|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:32 am
It's been quiet since the last, most recent attempt to 'prepare' him for a challenge. That one was so poorly-planned as to be funny, and Sakata can't help but chuckle to himself as he enjoys the sunny afternoon. Today he is sprawled on a large flat rock atop a higher foothill, providing him with an unparalleled view of the lands held by the Mizimu'Tungika. His lands.
The 'rogue attack' at the borders had been completely laughable, but he still wonders how those poor scavengers had been bribed to attack a lion such as himself. He'd outweighed some of them by more than double, and the mangy beasts looked half-starved. His competition must be getting desperate if they're willing to resort to such measures. Of course, the Veteran in question had found himself desperate for other reasons after the massive Warleader confronted him.
That had been a good sacrifice, indeed. Sakata had to commend the bravery and honesty of that vet, for owning up to his failed attempt and offering himself as a Sacrifice in the next breath. But he could not condone that degree of stupidity among his ranks - the attempt on his life was pitiful, and to be caught so easily? It was shameful, really. He'd taught his Warriors better than that back when he was a Veteran himself.
Done with these thoughts for now, Sakata rumbles quietly, rolling over to sun the other side. Just another boring, lazy day...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:31 pm
"Blast," Chuma mutters, as he walks in to the hot midday, "Effing uncomfortable."
Shaking his mane in a fidgety, annoyed fashion, Chuma's eyes come to rest on the hulking form of the esteemed Warleader.
Taking a nap.
"It just keeps getting better and better," Chuma says quietly, and heaves himself on to the rock beside Sakata, and settles down more comfortably.
"Oy. We have a problem,"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:37 pm
At first, the unwelcome intrusion warrants nothing further than the slightest cracking of one eye, to see who has blocked the sun. But when that bright orange eye spies the almost-too-close-too-green fur and those tell-tale stripes, the Warleader sighs, grumbles, and closes his eye again.
"What now."
His voice is flat, clearly uninterested. It's too hot under the midday sun to worry about this crap, too hot to deal with the inane natterings of this over-eager Veteran. It's difficult to be inactive when one was raised to fight - Sakata knows that, he's lived that - but it's even more difficult to be in charge of a host of restless warriors.
"Better be important, Chuma." Sakata grunts, lifting his head and squinting at the Veteran.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:53 pm
"You know how hard it is to have a somewhat private chat with you when our ******** warriors keep going to the sacrificial grounds? Enough is enough," Chuma shifted from paw to paw, irritated, "For ******** sake, you know those idiots think that they are self-taught scryers and these damn "omens" we keep hearing on the wind is not helping matters. Times are peaceful, but what will happen if we keep thinning our ranks as we are, especially of our most powerful- albeit idiotic- warriors, we are going to be ******** gobsmacked if we are attacked."
Chuma raises an eyebrow at Sakata. He was not of the school of thought that Sakata was an idiot but he was of the school of thought that irking the mighty brute might not be in his favor. If Chuma was in Sakata's position- no. Chuma idles past that thought without a second look, and continues staring at the Warleader, waiting for his reply.
He knew he was going to be laughed at, haha, Chuma the big joke of a veteran, but it didn't matter. As long as things changed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:59 pm
"You know where to find me," Sakata grunts, pulling himself to his feet and turning to face the Veteran. He takes his time doing so, of course, making sure to shake out his heavy mane and brush some detritus from his pelt. "What do you think I can do?" The question is honest enough, as the Warleader looks out across the pride.
"The Queen and the Heart speak for the spirits. If the spirits want battle, who am I to stop them?" The risk of being attacked is blatantly ignored - what Chuma may not know is that Sakata hears reports from the Scouts, and they say there are no other prides within attacking distance. Languid and lazy, his massive jaws part in an equally massive yawn. "Do you think you know better than the Scryers, then, who tell our Warriors when to challenge the spirits?"
A dangerous question, perhaps, but one that Sakata delivers without inflection or concern. Indeed, he is still gazing blankly across the lands claimed by the pride, seemingly half-asleep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:08 pm
"Oh bloody hell, " Chuma declares abruptly, rolling his eyes.
"Rather than incurring your anger, great warleader, " Chuma intones with a droll attitude, "I merely mean to ask your permission for something. If the scryers feel that we are due for a bit of spring cleaning, so be it. I only mean to say that if our warriors had at least something to do everyday, rather than scratch their asses and plot your demise, those questions probably wouldn't have been asked. What is not asked cannot be scried for, or are you implying we have greater spirits in our midst?"
With a pause, Chuma chuckled.
"Well, more than the usual number. We're thick as thieves with their lot, aren't we?"
"To make a long story short, I intend to order my warriors to wetnurse the elder sacrifices, juves and their ilk."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:13 pm
Something in the other lion's tone forces Sakata to turn his head, leveling his gaze upon the other. And he stares, expression bland, while Chuma natters on and on like usual.
"If you want to ask something then ask it, Chuma. I'm no coward who dances around words, you should know that by now." Sakata growls, eyes narrowed with a subtle threat. Not for the first time, he finds himself frustrated by the 'cleverness' of the young Veteran. Always coming up with a new way to do things, a new tactic. It's interesting, Sakata will grant that much, but after a time it just... well, it's tiring. Especially when it happens during his mid-day nap.
"Wetnurse," he grunts, arching a brow, "Worried about the Outsiders trying to 'save' the Sacrifices?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:39 am
Outwardly cowed, Chuma glowers inside. For a lion professing to be as dim as a brick, Chuma always felt that their conversations played as a game, with Chuma always losing. Chuma admired Sakata's "tactics", specifically those where he gained everything and lost nothing. There was no sacrifice; this power came all too easy to this Warleader and it frankly worried Chuma. He had no plans for power himself but it was clear to see that many others did- their blind faith in the Heart, and their incredibly high faith in their own power- superceded the fact that in a fair fight, you just couldn't win against the brute.
Chuma dealt with the most unsavoury of tasks, mostly out of boredom. He was not a lion who could just sit still, and enjoy life. He had to be doing something, anything, no matter what the task. Unfortunately, there were not very many tasks to really do in the pride outside of his own expertise, which was war. Chuma often felt that perhaps he should just offer himself up to be sacrificed, a far easier way to deal with his frantic energy. But he could not give Jini, nor Sakata, the satisfaction of removing the burr from their sides.
"To put it simply, yes. I spoke to a Haruspex, and she read that perhaps our sacrifices would be more potent if allowed to experience more of pridal life. Its your call," Chuma shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "The idiots are just going to get more desperate as time wears on with you holding all the power. Fun to watch, yes. Bloody waste of a good warrior though."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:52 am
Sakata remained silent for a time, his gaze and expression blank. While the Sacrifices do technically fall under his domain, at least in part, he's always been hesitant to do too much with them. It's not worth the trouble, he would tell himself, or that Jini and Hodari will resent his involvement and throw obstacles in his path. But this inactivity has left the Blood stagnating and restless, like his Warriors.
"Hnh," he grunts, slowly settling to the ground and splaying his legs out before him. And again the silence stretches on, while the Warleader considers the logistics of such an undertaking... and the potential consequences. Increasing the value of the Sacrifices is a worthy undertaking, but what if one is lost? Who will answer to the Heart for that, for the squandered resources?
"Tell the others what you told me," he begins, clearly meaning the other Veterans, "and tell them we will have a meeting. With the Vates and Pure. Make plans, assign teams. They want to do it, they'll shoulder the blame if any are lost." Dismissal is clear in his tone - Sakata obviously feels that this business, at least, is settled.
"They will shoulder the blame personally, Chuma. Is that understood?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:29 am
What a pain, Chuma thought irritably, swatting a fly with a flick of his tail, to have to go through this massive brute to get something of minute importance to be done.
"Understood," Chuma replied, hoping that his irritation didn't show clearly in his voice, "and I'll talk to the pure, and my cousin- but not today."
A dark look crossed Chuma's face.
"Today is too ******** hot. Enjoy your nap," Chuma bowed his head slightly, showing the older male his deference. Moving to the edge of the rock, Chuma replied belatedly, "Sir!" and jumped off. <********," Chuma said under his breath, and moved towards the watering hole. For every idea he had, there were often very boring consequences, "I hate meetings."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:04 am
Right, cousin. Little details like that slip his mind from time to time - it's so ridiculous to believe that the esteemed Queen and her equally-esteemed brother the Vates would be related to this... to Chuma. But now that Sakata is reminded, he will be sure to keep that knowledge in mind when he considers the situation. This raises an interesting question, after all. Why would Chuma be so eager to climb through the ranks, knowing that he is related to the Queen and therefore shouldn't become her mate?
Sakata yawns, stretching languidly as he rolls to his other side. Chuma's irritation and minor insubordination are both easy to ignore. It's too hot to get upset about anything, really.
Eyes closing to block out the glaring sunlight, the Warleader drifts to sleep.--fin--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
