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 Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:21 am
Nahodha'Kota had followed his king. It was his place to follow, it was also his place to be the voice of reason. He looked at Ram and stood firmly at his shoulder. 'Kota was and had always been a huge lion, he dwarfed most lions, except for those in his family. A couple of his sons were slightly larger, but he was their patriarch and he had come here on behalf of his family.
Although the giant jet black lion had never been to war, he knew how to fight, he also knew how to reason. He was probably the oldest lion here, even older than Ram, he had learned patience over the years, he had also come to love the peaceful way of life that the Bahari treasured. It seemed to him that the Bahari had been trough some troubling times and he often wondered why.
As Ram gave his roaring challenge the old soldier frowned slightly and looked to the pale blue male, a calm expression on his maw. "Remember lad, theres only a few o us ere an Ah wan t' be returnin' home in one piece." While he fully realised that addressing the king in such an informal way was not usually his way, the intense air around the lord of the Bahari forced him to speak a little more candidly than usual. He wanted to go home with cubs in tow, and everyone unharmed, going in guns blazing, well it was a little foolish he felt. Still, he could feel the anger in his own chest, he had come here as the voice of reason, but if it came to it he would fight and return their cubs back to their mothers. He had never been hot headed, and at this moment he realised he had to be the voice of some sort of reason.
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Nuzhah looked at the pure white cub and frowned, trying so very hard to stop any more tears from rolling down her cheeks the chocolate cub gave a sniffling hiccup. "I'm sure your mama is very nice, but mine is the best." She pouts her bottom lip twitching out. "Please, please ask your mama to take us home." She frowns lancing at the soft brown mother who came in to the midst of the conversing adults and terrified cubs.
"Please lady, I wanna go home to my mama." She hiccups, a determined look in her eyes, her jaw set, she wasn't going to shed any more tears.
Her ears twitched at the sound of a roaring lion and she moved closer to the pure white juvenile, being the only friendly cub sized voice at the moment."Was that one of you?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:41 pm
Kali was smiling a little, pleased that a lioness with milk had joined the little cubs but something quickly ended that brief moment of relief. The purple lioness froze for an instant before she looked around with a slightly worried expression. A roar, loud and definitely unfriendly, had pierced the calm air and reached her ears. The purple lioness’ ears dropped, hairs standing on end along her back.
“Someone’s coming.” She said quietly, frowning a little. This was too soon, they were not prepared. If the lions from that other pride were making their move, they needed to get all the Patrons ready as quickly as possible and get the cubs out of the way. Hers included.
“Zuria, come here. I need to talk to you.” She told her son seriously. She was glad her mother was watching her remaining cubs, she liked to think they would still be with family if something were to happen to her today.
-----------------------
“I’m sorry.” The white juvenile said quietly, feeling quite miserable. He didn’t really know what else to say to the younger cub and he was old enough to wonder what it would feel like to be in her situation. If someone were to take him away from his family, he would definitely not be happy.
Zuria was somewhat reassured by his mother’s calm words but this whole situation was still very disturbing. So when she called him over in that stern tone she often used when he was about to be corrected, the cub quickly moved to join the purple lioness without hesitation.
“Yes?” he asked softly as his mother’s head came down to meet his. He had not noticed the roar nor would he have understood its meaning even if he had.
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Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:12 pm
Eusi looked around him once more. He was so afraid. He was getting so scared, he became mad with these other lions. He decided, without thinking, that it might be a good idea to get them to bring him home RIGHT NOW.
"HEY! Y--you should bring us ALL home right now, or, something bad will happen, dont you know its wrong to stel yougins!?"
What was he saying!? the words were out before he realized it, so he crouuched down and tried to hide himself, but they heard him. They probably heard every single word.
"aww shoot, what now? what if they did something bad for shouting at them when it might have been time to settle...oh no..oh no!"
He thought about this and shivered. Everyone hated punishment, he was sure, he especially didn't like it, but now, he just had to wait, oh why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut?He aslo heard a distant roar...it sounded, familiar...
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:08 am
Basking on the warm sands of the beach, Dhoru watched the small group of cubs from a distance. Until the Bahari'mtoto raid, Dhoru had never stolen a cub, and until the raid, he had thought he had no problem with doing it. After all, he loved being a thief, and he loved cubs; surely he would enjoy bringing more cubs into the pride? Now that he had done it, however, his thoughts and emotions were extremely conflicted. He just kept picturing the grief-stricken eyes of the mother. He couldn't stop thinking about how scared the cubs must have felt. Besides, if he could love cubs so much without ever having had his own, he couldn't imagine the repercussions that would come from stealing a cub from its mother. He no longer felt sure that stealing cubs was the best action.
"You know, they will get used to it here. And, maybe, if you actually spoke to that cub you're so fond of, a connection would form."
Dhoru's only reply was a non-committal grunt. Hasi had been trying to comfort him ever since the heist, to no avail. But she was right - he was especially drawn to one of the cubs, a black-and-white male with striking markings and even more striking, dual-colored eyes. He thought he had heard that the cub's name was Erdem. Maybe Hasi had a point. With a groan, he rose to his feet and shook himself, then started padding toward the group of stolen cubs, his green gaze fixed on Erdem.
However, before he had made it more than halfway, a roar sounded like distant thunder. Dhoru halted. Just like he had feared, the mothers of the Bahari'mtoto weren't going to just accept the theft of their babies. And just like thunder, this roar was the sign of a severe storm approaching.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:59 am
Furiko had given up on even listening to the argument coming from the other pride members and he had simply been sitting guard. He was watching and simply waiting for what he assumed was inevitable to be the neighboring pride come in for their cubs. The moment the roar rang out from the borders Furiko's eyes narrowed and he growled. The lion he had encountered in the neighboring pride, the king, was on his way and Furiko would be pleased to get his paws on him if that was the other lions intentions.
He was not afraid of the possible battle to come and his blood was pumping with adrenaline now in anticipation. His claws were at the ready and his teeth were ready too. Come in hostility and Furiko was ready to fight back.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:13 pm
Kali's warning was met with an easy smile. He regarded the others and cleared his throat, a subtle command for silence and their attention. "Move the cubs somewhere safe and just within sight. I need some of you in the rocks. Ears sharp, hang off of every word. I trust your newfound wits, gypsies." He regarded each pride member, his expression hardening. "They do not yet know what they face, and we do not yet know how far they are willing to go. If things go sour- make them believe that the rocks are crawling with our people. And be creative." He smirked. "The strange makes more of an impact than the common."
It was a show of strength and cunning if anything. A lion who gave a single claw was more than willing to give the entire paw.
With a few confident steps forward, he separated himself from the others and walked to meet the trespasser.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:28 pm
Fireheart returned just in time to hear the instructions. She lowered her ears against her head, grumbling quietly to herself before she started removing the cubs. There was a lioness waiting for those who needed milk, and the smallest of the bunch were brought to her waiting side first.
"Come on," she growled quietly to those who didn't need assistance walking. "Follow me, and stay close." Even if the other pride had arrived to rescue them, they needed to be out of harms way in case there was a fight. As focused as she was on the possibility of an upcoming fight, she didn't want the cubs to be hurt. They were caught in the middle of this after all, innocent kids that had no say over what happened. The last thing that they needed was a war wound to go with it.
She had faith in her pride, though. She knew they would avoid physical violence at all costs. It was just the way they were. Trickery and deceit were far easier and less painful.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:48 pm
Dhoru met the instructions with a smirk. "Strange" he could do, and do it well. Already a plan was forming in his mind; he could climb a short distance up the rocks and hide among them, frequently flicking stones to other areas of the cliffs in order to dislodge pebbles and make the invaders think there were lions shifting among the rocks. Now would also be good time to hold a conversation with Hasi in hushed tones, loud enough to be heard but quiet enough for the words to be indiscernible.
As he padded quickly towards the cliffs, he didn't have the slightest trace of fear in his heart - that is, until his gaze passed over the stolen cubs. He stopped dead in his tracks, every muscle in his body tensing. He hadn't thought how a battle might affect the pride's newest additions until the moment was upon them. He started to head over to them, pushing his old plan to the back of his mind and opting instead to stay near the cubs and protect them if needed. He had no more than lifted a forepaw, however, when Fireheart appeared and began to lead the cubs away. With a a huge sigh of relief, he relaxed and loped over to the cliffs. Effortlessly, he clambered up to a suitable height and crouched in waiting, excitedly flexing his claws in and out against the stone.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:39 am
Ram regarded Kota in silence for no more than a few seconds as the older lion attempted to temper his anger. He could appreciate the elder lions concerns, but in the face of thieves, he really couldn't afford to humour them. They were by nature fill of deceit, to the very core of their hearts they were dishonest and lacking in morals. It was why they could raise a paw and kidnap a cub so easily, snatch them mercilessly from the loving embrace of their mothers and then what... expect the cubs to accept this?
Perhaps some would, there were those in the pride that would rather make a fuss, but others would display an unrivalled bitterness and when that festered... how would a pride cope with being attacked from within? As curious as Ram might have been in regards to this topic he was not about to put it to the test with his own cubs. They may not have been his by blood but this was of no matter, they were still his and it was his duty to get them back.
Well, his duty and that of the parents who had elected to accompany them to reclaim their offspring.
"You will return in one pieace," Ram uttered and wrinkled his nose in a low snarl. "Focus on finding the cubs, once you have found them and retrieved them, you can leave..." Ram rolled his shoulders loosely and nodded towards the forests. "If necessary I will cause the bloodbath," he paused briefly and shook his head.
"Just make sure you have another legitimate heir to take my place should I fail to return," he added coolly.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:07 pm
Kali waited until her son was close before lowering her head to his level, gently brushing his brow as she did so.
“I need you to go to your grandmother and stay there. And if you see your aunt, tell her to come and find me.” She spoke quietly. These words were meant for her son and her son alone. If things turned sour, there was a small chance that this could be the last time she was looking at her son but as a warrior, she could not pass on the opportunity to defend her pride even if she did have a litter waiting for her. “Stay close to your brother. Tell your sisters to be strong.”
“I am very proud of you. Now go.” It wasn’t entirely true. The fact was that she never did expect quite as much from her sons as she did from her daughters and as much as she tried not to show it, it was plainly obvious at times. But she didn’t want to part ways with the young lion on anything other than a positive note today. Her voice returned to the more familiar strict tone once again. “Go, Nuria.”
She was pleased that Riddle Mouth still seemed confident and resolute despite the quick reaction from the other pride. Had he shown any weakness at this point, Kali would probably not have been able to refrain from smacking the pride leader silly. But no, Riddle Mouth was still in control, giving orders and looking so confident that Kali couldn’t help but to consider him worthy of following… for the time being.
So Riddle Mouth wanted “strange”. Kali wasn’t particularly imaginative so she was having trouble coming up with a clever way to make herself useful. She decided she’d remain in plain sight instead. As most lionesses of Kunanda blood, Kali was large – larger than most rogue males at least - and her muscles well-honed for battle. Not even her recent pregnancy had kept the purple lioness from her busy training schedule. She would stand behind Riddle Mouth, an abnormally large female for the intruders to see. If her sister were to join them, maybe they would think the pride was filled with lions of her size. She gave Nuria a quick pat on the head and followed after Riddle Mouth.
------------------------------
Zuria took his mother’s words with a very slight widening of his eyes. He did not want to leave – in fact, her words were making it even harder – but then there was that strict tone again. He hated to hear her speaking like they might not see each other again but he wanted to prove he was strong and arguing in such a confusing situation might not play well with his interests.
“Okay.” He said with a determined expression that turned to surpise when his mother patted him gently on the head. It took him a moment to regain his composure but he quickly made his way to the little cubs to speak with the brown girl again. “I have to go. Bye…”
Finally he turned and started walking away, doing his best not to look scared.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 3:56 am
"never said I wouldn't fight lad. Just erring on caution." He sighed as they walked onwards. He could see the group ahead and he could feel the angry aura from the blue lion beside him. He wanted to remain calm but as they god closer, he caught the scent of familiar things. The prides children were here and despite his peaceful ways, he felt, perhaps this would not go well. He could feel the anger in his chest and the closer they got to the conflict the more is muscles bunched. He glanced back for a moment, counting the lions behind them. There were enough, including a few of his sons and grand sons. Cubs, all of them in his minds eye, he couldn't imagine losing any of them. It might come to that though, if this battle came out bloody, he may never see them again.
He set his jaw in a determined line and grunted, letting anger control him was a bad thing but at this point, perhaps anger was the best course of action. What ever his lord decided, he would follow, and honestly, he would happily follow. He wanted to remain the pacifist he had always been, but these were their cubs. He truly didn't understand how anyone could do such a brazen thing.
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Nuzhah looked around her as she was nudged away from the coming conflict. She didn't want to go, a few of her siblings were around her and they seemed more, frightened, than she was. She was frightened, she as scared but she was putting on a brave face. As fire heart nudged her away the pale cub came up to her and bid her farewell. "Wait..Please?" she frowns and looks up at the strangely marked fire heart.
Scuttling out from between the lionesses legs, she followed after the white juvenile. "Please, my legs aren't as long as yours!" She pouts scuttling after the pale male, she manages to reach forwards and catch the tuft of his tail between her teeth. "Please don't go, the big lions are all scary. Please." She sniffles the white juvenile was the only new face she could see comfort in, he had been nice to her and she really didn't want to be left alone with the scary adults that had taken them from their mother.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 8:31 am
As Dhoru crouched, waiting, a short distance up the cliffs, his tail tip twitched with anticipation. He could scent the approaching pride now. As he continued to wait, he was distracted by the movements of the cubs below. He could scent the fear coming off them in waves, and he could hear it in their voices. His heart clenched; while he would continue to steal cubs if his pride asked it of him, he knew that from this moment on he would never agree with it. The turmoil they had thrown these cubs into - and undoubtedly their parents - was painful to watch.
He shifted his attention back to waiting for the Bahari'mtoto. If it came to a physical fight, Dhoru would defend his pride's decision to keep the cubs with his life, but he hoped it didn't play out that way. He wasn't a coward, but bloodshed was never a good thing.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 9:07 am
Furiko listened to Riddle Mouth's instructions and nodded. He understood why he wanted some in the rocks but Furiko wanted to be up front and seen so the other pride king knew he was willing and waiting to take him on if needed. He'd been the one to get caught and the one who'd led them to the pride even if it had been to try and save his skin. He felt responsible now and he was going to stay by Riddle Mouth and defend his home to his death.
There would be no trying to save his skin this time. He had his claws ready and was going to have a piece of the other pride king if it came down to a fight. He had faith in Riddle Mouth's abilities but the other king may just be in it for blood now. They were all about to see and Furiko knew where he was going to be when they found out.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:50 am
As the cubs were ushered out of sight and Zuria left, Kali felt a surge of relief. She stayed behind Riddle Mouth, ears pushing forward to listen to the small rustling sounds ahead. Someone was coming and they were nearly there. The purple lioness took a deep breath, releasing all the tension from her body and a low growl grumbled within her chest. Her dark eyes glanced at the calm and composed shape of her leader, finding some reassurance in his demeanor, before they returned to the foliage ahead. She was ready.
---------------------
Zuria backpedalled when he felt the tug on his tail, turning around to meet those piercing green eyes. He felt terribly conflicted, torn between obeying his mother’s stern command and staying with a cub that very obviously needed some comfort. In the end – and for the second time that day – he decided to ignore his mother’s words. He really really hoped she wouldn’t be mad at him later and that aunt Dauna’s didn’t prove to be essential in the next few moments.
“Okay, I’ll stay.” He told the younger cub, sitting down next to her. “Don’t worry, everything will be alright.” Apparently, one was never too young to make empty promises.
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 3:10 am
Ram raised a brow at Kota and for the first time since this whole fiasco had begun, his lips lifted into a bemused smile. It seemed that for all his charms, even Kota could be pushed to fury and he suspected that in the given circumstances, the elder and former Pridelander would use his monstrous size to his advantage. Suffice to say that the black lion was as fit as the younger Bahari that had accompanied them and truthfully, he'd probably put some of them to shame!
"There is no such thing as caution in the given circumstances," the lion remarked in a disgruntled manner, his features returned to the grim expression they had settled into previously. However, as the glimpse of blue caught his sights his eyes narrowed and what was once a grim expression became ever so slightly wicked - aha, so their prisoner had decided to show his face again.
"Did you bring your bird?" Ram enquired after a few seconds, coming to a brief stop as he regarded Kota. It wasn't that he was aware of those who had elected to hide in the rocks, but it was common sense to have some way of seeing each vantage point. The Bahari may have been peaceful but Ram was rogue born and 'peace' didn't often feature where he came from. "Rest assured I don't intend to send him to war but..." he released a sigh and motioned to their immediate surroundings.
"There are blind spots everywhere, having aerial cover would be useful to ensure we don't get caught from behind," he explained.
With his query raised, he then slipped forward again, head held high as he bridged the last of the distance between himself and the awaiting Kizingo'zaa lions. Alas, if Riddle Mouth had expected him to address him first, he was wrong. Instead, Ram was solely focused on Furiko with the same wicked smile he had held when he'd captured the unfortunate soul.
"It seems you recovered quickly in the last while," he observed and lifted a brow. "Well done," he finished and tilted his head to the side, his tone just a touch patronizing. However, it wasn't the tone that would have caused the problem so much as the sly expression on his features.
...Was Ram going to openly break his 'promise' to his former captive?
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