Painted Flowers

Chapter 1 - Mamoyo

If Layali were to start from the very beginning, at the time she had first opened her eyes, she'd have to mention the deaths of every one of her siblings, leaving her an only child--and a royal one at that. How many and what genders these littermates were, or even how they came to such a fate, she did not know, for Zola never cared to speak of them. Her mother therefore placed every bit of responsibility and expectation unto Layali--for she was, by default, to become the sole ruler of the Pack of Bright Meadows.

Being born into the royal family had its ups and downs, but even so, Layali was content to follow in her parents' pawsteps. She felt special with her status. In painted dog society, or at least in the Pack of Bright Meadows, there was one two main breeding pairs, while their siblings and children all made up what was known as the royal family. Every adult dog in the pack would care for litters, but the royal puppies were specially raised.

Layali was generally addressed by her status, "mamoyo"--a princess, and the only one in the entire pack. Zola married into her role as "mambokadzi", to Mosi, a "mambo". Mosi's single and unwed brother, Duna, held this title as well, as had their father, who had been deceased since before Layali was born. At this point, only four members belonged to the royal family, which was rather unusual for a group of painted dogs. Then again, the Pack of Bright Meadows never had many members to begin with.

Most dogs are generally treated as equals, but the royals make up those who are descended from the founders of the pack. These dogs are highly respected and are trusted with leading and guiding the rest of the members, be them former dispersal adults or new bloodlines. Any time a dog would refer to Layali as "mamoyo", she would swell with pride. It made her feel unique, appreciated, and important.

Her princess training should have been ruthless, being that she alone was expected to pass along the royal lineage and was more or less the future of the entire pack. However, it wasn't. Mosi adored his only daughter, and was perhaps a bit too smothering. He spoiled her, treating her as a delicate flower who could do no wrong. While other yearlings were hard at work learning the ways of a hunter, Mosi would take Layali out alone to the waterfall, to play or tell stories. Were Zola ever aware of this, as she did catch them on occasion, she would be furious with her husband. The mambokadzi was no-nonsense, but was distant, and never really showed affection towards Layali--at least, never in the way her father did. Layali found herself nearly disliking her mother at times, on the occasion that Zola supervised her, and suspected that Zola felt the same way about her. What good was a princess who goofed off?

Perhaps Layali shouldn't start from the very beginning after all. Perhaps she should skim over her first year entirely--after all, the only memories she retained from it were just as unsettling as what was to come later on. Her parents battling over her affection and well-being. Zola crying at night, over something Layali would never truly understand. Mosi rushing their child away before Zola could say something she would regret.

Most noteworthy, her "guardian angel", who had been with her since birth--perhaps the most frightening aspect of all.

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Layali found herself doing just what her mother hated--goofing off--one fateful day under the blistering sun. She had certainly woken up that morning with the expectation that she was to train under her father, for she was already wearing her signature tiara of African violets. All royals of the Meadow pack were expected to wear flower crowns, to which Zola happily obliged, donning one of daisies and being the one to weave Layali's every time the old one wilted. Mosi never wore one, however, disliking the notion of making himself stand out among the common members. Layali agreed to wear her crown especially when she was learning her duties, but she sometimes put it on just to show off among her friends.