Day One:
The sky is grey hiding the sun entirely with no sign of it coming to peak anytime soon. Even so the air holds a tint of warmth, like a pile of leaves hugging one's pelt. The dark sky does not dampen the mood of the wildlife around as everything is loud and awake. The mood of morning is the only clear thing. A newly formed pride awakens to it all, the source for a hunt is in great supply, and a nearby water source is fresh. Things are all well but not everything good ever last long. Especially when it's all just beginners luck, for a pride of new beginnings.

-Start Below-

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Mazyaga | NA / Outcast | Undamaged | Location: Watering Hole | Target: Null

Paws sunk into marshy soil, steadily threshing a portion of the bank into a pockmarked mess, pawprints slowly oozing full of water if left alone long enough. Mud marked the female's progression as she paced alongside a jutting, sedimentary boulder that looked as though it had either fallen sideways from the sky, or thrust errantly out of the ground at one point. Layered, slatelike edges were still jagged at points, and it kept crumbling if enough pressure dragged past it, and settled near the base upon an angled ledge was a single, well cared-for lion skull. Its empty eyes gazed hollowly forward as Mazyaga paced before it, and it easily could have been ignored as one's simple remains, if not for the very specific section in which it had been placed. It was there purposefully, and the dark gray lioness was to blame.

Though she paced, her eyes were not on the watering hole itself, or any creatures that might have come to drink. A few small prey animals had been gathered: a meerkat, a few large rodents, and a single ostrich egg, all nestled in the shadow of the boulder. The big cat, upon closer inspection, seemed to be monologuing to herself... her voice low, ruddy and sharp, her eyes locked on the skull as though she was having an intense discussion with it. "...close enough, but at least I could find us some water," she was murmuring, so low beneath her breath that her words could not be understood beyond a few feet away. "Only a matter of time before it dries up. What do you think? Keep moving, or stay here a while?"

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Oddly - (I don't know the name of the Pride but y'know the main one I guess) - hunter - @/NW

Oddly stretches out on top of a flat rock, waiting for her next hunt. She's one of the older lionesses, but she still itches for the thrill of the hunt and doesn't like wasting her time not chasing something down. She sighs angrily. She's in heat and hasn't gotten pregnant for years, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe cubs aren't for her, she figures. Her fertility is low and she's better at hunting anyway. Not to mention how badly her last birth went, she's not sure if she's ready to try again. But she knows the wonder of her fertility is closing as she gets older, and with it the chance for her to have another litter.

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Atlas - Outcast - NW

It was one of those rare moments when Cyrus went hunting alone and Atlas was able to have a few hours to himself. The watering hole seemed like a relaxing place to lay down and watch the water. The serenity of it was just nice to take it in as it filled him with a sense of calmness.

But as he approached the watering hole, his paws brushing flowers and tall grass tickling his chest, he noticed he wasn't alone.

A lioness, perhaps a couple years older than him, seemed to be talking to skull of some sort. He crained his neck to get a better view and noticed it was the skull of a lion, which made him feel a bit uneasy. With no Cyrus here to talk any sense into him, Atlas took a few hesitant steps forward before calling, "Hello! Interesting skull you've got there."

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Celestial Storm l Healer l Savior l Wounded? False l In Heat? False


Celestial awoke to the feeling of wet kisses, her opening lazily as she was still tired. Her minty eyes snapped over to the culprit, Nebula, her 3 month old dwarf cub. Sighing, Storm knew that the day was already starting when Nebula was up, rolling onto her back she rubbed her back onto the dirt ground, trying to wake herself up. After a couple of minutes. Storm rolled over and onto her stomach before standing up, she stretched her body and yawned lowly before picking Nebula up by the scruff and caring him out of the den." Good morning mum" his small voice was sweet to the ears, Storm just hummed back to him.

After a little while of walking she put Nebula down by the water hole, Storm dipped her head into cool water and lapped up the water, her eyes carefully scanning the area. Nebula tried his best to not fall in but failed, his head falling straight into the cold water, his mothers quick reflexes pulled him out of the water, a soft giggle coming from Storm. Nebula's wet face was adorable. Nebula just frowned at her, ignoring her gaze looking outward," Mummy whose that?" Nebula's tone held curiosity and wonder. Storm looked around the water hole before spotting a male lion, he looked younger then her but not by much, there was another but, a lioness. Storm looked a little closer, she was talking to a.......Skull? Storm tilted her head to the side, her right eyebrow raised in curiosity

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Mazyaga | NA / Outcast | Undamaged | Location: Watering Hole | Target: Atlas

Mazyaga stopped in the midst of her drawling, almost monotonous speech to the skull. In fact: she stopped altogether. In the midst of pacing away from the grey creature approaching along the water's edge, the lioness gave her whippy tail a lash. Head lifted, and soon she was peering past one of her own shoulders towards the fellow, a cold and questioning sort of expression worn. Now that she had stopped pacing, paws were now sinking steadily deeper into the mud. Water bubbled up over her toes, and she had to wrench one back leg out of the mire with a sucking sound, the rich clay-brown of mud reaching further up on that limb as opposed to the others.

"What do you want?" the female eventually growled, and soon started to rotate herself around so her back end was not aimed towards the lion. Ears folded back briefly, and though she appeared grumpy, the lioness didn't seem keen on escalating the situation any more than it needed to be. She dragged herself out of the mud and a little further towards the boulder, intentionally positioning herself so that the lion's skull was blocked off. Was she protecting it?

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Atlas - Outcast - NW

A splash and a giggle caught Atlas's attention. His ears flicked quickly to the direction of the noise, his eyes following. There was a lioness with a young cub. The cub was stubby and definitely smaller than the ones he'd seen, but he pushed the thought aside as his blood ran cold with panic. If these lionesses were part of a pride, that means the king must be nearby. Still young, Atlas didn't stand a chance against a jealous king finding him with his pride members. He wished Cyrus was here now, as the older lion was a better warrior.

Now the dark lionesses was questioning him. She was looking at him threateningly and he started to regret the whole situation. "I...I um," he sputtered, watching the lioness and cub from the corner of his eye while backing away slowly. He then noticed how she stepped protectively in front of the skull. He briefly wondered if it was a family member before asking, "There's a pride near here, isn't there? I didn't mean to intrude and we'll be leaving if that's what your king wishes."

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(I'm Just Gonna say Storm for now) Storm l Healer l NW NH l

Nebula stood up from his sitting position and walked to the other side of his mother to get a better view of what was happening" Nebula" Storm spoke her voice stern," I know" Storm watched as well, she could see the panic in the younger male. l Maybe I should help? l Storm thought to herself, if she did she would have to take the chance of leaving her cub, alone. Sighing, Storm decided not to but only to watch.

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Mazyaga | NA / Outcast | Undamaged | Location: Watering Hole | Target: Atlas, Celestial Storm

Bright robin's-egg-blue eyes promptly narrowed upon hearing a splash further down the watering hole. Other lions had just appeared, those she didn't recognize. Cat lifted her head smoothly, nostrils flaring as she hunted for a good whiff of her surroundings. Mud, rot, a little bit of fish... but now, a scent she hadn't noticed before, could be vaguely detected around the large grey lion in front of her. The pungent scent of a lead male lion. The dark grey lioness lashed her tail with a sudden air of impatience, supple muzzle pulling back over her teeth as an irritated sort of snarl could be seen, eyes dropping to linger on Celestial Storm and the short, squat cub that accompanied her. "I suppose there is," she drawled with distaste, and soon her eyes had turned on Atlas once again. Short, imperious whuff could be heard at mention of a king.

She turned herself around, slinking along the boulder, now to hook a claw into one of the rodents she'd speared earlier that morning. Rather than giving any indication of leaving the area, she instead sat herself down and dragged her left shoulder across the stone to itch it, arching her head until the back of her neck could greet the same satisfying motion. "I have no King. Do whatever you like around here. Play in the water, eat a buffalo. Crap on that lioness's cub. I don't care." She then lifted the rodent up to her maw and chomped down on it, a series of crunches audible as she enjoyed the succulent taste. Delicious jerboa snacks!

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Suisei - Unnamed Pride - Healer - 3 Years - @/N.W.
Aisu - Unnamed Pride- Sub Male - 5 Years 8 Months- N.W.
Cub KiroShi - Unnamed Pride - Too Young to Rank - 10 Months - N.W.
________________________________________________________________

Aisu sat plainly, as bored as possible, looking down at the cub that was still asleep next to him. His sister in-law left towards the waterhole only moments ago to cool herself and remain away from him, as she once again had gone into heat, only the second time in her life. He had told her she didn't have to go, but both knew his 'urges' would be difficult to maintain. He shook his head at the thought and saw his cub squirm awake, he stood still and quiet. watching the cub rise and shout out. "Father?" The cub sniffed once, and jumped onto his dad weakly. His claws out, forgetting to control them. "Opps. Sorry Father. For a moment I couldn't smell you." The cub released his dad and began walking away. "Don't forget you said you'd show me different smells for prey today." The son waited not for his dad knowing he'd get his way. As he often did. Aisu wouldn't allow his son to catch behind due to his abnormality, and was proud his son was demanding to learn. His confidence was something he got from his mother. He took lead and looked around spotting Oddly, an elder huntress in the pride.
"Oddly, may I help with your hunt? Kiroshi can sit and smell the prey we hunt and whatever we bring back. Just so he can memorize it." Males hardly ever did the hunting, but it wasn't as if he was inexperienced. The only thing that may get him unnerved is the sent she let off. Still able to get heats with her growing age. The white lioness was aged well, he was about four years younger, maybe she could teach him a thing or two. The idea made him scoff and chuckle.

Suisei wondered closer to the watering hole, not realizing there was already another male there and an outcast at that. Not until she had smelt a rouge lioness as well, the two outcast faced each other and she searched for a way out of it. Finally noticing a pride sister. Celestial Storm with her joyous gurgling cub. She sighed out of relief. Walking towards her. "Celestial and little Nebula. How comforting. May I join you?" She often kept to herself, but was needing a friend with so many strangers around. At the very least her and Celestial were both healers, and she hoped they may have some things in common. She smiled going closer to the mom and cub.

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Oddly - Unamed pride - Huntress - @/NW
Atlas - Outcast - NW

"Do as you please, lion," Oddly replied without lifting her head from the rock. Hearing KiroShi's voice made her wonder what it would've been like had her cub lived. She envied Suisei's life. Oddly shook away the thought and stood up, stretching. It wasn't the time to dwell on things of the past. "Where would you like to hunt, Aisu?" She asked, stepping off of the rock.
•
At the waterhole, Atlas caught the scent of another lionesses entering, but this one was in heat. The fur on his neck still stood on end for fear of the pride turning on him, but he was grateful that the prideless female hadn't attacked him. "I'm Atlas," he introduced himself, smiling politely at the lone female, "and you?"

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Celestial Storm l Nebula l Unnamed Pride l NW/ NH l

The sudden sound of another's voice and the scent of a very familiar female." Suisei! Nice to see you. You can join us" Storm smiled at her while Nebula just stared, thinking hard." Do you know them?" she questioned just out of curiosity, of course she knew they were rouges, their scents pointed that out already. Nebula gave up on figuring out who she was and started to draw in the dirt, circles and other things. Nebula felt a little bored, he hadn't met anyone else to play with and was usually stuck with his mother.

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Mazyaga | NA / Outcast | Undamaged | Location: Watering Hole | Target: Atlas

The female still kept herself at such a position that the skull was hidden away at her left flank, within a crook of the rocks. All the while, she maintained an aloof and unconcerned sort of expression. Atlas had not tried to force himself on her in any way; not vying for attention, bellowing and stamping about, not howling like an upset baboon, so for the time being she seemed more than capable of tolerating his presence. But she didn't seem keen on sharing her morning kills, either. The lioness kept to munching at her catch, second small bite-sized rodent lifted up to her maw. One round ear remained angled back at the male, and towards the lionesses gathering at the watering hole behind her... it was all too obvious that the pride was gathering, out there. But as of yet, she could hear no snarlings, or telltale sounds of hostility from them. It gave her all the reason to stay put.

When her name was requested, the lioness turned her aloof, drawling expression back on the male, all while she crunched at her second bite of very dead animal. Raspy tongue lapped out and dragged across her muzzle, clearing away any blood that had soaked into the short fur around her whiskers. Staring at him for a time, she seemed to steadily become more and more irritated for some reason, tail starting to twitch... and promptly beginning to lash, occasionally bouncing against the stone boulder behind her. "Show some nerve!" she snarled suddenly at him. "If you're going to stay in this King's territory, don't hunker down like a cowering dog, it just makes you look easier to attack!" She whuffed, gave a toss of her head and bleghed out a bone she didn't particularly feel like biting down on. It didn't look very impressive after her first bitey comment. "I am Mazyaga."

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Atlas - Outcast - NW

Atlas flinched at Mazyaga's tone, but he didn't deny what she had said. It wasn't his nature to be assertive and brave because Cyrus had always done that. He was the one to calm his friend down and show some sympathy. They were a good team, but separately Atlas wasn't a good leader. Still, he stood up straighter and took a few daring steps forward, "Do you live around here, Mazyaga?" He asked curiously. She was cold, but she interested him.

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Mazyaga | NA / Outcast | Undamaged | Location: Watering Hole | Target: Atlas

Her nostrils were full of the scent of prey and mud now, but she could actually scent another male on Atlas's fur. Why, she wasn't sure... whether he'd been in a fight, whether he was mated to another male, whether it was a companion or a brother... it seemed the feline didn't much know, or care. A little self-centered, in her part. One eye rolled to lock on Atlas, watching as he stepped forward, tail giving another sporadic twitch out behind her. But, for the time being, she remained crouched over her meals, soon scarfing down the meerkat. Best to choose now to devour her findings, before another lion came by to steal them. Lifting her muzzle, she clawed a few tufts of fluff off her next target, not finding fur entirely appealing to devour. "No," she drawled back simply. "I wander. I just came out of the deserts."

She sure looked like it, too. The body was a little thinner than it perhaps should have been; moving to where the light was just right, the indentation of ribs could be visible. Maybe that was why she had been stomping about in the mud: it felt so nice after days of slogging through burning sands. "You're a nomad too, I take it?"

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