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bought for 2 ochre gnawrocks
first heat: used buffalo scrotum, gmo cow, opal saltlick, ochre gnawrock
result: 4 cubs with x1 rosette +2 AMPS, 1 blind
second heat: used buffalo scrotum, crunchy worm
result: 3 cubs, 1 double cairngorm cub, no clone
third heat: used buffalo scrotum, crb, crunchy worm
result: 3 cubs, 1 foldie, no clone
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Curled under Pebble's legs, Cub trembled in fear. Lapping water rose quickly in the flooding cave, licking at her belly fur with its icy tongue as she tried her hardest to burrow into her leopon protector's short fur.
-- Cub and her littermates had snuck off during a flood to see what was happening, and she had lost track of them after a wave had swept them all away; then, it was just her, and Pebble had discovered her shelter- the cave- just an hour after she'd originally gone missing, huddled and crying for help like a weaning kitten. After a moment of considering every consequence, the dark pon grabbed Cub and launched herself into the water, earning a squeal from the small lioness as Pebble dragged herself through the floodwater and, exhausted, pulled herself out and as far away from the waves as she possibly could before climbing up a tree and setting Cub down and grooming her wet, cold fur as thoroughly as possible.
-- "What were you thinking?" Pebble sighed in exasperation as Cub shivered. "Never ever run off like that again, especially if you know there's danger nearby. You could've drowned. And your sisters are still out in the flood somewhere.. Hopefully. The rest of the pride is searching."
-- Guiltily, Cub hung her head and stared down at her paws. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know this w-would happen. I just wanted to see the water."
-- Sighing, Pebble pulled the cub into her chest and closed her eyes. "It's alright. You just need to get better. The pride can't afford to lose you and your siblings all at once." Licking Cub's forehead, she curled up into a ball of warmth. Cub snuggled into the leopon's side, wishing her sisters were here with her. Eventually growing more and more tired from the terrifying day, she drifted off to sleep, Pebble curled protectively around her.
Stepping into the healer's den, Cub nervously glanced at Lotus and Nectarblossom. The two healers leaned over a curled up Pebble in the corner of the den, whispering something to one another until Cub walked in. Lotus's face immediately shrouded with pity as she murmured, "Hello, little one. I assume you're here to visit. I'm sorry, but Pebble is sleeping right now. She needs to rest."
-- As Nectarblossom quietly left the den, Cub looked down at her paws, guilt building up in her chest. Her voice was quiet as she spoke. "She's not going to get better, is she? The sickness is getting worse."
-- Lotus glanced down at the floor of the den, her face sagging with despair. The old lioness looked so defeated. "She should've had a few more good years left, but whatever ailment she's contracted has stolen all of her energy away. I'm afraid you're right. But she'd probably want to speak to you again, before she... Passes on. I know she was like a mother to you."
-- Throat tightening, Cub walked stiffly over towards Pebble's hardly moving form and sat down, touching her cold nose to the leopon's neck. Slowly, Pebble blinked awake, her eyes foggy. "Oh, Cub. It's you. I'm so glad you're here."
-- "You... You are?" Cub whispered. "Yes, of course. I wanted to see you, and it's time you get a proper name. You're already so tall. And I know the perfect one." The pon swallowed, and then continued. "Downpour. It fits you well, doesn't it? I've known I'd call you that for a while now."
-- Cub- Downpour, now- buried her face into the old pon's neck and sniffed, trying not to cry. "Yes, it does. It's a perfect name. I'll keep it forever, and I'll honor your memory, I promise. I'll never disappoint you again."
-- "Oh, precious, you've never disappointed me. I love you. And... I hope to see you in the afterlife, no matter how far from here your paws may take you."
-- In the corner of the healer's den, Downpour curled around her protector and shielded her from the cold. Lotus watched as, for two days, the young lioness barely moved until Pebble's last breath. Then, as the pride gathered around her body, Downpour was the first to volunteer to protect the corpse, declaring that it was her responsibility; and no one challenged her.
Downpour stalked along the edge of the territory, silent. The sun was going down; the snow under her paws was cold. But she kept on, trudging past trees and rocks and small, living shapes that could make for good meals. She wasn't here to hunt; she was merely walking, just to walk. She hadn't been expecting to see anything in particular. She did this a lot since Pebble's death. There was no way she ever felt normal without moving around, doing something, just being productive. She needed to be. What would Pebble think if she wasn't?
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