=--------------------------------------------------------------------------= ___ _ _ ___ ' | ` |__| |__` oooo | | | |__, .ooooo. o 88 ---------------------------------------------------- o8" `"o8 88 ooo oo888oo ooo ooo ooo oo ooo ooo ooo d8' " 88 8 ,8' `8. 8"8 8 8 o8' 8 8"8 8 d8 88 8 88 88 8 8 8 8o' 8 8 8 8 88 oooo 88 8 88 88 8 8 8 88o 8 8 8 8 88 di 88 ,o 8 `8. ,8' 8 8.8 8 `8. 8 8 8.8 `88. ,8i o88ooooo'o8o `"ooooo"' o8o o8o o8o `8o o8o o8oo o8 (c)"88oood' =--------------------------------------------------------------------------= The Lion King is copyright 1994 by the Walt Disney Company. This MUCK in no way constitutes a challenge to this copyright. =--------------------------------------------------------------------------= [ December 04 2005 ] -- Uzima Valley -- Top of a Hill Standing atop this slightly raised part of the grassy savannah to the north, you can see down into a moderately large valley bordered on all sides but this one by a very steep, rocky ridge. From here, you can continue down the hill into the valley towards a herd of impala, peacefully grazing in the long grasses, go north out into the plains again, or go around the valley by climbing the ridge that from here, gently slopes upwards. Down the [N]orthern Edge of the Hill (defunc due to land loss) Down the [S]orthern Edge of the Hill You can see... [IC ] Chiboa, Balana's property! [IC ] Balana, up to her ears in a sea of cubs. [ZZZ] Mzohari [ZZZ] Tahlili [ZZZ] Malani Chanika Chanika is a sturdy young Lioness cub, only a few months old, with the fluffed edging of youth and the inevitable cute look, but so far not much about her which proclaims delicacy. Her head is proportionally large at this stage, of course, with fringed, round ears jutting out. She is wide-eyed, fascinated with others' interest and what she is learning on the world beyond that. Her large eyes have changed from a newborn's misty blue to a variegated hazel, with dark corners, tiny streaks of red-brown, and a glimpse of silver around her pupils. Places on her face are tinged with white, a little lighter than the rest of her: most of her pelt is a dry-grass tawny liberally scattered with ruddy spots, these blotches a deeper brown along her back. Her tail is approaching the proper length, although it still doesn't quite have a full, darker tuft at the end. Chiboa The muscular being draws attention like a knife draws blood. A pelt of reddish tones mixed evenly with dark, healthy browns gives this male a tone of dried blood, though moreso brown than that coloration would indicate. Up the brawny back, the pelt flows such as water over the toned, unobtrusive musculature of the leonine, the short fur lengthening into a darker, more brown-toned mane that still has some growing to do, but is already wonderfully full and thick. Hints of a dark, shiney black travel through the mane, casting illusional shadows throughout the fur. Framing a face that is best described as handsome, the pelt continues through the shades that complete it, soft, short fur brushing across the strong shoulders and up to caress across the face like a swirling wind. This color parts only briefly to fade even darker around the eyes and muzzle, this duller shade heralding the bright brown orbs that are located within. These eyes sparkle brightly, hints of hazel and greens faintly tinting within their depths like shadowed, hidden jewels. Chanika is stretched out on her belly, lengthening forelegs crossed in front of her, with her chin propped on this as she stares down the slope, fascinated by the ripplng of the long grass and the occasional glimpse of an alert Impala: the cub hasn't yet learned to make out the form of those with heads bent to graze. Fascinated by grasses, huh? Suppose that's much better then watching it grow, one might think but then again, a cub might find that interesting too! Having roused rather quietly from sleep, Chiboa stretches on out briefly before rising too all fours. Let's see..one cub asleep, another probably with his mother; or two for that matter when he spots Chanika nearby. Provided her attention doesn't switch he could possibly sneak up on her--but he won't be mean! Not Chibby. Instead, with a soft grunt offered in daughter's direction, he approaches. Chanika turns her head, squinting back over her round shoulder. Her eyes go wider and her lower jaw drops in a grin; immediately she's getting to her feet and turning to face her father, only briefly tangled by her previous pose--she's slowly moving from clumsiness, if not all the way to grace, this one. She squeaks a wordless greeting and bounds towards him. Balana Balana has definitely seen a fair share of life. Her features show signs of age, the few grey furs intermixed into her pelt and the look in her eyes suggesting she's nearing the end of her prime. A tawny color covers her topside, a lighter tawny/off white on the underside, as well as the inside of her ears. Her eyes are a deep brown, almost the same dark chestnut as her tailtuft. Despite her age, this lioness is in excellent physical condition, of average build and standing slightly taller than most lionesses. She has a few visible scars, all of which appear to be minor. She carries herself with a certain confidence and nobility, even though her days as a ruler have long since passed. Some habits stay around for life. Currently, her rounded belly has shrunk, though she still carries evidence of being a nursing mother. The strange lioness doesn't seem to be around here, which is good considering Balana told her to avoid the hill. No sense taking chances when she's not very well known! For now, the lioness makes her way up the hill, tail twitching behind her. Strange lioness? Someone's been slacking on patrols. Tsk tsk! As the girl grins, as does the lion whom offers his head lower to the ground should a certain cub run into it, or something. "Well, hello to you too, Chanika!" Course, the approaching lioness is spotted too in the distance making her way up the hill, and as far as he can see, no cubs behind her. Must be napping on down the hill somewhere. "Ooo, look. Mommy's here too." Chanika comes to a stop in time to bump her nose against her father's with fair delicacy before turning to rub the whole of her side along the front of his face, perhaps momentarily obscuring his vision with spotted tawny fluff. She pauses, raising her head and clearing looking for her announced mother, but is disappointed, unable to spot her in the grass. "Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you," the lioness comments upon seeing Chiboa, moving over sit down next to the male, her gaze drifting briefly down to Chanika. "Spending time with your daughter, eh? 'bout time." She leans over to nip at the lion's ear. "Really, Chibi. I know you want to keep us safe, but you can spend a little less time worrying about that and a little more time with us!" Chiboa offers the girl a soothing purr despite said vision being obscured. Mmf. Though he does realize she's unable to see Balana, not much he can do about it! Suppose he could let her climb on up onto his back or something but his mate is already to them considering his ear is nipped! "Bout time indeed," admits the male, knowing well enough of such a mistake but it's sometimes unavoidable. Ah well, he can attempt at making up for it, no? Unfortunately for his daughter, he soon leaves her vacinity in order to give Balana a deserving nuzzle since she's the one doing the raising, afterall. Sucking up? Nah.. "Mzo's already talking pretty well, and Lili even better. And Kizi's taken to tracking me all over the savanna, doesn't seem to matter where I am." Balana leans over to return Chiboa's nuzzle, rumbling lightly in her chest before she noses at his cheek. "But--I /suppose/--I can forgive you since you give such nice warm nuzzles." Chanika flops down to her haunches, her front legs splayed in front of her and head drooping down practically between. Now both of her parents are ignoring her, and it's just not fair. A plaintive whine works from her, extending into an insisting-sounding, "Me! Me!" She is still lagging behind her brothers, leaning nearer to vague noises than to actual words, but this one is an entirely typical start. Aww, ignoring? Such a harsh word to think! "I hope I do!" muses Chiboa at his mate's comment, of which he just emphasizes even more with more nuzzles and yuckly licks whilst infront of their daughter. Oh, yeah, he did forget about her! ...well, not really. As the whine sounds and the words said, the lion chuckles and soon breaks from his mate's 'embrace' in order to lower himself down onto his stomach so he can nose his daughter--that is, unless Balana should beat him to her since she's yet to greet her. Balana smirks lightly, nodding slightly to Chiboa before their daughter perks up. She imitates her daughter's calls in a high voice. "Me! Me! Love me! Pay attention to me!" She grins, and then lowers down beside Chiboa. She's had more time to spend with Chanika than he has. "Your daughter doesn't like it when you divide your attention." If there's any sarcasm in Balana's imitation, Chanika doesn't catch it, merely nodding vigorously before saing "Me," in a satisfied tone, confirming things. She leans towards the adults, staring intently at them; maybe if she does that for long enough she'll close to little distance and she won't have to get back up to her paws. Kifalme arrives at the top of the hill from the bottom of Uzima Valley. Kifalme Standing before you is a lion now in his prime, learned in the ways of hunting, fighting, and all manner of skills. At first, there's nothing unusual about him; one more random leonine on the savannah. But looking him over, there's something... different about him. His motions are more proud and thoughtful than most other furs, his face expressionless as though he's seen it all. His body, though not nearly as buffed out like you'd expect, still holds power. His fur is the normal tawny lion color, but with a reddish hue to it, especially in the mane, a deep and almost brownish red. But the eyes! Gazing into them, its nearly impossible not to turn away, for in them lays a powerful fire, burning bright and piercing you straight to the core. The fire of his mother and father, his sisters and brothers, his grandmother... Kifalme, son of Mazimwi'fu, grandson of Auanza... Heir to Evil! A smirk creases Chiboa's lips at the immitation, gazing sidelong at his mate whom joins him at his side, then back at his daughter, "So I gathered. However, I believe it'll be difficult to pay attention to you AND her AT the same time." Regarding Balana's words, anyway. Heh. Either way, Chiboa leans toward his daughter as she leans in, perhaps even nudging with with his cold, wet nose? Nudge! "Oh, how's Kizingo's..hearing?" He knows it's a hard subject for Balana but he needs to keep track on things. "I think it'll be even harder to pay attention to a little girl who insists in sitting way over there. Hey Me." She lifts a paw and moves it over to pat between Chibi's forelegs. "You can get some love over here." She lets out a soft sigh as she looks at Chanika, but speaks over to Chiboa. "No change, as far as I can tell. But nonetheless, we'll figure out a way to communicate with him." Quite the quiet family scene Kifalme's come upon. Padding slowly up the hill to where a small crowd is usually gathered he notices his friend Balana, with her family as well this time. Noticing the cubs about he stops quite a distance off and lowers himself to sit, happy to just remain on the sidelines until noticed, hearing the happy sounds of parents & cubs. Chanika frowns at Balana's patting paw, and if it weren't so difficult to pounce from a seated position you might try to play-attack it. Instead, she is forced to give in, slowly raising herself, then all but dragging herself over, head and tail held low: after all, she has to endure being the one to move. She flops down in the indicated place, with a stubborn expression. Now she really will stay put. Interesting nickname for the daughter. Me. Fits her well, no doubt, with her chanting afterall. So this one doesn't speak all that well, huh? Or insists on NOT speaking well. The lion's expression droops briefly at the show of 'anguish' Chanika expresses of the difficulty of moving. Oh, the pain of it all! "Mmmm," comes Chibi's only response to the Kizingo-topic, head bobbing as well. Let's hope they can find a way..or something. Kifalme is missed by this dark male for his attention is set upon his daughter whom is soon graced with more nuzzles and a possible lick of a wet tongue hoping to lighten that heart once more. Balana looks down at Chanika, her head shaking lightly. "Look at that. Kings forbid she have to move!" Chuckling, she lowers her head a little, looking at her daughter. "Cheer up, you. Your poppa's paying you lots of attention, see?" She doesn't see Kifalme either, due to his distance. Chanika tilts her head back, squinting, as she displays half of a grin, suddenly widened by a yawn. She wiggles a little, curling up between her father's paws, her flicking tail tickling a few toes as she settles herself with another yawn or two. Getting cosy now, she can bask in the attention as she eases towards sleep. "Gee, I must not be fun enough for her--or all that 'attention wanting' wore her out," muses the father, head shaking but offers the girl a goodnight's lick once she's settled and, ooo, she'll get a cover tonight once Chibi lowers his head onto a paw now won't she? "Were you looking for someone when you came here?" inquires Balana's mate, brow lifting curiously. "Or so it seemed, anyway." Balana chuckles a little, shaking her head. "That's how it usually goes." She then looks back at Chiboa, tilting her head. "I was? Well, I was looking to see if you were here and awake, but I wasn't looking for anybody in particular." The lioness offers a shrug. =--------------------------------------------------------------------------=