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 Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:55 pm
Thus, when her hyenas brought her news that they were nearing a pride of all females she had been struck with an idea. Utesaji had instilled in his sons the "proper" way to treat females, and after successfully riding the family of any outside female influences, his sons had grown up to be proper warriors. Why not have them test their warrior skills on this pride? It would be a simple matter to take out the leader and take them over. Ushindi had grown into a fine lion, and he could use a pride to rule. That was why she had spent the last few weeks monitoring the pride as best she could, but there was only so much she could do from the outside. So she had moved in. Convincing the leaders that she hated males was easy, and she had made it in with no fuss. Now it was time to move on to the next stage of the plan.
Xibalba was the bait for this trap, but that suited her just fine. Now that she had been accepted and was "one of the girls" and it wouldn't be too hard to convince the leader to come back with her to go get her "shy mate." Alkar'kano was neither shy nor her mate, but she would suit the purposes. She had told the other lioness to wait for her at the designated spot. Once the leader was there, it would be over quickly. There was no way she could survive an ambush. With those thoughts in mind, Xibalba put on her best nice face and made her way towards the dens. Let the takeover begin.
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:11 pm
Kiuma paced beside her daughter as they followed the newcommer, Xibalba wasn't it? Relaxed and optimistic, she spoke to Hippolyta and the younger lioness answered with a smile. She had changed, since coming home to bare a single girl cub, the male returned to his father rather than to their allies. She was... warmer, stronger, and yet somehow softer at the same time. As though she no longer felt ashamed of her softness, and took pride in being a mother with a perfect little daughter asleep in the dens with the nannies. Red and black, they were a striking pair, standing out against the forrest greenery and the more drab Xibalba, save for her fierce face mask.Turning forward, Hippy called out to their guide, recognizing the border of the pride and knowing they must be getting close.
"Is your mate near here, Xibalba? We've come quite a ways now, should be nearly there..." She was a little tired from the walk, still learning to work around the drain that came with nursing a cub. She smiled, her red eyes bright as she flicked her tail playfully. All too soon, she'd need to return to her little perfect one, her Calypso... She'd never imagined how wonderful it felt to be a mother, and scoffed at the fear she used to hold of it and of the males outside the pride. There would never be a need to fear again, and for that she was glad.
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:27 pm
Ah, there they were. Even as she sat waiting with a pleasant smile on her face, the wheels in her mind were turning. Kiuma was not a lioness in her prime. She had seen this the moment she'd laid eyes on the pride's leader. Despite that, however, she was not ill or injured and she was well fed. Not an easy target, but nothing that her group of boys could not handle. She should let Ushindi give the final blow. He would like that very much. Her eyes moved briefly to Hippolyta as the lioness spoke, surveying her as quietly as she had her mother. This one was in much better shape, but word around the pride was that she had recently had a cub. Not enough to weaken substantially, but with luck the death of her mother would give her group a significant advantage over her.
"No, it's not too much further. I am very sorry about all of this, dragging the two of you out here. Had she not been so afraid of leaving the den I would have brought her here myself." She pretended to study the dirt underneath her feet. "It really is a good thing I found her when I did though, the poor lioness. Males really have no understanding about restraint." Xibalba frowned down at her paws before she looked back up at her guests, putting a smile back on her face. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling aren’t I? Shall we continue?" The lioness gestured with her head in the direction she had come from and turned to walk in that direction.
"Our den makes a nice landmark. It's a moderately sized rock formation, with a little roost on the top of it. Have you ever seen it?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:25 pm
Hippy smiled brightly, shrugging off the newcomer's apology.
"Don't worry about it. We've all got our little quirks, and being shy is hardly a crime. I certainly don't mind a little walk, to meet someone new." She nodded encouragingly as she pulled ahead of her mother, walking up by Xibalba's side. "Hopeful, after living with us for a time, she'll come out a little bit and be more comfortable. That's what we're all about, after all. We're a family, of sorts, and who can you feel comfortable with, if not your family?" Feeling good seemed to put Hippolyta in a bit of a chattering mood, but she kept her words easy, trying not to get on the other's nerves.
"Your mate was attacked by males?" Kiuma asked from behind them, feeling the fur along her spine stiffen. Her former mate, lovely little Baala, had suffered such an attack, and it had spelled out the end of them as surely as her stomach had rounded with her unwanted cubs. "Is she injured still from it? I'm sure my daughter and I can help with moving her, if she'll let us and if we need to. But it would be nice to know what to expect ahead of time."
When Xibalba mentioned the rock formation, both lionesses shook their heads. "I'm afraid that is far outside our borders." Kiuma said. "And we tend to stay firmly inside of them, save for the quest."
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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:59 pm
"I'm glad you're so understanding. We hesitated for so long when considering a pride because we weren't sure how the other members would handle my mate. Not to mention the fact that we were mates. I was aware that it was an uncommon practice but I did not realize that it was looked upon so negatively." The more she talked to the lionesses the more she realized that she had found the ideal pride for her boys to capture. A group of lionesses with no males to fight for them and leaders who willingly followed another lioness in search of her "mate"? It was easier than hunting blind zebra.
She nodded her head at both Hippolyta and Kiuma's words. "We have been looking for a family for a long time. And I can understand not leaving completely. Luckily it's not too far along. Can you tell me a little about this quest? I know my mate and I are much too old, but there is always the next generation." It was a pity that this queen wouldn't be around to see it. Only a little bit further and she wouldn't have to worry about her pride anymore. Xibalba would make it quick.
"Oh, there it is there! Do you see it?" They were almost in position.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:20 am
Kiuma shrugged as she formed her answer to Xibalba, thinking how best to phrase it.
"With no males in the pride, we miss half of what is essential to produce cubs. And without cubs, the pride grows old and dies. Thus, when a lioness is ready to be a mother, she must venture outside and find a suitable male to father her cubs. Someone strong, intelligent... who will give good traits to the cubs he fathers. I've forced no one to make the quest if they don't want to, it's purely as the lioness herself wishes." It was such a straight forward thing... a necessity, for a pride like theirs.
"Where?" Hippolyta asked as the structure was pointed out to them, stepping out a little as she peered between the trees and scanned the skyline. It would never have occurred to her that another lioness would have lied to her, though if Xibalba had been less of an actor than she was, Kiuma might have sensed something before now. Still, life with her own pride, a life long and full and wearying, had dulled her a little, something she'd begun to notice and loathe. It was simply unbelievable to either of them that this could be anything other than it seemed on the surface.
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Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:16 pm
The lioness made an approving noise. "A very practical solution, Kiuma. I am most impressed. Perhaps I will have to talk to my mate about this. Though she may not I may. It is certainly an intriguing idea." As if she would have cubs. Not at this moment in time at least, and she had a feeling that Alkar'kano felt the same. Perhaps one day she may have cubs, but they would have to be a good reason. If the cubs would not be profitable then she would get rid of them. She certainly didn't have time for raising creatures that would not be useful.
But there would be other times to think about that. Now was the time for the climax. "Ah, we have arrived." Xibalba made her way towards the rock, taking two steps up the sloped side and then turning to sit on the top. A small smile formed on her mouth as she surveyed them from her perch. "But I'm afraid that now our journey is over we must part ways, for good. It is with my deepest regret that I say we shall never see each other again. Vulture's Roost will be your permanent home." She clicked her claws three times against the stone.
Out of the grasslands behind them came a blue lion, Vinjari moving forward with a distinct purpose. From behind the rock that Xibalba had appropriately named Vulture's Roost emerged her small hyena pack, cutting off that escape route. The other members of her little "family" were making their way out as well, eyes on the prize. Xibalba's smile did not change as she said, "Good bye, Kiuma."
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Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:35 pm
It always paid off to let Xibalba plot. Always.
His father was a firm believe in such and so, Ushindi learned to see the value in the cunning lioness as well. His mother and sister had disappeared a long time ago, and Xibalba had taken to raising them. Well, raising insofar as supervising and teaching Ushindi and his brothers to be as ruthless. The white lion was also eager to prove himself. He had been trained a warrior and he was sure he far surpassed his brothers. He was given the opportunity to lead this strike and he would not waste it.
Nearby, the dark figure of his father lay in wait. His uncle was not far off. And let us not forget the mate in question. Brilliantly blue, swirled with grey, Alkar'kano waited where she was instructed, happy to play Xibalba's frightened mate. She had not been part of the clan for very long, but she had learned quickly. Xibalba was, if nothing else, a good teacher and a better leader. There was much the demon could gain from her, playing along was a price she was happy to play.
At the clicks, all four lions surged forward. The black lion, Utesaji moved a step behind his sons and the hyenas, making sure the gaps were closed as the family closed in. He remained out to one of Vinjari's sides. Alkar'kano was already up close and personal, stalking off to one side. Mwanajeshi, Utesaji's golden brother, had taken up on Vinjari's other side. A large lion, he covered ground quickly, eyes locked on the pair of females before them.
And that left the precious prince of the family. Ushindi emerged from the front, blond mane ruffling as he loped to Xibalba's side, standing just below her rock. This was his battle. She had set it up perfectly for him and he would do the rest. He would not fail her!
"For the family."
It was always for the family.
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:39 am
The pair of lioness watched as Xibalba climbed the rock to take her seat, surprise on Hippolyta's face and a frown on Kiuma's as her hackles rose.
Hippy had a moment to wonder if the pair had suddenly changed their minds before the hyenas and males started to emerge, her ears sinking back to plaster against her skull. Fear spiked through her at the sure knowledge that this would be last sight she saw before she died. Regret was bitter in her mouth that she wouldn't return to her precious little daughter, freezing her in place for a long moment, long enough to let Kiuma surge to the fore and straight into the jaws of their new enemy.
The red queen knew they'd been betrayed the moment Xibalba spoke, settling herself to watch the blood shed. A snarl twisted her face as her black claws shot from her paws. Red eyes darted, taking stock of the number of them and any possible means to... well, do anything but die. There was little chance, with so many of them, and far too many to run from. There was no way she would draw them back to her pride, even if there was lionesses there who could help them. She would die to protect them, always. When she saw that arrogant male join Xibalba, she made her decision. She would protect her family and her pride with every last breath in her.
With a battle roar, she launched herself forward and past her daughter, hoping to be enough of a menace to draw the most of them to her, maybe take down a few or at least leave some marks on the hides of these invaders.
Softer Hippolyta might be, but she had something to fight for, just as her mother did. She was not far behind the red form that flashed past her, fangs and claws bared.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:17 pm
Aaah, there he was.
The expression in Xibalba's eyes was something akin to pride when Ushindi made his way to sit by her side. Utesaji had served his purpose, and now his son would take his black. The blue lion, her original pet, would still be useful, especially in times like these, but he was not what he used to be. It had been time for his son to take his place, and Ushindi was the perfect replacement. Vinjari and Tanasi were both good in their own aspect, but they were on opposite ends of the spectrum. The former was the brains, the latter the brawn, but it was Ushindi who combined both. He would never be as smart or strong as his brothers, but he would always be their leader. It was his rightful place, as this was his fight by right.
"Go, Ushindi. She will die first." The lioness murmured this to her chosen one, before turning her eyes to the rest of her family. "Do not let them escape! Separate them!" Two lionesses fighting back to back would be harder to take down. Separate them, and they would be surrounded. The black one, Hippolyta she believed she was called, seemed to lack the strength that her mother possessed. Even if she did not die she would be chased away. But Kiuma would have to go. Xibalba's eyes moved to Mwanajeshi, the golden brother, and nodded her head towards Hippolyta. He could deal with her. The rest of the family would hold the circle until the battle was over.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:57 pm
Kiuma snarled as she leaped into the fray, claws, fangs, and eyes flashing. Never before had she fought so hard for something, in the finest form of the twilight of her life. Still, all her fierceness and fury were nothing when one lioness is overcome by many. Separated from her daughter and with no one to cover her back, it was inevitable that she should fall. She rose again from the ground streaked in dirt and blood, but she didn't remain up long this time. She fell a second time and rose again, but when she fell the third time, there was no strength left to rise with.
Hippolyta fought as hard as she could, her struggle filled with a rising fear and desperation that her mother felt only in her last moments. The black lioness cried out when her mother fell, struggling harder each time, till the last. She let out a keening cry of despair when Kiuma could not struggle up and she put the last of her own strength into a bid to reach her mother's side, knowing deep down that she wouldn't make it.
What was she to do now? She was supposed to become Queen and rule the pride, but not now, not this way! Not watching her mother cut down before her, the claws of the enemies scoring her own dark fur to streak it red. When she fell, she scrambled back, lashing out at anything that got close.
The last thing Kiuma saw was the hated males looming over her, Xibalba's face smirking behind them. Her hate was so strong it should have set them to fire, but the light in her eyes faded out and they darkened. Her last breath was ragged and wet, a snarl that hissed to nothing. Kiuma had never pondered what her death would be like, but it seemed inevitable that it should end bloody and full of pain, much the way her life had started, fulfilling the name she'd carried her whole life.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:49 pm
The fight was as long as Xibalba had expected. Kiuma was a good fighter, but there was little she could do against a lion without the back up of her daughter. She had nowhere to go but into Ushindi's waiting jaws to die. It was a pity to lose such a lioness. Kiuma was no pitiful creature that was for certain, nor was her daughter. Had she been sure she could convince them to step down she might have spared their lives, but she was certain that the red lioness would never give in to her demands. Besides, this way she could satisfy the small group of males that made up her family. They would benefit from the experience of the kill and the take over. And they would be content, at least for a little while.
When the red lioness took her last breath she rose, stepping down from the rocks with her hyena escort. Mwanajeshi had served his purpose to keep Hippolyta from her mother, and now Kiuma was dead. All that was left to do was get rid of her. But she should she die? Xibalba quietly studied the black lioness, assessing the situation. It would be a pity to kill two lionesses in one day, especially when the chance that this one would return to challenge her was quite low. And if she did return, she was certain they could beat her down. Or perhaps they would be bored with this place and leave, and then she could return. It was hard to say what the future held for them. But Xibalba made the decision, and executed it.
"Let her go," she commanded, gesturing with her head so that the males returned to her side, behind Ushindi. "See to it, Hippolyta, that you do not return here again. All that awaits you here is death." Content with that, she moved to examine the body of the dead queen. It would be pointless to bring the whole body back, not to mention extremely troublesome. There must be something else that they could take…. Aha. Xibalba smiled to herself as she jerked the bone necklace off of Kiuma and tossed it to Ushindi.
"Come, Ushindi. It is time we introduce the pride to their rightful king."
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:24 pm
Her mind in turmoil, Hippolyta stood shaking when the males were called off, dripping blood and aching in every part of her body. She couldn't help the sobs that choked her, and when the command came from Xibalba, she turned and fled, feeling the coward.
She disappeared into the undergrowth leaving a faint trail of blood, racing back to the pride to see her daughter, one last time. Still, she wouldn't be able to keep the little cub... not if she wanted to survive her flight from danger. Precious little Calypso... she wasn't old enough to travel and Hippolyta couldn't carry her. There was a chance, safe in the protection of the other lionesses, that she could grow up strong without her mother... and who knew? Maybe one day they would find each other again.
Ducking her head, the new queen-in-exile pushed on, straining to make her broken body move and build speed, her life depending on her flight.
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