[PRP] Shadows [Sio, Cio, Mauji, & Hakuna]

[Das Tor]

There was no moon in the sky, where it should have been was only a circle of black sky with no stars within it. It was a perfect night for what Hakuna'jina planned. "Keep up, you two!" Cionaodh did his best to keep up with his grandmother and sister, excited and eager. They were seeing the border! Grandma Hakuna was going to take them through a patrol! Show them how it worked! And...they'd maybe even get to talk with Papa Tavar before the night was over! His shift didn't end until he and Sio would be all snug in the den, sleeping...and Cio was closer to his Papa Tavar than his mother or father.

"Are we going to take down any rogues, Grandma?" Hakuna blinked...then chuckled at her grandson, smiling indulgently.

"Perhaps, if the need arises. But do not go looking for trouble, Cio. Especially at your age." The fiery-colored juve frowned, but nodded. Of course...  

[TheWishling]

For some reason, the new moon put Siochana at ease. The dual-eyed juve followed her grandmother with a very calm gait, her eyes looking back and forth. Her training with the femme had prepared her for this, and the young female was more than ready to be on a patrol with Hakuna. Her brother's eagerness drew nothing but an eye-roll from the far too serious cub. She knew that she had to be serious, ready for anything. A patrol was dangerous, even with her grandmother. Anything could be lurking in the shadows and she had to be ready to hunt. Her father would be so proud of them. Both Tuli and Tavar. Sio could only hope that Aisling wouldn't be too worried.  

[Eos Galvus]

This was new land, land the former Commander's apprentice didn't know, and the new moon helped hide his sandy fur as he prowled. There were lions in the area, and after living near them.... Ambivalence grew to mistrust, mistrust grew to hatred as lions destroyed the leopards he saw, were superiors, were warriors. Mauji was bitter and angry, moving at a hunter's gait, just in case. Lions... Needed to be shown their place.  

[Das Tor]

Hakuna was amused by both of her grandcubs. They were such a study in opposites...one was so full of energy, the other was so serious. It was easy to see which one took after which 'father'. She gave a slight smile, leading them through the grasses.

And Sio dropped back just a little, his nose catching a strange scent. That didn't smell like anyone he recognized. And...it smelled kind of like the slaves. Weird. Curious, the fiery juve darted off towards the smell. He wanted to know! And after a moment, and the little one had covered a bit of distance, Hakuna noticed there was the sound of one less set of paws behind her. She stopped and frowned, then groaned and moved to turn back. "We need to go retrieve your brother, before he gets stuck in a hole. Again."  

[TheWishling]

When Siochana felt her younger brother leave her side, those eyes immediately turned to see where he went. Rolling her eyes a bit dramatically, the young female found herself yet again wondering about the idiocy of males. Stretching out as her grandmother turned, and insisted they go fetch him, she nodded, claws digging slightly into the earth as a yawn broke her maw, "Yes, Grandmother." The response was quiet, strong. She took so much after Tulivu, save her instinct to fight, where her father was a pacifist. She supposed, in a way, she was rather balanced, a blessing in her family (at least by the cub's mind.) Trotting alongside the elder femme, her lips curved as she called out to her sibling, slightly worriedly, "Cio!" If his head was in a hole again, she was so telling mother to keep a closer eye on him....

Idiot.  

[Eos Galvus]

Voices didn't concern Mauji like they should. The male, in fact, didn't seem ill at ease at all, and instead crouched, bracing until a cub came into view, so full of life... Curiousity....

And it was a damned lion. Mauji didn't hide his disgust as he growled at it, wrinkling his nose, flexing his claws, and bracing.

"Filthy thing..."

Mauji lunged,  

[Das Tor]

Cio blinked as he heard a growl....then screamed as something lunged at him, the juve backpedaling DAMNED quickly. It was big. And pale. And was AFTER HIM. "GRANDMA! GRAN-" His backpedaling ended up being not quite enough, though...

Hakuna heard Cio call out. Heard the cry get cut off. And she felt her heart sink. One of her grandcubs. One of her babies. NO! The old female pushed herself forward. "Sio! Go get one of the Tirma'ath!" The guards had to be near. At least near enough. They certainly had enough of them for one to be.  

[TheWishling]

Her brother's fearful cry had started her running for him...but when her grandmother directed her to get one of the Tirma'ath, her throat caught. Cio...Cio's call had gotten cut off. Her brother. HER BROTHER! Paws digging into the ground, every inch of the well-built female found herself immediately running for the nearest post she knew there would likely be a guard. She had to find them. Had to. She had to save Cio...Had to help her Grandmother. THESE were the only thoughts within her mind as she RAN like hell, "SOMEONE! ANYONE! ANSWER ME!" Her yowl was LOUD, a snarl that was demanding, agitated, "HELP!"  

[Eos Galvus]

Mauji bat the cub effortlessly, the male made of muscle and bone and very little else as he grinned, looking the cub over. Yes, he could kill it quickly, though the sound of others made him growl. Oh no, he wasn't going to deal with thisw, and he lunged to catch the younger sounding voice first.

Thrice-damned lions... Why did they insist on Breeding?!  

[Das Tor]

Hakuna made sure the leopard didn't GET to the younger-sounding voice. No. She was a very large lioness, not at all soft, and she had spent most of her life fighting, defending others. She barreled into the leopard, taking advantage of her size in this case. These were HER grandcubs! No ******** way was she letting some non-demon take or kill them!  

[TheWishling]

Siochana's eyes turned as she heard her grandmother tackle something. Seeing the creature that attacked her, the cub immediately turned on paw, and started running once more. Her training was quickly taking over, driving the small juvenile onwards. The guards would be near by, and she had to save Cio and her grandmother, "INTRUDER! HELP!" Her voice rang out, loud for a cub of her size. She was going to save them....somehow. Siochana had to save them, because if she didn't....well...if she didn't...it would fall on her shoulders...  

[Eos Galvus]

Mauji twisted, almost unnaturally to snap at the lioness, roaring violently, trying to bite or sink for forepaw claws in viciously, fangs flashing as he tore, trying to get her off, biting as much as able.  

[Truth.Be.Told]

Ringwe had been patrolling with Tavar, listening to the other lion chatter with Runya for...well, ages now. The two got on far too damn well. It was...ANNOYING. And the orange-maned lion was forced to keep his flaring temper in line. He was calm. He would not let them get the best of him...And then he heard a small voice. A young voice. Ringwe was immediately on alert, looking in the direction the sound had come from...and recognizing the words, then the figure attached to the voice.

'Intruder'. 'Help'. From his niece. Immediately, the Tirma'ath was in motion, growling out an order to Tavar and Runya. "Tavar'urya, with me! Runya, keep Siochana safe!" And he was off in the direction the juvenile had come from, a blur of blue and orange.  

[Das Tor]

Hakuna heard her granddaughter take off. Good. And then she yowled angrily and painfully as the leopard's teeth sank in a couple of times. She growled and bit back, claws trying to find purchase in his sides, even as he got another bite in. She wouldn't be removed that easily! She was one of the best fighters out there! She was the strongest, dammit! She would not be beaten by a non-demon outsider!

Runya and Tavar had been trading barbs and insults back and forth, seeing who could come up with the most creative. Runya was doubly pleased by the fact it was annoying the ever-loving hell out of her blue brother. Tavar was just glad for a break from the monotony of patrol with Ringwe. Neither had expected the young cry for help. That there was an intruder. The two shared a look of surprise and were quick to follow Ringwe's orders. This wasn't good at all. While Tavar took after Ringwe, like a forest fire in motion, Runya moved to Siochana.

"What happened?" Hadn't her mother gone out with her niece and nephew that night?  

[TheWishling]

The young lioness looked at Tavar with her mismatched eyes. If anyone could help, it was her Papa. Dad trusted Papa for a reason. Turning her gaze back to Runya, the lioness immediately launched into a....very detailed explanation. Her grandmother had taught her well, "We were on a hunt with Grandmother. Cio had gotten lost, and we had gone to look for him, only to find a bigger creature on him. Grandmother sent me for help...They were fighting and...." Her gaze changed, and for a moment, Sio looked like a cub. Terrified, her eyes watering, "....Grandmother is fighting the intruder.....I want to help..." Her heart was racing with fear, and slowly, Sio sat, tail curling around her paws, "I'm big enough to help....I want to save Grandmother and Cio."