by -Isabella- » Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:08 pm
S4 - Chikondi - Write about one lion’s feelings towards parenthood. What do they want for their cubs? What are their fears and worries? How do they discipline their little ones when they misbehave? What would make them proud of them? Or disappointed? - 507/ 500 word minimum - 2 point
Chikondi never really cared about parenthood as far as the family aspect of it. In his mind cubs were always just a way to secure the future of the pride. A way to make sure there were heirs from his bloodline who would be raised and trained correctly.
He was never nervous at the prospect of becoming a parent because he didn't really intend to build a relationship with his cubs on any deep level. Until they were old enough to train he had no intention of even seeing them all that often.
Because of this he never really worried the way most parents do. His worries were all centered around whether the cubs would be healthy, because unhealthy heirs were no use and might be perceived by the pride as a bad sign or omen.
As far as disciplined, his cubs would be disciplined just like any other pride member. Perhaps even more harshly because Chikondi wouldn't want them thinking that because he was their father they could get away with anything. As princes and princesses he wanted to make sure they were always aware that despite being royal themselves and of high rank, with the ability to rule in the pride, he would still be the ultimate authority over them and everyone else.
He believes making sure cubs know their place is very important.
He'd be proud if his cubs grew to be physically strong and capable, cunning, strategic, and as much as possible like him. If they reflected well on him and the pride he'd be pleased, wanting other prides to see and acknowledge his and the pride's strength. So if his cubs could in any way help promote that he would be glad of it.
Even better if they grow up to understand and share his views on leadership and life. He believes this would make them the best possible heirs.
Other than that he'd have little to no pride in things like their first steps, academic achievements or hobbies. Those things don't matter much to him unless they interfere with his plans in some way.
Cubs who were born weak or odd looking in any way are always a disappointment and the king will downright refuse to see and sometimes refuse to acknowledge such cubs as his own. He doesn't want anyone to perceive him or his bloodline as weak, and such cubs are an unfortunate disgrace that he'd rather disregard. In addition cubs that are overly merciful or not shrewd enough are displeasing to him as he seems them as being little good to the pride or royal family. Such weak views can only bring the pride down.
So King Chikondi views cubs as a potential strength and asset, but also a potential risk or weakness. He has little to do with them when they are young but carefully chooses which of his cubs he wants to put his time and effort into. Those that he deems not worth it are mostly forgotten, maybe sent away or raised as common subjects.
S4 - Airi - Write about one lion’s feelings towards parenthood. What do they want for their cubs? What are their fears and worries? How do they discipline their little ones when they misbehave? What would make them proud of them? Or disappointed? - 519/ 500 word minimum - 2 point
Airi was never one of those lionesses who yearned to be a mother and felt she wouldn't be complete without it. She thought if it happened one day it might be nice, but other than that she had no actual goals to become a mother one day.
But when she discovered she was expecting cubs for the first time, she tried to learn all she could to become a good mother and became excited about it.
Sure it was scary. She worried she'd not be a good parent, too lenient or too harsh. And what if she couldn't balance life as a royal with being a mother? More than anything she wanted her cubs to have as much attention from her as any other cub born to common-born parents.
She worried she wouldn't be able to find the balance between preparing them for their lives as princes or princesses but also shielding them for as long as she could from the intrigues and politics involved in being royalty. Once they were born she wasn't any less worried about these things, but she did learn to just take it one day at a time.
More than anything she just wanted them to grow up to be decent lions with a sense of justice and an understanding of how life worked beyond the royal circle. She also wanted them to all be well trained so they would be prepared to take their places in the pride and not be overwhelmed or taken advantage of.
Aire strove to raise them all to be well rounded with good heads on their shoulders and lacking the superiority or arrogance that seemed to plague some of the other noble lions and their cubs.
She thought that shaping their character and morals was more important than their being fancy and just looking good on the outside. It was important to her that they know their was more to life than appearances and just making things look good.
As far as discipline her cubs were pretty good for the most part and a warning or a 'you better not' kind of look usually did the tricky in stopping the before they got into too much trouble. If they did get in trouble she'd usually sit them down and talk about it with them, explaining why what they did was wrong.
Since her cubs were royalty, and by the standards of her pride nice looking, that was enough to make most lions assume she'd be proud of them.
But really, Airi was never more proud than when she would see them showing a good spirit and sense of justice. She worried at times that their father and other pride members might train that out of them, but seeing them embrace what she taught them and stand up for themselves and what they believed in always made her proud, even if also a little fearful of what the consequences might be for them.
It always disappointed her if she saw aspects of their father's teaching coming through in any of them, but luckily that was not often the case.
S4 - Charna - Write about one lion’s feelings towards parenthood. What do they want for their cubs? What are their fears and worries? How do they discipline their little ones when they misbehave? What would make them proud of them? Or disappointed? - 522/ 500 word minimum - 2 point
Well, Charna never really wanted cubs. That is, having a family was never exactly important to her. She didn't plan on it so when she did find out she was having cubs she wasn't exactly excited but not upset either.
She was worried that she might not be able to manage caring for her cubs properly, but that was as much because she wasn't technically supposed to be having any, in the eyes of the pride and her leader, as anything else.
Of course she was never really the nurturing, caring type, so she did worry she'd not be good at being a mother. She tends to be disconnected in an emotional sense and not one to ever show much emotion. Because of this she thought she might come across as uncaring, and honestly wasn't sure she would genuinely care anyway. Feelings of love and caring were not common for her.
She did know that she wanted her cub(s) to grow up to be strong and capable, fitting into the pride but not being too dependent on it, able to take care of themselves. Though she might not exactly say it, she'd like to see them happy and satisfied with whatever life they choose for themselves. And if she can help them reach that point in any way, she would like to.
Like most parents she also desired to see them be healthy and physically capable, for purposes of survival rather than vanity.
She knew that because of the circumstances of their birth growing up in the pride would likely not be easy for them, so she wanted to do her best to prepare them and make them strong, able to handle whatever might come their way in the future as they grew up.
However when it came to discipline her lack of emotion always made sure her cubs knew she was serious and not just bluffing. Their protests and tears didn't ever sway her. If they had done something wrong she would find the appropriate punishment (Usually being confined to their cave or sitting by themselves to consider their actions) and she would carry it out without batting an eyelash.
Though she never really openly showed when she was pleased or proud, Charna was always glad to see her cub(s) being clever and innovative. She wanted them to have minds of their own and learn to think for themselves and not just follow the crowd. She was also proud to see them not letting the hurtful words of their pridemates get to them, and glad to see them not measuring their worth through the eyes of the king or their pride.
It always disappointed her to see them letting themselves being led by others too easily and letting themselves just go along with everything without question. from experience she knows that blindly following the advice or ideas of others can be disastrous. She views being too dependent on others, or even a pride, as a weakness and never wanted her cubs to grow up like some, not knowing how to function without the pride or someone telling them what to do.
S4 - Nadir - Write about one lion’s feelings towards parenthood. What do they want for their cubs? What are their fears and worries? How do they discipline their little ones when they misbehave? What would make them proud of them? Or disappointed? - 502/ 500 word minimum - 2 point
Nadir has no plans to become a father really, or any desire to, but as Crown Prince it's pretty much inevitable he will eventually. And honestly he isn't sure how he feels. It might not be bad, but he doesn't want to turn into a parent like his father. And even though his mother was a good parent he doesn't know that he's enough like her to be a good one himself. Aside of all that he just isn't sure the idea is appealing to him. He doesn't dislike cubs, but has never felt too comfortable around them with the exception of his sisters' cubs.
He worries that, not being overly affectionate by nature he'd not be able to be a caring or loving father. Or that with his lack of showing emotion most times he'd come across as cold or mean.
Or worse yet he'd come across as overbearing and domineering like his own father. He definitely fears being the king of father his father was more than just being a father in general.
He would want them to grow up with a chance to enjoy their cubhood, at least a better chance than he had. And he'd want them to be considerate of others and wise in how they carried out their duties as royalty. Most of all, he'd like to see them be the ones to change the pride for the better and set it on a better course for the future.
In some ways he also worries about discipline because he worries that he doesn't have enough of a gentle side or kind nature to balance out the harsher side of him so he might just come across as cruel or mean when disciplining them in any way. And his own parents had very different ways of handling things. While he prefers his mother's way of handling things, he isn't confident he could pull it off like she could so that his cubs weren't scared or hurt.
If he did have cubs he'd be proud of them if they grew up to be good lions, possessing good character and a sense of fairness. He'd be proud to see the better parts of himself in them, and proud to see them trying to work on or curb the not so good things.
Since his family doesn't have the best record as far as being 'good' lions, he'd be proud if any of his cubs turned out to be better than the kings and queens of the past.
He'd be disappointed and likely blame himself if they shared some of the less than admirable traits that run in his family, specifically on his father's side. The streak of hardness and cruelty is something he'd be very disappointed and saddened to see in any of his cubs.
If he did he would see it as failure on his part to raise them right, especially knowing that this kind of thing seems to run in the family like some sort of disease.
S14 - Khalida: 338/250 words - 1 ppint
"You are confined to the den." The king's harsh words echoed in Khalida's head as she ran back to her mother's den, bumping into a few attendants along the way but not stopping to hear their chiding.
When he finally reached her mother's chamber she was caught somewhere between hurt and angry. How dare her not let her join her siblings while they listened to the pride history! Why shouldn't she know it too?
With a growl she threw herself onto some of her mother's cushions, burying her face in them. He was so mean. He never had liked her. But why did he have to bother her for no reason?
She lifted her head, swiping a paw over her face. Her anger now overwhelming her she swiped up a cushion and tossed it as hard as she could. The young cub hadn't been aiming at all and the cushion hit a small box on her mother's dresser, knocking it to the chamber floor with a clinking sound.
Instantly feeling regret the cub stood and walked over, pushing the box a little with a paw. The lid had cracked and the contents spilled out.
Just as she was about to see if any of it was broken her mother walked into the chamber and Khalida spun around. "I..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she said, her voice coming out half sob.
"Shh, come here." Her mother held out a paw and Khalida ran over and pressed her face into her mother's chest.
"I was so mad," she said into her mother's fur.
"I know love. I know you didn't mean to do it."
Khalida felt twinge of guilt. "I know it was your favorite."
"It was special. But you didn't do it on purpose. And right now I'm worried about you, not that box. Are you okay?"
Khalida was so relieved that her mother wasn't angry she just shook her head. "I'm okay. I'll help you fix it."
"Thank you dear." Her mother hugged her gently. "Love you."
S23: Khalida - 329/250 words - 1 point
"Aren't they beautiful?" Nthanda breathed.
"What?" Khalida asked.
"The stars of course silly."
"Uh, stars? What's so nice about those?"
"Well, they're so...bright. And pretty. No matter where you are you can see them and they light up even the darkest night. It's just...I don't know. Nice."
"I mean, I guess." Khalida shrugged, looking up at the starry sky.
"What do you think of them? " Her sister asked.
"I guess they're...nice. I mean they make it hard to sneak when they glow so bright."
"Hard to sneak?"
"Yes. They're alright. If you like them. I don't think they're too special though."
"Mother says some lions believe they are the dead watching over us. Or night spirits."
"Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me," Khalida said.
"Don't you think it's even nice to imagine them being something special?"
Khaida shrugged. "They're just there. I don't need them to be special. But if you like them go ahead and do that. If it makes you happy."
"It does make me happy. I just wondered what you thought."
"I don't see the use in wondering. It's not as if it changes anything anyway. And there are no ancestors I want to know are watching me so I won't take comfort in it if that's what they are. If they are nothing more than lights it's fine by me. Sometimes I prefer cloudy nights when they are hidden anyway. Seeing them brings me no comfort like it does to some. There best use is telling what direction you are going in, I think."
"Well, that is practical."
"Yes I suppose so. Only romantics and dreamers see things in the stars."
"Is that what you think I am? A romantic or a dreamer?"
Khalida was quiet a moment then said, "I think you're an optimist sometimes. I just hope that won't end up being bad."
"Well, we'll see."
"I'm sure we will," her sister said softly, looking up at the stars again.
S24 - Khalida - What kind of sleeper is your lion? What position do they sleep in? How do they usually wake up? Are they a heavy or light sleeper? When do they usually sleep? - 264/250 word minimum - 1 point
Khalida is definitely a light sleeper. She is always trying to be as alert as possible when awake and that doesn't easily go away when she goes to sleep. The slightest unusual noise or disturbance can usually wake her, but she sleeps fine through the usual night sounds of birds or her pridemates moving about in their sleep.
Most times she sleeps curled up, almost as if protecting herself from some unseen threat. She also sleeps facing the entrance to her den, never with her back to it.
It isn't uncommon for her to be tense or rigid as she sleeps, but of course usually no lion gets to see her sleeping so very few actually know this. The reason for it might be her always being so aware of her surroundings. Or it might be the dreams, or even nightmares, that interrupt her sleep.
Khalida tends to wake up early and not waste time lounging about before beginning her day. She has plenty to do and thinks oversleeping is a waste of time. When she wakes she is calm and quiet about it, liking to slip out silently without disturbing anyone so she can go about her day without being pestered or followed.
She goes to sleep at night, often later than the majority of her pridemates, and gets up as early as she can manage, usually before sunrise. She's never been one to take naps and tends to stick to her usual sleeping schedule with little to no variation day by day.
To her sleep is a necessity and not a luxury.
Last edited by
-Isabella- on Wed Apr 22, 2020 8:44 am, edited 5 times in total.