VoK Prompts

Prompt D2 - Write a 400 word scene/story of your choosing involving your pride members 

Word count: 1600/400 + 155

Exp: 300 exp x4 (Redeemed here and here)

"Miss Laka, why did you come here?"

"Come where?"

"Here! My mama said you were the first one to join, but why?"

"Honey, don't trouble yourself! Lay down while I mix your salve, and maybe I can tell you the story!"

"Yay!"

"Ok, where to begin? Well, when I was your age growing up in my pride, I was a bit of an outcast-"

"What does that mean?"

"Someone who's not accepted. Now, shhh, close your eyes and just listen,"

"Okay,"

"Now where was I... oh yeah! The other cubs didn't like that I could remember things they couldn't. I could tell them what the weather was like on a specific day a season ago or what kind of bird flew over when we were just babies, and they became jealous. Of course, then they went and whined to their parents, and no one wants to see their cub sad, so the adults started disliking my parents and I as well. In that pride, public opinion was more important than anything, and my parents got tired of being the last to get everything, which, according to them, was all my fault.

"During the last few weeks of the third season of my first year, the drought struck. In fact, you may have heard of it from the Lorekeeper, it's now known as the Ukulamba ("starving") Drought. As you may know, without rain, plants can't grow, which messes up the food chain and affects the size and population of our prey. On average, the male adults in the pride lost around fifty pounds. Everyone was practically skin and bones. Gosh, looking back I should of just starved like the rest of them, but I saw the hand of death in action and didn't want it to happen to me. That's when I became an omnivore, eating the dry grasses as the zebras eat hay. No, it wasn't nutritional or tasty, and, no, it's not what we're made to eat, but it was food in my stomach.

"On a partially unrelated note, because of all the sickness and death, I began to take notice of the healer's tasks and became hooked, putting my memory to good use. That may not have been a kind pride, but they were smart. Many of that healer's tricks and skills I still use today.

"Anyway, the adults began to notice that I wasn't as thin as the others and began to hate me even more. My parents were starving because, like I said earlier, they had been getting less food anyway, so now it was practically nothing. I remember one night when I heard them talking. They said that I obviously was too good for them, finding my own food, so there was no reason for me to get any of theirs. Then it grew into getting rid of me altogether. Now, because of my memory, some said I had the wisdom of an elder, so I knew I had to get out of there.

"Early the next morning I took action. Before dawn I slipped into the healer's den and grabbed her satchel of herbs, vials, and miscellaneous medical supplies, mostly for carrying my next steal, although it would benefit me later on. After that I snuck into the King's quarters, because it was common knowledge that he kept extra meat for himself and his family. Once the bag was stuffed full, I ran. I only stopped briefly at my former home to drop off a little extra meat that didn't fit in the satchel. I know that might seem weird, but I understood that they had raised me and that it was partially my fault that they had been getting less food to begin with. 

"Now I was completely on my own, unlike I had ever been before. Even though everyone hated me, they were still my pride and I could rely on at least one lion if the need arose. But this was different. Recall that I hadn't even graduated into my second year, and all I had was a bag of random medical materials and meat. The meat only lasted about a quarter of a season, so I was grateful that I had learned to eat plants.

"Foolishly, I spent my days begging to be let in to random prides, but of course no one wanted to accept a no-good cub in the middle of the worst drought the world had ever seen. That's when I discovered the joy of being independent. There were no rules or restrictions. What I caught, I could eat, and I could travel all night and sleep when I wanted to without anyone batting an eye.

"By the time the rain patterns had returned to normal, I had learned that I was better off alone. With the plants greening up, I was able to fully explore the joys brought by fruits and vegetables. I started befriending the animals I had once killed, and soon they came to me for help with injuries. As you may recall, I spent many days watching the healer of my old pride and had taken some of her supplies, so I was able to help them out for a while anyway. Of course, word got out that I was some kind of friendly, miraculous healer, and I had to develop my own methods through trial and error depending on what I could find.

"At that point I was still young, the third season of my fourth year, and, like a cub, I didn't realize that this perfect existence would have to end. To make it easier for your young ears, I was a girl that had been on her own since cubhood. I hadn't experienced how... vicious males my age could be. I wanted to be on my own forever, not to have a family, but, as you know, when males leave to start their own pride, they want a pride, and therefore, a family. Without a King or warriors to defend me, I was an easy target wife.

"That day that I learned this lesson has hurt me ever since. I was attacked, in a way I hope you never have to be. That male stole a part of me. I tried to fight back, but as I understand now, a diet of only plants stunted my growth, and I was small and weak. This may sound silly, but I thought I was dying, or at least I was so confused I froze up. When the lion was satisfied or realized he wasn't going to get what he wanted, he left. I remember I stayed in that area for many days, kind of wanting to die. I barely moved at all. My some of my patient friends came and checked on me, but I was broken. I didn't know what to do, or where to go. 

"One day, I heard a voice. I guess this part is a lot like King Kuth's story, for now I know it as the voice of uNkulunkulu telling me to get up, and that my life was not over but only beginning. He gave me this sort of revelation, that I didn't have to be alone and that I was never alone anyway because He is always with me. He would never get rid of me to get more food. He would never hurt me for His own benefit. He told me that He loved me. He told me that I had an undeniable talent that He had given me, and that I needed to use it to help those who were hurting like I was.

"That was the day I picked myself up and started walking. uNkulunkulu only knows were the heck I was heading, but I knew He was guiding me. Over plains and through forests, I only stopped to pick up a plant I wanted to test. When I saw the giant slate spikes we now call home, I knew this was the place, no matter what I was to find inside.

"After what seemed like an eternity of wandering through the Maze, I found myself in our Mainway. 

"'Hello?' is what I called, and to my complete astonishment, I was met with a reply:

"'Who goes there?' the voice was so deep, but something in it sounded trustworthy.

"uNkulunkulu says to live without fear, and with UMoya oNgcwele inside me, I replied, 'My name is Ohlakaniphile. I am seeking refuge. I do not wish to intrude and I will leave if it is requested.'

"'No. Come in further. I wish to see you.' 

"As I said previously, I do not have a good history with males, especially mysterious ones who seem to be alone. uNkulunkulu also says to be honest, so I replied, 'I do not wish to be your mate. If that is your intention, I must leave.'

"Without hesitation, the voice replied, 'No! Please, no. I'm... I'm lonely. Don't leave. Here, let me come see you.' 

"Then out of the shadows stepped the lion we know respect as King Intukuthelo, although at that moment he just looked like a shy, forlorn adolescent. uNkulunkulu only knows where it came from, but I instantly felt a motherly compassion for him, and I knew that this was the perfect place and that everything would be alright. Of course, Kuth, as I nicknamed him, made no objections to having a pride mate, a healer even. He soon gave me the title 'Ma Laka,' and we became an odd type of family. Anyway, I've talked quite long enough," Laka opened her eyes ("When had they gone closed?" she wondered,) and turned to look at the cub she was treating. As was her plan, the young one was fast asleep. She just chuckled to herself and shook her head, carefully pulling a blanket up to his chin and putting the salve she had long ago finished making away for later.