Vega
From the Dry Savanah | Joined in the day in the beginning of The Great Plains Drought | at 4 years, 4 months old
{Cubs born into Pride: 4 | Cubs rejected by the King: 4}
*Vistor greeting/interaction*
BioVega is the 15th lioness to join Vesper's pride.
Adult: {4 years, 9 months} - Vega was grooming her cubs when her King entered Mother's Den. He glanced at Aurora, the other lioness that had given birth tonight, but he headed straight for Vega. She watched him draw closer, happy to show him her cubs. But that happiness waned when he met them without any sort of enthusiasm. She had lost hope for her little male, when he glanced over him without so much of a sniff. She watched him inspect the female with more care, her heart starting to dance nervously in her chest. She didn't plan on losing her litter, surely, he would let her keep one cub. The seconds felt like an eternity and the moment he met her gaze; she knew his answer. "I'll be taking both, Vega. You have my apologies."
"No." Her objection was but a whisper of disbelief.
"You have a day to morn, then Sombra will come to retrieve you for your duties." He said with almost no emotion in his voice. Vesper left her for a moment, returning in the next with Condor. She didn't know what to do as she watched them take her cubs in their mouths. Her King didn't meet her gaze, but Condor looked at her with sympathy as he grabbed her daughter. It was only when they left, did she allowed herself to sob, calling the attention of the BroodMothers. A few gathered around her, pressing their pelts into her own, silently comforting her for her loss.
{6 years, 8 months old} - Vega had given birth to one cub this season, a male. She knew he would not stay so she soaked up as much time with him as she could before her King took him away. She wished that by some miracle Vesper would be pleased with their son and keep him as a defender, but it didn't take long at all for her King to meet their cub and reject him almost in the same breath. She'd be lying if Vega said it didn't hurt how quickly he dismissed the life she had created, but she accepted his judgment and watched as he carried their son out of Mother's Den. When he had disappeared, Vega stood to her paws and made her way to Aurora's nest where she nursed her hungry cub. Vega smiled as she laid eyes on the colorful little female. "She's beautiful." Vega cooed and rested beside her best friend.
"Isn't she?" Aurora sighed. "I'm so glad he let me keep her." As soon as the words left her mouth, realization made her eyes widen with dread. "I'm so sorry Vega. That was so insensitive. I didn't-"
"I know you didn't." Vega cut her off, giving her a reassuring lick on the top of her head. "And I'm glad he did as well. Every life that is allowed into the Eclipse Pride is a gift. To everyone." She stressed and returned Aurora's smile. Vega meant every word.
{8 years, 8 months old} - Vega groomed her daughter's dark pelt, enjoying her time with her cub. She wasn't going to assume she'd be staying this time. All she was going to do was soak up the time she had and say goodbye to her now, before her King took her away. That was how it had to be and her fellow lionesses were starting to realize it was just a way of life in the Eternal Eclipse pride. They had a thriving pride as is, the odds that an additional space for their newborn cubs would be made just for them wasn't in their favor, and that was okay. Vega celebrated every cub that did make it through the selection process no matter who they belonged to. The way Vega saw it, that cub belonged to the entire pride, their mother was simply given the honor of nursing and caring for them in their first months of life and earning the title of mother. A title that one day she hoped she would earn, but today wasn't that day.
Vega greeted her King warmly just as she always did, waited patiently, and then accepted his decision to take their cub. She had already said goodbye in her own way, and she kept her eyes on her little cub as long as possible before both her and Vesper disappeared. Maybe next season, Vega told herself as her eyes searched for the cubs that were able to call Mother's Den their home.
Pride Interactions
~● Vega woke you up this morning by flopping onto your side and licking your ear. Hard to be grumpy about that!
{5 years, 7 months old}
~● Vega stands on her back legs, cuddling into your soft mane for a bit as a greeting.
{5 years, 8 months old}
~● Vega stands on her back legs, cuddling into your soft mane for a bit as a greeting.
{7 years, 3 months old}
~● Vega rubs cheeks with you, then rubs her body against yours. You shiver slightly as her tail tip brushes your back. 9 years 4 months
~● Here
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