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 Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:41 pm
After weeks of sloping around in the lowlands, the desert heat and sand was a welcome change of pace. Sure, there was danger here. But unlike the mud, the sand didn't stink. Goddess, the stink! She could still feel it in her coat, even after the sun had baked down on her for what seemed like hours. She wasn't even particularly sure what that trip had accomplished. She hadn't found her contact. She hadn't even found a decent meal. It had been a bust, plain and simple, and Naseera was more than happy enough to leave it all behind.
Without further orders, there was but one objective left: head north. She'd heard the desert regions were dangerous, something which was mildly thrilling. It'd been a long while since she'd been able to put any of her skills to the test. Most prides ignored her as she slunk about, either through arrogance or general apathy. The idea of being tracked... well, it was something to look forward to! It'd been a long, long time since she'd been in any sort of real danger.
And she wasn't the only one looking forward to some action. Wheeling overhead, a hawk danced about the bright sky. He seemed at home amongst the blue, unbroken by treetops and mire. Naseera had never really asked where he'd come from... but she imagined it must have been a place like this. It felt right. Which was more then she could say about herself. If she'd ever had a home, she couldn't remember it.
Occasionally, the hawk dipped down low to toss a status update on their progress. Some might have said it was cheating to use a bird for recon... but, Naseera liked to think it was just good business. No one cared about fairness when you were dead. Over the years she'd become quite adept at reading his shadow on the ground. She didn't even need to look up to know when he was dropping back for another report.
The hawk grazed across the dune, just barely touching the sand with his wingtips. "Someone approaching, pretty close."
"Close?" Naseera balked. "What, did you miss him two miles ago?"
"I was just enjoying the nice weather. And besides, you smell. They were bound to find you eventually," Vakarian sighed, and drifted back up into the air.
The cat furrowed her brow, watching him go. Little b*****d hadn't even told her the right direction. Someone wasn't getting paid from her meal tonight, that was for sure!
[Not that she was keen on paying, mind you. Which was probably what he would have said if he had been able to read her mind.]
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Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:08 pm
His once soft-spoken exterior had grown rough with the absence of his youngest sister and elder brother. He could not yet bring himself to step up to the task of soldier when that was what they once both strove for. His father, he assumed, might not be pleased with his decision. However, the sheer fact of a lack of title did not mean on his off-duty he could not spare his time and strength. His muscles shifted as he strode over the dunes and in the near distance a dark figure loomed. For a moment, he was hopeful that at least at long last his brother had returned. But no, the stature, female. His silver eyes did not fail him.
Gritting his jaw together he let a soft growl murmur from the corners of his mouth. His paws carried him slow and steady. True, perhaps seeking out the company of one trespassing was not becoming of him, however, his bloodline did not let him back down from a challenge.
He figure was slender, eyes almost as his own, a marking upon her shoulder none like his.
By his color and demeanor, he was born of fire.
She, he assumed, was born of the unknown, and was shadowed in mystery.
"You've traveled far enough," he called from several lengths apart. He stood with his head held high, he knew not what to assume from this female. "You tred closely now to the land of those born from the sun and fire. I would ease back to whatever path you've come."
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Mimsey generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:11 am
Naseera squinted her eyes at the hulking lion before her. Quite a title they gave themselves! Born of sun and fire? Her face twisted in a smirk. What then, of the lions borne of the moon? Perhaps she'd have to show the fool a thing or two! She'd always been somewhat impulsive. Might as well get on with the show.
The black creature stepped forward, the tips of her fangs showing awkwardly from the corners of her lips. "Just a traveler, no doubt up to no good," she smiled. As a cub, a male who had called himself her grandfather had informed her that she did not have a 'genuine' face. Staring back at the other lion, she couldn't help but wonder if he thought the same. It made the grin all the wider. "I'll tell you what, friend."
Up above, Vakarian wheeled overhead. She wasn't really picking a fight down there, was she? That seemed... counter productive! He gave a low creen of warning, that fell on deaf ears about as quickly as it had reached the sands below.
"If you beat me, I'll tell you a secret," the lioness chimed merrily, and without further provocation, went on the attack. Attack first, that had been lesson one. Attack well. Lesson two. She didn't seem to follow through on that quite as well as she would have liked, however. By the time she had reached the male's side and swung her paw out to strike at his face, she'd missed by several inches.
Well, that just killed the drama of it, didn't it?
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DragonsRage24 generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:37 pm
A secret? He grinned and rolled his shoulders. He couldn't back down, it wasn't in his nature. "Have it your way." He sneered and let his paws feel the sand beneath him. It moved and flexed under his weight. His silver eyes attentive to this female. Stubborn, but she had something within her.
He would have to test his feeling.
Just because she shared eyes like his, did not mean she could take advantage.
As she came closer and struck out her paw, he felt a brush of wind against his cheek. He snarled baring his owns fangs.
If she was a traveler, and no doubt a challenger, he wanted to be swift, but not deadly as a battle. He moved his body quickly, crouched low and when close enough flung his body around quickly sending his side crashing into hers, his paws then tried digging into the sand to stop his sliding motion.
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Mimsey generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:38 pm
Naseera always had it her way.
Which was exactly what she was thinking when the lion collided into her, his sheer mass buffeting against her ribs in one bright spark of pain. It seemed sometimes, Naseera didn't really make good life choices. Her mother had said that once. Hadn't Uru said that too? She probably should have listened a bit more closely.
The black lioness staggered back, but did not fall. It was a good, mean hit, but she'd taken bad blows before. A quick test of air relieved her fears that she might have been taken out in a single shot. That would have just been embarrassing. No doubt the hawk would never let her hear the end of it. If he could somehow contact her from beyond the grave, that is.
Before she could really evaluate herself however, Naseera was already back in motion. There was a time to worry about injuries later. She had been dealt a good blow, and it only seemed fair that she deal one back. Hoping to use the brief pause between combatants to her advantage, Naseera spun and lashed out with her paw- hoping to catch the male across the snout. That'd teach him to knock the wind out of her!
Meanwhile, Vakarian awkwardly scooted around in the sky. He supposed he could intervene, but at this point it just seemed pointless. Hopefully she'd finish up whatever insanity she was up to before dinner.
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DragonsRage24 generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:44 pm
As he tried to stop his mass from moving, he cursed his momentum as he could not catch himself before her paw struck out to his face again. He snarled and closed his eyes at the sudden sting across his snout. He growled, rumbling reverberating in his barrel chested fury that was beginning to build.
How dare she.
She did not seem to care of scars and respect. He would teach her.
He snarled and quickly swept out his left paw and threw his right towards the opposite side of her face, hard (claws not extended mind you, he had trouble ruining such a pretty face). He smirked and growled in satisfaction as he felt his paw hit her, staggardly, but a hit.
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Mimsey generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:00 pm
Naseera felt the blow graze across her, noting somewhat unconsciously the lack of claws. Oh. So it was that kind of fight? He had to go and nearly crack her ribs, and now he was using blunts? Well, she supposed that wasn't BAD news, per say. She certainly would rather not take any superfluous injuries, espiecially all the way out in the wastes. But attacking her with blunts... this pride was a strange one! Better not goad him.
So of course, she had to goad him. She made poor life choices, remember?
"That's not much of a hit," the lioness grinned. Up ahead, she could practically hear the hawk groaning. "I might be a real danger to your pride, kid! What would you do then?"
A long time ago, someone had once told her she didn't have a genuine face. Someone had also told her she often thought herself much more intimidating then she actually was. As she danced around the male, both things could have been considered true. "Dangerous, dangerous people lurk outside these lands."
Although whether or not he believed she could be one of them...
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DragonsRage24 generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:08 pm
"Kid, hmph, you seem so high and mighty for being one who is alone," he sneered. "Prancing about the sand, no wonder you're all alone. What, someone leave you for the birds?" Yes, he knew he shouldn't taunt her, but, why not? It was fun after all.
"Pretty female shouldn't cast herself towards scars, might ruin that pretty face," he swept his paw through the sand to whip a bit towards her to taunt her more.
Truthfully, he wanted to give his breath a moment to adjust to the sting in his nose.
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Mimsey generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:12 pm
"I'm not all alone!" She lamented. She had a friend! Sort of! Well, hell, she had lots of friends. All over the place. They occasionally may or may not have been trying to kill her, but that was besides the point. "And, I'm perfectly happy with my birds. Isn't that right-"
Somewhere in between all this mess, Vakarian had flown away. Naseera growled irritably, and shifted her shoulders. "Not that... no... well, that was just bad timing, you see." She weaved past another jab. He seemed to be up to something though.
Oh, he was kicking sand in her face. It didn't sting her, but it did make her sputter more in shock than anything else. "What- what kind of attack is that?! Who does that?" She spat out a clump of sand. Who does that indeed! Obviously, this pride full of savages! Naseera bristled, and jumped forward. She wasn't ready for her followup attack just yet, but if the lion had been hoping to agitate her...!
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DragonsRage24 generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:29 pm
"What's the matter my dear? Birdy flown away got your fur in a bunch?" he laughed. He laughed so she could hear. She was feisty, not that he cared, but he loved that he seemingly tortured this girl. She had strength though, and was quick to anger. There was fire in her, whether or not she believed it or thought it to be true.
"Sand got you in a tusle?" as she ran for him, he moved, he let her form touch him, but he swerved around her. "Wish for a dance now?" he hoped she would catch onto his game. He didn't want to offend a potential member so early in the game. He pushed his weight against her side again, not as hard, but just enough to have her footing perhaps skip a beat.
He stood straight, waiting.
"Come now, show me your best, I'm waiting here."
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Mimsey generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:35 pm
Naseera bristled. Not so much at his blatant attempts at baiting her. No, she could have probably taken that all the way back to the lowlands. But what she couldn't stand was sand in her face. Oh god. It was in her FACE. Who did that? That wasn't any sort of fighting technique ever. Even villains didn't use sand in the eyes. Sub-villains used sand. "Seriously, what do they teach you guys here? No one throws sand in each others eyes! Some things are off limits!"
The lioness struck forward, feeling the earth giveaway as she sprinted forward. Maybe the lions in the desert were just so knee deep in sand they didn't even notice it anymore. Well. She wasn't above making him eat some in return!
But, unfortunately resolve did not always equal a flawless victory. Naseera lunged towards the firekin with all the swiftness her sore side could muster... only to have him jerk away at the last second. She staggered as her blow failed to fall, and growling in agitation she jumped forward to try to reclaim lost ground.
"Stand still and fight!" She shouted.
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DragonsRage24 generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:36 pm
As he moved, he watched her and how she quickly retorted against her movements and wished to lash out. She had strength, fire, and wisdom but not when it came to fighting, from his views.
"Still?" he launched himself quickly at her and thrust his right paw hard and fast towards her face and it jet by her cheek without touching. He smiled, his paw still in mid air.
"Enough." He Pulled himself back and rolled his shoulders. "We've come to a tie, a stalemate, so it seems. I've not one, so you may not divulge your secret, but I've one for you. Though you may not know it, you've fire in you, and if trained properly, here, you can rise to the occasion whenever it may cross your path. But-"
He walked past her, towards the inner parts of the lands to bring her to the magistrates, "you can't let a little sand stop you." He flicked his tail and with it some sand, and he motioned with his head towards her.
"Coming?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:04 pm
"...come again?" Naseera blinked. He was telling her to... join him? In this pride? The cat was beginning to feel as though she was suddenly very much unaware of what was going on. And that didn't happen often. Well. No more then she'd care to admit anyways.
It seemed such a strange proposition that she half thought they were still in battle, and this was some very strange feint. She paced a careful half circle away from him, waiting for him to make his next move. But when the move didn't come, the lioness found herself in a most...perplexing situation. So she sat, her wide silver eyes blinking.
It wasn't that this was the first time she'd found herself in the position to join a pride. Although she had never had what one might conventionally call a home, she understood the concept. She had seen many prides on her travels, and she'd stayed in quite a few. Either spying on them or harmless information trading. Maybe a little mercenary work. But she'd never actually been asked to join.
"Is this...routine?" She blinked. "You just beat up rogues and then let them in?" It seemed like a counterproductive system... unless of course, they were exclusive. Oh. Naseera liked being exclusive. Her tail twined. She was on a mission, wasn't she?
But, they hadn't contacted her. In fact, they'd made her wait weeks on end in a miserable land. For all she knew, they were dead. Or wanted her dead, thinking she'd double crossed them somewhere. It... it wouldn't hurt to lie low for a bit, wouldn't it? "I'm not desperate for a place to stay." She said again, her tail twitching. "I don't need charity."
She'd always been stubborn.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:10 pm
He shook his head his mane falling in black around his face. He turned to her, silver eyes meeting her stale glance. She didn't seem to comprehend, or realize what she had done for herself. Unless, of course, she just wished to pass by, and this had all been a mere test for herself.
"This is not charity, I assure you."
He walked to her then, but kept his distance in case she was still hesitant of his movements.
"Here, when you wish to join, you must prove yourself, you do this through a duel. If you win, you may join, if you lose, you may try another time if you persist and pursue your desire to become a Firekin. However, if you tie, you may stay if you wish to." He looked around her and took a step or two away from her to head into the pride.
"Offering a chance of striving for strength and greatness is not charity, there is still work to be done, but only if you feel suited for such a test. Besides," he smirked, "do you always just want that bird as company?"
Could he taunt her again, make her realize what she could do if honed the skill and not been so attuned that he used sand against her.
"If you don't feel like you can handle it, handle this place then I guess I understand." He turned from her and walked slowly, baiting.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:18 pm
Naseera mulled over his words for a long moment. She was so accustomed to being alone that the idea of living somewhere seemed very...foreign. She'd have to follow laws. She wasn't good with those. But on the other hand, she couldn't really have asked for a better place to disappear for a while in. And sand villains or not, firekin fighting prowess was well known about the southern regions. Something about revolution and war.
Her ears twitched, and she stood up. She still didn't move too closely towards the male- after all, it wouldn't have been the first time that someone attempted to catch her up in some crazy scheme. "Perhaps maybe I will then. Although I have a hard time seeing what anyone could-"
Don't burn bridges so quickly. She paused, and shifted her jaw. "Well. I'll see what staying in one place feels like, anyways."
As she trotted off with him, the hawk landed down, perching awkwardly upon her shoulder. His feathers were ruffled, and she got the sense that he wasn't exactly sure if she'd been captured or not. "What's going on?" He whispered.
"I apparently joined a pride." For a time, anyways.
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