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[NOTE; obviously, none of the lore i come up with is what actually happened LMFAO most of this is breeding mishaps, a couple were trades. this is all for fun!!]
(Soma - 'Moon', 'Lunar Nectar', 'Dogwood', 'Cornal Tree', 'Whistle')
✧ Soma began her life without any sort of agency. She was born to two rulers of a prestigious, very ambitious pride that bordered on ruthless. She was betrothed since birth, to a lion that may as well be a stranger. Throughout her life, she was consistently policed on how to walk, how to talk, what connections to make, what lions to despise. She wasn't allowed to think a single thought for herself, wasn't allowed to have any hobbies or interests, and was only allowed to hunt in case she wound up alone, somehow.
✦ She tried to fare as the perfect queen, she did. But stars, was it irritating. Soma was opinionated, brutally honest, and stubborn to a fault. Her sense of affection was tussling and teasing, which put many lions off, making her attempts at connection (when they were allowed) stiff and awkward. Politics was a bore, she much preferred to hunt and fight, no matter how badly her family would claim that scars were 'unsightly' on a queen. She was arrogant and boastful, taking exceptional pride in her worth, which came off as selfish to many. Case and point, she was not built to be a queen- not a perfect one.
✧ It didn't help that her mate was an absolute bore. He was stiff, and refused to even try to connect with her, only bothering to talk if it had to do with politics. They had one son, one she was desperate to give a personality, a choice... And yet, he could only be a prince, not a lion. It pained her to no end. She expresses this to her mate's brother one night, claws raking the dry ground, and was surprised to be met with... Validation?
✦ He completely understood her, he said. His brother was the stiffest lion alive, barely a humorous bone in him. Soma felt... Nice. For the first time in what may have been years. She couldn't remember the last time she talked to a lion that wasn't just some higher up, but a lion with a personality and thoughts. Better yet, this lion was charming, caring, and dare she say, a bit of a tease... They talk into the night, sharing quirks and ideas and learning things about themselves. At one point, the moonlight is caught in the male's eyes as Soma gazes at him, and before either of them knew it, one single daughter was conceived under the stars.
✧ Her mate found out, of course. Soma didn't know how- did his brother have a guilty conscience and confess the affair? Was it just a gut feeling? Who knows, but what she did know is that she's never seen so much emotion from her mate in her life- calling her every name under the sun, expressing how much of a disgrace she was. After the initial shock, Soma grew... Bored, and dryly asked if he was done. At that moment, she was stripped of her title and kicked out.
✦ Well, no skin off her nose! She always wanted to try the rogue life, anyway. At least, she would have, had she not learned of her pregnancy a month later. She isn't devastated, per se, more mildly annoyed than anything- but damn it, she was eating for at least two, now! This damn cub isn't even born yet, and it's making her rogue life way harder than it needs to be! She contemplates this, as her swollen belly aches, before spotting a mini pride in the distance.
✧ Eh, it's better than nothing. She comes up to this lion, seemingly about half her age, and asks to join his pride. She's immediately straightforward with her history- no reason not to be, she figured, since the truth will come out one way or another. And to her bafflement, the king welcomes her right in, in spite of it! Strange... And even stranger how the king follows her around like a lost hound. Hmph. She pities the fool.
✦ The two get to talking as night approaches, and the king- Luam, she's learned- is eager to get to know her. Only... She spaces out. What is there to say? Luam immediately takes notice, and asks her about it- only for Soma to roll her eyes. She can tell him how she got banished, but she's not gonna tell a stranger her upbringing! While taken aback, Luam just nods, and asks if maybe she'd want to find out who she is... Together. Soma, of course, is apprehensive... But leaves the conversation on a 'maybe'.
✧ 'Maybe' turns into a tussle in the crisp afternoon air. 'Maybe' turns into laughter, thoughts, and feelings being shared. 'Maybe' turns into Soma opening up, and not being met with dismissal, only interest and sympathy. 'Maybe' turns into Soma learning her favorite prey, her favorite color, her favorite plant. 'Maybe' turns into feeling... Happy, warm, like a lioness instead of a queen. 'Maybe' turns into a flutter inside her chest...
✦ When Luam approaches her, sheepishly asking her to be his mate and bride, Soma is hesitant. Sure, she's grown fond of Luam, and wants to be by his side... But to be a queen? Again? After all she's been through? Luam reassures her that as queen of his pride, she can be herself, she can be someone, and if she's ever overwhelmed at all, he can excuse her from any duties she doesn't feel like doing. Still, Soma is conflicted, and leaves Luam with another 'maybe'... Though, it isn't long before that 'maybe' becomes a 'yes'.
✧ All of the sudden, that night, Soma falls into labor. Luam wishes to be by her side, but Soma voices her discomfort, opting instead to have her cubs alone. After multiple hours, one cub is born- one daughter, covered in brown and gray splotches that her family would have deemed 'unsightly', and out of spite, Soma adores her all the more. The moment he's allowed to, Luam bounced in, gladly accepting the cub as if it were his own... His little Moshi.
✦ The last years of her life were a breeze, compared to the hurricane beforehand. She raised a perfect, kindly daughter that she loves the same way she loves herself (even if Moshi's closer with Luam, it's fine- having that attention on her would just overwhelm her). She found love in a kind, gentle lion, and she found herself through it all. She got to see her daughter grow all the way to young adulthood, before she feels the heavens calling her name. She passed peacefully beside her two loved ones, and damn it, if it didn't feel good.
✧ As far as Soma knows, Luam never remarried, instead spending the rest of his life single, yet at peace with the love that's blossomed.
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