Xylia

Claimed in the Arid Desert at 2 years, 2 months old in the middle of the Wet Season.

Cubs born: 6

Cubs rejected: 5

{4 years, 7 months old} - Xylia had a long day giving birth to four cubs this season. Two males and two females. She felt pretty good about the chances that one of her daughters was another Soothsayer. She tended to them all though it was a bit much with four squirming, crying cubs. She tried to get them all to calm down before Vesper arrived with the Lead Soothsayer, but they were adamant on fighting each other for the prime feeding spot. She was exhausted by the time they approached her nest. Sybil was in the lead, guiding Vesper, though a thick veil hid her eyes. Xylia knew she used more than the five senses they had to guide her through each day, her daughter was a Soothsayer too, and she had always known things that were unexplainable. Xylia avoided her King's eyes, feeling on display as Sybil stood frozen in silence.

"I feel no presence of a gift in either of the females." Sybil spoke calmly.

"Thank you, Sybil." Vesper dismissed her.

She nodded and turned to leave the cavern; her stride just as elegant as any other lioness.

With one less lion, Xylia felt a bit more comfortable, but what came next still made her a little tense. Vesper looked over their cubs and then settled his gaze on her. Out of respect, she tried her best to return his gaze, but she could have sworn she was making a weird face. Her ears didn't feel like they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Were they supposed to stay upright? Were they meant to sit flat against her head? Somewhere in the middle? She couldn't quite remember at the moment.

"My apologies dear, but I'm taking them all."

"Thank you," she blurted out and then instantly regretted it. "I-I mean okay, thank you." She said again and winced. Xylia gave up, blaming it all on the stress of the situation and buried her head underneath her paws as Condor made his way to help Vesper take the cubs one by one. She just wanted today to be over and to be left alone. If only she could skip to the next day and pretend that this one never happened...