Aftermath

[[Sorry it’s kinda bleh, I’m trying to get back into Quanna~]]

It had seemed like a pretty ordinary day in the Desertlands as the queen lounged near the mouth of the cave the sandy pride called home. She could see out over bits of her kingdom from here, but the heat and the ever changing dunes always made it difficult to truly judge the distance. But nothing had felt too off, and all her pride were either napping in the cave behind her or playing around the oasis. Their pride was small, so it was easy to manage where each member was, except perhaps Vumbi. The lionesses had always been adventurous and had grown restless the past few years, always wandering off on her own. Quanna had warned her of the dangers of such actions multiple times, but knew it was useless to truly change the lioness. Even if Quanna had ordered her not to leave the den (which she had had to do a few times when she was younger), at this point it would be futile. It was simply easier on both to let her do as she willed, and learn as she went along, mistakes and all. Quanna wasn’t the most over-protective of lionesses, believing in “tough love,” that youngsters had to find a way out of situations on their own. The desert did not coddle, so why should she? They wouldn’t survive otherwise. She was, however, always there for them afterwards or when they truly could not escape.

But that day Quanna had been unable to help Vumbi, who had wandered too far for any of the pride to hear her cries when a rogue had attacked, as the queen would soon find out. Even the wind had failed to carry the stranger’s scent, blowing the opposite direction. As it was, she waited patiently for signs of any of her pride or strangers, but the desert seemed quiet. That is, until she saw the sorrowful form of Vumbi climbing over the horizon. It was clear something had gone wrong, and Quanna shot to her feet. She trotted out to meet the lioness partway across the sands, her face contorted in concern. “Vumbi, what happened? You’re hurt,” She said, her low voice soft.

Vumbi's eyes had been shut tightly as she writhed in pain and outrage beneath Korofi's advances, begging him to stop. "I'll do anything!" She wailed, but eventually she just shut her muzzle and remained still whilst un-thinkable things were done to her. The whole while, tears slid down her cheeks and she wondered, Why her? What had Vumbi ever done that was so horrible, that she deserved this? After what seemed like hours of pleasure for the evil lion, he abandoned her and she laid still, covered in scratches, bite marks and blood. She feared he would come back for her, hurt her again one day. She sobbed to herself in the middle of the desert, sand managing to get into a few of her wounds and making them sting painfully. She winced as they stung and shut her eyes in a vain attempt not to focus on the events of that day. It all came flooding back into her mind and she sobbed harder as the memories were relived. She writhed as if he was still there, and she clawed at the air where he had been. Never again, she vowed, would she trust a lion. As the sun slowly began its sinking in the sky, Vumbi found the strength to stand and stumble blindly through the desert, her instincts bringing her home.

She was a shaky, frightened mess as the caves came into view and her relief made her body crumble. The sand mixed with her bloody fur, giving her a very roughed up and dirty look - nothing like the lioness who had left with a smile that morning to go for a little walk. She pulled herself back up once more, and was even more relieved when she was met halfway by her Queen, Quanna. Her aching limbs screamed at her, and she crumbled at Quanna's feet. "He-he was everywhere, his claws, his scent, I was j-j-just being n-nice and he-" Vumbi stopped herself as a sob heaved out of her body and she cried once more for her lost innocence.

[[OOC: Thats okay, I thought it was good! ]]

It was clear Vumbi had been attacked, covered in scratches and dried blood murky with sand, looking far more like a rogue than anything. More so, her demeanor had completely changed, her paws dragging and limbs shaking to the extent that the lioness finally collapsed in front of Quanna. The Queen was careful to remain composed so not to upset the lioness further, but anger was swirling within her at the thought that one of her pride had been attacked. When Vumbi sobbed out an explanation, the anger only grew. Vumbi was no only attacked, but violated. The Queen put her nose to the air, but the rogue’s scent was scant at best. Vumbi must have wandered too far, and the lion seemed long gone, but Quanna flexed her paws, her dark claws unsheathing and disappearing again as she ached to deliver justice. But running off in search for a rogue, probably outside her territory, was a bad idea, especially while Vumbi was still here, vulnerable, in need of care.

But this attack would not be forgotten. Quanna raised her head and bellowed out a threatening roar that could be heard even into the savannah, so the rogue would know if he ever came near again, he would be ripped apart without mercy. It also alerted the rest of the pride and other nearby lions that they had a threat in the area, so hopefully this would not happen again.

Turning her attention back to Vumbi, whom she had known since tan lioness had been young, and leaned down to try and clean out her wounds. “He’s gone now, and if he ever steps foot here again, he will pay. You’ll be okay, you’re home,” She said, her tone softening. “Some lions are cruel, Vumbi, you’re lucky you’re still alive.” She hoped the younger lioness could appreciate the little blessings that had occurred, though knew if was difficult to see anything in a positive light in her position. She nuzzled the side of younger lioness’s face before nudging her shoulder and trying to help her back to her feet. “Come along now, let’s get you back to the den so you can rest.” Quanna eyed Vumbi’s stomach, worried she had conceived but unwilling to bring up the topic right then. The young lioness’s life would be difficult now, the aftermath of this attack would stay with her for years, and Quanna could only hope she would overcome it. But if she bore cubs, it brought even more complications into it. Would her motherly instincts overcome the pain of her situation, or were these possible cubs doomed to an unwilling existence? Quanna wasn’t sure, and could only send up a hopeful prayer that this would all work out, but for now she had to focus on getting Vumbi back to the den to recover.