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 Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:17 pm
It was hard to describe her feelings as she moved across the expanse of gold. She felt strong, but at the same time she felt afraid. Strong because she'd made a decision on what to do. Strong because she felt like she'd finally taken control of her life. But also afraid for the consequences of the new-found strength. Yet, as she strode towards Altair's abode - the one he shared with his family - she was glad for the lion and jackal that walked at her side.
She wasn't sure she would have been able to do any of this without their support.
She glanced at them again and put on a brave face. They were only a few steps away now from discussing the next step that they needed to take: if any at all. She had not considered - until that moment - that Altair might want to do nothing at all. And she wouldn't blame him if he did just that. He had a family and a mate and it would be a difficult thing to put them at risk. Though perhaps they already were.
As she drew closer, she spotted the den and, surprisingly, a small shape sitting in front of it. She'd been terrified at the time, but she recognised the small dark female sitting there in the sun. What she couldn't remember was her name, but then again, there had been no time for introductions during her panic attack. Perhaps she could make up for that now.
Alienor looked up at the sound of paws and drew her ears forward curiously. She'd been busy rolling a small stone around in the sand, tracking patterns in the gold. It had been rather a dull morning, in fact. So dull that she couldn't even bring herself to find the motivation to do anything at all. Even still, now she was thinking that it was a good idea that she hadn't gone anywhere. After all, here was the focus of her curiosity coming for a visit! It had been impossible to forget, after all, the events of a week ago.
Her father had secrets.
This approaching female might be able to answer some of them.
She did not rise at their approach, but she did smile a little and call a greeting. "Hello! Are you here to see my father?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:29 pm
Runako watched the lioness in front of him. Against the golden sand he could almost see two images before him -one of the timid lioness he had first met, the other of the bold lioness leading the way. In what felt like a short time to the lion so much had changed. He just hoped that it kept changing for the better. Worry knotted in his gut, but he was determined to see this to the end. Everything would work itself out, it just had to.
Seeing her glance back at them, Runako gave her an encouraging smile. She could do this. He had faith in her and would be standing firmly beside of her throughout all of this. As Altair's den came into sight, Runako's attention was drawn to the familiar features of a young female. It was Altair's daughter that had run across him that day. "Hello there." He called out and after looking to Anya nodded at the young lioness. "Is your father here?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:47 pm
"No." The juvenile replied, tilting her head curiously. "He's still on patrol but he should be back soon." She paused again and glanced at the pink and white female, the scars on her face setting her imagination into overdrive.
"Is this about what happened last week?" She asked again. "When you were scared and then I brought you back to help?" She looked between the two lions, seemingly not interested in the small canine accompanying them.
"If it is, I have some questions."
Anya nodded. "Oh, okay...um..." And then more questions came and Anya felt panic begin to grip her again. How much should she say? Should she just say nothing? Would Altair be mad if his daughter found out about his brother? Maybe this was a bad idea after all.
Without thinking, she began to back away slowly.
"Be quiet, cub." Yuma snapped suddenly, his old manner suddenly surfacing. He'd never had much patience for children, especially nosy ones who wouldn't mind their own business.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:06 pm
"Alright." Runako frowned and looked around. If Altair was going to be back soon then he guessed that they should just wait. If that was okay with Anya and Yuma of course. He was about to ask that right before the cub started to fire questions off at them. Though Yuma snapped first Runako held back and smiled at the jackel. She was a cub, curiosity was normal for them. He didn't blame her.
Nudging Anya, Runako whispered softly in her ear. "It'll be fine." Looking back to the juvenile the lion shook his head. "I'm afraid that questions like that should be asked to your father not us. I'm sure that he'll explain things to you, alright?" His gaze was kind as he smiled at her, "Did we ever get formally introduced? I'm Runako. This is Anya and Yuma." He tilted his head, "What's your name little one?" Vaguely he could recall her father calling to her to leave but the name evaded him at the moment.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:24 pm
The juvenile frowned, clearly displeased at the answers she was getting: certainly not the ones she wanted! Because of this, it took her a moment to respond to Runako's introductions.
"Fiiiine." She waved a paw dismissively after a moment and then gave her own name. "I'm Alienor. Uh, but Alie is fine." She pulled herself up into a sitting position and gave a deep sigh. "You know, my father never tells me anything! If I ask him he'll just tell me it doesn't matter and change the subject. I've already tried asking him--"
The sound of an approaching lion interrupted her and a moment later, Altair was within hearing distance. The lion cast a somewhat worried glance amongst the group and then moved around them to sit by his daughter.
"Afternoon." He greeted them, casting a wary look towards Anya. "I was hoping that you'd stop by sooner or later." He did not seem to be surprised by their appearance of the fact that they had come together. His eyes turned back to his daughter briefly and he gave her a brief hug with a paw before saying the one thing to her that she certainly had not been wanting to hear. "Will you give us some privacy, Alie?"
Her little face fell but dismay quickly turned to anger. "Why can't I stay?! You never tell me anything, Dad!"
Altair sighed. "I'll tell you later, I promise. Now, why don't you go find your mother? She'll be on patrol now and more than happy to show you the ropes."
"No." She was defiant.
"Alie, I mean it. I'm not going to argue with you." He gave her a small shove and this time she shot away without another word, though some might have noticed the tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry...they don't know. None of them know." He seemed to deflate a little. "Now, how can I help?"
"I'm...I'm sorry. I was so afraid at the time. I thought you were...were him and I wasn't really paying any attention. The lion...who attacked me...he was your brother, right? He looked so like you, but with stripes of colour in his mane and...and...he had your eyes." She leaned into Runako and shook her head.
Perhaps this was a mistake. Maybe they ought to go back.
"I just...I wanted to know...if I could help."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:36 pm
"Alie, a pleasure." Runako just sighed at her protests, but stayed firm. If her father didn't want her to know then it wasn't for him to tell her. Watching Altair approach Runako gave a nod of greeting, "Well here we are." He frowned faintly as the juvenile left to find her mother. It hurt he could tell, but her father was probably just trying to protect her.
Focusing he looked back at Altair and listened to Anya speak. As she leaned into him the lion nuzzled her comfortingly. It would be okay. He silently commented before looking back over at Altair. "Is there anything we can do? Or is there nothing to be done?" He asked softly, his gaze troubled.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:50 pm
Altair sighed. "I've been spending a lot of time thinking about what I should do. I have spent my whole life running from what I once was. Denying my heritage and my actions of so long ago. I told no one about it. Not even my cherished mate. I will tell her. Her and the children, but not until I know the danger is past. I don't want them to worry about me."
He looked at them. "I have decided that I need to go and find my brother. I can't allow him to hurt anyone else. And I, in a way, am his maker. I put this bitter hatred in his heart. No...it was always there. I fanned the fire. I drove him to this. I must try and reason with him or..."
Kill him.
The words were not spoken aloud, but the meaning of that pause was clear.
"But to do that, I need to know where to start looking. Anya, I know this must be hard, but if you can point me in the right direction..."
Anya nodded, though tears had gathered unwillingly in her eyes as Altair had spoken. "I...I will try to help but...when I was brought here. I was not in a good way. I know the way I came into the pride but...nothing much past that. The avian who guided me here..."
"The parrot told me she'd found you in a gorge, Anya." The jackal spoke up. "I was once a wandered of the rogue lands. I may have passed by something like it on my way here."
He cast a look amongst the felines. "Perhaps I should go with Altair?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:59 pm
Runako listened to Altair and his gaze softened. So he was worried about his family. And sometimes secrets were for the best. He understood that. Protecting the ones you loved always came first. The lion looked over at Anya and for some reason felt a flicker of understanding about how Altair felt about his mate.
The unsaid was clear to Runako and he looked up at Altair. "Will you need help once you find him? In case you can't...reason with him?" He asked quietly, his expression somber. He knew it was Altair's brother and that such a thing was normally kept to family but the lion worried. He didn't want to sit back and do nothing while a fellow guardian may be struggling.
Ears twitching he looked at Yuma with surprise, "Yuma?" Blinking the lion looked to Anya, "If he does know where you were found that would be a clue." The lion sighed. He didn't want Yuma to risk himself, but if the jackel did know...helplessly he looked at Altair before looking back to the jackel, "That decision is between you two, I suppose."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:08 pm
Altair seemed surprised at the offers of help he was receiving from this small group. All so very different and yet all so desperate to help in some way. He was touched by their kindness and reminded why he had decided to give up rogue life to be able to live amongst others. Prides supported. Prides cared.
"Thank you, Runako, but I think it for the best that I face him alone. If there are others with me he may feel threatened and attack anyway. Besides, this is my burden to bear and I would not want to put others at risk. However, saying that, it would be good to be shown the way to this gorge. I very much doubt that Hala would still be there after all of this time, so the danger to you, Yuma, would be minimal. Even still, I may be able to track him from there."
He nodded.
"When do you think you will be ready to go?" He asked of the jackal.
"I have no pressing issues here, and if you want this done before your family start asking too many questions, I suggest we make a move as quickly as possible." The jackal replied after a moment's thought. "We could leave at first light tomorrow if that sounds reasonable?"
The sooner they could get this done, the better.
In fact, Yuma seemed rather glad to be able to help in some way. Perhaps he had missed the adventure that travelling the rogue lands could bring. Or maybe he was determined to prove his worth in the eyes of these lions.
Anya leaned even closer to Runako. "So...so does that mean you'll stay here with me?" She asked of him, trembling very slightly to think of Yuma going out into the rogue lands with Altair. She didn't want them to get hurt because of her foolishness so long ago.
"I...I don't want to be left here alone."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 5:17 pm
"I understand." Runako replied though his smile was sad. He knew that this was the way it had to be done. If this was his brother he would say the same. Family problems had to be dealt with by family. Shaking his head the lion looked at Altair, "Just come back quickly, alright? Before your family hunts anyone down for answers." He forced a grin and then looked at Yuma, "You as well, Yuma."
He wanted to follow, but Anya quickly changed his decision. That was right, he had someone important to protect here. "Yes." He whispered his paw drapping over her back protectively as he kept her close, "I'll stay here with you and not leave your side for even a minute if you wish."
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 7:28 am
"I will. I cannot search for him forever and if I do not find him in the immediate area, it would be safe to assume that he has headed on his way. I doubt he would track back across old ground, not for a good while anyway, and he's certainly not getting any younger." He blinked and nodded. "At first light it is, then."
He gave them a weary but genuine smile. "Thank you so much for...for understanding and for offering your help. I only wish I had done something sooner."
Then, with a soft snort, he gathered his paws beneath him and looked out in the direction his daughter had gone. "I had better go and find that child of mine and let her know that I'll be gone for a couple of days. No doubt she'll ask questions but perhaps knowing that I'll have answers for her on my return will ease her curiosity somewhat." He dipped his head politely and moved off in the footsteps of his daughter.
Anya watched the dark-pelted lion go before turning her gaze back to Runako. "Thank you. I'd...I'd like that a lot." She shook her head softly. "Yuma, promise me you'll take care of yourself. You're brave and tough but you're not a lion. Promise me you'll run at the first sign of danger. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
The jackal scoffed. "Come now, Anya. I'm not foolish enough to think I can take on a lion. Besides, you heard Altair, it's very unlikely I will be there when they cross paths and I'll come straight back. The journey is not very long and if we make good progress, I could be back by the following morning."
He turned his muzzle to regard Runako. "I trust you." He said to the male lion. "And I know you will protect her if anything happens. It makes me happier to know that she will not be alone whilst I'm gone."
He paused a moment and then; "Thank you."
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:43 pm
"I understand." Commented the lion as he listened to Altair. Which would be better though? For the lion to still be nearby or for him to be far away? Runako frowned. As long as he stayed far away from the pride then he shouldn't worry about it. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, Altair." He added softly before smiling at the lion's comment concerning his daughter. Alie seemed rather fond of questions after all. He doubted that she would let her father off easily.
"Aye." Runako dipped his head in respect as Altair walked off. The lilac lion really wished the best of luck to the other guardian and offered a silent prayer for their protection. His gaze stayed with Altair until the lion was completely gone from sight. "Of course then." He replied to her before finally lowering his paw from her back. Still the warmth stayed with him and only Yuma's comment kept his focus. "Ah." Runako dipped his head at the jackel in the same form of respect that he had just shown to Altair, "I appreciate that, Yuma. And don't worry, I'll make sure that she's safe."
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