[PRP] Not a Happy Reunion After All (Poseida x Hasira)

[Pollack]

Poseida had adjusted herself quite quickly to the busy chaos. She had been shuffled off and put to work rather abruptly - given the situation she couldn't say she wouldn't do the same - but the team was friendly enough, they welcomed her into their mists without a blink of an eye, and soon she was comfortable set back up with her normal tools and ingredients. At times she had actually found herself enjoying her time here. Especially when she tracked down the green giant and picked up their battle of wits and snark right back up.

But alas, she might have been interested in him but it wasn't meant to be. She refused to play into the overused trope of star-crossed lovers.

With a soft sigh under her breath she pushed the mixture she had been testing on into the beam of sunlight that peeked through the cracks of the walls she often used as a make-shift oven to heat her concoctions when necessary.

Though she tried to hide it, she dearly missed her home. Despite how annoyed she often felt at her fellow members of the caravan it felt strange not to hear their laughter echoing, the latest gossip being passed around, stories of their late night conquests being shared. Not to mention how many times she found herself lost in conversations due to the different slangs and inside jokes passed down through the generations that she simply didn't get. It was strange and almost alien to be plunked in the middle of a culture so vastly different from your own! She knew her work was important here, but still she couldn't wait to go reunite with her family.

Stuffing the mushrooms she had been working with back in their proper place Poseida pulled away from her work station. As she sauntered out of the alchemist's temporary area she rolled her shoulders loosely, trying to work out the knots formed from sitting in the same position for hours.

Why waiting for her newest test antidote to come to it's correct temperature she had a few hours to kill. Now the big question of the day popped up, what was she do to with herself?

Abominable Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Sizzling Sira had been distracted by a number of things prior to her friends wandering away. Gossip was heavy amongst their fellow caravaners and she'd been up to snuff on many of the details although one small thing was lacking.. Poseida hadn't returned. This was something that poked at the back of her mind and she indulged the concern for her friend on occasion.

Rumors did spread though.. 'She's run off with a giant!' ..was the biggest one she'd heard and scoffed at. There were no such things as giants and if there were why would they be here? Of course the mountain did make sense when Hasira thought on the subject hard enough, but again she didn't indulge her worries for long before finding something else to focus on.

That something else became a tragedy though..

The teal lioness was still unsure as to what had happened. Morning light was beginning to fade, clouds rolled through the sky effectively covering the moon and removing any chance at light falling naturally around them. Nights like these weren't entirely strange, in fact they were more common than not. This particular evening was unique for one sound and one smell. A shrill scream was what woke her - Sira had been sound asleep and when the scream nearly shook the walls of her soft-sided shelter her pulse began to quicken. "What's happening.." She whispered to herself. Peeking out of her shelter she spied shadows moving along surfaces that had no business having shadows, the lack of moon light proved that.

It was with luck and plenty of skill that she managed to get free from her shelter. That freedom came with a price though - outside she found bodies, a number of them, eyes stared up at her with jaws agape in a silent scream of terror. She very nearly screamed herself silly, but instead opted for a more silent method of tears streaming down her cheeks. Fortunately she was still hidden it seemed and luck was still on her side, whatever the deadly shadows had wanted wasn't here.. in fact it seemed they were passing by?

Still in shock she stayed there, remained by a tree and still hidden - that or they didn't care to make sure that all were dead (just another sign that they had been passing through). When the moon became more clearly visible and lightened the area she gasped and felt her knees go weak.

"Poseida." The name was a comfort during this moment and gave her something to focus on. With the lioness pictured clearly in her mind she received a burst of adrenaline and found herself running towards the borders of the pride her companion had disappeared into. Hasira didn't care about formalities as she entered the prides lands, didn't care about seeking someone out to have her escorted (heck she wouldn't have known to do that on a good day) instead she did only what she could think of. "Poseida!" She hollered with all of her might, but the words came out as a whisper.

Pollack

 

[Pollack]

Poseida ever since she had arrived her had made it a daily habit to go around make rounds around the town center. It served a number of different reasons, first and foremost being it allowed her to get a personal account on how people were doing in the pride. She made it a point to double-check on the family of those who were still in their care, just to make sure that they were managing okay with the member of their household missing in action for the time being.

Back at the caravan though they played hard it was extremely important to work hard as well. Everyone had a role to fill in their society, without that person the whole of a pride suffered at their loss.

She still couldn't imagine what these poor people were going through, but it was the least she could do to try and give them any bit of extra time she could spare.

On a more personal level it was comforting to roam around the pride and hear the latest news floating around, even if it did mostly revolve around the sick members at the moment, of course. It almost felt like a small bit of home was here whenever she would overhear a hushed whisper of gossip floating in the air.

All that was missing what the familiar twinge of teal glued by her side, her dear friend Sira giving her all of the latest scoops whether or not she wanted it or not.

Her tan ear gave a soft flick at the eerie echo of Sira's voice ringing out from over the din of the crowd. Goodness gracious, she needed to get herself together. Missing them was one thing but now she was starting to hear them?

Her nose wrinkled up in disgust as once again the distraught voice echoed in her ear. Had she been smelling too many of the fumes or what? She rubbed one side of her head against her shoulder, hoping to 'rub' out whatever was causing these bizarre audio hallucinations before answering the fellow she had previously been in conversation with. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bad ringing in my ear is all, but thank you for asking. I'm glad your family is better with those herbs, just make sure to take them after every meal. I'll come check back in tomorrow." Poseida gave a quick nod to the Dov member for a farewell before parting her way.

The flash of teal weaving in and out of the masses imminently caught her attention at full force. "Sira?" She questioned out-loud to herself. Her eyes widened as once again the desperate cry of her name flew out. "Sira!" She screamed out, her feet already moving before she was finished to meet her head-on.

Crashing into the larger lioness her instant response was to wrap her head Sira's shoulders in a semi-hug. "Sira, what's going o-"

That's when she noticed the smell of blood.

Pulling away Poseida's eyes scanned over Sira's form for any injuries. Furrowing her brows together she lifted one of her paws with her own, double checking it to confirm that the blood clinging to them was indeed not her own."Oh gods...wha-what happened!?"

Abominable Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Comfort in a name wasn't nearly enough and so she strained her eyes that were already pained from crying, trying desperately to seek out her companion. What brought the most comfort was that Poseida was here, she was safe and with that giant she was rumored to have run off with she'd continue to be safe. When her vibrant orange eyes fell upon the familiar pelt of Poseida her knees grew weak and her soul grew weary. The whole ordeal wouldn't soon be wrenched from her memory, but this was the closest thing to finding peace in this momet - especially when she felt impact of her friend and the attempt at a partial hug.

When Poseida pulled away Sira let herself go, she no longer needed to be strong and found her legs to be weakened by the constant running that allowed her to arrive here so quickly. "Poseida." She whispered quietly, tears began to stain her cheeks once again and in her moment of weakness she suddenly noticed the number of eyes that had begun to turn their direction. "Is there anywhere we can go? I have so much to tell you - none of it's good." Ever the gossip queen she would spill every ounce of detail, but not here. The caravan was gone, their home and troupe were no more. If there were any survivors she hadn't seen them, but of course she hoped beyond hope that someone else had gotten away - anyone.

Well maybe not that bitchy little stuck up lioness.. but details, details..

On a good day her bitter little after thought would have made her grin, chuckle and pass along the amusing statement to her friend whether she wanted to hear it or not.. today was different. It merely lessened the blow of reality she was being smacked with. "Please Poseida, I need to sit." She pleaded with Poseida in an almost silent voice.

Pollack

 

[Pollack]

Sira had always been the one shining light in her life. Why Poseida always leaned herself more towards a realistic, sometimes to the point of dipping into cynical, viewpoint of the world. Sira on the other hand was vibrate, full of life, always willing to make a quick wit to lighten any situation.

It was downright heartbreaking to see her so...broken.

Poseida was quick to lower herself onto her rump so she could have free use of her front paws. Wrapping them around her friend she held her much larger weight against her frame, supporting her so she wouldn't hit the ground even when her legs gave up the fight from underneath her. "Sira...I-" Stopping her dark eyes shot back and forth, examining the small crowd that was starting to form around them.

Privacy was the one thing she had none of as a guest in the Dov. With so many lending their aid staying here they were often forced to bunk together in huge groups. If you could find a open space to lay, you could sleep there was the general rule of thumb everyone had accepted.

But there was a certain giant she knew who had a den of his own, a den far away from prying eyes. It would have to do for the moment.

"Of course, Sira. Follow me." Slowly she rose with her friend, careful not to break contact for her for a second. She selfishly might not have been there in the middle of this distaster that the two had found themselves in, but she refused now not to give her all to being as supportive to her as she possibly could.

"I'll get you somewhere quiet you can tell me what happened, where you can sit and rest as much as you damn like! Just stick with me for a little bit longer." She pleaded in a hushed whisper as they both moved their way through the crowd.

Just a little longer. Gods be damned if he had anything to say about her invading his den, this was an emergency! One peep she swore and the world would see for the very first time a midget chuck a giant out of his own home with her bare paws.

Entering the cave she paused in her movements, her frantic eyes searching for it's occupant. Good, at least it seemed that he was out for the moment. That meant less dealing with him for the moment and more focusing on her friend. "Here we are, we're safe here. Let's get you comfortable and then you can explain what the hell is going on."

Abominable Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

The chance to be alone with her thoughts for even the moment when Poseida began to quickly deduct where they could go was nearly more than she could handle as she automatically began to categorically go through the events she had just survived. It was the warmth that Poseida provided, the sturdy figure to lean against that kept her from toppling over the emotional edge and she clung to it.

Sira clung to it so much that when her friend spoke she very nearly didn't hear her and could have leaped out of her skin, were it at all possible, when the lioness began to rise. "Okay." She muttered in a mild tone that suggested she wasn't entirely all there, not enough to have a conversation right then and there. It seemed they were fortunate enough to have a space aside from here.

"Rest would be nice." Hasira whispered back. "Thank you Poseida, thank you." She muttered, likely more to herself then anything before she began to follow her friend into a stance, versus their weary position.

Though the walk likely took minutes it felt like hours had passed and Sira was wheezing a touch as she breathed. Each step was beginning to burn her insides and as soon as she set paw through the thresh hold she dry heaved lightly when a tickle caught her throat. Slowly she began to gather herself together, at least enough to get settled in a space with some furs, likely from rodents. If it wasn't a seating or beding area before, it was now and she settled right in as though it were her own home.

Then she took a moment to just breathe.

"Poseida. As far as I know they are all gone." They being the Caravan. "The attackers..." She hesitated breifly and her face scrunched up as though she'd bitten into something sour. "The attackers were like shadows, they struck without warning - heck I didn't know there was anything going on until I was awakened by a couple of curious sounds." Of course those curious sounds had been terrified screams. The sound wouldn't soon leave her memory - nor would any of the scenes. "When I woke up, you know how I like laying beneath a piece of pelt to protect myself from possible weather coming through, I left that pelt and found the bodies of several members lain strewn amongst our articles." Hasira didn't dare close her eyes, not even to blink, for fear of seeing the horror struck faces behind her eye lids. "I.. I just don't think there is anyone left besides you and I." There, she'd forced herself through some of the story - what she could immediately recall anyhow.

"I'm so glad you're safe."

Her tone grew hushed as she uttered those words, eyes widened a touch and a shiver took her over her body. Fear was still avidly working through her and didn't seem to end with a cozy place to sit. "Where are we anyhow?" Her voice remained hushed, even with such an innocent question.

Pollack

 

[Pollack]

Poseida might not have been a trained medical professional but she wasn't naive enough to know that the harsh wheeze coming from her friend was not a good sign. Was she injured perhaps internally? Just going into shock? Oh no, had she been poisoned herself!?

She was highly tempted to go screaming for the monotone doctor himself to come at once but, no, there were more pressing issues to take care of first. Game plan: get Sira situated and comfortable, figured out what had happened, then go screaming for help.

Seemed like a good enough plan as any to her! She'd like to see any other come up with something better on the fly.

After helping Sira lower herself into the make-shift bed she dashed off into the rest of the den, searching for any other supplies that she could find to help her friend. A blanket, water, food damn near anything would help at this point! Honestly did this man not have anything to live off of in this home?!

Well besides that half-rotten rodent in the corner. Just...ew. She wasn't even going to bother touching that thing unless she had something to cover her paws with.

Finally finding fur pelt she grabbed it in her mouth, dragging it over to Sira to cover her with. Or she was until she began to explain the horrors she had witnessed.

All gone...everyone was gone?

Dropping the pelt Poseida backed away, falling back rougly onto her bum. Her paws shot up to cover her mouth, trying to hold back the barf that was threatening to spill out of her. The blood oh gods in heaven it was their blood wasn't it!?

How much of that blood belonged to her mother? Her sisters? The rest of her family and friends?

Her watery eyes lifted from their blank stare forward when she was addressed by Sira again. Her expression softening as she scooted herself forward. Oh Sira, her sweet Sira. She had been through so much. Horrors that Poseida couldn't even imagine in the wildest dreams, though she doubted that her subconscious wouldn't be giving a valiant effort to recreate them through nightmares. "I'm so, so glad you're safe too." Poseida shakenly muttered back, her small paws resting on top of Sira's own.

Taking in a deep breath in she steeled her resolve. Now wasn't the time to be a blubbering mess, she had to be strong for Sira, for them both. Noticing her shiver Poseida moved to finish tucking in her friend deep under the thick covers of the hide. "This is a safe place, it belongs to a..." What was Mti to her actually? The person she longed for at night? Mate? Friend? She had already made it clear to him that nothing could happen between them, something she still regretted, but at the time was necessary. She had a home to return to, and he had his place here. It would have ended in heart break for the both of them. Ah, but she couldn't well deal with explaining that mess to Sira now. "Friend. A good friend."

With a soft sigh she ran a paw over the top of Sira's head. "But don't you worry about that now. You need to rest. I'm going to go find you something to drink and eat." And also some medical care, but she didn't need to worry her more already. "I promise I won't be far off."

Abominable Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Glossy, orange eyes watched as her friend went through a number of articles while trying to find any form of substance. The act was appreciated, but it appeared that whoever lived here was sorely low on rations of any kind - how rude, did he never randomly have spontaneous guests? She mentally scoffed, as much as she could in that moment and made a mental note to lecture the poor soul that slummed here as to how to keep a proper den.

The reaction her tale received was appropriate. Hasira wanted so desperately to get to Poseidas side, hold her and comfort her, but her legs just wouldn't cooperate which encourage a whole new flow of tears out of frustration, sadness, a deep sense of tragedy followed with fear. Far to much for any two lionesses to handle and yet there they were. "I'm so sorry Poseida, I'm so so sorry." She whimpered softly as she recalled the faces of family, friends and others they'd never forget, but had certainly left this earth in a blood shed.

"At least I had you. I don't know what I would do if I'd lost you too." The thought itself caused her shiver to become nearly uncontrollable and her eyes seemed to glaze over. She barely even react when Poseida hesitated on answering her final question, but it did keep her from slipping into complete shock. "Rest." She said softly, agreeing with what her friend had said.

In that moment she heard faint, almost muffled words.

"Jua, come by my place later and we can talk."

"Alright Mti."

The padding of paws against a hard surface were growing louder and Sira felt herself grow stiff, eyes widening as she imagined the horrors that could be coming around the corner.. Then a giant head popped around the corner, with a companion. Both of which appeared stunned into silence until the larger lion perked up a touch. "Poseida?" Was all he could manage at first before moving in a little further (toting a tasty looking package as well). "Whose your friend?" Meanwhile Jua stayed off to the side, merely baffled by the not one, but TWO females Mti had in his den. "You know what.. nevermind." He sucked in a deep breath, dropped his package of dried meats and some water.

"Come on Jua, let's get out of here."

"But Mti..."

"I promise you, you don't want to know."

"I do though."

"Jua, you don't."

Hasira stared down the entrance of the den, stunned into silence. The male was HUGE. "Who.. the HECK was that!?" She'd found her normal voice for just a moment. She still shook and her eyes didn't seem able to shrink back to a normal size, but even she felt a little better by the regular sound of her tone.

Pollack

 

[Pollack]

Her eyes drifted skywards, blinking back the few tears that threatened to spill over. Have to be strong, have to be strong. She could mourn later. But she had to be strong now. She repeated as a personal mantra inside her head. "You..." Pausing she set a paw on her chest, sucking in a deep breath. "You have nothing to apologize for. You couldn't have done anything to stop it."


Closing the rest of the distance Poseida's tan arms swung once more around her friend's neck, pulling her close into a tight hug. "I would be so lost without you. Thank whatever god happened to be looking out for you at least." The rest may be gone, but they had each other. It..it would have to be enough.


Bumping her forehead against Sira's in a short gesture of affection. The tender moment was broken ubruptly by the muffled sounds of voices closing in. Flicking an ear Poseida's head shot to the entrace. Rising to her feet she repositioned herself protectively over the teal lioness.

Whoever the hell it was, if they wished to hurt Sira then they would have to go through her first.


But then the familiar gentle green giant poked his head in, along with his striking companion. Poseida could only give a few confused blinks in response as her mind rushed to play catch up to the situation.


"Mti?" She rang back out, taking a hesitant step forward. "My friend?" She shot a glance down to Sira. Oh, duh! Come on and get it together, girl! "Ohoh! Right! My friend she's-" Wait, nevermind!? Excuse me!?

And just where the hell did he think he was going!?

"Mti!" She called out again. Rushing forward she failed to see the package that he had dropped before making his hasty exit until it was far too late to stop herself from barreling over the cursed thing with it landing directly on top of her. Letting out a groan she lifted a paw after him before letting it flop back down to her side in defeat. "Please at least get Malphas here." She pleaded (albeit extremely muffled) from under the package.

Poseida let out another grunt as she shoved the package off of her chest. "That, my friend-" She started before rolling onto her side, splaying out her legs to work out the stiffness that had already formed in her joints. "Is the owner of this den; The merry green giant himself."

Abominable Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

"Yet I still feel so sorry." She mumbled softly, she fancied herself a fighter (on a good day), but if she had been up earlier chances were that she would have been dead herself - so she did thank the gods for that.

When the tan arms surrounded her she inhaled deeply the scent of home and comfort. Poseida were both of those things to her - where her friend was home would be. Deep down she had to fight the urge to cry even more, were there even any number of tears left? "I'd like to finally rest now." She said almost robotically. She didn't entirely wait to be doted on either. Poseida had already collected the bedding for her, it was just a matter of rearranging it slightly to her tastes.

Somehow she still managed to catch the scenario that played out between her friend and the giant. She could hear the words and even managed a small laugh, one that faded away pretty quickly, but in it's short stay relieved some of the pressure from her chest. "Well the merry green giant needs to keep a better stock of supplies in his den." She lectured lightly while resting her head.

"Thank you for making me feel safer."

The last words she spoke before falling asleep - which seemed to happen almost instantaneously.

Pollack

 

[Pollack]

"You can say that again." It was at this time she actually caught a whiff of the tasty treasure hidden inside the tightly wrapped package. "What do you know, complain and the giant shall deliver." Scooting it over to her she carefully undid the wrappings on it, revealing the supplies they had been dying for just mere moments ago.

She unpacked the supplies quickly, sorting them in messy piles to put away later. "It's no problem, Sira." She replied back over her shoulder. Sneaking a glance backwards she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief seeing her friend had finally fallen asleep.

Good, she needed the rest. And now that they had food and water Poseida could stay at her friend's side to insure she was safe.

There were so many things that still had to be done, their caravan needed to be buried and their last rights given, both of them needed to sit down and discuss their next move and where they should go, but there was also her promise to lead a paw to the relief effort still looming overhead.

Whatever may come, Poseida was glad to at least have Sira at her side through it all.

Abominable Greenie

Annd fin. Tune in next week same bat time, same bat channel kids!