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 Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:49 am
Fatal Misunderstandings
Mini-Plot 2010 - Part 4
Kimaria, MoonRazor, Strawberry Gumi Bunny (and later - Kidondo, No and Azar) RP
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:22 am
((just as a note, once my characters start intereacting with others, I will use their individual text colours, just easier for me to keep it in black when I'm RPin three at the same time. Rowtag is in bold red. Rap will be in orange red and Hakan is in royal blue. Thanks!! ))
---
They were cast curious glances as they navigated the sands towards the den. Curious but relatively unsuspicious. It was known that outsiders were brought into the pride when requesting a duel...but generally...generally not to the heart of the densite. It could be concieved, however, that the Firekin leading them was simply trying to find them some opponents, especially as he himself had duelled recently and probably didn't want to do another again so soon.
The two other males walked at his flank, looking steely-faced and determined. Both were large and suitable pelted. They would have made good candidates indeed...
...if that had been the reason for their coming, of course.
None of the males, however, realised that whilst they were making their way towards the densite, that Azar and Zii were hot on the heels of their parents, preparing to warn them of the coming disaster. It was perhaps fortunate that neither Kidondo or No were resting at the dens that morning. Their work-aholic attitudes saving them from what could have been a nasty surprise.
Rowtag slowed as the den came into sight, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with his two 'companions' and then he spoke, lowering his voice so that none other could here.
"That den, there, the larger one. That is the den thhat belongs to the Regents. Their litter is grown and all have their own dens, so they will be alone. How you finish them is up to you. You may wish to prevent drawing them out into the open, but depending on the size of the den, there may be no choice. After that, you will have to run for your lives. But I doubt you'll get far."
He snorted, glancing about in an attempt to make a quick getaway. So far so good. The Firekin they had seen were patrolling or sparring away from the dens, making the most of the cooler temperatures to train or relax out in the light.
He'd make his escape now so that he could deny ever being a part of this...this assassination attempt.
"Good luck." Rowtag snarled. "You're going to need it." And with that, he loped off, branching out from the black and orange male to make his way to a place where he could lie low for a moment. If the two succeeded, there was going to be absoloute anarchy down there and he wanted to be out of it...until it had calmed and he was ready to comfort poor Zii. And, if they failed - which was more likely - then he'd wait for the excitement that would come with the death of attacking rogues - and slip into the conversations unnoticed.
Either way, he wasn't going to be seen as a part of this. Or so he believed.
And, Hakan'mawasii and Rap moved with a sudden swiftness towards the den, moving together across the much more compacted, firm sand. They would need to do this quickly if they were going to be successful. Their hearts were racing, nervousness collecting but being used to spurn the adrenaline pulsing through their veins. And then they were before the dens, the scent of lions heavy in their nostrils.
The way was still clear!
They charged over to the den, pausing at its entrance to listen for any sound within. Nothing. Nothing at all. And, after a moment, Rap moved part-way into the entrance, sniffing quietly.
His heart sank and a sudden fear and desperation gripped him. "They're not here!" He hissed to his companion waiting outside. "They're not here, Hakan!" And he backed out of the den, still unaware that their time in the lands going unnoticed had come to an end.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:15 pm
A highly agitated growl ripped it's way through Kibela's throat as her paws led her way through the sands, hardly needing to focus on the path she walked, having taken this route so many times before to the dens to speak with Kidondo, and at times No as well. Today, she was much more intent on yelling at her dear 'brother' if she did not find him in his dens, however.
Not only would she have to go off looking for him all around the pride, there was also the matter of that work-a-holic attitude!
... Not that Kibela didn't throw herself into her work as well.
But it didn't seem to go through to the lion every time she told him to at the very least take a few more days off a season and let those who followed him handle the pride. What good were they if they could not support him, after all? Red eyes rolled up in annoyance, knowing already that she would not find Kidondo at his dens, but her feet kept moving regardless and she had never gone against instinct before. She had been on edge since the previous night.
Of course strangers pass by their lands but how many roar out as if expecting a visitor? If she had not been tending to her son's mate at the time she would have gone to investigate it already and... Frankly it was what she desired to speak to Kidondo about. She trusted her senses too well to simply brush it off. Something was wrong. The black lioness was tense and suspicious thanks to those senses of hers and the roar the previous night, her eyes examining those around her as she walked, paws gripping the sand just a bit too roughly.
Until her eyes caught on the tan fur of a certain General. She froze mid-step before lengthening into a trot to catch up with the large male hoping he had business with their dear Regents this morning as well. If she could talk Kidondo into a full search of their lands, having Azarax not two steps away would certainly make things go faster.
Hopefully her concerns were not seen as paranoia by either of the males or Kidondo wouldn't be the only one getting an earful today.
" Good morning, General. "
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 4:48 pm
It was some sort of strange intuition that had brought Azarax across the sands, walking toward the Regents' den. His morning had begun as always it did, patrolling the borders of the lands and watching for anything out of the ordinary. That the pride had been relatively peaceful for a long while made his job easier, both in the sense that he had little to worry about and in the sense that it was eaiser to spot anything that was, in fact, out of the ordinary.
He had first dismissed the roar that had rung through the lands as mere passersby along the border, rogues calling to companions perhaps, or simply lingering near their borders, too afraid to cross into Firekin territory - as well they should be. It was not altogether uncommon, as undoubtedly most of the pride's members thought, and for a while, he had been tempted to continue with his duties.
BUt there it was - that intuition. He had no way of telling how, but something didn't quite add up. There was a gentle tingle in his spine where his fur had begun to stand on end that made him feel uneasy, even as he paced across the sands, and he had decided then that perhaps it was a matter best taken up with Kidondo and No. And perhaps it was, after all, a passing fancy, or even something dreadfully wrong with his fur, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Kibela, good morning," Azarax turned at the sound of the lioness' voice, and despite his concerns, allowed himself a small smile, albeit somewhat grim, and a greeting nod. "It seems I'm not the only one today with concerns."
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:02 pm
She gave the general an appraising look at his words, before turning her ruby eyes ahead, glad to know that he too was headed to speak with Kidondo. Good, no need to convince him of her worry and ask him to accompany her, she did so hate to waste time, and today... She felt in a more urgent mood than usual. " Indeed not, Azarax. I am troubled by the roar of the stranger that passed close to our land the night before. From the moment I heard it... Something is wrong. I should have gone to investigate then and there but I was tending an injury of my son's mate. " She growled, her agitation returning.
By the time she was satisfied that her 'daughter' would be alright, she could no longer judge just where the roar had come from, and it was much to late to wander into the desert alone.
Naturally, that didn't stop her from trying. But Iivari hadn't let her get anywhere near the exit of her den once the male realized she planned to wander out into an unknown situation to look for unknown lions, on the outskirts of the Firekin territory. Logically, she understood her new friends concern, annoying as it was. That didn't mean he was off the hook for telling her what to do in her own home yet, of course.
" I fear we may have uninvited guests... The fact that we've heard nothing from the guard on it though is most troubling. They are very good at keeping out of sight or... They know this land well. Worst case, they could have help from within. It may sound like an over-the-top action, but I think it would be best to mobilize some soldiers and have them sweep our lands for intruders. " She murmured, sending a glance to the General to judge his thoughts on her suspicions and plan.
Even to her ears it sounded a bit paranoid...
No mention from the guard should point to the opposite of intruders but... Her intuition said otherwise. The fact he was obviously bothered as well did little to settle her own tension, or drown out her suspicion. Even if he didn't agree, she had to bring the matter to Kidondo. Her Blood Lion had seen her senses and prediction at work from the very day they met. He would more easily follow her scenarios, no matter how unlikely they sounded.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:30 pm
Azarax nodded as he considered the lioness's words. If, in fact, their suspicions were confirmed, he would do something similar to what Kibela suggested. Yet, the truth did not stray far from the tan lion: that both of them were operating solely on a hunch, instincts which Azarax had long since learned to trust beyond anything else, but the concerns of which still needed to be clarified and made concrete.
"First, we must consult with the Regents, but with every step, I feel somewhat more certain that our concerns are not unfounded," he answered as his golden eyes watched the land, sweeping his gaze every which way as if certain that they would catch sight of the intruders at any moment.
"I've always felt..." The large lion began, muttering, but trailed off, clearly speaking more to himself than Kibela. His mind was spinning even as they hastened toward the Regents' den, stringing broken thoughts together in an attempt to form more coherent ones that he could use to reason out his suspicions. For he had little more than that strange, spine-tingling feeling at the moment by which to reckon, and though his body told him he was right, his mind demanded more - more evidence, more logic, more to suggest that the passing roar that had somehow drawn both his and Kibela's attention was indeed as noteworthy as the two of them thought it to be.
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:12 pm
" Logic can not logically explain everything... " She offered the younger male with a slight smirk, flashing her fangs at him before turning her attention once more. His growing unease was just as easy to see as his doubt. " If we do send out soldiers and, for whatever reason, they find nothing, no harm is done. "
However if they did find something, rather, someone...
" It can be hard to trust what seems like a mere suspicion or instinct, with no founded proof. But it is much better to err on the side of caution is it not, my friend? " The safer choice was to waste a few lions and lioness' time, rather than risk intruders running rampant in their home, in her opinion. Even if they had no evidence to that fact aside from an uneasy feeling and a distant roar.
Finally they came up upon the Regents dens where hopefully Kidondo would be lingering this morning, ruby eyes narrowing on the two figures standing out front, her steps slowing as she approached more cautiously. Both were unfamiliar to her, though there was a chance they were Firekin. Many rogues had joined them recently and one could hardly be expected to keep track of every face.
Still. They had no business here and it put her on edge. She knew the faces of Kidondo's family, and those of rank with a need to speak to Regents directly. She cast a quick look to Azarax, eyes and body tense to alert him and check his own reaction, to see if he recognized the two. Not speaking, not bringing the attention on them yet.
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:18 am
"I suppose not," Azarax agreed with a raise of his brow. "A decent task for some of the younger recruits, perhaps," he added, already considering the lions suitable for such a foray across the sands. "Unless we conclude that there is a true threat." His mind immediately went to tactics, routes, efficient dispersion of the soldiers. The plotting calmed his body considerably, though he had barely noticed how tense he had become since that inexplicable, spine-tingling feeling he had felt earlier. This what was he knew how to do, what he did best, and when he was in his element, everything seemed to become sharper, clearer somehow, as if the adrenaline pumping through him focused the world in a way that it was not otherwise.
"Given our history?" The tan lion nodded. "It would be, by far, the wisest choice to do so." Ever since the war, a small part of him had been silently awaiting the day that the repercussions of the Rebellion finally came back to haunt them, and though he could not honestly say that he had always expected his cautious imaginations to occur, it wouldn't have surprised him if, one day, everything he feared came to pass.
And such was life. They would just have to be prepared for anything and everything. It was part of the reason he pushed himself to stay on top of everything, at all times, and why he pushed his soldiers to be the most fearsome fighters in the land. It was survival, that was what.
As they approached the Regents' den and the two figures, Azarax felt an instinctive tightening in his stomach, and an inexplicable tension came over him, drawing tighter with each step. Why?
His eyes noticed first the lion with the pelt the color of burning flames, who stood out against the grayscale of the world, as Azarax saw it, behind him. For a split second, the lion felt as if there was something so familiar, yet so very foreign about the lion, and the feeling - whatever it was - tightened around his heart. Who was this lion and his dark companion?
Every muscle stood taut against his pelt as the tan lion stared. The world dulled as his focus remained riveted on the two lions lingering outside the Regents' den, and even Kibela beside him seemed to fade from his attention, and still he took steps forward, moving ever closer to the two unfamiliar lions.
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:32 am
"So, what's the plan?" Hakan backed up a step as Rap emerged from the den, unsure now what step to take in seeing that justice was served. They couldn't very likely just wander around the lands without getting pulled up by someone. Time was running out fast.
He turned, then, just in time to see the pair approaching their location. It was too late to hide. Too late to run without looking suspicious. They'd already been spotted and this was not a good sign. Definately not a good sign. He stepped aside to allow Rap to join him, lowering his voice for the orange one's ears only.
"We've been spotted. What shall we do?" He paused and then filled the silence with another mumbled question. "Is that them? Is that Kidondo and No?" He took a small step forward, knowing that if he showed fear or weakness he might as well roll over and submit to them before anything had truly begun. Perhaps they could bluff their way out of this situation. It had worked for him in the past and even though this was a long shot, it was certainly worth a try when their very lives were at stake.
"Damn." Rap swore as he spotted them, tipping an ear in Hakan's direction so that he could better hear what he was saying. "This is not good. Not good at all." He was already beginning to think this had been a trap set by Rowtag. That maybe they should never have relied on that slimy, good-for-nothing b*****d of a lion. He'd had practise with his acting skills and maybe he'd used them today.
Rap wouldn't have put it past him.
"I've never met them, but I don't think these two are the Regents. That male. He's tan. Not even proper Firekin colours." He had no idea who the male was, but it seemed very odd that he should have been allowed to stay here. "I say we try and talk to them first. Maybe try and figure out who they are. If we can't get the Regents, maybe we'll have to take down some of their followers instead." And with that he moved forwards towards them, pushing away his fear in the face of possible death.
Hakan may have worried that Rap was going to open his big mouth and put his paw in it. But he needn't have. Rap stayed silent, waiting for the others to speak first.
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:09 pm
An agitated growl escaped the female's throat as the General's focus zeroed in on the two strangers, both worrying and unsettling to witness. Something about the two had gotten Azarax attention in a very bad way it seemed. And though it would probably save her a headache later to simply let him snap and tear into the other males, the black lioness stepped forward regardless to mediate.
Information would be needed on why the two were here, after all, and what they wanted with the Regents. For she was very sure they were NOT Firekin no matter how they looked. They were too unsettled, too tense.
When the fiery-pelted lion moved forward, Kibela did as well, keeping a few lengths between them to at least avoid the striking distance of his paws if he should attack.
" What business do you have with the Regents? " She asked, narrowing her eyes to take in the one in front of her. Unfamiliar as he was, he looked every bit a Firekin still... A rogue traditionalist? Her body tensed at the prospect. " Outsiders should not so readily come near my brother and his mate. What guard let you pass? "
Yes, she was sure of it now. It had to be. Because these were outsiders. They had help from a member of the pride, someone who walked them right through without question! Stray rogue's would only be dismissed if seen in the company of someone trusted.
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:52 pm
He stayed his paws as the two strange lions turned to face them, and then he saw the markings. The black strips against the fiery orange lion's face and the piercing eyes that reminded him so, so much of lions he had known before, as if in a past life. Lions that he both knew, and didn't know - his sister, and his mother. But he couldn't be...
And yet.
The fur on his back began to bristle once more, even as Kibela began to speak, and in the corner of his occupied mind, he was glad that the lioness had had the good sense to question the two strangers. Azarax himself felt a strange sort of confusion surround him as he regarded the fire-bright lion standing before him, every inch a Firekin but still, somehow, not.
And Kibela was right. What guard, other than one collaborating with the two, would have had the gall to let two strange lions enter their lands without so much as an escort? Anger welled within the tan General at the thought - which one of his soldiers had betrayed them? For there rested little doubt in his mind that these two strangers were up to no good; there was an air of danger around them, and perhaps some recklessness too that suggested they had come with a purpose. And when this was done, when he had dealt with their immediate problem, he would track down the foolish lion that had helped these outsiders, and he would make that lion regret every second they had spent plotting.
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:07 am
Hakan curled a lip and took a small step forward, moving ahead of Rap to signify that the orange lion should keep his mouth shut. Rap had never been a very eloquent talker and he tended to let his emotions get the better of him. No. This was a job for Hakan, who prided himself on keeping his cool in even the most tense of situations.
"Our business is our own." He replied gruffly. "We carry important news for your Regents. News so important that your guard saw fit to let us pass. It would be in your best interest to help rather than hinder."
He felt Rap tense beside him and turned his head very slightly to look at him, speaking under his breath "What's wrong?"
Rap shook his head. He seemingly hadn't made the connection with himself and Azarax despite those subtle similarities. Most likely because he'd never heard of him. He had only ever known Jua'taka and she was long gone now...gone like all the others. His mother's death severing the line that had kept them all together.
"Change of plan." Rap tried desperately to keep his voice quiet. "We won't get to them in time. Not before being killed. We take these two instead. You heard her. Kidondo is her brother. Why take his life when we can let him live on with the same suffering as I have been?"
And, knowing that the two would probably anger at their hushed voices, Rap lunged straight at Kibela, attempting to harness the - hopefully surprise - attack and kill her in seconds.
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 2:40 pm
Unfortunately for Rap the attack hardly came as a surprise to the dark-furred lioness, who had been watching him closely with suspicion through his little chat with his partner. Sharp ruby eyes had caught his quick tense seconds before the lunge, a snarl ripping it's way through her throat as she only barely threw herself out of the way of the potentially fatal blow. Rap's claws glanced across her side with her move, but the wounds were nowhere near as fatal as the ones he had wanted to inflict. Nor did they impede her movement as she shifted further backwards to pull him away from his companion and give Azarax the chance to strike before both could team up on her.
She may not be a stranger to fighting, but she was no soldier. Two to one would easily spell death or permanent damage. No, she would not take such a risk.
" I'll not be felled so easily, fool. " She provoked, ruby eyes glinting. When was the last time she had faced a foe in battle? Not since the rebellion when the Traditionalists were first overthrown... Her talents lay more in strategy and planning, not so much in fighting. However, even she could appreciate the thrill of a fight when one presented its self. Especially one with real stakes, rather than sport...
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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:19 am
As the flaming orange lion lunged toward Kibela, Azarax felt his initial shock melting away, swiftly replaced by a fury that had been bred into him by his Firekin blood. A snarl ripped from the powerful lion's throat as his piercing eyes bored into the orange lion's black companion.
"Wrong move, rogue," he spat at the other, searing contempt that he found unfamiliar and slightly unsettling suddenly shooting through him as he shifted to draw the black lion further away from the orange. The thought that a fight, here and now, could be dangerous never crossed the General's mind - the rogue must be delusional if he thought he would be able to overpower the leader of the entire Firekin army so easily! "With a call, I could have my entire army charging to our aid - if we don't first defeat you here." At the words, an arrogance that belied the pride only a leader could have for his army, almost as if it was his child, enveloped the tan lion.
Without further thought, he lunged for the black lion, claws outstretched and teeth bared, preparing to land a sinking blow from either of the two weapons and injure the other before resorting to a more tactical approach. Surprise was a powerful ally.
And with that thought, he slid fluidly into the motions. He was in his element now, that place where noises faded and the outside world became a colorless blur, and where nothing mattered but the moment in which he was entrapped, his shifting body, and his foe. There was something oddly settling about the way his consciousness seeped into every limb and the way his focus suddenly peaked, so that his reflexes came quicker and with far more ease than they normally did. This was where he belonged. And this was where he would win.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:37 pm
He skidded to a halt in the sand, snarling loudly now as he turned to make eye-contact with the dark-pelted one. Who was she to call him a fool? He would show her. Before this day was done, she'd be dead.
"That's the last insult you'll ever make." He threatened, trembling with rage. He seemed oblivious to Azarax at the moment, seeming to trust that Hakan would deal with the tan. One on one. A fair fight. But, as soon as he felled this female, he'd join Hakan and take down the male. Fair only mattered for so long, after all...
He lunged at her again, intending to use the full-force of his body weight, along with lashing claws, to drag her to the ground. His eyes saw red and his fangs hungered for revenge.
And it would be sweet.
As he was addressed, Hakan stepped forth with an eagerness that could have been unexpected to those who did not know him.
"You will be dead before you can make that call, Firekin." And he spoke no more, tensing his body, strengthening his posture by bracing his legs against the more compact sand beneath him.
He had expected a lunge and it came with surprising strength and force. Hakan only just barely managed to escape the other's clutches, realising then that he'd need to be extra careful. This tan one had exceptional talent and he was not going to be brought down as easily as the rogues he had fought in the past.
He chided himself for underestimating a foe that he'd always known he shouldn't have. But he wouldn't make that mistake again.
He had evaded the first attack and already knew fighting defensively was not an option. This needed to be swift, and if he suffered injury to do so, then so be it.
He lunged in return, jaws snapping, intending to counter the tan lion's own lunge with one of his own.
The thrill of the fight was pounding through his veins, and, suddenly, Hakan'mawasii felt very much alive. This is what he had trained to do. To fight. To win. To survive.
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