[EVENT] Dark Rumors (Closed!)

[Talencia]

Just when she felt about ready to bolt behind someone, one of her older sisters stepped closer to her. Bila's breezy voice and calm demeanor was a breath of fresh air, much like the moisture-laden wind that was picking up from the incoming storm. She glanced at the older female, anxiety still etched on her face. It wasn't their eyes that worried her, after all, but what they might do if they came near her. Even so, the priestess' relaxed mood helped to soothe the teenager's frazzled nerves.

She had a point, after all. Regardless of what these strangers planned, even if it was to haul her off for fate unknown, Divy was still amongst her family, and not a single one of them would let her be dragged off like that. Even those not related to her would never stand for such a thing. She still had no idea what made them pick her out, for her family never pointed out her physical differences and she'd grown accustomed to thinking of herself as just another one of Sliabh's brood. But Bila was right. These fiery strangers couldn't hurt her by just staring, and they couldn't hurt her either.

With a bump of her head against her older sister, she took a deep, deep breath, smoothing her fur and soothing her mind. She had a job to do, after all. She wasn't just here to observe and hide. Thus when her father turned to beckon her back up to the front, she firmly shook her head no. She'd been given a task, and though they claimed they weren't here to fight, she still was needed as a potential messenger. She would stay on the fringes of the group in case she was needed, no matter how much these rude red strangers stared at her. She gritted her teeth, took a more steady stance, and trained her eyes on her father, Dumaka, and Vizier Modya. They'd do their jobs, she knew, and so would she. Inwardly, she breathed a word of thanks for Dumaka's bold and protective words. She definitely would tell him her thanks face to face later.  

[Tanakako]

Sliabh spotted another of his daughters, the beautiful black and white priestess Bila, approaching and felt both extreme pride at the bravery of his family along side a twist of worry and nerves at the fact that they were so close to danger, for these red-coated strangers were dangerous indeed.

When Bila comforted her younger half-sister, Sliabh sent the elder a smile of gratitude. It was all he could do to keep quite and not make this rather tense but stable situation a whole lot worse. He was their father and it killed him to stand by whilst his beloved daughter was mocked. But he knew, that while he was usually so even tempered, in this situation he would say something very inappropriate and most likely anger their 'guests'. But wasn't that what family was for? To back each other up and look after each other? He knew Divy would be safe with Bila, and Caoilainn was here too now. After glancing over at Netravati to make sure she was still ok, he turned back to the firekin as Moto spoke, Sliabh nodding in understanding at the bard's words. While he himself had spent a full year in the roguelands as a young adult, he was still pride-born and had spent the majority of his life within the Kitwana's boarders. If anyone had any more information than he on a subject, he was always eager to hear it.

 

[Kyra Bloodborne]

Bila silently nodded as Divy became more confident, she was such a bright young girl and very steadfast. It appeared her father's genes produced such types though, as most of her siblings were just as strong minded as some were physically if not more so. The thought of family always calmed her down, knowing she was safe and those around her were as well due to their bonds - not everything was based on physical ability after all.

Standing there quietly the white lioness' ears pinned quickly to her head hearing the words leak from Dumaka's thoughts to his mouth. It wasn't so much the words as it was the tones in which he used. Perhaps not as - light- as one might have hoped for in such a situation though she knew he meant only to inform them. They seemed heavy but it could've just been her perception of things. As it were the air already seemed to be clustered with tension.
 

[Whimsical Blue]

A flash of fangs showed in the dark shape of a lioness as she lowered her head, blue eyes slitting as they found the form of a hyper young adult.

Anza could sense him there, like a ripple followed him as he moved, sweeping outwards. She had already claimed this situation for herself. It was HER territory, not his! Too often, her brethren would interrupt things like this, their very presence sending everything into a swirl of chaos.

He had better be very careful about what he did now, because she was not inclined to let him interfere. Something was starting here, and she was inclined to see it to fruition, whatever that proved to be.  

[~Masamune~]

Considering that they were the ones that had travelled here, the Firekin didn't seem at all Worldly. They were confused, and seemingly disgusted by, species that had always been known to the Kitwana'antara. It was funny really, to be regarded with such curiousity, despite being a mere 'dog'.

In many ways, Nili'asikari was used to such curiousity, as the life of a Secret Keeper was a mysterious one. Only Royalty and the High Priestess knew of his true role within the Kitwana'antara. When he wasn't carrying out his duties as a Secret Keeper, he was pretty much a jack of all trades, lending help wherever it was most needed. Whilst he was quite sure at this point that no fighting was going to break out, he thought it best to stick around, for support if nothing else.

"Charming, aren't they?" He smirked, eyeing the two Firekin in particular who seemed to be the most critical, judging from how they refered to himself and the leopon known as Divy. The bits of grey-tinged fur that touched his face suggested that he was getting on in years, yet he was still as bold as he had been when he was a pup.

As conversation continued amongst both the Firekin and the Kitwana'antara, it was revealed that the strange half lion was actually something called a 'leopon'. Her father, a lion, was present, and it didn't take a genius to figure out then that the mother was a leopard. "That is...fascinating." It was the only word he could form in order to describe what he thought about the creature. He may not have agreed with the creation of such a thing, but she was here now, and he just couldn't help but be interested in her.

Sadly, not all Firekin shared his curiousity and fascination. He frowned in the direction of Nisi and Nuria. "There is no need to be rude. We have come here in search of information, not to insult and to judge that which we do not understand." As a Hongshan, Ukuba would always have to be mindful of what he said to the Firekin, as there were still those who didn't think of him or the other Hongshan as Firekin at all. Still, he was not afraid of a little conflict, and he would certainly not sacrifice his views and opinions in order to avoid it, unless it was for the greater good of the Hongshan as a whole.  

[Annchen]

The lions were large, large like... Jabez fur started to prickle as he remembered the lioness he had encountered when he was roaming out in the roguelands when he was younger. And once he started thinking about it he couldn't stop. That one had similar colours, that one shared a marking, and many of the females seemed to be built like her. His mouth went dry and he shook his head. They just looked a bit like her, that didn't have to mean anything. But he stayed hidden, and tried to listen.

---

Far above the commotion, something larger than a bird soared through the sky. Veri, the Goddess of Blood hadn't told Mith that she was leaving. Between his introduction to the pride and the general unrest at the moment they hadn't talked much recently. She fully intended to return, however. She just had some business to attend to, and she figured it would be better for everyone if she dealt with it far from K'A. She was sure the pride had plenty of competent healers and midwives, but she might have an adverse effect on the other pride members in need of those services. Better to handle this alone like last time. She'd be back eventually...

The goddess didn't bother to hide her form, but she was flying high enough to be hard to spot. She didn't feel the presence of the gods below, or didn't care. The gathering of mortals was unimportant for now.  

[Tanakako]

Whilst listening an watching the new arrivals react to his own kith and almost bicker among themselves, there was one voice that caught his attention. The lion was the same red black and white combo of the others but he seemed.. different somehow. He did not quite match their general reds and his markings were a lot more noticeable.Sliabh would have been inclined to think him part rogue-blood, or at least of a family not wholly of these red-hued lions.

But it was his words more than his coat that had caught Sliabh's notice and he couldn't help but look the male over more closely, impressed with his level-headed temperament and words that were a lot more on-topic than many of the jittery firekin seemed to be. Catching the other male's eye he gave a tiny half-smile of gratitude, thankful at least some of their number were less obsessed with the reality of a perfectly normal hybrid.

 

[Talencia]

Modya had simply ignored the situation revolving around the young Adivyta, giving it time to settle down. Unfortunately, this was not happening, and he began to fear that if it was not addressed more directly, something untoward might happen. He gave the young guard beside him a quelling look at his civil but brash words. He couldn't know how incorrect he was comparing these Firekin to the Nergui, but one could hardly blame him, to some extent.

He turned his attention back to the mostly white male, who seemed to be at least nominally the leader of the Firekin group. "My apologies, but it seems the matter of our pride's make-up is becoming a more pressing issue." His expression was regretful, but not really particularly apologetic. "It seems that our non-lion population is gathering some...," he paused delicately short of saying 'rude', "unexpected reactions from your group." He let that sink in before continuing. "If we are to have peaceful discussion, it might be best if such things were set aside."

Politely, he was asking Veru to get his group under control and stop the rude staring and comments that were directed at Adivyta. Modya might command respect from his pridemates, but he wasn't sure he could keep some of them from snarling or worse if such a verbal barrage continued on the adolescent leopon.  

[Meepfur]

"I understand," Nisi asserted when Ukuba addressed her, lashing her tail unhappily. This time, she made sure to speak in quieter tones that the strangers shouldn't be able to hear. "I understand that it's not right." While she was usually a relatively agreeable individual, they were talking about hybrids here, and she'd been raised to view them as an affront to nature. Her own cousin had been deposed and thrown out of her birth-pride for mating with a lioness of hybrid blood.

The lioness flattened her ears when one of the lions suggested they 'set aside' their feelings, but she at least knew well enough not to start an argument here and now. Nisi looked to Veru and waited.  

[Mogami]

Dumaka was proud to see his pride come together in the defense of one of its members but he had the decency to regret his words – and show it – when the Vizier looked his way. He nodded humbly and remained silent, focusing instead on one of the more agreeable intruders. They couldn’t all be idiots, he supposed. Though “fascinating” was not exactly the word Dumaka would’ve liked to hear when one described something as natural as a lion-leopard hybrid, at least the orange lioness had started whispering instead openly criticizing one of his fellow members.

He had to give it to Sliabh though. The other Guard was stoically enduring the situation when he was probably burning on the inside. An example for the young Guard to follow, he supposed.  

[Mimsey]

Kiowaa was just about to ask Nisi if a lion could make a baby with a dog when Ukuba rightfully scolded them. The young lioness looked a bit flustered and stared at her feet. She hadn't been looking to pick on anyone...not really... but was this common? She'd never heard of such a thing in all her life! All these lions seemed it was the usual. Maybe the disease had caused it! Or maybe...

She bit her lip before any further words fell from her lips. But when Nisi kept whispering, she continued listening intently.

Wait until her siblings heard about this!

----

Ah, things were progressing as chaotically as expected. But not as poorly! Some racial insensities aside, no one was looking too aggressive. Maybe a little sour faced, but he could work with that. The one in front, Dumaka, had given away to an apparent Vizer. Inwardly Veru attempted to calculate where exactly that put one in the pride. It certainly sounded important.

Important enough to deal with for the moment, in any case. "We've heard about as numerous rumors about you as you have likely heard of us!" he said with a thrum, noting the female's mention of the drought. "To be honest, you aren't exactly the reason we're here."

"And, curious eyes aside, we're not here to judge. Mostly," he commented, with about as warning a tone as Veru could muster. It still came across as somewhat half hearted. He wasn't the sort to do much legitimate scolding. Returning his gaze to the main group, he offered a small smile. "I am Veru! And the group you see here make up a portion of the sentinels."

His tail twisted. There was a reason Veru wasn't an ambassador. He played his cards close, and wasn't about to lay everything on the table just yet. "We sentinels are warriors. We're used to fighting. Diplomacy, not as much. But I think we can all agree that fighting is not in the best interest of either of our groups."

Now, that actually was a warning. To everyone. No one would win if a fight broke out between them.

"I said we weren't interested in you. That's only half true. We're tracking some lions, and we've heard they've been through these parts. You'd know them by the strange way they talk. Have you seen them?" He said curiously, balancing precariously on ambiguity. "Seems the surrounding areas seem to think you have."  

[wooga Paes]

Moto'spaki had remained quiet as one of the new firekin took an enormous interest in one of the locals. Indeed, it was a quite stange looking animal, but he would prefer less distractions. They weren't here to oogle at how strange these outsiders were, after all.

But then a lion, one of the first that had showed up [Dumaka], spoke, and he took the opportunity to try and get things back on track. "Your last visitors? Who were they?" He asked the lion, just as Veru began to speak. He was glad for it, he'd preffer they just move on from the hybrid, and the wild dog.  

[Talencia]

Modya glanced between Veru and Moto'spaki, listening to both. It seemed these newcomers had something to do with the Nergui, and that was potentially disastrous. However, the pale-coated leader seemed cautious not to call the Nergui by name. Why would that be? He rolled it over in his mind, thinking that perhaps he should have been more involved with meeting strangers before this. How best to proceed?

"If you are referring to those visitors," he began slowly and painstakingly carefully, choosing his words minutely. "They did indeed come through here, and spoke with our Queen." His expression was neutral, but tense, his tail holding extremely still. "Those strangers came here with words of alliance in their mouths, but left with threats of violence." He took a moment to watch the group, gauge their reactions to this. If they were siding with the Nergui, this would reveal that Kitwana'antara had not chosen to do the same, and could leave them vulnerable to retaliation from the Firekin.

However, if this group was perhaps hunting the violent Nergui... that could have very good potential. But it was how they reacted that would tell the tale of how the next chapter would play out. Balanced between wariness and hope, Modya waited.