[ORP] Xun's Trials

[PhiferWolf]

*** This takes place in rogue lands ***


"Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” The young duke pondered as his massive paws carried him through the pride's territory toward the rogue territories just outside their own. With all the times he had spent sneaking out while he was younger and his time with his royal guard, walking through the House's backyard was like a walk in his own den. The trials were a rite of passage to test one's strength and to determine their place among the Zhi Ming, the North House. He was the duke, he had a predetermined mate, and was determined to become the next Lord once his father stepped down. How to get to that position... he has yet to figure out but he will... somehow.

As he walked, he thought out loud as to what he was to do for his trials. He knew them but he had yet to figure out what he was going to do.

"I must not have help... I must do this on my own," That was going to be easy. He could do a lot of things on his own, hunting things wasn't going to be too much of a challenge. Just a little effort.

"Fuku could have came, but I rather not have him distracting me... besides, Dad must have better uses for him," The duke knew Fukuaji was a secure way for the Lord to know that the one doing the trials did not break any of the rules. He was smart and obedient, well, for the most part. This was important, he wasn't going to screw it up.

Looking down, he was certain he was in rogue territory by now. The terrain was unfamiliar to him.

"Now... what am I going to hunt?" he questioned, looking around. All he saw were scarce traces of herds of zebra and things of the like, a few predators lurking about. Would hunting another predator be advised? Well, he wouldn't count it as a credit to his trials so the Lord and Lady may not have either. Still, he kept his eyes opened for possible targets.

He was certain he wanted to be a guard, to protect the House and fight off anyone who dares to defy the laws that were laid down on their territory. That was the job he was hoping for and will say nothing more about it.

That still left the last bit of the trials... the answer to the question. "Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

The possibilities whirled in his mind as he walked about, not even trying to hide and thus to alleviate any worries prey may have with him about.  

[Iris_virus]

-The slender ebony and crimson lioness glided across the grass, every step placed wtih such graceful intent that she almost looked like a dancer, a doll in a play. Who knew when someone might be watching? A 'princess' always had to be on her guard, always had to hold strong the nobility that ran through their blood. True royalty was apparent in motions and confidence, it didn't take any special items and shouldn't even take spoken acknowledgement. There was the royal and the peasant... and if your royal could be mistaken for a lowly peasant.. well perhaps they didn't deserve the crown upon them.

It was impatience and worry that had Maua looping in large ovals around and around the shallow grasses. How long until Kika would be back!? Surely it didn't take that long to hunt? Well... perhaps he'd only been gone for a time bit, but still! She'd never admit it aloud but she was feeling lonely again, and Kika, despite being a mere peasant, atleast made the perfect pet.

Time alone drew her mind to important worries however. When was the last time they'd travelled through an actual pridal land? She knew they were in the rogue territories now, but how soon until another kingdom appeared before them? How soon until she could try and 'persuade' her way alongside the king? Sighing near silently, face betraying her inner emotions with something serene and yet somehow stern, she continued to weave through the grasses. Thinking... thinking.-  

[PhiferWolf]

It took too long. A struggle back and forth, with a few and letting every single one escape his grasp, his morale was slowly dwindling. A giraffe gave him a hard butt to the side and scampered off. The elephant had given a good struggle, trumpeted, and that was his cue to leave before he was crushed under a stampede. A group of gazelle had escaped him for this quick speed was too quick and he can't quite use a group strategy when it was just him. After a few attempts at different species, he managed a miraculous kill; a bull sable. As large as they are, the poor thing foolishly fought with the young lion one on one and his horns could not possibly pierce the lion unless he was on its back. The struggle did not take long and Xun had gotten his kill. That was one part of the trial down with.

Tired and exhausted, the duke slowly dragged his trophy toward a nearby clearing of the savanna's tall grass. If it was one thing, he wished he was back home with his family and the great clearing in the pride's territory than this itchy stuff.

"Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power," he muttered around the throat of the sable. Never quite new his father to be a wise and overly intelligent lion, but he was stumped with the question. Though he was a duke, he did not act it all the time. He was just any other lion with just a little more responsibilities and when blame goes around, he was up there too. Soft silver mane fading white covered his face as he rolled himself onto his back beside his kill, resting in the sun. Thinking . . . thinking was not his forte. I'm not a Mong Zhang . . . (East House - Wisdom)  

[Iris_virus]

-The scent of blood and death was faint on the air, riding the wavering breeze. So faint in fact, that she might have missed it, had not her stomach rumbled in instinct, her attention turning softly to follow the direction. Kika must be coming back finally! Surely it wouldn't be below her to meet him halfway...? No no, of course not, and if he mentioned something of it she could always chide him on how long he'd took, how long he'd left her in all alone in this dangerous place.

Straightening her path, she headed slowly towards the wind, eyes watching for the familar spots of her escort. When the sight of a carcass slumped upon the grasses touched her eyes, but Kika's pelt did not, she paused, debating her choices. It was rather dangerous to just walk into the fire... What if what she ran into was some blood thirsty savage? Surely words wouldn't be enough to save her from that. Paused on the horizon, she narrowed her eyes, trying to inspect the scene more carefully, more fully.-  

[PhiferWolf]

Rolling up right, he let out a growl as his head flooded with needless answers and even more needless thoughts. These trials were growing troublesome, but as a duke, he cannot return with his kill with no answer! Emptying the bucket that was his mind, he thought of his siblings and what they were up to on their trials and who might have already made it back to Tianxia with their kills. If he wished to become the heir to the Zhi Ming, he had to make everything on these trials above and beyond anything his siblings could muster. Maybe recruit a new member or bring back ten kills instead of just one. Choices.

Either way, it still came down to the fact he had to think of an answer.

Green eyes glanced around him before he sat upright to rest. "Rogue lands are a lot more barren than I had thought. 'Cept for the few herds, not many faces to see and not many voices to hear," he murmured to himself, unknowingly facing away from a female in the distance. Though, he could not wait to get home and get back to his normal schedule.  

[Iris_virus]

-The pelt that appeared was definately not that of her escort, far too dark, and the build not at all right. This was certainly a lion, oh... and presumably a fairly young one too? How young exactly she couldn't tell, again she debated internally. If she were smart she'd stay back... but her recent journey had inspired that fire within her once more. One had to be daring to get what they wanted. And for now.. a relief from boredom was what drew her forward a few more steps. Surely Kika would hear her call if she ran into trouble, even in such a short period the cheetah had proved himself quite capable of his position.

Now... how to do this..? Demand respect and authority? It was her usual tactic, but was it the safest bet, she could be on pridal lands for all she knew? So perhaps the 'damsel in distress' was the better way to proceed? Still uncertain, she paused in her step, calling out mildly in test in a voice like running sugar sap.- "You there. How unkind to turn your back on a lady."  

[PhiferWolf]

Xun's ears perked and had him turn about to face the darker female. She was dark, close to the same color as Empress Afu, similar but different. "I am sorry, but it was indeed careless of me to turn my back to you. Not for you're a lady, though indeed you are, but because I could have been ambushed. I was careless,"If he did not choose his words, he might call her 'Empress Afu'. The young duke raised to his feet and dipped his head just as he was taught by his mother.

"I am Duke Hashmal of the Zhi Ming territory of the Tianxia pride. May I inquire your name, stranger?" He questioned politely, offering his name to obtain another's. It was strange to address himself with a name he has never quite used in ages seeing as within the pride, he always went by 'Xun'lin', but he was clearly off of Tianxia land.

"Now what would someone like you be doing out here on your own?"  

[Iris_virus]

-Her whiskers drew back, unpleasantly scrunching her nose for a brief moment in surprise at the words that sounded. What a disrespectful little brat. Obviously noone had ever taught him any bit of manners, to prattle off something so rude to a stranger and an elder. Hidden within the grasses the claws of one paw slide out, massaging into the ground any hints of aggression that might touch her.

As suddenly as it'd all happened however, her body loosened as he introduced himself, something of a smirk touching her maw. - "Well then, that certainly explains your lack of manners. I knew that pride was no good." -This one might be royalty, but it was of a pride she would rather watch burn to the ground. Her sisters were here, and she didn't intend to be.

She observed him more carefully now, trying to pick out any familarities she might from her sisters. She did however answer his question, not bothering to sit down, for even young this one was so large compared to her thin and tiny frame.- "I am Maua, and I'm waiting for my dinner to come."

My escort should be here before too long." -He eyes turned momentarily to the horizon, genuninely seeking to see if Kika's pelt could be seen yet.-  

[PhiferWolf]

"Well, to be completely honest with you, I utterly agree that my manners are deplorable only because I have been putting my focuses elsewhere than my mother's lessons. Though, if she or my father discovered such, I would be in for disciplinary actions that would leave me sore for days," The young duke laughed with a slight melancholy tone as he let out the last bit. In his mind, he had no doubt the consequences of his actions concerning his parents and his standing with his siblings in the House were of what his father could do to them. Xun smiled still, hiding his inner frown. "The Tianxia is not a bad place, Maua, it has been my home all my life and I have been protected within the walls of the Zhi Ming territory my father and mother governs. Why don't you like us?"

He didn't understand why she would have such hatred for his beloved home and pride. He was determined to get to the bottom of why too. If she was a lot nicer, slightly younger, and he was not already devoted to Lahn, she could have been a very good prospect for a mate.

"I suppose this escort is obtaining this lunch, I apologize, it is none of my business. If you wish ... you could have some of my kill. Fresh and untouched beyond the fatal wounds," he had decided it was best not to mention what it was for, at least for the moment.  

[Iris_virus]

-She had to conciously keep her brows from frowing at the strange response she recieved, entirely amused and confused with his cander. Who in the world would divulge in their downfalls so willing? If his words weren't so eloquently stated, she would have assumed he was a moron, but atleast a little of his 'royalty' shone through. What a weird kid...

Reguardless, she remained still and silent at his strange display, doing nothing more than giving her tail another coy flip. And a polite decline on his kill. Kika would be there soon enough. Another smile delighted over her maw as his question rose, always happy to quall her bitterness.- "Because it is a false pride my dear. Nothing but a rouse created just so some indivduals could feel special and in power."

"No true blood, no history, and no grand past. Just a bunch of loser who came together and decided to play prince and princess."

-It was obvious she was enjoying her words, the sashay in her delicate steps like a happy dance as she began a slow pace that would begin to circle him. Deep down she was jealous.. but so far she'd done her best to confince herself that her sisters didn't have it good. And it felt SO good now to say it outloud, to try and convince someone else. Oh Afu... Mwana... Mweba.. They'd given up because they weren't good enough. She wouldn't do that, she'd find someplace worthy.- "It's really sad actually. But atleast they kept you safe and what not."  

[PhiferWolf]

"Well, that "bunch of losers who came together and decided to play prince and princess" will soon become a pride of power unequal to those in these surrounding areas and one day, you may just hear about us all around. We will establish relations with other prides to grow in power and you will see what this "bunch of losers" can do," He smirked and puffed. He believed in the pride, he believed that they could become the biggest pride to overwhelm and protect, defend, and establish good relations with other prides.

Xun looked at her and chuckled. "Sorry, when it comes to my pride, I'll have to side with it than the ideas and notions of others. I apologize for my ranting too."

"With my two brothers and two sisters, and the Emperor's and Empress's recent litter, our pride is growing slowly as a sapling into a tree, one day we will become big. Who knows, maybe you'll be there as a visitor for resting from weary travels with... your companion," The duke smiled and dipped his head.

"I apologize for asking such a rediculous question as this, but may you be related to a lioness named Afu by chance? I cannot help but believe you to be. You look so much like our Empress, you could take her place and none would know the wiser but the Lords, Ladies, and of course her mate."  

[Iris_virus]

"Convincing yourself of something in your head does not make it true." -She stated matter of factly, finding his stubborness to be mildly grating on her nerves. She could be a cool customer though, and kept her words smooth, sultry, ramming against everything he threw.- "It's quite alright, I understand well the brainwashing that occurs in pridal youth. Children are always raised to believe their prides are infailable and grand. It isn't until adulthood that you can pick out the trash from the treasures yourself, young Duke."

-Shifting to turn her gaze back towards the horizon once more, she was surprised by the question that came next, crimson eyes focusing on the boy. Oh my my... picked up on quite a secret there, hadn't he? It was true though, of all the sisters Maua looked the most like their half sister Afu.

But now.. this was an oppurtunity wasn't it? A chance to sling some mud at her 'dear' family? How delicious.- "Speaking of trash!"

"I have the displeasure of calling that foul wench my sister. Oh what a pretty face she must have weaved to make you all bow to her as Empress no? I doubt she'd made any mention of her philandering and murderous past has she? How funny... her leading others."

"Well.. how sad for the pride she'll likely run into the ground.. but how funny for the rest of us out here to witness it."  

[PhiferWolf]

"Convincing myself is actually harder than you think. I am starting to believe that my mate isn't into the notion of arranged marriages. A princess from a snow pride up in the mountains. But I'll keep trying to sway her," He chuckled. Alright, perhaps that had nothing to do with the subject matter, but she may offer advice. At the very least, he would be looking like a fool that he already ways. Slowly, he was feeling the regalty slipping between his paws. "That is what this is all for after all - my trial - to become an adult in my House, to take my place in my royal family as an adult. The only trash we'll pick out are those who are weak and infailable. My House resembles strength, we are the pride's power to protect it in times of need. If you talk about about brainwashing, talk about the Firekin."

Xun was growing tired of this stranger. How she spoke as if she knew what she was talking about. She mustn't have belonged to a pride long enough to understand what was happening or experienced what went on within a family. The duke cocked a brow as she turned away. What was she thinking?

"Trash?..."

Xun laughed. "Oh, you are really Afu's sister. In my House, lions enter with a clean slate, their past did not matter as long as they paved their own futures. My mother is quite similar to you, you know, disliking her and rivaling the things she does. Though my mother is a Lady, and my Aunt Afu being the empress, both are together ex-Firekin males. Both very large, very powerful, and not too merciful to those who dare insult their families and the pride," the grey lion smiled at this black beauty.

"Mwana and Afu would be glad to hear that their dear sister is near the pride's boarder."  

[Iris_virus]

-Blah... blah.... blah..... blah. Listening to him was excrusiating... how so many words could sound with so little actual meaning or worth behind them she did not know. Surely strength of mind or tact were not the 'strength' he'd been refering to.

Her eyes narrowed however as a familar name sounded, her composure breaking momentarily. Mwana. b***h. Her eyes narrowed to almost slits as she eyed the boy harder this time, trying to make out the signs that proved him her nephew, her voice hissing.- "Oh I'm sure Mwana will be QUITE surprised to hear I'm alive and well, considering how she left me to die out there."

"To think someone who would just leave their deathly ill sibling out in the savannah starving and defenseless would be rewarded with a pride... even if it is just a false pseudo pride is disgusting."

-Her blood was boiling.. no longer feeling like playing this stupid game with her stupid nephew. Mwana HAD abandoned her in fact, there was no lie in that. And now she had a pride, shitty as it was. Well.. atleast she'd been cursed with retarded children.-

"I grow tired of talking with a brick wall. Your ideals are stupid. Letting those in without care of their past is stupid.. only something people with terrible pasts and traits would allow. And you speak of the firekin as being brainwashed.. but then confess that the two males that rule you ARE firekin."

"I grow tired of wasting my breath on such a 'pride'. Do tell your mother about me though if you would." -She turned a final time, beginning to walk away, though she called back.-

"And please tell her if I 'ever' see her again I 'will' return her favor and leave her to die alone in the savannah." -She did not care if her nephew had more words.. or even if he'd try to attack her from the back 'great proud warrior' he was. Kika would come if he did. Kika always came to save the dark princess.-  

[PhiferWolf]

"What my mother does is not of my concern. Not like the past can be changed," The Duke shrugged as he was growing tired of hammering at a thick skull that would not crack. Much like her sisters, she was stubborn and very controlling of her male counterparts. Hopefully, Lahn wasn't like that. "From what I recall, you had another sister who was with you. So you can take it out on her for being the last to leave you on your own. My mother was taken away due to your cruelty to her. But I suppose you wouldn't care about that."

Thinking about his mate, he worried how she was doing. Was her trials going well? A thought. Since he has been away from her, this being the longest time yet, he was starting to think about other things beside the Snow Top Princess.

"I see this conversation going nowhere myself. So I agree, we should part out ways here, Aunt Maua," he sighed as he lowered his head. There was no getting to her. Perhaps she would be better off away from the lands and her sisters. At least they were happy with where they were and their grudges, mostly, are gone. Raising his head and beaming like an idiot to mock her, he yelled out. "GOOD-BYE AUNT MAUA!"

Hashmal smiled as she turned herself away from him. She was indeed a decently beautiful female, obviously as she shared the gene pool with his mother and the Empress. Perhaps it was inappropriate for a Duke to think of such to his mother and aunt, but he wouldn't deny it. Lord Sheng Kou and the Emperor have found themselves fitting females to their rough, tough, rugged selves. The monotoned Duke raised to his feet, reached down to his kill, taking it back home at last.

It was time to answer the question.

It was time to become the male whom he wanted to become.

It was time to return to the Zhi Ming, Tianxia, as a full-fledged adult.