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 Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:40 pm
 Today he had been given one of the more mundane tasks. He preferred his dusk patrols, but apparently things were in motion, or would be soon, and things were stirred up. He was required to look after the distraught Sacrifices they'd stolen, that they'd 'saved'. He privately sneered to himself, outwardly only bristling his whiskers and letting hit tailtip twitch restlessly. He let his gaze slide over the assembled lions and lionesses. One or two still wept tearlessly, all moisture used up already with all their crying. Others simply sat and stared. Several were known for being thankful and probably would become a part of the Dhati in heart soon. Others were outright unhappy to be there.
Despite his aloof visage, he was not as cold-hearted to their plight as he pretended. He felt pain for those that wept, ached for those in too much shock to even cry. It wasn't them that made him feel all the more snarly than usual. It was the ones who so easily lost their faith, that chose what they saw as freedom instead of desiring to fulfill their portion for the pride. Their true people! It made him sick, but here among the revolution, he could not let such sentiment show. He was supposed to believe in the cause to rescue them, and felt pinned down in his chosen role as spy. How he longed to simply cut and run back to his fellow Mizimu members.
Disturbed by these thoughts, his ears pinned back and he rumbled in his throat. He wasn't sure how many guards were typical for the guards of their rescued 'bretheren', but today it was him and one other. He prowled about his side of the group and watched those that looked rebellious more closely. Those had potential. They might come in handy in the time when action was taken.
He stopped nearby one of those sullen individuals. This was a youngster, a juvie of bright orange color. Haini sat himself down and pretended to glare about. Sometimes it was useful to be known and a grouchy old lion. Perhaps noone would approach them while he looked so sour and waspish.
Quietly, not looking directly at the brightly colored Sacrifice, he spoke in low tones. "So, are you a patriot?" He continued to not look at the lion he spoke to, turning his face instead to catch a faint breeze that rippled his mane.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:07 pm
Blota had soon learned that he wasn't the only "liberated" sacrifice that had been stolen away by the dissenters. Dhati, they called themselves, but Blota wouldn't speak that name. They were cowards and dissenters, the lot of them. Should he pity them or despise them for disobeying the Spirits? Sure, some of them were clueless outsiders, but he had seen enough to realise that many had once been part of the Mizimu'Tungika. He could forgive an outsider who didn't know better, but those traitors... No.
He had been shocked for a good while after his capture, and he had quite honestly been a little bit afraid too. But the shock of being tricked had started to shift into anger by now. He wouldn't let fear taint his spirit, he wouldn't be a frightened coward like that green pelted male guarding them. When his patrol took him closer to Blota the young lion bared his teeth in a defiant snarl."So, are you a patriot?"What?? What was that supposed to mean? Blota had seen some of his captured brethren be released as soon as the dissenters were sure they would no longer be a threat, and he had been horrified to see those former sacrifices start to help this so called pride, even prepare to fight on their side. But if the green coward thought he was ripe for the picking he would be sorely mistaken.
"I will never betray the Mizimu," he said, claws extending from sheer emotion, "I'm not a coward. Can't you see that your Spirits will be lost if you try to fight us!"
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:39 pm
So pleased was Haini that he bared his teeth in a wide grin and turned his face to the sky. At last, he wasn't alone in this forsaken task! He brought his head back down into a nod of more sedate satisfaction. Good, good," he rumbled deep in his chest. He rose to pace back and forth a moment in agitated pleasure, then turned to gaze directly into the fierce young eyes. "Honor to you, Sacrifice." He slowly, so slowly, inclined his head in as much of a bow as he dared. Why had he not thought to approach a captured Sacrifice before this? Looking back, he could have used the help and the company. Well, that was soon to be rectified.
"Peace to you also, Sacrifice," he continued, once more looking away so that none might see the connection he was trying to make with the young male. "I do not cast my lot with this revolt. I merely stand watch for news to send home." Not, he thought ruefully, that he'd had much to impart. He was not included in the intensive planning for the attack, more's the pity. Unfortunately, even if he had indeed obtained information, his contact had disappeared. His ears swivelled at the thought. He hoped all was well with her, but that wasn't his concern here and now.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:20 pm
It was clearly evident from his body language that Blota was confused, and it took some time for him to realise what the coward had said. What? Was this some new kind of new trick? He wasn't sure if the other lion was being sincere or if he was just mocking his faith. Last time he trusted someone blindly he ended up here, and Blota was not going to repeat that mistake if he could help it. His ears betrayed a range of confused emotions but eventually they settled slightly folded back.
"And you want me to believe that," he said quietly and still half snarling, "This might as well be some kind of trick."
No, he wasn't just going to accept what the lion just had said. But a glimmer of hope was a glimmer of hope, and he wasn't going to blow it by shouting his reply either. The green pelt made him even more suspicious, and he had a hard time accepting that the green lion could be some kind of spy for the Mizimu.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:10 pm
Haini pinned his ears and gave the young male such a glaring look of exasperation that it was clear that this time he was not at all pleased. How did he expect to take advantage of opportunities given him with an attitude like that? "Well yes, of course it could be," he growled softly, not bothering to hide his scorn. "But what help is it to you if you spit on an offer of possible help, a possible out?" He stared very hard at the orange boy. "It happens that it is not a trick, however."
He rose to pace in a circle around the once-Sacrifice. He didn't bother to hide his interest in him any longer. This had turned out to be taking longer than he expected, having to convince the cub that he was genuine. And how to do that exactly? His muscles rippled beneath his green hide, rather well developed for an aging one such as he. White muzzle and powerful body usually did not go together. He, however, had had to fight for what he wanted in his next life. He wasn't even considered a decent offering as a Sacrifice should his time come upon him in a slow, weakened way. No, it was death in battle he sought. A means to his purpose.
But as for this little upstart, he was flummoxed. He was not a thinker, but a doer. Finally at a total loss, he lashed his tail and sat. "What would you have me say, cub? Anything I say could be a lie. Any vow I make would only make you suspect me and my green fur." He said it without as much rancor as you'd expect. He was used to this kind of treatment. It merely was very much in the way right now of gaining the trust of this young captive. "I may tell you that I stay true to the Mizimu in hopes of a better life in the next, but why would you believe me?" He gave a great sigh, one filled with frustration and resignation. So, it seemed he was to remain alone after all. Oh, the boy was right to be suspicious, but it hadn't really occured to Haini how that could interfere in his connecting with anyone here against their will.
It was a bitter lesson, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:13 pm
Blota had the decency to look ashamed as Haini chewed him out, and a sudden fear overtook him. Not because he was afraid of being hurt by the other lion, no he could deal with being beaten (or so he thought). No, he was afraid to trust and afraid not to trust this lion. What if he was tricked again? And even worse... what if this was real and he lost his chance because he was... scared?
Fear is the most potent adversary you can face. You may need all the strength your spirit has, to battle it. But with a strong conviction like that, I'm sure you will do fine.
As he remembered Yuusas words he realised that he couldn't allow fear to cripple him and let her down like this. Blota decided to take this leap of faith. If it turned out to be a trick he had at least tried his best to fight against these traitors. He just hoped it wasn't too late to take the chance.
"I'm Blota," he said quietly, "What can I do?"
He didn't say 'I'm sorry' with words, but his meek posture probably got the message across. Blota had never been good at hiding emotions.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:01 pm
Haini stared long and hard at the younger male. He assessed him in silence, weighing what he could sense. His sincerity seemed real. His expressions tended to comically show what his heart was thinking. That could be a problem for what he wanted to do. Then again, it wouldn't be out of character for a young and stubborn Sacrifice to be trying to rouse action against his captors. It would only become a problem if the other Dhati saw how Haini felt about it. He gave a soft cough of decision and firmed his jaw.
"What you can do, Biota, is talk to the others." He flicked his glance, carefully cold and distant, towards the other Sacrifices. "Some may feel as you do. Others might be convinced to do more than merely weep." His eyes narrowed in on one such specimen, and he gave a disdainful huff through his nose, spreading his whiskers wide. He turned his gaze back to his compatriot. "See whom you can gather among them. Perhaps," he began, but trailed off, the wheels of his mind turning furiously. This was a challenge for a lion who was used to taking orders, not giving them.
"Perhaps we should discuss possible plans later," he concluded. That would give him time to puzzle out what might come next. Perhaps even his skull-masked contact might have some ideas. Either way, it was best not to talk too long now that he knew he'd be attempting to talk things over with Biota later. "Do what you can. I'll be around," he murmured as he rose onto his paws again. Time to move on so as not to arouse suspicion. Right now, that would be disastrous, ruining any chances he had to assist his pride in defeating these traitors. Not to mention the peril it put his life's mission in as well. If he failed now, who knew how the spirits would judge him for the next life?
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:16 am
Blota did his best not to cringe under the older lions gaze, but it was hard. He suddenly felt a strong, irrational need to prove himself to the other male and the silent evaluation was almost more than he could take. He stayed silent, however, determined to pass this test despite the fact that he didn't know what was being evaluated. Relief washed through him as Haini finally started to talk again and tell him what to do.
He listened attentively, ears perking up, and couldn't find anything unreasonable or overly dangerous about the suggestion. It made a lot of sense to try to talk to the others, and he couldn't see how that could be a Dhati mind trick. He was almost disappointed that there didn't seem to be more danger involved.
"Do you think you should perhaps smack me around a little," he suggested meekly, but with excitement shining in his eyes, "Just a little bit so the others don't suspect anything?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:39 pm
His first instinct was to gruffly brush off the eager youngster's suggestion. Roughing him up would serve no purpose but to draw the attention of the others, making them wonder why he was subduing the Sacrifices that had been 'rescued' from death. He figured that if anything, these Dhati were more likely to be wanting to coax and cajole those resistant to this change they sought to make. Still... the idea had merit.
He gently cuffed Biota with the edge of his paw, catching him across the top of the head where he met mostly head fluff rather than skull. It was more a gesture of adult to cub than of militant to prisoner. "Foolish boy," he chuffed loud enough for others to hear, but not so loud as to be obviously doing it to be heard. "You know not what you say. You'll learn better, in time." His voice was rough, his expression dry. He allowed himself a hint of amusement. His words were cryptic enough to be taken almost any way a listener was inclined. To the Sacrifice in a lower voice, he rumbled what the warning had actually meant. "Beware asking a warrior to smack you around, cub," he said quietly, giving the orange male a significant look. "Can be dangerous, asking one trained to kill to act like he'd want to do so to you."
Even so, he was feeling pleased with himself now. His doubts melted away in the face of his ultimate success. So there were a few bumps in the road? He'd dealt with them. A quick thought for the spirits left him hoping they were paying attention. This is me, seeking your favor for the next life! It was probably an irreverent thought, but surely the spirits would not mind his silent appeals? Not when he was here, risking his life to save their ways of directing the pride?
Only death would tell if he'd met with their approval or not. For now, he had at least one compatirot in the midst of the rebels. He spared a smile for the younger lion. "Stay sharp. Talk to the others. We can talk more another time." If time indeed was given to them.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:47 am
Blota looked utterly humiliated as he was scolded by his green pelted guardian, and he couldn't have acted his part better if he had tried. He had planned to make a show of it to make it look more "real", but the last whispered comment made him so embarrassed that he couldn't even begin to act out his role as planned. And that was probably a good thing since Blota was just as bad at hiding feelings as he was at faking them. This, on the other hand, he was good at. It seemed as if he'd been constantly scolded, humiliated or embarrassed lately. He was nearly an adult, but every time he thought he knew what he was doing the Spirits seemed to go out of their way prove him wrong.
"Yes," he mumbled, not quite ready to meet the other's gaze again, "See you later."
In retrospect he could see how stupid it had been to ask a larger, battle trained lion to attack him and he still cringed. He just hadn't thought it through properly before opening his mouth, and in all honestly he hadn't realised that the green lion was a warrior. It would take some time to adjust his old view of the world, where all green lions were weaker cowardly beings. Things weren't as easy to make sense of as they had seemed to be only a moon ago and that was more than a little bit scary.
He watched Haini go and took a deep breath to collect himself. Blota had an important job to do now and he scanned his surroundings to find a place to start. He picked out a likely looking Sacrifice that seemed to have passed the crying stage. They had been cared for by the same Minder for a while, and Blota hoped he would be able to gain another ally.
"This really sucks, huh?" he said, offering a small smile to the other.
--fin--
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