VoK Prompts

Prompt S7 - Choose a song, and write or draw an in-depth breakdown of how it applies to your lion and their life, story, relationship,ect. Lyrics do not count towards word minimum.
Word Count - 1000/1000 + 1000/1000 + 791/750

Points: 11

Song: Run The World (Girls) by Beyoncé

Zeki stood with one paw holding the brute to the mud, the others posed like an Olympian. Around her, the crowd of cubs roared in a rambunctious cheer, and Zeki lifted her nose in proud triumph. After all, she was just one fight away from winning her “championship,” and then basically her whole future was squared away. For now, though, she was on top of the world. No one had beaten the cocky fool now moping away since Isiqhwaga himself, and it felt darn good to be the second. Zeki bowed before her fans.

Who run the world? (Girls)
Who run this mutha? (Girls)

Down in this dramatic bow, eyes closed, murmuring “thank you” after “thank you,” Zeki failed to notice the approach of a much older lion (or lioness, more specifically). Next thing she knew, her feet were kicking open air as she hung helplessly from her mother’s mouth. The instant the surprise wore off, hot embarrassment colored Zeki’s face. She twisted and fought to no avail. As the distance increased from her battleground, she sent a withering glare at any of the still-lingering crowd that dared look her way. She may be humiliated, but she could still scare them. After all, she had pummeled each of them in turn at least once.

As soon as they were out of ear shot, Zeki went limp and grumbled, “Really, Mom? I was busy,”

“Busy doing things your father and I specifically told you not to do. You best stay quiet and gather your thoughts because I have no doubt your father will have some choice words for you when we get back to the den,” her mother declared in a level voice without releasing Zeki.

Comebacks flew through Zeki’s mind, but she thought better of it and just grumbled instead. Besides, she knew she was going to want her mother to be on her side in a few minutes. No use angering her now.

As expected, the tension was like a wall as soon as her mother carried her into their den. Despite her best efforts to remain strong, Zeki cringed, tucked her head and tail, and turned away as her mother dropped her at her father’s feet. Without looking, she knew he was sitting there like a slavemaster - turned - king, staring down his nose as his disappointment of a daughter. She also knew her siblings were probably hiding in the shadows somewhere, fear of the incoming wrath strong enough to keep them from peering out. They were smarter than she.

“Look at me,” her father growled, low but quiet.

With a stroke of bravery, she righted herself and sat up tall, meeting and holding her father’s shadowed gaze. His eyes narrowed, and with paw larger than her, he knocked her across the room.

“So you think you can fight, huh?”

Stars flooded Zeki’s vision, and she struggled to retain consciousness, although perhaps it would have been better if she would have been knocked out. Before, he had only attacked her with words. She should have guessed that it would come to this someday, seeing how bruised her mother often was, but she had always held on to the hope that she was wrong.

“Speak up, brave one,” her father mocked from the other side of the room, but  Zeki could hardly breathe, much less reply. Her father either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

In three measured steps he was above her, his hot, ripe breath rustling her still - muddy fur. It smelled like alcohol, dashing any hope she had and clearing her suspicions. She clenched her eyes closed.

“Get up and fight me, then,” he growled.

Zeki knew it wasn’t a suggestion, but she tightly shook her head and mumbled, “No,”

“What did you just say to me?”

“I said no,”

Some of them men think they freak this
Like we do, but no they don't

Slowly, she turned and looked up at his unreadable face. As she held his gaze once again, her entire body trembling, he bared his hideous front fangs, and roared. Zeki rolled into a ball, but even that, she knew, couldn’t protect her from the onslaught. The blows came rapidly and mercilessly, some with claws and some without. With every one came another insult, another curse, as if the physical pain wasn’t enough. Her head smashed against the rock floor again and again, and every part of her screamed. Even so, she refused to make a sound or fight back. There was only one villain in this story.

Every second seemed like an eternity, and it seemed as if it would never end. As soon as this thought occurred to her, though, she heard a wail and urgent pleading, and the blows paused. No, that wasn’t right. She could still hear the blows and curses through the ringing in her ears, but she didn’t feel them. She cracked a single eye open and through a trickle of blood partically obscuring her vision, she saw. Her mother. Her strong, brave mother, now curled up as Zeki was, now the target. If it was possible, the attack seemed to have gained violence and speed. Her mother cried out, and Zeki’s heart kicked in her chest. This was her fault. Her mother had tried to protect her.

Zeki’s eye that was not scabbed over flew around the room, looking for something, anything she could do. What could she do? What could she do? And then she saw: the fireplace. A fire rod was perched half in the fire, as if forgotten. As if prepared.

Make your check, come at they neck
Disrespect us, no they won't

Mustering all the strength she could, Zeki heaved herself forward on broken, bleeding limbs. With a shaking paw, she reached out and grabbed the rod. It would have been too big for her if stoking the fire had not been one of her chores at an even younger age. Even so, she failed to account for her weakness. The rod scratched and sparked against the floor as she heaved it out, and she cringed. To her horror, the room grew silent.

In the corner of her eye, Zeki saw her father halt mid-blow, and turn to face her. Then, Zeki knew what she had to do. It was most clear and obvious than anything she had encountered in her life, no matter how much adrenaline it pumped through her body. Although it seemed impossible, in that split second she saw no other option.

Like a new cub, she lunged forward, grabbing the end of the rod in her mouth. In an attempt to stop her, Zeki’s father dove forward in the same moment. With all her remaining strength, Zeki swung the end of the red-hot pole upward, and at the last second before her father crashed into her, aligned it with his left eye. Zeki couldn’t watch, but she knew it plunged deep and true from the blood-curdling scream her father released. Without looking back or any thought at all, Zeki released the rod and ran.

Boy, don't even try to touch this (Touch this)
This is how they made me (Made me)

Every part of her protested, but her adrenaline and fear bolstered her forward. As fast as her broken body could carry her, she flew out the door to their den and out towards open land. There would be no going back, but there was no way she could stay. As she ran (or, perhaps, limped) down the pride’s main path, she began to notice the faces. The whispers. The pointed paws. She was a public spectacle, but she didn’t let it slow her down. In fact, she lifted her head higher. Let everyone see the destruction her so - called father caused, and let them see her as strong.

I'm so good with this, I remind you, I'm so hood with this

Even so, the pain was debilitating. Zeki was fading fast. In a panic, she ran blindly. Everything familiar now looked like everything else, and she was lost beyond words. Just beyond the pride boundary, a wall of trees rose up before her. It, too, was unfamiliar, but Zeki gave it no mind. Not even two rows of trees deep, she crashed, and everything went dark.

-

When Zeki cracked open her non - scabbed eye, the first thing she saw was a face… or was it? She tried to scramble backwards, but her injuries protested. Bones threatened to break even more, scabs reopened, and the swelling held her down. For the first time, she whimpered, pathetic in her own eyes but helpless. The face before her hooted, and a spark of recognition came to Zeki, followed by more confusion. They didn’t have owls around here, and if they did, they wouldn’t come near a lion, unless- Zeki’s eye flew open once again and the blood drained from her face as she realized that she might be the owl’s next meal. Then, another realization: the owl was still young. She sighed with relief, and the blood rushing back into her face took her back under.

-

The next thing that woke her was a searing pain. Of course, she knew pain, but this was different. She opened her eyes (yes, both eyes), and saw figure crouched over her. She would have tried to run again, but at this point she knew she was helpless. Her own father could have come to finish her, and there would have been nothing she could have done. This, though, appeared to be a cub. When Zeki winced, he froze, his face whipping around to face her. Upon seeing that her eyes were open, he dropped what he was holding and skittered away.

Boy, I'm just playing, come here, baby
Hope you still like me

Sensing that she was in no danger, Zeki closed her eyes again and grunted. He must have been helping in some way or she wouldn’t be able to see. Soon, the stinging pain returned, but she was out cold.

-

The third time, it was Zeki’s stomach that awoke her. It was dark out, but she could still see the silhouette of the cub and the owl nearby. He was still; asleep, but the owl’s eyes glowed. It was wide awake and watching her. Her stomach growled again, and suddenly the owl looked like an easy meal. Saliva poured into her mouth, and she attempted to climb to her feet. By the time she managed to do so, though, the owl had nudged the cub awake, and he was on his own feet urging her back down. She sneered, but obeyed. The owl seemed to smirk at her, and her stomach growled again.

This time, the cub heard and went to his pack resting beside the owl. After rustling around in it for a moment, he procured a piece of dried meat, and Zeki ate it ravenously. Without a word, both cubs returned to sleep. There would be time for speaking and explanations later.

-

To Zeki’s surprise, the cub didn’t seem to want to speak to her at all the next morning. In fact, she opened her eyes to see him slipping on his pack and helping the owl to his shoulder. Panicking in helplessness again, Zeki whimpered and struggled to her feet. Whatever the cub had done to her wounds had helped tremendously, because she found that she could stand. Finally, the cub spoke.

“We’re leaving now. You’re well enough to survive on your own, and this is for Umngani’s safety. If you thought you didn’t need him, you don’t need me,” the cub (which, in the morning light now appeared to be a couple years older than Zeki) announced in a quiet voice, as if he was decided but shy. “Besides, I don’t want any trouble, and it seems obvious that you have no issue finding it without me.”

“No!” Zeki squeaked, surprising both herself and the other cub. She cleared her throat and tried again, taking a step towards him. “I mean, please, don’t go. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I-” Zeki hesitated. There was a good chance she had never said this before. “I need your help. My father did this to me, so I had to run away. I have nowhere to go. And I promise I didn’t mean to do anything to your bird. I… I was just delirious…” Her voice faded.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why should I go to the hassle of helping you?”

Zeki glanced around, thinking hard. What could she do for him? He was obviously shy and did not need companionship, but he was scrawny and small. “I, um… I can hunt for you? I may be weak right now, but I’m a hard worker, I promise.” When he didn’t protest, she continued. “I’ll be healed in no time, and then I can help as protection, too. Ignore what it looks like; I’m actually good at that type of thing. And… and I can vouch for you if you find a pride. Or if someone defies you. Or-”

“That’s enough,” the cub said, his face unreadable. Zeki froze, breathing hard. Their eyes met and she knew he was thinking hard. After a long moment, he said, “You can come, but that can change instantly if you turn on us. And you are to treat Umngani here,” he motioned to the owl, “like any other. I’m Ukwazi.”

“Thank you, thank you! I promise I won’t-” Zeki blubbered before the cub cut her off.

“Stop talking. It’ll keep us out of trouble, help us travel easier,” Zeki knew this harshness was unnatural for him, and she fought off a smile. His gaze broke and he glanced at her injuries. “Besides, you’ll need your energy. What’s your name?”

“Umhlinzeki, but you can call me Zeki,” she said. He nodded once, turned, and started off at a slow pace. Even as she winced following him, she smiled with pride. This cub had no idea what he was in for.

My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power, with our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me

The day started off slow, very literally. Ukwazi pretended to be irritated by Zeki’s slow pace, but she already knew he couldn’t be mad at her after hearing her testimony. Who could? Even so, he laid down the rules: “No talking unless spoken to. No asking for breaks; I can tell when you’re actually tired, and we’re going slow enough as is. You can ask for water, but don’t ask for food. You’re to find your own and mine, too, when my stocks run out. Umngani can fend for himself. Also, don’t even look at him for too long. You know why. Most of all, do what I say. Don’t try to cause issues or lead the way. I shouldn’t even know you’re here. Clear?” To which Zeki replied “Crystal,” with an added eyeroll.

As time wore on, though, Ukwazi softened just as she knew he would. The talking rule was the first to go. Zeki was quiet for a long time, until he asked her a question. She responded, and continuously added to it until there was no boundary between random talking and responding. After that, Ukwazi seemed to forget the rules entirely. The only one he truly stuck to was her task of finding food, since he really couldn’t hunt. Zeki was glad to help the little she could though, and proud to find herself practically in charge.

Who run the world? Girls!
Who run this mutha? Girls!

This small group continued this way for a long time, aimlessly wandering the countryside. Zeki’s wounds had long ago healed, and she had developed her own bond with Umngani. Her relationship with Ukwazi developed, too. It started with random glances, then lengthened eye contact after conversations. Ukwazi was shy about it, but, like always, Zeki was bold.

That’s how they found themselves sitting side - by - side upon a ridge, gazing off into the sunset, or, Ukwazi was watching the sunset and Zeki was watching him. She knew he felt her eyes, but she didn’t care. In fact, she welcomed it. Soon, he lowered his face, a blush coloring his cheeks. He mumbled,

“It's hot up in here,”

Zeki smiled, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. His blush deeped but he smiled, and Zeki’s heart kicked. The second time she leaned in, he turned and met it. In an instant, they were against the grass, and all Zeki remembered was bliss.

Boy, you know you love it...
Oh, come here, baby...
Endless power, with our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me

After that, it was puppy love. Ukwazi didn’t even pretend to be in charge, and Zeki didn’t want him to. When Amanzi joined their wandering band soon after, Zeki still did not give up control. Instead, she taught her daughter to be strong and independent while still leading all of them onwards to their futures.

This goes out to all the women getting it in
Get on your grind…
Strong enough to bear the children (Children)
Then get back to business

Even later, beyond their wandering years, long after they had succumbed to pride life, Zeki was strong. She led her hunters the same way she led her warriors into battle, merciless and courageous. Those below her were starstruck by her leadership, which she passed on to Amanzi. She was proud of how her daughter adopted her queenly role, and was even more proud of the example she set for the rest of the young girls in the pride. She knew her legacy would live on, and she was proud.

Who run the world? Girls!
Who run this mutha? Girls!
Who are we? What we run? We run the world
Who run the world? Girls! Girls!