[Open] Merementa's Pride

[KingKivuli]

A new day dawns in the Shinelands. The burning sun rose in the east, above the forest. Birds took flight, squawking and screeching in the new day sky. The grass was covered in a layer of morning dew. The rays of the sun shone off the open plain and the tips of the mountains, making the land sparkle in dazzling light

At the foot of one of the mountains was a cave, used by the local pride as their home. Most were still asleep, yet in the centre on a raised platform, the king Merementa was waking. As his eyes opened they were greeted by the sight of his family. Shiva his queen, and Star his beloved princess. Being one of mischief, Merementa began nudging Shiva, waking her up. She turned round, her crimson eyes met with his emerald ones

Oh you big loony, just cause your awake does not mean I have to lose my beauty sleep She smiled at him, and Merementa nuzzled back If you got any more pretty the gods might get jealous he replied laughing to himself Leave off it, you show off. Well you have me up may as well get the others He nodded to his mate, before letting out a roar, which echoed throughout the cave

[SnowyCheetah]

Kemmy was startled awake by the loud roar. It was nothing new to her. She rarely woke up on her own. Living in a pride meant someone usually woke you up for you. She sighed, yawned, and rolled onto her front and stretched, while yawning wide. Licking her lips, she saw Kheri and playfully poked his nose with her paw, but then flinched as her shoulder cramped up. It had never been quite the same since being sliced wide open when she was mauled as a cub.

[Panda-chan]

Star sat bolt upright as Merementa's roar echoed mightily through the cave walls. "Daddy, you scared me!" she laughed, giving her father an affectionate nudge. She proceeded to lick the rumpled fur on her back and then cleansed the back of both forepaws with swift motions of her tongue. She glanced at the rest of the pride between licks. Lions and lionesses alike were stirring and groaning all around her as they rose to begin the new day. Star felt nervous twinges of excitement in her paws and couldn't help but shiver with glee. She had a feeling today would be a good day to splash around in the waterhole. The warmth of the early morning promised sunshine and a mild breeze.


"RAAAAWWWOOORRR!"
Kheri covered his ears with his paws and shut his eyes tightly, trying to block out the deafening roar that vibrated throughout the cave. Gradually as the echoes died away he cracked open an eyelid to glare angrily at the king of the Shinelands. Why couldn't he enjoy just a few more hours of sleep? He snarled at Kemmy as she prodded him and shifted his position so that his back faced her. At long last Kheri stood up awkwardly, stretched his lean, skinny frame, and yawned widely. Today, like any other, he would spend lounging about inside the cave or sitting alone in the shade of a baobab tree, sleeping. Everday seemed a chore for the lazy lion, who felt like his entire life was completely worthless and simply something he should get over with as quickly as possible. He lamented that had failed to accomplish anything worthwhile such as making a name for himself, starting his own pride, or even finding a mate. His entire life he had always been overshadowed by his older brother, and soon came to accept the fact that he was destined to be a failure. What kind of shallow, pathetic, existance was this where he, who had once been the son of a king from a very powerful kingdom far away, was now residing in a foreign pride with complete strangers like an outcast?
Kheri slouched miserably out of the cave entrance and headed for the familiar solace of the baobab tree, without even glancing back at the lions and lionesses still waking up.

[YFWE]

Though Ashiki had not been deep in sleep by this hour of the morning, he was still somewhat jolted awake by Merementa's roar as it echoed through the cave they called their home. Rolling his eyes as he allowed his heart rate to slow, the black-maned lion let out a long yawn before glancing around the rest of the cave, seeing the rest of the pride slowly awaking following the roar of their King.

He rose to all fours and stretched, shaking his mane out from over his eyes as he turned his head toward the mouth of the cave in which they resided. It seemed like it would be a sunny day, judging by the warmth already radiating from the exterior of the cave. Ashiki planned on perhaps taking a trip to the forest later under these conditions, to retrieve a plant or two from the marshy area that might go well in some of the medicines he planned on attempting to concoct in the near future should the pride fall on dire times. He would not leave, of course, unless there was nothing more to do within the pride that day. He would do as Merementa ordered, of course, and would follow without question. It was the least he could do for the King after having been allowed to reside with the pride for the time being.

Turning himself toward the King and Queen and their small daughter, Ashiki performed a low bow before rising back up to face them. "Your Majesty. Shiva, my Queen. A pleasant morning to the both of you."

He turned to once again to the direction of the cave's exit momentarily before refocusing his solemn gaze upon the royalty. "What shall be the agenda for today then, sire? Shall you require anything of me? If not, I was planning to take a little stroll into the forest to restock on some herbs and such... with your permission, of course," he lowered his head in another bow.

[xChelseax]

Hallia, unlike the other pride members was not startled by the roar that echoed threw the cave as she was not asleep, she had been up the whole night thinking, she was not thinking about anything in particullar just thinking, she streached her legs and rose to her paws and made her way outside passing Ashiki as she stepped out into the morning sun, she looked around and breathed in the fresh morning air "another beautifull day" she thought to herself as she walked to a nearby tree and took a place underneth.

[Panda-chan]

Star smiled sweetly up at the medicine lion. "Good morning Ashiki." she purred. She then turned and looked up at Merementa. "Dad, can I go swim in the waterhole today?" she implored, staring directly into his eyes. This trick always worked when she wanted something done her way. He simply couldn't resist those large purple eyes of hers.

Kheri scowled as the blinding sunlight hit him with full force. He hadn't expected it to be such a sunny day. He spotted the young lioness Hallia resting below his favorite tree. Kheri spat on the ground disdainfully. He would have to find somewhere else to laze around.

[xChelseax]

Hallia lay under the tree and the heat of the morning sun pushed her into a much needed sleep, as she slept her mind wandered far back into her past, into her cubhood, she looked up from the much smaller version of her and in front of her was her mother, she was so happy to see her that she nuzzled her with deep affection, "Mother i missed you so much" , she told her with a smile and before the golden brown lioness could reply she started driffting off into the distance, Hallia ran after her as fast as she could but she couldnt catch up with her, "Mother" she shouted and suddenley she woke up, she had woken herself with her own screams, "it was only a dream Hallia" she reasured herself and she then quickly looked around to make sure nobody had seen her she then streched herself, rose to her paws and shook of the dirt that had matted her pelt as she slept, she then looked around again to see if anyone else had lft the comfort of the den, as she looked around her deep blue eyes shimmered with the light from the sun, she then spotted Kheri and walked over to him, "Hello Kheri, you dont look too fresh today, would you care to join me for a drink" she asked as she nodded towards a nearby waterhole.

[KingKivuli]

Merementa stood proud, overlooking his pride. It was strong. They could easy take out any other pride, but they were not a warring group, they preferred peace. In a matter of minutes, the pride was up at at it, ready to take on the day. The royal family was approached by Ashiki, the prides doctor. He was loyal willing to follow Merementa at a moments notice Ashiki my friend, of course you may go and collect your herbs. We dont want caught without any medicine in an emergency

The king then became distracted by his daughters call Of course we can Star you not, ill even drag your mother along for once Merementa gave Shiva a sly grin. He remember the days when they were cubs, playing in the waterhole, although some part of Merementa seemed to have not grown up Your such a pushover, letting our daughter go wild replied Shiva. The king laughed Come on now Shiva, dont be grumpy, you know you will end up enjoying it. Maybe after you can teach Star how to hunt She turned round and pounced on him, holding him down So let me get this straight. You want me to get wet then go running around looking for food? I dont know what it is that makes me liek you but dont loose it you goof She bent over to him and they exchanged a loving nuzzle

[YFWE]

Glad to be given the chance to take a stroll that morning and to get a chance to restock on a few choice herbs that he would eventually require, Ashiki proceeded to give another low bow to his King and Queen. "Many thanks, as always. I will be sure to bring back something helpful to our cause, should the gods provide."

He grinned as he listened to Star's plea to visit the waterhole and again as Merementa accepted on the condition of Shiva chaperoning her. "Don't give your mother too much of a workout, now," mused Ashiki warmly as he tapped Star lightly upon the head with his paw. He turned and made his way to the mouth of the den, letting the sun's warm rays wash over him as he stepped into the sunshine. From the feel of it, it would be a pleasant day indeed for a good walk into the forest. Perhaps he would come across another living creature or two as he walked.

Bounding down onto the path that would surely lead him to the forest that surrounded their resting place, a path he had tread upon many a time since he came to reside with Merementa's pride, he noticed a few other members of their small pride out and about already in the warm sunshine-laden day. He would certainly not be missed; everyone else would find their own pleasure in simply relaxing and would unlikely need his services as a healer, for which he was grateful. It would give him more time to contemplate his situation in life, perhaps even meditate if the spirits beckoned him, if he so chose.

The marshy forest finally in view, Ashiki slackened his pace, letting the crisp, clean air helped no doubt by the abundance of trees fill his lungs as he graciously stepped forward, curious to see if any new plants with new herbs of fruits had sprung up since his last visit into the forest.

[Panda-chan]

Star laughed at Ashiki's warning and watched him leave though the entrance of the cave. She then turned and grinned up at her parents' playful teasing, flicking her tail playfully at them. It always amused her to see them rolling around and wrestling like young cubs. She jumped into her father's silky mane and prodded her mother impatiently. "Come on Mom, we don't want to waste such a bright sunny day." she giggled.
Star jumped back to the ground, landing gracefully on all four paws, and padded toward the mouth of the cave, glancing back to check if Shiva was following.

Kheri looked out from under the thick crop of hair hanging over his eyes to stare directly at Hallia. She was a pretty lioness, he admitted to himself somewhat reluctantly. With her bright blue eyes, white chest, and cream colored fur, she resembled a large crystal orb glittering in the sun.
He finally tore his gaze away and started contemplating to himself. A drink by the waterhole? He was surely thirsty enought to lap a few mouthfuls. But wouldn't he rather be spending this time dozing under a tree instead of venturing out with this strange white lioness?
Ah, what does it matter? Sure I'll come with you." he replied finally, taking the lead.