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 Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:23 pm
Nuria's tail lashed at the insult from one of the lionesses, and she shifted, measuring the male through narrowed eyes. He was large, for a rogue. She could give him that. But he was no Firekin, and it galled to hear him speak with such brash confidence. Were it not for the threat of the Nergui, she might have agreed with Armada--but they were preparing for a war, against a force which had decimated the Hongshan. These locals could be practice...but they could also send lions to the medic's dens that could be better served fighting those that would not...negotiate. A bitter, distasteful word, but one could see some neccessities when lives were on the line.
However, she remained silent. They were acting divided enough without adding more voices to the fray.
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:10 pm
At her brother's words, Ora rolled her eyes and shook her head. "They're not going to eat me, Laini," she said patiently. Try as these lions might to look big and tough and mean, the cub didn't believe for a second that they would resort to something as vicious and down-right wrong as eating a cub. They would have been crazy to do something like that.
Not that the whole... water-snatching thing they had going wasn't crazy in the first place. Still.
Ora looked up at Monifa, and a thoughtful look crept across her face. Brave? That didn't really seem to be it. Reckless, more like, and maybe more than a little bit of stupid, but courage seemed unlikely. She smiled, then, and shrugged. "They were just being unfair," she decided to say. "Just because we're littler doesn't mean they should take our water." And Ora, of all creatures, should know.
Thuli's voice broke into her awareness, and Ora couldn't help but glance back and scan the gathered crowd of lions in search of the big red on that had sniffed her. In hindsight, he hadn't seemed so bad... maybe just a little bit curious, and Ora could empathize with that. "They smell kind of sandy..." She said finally, watching Luut from afar and wondering how he might have reacted if Laini hadn't stopped her from smacking him across the muzzle with her tiny paw. Maybe he would have eaten her then.
--
"Aren't they being kind of reasonable?" Atesh intoned to his companion from where he stood, watching the proceedings. They were all ready here, ready for something, and he had no doubt that things would change here before the day was done, for better or for worse.
Somehow, he thought, the latter seemed more likely. For these natives, anyway.
The dark lion lapsed into silence, his eyes surveying the opposition and marveling at the range of colors that littered the pelts before him. But no red. The striped lion glanced down at himself. No red either, he supposed, though his coat did bear similar blacks and grays as that of the others' leader. He was a brazen one, that.
Beside Atesh, Mishaal simply shrugged. It wasn't her place to judge, and she had to insist that she didn't give a toss one way or another. She had to say it, to fool him, to fool herself... anyone. Emotions could not play into this, because they both knew that the moment that happened, her loyalties would waver.
And Mishaal wasn't about to let that happen.
The Firekin had taken her in in her time of need, and she had pledged that day to remain true to their kind, no matter what. No matter what.
"It doesn't matter," she said finally. "What matters is the water. We have to get access to some of it somehow."
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:35 am
Elda, who had assigned herself as Seide’s shadow gave a low growl of confirmation, sticking close to her old master. If there was going to be a fight they’d have to get through her first. “Yes, sir.” Was all she said, and probably all she would say from here on in. She wasn’t much of a talker, or a thinker. She did as she was told. Elda’s life was simple in that respect.
Even still, as she stayed close to the older female she could not help but feel a burst of pride at Seide’s words. She was everything a Firekin should be. A good leader for the sentinels.
And then Armada’s voice rang out and Elda was shoved aside as Heti scrambled past her.
His black streaked pelt was vivid against all the dusty grass as he moved to play peacemaker, drawing close to Armada – but just out of arm’s reach if she decided she might decide to give him a slap for his interference. “Armada, perhaps it might be best if we hear them out first.” He spoke under his breath so no one else could here. “With the Nergui breathing down our necks, some allies might not be such a bad idea.” He was nervous that she might end up getting herself into grave trouble and for all her fire he did actually like Armada. She held true to her beliefs and didn’t buckle like he would have. For that he had a lot of respect for her.
But with so many lions here, he was beginning to think she might be bringing trouble down on her head.
--
Ainra, who had lapsed into worried silence, watched the proceedings with a pounding heart. She was not yet as tied to the lands as her fellow sisters but the thought of having their home invaded by such monstrous lions frightened her. All the tension was putting her on edge, too, and the cubs were still far too close to them for her liking.
She dropped down into the grass and laid back her ears. “An agreement would be better than a fight.”
After all she certainly would not be able to stand up against even the smallest of those colossal beings. And others were insulting them? That really didn’t seem like a good idea, especially with one of the strangely-marked females who seemed adamant to take whether those around her wanted to or not.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:12 am
"Yes, they are," Buna said softly to the cub, "And they sure are foul-mouthed. But Gakere is a big lion too and he's better with words."
She just hoped it would be enough with his size and his words. From the grumbling and shouted challenges she figured that many of the strange lions wouldn't mind a fight at all. She sure hoped that their Umama would be reasonable and try to avoid a fight. Fighting on unfamiliar ground was not very wise after all. When they had to change territory due to the long draught the last thing they wanted was to have to fight hard for that new territory. And by now... She knew these lands from her many hunts in the area. The cubs knew all the good hiding spots, and could probably disappear if they needed to. And her sisters would fight with her if they had to, just like they worked together to protect the cubs now.
If push came to shove they could hold out and be a general pain in the tail for these lions, even if they were strong. She sure hoped they wouldn't have to, however.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:04 am
Watching and listening to the two groups, one of which was her beloved Bonelands companions, go back and forth Dina couldn't help but offset her worry with what she thought might be a bit frustration. What Gakere said made sense to her, and she surprised herself at being relieved when he mentioned coming to an agreement. Certainly that would be the better outcome for them all, though... whether or not the gigantic flaming jerks would think so had yet to be seen. A voice to her side caught her attention and Dina momentarily looked back to see Ainra, a relatively new face to the group, lay down in the grass near her. "I think so as well. Let's hope they share that sentiment," she muttered back, giving the other a lioness a comforting nudge to her shoulder. In times like this, they had to stick together, even if that came down to a fight. Though Dina sure hoped it didn't, she wasn't certain she'd be much help in that area- having only gotten into tussles with hyenas and other poachers in order to protect kills.
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Bora, her vulture partner had returned from her earlier scouting, and glanced in the bird's direction as she perched on a high tree branch near by. It was strangely comforting to have her companion in close proximity, but that's only because she knew Bora would be willing to help in some way if at all necessary. Flight sure seemed like a useful ability right now. The lioness returned her gaze to waterhole, ears flicked forward to listen to the goings-on as a frown found its way onto her maw.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:09 am
Huffing at his sister he eyed her. "How do you know that? I heard that strange males eat young cubs like us beyond our pride.. and these guys came form out there." Shuddering he kept nudging at his sister till she was safely under a lioness. Once Ora was safe he turned to look for his other sister that he had spotted, but Thuli had proved rather smarter that Ora and was already pressed close against a familiar adult.
Nodding his head faintly, secure in the knowledge that the lioness' would look after his sisters, he snuck forwards between two of the females that had moved to form a ring around the cubs, and peered back across the watering hole, staring at the huge red lions. They were so.. big. He couldn't believe they were all so huge, some as big as his brother, some even bigger... He really wished the other Umholi would turn up....
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:02 am
Meeradin swooped back up to her ledge. It was a safe distance above ground, even considering the new-lions' massive size. It also afforded an excellent view of both sides. Now, Meera had no allegiance here, but if she had had to pick sides, she was more inclined towards the home-lions. Not only had they already been here, but they seemed the decent sort. Meera was rather fond of watching the lion-chicks play, and it gave the watering hole a sense of serenity to have all the lionesses lazing about while the young played.
These new-lions, though... some of them were rather hostile and quite rude. The raven waggled her tail and thought about pecking the loudest one on the head a few times, to knock some sense into her. Even an eagle should think twice before insisting on taking the worm from a parrot chick's beak! Still, there seemed a bit of dissention among the new-lions. Not everyone agreed with Loudmouth's approach.
All in all, it was turning out to be a very interesting day! She took a sip from what little was left of her puddle, then flipped her wings more comfortably and continued to watch the scene unfold.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:07 am
The Legate's ears hardly flicked towards Armada. The lioness was angry, but Seide knew her to not be completely stupid. A single lion could not match a circle of angry lions alone. She would not get far. Who chose to stop Armada, and who chose to join her, would help Seide decide who she must inevitably send back or ground here.
Heti was moving forwards, and the strong muscles in Seide's shoulders began to relax. She was thankful for both Elda and Veru close at her left and right. As obnoxious as Veru proved himself to be, he was stable, and she could rely on him. The red female's focus once again turned to Gakere.
"I wish to avoid an unnecessary war," the Corporal responded. Her weight shifted, testing the thickness of the mud beneath her feet. "But, I cannot promise bloodshed will not occur. The tempers of my kin run like the fire of their pelts, and not all are as reasonable as I. I will give them orders, but I cannot control the actions of the individual."
Moto'Seide looked behind her then, to examine the group she had brought. They seemed to be holding steady, save for Armada.
"Our terms are free access, unhindered, to the water, and permission to keep an occupying force at its location. What is it that you would ask of us in return?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:30 am
Baie was getting really tired of this grey-eyed lioness and her band of brutes. So they were expected to back down at the sight of the invaders without being told why, assume they meant no harm to the cubs, assume they had not come looking for a fight, assume they were only interested in the water from the spring and no other part of their lands and above all, they expected to get it without a fight… as if it was their right. For those who were not allies of her pride, they expected far too much. To assume her whole pride would back down just because of a group from theirs…!
Her nose crinkled but it was the only visible sign of her annoyance and she remained quite still, eyes fixed on the nearest lioness as if taking silent measures of her neck. If it came down to a fight, Gakere would probably be forced to fight one of the big males so Baie would do her best to get at least one of the females out of the way. Gakere surprised her by speaking of compromise but she realized he was right, of course. If the situation could be resolved peacefully – even if not without a grudge here and there – it was only natural to try and work things out without any senseless deaths.
She was happy when a more reasonable lioness spoke up but her words made her even angrier. She was a leader who couldn’t control her own subordinates?! The shame in that alone was overwhelming, how could she even admit it aloud if not to cause intimidation? There was so much she wanted to say but the frustrated lioness remained quietly in place, standing tall right behind the Abaholi. The last thing she wanted was to be seen as a source of dissention and break the united front that faced the giant invaders. She would show them all the lionesses of her pride had nothing but pride and respect for their leaders.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:55 pm
The lioness nodded an agreement with the cub. They really had no right to this water and should go look for some elsewhere, somewhere without others to steal from also. They should go find their own place. Sandy... "They are probably from out beyond the desert border." What was their home like she wondered. She stayed close to Ora, that way she could keep and eye on the little one, ever shying her towards the circle where the other females were keeping an eye on the cubs.
Gakere's words were indeed wise. If they could end this without too much dispute it would be good. Some sort of compromise would be better than bloodshed. No need for the cubs to lose their families in this. However the other's words are what stung her. They wanted to keep an occupying force here? At least they also wanted compromise, but to add in a force to this. Hopefully the Umholi would deny such a request.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:13 pm
Though it appeared there would be some reasoning here, and hopefully this would all be solved peacefully enough, Spaki was still considering the possibility of a fight. Moto'spaki quietly thought about where he stood, in the water, mud beneath his paws. The water could be quite bad for them, as it made movements sluggish. It could be useful for the purpose of drowning, considering most of the firekin here were larger than the other lions. Drowning, however, appeared cowardly. A handy way to win a fight, but not a good way.
Ideally, things would be settled between Seide and this dark male, but he knew all it would take was one lion on either side to break out to start a brawl, and he’d best keep that in mind. He also didn’t like the confidence of their leader; perhaps his pride would keep him from accepting Seide’s terms. That wouldn't be very smart. Despite his words, saying many firekin would fall... unlikely. Most firekin here were larger than any of these other lions, and all of them were certainly better trained.
Though many thoughts ran through his mind, the white male remained very still, not one to get worked up like some of his kin. Instead, he just listened. He would only show aggression if the Legate ordered an attack, or if a battle was inevitable.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:59 pm
Thuli felt relatively safe when guarded by the lionesses but her big brother was still talking to the unoriginal meanies (red, black and white, really?!) so it was hard not to worry. She nodded when Buna spoke but remained quiet and she thought about her sister had said. So the strangers smelled… “sandy”, huh…? What did sand smell like anyway?
“Laini, don’t go.” She started with some concern but soon decided the danger did not truly outweigh her curiosity and the young lioness followed after her brother, trying to get a good look of what was going on. They were still talking… discussing the terms of some agreement. Well, Thuli was bored already which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing in this case, she decided.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:54 pm
"We offer our lands freely to our own." It was, perhaps, an odd statement, until the large, dark male continued, his gaze trailing after Seide's as she examined her group.
"We always seek to become a better pride." Gakere's voice was a cool rumble, "If you wish to access our territory, and keep a force here, you will have to increase the strength of our family."
His eyes met the serious, commanding lioness's as he made his terms clear, direct. "I will agree to your terms, provided we have mating rights with the Firekin, and that the cubs from those unions stay within our lands."
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:38 pm
It seemed tensions were cooling, if just a bit. Umoya felt both pleased with this and also slightly discontent, almost as if she'd been interested in a fight. Still, the more she looked at the red giants the more she thought of how stupid that would be.
She nodded lightly in agreement to Quba's muttering, smirking just slightly. Her nose wrinkled at the firekin's terms, ears perked to wait and see what Gakere would demand in return. Increase the strength... yes that was good. Mating rights? Her eyebrows shot up and then lowered inquisitively at this new development.
Her green eyes flickered over the large males, then onto some of their females. Did he mean to have his pick of those stuck up, aggresive... no, maybe he meant for them to...
She sat herself down, bewildered. This... this was certainly different from what they knew... Umoya was not sure yet if she agreed or disagreed, so she kept quiet and waited to hear if others would speak out, and what these so-called firekin would make of his offer.
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Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:53 pm
He wanted what?!
Nuria's hackles rose at the very thought of what the large, confident--no, arrogant--male was suggesting, and she let out a low, rumbling growl. Firekin bred with Firekin. To ask that they lower themselves to breed with these...these fireless ones, and then to leave those offspring here? It was true enough that huria had to go somewhere once they were of age, but to willingly give up a true-pelted member of the kin was...it was unthinkable. Flattering, perhaps, that the leader of these locals recognized strength when he saw it, but flattery changed nothing. Huria could perhaps be...allowed to these locals, but not those that should rightly be with the Firekin.
Her tail twitched irritably as her eyes went to Moto'Seide. What would the Legate say of this...proposition?
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