Post by OnyxSharingan on Aug 23, 2015 15:04:03 GMT
A cool, breezy day marked the reception ceremony for the prides new dominant male. A son of Atuzel and Kasamu, the prides previous leaders. The now elderly Vesna, who once stood alongside his parents as a dominant, was there to relieve her own duties onto him. Her dark muzzle now spotted grey around the nose, her broad shoulders were frail and angled, sure signs of old age. She was the last standing of the high ranks or the original Roho Nguvu, and she was proud. The pain of losing her dearest friends had worn on her over her last few years, each of them had passed tragically as the once before, and it was never easy. Ironically, they had all died fighting, the on thing they had tried to prevent as the pride leaders. But, sweet Kaaria would want to be remembered, and she was. Brave Atuzel would never go out without a last BANG, and she did. Moody Kasamu would never end an argument without someone the blame for his pain, and surely, that had gotten him in the end. However, Vesna had no urge to go and fight when she knew it was time for her to walk away. No, she headed for her favorite willow tree near the edge of camp. The low hanging vines provided her a place of solace for all those hard times when she couldn't bear the thought of continuing without the guidance and comfort of her friends, when she needed a place away from camp for her cubs to play away from all the hustle and bustle of camp, or when she wanted a place to be alone with Rihvaln, just to sit in the peace and quiet with her beloved. Over the years, it had gotten harder and harder to climb onto its branches. But today, it seemed as easy as breathing when she settled onto the one branch that hung over the river. This river protected them from many outsiders, gave them a place to play, and a simple white noise for awkward conversations. Over the years, she had grown more comfortable with water, since her young age she had been afraid of its dark depths. But now, it seemed to symbolize all the souls lost from the land, on their way to somewhere better, easier. She spoke to the river when she lost Kaaria, Atuzel, Kasamu.. As if they could hear her and would talk back. But now, as she lay there, violet eyes looking down at the swiftly moving water, she felt they would hear her all that time, even if not from the water. They say before you pass, your life flashes before your eyes, as a sort of replay. But Vesna experienced none of that. Instead, she simply closed her eyes, knowing that her pride was safe, her children and grandchildren would prosper without her guidance, and everything would be alright. She warmed at the final idea, that at last, she would be rejoining her dearest friends up in the stars, and tell them what great lions and lionesses their kids had turned out to be. As that last thought crossed her mind, Vesna's body relaxed, and fell still for a moment, then tipped and fell, down, down, until it splashed into the swirling waters below.