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 Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:12 pm
 The afternoon sun shimmered against her white pelt, scalding the barren earth as cruel and merciless as the lioness who trod its unforgiving sands. The desert suited the bloody general as hell may have suited a demon, perhaps to some this was hell and she was a demon.
It would not have been a stretch to reach such a conclusion, for as her outward appearance portrayed, Mahakali was vicious and cruel. Her stride was powerful, her stance bold and unflinching, the gait of a trained warrior, one who inspired fear and carried death in her wake. She was a frightening image, a brilliant white pelt with marks of black and red, her head adorned with a magnificent ram's skull, a prize taken from an unfortunate beast by the god she served. Paws were armored by boned gauntlets, trophies taken from other creatures who had dared cross her path, the bones decorating her tail taken from the spine of one such beast. Oh the pleasure it had been to take that particular treasure amid the poor beast's screams.
Mahakali was a true monster, a vicious and heartless creature who craved bloodshed and longed to water the earth with that sweet red liquid. It was this trait perhaps that had led her to this land and the ruthless pride who dwelt within, monsters like herself.
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:10 pm
It was the peak of a new day, with new opprotunities to present themselves to the family, who truely only fit that description in the biological sense of the word. Her oldest son and youngest daughter were somewhere behind, though Azula knew exactly where she'd left them. Today was tracking exersize, perhaps her favorite. It gave them time to train and her space to think alone. What had her life come to? She used to have such grand aspirations, but coming here had she dared to become content? No, but she hadn't been able to predict exactly how long it was taking her children to grow into their new sizes, and really, with rumors of a rebellion still settling on the winds, and no facts to rely on, Azula was, for the moment, unable to move forward.
Instead, she took the opprotunity to train herself as well, testing her limits in this new, harsh environment, and she was indeed pleased. The blood passed on from her parents, the strength passed on from her father did not disappoint. A full blooded Firekin, and a true Firekin, as far as she was concerned, not soft like most of the recent generation had become. She carried the strength, the size, but also a lithe form, lethally agile in her prime. The lioness stalked the dunes now only with the intention of giving her children a trail to follow, knowing that for now at least she could leave things simple and trust the desert to do the rest. It was as she crested one of the taller dunes that she took sight of a pale pelt in the distance, a figure that most would see as a terrifying omen, the undead soul of an unfortunate beast, or a harbringer of death, hell's personal messenger... but for what reason did Azula have to fear such a being. She could clearly see by the way it moved that it was simply an armor clad lioness, albeit a large one, maybe another of the Firekin returning home with stories of triumph to share with their blood thirsty breathren. What encounter was this new day bringing her way?
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:33 pm
Red eyes narrowed within the gaping sockets of the imposing skull, dark nose twitching at the scent of the nearby lioness. The general did not shift her posture, nor did she alter her course. Though her stance did not carry a threat, it carried no fear either, simply a boldness that left no question of her strength.
Bloodthirsty though she was, Mahakali was not a fool. To rush in blindly on an unknown was a quick road to death, as was an impetuous threat, especially in these lands. However any display of weakness or an unsure step would lead to an even faster death amidst the desert sands. Mahakali's appearance reflected what she was, a lioness not to be trifled with, a proclamation that those who challenged her would wish they hadn't, a trait she somehow sensed she shared with the dark lioness growing larger in her view with each step.
A firekin, she must be. It seemed it was going to be an interesting day after all.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:16 pm
The red pelted lioness only slowed to a stop when she was near face to face with the other lioness, her thoughts flickering briefly to the two cubs she'd left trailing behind. Morbid as it might be, the fact was she wouldn't stand to let anything happen to her precious son, though the daughter with him she didn't worry so much for. She'd give no indication either way, however.
She supposed that for the sake of curiosity she could pretend to be mildly interested in patrolling the borders instead of simply aimlessly roaming them.
"What have we here...? That's a rather impressive collection you sport so proudly..."
This... scent. Faint, it was, but unmistakable. The salt she'd only smelled on one other lion before, and this lion's scent carried with the bone clad female. Interest piqued, Azula decided that she would see where this meeting took her, or if the lioness would even initially respond or acknowledge her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:23 pm
She had paused in her steps a few feet from the red lioness, tail flicking with an ominous click of bones. Had she been a vain creature, she might have been flattered at the words, but Mahakali was not one for flattery, not did she think the lioness had intended that way.
"And what do you know of pride?"
Though the question itself may have been cold, it had not been an insult. It was a matter-of-fact question, an invitation to show what that word mean, to earn the general's respect.
Eyes flickered with interest, watching the other, sizing up her form and intent, judging the power within muscles and the possible skill with which they were used. And was that intrigue she saw in red eyes? Now why would a firekin have such interest in another apparent firekin, for with her size and markings, Mahakali could have easily blended into the pride.
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:48 pm
The firekin showed absolutely no sign of taking offense, or even acknowledgment that the question could have been insulting. Her fur didn't bristle, her eyes didn't spark, she didn't even so much as twitch an eyelid at the inquiry, but watched the other with the same calm as before, before letting her reply be known.
"I have seen pride befall even the strongest of beasts... I know that pride, like any self respecting warrior, is not to be underestimated or overly-coddled. It's a dangerous thing if not handled with caution..." Came the answer, though by no means did the lioness before Mahakali purposely seek the respect of a passing stranger. If Azula meant to get respect, she usually did so in a commanding manner, not literally so much as figuratively. The way she so much as carried herself and her words usually demanded it from the more naive of creatures, and where that was not enough she was more than ready and able to use mind and brawn to make others submit, either by feeling her wrath, or witnessing it. It was no doubt that her son got his cold composure from her side of the family. If anyone could proove their point without breaking a sweat, it was Azula, and so Hiashi as well.
That was a different matter though. Azula had no intrest in lecturing another, either. Her intrest was more in this female's blood ties, and something more.
She sensed they might just be kindred spirits.
"Might I know this warrior's name?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:23 pm
Her maw parted, one fang bared in a vampiric grin, pleased with the lioness' answer. The cold eyes, calm expression, and unyielding posture, perhaps they shared something, a spirit that seemed to be rabidly fading among those where it once thrived.
"I see, then perhaps there is yet hope for this dying pride. But that is only half of the answer, for while pride can bring down the mightiest of lions, it can also empower the lowest, for with pride there is also courage and without it there is no will to fight. A dangerous game indeed."
She paused, standing silent for a moment save for the click of bones with the twitch of her tail. Red eyes narrowed in questioning, so that had been interest she had seen. The question remained of why. Another lion may have simply brushed it off as an inquiry to an unfamiliar firekin, but there was something more, something else that had peaked the red lioness' interest.
"I am Mahakali, may I know your name in return?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:37 pm
"How true..." Azula purred, though hardly as a show of affection, more that the words slid from her maw like silk. She had expected such a retort from this pale lioness. Only those with that ferocious essence that longed for battle, be they mental or physical, could supply the other half of the answer to such a question. So this lioness was not just asking questions in an attempt to sound more self-righteous.... That only pleased and intrigued Azula further still. "It would seem, at first glance, that we have some things in common. I am Azula...."
Though her tail, and the rest of her, wasn't nearly so noisy, it swayed with life all it's own none the less. A calm lashing to and fro implied that the lioness was as at peace as an old lion after a meal.
"And now, Mahakali, if I may inquire as to what brings you to this stretch of the desert?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:16 pm
"So it would seem, Azula."
The name rolled of her tongue almost in familiarity, a faint hint of respect in her tone. There was something about this lioness, something that called to her own intrigue, a sense that she couldn't shake. But what it was she could not put her paw on, had they perhaps met in a past life? Or was it simply a kinship with a fellow warrior, a lioness with whom she seem to share many traits, like looking in a mirror?
"I have come to see with my own eyes, the once great pride of which War has spoken."
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:00 pm
That sealed it... the scent, the reason she seemed familiar, not just a follower of Mrost, but perhaps a relative. She bore the coloring of war's brother, conflict, Tanaka. That must be the reason she was so familiar, and from Kali's answer Azula would be lead to believe that she was indeed at least a bit loyal to Mrost.
"Hm.... so then you too are familiar with Mrost... Well... Mahakali, I should warn you, the condition you'll find this pride in might be poor at best. The bloodline is dwindling, but as I'm certain you've heard, they're far too proud to take in outsiders to revive them..."
Yes, there, that fickle beast, pride, rearing it's ugly head again. While fine and good to have, when overly nurtured, led to such disaster as the fall of an entire clan. Azula herself was proud, proud of her accomplishments, even proud of some of her children (well, one to speak of currently, perhaps two if one counted Vari), but she would never let it consume her in a manner that could lead to her downfall or cloud her judgement.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:25 pm
Her tail had paused mid-flick, eyes narrowing on the red lioness as if searching her over again. So that was it, what had called to her own senses. Had she seen this lioness in a forgotten dream? Could she be one of the missing generals? Or perhaps, it was something else entirely, just what was this firekin's relation to the god of war?
"I am, I am his general."
She did not mention her blood relation to the god of war for she had never thought of him as her uncle. Reincarnated from a previous life, she was a general, not a niece, her birth parents tools of that reincarnation and nothing more.
"I see, how disappointing. Well, perhaps that can be changed."
She paused in her words, a smirk on her maw as if contemplating just how her talons might teach the creatures here the true meaning of pride.
"What do you know of Mrost, if I may ask?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:43 pm
Azula could sense it, the curiosity as clear as the sun in the sky. She did have the fortunate good sense, naturally, not to be so hastey as to share her foremost opinion of the god, that he was far too easily manipulated for her to have any personal respect for him, however, she would admit that as War itself, within war there was something to be admired by her kind. Nothing more, unfortunately, but this lioness had far too much potential for Azula to write off, or to be written off.
No, the immediate truth could come a bit later.
With not so much as a twitch or hesitation to indicate she might be hiding anything, Azula answered simply with a half truth.
"If you're looking to set an example... perhaps I can be of some assistance. Gaining acceptance into the pride won't be easy, as the King's only just had his trust betrayed by his precious heir and an outsider he brought with him... These fools could certainly stand to see what the true essence of a warrior is, and I would be all too pleased to see that lesson taught by one of the outsiders that they so blindly shun."
Here, and only here did Azula allow some hint of emotion to show, disdain and disapproval. How she tired of this pack of do-nothings. When she'd first arrived, to think it had been worse! With the heir's rebellion at least there was some stirring of the old ways. It wasn't enough for Azula however. They were all weak in her eyes. Even the male that nearly earned her respect turned out to be a disappointment.
Eyes narrowing with a glare to show her disapproval, she went on, briefly baring her fangs.
"Most of them have either forgotten or have long since grown content with pride life. Firekin... hardly. As for Mrost... I met him shortly after arriving in this god forsaken, inbred cest pool... We seemed to see eye to eye... I had something that he wanted, as did he, to me. However, he's long since come and gone, and as far as I can gather, he'd no intentions of returning again."
Which had suited the lioness fine at the time, though with his general here, depending on the length of her stay, that may change. It didn't matter, by this point she knew that she had the children's loyalty, fear, and, or respect, and the only thing to worry about was the god choosing to take them by force, but what need would he have for cubs? Even his own.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:05 pm
Fangs showed in a dark smirk, a dangerous look in her eyes. It was that same look she wore before she killed, when the scent of blood filled her nose and screams filled her ears, the look a demon who suddenly knew she could claim the abyss as her own.
Now that was a glorious idea. Join the firekin as one of the blood, rend them from their stupor, and drive the true image of a warrior at the point of her talons. Oh the delicious irony, it made her paws flex, talons sinking into the sand beneath.
"An interesting challenge, my friend, fitting for a general of war."
She had come to this land with intent of seeing the firekin for herself, intrigued by the stories Mrost had told her and the images of her dreams. Perhaps such a warlike pride may have even held one of the missing generals. But it seemed she had found more than what she sought, such a wonderful idea Azula had given her.
"I see."
Her eyes narrowed, thoughts working behind her blood red gaze, somehow sensing that despite Azula's calm exterior, there was more that she had not said. Interesting, this lioness was not one of the missing generals, of that Kali was certain, nor did it seem from her words that she would have been a follower of the god. Even so, Kali could not help but respect the lioness who seemed so like herself.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:11 pm
"Indeed." Azula smirked in amusement. It was just moments after that her ears perked, and the mother allowed herself to turn her head away from the lioness, alert still, but confident enough that she'd be able to act quick enough on the off chance Mahakali took a swipe at her.
"Ah.... here they come now..." She replied quietly, mostly to herself it seemed, but with the intention of letting Kali overhear. Clearly she wasn't the type to talk out loud to herself unless she wanted to be overheard. "They", being just two of the five-- well, four, discounting Kadogo until proof of his worth could be given --"bundles of potential" to train to her approval.
Moto'Zari knew well enough to keep quiet when she was with her brother by now. It wasn't that he necessarily told her to shut up or anything like that, just that to Zari it seemed like he'd rather not be bothered. She already knew that she was an oddball amidst their litter, but at least mother didn't shun her like she had Kadogo so many times. Maybe it was better for Kado anyway, he seemed to be coming around, or at least, Zari saw a vision of him that would actually probably make Azula proud... one day.
Cresting the dune, she spotted their mother ahead with a stranger she didn't recognize. Blinking, she tilted her head to one side as if to ask "Who is that...?", though no words left her maw.
She glanced to Ashi, but Azula had already spotted them, and it seemed a silent invitation to approach... so, she continued on at her brother's side.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:15 am
Even if Azula had turned her back on her, Kali would not have struck (though such an action would have lowered her respect). There was no reason or desire to strike this lioness, to do so would have been foolish and detestable, especially with one she felt such a kinship toward.
Her tail flicked once more, gaze turning to follow Azula's. If she had wondered what the lioness meant by 'they', the answer was given immediately by the two smaller forms that had appeared over the dunes. It was one cub in particular that drew her attention, and as he approached she suddenly understood why. There was no mistaking it, the streaks under his eyes, stripes on his paws, and those iridescent markings that could have only come from one lion.
"I see..."
So, that was it. These cubs, Azula's cubs, were Mrost's cubs. How very interesting. The question was, who had seduced who?--------------------------- The sun baked on his red pelt, white paws pushing through the desert sand. He paused every few steps, dark ears twitching in the search for a sound, his nose raised to the air to catch the scent, eyes searching for any trace as his paws pressed into the earth as if reading the sands. Mother had given them the challenge of tracking her over the desert, and Hiashi'ikusa intended to succeed.
The sister who had joined him this time was half right. He didn't really care whether she spoke or not, but it was far easier to track without her insesent chattering in his ear, a fact he would have reminded her of with a paw strike to the back of her head if necessary.
"There..."
Red eyes fell on the familiar form of their mother, and a smirk crossed his maw at the completion of the task. But mother was not alone, there was another with her, one who seemed to remind him of another he had once seen. His own eyes narrowed as he sized up the stranger, Ashi trod down the slopping dune, with perhaps surprising sure-footenedness, to his mother's side.
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