HOME | DD

Description

Adrenaline rushed through Akesis’ veins as she tried to make a snap decision. Injured or not, this lioness was aggressive and clearly wasn’t keen on company. Slowly, she took a step back, indicating that she was going to make a steady retreat.

“Who’s that, Mama? Is she going to save us?”

The Queen’s eyes widened; she was just about to turn and go when a little voice mewled from behind the lioness, who slapped her paw against her face in frustration. “Kashka!” she grumbled, rolling her eyes and shifting her leg with a wince so that her cub could pop his head up. “I told you to be quiet and hide. It’s not safe out here.”

“Sorry, Mama…but she seems nice. Will you help us, lady?” the cub asked, with a smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. Akesis returned the gesture, eyeing the mother for permission to step closer. The injured lioness just shrugged, figuring that if they were going to be attacked, it would have happened by now.

“Hello, little one,” the older female purred, plopping down at a safe distance so she could talk without looming over him. “My name is Akesis, and yes, I will help you if you want. Do you think you could convince your mother to let me take her weight?”

“Absolutely not,” came the adult voice in reply. “I can walk by myself, thank you, and anyway, we don’t know you. We’re not going anywhere with you.”

“Fair enough,” Akesis said levelly as she tried to contain her frustration. “But I’m going to stay here and watch over you. The smell of your blood, your cub and that carcass will soon attract all sorts of predators.”

The lioness scowled, but there wasn’t much she could do about it in her current condition. She knew that the newcomer was right, but after what had happened to the rest of her litter, she was very reluctant to risk it. “Fine. Akesis, was it? And you’re what, a Queen? I’m Obax, and this is my son, Kashka. I might have a bad leg, but my teeth are perfectly intact, so don’t even think about trying anything”.

“I can see that,” smiled Sissy, throwing a cheeky wink at the cub. “Yes, I’m the Queen of a very small, all-female pride called Kikundi Kidogo. We’re what’s left of a bigger group which was ripped apart by a flood some seasons ago. We’ve picked up a few newcomers along the way…you’re welcome to join us. Both of you. We can protect you.”

“All female?” Obax thought aloud, raising her elegant eyebrows with interest. That changed things. “Humph. I’ll think about it.”

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

Gains: +2 Pride Members
Losses: Food

Ten people out of twelve wanted Akesis to stay and help - so she did! It turns out that the lioness was only being so defensive because she had a cub to protect. Good job, guys! Now the pride has some big decisions to make - decisions which you will be helping with.

See you next time!

Cub reference: i.ytimg.com/vi/5EliDGGRz24/max…

Art, characters and story (c) QuillElizabeth

Description

Adrenaline rushed through Akesis’ veins as she tried to make a snap decision. Injured or not, this lioness was aggressive and clearly wasn’t keen on company. Slowly, she took a step back, indicating that she was going to make a steady retreat.

“Who’s that, Mama? Is she going to save us?”

The Queen’s eyes widened; she was just about to turn and go when a little voice mewled from behind the lioness, who slapped her paw against her face in frustration. “Kashka!” she grumbled, rolling her eyes and shifting her leg with a wince so that her cub could pop his head up. “I told you to be quiet and hide. It’s not safe out here.”

“Sorry, Mama…but she seems nice. Will you help us, lady?” the cub asked, with a smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. Akesis returned the gesture, eyeing the mother for permission to step closer. The injured lioness just shrugged, figuring that if they were going to be attacked, it would have happened by now.

“Hello, little one,” the older female purred, plopping down at a safe distance so she could talk without looming over him. “My name is Akesis, and yes, I will help you if you want. Do you think you could convince your mother to let me take her weight?”

“Absolutely not,” came the adult voice in reply. “I can walk by myself, thank you, and anyway, we don’t know you. We’re not going anywhere with you.”

“Fair enough,” Akesis said levelly as she tried to contain her frustration. “But I’m going to stay here and watch over you. The smell of your blood, your cub and that carcass will soon attract all sorts of predators.”

The lioness scowled, but there wasn’t much she could do about it in her current condition. She knew that the newcomer was right, but after what had happened to the rest of her litter, she was very reluctant to risk it. “Fine. Akesis, was it? And you’re what, a Queen? I’m Obax, and this is my son, Kashka. I might have a bad leg, but my teeth are perfectly intact, so don’t even think about trying anything”.

“I can see that,” smiled Sissy, throwing a cheeky wink at the cub. “Yes, I’m the Queen of a very small, all-female pride called Kikundi Kidogo. We’re what’s left of a bigger group which was ripped apart by a flood some seasons ago. We’ve picked up a few newcomers along the way…you’re welcome to join us. Both of you. We can protect you.”

“All female?” Obax thought aloud, raising her elegant eyebrows with interest. That changed things. “Humph. I’ll think about it.”

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

Gains: +2 Pride Members
Losses: Food

Ten people out of twelve wanted Akesis to stay and help - so she did! It turns out that the lioness was only being so defensive because she had a cub to protect. Good job, guys! Now the pride has some big decisions to make - decisions which you will be helping with.

See you next time!

Cub reference: i.ytimg.com/vi/5EliDGGRz24/max…

Art, characters and story (c) QuillElizabeth