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 Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:58 am
 The grey-fox coloured lioness stepped confidentially and silently along a little-used path through the thick forest. She was quite some distance from the inhabited section of the Stormborn's home, right on the boundary where the forest was thickest. This had been her home as a cub, before her mother had brought her and her siblings into the pride after their brother's abduction. She was at home here as she was within the pride, and indeed spent an equal amount of time out in the forest as she did administering to the lions who came to her.
Hoping neatly over a low root she paused and checked the side of a huge, ancient old tree. The fungus was growing back well but was not yet ready to harvest again. She made a mental note to return at the appropriate time and moved on. Her sleek, lean body drifted through the thick undergrowth with effortless grace, as if she were more leopard than lion and entirely at home in the overgrown jungle.
A short way up the path she turned and with barely a check, leaped nimbly from the forest floor to the low branch of another giant. Balancing with easy skill she padded along her sky-bound walkway and crossed to the next door trunk, now a good 10ft up.
She was almost out of some of her ingredients and since there was always a reaver wanting a fortune told, or a new mother wanting a blessing for her cubs, Ember needed to restock.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:22 am
Ulfric was back in the pride for only a short time. His collection of trophies was growing, and soon enough he would be content enough to present his haul to become a Captain. The more power he gained, the happier he would be. And the closer to his goals he would become.
He needed more loyal allies, though, as well as those that would follow him in his band.
He did not wander this far from his own den, but knowing his home was as important as knowing the lands beyond. He was a fighter, an explorer, but for his plans to work, he needed to be aware of everything. He could not slack in any regard, even in something as simple as being familiar with his pride.
Spotting a female not too far off, he decided to go and speak with her. It was important to him to take stock of those in the pride, to know the strong ones or the ones with potential, and to handle the ones that lacked. He took it upon himself to find strength in those he met, though it was always different in each one.
"Hello," he said evenly, not particularly flowery about much.
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:23 am
The voice that drifted up from below her wasn't a surprise. One of the many advantages of being high up in the trees was that she had a bird's eye view without even trying. She understood why leopards spent most of them time when not hunting, up in the trees. Grinning as she turned neatly towards the voice's owner she tucked the bark she had harvested into a small pouch slung against her chest.
"Greetings Warrior." Her lilting, accented speech was far removed from the typical rough tones of the pride, hinting at her fey-born blood. With a neat jump she dropped to the ground in front of the male, landing lightly. "And what brings a Reaver out this far?" She asked in that silken, musical tone. A voice that could both soothe and instil wariness. Moving forwards she tilted her head, vivid golden eyes playful, but underneath was an intelligence and sense of humour that bore watching. She was truly her mother's child and having spent her early cubhood outside the pride and a goodly amount of time as an adult in exile, her fey-like ways had only strengthened, diluting what pride-trained behaviours she had begun to adopt before Aesir had been over thrown. Not that her role as a Priestess had particularly aided her in fitting in, she had always been an unusual creature and she felt no shame about it.
Padding closer she eyed the big male, judging by his scars and sheer amount of muscle that she had been right in calling him a Reaver. Not only that but she knew he would become Captain. As a gifted Seer, she often knew things she should not. But this time she doubted she needed a seer’s ability to predict his future. It was written all over him.
Smiling she settled back on her haunches, long sinuous tail curling across her paws demurely. Though the playful, slightly wicked smile remained. “Is there anything I can do for you, Ulfric?” Her smile remained, the teasing yet strangely warm expression amused. Would the use of his name when they hadn’t yet met surprise him? It was harmless really, but she did like to confound the pride members and it was always amusing to watch them squirm when a Priestess knew something she should not. Though weather it was her seer ability, or simple observation.. well, she would never tell.
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:43 am
"What would bring a Reaver anywhere? I am looking for something to raid, and for spoils to bring back to the pride."
He sought more than that, but his thoughts were his own on that front. What he wanted with his power, with each new rank he gained, was for him to know, and when the time was right, others would find out. He was a champion at heart, and he always had to keep moving forward, gaining more and more power and reputation. Only when these first steps, as large as they were, were fulfilled could he move on to grander goals.
Watching her as she hoped down to his level, or close enough considering their difference in size, he noted her demeanor and the look on her face as she sat down. She had a confidence about her that he liked, as he was a strong proponent of the strength that came with a healthy, but wise, dose of confidence. Cowards and doubters had no place in his world.
His ears perked up a bit when she said his name, but that was his only outward reaction. He knew enough about Gods now, in his hunts for them, that he was familiar with their mortal spawn, and what kind of an effect the mixed blood had. Not to say he thought she was one of those half bloods, but he knew that many were blessed with the 'gift' of being able to see more than normal lions. It was a gift he could make use of, but he was not in possession of it.
"You have a special talent, then, if you know my name without my saying it. I am not so inclined. What is your name, then, so we are on more even paws."
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 3:52 am
Chuckling softly, the sound more purr than laugh, she grinned. “You would be surprised what brings a male out this far…” Lowering her chin she looked up at him, expression coy and yet still playful. “I am sure you can guess a few of them.” Flashing him a cheeky grin once more she flicked her paw in an all-encompassing gesture. “.. and of course many know I am often to be found out here. I am a priestess after all.” Her tone became more matter-of-fact as she spoke. It was clear she wasn’t talking of the males seeking her for base pleasures, but simply stating the fact that her skills were very much in demand. After all, for all that the pride members may be thrown by her un-Stormborn like ways, her mysticism only added to her allure when it came to performing her duties. What better than a Priestess who was actually magic? And that was a rumour Ember didn’t bother to dispute.
Her cheeky smile returned at his next words, one brow arching as she grinned. Tilting her head as if studying him she had to admit he was sharper than a lot of the Reavers she met on a daily basis. Certainly one to watch. “I am impressed you caught me so quick. Usually it takes a lot more hinting and heavy nudges.” She laughed lightly, the sound twining through the air with a lilting warmth that was enticing. “I am known as Ember.”
Standing she moved up alongside him before looking back at him over one slim shoulder, gaze still holding that playful warmth, now joined by an expectant expression. “Walk with me while I finish my gathering?” She asked, tail curling lazily just under his nose. She had already picked many of her ingredients and if left to dry out they lost their potency.
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:15 am
Ulfric watched her patiently, but nodded his head at her teasing, imagining he could guess what she was playing at. He was not particularly against such things, but he was a warrior first, and believed in honor. That did not make him kind, far from it most of the time, but it did make him respectful.
And selective.
A priestess. He had little interaction with them, but he had met someone claiming to be one before. He nodded his head respectfully, keeping it bowed for a short moment before lifting it back up proudly. He stood with the manner of a lion well above his station and upbringing, as he had prided himself on doing.
"Ember. That seems like a very fitting name for you, by appearance. It would be my honor to accompany you."
He was intrigued by her, and could not help himself. He saw no harm in it, either, as he knew the value of building relationships, and making allies in all places. It was his fortune to run into someone so interesting, and he wondered if it was more than random chance.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:13 am
He was a male of few words, but those he did utter pleased her. He appeared both thoughtful and confident, a dangerous combination in any skilled warrior. It sent a shiver of pleasure through her to consider all he might accomplish. Just as her own father had eventually been overthrown from the pride’s leadership. Maybe this one would usurp the current Warlord. Not that she had anything against Ruzski. In fact she felt kind of grateful to him for getting rid of Njal, the pretender who had sent the pride back into the dark-ages and her family into exile. Never mind that Ru was her half-brother.
Still, if there was one thing this pride had taught her, was that nothing was guaranteed and change was a daily struggle. She only hoped that when it came time for Ruzski to step down, he did it with his life and limbs intact. After all, she could not begrudge him the risks, that was all a part of being Warlord.
Dipping her head to her companion in thanks for his compliment, she gave him a sensual smile. Tail flicking the furry fluff under his chin before she stepped out, padding along a near invisible track through the forest. Her lithe body moved through the overgrown forest with ease. It was clear she was not of Stormborn blood which was courser and tended towards bigger-boned bodies, built for strength more than speed. She was slim and fine of feature, her movements fluid.. languid.
The male following along behind intrigued her. He was clearly an accomplished fighter, for one didn’t acquire that kind of proud stance without the ability to back it up. And the way he spoke hinted at an advanced mind. Not to say most Reavers were stupid, but physical strength wasn’t usually a happy bedfellow with mental prowess. The fact he appeared to possess both fascinated and pleased her. Not only was he one to watch on the battlefield, but she felt that his near future would be a very interesting one. She planned on being there to witness his story.
“So, tell me Ulfric… what is it you dream of at night?” Looking back over one shoulder briefly she gave him an enigmatic smile. Her question was far from the normal benign conversation strangers engaged in, and indeed the usual reaction to her seemingly random words was often confusion.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 1:21 pm
Ulfric watched her, making a face at her question. It was a thoughtful expression, but clearly he did not think about things like that very often. He did not dream, not really, and when he did he was not sure he cared to remember them. He imagined she meant something a little more specific, though, than the random images that being asleep put into his head.
"Dreaming is a privilege for those with means to an end. Dreaming means the end of ambition, turning to fantasy instead of pursuing it. I will not dream until I have accomplished all there is for me to achieve in my life. Perhaps when I am old and incapable will I turn to dreams."
He watched her, keen on her interesting way of speaking and thinking. Whatever powers she had, she certainly seemed comfortable with them, and had developed her personality around them. She was clever and he knew better than to take anything she said or did at face value.
That alone was enough to intrigue him. She was worth the effort to bring back to the pride, and to somehow recruit to his team or at the very least agree to be his ally.
"What do you dream of?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:58 pm
Once again she looked back over her should at him, her smile both amused and mysterious at his obtuse answer. She knew he understood her question better than he let on. It was not one's actual dreams that interested her, at least not his and not right now. It was more personal than that... She wanted to know something of his character. His ambitions and desires, his plans both for the far future and closer to home. What did he aspire towards? As for all her conjuncture and educated guesses.... He was still a stranger to her and she wanted to peek under that tough shell.
"Hum....." She murmured thoughtfully, watching him for a long moment before resuming her easy, measured pace. She moved through the forest as if she belonged within it, even the thickest, thorniest of bushes parting easily for her. With his bigger size and heavier frame, he might have found it somewhat more difficult. Especially as her pathway had been cut by her and her alone, and it fit her slender, smaller figure.
"Me?" Grinning she paused in their trek, apparently examining some kind of strange fungus before moving on. "Well... I dream of many things. Of gods and curses, of raids and moonlit walks in the deepest jungle. I dream of my goddess, and of my family." Again she paused, this time dancing up onto her hind legs and scraping long strips of bark off an ancient tree. It's trunk depicting older, healed wounds of similar style. After collecting the ribbons of nobbly bark she tucked them into her satchel and returned to the pathway, leading him deeper and deeper into the forest interior. It was clear few, if any, lions ever passed this way, aside from her.
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Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:15 am
Ulfric listened to her and found himself very interested in the strange way she spoke, and the interesting things she said. She was an enigmatic thing, but he knew it was all just part of her playing with him: she wanted to be a mystery, and to confuse those that were easy to confuse. He did not fancy himself as one of her play things, but he supposed if it meant remaining in her company, then he would endure it.
It was not actually troublesome to him, and he was learning a lot about her, as well as himself, as they spoke. He did not have many around him that could challenge his mind and present him with such a keen puzzle.
"Your Goddess?" He hunted gods and goddesses, and was taking a lot of pride in that.
"Who is this Goddess? And your family? You have cubs to carry on your work?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:55 am
As they walked and talked, she examined her crops, a seemingly random collection of trees, lichen, fungus and other small green plants. Occasionally she would gather some samples, other times she checked the plant over but left it alone. Only once did she sigh disappointedly and turn away in mild disgust. The mushrooms she had been examining were stunted, moth-eaten things, clearly no good for whatever she needed them for.
Glancing back at his suddenly interested tone, she tilted her head, regarding him thoughtfully. "You that reaver I've heard about... hunting the Gods?" She smiled, showing she wasn't disapproving of his hobby. In fact, she was really rather impressed. She herself had seen the odd divine being, a few had come to visit the pride after all. But her own was a more illusive creature, if indeed she held a physical form at all. At least Ember had never met her.
"Yes, She is Goddess of the Forest and all the walking, crawling, growing things that live here." Her expression had become softer as she spoke her her Goddess. One did not need to see Her to believe, after all. And Ember was too much her Mother's daughter not to believe.
The sudden question about cubs rocked the lioness though she quickly covered her reaction. Turning her head back she gazed up at the massive spreading branches of the Wandering Pine before them.
"I have family." She replied softly, tail curling slowly, almost sadly. "Though I have not seen several of them for a long time. We were exiles, and some never came home. Aesir was my father." Turning back to him she smiled again, the sadness an old emotion. No one knew if Aesir was alive or dead. At any rate, the old Warlord would never be seen within the pride again. It had been a shock to the then young adults of his illegitimate litter, but time had dulled the wounds from raw and open to scared over.
"No cubs..." She added, in a voice that held far more emotion, though this time it was subdued longing. It was all very well being a respected and sometimes feared Priestess... but finding a worthy mate to father her young had proven... difficult.
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 4:40 pm
"That would be me, though I am surprised you have heard of it. Gods are a very interesting prey, and pose the kind of challenge nothing else in the rogue lands, or perhaps even in our own lands, has yet provided."
Ulfric was always about bettering himself. Power came from seeking challenges, and he was the type that was never satisfied with the normal day to day. He would never get anywhere if he fell into any sort of normalcy, so he learned to thrive on the unexpected. And seek it out.
Ember, for example, was something unexpected, but pleasantly so.
"Well, I will not hunt your Goddess," he said, seriously and without any softness in his tone, but with a sincere nod of his head. He had morals, after all, and was an honorable lion by his own standards. He listened to her story as they walked, frowning. Distantly, he had heard the stories, but he could offer no solace or condolences.
He could, at least, make her an offer for the other topic.
"If you find me suitable, I could father cubs for you. I believe in keeping the blood of my line strong, with exceptional females. You have proven to be someone with more to offer than I could have thought, and perhaps cubs raised under your eye will develop useful skills, along with my strength." He said it almost casually, as it was a business offer more than a personal one, though he was not a male that played around with females. He did not use them and leave them, either: he made deals, he had goals, and he put everything forward so there was no mystery to him. He was a lion that knew what he wanted.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:50 pm
She nodded to his explanation. Though how he had come to view gods as prey was a mystery ot her, the very fact that he had, and now hunted them successfully had certainly caught her attention the first time she had heard of it happening. Now to meet the very same lion, it certainly did make her think.
"Thank you." She replied, a trace of warm laughter in her voice as she smiled back at him. It was nice of him to offer to leave her own Goddess alone, and she appreciated what it must mean to a reaver to deliberately let such an opportunity pass by if indeed he did find Ember's particular Deity at some later stage.
His last comment, so abruptly offered in so businesslike a manner made her stop and turn about, facing him completely and looking up at him, meeting his gaze directly for perhaps the first time. Her own was thoughtful as she slowly looked him over once more, accessing what she knew of his reputation with what their new closer acquaintance had told her about him.
Finally, with a broad grin she nodded. "I accept your generous offer, Ulfric. I can promise you that I will teach them everything I know about the forest and its secrets. They will not be your average Stormborn... I believe they will be far better." Ordinarily that would have scared off any other male, but she had the feeling Ulfric was the rare one who wanted something more than normal. Something almost preternatural.
And that she could give him. Lithiasaur Sorry this took so long!!! Family Christmas has been crazy.
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