[EVENT] Foreign Diplomacy

[Talencia]

The raven had just begun tossing sun-warmed water over her back with her beak when the lions began murmuring. Due to her elevated position, she didn't concern herself with it much, until there was a roar. With a flip of her wings to rid them of excess droplets, she swiveled her head sharply to watch the newcomers. Overall, the lions living here were of the colors of summer grass, all browns and golds and yellows. This new lot were startling in contrast. Not only for their bold colors, which would have done nothing to help them blend in for hunting, but also for their size. Meera gave an uncertain squawk and sidled along her ledge uncertainly.

The fact that the home-lions were so edgy about the new-lions made her uneasy. When lions threatened lions, it never ended up good for anyone but vultures. One of those circled above, in fact, but left swiftly. She watched the new-lions drink deeply, and edge further around the edges, apparently to take all the water for themselves. This made her sit up in her own indignance. What about the likes of her? Didn't she have a say as to whether she could drink or not? She didn't, of course, but she could feel her own outrage privately if she so chose!

Intrigued, she took wing and swung down lower over the two groups facing off. She circled over one side, then over the other. She spent more time over the new-lions, since she already had a good idea what the home-lions were about. They seemed quiet to her avian senses, and thus far pretty focused on the safety of their chicks... though they didn't call them chicks, did they? Before she could puzzle out what they did call them, a resonating roar nearly sent her tumbling into one of the new-lions. Only a desperate flailing of her wings and tail caught her before she touched the huge feline, and she flapped hard to gain altitude again, cawing raspily. Whew, that was a close one!  

[Jovi of Shadows]

Dina returned to where the pride had gathered, blue eyes quick to pick out the large form of Gakere standing amidst the water. How many of these red devils had shown up today? And how many males did they have with them? The splotchy lioness eyed them all, from the large manes of each male, to every rolling muscle that seemed to even be shared by their red females. They were strange, troublesome, and she doubted they were trustworthy. This made for a dangerous situation. Her family, friends, even those she didn't much have a liking toward were all in the path of danger and all she could do was just watch? Well... stare begrudgingly was more like it, but the effect was the same.

Despite having Gakere there, Dina couldn't help but still feel vulnerable. It was a feeling that she hated. A feeling that she might lose it all in one fell swoop. Her ears twisted back as she swallowed a growl, intent to watch the pride's Abholi handle the situation without making it more complicated than it already was. The lioness found herself drifting closer the group of female's she had both grown up with and just recently met. They were all Bonelands members, this was their home, and the last thing they needed after last season's disease-ridden, heart-broken drought was these louts pushing their way through Bonelands territory. And for some reason, for as much as Dina hated them for it, she was worried- maybe even a bit frightened at what might occur. She'd do her best not to show that, though.

Bora had been scouting the regions further south for the afternoon, after stopping for a quick bite on a delicious half-eaten carcass of- well, she wasn't sure what it was. But it was good! On her return home she had expected to see the over-sized kitties doing what they did best: lazing around like no one's business. To the active vulture, these lions weren't nearly as alive as she had expected them to be. Didn't they, you know, fight and kill each other over scraps of meat and harsh words? She thought lions were suppose to do that. Imagine the white buzzard's astonishment as she came to pass over the watering hole, taking in the sight of two groups of lions. One she recognized as her partner's family group, the other, not so much. A bit hesitant at first, the vulture slowly made her dissent towards the Bonelands pride, picking out Dina easily with her orange spotted coat.  

[DavyJnah]

Thankfully the cub had moved away and she had too. That's when she saw the male, Gakere, and looked to him with respect and awe. These intruders didn't want to take away their homeland only part of it, like it made a difference. She steeled her tongue from lashing out, no time for her to speak out. Instead she bowed her head, not so much to look as if she were weak only enough to show that she wasn't about to threaten anyone else.

Monifa was hoping this wouldn't end up in a fight. To be reminded again of what it was like when her small band of lions was attacked many moons ago sent another shrill of terror in her bones, but she kept firm. Sticking close to the loud mouth cub she had come between.

"You've got a brave heart." She muttered to Ora.  

[KasaiLoki]

At the roar, Quba’s head whipped around, spotting Gakere approaching. Good, maybe these large lions would be less willing to try to take over the water source. She didn’t know anything about the firekin or how their nature was, but she knew they were larger than her own pride members. But sometimes size didn’t matter, it was more about how you use wits.

She shook her head when Moto’spaki commented. Once again, her thought was just why exactly they should give up part of their lands…especially one so vital as a water source.

Qube remained silent throughout the ordeal, finding it not necessary to speak to the invaders just yet. She secretly willed Umoya to come back from the water though. A part of her was relieved when the children were taken from potential harm’s way.  

[Nuxaz]

Mii'ah had gone at the request of Xipil, who remained back in the Firekin to oversee his duties as brigadier. He had much to plan and when he confided in the former Pridelander that he personally wished for go because he could not, well...the lioness had a difficult time refusing him. Besides, it was an opportunity to further prove her worth as not only a soldier but a firekin as well.

She followed her other firekin quietly, a million and one thoughts running through her head as she moved forward. There was much to be concerned about and all the while her senses were on high alert. She heard whispers of some thinking things would be oh-so easy and that there would hardly be any resistance.

She shook her head at those ideas, they should no better. Nothing about this would be easy, regardless of how things appeared. She was filled with unease, especially when the leader of the pride showed up.

Great.

((ICly her name is still Mii'ah, her name will eventually be Keahi))  

[Kaelyndra]

"Rowtag," Seide spoke the name with a calm indifference. "There are many lions in the world who bear my resemblance. But you, and the other Firekin who stand with me, are my family. My family needs water." There was always sacrifice. The lions who were here before had not fought with her, did not hunt for her, and had not grown with her. What resemblance to her they bore stopped there.

The red lioness moved her way through slowly. "Elda," she rumbled out, when the lioness was close enough to hear her over the fray. "Stay close." Seide trusted few to be able to follow orders if a fray broke forwards. These were not trained soldiers, they were Firekin with tempers that ran hot, and they did not know their opponent. "Most of them are smaller, and they will be faster than us."

After Veru gave her an entrance, Seide pushed her way through the group to open ground. "I am!" The boom of her voice filled the small canyon and she locked eyes with Gakere before turning them to the rest of the huddled females. This was for them all to hear.

"Your defense is admirable, but this water is now under ownership of the Firekin. If you choose to fight, know that this is only a small portion of our forces. I would ask that you leave peacefully. Understand that I will not take 'no' for an answer."

-

With the arrival of Gakere, what had seemed a panic was now turning around. Nahmba felt pride swell in her chest as her son arrived. It was hard not to feel the rallying of her fellow family members.

They would not be pushed out of their home.

"Go home, fatties!" she shouted out to them, perhaps taking a bit too much heart into the angry cries from the cubs. Still, she did as she was told, picking up the scruff of one cub and helping to take it away from the fray.

"Everyone form a ring. We'll keep the cubs in the center. If they attack, they get to feel all our teeth!" Every now and then females would get into tussles, but this was more exciting. This was like a dangerous adventure.

Surtak seemed less inclined to have any dangerous adventures. He said nothing, having nothing to say that differed from Gakere's opinion.

The much smaller, though well muscled, male was soon next to the tall Abaholi's side. His eyes were on the Firekin, carefully stopping on every one. It was as if he was analyzing them, or perhaps he recognized someone?  

[Dulcea]

Akako silence herself as Gakere spoke, falling back behind him with her head tipped down. She wasn't willing to take her eyes off these intruders, but she knew she had other priorities in the disagreement. No sooner had she thought this than Nahmba called for a ring.

Nodding toward the older female she waved her paw toward the group, trying to reign in any straggling cubs as she walked the circle and backed into a place near Nahmba, feeling stronger with their numbers organizing. "Come on in little ones, get behind," she called as she went, never letting her eye stray far from the line of firekin.  

[Lethrossen]

Her eyes narrowed as the interactions continued. How had ones come to be so full of themselves? Coming here and demanding their water source. The river ran still farther, shouldn't they move down stream until they were away from the territory? "Firekin, eh? An' wha' shoul' tha' mean teh me?" She quirked, annoyed. "Is it a usual thing fer yeh to 'ave invaiders in yer territory, demandin' things from yah?" And here her logic was flawless, as she saw it. "Seems teh be the way you were brought up, any'ow." Because she could see no other reason they would just assume there wouldn't be trouble when they just showed up and demanded the water. Demanded, they did not even seek permission into the territory... Umoya thought that would have been the wiser course.

"The river be long, an' the waterin'oles swelling with wa'er after all the rains we've been 'aven. Go to one of those." She would have said more, except suddenly Gakere had showed up. She nodded at his words, puffing her chest out slightly. Her gaze flicked about though and she saw Quba still a bit off, so she moved slowly toward her friend, her friend that was closer than even a sister. She stood beside her, bristling still. She was annoyed, though she was not sure if she wanted it come to blows or not. This was all so stupid, and it could have been so amazing to meet so many strange looking lions... but no, they were just trying to rule over something that was not theirs.

 

[Mogami]

Baie tried to count the intruders while still keeping most of her attention on Gakere. It was no easy task and she had to start over more than once. So many of them! Their numbers bothered her more than their sizes and just as much as their attitudes. She hoped more lionesses from the pride would come soon because while they weren't trained fighters, females were used to working together to bring down large prey and that's exactly what was needed in this case. Having greater numbers might make the invaders reconsider their actions but even if it didn't at least they'd have an edge. They were probably weary from travelling and thristy to boot so this might actually be the best moment to fight them off. She wondered what Gakere was going to say and do next but Baie decided not to join the cubs unless specifically told to do so and she bared her teeth silently when Seide spoke.

-----

Thuli watched in silence the interaction between her half brother and the intruders. It was hard to tell what was going to happen next but she wasn't too worried just yet. Gakere had defeated their father in a fight to the death and won his rightful place as the leader of the pride. He was strong and Thuli had absolute faith in him. Still, she would not unglue herself from Buna, whose presence comforted her.

"Ora, Ora! You saw that one from really close...? What was he like? Do they smell funny?" she asked her sister as they were herded together, disappointed that a circle of lionesses obstructed her view of the action.  

[wooga Paes]

He wrinkled his nose at the insult from the pale lioness. Fatties, really? And this was a fully grown lioness. He was embarrassed for this pride. The white lion understood the agitation, as the Motoujamii had just barged into their lands, and claimed their water. Any pride would be unhappy with that, the lack of a reaction would be disappointing. Moto'spaki just hoped these lions came to their senses and gave in before a fight started.

As Seide spoke, he shifted in the water and moved a bit closer, to show his support of her words and get in position, as these lions seemed to be doing. A circle around the cubs? That didn’t seem smart. If the firekin really wanted to get at the little scraps of lions, they needed only break through in one spot. It would be best to simply send the cubs running home.

But maybe this wasn’t really the time to criticize the strategy of their apparent opponents.  

[Indubitably]

Gakere may have laughed. Teeth flashed as his eyes caught on an attractive pelt. Strong muscles, a steely stare. A good female.

"If this is how you encroach on all territories, then you fight often," It was both an amused observation and a compliment, though he didn't seem particularly threatened. "Your muscles must be stronger than your minds, however, if it's your preference to take what you might've been given."

The large male looked at the 'small portion', examining them. He counted maybe only three, or four, that knew what it was to fight to the death. "I will give you an opportunity to settle this amiably. I am Gakere. These are the lands of my kin. Should you demand them from us again, you will have to take them," He paused, as if considering the outcome, "And many of yours will die needlessly."

His gaze returned to Seide once more, "Now, tell us all. Do your Firekin wish to come to a mutually beneficial agreement, or will there be bloodshed? If so, I ask that our young be sent back to their mothers without harassment."  

[Mimsey]

It agitated Armada to no end to be casually brushed off by Veru and Seide. Even more so in front of what seemed to be this group's leader- some puffed up male bafoon who thought he stood a chance against them. Hidden beneath the water, her claws dug into the mud. She was not a lioness who typically ran hot-headed. But there was no reason for this delaying. Chase them off and be done with it! If they weren't going to compromise, then all of this talking was simply wasting air.

"You think a circle would protect you if we wanted to attack?" She snapped. "Is that what you call a battle formation out here? A ring? And your hysterics aren't needed. We don't kill cubs. But we might make exceptions for idiots who can't follow simple instructions."

The white lion squinted his eyes. He was thinking, which usually wasn't a good thing. Carefully, Veru joined the other lions by wading in the water. It was almost brown now with all the murk being kicked up. "We are not of the intention to kill anyone," he corrected. "This route opens into our home. You may not realize it, but its a liability. To both you and us."

Armada's nose crinkled. They had no buisness explaining things to these fools. "Many of us will die needlessly, will we?" Without much hesitation, the lioness began to wade through the water, towards the other bank. Her strange eyes observed the locals. "Against what, your trained warriors? I don't think you are in the position to bargain with us, boy."  

[Indubitably]

Gakere's cool gaze drifted between Seide and Veru, his eerily calm tone just short of amusement at Armada's snipe as he commented on her behavior, waiting for a response from the invading group's leadership.

"Your cub is getting out of hand, Firekin."  

[Andranis]

Luut backed up, returning to the rest of the group as he eyed the gathering lions. He moved behind his mother, face growing hard in a glare at the loud gray and brown lion. His approach was far too bold, and Luut didn't like it. His lips curled back, a menacing growl emanating from him. It was one of the few sounds he ever made, and it usually meant he was ready for action. As his hackles raised, his claws extended and he shifted, ready to attack if the word was given.

Rowtag could only grunt. "I still think she looks like your father..." There may have been a lot of rogues, but some things still wouldn't escape his notice.

His attention turned to the gray and brown lion, and he soon found his own hackles raising. And then the pale lioness opened her mouth... "Fatties?! Who are YOU calling fat?! This is all MUSCLE, lean and powerful!" He took a single step forward. "Care to TEST it?!" As he'd been trained, females were of equal rank to males, so he thought nothing of fighting a lioness. These were too brown, too... Not red for him, anyway. There'd be no distractions.  

[KasaiLoki]

Hesitant at first, Quba was quick to go to formation at the approach of the angry female, and the rest of the group beginning to wade in the water. Her heart began to pound in her chest as her eyes narrowed. She quickly stole a glance to the center of the circle, eyeing the few cubs being protected.

“What simple instructions?” the masked lioness had uttered out. “Giving up a portion of our land? Go find your own,” she muttered the growl. Even though there were just a few of the strangers here now, the likelihood of more showing up was very plausible. Her bright eyes turned to Gakere, waiting to see what his reaction was. The tension and suspense was building in the air, one could cut through it with a knife.