Varsha
Daughter of Celeste
{Cubs born into Pride: 5 | Cubs rejected by the King: 4}
Varsha jumps to her paws when she sees you and happily bounds over. "Hello, stranger." She smiles brightly. "It's not every day we get visitors to our pride. It's nice to see a new face. What are you here for? I can escort you, but stay close, my King is very protective of what is his and we want you back where you came from in one piece." She smiles again, as if it was a joke.
BioNewborn : Varsha is the first cub born to Vesper. She was birthed at night during the middle of the dry season.
{Vesper was extremely pleased with his first cub, at the sight of her he knew she would be a great addition to their pride. She was in his words, "Perfect."}
Young Cub: Varsha is a bundle of energy that none of the BroodMothers seem to be able to contain. When she has tired her mother out she bounces between all the lionesses in Mother's Cavern. Some have big round bellies that make them slow, but when she tries to climb them she
always gets dragged away by the scruff. Her favorite place, besides her mother's warm belly, is where ever Condor is. She loves tussling with him and chasing him through the cavern, though now they get in trouble when they try. Something about new cubs. The ones she's not allowed to play with.
Cub: Varsha loves training with her father, she looked forward to his lessons just as much as she loved coming back to Mother's Cavern. Since she was born Varsha was able to watch cubs be born and grow in front of her very eyes. She loves how alive Mother's Cavern is now and no matter where she goes, she's surrounded by family. She would have to leave her favorite place soon, but Varsha was excited for what waited for her. She liked to imagine what it would be like to sleep with the lionesses in Pride Cavern or go on a real hunt. Varsha was ready to help feed the pride, the King was always praising her during lessons, and she had only ever failed one. She was born to be a huntress and she wouldn't stop trying until she was one. Maybe one day, she'd even be the Lead Huntress.
Adolescent: Varsha was going to be the first lioness born into the pride to become a hunter and she was more than ready. She could barely hide her excitement these days. There was a month to go before she would accept Vesper as her King and in turn be accepted by her pride as a fellow lioness. Varsha would no longer be seen as a 'cub', but an equal to the lionesses she had idolized growing up. She couldn't wait to officially join a hunting party and work her way to the best hunter in the pride. She was also excited for Condor, who
had to be the King's heir. He had his doubts, but Varsha knew that their father had grown quite fond of him and only great things waited for them both. Soon they would be doing their part to take care of their pride and help it thrive.
Adult: {2 years, 11 months} - Varsha was proud of her first cub. She had given birth to a female that looked very much like her father. After the couple of months he had, with all the chaos within the pride, she was sure he'd be pleased. Since Varsha matured, she had been looking forward to becoming a mother. Despite recent events, she loved being back in Mother's Den. It was much quieter with only a few cubs running around, but she enjoyed the company of her pride mates none the less, especially getting some extra time with her mother. Varsha groomed her cub, thinking of possible names as she waited for her King. When Vesper came by, making his way over to her, she couldn't help but beam. "Good morning, my King." She greeted him and returned his nuzzle.
"Good morning, dear. I hear you have a surprise for me?"
"Yes! She came early this morning." She watched as he met with his cub, poking her with his nose and smelling her. When he was satisfied, he lifted his head, his gaze settling on Varsha.
"You did well Varsha, but she won't be staying with us."
Varsha was surprised by his words, and she couldn't fight the disappointment and sadness that crept its way into her heart. She had assumed she would be keeping her daughter and was left feeling a bit foolish. "I understand." She dipped her head and her King's comforting lick was welcomed. She watched him grab their daughter gingerly in his mouth and walk out of the cavern with her mewling. She had seen many cubs carried out of Mother's Den growing up, and she hadn't always known the significance of it but even when she fully understood what happened to them, it was entirely different knowing the cub in her King's mouth had been a part of her just moments ago. She felt empty, suddenly incomplete. Varsha only hoped she wouldn't feel like that for long. A flicker of color in the corner of her eye drew her attention to Celeste, approaching her with a soft, sympathetic look on her face. She managed to give her a smile, to let her know she was okay. She didn't feel much like it right now, but she knew it would pass, just as everything else.
5 years old - Varsha was certain she would be able to keep one of her cubs. They were both male, but one of them had to be defender worthy. She didn't quite know what she would do if neither of them were. She looked around the Cavern, almost expecting she would find her mother tending to the pregnant lionesses and checking in on cubs. But she was swiftly brought back to reality when she spotted Senja, her orange and white crown resting on top of her head. Varsha swallowed the ache that traveled to the pit of her stomach. If both of her cubs are taken, how would she cope without her mother's comfort? She didn't have time to ponder the question before Vesper entered Mother's Den. He searched her out first and greeted her as always.
"Good evening, my dear."
"Good evening, my King." Varsha returned his nuzzle and nervously awaited his verdict.
"Two sons. We were quite ambitious, weren't we?"
Varsha gave a little chuckle, soothed by her King's joking. That had to be a good sign.
"Unfortunately, neither will be staying Varsha. I'm sorry."
And her hope disappeared into thin air. She nodded. "No need, my King. Do as you must." She forced the words, though they hurt to say. He gave her a nod paired with a sympathetic smile before taking one of her sons. Condor was next. She could tell he didn't want to look her in the eye but felt obligated to out of his obvious guilt.
"I'm so sorry Varsha."
She offered him a smile. "That's how it is, sometimes. You know that. Just make it quick okay? So they don't suffer."
He nodded, his expression serious. "Of course." He leaned down to take her last cub, but hesitated and looked her way again. "And I'll be waiting for the day I see your cub running around Mother's Den, causing all kinds of trouble, just like you did back in the day."
The vision he created made her genuinely smile. "And you never know, it may be your cub too."
Condor stared at her surprised and it made her giggle. He snapped out of it, shaking something from his mane she couldn't see and grabbed her son. With a nod, he trotted out of the cavern.
Even though she was left alone, Varsha couldn't help but feel hopeful. She wasn't truly alone. Even with her mother gone and her cubs following after her. She had her pride, and that was good enough for Varsha.
Pride Interactions
~● You were feeling a bit down after a pridemate teased you about a mane tangle. Then, Varsha cheerfully asked you what you did differently that morning to look so ruggedly handsome! Awwww, thanks!
{3 years, 8 months old}
~● It would have been a boring day in the pride, but Varsha commented on how everyone deserved a well-earned rest. Can’t argue with that way of looking at it!
{ 4 years, 9 months old}
~● Varsha playfully chases her own tail before greeting you heartily.
{ 4 years, 10 months old}
Varsha playfully chases her own tail before greeting you heartily. 6 years 3 months
