[EVENT-ORP] Border Dispute

[SilverLutz]

Hila watched as the lions on both sides of the river were scattered by the stampede and snorted softly. Those ibex sure could handle themselves. A few had gone down he noticed, if the bloody water had anything to say about it, but the vast majority remained unscathed. Golden eyes caught the brown cheetah trying to cross the river and...well. Before he had thought about crossing further down stream. But now...how there was cover, and the lions were distracted. Perhaps he could slip across...

He tested his shoulder before moving down, following the last few ibex. He sped up to a trot to pass them, entering the river just a few paces behind the other cheetah. He kept low, hoping he'd just slip past, blending in with the herd. He didn't want to cause any trouble to the lions, oh no. He was sure their pride didn't stretch the whole desert. And if he followed this herd, whose leader seemed not to care if he lost a few members, he'd have a constant source of food. This was perfect.  

[Mogami]

By some miracle or luck, Nkera finally managed to drag the red lioness back to safety. He shook his body almost angrily, panting as if he’d come out of the duel of his life and then quickly assessed the situation before his eyes. The herd was calming down, some of the ibex were already down and the white beast remained impassive as it entered Firekin territory. Unless it attacked one of the lions on his side of the water or unless Nkera was asked to take him down, the Guard couldn’t possibly care less what happened to the white beast.

The rogues on the other side, however, were a completely different matter. The large pale lion stood like boulder as he faced them, conveying a very clear silent message: they were not welcomed there.

-------------------------------

Baise followed after the herd, giving little more than passing glances to the ibex that had already fallen. The pride was going to eat well today, she thought to herself, today and in the days to come. The herd in general was no more than an impressive mass of walking meals in the adolescent eyes but the white stag was a different story. She was still hoping they wouldn’t kill the majestic beast with whom she felt and inexplicable connection towards but the way some of her comrades were circling the stag, Baise doubted he was going to live a long life.  

[Whimsical Blue]

Seeing the rogues about to enter the water, Morag finally leaped into action. If they thought that this bit of confusion was enough to outwit the firekin, they would be sadly mistaken.

The dark lioness bounded down the bank of the river and plowed into the water like a bulldozer, hot on the heels of the cheetah who had been ranting earlier.

"Stop!" She shouted as she made for him, more to alert her pridemates than because she thought he'd actually stop for her. Maybe she'd get lucky and the sight of a large, scarred lioness baring down on him would make him stumble or pause or something.  

[Kimaria]

Kerra, who'd not had much of a chance to throw his weight around, stood aside, panting, as he watched the herd begin to move on. The stampede seemed to have come to an end as quickly as it had started (stupid, dumb, prey beasts) and for the moment, any danger of being trampled seemed over.

He cast a glance across to where Kiowaa had fallen into the water and was glad to see that someone had gone to her aid.

--

Across the way, the small, black jackal yawned once more and, stretching each leg in turn, set off after the cheetah. She, at least, was unperturbed and curious enough to see if there was any truth in Nadir's story.

She did, however, give pause when the black lioness came charging forwards.

Lions had sharp teeth and claws. She knew that firsthand.  

[Andranis]

Shaking the water from his coat and mane, P'leimis gave the ibex a sour look, before he curiously looked up at his cousin's call, then back to the river. Ah... Rogues.... He snarled, even if his sopping-wet visage was nothing too intimidating. He'd only spare a glance of appraisal at the rogue who'd helped his sister if the other lion came across the water. That one he'd leave to Morag. He was suddenly distracted by a flash of red passing him and he turned, letting out a roar of frustration.

Holding her head high above the water, Chanda paddled to the other shore. She had an advantage with her red coat - Maybe she'd blend right in with the lot of them! As soon as her paws touched bottom, she took off, chasing the ibex. Magic or not, she felt exhilarated by killing one of the attendants in the water. But she wasn't alone, as she heard somebody right behind her. A cursory glance showed her a white lion. She gave him a snarl as she turned and moved to sweep in amid the ibex, as dangerous as it was.  

[Mimsey]

Kiowaa wheezed, finally feeling her feet kiss solid ground. After so much drought, it would have been bitter irony to end it all by drowning. She looked up bleary eyed to Nkera, nodding slowly. "-thanks," she coughed. "...I'm not having a good go of things lately."

Watching the remaining ibex and scattered rogues cross over the river's border, it could not have felt any truer. Their orders still stood, and it seemed a few of the rogues had taken the opportunity to follow the white buck into motoujamii territory. She shook her head, standing as best she could.

"I don't think many got across, but we'd better stop them," she said. "That buck- if he's on our lands, he belongs to us. A strong leader could improve our own herds."

These other strangers- they seem more in it for the glory of the kill. Not that continued life in the Motoujamii was likely to be the first thing on their minds.

---

Up ahead, Nadir had made it to the bank and was crossing quickly along with the ibex as they headed over the dunes. The sight of another red female running close by set fire to his steps. How dare she try to take his kill from him!

But getting to the white buck was going to be tricky. As was avoiding the firekin, who were already moving towards them.

arrow Rogues on the opposite side of the river, you are being persued.

Roll a dice 1-20.

Anything a 5 and below results in being overtaken by any firekin giving chase.
6-15 keeps you ahead.
15-20 brings you close enough to begin chasing the stag.

[ If you bided your time before, you may add +5 to your roll simply by indicating it in blue at the top of your post. ]
 

[Tara de Draiocht]

It would seem Sam had missed much of the on goings around here and he turned to Lilit, "What say you and me hunt ourselves an ibex?" His eyes narrowed. "Though we'd have to be quick about it before the others go for the kill especially those other lions across the way. He saw Lilit nod in agreement, "Hurry up then. I don't have time for this if we want to beat the others!" Sam let out a deep roar and gave chase.  

[Mimsey]

Luckily for the cheetah, he had a bit of natural speed on his side to keep him just ahead of the other persuring guard and assorted others vying for his prize. But the herd was still thundering around him- and after a sharp kick in the face, he wasn't looking for a repeat.

Dodging to the side, he did his best to weave in and out of the ibex herd without startling them more than needed. At this point they were agitated, but generally confident in their large spread of land in which they could take off to in a moment's notice.

Now the only trouble was, getting to that white buck...  

[Andranis]

Right behind the cheetah was the red lioness, trying to keep pace with the ibex. He was clearly doing a better job of it, but neither seemed to be able to catch them. Her goal was simply to wreak emotional havoc on the other animal, though, wanting to simply take this kill from him. She'd let him have the body, but she wanted the pleasure of ending the white ibex. And right behind HER...

P'leimis' fur had long dried out by now as he chased the lioness. She was an ideal color, why didn't she just seek to join like everybody else? Granted, they'd be more wary to let someone in right now... But still, there were easier ways into the pride than this! And the whole time, she stayed JUST out of his reach. It was down-right frustrating!  

[Neon Fly]

Sighing in blatant dismay as the tribal marked female was off almost as quickly as she'd gotten herself up and free of the last scrape Machozi decided it better to let her go than interfere. He was still a newcomer to these lands himself, what good would it have done him to try and interfere? And given he amount of rogues floating about, he would have easily been mistaken for one given his defining lack of black or red. Apparently grey wasn't quite good enough.

Shaking the thought away, sharp emerald eyes watched the white ibex leader cross the river unharmed with many of his congregation in tow. At least their movements had calmed for the most part. No longer darting like minnows scattering from the shallows at the slightest disturbance. Several rogues, including the daft cheetah were apparently making a break after the plentiful herd, to them Machozi could show no sympathy. They had to be a little loose in the head to consider charging into the Motoujamii territory. Other warriors were already charging to meet the intruders. Matifu's son was preparing himself to follow when a young lioness still laying on the ground caught his eye. Damnit..

Reeling back the ambassador carefully padded towards the youth, lifting a massive paw to rest on her still side. Was she dead?

------

The buffet to the ribs had done a worthwhile job of knocking Atsila Inadu into a daze of hazy colors and indistinct sounds. For a long while the ground had continued to rumble beneath her while she lay as still as possible. Every breath seemed to cause her ribs to shatter with the pain that rolled across them. Part of her wished to stop breathing entirely as she forced herself to take small, shallow inhales at intervals as far apart as she could get then without having to suck in sharply for the next one. Though many of the long antlered animals had run past her, the indisposed lioness was grateful that none stopped to trample her as they climbed dunes and traveled deeper into the firekin landscape.

By the time the chaos of the stampede had begun to settle Atsila could almost breathe normally, though she didn't dare attempt to move--or at least she hadn't intended on moving. Feeling the heavy paw that rested as gently as it could upon her side a spike of pain caused her hackles to raise. Rolling out from beneath the touch despite the self-inflicted harm of twisting and tumbling across less than forgiving terrain. Hey! Keep your paws to yourself!!  

[SilverLutz]

+ 5

Hila made it across the river after slipping on some loose stones and wrenching his already injured shoulder pretty badly. He grimaced and knew that running full speed right now would be a bad idea. He got out of the water and trotted in the general direction of the ibex, hoping his slow pace would keep the radar off his blue pelt. He wanted nothing to do with the beast, of course, so it was merely a guise to blend in in plain sight.

It was mildly terrifying, though, to see such big, red lions all around him. He didn't want to cause trouble, after all. He simply wanted to see what was on the other side of the desert. He'd be out of their hair as soon as he disappeared over the dunes.  

[Mimsey]

Despite the pursuit, most of the rogues who had made it across the river remained ahead of the guards...but not quite in line with the herd. A fact that the white stag seemed to be arrogantly aware of. He barely picked up the pace, relying on his attendants at either flank to shield him.

Nadir moved swiftly, his eyes squarely centered on the buck about twenty feet ahead of them. He didn't dare make a move on him- but he knew if he didn't find an opening soon, those firekin and other rogues would overtake him and claim his prize. Something needed to be done, and quickly!

He picked up the pace, dodging a few large hooves and long tapered horns. There was a red lioness beside him, but for some reason she didn't seem to be with the others. He didn't want to think that he needed help- but perhaps with some of the rogues assistance, they could split the large ibex away from the group.

"He'll never be open with those attendants at either side..." he grumbled.

arrow Attackers vs Defenders!

- Attackers, roll a dice 1-10. You intend to split the buck away from the herd.
- Defenders, roll a dice 1-10. You intend to intercept the attacks away from the buck.

By tomorrow, the group that has rolled the highest shall complete their attempt.  

[Andranis]

Roll for: Attack

Chanda snarled at the white and black lion, then looked at the cheetah. "I just want to kill the thing for the fun of it! You can have what you want!" She ran just a bit closer to the cheetah to make chat a bit easier. "If we work together, it'll be easier, yeah?" She shifted, snapping at one of the ibex.

He was starting to get tired. P'leimis was no good for stamina. He began to drop back, before stopping, panting. His limbs felt like jelly, and he wondered what that lioness DID all day. She surely didn't walk the desert, did she? He did, every day of his life, and he couldn't keep up! The herd wasn't even stampeding! How could they move fast enough to make a lion and cheetah run? Or it seemed, to him, like running. He turned in the direction of the pride, letting out a roar, hoping that somebody heard and could intercept.  

[SilverLutz]

Roll for Attack

He managed to not draw too much attention to himself, but Hila knew that blessing wouldn't last for long. If he broke away now, he'd be picked off pretty quickly. The brown cheetah seemed hell-bent on getting that ibex, as did a few other lions, so perhaps if he assisted them he could escape in the fray that followed.

He picked up his pace, ignoring his shoulder, to catch up with the cheetah and the lion that were chatting about bringing down the beast. "Need another set of paws?" he asked with a little grin. "I don't mind helping out. To the brown one go the spoils?"  

[Depawsit]

Soleil offered a quick glance at the male as she picked up on his comment. She let out a quick laugh and nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah it really was! Taking in a deep breath, she tried to even out her breathing, all the while trying to place the male before her.

"I don't think we've met. I'm Soleil, are you new around here?" Dipping her head in quick greeting, she was careful to keep her eye out for new signs of danger around them. Today had already been pretty hectic, goodness only knew what else could happen.

Split Personality