|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:21 am
(( RP open for the rebellion rogues only))
This was it. Today was the day. The banished prince of the Firekin stood proudly on the crest of a dune, balanced perfectly on it's unstable edge. The red of his pelt burned against the blue sky, his black mane flapping back in the breeze. He raised his head higher and filled his nostrils with the scents brought to him from across the lands.
He could smell the sand and it filled his heart with joy. He could smell scents of lions that had passed the outskirts and occasionally, if the wind allowed, he would scent an ally too.
But how close were they?
Here on the outskirts of the desert it was hard to see past the valleys and trees that fringed it. It was even hard to see around the slopes of the dunes.
He purred deeply, contentedly as the desert sun beat upon his back, it was lowering in the sky, leaving the cooler time for the rebels to meet up. Then, when they had gathered they would head into the Motoujamii and make their stand.
Kidondo, filling his lungs with air, released a roar that had sand sliding from beneath his paws. When his call finished he paused, tipped both ears forwards and waited. He would call all day if need be.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:32 am
It echoed in her mind and made a smile spread wide across her features. Her limbs were more toned, stronger than before. Since she had agreed to be part of this ordeal, she wanted to make herself ready. She only hoped that afterwards, after the battles and scuffles, that she might have something peaceful and fulfilling to look forward too. Maybe watching the younger ones, yes, that might suit her quite well.
The next generation.
To watch over the youth of Kidondo and No's nation.
Yes, that would suit her just fine.
A familiar fire pelt caught her attention upon the dunes, her paws sinking in just slightly so leaving only minimal traces in the sand as it moved and surged as if alive, as if it were waves of the ocean. She stopped several feet from him, but stood at his side, not too close though, that was for No. She stayed silent for now, unless a word word be uttered, silence rang and reverberated of what was to come.
A new generation.
Karana'Mzaana had a purpose now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:01 am
As Kidondo’s roar refrained across the crumbling dunes and sand, the black cat slowly eased her way beside him; sharp green eyes surveying the now familiar landscape and terrain. They could smell others in the area, be they firekin or not. This was it, she thought as the wind buffeted against her. It was surely what was on Kidondo’s mind. All the sleepless nights and plotting were ended, and now they watched to see how their plan fell into motion.
“The more who come, the more likely we will start attracting attention,” No thrummed besides him. Kimeti’s reach might have been crippled- but it wasn’t blind. “Let’s hope they make haste.”
She slunk down against the rock and sand, using her claws as support as she dropped down a bit on the slope. By the time she had- someone was already apparent in the distance. It struck a sense of affection in her. They were coming, despite the danger and strife. It futher reinforced purpose in the cat, and she rumbled in agreement as Karana appeared. She could hardly recognize the female. Her physique had changed completely from the weakened lioness of the past. Had it not been for that distinctive wing marking, she might have thought it a stranger.
As she took her place amidst them, another came forth- although slightly less ceremoniously and graceful as the first. The red female came clamoring up the dune, obviously still attempting to adjust her footing to the shifting terrain. She had not changed much from the rouge they had met, but her strange eyes looked intent and eager- something which had not been in the past.
Ohanna recognized Karana, and moved towards her. Recalling their banter prior to all of this, she cracked a small smug smile, before dropping it and looking towards the lion on the dunes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:55 am
One pair of figures crested the dunes approaching from within the lands. Two females, almost seeming to rival one another in size, they were so closely matched, approached the small gathering band of rogues. Azula had been out hunting, bringing Uuo along with the intention of "putting the slave to work", or, in other words, speaking with Uuo about the upcoming rebellion. It was a very reluctant trust that Uuo placed in the other lioness, and only that because she had no choice. If it weren't for Azula having found out through her damn devious means, Uuo would never go along with this.
She was relieved when she spotted the others, recognizing No and Kidondo immediately. The two had grown considerably since she saw them last, not that Kidondo hadn't been on the larger side to start with, being of Firekin blood.
Azula recognized the two immediately, almost just as she remembered them. She'd been there with some of her children when Kidondo addressed the old storyteller, Ripuka. How the young banished heir had grown...
Mahakali should not be far from here. The two had also been discussing the upcoming battle, of course, and this was the day they had so waited for. It promised to be a grand battle for some, Firekin versus Firekin, Kali would be pleased, Azula thought, she'd finally get to see what the desert dwellers were made of first hand.
"Kidondo, No,"
Hmph. Uuo was quick to drop her slave guise as she drew closer to the two, glad to see them well.
"It's good to see you both alive and kicking." The rough rogue spoke, smirking. "Did Tahara find you alright with my messages?"
Since she hadn't seen the hare since, having warned her to stay away until after the rebellion was done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:34 pm
 Rebellion, war, bloodshed, death, destruction, it was coming. She could feel it, it called to her, pulsed through the fibers of her very being. This was what she had longed for, the lust that had consumed her since her cubhood, what had haunted her dreams, what she had trained for all her life. At last she would taste that sweet nectar of war, she would make him proud.
Ears twitched, red eyes narrowed beneath her ram skull helm, tail flicking like a serpent as she appeared over the low dune a short time after her 'sister'. She was a large lioness, massive as any firekin, her build strong, powerful, a warrior's build as one would expect from the bloody general of war.
Mahakali was not one to be summoned, nor was she one to join a gathering unless it was she who had called it. She was proud, fierce, vicious, a harsh and unforgiving judge. But her lust for war was great, as was her curiosity. Would this prince show her the true strength of the firekin? Would he show her the glory of war? Or would he falter in the face of true conflict and perish as so many had before him?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:17 am
((Sorry for no rp post, but I just wanted to make it offical.
Since I wont be here for two weeks, and I really want Nuri to partake in this plot, I hereby give Kimaria permission to rp her while I am gone.))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:27 am
The dark, ruby eyed female came slowly up onto the dune, curiously observing the swiftness in which lions and lionesses came to gather. She flexed her paws slowly into the sand as she adjusted to her first time coming in contact to such terrain.
" Your call is answered swiftly, Blood Lion. I am amazed by the loyalty you are able to hold.. " She said in a thoughtful tone, not yet moving any closer to him, for the fact that he was at the edge of the dune, which she had already had an unpleasant experience with. The sand was quite tricky to one who had spent their life on stone, but she was quickly becoming accustomed to, and even enjoying the desert.
" Your home.. It is a paradise wrapped within hell. " She purred out, finally stalking forward to settle on the edge near him, her eyes searching across all she should see, as she enjoyed the warmth seeping into her fur. " I seem to like it.. This surprises me. "
As well it would. Her paws had taken her to several places before she met the pair of Kidondo and No. And with him, she had gone to several more, but just as he was the first to catch her interest, his home, too, was the first location she would worthy of enjoyment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:49 am
A shiver ran up his spine. They were coming, they were really coming. It was as if his voice had summoned them into reality. As if his hope had brought them here before him. He blinked his eyes, expecting it to be a mirage that would fade once he opened them again.
But no, they were still there, approaching with steely determination. They had found the best that the outside world had to offer and now, finally, rogues were coming to the Motoujamii and the Firekin would witness firsthand what power the "inferiors" held in their mighty claws.
He quivered at the sound of his mate's voice. She was right, yes. They were growing in numbers and soon the desert would tremble beneath their marching paws. He raised his head, glanced first at Karana'Mzaana as she arrived to take her place beside them. He said nothing, he didn't need to. The strong position of her body, the determination in her face. She was ready.
And then, shortly after came Ohanna and there was something in her eyes that looked different too. He would notice it in all of them eventually.
And then Kibela spoke, the lioness whom he had grown to respect. She was similar to Nuri in a way, a terrifying intelligence contained within her. She would be a trustworthy ally and Kidondo was glad to have her at his side.
"I am glad you take comfort in the sand Kibela. There are not many lions who can say that." He turned his head towards her slightly. He did not respond to her other comment, maybe a little embarrased by the fact. He was a modest sort after all.
And then, from the blue came another voice and he turned to see two others heading towards him.
"Greetings Uuo." He acknowledged her with a slight bow of his head. "Tahara did her job well. You make trustworthy friends." His eyes glided to Azula then and he nodded to her respectfully. "Good to see you again."
And then, another, this one a lioness he had never met before. She moved upon the sand as if she had been here a long time. "And who do I have the honour of speaking with?" He took a step towards Kali, clearly curious. Her scent was not familiar and yet she seemed to be another here to join the ranks. Had she been passed the word by another? Uuo? Or maybe Azula? He had hoped that the rebels in the pride would have been making their own plots.
And on the horizon came another figure, her huge, powerful muscles propelling herself forward. She moved with a bounce in her step, head held high and tail waving. Some may have thought her a queen the way she held herself and why shouldn't she? Of all the Firekin, this certain character had had one of the biggest roles to play in this rebellion.
For it was she who had sewn the seeds of doubt into Kidondo's mind. It was she who had questioned when no one else would. It was she, with her gentle urging, who had helped Kidondo come to his own conclusions about their way of life.
She was Nuri, lady of the flames and finally after all this time, she was home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:52 pm
She had intended to reply to the exiled prince as she turned to look at the new arrivals, but her words died long before she could speak them. Red eyes focused on the powerful, and noble lioness approaching from a distance still. Her ears perked out of habit as curiosity overcame her. There was just something about that one...
" Kidondo? " She asked slowly, using his actual name in her distraction, rather than the title she tended to call him by. " Who is that? " Though, by that point she was muttering more to herself than him, head quirking to the side slightly. She sat up, as if she would go instead and ask for herself, but she did not move further from that, breaking her eyes away to study others, the interest passing.. for now.
" No.. It is no matter.. I will discover my answers in time. " She murmured softly, glancing to her.. Her what? Leader, yes, but she hardly really looked at him as such. Perhaps a friend of sorts? That, she would not be sure of. After all, if he were, he would be the first, so she had no comparison to go by. Her ears flattened back at her own confusing thoughts, but with a shake of her head the were gone, for it was not yet the time for such things. War was just over the horizon, and her mind would be put to use more productively than that.
Battle called.. But it was not the blood that caused the thrill to run through her body. Challenge. That is what she saw before her. Something new for her mind to toy with, something interesting to be involved in. Be it fate, chance, or blind luck.. Whatever brought Kidondo to her, that day in the Pridelands had finally taken her to a place worthy of being called home. A place where she would truly be in her element.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:01 pm
She stood in silence for a moment, her gaze focused on the prince, judging his strength, his posture and stance, as any proud general judged a possible ally. He appeared strong enough, and he knew how to show respect without degrading himself, a trait to be admired, though appearances could deceive. For now, she would listen with open ears, her judgment would come later.
Her gaze too fell on the dark lioness, judging her as she had the prince. There was pride there as well, strength, though perhaps more reserved. Unaware of the relation, the general guessed from her posture that this lioness must mean something to the prince; a sibling, friend, general, or mate. The others she did not look to, they were unimportant, soldiers, fodder, vital yet replaceable until proven otherwise. But without a strong leader, the war would end before it ever began.
"I am Mahakali, sister to Azula."
Her own voice was strong, proud, unyielding. Though she did not speak the words, she proclaimed herself as a warrior, as a general of war should. Yet she did not condescend or boast, a tone of respect in her words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:48 am
"Any sister of Azula is welcome here, at ease warrioress. I am Kidondo and the lionesses you see here are my comrades. It seems the females of our species are far more reliable than the males." He smiled.
"Perhaps at a better time I can get to know you better, you have my interest and you certainly look like you could deal a good blow to my kind. May I make the assumption you are here to aid out cause?" He gave her a respectful bow and linked his tail with No's, drawing strength from their touch.
His ears flicked at Kibela's words and he cast his eyes sideways, following her line of sight to where Nuri was approaching. "She..." He murmered, glad to see that she had arrived. "She is one of the most honourable Firekin I know. You will like her Kibela." They were much the same in personality. Yes, they would get on just fine.
His eyes then scanned the gathering. There were still two left to come, but for now the majority were there. He turned his gaze to No and lowered his voice. "Rin and Mpinduzi have yet to show but they have the night. Hopefully by morn they will be here by our sides." Then he urned and gave everyone an acknowledging now of his head.
"Rest easy friends, for tomorrow our claws shall stain the desert red!" It was not unusual for a Firekin to fill with bloodlust, but Kidondo had rarely felt it. In fact, he had only ever felt rage once before and now, with the army gathering he felt the adrenaline rush through him like molten lava. Tomorrow it would begin.
Tomorrow the Firekin would never be the same again.
Nuri raised her head at Kidondo's words, moving to stand close at his side. Then, with her eyes sweeping over the gathered rogues she felt hope rise within her. The impossible dream had become a reality and slowly everything she had hoped was here, all around her.
She cast a glance towards the future King and his Queen and smiled. In them lay their hopes for a future that didn't spell their doom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:40 pm
“Mm.” No agreed, her eyes flecking once across the crowd to confirm Kidondo’s counting. So far, while they lacked the other two all else seemed to have arisen to the cause, and the black cat had to count that as rather admirable odds as far as a war effort went. She was pleased to see Kibela arrive, another pridelander. If they could draw another from the pristine lands, then at least No knew she was not a singularity. Then again- Kibela was a strange sort, perhaps not unlike herself and Kidondo. In a different way, however, and one which Kidondo no doubt respected.
Seeing Azula approach brought up another spark of thought in the otherwise calculating female. When they’d last met, she’d played the slave. Even for Azula, she had averted her eyes and bowed her head. While an ally, and surely a powerful one at that- as the firekin approached, No made sure to steady her glance and let none mistake her farce for truth. What was once a slave now stood on the right side of the king- and although she sat a head shorter then most of those present, her rigid glance threatened any who dared try to topple it.
But, even sharp, it softened when Kidondo’s tail lightly plucked at her own, and Uuo mentioned the rabbit who had met them just a few days prior. “She did,” No urged, although Kidondo’s reassurance did most of the work. In the back of her mind, the black cat remembered the hare’s words. Kimeti held her aunt a slave it seemed- and that, quite surely, would be changing very shortly.
“Until then,” Her voice followed Kidondo’s declaration. “Steady yourselves, and rest well. No doubt they will be aware of us by the time we arrive.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:15 am
Her tail flicked with a snap, a clink of bone armor. Talons flexed in the sands, gaze narrowed on the prince, watching, judging, weighing the words that had been spoken; she might have circled had he been a lesser creature. The bloody general of war did not tolerate orders or flattery from any but War himself, only he was worthy of such. And yet there was something in this would-be leader, a fire, a flame worthy of her service; he offered what she most desired, bloodshed and war.
"I will join your war. Will you show me the true strength of the firekin? The truth of pride?"
A vampiric smirk crossed her maw. It was coming, war, death, destruction. Blood would flow through the desert sands like water, blood rent by her own claws. She would revel in that sweet nectar and at last become that which she had once been, the image that taunted her from her dreams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:45 am
Uuo separated herself from the other lioness then, favoring a spot by No and Kidondo rather than the female that had, in all honesty, managed to unnerve her even just a bit with that intelligence. The way that she looked at you when the mask was off, it was as if she could read Uuo's every thought. It gave the large slave an eerie feeling.
She focused her thoughts instead on the day to come by morning. By morning, the slaves would be free, the Firekin would be reformed, and she'd have a new place to call home, if all went well. Yes, come morning everything would be changed for the better...
She was glad now that she'd left the others with directions, and glad now that the rumors about godling half breeds turned out true. If not for their gifts she would not have known to come today. From the outside they would attack, but Azula's place was not here among the rebels, but on the inside with the traditionalists, where she could serve a surprise attack instead. They'd need that advantage, she was sure. Giving Mahakali a brief moment of eye contact, she looked to the leaders again and gave a short nod.
"I only came to see Uuo here." Since, yes, a slave wandering off on her own would never have made it past the guards. "My support will come from the inside." She explained, turning on her paws to head back. "Until tomorrow. Rest well indeed..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:58 am
He gave a wry smile and dipped his nose briefly at Mahakali. He wasn't sure what to make of her yet. Her aura was odd and she demanded an air of importance. Perhaps, if he had been his sister, he would have tried using his seer abilities to discover a little more about her. But he had long ago decided that his strange seer ability only seemed to dull his senses.
Besides, he didn't believe in fate. He didn't like to peer into a future and think it was the only way one could go. He didn't like to peer into the past either. He had secrets in his past and no doubt this lioness did. She would not appreciate a spy and Kidondo was not that sort of lion. In fact, he was hoping that neglecting his gift would send it away altogether, though it did surface occasionally to offer him a sleepless night or two.
"I will do my best, Lady Mahakali."
He turned his head to Azula and nodded with agreement. "Then I shall see you on the morn Azula. Listen for my call." He imagined them then, standing upon the crest, blazing beneath the sun.
His eyes caught sight of Nuri and their eyes locked briefly. Then slowly he turned to take up point, to watch the last of the dying sun. Soon darkness would be upon them and they would be shielded from sight until their time to move came.
/fin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
