|
Sha’rin is a fierce yet secretive young lady. She’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention, and seems to have a strong admiration for the Pride’s secondary male, Jay.
Jay found her out on patrol in a small hole covered with leaves and shrubs, seemingly hidden from peering eyes. She lay in a pile amongst her siblings, who had sadly passed away long before Jay came along. He buried the others and payed his respects before taking Sha’rin back to the Tribe with him.
She has a reputation of appearing before the lionesses and staring at them from a distance with an intense blank look in her eyes. When asked about it, she never answers. It’s kind of unsettling, but the lionesses have practically accepted most of the Cubs in their tribe have a screw or two loose.
She isn’t very emotional for the most part, but she secretly loves being complimented. Talking to her is kind of like walking on eggshells, and conversations with her can turn awkward pretty quickly. Once, when Seppi asked her why she preferred to be alone all the time, she said (without blinking an eye, mind you)
“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.” And walked off.
Generally somewhat unsettling things like that.
She has an extensive vocabulary for someone her age and a sense of maturity beyond her years. But her eyes seem dull and sad...what has this cub seen?
11/16/20
Training Excerpt
“Sha’rin enjoyed being able to think about "things" and watch everything from the top of the rock she climbed.” +3% training experience!
11/17/20
“Wrestling isn't supposed to be about dodging your opponent and watching for an open spot, but it worked for Sha’rin. That's what matters, right?” +2% training experience!
The Lionesses have seen Sha’rin scuffling and scratching at her paws and forearms, sometimes even biting them. They usually catch onto the behavior quick and prevent it, but it has resulted in bleeding and minor scarring. Their concern for her grows day by day.
11/18/20
Sha’rin heard about Saffron’s little adventure with Jay, and wasn’t too happy about it. But from what she heard, Jay didn’t notice her until she had stepped on a large thorn and spit out every foul word under the sun. She had gone unnoticed, and more importantly..
She survived.
The Cub smiled, a seemingly sweet little gesture that indicated she was happy her ‘friend’ hadn’t been too badly hurt. But that smile wasn’t of happiness, nor any emotion anyone could’ve named had they saw it.
Later that day, Sha’rin’s teacher reported she refused to do any training.
‘Sha’rin was more interested in something she wouldn't share...’ She said.
11/19/20
Training Excerpt
“Sha’rin stated that she was more interested in the meerkat and what it was doing than staying in the bushes”
Her teacher said, as he looked at Jalryn and Noviembre. The two large males sat in a small ring position with the Lioness, whispering quietly. “I’m worried about her.. she’s either hyper-focused or staring off at the clouds. She said, her tone fluctuating. “And the Cubs are scared to even go near her...”
Jalryn started off. “We’re so sorry, Ms. Archclaw, we have the same problems over on our end...but she can be real sweet if ya give her a chance..!” He said, his eyes darting over at Noviembre.
Noviembre played along. “She can be a real treat Arch, I promise. Ya think you can give her another chance?” Noviembre pleaded. Ms. Archclaw’s eyes grew cold. Her whole body seem to coil up, like a serpent before it struck.
“I told you to stop calling me that years ago, Nobi.” Jay sat awkwardly around the two. Had they dug up some old memories?
Noviembre turned away, losing their mock staring contest. “Sorry, Ms. Archclaw..” he muttered. Ms. Archclaw regained her composure, settling into a comfortable position. “back to the matter at hand...that cub of yours needs help. Help I sadly cannot give.” Jay’s shoulders drooped. “But, once she is of age, I think sending her out on hunts with your lionesses would be best. That tends to fix em’ right up..” She said, slowly twirling a piece of grass between her talons. “Aren’t hunts dangerous though? What if she gets hur-“
“EVERYTHING is dangerous!” Ms. Archclaw growled. “Besides, she’ll be protected. Lionesses are much stronger than you two might think.” She stopped twirling the peace of grass to flex her claws. Why are males so troublesome?
She sighed, exasperated and tired of this whole discussion that ended up going off track. “I’m sorry, but I’ll only be able to keep her around for two more weeks, maximum. She’ll grow too old for the rest of the Cubs after that. When the time comes, I suggest you do what I said.”
“Do what?” A small, near monotone voice said. Sha’rin stood a few feet away, her head cocked slightly to one side as she peered at the adults.
“I-oh nothing sweetie! We’re just having an adult chat over here..” Ms. Archclaw purred, her voice seemingly flipping on its back. “It’s time for you to go home sweetheart. Jay and Noviembre here have come to pick you up!” She nudged the Cub toward the males. “Hey! How’s it goin’ champ? You have a good day today?” He asked, giving her a little forehead bop with his nose. “..alright I guess..” she answered, looking Jay straight in the eyes with a shallow expression.
It was scary how well she could lie.
“Let’s go home then kiddo. You tired? wanna hitch a ride?” He asked, putting on a small forced smile. “...I’’m tired..” she said, putting her paws up in a ‘carry me’ motion. Jay grabbed her by the scruff and began walking her home, cutting through the long grass.
Noviembre watched as they left. He turned back to Ms. Archclaw, who now stood watching them leave. She looked at Noviembre, her eyes hiding whatever memories lurked under them.
11/21/20
Sha’rin spent the next few months traveling with the females on their hunts. The cub training course could no longer support her and Noviembre made the decision to have her go on hunts with the lionesses. Saffron joined a month after Rin. Lapori was strict and vigilant, but splitting your focus so evenly isn’t easy. Especially when you have someone like Sha’rin and Saffron to watch over.
“Ugh, where are you going you blue rat? I told you to wait for me!” Saffron whisper-growled behind Sha’rin. Like usual, Sha’rin ignored her. She moved closer and closer near the edge of the tall grass, the fur on her belly nearly touching the dirt as she crouched. She moved almost rhythmically, putting each paw forward with an eerie elegance. Saffron noticed she had transcended into that funny realm of focus she was usually trapped in. She rolled her eyes and huffed as she lowered herself to the ground.
The only thing Sha’rin could hear was her heartbeat. Her breathing. The only thing she could feel was the dirt beneath her paws. And the only thing she could see was the small, defenseless calf laying beside its mother, sick and dying.
Her heartbeat quickened as she imagined the taste of a fresh kill. She came to a stop at the very edge of the grass, and Saffron moved up right beside her. She looked at Sha’rin with a bewildered look on her face.
“The watering hole? This is where you wanted to come? Are you stupid?! We can’t take on one of these ye-“
“Shhhhh...” Sha’rin said, not taking a single look at Saffron. Her blue eyes were focused on something Saffron hadn’t seen yet. She followed her gaze to the sick calf lying besides the water, struggling to get a drink. It’s mother bellowed, low and soft, at it. She nudged it gently, almost as if she knew the inevitable was going to happen. “Ohhh...” Saffron whispered under her breath. She was sucked into Sha’rin’s world of focus, and began to adopt a different stance. The two young lionesses could only be sucked into the dark tunnel vision. Their first hunt. Weak prey.
Easy kill.
Finally, they slowly turned to each other, and for once Saffron didn’t ask a single question.
Saffron moved with unmatched speed. She sprung into action, her conscience flung to the back of her mind, and common since following soon after. An unnerving instinct taking over.
Hunt
Hunt
Hunt
She made a beeline to the calf, garnering a distressed moo from it as it struggled to stand on its weak legs. The mother was quicker though, Saffron was met with her thick hide. Too fast to stop, she was nearly knocked backwards towards the long grass. Saffron arose quickly, in a cloud of dust and mayhem as she let out a fierce growl like no other. The mother stood in front of its calf, forming a seemingly impenetrable wall of hide. The calf continued to let out distressed moods that only fueled the Lionesses’ thirst.
The hunt was on.
I wrote this a CRAP LOAD of a long time ago but might as well finish it lmao-
3/3/21
Saffron curled her lips back to reveal a gleaming set of sickle shaped teeth as she stood off against the protective mother. Sha’rin had been hiding in the underbrush somewhere before Saffron barreled in; she had most likely moved positions by now to avoid being detected. But who cares about that now? Saffron laid eyes on the calf once again. It was a plump little thing, but barely enough to support the hunger of the two ravaging beasts out for its hide. Saffron nipped at the mother’s heels, attempting to herd the mother away from its baby. Desperate hooves pounded the earth, and plumes of dust rose from each step. The two struggled, two forces of nature locked in a life-or-death battle.
Finally, the smallest opening was made. The calf, who had been trying to take a sip of the water, was still grounded onto the bank, braying and mooing for its mother. But the eerie shadow of a predator was about to make itself known. It rose from the dirty mucks of the river, its blue-striped pelt making her blend in seamlessly with the shadows, reeds, and dark waters. Drudged in filth, she rose..slowly...cautiously....The faintest growl, like distant thunder, escaped her before her vicious maws came closer and closer to the calf’s neck.
Then...
S N A P
Lighting struck. The murky waters suddenly came alive with thrashing and splashing. The mother, taking note of this, stopped her mindless evasion. In a final attempt to alter her calf’s fate, she squared up. Saffron never took note. The mother turned her behind to the lioness, and with a sickening crack, bucked her square on the jaw. Saffron flew back from the impact, her body twisting horribly as she flew through the air. She hit the ground with a thud.
5/3/21
Oh hawt damn it’s been a while. I feel bad for not writing lore for my lionesses anymore cause it was so fun. I feel like I got sucked into the gaming technicalities of the game and forgot all about treating my special ladies..special. I loved the chemistry I built up between Sha’rin and Saffron and still do. I can still look back in this and think I did a damn good job so I’m proud of myself for that 👍🏽 I should make lore for my ladies again. I want to treat them the right way again.
|
