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 Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:17 pm
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Ramachandra wasn't one to do things outside his job. He did his patrols, made sure the pride was safe, and then settled for his sleep. Sometimes he hunted, mostly to keep from getting too rusty at it, and sometimes he just lazed around enjoying his time not patroling. Tonight, though, he had other ideas of what to do.
Lions had gone missing, and he felt partially responsible. Had they gone missing while he was on patrol? Or had they gone missing during somebody else's patrol? He couldn't recall, only knew that they had to be saved from whatever fate had befell them. Stepping carefully, he approached the queen, sparing a glance at the red-coated strangers. They made him, loosely, think of Fenghuang, and he recalled that her mother was from the desert these giants hailed from.
His gaze returned to Kimondo, "My queen, I volunteer to cross the mountains to help find our missing pride members."
(As you can imagine, no ticket for me xD ) |
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:12 am
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It was strange how these things worked out... During their travels towards the Mwezi'Johari he'd encountered a lion who had advised him against his own attitude. He'd been doubtful of the existence of the Nergui and now that they had finally reached the Mwezi'Johari he had discovered that they were 'missing'! How very convenient, his nose had wrinkled in distaste and he had only just acknowledged the existence of the otherwise smaller statured lions of the Mwezi'Johari.
Had they been dragged off on a wild goose chase?
Or was this all a veiled attempt to get some muscle behind them to chase some missing slaves...?
Nuriel was more cynical than he should have been at this age but at least the older lion's remarks were still ringing in his ears. He sincerely doubted the existence of the lions of the Nergui, quite frankly whoever this pride had seen weren't the Nergui, but as the older lion had said... If they explored and found nothing then he could at least be satisfied there was no threat. It wouldn't be wasted time, just an opportunity for the Firekin's good will to be abused for the sake of tracking down individuals who had wandered off.
Beside they were slaves, he wouldn't blame them for running off, a life of servitude was hardly one of value and freedom. Any creature that wanted to do as it was told was bound to run, was it really appropriate that they haul them back?
...He'd always thought slavery was behind his pride, so was it right to intervene? They might find them, but what would they do in the presence of their Mwezi companions if they unwilling were hauled back?
Granted there was every chance they might want to come back in which case it really wasn't his place to pry, but were they just meant to sit back and let it happen if it was something else?
The young lion had far too many questions and had certain doubts that needed to be dispelled, enough for him to be mindful of them. Thus he stepped forward, he'd have to have confidence that his leaders would know what to do in an event where the outcome was less pleasant. It was important to broaden ones horizons and as the dark lion had said... It was better to search and gain answers (or lack thereof) than to always wonder 'what if'.
"I...would like to go," He said at last, taking a step forward to offer a bow of his head. He might well be denied, but it was better to put himself forward than not at all. Slowly but surely he was learning, eventually he'd grown into an older lion of renown, or so he hoped... If he could carry himself like some of the oldest and more measured in the pride, then he'd count it as a win!
(Just to clarify, no ticket for me thank you.) |
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:56 am
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 What an unfortunate turn of events. It seemed that the ones they were hunting had moved on. Still it seemed that they were creating a party to go in to the mountains. She really wanted to stay in the Mwezi for a while though so she hadn’t yet stepped forward to volunteer. If they needed her to go, she would.
Kiahi’kripi smiled at the Mwezi lions that were joining them. She had been here before, she was happy to see some familiar faces, the pale ex firekin lady, her coat pale pink, she remembered the last time they were here they had been accepted here, she and her sibling. It seemed she had settled in to her life here.
The pale bellied lioness settled herself on her belly. She was ready to move, if she was requested to, even if she did want to socialise a little more with their friends and allies.
—
 While she hadn’t been born in the Mwezi’johari Elvira had been welcomed here. This was her family and when there was a threat she was happy to rise to the occasion. More used to travelling at night the pale lioness yawned as she trotted up to the firekin group. “Some nice looking guys in this crew.” She purred swishing her tail.
Her sharp fangs flashed in the sunlight, really she was only half the size of some of these great hulking beasts but should anyone challenge her she would prove how worthy she was as a fighter. Moving in a serpentine fashion she brushed past the other lions closely enough that they would feel her pass but swiftly enough that she was gone before they looked.
She settled herself on her haunches and groomed herself calmly while she waited for the party to get moving. “I can go, if you wish it.” she purred, waiting calmly for any decisions that may be made for the hunting party.
(((No ticket for me thanks)) |
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:21 am
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Even though she'd been a Magistrate for some time now, and even though this was her second visit to the Mwezi'Johari, Psyche couldn't help but be anxious. She was being asked to do important things and represent the Firekin, not to mention help to make decisions. Being important on any level was a reality that the former huria still struggled to absorb, let alone embrace, but she did her best. She'd gotten fairly good at not fidgeting, at least, although it was particularly hard right this moment, sitting with Nawvlee and Kimondo.
As various individuals stepped forward to volunteer, the golden lioness shyly looked them over. Some of the Firekin presenting themselves were, well...very Firekin. Very red, and very large, and not at all ideal for the mission in question. Psyche glanced down at her own off-color paws and chewed on the thought that maybe she should be going along. She glanced briefly over at Nawvlee, but stayed quiet for the time being. He'd been a magistrate for far longer, and of course was most suited to take the lead and make decisions, including on who should or should not go.
But still, should she? It became harder and harder not to make her restlessness obvious. In a quiet aside, she finally offered. "Perhaps I could go. If...you think that might be wise."
((No ticket for me~))
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:44 am
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:44 pm
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Kimondo was far more uneasy at the front of the crowd than Nawvlee was, but she hoped it wasn't showing. She felt rather like Psyche, out of place in this situation where Nawvlee seemed to have no problem taking charge even though she should have been fine. She saw the Firekin approach and volunteer, imagining them thinking it a waste of time to help find their missing lions.. and the Mwezi volunteers thinking it was a waste of time to help the Firekin when they had missing youngsters to worry about..
Nawvlee was aware of the insecurities around him but he focused on the task before him. Like Adanna, he wanted to go and investigate all of this himself but he knew better than that. He hadn't been a captive of the Nergui as long as Adanna and so many others, but there was too great a chance they would know him. Any Hongshan who had defected would, if they were to be found..
Faelyg and Hehewuti were the next to approach and he considered a moment before nodding to both.
Wook and Tawi approached and each gave pause to their respective leaders. Nawvlee couldn't think of a single lion in their group that was more obviously a Firekin than Wook. At least Ud's fur was a little busier. For Kimondo, her hesitation was Tawi's age.. though his color was as non-Firekin as you could get and the bird was a definite asset.
"Wook, you wouldn't be known to them but you're too obvious a Firekin," Nawvlee said. A favourable trait at home, perhaps, but definitely not in a situation where you didn't really want to stand out.
"OK, Tawi," Kimondo answered, a small sigh followed but she smiled.
Yamka's approach didn't surprise Kimondo, but she felt an immense pressure when faced with her volunteering. She felt Nawvlee's eyes on her as he deferred to her. The three of them had already been discussing Yamka and Muna, they represented the connection between the two prides.. and now their parents were here. Kimondo was pretty sure that both parents had already been approved to go, too.
"You can go, Yamka," she said finally, "I know some of the pride will be there and that the Firekin can be trusted to keep you safe, but Matumaini isn't the first Slave to go missing. You must be careful."
Jahim stepping forward after Faelyg was approved was not a surprise but it was an inconvenience. She was too red, but with her sister there, it could help her look less obvious.. or it could make Faelyg all the more obvious as a Firekin. The best answer was obvious, and how the sisters handled it would be telling of their dispositions .. which would help with the other purposes this journey served.
"Jahim, you're too red."
He caught Ud's eye but said nothing. Ud, like Wook, was too obvious.. but Ud was their Legate and this sort of thing was his job. If he couldn't make it work, he was putting himself and his position at risk. Nawvlee didn't think that would be a problem.
Kimondo watched as Jens approached, and though briefly distracted by Nawvlee's rejection of another lion, she looked back to the Lord and nodded. He was newer to the pride so she knew less about him and what he was capable of, but there was no reason to deny him.
Kimondo tensed when Rive approached to volunteer, nodding before even finished speaking. She knew there was no way she would stop him from going to look for his daughter, the only reason he hadn't gone yet was (hopefully) the promise that she was doing something about it. She and the pride had failed Rive most of all in allowing these disappearances, even if Neema was the most apt to blame her after everything..
"Of course," she said.
And when Nyx followed, she nodded again. Of course, they needed all the help they could get but Kimondo was relieved to finally see the guards making their way to the front. She could see there were a few that followed after Nyx, too.
Titere'dido followed Nyx and asked to go, and the Queen nodded without hesitation-- and then was distracted by the flurry with which Raiatea appeared, approached and offered her service. She got the same bad feeling as when she considered Tawi only moments before but she knew to give her the same benefit of the doubt. Kimondo could only imagine what would be in store for Tawi if his wife was refused.
"Of course."
Harahkty's approach made Kimondo hesitate yet again, but now for different reasons. He was one of so few with a very specific job, but it had once been handled by a single lion so they could spare him there, perhaps.. but he also had a very young family. But his decision to leave behind his family was his own, she really only had a say in if he could be spared from his guard duties.. so she nodded.
"Your history there will no doubt be useful, Harahkty," she said.
In the parade of Mwezi lions volunteering, this was the first to get a good look from Nawvlee. Another desert lion, but so different from the Firekin.. he already knew the Nergui were living in lands long sine abandoned by another pride, he just hadn't met anybody from there before.
How interesting.
Ramachandra got a look from both Nawvlee and Kimondo as each thought of Alfajiri, the Mwezi Queen thinking of the lion who had recently left and the Firekin Magistrate thinking of the lion who had recently petitioned to join them in the desert. The colors in one's family didn't matter but seeing for himself what to expect if the newbie settled down with a lioness in the desert.. it was almost funny.
He'd tuck away that bit of information for later, under different circumstances he might appreciate it a little more.
Kimondo nodded, glad to add another guard to list.
Nuriel's approach was almost a surprise to Nawvlee, and he paused before giving an answer. He wasn't obvious like any of the other Firekin that made him hesitate, but he was an interesting lion to have out and about on this little trip.. he'd have to tell Ud to keep an eye on him, if he wasn't going to be able to do it himself from here.
So he nodded, giving his approval.
Elvira's smooth approach drew Kimondo's attention immediately and her offer was very.. open-ended, so to speak. Though it was interesting how many newer members were taking it upon themselves to volunteer, she wasn't going to refuse any of them. Perhaps most interesting about Elvira was that she looked quite like a medium between the two groups.
"Thank you, Elvira," she said.
Nawvlee wasn't surprised when Psyche finally spoke up, but he was surprised by what she said. He had taken the lead on the Nergui side of things, but this was where he was put to better use since he was Hongshan.. Psyche was significantly more use for the part of all of this where they were dealing with another pride. Her offer wasn't surprising so much as the tone and deference.
"Do you think it wise to leave me in charge of playing nice with our new friends?"
It sounded like a sarcastic question but he was as sincere as her, just louder about it. Their jobs were the same, really, they both ought to be equally capable in the realm of politics. He had no doubt that she could handle it, perhaps it would even be better to have more leadership on this mission than less..
Still, he wasn't in a position, really, to accept or deny her suggestion. She could decide for herself and he would support her in that, the only unfortunate thing was that they couldn't discuss it as openly in this crowd as they could have before. If she wanted to go, and Ud went, and Buvalu was going.. that would leave him, and Miako, he supposed. He could definitely keep the rough and haughty Firekin cool in a strange place surrounded by religious zealots..
It would be fine if she went.
Just fine.
Kimondo blinked, looking back and forth between them, trying not to laugh.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:35 pm
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:59 pm
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:11 pm
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Nawvlee's answer made Jahim narrow her eyes and snarl quietly even though she had been anticipating a no. It didn't sit well with her that the whole point of coming out this way was to check in on the Nergui and she had to stay behind. There wasn't even a threat of attack for her to warrant remaining behind!
Feeling her sister press against her side, she turned to direct her glare at her paler sister. Out of the triplets Jahim was the most red, the most 'Firekin', and now it was coming to bite her in the a**. But this was a moment for her sister to shine, to be looked upon with favor, and she knew Faelyg was as capable as she was.
"If you come across any Nergui out there, kill a few for me, yeah?" she muttered, clearly not pleased but not about to throw a fit because of it. She would live vicariously through her sister and do as she was told, remaining her to...do whatever it was those 'too Firekin' would do while they waited.
Ud watched as some Firekin were allowed and others were cast aside. He knew if he were still one of the lower ranks he'd have been set aside as well, given his coloration and size, but with the task at hand he had little choice in the matter. He was watching how those who were dismissed acted, for even if they weren't coming on this first mission it was still telling of their mental fortitude and character if they reacted poorly. So far none of them had, which was good. They really needed to flush out the Sentinels numbers and he'd take any lion who proved themselves.
---
Kimondo's non-verbal reply was enough for Jens who bobbed his head in thanks and stepped back into the crowd, paying close attention to see who would go and who would stay. It seemed the majority would be his own pride mates as quite a few of the red lions were being turned away in favor of their less colorful kin. As this was a dual mission he supposed it was necessary for a good number of both to come, but the Mwezi knew the area better and to have their numbers be greater would probably benefit the group.
At least, that's what he assumed. He was silent as he waited, the group of approved lions slowly growing.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:58 am
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Pride was apparent on his maw as his superior made the decision of whether or not he was deemed suited for the task. Unfortunately that look.. the one that always said he wasn't going to be able to go made it's appearance and he held back a sigh. The reasoning was sound - he wore the colors of his homeland like a proud banner, but it wouldn't do well to fly that banner when one was doing a recon mission such as this.
"Fair decision, Nawvlee." He wouldn't fuss with the choice, not publically. Instead he chose to bow solemnly and remove himself from the immediate vicinity of Nawvlee. Not to start chattering about the choice, but instead to see who might go in his stead. The number of lions that attended the gathering were impressive and he was particularly pleased by the turn out from the Mwezi'johari. For a pride of shy lions they seemed awfully eager to get out for such a chance.
The youngster he had gone up with had been approved. It was clear to him that the lion was a descendent of the pride so in touch with the suns counter part. His fore-legs were decorated in these familiar clouds, and the moon on the bridge of his nose was distinct. Looking every bit the part of a Mwezi member he wasn't surprised by the Queen's decision.
(Wook is free for any interactions now! He isn't upset by the choice, though isn't super stoked to be left behind. Learning about the Mwezi some more would be a great distraction!)
---
With bated breath he waited to hear the decision on Nyx, when she was approved he exhaled in a soft sigh and started the process again. This time he waited on his own approval, but was incredibly distracted by the loud appearance of a certain young lioness. He hadn't personally met Raiatea, but he had spoken to her in passing - very brief. That was mostly in part to being new, but very nearly always had to do with the fact that his attentions that weren't on his pridal duty.. were on Nyx.
His wait wasn't long, nor spoken. His moon-like eyes moved from Raia to the Queen quickly and in time to see the nod that made him smile quite largely. "Thank you for the opportunity." He spoke clear and quickly, the Queen had plenty to take care of and he wasn't about to take up her time. instead he sought out Nyx after the approval to hopefully catch a moment with her.
---
The harshness in her eyes fell away to despair at Tawi having already been authorized to go ahead, a sinking feeling in her gut told her she may not be able to tag along. That sinking feeling faded when the Queen got to her next. Of course. The words expelled her immediate anger from her and she could have cheered on the spot. That was until she realized two things: Tawi was waiting for her, and Brillo was still perched on her back.
Firstly, get away from the Queen. The lioness did just that without missing a step and headed straight for her husband. "Tawi." She started by saying his name, a name she still adored even in this moment of anger. "Do you know what I woke too?" Her tone was harsh, but hushed. There wasn't any need to call for additional attention, the deed was done and she had been approved afterall? Unfortunately Brillo called it, she probably wouldn't do much of anything, but she had to at least get her point across.
"I woke to an empty den." Her fears bubbled forth and she narrowed her green eyes at him. "There are not one, not two, but three lions missing." Arguably Tawi had a history of just disappearing.. it had been an adventure finding, saving, and returning him home. All of which lead to their love finally getting proper recognition from either of them. Raia hadnt realized her fears right away, but having had time to wake up and gather her thoughts she realized that it was deeper than just purely being left behind.
"We are a team." Her head hung slightly. "And you scared me." Though her gaze was presently on the ground it burned with anger so hot they glittered with tears. The worst part was.. she knew he hadn't meant to disappear, hadn't meant to come here and make her feel the things she was feeling - that didn't make it any less real to her. She rolled her shoulders to stretch them a little and presently forgot (again) that Brillo was perched there. She received a harsh squawk as her reward to which she flinched. "Sorry Brillo." She murmured lightly and was reminded that Mstiri was right there as well - usually supporting her. Her green gaze looked to him, was she okay to feel this upset?
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:15 am
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:54 am
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Huolongmai had been leaning towards going rather than staying. She wanted a way to test herself, to see if the training that her mother had encouraged was engraved within her mind, her frame, the warrior that she wanted to be. A search party was something unknown; no one knew what would be found out in the mountains. Strength and a keen mind meant a lot.
But she knew she was untried. Untested. She had done a few duels, but she didn't know her own limits. Was this the best place to see just what she was made of?
She was aware of her coating, of the dark reds that covered most of her body. Her warm toes and scale like fur patterns on her nose did differentiate her from most Firekin... but she also wasn't nearly as large as some of the full-blooded Firekin that had joined this expedition. Her rogue parents offered her a more normal build, with hard work cutting the baby fat off as she had grew to adulthood.
"Nawvlee, sir." Huolongmai offered a polite nod to her leader, keeping her shoulders up, her back straight, and her olive eyes focused. "I would like to offer my services to assist the search party."
------
To say that fury flowed in her veins would probably be an understatement.
She had been doing her best to keep her anger in check. Hell, even Kasih had been trying hard to soothe her anger. But the shame that Horae felt, as a guard, for some of her fellow pride members to go missing was eclipsed by the anger and realization that she alone could not guard all of the lands. All guards within the Mwezi'Johari had failed, and she could do nothing about it except take her fury out on trees. She was a long-standing guard, but she held no rank, no way to express her disappointment and frustration in any constructive manner.
She was wise enough to know that a search party of some level would be formed. So she had waited, not too terribly long, and had kept her tongue and claws in check for as much as she could stand it. She knew better than to lash out at those around her, and then demand to be taken seriously. She was full of selfish impulses, but she was no young lioness with a heroic destiny in her mind. She was a mid-life lioness with a chip on her shoulder, and an open wound gaping from her prideful heart.
"Queen Kimondo," she offered with a respectful bow. "It is shameful that this happened on our watch, and as guard, I request that you allow me to join the search party, to right what has been wronged." Her shoulders were very tight as she raised herself back upwards, mindful to keep her eyes in a respectful position, even if she couldn't hide all her frustrated tears from view.
(tix plz) |
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 12:05 pm
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