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 Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:35 pm
Things have been unbelievably nice recently. A little awkward and uncertain at times, granted, but... nice. The fragile peace between them, forged by the birth of their cubs, has held thus far. He's even gone so far as to bring little treats from time to time, unasked-for. His daily private hunts have changed in focus - instead of seeking solitude, he now seeks her favoured meals, or a treat for their offspring.
When the Warleader has the luxury of a few moments to think about the current circumstances he finds that he can't help but smile, shake his head, and thank the spirits for blessing him so greatly. Caught up in the fact that things seem to finally be working out for the best, it's far too easy to ignore the dangers on the horizon. Far, far too easy. But the subject of Takatifu's impending birth slips free from his thoughts as soon as they dance near it, and so he avoids the issue entirely.
For now.
After a long day spent organizing patrols and hearing reports, Sakata has finally settled down for some family time. The cubs, having just eaten their fill, are drowsily flopped nearby. Soon enough they will wake and see that their favourite playground has arrived, but until that happens the massive lion will sprawl upon a nearby rock to absorb what's left of the day's heat. A yawn, first, and then a quietly-grunted sigh as he stretches out lazily.
It's a nice, quiet, peaceful evening.
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:01 pm
"SAKATAAAAAAA!"
Still relatively far off from where he lay, an angry Queen drew closer, her voice loud and demanding.
Jinichongo knew, deep within, that Sakata was a worthy and efficient Warleader. Alongside herself, he'd kept the pride in order, and the group had nearly achieved the greatness it had been when her father reigned as Warleader, thanks to his careful watch and leadership.
However, as things were for this afternoon, Jini was far from pleased with his overseeing.
Storming her way towards him, she was mindful to quiet her rage while nearing her offspring. It would only be a matter of time before they witnessed their mother and father arguing, but she would not wake them today with such anger.
"Sakata!" She hissed, shooting a glare at the sunbathing male, "What the hell have you been doing all day? Your scouts are WORTHLESS!"
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:09 pm
"Hnh?" he grunts, lifting his head sharply at the sound of her voice. Unbidden, his ears flatten against his mane. What's going on? After glancing over at the cubs - still sleeping - he rises, padding towards the angry Queen. His intentions were the same as hers, since a bunch of curious and energetic cubs could make this situation more awkward than it needs to be.
"What have I been doing? What kind of question is that? You know what I do," he grumbles, then huffs a short sigh and decides to elaborate. She may not know what he does, after all, and it's not fair to assume that. "I spent the morning helping with some training, and the afternoon listening to the reports from the borders before sending out new orders for the patrols. Tomorrow I'll be meeting with Usiku to discuss the prey situation, since I've heard that game is scarce in a few regions."
Explanation done, he narrows his eyes and asks his own question, "Worthless? What do you mean, worthless?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:43 pm
She bit her tongue as he spoke, tempted to cut him off and get right down to business. Instead, she let him explain his day as she paced back and forth, refusing to allow him to notice her weakened side, caused by the stranger's blow. It wasn't until he had finished his answer and asked his question that she paused in her walk and turned back towards him.
"Worthless." She reiterated, her orange eyes burning furiously. "Worthless. Your patrols are NOT doing their jobs, if I'm to find myself accosted by total strangers running about!"
She could feel her voice slowly rising with her anger, and Jinichongo took a moment to calm herself. Nothing would find itself resolved if she were to wake the little ones; the spirits knew how long it took to get them back to sleep.
"A stranger," she started, standing firm and upright, her mind pushing away any embarrassment of Jinichongo's fault for letting the stranger escape, "attacked me, while I was at the water hole today. She attacked me, Sakata, and she managed to slip into the borders without so much as a scratch on her body."
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:26 am
Fortunately for Jini, the Warleader has been distracted enough by her sudden tirade that he does not notice the slight limp she bears as a result of her interaction with the mysterious stranger.
It comes as a surprise to Sakata that the first thing he feels is anger. But not directed at Jini for attacking his patrols. At them, rather, and at himself for failing to coordinate them well enough. "Are you okay?" The words escape in a rush, startling the usually-calm lion before he stammers and reaches for the quiet stability he usually exudes.
Strangers in their lands! They could harm his cubs, his family, his pride. But rather than dwell on what might have been, he frowns and gets down to business. "Which water hole? Did you see what direction the stra-- she came from? What did the lioness look like? Where did she go after you saw her? Did she say anything?"
And then, finally, the question that he'd been almost afraid to ask.
"Was she alone?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:50 am
She could feel her face flush, her feelings betraying her thoughts. No, she would not be embarrassed... there was nothing to be embarrassed of. The lioness obviously was cunning, and therefore had bested her by trickery. Jinichongo was not weak; she refused to believe such nonsense.
"I'm fine." she responded curtly, moving on with the conversation instead of focusing on her lie, "And she did not get away unscathed, mind you."
He was obviously concerned over the situation, which finally calmed Jini's sour mood. The wry smile that threatened to escape managed to stay hidden, and she settled herself down from where she stood. Her body was weary, and this sort of talk did not require the effort of standing, in her opinion.
"The water hole over by the ledges." She waved her paw, emphasizing the location's whereabouts. "She took off and hid among them, but I found it pointless to pursue her, as she'd gotten a head start before me."
Her paw settled back down, and the black lioness's head turned to face her mate as she carefully thought over her words before speaking. "She spoke of nothing but disrespect, even after I identified myself. If she was traveling with a pride, then the rest are elsewhere, for the only companion I saw was a spotted hare, of all things."
Foolish creature. She huffed to herself, recalling the audacity the female had in her responses. How dare she act that way!
But now, there would be no reason for concern. It would fall into Sakata's paws to deal with, and Jinichongo would have her way, as she always did.
"She must be killed at once, Sakata."
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:15 am
"That close?" he growls, hackles raising. Too close. Far too close. Spirits only know what could have happened if the outsider hadn't come across Jini first. For a moment it seems as if the Warleader would bound off in search of the interloper himself, but he remains steady, shaking his head and forcing a calm that he does not feel.
He should send out patrols immediately. No, he should collect everyone together and berate them, and then send out patrols. No, he should send out patrols, consult with the scryers to see what they suggest, and then berate the Claw when they return. No, he should-- he should delegate, for now. Bounding to the top of the ledge he lets out a roar, calling for Usiku or one of the Veterans.
With that done, he can wait for their arrival. "Rrrrrgh," Sakata grumbles, moving closer to his Queen and settling upon his haunches. "I will deal with it. She will be found, and punished for her crimes. But first, I need more details." And on top of that, he had noticed that she seemed to be favouring her side. So when he moves nearer he scents the air, to see if any blood has been spilled.
"What did she look like?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:32 am
The wry smile finally broke free, though Jini attempted to mask it as the Warleader turned back around. It was good that he was growing upset, it was good that there would be reprimanding on the horizon for many lions. More importantly, however, it was good because Jinichongo knew that the lioness's fate had been sealed. She would receive her punishment, and Jini would once again have no concerns aside from her children.
As the thought of the cubs crossed her mind, she glanced over towards them, suddenly realizing their father's mighty roar might have disturbed their sleep. Thankfully, however, none seemed to stir from their slumber, and Jini turned back in time to see Sakata eyeing her side.
She moved away, her side avoiding his glance. The last thing she needed was for him fretting over her. She was the Queen, after all. She was strong. If he could take a blow in battle, she should be able to as well, right?
"She looked as though she would fit in among us," the lioness stated plainly, moving to ensure his eyes returned to looking into hers and away from her side. "Black fur... orange stripes across the top half. She must be a new adult, for I've never seen any lion our age run as fast as she did. Hmph. Coward."
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:46 am
Her glance towards the cubs reminded him of their presence, and if he hadn't been so worked up and angry over the actions of this outsider he probably would have offered a sheepish grin. As it is, however, he merely huffs and glares pointedly at her flank, towards the injury she is trying to hide. No words are offered (yet), just the arching of one brow. It's only when she begins to speak again that he returns eye contact, but that brow remains in its raised position while she speaks her piece.
"Black and orange. And stripes. I'm sure she stick out a like a sore paw," he drawls, then nods. "I'll have her description passed around. And you say she fled further into our lands?" Not a good sign. If she could pass for a member of the pride then many of them wouldn't even give her a second glance - the pride is large, and new members join frequently.
"Is there anything else you should tell me?" Hint hint, Jini, he wants to know about your injury.
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:10 pm
She knew what he was implying, and she wasn't going to grant him the pleasure of knowing that the Queen, of all lionesses, had been roughed up by a mere outsider. So instead, she sneered, placing one paw atop the other.
"If your scouts are quick enough, they'll be able to recognize her by the fresh claw marks across her face."
Her paws uncrossed, and she shot him a look. Jinichongo knew better than to attempt to rise up again while Sakata's watchful eye was on her, so instead, she was determined to point his focus elsewhere.
"Don't you have some lions you need to be talking to, dear?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:42 pm
"Fresh claw marks, check." He nods, but is not distracted. The sneer, the deliberate glares, the annoyed gestures - all of those are ignored, while the Warleader makes no secret of his inspection. He's been... fortunate enough to become more familiar with the Queen in the up-close-and-personal sense recently, so it shouldn't be too hard to notice what is awry.
"I was about to ask the same of you," is his pointed reply, before Sakata finally lifts his gaze to meet hers. "And you heard me call them in. I'll talk to them when they arrive. If any are late, then I will talk to them again. After."
But eventually he gives up, and huffs a grumpy sigh. "Fine, if you won't tell me then at least go see someone else and have them tend to you. Even the freshest Warrior in the ranks knows when to take care of an injury."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:53 am
"I told you I would be fine, Sakata, so leave me be and attend to the more pressing matters that call for your attention!"
Her glare moved elsewhere and away from his gaze. He was smarter than she'd credited him for in the past, and it had grown almost obnoxious, how astute he could prove himself to be at times.
Nevertheless, no matter how wise his suggestion may be, she was far too stubborn to follow the orders of another. She would rest, and eventually even see to having her side attended, but most definitely not at the moment, not since Sakata had practically ordered her to.
Nodding her head in the direction from where she'd come, one paw lifted and begun a shooing motion. "Go hold your meeting elsewhere. We've been risky enough talking as we have in the cubs' presence, and I will not stand for having them woken up thanks to your boisterous Warriors."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:09 am
Unfortunately, the large brute of a lion is every bit as stubborn as his counterpart. And while he may have been walking on eggshells recently, trying to make sure that Jini remains happy and things stay as (relatively) pleasant as they have been between them... he frowns, narrowing his eyes, and stands his ground.
Well, perhaps standing his ground is a poor way to phrase it. What Sakata does, in fact, is move near enough to his Queen that she can feel the warmth of his body, feel his breath tickling her fur. And he lowers his voice, his tone serious and firm.
"I called them here. When they arrive, I will go to the watering hole you last saw the outsider at, with them, to discuss the matter. And I suggest, with respect, that you speak with your scryers and ask them why the spirits did not give any warning of this unexpected visitor. My patrols will benefit from their... invaluable counsel, as always."
And instead of pulling away, now that he's said his piece and made his point clear, the Warleader remains uncomfortably near. Outside observers might even think this to be a tender moment, from a distance. How touching.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:08 am
He was too close. Far too close.
"The spirits are not always willing to divulge their secrets, Sakata." She responded sternly, offended at his tone. The spirits had been forewarning of trouble to come, but visitors, no. Many visions and messages could be interpreted in various ways, though, and Jinichongo was not about to consider that any of her interpretations had been wrong. "I will talk with them myself, and consult my Scryers as to what is to come from here. Just as a young lioness can apparently slip by a whole patrol of Scouts, anything is possible, physically and spiritually."
It was obvious, soon enough, that he had no intentions of leaving. Which meant she would either have to remain there, for who knows how long, while he stands looming over, or else make her own move.
Huffing, she rose from where she lay, making sure to take her time and move slowly, to not express any obvious signs of the pain or weakness her side was experiencing at the moment. "But fine. Do what you must, and I will do the same. See to getting the sitter for the cubs in the meanwhile, since you've taken it upon yourself to start ordering things around!"
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:38 am
"Of course it is," he agrees affably, pleased that she admitted that her Scryers were every bit as much at fault as his Scouts. In a roundabout way that she would no doubt deny, of course, but even that small acknowledgment is a victory in his eyes.
When she rises to leave he lowers his head, snuffing along her spine in a companionable manner. A casual gesture, nothing more, but an intrusion into her personal space nonetheless. "I always do as I must, Jini. You, of all lionesses, should know that by now. Sometimes I even do as I please," the Warleader drawls, eying her significantly, and then diverts his attention towards the ridge. Ah, someone is finally arriving.
Sakata bows his head in respect before turning away to greet his Veterans. And then, almost an afterthought, he calls back over one shoulder, "Oh, yes. I'll have someone come and see to our cubs. I know just the lioness, she'll be perfect."
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