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 Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:15 pm
Lila stood in silence, tail tip tapping against the pavement as she studied the landscape around her - it was your typical urban alleyway and somewhere amidst the debris and neighboring rooftops Lila knew without a shadow of a doubt that another cat waited for her.
Another cat with a pair of crossbows and rather deadly aim. Typically such a thought would be rather worrying...and certainly not a position Lila would willingly put herself into without damn good reason. She was reasonably certain however that Sagara would not shoot her - they had parted on good terms and if she had felt any qualms about the others nature then she never would have set up this meeting in the first place and she definitely wouldn't be standing out here in the open. "You might as well come out" She invited "I already know your there and you've had enough time to see that I'm alone"
A few moments of silence greeted Lila's invitation before the distinctive sound of a weapon being holstered sounded from above, Lila tipped her head up as a cat, silhouetted by the sun appeared on a rooftop above.
"When it come to you, being alone is not necessarily the reassurance it is with others" Sagara replied, though she made her way down from the rooftop regardless, using a fire escape to slide her way down until she hit the pavement, knees bending to absorb the impact.
"But you did indeed come when I sent word, so something about me must be reassuring" Lila responded as she watched the other descend and start towards her.
"Friendship perhaps...or loyalty from past favors"
"Both worthy enough reasons" Lila replied with a seldom seen smile "but I am glad you came none the less. It is good to see you again
"You said I was needed and so I came" Sagara said with a slight shrug, her tone indicating that such a reason was more then enough and that no further explanation was necessary.
"None the less it is good to see that you have not lost your sense of caution since we saw each other last" Trust or not between them they both knew that anyone could have sent that message and it had been wise of Sagara to make sure it was indeed her before making her presence known.
"If I had - I'd be dead by now"
"Truer words never spoken" Lila agreed with a slight nod of her head "And I do have need of you - I have pledged my services to another and find his support system lacking"
"Another?" Saraga question with a slight tilt of her head "That is somewhat unlike you"
"Unlike but not unheard of, his cause is a good one and I owe him" Lila replied
Sagara remained silent for a few moments before responding - normally she would ask more questions, demand more then the vague answers she had been given - but their past was such that Sagara was willing to take the other cat at her word and so she merely nodded. "Shall we go to see him them?"
"Not yet" replied Lila a she turned her attention to the Alley mouth "We're still waiting on another"
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Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:37 pm
When word from Lila had reached her Morgaine was willing to help out, in whatever it was her old friend wanted. She had known Lila for quite some time now and knew her to be a trustworthy cat. Though that trust Morgaine had decided that whatever Lila needed help with, she would be there. Besides with her old clan nearly all dead now she had few who were close to her and even fewer that she trusted, though one day she would need to find those that had survived and scattered.
She had arrived at the described meeting place well ahead of schedule and used that extra time to scout the place out. Nothing significant caught her interest, at least not until she saw another approach the area. The other cat stayed on the roof under Lila called out to her. Was this other cat to meet with Lila as well. Morgaine had watched from her cover as the second cat approached Lila, they seemed to know each other but for Morgaine that was not enough, she could not trust this other cat just yet.
Pulling an arrow from her quiver Morgaine silently notched it in her bows string. She had noticed the other cat meeting with Lila carried a crossbow, but Morgaine preferred a longbow, it may not be as easy to conceal as a crossbow, but she was extremely accurate, and because of that deadly, with her preferred weapon. Stepped out from her concealed place of hiding, Morgaine stood at the entrance to the alley, bow and arrow held in her hand, though she held the bow down and her arms were relaxed it would take her only a second to aim and fire with deadly precision if needed. "I was expecting you to be alone." Morgaine called out to Lila as she eyed the other cat with suspicion.
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Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 2:56 pm
Having been previously warned by Lila about the arrival of another Sagara was not startled when another cat showed itself in the alley mouth, the sight of her carrying a weapon however made her eyes narrow and her hand drop towards her holstered weapon.
Lila however was just as quick in grabbing Sagara's dropping hand by the wrist and staling any such motion, she never took her eyes off Morgaine while she did so "Being unpredictable is simply another weapon in ones arsenal" Lila responded to Morgaine's remark before releasing Sagara's hand.
"This is Sagara" She said by way of introduction "She is a former comrade just as you are" Glancing at Sagara she motioned towards Morgaine "Morgaine...an old friend."
"I need the both of you"
Sagara took a few more moments to regard Morgain before nodding slightly "If Lila says your alright..then I'll take her word for it"
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Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:55 pm
Morgaine watched in silence as Lila was quick to bring the others actions to a stop. Though it wasn't until after the situation was explained did Morgaine's grip on the arrow loosen and then she stepped forward a bit. Using her index finger she turned the arrow so that it was sitting flush with the handle of the bow, her eyes locked on Sagara for a few moments. Morgaine trusted Lila completely, but this new stranger was yet to earn her trust, for the moment however she would trust in Lila and in doing so trust Sagara.
"I can't think of a time you've ever been predictable." Morgaine replied to Lila's earlier comment and then turned her attention back to Sagara. "I trust in Lila as well." It was as close as Morgaine would come to stating that she would trust in Sagara. Though her true judgment would be reserved for later, after she had seen the other in action and deemed whether she was a worthy cat or not. "So what you need us for?" Her eyes moved back to Lila as she pulled the bow over her shoulder and placed the arrow back in the quiver.
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:23 am
"Then bringing you both here at once shouldn't be that much of a surprise" Lila responded with a hint of amusement, truthfully she'd arranged this entire thing just for this reason..better to let them both get over the initial posturing and threatening here then in front of Red Eyes, whatever suspicions they continued to have she'd take care of later..send them off on a mission together. Once they saw each other in action then they would if nothing else at least respect one another and if the mission was dangerous enough maybe they'd even come back liking one another.
Bonds formed with shared danger seemed to be the ones which lasted the longest with cats such as they were. In the meantime the fact that they were willing to work together merely on her word - like she had known they would - would have to be enough for now.
"As I just told Sagara I've pledged my services to another and I've found his current associates..lacking when it comes to fighting ability. Naturally when considering my options I thought of the both of you"
Sagara returned Morgaines look with a critical one of her own but otherwise remained quiet while Lila explained the situation once more "I've already agreed to help" She added when Lila was finished, not that the other cat would care all that much.
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:38 am
Morgaine held back any further comments she may be thinking at the time. She respected Lila too much to throw about any such words, and really until Sagara did something to piss her off there was no real reason for them. Though news of Lila pledging her services to another was a bit shocking, but she knew Lila well enough that she would only work with those she deemed worthy and therefore Morgaine knew she could trust this so far unnamed cat. "You know I will help, I would not have shown up if I didn't wish to aid you." It was a simple statement but a truthful one, Morgaine would not have responded to Lila's summoning had she no desire to help out her old friend in some way. "So what do we meet the one you work for?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:39 am
Lila was not at all surprised by Morgaine's word and gave her a nod of agreement. Morgaine was not the type to show up merely to yank our chain, neither was Sagara for that matter which was a trait Lila appreciated in the both of them...it was hard enough to find good help without having to play games in order to receive it.
"I'll take you both to him now" She told the two cats before turning her back on the both of them and walking back up the alley way. Lila hated turning her back on anyone and that she did so would simply further enhance Morgaine and Sagara's trust with one another - there was no way Lila would place herself in such a vulnerable position if she didn't trust the both of them whole heartedly.
Lila just hoped Red eyes would be as receptive to this idea she these two had proved to be. He needed warriors..so she had found some - she was pretty sure she wouldn't have to argue their cases to much when she appeared with them in tow.
Sagara watched Lila walk off for a few paces before shrugging slightly and starting after her, if Lila was comfortable turning her back on Morgaine then she was too - besides she was eager to meet this mysterious cat who had managed to bring Lila to his cause.
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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:13 pm
Alone in the dark the black cat paced. When in the company of others he was nothing but smiles and cordiality, and even when alone he usually felt no reason to be terribly somber. But something preoccupied his mind, two loose ends that had yet to be pulled back and rethreaded into his otherwise flawless construct.
The first and most apparent was that his brother was still very much alive. While not particularly troublesome yet since CC did not have mutual knowledge, it was somewhat vexing. BC had been sure his brother had died . . . A rare mistake that might come back to haunt him. He would need to be taken out in the future to avoid unnecessary complications.
The second loose end: It had been weeks now . . . Had his letter gone through to the doctor? He was beginning to wonder.
The warm air that kept both himself and Lila cozy down in the office basement suddenly became stifling. A breath of fresh air, some time walking to clear his head - that was all he needed. Why was he growing anxious? Of course the post would be slow, given the nasty weather abroad this winter. And CC was in laughable condition whenever BC spied him in the bar; hardly that warrior of justice he had claimed as a younger man.
The letter would arrive eventually. The doctor could not refuse him.
And his brother? A minor nuisance to be taken care of, he thought with a return to his smile as he headed up the stairs to the office's first floor.
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:33 am
Morgaine waited as Lila turned her back on the two of them and began to walk away. It wasn't that shocking to her, clearly Lila trusted her and this other cat. However the same couldn't be said about Morgaine trusting Sagara, so she looked at the other cat and waited for her to follow Lila first. When the the other cat did Morgaine smirked a bit, and while she didn't want to turn her back to Sagara just then Morgaine did the one thing that came natural to her and turned back to look towards the entry to the alley way, ensuring that no one was following the trio before she turned and followed Lila and Sagara.
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:36 pm
Lila's ear's tipped backwards as she started to walk away, Sagara followed after almost immediately - following unspoken orders as well as she ever had and yet another reason Lila had asked her to come, having someone who would follow orders without questioning them was a valuable asset. Especially when that asset was also a superb marksman and tracker
Of course having someone who would follow orders and yet remain suspicious enough to be particularly cautious was also a valuable asset and so she had a to smile a bit when she heard Morgaine hesitate before bringing up the rear guard - no doubt she had waited to make sure no one followed them before coming along. Lila mentally pitied any creature foolish enough to even consider ambushing this particular party...even as she knew no such ambush would ever come. She had checked and chosen this area carefully..and then it had undoubtedly been doubled checked by Sagara and triple checked by Morgaine when they had arrived. It was probably more secure then the kriffing headquarters now that she'd left it alone for a little while - a thought which made her pick up her pace a touch.
It was not long before the office building they currently called home came into view, it was well within their territory and quite safe for the most part and so with only a cursory look around to ensure all was well she led the two cats inside and was somewhat surprised to find Redeye's coming up from below at the same time.
Aware that Sagara and Morgaine might take his sudden appearance in the wrong manner - and rightfully so as they had no idea what her mysterious leader looked like she was quick to greet him in a way more formal then typical..but it made clear who he as and would forestall any misunderstandings straight away - even if it did mean she'd likely have to deal with some of Redeye's theatrical ribbing for it later on. "My Lord" she greeted him, she even tossed in a deferential nod of her head to further underscore his position to the others before continuing on "I've brought some cats for you to meet"
Sagara had followed along at Lila's heels in much the same manner soldiers automatically followed their commanders, she trusted Lila to have checked the place out and trusted her own check upon arrival as well - if Morgaine wanted to be paranoid and slow in following that was her own choice.
Sagara was a bit more trusting she supposed but that was a soldier's duty - to trust in their officers and while Lila might not officially be such a thing - she always had been anyways. To Sagara at least.
However none of that - not even the knowledge that they were going to meet Lila's mysterious benefactor prepared her for the sudden appearance of a dark male cat with red eyes and a rather dapper way of dressing...aside from the flame patterned tie anyways and she stiffened, crossbow upholstered and bolt loaded through sheer instinct before Lila's words broke through and she halted her motions. "Apologies"
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:50 pm
Acting as the unoffical rear guard of the trio Morgaine not only kept her eyes and ears open for what was going on in front of her, but continued to check behind them as well. Though she had checked the area out thoroughly before she had arrived, as no doubt Lila and Sagara did, a little caution couldn't hurt anyone. So far all was clear...but then of course as soon as she thought that a male cat appeared up ahead.
Morgaine instantly jumped into action. In one fluid movement she slid the bow off her shoulder and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Just as the arrow was notched onto the string Lila spoke to the cat calling him 'Lord'. Well this must be the mystery cat she was speaking about earlier. Her hands relaxed though she kept a grip on the bow and arrow for now. However unlike Sagara she did not apologize for her actions, why apologize for being reactive in such a situation, in fact it showed that she paid attention to her surroundings and wasn't about to assume everyone they came across was a friend. Her eyes glanced over the male for a moment and then looked at Lila, as she was the only one she truly trusted at the moment.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:53 am
And what a sight it was when he was just beginning to climb up the stairs to the first floor: the sounds of several pairs of boots, the scents of Lila and others he did not know, and their silhouettes stark against the open doorway above him - confident, tense, and ready to kill based on two of the cats' movements.
The thrill! That risk, that utter boldness of the women, that very idea that he was mortal! Somehow, he was quite turned on.
"A rebellion at this hour, Lila?" BC finally said just as the two women lowered their weapons, grinning. In the darkness below, his teeth and eyes caught most of the light, indeed making him look like a demon. As he slowly stepped up the stairs, he came more into the light. "I hardly count this fair. Did you murder the children already? I would not put it past you to skin the kittens."
At least it was apparent why Lila had been out for so long - she was garnering some form of reinforcement.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:46 am
Lila took a few steps back as Redeye's climbed slowly up the stairs, her actions in turn ushered her comrades backs so that they were no longer blocking the way. She had to admit it probably did look a touch bad at first glance this surprise meeting, but surely he knew her better then that by now. "No...but I might as well have for all the good they do around here" She replied. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of the young members the entire trip back...they were probably all hiding out or off partying somewhere. Useless...nearly the whole lot of them.
"I am wounded to think you would even consider a rebellion from me" She told him with a hand over her heart and fake sorrow in her voice. Sure..she'd never think of such a thing but he better damn well consider that she might at least in passing ...or she'd chew him out for not being cautious enough, which might be a weird way to look at things but she was Lila, that was a given. "But while I have failed at providing you the excitement of a revolt...I have brought you two worthy warriors" And the gods (if you believed in that sort of thing) knew they were sorely lacking on the warrior front. "Sagara...tracker and marksman extrodinaire..and Morgaine also a superb marksman with plenty of previous experience, I've worked with them both many times" She finished having motioned to each in turn when she introduced them.
Sagara remained silent as Lila spoke, only nodding her head once as she was introduced. Generally it was better to remain quiet and let your superiors speak first she had learned - otherwise you were likely to find yourself in the middle of something you could have avoided.
So she let Lila to the explaining and the introducing but watched it all with sharp cunning eyes.Morgaine she noted still held her weapon at ready and Sagara concluded that perhaps the other cat relationship was quite different from her own. Sagara had worked with Lila before yes - and she certainly owed her the loyalty she was giving her now - but those dealings had always been with the express knowledge that Lila was ultimately in charge..she made the plans, called the shots and initiated changes as she saw fit. This had been fine with Sagara...she preferred her role of loyal soldier to that of leadership any day..but Morgaine..Morgaine it seemed was far to Independent and questioning to be cast in the same role.
Not that it mattered really as she seemed willing to follow Lila just the same..but it was curious none the less. Almost as curious as Lila working for this black cat in the first place.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:12 am
Sagara may have been willing to put her weapon down right away but Morgaine was still clenching her bow and arrow, and in fact the slight joke from the male about a rebellion made her grip tighten on her bow. It had not been all that long when a rebellion killed off most of her old clan, leaving the few who survived to scatter to the wind. One day she would find them and start to rebuild what was lost, for now she was in Lila's service, in a matter of speaking at least. It was certainly still a sore point for the cat and even a minor joke about such a thing made Morgaine's fur stand on end.
"If this was a rebellion then you would have been dead before you came into full view." Morgaine pointed out a bit harshly. Politeness was not a strong point for her and likely never would be. Unlike Sagara who seemed willing to let Lila take lead and give orders and follow those orders without question Morgaine tended to cut her own path, though she did listen to and respect Lila as well. Her eyes ticked to Lila for a second but then returned to BC, she could trust Lila and perhaps to a lesser extent Sagara, but this male she did not trust, not even if Lila had pledged her services to him. Best to keep her eye on him during this exchange.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:35 pm
"Well then, by that logic," he said casually after this Morgaine's harsh words, eyeing the trio, "seeing as I am very much alive still, I must be presuming wrong."
He stopped just after the final step up, not quite within the doorway yet - another precarious position, being within conversational distance and one push away from tumbling downwards. Was this cat unaware of the possible dangers of this meeting, or was it another test of loyalty? It was already obvious that these two new women had allegiance to Lila, but that wouldn't be enough for this operation.
He once again smiled. "Oh come, Lila, would you think that I would purposefully draw the young Barayas into hell without reason? He is a moldable mind if given time, with his own inner darkness that I find most intriguing," he explained. "As for the girl Pixie . . . She came of her own volition. Who am I to deny her decision if she prefers our cause above others'? But then, you never did like children~"
He turned a semi-luminous red gaze upon Sagara and Morgaine next, taking his time to scrutinize them. "Both marksmen, you say? Most welcome in this otherwise short-ranged group. But come, let's move to the open office for more chatter - the depths below have obscured my mind's machinations."
And he began to move forward through the doorway, seemingly unarmed.
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