[JRP] Wind Beneath My...Er...Paws? [Libra x Ashur]

[ShinosBee]

Libra heard just about everything from other passing rogues that there was to hear. Gossip was the currency of the wanderer's realm, and things like a new pride settling down spread near as fast as a wildfire. Rumors of gods-blessed land and peace for those who lived there, friendship, opportunity...many rogues might find the ideas not quite worth giving up their wandering ways. Lib though had never really thought much of judging a place before she saw it. And there were other rumors too. Little more than whispers. Things about balance and peace and fairness, and everything she'd tried to always impress upon others with importance. Her own children, now long grown and gone, she hoped had learned well about those things.

If the pride was what she hoped then maybe, just maybe it'd be worth leaving the life of roaming aide and making a home for herself. It'd be nice, after all, if she was in one place where her children could come visit her if they liked.

She knew when she'd passed into the pride lands by smell, as well as the somewhat beginnings of trails along what must be their borders. Guards? Patrols at least. Still, what scents she caught on the vast grassy plain were not hostile. A breeze picked up behind her and she breathed deep before moving onwards, inwards. It felt like the kingdom of Kaze (though she did not know that was its name) was welcoming her home.

thalion

Yaaay Kaze!

 

[Thalion]

His first patrol... oh he was a wreck. He'd nearly slept in and had stumbled from his den to report to his commander. His mane had been a mess, he hadn't had time to properly groom or stretch- he hadn't even had breakfast! He could only hope that the rough start wouldn't bode badly for the rest of the day. Of course, Vilhelm was ashamed to see one of his Colonel's arrive in such a state. It was unbecoming of an officer of the kingdom and it showed a distinct lack of respect to his post and to the throne. Of course... Ashur didn't think about that. His appearance should always look sharp and sleek, it gave a good impression. He had a lot to think about while he ran ten laps that morning. And now he had plenty to think about patrolling the border with four very sore limbs.

The young, pale lion had just enough time to clean himself up before he took to his region. It was the least hostile of the borders; those were left to the ex-firekin. It suited them more. He had the neutral border but it still needed a patrol, still needed protecting, and... well someone had to do it.

And as luck would have it, there was a stranger at the border. He looked skyward and sighed. Of course, he wouldn't get a quiet day. It was...something at least. He did need to build up a reputation of some kind. Puffing out his chest, the lion stepped forward. "Halt!" He called out. Sadly, his voice was quiet, gentle, and more suited for a poet or a bard than a guard of any sort, least of all one with something resembling a decent rank.

"I... please." he added.

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

Libra felt the wind at her back like it was urging her to speed up, to jog, or even run. Run towards something. Already this place felt just right! Of course, before she could pick up the pace someone else came rolling through the grasses to greet her. Without any hesitation she stopped dead in her tracks, bobbing her head just slightly in accord. "Of course," She aimed herself towards him. Probably a guard of some sort. She'd visited enough prides to know how things usually worked. She'd gotten a bit carried away in her excitement, of course, but he hadn't charged her or anything. It boded well.

At second glance she noticed his slightly ruffled appearance, but a glance was all she spared before focusing again on his face. He probably knew he was a bit unkempt and it would be embarrassing to bring it up. She gingerly stepped a pace towards him, certain to keep her stance unaggressive. "I'm afraid I got a bit...carried away. I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds. Well, I suppose I have, but, you know." A gentle smile.

"I'm Libra. It's a pleasure."  

[Thalion]

"Oh no, no no." Ashur tossed his head shortly into a sharp shake of his head. "This kingdom welcomes any that come through the borders, we just take some precautions to make sure that no one hostile goes trudging around causing trouble." Too much information. He mentally kicked himself but showed his error only in a slight flinch.

Clearing his throat, he took a few steps forward and offered the female a polite duck of his head. "A pleasure, Libra. Ah-" He stopped himself and straightened up. "I am Lieutenant Ashur of Kaze. I serve under commander Vilhelm and his highness Sion Astal."

With that out of the way he moved on to the next matter at hand. "What brings you to our borders?"

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

"Oh, well, that's a relief. I'll admit I was curious, but I didn't, don't, want to do any harm. Some places are rather strict - I'm afraid my interest got me a bit overeager." She all but ignored his comment about unsavory types coming through - of course they'd not want troublemakers around. There were some prides who preferred that type, but she wasn't one of them.

She ducked her head in response to his small bob, and her smile widened just a bit. "My, a lieutenant! Well, Lieutenant Ashur, again I apologize for just tromping in. I'd been hearing rumors of a new pride. From what I heard, it sounded worth a visit. Accepting, sheltering." She looked back the way she'd come and added, "I spend my time roaming the rogue lands, and now and then I've come across someone in need of directions, or a potential new home. A place they won't be troubled. There are few true peaceful lands. I came to see if this would be one place I could direct such persons."

Her eyes flicked back to him and she stepped tentatively his way. "To be honest, I was considering looking for a home myself, if this place was as I'd heard."

thalion

 

[Thalion]

So the word was getting out there? Perhaps Kaze-ou's little seeds of rumors had finally begun to take root and spread then. He knew that some prides wanted their existence to be kept silent, but not this place. They wanted the outside to know they were here for them. They wanted outcasts and oddballs to feel a sense of homeland here. Perhaps it was a little idealistic, but Ashur rather liked it. His former pride had been a little stifling. Here, he felt a little more freedom to do as he felt he could.

The lion smile and dipped his head slightly at the title then laughed lightly at the apology. "Please don't be sorry. It's just protocol is all. Stop any outsiders, see the manner or their approach, and act accordingly." He waved a paw. "We are all you heard and perhaps more. Every kingdom's a little different, but I think you've found the right place."

He brightened a little more and motioned back over his shoulder. "Of course, the pride is open if you wish for a homeland. See that structure? The one by the sea? That's the wind palace. I could have an escort see you there to meet the king. He's much better at...well...everything than I am. But he may be able to help you direct said persons in- and offer you a place here personally. He's a nice guy."

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

His protocol made sense. Always better safe than sorry! She edged closer again, stepping into a friendly, but not overly intimate sort of range. She listened dutifully to his praises for the pride. It made a good impression, though everyone usually talked up their own homes. Most prides were formed because they shared beliefs. Aside from slaves and prisoners, most people were glad to be where they were. She looked past him towards the towering...she didn't know what it was. A palace. She'd never heard of one before. It looked somehow natural and yet unusual. She HAD heard the gods had literally sculpted this land - maybe that was one such wonder they'd meant.

"If you think that would be best, then I should rather like to meet your king. Is he the king of all the lands, or only this one kingdom?" She knew that the pride was meant to be split into three parts. How did that work? Did the leaders collaborate? Or was there just one leader over them all? She offered a small, kind smile at his self-deprecation. "I'm sure you're better at some things. You've been a fine example of a patrol guard so far. I've seen far worse, at least." It was true. She'd wandered in and out of more prides that were meant to be secure than she could count. Ah well.

"Perhaps I should take the time to visit all three lands. Have you been to any besides this one? What're they like? What made you pick this one?"

thalion

 

[Thalion]

She was an eager one. As he turned to observe the terrain she bombarded him with a good few, but reasonable, questions. He smiled and glanced her way. He wasn't sure just how much should be offered to a newcomer, but Sion hadn't directly forbidden knowledge. Not in his domain.

"He's the king of this kingdom- Kaze. It.. apparently means wind." He motioned around them. "We have the open fields of this pride. The wind moves freely. It's refreshing enough- though when the rains come it's best to move in closer to the trees. There's a few- enough to keep from the rains."

The praise earned another smile and a quiet chuckle. "I'm working on it. You should see the others. Rather- hope you don't. They're nice enough but I here tell they scared the spots off a leopard once. They're massive. Twice my size...sort of."

He motioned between the two other kingdoms. "See the snowcap there? That's Kori. The king there... I don't know much about. Apparently he's very kind. Now over there-" He motioned in the other direction. "That lake? That's the heart of Mizu. Again, I don't know much about their king but there seems to be a bit of tension along that border." He glanced over to her. "As for Sion- I met him on my way here. I was a pilgrim from a pride in the swamps. I was just going back from my rite of passage but...they were gone. A fire head eaten the land. I didn't know what to do...then I found a group that was traveling. I went with them, mostly because I was curious. Sion seemed...different somehow. Driven. He had a fire in his belly and a good head on his shoulders."

ShinosBee