Shupavu - NovaCracker
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Shigeru - NovaCracker
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Ifa - NovaCracker
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Nullpunkt - NovaCracker
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Beti - Das Tor


Ah, the sweet smell of grass, the fresh air, the water. Ifa was loving the air of the area, and the seemingly perpetually cheery, happy lioness danced right along, stopping every so often to allow her companions to catch up; smiling. The past few days the lioness had begun following a trail leading to whom knew what, and it made her excited to possibly meet others, and now00 they surely were close! And it made her purr, a deep, rich sound.

Nullpunkt moved behind Ifa, the blue lioness frowning calmly, looking around. She was genuinely unsure of this, and she wanted to work out what she was even -doing-.

Frustrating honestly. Still, Ifa was moving with porpuse recently, though the scent trail was... A frighteningly familiar one mingled with an unfamiliar. She didn't say anything, however, too uneasy to upset Ifa. Shigeru, however, knew. The young male was equally nervous, looking around with a tentative gaze, often flicking eyes back to his pridemate uneasily. This felt wrong. So. Very. Wrong.

Still, the male didn't dally, beyond collecting interesting bits to craft when they rest, but the lot was close.

Very close.


Beti yawned, gleeful for more than just the fact she was alive and had good (if grouchy) company. She'd had another lead...and this one seemed far more sound than the others. Instead of a 'passing acquaintance', it had been someone that had spent a good chunk of time around them before making their way elsewhere. Well...more following them to eat the leftovers from their kills. But the bird had remembered the pair very well. Even mentioned mannerisms her mother had mentioned! She giggled and nudged Shupavu's shoulder as they made their way in the (hopeful) direction of the sea. "Here's hoping this proved to be the end of my name quest, hm?" Hopefully not the end of her time with him, though.

She didn't notice the new scents not too far away, too caught up in her glee.


"Mmnnhhmm." Shupavu rarely had much to say really-- exiled, and not wanting to say it, he mostly stayed with Beti and kept his eye out for trouble, which included swatting away poachers.

He wasn't unalert from being roused quickly though. The breeze introduced scents following their trail-- one he didn't know, two he did, and the male uttered a low growl.

s**t.


Beti blinked at the growl. "Shupavu? Are you okay?" She sniffed the wind, and tilted her head at the unfamiliar scents. "Just new creatures, Shup. No need to get defensive unless they attack us!" She was clueless that he knew two of the scents. Clueless that they were from the pride he'd left behind.


"Not all of them." The male moved, taking a defensive position readily. While the male scent was baffling, his niece... Sat ill with him. He knew she could be psychotic. And it frightened him.

Ifa trot along gladly, beaming as she moved ahead to spy the new scents, and if her smile wasn't bright enough, it got wider as she bound towards them.

"Hi!" She purred. Nullpunkt followed, snorting at her traveling companion (She refused to consider her a friend!) bounding like a cub, and immediately tensed seeing Shupavu. Shigewru blinked as he approached, and his ears pinned back, frowning. Oh no. No no no.


Beti's ears perked at the newcomers, registering Shupavu's dis-ease a bit, but not quite heeding it. "Hello!" Wait...there was something a little familiar about the scent of the female. And her pelt. Despite the brighter gold eyes, and the brown...her colors and some of her markings echoed Beti's mother. "You...seem a bit familiar. Where are you from?"


Ifa ignored her normally unruly partners, trotting right over to Beti with a smile.

"I'm Ifa, from the Jini'msemi~!" She chirped. "It's nice to meet you."

Shupavu remained close to Beti, eying Nullpunkt. Nullpunkt grunted, scowling sharply as she debated smacking him, or ignoring him. Shigeru shook, slightly. He didn't get along with Nullpunkt, but, she was a good hiding place!


Beti perked. "That's where I'm from! Who are your paren-" She trailed off as she looked at the other three oddly. "Uhm...what am I missing here?" She was highly confused. Why was there growling and on-edge-ness?


"My mom's name is Daima." Ifa shrugged, rolling her eyes. "And Iunno. Those two are always grumpy-pants. I keep having to swat them."

Nullpunkt ignored Ifa still, eyes locked on Shupavu. The male remained territorial, but didn't advance, mouth twitching.

He didn't like this.

Shigeru finally whimpered.

"Don'tlethimkillus...."


Daima? "Daima-tii-mlei? That's my mother!" Had mother and father had another litter?! Ooooo~ She eyed the others with growing irritation...and then the white-and-red one spoke up. And she found herself more confused than irritated. "Why would he kill you? Shup's a grouch, but I don't think he'd kill you unless you attacked him and didn't let up." She looked to Shupavu, her bafflement showing.


"Yes--Guys..." Ifa eyes the two in her party. Nullpunkt growled.

Dangerously low.

"He nearly ran our pride to it's death." The female hissed. "Because his mane's too bitty to handle that others die." He lips curled slightly, Shigeru still making soft, terrified mewls.

"Frankly I'm amazed he was allowed to live."


Beti...was further confused. What on earth were they talking about? "Shupavu? What's she going on about?" She knew Shupavu was overprotective and grouchy and foul-tempered...but he wouldn't run a pride to it's death, right? He had a good heart under all those sharp edges.


Shupavu... Didn't say really anything, moving to a territorial position.

And before anyone could react, Ifa swat him.

Hard.

"RUDE." The female sniffed, and Nullpunkt... Stared. Shigeru squeaked, ducking lower, and shivered. Ohnononono... Shupavu himself... Stared, the growled himself.


Beti's heart sank when Shupavu was quiet, ears going back and tail ceasing to move behind her. Ifa's swat startled her, and when Shup growled...the purple-eyed lioness moved to place herself between her younger sister and her traveling companion. "Okay. I demand an explanation NOW. Before he becomes part of the ground, she loses her temper, and he goes at my little sister."


"What do you want to know? How he declared anyone who left was to be executed on sight? How he forced cubs to stay about in the dens? Or how about how any sign of unrest got attacked even if it was only a sneeze?" Nullpunkt growled idly. "He's nuts. He was even claiming CUBS that left were traitors." Nullpunkt hissed, looking to Shigeru. "No one could find new hunting, nothing. Everything was his way or the highway."

Shupavu scowled, eying Nullpunkt, but didn't lash out.

Ifa huffed, rubbing Beti. The scent was familiar enough to her mother she wasn't as hostile, and her warmth was pleasant.

Plus she was backup, although-- she HOPED Shigeru didn't wet himself. Eeewww.


He didn't deny any of it. That was the part that hit Beti hardest. The male who'd been her constant companion for months...didn't deny anything accused of him. "Why?" Why had he done that? Why had it been that way? It couldn't have been exactly as the dark female had said...because the Shupavu she knew WASN'T 'nuts'. Hard to get along with...but not 'nuts'. She nuzzled Ifa, taking comfort in having the younger lioness nearby.


"You didn't watch your sister dying." Shupavu finally spoke in a low tone, expression unnaturally cold. Nullpunkt growled.

"Why yes, mother would have wanted everyone frightened in a dictatorship. Brilliant." She nosed Shigeru, the smaller male huddling close. Shupavu growled.

"I did the best I could do. You HAD your mother, not a stranger."


Beti looked between the two arguing, uncertain what to do. Though...she was reminded of something. "Shupavu's sister died?" Family meant a lot in her line. Her family had been tight, and her mother had said she'd been tight with her siblings and parents, and that her grandmother had been very close to her great-grandmother (though her mother knew no more details aside that).


Ifa shrugged.

"I just picked these two up." She looked to Beti. Shigeru nodded, shakily.

"Y....Yeah."


So...he'd lost someone. And the way he spoke...he'd been close to her. Or at least loved her a lot. "Losing someone can make us not quite think right. Especially if we're close to them. Everyone deals with death differently. I'm not saying what he did was right...but the entire time I've been traveling with him...he's never laid a paw on me unless I started the spar. He's a grouch, and tactless, and sometimes a pervert, but...he's not evil."


"I never said he was." Nullpunkt got a flat look. "He's just a psychotic a*****e. He changed." Nullpunkt snorted. Shigeru looked to Beti pleadingly. He wanted him NI?CE.


Beti tentatively moved next to Shupavu. "I don't think he's psychotic. And...I'm sorry for what he did. But please don't punish him anymore?" Well...now the wounds he had when he first joined her on this journey were explained.


"Why?" Nullpunkt frowned. Shigeru peered out timidly.

"Dude. He's exiled. Done deal." She rolled her eyes. "I can swat you."


Beti nodded. "Ifa's right." Yup, confirmed suspicion as to where his wounds came from. "I understand you may be bitter...but vengeance is a very, very hollow pursuit." Her own father's name spoke of that.


"Doesn't help others." Nullpunkt scowled.

Ifa swatted, Shupavu looking to Beti. Evidently, he thought the female insane, though Shigeru just watched, crawling for Beti. Not a fight?!


Beti let Shigeru crawl to her, making no move to hurt or discourage him. "And vengeance helps no one. It leaves only a hollow taste in one's mouth. And sometimes drives a lion insane, even for a short amount of time. I almost wasn't born because of revenge."


"Lucky you." Nullpunkt frowned. Ifa growled softly, then swatted.

"Just calm the ******** down, or so help me I will THROW you."

Shupavu blinked at the image of the petit lioness throwing Nullpunkt, and half-heartedly smirked, ducking a swat himself.

Oh.

She was feisty.


Beti growled lowly. "I'll help her." And she didn't often engage anything beyond her practice. "I understand you are hurting...but did he actually kill anyone? Maim anyone?" For all the dark female said...she doubted it. She was a stranger, and he hadn't harmed her. She doubted he would have actually harmed his own pride members.


"Almost." Nullpunkt growled, then turned to move off.

"I won't be near the b*****d though."

She moved to step away, soon sliding into some bushes. After a moment, Ifa raised a paw, motioning.

"Lady is cray."

Shigeru blinked, sighing and looking to Beti, remaining small.

"M...My name's Shigeru, ma'am."

Ifa settled. Back to important things. Sister!


Beti sighed, shaking her head. She couldn't blame the female...but rifts and bitter feelings were horrible things. She looked to Shigeru and smiled slightly. "Nice to meet you, Shigeru. My name is Beti."


"Hi." The younger male spoke quietly again. With Nullpunkt gone, however, Shupavu stood down. He knew he'd screwed up, and he also knew Shigheru was mostly harmless. Dominantly, because his father was a lot more intimidating.

Shotonin.

Lord of the rockthrow.

"Heh. Heh heh." Shupavu chuckled a bit, Ifa blinking.

"That... What?"


Beti blinked and raised a brow at Shupavu. "What are you chuckling about?" She moved so she was in front of him, nose nearly touching his. "Care to share with the rest of us?" The question was said with a smile on her muzzle.


"His father threw rocks at me when we were younger." Shupavu gave her a lopsided smile. Ifa blinked, chortling as Shigeru seemed to blush.

"W...Well.... You always tried squirming!"


Beti giggled. "Ah! I see." She looked to Shigeru. "Did his squirming have anything to do with being patched up after getting his butt kicked?" If so...she knew exactly what he was talking about. Because he'd been squirmy when she'd tried patching him up.


"Uh huh!" Shigeru wiggled. "Darn you Shupavu! Sit still!"

Shupavu... Chuckled at the impression sadly, Ifa mock-fainting at an imaginary rock thrown, giggling.

"Hey! I'm not that guy!"

"...That Guy?" Shupavu... Smirked.


Beti giggled. "He does squirm a lot. He's quite the cub when it comes to getting his wounds treated." She smiled brightly, her worries set to the side for the moment. This...was nice. Just talking and goofing around. And she had a little sister. She hadn't expected that at all.


Shupavu looked indignant.

"Well it hurts." He snorted indignantly. "I don't see why it's important anyhow."

Ifa rolled her eyes.


Beti hesitated a moment, then licked his cheek. "Because it increases the likelihood of you living longer and not dying from wounds. And I rather like your company. I'd rather not lose it."


"I'm invincible." Shupavu groomed her back calmly. Shigeru snorted a bit, Ifa blinking.

"Gonna keep him?" She asked, head tilting. "Should I warn Mom?"


Beti rolled her eyes. "Of course. You are the great and powerful Shupavu, Lord of the Thick Skulls." She looked at Ifa oddly. "Hm? Uhm...only if he wants to come back to the Jini-msemi. He...doesn't exactly believe in the spirits."


"Why wouldn't I?" Shupavu looked to Beti seriously. "I'm an exile. I won't be going home. And I like you." Shupavu spoke bluntly, looking at Shigeru.

"I suspect if I went back his father alone might take my fur."

Shigeru frowned. He couldn't argue, but the egocentric male at least was.... Tolerable. Amusing. Better. Not perfect. He just wished Nullpunkt wasn't so angry. Ifa giggled.

"Big sister has a boyfriend! Obviously I must ensure his worthiness first."


Beti blinked...and the white fur of her face turned a little pink. "I'll be happy to have you around, than." And then Ifa. Beti made an odd noise that was almost like a squawk. "Ifa! What are you planning to do!?" Did she need to sit on the younger female?


"Obviously I should stick around. I don't have an adult name yet anyway, so it might help. AND if I'm home first I have details for Mama!"

Shupavu frowned.

"What about--"

"Well, bluefurbutt is a grumpypuss. And Shiggy here can get by, right?"

Shigeru whined.

"I don't mind staying with you a little longer! Is safer!"


Beti sighed. Oh dear..."Well...I'm making my way towards the coast to see our mother's parents. Hopefully we won't be too long after that. I've...been out a while, after all." She looked sheepish at that. She'd missed her baby sister growing up! Oh...she wondered if any of her other siblings had run into this trouble of no name yet.


"Can I come?" Ifa tilted her head. Shupavu blinked.

"Coast?"

"What's a coast?" Shigeru piped up.


Beti blinked...then giggled and nodded. "Of course, Ifa. And...it's like the shore of a lake, but it's all sand and rocks. And it borders an ocean. Which is a body of water soooooooo big that you can't see the other side at all!"


"So.... Giant deep spirit place." Ifa blinked. Shigeru squealed.

"Are there giant fish?!"

Shupavu blinked himself. That... That was big. Very big.


"Probably. But I don't think they'd be able to come ashore. Not enough room. But there'd be fish big enough to catch so you didn't have to catch lots of fish to have a full stomach, I bet!" Mmmm....fish. Fish were tasty. Very, very tasty.


"Feeeeshy." Ifa was drooling now. "Maybe our names have to do with feesh." The female purred, rolling a bit in the grass. Shigeru looked surprised when she did, and Shupavu shrugged.

"Your sister seems... Special." He noted.


Beti giggled. "My whole family has their odd little quirks. But...that's okay." She looked up to the sky. "Well...we should probably get going again." She looked in the direction the dark female had gone earlier. "If you want to stay with us, even at a distance, we're going to be heading out soon!"


There wasn't a response, and Shigeru looked worried at that. Ifa, meanwhile, beamed merrily, nosing him.

"We're ready! Right Shiggy?"

Shigeru blinked, looking to Ifa, and nodded faintly, moving beside the female. Shupavu watched the young male with a frown before nosing Beti reassuringly, grooming her head. He trusted her and he knew she'd worry. He was okay. She was okay. All was fine.


Beti sighed at the lack of response, but decided that she'd leave a trail the other could follow. One couldn't stew in their own juices forever. She smiled at Shupavu, then began towards the coast once again. This...could be good. She hoped. She really hoped.


Shupavu moved alongside, well awake, now. Things were interesting, very.

Especially with Ifa humming some damn tune about Coconuts.