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 Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:48 pm
Though he had not witnessed Shangyue's coronation, it was not hard to find out what happened there. And, with a little persistence, it wasn't hard to figure out what became of at least half of the troublemaking duo-- and it was that rebel hiding on the borders that the little bird was looking for again. He knew Meshach was somewhere around, he'd seen him before.. but he wasn't each to find, something Biti knew had to be intentional.
He was looping around in the sky at sunset, searching despite knowing the pride would be waking up soon. But he was feeling pretty confident that his activity wouldn't be suspicious. Nobody paid much attention to the birds around here.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:41 pm
 Meshach had come a long way from the innocent lion he'd been so many moons ago. He was proud of all that he had learned and accomplished. A faint smile crossed his lips as he thought of the lioness Runa. The purple lioness had come looking for him. She had been the one to teach and really hone his skills. In the time it had taken for him to heal something special had formed between them. Now they had their sister joining them too.
However, guilt still tore at him that he hadn't been able to stop Shangyue. Meshach knew in his mind he could turn his back forever on the pride where he born, but his heart wasn't letting him. He had left the lionesses still sleeping at sundown in their hideout. Quiet paws padded through the growing night. The purple male lifted his head to stare at the moon. When will you act Great Lion? It was the sound of wings that brought his attention back from his thoughts. Some of the members had birds he knew. Meshach crouched low hoping his purple pelt hid him well enough in the growing shadows. He couldn't risk being seen by a bird that belonged to the pride and could report his location. The male scanned the skies, searching for the source.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:58 pm
Meshach was too late taking cover and, when he spotted the lion, Biti let out a shrill cry of relief- and excitement. Before, he'd only been spying for his own interests, now he actually had a purpose and he was glad to have found the lion he was looking for. Hopefully this was the hardest part of the meeting.
He descended rapidly, though he was unwilling to land until the lion acknowledged him. Meshach certainly had reason to be paranoid, the royal family had used birds before and knowing the King was against him was enough to treat Biti suspiciously. Maybe getting his trust was going to be the hardest part, and Biti didn't even realize that until the moment was on him.
"Prince Meshach," he called out from a few feet above the watchful lion, his voice much calmer and quieter now, "I've been looking for you!"
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:09 pm
For a moment he hoped that the bird hadn't seen him. Meshach cursed to himself as he heard the avian coming closer. He must have been spotted! His eyes finally found and followed the bird as it flew overhead. What was it doing out here? Several thoughts flashed through his mind, the most prominent being Shangyue had sent the birds to look for him. The easiest answer would be to kill the bird so it could never report, but some part of him shied from taking a life that didn't need to be taken.
His claws flexed and dug into the ground under his paws. He straightened as the bird called him, not only by name, but his old title. Meshach knew for sure this bird was part of the pride to know that. The male narrowed his eyes warily as he fully stood up. "And who are you?" More importantly, to him, what did this bird want? Why was it looking for him?
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:19 pm
There was no easy place to perch but he could hardly have a conversation while circling around and around Meshach, so he risked losing visibility and landed on the ground before the lion-- making sure to give himself a few feet, noticing how tense the prince was.
"My name is Biti," he said with a respectful nod, "I was a companion to the Queen Alcmene, before she died."
Biti had been thinking a lot about Ally lately, and how this would never have happened if she were still around. Getting involved here brought back a lot of sad memories, but they were the same memories that drove him to get involved. His best hope was that Meshach knew his history and believed someone so close to an admired ruler could never mean him harm.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:03 pm
He was almost surprised the bird landed. Meshach was torn. Did he believe this bird might have good intentions, or hidden agendas? The lion eyed the bird as he thought, but made no move. Queen Alcmene? He gave a bit of a start. This was her familiar?
"Alright, lets say I believe you. What are you doing here? What do you want with me?" It didn't make sense for this bird to come find him. Unless he was working for his nephew. Meshach had to give him the benefit of the doubt and risk getting caught.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:29 pm
He could see that his introduction had worked, in a way. Meshach was surprised to hear his affiliation with the royal family but it made him at least willing to hear what the bird had to say. It was something! The problem now was that Biti's business was private, too, and he couldn't let his guard down and speak openly here, either. The normally naive bird was working very hard to stay on his toes.
"I have been living in the Tianxia, lately it has felt more like home," he said, offering a bit of truth, "After all, I helped in forming the alliance between the Mwezi'Johari and the Tianxia when the Lord Zhong Wailai was sent to the West, and again when the Lord Zhong Chao came here."
His voice lowered at the mention of Chao, he didn't see a way around it. He certainly didn't want to use common names now, though it would have made things far easier.
"The Lord and Lady have sent me to invite you to visit the West House, or stay if you choose," he said, desperately hoping he didn't sound like he was lying, "Lord Wailai especially is interested in hearing more about what's happened in his homeland, at least."
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:01 pm
It just might be another ally had found him. Meshach laid down so he wasn't quite so obvious, but kept his guard up. He listened quietly as the bird told his story. His brow furrowed at the mention of an alliance. If that held up it could make things harder for him. A name struck him as familiar. Like he should know it from somewhere. Meshach dug around in the back of his mind. So much had happened that his life before Shangyue felt like another time all together belonging to another lion.
Then it hit him and he nearly smacked himself. Growing up he'd been told Fuu had another name. Zhong Chao. It was something his nephew probably knew too. He shook his head, unable to trust this bird on some rare knowledge.
"You say I'm invited Biti. How do I know your not working for my nephew trying to get rid of me?" Really what reason did he have for traveling so far? His pride here needed him, though he felt he wasn't doing a good job. The Great Lion had not yet given him a sign that the time was right to move.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:28 pm
Biti studied Meshach when he asked a very reasonable question. His purpose here was to take Meshach back to the Tianxia with him but his reasons were not to be disclosed, not here. There really wasn't any compelling answer he could give, no matter what he said it could be a lie.
"You don't," he said, "You can only decide for yourself if you believe me. I would not work for Shangyue if my life depended on it, he gives the monarchy a bad name, following great queens like Alcmene and Khathelela through such cruel means."
His voice lowered still but his tone was fierce, he really meant what he was saying. Even after death, his greatest loyalty was to Alcmene. Though he was not well known to the pride, he had grown up here. Abandoned twice as a chick, he was rescued by the newly-crowned queen of the Mwezi'Johari. His opinion of the pride and their doings was forever biased by her influence.
"I can only gather so much information, few talk openly about what happened," he said, "I'm simply here on behalf of those concerned about their family that remains here."
And for once, his stated purpose was completely truthful.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:24 pm
At least the bird admitted it, though the purple male was hoping he had some hidden proof up his wing. Though Biti might have thought it was his choice, but it really wasn't. The bird didn't know about his two lioness companions as far as he knew. Meshach mused for a time. His tail twitching slightly. It was last that really struck home with him. It sounded like something his family would do, not Shangyue.
"I'm not out here alone," he murmured cautiously. "I must explain this and see what they think. Will you meet me back here in one to hear what we decide?" Meshach wasn't going to make any choice alone. He wanted to hear what Runa and her sister thought about this whole thing. Three minds might see a flaw only one did not.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:32 pm
The little bird blinked in surprise when Meshach confessed that he was not alone here. It was a strange, exciting fact that had escaped even the spying of the little bird sent from far away-- was a band of rebels growing on the borders of the pride? Then certainly it was a risk to stay here, but it would affect the likelihood of Meshach staying in the Tianxia once he met the nobles waiting there for him.
"It's a long trip, even with wings," he said, "I can wait for you to decide."
Meshach was being smart, and the information that he had at least one companion out here was both encouraging and worrying.. but still Biti was a touch disappointed they couldn't be off right away. Once on the road, he could be more open.
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:57 pm
He nodded. That was something that did worry him. Thankfully Biti was willing to wait, and Meshach put that in his favor. The male rose gracefully to his feet.
"Thank you for your patience Biti. I'll return tomorrow night." He gave a dip of his head and turned to pad away. Meshach wanted to be well away from sight before he turned back to where the lioness were. It still didn't hurt to be safe and taking the long route back was better. He wandered off into the night with much to think about.
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