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You ask Hera 5812 if she wants to join in the play tussling, but she politely shakes her head no, for she is quite content just watching.
Applied MoD: Piebald (Overo)
Note to self:
Already holding heat
The King has purchased me from my pride. They say for a small fortune. He came to collect me himself. Introducing himself as MeowyMeower. Humble. We tread many miles through desert and forest before arriving to the caves. Warm and dry. Very nice.
For some reason the king never has us bear his cubs. He loves them as his own. So strange.
I have asked his subordinate, Courage, why he thinks the King does this. I am suprised by his answer. I will not doubt my King and his kindness again.
I bore two cubs today. A boy and girl. The king was incredibly pleased.
My cubs trained for the first time today. Although still incredibly small, the king tells me they have great things ahead of them.
I see Ares trotting behind Courage as they return to the caves. Another day of patrolling. Usually Everett is tasked with this. I catch his eye and he flashes me a smile. What a sweet boy he is. Courage bids him farewell and Ares quickly pads over. Hes trying to make something not obvious. I give him an inquisitive look. Ares looks over his shoulder then around before leaning in and whispering that Courage told him he is the Heir to the kingdom. I don't know what to say, out of speechlessness I ask him What? He repeats himself before looking around. He doesn't want others to know?
Maybe its not set in stone yet. I tell Ares he is truly quite impressive but if its something he wants, then he has to work hard.
Ares tells me hes not sure what he wants. I tell him that's alright.
Ares wakes suddenly in the night. Painting hard, disoriented. He says he doesn't remember the dream but feels awful. He sits in the entrance to the cave and watches the sun rise.
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Its midday, but you cant tell from the heavy rain. My fur prickles and a clap of thunder shakes the valley, echoing softly in the caves. I enjoy to watch these storms from the entrance. I hear Ares approach. His footsteps now distinguishable from the rest of the adolescents. Hes grown to be a handsome lion. He sits beside me and looks up at the raindrops falling from the ceiling, forming small waves in puddles below. He asks me a question so absurd I at first believe I've misheard him.
How much longer do I think our King will live...
I.. I don't know. I ask Ares what is wrong. He sighs. He doesn't think he is the right fit for King. Im more confused now. I ask him again what he means and he turns to look at me. He tells me again that he doesn't think he will be a good King. He thinks there will be a more suitable heir. I look at him, completely unable to form any coherent thought that isn't telling him he is crazy. Any other male cub isn't nearly old enough to begin learning much besides how to play. I tell him that, and he nods.
I don't think he has much longer either, Ares says quietly. He looks back out of the caves. The wind is blowing harder now, the rain coming down sideways. A flash of lightning in the distance catches my eye.
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Hes King now. My dear boy is king! He has taken the old King's title. Meowymeower II. The old man, Musket, himself gracefully retiring into a pile of excited cubs
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Courage has passed unexpectedly. Karma says he now hunts amongst the starts. I hope Ares will be ok without his guidance. At least he still has Musket.
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It is a sad day in the caves. Old Musket has passed. Reunited with Courage amongst the stars. Ares is understandably saddened. Musket was the only father he ever knew. They had grown very close after his retirement.
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Ares has been king for quite some time now.. What a marvelous job he is doing. He had been so concerned about what would happen after Musket's passing. He has grown the pride and strengthened it too. Done a job on his own that had previously seemed to need two. He's learned much more from Musket than I first realized too.
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I am quite old now. I have retired from the hunting pack and now spend my days lazing in the sun. It has been quite nice. Ares has done so wonderfully for the pride. He truly was the King we needed. Musket would be so proud. Ares isn't a young King anymore but, still has many years left to rule. I am a little disappointed I will never meet the heir to this kingdom, but the few submales the pride has are quite impressive. Everett, even in his old age personally trained Maxim to take over for him to ensure the next generation of cubs has a good mentor.
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