Simba's Pride (Under renovation)

Introduction

Trapped in the hot desert, you felt as if your golden pelt would fall off. The sky had turned a dark orange, the half-moon high. Dusk is coming, and you have not a place to stay for the night. At last-- you see a watering hole! After 2 days of restless walking, you can finally take a pit stop and drink fresh, clean water. The only problem is, there are others already drinking from this hole-- giraffes.

You padded calmly up to them, knowing that they could be your prey but you're too tired to hunt. Stretching, you looked up at a female giraffe. "Hello," you say in a friendly tone, hoping you don't appear as a threat. "Do you mind if I drink from this watering hole?"

The giraffe looks confused. "Of course you can," she replies, confused. "You're not from the Pride, are you?"

Also confused, you freeze. "The Pride?" you ask her, bending your head to lap from the refreshing water. "What's that?" you continue once you're done, shaking out your reddish mane.

"You haven't heard of the group of lions living around here?" another giraffe steps closer to you, shielding his face from the water you sent flying.

"No," you shake your head. "I'm not too familiar with this territory." Just then, you hear the loud roar of many lions coming from somewhere in the distance. You wait for the giraffes to explain, ears flattening against your head.

"Oh, don't you worry, child." the third giraffe speaks, turning to face the direction of the roars. "That just marks the beginning of the Circle of Life Festival." She walks east, starting towards a rocky ledge. The other two giraffes follow her.

*Hmm...* you think. *I should follow them, see what this Circle of Life festival is.* So, you break into a run, using all the energy you have to follow the giraffes.

You stop behind them, walking now. They still don't know you're behind them, but you lean in on their conversation anyway. "I wonder what news Simba has to tell us tonight, Wali!" the first giraffe turned to the second.

"We can only wonder, the third giraffe says, pushing herself between Wali and the first giraffe. Suddenly, they stop. You just avoid bumping into them. Searching around for a place to sit and watch, you spot a group of lions and lionesses chatting together. You dash over to them, settling down beside a beautiful lioness.

"Hi," you start nervously, turning to her. "What's.. what's your name?"

"I'm Nala, King Simba's mate." she responds quickly, turning once to face you, then back to the rock structure. "If you don't know my name, you must not be from the pride. Why have you come?"

"I... wanted to watch the ceremony," you respond, ears flat against your mane. "Am I not allowed? I mean, I'm lost, probably a long way from home, and I needed to get resources. I hadn't drank anything in two days, and--"

"Say no more," Nala interrupts, facing you once more. "If you need resources, why don't you join our Pride? However," she adds hastily as you open your mouth to speak, "You must hunt and fight for the Pride in return. As long as you understand that nothing comes for free, you could join our... family, in a way."

Your eyes widen. "Do you mean it?" you ask, mouth dropping open.

Nala laughs, dipping her head to you. "Of course. Now, shh," she flicked her tail, "the ceremony shall begin any moment."

You watch a gray monkey step out from a hidden cave in the rocks. Almost like a lion, he had a mane, purely white with age. His muzzle was a colorful blue, and the stripe running down to his nose was a radiant red like none you had seen before, even on the manes of your old family. He hopped to the edge of the rocky cliff, a small bundle of fur between his furless hands. It was the color of Nala's pelt, and she was looking up at it with pride.

"That's my daughter," Nala whispers into your ear. You feel a surge of pride for the little cub's mother.

A large lion that looked a bit like yourself stepped up beside the monkey and looked down up on all the animals. *That must be the king,* you realize. "Let's all take a moment to celebrate Nala, a new mother," the monkey announced loudly and clearly to all the animals. Barely a millisecond of silence followed before the crowd erupted into cheers. The cheetahs and rhinos were up on their paws, yowling with excitement, the giraffes were dancing, and lions among your group rubbed cheeks and touched muzzles with Nala. You did the same, looking back up at the rocks.

Pride shone in the king's eyes. "Is he the father?" you whisper to Nala, flicking your tail at the large lion in the distance. Nala nodded.

"Now we celebrate Nala!" the monkey and the king announce in unison. The monkey holds Nala's daughter up to the sky as more cheers erupt.

For a time long past the sky was black and speckled with stars, the animals of the pride engaged in conversation, listening to what the wise monkey and King Simba had to say. "I will join," you tell Nala, just as she starts towards the rock, which she told you was called "Pride Rock." "I'll come with you. King Simba must know of my decision."

Synopsis

 Status
 Roleplay
 Base