Moricorm stretched, glad the night had fallen. Once that was complete, she trotted out of the den she shared with Ketu (for the larger lion would not leave her side). The pride was thriving, and there were even new cubs. She knew the once-guard Hakuna had another brood. And her own elder half-sister, the pale demon Haramu, had a brood of her own. Ri wrinkled her nose at that. She was not fond of the Tsafare. She reminded Moricorm too much of their mother.
Of course, Winde had been out and about as soon as the sun had set. Her nose wrinkled slightly at the sight of her siblings play-fighting. She couldn't stand the sight of the fights, and she quickly moved further away from her mother's den, pale eyes narrowed in obvious disdain.
Moricorm blinked as a dark little cub entered her sight. She narrowed her blood-colored eyes, then smiled slightly. Well...the little one smelled like her half-sister. The adolescent strode toward the cub. "Good evening, little niece. Why aren't you with your mother and sibs?"
"Mother is out hunting. And my siblings are too busy fighting," Winde replied, her tail flicking behind her as she looked towards Ri. So this was on of her aunts? The young cub flicked one ear, her eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't like the vibe this lioness was giving off.
Ri nodded. "Mmm...why don't you join them? Strange to see one your age not participating." She knew why she hadn't, until she'd come to her agreement with Kas. Ri had been smaller, and had to learn to fight everything that was bigger than her. "There must be a good reason, I imagine."
"Fighting is for fools. Real demons fight with their woods instead of their claws," Winde replied, kneading the ground beneath her absently and narrowing her eyes towards Ri. Nice words or not, she didn't trust her dear aunt farther than she could throw her... And she doubted she could throw her far.
Ri chuckled, a dark sound. "Well...it seems my older half-sister has a smart one in the bunch. Words can indeed get you very far, little one." She knew the value of words very well. "But you have to know how to use them. I am Moricorm, little niece. Your mother and I share the same mother." Sadly. Ri would have been happier if a reminder of her slave blood hadn't come into the pride.
"I am Windeleer, Aunt Moricorm. It's nice to meet another demon who knows the value of words," Winde said lightly, her stance easing slightly.
Windeleer...that was a good name. And could hold more meaning than just the little cub's eyes. Hmm...those eyes could work to her niece's advantage. "Ah...we are few, yes. But there are those among us, other than ourselves, who know the value of words, though they have no talent for them." She was reminded of her dear 'guard', who had been her muscle while she was still learning to fight.
"Is that so? It feels like we are far too alone in this world," Winde replied, rolling her eyes absently. She was reminded somewhat of Nyota. Prince or not, he wasn't going to get anywhere with how violent he was.
"It often feels that way. But then again...who doesn't feel alone at some point? We're demons, fated to be apart from the rest of the world...and sometimes even each other." Despite the unity of the pride...there were always small cracks beneath the surface. Siblings who did not get along, 'friends' who became rivals...And beneath the civility of the pride...Ri acknowledged they were more brutal than most would like to admit.
"I suppose you have a point, Aunt Moricorm. Let me hope that I am not as alone as I'd have once thought," Winde said, her lips pulling into a small, sarcastic grin.
Ri chuckled again. "You're sharp...I like that. That will get you places...especially if you run mental circles around anyone who tries picking a fight with you." The adolescent carefully looked her niece over, then nodded. "Though with some training, you'll certainly be able to place a good whack to emphasize your words. And those eyes of yours...They look like a spirit's. Use that to your advantage as well." Her own smile grew. "Using your wit isn't just words...it's the body language and the look in your eyes that matter as well."
"Who would ever expect a demon with eyes like snow to have such a silver tongue?" Winde replied, her grin turning into a smirk even as her eyes flashed with mirth.
Ri liked this one. And because she wasn't of royal blood, Ri saw no threat in her. No...this niece would be good to teach, good to have stand beside her, rather than against. "A few...but some might be too off-set. I have a feeling...if you're angry, your eyes go cold."
"I'm sure they do, but no one has had the pleasure of finding out quite yet," Winde replied, her tail coiling around her haunches even as she lifted her head up.
"Good." So her niece was already in control of herself. A VERY good start. "Perhaps you and I could get along as your mother and I cannot." Haramu had the strangest approach to non-demons Ri had ever encountered. Then again...that seemed to be the Sparda group on the whole. Even Hakuna'jina had changed in her time with them.
"And as my siblings and I cannot," Winde purred in return, kneading the ground with her claws. Even though she didn't completely trust her aunt, she could see the advantage in allying herself with her.
So there it was. Ri had her. Not like she did Ketu...but she had another of her blood she could be supported by. And Moricorm would support her, because that kept loyalties strong. "I'm afraid I must go for now...but I am always around if you want to talk."
"Until another day, then, Aunt Moricorm," Winde replied, nodding her head towards her aunt respecfully and stretching.
