EiraFrom the Shrubland | Joined in the beginning of the Dry Season | at 4 years, 8 months old {Cubs born into Pride: 10 | Cubs rejected by the King: 8}
*Vistor greeting/interaction*
BioEira is the sixth lioness to join the pride.
Adult: {7 years old} - Eira had given birth to three cubs and one of them was another male. She was proud at first, to provide the pride with 3 cubs, but it withered away when reality quickly settled in. The King had to accept them into the pride first and the odds that he would accept all three was not in her favor. The male had the lowest chance to survive, she had gotten lucky with producing the pride's Heir, she didn't think she'd be that lucky again. When Vesper entered Mother's Den, Eira quickly smoothed the pelt of each cub, trying to make them the most presentable. When he was near, she ducked her head low in greeting, looking him in the eye for only a second. "Three," he commented, sounding impressed. Eira's heart raced as he took a closer look. Catching movement at the mouth of the cavern, she focused on who was lingering around to find her son! She almost rose from where she laid and went to greet him, but remembered what was happening, and then what her son was really here for.
"Condor," Vesper called.
Her heart sunk. She watched her son slowly approach them, not wanting to look her in the eye for long. There was a sense of guilt wafting from him and it made her want to reassure him that it was okay.
"I'm taking all three, Eira." Her King's voice was soft, almost sympathetic. It still had its usual authoritative sound, but she heard the tenderness in his words.
"Okay," she responded quietly with a nod. Before he could reach for her first cub, she summoned the courage to ask a question. "Can I say goodbye?"
Vesper only nodded and took a few steps back, giving her some space. She buried her nose in each cub's pelt, inhaling deeply and trying to memorize their scent. Then she gave them a few tender licks, her heart aching with each little squeak or paw that kneaded into her belly. They were so warm, happy, and safe. She desperately wanted to keep them that way, but she forced herself to pull away from them and didn't make a peep as Her King and Condor took them away. They left her with the male cub and she tried to ignore him, but she couldn't resist touching him when he cried for her. She groomed him thoroughly before Condor came back.
"I have to take him, mother. I'm sorry," his voice was strained, overcome with emotion.
"It's okay, love. Duty calls, I understand." She met his gaze and she could see he wanted to break so she gave him a smile. "Just know, I am so proud of you. You are much stronger than I could ever be."
He shook his head, his face scrunching a bit angrily. "You are just as strong. This," He gestured to his brother. "This, is strength. To be able to withstand this," He went quiet, unable to fully put into words what was happening. "That is strength. I don't know how all of you do it," He breathed.
Eira rose to her paws and rubbed against him, offering him some comfort. "It's a team effort, my love. No mother could ever bring herself to do what is necessary for the pride, so it falls on your shoulders. Yours, and your fathers. He does not show it, but I know it pains him as well. Some see the strength he wears as indifference, but I know better. We get through it together." Eira returned to her nest, where her newborn was crying, picked him up and laid him at Condor's paws. "I've done my part, now it's your turn." She didn't look back when he carried her last cub from the cavern, she just curled up into her empty nest and buried her nose under her paws. Eira focused on her litter's scent that would surely fade and begun to nurse the wound that they had left.
{11 years, 8 months old} - Lost both daughters, Modi and Suvi on the same day, after Vesper visited them on the day they gave birth.
Pride Interactions
~• As you walk up to Eira, she hunkers down a little, whispering back a greeting as she stares at you in awe. {5 years old}
~• You greet Eira perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. She just squeaked and ran off. Oops {5 years, 2 months old}
~• Happy but intimidated by your attention, Eira greets you shyly, then backs away to give you some space. {5 years, 9 months}
~• As you walk up to Eira, she hunkers down a little, whispering back a greeting as she stares at you in awe. {6 years, 2 months}
~• You were napping, but some movement caught your attention. Eira was coming towards you with a gerbil snack, but then she stopped. Walked away. Came back. Now she looks like she wanted to bolt. You closed your eyes and pretended to be asleep still, and she finally delivered her gift to you. {7 years, 6 months}
~• You greet Eira perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. She just squeaked and ran off. Oops. {8 years, 4 months} |
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