{PRP}I'm being called{Runa x Meshach}

[magnadearel]

He finally made it back. It was well after moon-high because he'd taken some long detours to throw off any followers. Namely a bird he'd talked to at sunset. The conversation still disturbed him greatly. With a furrowed brow he slipped into the den; hoping to find the two lionesses living with him inside, Runa and her sister. No word had come recently from inside the pride and he hoped everyone was safe.

Meshach called softly as he let his eyes adjust to the gloom of the cave. He had to give the bird an answer by tomorrow night. What he didn't want was to give an answer that affected all of them without first discussing it with all. The male hoped the lionesses could provide an insight into this.  

[Painted Moose]

magnadearel

Runa hadn't been able to sleep well knowing that Meshach was out on his own. Even with her sister there as company she wasn't able to loosen her guard where the male was concerned, and felt on edge when her little "unit" wasn't complete.

Still, with the moon high, and her sister gone for the moment, Runa hadn't needed much of an excuse to stay away. It was odd, but comforting to have the moon so high on a night like tonight.

Seeing him return, since her eyes were already adjusted to the darkness, brought a little relief to the lioness. "Come on, settle in. Rona's gone, and I'm...well, awake." Runa quirked a brow. "What's had you out so late?"  

[magnadearel]

Painted Moose

The purple male flung himself down on the floor, grateful Runa at least was there and awake. "Good. We need to talk. I had an encounter tonight of a very unusual kind." He took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.

"A bird found me lurking around the edges watching for patrols. At first I thought it belonged to someone in the pride. He did, but not to someone living." He twitched his tail. "Said he was a friend of Alcmene." Meshach lifted his eyes to watch Runa's reaction.  

[Painted Moose]

magnadearel

Quirking her brow, Runa turned herself, prepping for this "talk". It had to have been important, for him to have been gone for so long, and to have this...hang up on it. "Alright..." She was highly curious, though.

"A bird?" Birds that were familiars for other lions, and she couldn't help, but to become suspicious when he started speaking of Alcmene. Her dark, chocolate eyes widened, but her expression were highly confused. "The late Queen? What was the reason why the bird came to find you?"

It was all just a little too....fishy.  

[magnadearel]

Painted Moose

The male closed his eyes as he reviewed the meeting. "He called me Prince Meshach." He wasn't sure if that went in the bird's favor or not. Anyone in the pride would know he wasn't a prince any longer. Did this mean the bird came from outside the pride with no knowledge of the events that had happened?

Nerves made his paws kneed the bedding laid down. "It's more than just that. He knew certain... names. My family has ties with a pride called the Tianxia. Not just anyone would know these, but this bird did. Granted Shangyue would too." Meshach ground his teeth in frustration. What was he to do?

"Long story short: I've been invited to visit" He looked at her waiting for any logic or insight she could offer.  

[Painted Moose]

magnadearel

"So not only did the bird know who you were, but wished to work it's way into your favor." What was the avians angle? To what end would referring to Meshach as his previous title aid it? Runa didn't reach over to comfort him, rather she let him continue, letting him work through this tough patch on his own.

She shook her head, biting her lower lip. These were family connections that she knew nothing of herself, and a pride she only heard vague talk of. This was a situation that Runa wasn't for sure on, and it worried her. "...What would you wish to do?"

Turning her paws, she switched around to face him. "You know as well as I do that this could be a trap by Shangyue. At this point, I wouldn't put anything past him, since I doubt he would have attacked you outright even if he found you out here. Better to work his way onto your good side, then eliminate you once his pride has been soothed." It was harsh, she knew, but it was the truth. "I'm not going to tell you not to go, but I will tell you be cautious. If this works in your favor, you'll have family in a safe area that can assist you. If not...then you may not come out alive."  

[magnadearel]

Painted Moose

When she put it that way, Meshach found himself disturbed. It made the bird sound... sinister. He swallowed anxiously; glad he had taken the extra time to loose any tails that might have been following him. When she asked what did he want to do, Meshach felt as helpless as a new born cub. Stay? Leave? It was all the same in the end.

He nodded. Truth she spoke and he knew it. This could very well be a trap by his nephew to get him away from the pride. Meshach flicked an ear. "I almost think he would rather attack me outright. He doesn't seem the kind to do things peacefully. There is one thing that crosses my mind. Shangyue would have no hold over this other pride. We could be safe there." His eyes looked into hers. He didn't want anything to happen to her.

"I told the bird you were out here," he admitted. "It seemed surprised." The purple male blinked. Could he still have family in this other pride? However slim the chance. "Well one thing is certain. I won't go if you and your sister won't go." He knew the lionesses could look after themselves and each other. It still went against his grain to leave them out here in danger while he himself was safe.

"We could go and see what they want then come back?"  

[Painted Moose]

magnadearel

Runa sat back, a contemplative look on her face. "Either way, I doubt he'll leave you alone for long, so long as you are suspected to be alive." She looked out of the den into the darkened world around her, and thought of the possibilities. It didn't seem like they would be able to come out from hiding unless they did take that bird up on it's offer, but then again...She turned, and caught his gaze. His eyes almost made her believe it was worth the risk.

"Why was it surprised? Did it think no one would have come to support you?" It was sad for her to admit, but the numbers of support were smaller than she'd imagined. Granted, Runa knew others had families and lives within the pride to protect, but where was their decency? Their sense of justice? "I'll go with you, and I'm sure that Rona will go as well." The options left to them were slim, and as much as she wanted to stay put, Runa swallowed her stubborn pride and went with his decision. Releasing the control was something odd for her, but...she wanted to trust Meshach.

"Titled or not, you're still a Prince to me, and I'll be the one to escort you to the Tianxia. If it's as the bird says, we'll stay for a while to regroup, and if not we'll leave. What happens after that will be up to fate."  

[magnadearel]

Painted Moose

They were wanted lions while Shangyue stood in power. He had been lucky so far that his nephew hadn't sent search parties out for him. How long would that luck last? Eventually he'd be found out and reported. He was on borrowed time now. A thought mulled in the back of his mind. If he left to see who the bird wanted him to speak to, then he wouldn't be around here. No one could spot him and report him. That just might make Shangyue feel like he'd won enough to let his guard down.

Now he frowned. "I'm not sure really. It may not have known what's been happening. Then again I could argue the same." He sighed. Was this what it was like to rule? Having to make hard choices? And this was just for three! Meshach flicked his tail in respect for his family that had ruled so well. "I think I need to go. Several reasons come to mind; first it'll let my nephew think I've run off and won't be back, second if I have family left there they need to know." A part of him hoped he wouldn't have to tell the treachery of his kin.

He looked at her in surprise, then an expression of love crossed his face. "Thank you. I wouldn't have anyone but you escorting me. After all someone has to look after my hide!"
 

[Painted Moose]

magnadearel

We can end it next post if you'd like, or we can go on for as long as you want. c:

Runa took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled on a weary sigh. "It has been rather tiring hiding out all the time, hasn't it?" She mused openly, casting a little sardonic grin. "At least by leaving we'll be able to stretch out legs, and as you said, your family will know of what happened. Someone should be able to spread the news."

She had never been the type to hide, but at first it had been key. Now...well, now she was wary for both his sake, and her sisters, but hiding so close to the pride might bring more trouble than leaving. Maybe...just maybe this might work. His expression, though, made her more nervous than everything put together, even if she reflected the same emotion on her own face. "Damn straight! I just don't know where you'd be without me," she teased.
 

[magnadearel]

Painted Moose

Fin! No need to really drag this out lol.

"Think of it as a vacation Runa! We'll go out and have ourselves a good time. No running and hiding at every little noise. We can enjoy the sights." Meshach gave her a fond nuzzle. It couldn't have been easy for her. and not too, her sister. He was grateful the lioness had stuck with him so long; and that her sister was understanding and didn't try to talk them back to the pride.

The purple male gave a hearty laugh at her reply. What would he do without his feisty lioness? "Alright. When Rona returns we can well her, then in the morning after the pride sleeps we'll find the bird." On reflection, he realized the bird was going to get another surprise. He had told it of only one lioness with him, not two. It hadn't been an intentional omission.