Kerberos

Gift from GMM (#45863) on May 28th, 2018 <3

5/28/2018 - Kerberos proved that oftentimes, just keeping a steady pace really DOES win you the race! She left the other cubs behind when they got tired and slowed down. +4% training experience!
5/29/2018 - Kerberos was so confused. Why was such a simple cub as herself so celebrated? Her father brought her to the Sun Pride as a gift from King to King. The moment she arrived, she was showered in gifts and love. First, she went with her new King and Queen to the hoard. She was given the Red Lace marking, and felt quite fancy. As she was admiring it, the moon covered the sun. Her fur was bathed in shadows, but remained that way even when the sun returned. She looked so different, but in the best way possible.
"What do you think?" The Queen asked the little cub.
"I'm beautiful.." She said shyly. "Thank you, Ms. Snow."
"Oh, just Snow is fine, dear." The Queen chuckled. "Now, let's get you all dressed up, shall we? I picked out some things you might like, but choose whatever you want."
"Really?" She asked. Snow nodded. Gleefully, the cub ran through the hoard, trying on a variety of beautiful things. Masked Fate watched her and chuckled. Finally, she settled on an Opal Nosechain and Gold Claw extensions. She carefully approached Snow to show her.
"Excellent choices. I couldn't have done better myself." Snow and Masked Fate turned to leave, then stopped. Snow turned her attention to the little cub. "Before you meet your new pride, I have one last gift for you."
She looked at the Queen expectantly, unsure of what she would receive.
"Your name shall be Kerberos, after one of Pluto's moons. My favorite moon." Snow smiled at the little cub to hide her anxiety. Would the little cub like such a name?
She thought for a few moments, then closed her eyes. 'Kerberos...like the moon. I do rather like the night sky...'
"It's a beautiful name, Snow. Thank you."
"I'm glad you think so. Are you ready to meet your pride?" Snow offered.
"Ready as I'll ever be." And with that, Kerberos was whisked away to be gushed, loved, and fawned over by lions and lionesses alike.
5/29/2018 - As the stars climbed into the sky, .:Snow:. decided to step in. Kerberos was receiving good attention, yes, but it was quite a lot for the Calm cub, and so late too. .:Snow:. grabbed Kerberos by the scruff, gave her pride members a curt nod in apology, and carried her away to the other cubs. Blossom smiled at the cub as .:Snow:. put her down and gave a quick thanks before padding away. She introduced herself as the broodmother and motioned towards the other cubs. "Everyone, please play nice with our newest friend!" Blossom asked.
Most of the cubs were adolescents or close to it. The youngest was six months older than her, but Kerberos didn't mind. She was quite eager to make new friends. A curious chocolate cub wandered over. Kerberos was entranced by her piercing green eyes and gorgeous golden marks.
"You must be Kerberos!" The cub grinned. "Wow, I see why everyone was looking for you!"
"Looking for me?" Kerberos was confused.
"Yeah! Every lion wanted to see you! I'm Firefly - it's great to meet you!"
She didn't feel like Firefly had answered her question, but accepted it nonetheless. "Hello Firefly. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hey, you wanna see something cool?" Firefly asked, already running off.
Kerberos scrambled after the older, faster lion. It definitely wasn't easy to keep up on her small paws, but she managed to keep Firefly in sight. She was thankful when the chocolate cub stopped running.
"It's beautiful here, isn't it?" Firefly gazed at the sky, admiring the twinkling stars. ".:Snow:. mentioned you liked the night sky. This is my favorite place to watch it."
Keberos nodded breathlessly. "It's gorgeous..."
"Here," Firefly stated, carefully picking a red lily from the ground. She handed it to Kerberos, who took it carefully, treating it as a delicate treasure.
"Thank you, Firefly. It's beautiful!" Kerberos placed the flower gently on her paws as she sleepily watched the sky. She was awoken by sunlight streaming into her den, the flower from the night before neatly tucked in her paws.
5/30/2018 - Kerberos hides in tall grass as she watches the other cubs playing without making a sound. She takes in every sight and sound. +5% training experience!
5/31/2018 - Kerberos often found herself alone. Of course, she did have Blossom, but there weren't any other cubs in the broodmother's den. The few other cubs in the pride were still nursing with their mothers.
"Blossom?" She called, her voice incredibly soft.
"Yes, little moon?" Blossom replied, approaching the cub.
"When is Firefly coming back?" Kerberos asked. She hadn't seen her friend in the den in a few days.
Blossom frowned slightly. "She's not under my care anymore, little moon. She's off in the adolescent's den, training with the other huntresses."
Kerberos was quiet for a moment. She carefully considered the broodmother's words for a while. Just as Blossom was going to ask if she was alright, Kerberos spoke again.
"Can I go back to the gorge?"
"Well, not alone, no," Blossom said. "But I'll take you."
Kerberos grinned. "Really?"
"Of course. Let's go."
Walking to the gorge was a much different experience than running there. Kerberos admired the various greenery that surrounded their territory in the wet season, surprised by how many unique species there were. It was a calming walk, and neither lioness minded the silence. The moment they arrived, Kerberos turned her attention to the bright red flowers she had seen that first night.
"More flowers?" Blossom chuckled as Kerberos thoughtfully selected the prettiest Guernsey Lily.
"Yeah...this one's for Firefly," she smiled.
The two lionesses enjoyed the view for a while before heading back. With a bit of help, Kerberos managed to find the adolescent den. Thankfully, the group had returned from the hunt already.
Shyly, she stood by the entrance, nervously tapping a paw. After a few moments, she worked up the courage to speak.
"Firefly?" she squeaked. Her voice was soft and anxious, but did not go unnoticed. The chocolate huntress immediately ran up to the Penumbra cub.
"Kerberos!" Firefly grinned. She rubbed her head against Kerberos' cheek before taking a seat in front of her. "What brings you here?"
"I brought you this," Kerberos mewed, gently resting the flower on huntress' paws.
Firefly smiled. "Kerberos, thank you.. It's beautiful." She placed the flower behind her ear, trying to hide her blush from the lioness.
"I missed you," Kerberos admitted, blushing slightly. "But I know you're very busy and I understand and-"
She was cut off by Firefly's paw on her muzzle. "My fault. I'll come visit you more, OK?" She looked the piebald cub up and down. "Although from the looks of it, you'll be in here soon!"
The two lions laughed at that, and Kerberos felt much better. She looked forward to Firefly's visits, and hoped that they would be quite often.
Firefly did, too.
6/6/2018 - 1 year!!
6/6/2018 - Kerberos could hardly sleep. She had awoken in the middle of the night, just as she always did, to pick a lily for Firefly. She delivered it safely, and was back in her own nest, and she still could not sleep. Indeed, she was too nervous. In the morning, she would be an adolescent, and begin her huntress training. She would also move into the adolescent's den with Firefly. She had grown very close to the chocolate girl during the seven months she knew her, and was quite anxious and excited at the opportunity to spend more time with her. Firefly had kept her promise well, and not a day went by that Kerberos didn't see her. But while some days they spent hours together, others they'd only get a minute. All this would change tomorrow, and yet-
Kerberos was pulled from her thoughts by Blossom's voice. "Up still? Didn't you take the flower hours ago?"
She sighed. "I did. I'm just..nervous, that's all."
"Well," Blossom started. "You should get some sleep, since you need to hunt in the morning. Your mentors are quite excited to meet you. In all honesty, you have nothing to worry about."
Kerberos just blinked. "People are always excited to meet me, aren't they? I wonder why that is..."
It wasn't in Blossom's place to tell Kerberos about how her beautiful splotches of white are a mutation often gawked over. She was still young, and didn't need to worry about it. "Well, I've told them a lot of great things about you. How can I not gush over my gorgeous cub?"
Kerberos blushed. "I'm not that special...but thank you, Blossom. Today will be an excellent day, won't it?"
"Yes, it will. I promise. I've done everything I can to be certain of that." Blossom replied, thinking of all the strings she pulled to help the Calm cub adjust.
"And for that, I thank you greatly." Kerberos smiled, then nuzzled the broodmother's cheek. "I think I'm relaxed enough to sleep now. Goodnight, Blossom."
"Goodnight, Kerberos," she replied, licking the cub's cheek.
Kerberos cuddled down into her nest, holding the wilting lily she'd received that morning in her paws. Happy thoughts filled her mind.
'Tomorrow, Firefly. Just one more night.'
6/11/2018 - 100% trained at 1 year, 5 months old!!
6/11/2018 - She loved every minute she had with Firefly.
She loved training with her, even when she ended up with bruised muscles after a brutal hunt. She loved resting with her, even if Firefly hogged all the softest bedding. She loved eating with her, even when Firefly got the last bite. She loved talking with her, even when Firefly playfully teased her.
She loved being with Firefly, even if she hated saying goodbye.
They said goodbye when Firefly began her training; they said hello when Kerberos joined her. They said goodbye when they had separate dens; they said hello with lilies at hand.
Now, they'd say goodbye again, as Firefly began her hunting career and Kerberos sat in the adolescents den. Firefly will chase her dreams while Kerberos tries to decide if she has any.
All she wants is to say hello again.
6/18/2018 - You were pacing back and forth, frustrated at losing to a puny hyena earlier. Suddenly Kerberos comes up to you, and softly tells you that no one is thinking badly of you for it. She soothingly kneads your mane.
6/21/2018 - Kerberos (#794117836878) - They got the following stat boosts from cub training: +15 STR +17 AGI +14 SPD
+30 SMR +1 STM
6/23/2018 - Kerberos awoke to warmth.
Beside her, muzzle buried into Penumbra fur, was Firefly. The chocolate girl was still sleeping, obviously exhausted after yesterday's hunt. Her breathing was so quiet, a stark contrast to the girl's usual excitable demeanor. Seeing Firefly resting so peacefully was a sight Kerberos could never get used to.
She watched nimravus-patterned fur rise up and down with each deep, thoughtful breath. Kerberos loved these quiet moments with Firefly, lying still. No running, chasing, doing. Just being.
Being happy. Being at home. Being warm.
Gosh, how she loved her warmth.
6/30/2018 - She had her first litter today.
A beautiful girl was born. She had so many more markings than Kerberos did, taking after her sire. One thing really stood out, though - the cloudy white patterns that danced through the little cub's fur.
Clouded piebald.
Kerberos hadn't expected she'd have a piebald cub. None of the lions ever talked about it, but she'd learned over time she had a mutation. Her white patches were a difference, not a simple marking, and they were something not many lions had. The realization made many things make since; all the fuss during her cubhood, all the curious looks she'd gotten over her lifetime. But she'd also learned just how much some lions hated mutations, and felt quite grateful her pride didn't care. Her daughter's pride didn't care.
Her daughter's beautiful splotches of white were so much larger than her own, but they were absolutely gorgeous. They accented her Dikela pelt perfectly. Masked Fate and Snow absolutely loved her, as did every lioness who laid their eyes on her. One in particular loved her more than anylion else, though.
Firefly was gently licking the cub as she rested in her paws. Kerberos was lying beside her, smiling. The chocolate girl had taken a liking to the cub instantly, and happily watched her so Kerberos could get some rest.
The sight of Firefly carefully tending to the cub made Kerberos's heart flutter. In that moment, she was the happiest and most at peace she'd ever felt before.
7/1/2018 - It was strange to be a mother.
Kerberos had never really given motherhood a thought. But here she was with her little Styx, named after the moon discovered one year after Kerberos. And Nix too, another of Pluto's moons.
It was interesting to care for something so small and delicate. These beings depended on her for everything - food, love, protection, and guidance. It was strange to spend so much time in her den and much less time hunting. Stranger yet was seeing FIrefly do the same.
The chocolate lioness spent as much time as she could with Kerberos, helping to care for little Styx and Nix. She'd watch the cubs for a few hours so Kerberos could sleep, or bring food to Kerberos when she couldn't leave her cubs. Firefly was as devoted to Styx's and Nix's care as Kerberos was.
She'd watched Styx and Nix so Kerberos could have some time to mourn Snow's loss in the Royal Den. Kerberos wasn't sure what she'd lost - a mother, a mentor, a friend? All she knew was that it hurt. Those few hours in the Royal Den, swapping stories with other mourning lions, was exactly what she needed.
"Thanks, Firefly," Kerberos said when she returned, taking the cubs from her.
Firefly just shook her head. "It's no problem, really. Can I do anything for you?"
It was so interesting to see how two little cubs had grounded Firefly. She'd lay still for hours, something Kerberos could never get her to do before.
"You really love them, don't you?" Kerberos asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Firefly looked at Styx, sleeping soundly on Kerberos's paws. Nix was resting against Firefly's paw. She nodded, smiling.
"How could I not?"
Kerberos didn't know how to respond, but Firefly didn't ask her to. Instead, they snuggled up together, smiling at their little bundles of joy.
7/4/2018 - 3 years!
7/5/2018 - Her cubs were 5 months old today.
It was bittersweet. On one paw, she was relieved she'd be able to hunt, sleep, and relax without fearing something would happen to her cubs. This was her first litter, and she was sorely unprepared for the mental impact and physical requirements of their care. On the other paw, she loved her cubs dearly. It pained her to say goodbye. Still, life had to go on - for both Kerberos and her cubs.
"Are you ready?" Firefly asked. Nix was sitting at her paws, grinning.
"Yes," Kerberos said. "Come with us, Styx."
The little Dikela cub padded after her mom.
Firefly led the walk to the broodmother's den. "It's nice to be back," she commented as they entered.
"Yes, it is," Kerberos replied.
Blossom smiled at the sight of cubs. "Kerberos! Are these your daughters?"
"They sure are!" Firefly answered. "Aren't they adorable?"
Blossom just laughed. "They really are!"
"Blossom is the broodmother. She takes care of cubs between the ages of 5 months and 1 year, before they leave for their adolescent training," Kerberos explained.
Nix looked excited at this. Styx frowned slightly, a little nervous.
Kerberos sighed, wrapping her tail around Styx. "Blossom is very nice. She took care of me when I joined the pride. She's practically my mom. You'll be fine, I promise."
"Yeah Styxie!" Nix called. "Mama's told me lots of stories of her time with Blossom. She's awesome!"
"But she's not more awesome than mommy and mama," Styx stated.
Blossom smiled. "You'll still see them, dear. But they have to return to their hunts. I'm not going to replace them, if that's what your worried about."
Styx looked up at Kerberos. "Promise?"
"Promise."
Styx seemed pleased with that response, walking over to the broodmother. Nix was already talking to the other cubs. Blossom smiled at Kerberos and Firefly.
"That's our queue!" Firefly said, leaving the den. "C'mon, Kerbs!"
She took one more peek at her cubs. Nix was so much larger than her sister, despite being the same age. The Korat cub was quite protective of her smaller sister, and was helping her get used to the new faces. Kerberos smiled.
"They look happy," she mentioned to Firefly.
"Of course they are! Lots of new friends and fun to have!" Firefly replied.
Kerberos relaxed a bit. "Yes, you are right."
"I usually am!"
The two chuckled at that. Kerberos smiled.
'Take good care of them, Blossom.'
7/11/2018 - "It's even more beautiful than usual tonight!"
Firefly watched the stars with awe as Kerberos lay beside her. This gorge was their special spot, away from the worries of the world. She loved it here, but for so much more than the stars over or the lilies that clinged to what little water there was in the dry season.
She loved it for Firefly, for the night they'd met, spent under these very same stars. For the soft dirt that housed the lilies they picked for one another.
For the love she felt.
Yes, she was sure of it now. She was in love with the chocolate lioness. She'd fallen for the the twinkle in her green eyes, her playful demeanor, her determined spirit. She'd fallen just like the meteor shards do in July.
She'd fallen in love with Firefly.
She'd thought it for a while now, but had kept it to herself. She knew Firefly cared for her, but loved her? She could never be sure. But tonight, she decided she'd take the plunge.
"Hey Firefly?" Kerberos asked, her voice unsteady.
"Yeah Kerbs?" Firefly replied.
That voice. Gosh, that voice melted her. Kerberos could feel all the strength she'd mustered up fade away in that moment. Still, she sat up with weak paws, turning to face Firefly.
"I need to tell you something."
Firefly nodded, a tad bit nervous. What could Kerberos possibly need to say that was making her shake so much?
She took a deep breath, staring at penumbra paws. She could do it. She had too - she was in too deep to back out.
"Firefly." Her voice was soft, and her eyes shone slightly as she looked at the chocolate lioness.
"I love you."
She was shocked when the words left her mouth. She felt relief it was over, fear of what Firefly would say. She could feel a lump forming in her throat.
Firefly's eyes were wide, but a grin graced her muzzle. She opened her mouth to speak, but lost the words, and only chuckled. She snuggled against Kerberos, burying her face in penumbra fur.
"I love you too!"
Kerberos could finally breathe again. She smiled at Firefly, and didn't even realize she was crying until she saw the dark, wet spots on the other's fur.
"That excited about beating me?" Firefly laughed.
"Beating you?" Kerberos asked.
"You said 'I love you' first!"
"I didn't realize it was a race!"
"Well," Firefly started. "That's fine. I'd say we both won."
Kerberos nodded in agreement. "With you, I'm definitely a winner."
"I couldn't agree more."
7/17/2018 - You find Kerberos on an outcropping observing some other lions playing below with a gentle smile. (P U R E)
5/30/2019 - You were pacing back and forth, frustrated at losing to a puny hyena earlier. Suddenly Kerberos comes up to you, and softly tells you that no one is thinking badly of you for it. She soothingly kneads your mane.
8/2/2024 - You were pacing back and forth, frustrated at losing to a puny hyena earlier. Suddenly Kerberos comes up to you, and softly tells you that no one is thinking badly of you for it. She soothingly kneads your mane.
8/3/2024 - You were pacing back and forth, frustrated at losing to a puny hyena earlier. Suddenly Kerberos comes up to you, and softly tells you that no one is thinking badly of you for it. She soothingly kneads your mane.
8/4/2024 - 7 years <3
8/18/2024 - You find Kerberos on an outcropping observing some other lions playing below with a gentle smile.
11/8/2024 - 15 years old <3

Passed 11/13/2024. You changed everything, Kerbs, and I'll miss you forever. But I'm so glad you'll be with Firefly for eternity ♡