Nala

[<Shankai>]

The Next Generation
Staring
-Nala

General Information

Name: Nala
Age: 8 years
Gender: lioness
Species: lion
Alliance: Pridelander

Personality

From the time she was born, Nala has been an independent, free-spirited lioness with a mind of her own. Though she was not quite as rebellious as Simba, her readiness to go on adventures and break the rules led her to get into much trouble when she was younger. Her fiercely independent nature keeps her from trusting others with her problems or her feelings, and she prefers to puzzle through issues rather than trust them to anyone else (except, perhaps, Simba).

When Mufasa died and Simba ran away, leaving Scar in charge of the Pridelands, Nala went through a turning point that changed her forever. She grew up under Scar's tough regime, which hardened her and made her stronger. Her carefree ways were smothered, and she was forced to become responsible as she hunted for food for her pride in the now-barren Pridelands. She grew into a great worrier and often tried to take on too many tasks and problems at once; until she found Simba, she felt as if the weight of the Pride was on her shoulders.

Only now as she grows older is Nala learning to relax and realize it is not her job to figure out the answer to everyone else's problems, though she cannot help but worry about Kiara and Kovu.

Appearance

Short, golden fur stretches over Nala's long body, broken only by her light tawny muzzle, throat, and belly. Large, forest green eyes peer forth from her tan face. Though once soft and markingless, Nala's pelt has gained some scars and marks over time; a few thin scars mark her side and belly where old scars never quite healed all the way and did not allow for fur grow back. A nick in her left ear and a small scratch across her muzzle speak of the battle between the Pridelanders and the Outlanders.

History

Allow me to summarize the story that everyone knows .

Nala was born to Serafina the lioness, and grew up under the sheltering wing of the great lions of the Pridelands. Since the day they met, she and Simba were best friends, always wandering off and getting into trouble (although usually it was Simba's idea). Independent and wild-minded, Nala loved nothing better than to escape the watchful eyes of the Pride and explore the Pridelands and even, on occasion, the Outlands.

When Mufasa died and Simba was thought to be dead, Nala's life changed forever. Never will she forget Scar's words or the feeling of horror and numbness that crept over every one of the lionesses. Nala herself felt dead. Her mind went blank, her feelings crumpled, and she spent the better part of the next few months in morning. Scar ruled far differently from Mufasa, and Nala was brought up in an environment very different from what she had always known; Scar was harsh and strict, a terrible leader who did not know how to organize hunting patrols. Nala watched numbly as her home slowly grew more and more barren; she saw the green turn to gray, the gazelles and wildebeasts disappear, the rivers and watering holes run dry, and the hyenas run free. As she grew older, Nala felt the weight fall upon her to keep pressing on and finding food for her Pride. She pushed herself to the breaking point, and eventually this led her to leave the Pridelands altogether and venture further than ever before.

The road was long and hard, and she had very little hope as she moved. Her mind continually turned towards thoughts of never returning to the "Pridelands", and it was a struggle every day to keep her mind set on the reason for her journey.

The very first piece of prey she managed to sight was a warthog, and Nala wasted no time in attacking. But she found herself confronted by a male lion, and the two of them became locked into a life-or-death struggle.

When she realized who Simba was, hope came flooding back. At once all her doubts vanished, and she wanted to leave immediately, taking Simba with her back to Pride Rock. Surely he would defeat Scar and take back the Pridelands! It was during this day or so that she began to realize a feeling more than just liking towards her long-lost friend.

Simba finally chose to return to the Pridelands, and the two of them rallied the lionesses to defeat the hyenas. Nala knew then and knows now that they would have failed had Simba not defeated Scar, and when her friend became King, she realized he truly had followed in Mufasa's footsteps.

They had their first child, Kiara. The young lioness was as free-spirited as Nala and Simba had been in their days, and Nala was inclined to allow her to experience life and make her own mistakes. Kiara reminded her relentlessly of Simba, and it was that fact that led Nala to believe her daughter would one day, despite Kiara's protests, become one of the greatest Queens.

One event led to another, and a new threat was made known: Zira the lioness rallied her own Pride and attacked the Pridelanders. The Pridelanders fought hard, but so did the Outlanders; much blood would have been shed had Kiara and Kovu not stepped in. Nala could feel nothing but pride for her daughter as she stood up to Simba and the rest of the lions gathered. It was at that moment that she realized her daughter was all grown up; when she and Simba stepped down to allow Kovu and Kiara to rule the Pridelands, Nala felt no regret.

It was, regardless, very hard to step down. Nala had spent so long carrying the weight of the Pridelands on her shoulders (although she knew there was more pressure on Simba) that she did not exactly know what to do with herself when she no longer had to worry. Because of this, she enjoys giving Kiara her advice when her daughter asks for it, and has to focus very hard in order not to continually give her own opinions.

Erg...sorry about that history.... I really am very rusty.

[Army Wife]