Barakillian - SkieBorne
Verge'lian - +Sephiros Immortal+


It was a few days after he'd soundly beaten Iartuupe and been allowed access to the pride lands. Barakillian had kept mostly to himself, watching and observing while he contemplated the King's question. /Was/ there a demon inside him? He was leaning more and more towards the yes answer the more he thought about it, but still... something didn't quite resonate with the way Iar carried himself. Thus, this day found himself licking wounds while sunning himself not too far away from the central dens.

Verge'lian had been out on patrol, something that all of the adults of the pride were obliged to do, considering the shortage of full-fledged demons to the many younglings scampering about. Today had been wondrously uneventful, and had left the large male bored. Alert as always, flinty blue eyes caught sight of something...someone that he didn't recognize. Naturally, this must be the result of one of Iar's gleanings, or else the other would not be in so close, perhaps...better to check, no matter the case. Sauntering near, his ears flicked forward in obvious inquiry, though he didn't say anything, pausing next to the other, as though awaiting explanation.

Barakillian's gaze flicked up at the other and then returned to his attention to his wounds, "If you're attempting to intimidate me, you're not doing a very good job of it." He quipped, tail flicking back and forth. Really... from outright attack to standing and staring; at least this one wasn't all roiled up already.

Verge'lian gave him a faintly skeptical look, "Not at all. You obviously..." he scanned the other's body, "...belong here, I simply was desirous of making your acquaintance, as is my duty, to recognize the goings-on in my pride, regardless of the god one has chosen." It took far more than that to get a rise out of the Aran'shale.

"As is your duty...?" He arched a brow and looked up at the other more fully, "Who are you? Iar spoke of another King..." Secretly, Bara hoped this one was one such creature - it was a fine contrast to the fury that seemed to encompass the other.

He gave a slow, regal nod, "I am Aran'shale, my title gifted by my god even as Iar's is." Interesting, this one was most assuredly new, but perhaps undecided yet, as to his loyalty, if such was the case, then Verge would most assuredly do his utmost to sway him towards a Sparda-bound allegiance.

"Your god?" He quirked a brow, "You follow something prescribed to you?" Barakillian shook his head and rose, flexing shoulders as he did so and turned to regard the other. "I follow no path but my own." He frowned slightly, obviously expecting the other to launch into some sort of spiritual spiel to convert him.

There was a shrug of a massive shoulder, and the cerulean lion seemed unfazed. "Each to his own...my devotion is less a religion and more of a familial duty, and it was my choice to embrace it. I could have followed either side, as each is given that opportunity." There were indeed, two very separate factions within the pride, and the truce betwixt god and their 'voices' kept everything together.

"Either side? What sides are there?" He glanced around, padded a few steps away, "I came looking for those that hold strength in their ideals... where the strong survive and weak perish, not a pack of spiritual beings." He rumbled, "And precious little information have I gleaned from my observations... and that Iartuupe was no help after he limped home. Hmph."

"In my opinion, Iartuupe is little help to anyone but himself." There was a note of scorn in the words, "The pride is, yes, held together by the gods, but we do not exist because of them. Decisions are made by them, yes, but only when we cannot decide then on our own. Only the strong survive amongst us, and the skills and strength we possess dictates day to day whether we live or die." His eyes flashed as he eyed the other male. "The place you make amongst us is entirely up to you, words alone will not win you anything here."

"Words alone gain you nothing, pride or no." He replied, thinking that over a minute. The gods seemed more like advisers and overseers then anything else... which he could live with. He was an independent sort, with no need for gods and master. "Who is it you worship then?"

"Sparda, God of Nobility, and he is also my sire. We are our own sanction of the pride, and we are quite a different shade of demon than that which Iartuupe lauds so passionately." Verge was indeed a knight for his own cause, yes, but there seemed a dignity-less way to how his rival and thus, the followers of Morifaer's side, did things. "But you shall ascertain that for yourself."

Barakillian shook his head and eyed the other, "You seem to think my observation skills are lacking in that statement and I warn you, it is unwise to underestimate something you are unfamiliar with." The lion smirked, cocky and confident, "It's painfully obvious in how you carry yourselves. I was already engaged in combat with your other King by now." He flexed claws and muscles as if to show them off. The shadowy lion was no lightweight and the wounds he currently possessed were worn with pride. "What do you profess with such passion, then? Surely this Noble God you serve boasts many lures."

Verge simply seemed bemused now, "I do not think your observation skills lacking, sir, it is my nature to not be overfriendly or instill too much confidence with someone I have only just met, and whom I do not even know the name of." Clearly, he was still awaiting an introduction. "What I profess with passion, as you deem it, is simply values, ideals, a pride in oneself and a noble, demonic spirit. We of Sparda's side are not careless ruffians, and the 'lures' of Sparda's side is a lack of chaos, and elsewise there are things only won through deeds and action. We do not deign to tempt followers to our side with fickle promises and pretty words. I am no negotiator, I am the Aran'shale." There was a growl to the last statement, not a challenge, but emphasis.

"Barakillian." He rumbled, bemused by the other's words, "Aran'shale. A king. And does a king not keep the peace by negotiating with his subjects? A pride that is not happy will not listen to its leader and thus you must some measure of social skills to maintain such a rank." He shrugged, clearly unimpressed by the rank, "And what would you do, then, if one of your own upset that careful order? Put them down with brute force? Or utilize that intellect? Both, perhaps?" His tone turned conversational, almost flippant as he pondered aloud the actions of a king.

"There are those within the pride meant to settle disputes, but if it goes beyond what they can control, then, indeed, I will handle things personally." He sighed softly, shaking his head. "Strength without wisdom is folly, and power without restraint is more dangerous still, for it might turn on its wielder." Verge eyed Bara skeptically, "If brute force is needed, it shall be applied, if words shall suffice, so shall it be. And I am Verge'lian, and it has been long since one has tried me, either by word or deed. You are welcome then, Barakillian." If there was to be rivalry, he would make light of it...for it had been long since he had had something to occupy his mind other than regrets and dire pridal business.

Bara nodded his head, "And should they turn on you? Are you alone enough to fend of those who have learned to fight? What you say is true, but confidence without experience is more dangerous yet." He tossed his head and bowed ever so slightly, "I have not challenged you - I've no wish to. Whether you are a king or a slave does not matter to me, if you have true strength you have my respect." The lion snorted derisively, "Otherwise you are a waste of time, rank or not. The weak deserve to fall."

Verge tossed silvery mane, eyeing the other with a look that said clearly that he thought the other's doubts admirable, but unnecessary, "I have been years wandering rogue, and I embrace a fight when it is needed. Trust me when I say that it is not only merit of my birth that gives me claim to this throne, and I will keep it, no matter the challenger, until my time is up. The weak perish, the strong alone survive, such is nature's dictation, and so is ours."

"You are not the only one to have wandered and learned the hardships of the savannah." Barakillian replied, arching a brow though there was a slight smile upon his muzzle, "Your claim has yet to be witnessed and thus I remain neutral. However, I do give you this. You're a far better conversationalist then your counterpart." Verge'lian had made a positive impression upon the male and stirred within him a desire to better know the pride, and taste the factions.