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 Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:34 pm
Takes place after this RP but before this RP. It was the agreed place and time, and the new moon offered enough light to see without being seen too easily. Skuld had hidden her bones and her mask under a thorny bush to make sure that the gleam of bone wouldn't give her away.
A thrill of excitement rippled through her body and she suddenly felt like a little girl. The danger didn't bother her much, and while she knew she should she couldn't quite take this rebel group completely seriously. Unhappy members had sneaked away in the night from time to time for as long as she could remember, but nothing bad had come from it yet. They simply doomed their own Spirits by turning away from the right way, but there was nothing she could do about it. Or so she told herself.
He should be here soon, and she looked around, straining her eyes to see anyone approaching. Shadows seemed to dance in the corners of her eyes, suddenly reminding her of the disturbing things she had experienced lately. Now was not the time for another episode and she hoped that the Spirits would let her keep a level head. Her eyesight wasn't what it had once been, and the dark certainly didn't help. It couldn't be more than shadows, right? But even if someone unfriendly was out there she was fairly expendable for a Mizimu member. But her friend would surely emerge from the shadows soon and she would feel silly for even thinking that.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:57 pm
He approached her silently as roughtened warrior pads could. He was not exactly a sneaker, but he could soften his step and quiet his breathing when he needed to. In times of covert battle. War was definitely what he'd inserted himself into, for all that so little blood had as yet been shed.
He stopped nearby and coughed a low and respectful greeting. Around those of his own pride, Haini did not forget his place as a greenie. All others were to be treated with deference and respect. This was critical if he wished to earn himself a proper pelt color in his next life. He doubted he'd achieve it if he insulted those who deserved honor and homage. When around the Dhati, however, he'd had to fall into the dangerous habit of treating all equally unless they had direct oversight of him. It grated on him to be forced into such uncouth actions, but it also riled him to see spiritless lions being treated with as much deference, if not more, than the noble Sacrifices they 'protected'. The very idea made his throat vibrate with disapproval. He quieted the surge of thoughts so as not to incite anger from his contact.
"Maisha'uhaini reporting," he announced softly. It was likely they were unobserved, but it didn't do to be too cocky about that.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 2:46 pm
Skuld's tail twitched once at the sound of the low cough and she turned to face Maisha'uhaini. He looked serious, almost grim, surrounded by the darkness, and that thrill of excitement ran through her once again. At his high strung greeting she couldn't suppress a grin. The whole situation was almost surreal. Two low ranking Mizimu members meddling with affairs that might be more suitable for the Claw to handle.
"Oh you," she said in a low voice that betrayed her smile, "There's no need to be so official sounding about this."
But he had always been a nice male, and usually pleasant to be around. This whole spy business had seemed a bit out of character at first, but it made perfect sense for him to offer to take this risk when she thought more about it. It hadn't been her idea, not at all, but she had agreed to act as his contact back to the Mizimu (after some deliberating of course). She was honoured that he trusted her enough to be his lifeline.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:27 pm
It was surprising how less fierce she looked without the skull cradling her face. Her almost playful tone was more relaxed than he felt. He wasn't entirely sure what the Dhati would do if they found him out, but he was certain it wouldn't be pleasant. And if they knew he wished to die for his pride's cause, they might even keep him alive, maimed perhaps, dying a slow and useless death that would condemn him to perhaps never be reborn at all. The very idea made him shudder. He did not feel at all as light-hearted as his contact sounded.
"I have little to report," he began soberly, brusquely brushing aside her teasing comment. "At least, nothing that the pride does not already know. The Dhati are growing in number by the day. They plan to kidnap as many Sacrifices as they can manage, as I'm sure is obvious by now." He paused, glancing over his shoulder at a soft sound he could not immediately identify. It had been a scrape against a rock, but what had done it? A rustle low to the ground under a bush made him flick his ears forward alertly. When no larger noise emerged, though, he surmised it had been some sort of small creature. A lizard perhaps, or a snake. Scale on stone could have made the sound he'd detected.
Reassured, he turned back to her. "They are converting some of the Sacrifices to their cause. Warn our brothers and sisters that when this leads to bloodshed, for it will, that they could be fighting those they cherish." His tone was relatively expressionless. He had noone he cared for especially. All his family were gone already, taken by the spirits in one way or another. He remained alone of his bloodline. "Others have yet to be convinced. I shall keep my eyes out for a likely patriot to gain help from among them. It might be arranged to have a revolt within the revolt." His teeth flashed then in the starlight as he bared them in a feral grin. Yes, carnage of the enemy would be a very welcome thing indeed.
He wasn't entirely sure to whom Skuld told the things he brought to her, but the indentity mattered little, so long as it helped them to triumph. Business on his end done now, he unbent a little more, giving her a quick cheekrub of greeting. It was brief and polite, not the tender gesture of one close friend to another, much less of the affefction of lovers. "Are you well? How goes the pride?" His voice now carried a longing, a wistfulness. He did not like his self-imposed exile much at all. Though he might not have any loved ones specifically, he loved the pride as a whole, and treasured its beliefs. It felt strange and wrong to be so far from them, to not be present for ceremonies or duties he'd once assisted with. But hopefully soon he'd be able to go home again.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:16 pm
Skuld listened in silence, only nodding now and then to show Haini that she understood. She didn't hear the small noise, but wasn't surprised that her friend made a pause to watch and listen. As a member of the Heart she was more used to listening to the Spirits and was not as attentive when it came to her surroundings. She waited patiently for him to check that they were still safe and didn't speak until he was done with his report.
"I like your thinking," she said, returning the cheekrub with a smile, "It should be possible to start something if there are unwilling sacrifices there. And I'm glad they're unwilling, many in the pride seem to assume that every lion disappearing is a deserter."
It was a small relief that not all Sacrifices who had disappeared lately had gone willingly. It angered her that their enemies were stealing their Sacrifices, but it warmed her heart that they had to be taken by force and didn't run of to these dissenters as soon as the border guards turned their backs. To hear that some had been turned against the Mizimu after being kidnapped was disappointing but not unexpected.
"The pride is suffering," she said, and her smile disappeared, "Food is still scarce and the spirits are restless. I can't seem to speak to them inside Mizimu lands anymore, I don't know if it's because they're more tight-lipped than usual or if there are too many shouting at once. I plan to try to do some readings while I'm out here."
Other things bothered her too, but she wouldn't burden Maisha'uhaini with those matters. She wasn't even sure how to tell another lion about it. No, she would have to try with Skadi again later, unless the spirits gave her more insight in that matter during the trip she had planned after their meeting.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:41 pm
He frowned. He knew things were bad for his pride, of course, but to hear just how bad was disturbing. He began to pace restlessly. At least he was attempting to do what he could to help, rather than just following the warriors around like a lost wild dog puppy. He reminded himself of this, stopping in his tracks to take a deep breath.
"I'll see if I can convince some of the faithful Sacrifices to move against the Dhati, whether soon or when the time of battle comes upon us." For there was no doubt that would come. Right now they did fight, but these small scuffles were mere skirmishes, no matter how many lives were lost via them. The Dhati fully intended on utter domination or purging of the pride. A day was being planned for, there was no doubt. The blooshed that day would be staggering. The grass would be watered with the lives of many.
He turned his thoughts to her mentioning moving away from the pride's territory to do her readings. His head came up both with interest and wariness. "Would you prefer an escort, to ensure your safety?" he inquired. There was a great deal of politeness in his tone, but also genuine concern. She was one of the few who didn't treat him with stark disregard. Perhaps she saw beyond the color of his fur? He didn't know, but he was respectful and grateful for that kindness. It would never enter his mind to allow himself to grow too fond of her. Such things were frowned on at the very least. It was not his place to pursue pride females, not with his green hide as glaring testament to his unworthiness as mate or father. Even so, looking after a fellow Mizimu member that saw some value in him was not beyond his place. These were dangerous times, and she might need some help if she were to do readings away from the pride's protection.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:54 am
He was such a pleasant boy, Skuld mused, and always so polite. Another night she might have been selfish enough to take him up on the offer, but she really needed to consult the spirits and to think. Alone. There were also greater things at stake here and Skuld latched onto those arguments, even if that wasn't her main reasons for wanting to walk alone.
"Thank you," Skuld said with a gentle smile, "but there's no need to compromise your role as spy for my sake. I know my way around these parts well enough to be able to stay out of trouble."
The problem for Skuld was that her knowledge of the land was dated, and even with the intelligence she had passed on from Haini back to the Mizimu she didn't know the exact locations of the Dhati borders, or the extent of their patrols. But sadly she couldn't know that her knowledge was lacking.
"We should try not to be seen together," she said, "If a Dhati guard or scout sees us together all this will have been for nothing. If I'm found alone..." she paused, pondering this possibility.
"I either manage to outrun them, or make their lives hell from the Spirit realm." she said with stubborn determination. "And in that case I've made sure enough lions in the Mizimu know of your true allegiances to make sure you can return safely if it's needed."
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:06 pm
There was at least that. He chuffed his thankfulness for her foresight, but couldn't hide his frown at her determination to go on alone. He didn't like it, not one bit. He was learning firsthand how dangerous the Dhati could be. They were serious business, and wouldn't hesitate to take her out completely if given the chance. However, she was the one in charge here, not he. Like it or not, it wasn't his place to naysay the female. He bowed his head in acceptance of her decision.
It was not disrespectufl, however, to do as he did next. A warning rumble emerged as he raised his head again, and he paced nearer. "Go softly, Skuld, and keep your eyes and ears open." Genuine concern made his voice particularly gruff. He wanted to tell her not to be a fool, to run if she met more than she could handle. But considering he himself would give his life if he felt it could be given honorably for his pride, he could hardly warn her off from doing so herself. How could he know what pact she sought with the spirits herself? He gritted his teeth in frustration, backed into a no-win situation. He couldn't help the flicker of regret that rose up, betraying his vulnerability for one who deigned to be kind to him even though it wasn't his place to be bestowed with such sentiment. What if's haunted him in regards to her, though he never dared to think too long on them.
Instead, he growled aloud, "I'd best move off, or I might be the cause for your downfall." It wasn't much, but it was all he could offer by way of showing her that she wasn't just his contact. Oh, he tried his best to keep it as formal as he could, but deeper things snuck out once in a while. Without another word, he turned back towards the Dhati camp and the cold comforts of pretending to be allied with a cause he would give his life to subdue.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:52 am
"I will," Skuld said, "And you have to promise me to be careful too."
There wasn't much left to say at this point. It was obvious that Haini wasn't very happy to let her wander off on her own and she could see why he would feel that way. These were dangerous times. For a moment she considered lying to him and tell him she'd go straight home instead, but she respected him more than that. The truth made him unhappy, but it would not be fair to lie. She wasn't telling him exactly why she needed to talk to the Spirits so badly, but omitting those details... No, that wasn't lying. She told herself that at least.
"See you when this is over," she called softly after him. Just loud enough for him to hear, but hopefully not enough to give away their position. They'd meet again in this world or in the next, she was sure. Only the Spirits knew which one it'd be.
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