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 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:05 pm
After his discussion with Verge'lian, Barakillian had taken to becoming more actively involved in the pride. The Aran'shale's comments had stirred something in him, the ideals the other had rather attractive. The only drawback? He wasn't a particularly religious soul... every member here claimed to have a demonic soul within but as much as he resonated with the pride, he wasn't sure if he too had a demon inside him.
What made a demon a demon? How did you know?
The volcano had been described as sacred and he stood on a knoll now, looking up at the great mountain. Perhaps a journal there would give him answers?
He'd spent much time in thought, looking within himself and searching for something he wasn't sure about. It was a fruitless effort for he knew not what to look for and with such polar opposites as Iartuupe and Verge'lian, he found himself feeling not quite empty, but torn. He needed guidance of some sort but was too proud and too independent to ask the king for advice let alone a random stranger in the pride.
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:17 pm
Abeni trotted out of the den that served as her sacred home and temple. She had just recently moved into the Priest's Dens, but already it seemed like a perfect fit. She had privacy, and was able to speak to the Gods in peace. Though... Having her unexpected litter had made that a bit more difficult. Luckily she was able to wander off while they were sleeping and the like.
But now she needed a break. The steamy air of the temple made her light headed after a couple of days, and at times she just needed to get out. She was an average sized female, with sleek black fur, and eyes that seemed to glow gold in the shadows.
The seer yawned lazily and continued her walk, eyes half lidded from the sunlight. She wasn't used to the brightness of sunlight... After a bit of walking she noticed the dark purple lion in front of her. An eyebrow raised, and she stopped to stare at him curiously.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:03 am
Feeling the gaze of another on him, the large male turned to regard the dark female. Rumbling questioningly, his eyes narrowed. What was with this pride? Either lions attack him from out of the blue or they stopped and stared at him... Harumphing, he returned to looking to the volcano. "Is there something you want, lioness?" His tone was confident, perhaps even cocky, and a might displeased. "If you have something to say, say it." Barakillian tilted his head to regard her once more.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:09 pm
She didn't look offended by his annoyance. Instead she just smiled, ears twitching slightly. "If you demand words, I suppose I'll start by saying 'hello'." Her voice was soft and calm.
Abeni walked closer to him, whether he seemed to invite her presence or not. If he looked too offended than she could always just walk past him and away. "You are new, I think? My name is Abeni." Purred, smiling coyly.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:18 pm
He lifted a brow at her cool reply and tossed his head, paying her more attention as she drew near, "I suppose you could say that. Barakillian." Eyes narrowed at her expression, wondering what she meant to do, "And what is your role here? I have met the two kings so what does that make you? Something else important considering you've come from the volcano?" He seemed almost arrogant in the curl of his lips and the tone of his voice, "What is so captivating about the mound of rocks, anyway?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:26 pm
"Barakillian... Such a strong name." Chuckled softly, eyeing him as she approached. She stopped a few feet to his side, eyes flickering up at the volcano. "I am certainly not a King... But I am a Ele'aine... A priestess, you could say." She looked back at him. "The gods have blessed me with the sight to see the future, when they see fit."
Her smile widened, and again she looked back to the massive mountain. "If you can not see how captivating it can be... then I do feel sorry for your perceptive skills, Barakillian."
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:37 pm
"A priestess...?" He tilted his head a little then harumphed, "I do not envy your assumptions, Ele'aine. I can see the grandeur of the volcano well enough but it is the holiness of it that I am questioning. The intangible. To have such faith and no proof, it must be like walking as a blind lion does with no hand in your own fate." He shrugged, "An inner strength, I understand, but the higher powers? Never have I come across something that could be passed as the work of a deity.
"So tell me, what are you a priestess of? The Volcano? Or the gods to which the rock is linked?" Bara frowned as he turned to face her, rumbling as he spoke. It was clear he was very skeptical about the whole idea of patron gods.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:53 pm
She chuckled softly in response. "I see. I suppose the pride's beliefs are hard to conceive, to some..." The seer sat then, head tilting as she looked over him curiously. "Everyone sees things differently, I suppose. It's your choice whether you completely believe in the Gods or not. It was easy for me to except such a thing..."
Abeni paused for a moment, weighing her words. "For now, I am the priestess of the whole pride. The volcano, the gods, everything that we hold dear. I listen to my demon, for he guides me. I watch the future and make sure that we will all remain safe and blessed."
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:05 pm
"I'll believe when it's something I see and hear for myself." He replied shortly, growling. Barakillian had never been one to simply accept something... he questioned, poked, prodded and tested it. The male often enjoyed making others question themselves as well. How can you be so confident if you waver in your personal beliefs after all?
"A demon, remaining safe and blessed?" He scoffed and shook his head, "Commendable, to protect such a bloody way of life."
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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:20 pm
She smiled wider then, head bobbing slightly in a nod. "That is good that you question, I think..." She shifted, raising a paw to lick at it idly. "If you have doubts, then you should not ignore them and follow blindly... That would be foolish. I'm sure you will find your true path eventually... And if you determine that you are not a real demon, then you can merely leave." It probably wouldn't be that easy... But she was speaking her mind.
Her paw rested back against the ground and she chuckled. "I suppose... Though I see it as protecting my new family, my people... More than a way of life. My views are not quite as... bloody as most of the pride. Though I will not deny them their... hobbies."
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:24 pm
He simply nodded at that, falling silent to gaze out at the volcano once more. Barakillian would know soon enough, he had yet to undergo the appropriate rites to become a fully fledged member of the pride... had been thinking of what his place might be if he did indeed stay. Verge'lian had earned his respect with the cool exterior and personal confidence. Had Iartuupe been the only king, Bara doubted he would have stayed - such a hot headed leader would spell doom for a pride on his own, he was sure.
"Interesting... and they allow someone so different to be their priestess?" Barakillian mused as he tilted his head to regard her once more, "Their bloodlust is their beliefs, from what I can tell. And I do not disagree - if you cannot stand against life then you deserve to fall."
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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:27 pm
She shrugs. "They seem content enough to have me... Though don't misunderstand me. I would readily bare my claws and teeth to anyone that crossed me or my kin, but I simply do not go... looking for trouble. I agree with their religious beliefs, of course... I meant that... I find it rather foolish to use your claws before your mind. As some might do."
"And either way... if the gods have chosen me to be their voice, than how can I deny them of the outlet?" Her tone wasn't particularly vain, she seemed to just be stating her opinion.
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Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:44 am
"Hm." He answered, having to agree with her sentiments. Barakillian was no fool and while he did go looking trouble, he knew when it was not wise to pursue it. Glancing at her, he tossed his head and shrugged, "I do not lead this pride. If they accept you then it is not for me to argue the point, I've no desire to take on responsibility for a pride.
"However... as a Priestess, you know the significance of that Volcano. What is it for?" In a roundabout way, it seemed he wanted to know of their rituals, what would be required of him if he stayed.
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:23 pm
"I did not say you did, dear..." She said lightly, almost teasingly. "Controling a pride, especially this one, seems like merely a headache." She purs softly, pondering. Then her attention turned from him to the mountain close to them, the volcano.
For a moment she seemed lost in thought. The volcano had become almost a living entity for her. She lived inside it, spoke to it, and it answered and blessed her. Finally, she spoke.
"It has many uses and services to offer. We believe that it is a... gateway, of sorts. For our demons. We protect it, and it protects us.. Personally, I live inside it, but it has uses for the rest of the pride too... Ah, the naming ceremony takes place in there..."
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