Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Its a long trip to the northlands," Elcca spoke up. The relatively small lioness had taken the high ground again, resting ontop one of the fallen boulders. Something of a habit of hers, and one might begin to make the assumption that Elcca was a lioness who did not like looking up to anyone. Or perhaps she just saw herself as lofty. Either way, she certainly felt entitled to the spot. "Even for those with wings. It won't be a simple task for spies, no matter the species. Unless we happen to employ some trained snails, it would be foolish to think another large, capable force is not prepared for such risks."

The mystic leaned forward. "After all, there is the language to consider. And it isn't uncommon for prides to have their own feathered friends monitoring their borders," she couldn't say if the nergui had. But it certainly wasn't unheard of. "Any spies sent must be thought out fully. The nergui are a superstitious lot. These are lions that kill their own just because one of their seers gets a a bad dream."

As lofty as she might have thought of herself, and her gifts, it was clear that the notion of abuse was distasteful to her. She might have been one of the worst offenders of taking her visions seriously, but never had her dreams told her to kill. "and from what our Hongshan friends say, they are not completely predictable. If we send spies, it will be a longterm engagement."

Elcca continued to muse, but before she could elaborate further No broke their chain of thought. "We will consider our options with the spymaster. Needless to say, there is no sanity in openly discussing our plans for espionage. Should we consider anything, it will be within private meetings. And with full consult of our Hongshan liaisons."


[[OOC: <33 If people want to do operation bird, we can definitely fit something in. Possibly not immediately though, as we're still working out 'where' Northland rps will be held! But if there's interest we will figure it out.]]

The caracal licked his lips hungrily at the mention of birds. Granted, he wasn't fool enough to hunt the kind of birds they were discussing. Those were perfectly equipped to give him a fight for his life. But the smaller sort... those were the most exciting to hunt. His claws flexed and his hind legs shifted as he imagined leaping for the fleeing feathery meals. It always got his blood pumping pleasantly to make a mid-air catch. He licked his lips again and turned his attention back to the lions.

The conversation seemed to be stalling. There was much murmuring, but less heated responses. It almost was all the same to him, as their inner affairs were none of his business. However, his fate was indeed tied to theirs, so he settled himself down to continue to listen idly. If they split their numbers to another location, he supposed he could follow, but he might just encounter another protecting his territory. He doubted the lions would bother to help him stake a new claim. They generally left him alone, and he did not really expect them to change that now, even if he did follow them. No, here was probably the best place to stay. Plus, this was still where the bulk of them would be. Yes, here was where he wanted to be.

Ari ducked her head in an instinctive effort to appear smaller and go unnoticed. Why were the lions suddenly talking about birds? It made her nervous and the description of the pride’s enemies wasn’t making her feel any better. There was no way she was going to take any risks for these overgrown cats, of that she was certain. War would come even without her help and Ari wasn’t planning on playing her part until the first body had hit the sandy ground.

The large bird eyed the dark-eyed falcon that had daringly perched himself on the shoulder of one of the lionesses with mild surprise, yellow eyes widening when he started making an aggressive display. She had to follow the other bird’s gaze in order to find that the source of his discomfort was a smaller desert feline. Pff! That was no threat, not unless one was wounded and distracted. She didn’t understand why he had even bothered to acknowledge the cat’s presence much less react to it. She didn’t understand why he was perched on one of the lionesses’ either but that was something she didn’t even want to think about.

He listened as the firekin discussed what they wanted to do, and was slightly amused at the idea of spy-birds. He could see that at least one lion seemed to have a friendly bird about, and with a glance around he also noticed there was another eagle nearby. And a caracal, for whatever reason.

"It's like the whole desert is interested." Yayuka mused quietly, curling his tail and idly watching the caracal pick a different spot to rest. He didn't particularly mind, though, and continued to lick his paw. In some ways, it was neat.

Though she could imagine they weren't exactly the most popular bunch for the time being, Tswana was here for the meeting, as well. It was certainly an important matter to them. Sjari was also present, but he was sitting on the other end of the group. She found it weird how now that they were here he seemed to avoid the other Hongshan more. He sat there and looked very serious and slightly haunted, as he usually did. She wondered how well he understood these lions, he spoke so little himself, she had no grasp of his experience with this language.

It was frustrating that she couldn't speak their tongue too well, but she fully intended to, and could follow what was going on well enough. She sighed, standing up and going to sit by Thabiti, trying to make sure she remained inconspicuous. Tswana's fur didn't even match the firekin so well. They were whites, blacks and fiery reds, like most of her Hongshan brothers and sisters. Tswana had a muter, more pinkish color, and though it had never been a problem back home, it felt strange here.

He felt he didn't have much more to contribute now, so Moto'spaki would remain quiet for the time being, nodding to acknowledge Elcca's words. He did, however, ponder what could be done, and how he could help. While he waited and listened, the white male quietly looked about, simply taking note of who was present. He could see some in groups, whispering among themselves, others on their own...

And he saw the Hongshan, as well. Those he would try to watch more closely, so long as they didn't notice him watching. There was a lot to be learned on how others reacted to the world around them.

His sister-in-arms' movements did not go unnoticed. She stuck out a bit more than the rest of the felines here who shared similar three-toned pelts. He smirked at the thought that he fit in decently well considering his dark black coat and crimson mask. Still, he was a stranger to these lions. Turning to Tswana, he gave a confirming nod to her approach and her presence. It was nice to have familiar company when in strange places, it makes them ... less strange.

"Any word from the others?" The dark lion asked, his native tongue. "I don't suppose Sjari has spoken since we got here... I worry for him, but he will need to grow strong here."

He hated this feeling he had. Deep down he denies it, he represses, and binds it to the deepest, darkest pit of his being. This feeling of paranoia of one of his own. He dare not speak of it or bring it to Nawvlee. They were finally safe, would he dare risk his pride or possibly risk this land over a paranoid thought? No, no, of course not. Still he does not tear his gaze from Sjari.

As No began to reiterate the plans they had worked over, destroyed, and reformed, Seide kept her mouth shut and her ears trained on the Regent. There were shouts for volunteers, though no one answered them.

When there was a lull in the conversation, and only a few others had ideas to present, Moto'Seide rose to her feet. "Listen, for a moment, if you would!" Moments passed, and the voices grew momentarily still.

"It is never so simple as volunteering," she explained, moving her eyes over the crowd and momentarily pausing on some. "Parents whose children are have not yet reached adolescence are extremely discouraged from offering their service. Your responsibilities lie here, within the pride, securing our future.

"Beyond that, we wish able bodied lions. You may be of any professional following. Medics, storytellers, hunters, Hongshan. Ideally, each group will travel independently and will have a variety of skill sets." The strong lioness paused and swallowed the sharpness that was beginning in her throat. "Do not join unless you are prepared for the unexpected. You will never knowingly be put into danger, but venturing outside the lands is unpredictable. Be prepared. Your own death may come, and worse still, the death of a comrade. Becoming a Sentinel should not be taken lightly.

"All volunteers will be required to go through a training session. This will detail responsibilities of being a sentinel as well as be a refresher on combat and techniques." After a heavy inward breath, the newly appointed Legate finished with, "I will answer some questions now, but those interested should come speak to me after this gathering."

Ute and Zii were getting nervous and antsy with everyone around them making statements of war and revenge. They sat side by side and just shook their heads; knowing there was no point to speaking up. What was done was done and it was obvious if they didn't do something about it... they'd suffer... greatly. Ute lifted her head and said to her mother and not in a whisper. "I will go. In place of my mother. She said, standing up but keeping her shoulders on her mothers. "I have no cubs. I have no mate... Anything to ensure safety of everyone."

Zii didn't like her daughter offering up her life like that. She opened her mouth to talk but shut it, turning her gaze to Seide. She simply shut her mouth and kept her gaze to the ground; knowing that her daughter was strong and fast... she would be capable.

"I cannot tell you no. You will go. I have my place here She quietly to her daughter. But so help me, if you die out there.. I will find you in the afterlife... and give you hell" She added, her yellow eyes shut and trying to not hear everyone else.