Chantrieri is somewhat of a outcast within the pride. She doesn't play well with other lionesses; but its hard to argue with results; especially when she has a knack for targeting the weak points of the prey she chases with skill that the others in the pride can't quite reciprocate. Empusa gets along with her well enough, but Marigold finds her a bit...
...Difficult to endure for long. There's also some suspicion on her for
other reasons; she brought home the smell of death with her recently---and after prompting from the pride leader, admitted to killing another lioness.
"It was self defense."
it was a perfectly reasonable thing to say---but the defensive undertone and the way she rushed off to wash cast doubt on the sincerity of her explanation. The Pride leader has some concerns that she's hiding something from everyone.
When asked why she doesn't have a mate or cubs---she has a rather flat response to give. "I was with cub, briefly---but I refused to bring the heir of a coward into this world." The sentence is harsh---and its clear that she used a certain
root to ensure she didn't bring forth a litter of cubs that she had deemed useless---but she seems rather pleased nowadays---she'd been straying from the pride more often than not---and after prompting from a curious Echo when she began to show unmistakable signs of pregnancy, she admitted that she'd met a handsome
lion while out on a hunt.
The two had shared a meal---and after some playful flirtation, slinked off to enjoy some alone time together.
While Chantrieri
did enjoy their brief tumble through the long grass, she had no desire to seek a permanent mate. Perhaps, in time, she might tell him that he's sired cubs with her; but only if they meet again, and he recognizes her.
---
"Chanterieri" Echo's voice fills the cave, a note of concern in her voice as she views the cubs squirming at the tired lionesses belly.
"I'm afraid one of your cubs is..." But the dark-furred lioness only whisked her tail. "They're fine! A little pale, is all. But they'll hunt as well as anyone." Her tone leaves no room for arguements.
"Of course," Echo had soothed.
"It's just...you're such a healthy young lioness. There is no reason that-" "There's nothing wrong with them," she snapped, swatting a paw in the others direction, causing them to back away hurriedly.
"Of course---I did not mean to ruffle your fur. Get some rest; the birth was long, and you must be tired."
Chanterieri dipped her head, licking the white fur of her cub, her eyes glittering with anxiety now that she was alone. She'd expected a normal litter. But---
that must have had an effect on her body. She was a fool to give in to temptation---this must be the
other reason that cannibalism was frowned on aside from the moral implications.
"My poor daughter...this is my fault; but I won't allow you to be mistreated, simply for looking different." She licked the squirming bundle of fur again, before using her hind leg to nudge their sibling closer; they, at least, had been fortunate.
