Das Tor
Moricorm had held herself proud as she made her way into the very edges of Mwana-a'lela territory. She hadn't let herself crack when she saw her father killed. She wasn't exactly a LOVING daughter, nor had he cared for her...but he had still been her father (lazy, insane brute he was), and an Aran'shale of the pride. And that...that...IDIOT had gone and killed him! Instead of being patient and waiting for him to die, as he was bound to do soon! He'd needled her father into a 'kill or be killed' position! The only advantage to this? She would have her chance. She growled and lashed out at a tree, claws scoring the trunk.

"I will have my chance. I will show that foolish Sparda-blooded boy that Iartuupe's line is not weak. He shall fall..." Ri grinned darkly. "And I shall rise." She'd trained for this all her life. The only one she would take loosing to would be her sister Kas.


Manda
'Tani had not yet heard anything of the goings-on in the demon lands - nor had any other vampire, really. It was still too soon for news to have reached the borders, and certainly no demon was going to come running to tell their allies that one of their leaders was now dead. A dead leader meant an unstable pride... and allies or no, the demons would not reveal that information to any others.

So for the moment, the large red male was blissfully unaware of what had so recently happened. He'd just finished a training session with some of the young warriors and so was hunting for a cool place to swim and possibly relax for a while.


Das Tor
Ri had originally just wanted out of the lands for a time. Before Coactum pushed for her to do something stupid. She had to clear her head, so she'd be able to focus on the Tournament. But now...she sought her friend. Because the more she tried cooling off, the more other thoughts came up.

Once again, she was being rushed forward, her plans unraveling because of someone else's actions. Though she was adept at standing on her own...she needed something she knew wouldn't unravel on her. She stopped by a spot where the river widened and formed a pool of sorts, sitting and trying to clear her head before she continued looking for Tani.


Manda
It so happened that 'Tani knew of that same pool - and ended up heading there himself after a few moments. Stepping out from between the trees, he blinked in astonishment to see who was sitting there. "Ri ... were you waiting for me?" he asked, tilting his head a bit. That was certainly what it -seemed- like anyway....


Das Tor
Moricorm started a bit, obviously caught off guard as the bells on her headdress and jewelry chimed. She'd been too lost in her own toughts, dammit! But the sight of Tani calmed her a bit, smoothing down her hackles as she shook her head. "Not really. I...was getting ready to go looking for you." What a fool she was! Had it been anyone other than Tani or one of her cubs...They might have attacked her!


Manda
"So I guess you -were- waiting for me ... in a way," 'Tani replied with a lopsided sort of grin. He could tell (easily) that she was on edge, but he wasn't about to -ask- about that right off the bat. Obviously something had happened to upset her, but he wouldn't push. "What brings you here this fine night? I was just heading to have a swim in the pool ... wanna join me?"


Das Tor
"I suppose so." Ri smiled slightly, and nodded. "That would be nice." She slipped into the water easily enough, enjoying the feel of cool water in her fur. "I just...needed to get away for bit. To be around something stable." Tani was probably the most stable thing in Ri's life. There were no power struggles with him, no underlying rivalry, no plots. Tani was simply Tani.


Manda
"Aah..." 'Tani nodded at that, slipping into the water as well and paddling around a bit. He dunked his head under and then pushed his mane out of his face with a paw. "Well, I'll always be around if you need to come hide out for a while." Not that he meant 'hide' in any sort of -bad- way, but it was only after the words were out of his mouth that he realized she could take them the wrong way.


Das Tor
Ri growled. "I'm not hiding. Just..." Just what? Getting away...it was the same thing as hiding. She sighed as she tread water for a moment. "Perhaps I am hiding. But I needed to." She looked to Tani. "My plans are being pushed too quickly again. Why can't things go like I plan them, just once?!" There was a snarl in her voice, but it wasn't directed at Tani. Never at Tani.


Manda
Recognizing that she wasn't angry at -him-, 'Tani shrugged slightly. " 'Cause life isn't fair, maybe?" he offered with a small smile. "I dunno ... if you've got plans that are important to you, though, you'll still find a way to make them work. I know you."


Das Tor
Ri bit back a retort. Now was NOT the time to be snapping at Tani. HE wasn't the one to take her frustrations out on. "I know. Life is not fair. And I hope I can make them work..." To tell him, or not to? He was...her friend. But he was also from another pride. Would it be safe to tell him? Perhaps. "I'm just frustrated and...nervous."


Manda
'Tani nodded at that, sensing that he was perhaps pushing a bit too hard. "Well, that sucks," he said simply, swimming slowly over to her to nuzzle gently at one ear. It was a symbol that he was... backing off on the subject. If Ri wanted to talk, he would listen, but he wouldn't force her.


Das Tor
The lioness sighed, leaning into the nuzzle a bit. "It does." His presence was a comfort, and the fact he was backing off comforted her even more. "Would you mind...if I spent the rest of the night and the day with you? And the cubs, if they still den with you."


Manda
"Of course not," 'Tani replied with a grin. "Most of them have found their own spots to sleep by now, though ... they're too big to all crowd together," he said with a little chuckle. After all, his den could only fit so many.


Das Tor
"Mmm...you're perfectly fine. I can visit always visit the cubs before turning in for the day." She smirked. "Just gives us time to ourselves~" Moricorm grinned and moved to try and flop across his back, in an attempt to be playful. She could shove aside the dark thoughts for a moment, and let her demons grumble at her later.


Manda
"Indeed it does..." 'Tani replied. Then he let out a little 'oof' sound as she flopped over his back. Sinking beneath the water a little, he blew air out of his nose and then arched his back up to try and throw her off, so he could pounce on her in turn.


Das Tor
It was easy for him to remove her from his back, since she was quite a bit smaller. She took a breath as she flopped into the water, laughing when her head broke the surface again. It was a sound obviously not used often. "Big brute."


Manda
"Hey you jumped on -me- first," 'Tani pointed out with a grin. "If I really wanted to be a brute, I could ... oh ... shove you under the water or something." And he moved toward her, as if he meant to do just that.


Das Tor
Ri laughed and paddled back a bit. "Oh you wouldn't!" She smirked. "If you did...I could always just...go find someone else to spend the night with." She was joking, of course. Tani was one of the few males she could stand long enough to spend a whole night with.


Manda
'Tani stopped instantly, though, and pouted at her playfully. "Really..? You would do that to me?" he asked, feigning a hurt tone. "Aah, it wounds me so!" Rearing up from the water, he put a paw over his heart and fell backwards, making sure the splash was large enough to hit her.


Das Tor
Ri yelped as the water hit her, and she chuckled, paddling back over. "You know I really wouldn't." She had a smile on her muzzle...one that was probably the closest she would ever get to being 'tender' without acting. It was...nice, knowing she had someone who could get her to unwind without really trying. "Thank you."


Manda
'Tani blinked as he got himself upright again. "For splashing you? I could do that more if you wanted..." he purred, smiling back at her. He'd been able to tell from the start that she was tensed up - and if acting like cubs could help her to forget, that was fine with him.


Das Tor
Ri laughed again. "In a way, I suppose. Since the splashing got me loosened up. I...was rather tense and pissed off. And you always seem able to be able to take my mind off of things. Thank you."


Manda
'Tani grinned at that, bobbing his head a bit. "You're welcome. I could tell something was up. But it's all right if you don't want to talk about it."


Das Tor
Ri nodded. "Next time. I can't this time but...Next time." After the tournament. And if all went well...next time she saw him, Ri would be a queen.


Manda
'Tani nodded at that, accepting her answer at face value. "All right then. What d'you want to do -this- time, Ri?" he asked, tilting head a little.


Das Tor
Ri smiled slightly. "This time...I think I'm just fine spending time with you. So...what do you want to do?" He'd indulged her so many times...it was only right she indulge him, too. Harsh she was. Perhaps cruel. But for those who had her trust and respect, she didn't mind being kind.


Manda
'Tani blinked, and thought about that for a moment or two. What did -he- want to do..? Well, the answer was pretty obvious to him, but he didn't want to push Ri into something. Carefully, he murmured, "Do you remember our old ah ... business agreement?"


Das Tor
Ri raised a brow. "Well of course." How could she forget? Perhaps it had been all business at the time but now...Well, she wasn't sure what it was now, but it wasn't just business. And it had probably been one of the best ideas she'd had. But why...oh~ She smirked. "Thinking it's time for part two?"


Manda
"Mmm... I was thinking perhaps it was," 'Tani replied, with a grin. After all, their first cubs were all grown now... and he liked the thought of children of his being a part of the vampires' allies as well.


Das Tor
Ri chuckled. "Well then..." She purred and started for dry land. "What are we waiting for, hm~?" This would be perfect. And this time...this time she wouldn't have to hide her pregnancy. This time, she could show the pride her little ones, and raise them into perfect little demons...


Manda
'Tani nodded quickly at that, and scrambled after her. He had missed Ri ...in more ways than one, to tell true. A part of him wished that they didn't live in separate prides, but ... ah well. This was good enough for him, really.