-Little Demons are ... Cute?-
+Sephiros Immortal+
She was exhilarated, was Mora'era, a thrill running through her as surely as did the blood in her veins. She had met not one, but two demons thus far this night, and she was insanely delighted. They existed...her kind existed and thrived in this place, and it felt like coming home. She was headed towards the very core of the pridal lands, the inner sanctum, as it were. She wanted to find this second king...meet him and see if he measured up to her expectations. But whatever the case...she was one of them now.
Manda
Upon getting closer to Verge'lian, though, there were others about ... cubs, and quite a few of them. They were playing in a big group off to one side, but upon seeing a newcomer perked up and eyed her one by one. Then most went back to their game - a rather rough form of playfighting. One, though, detached himself from the group and came padding up. "Hey, who're you?"
+Sephiros Immortal+
A small one...a young demon cub. She tilted her head to study him, t his red and black creature. A pretty little demonling, he was...and she saw instantly his resemblence to Hakuna. "I am Mora'era." She introduced, "A new member of this pride, and who might you be, little sir?"
Manda
Peering at her for a moment or two, the cub seemed unconvinced until he saw the still-bleeding mark carved into her flank. Then eyes widened just a bit and ears came up to perk toward her. "You're new, huh? I'm Usare! One of the heirs of th'pride! Or I will be soon's I'm older and can do the test. But I know I'll pass it."
+Sephiros Immortal+
"Usare..." A child of the kings' then, but which one? "And I see that your mother is Hakuna...who might your father be?" The mention of a test gave the lioness a craving to learn more about this place, its rituals, and the darkness that imbued them all. She felt it, but knew so very little.
Manda
"Verge'lian," Usare answered simply, tail tip flicking toward the low entrance to a sort of cave. It was close to the outer wall of the volcano, but not quite a part of the thing, more comprised of tumbled and melted rocks that had fallen there long ago. "He's in there. Did you see Iartuupe a'ready?"
+Sephiros Immortal+
"I have indeed met Iartuupe." She nodded to her flank. "He gave me this mark, and declared me part of the pride, but I wish to meet your father as well, as he is the other king, and both have rule over the demons." Hakuna had also spoken of the volcano...that that was where she would find this Verge'lian.
Manda
"Oooh, did it hurt?" Usare asked, craning around a bit so he could see, looking interested. He wasn't afraid of pain either, but he was -interested-. He had yet to receive the pride's mark for himself ... thought maybe that would be after the test.
+Sephiros Immortal+
"A little. You can take a closer look if you want." She purred, "He cut me deeply, so that it would leave a scar." These cubs were being raised well, a fine son Hakuna and this king had, hopefully the others were half so worthy of their heritage.
Manda
Usare instantly padded around and peered closer at the scar, making an approving little purring sound. "Sure looks like," he murmured, then abruptly raised one paw and swiped his own claws through the blood, then dug in just a little lower. "There!" he said. "Now you'll have a mark from -me- too." Presumptuous, maybe... but ...
+Sephiros Immortal+
She almost flinched at the unexpected blow, and then she leaned down, snapping teeth at him almost playfully. "You'll have a mark from me too, when you're big enough to be my sparring partner, little demon." She purred, nudging at him forcefully with her nose. An arrogant little rascal, he seemed, but at least he was on the right track.
Manda
At that, Usare refused to back off, but reared back on hind paws in order to wrap his forepaws about the lioness's nose. "Sure, if you can -catch- me," he said, then whirled and ran back to the other cubs with a flip of his tail.
+Sephiros Immortal+
With a grand smirk, she watched him go. Ah yes, that one would be interesting when he grew up...he and the siblings that he likely had. The demon pride was raising a fine crop, ones who already knew what they were to become. Loooovely.
