Skadi
From the Temperate Savannah | Joined in the beginning of the Dry Season | at 4 years, 3 months old
{Cubs born into Pride: 5 | Cubs rejected by the King: 4}
*Interaction with the viewer/greeting*
BioSkadi is the third lioness to join Vesper.
Adult:
{7 years, 4 months old} - Skadi was a little nervous as she waited for her King to see the cub she bore. She had given birth to a female. One that looked an awful lot like her but was not of Vesper's blood. She had heard about Carmine's encounter with their King and the disgrace of her unlawful actions. Similar actions that Skadi was also at fault for, what was worse, she wasn't the only one. The closest thing she had to sisters in the pride, Nisha and Astra, also broke pride law and had gotten too close one of the savage males that were wandering the land. Not only was she scared for herself, but for her sisters. She was betting that if their King found out that he didn't have just one unfaithful lioness within his pride, but four, there would be blood. She shivered, trying to shake the panic that coursed through her pelt. Perhaps, he wouldn't know? Maybe Carmine was just unlucky in being found out, maybe she had broke, and confessed. There were so many stories flying about, you couldn't be sure which one spoke the truth. Besides, Vesper didn't touch the lioness or her cubs. Maybe, he was more merciful and kinder than any of them thought him to be.
~•~•~•~{8 years, 2 months old} - Skadi came back from leading an evening hunting trip, carrying in their latest catch when she caught note of the odd tension in the air. She ordered her hunters to deliver the prey to the hoard and begun to wander the pride looking for Sombra, if anyone knew what was up, it was the Lead Huntress. She found the lioness speaking with Condor. She approached them, both lions looking back at her for but a moment, but the look of pity that flashed on Condor's face made her fur prickle with an unsettling feeling. He quickly dismissed himself and left her and Sombra without a word. "What's going on?" Skadi demanded.
Sombra, ever so calmly, took a deep breath. "There's been an incident." A few torturous beats of silence dragged on. One second more and Skadi would have risked swiping at the lioness. "I'm sorry Skadi, the King took Fallow's life along with her cub soon after she gave birth."
It was as if she was the one who had gotten swiped, hard in the head. She almost couldn't believe her words, or more like refused to believe them.
"She is with Celeste-"
Skadi didn't stay to hear the rest, she had heard all she needed. She bounded for Mother's Den, her heart bleeding with every stride and tears welling in her eyes.
Why did this happen? What reasoning did the King have for taking her life? Is she really dead? The questions ran rampant in her mind until the mouth of the cavern was in her sights. "Celeste! Cleste! Where is she?" Skadi roared.
Movement from outside the cavern caught her attention and she saw the Lead Mother's face peer around a rock that jutted out right beside Mother's Den. Skadi raced to the lioness's side to find her daughter lying lifeless on the ground. She sobbed, falling beside her and nuzzling her stained fur.
"I'm sorry Skadi, it happened so quickly,"
"Why!" She wailed.
"He did not give a reason. Only orders."
Skadi gritted her teeth, anger rolling throughout her like a giant storm. She asked again and again in her head, grooming Fallow's face, but she knew the answer. This was punishment. She had gotten off too easily with keeping her life and Gwenevere's. And just as Astra had paid, Skadi's crimes had cost her daughter her life. Guilt threatened to swallow her whole. No longer having the strength to hold herself upright, she slumped beside her daughter.
"Vesper said you had the choice to morn in private or with the pride." Celeste said softly. "You also may choose who will help bury her before the next sunfall. Sombra will see to your duties for the day."
"Thank you, Celeste." Skadi's voice cracked. She didn't know what else to say.
"Do you want to be alone?"
She already felt alone. Alone and empty. And Skadi was sure that even with the entire pride around her, she would feel the same. "Is Gwenevere alright?" Skadi looked up at the Lead Mother, searching for an answer before she gave one.
The lioness's face softened, and she nodded. "She's very well."
"Do you think she suffered?" Skadi could barely get the question out.
"No. It was quick and merciful."
Her answer didn't comfort her as Skadi had hoped, instead it was as if she rubbed all of her fur the wrong way at once. "Help me get her in the heart of the pride. I want her to be given a proper goodbye."
{9 years, 4 months old} - Skadi groomed her beautiful cub. He was a male, but she had high hopes for him. If he wasn't heir worthy in her King's eyes, then surely, he was going to be the first defender. Skadi waited for good news as Vesper took in his son. He took his time with her cub than he usually did now adays, all good signs that her son was staying. When he locked gazes with her, she could almost hear the words 'you may name him', but he crushed her hope instead.
"I'm taking him."
Skadi was speechless as he leaned down and grabbed her son. She wanted to object, but she knew it was useless. She couldn't help but think he was still punishing her for last season. The thought left her with a bitter feeling. She glanced at Lilith, the other mother waiting for her cub's fate, wondering if she would be allowed her cub.
{11 years, 5 months} - Skadi gave birth to another single cub this season. A female, this time. She didn't expect much from Vesper's visit, except for disappointment. She tried to savor the time she had with her cub, but her King arrived all too soon. It was a good thing she expected disappointment, because that was all she got. Vesper hardly spent any time with their cub before deeming her 'unworthy' of staying. Skadi wanted to ask if this was because of her past actions, a punishment still haunting her all these years, but the words didn't dare pass her tongue. However much it felt as such, the other lionesses who were guilty of the same offense were allowed to keep cubs afterwards. Nisha was allowed a cub this very season. Skadi looked over at the lioness, unable to ward off the envy that enveloped her like fog. She sighed, rose to her paws and tried to shake the feeling off before congratulating her. Nisha deserved to have another cub, Skadi just wished she could say the same.
Pride Interactions
~• You hung out with Skadi over dinner. She sometimes says stuff that seems so mean and yet... you feel as if you've never laughed harder in your life.
{ 5 years, 4 months old}
~• Skadi nudged you affectionately and told you that your battling looked far better than yesterday. Was...that a compliment?
{5 years, 5 months}
~• Skadi bites your ear as you greet her, then nips at your tail. Some lions have interesting ways of showing affection.
{9 years, 3 months}
~• Skadi bites your ear as you greet her, then nips at your tail. Some lions have interesting ways of showing affection.
{9 years, 7 months old}
"
"
