Quote:
An AIM based RP between Kimaria and thalion
Thalion:
The moonlight shone off the silken fur as the cheetah tore across the flats of the freeland just outside of the Mistweaver's boarders. Nearby, Fubar and Lucia stood watch. Bai had opted to remain behind in the valley and keep his ears out for any leads. Or better yet- any trouble in the valley.
His lungs burned as he threw his long legs forward and thrust them downward, catching the earth with his claws and pushed himself forward once more, spine stretching and coiling like a spring. While it lasted only a few seconds, he could fly like this. He'd caught the wind herself like this.
It was over before he was ready for it. The cheetah pranced himself to a stop, the necklace rang from his chest as he panted, filling his lungs with the cool air to cool the burn.
Kimaria
He turned his head back towards the moon, the light caught it in his eyes, burning orbs of ambition. Even tactitions needed a break.
He moved as silently as a shadow, his fur lit by the radiance of the moon from behind. Occasionally he would pause, turn his head and catch moonbeams in his eyes. Then once more he would continue on, his steps hurried but careful. His charcoal form melded with the darkness, used it to it's advantage, but his lighter mane occasionally gave him away to any who might be watching.
Altair paused again, testing the air with his nose. The air was dry but cool and it gave him great relief from the hot sun of the day.
Night was his friend, his ally, his shield from all the things he wanted to hide from, his family included. But now he was moving without purpose, simply trying to get as far away as possible from everything familiar to him.
Yes, Altair was running.
Thalion:
The hyena glanced over sharply as a scent drifted swept past her nose. An older hyena but no less dangerous. A sharp snarl passed out of her maw and she rose up to her feet. Beside her, Fubar rose up as well with a deeper growl. "Do you see it?"
Fubar shook his head but started down towards the exhausted cheetah with a wuff. Not a creature of many words but he said what was needed well enough when nessiccary.
Taban glanced back as the maned wolf made his way towards him. "Fubar...?"
"Something." Fubar wuffed, skidding to a stop beside the cheetah, both ears perking up on top of his head. "Smell something."
Kimaria:
By now Altair's form could be seen approaching. He did not know who lay in front of him, for if he did he would have turned and slipped away, unseen. However, a wisp of cloud that had been helping to shield him rolled away and the moonlight streamed down to touch him.
It picked out the light strands of his mane, filled his eyes and highlighted his dark body. For a moment he seemed a phantom of sorts, gliding silently across the land.
His eyes were lowered, watching the gentle thud of his paws beneath him. His mind was on other things for once, on his plans for the future and what turn in life he would make. Would he continue alone, a lone assassin for hire by rogues who had vengeful minds, or would he do something else?
Thalion:
Taban walked himself forward, still panting from the run. He loved the burn in his shoulders, loved the stretch it left in his back. "Well then... if someone's out there we shan't be rude."
He loped himself to the crest of a hill and flicked the end of his tail, glancing over the rogue's lands. He'd heard of invadors to the land... there'd been quite enough of them. He'd encountered enough of them in his lifetime. Perhaps this time...they could use them to his advantage.
Kimaria:
And finally Altair looked up and spotted movement. Not just one, but many. Had he accidentally come across a pride of nocturnal lions? Or...were they here for him. He slowed to a halt and raised his head, baring his fangs. So, had they finally found him? He didn't know hwo they could have, he had covered his tracks well, used the terrain to mask him. Apparently he had made a mistake somewhere.
Cursing roughly the assassin loped onwards. He was not a coward and there was no way he could sneak up on them now when they had already seen him. Best to give himself up and explain what had happened.
Explain that it hadn't been his fault.
He gave a low, non-threatening grunt and moved towards them, his steps as silent as ever. "So." He muttered when he was within earshot. "You finally found me."
Thalion:
Taban raised an eyebrow as he listened, watching the lion's movements. A strong creature, his muscle definition was impressive... he'd moved silently and managed to get this close. Impressive enough. He'd work with this.
"Indeed...", Was the cheetah's answer. He stood himself upright, his broad chest pushed forward and shoulders rolled back. For a cheetah, he was quite muscular. Though he had sacrificed a little of his speed and experience in his life in the underground, he'd defined himself.
"You did well to get this far, I'll admit. Though indulge me. What has brought you this far?"
Kimaria:
Altair took a double take, his eyes widening slightly as he scanned the face of the one he spoke to. A cheetah. Why hadn't he noticed before? Was he really becoming so poor that he couldn't even tell the difference? Maybe it was better that he give up his craft.
"Forgive me, I thought you were ones sent to find me." He shifted slightly. It had been a long time since he had spoken directly to a cheetah. His job often took him to other prides.
"I am traveling, nothing more. To leave all I know behind me and start anew." He flicked an ear. "Do you know where it is I now find myself?"
Thalion:
Interesting... he was looking for a new identity. Just the sort that he took pride in lecturing. A smirk slowly worked itself to his maw.
"Kindred spirits then." He walked himself slowly around the lion, getting a better look at him. A bit older, yes, but like Lucia, he was hardly burnt out. "You see, we are a band of tactitions. All of us have left behind a former life. Myself," He put a paw to his chest, "I was a prince of a great pride. Lucia was the beta in her pack." He glanced sideways, "Ambition my friend."
He turned back towards the others. "You're right outside the valley of the once grand mistweavers. A run down place these days... but like so many things it still carries potential. It simply needs a proper sculptor."
Kimaria:
"Then I am in fine company. A rarity now a days." The lion eased his posture slightly, his eyes moving first from the cheetah to the hyena. He had not crossed the path of the canines since he had been a cub, they seemed less scary now that he was bigger, though back then they had haunted his nightmares.
"Never heard of them." He grunted. Mistweavers obviously weren't into revenge much to never gain the eyes of an assassin. Then again they were hidden away in this little corner of the world.
Then, catching the last of the cheetah's speech he let a small smirk cross his maw. "And here are its sculptors, correct?"
Thalion:
"We owe no loyalties to any pride. We do what's practical for our own means.... for instance." He turned to glance back towards the valley. "These lions...have a written language. And I believe it to be an interesting enough game to indulge in. Building tensions... it's quite amusing."
He glanced back towards the lion, "What manner of a purpose were you searching for? I'd like to believe that fate brings great and similar minds together for a reason."
Kimaria:
"What use is a written language?" The assassin asked. "Nothing that is written can be more important than what is said. What will you gain from such knowledge? Clearly this pride is the only one that dwells in such activities for I have never come across it before. It is a rare gift, yes, but if no one else knows it then it is a gift wasted."
He arched a brow. "My purpose on this world was to use my claws to bring justice. Now, now I have no purpose." He huffed. "Fate believers. Why would you chose to believe in such a thing? To have no choice in your future...to have no affect on what happens to you." He shook his mane.
Thalion:
Taban smirked, "Words change over time. Your name written, your story written on stone. You become immortal."
"Fate's something that I question myself." Lucia put in, "The prince likes to believe himself to have been guided by fate. Personally, I believe that we shape our own future."
Fubar only listened and watched the newcomer.
Kimaria:
"Immortality?" The lion pondered this for a moment. He had never considered immortality as being something real, something that someone could have. He had seen and brought death and the fragile lines of life was as clear to him as any. What is born will die, that was the truth, the only guarantee in life.
He laughed. "Mortals will always try and find a way to live forever. Death is a release, the way of this world. Why try to fight it? However, I admire you for finding possibly the only way to gain true immortality. Your soul would be gone but as you say, your name and your past would not." His eyes glanced over the other faces.
"Yes, I certainly have shaped my own future, grim as it may be." His eyes narrowed. "Still, I have only myself to blame."
Thalion:
"The past is in the past." Taban said simply, "If you look behind you you'll never see what can be achieved in the future. For instance. I was raised as a lion. My mother was blind and never knew that I was not her son. When my mane did not grow in, the truth was far too evident. I could have accepted that I was a simple cat with only speed as my strength. No. It was below me."
He stepped forward, "Whatever is in your past is there. In the past. What's in your future?" He glanced over, "Mine? I will be a tactition that will shape the face of this land. A pelt is simply a pelt...." he tapped his head, "Use your head."
Kimaria:
Altair looked stumped. He knew his past, dwelled in it every day. He had wanted that past to be his future, his life. He had loved his pride and his way of life but all that was gone now. He could go it alone, bring justice by himself, but what good would that do with no one to report back to?
His head drooped slightly and it was a long time before he replied. And when he did it was honest and true. "I do not know. I do not know my future. I am searching for it now, hoping that it will find me, maybe it already has and I am blind to it." He glanced at the strangers. "Or maybe I have no future..."
Thalion:
"Never say such a thing." Taban turned and took a casual step forward. "If you belittle yourself you only throw yourself at the level of simpletons. There are many types in the world. Those that are great by virtue, those that are great by greed, those that are great by luck...and those that all of the above step on to get to where they are."
He glanced over his shoulders and flicked his tail, "So...will you choose to lay down now? Or stand with your shoulder to the immortal ones?"
Kimaria:
"Ha, I'm not the one to lie down and give up, I've been through tough times to get where I am now and it would only bring joy to those in my past to think of me dead. No, you're right, I shan't give up." But, maybe he did deserve death and if the assassins came for him then he would not put up a fight. He would deserve the endless night if they found him and nothing less.
"I will continue as I always have then, until I am shown a different path. The path I have taken up till now has always been strong and unhindered. It is still there beneath my paws and I will follow it for that is what I believe is right. I am without my companions but that is not what is important." He extended his forepaws and bowed low.
"I am Altair, bringer of justice, at your service. Maybe you will have need of my services on this expedition of yours."
