[SITH-SRP] Said the spider to the fly (Lumiya+Aurore+Célest

[Tanakako]

Lumiya had never been in this area before. Ruyken had never come here and until lately she had never had any reason to venture into what had seemed an abandoned area. But now she was on a mission. Majanga had requested more acolytes and with no other active missions currently on, Lumiya had become bored. So she had left the pride in order to locate a victim or two to lure back with her. This was the last place she had to search before going further afield, which was fine, but something had prompted her to come here first, where as before she had always overlooked the dry wasteland. Yet her faith had led her true and she had picked up the spore of two cheetahs travailing together. Now all she had to do was find them and convince them to join her. She could force the issue, but she was of the opinion that to be truly powerful, it was best if they desired to become Sith. Willing believers were always more effective than slaves.

Head up, face shadowed by the deep hood that protected her from the sun’s glare, she tracked the two targets to a small watering hole. More of a soggy puddle than anything. Spotting the pair resting in the shade of some flat rocks Lumiya grinned. This should be a fairly simple procedure.

 

[Tanakako]

Yawning widely, Este glanced sideays at her pale-coated sister. Dust coated their fur from travailing through this dry landscape. Not that it was any different, really, from anywhere else they had been. The best land was always claimed by someone, and since the two sisters were cheetahs, they had never been able to claim someone else's territory. Usually because that someone else was a lion. And a pride-owned land? Forget it. Their speed saved their lives, but it did little to help in defending themselves or anything they tried to own. At least this land was so dry and harsh that they had yet to meet anyone, and this tiny puddle offered just enough liquid to keep them alive. Soon they would move on, but for a few days, their nomadic existance had ceased.



Lapping carefully at the remaining water in their little soak, Aurore slacked the worst of her thirst. She would have to try again when the tiny pool refreshed itself. Sitting up she cleaned the grains of wet sand from her muzzle before padding over to settle beside her sister. It was hot, but at least it was also quiet. No raging lions come to drive them off. Sighing she flopped down, head pillowed on her sibling's front leg, though it was just too hot to curl up together as was their habit.

Suddenly she felt her sister move as Este flung her head round, a chuff of warning breaking the earlier silence.

"What?" She asked even as she lifted her own head tiredly, yet the second she spotted the lion she went stiff with alarm.

Not again!
 

[Tanakako]

Lumiya halted a short distance away from the pair, posture relaxed and unconcerned. Setting an easy smile on her maw she chuckled low. “Easy… I don’t want trouble.” Stepping forwards but not closer to the cheetah pair, she lowered her head and sniffed at the tiny soak-away. “Ugh..” Wrinkling her nose she backed up, sneezing as if the puddle was more dust than liquid. Glancing back at the sisters, for they were clearly related and didn’t look that different in age, Lumiya cocked her head.

“You two live here? Rogue’s breath… “ Shaking her head she gave the pair a pitying look.
 

[Tanakako]

The darker female hissed as the lion boldly stepped forwards. Despite being semi-pinned by her sister, Céleste was coiled and ready to leap. Ears pinned back against her skull in anger and tail tip flicking from side to side savagely. Yet she couldn’t run with her sister there, and no way could they attack. The lioness was impressive with her muscular frame and scars. Este knew they could not beat her on their own. Yet the lioness didn’t seem interested in them, sniffing at their soak before sitting down. The pitying expression annoyed her immensely. Just because they were cheetahs, this female thought she could judge them? Growling low and menacing, she shifted, body tensing, ready to pounce.



Exhausted and tired of running, Aurore didn’t want to have to flee yet again. What could possibly have attracted the lioness here? There was barely enough water for a cheetah, certainly not enough for a lion who could have any watering hole it desired. Ears pinned in a mirror image of her sister, she nevertheless listened when the lioness spoke. Tail curling in agitation.

“Of course not!” She snapped, her own fangs bared with distaste. As if the pair of them would choose to live there if there was any other option.
 

[Tanakako]

“Oh, I see…” Tilting her head as if surprised she looked about the area, tail curling thoughtfully. “Well… where are you from?” Returning her gaze back to the sisters she watched them interact. They clearly formed a tight nit team, practically reacting to each other without real communication. When one shifted, the other matched her sister’s movement. They would make a good pair, if she could win their loyalty. Spies maybe? Or assassins… they would make excellent poisoners, but she wondered at their strength. Cheetahs were rather fragile after all.
 

[Tanakako]

Céleste continued to growl low under her breath, watching the lioness with narrowed, suspicious eyes. What was this female up to? No lion was nice to a cheetah without a reason… Irritated by the female’s continued presence she hissed again. What was wrong with this nosy lion?

“Nowhere!” Growing more and more agitated she pulled free of her sister and stood, tail high and lashing. “What do you want?”



Looking up as her sister stood, Aurore remained on her belly, though all four limbs were held stiff, ready to leap away of the lioness attacked suddenly. “Our coalition dissolved, we are forced to live as rogues now.” Lip curling in distaste it was obvious the younger of the pair disliked their current situation. Where as her sister seemed better suited to the rogue’s way of life. Lean and muscular where her light coloured sister was more delicate.  

[Tanakako]

Lumiya watched the two siblings with interest. So it seemed the paler one disliked their current station in life.. and the darker was certainly violent-minded enough for Lumiya’s needs. Yes, these two would work nicely, and it sounded like they were on their own. Perfect…

Lifting a paw to groom lazily, Lumiya let the two cheetahs stew for a moment, before absently tipping her head towards them. “What do I want? Why, absolutely nothing… However, I can offer you something…” Lowering her forelimb to the ground she studied the two females, crimson gaze assessing them from beneath her hood.

“I can offer you a new home, if you are interested... There is food and water aplenty. It is certainly nicer than… this.” Looking round at their pitiful little soak-away she shrugged.

 

[Tanakako]

Este narrowed her eyes as she listened, poised to make a dash for it. But then her sibling glanced back, hope and desperation in her gaze. She knew Aurore was worn down, exhausted by life on the run. A safe place to call home would certainly appeal to her more delicate sister. But… she didn’t trust this female.

“What’s the catch?” She growled, muscles stiffening in hostility.



Aurore listened to the back and froth conversation. Just the mention of a home made her long to rest. A place with enough food and water, and hopefully shelter, sounded amazing. To be safe at last… But she knew Céleste would be suspicious, and there would be no persuading her into the offer unless the lion could settle her concerns. So Aurore waited with baited breath, unable to help but gaze at her sister pleadingly. So not have to run… It sounded like heaven. Aurore had forgotten what it felt like to be safe.  

[Tanakako]

Lumiya watched as the sisters considered her offer. Clearly the pale one wanted to agree. Only the sibling was holding her back. But she already knew both cheetahs were on their last legs, and the promise of food and safety would be strong.

“Nothing really… “ She shrugged. No need to make it obvious just what her plans were. For now it would be enough to have the pair of them feel grateful to her. If she could win their loyalty to herself, she would have a pair of very powerful pawns in the pride. In time they would come to rely on her guidance, and look to her for direction in all aspects of their lives. It would require careful planning and ever more delicate execution. But she had already laid a good framework for the future.

“I won’t lie, it can be a violent pride. But we are loyal to our own. We are free to come and go as we see fit. You can stay forever within the boarders, or wander far and wide, it is up to the individual. I will protect you until you find your feet there. No one will bother you, and we already have several cheetah members, so your species isn’t an issue.” Shrugging she stood, lazily shaking the dust from her coat as if she were about to leave. Calling their bluff.

“It’s entirely up to you though… it was just a thought.” Turning she stepped away, as if their answer was of no consequence to her.
 

[Tanakako]

Este stared hard at the lion. Something felt… off. But she couldn’t get a paw on just what it was. Aside from the shadowy hood, the female had been perfectly polite and reasonable. Her offer of a pride was downright generous. But… something bugged her and it annoyed her further that she couldn’t pin it down.



Aurore listened intently, twitching when the lioness stood up, fighting to keep from leaping after her and flat out begging her to take them with her. She was a stranger, but a stranger that had not only resisted chasing them off or trying to maim them, but one that had offered them a real home. A safe place. Twisting round she gazed pleadingly at Céleste. “A home… We wouldn’t have to sleep in turns… And regular food..”


Céleste growled low, ears pinned as she looked from the lioness to her sibling and back. Finally she stood, pinning the stranger with a hard stare. “We would be safe? No oe would hurt us?” As the lion’s nod she scowled. “And there would be food, and shelter?” Another nod. “….. Alright. But if you lied, we are leaving.” A third nod and an expectant look had Céleste’s scowl darkening, but Aurore’s grateful nudge pulled a sigh from the suspicious cheetah. She only hoped she hadn’t just made a huge mistake…

Finally she stepped forwards, following her sibling who was already trotting swiftly after the lioness.