[EVENT] Foreign Diplomacy

[Mimsey]

Armada jerked her head back in shock at the words she was hearing. Her lips pulled back into a snarl. So the roguelands hadn't changed at all. Still the same bullshit. It was like an old life was rearing its ugly head again, waiting at the edge of the desert that had changed her. The effect was something akin to a match dropping on oil. Armada was no fool, but she had her limits. And those words shattered them and drifted into the atmosphere.

But most importantly, it was an answer to a question.

"Perhaps in your lands, females are used as bargaining chips," her voice was almost distorted by the growl thundering through her ribs. "You think any firekin woman would submit to those terms? We don't sell off our children, nor do we mix our blood with the weak."

She snorted, and took one slow step forward. "We don't need to bargain with the weak either. If we offer diplomacy, it is a charity. Do you know how fast we could destroy your miserable little harem?"

At around this point, Veru started to hobble through the water towards the drifting Armada. "Armada, no one is considering-"

But he wasn't near enough. Armada was still moving. "You'd better run boy, before your family sees you fall." The water made the movements sluggish, but anyone could tell what she was planning. As soon as she reached the point where her feet had traction, she rose up and sprung towards Gakere, claws outstretched.

There were no more words, and it was very clear that at that moment, Armada was perfectly willing to start this little war on her own.  

[Kaelyndra]

The only movement in Seide's body happened as her muscles stilled and her eyes moved to settle, sternly on this 'Gakere's. The large, red lioness would not even get the chance to let her own words slip out.

"Armada!" The tone was sharp, and the sound cut through the air, clear and even. The silver-eyed lioness was still pushing forwards, words and body betraying her.

The temper of the Firekin ran deep.

Seide was already taking steps forwards by the time Armada was finishing her sentence. There was no sound, no warnings, when the Legate lunged.

It was careless, and would have cost her wounds in a fight. But this was no fight. Seide's full body collided with Armada. It knocked them both into the water. Mud caked her paws, up to her elbows as she clamoured once more to her feet.

But the Legate was not yet done. Seide swung another blow, and then a second, heavy and without claws, until she was sure her fellow Firekin would not continue her assault.

"You do not attack, Armada, unless attacked first. You will get your own kin killed with such debauchery." In the back of her throat, Seide let out a snarl, eyes hot on the lion.

"That goes for all of you!" The Legate's voice rose and she held her head up. "Our spirit is our strength, but our rage is a weakness." A long breath was pushed through her nose. "Armada, go back to shore." A jerk of her head towards the other Firekin. "Until you show the strength of your blood, you are stripped of your title and are under the command of Veru and Elda."

Her head turned to look at Gakere again.

"Those terms are unacceptable as they stand. You may revise them, or we can settle this with bloodshed, now."

To ensure that Armada did move herself to shore, Seide followed closely behind until the lioness was safely within the group of Firekin. She remained there, at the front of the group, water dripping from her face and chin and eyes locked on Gakere as she waited for the sounds of displeasure and argument to trickle in.  

[Andranis]

The face Luut made could only be described as sour. His ears folded back as his fur bristled, and he began to edge forward, soon abreast with his mother. The massive lion very quickly let out what had to be his most menacing growl to date, very clearly not happy with the idea of leaving perfectly good Firekin cubs with this pride, or even copulating with one of them. If he was going to find a mate, or even a fling, he'd look within the desert, thanks! His claws extended, though they were hidden by the mud and murky water. When his mother moved again, he followed, and when Siede moved... He ducked. His anger at the brown and gray male's words was replaced by surprise, before he found himself alone in the water. Or at least, a distance away. Luut looked around a moment, before moving back. And then, as he passed her, he gave Siede the most possitively scathing look for DARING to touch Armada. He didn't find it unfounded, but he didn't particularly LIKE it.

Rowtag himself scowled, hackles raising. "Wait, wait, wait... They REALLY want us to, what, knock their lionesses up? And leave all the cubs, regardless of how they look?" His tail lashed. "Or are they proposing that we let THEM knock OUR lionesses up, and then take the cubs? Because..." He stepped forward. "I'd be HAPPY to keep you away from my sisters and every other lioness in the pride myself." He paused. "Or are you just IMPOTENT that you can't knock your own lionesses up, and just hope to make off with some of OUR cubs?" He agreed, the terms HAD to change. "I still think we should run them off..."  

[Jovi of Shadows]

Negotiation was good. It meant the prevention of needless death, and though Dina wasn't particularly happy about the idea of these red brutes constantly at the waterhole, she was glad to not shed blood where words might be more suited. It seemed to have been going well, until she heard Gakere's demands. He... what? The lioness looked incredulously at the over-sized brutes across the water, with the blood red hides and freakish height. None of them were going to touch her! Or her daughter! The very thought of one of those monsters getting a hold of a Bonelands lioness stirred a heavy bit of alarm in the cinga. She had participated in rogue swap in order to bring fresh blood into the pride, but asking this of his pride was baffling and more than a bit horrifying to the blue eyed lioness. Even if their size and questionable morals weren't an issue, she was certain she didn't want to deal with any cubs that might be brought about by such a union! If these adult firekin had such foul tempers, and greedy ambitions, she was absolutely certain any of their offspring would to.

The fact both sides seemed to be referring to the Bonelands lionesses as weak also irked Dina. Were they so worthless that Gakere had seek outside females? They hunted, raised the young, and looked after the betterment of the pride. What more could he possibly want?! She didn't like that thought, and her angered expression jolted back to their Umholi as her lips rose to expose her fangs and her ears laid back against her skull. There's no way Matifu would have allowed this! Or so she thought before mentally scolding herself for thinking on the past. The fact of the matter was, she almost wished that the loud mouthed red female had given Gakere at least one good swipe, just one, for such a ludicrous idea. It was probably best the she-devil had been intercepted in the attempt, but none of this did anything to ease the tension that now strangled Dina's thoughts and tightened her muscles. Of course, she withheld from speaking out about this publicly, and planted her hindquarters squarely on the ground, as if to say: no one was going to touch her.  

[MoonRazor]

"You didn't sign up for that," Atesh whispered, nudging Mishaal. Under any other circumstances, the two would have shared a wry look and burst into laughter. As it was, the tension in the air kept their faces from becoming anything but serious masks as they looked on.

And it was a strange enough proposition, that. As Atesh surveyed the other lions, he saw that they were as different from the Firekin as this land from his desert. They were all the colors of sand and rocks, almost like his father, and melded so well with their surroundings that he thought it would have been difficult to spot them from afar. Their pelts, less so than their rage, were their protection.

But the pelts of the Firekin were anything but. The red that flamed on their coats boasted of their strength and fearlessness - anyone could see them, but they didn't care. They didn't need to care.

"Shut up," Mishaal hissed, less than impressed. It was absolutely ridiculous, and not because of anything to do with "mixing blood." Mishaal herself was not of Firekin descent, and she could say nothing about the purity of her own blood in terms of her new kin. But she had proven herself, she had made sure that she was as worthy, if not more, than any lion in the pride, and to be entered into an agreement that practically forced liaisons with a weaker tribe... It made her blood boil.

Who were these lions, and what made them think they had the right? What had they ever done to earn her respect, other than be in possession of a silly puddle?

Unbidden, a low growl slipped from her throat, and her dark gaze followed Armada's charge. The muscles in her shoulders tensed, screaming for her to follow that blind attack, and it was discipline alone that stopped her from dashing forward. Orders. Her orders had been to stand down. Her orders had been to retaliate only if attacked.

So she stayed.

--

"Laini, if they were here to eat cubs, they would have done that already," Ora said matter-of-factly. Somehow, having been sniffed by one of the big red lions seemed to make her an expert on them. "They just want the water, but we're not going to give it to them."

The little juvenile stood and ducked her head to peer around the legs of the adults that encircled them. She spotted Luut somewhere in the crowd, and smiled inwardly as she recalled her "close call" moments before. There was no doubting she had had an adventure today.

"Monifa, what are mating rights?" she asked, poking the lioness with her tiny paw.  

[Indubitably]

The large male did not flinch, forcing down the growl that rumbled low in his chest. It would serve no purpose, and it would help nothing for him to take violent action against the Firekin. He didn't speak until the dispute had been settled, Armada shamed and sent back to the other side of water. When the Legate turned her attention back to him, he continued, quietly, though his voice carried to any seeking to listen. "Your warrior is unfamiliar with our customs, so I will forgive the insult to our hunters." Which only made sense, as it was clear that the Firekin put no true value in the practice of diplomacy, and no real interest in the traditions "inferior" prides.


"A request for rights is not the same as a requirement or a demand. We accept many into our pride, regardless of their colors or heritage, and it has only made us better." His teeth were bared in something just short of amusement as he inclined his head respectfully to Seide. "The strength and value of our pride lies in its females. I would be foolish to believe that I lead by much more than their preference for the strength of my body and mind." Gakere's bright eyes scanned the reactions of the Firekin, their open anger, and the curiosity of his own group. What better way to avoid bloodshed than to bring the intruders into their family? It would strengthen them, and expand their reach. A diverse set of bloodlines was a boon. "We need even more strong, fierce, smart daughters to lead us; soldiers, and the Firekin have them in abundance."


His gaze settled, then, on Armada, as he mused further, "I realize these terms have far-reaching consequences, and I do respect that you may, or may not, be able to assure me of them here and now. It is my job to secure the best circumstance possible for our pride, and I plan for the future. It would be enough for this request to be passed on for further discussion and consideration. While it is debated amongst your pride, we will give you the diplomatic access you have requested."

"If you intend to occupy our territory for a long time, it is not unreasonable to think such liasons might voluntarily occur. I simply wish them to be sanctioned, for the benefit of both prides, so that we may welcome them as little sisters and brothers." In essence, Gakere was requesting a long lasting truce. Having young born of such a truce would only strengthen the possible bond between prides, and make betrayal much less likely down the line, when the Firekin had decided that diplomacy wasn't worth the effort.  

[Excited Apathy]

Nuria approved of the swift and brutally efficient discipline that Moto'Seide meted out. Firekin tempers ran hot, and she might be as willing to dive into an argument as any of them, but to disobey direct command in such a situation as this? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Armada deserved that kind of smackdown, and Seide deserved respect for not hesitating to hand it out. ...But she was glad that it was Seide doing it, and not that male. That would just be...embarassing.

Said male sounded entirely too assured of the chances that any of them would mate with one of his...his sand-and-dirt-colored natives. Nuria's lip curled in a sneer at the thought. It would have to be an impressive male indeed to make her consider taking a chance of bearing huria cubs--not to mention staying home when there were war preparations to be made!

Yes, Nuria was conveniently ignoring that she could make war preparations at home. She would have stayed home if she'd wanted to do that.  

[Mimsey]

Armada had about a half a second of blind fury before she crashed into the water. She seemed surprised- and for a moment, she struggled against Seide's weight like she thought it had been one of the foreigners attacking. Hadn't she heard Seide's call? As her head pushed under the water, even she didn't know. The few seconds of beating stung. Her body twitched, as if to retaliate.

But she was still a firekin. And Seide, while infuriating, was one of her own. Armada would do a lot of things for the safety of the pride, up to and including depriving water from their own. But she wouldn't attack. Anger still laced through her like a live wire, but it was escaping fast like a deflated balloon. She held still in the water.

It was hard to tell if she was ashamed, or disappointed that the others had not joined her.

The strange eyed lioness pulled herself out of the murk, and started back towards the other shore. As she moved she could hear Seide speaking, and then the other. Hearing his continued attempts brought a low growl to her throat. Luckily, her back was still to them. When she emerged onto the other side, she clawed at the ground and pushed past Nuria with a throaty growl. She fell out of sight- but presumably, in rank behind the others.

By the time Seide reached "their" side, Veru had already climbed out amidst the commotion. He moved to stand beside her. He was smiling, but only out of nerves. When confronted with conflicting emotions, Veru tended to default to more comfortable emotional territory. Still, he held back a comment. The look on Seide's face told him all he needed to know about how severe she intended her words to ring.

It was only after this leader spoke again, that Veru decided to speak up. Perhaps to give her a few moments to cool. Or maybe, to appeal to the fellow on a man-to-man basis. "As our legate has said. Those aren't options we can agree to. Your oddly specific desires are, of course, flattering," his smile widened. Perhaps in an attempt to break the tension. "And its possible we do not fully understand them. We don't use such agreements in our lands. So we cannot offer what we do not have to give."

He looked at Seide for a moment, and then turned back around. "But, our virile offspring aside. Surely we don't need to default to bloodshed. There must be something else we can work out?"  

[DavyJnah]

The red lioness almost choked as she looked at the Umholi, she was all but flapping her mouth like a gaping fish. He wanted what? Alright alright, mating with these Firekin sounded pretty good, that much sounded pretty good. They looked strong and well suited to give them good offspring, however she just... she didn't know what to think of the situation. The other Firekin however didn't seem to want to agree to Gakere's offer allowing her to let go of a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

When Ora asked her what mating rights were she looked down at the small cub, wondering how to word it without burning the little one's ears. They weren't stupid of course so she didn't want to word it in the way it would make Ora feel that way, or that she looked down on the young one. She just didn't want to go into detail and she really wouldn't have to.

"Mating rights..." The red lioness started, "You know how you like someone and you ask them to be with you? Like how a mother and father are together? They have mating rights to have cubs, like you." It was basically the best way for her to explain it, but it was still awkward for her to talk about it. She should have told Ora to go ask her mother instead.  

[Kimaria]

Ainra looked to Dina and gave a small smile, comforted by the fact that her thoughts were being mirrored by other females in the group. If they all wanted to talk this through peacefully, there was no reason for it to turn to bloodshed, was it? The comforting nudge helped ease the tension in her shoulders and she gave a short purr in reply.
 
“I think—“
 
And then she was cut off by the sound of rage and a horrendous splashing of water that sounded like a fight. Ainra jolted upright, her eyes wild with fright. She had thought things were going so well.
 
“W-what is happening?” She was almost afraid to look and then, as quickly as it had started, the fighting stopped and there was a shift as one of the red lionesses was sent back to stand with the group. She had missed Gakere’s terms but had come to the conclusion that whatever they had been had been enough to cause anger in the red monsters. Then the whispers of mating rights caught her ears and she took an involuntary step back.
 
The red lions frightened her. Was this really happening? Surely they would not agree.
 
--
 
Elda had watched Seide’s back during the scuffle, prepared to take down anyone who might see it as an opportunity to harm the Legate. She was therefore thankful when the punishment was dealt swiftly and with little trouble. Her eyes watched Armada coldly, however, as she passed by.
 
To Gakere’s request, the Firekin lady had no real opinion. She understood the importance of blood in her family and to weaken their lines and pelt colours by mating with the sandy ones would not be favourable. But the leader seemed intent on that course of action and she could sense that the balance was tipping further and further towards a fight.
 
A soldier she might be but she did not crave a war like others might expect. She would fight, of course, but she wasn’t looking to make a legend of herself. She was one of the crowd, a single soldier amongst many and she would do her duty. Even still, she shifted against the hard, compact ground and watched the proceedings with her sharp eyes.
 
Heti, meanwhile, was looking more than a little saddened by all that had happened here. He did not feel he had the right to word his thoughts as others did. He was not of high rank and he was here simply to ensure things went as smoothly as possible. But the disgust and fear he saw in the faces of the others upset him. He always knew of their reputation, of course, but he had never once stepped foot out of his home to witness it himself. But even if the Firekin had agreed, could they spare the numbers in this time of impending war? Could they let children of the Blood be born and raised in a foreign land, never to fully understand their heritage? The red wiped from their pelts? A chance for greatness stolen?
 
It was unthinkable.  

[wooga Paes]

That was a very…. Well, strange request. Coming from a land were such things weren’t really used as bargains, at least not in this way, Gakere’s demands were ridiculous. Even Moto’spaki, who had maybe even loved a slave, couldn’t imagine any of the firekin lowering themselves to such a level. And the idea of cubs that rightfully belonged in the desert, being forced to remain here… it was preposterous.

Outwardly, he conveyed no visible disgust at the preposition. Instead, he focused on the reactions of those on the other side. “Even your own don’t seem interested.” He pointed out, focusing on one lioness in particular, who looked repulsed, and a bit angry at the suggestion. Another one had taken a step back, though apparently it was a delayed response. Moto’spaki didn’t know how much regard this lion held for these lionesses, however.

The encounter with these natives was looking more and more like it would turn into a fight, and the white lion unsheathed his claws, hidden by the muddy water. Unless another offer was made, he would need to be ready to fight these lions away— and, possibly, fight for his life.  

[Mogami]

This time, Baie couldn’t help but to look offended at the Umholi’s words. Mixed breedings? With lions who hadn’t proved themselves? It was unheard of! If the red, black and white males did not win a challenge against one of the Umholi, she pointedly refused to take any part in it. Only the blood of the strong was to flow in the lions of her pride, not the blood of the big.

She was silently pleased that the Firekin seemed to reject the terms of the truce that Gakere had suggested – she even admired them a little for it – but when Armada seemed to be trying to finally make her move, Baie mirrored her movements and took a few steps forward without a sound, green eyes still fixed on Armada’s throat until the leader of the intruders put the unstable and annoying one in her place. When Baie was almost at Gakere’s side, who had remained unperturbed through it all, she backed away again feeling embarrassed. The Umholi would probably consider it shameful if one of the huntresses would join the fight before he had commanded it – it was a great shame to have the ones who should be protected do the fighting in the first place.

Returning to her place, the orange lioness sat down and released some of some of the tension in her muscles. It was time for the leaders to talk without interruptions. Now that she was calmer, she could tell that not all the Firekin seemed to be as unbalanced as the grey-eyed lioness and that some actually looked fairly relaxed even if determined. Perhaps they could reach some form of an agreement. Still, she had trouble thinking of anything the red ones could provided in return for what they were asking. They could serve as powerful allies in case of war – if their warring skills were as good as they seemed to believe – but right now they seemed more of a source of strife than help against it.

-----

Thuli’s blue eyes widened at the small scuffle. She wasn’t used to seeing lionesses behaving so ferociously. It were the males who usually did the fighting and times had been relatively peaceful now that the pride had moved to an area with plenty of food and water.

“They’re fighting each other!” she cried perhaps a little too loud before a lioness told her to stay quiet. Still, Thuli spoke again even if this time her voice was closer to a whisper. “Are they stupid or something?”

“Ew.” She said with disgust when she caught a bit of talk regarding breeding. A bunch of annoying red cubs running around her pride? No, thank you! She wasn’t that curious about the intruders… well, perhaps she was. Unlike Baie, the cub seemed to be much more imaginative when it came to what the Firekin could offer to the pride. “But they can help train the male cubs from the pride, right Laini? Then you'll be really strong if you come back to challenge the Abholi. Or they can tell us all about the lands they’re exploring around us. Or they can be our allies and help us fight if another mean pride attacks us. And helps find a safe place if something bad happens to our lands again.” She said to no one in particular.  

[Dulcea]

Akako had to fight to keep her mouth closed. She knew in this encounter that her words would only make things worse, but her blood was boiling at the thought of her sisters mating with these brutes. They were strong enough, perhaps, but they were not their blood or their kind. Cubs of such a union would surely be tainted and weak, no matter how strong their mother.

Trying to silence herself she moved one paw to cover the other, pressing down hard, even still she squeaked out, "It isn't right." She had been born here, and this was where they out to remain in body and in bloodline.  

[Kaelyndra]

And those sound of arguments and anger did come. Moto'Seide could hear them trickle in behind her, but they also came from her front. Had the leader of the Bonelands been trying for a battle lead by anger, he had almost succeeded. Seide took in a full, deep breath as Veru placed himself in the open.

The Legate did not say anything for a long moment of time. Her eyes were moving towards the creme and brown pelted beasts. No one seemed to be moving. It was time for a compromise.

"I offer you countering terms," Moto'Seide began to speak. "Strength is proven, not bought or bargained." Of this, it seemed all the lions present agreed. Whatever momentary harshness had been Seide's voice was now replaced by the perfectly cool, well enunciated tone that seemed to never waver.

"There are those among us, huria, who do not bear the pelts of Firekin. They must eventually leave our lands and become rogues." She took a moment of pause to let murmurs die down. "In exchange to the water, those huria will take an apprenticeship here at what will be an outpost. If they choose to, when they come of adolescent age, the huria may join your group, and in that same token you may refuse them. I assure you, their blood is strong, but I will force no path on my brethren and I do not wish to force paths on you.

"You have said you have interest in strength, and the Firekin have this to give! No others have been allowed what I am about to offer. If we form an allegiance, I will allow those of you who wish it to practice, and learn, our art of war.

"This is what the Firekin have to offer you. Do you accept?"  

[Tanakako]

Rolling his eyes he shook his head. "Ora.. just because they haven't, doesn't men they don't want to. And they my not eat us, but dead is dead in the end.. and I'd really rather not die today." Shaking his had he wondered if Ora would ever grow up a bit, and if so, he really hoped she did it soon.

The sudden scuffle made him tun back, peering around many legs at what he cold see of the watering hole, but the spraying water and red limbs didn't make much sense until one of the strangers was sent back to her own pride with a telling off.. That at least, he knew something about.

Flicking an ear back as his other sister called his name he turned round and padded over to Thuli, licking her ear comfortingly. "I guess so... Though I doubt I could ever beat Big-brother." Settling beside her so she wouldn't get frightened, he resumed watching what he could see through the forest of legs, focusing on the red legs across the water and twitching his ears to catch the snippets of conversation that drifted to them.