that it was hard to hear her words, "All the cubs laugh at me. They don't....care." With that she broke off sobbing.

[CheetahCat]

Upon entering a much larger section of their refuge cavern, Mohatu was in awe to notice how extensive this particular domain was. When all three felines reached the middle portion of the room, the young prince took a gander over to his newly fond lioness friend, observing her upset countenance. Puzzled by her depressing demeanor, Mohatu couldn't figure out what was wrong with Tama as he glanced over to her mother who began to explain about the past kings who lived amongst these lands. Maintaining his gaze upon the older lioness, the young prince attentively absorbed in each and every description about the Great Kings Of The Past, feeling more astonished by how glorious these felines influenced the Pride Lands. When Tama's mother finished her verbal explanation about their ancestors who lived here, Mohatu had a intense thought about his future. Will he one day be chosen to rank amongst the great kings in the future?

With the eerie sounds of water dripping from each corner of their alcove in combination of howling winds, Mohatu's courageous demeanor and preoccupied thoughts came to an instantaneous cessation as fear struck him abruptly. Not wanting to exemplify his petrified disposition, the young male glanced over to his distinctive companion and spoke in a bold voice, hoping to camouflage his frighten behavior despite there being a little quiver in his tone of voice.

"Tama, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I-- I didn't mean to make you feel upset. If there's something I've done to you to make you feel this way, please let me know. I was just trying to be frien--friendly is all."

Mohatu took a deep breath to try and calm himself down, averting his attention away from Tama as he didn't want her to notice his frighten countenance. If there's anything that frighten him in life, it was a spooky cave that may inhabit hazardous predators that may be lurking in the shadows.

[LadyAnette]

Tama's beautiful eyes dropped to the floor bashfully. She slowly inched towards the frightened cub. In one act of motion, she was under his small chin and rubbed it lovingly. Her soft fur pushed against his in a love embrace. Tama shuddered with delight. Never had she in her whole small tragic life had she felt any love. Her whole body quavered with excitment as she hugged him. What a wonderful feeling! She never EVER wanted it to leave her life. Tama licked him on the cheek and rubbed him one more time as she backed away from him slowly. Her eyes on the ground in almost shame of what she did. She gazed at the floor as she muttered under her breath almost in a whisper,

"I'm sorry I did that, Mohatu. I don't know what's come over me." Her cheeks turned hot red as she shuffled her feet nervously on the ground, sending up small clouds of dust flying.

Little did she know that her mother was watching.

----------

Mvua's once stern mouth curled into a deep smile as she thought of a wonderful marriage between Tama and Mohatu. That would be the day! Power! Tama's mother was not greedy, or cruel, but she cherished the fact of being part of the royal family. Mvua purred with delight as she watched her daughter's loving moves towards Mohatu. It would work! After she saw Tama move back and apologize, she slightly frowned. Why did she not continue? She's ruining it! Mvua thought. But that only happened for a moment as she came up to Tama and Mohatu and said,

"Mohatu, do you wish for us to lead you home, or do you wish to stay here for the night?"

Mvua glanced into the deep tunnels that lead to the entrance. Her sensitive ears twitched as she strained to her any sounds of pattering rain. There was. She groaned and sat down on the ground and started to clean herself as she waited for the petrified cub to answer.