[META] Chaos Reigns

[Puhterodactyl]

Lunik felt his muscles finally relax, and then hurt a bit from the tension they'd been holding for so long. But the shaman's apprentice agreed to speak to Stellaluna for Shangyue. That was good. And his princess sister beside him? Also good. Lunik would serve for Shangyue through whatever the king wanted, but he was glad that no more blood needed spilling. At least not tonight. The white lion sat where he was, still wary of Uchanjaa, but with all the other lions who had taken up guarding Shangyue, Lunik couldn't fathom anyone else trying to attack. Well, not tonight at least.  

[mouselet]

After searching half the pride for some kind of solid information, Avahk heard voices. Not necessarily loud ones, but projected voices, meant to be heard. And one of them sounded like...!

He clamped down on that thought and hurried towards the source, coming up next to a blue-furred slave. No one he knew especially well, but she was familiar-looking and older than he was. The grey lion's heart sank as he got a clear view of the focus of the gathering. Shangyue. And Lailah. How had he found her? Or...had she left the den? He didn't know.

"What's going on?" he whispered to the lioness next to him, fearing the worst but daring to hope even so.

Alpaca Chobi

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She was going to talk to the Shaman. She'd agreed to help Shangyue. Uchanjaa's heart sank. They had lost, lost before they'd even begun to fight the movement Shangyue had begun. Oh sure, Lailah hadn't agreed right away, but she'd still agreed to talk to the Shaman. The brown lion thought momentarily about praying that the Apprentice was unable to find Stellaluna, but that would be selfish and besides, simply meant that she would step into the role she'd prepared all her life for.

And now what was he going to do? He couldn't, wouldn't forgive Shangyue for what he'd done, nor did he have any intention of apologizing for his own actions this night.

Nor would he retreat from this gathering. Not until it was breaking up would he leave, because he wouldn't give Shangyue the satisfaction of seeing him leave in shame. Uchanjaa sat straighter and firmed his jaw as he glanced at his daughter. They would have to...talk...later.

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Subtle movement caught the Guard's eye. Uchanjaa again, stretching or something. It didn't look like he was preparing to attack, but she didn't trust him to simply sit there docilely. There was fire, anger even, in those lavender eyes. In fact, she guessed that he was related to the younger lioness who faced him, squarely between the brown lion and Shangyue. If so, it was clear where she'd gotten her spunk from.

No one else in the group seemed to be as likely a threat, so Tyfu continued to give Uchanjaa most of her attention. Well, after Shangyue of course.  

[mouselet]

Avahk felt the blood drain from his face as the lioness confirmed his worst fears. He wondered how it had happened. Had Lailah given up everything, and just...come to Shangyue of her own accord? Or had someone found her and forced her? He didn't know, and was afraid to ask. Especially afraid to ask his cousin herself.

"What...," he swallowed nervously and tried again. "What if the Shaman can't be found?" Maybe Stellaluna could lie low long enough to...to...oh what was the point of it all? Clearly Shangyue had disposed of everyone standing between him and the throne. And it looked like Princess Ianthe would support him, since she was standing right up there with him now. There were other Princes and Princesses, Avahk knew, but not a single one was present at the moment and while he hadn't heard any rumors of their deaths, that didn't mean that they hadn't all been...dealt with.

Great Lion above, it seemed like the end of the world here!  

[mouselet]

It occurred to Avahk that the lioness beside him supported Shangyue's new regime. His first thought was that it made sense, he'd known she was a slave before he struck up the conversation. His second thought was to be disappointed in himself for assuming that she must support the Prince because she was a slave. Well, he'd been right, but that was beside the point!

There had to be slaves who were less than pleased about the murders. Like Unyezi! But...the old lion wasn't here. And, well, he didn't entirely count, given the whole former King business. But surely there were slaves who didn't want this...this mess!

"I guess you're right," he murmured, responding to the lioness more out of politeness than anything else. He certainly didn't believe as she did. It just...didn't seem like a good idea to make his disagreement obvious at this time.

A sudden fear struck him. What if there was never a good time to make his disagreement obvious?  

[mouselet]

Uncomfortable as their conversation had made him, Avahk still took a step forward into the space the lioness had left for him. He had no idea how bad things would be, and he didn't want to give anyone a reason to suspect him of having thoughts that would be...disapproved of by those in power.

The grey lion realized what direction his thoughts were heading in and his lips twisted in a sardonic smile. So here was his chance to prove he could learn from his father's mistakes. If he did keep his mouth shut and his disagreements private, he wouldn't find himself in Yareha's position.

He hoped.  

[Andranis]

Atusko watched the words going back and forth between the heir-king and the shaman apprentice, trying to make sense of it all. She took a seat, processing it all. He had the apprentice shaman's word of passing on his request... Finally, brow furrowed, a question that had begun to burn in her brain came out. "The lions that oppose you won't be driven out, will they?" She didn't know if Nina would be able to handle her mother being driven out... Or Haggy handle Gyps leaving.  

[mouselet]

He was playing a deeper game, that much Lailah was certain of. But she didn't have much choice beyond what she'd already agreed to do, and honor insisted that she do as she said.

She would certainly keep an eye on Shangyue. And perhaps prevail on him to have a more...private...conversation. It was obvious there were some things he simply wouldn't discuss in front of a crowd like this - witness how he'd ignored Atsuko's question!

No, the best thing for her to do right now was what she'd said she would. Which was to find her teacher. The white lioness turned as the Prince left and went in the opposite direction to begin her search.

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Halili had been silent, listening to the conversation between Prince and Apprentice. Oh, she kept one eye on her father, but even he wasn't so pig-headed as to make a fool of himself while interrupting them. Afterward, however...that she wasn't so sure of. And she knew him, oh how she knew him!, and she knew the look he was giving her. He wanted to have a Talk as soon as possible. Halili was having none of that.

The lioness waited until Shangyue and his dark shadow had gone before she got to her own feet.

"Well then, Father, as lovely as this has all been, I think it's late and time to sleep. Good night!"

With that, the beige lioness headed for her own den, leaving her father behind.

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Uchanjaa had had his mouth open to "suggest" a "talk" with his eldest daughter when she beat him to the punch. And summarily dismissed him. Him! Her father! The brown lion was left gaping as Halili left, sauntering off to her family's den. He could have given chase, but the thought didn't occur to him until after the lioness was out of sight. Not to mention how undignified it would be...not that this whole night hadn't been full of indignities already!

The lion heaved himself to his feet with a sigh. It looked like it was time to go home and tell Kibi about what had happened to their pride. It was, like far too many tasks lately, not one he relished in the least.  

[Mogami]

It seemed the violence might end now. Bili was both relieved and confused. He would never agree with Shangyue’s methods and would forever consider his actions as unforgivable but part of him had the deeply ingrained belief that the actions of those of the high class were not for the lions below to judge. He watched the exchange between the prince and the apprentice with a heavy heart, hoping that the number of casualties would end but still wishing there would be some accountability for Shangyue’s actions. Murder should never be considered lightly no matter the circumstance.

He glanced over the crowd. How many agreed with Shangyue? How many would leave the pride in disgust and anger? How many would be exiled for not conforming to this new era and all the changes the prince was promising? His eyes travelled to his family members present who he hoped would be safe from harm during the coming days of unrest.

“We should go find the others.” He told Amarantos after the prince had spoken, ears disappearing into his white mane. “And tell them everything we heard.” He did not like the look of the dark lion with the fiery markings nor had he any doubt that the stranger was one of Shangyue’s hidden allies. Bili wondered how many more were hiding in plain sight. These were dangerous times.  

[Andranis]

Her ears drooped as Shangyue ignored her question. Or maybe he had heard it, but chose not to answer it. As she thought about it, she realized... Maybe that wasn't a question everybody wanted answered right now. She looked around at everyone else, before she let out a puff of air. As she turned and began walking like everyone else, she stopped by Aysu. She began to open her mouth, then stopped, closing it again. No, no sense in bringing MORE words into this mess. She spared a glance at Kin and the slaves he happily hung around, before she walked away from the gathering. She'd find a place to sleep, before she went out to hunt a little.  

[mouselet]

Well, that was that for the night, wasn't it? Avahk joined the other lions who were dispersing. Most seemed quiet and contemplative, which meant that he didn't stand out at all in the crowd. He himself still wasn't entirely certain what he thought of everyhting that had happened, but he clearly had no power to change it, and didn't know how much support he would or wouldn't find.

The grey lion sighed gustily. He'd just have to go back to his den and hope everything was clearer when he woke up. Idly, he wondered what Tseva Reygehl would think of all this.

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Caritas listened not only to what was said, but to what was not said. She might not know all of these lions well, but she did know enough to see that Lailah had agreed only to give Shangyue what he would have gotten anyway, even if not from her. As for the rest of the night's drama, well, the Midwife wasn't certain what to think.

How long had there been such a movement in the pride? Was there anything she could have done to prevent this? She tried so hard to make sure that those born into the low class understood that though they were unfortunate in some respects, there were still joys, hopes and dreams to be found!

Perhaps she should go find some for herself. And spend some time with Ukarimu. She had missed his support tonight.

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The gathering was breaking up, but though Tyfu got to her feet, the black and green lioness had no intention of leaving until everyone else had gone. She took her duties as a Guard and her loyalty to Shangyue very seriously.

Even so, she did let a small sigh of relief escape as Uchanjaa stalked off to his den. Of all those who had seemed less than pleased with the new order, he was definitely the most dangerous. As a Guard, she had seen some of his ability firsthand. And as he had made clear tonight, he felt very strongly about the Heiress' death.

Yes, he would bear watching. If things should take a turn for the worse...well...perhaps she should see who amongst the Guards could assist her in restraining him.