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 Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:05 pm
Chomo was resting, spending time in the cave they had made as somewhat of a den. Though spent on energy, Nuri knew the pridelands were close and moved away in the night, looking back onto the sleeping Firekin for a moment before turning to run. So much energy filled her being, and all she could do was sprint away, away from the grasses and the dirt and towards the sands of her home.
It was good to see the hills become dunes in a short hour, and she was glad there was plenty of time to return later. Stilling soon after her paws felt the cool sands underneath, she just let her breaths come out in deep pants, eyes lidden and energy depleation forcing her pose to relax. Running had never felt so good until she found a direction to go, and this was where she was needed, back home.
Never in her wildest dreams had she thought to leave the sands, to visit the lands created by Finar-si and yet unseen by any Firekin in her time. Unknowing at least, she just let it slide as her smirk grew into a satisfied smile, and she pulled her paw slowly through the soft ground.
"...Home..." Her voice whispered out in a purr, lidded eyes darkening as she tasted the feeling on her tongue. Oh yes, it was good to be back home, even if they thought not to accept her.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:19 pm
 Kinja had gone.
Kwana had spent the better part of the past few days in pursuit on the orders of her brother, but the search was half-hearted. She had no desire to find their mother, even less to bring her home.
Kinja had been the one factor preventing Kwana from violently taking the throne. And though Kwana was not particularly fond of her mother, she would not act out against her. A plan had been in the works to see Kinja away, and now the older lioness had just made things easier for her. She was one step closer to Kimeti's downfall and her ascention to the throne.
She drew out her search, procrastinating, purposely taking her time to wander near the desert's perimeter. And while she walked she planned, she plotted, occasionally speaking softly to herself as she worked out a means of winning over the newcomers once more and overthrowing her dear younger brother.
So distracted was she, in fact, that she completely failed to notice the strange Firekin.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:26 pm
Nuri continued her walk soon after 'playing' in the sands, her movements slow and drawn out as the same smirk played across her features. The shift under her paws was relaxing, calming and giving her an excuse to sink her claws in and push off each step. Like every Firekin should, the sands felt like they were connected with each step, fueling her movements and catching her every time she would move. A safety line, a never faltering companion, Nuri knew that once she and Chomo returned, she would never leave again, no matter what the outcome was with the Royals.
Speaking of which, it was than her eyes turned and caught sight of another lioness, no doubt a Firekin from the bright coat. Her mind reeled back to the comments of Teleka about the 'queen' the one who would never alow any rogues and yet had alowed him. Turning and stilling, she raised her head high and awaited for this queen, the one who let in rogues and yet would be against herself and Chomo. Strange, how things seemed to be turning, for everything seemed to be a bit backwards in the lands after so many moons.
Realizing suddenly that Kwana had not even noticed her, Nuri lowered her head and raised her shoulders, coat ruffling ever so slightly in case of any sudden attacks. Lions never failed to notice others, and in a spacious place like this, it was rare and noticeable when two lions crossed paths when not in the same pride. It just never happened. Glancing to the right and than the left, Nuri saw no where to hide and watch, so she stood, keeping her ground and placing that emotionless mask across her face, hiding all shine from her deep, dark eyes.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:38 pm
As luck would have it, it was only a matter of time before a passing gust wafted the stranger's scent towards the young royal. Even distracted as she was, the note of familiarity instantly caught Kwana's attention and, ears perking, she glanced towards the source. A brief silence followed in which she paused in step, casual saunter fading to give way to an imposing stance, every inch of the lioness clearly conveying her bloodright over the other.
In silence she resumed her pawsteps, an emotionless stare marking her maw. There was no threat in her eyes, but a clear warning was evident: Know your place, do not make me have to remind you. Otherwise, there was no way to read the young lioness' thoughts. Clearly she was not one to be trifled with, but there was, perhaps, some grace within her.
Only steps away, the lioness paused once more, sinking back on her haunches and casually curling her tail around before her. She held her stare for a moment then, raising a brow, graced the stranger ith a faint smile. "A Firekin returning to her lands, I shouldn't wonder. Your name?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:44 pm
Nuri felt her shoulders tense as the two caught eyes, and suddenly disgust filled her being. The lioness who seemed to greet her only gave the same look all the others did. Expected dominance. It sent a slight jump in her stomach, making her almost throw up her last meal at how sick these firekins made her. They all expected to be bowed to and be trusted when they gave nothing to go upon. Had Kwana wanted Nuri to submit, she damn well would have to prove her worth, or else Nuri would leave her on her own just as they had met.
When Kwana finally stalled a few yards away, Nuri raised her head only slightly, eyes still trained on the seemingly calm princess before one ear twitched, the only sign in the unwavering form that she was listening. There was no return of smile, or lowering of head, heck Nuri lifted it slightly as if in a silent challenge, and slowly her eyes darkened even more, becoming a sharp blood red that spoke only of resistance.
She let out a short laugh, the cold sound catching with the wind, and turned her head away finally as a sign of disrespect.
"You do realize it is customary that if you wish to learn ones name, you must give yours first." Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she just flashed a fang, a kindling. Her voice was a mere whisper, the soft tones giving nothing away, and yet keeping loud enough so that Kwana would be able to catch every word.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:05 pm
If anything, Nuri's cold defiance only served to amuse the young royal. Here was the Firekin she had hoped for, here was the pride, the sheer arrogance, the strength to defy authority regardless of the consequences rather than submit. With a bit of work, this arrival could become her greatest ally. She held most of the pride, but Teleka and Mpeka... Far too easy to sway, especially with their newfound interests. But this lioness...
Of course, that didn't mean Kwana wold go easy on her. The lioness grinned, a toothy welcome that bordered on a sneer, only just keeping the brief warmth from before. "Naturally. But when one is trespassing in the lands of another, formalities cease, and the only the wanderer's good manners keep her alive when the pride gathers to their Queen's call."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:10 pm
Nuri continued to gaze at the other through the corner of her eye, mind calculating quickly as she assessed the cituation. It seemed indeed that a queen had taken the pride, something her mother did not warn her about. Strangly, the creature almost seemed to sway Nuri, and yet as she turned her head fully, eyes trailing down and up the dark pelt, she found her gaze narrowing once more. She may say she is queen, but Nuri would not show her that respect until she proved it, and word was not enough.
"Ah, I knew you would have a point for coming over here besides the casual chat..." She said slowly after Kwana had finished, ears flicking as she turned to look back onto her homelands, "...I did not leave these lands until recently, so I am no immigrant, if that is what you seem to assume..." Her eyes shot back onto Kwana's form, "You speak of trespassing in a land full of welcomed rogues."
Getting that out and on the battle feild, she waited to see just what this 'queen' had to say about the fact that rogues indeed were welcomed back into a pride without any sort of challenge, and were treated well...like royality. Tail flicking and muscles still tense, Nuri never backed down, for if she had, that would be a failure that she would not alow.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:25 pm
Kwana's expression remained calm, her grin never fading as this other lioness spoke. Again Nuri had not swayed, and again Kwana's respect for her rose. Her bluff, however, did not falter.
"Note, my dear," she replied evenly, "how I addressed you as Firekin from the first." A pause and, rising to her feet once more, she began pacing slowly around the newcomer. "The plague scattered our kind far and wide, and only now are they beginning to return. They have lived away from these lands, but they are still Firekin, and they will be welcomed back accordingly. As would you, had you simply returned my greeting."
Her voice wavered faintly, the first hint of malice rising in her tone. However, she quickly disguised it, pausing in step once more and lazily flicking an ear towards the other lioness. "I care not from where you came, I care only of your blood. Should you take up the title Firekin, I will bear you no ill will. Should you refuse, you will be driven from these lands, or slaughtered where you stand."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:31 pm
All the while as Kwana paced around her form, Nuri turned not to follow her, keeping her ears perked and listening for any signs of ill intentions. It was hard, to hold herself like that with such an action going on around her, but as the other spoke, she found a dark frown crossing her maw, memories cloaking her senses as her tail stilled all movements.
Only but a second had the past plagued her, Nuri caught herself and turned to step in front of Kwana, giving the other no room to continue her circling.
"It seems as if your subjects suggest otherwise...Your highness." She smirked at that statement, getting all she needed from the words Kwana spoke, "Had you truly been the Firekin queen, all would follow your ways with the respect they sought from you, seeing your views as their own." She moved her steps away a good distance, before turning and continuing, satisfaction filtering in her eyes.
"Had you been the queen, your subject would not have treated me such as the filth that filters the lands outside, when he himself was a rogue as well. Unless..." She got on a look of pure epithiny, moving back to settle and letting out a soft chuckle, "...you are planning on becoming the queen...and the only way to do so is through blood...either by birthright..." She awaited a moment.
"Or by spilling the blood of the current."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:49 pm
Any reply died away. Kwana was absolutely stunned, but kept her expression carefully disguised. She knew. This...this rogue had worked out her plans, flat out accused her of them--dared to defy the Queen of the Firekin in such a way!
But she was right, and there was no queen. Chuckling darkly, Kwana smiled, a glittering, malicious light rising in her eyes. And, remaining perfectly calm, she nodded. "Well done. I am Kwana, Firekin Queen by birthright, though, by my mother's orders, my brother holds the throne. I intend to retake it. And now, I ask for your assistance in doing so."
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:57 pm
Keeping her eyes sharp, Nuri was surprised to hear no denial, and just let her ears stay perked, tail moving once more as the air fluttered through her pelt. The cool climate was not so much effective on her as it would be on normal lions, for she too had to get used to living in the extremes from day one. Catching her attention at a dark chuckle, she felt a shiver wish to run up her spine, but hid it well as the words that rolled out of Kwana's mouth made her think on something else.
"By birthright you say..." Nuri echoed with the same tone as the princess', "...things do seem to have changed...You may call me Nuri..." she spoke softly, giving out her name but making no other move, "...Daughter of Adish and Fyeta."
Turning her head away as if there was nothing else, she just gave her name, her I.D. Suddenly, she was reminded of Chomo's words, and a frown marred her face. Despite the blood, she still was sought a background with her name, proof for The Blood.
And yet, as Kwana spoke of retaking the thrown, everything seemed more ideal of Nuri, and she thought of something else instead. Once she would return to Chomo, they would have to come back and impress this King into letting them stay. Yet again, however, it seemed as if she had caught the eye of Kwana, the future queen at least the way she put it. Kwana was so sure of herself in thoes words, that Nuri couldn't help but realize one thing.
It was either Kwana, or the King who was sought to be overthrown.
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