username; irockwaffleking
lion name; Aouli
lion gender; Male
pride; Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=4186402&hilit=DNPpride status; warrior/hunter
prompt; Aouli felt slightly damp after the last pass of the dye. It was a warm liquid that consisted of a stewed flower that looked like a cross between a king protea and some sort of plumeria. With 15 passes in total the dye was sure to stick, he would of course have to do this again in a month to maintain the blue color but it was worth it. It was a great honor to be "stained by the sky".
Besides the colors the two flowers added to the dye they also held their own meanings. The protea flower symbolized change, in this case from a normal lion to a lead protector. The plumeria marked a special occasion and was it ever. The whole pride had gathered to watch the tedious process before eventually Lanakila ended the ceremony with a chant to the moon.
All the work and hopes for years had gotten him to this point. Despite his stony expression he fought to maintain Aouli had never felt happier.
Night fell as the ceremony ended. Congratulated by many he was tired but there was still one last part of the ritual, spending the night with the past
Lani Maleko. The wise lion stepped forward, his blue fur a grayer shade than Aouli. His voice gruff he spoke for the first time that night, "Come"
And so Aouli followed as they walked under the night sky. The sky was clear and the moon was bright so the two had no problems moving through the terrain. Eventually they reached a great Banyan tree, Aouli wondered with how old it was all that it had seen.
The older lion nodded his head at him before leaping up the tree and expertly making his way to the top, Aouli continued to follow.
Because of how the tree was on an elevated mound from the very top Aouli could see far. The starry sky seemed to form a dome over the landscape and Aouli had no words.
Finally the
Lani Maleko spoke, "What do you think?"
Aouli did not hesitate to answer, "It is beautiful!"
The Lani Maleko smiled at Aouli's fast reaction before becoming grave once more, "So you must keep it this way, it is your duty to make sure this beauty does not fade. One day you too will bring a young lion up here, you will know whether you have done well if they see beauty and not a desolate landscape." He stopped there, his eyes twinkling like the stars before continuing, "Aouli, you shall make a fine Lani Maleko."
Aouli had been wrong earlier, this was now the happiest moment in his life.
Terms from my lore that you might want clarified:
Lani Maleko: "Sky Warrior" - A high honor this title entails being the chief protector to the pride second only to the king. A Lani Maleko's job is to keep constant surveillance of the area and be the first to let out the warning cry if danger approaches. They are also in charge of sending out scouts.
Aouli: "Blue Sky" - A name given to this lion
