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 Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:57 pm
It was for that reason she'd been watching the guards much more closely lately. Evaluating individuals with a sharp eye before she'd made her choices at last. Four would be enough, and she had no doubt she'd picked the best lions available.
Iirte chose her timing even more carefully, keeping a close eye on the schedule of her picks and finding a window of opportunity. And the moment all five of them were free at once, she sent Ista out to find the four lions and bring them to her den in the barracks. It was a smaller cave, but still just large enough to fit them all - even if it would be a bit of a tight squeeze. But she felt the privacy was warranted for the discussion she was about to have with the group.
This wasn't just any summons, after all.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:03 pm
Huo never knew anything but war, preparing for battle, preparing to die fighting an enemy he never met that took his father.
He never knew a simple life, and little of the life Hongshan whispered of in their dens, nothing but training. Training to defend a greater home, training to prepare a carefully waited-for revenge.
His life was training and the young adult was proud of this, even as he was summoned. The animal left no information why, simply he was called for-- likely some sort of mission, which bothered the guard-- that was a soldier's job -- but he came as summoned all the same.
The red and white male remained calm, prim, ready to answer even as he approached, in silence, frowning.
What was this?
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:19 pm
Ran wasn't entirely sure why her mother was summoning her, but given the nature of the summons, it was likely something serious. And, given that.... she probably should start thinking of her mother - and superior - by her rank rather than her relationship, lest a slip of the tongue lead to unwanted trouble. Padding toward the barracks, Ran let her mind wander briefly as she contemplated what the older lioness could possibly want. Perhaps there was a specific mission she needed someone else for?
Or... hm. What else could it be? And why had she asked for her? Ran knew herself to be a competent guard, but still... this was unusual. Hmm...
All too soon, she reached her destination. Sooner rather than later, she would know what was going on, and the white lioness was glad of it.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:52 pm
  Kich didn't know why he had been summoned. After the Nergui 'ambassador' had been escorted off, he'd been on edge and wary. He and Mikā had both been wary, even in their talks alone. And the summons Ista brought made him more nervous. But he kept his worry turned inward, only showing it slightly when he crossed paths with Kucha-moto, the males sharing a wary look before moving in tandem towards Iirte's den in the barracks.
Kich blinked at the two others that had shown up. Hm? One of Iirte's daughters...and one of the Hongshan cubs, fully grown into his mane. The white-maned male nodded to the black-maned one, then raised a brow at Ran. Kucha tilted his head to one side, brow raised at both before looking inward. "What's up Iirte?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:33 pm
As the four lions assembled, Iirte nodded to each in turn. And when the last two had come at last, with Ista trailing not far behind them and moving to sit at Iirte's side, she began. It had taken a long while to decide exactly what she was going to say, but in the end she had found the words she felt would ring true for each of them.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I've summoned you here," she started, glancing over each of the guards. Curious, but not frightened. Good. "I've been thinking on this for a long while. With the threat of the Nergui so close, and the increased demand placed on military and civilians alike, I believe it's time to form a group more tight knit than just fellow guards. A team, if you will."
Iirte paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing, bringing up her main point with a small note of pride. She had chosen the members of her team well, and she could only hope they would each accept the invitation. She wasn't about to force them to join something they didn't want to, after all.
"I was hoping you would each agree to be part of this team."
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:00 am
Huo leaned back calmly, seeming to mull her words over calmly, thoughtfully.
A team? He hadn't been out of the loop, but, he also knew it wasn't... Unheard of.
Still, he raised a brow in intrigue.
"Is that so? And what would our responsibilities be? I mean no disrespect of course."
Of course.
He didn't care for being...
Punished.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:30 am
"A team?" Ran asked, her voice a quiet rumble as she thought over what she had just been told. So this was why she had been summoned here. A team did make sense, could function better given the situation, and had the benefit of the members knowing each others' responses and fighting tactics well enough to anticipate them or even plan with that knowledge in mind...
Besides, working with and under her mother was - well, it was like literally following in her pawsteps! It took only a moment or two after realizing this for the white lioness to make up her mind. She wouldn't agree just yet, of course, leaping in without looking was for cubs and those just beginning their training, not for working guards.
"M - Corporal, if I may ask; why us? We are all qualified guards, but is there something that made you believe we could more easily work together than others you might have chosen?"
Aaaaargh she'd almost slipped up! Darn it, darn it, darn it all!
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:15 pm
A team? Both Kich and Kucha looked...surprised. But only a bit. As surprising as the summons to become a team was...the NEED for such groups was not. If war was coming, they needed groups who could work together as if they were one lion with multiple bodies. Kucha spoke up after the other two Guards with them.
"They both have points. What're we getting ourselves into should we form this team?" Much as he respected the Corporal...he didn't go into things not knowing what was up. Kichomo'damu nodded in agreement. It was best to know what was expected of them before making a commitment...
And the reasons why they four had been chosen.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:04 pm
The response Iirte was met with only further solidified her belief that this had been the right choice. There was surprise, consideration, and if she wasn't mistaken she could even see anticipation in her daughter's eyes. The questions only caused a smile to tug at her lips. Yes, these four would do perfectly together. They would mesh well, willing to think before acting but no less decisive because of it. She regarded Huo first, nodding politely to him before she answered.
"Your duties would remain much the same, Huo. You would still participate in guard rotations, mentor apprentices, and the like. The only true difference would be added drills with the team, to solidify bonds and ensure we could work as a cohesive unit."
She paused briefly to let her words sink in, before turning to regard her daughter. And it was difficult for her to hide the look of pride on her face at the sight of Ran. All of her children had made her proud, of course, but her youngest had certainly gone the extra mile in trying to do so. Her dedication to her duties was admirable, without a doubt. In fact, it was her dedication that had caught her eye in the first place.
"Why you? It's quite simple, really. Each of you has shown a remarkable dedication to both your duties and the pride. You each think before acting, but at the same time you aren't afraid to be decisive when you need to. I didn't want a team full of the rash and foolhardy, which is why I chose you four. And last but not least, I believe that each of you recognize the need for teams like this."
She regarded Kucha last, her tail flicking from where it had curled around Ista.
"You aren't getting into much more than your regular duties already have. The biggest difference will be your status as part of a team rather than just a single guard."
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:33 am
Huo regarded Iirte slowly and deliberately really, seeming to think.
Work? With others?
His eyes flicked to the others present, studying them warily as he did so. He didn't... Question things, aside from concern.
Could they keep up? Were they compatible in combat?
He honestly didn't know them, and his eyes returned yo Iirte calmly, the Hongshan lion remaining calm, listening slowly.
"I see." Was all he let out, remaining sedate.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:41 am
She was not going to jump up and down and bounce from paw to paw like an overexcited cub. She wasn't. Still, the desire was there, and Ran clamped down on it, the only evidence of her impulse the somewhat rapid twitch to her tail as she glanced around the other of the group. She trusted her mother's opinion, and she had done guard duty often enough that she was confident of her own skills... but could they all work together?
Hm. They would definitely need some training first - the extra drills the Corporal had mentioned, especially -, the more practical part of her mind decided... but there was potential there. If there wasn't, her mother would never have selected them all.
"I see. If we agree, would we start these extra drills soon?" If so, good! She needed something more to do with herself. "In my opinion, I can only see this benefiting the pride and ourselves, so - I accept the position." She'd get to work with mom!
Yay!
.... Oh no, she did not just think that.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:13 am
Extra drills. Kucha nodded. He could deal with that, if it meant he knew the other lions in the team would be able to watch his back well. He looked to Kich, who looked like he agreed. And...Iirte's reasoning for the four of them out of all the Guards was...practically flawless. Kucha spoke first, a little more rash than Kich. (Probably came from being younger.) "I'm up for this. It'll keep us on our toes, and make the Firekin a little more formidable. So long as we can work together well, anyways." Kich nodded in agreement.
"I am for this as well. Strength only get you so far. Being able to work in a group...it will prove invaluable, once war descends upon us." Not 'if'. 'When'. It was only a matter of time before the Nergui came in to try taking them over. They needed to be ready.
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Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:18 am
Iirte regarding the lions gathered before her for a long moment after they'd all spoken, scrutinizing each of them for any signs of hesitance or reluctance. She was bolstered further when she found none - only agreement from each of the guards... Her team. The thought was enough to make her lips twitch with a smile, and she glanced briefly towards where Ista sat alert at her side. She could only count a handful of times she'd been this truly pleased, among them the birth of her cubs and receiving the jackal's companionship. It was a moment before she returned her gaze to the group before her, speaking once again.
"Then I'll speak with the General tomorrow about the official formation of our platoon," she said firmly, straightening up slightly. "Until then, our first priority will be deciding on a call sign to use in the field. What do the four of you think of Phoenix?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 2:18 pm
Huo watched the others with a sense of wariness. They were so energized it was slightly off-putting, however he ignored them for now to address his superiour officer.
"If you wish, ma'am." He spoke calmly, deliberately, maintaining his calm. Though honestly-- he was hard to excite. Excitement was an unnecessary risk he couldn't afford and he would not stand it. Not now. He eyed the others idly-- he supposed he would work with them; however, he noted to himself a professional relationship might work best, and the male mentally filed the information away.
T'was best not to get close. Not this time.
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Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 2:50 pm
"Phoenix?" Ran echoed, tilting her head as her tail flicked from side to side with her thought process. "It sounds appropriate," she added, narrowing blue eyes in thought. "Is there a reason for that selection, though?" Not that she had any better ideas for a call sign. What was there to use as one? Any words associated with fire were just as likely to be someone's personal name, after all, and there were only so many things one could draw from the desert itself.
Snake? Rock? Sandy Paws?
No, the only things she could come up with were all ridiculous and sounded like something a cub might make up for a game. Definitely nothing of any sort of value or worth suggesting to her mother, so Ran simply rolled her shoulders in a slow shrug.
"I suppose it's probably our best option, regardless."
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