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 Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:50 am
Modya had also heard the call. Being older than he once was, he moved more slowly towards the border than those he saw heading in the same direction. But he kept his pace dignified and measured. It wouldn't do to show too much eagerness or fear to whoever was approaching. As Vizier, he had a certain responsibility to represent the pride and to speak and act wisely. It took him a while to reach the gathering of K'A. Once there, he gazed at the oncoming mob of well-matched lions.
He took care not to show dismay or concern, though he did take a very deep, very slow breath. If this was their enemy, they could be in a great deal of trouble. He glanced over his shoulder to see if Mittere or any of the other heads of the pride were coming. It might be left to him to step up and speak with the group. Could they be so lucky as to find this was not who they dread? Potentially. In fact, it was that very possibility that made him certain that speaking before striking was the best idea. He cleared his throat and made his way through his pride's people, stopping at the front of the group and sitting beside Dumaka, who had sent out the summons. He gave the guard a respectful nod and turned his eyes to the red, white, and black lions.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:51 am
Creepy lands or not, Nisitayeshaua was happy to see scenery that wasn't desert, and even happier to see the weather turn to looking like it was going to rain. She missed weather! The desert was fine and all, and she didn't regret joining the Firekin, but there were certain things from her previous life that she still missed. Some of them surprised her. Another advantage to tagging along on this trip was getting away from her aunt, who wanted nothing to do with venturing out to other prides...especially diseased ones.
That part did have Nisi a bit on edge, if she were to be honest. In the midst of the group, she glanced all around at the lions who came out to confront them - whoa, wait, one of those didn't look quite like a lion. Was that a hybrid? The lioness stared, aghast.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:58 am
 He had known something was wrong. The frickly feeling that slid down his back before a vision had been more frequent, and his dreams disturbed in a way they had not been since before he left his home and ventured out into the roguelands. That year had been long and trying, but he had been rewarded with a family the likes of which he would never have imagined prior to that day. They were his life, alongside his beloved mate Eva. All of his children, most of them rogue-born beyond the Kitwana and three adopted when they lost their own parents, each and every one a son or daughter he was proud of. Of all his twenty one blood-children, only two had remained out in the wilderness, and now he was a grandfather to six more. Thirty youngsters he had raised or helped to raise, a steady guiding paw in their lives each and every day. But now they were under threat, his family and his pride had been threatened by an unknown band who called themselves the Nergui and Sliabh, one of the biggest lions to ever walk the Kitwana'antara earth, was not about to stand by and watch it happen.
Having heard the roar of the guard Dumaka, another youngster he had watched grow from cub to adult throughout the seasons, Sliabh altered his direction and headed towards where the younger male was approaching strangers the likes of which he had never seen before. All shades of red and black and white, like blood and bone walking across the dried grassland. Another prickling shudder rolled down his spine, making his tail flick. These lions, these large strangers, were a part of the recent turmoil, he just knew it. Nearly at Dumaka's side now the massive older male suddenly froze, hearing the crashing run and tell-tale voice of one of his young granddaughters. Netravati! What was she, beautiful, whimsical bard that she was, doing all the way out here so close to danger? Then he caught the vivid flash of sky blue that came from his own coat, one of his true-born daughters and a moment later he felt his heart sink a little. Adivyta. One of the sweetest youngsters ever to grace the pride, a wonderful nanny in training with a way with the cubs even Sliabh felt was close to magical.. and yet.. she was here! She was no warrior, despite her impressive size for a leopon, she was not a fighter, not like Caoilainn, his eldest daughter, or even a strategist like Lochlan, who was currently a hunter but soon, Sliabh thought, to be named Master Hunter.
Taking a steadying breath as his heart skittered nervously in fear for his children, he turned an impassive, untouched expression towards the approaching strangers. As big as these red creatures were, few reached Sliabh's wholly unnatural size and the scared old guard stood his ground with a sense of solidity that would give even a trained warrior pause.
This one was no push-over.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:08 pm
“Come no further.” He told the lions when they were finally within earshot.
“Don’t get too close.” He told the young leopon that was approaching him from behind, his voice much softer this time. With a quick glance he decided she looked healthy enough but an adolescent was not really that imposing. If anything, he believed she would probably get in the way especially if these lions were part of the Nergui and trying to take the disease with them – she could easily be forced to follow them, after all. If them attempted to take the girl, there really wasn’t much Dumaka could do against such numbers. She did look fast though and that made her the perfect messenger. “If they attack, you run for the Queen.”
A whelp of pain had him turning his head so quickly that he heard something snap and his eyes were wide as he if expected a sneak attack from behind. Instead he saw only one of the lionesses of the pride. …Confront…?
“Netravati will do no such thing!” he said, looking quite alarmed and then lowered his voice. “No matter what, do not attack. Remember? Stay behind me... and try not to cough.” Dumaka was starting to feel a little embarrassed. Waiting for a group of invaders with half grown, half-trained, half-sane civilians guarding his back was… well, kind of pathetic. Where were the other Guards?!
When he finally spotted a large dark male from his pride, he felt a little relieved and he finally took a step forward. Dumaka was still one of the youngest Guards of the pride, hoping someone more experienced would arrive soon. And then as if the Goddess herself had answered his prayers, Modya was by his side and not too long after, Sliabh. Ah, Sliabh. Dumaka felt safer already.
“These are the lands of the Kitwana’antara. Who are you?” he froze, eyeing the grey lion by his side. Maybe he should just shut up and let the voice of experience deal with the bulky lions.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:14 pm
Divy was relieved to see her daddy appear. All things considered, nothing bad ever happened when he was around, not ever. He made all things right again. If he was here, surely this would turn out to be a good thing instead of a bad one. She had hung back as the others arrived, but now she slipped up behind him and slid along his side, rubbing her forehead against him as she went. "Hello father," she said softly, trying to match her speech with the odd situation. She looked uncertainly at the approaching strangers and asked even softer, "What do they want?" Her expression was worried but not fearful, though her thick tail flicked back and forth incessantly.
However, at Dumaka's words, she stood straighter and gave him a calm nod. In fact, it surprised her how much steadier she felt, having a clear role that she was capable of fulfilling. Since being at the front of the group would hinder her running back into the pride's interior, she left her father's side and padded back trhough the gathering, settling for a spot at the back and to one side, where she could see but easily sprint away.
Tara took stock of those who arrived, relieved to see two of the largest of the pride on the scene. However, the loud and caccophenous arrival of one of the odder members of the pride made her ears swivel back. Hopefully the unpredictable nature of Netraveti would not result in anything nastily unexpected. The group before them looked about as warrior-like and battle-ready as Tara could imagine, and she trembled to think they might have to face them in a fight. She gave a warning hiss to the dark-eyed lioness who talked about herself in the third person. She needed to tamp it down!
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:21 pm
Arriving to stand beside the gathering group he nodded once to Dumaka, giving the younger guard a reassuring glance. For all Sliabh typically looked reserved and distant, those that knew him well, and that was many of the pride he called home, saw past his mask to the gentle, caring and determined male underneath. Sensing the elder vizier on the other side of Dumaka, Sliabh felt the tightness about his chest ease a little. This would not be a fight, they could not afford a fight, for though he himself was immune, proved by his year in the wilds, he was not entirely sure about everyone else now gathering close.
Turning as his younger daughter pressed up against him he leaned down and licked at her head tuft, smiling warmly, a father's smile of gentle encouragement and understanding. "Hello daughter mine." Pausing he glanced back at the strangers before brushing his muscular shoulder against her far more slender form. "I do not know, dear one. But I suspect we will soon find out."
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:22 pm
Nuria raised one eyebrow as her mouth twisted in a faint smirk. "I guess some of them have a little guts after all," the large red lioness remarked, trying to show an easy confidence that she did not entirely feel. Perhaps that wasn't quite true--she was confident enough, but the stench of disease and the unfamiliar scent of rain had her on edge. Her gaze swept over the others, pausing for a moment on a rather large outsider. Big enough, but her own heritage made her more than a match for any outsider-blooded lion in size. Firekin didn't breed small, unless they were runts...or rogue-blooded. Nuria was neither.
Her eyes went back to the one who had spoken for the little group. "We are the Firekin."
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:31 pm
More and more outsiders were showing up. Spaki couldn't say their numbers made him nervous, and he didn't seem at all impressed by the larger male among them. But he did still worry about disease, and would rather avoid contact, as they had been instructed.
Nuria was the first of the firekin to reply to these outsiders, and he was glad she didn't sound aggressive. "We aren't here to fight you." The white male offered, in hopes of diffusing any possible bombs in their group. The last thing the firekin needed was one of their charging into them. They'd be forced to flee, to avoid infection, or fight, and risk infection. Now he glanced at Moto'seide and Veru, who he assumed would be doing most of the talking.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:32 pm
Modya stood quietly, his expression mild and composed. Silently he approved of sending the half-grown Adivyta to act as messenger should things get out of hand. He was almost tempted to override those orders, though, and send the girl after his daughter immediately. However, perhaps it was better to take this one step at a time.
He nodded mute approval of Dumaka speaking up. There was nothing wrong with the young guard being the first voice of the pride. Guards and scouts often were called upon to be the first ones to contact outsiders, so Dumaka was as qualified for this as he himself was. Better in fact, if one stopped to think on Modya's lack of practice in greeting newcomers. He had once-upon-a-time, but it had been so long, and so many changes had been made, it probably was best for the guard to have spoken first.
His ears canted forward sharply for the answer, however, braced for the bad news or the resulting attack. Neither came, much to his peace of mind. Firekin? It was a name that had floated about the roguelands, reaching their ears through passing strangers or rogues that had joined them. Mostly rumors, though, and nothing worth basing this encounter on. He glanced at Dumaka and Sliabh, eyes questioning. Had Sliabh heard of them? He waited for Dumaka to ask them their business here, leaving the speaking to the younger male, for now.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:34 pm
"Do you see that one?" Nisi hissed to no one in particular, in a low voice that held equal parts horror and fascination. Her tail lashed in agitation as she continued to stare at the leopon. Forget all this stuff about diplomacy and disease and Nergui, she was now utterly distracted by her first sighting of a hybrid.
Yuck! Apparently their sickness had made this pride crazy, or maybe it was some kind of punishment...
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:39 pm
 Bila wasn't close when the roar from a fellow pride member had echoed off the nearby rocks. She hadn't been seen or heard from in quite some time but it didn't mean she didn't know the potential dangers that were forming around the pride. Taking to her feet she had moved rather quickly to see what was happening on the borders. Being a priestess she had certainly not wanted to fight but she had watched others being trained and understood the basics of it all, if the need arose. As she caught her breath she noticed her father and other half siblings gathering with other members to confront the outsiders. They weren't small, nor terribly friendly looking. The bunch actually made a shiver run down the large lioness' spine. Closing her eyes momentarily Bila silently prayed to their goddess as she listened to Dumaka speak and then the few that decided to respond from the group of outsiders.
'Firekin...'
She let the words from one of the outsiders linger in her mind as she reopened her eyes. It appeared this wasn't going to be a conflict, but it didn't make the lioness any less on edge.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:41 pm
Divy had been watching her father and Dumaka for the most part from her position at the back edge of the gathering, but a prickle of the fur down her spine made her shift uncomfortably. Ears canted backwards with her unease, she scanned the group of strangers, only to find one of them with her eyes pinned on her. Divy froze, suddenly understanding what it must feel like to be a prey animal. The lioness who stared at her so intensely was smaller than the others, but still bigger than Divy herself. For a moment her eyes got very big and very round at the focused attention, but then sense returned.
This was her home, and her daddy was up there closer to the big strangers. She was safe, and she was in the right place. This land was rightfully theirs! With a sudden surge of protectiveness for her home, she stood straighter and glared right back, chin held high. She had nothing to be ashamed of! Let the female stare if she must, Divy refused to be intimidated by it!
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:44 pm
Firekin?
Well that made a lot more sense than it should have. Turning to the others from his pride, he looked around for someone to talk to, someone to ease his nerve-bound mind. Sliabh would hear him out, wouldn't he?
The large lion allowed his itchy paws to walk the small way towards the side of the other rogue-originated male, his bright orange eyes looking over Sliabh momentarily before standing next to him, both dark pelt and blue pelted pair looking larger than life next to the sick pride, his frown sharp and yet sincere about the whole situation.
"I know of the firekin." He murmured, breaking his silence. His voice was terse and a little stress-knotted, but he kept it as straight as he could - he was a bard, trained to give any story out. "Vaguely. I know of them, I heard of them when I was in my home-pride." He wasn't sure how this information would go, but he had to tell someone.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:46 pm
whoooops, there were a lot of people here already, it seemed. Too many for Netravati to be the sole heroine of the tale. But nevermind, it could be a group effort! That would be a better story in any case, right? Right! Her eyes snatched across faces - both familiar and strange and she smiled in the direction of her grandfather Sliabh.
Maybe that meant more of her relatives were...
Uh-oh, it seemed like she was in trouble. Dumaka might have overheard her enthusiastic approach. "Netravati listens and agrees with Dumaka!" She called, caring little for how ridiculous she might look in front of the strangers. She clearly wasn't afraid of them either. But Netravati had never really had any reason to fear anything before. She was still very much a cub in that sense of the word.
"The Firekin!" She echoed back. "And all of the Kitwana'antara beheld their beautiful pelts of flame. For they were aptly named. But one question remains, were they a fire that had come to purge the sickness?"
OH, but someone else had a story! A fellow bard no less! She wriggled closer, eyes wide. "Tell us! Tell us please!"
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:50 pm
One ear flicked back towards a member of their own party who had spoken--a new recruit, from the look of her. Nuria glanced back at her before following her gaze, half expecting to see an obviously infected lion (something which was, so far, lacking), but seeing...something else instead. A strange, stocky, vaguely lionlike feline, and yet there was something about her that reminded the Firekin lioness of the infuriating leopard she'd met one day.
"What the hell is 'that one?'" She shot back at Nisi, brow furrowing. Disease and strange felines (including the odd-eyed one with her flowery speech)...Nuria was becoming less certain that coming here was entirely a good idea. But the Nergui were rumored to have come here, and they could not allow their enemy a potential ally.
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