Straye

10/25/2017 - Masked Fate finds an abandoned cub. Realizing that both he and Kovu are getting older, he decides having a young heir would be in everyone's best interest.
10/29/2017 - The cub, now called Straye, is well-loved by most of the pride. His Snarky personality raises some worries, however, as the Sun Pride prefers Good and Kind lions. However, he is young, and it will be a long time before he becomes king. Things can change.
11/1/2017 - Straye has come of age, and begins to go patrolling with Kovu. Because of this, the two sub males become friends quickly.
11/2/2017 - Masked Fate obtains a Lion Mask for Straye. The pride is fine with a neutral or kind king, so they take their chances. Straye leaves his Snarky personality in the past and becomes Confident (Kind). The Sun Pride goes into celebration mode! Straye can now officially become an heir. As a reward, Kovu takes him on longer, farther patrols. (Hyena Lands Background)
11/4/2017 - Straye hears the whispers straight from the lion's mouth. Masked Fate is honest about the lack of room for sub males, and what it may mean for his future. Though nervous, he keeps his focus on his patrols.
11/10/2017 - Straye is sent to Brokenfang's pride.
3/24/2018 - You see Straye puff up and strut in front of the lionesses, confident of his dashing looks. You feel slightly annoyed.
3/25/2018 - Straye has grown comfortable in the Moonlit Pride. Though he will not be king, he works closely with Nightwing, securing himself a spot as a patroller and advisor for life. The two are incredibly close, and Straye is happy to spend time with Nightwing when the future king is not busy with his patrols.
6/1/2018 - Straye is excited, stretching his tired muscles. The day he was waiting for had come; he would be accompanying Nightwing to the Sun Pride's territory. Soon, he would see his adoptive father and his mentor once again.
"Are you ready to go?" Nightwing's voice was soft. He almost seemed nervous.
Straye gave his friend a gentle headbutt. "I'm ready. Don't be so nervous! Brokenfang and Masked Fate already talked; this meeting is no secret. Everyone agrees it'll be good for both prides."
The birch male just sighed. "I know, I know. It's still quite the journey though. And with everything that's been going on..."
Straye frowned slightly. "I know you're nervous, Nightwing, but don't be. You'll be king one day, and you'll have to do this all the time, just like Brokenfang does now. Our alliances provide strength for our Pride. We have a strong alliance with the Sun Pride thanks to your father, but you'll have to form some of your own, too." He could see that his friend looked worried by the prospect. "But you don't have to worry, Nightwing - I will be with you every step of the way."
The birch lion smiled at his friend, then nodded. "OK. I think I'm ready to go."
Straye grinned. "Then off we go. Lead the way, my Prince!"
The two lions laughed at the silly formalities before beginning their journey to the watering hole, home of the Sun Pride.
6/10/2018 - 5 years!!
6/10/2018 - "Gah! More rain?!" Straye snarled at the crackling thunder. His fur was already soaked, his mane looking more like a spoon than a Blade. He was exhausted by this point, and wanted nothing more than to rest. Before he could even complain, Sapphire chimed in.
"Yes, more rain - it's the rainy season. If rain is just too much for Mr. Ego, he can stay home next time!" The Eggshell girl was more than a little frustrated, and her blue eyes shone with rage. She couldn't stand to hear one more of his complaints, considering he was the one always so desperate to visit his "dad".
Luckily, Nightwing had more patience. "Please, calm down - both of you." His voice was stern. "We're only a ten minute walk from the Watering hole. Do you really want to greet our hosts with such hostility?"
Sapphire blushed, slightly embarrassed. Straye kept a straight face, but his eyes betrayed him.
"No, Nightwing..." two pitiful voices replied.
"Then relax. Fur will dry, and paws will rest, alright? Just have a bit of patience, please."
Straye was silent as they walked. He was always so caught off guard when Nightwing took authority. The Birch boy was always so timid and unsure of his place; he'd spent many nights crying about how he was unfit to lead. And yet he could take charge so naturally, diffusing situations so easily. It was almost entrancing to watch.
6/12/2018 - You hear from another pride mate that Straye was telling them that he could beat you in a fight. Oh really? You'd like to see him try.
6/20/2018 - What a ride!
One day, he was joking around with Sapphire and Nightwing without a care in the world. The next, he was still joking, but with the weight of an entire pride on his shoulders.
Straye was never meant to be royalty. Yet here he was, ruling alongside the two most amazing lions to ever exist. How had he ended up so lucky?
He looked at Nightwing, sleeping soundly next to Sapphire. The two were curled up together, as close as newborn cubs. They were so much more than his friends; they were his family, and he loved them more than anything. He couldn't help but smile, thankful they were sleeping and couldn't see how sappy he was being.
For the first time, he thanked the stars he had been abandoned as a cub. Finally, he had ended up where he was always meant to be.
6/24/2018 - You sparred with Straye and gained +3 Impression progress! Straye has gained a scar from some over-zealous tussling - whoops! +1x Scar: Short Left Eye has been equipped to him.
6/24/2018 - [Earned the Chaos Snake Bodywear!! That was fast! One of the first 38...I'm too proud of that lol]
Straye walked into the Pridelands with a yawn. His patrol had taken longer than expected, and he was ready to finally relax. As he approached his den, he could hear his friends laughing.
"I'm hom-" Straye stopped mid sentence when he saw Nightwing's far too proud grin and Sapphire's exhausted eyes. "Welcome back, Straye!" Nightwing replied, trotting up to him. Sapphire followed her brother, a tired smile on her face.
"Thanks, Nighty," Straye said. Turning to Sapphire, he smiled. "Hey Sapphy."
She flopped down in her nest. "How was your patrol?"
"It was fine! I got distracted and took longer than I meant to, though." He answered. "What have you two been up to?"
"Well..." Nightwing began. "We got you a gift!"
Straye blinked. He hadn't expected that.
Nightwing carefully placed the snake skin bodywear at his friend's paws. "I thought you'd like this!"
Straye was shocked. Of course he liked it - the colors complemented his coat and mane perfectly. Since when did Nightwing actually have an eye for color?
"Aww, Nighty, Sapphy. Thank you, really." Straye grinned, nuzzling his friends in turn. They smiled at him.
"It was nothing," Nightwing replied nonchalantly, much to Sapphire's amusement.
"Certainly." She giggled.
He wondered what that meant, but decided not to ask. Instead, he just settled down with his friends to enjoy the rest of his day.
6/25/2018 - 6 years!!
6/25/2018 - "I'm still really sorry, Straye, I-"
Straye placed a paw over Nightwing's mouth in a desperate attempt to shut him up. The boy had been apologizing throughout the month. Nightwing had underestimated his own strength and given Straye a long scratch across the eye. Nightwing burst into tears at the sight of his friend's blood, and Straye only shrugged it off. Scratches were normal in tussles, and even day to day life, and face stuff just loved to bleed. Sapphire cleaned the wound well and the apologies began.
It had healed well, save for the fact it scarred. That was why NIghtwing was apologizing today - he hadn't meant to scar his friend.
Straye wasn't upset about the scar at all. The constant apologies, on the other hand...
"Nightwing, look. You can stop apologizing now, OK? It's fine. I don't mind the scar. I like it, actually." Straye said.
Nightwing just stared at him, confused. "You like it?"
Straye nodded. "Of course I do! Where's the fun in fur that doesn't tell a story? Besides," Straye continued. "Now I've got one just like Kovu's." He flashed a cocky grin.
Nightwing couldn't help but chuckle at that. Straye really looked up to his "big brother", even to the point of idolizing him. Straye couldn't help but chuckle, too. Maybe it was a little silly to love the scar, but he didn't mind.
6/26/2018 - You hear from another pride mate that Straye was telling them that he could beat you in a fight. Oh really? You'd like to see him try. (That didn't work last time but go loose I guess)
6/30/2018 - "Please, Nightwing. She turned 16 today."
Nightwing stopped dead in his tracks at those words and the desperation they portrayed. He looked at Straye with wide eyes. The ever-cocky, playful boy was on the verge of tears. It made sense now.
Today wasn't the ideal day for such a trip. There was a lot to be done here, and the heat was almost unbearable outside the shade of their trees. Still, he couldn't say no. Not now.
"Get Sapphire, alright? I'll tell my mother we have to go," Nightwing replied.
Straye nodded through his tears. "Thank you, Nightwing."
~
It hadn't taken long to tell Snowfoot what was going on and put her in charge. By the time Nightwing finished, Sapphire and Straye were ready to go. They set off immediately. It was never a quick journey, and certainly not an easy one, but the lack of rain and dangerous flooding certainly made it a bit faster. They made it there after several rough hours and a lot of running.
"Welcome, Moonlit Royals. It's a pleasant surprise to see you," Kovu greeted. "Let's get you all a drink and some food, alright?"
Sapphire and Nightwing agreed immediately, while Straye reluctantly nodded. He was anxious to see Snow. They chatted for a bit over lunch before they finally visited the Queen.
Straye calmed considerably at the sight of her, painful as it was. She was clearly quite old, and it killed him. Still, she had that same gentle smile and that same loving twinkle in her eye. He softened at that.
He was so grateful to see her. They spent hours together, catching up.
When nightfall came, he knew they had to leave. Snow needed time with her immediate family, and the Moonlit Pride needed its ruling group. Nightwing and Sapphire left the den, leaving Straye alone with the Queen for a single moment.
They said their goodbyes and hugged. As Straye walked out, he said one last thing.
"I love you, Mom."
As he joined his friends, he barely caught her reply.
"I love you too, my dear."
7/2/2018 - You see Straye puff up and strut in front of the lionesses, confident of his dashing looks. You feel slightly annoyed.
7/2/2018 - Things had changed.
After Snow's death, he grew closer to Kovu. He saw a side of the Prune male he'd never seen before, and it was bittersweet. It was wonderful to get a peek inside the quiet loner's mind, but he cursed the circumstances of that knowledge. Still, both were thankful they'd spent that night together, coming to accept their loss together.
Things were different in the Moonlit Pride, too. Nightwing had several cubs now, and loved to spend his freetime with them. Straye was reluctant when first invited to join him; he didn't necessarily dislike cubs, but he wasn't particularly good with them. Still, he couldn't say no when he saw the King's hopeful eyes.
Nightwing was surprisingly fatherly towards his cubs. It was quite the sight to Straye, and he watched, entranced as Nightwing giggled and tussled with his daughters. He was absolutely awestruck the first few times he came to the mothering den, choosing to sit in the corner and just watch. It was a pleasant sight indeed.
Soon, he grew used to it, and managed to calm down enough to join in. The cubs were immediately interested in him. They scrambled around his feet, eager to hear his stories about his patrols or life in the Sun Pride. Straye was a bit nervous at first, almost intimidated by the swarm of tiny paws and happily-swinging tails. Nightwing smiled at him, a
careful gesture meant to act as gentle encouragement. He almost blushed at the sight.
He took a deep breath and turned to the cubs with a grin. Nervous as he was, he was a natural storyteller, and the cubs loved him. When he'd finished, the mothers happily took their cubs away for naptime, thanking Straye for his service.
"You're really good with cubs, Straye. You'd be a good father," Nightwing joked with his friend as they walked out the den.
Straye was thankful his friend wasn't looking at him when he blushed. "You're not too bad yourself," he said, regaining his confident composure.
"Maybe," Nightwing started. "But they really liked you. You should join me again next time."
There it was, that smile. How could he say no?
"Sure, Nighty."
5/29/2019 - 8 years old! <3
10/12/2019 - 9 years old! <3
9/21/2022 - 10 years..♡