Having been seized from her first home as a young lioness, the once chipper female, S'more, became very distant. Preferring to be alone than humor the crude Deathlord in his disturbing antics, rejecting his pervy advances. She did however, begrudgingly care for his unholy offspring as a broodmother and able huntress. Over the years in his dark kingdom, S'more had found herself succumbing to the toxic aura that lingered in the air, growing more demon like in appearance and gaining unnatural strength and stamina to rival that of her pridemates, who each could easily overpower a small group of mortal lions. Seeking to be rid of the scent of death and smoldering ash, she would often slip out of Tamashikuioni's territorial boundaries further up the rocky face of the mountain cliffs that overlooked his decrepit savannah. Through a cracked seam in the stone walls, which she kept well hidden with brush and boulders, resides a lush sanctuary blanketed in velvety snow. In this sacred oasis, the burdened lioness relieves the stresses of her troubled lifestyle, mingling affectionately with another pride's refined lionesses and their bustling cubs. She was easily accepted by the clan's benevolent patriarch, Nuada Airgetlám, whom she soon fell for due to his mysterious and solitary nature. The placid male didn't deny her yearning, contently reciprocating her tender emotions with gentleness and warmth. Even protecting S'more when her dictator discovered her hiding place, unable to keep her growing offspring a secret for long after her many intimate rendezvouses.
Originally from Daaze's pridelands having been born from his tender
Queen, Rushia . S'more was a prized offspring of her clan, deeply adored by her parents and pridemates for her exceptionally rare mottled pattern as rosettes were considered blessed and thus treated as royalty. S'more was growing into a fine lioness worthy of respect and proving she too, was worthy of carrying her mother's royal title. However, the years had been harsh on the pride, facing harsh weather conditions by severe storms, flooding, and even wildfires. There were times hunting was scarce due to their watering hole drying up and having to travel great distances to find food, tiring the lionesses greatly. With the encroachment of poachers, the decision was made, the clan had to leave the first King's territory. Such developments were very taxing on young Daaze, despite his strength and resolve he had a difficult time coping with the losses that came with his leading position.
Despite having extremely different ideals and styles of ruling their prides, King Daaze has a fairly sportive relationship with Deathlord Tamashikuioni, who was willing to provide relief for an equivalent exchange. He had been distantly present during celebration ceremony of the young princess, S'more, and had been attentive of her growth ever since. The brutal male expressed his desire for the feline striped female, to which Daaze defended his Queen's daughter, vehemently rejecting the other male's lusty proposal. Tamashikuioni receded for a time. Daaze continued to lead his pride across the empty plains past the dried up lakes in search of a suitable home. Tragically, many could not keep up with the nomadic lifestyle, not in these godless lands....not anymore. Desperation set in, leading the inexperienced King to make a daring sacrifice. He confronted the icy Deathlord, intending on submitting to his terms. Tamashikuioni mused about the lesser male's principles, remarking his price had gone up since his previous dismissal. Much to Daaze's horror, the haunting realization of his current situation sunk in, as the larger male leered over him huffing freezing cold breath down at a his sheepish form. Becoming frantic Daaze yelped how he had nothing more to offer.
Tamashikuioni disagreed briefly lecturing Daaze about the quality of his lionesses and their heritage, snickering about their uses. Daaze snapped at the uncouth brute before mournfully agreeing to hear out his demands.
Pleased, Tamashikuioni had Daaze gather his pride before leading the survivors through his own territory. the rocky savannah they would have never otherwise stepped foot in, reeked of blood as the chilling cold air was cloaked in an almost black mist. As the smog dissipated the dark striped Deathlord revealed an untouched shrubland beyond his borders, free of his unholy aura.
The unease of Daaze and his pride faded with the shadow of the fog. Daaze gasped, almost sighing in relief at the sight of a flourishing ecosystem, surprised that it had not been claimed by the overbearing Lord of Death. Tamashikuioni stepped in front of to the zealous King before he wander too far. "High price for high reward." he cooed intimately into Daaze's folded ear. Daaze pulled away, snarling a bit as his ear flicked in irritation.
Daaze grew tired of the other male's games, demanding him to explain himself. Tamashikuioni explained his offer of the pure lands, offering a fresh start for the unfortunate pride. The cost however, was a portion of its members, including Princess S'more. Less mouths to feed, but less able bodies for hunting and raising cubs. Ultimately, it would be a blow to one's ego. The tension instantly returned and quickly duplicated among the unsettled members. Growling, Daaze glared fervently and almost spoke out, but was immediately silenced by the Deathlord, who roared fiercely.
"Choose!" Everything fell silent. "Life.....or death?" Tamashikuioni sneered as a group of his own snarky lionesses surrounded the weak group of famished lions. As Daaze's lionesses huddled close to one another for protection, Daaze himself stood unmoving. He was soon approached by his own Queen, Rushia, though slowly so as to not incite an attack from the opposing pride. She spoke softly to him, whispering between themselves. Though still young at the time, Rushia was older than Daaze, she was very wise and expressed her loyalty to her King, whichever path he chose to walk.
"Whether you readily sacrifice for the good of your pride, or you stand firm and fight back now...know that we support you. The King chose you to succeed him. Even the gods praised your coronation. We all believe in you, Daaze. You need only believe in yourself." Rushia murmured from a crouching position below him as she held herself cautiously low to the ground, her muscles tensed, ready to move quickly should things escalate.
Behind them, one of their pridemates collapsed, of dehydration presumably as her skin remained folded on itself even as her sisters nudged her in a feeble attempt to help her stand. Rushia gasped, twisting her head around quickly to identity the origin of the thud. Daaze gritted his teeth as his red eyes flitted to observe everything as it unfolded around him. As the gaggle of snarling lionesses drew closer, Daaze growled viciously, stating his choice as his crimson stare grew more intense, locking eyes with Tamashikuioni's own empty ice ones.
"Choose your favorites, they may stay with you." An emotionless Tamashikuioni grunted. "S'more and the rest of em' belong to me now."
Tamashikuioni grinned, displaying his long fangs and spoke a final time. "If that Queen of yours can produce daughters like S'more, then I'd be foolish to let you slip too far from my grasp. I'll be very attentive of your growth from here on kitty (Daaze)." Turning his back to the baffled and broken pride, the deep ebony male slipped back into the darkness nudging the reluctant princess along in front of him. His lionesses followed suit corralling Daaze's former pride members deep into the Deathlord's border.
In exchange for their compliance, Tamashikuioni's demonic lionesses hunted tirelessly providing plenty of resources and food for the fellow pride under orders from their ruthless Deathlord for a short time, before leaving them to their own devices. Despite the cruel circumstances, Tamashikuioni is now very doting on Daaze, albeit treating him like another one of his females, which would be suffocating oppression. Even going so far as to flirt with the effeminate male, much to the dismay of an already insecure Daaze. who fought adamantly to bulk up, upholding a tough facade with his manly piercings and leather attire. Though he eventually gave up his onyx pelt and menacing red eyes for a vibrant manakbir coat and amethyst eye color, hoping to disconnect himself from his corrupt kin. Since Tamashikuioni is now technically mated to S'more, he and Daaze are proverbial relatives. A fact the Deathlord uncharacteristically reminds him of constantly, practically integrating the pride as one over many years. Tamashikuioni now willing offers his own lionesses to mate with the handsome golden King. Many boldly rumor that the Lord of Death is growing soft, to which he responds vehemently with a powerful strike by his strong paw, easily knocking over even adult lions as he gruffs. "I always put my own interests before anything else....Daaze merely happens to be one of them. Hmph." Through his actions it seems to be true. Despite his lenience toward the younger male, he always proves to have ulterior motives. Daaze clarified. "Even if he acts ....erm...'sweet'....at times.....he's still an ass."
~*~
You approached S'more to groom her, but she just sort of stared at you. She then shuffled awkwardly a bit before going to lay down in her usual spot.
Messing Around with Decor
