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 Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:30 pm
Rushed Explanations
Mini-Plot 2010 - Part 5
Kimaria, Mimsey, Yin-Bug and Split Personality
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:55 pm
 Up with the sun. It was commonplace for Kidondo, a habit he'd had even as a child. He wasn't one to sleep the day away when there were things that could be done. And there were always things to be done. Was he a workaholic? Most definitely. Had this shared trait possibly saved both him and his mate from a threat to their lives? Most certainly.
Blissfully unaware of what was about to take place at the entrance of their empty den, Kidondo strode fluidly alongside his dark-pelted mate, No. And, for the first time in a while, was taking a few moments to be alone with her and not have to share his time with anyone else. It was a luxury indeed and one that did not come around too often. Sad, really, that it was going to be over all too soon and that the both of them were only moments away from being disturbed by two of their daughters. Daughters who were bringing troubling news along with them.
But such was the life of a Firekin!
Kidondo paused and cast a glance around at the empty desert lying stretched out for as far as the eye could see. It had seemed a long time ago, now, that he had stepped outside of this land of gold and heat and made his way out into the rogue lands for adventure and...for enlightenment.
And enlightenment he had found, in the form of a sleek, young female who now accompanied him for this early morning stroll.
"No..." He paused, wishing to word something that had been troubling him even though it sounded ridiculous. "...Are we getting old?"
It wasn't that he felt old. Not at all! And, as far as he was aware there were no grey hairs coming through as of yet. It was the simple fact that their children were grown and that some of them had settled down to raise families of their own. Runya and Azar, for instance. He was a grandfather now. A grandfather!
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:30 pm
The black cat stretched, her claws sinking into the soft gravel. Although it could be said that the rebel leader took much for granted- the rising of the sun was not one of them. It was unfortunate, then, that Kidondo had to darken such a wonderful morning with talk of aging! But whether or not it truly bothered her was hard to say. Somewhere in her midstretch, a wry smile crossed her face.
"Old?" No retorted, fighting back a yawn. "I thought we had been over this before. We're incapable of growing old! It's a silly thing- why bother with it?"
Remarkably- the knowledge of her now being a grandmother did not darken No's outlook by much. Her own family had been rather vast- and she was older then several of her aunts and uncles. Even she was from one of her mother's later litters... and by no means her final litter either! Although No hardly envied her mother for her progeny, she at the very least, took comfort in the notion that she had at least a good many strong years as her own family's matriarch.
But even as No moved towards the entrance of the den, she knew she wasn't exactly the same lioness who had wrested power... so long ago? Had it been so long? She wasn't old- that she knew for certain. But there were certain parts of her heart that certainly felt old at times. She was less brash, in any case. Or, maybe authority just made her seem that way. The black cat paused, and rubbed a paw over her whiskers with an appeased rumble. "No, Ondo. I think we have quite a few more battles to go before we can start saying we're old."
And then, flatly. "Although, there were times I wish the kids thought that way. Maybe they'd give me less of a reason to grow grey hairs."
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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:09 pm
He chuckled at her response. She made it sound so easy. It was as if she need only say it and it would become truth. If you didn't want to become old, you simply didn't and that was that! Perhaps it was such thinking that had brought them to this place now. Believing in the unbelievable, striving to do what others thought impossible.
He cast a glance across at her thoughtful expression and couldn't help a familiar smile scrawl its way across his wide-set muzzle. "A few battles indeed! What more could a Firekin ask for?" He was only partly joking. He was all for finding a peaceful answer when the situation came, but he had learned quickly that the people would not always accept a peaceful answer - as sad as that was. That and, even though he didn't often indulge in rage or fiery temperament, he was still a Firekin and he could not help the rise of excitement at the thought of a battle, even if it be as simple a thing as a duel with an old friend.
"We certainly did bring a lively litter into the world." He replied, pushing his head up against No's neck. "I blame their head-strong, energetic mother, myself."
He couldn't hide the grin that appeared on his face at his teasing.
Even still, it wasn't a lie. They'd certainly had an interesting litter. The twins, rebellious little trouble-makers that they were. Their sons, Xipil and Ubawa, who were probably the least trouble as they had grown. Little Adara, too. And then there was Runya and Azar, the new, proud mothers. And of course, little Zii'moto. Well, they hadn't been too bad, really. Just energetic, and that was always a good thing in a Firekin.
"We do have some good kids." He replied after a moment. "They'll do us proud in the years to come, I think. What with your sharp intelligence and my beauty?"
It was quite apparent that Kidondo was only ever like this around No. A teasing, light-hearted lion was certainly not what other's saw when they were in his company.
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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:40 am
No let out a strangled groan, but found with some amusement that she couldn't think up a good retort. She supposed it would be impossible to expect normal, well-adjusted children to come out of a pair like them. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid I must blame her myself!" she rumbled. Truthfully, they were good kids. Worried her to death, and she didn't always agree with their decisions. But good kids. And maybe that's all that parents ever wanted.
She leaned into him as he pushed against her neck. "Indeed," the black cat mused. "I think it is a fine combination."
But her thoughts turning towards her children, she couldn't help but feel a slight weariness that they were all grown up. Hardly any slept around the den these days- off with their own mates [god help her], or nearer to their work. She leaned some more of her weight against him, and sighed lightly. "It is a bit quiet without them though. Although I don't suppose I have the right to miss them- we were busy enough raising them and the pride at the same time. But it was... invigorating to jump into one fire and into another once we got home."
"Mom-Ea pulled my eaaarr, I'm hungrrryyy...~" She grinned. "And then, later in the day- There's not enough water on the western border! Too many rogue vagabonds! And all of it important."
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:28 pm
He had to agree. It was quiet without them around.
Funny, really. When they'd been small and running around every where he had wished for just a couple of minutes to himself. And, now that they were grown and independent, he was missing them, almost hoping they would come and see him with some problem, or to ask whether he'd play a game or tell them a story or...or anything.
"We always did like a challenge." He snorted softly. "It seems like every day brings something else to trouble us with. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I'd much rather be wracking my brains to find a solution to a problem than be lazily sunning myself all day." He could think of nothing worse...
"I just wonder when the next problem will rear up its ugly head." He paused, smiling a little. "I wonder, have the Firekin always attracted so much trouble? Or is it just us?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:42 am
Something was about to rear it's ugly head, that was for sure. being so close to her sister Zii she was one of the first to hear about the attack coming in this direction. She was furious. Very much so. The news that some one was out after her parents had her fired up, on top of that that stupid Rowtag was behind it and hurt her sister all in one. No matter how much she wanted to find him and beat some sense into him she knew for a fact that she had something more important to do. She had to tell her parents.
She carried herself as quickly as she could to their den. She was hoping that they were there. If they weren't there she had another idea of where they could be. She could feel her legs hurt from the running that she was doing. She was pushing herself as quickly as her muscular legs could carry her. Her mind was set on her goal and she wasn't going to let anything get in the way of it.
She slowed down as she got closer to her parents den. She panted slightly as she poked her head in. "Mom? Dad?" She called out, she really was hoping that they were in here. "I have something really important to tell you guys." She said as she started to pad into the den, waiting for her eyes do adjust she then caught a glance of them. "Really important."
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:51 pm
Zii felt worse than Azar did. She felt a tremendous amount of shame across her shoulders. She was almost the reason her parents were destroyed. What would she have done if they had no idea... she would have been mated to him... and never known.
She had stopped crying and stopped talking on their trip to where her parents where. When Azar spoke up and called out to them, she flattened her ears. "No Azar... this is something I must do..."
She looked to her dark sister and hoped she understood where she was coming from. This was her duty. "Mother... father... something has happened... it's very important that I tell you what is going on... and that we... we don't freak out..."
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:18 am
It didn't seem they'd have to wait long. As her two daughters rushed towards them, No felt an almost compulsive lace of lightning flush down her back. Her fur stood on end, and her ears went forward. What had happened?
Azar came to a stop first. Exhausted, but she seemed a bit calmer then Zii, who came scrambling up behind her. No didn't waste much time clearing the distance to them, looking over them with a frantic sweep of her green eyes. They might have been adults, but they were still her cubs. There didn't seem to be any serious harm to them, but then why...-
Instinctively, her eyes flicked to Kidondo. Then, they fell back on Zii, who had stepped in front and started to strangle out a response. "What- what is going on here?" She spoke curtly, pulling her head back. "What's happened? Speak now, if there is no time for panic."
But even although her words were curt, she continued to nanny about her grown children, as though there were some hidden injury she could not quite see.
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:36 am
Kidondo could have laughed if the situation hadn’t seemed so dire. Here they were, talking about how quiet it was without their children around, and like magic they had appeared. Clearly, however, this was not a simple dropping in for a chat. Something had happened.
He felt the tension in the air crackle along his whiskers, driving them up as he snarled. Keeping at No’s side, he could already feel the familiar bubble of anger starting in his chest. Even before his daughters’ spoke, even before they had gathered. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong, and here they had been enjoying peace and quiet.
Could they not let their guard down for a single moment?!
And as he listened to first Azar and then to Zii he felt the touch of urgency rise in him, accompanied by impatience. He met No’s eyes and, like her, snapped them back to their pale daughter’s face. He had never seen her so distressed. So upset. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what could have happened to hurt her so...
He was grateful for No’s curtness, hoping it would be enough to snap her into speaking. “Your mother is right, Zii’moto, delay could worsen things. Speak up and then we can help.” He drew closer still, his eyes shifting to Azar’s face. He was glad that the sisters had remained so close, even now in adulthood. They balanced one another perfectly.
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 2:35 pm
Azar was surprised at her sisters readyness to talk to their parents. She glanced at her sister then nodded before nodding toward her parents and giving them a nod too. She was finding it hard to hold still she was angry. She grunted slightly before she moved toward the front of the den looking out of it she was alert and it was hard to hold still especially when she was trying to keep calm but at the same. She paced back and forth as her sister talked to her parents.
She sighed for a moment waiting to her sister to talk to her parents. She bit her tongue trying ont to finish telling her sisters story. She loved her sister but being so restless right now made it hard to keep her comments to herself. She moved toward her father and butted him gently with her head. Before sitting standing by his side looking over at her mother then back at her sister. It was so hard to keep quiet! She just wanted to run out of the den and go take on the first one to get in her way.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:20 am
Zii appreciated her sisters cooperation. She smiled half heartedly at her before turning to her parents, who already seemed to sense the tension. She sighed before starting. "I was out on duty this morning, taking another fellow guardsman's shift for them. I spotted... well I spotted Rowtag and thought I would sneak up on him like I always do... he rounded a hill and before I could come up over it I heard him talking-"
She paused for a moment, taking a breath.
"He's betrayed us. He brought outsiders into the pride with the intent on destroying you two. I am not sure how many there are... maybe 3 tops... but they are on their way to the den to hurt you... the rouges are... Rowtag isn't taking part of it... he doesn't know I know."
Her last words seemed to sting her a bit and she lowered her golden eyes. She now felt a bit of shame... for it was her who exposed him. She felt like she was betraying him though she knew that was not the case. "I was too blind to see past his lies. I don't know how long he's been planning this but...' She paused again... this time getting emotional. "I have failed as a firekin. I allowed a betrayer to get closest to those I love.. so he could destroy them."
She looked up at her parents, the obvious emotions flowing down her cheeks now like rain.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:31 am
For a moment, No balked at the audacity of it all. Three, against them? Surely they would have had the brains to bring more! But, maybe that was besides the point. She supposed she should have been happy for it. Still. She would have preferred their enemies at least show a little more tact for the future.
But Rowtag...and Zii... No snorted bitterly, her tail lashing to the side. What on earth had happened? And more important, where were these vagabonds now? A low growl slipped from No's throat. "Where are they now?" She asked, her voice taunt. The other implications where inconsequential at the moment. She didn't have enough information to accurately judge what it was her daughter had gotten herself into.
Or even how much damage had already been done.
She half expected this to be some strange joke on her daughter's part- perhaps looking to add a few more grey furs to the lioness's muzzle. She shifted her heavy paws, and looked towards Kidondo. If she had more to say, she held her tongue and waited to see his reaction. There was a kind of disbelief on her face- looking for her mate to throw her some sort of logical ground to stand on.
What the hell was going on?
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:15 pm
He listened to Zii's words through ears that felt like they did not belong to him. As if perhaps he were listening in on a conversation in a dream, not attached to reality. Certainly not his reality.
And yet even as he listened on, his spirit feeling somewhat detached from his body, he could hear Zii's words and they settled cold in his heart, settled so heavy that it felt like it had dropped straight from his chest.
This was something he had worried about in the past. He had not trusted Rowtag and that was why he had asked Azarax to take him as an apprentice. Not because the boy had been any more talented than any other of the youths, but because he needed watching. Closely. But, as time had gone on and nothing had happened he'd dismissed it as paranoia on his part. But now that dismissal had come back to bite him in the face.
He exhaled noisily, spirit reconnecting with body at No's question. Where were they now?
"They'll be looking for us." He growled and, suddenly, the fire ignited. He felt it run hot through his veins, almost blinding in its strength. How dare that child plot and pretend all of his life!? How dare he drag his daughter into this!? He would pay dearly for this. Dearly, indeed.
Who these others were, he did not know or care. Clearly they were some old allies of Rowtag's, come back to even the score. Though what exactly they thought they could do against a whole pride, Kidondo had no idea. No matter. They would find out what happened when they crossed with a foe far mightier than them.
"They'll be at the dens already. Azar, take your sister somewhere safe." There was no arguing with that tone.
His eyes snapped to No's, but even the eye contact couldn't seem to calm him. There was no more time to waste. They had to get there, and quickly. He set his teeth and, with a snarl, pushed off from the sand and sped off towards the densites.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:24 pm
The dark colored lioness glanced at her sister as she spoke and grunted. she moved toward the front of the den and looked around again standing near the entrance. More then anything else she didn't want her parents to be hurt. But she really couldn't stand just being here she wanted something to be done. This male had hurt her sister and she wasn't about to stand for this. "You didn't fail as a firekin." she said simply toward her sister shaking her head slightly.
She glanced toward her father and nodded. "They probably are looking for you now." She nodded glancing back outside then toward her parents wondering what they were going to say. She was more then sure that something was already going on in either her father or her mother's minds. When she saw her father rise off of his paws she blinked and stood up more straight thens he already was. For a split second she was excited. In the middle of all of this she had a chance to be able to prove herself to her parents.
She was about to walk out behind her dad before she heard her father's tone and what he said. Her ear's folded back for a moment slightly sad by what he had to say. "But dad!" She called out for a moment her paws moving under her as she went to follow behind him but she stopped. She knew she had to go take care of her sister but at the same time she wanted in on this. "I wanna fight!" She called out to him before sighing and turning around. "Come on Zii." She muttered half heartedly nuzzling her sister gently for a moment then nodding toward her mother then smiled at her sister.
"Lets get you to my den. The cubs will cheer you up." She laughed slightly her voice still in a half mutter.
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