Smilodon Name: Razshamira
Smilodon Gender: Female
Pride: Pekee Pamoja
Pride Status: נָע וָנָד (Wanderer)
Prompt:
- SPACE"It's important to care for the land. We must abide by the rules of nature. If we don't limit ourselves, the world would become barren and we would surely die." The group of cubs gave a collective "ooh" as Razshamira finished her lesson. The older smilodon smiled at the class. Spotting a familiar face approach, her smile widened and she addressed the cubs again. "Why don't you all take a moment to think about what I said, hmm? We'll get back together in a few minutes."
SPACEThe excited cubs got up and spread out as the other smilodon joined her side. "You're always so wonderful with them."
SPACE"I try to be. It won't be too long before we have some of our own, don't you think Adir?" Razshamira smiled and nuzzled his forehead with her own.
SPACEHe gave a warm chuckle, reciprocating her affectionate gesture. "Of course, Raz. I think we're bound to be expecting any day now."
SPACERazshamira and Adir had been together nearly three years now. But they were young and wanted to have time to enjoy themselves before adding any children to the mix. Though she adored cubs and wanted to be close to them. It was one of the reasons she took to teaching them. She wanted them to be aware of the world around them. How special it was. She couldn't recall much about her own childhood or much about her parents but she remembers the drive to keep a balance in life. A balance she taught to the others. It seemed especially prudent now with the changes around them. It was growing colder and the wildlife around them was adapting in a way that they just couldn't compete with. Faster prey with faster predators leaving her kind to fend for themselves...and they weren't doing very well. Still, she was hopeful they would make it through this.
SPACE"I'm glad you think so. I can't wait. Just think- we'll be parents!"
SPACEAnother warm chuckle from Adir before he gave a soft kiss to her cheek. "I'm glad you're so excited. I just wanted to check in with you before I left."
SPACE"Well, I appreciate that. I'll be counting the days before your return. Come home safe to me."
SPACE"Always. I'll be counting the days myself." After another quick nuzzle, Adir left Razshamira to her class who was slowly starting to make their way back to her.
SPACEShe finished up her lesson with the cubs and went about her day. It passed quickly and she soon found herself back in her personal den. It was a bit lonely without Adir but it wasn't uncommon for him to go on these long trips. With the prey becoming scarce, hunting parties would take longer trips to find sufficient food for the pack. If she was being honest though she was worried. The trips had been longer and longer lately and it was definitely taking its toll on the hunters. The weather was getting worse too. It was so cold last week that strange white flakes fell from the sky and piled up on the ground making her paws feel frozen.
SPACEThe next three days had been horrible. The weather made a turn for the worse. Much like the previous week, the white flakes had plagued their skies but this time there was a harsh freezing wind that only made it that much colder. She hoped that Adir was faring better than the pack had been. Unused to the change in their climate and going without food for almost two weeks now... a lot of the members didn't survive the harsh shift in their lives. Razshamira did what she could to comfort and help protect the others while waiting for the hunters to return with their meals. But even that wasn't enough to keep up morale.
SPACEWhen a full week had passed, she started to get concerned. Adir had never been away this long before. It'd never been this cold before either. The ground was completely white and the the trees were starting to ice over. More of the members were lost over the past few days. She considered going out and trying to find Adir or even just the rest of the hunting pack. Surely someone was out there. Even if she couldn't find the pack, perhaps she could find food. She needed to eat, even if she wasn't feeling in dire need of it. Which was strange when she dwelt on it. Others were weak due to lack of sustenance and often preferred to stay huddled away in their dens. But Raz hadn't felt that way.
SPACEHalfway through the second week, she was the only one left and the hunting party had yet to return. With nothing keeping her back and deathly afraid of what became of Adir she set off in search of him. If she was lucky enough to find any of the others from the hunting party, she'd be grateful but she'd be lying if she wasn't a bit selfish in hoping to find Adir. The snow came high on her legs, her paws not built to walk on it like the solid ground. It was cold as was the wind that constantly tousled her fur. She walked for what felt like forever. Of course she stopped to find shelter when she could but she was determined to find Adir. She had to. The days blended together. It didn't always snow but it was always present on the ground. Days passed with still no sign of Adir. She wasn't even fully aware that she should have perished by now. She hadn't eaten since before the hunters left and she'd barely slept since leaving her home. Time passed slowly and she was getting discouraged but she always held out hope. Even now, thousands of years later...though it's unlikely...she hopes Adir is out there.
