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 Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:13 am
Bowing his head a bit to the lioness, Serkan frowned. "We are... Firekin." He did not mention the Hongshan - After all, were the Hongshan not considered Firekin now? "We seek Nergui information. Want know more." He motioned with his head toward the south. "Nergui threaten Firekin, Firekin help pride escape from Nergui, want defend border from Nergui." He tilted his head, then. "Know... Anything useful about Nergui...?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:24 am
(ooo, Svarr!)
"He sounds like a bit of both." He suggested. A leader, both a king and a divinity? It didn't seem that unlikely. The nergui weren't shouting now, and that meant that, from here, he couldn't hear much, much less comprehend anything. Hopefully the fledgelings were smart enough to listen.
It was then that Yoan's voice came, apparently from nowhere. "What now?" He laid his ears and looked for the group. This time he actually did see where the others had ended up. "Oh, looks like they found someone." He narrowed his eyes. "And she's pinned one of ours." Azulon debated whether or not he should go over. With a short, almost impatient sigh, he began to stalk that way. "What is going on?" He hissed once he got close enough, but didn't immediately resort to aggression. He arrived just in time to hear Serkan's attempts of explaining.
"... Yes. Our pride is at war with the Nergui. You're not one of them, I presume." She probably would have sounded an alarm then. "We're gathering information."
–––
She nodded her head eagerly, agreeing with her sister. Yep yep, this group was wasting time bothering these lions! And to her content, it looked like she and her sister had distracted them well enough that they didn't look like they were about to start a fight. Oh! but wait, maybe they were supposed to keep the Nergui distracted. Uuuh... maybe she should ask questions! But what sorts of questions could she ask? Maybe she should distract them another way.
"If you want dinner, you should hunt!" She supplied, very unhelpfully. "Then I can get dinner when you're done!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:14 am
"We are only a small fraction of our pride." Morag said quietly, keeping her voice low. "As we have said, we are here to gather information, not to cause trouble for the locals... Though I will admit, chasing that boy was more instinct than reason." She glanced over into the bushes, though she didn't expect to be able to see him now. "I would not have left a child alone with those monsters present... With his dark coat and bright eyes, he seems like a likely target."
The dark lioness took a stab in the dark, remembering something about Nergui and dark coats with light eyes. Why else would the cub have been hidden in the middle of the grass, rather than being by the side of the adults with the patrol? It could be nothing, or it could be everything, it was hard to know the truth of it.
"Graos Oma's orders are to laze around and cry like crows?" Kivu chirped, fluttering over to her sister. She perked up at the thought of dinner, but then remembered at the ones who had given them names were out in the grass.
"No! No hunting. You look like you've already had ten meals!" She said to the lioness as she bounced, flapping her wings. Jumping, she boffed her sister with her wing. "Lazy lions that hunt around here might fall in a hole and hurt themselves." The raven said pointedly, hoping her sister would get the idea.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 11:14 am
"We aren't here for war...yet," Mkazo rumbled as he slowly climbed to his feet, shaking himself off and firmly stomping the hell out of the urge to shoot the lioness a dirty look. He aimed it in the direction of the Nergui patrol, instead. "Do you think we'd send our whole damned pride if we wanted to be able to sneak? No, just a few of us, like we did." His brow lowered as he focused on her with an intent look. "We don't offer what we aren't able to give. The rest of our pride is not small, and the Nergui have made a gods-damned mistake by attacking us." The last words came out in a hiss, as his frustration and embarassment was channeled against the Nergui instead. He reined himself back with a deep breath and visible effort. "Information for protection. Even traveling with us until we find what we need and head home is better than friggin' waiting for the Nergui to find you and your cub."
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 4:01 pm
Firekin? The elder narrowed her eyes. Returning at the end of her life just as surely as they had in her youth. Wearing different faces, but the same blood red coats. "Since when are firekin of any use to anyone?" she said sourly. "I remember a time not so long ago that it was the firekin who plagued our borders, not the Nergui."
She moved closer to the brush, her eyes dropping with concern. Caught, quite literally, between two tyrants. It made her head hurt. Lua had not been a cruel sort, but he had not professed to be apart of this new Motoujamii. She doubted they were here to rescue him.
"Protection? Will you protect my family?" She continued with the same flat tone. "Half of us far too old to travel. Unless you come in droves, firekin, I do not see you doing much protecting. The Nergui want their food, and then they will move on."
The scars on her pelt seemed to suggest otherwise.
"You are following the patrol for information? Information on what?" She said. "And what do you plan to do with it, great firekin?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 4:49 pm
"We won't protect your family." He confirmed what the lioness was probably already thinking. They weren't here for that, they weren't capable of such a thing. The only option for this family was to flee, or try to hold on until the Nergui were properly defeated. "That leaves half of you who are young and strong enough to travel." He pointed out. Azulon didn't admire these sorts of acts of unity, or whatever it was. Those who could escape but didn't were fools.
He shrugged. "Anything useful. What their objective is, for example." That was a big one, so far no one really knew what the Nergui wanted. They were clearly looking for something. "With the information we gather we will be more prepared against are enemy, better capable able of resisting them and fighting back."
Azulon looked back at where the Nergui still were, and wondered just how it was possible they had yet to be seen.
––
Oh! Woops, her sister had a point, the Nergui shouldn't go hunting. "My sister's right!" She agreed, once she understood her own gaffe. "You are fat." Hraelsveg nodded, even though she didn't really find them fat. "You might trip over and pop!" The young vulture nodded her head, then glanced at her smaller sister, seeking some sort of approval.
"Who is Godlum anyway?" She was honestly rather curious about that, but directed her question to Kivu rather than the Nergui. "Why does Graos Oma want them to wait for him?" So weird!
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:53 pm
Serkan let out a sigh. He should have been more clear, shouldn't he? "Was referring to..." He pointed at himself. "Hongshan. Nergui come, enslave some, kill others... MANY run, break into groups. Some groups caught... Others, make it to Fire-kin. Firekin take Hongshan in, shelter, accept, make one with Firekin. But Nergui threaten Firekin - Killed one of own, much mourning... We come north, seek ANY information on Nergui that might help." He shifted, then looked down toward where the cub had gone. "Maybe stop slaughter of innocent cubs..." He thought, suddenly, of his mate and their children. How many still lived, if any? A sorrow filled the vibrant green eyes.
Vunde, in the mean time, had grown bored. His mind had been working, still trying to discern where his other two fledgelings might be. A minor thing to worry about, but he had little ELSE to do. Maybe they were with their mother... He finally found opted to spread his wings, heavily beating his wings so he could perch up in a tree. It felt so much better up high, off the ground... Away from claws. And he wasn't the least bit a suspicious character, after all.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:01 pm
It was obvious there was some tie this lioness had to the firekin, one he wished he knew, or perhaps not in detail. Perhaps then he would better understand the situation. Protection, he wished they could offer it better. But only if they knew what the nergui were doing here, had some information, knew their numbers. Surely they would not send too many of the patrol so far away from the rest of the group.
They'd be close.
And they needed not to bring attention to themselves.
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:03 pm
Mkazo growled, shooting a glare at Azulon. "Speak for yourself," he snapped. "Protection isn't too much to pay for information--but our group can't do it, he's right about that much. You, your family, they'd need to run to the main pride." His expression grew dark. "You say they're too old...but even a trip across the desert, as dangerous as it is, is better than letting them find him?" He gestured at the cub with one paw. "At least there you wouldn't worry about him becoming a slave...if the Nergui would even let him live. The time of slaves is over, in the Firekin."
He shook his head and continued. "Numbers, movements, what they value, what they're looking for. It could give us an edge." He tried to ignore her nettling as he tried to think around this thorny gods-damned mess. "If you know a place to hide to the south, outside of their territory, you could come back with us when we're done." It wasn't ideal, far from it. But what the hell could he do? They were few, and not all of them even wanted to protect the strangers--no matter what they offered in return. Dragging an entire family along when they weren't done with their recon would be suicide. "If you don't want that, tell us what you do want."
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:19 am
Kivu couldn't help giggling as her sister caught on to her game, embellishing the 'fatty' idea. It was great entertainment to poke fun at the lions, especially this short tempered female.
"I don't know." She answered her sister, in a tone that implied a 'of course' at the beginning of it.
Morag listened as her companions shot their questions at the lioness, one ear flicking to keep track of what was going on at the patrol.
"It seems like the Nergui are doing more than plague your borders, and from the way your cub was hiding, I have a feeling that food is not all that they want. As they've said, we need any information you might have... but I'm willing to make a deal with you for it." She glanced back at the patrol and then eyed the older lioness.
"Let me help you hunt for the patrol. Feed them, send them on their way, then stay and talk with us. We will ask you for nothing but the information, and we will leave you unmolested. We can't offer you protection, as you say, but what will it really cost you to tell us what you know? And why not share it? Do you owe some debt to them, that would keep your mouth sealed?" Her gaze was frank and honest, one lioness speaking to another.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:03 am
The lioness seemed skeptical at best regarding the firekin's offers. But it was hard to say if she was witholding because of who they were, or the practicallity behind them. "A trip across the desert is not in the future of my family," she said flatly. "While you may offer with good intentions, you are young. I am considered the strong one, and I would not survive the trip. Let alone the rest of them."
Her nose scrunched as she looked over her shoulder, across the brush and at the Nergui still sitting at the mouth of her dwelling. "And besides, we did not move for the firekin. Why should we move for the Nergui?"
It felt like a lecture was imminent. But Morag's offer seemed to appeal to the reality of things. The lioness returned her gaze back towards the other. "It costs enough to know these things. The nergui are not as open mouthed as you might think. But I know them, and they know me. They leave my family alone, more or less. Arikara sromdko, they call me in joke."
Arikara's eyes softened. "No one in my group is young enough to have cubs. Their father was a friend of mine. He too thought he could help us, and instead the Nergui took him away. I took the children. But I worry they may not leave them be. I appreciate the offer of help, and I will take it. But if you want information that is not what will get it."
"I dislike entrusting anything to the firekin, but if you're strong enough to wage war against the Nergui, then it might be safer for the cubs there. If you take them with you, I will do better than get you secondhand information," she continued.
"The Nergui are not as clever as their Kaar's make them out to be. Without one, they are slow to make hasty judgements that may anger their leaders. One or two of you can return with me to the camp. While they are fed and happy, I can get them talking. You may listen, but as you do, you must find the girl cub and get her away from here," she concluded. "I suggest no one conspicuous, and capable of holding their tongues."
arrow Volunteers for this crazy plan?!
--------
Back at the camp, Tengri was doing her best to ignore the chattering little birds. She had a suspicion someone had put them up to this. And her suspicion was that it was Kreia. Occasionally she shot the other female the most foul look she could imagine in her direction, but the other female hardly acknowledged her. Grrr.
Finally, she couldn't take not responding. Especially when some of the others were chuckling behind her. "I'll be all the fatter the day I eat you," she said bitterly. "Do not think Graos Oma will be interested in you forever. Soon you will be old birds and no one will care what Rapha Oma thinks. And then I'll eat both of you."
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:21 am
"Old?" Hraelsveg repeated, doubtfully. "That'll take a while!" She clacked her beak, amused. "You'll never eat me! Or my sister! Silly lion." She was rather enjoying teasing the mean lioness. "Besides, I don't think you can get any fatter! You're already so round, like a hippo." Btu maybe she was pushing it, the young vulture considered briefly, and looked at her sister. "Oh... oh well." They'd probably find out at some point, whomever Godlum was!
––
He was starting to think that they wouldn't get anything useful from this stubborn lioness, but at least she seemed strong-willed. He supposed that was generally considered a good quality.
... and smart, too! That was a good plan, Azulon had no problems with admitting. even if they were caught, they should be able to grab the cubs and run. Despite him not liking children, if the agreement got them information, he was game.
"I can hold my tongue. If you don't think I'll attract too much attention." He offered, interested in participating. His dark red fur could look a rather dull, brownish color when he rolled in the dust, which he was sure they could find about here. He wasn't even as large or muscular as most firekin, sharing only half of his bloodline with them. But still, perhaps someone else was better suited for the job. Morag was black in color, and already shown she was good at sneaking about. Mkazo also might be a good fit, despite his apparent hot temper. Azulon would be fine with sitting this one out if his participation meant less information acquired, whatever gave them a better chance.
Whichever the case, he was ready to go, or lay in wait for the time to leave.
(Azulon offered because it's IC for him to want in on sum action 8D I'm all for two other people going! <3)
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:07 am
Listening intently, the vulture began to frown, brow furrowing. Did she just...? She just threatened to EAT his children! He shifted from one foot to the other, adjusting his wings as he glared down. He was so tempted to fly down and peck her for that comment... As best as he could fly at the moment. Instead, he only shifted again, still glaring, mind turning over words that the Firekin might understand if the Nergui stared to move in the wrong direction.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:15 am
Morag bowed her head in gratitude to the lioness. There was little they could do for the group that lived here. Sometimes one had to accept that life was not kind and death was not far off, no matter what you did to fight it.
"I will volunteer, but we should speak with the others as well. I don't think anyone red should go, as its a dead giveaway, but there are others who are not so brightly colored." She said, moving to nudge Azulon, her tail flicking. "Come on, lets speak quickly with the others. Its a shame now that we have no one with us with a brown coat. We'll be back in a moment."
Turning, she glanced from Mkazo to Serkan and then headed back to where Elcca waited with the rest of the group. She spoke softly to her and the others, filling them in on what they had learned and the plan that had been proposed.
"This might be our best chance... and its slightly less risky than wandering around here longer by ourselves, hoping to find clues. I would volunteer, but if there are others who look even less firekin than I do, they should go. A single, or even pair of cubs is easy enough to take with us on the trip back and... I don't like the thought of leaving them here to the mercy of the Nergui. Sentimentality beside, its two less potential warriors if we take them away."
Kivu puffed up at the lioness, fluffing her feathers on her body and cheeks till she looked like a fuzzy ball. "You won't eat us! You'll never catch us, you're too slow and fat. And if we're old, you'll be old too. And then WE'LL be the ones picking at YOUR bones!" She cackled as she took off, flapping up into the sky to circle, still laughing. It amused her that the others were chuckling too. She refrained from poking at the female more, showing admirable restraint for one so young.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:34 pm
Aithne's was surprised by all of the action happening a lion of their own being pinned, and now the talks of taking the lioness back. She felt like this was one of the most intense things that she had done in her life. Her tail flicked around behind her as she listened she then turned toward the others to speak. "Would the two also go to get the cub?" She asked curiously. Aithne really wanted into this whole deal. However there was one thing for sure and that was that Aithne was very conspicuous. She was the definition of a firekin. Her bright red coat was just as read as the firekin's name sake.
She really wanted to go and help but yet at the same time she had an idea that it was going to be a bad idea if she were to go. She flicked her tail around behind her and let out a small sigh. "What are the rest of us going to do?" She threw out there. She really enjoyed the idea of going out to the Nergui but she knew it wasn't a good idea. She could feel some frustration building up in her.
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