[PRP] Rebels

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

He was home. It had been an exciting trip with several unexpected twists and turns. The trio had taken their time returning; quiet a bit longer than that bird had had them traveling at. Meshach had seen the lionesses settled comfortably in a well hidden den. The male had then gone to spend the late afternoon alone traversing the familiar grounds. Familiar from so much time outside the pride. He gazed longingly toward were the center of the pride was. Runa should be having her cubs within the safety of the pride. Not out here protected by only a couple of lions. Undoubtedly, he and her sister would do anything to protect her. It shouldn't have been this way. She should have been relaxing, tended, and always protected. Nevermind that he knew she was fully capable of taking care of herself.

Meshach had done his best not to worry about what it would mean for them, and especially, what it would mean for the cubs. There was no midwife out here to call the Great Lion's attention to the cubs. That bothered and worried him, but there was nothing he could do about it. Oh he could waltz into the pride and ask for a midwife though the outcome would probably be less than desirable. He very much doubted Shangyue would welcome his presence back into the pride.

That was his other worry. What had been happening within the pride while he had been out of touch? Meshach dreaded trying to find one of the lions loyal to him to get the information. There wasn't much choice there either. He had to know. He hoped it was good news if anything. The male shook his head slowly to clear his thoughts. It was night and he was out scouting. A bright shape in a relatively dark world caught his attention. He froze as he tried to make out what it was. A white lioness. Meshach crouched low to avoid being detected. He could tell she wasn't trying to hide and wondered what she was doing out here. It wasn't anyone he recognized immediately.  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

Meshach found himself baffled and yet concerned by the lioness' actions. She wasn't doing anything. Just walking slower and slower. He frowned in thought as he kept still though his tail wanted to lash back and forth. Most unusual. What could she want out here? That wasn't a destination? The obvious answer: him. But if you were hunting someone you didn't come openly. Finally he gave it up as a lost cause. He would have to confront her.

Deciding how to start he braced himself and let out a low growl. Meshach tried to keep his voice rough as he spoke low, hoping she wouldn't recognize him if she knew him somehow. "What are you doing out here?"  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

He was startled, and disturbed, when she placed his name right off the bat. It jangled his nerves in an unsettling way. How could he be sure she wasn't a threat? Meshach took careful stock of his surroundings. There was no one else in the vicinity. Unless they were better at hiding than he was detecting.

"Why should I do that?" He debated moving his position in case another was homing in on his voice while she talked to him. Meshach slunk slowly through the bush to avoid making undo noise. He wasn't going to show himself until he was absolutely sure. And the first thing to do was identify this lioness.

As he settled himself in a new location a fair distance from where he'd spoken he allowed himself to think. Ota. The name wasn't one he thought he was familiar with. Which mean she was of a lower class. Was she unhappy with Shangyue and looking to join the rebels?  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

Lol its for a good cause. <3

Meshach was of course initially skeptical. Sure she said she could be very useful, but he wasn't sure. Who was she useful to? Him or Shangyue? The purple lion kept quiet and kept his skepticism to himself. He listened as she talked.

She knew quite a bit in fact. Including who he traveled with. Where did she get her information? he wondered. And he would definitely check with Runa if she knew Ota. The lioness confirmed his guess that she was of the lower class. Not many knew he was out here, he hoped, but a few did. He wondered if someone had told her in the hopes she would join too.

Though no one but him and lionesses knew about the bird. That struck him as very odd. There was more going on here than he could see. Meshach finally rose up out of his hiding spot. It hadn't escaped his notice that she'd looked right where he was hiding before he stood, and after he'd moved from where he'd spoken. Definitely something odd!

He paced forward so they could talk in lower voices. His eyes regarded her warily and with a bit of respect. "Alright talk. How do you know that stuff?" He had another purpose for getting close. Not one that he liked to consider. If she proved dangerous to him or the lionesses he would have to dispose of her now.  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

He had never come across that term before to his knowledge. Meshach bided his time. He was becoming very good at that. His ears swiveled constantly to keep track of things going on around him. Now that he'd exposed himself he felt vulnerable. It made the fur want to stand up along his back. Who knew what was out there in the night.

Was she saying what he thought she was saying? It didn't make any sense. "How are you doing that?" How or where did she get this power?

He shook his head baffled. "His end? I don't wish for his end; only to see a murderer off the throne. It would please me if he was left alive in the end." Meshach frowned slightly at her cryptic remark. Mystic stuff was for the Shaman or priests. Not lions like them. This whole encounter had done nothing but give him chills so far.  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

It hadn't occurred to him that she might be crazy. Though the fact she brought it up argued in her favor that she wasn't. It was one of those things he couldn't explain and was simply going to have to chalk it up to the Great Lion. So many names he would have to check with Runa on. It felt silly not to know them, though he realized why.

Surprised showed on his face at her compliment. He hadn't expected praise for what he was doing. Meshach dipped his head briefly to her.

"That's good of you. I'm not sure you could even if you had all night." The surprises she had in store for him was nothing until now. No one could have known Runa was pregnant. They themselves had only discovered that on the trip back. Now he was more convinced about her authenticity. And touched that she would think about these cubs as pride members though they weren't technically of the pride. While he had accepted the fact his cubs would be born without a midwife he had secretly desired it. Now here it was. He closed his eyes and sent a silent thanks to the Great Lion for this gift.

"No. Thank you for coming out here and bringing a midwife. I know a place for you to hide while I go talk to Runa. If she says you are who you say you are, I'll return for you." He trusted her, to a point. Meshach was going to check their credentials before leading them too close. It amused him that it was a cousin of his that was the midwife.  

[magnadearel]

Ecavi

Fin?

Satisfied for the moment Meshach turned to lead the way. Already he was planning where to take her. "Oh they are coming already? Well I guess that's good." The more lions they gathered the easier it would be to find them. He would have to ask Runa about moving further out from the pride if the trio decided to stay. The purple male headed off into the night, glancing over his shoulder to be sure Ota was following.