Cacao was mortified at being persued. While Ep[yon had gone to let them rest, and scout, Cacao and Rhine had settled for the time being. After a bit Rhine had gone to hunt, promising a good meal for all, and Cacao was alone. At least, she hoped so. However red eyes watched the lioness a long time, eyes unseen bar the flittering of leaves in a subtle breeze caused by moving leaves. The lack of crickets, birds... All left her leery.
Her only guess was that she was being watched and closely. It prevented her rest and left her on edge. And then the lioness struck
Black, red, and gold lashed at her for no reason and the duchess reared away, squealing in alarm as the female whom struck grinned a dark, blood thirsty grin, and began persuit.
Cacao knew she had to be a demon as her aunt Meleth spoke of. The night appearance, the rage, the sudden attack... All born of demonic blood. Blood her mother and aunt bore. Blood she bore.
Blood that gave them better food, a better home. But Cacao was not like her demonic relatives or ancestors. She had always been kind, gentle, sweet-- sheltered, really. A demon in persuit simply raised question of her suitability to be her aunt and mother's daughter. And the smile, the look of madness on the other female's face...
Hera had been watching the Na'artue since they came to the area, stalking the band silently. She was really a very pretty lioness, but far too light in the face to be a demon. Even the Magenta monstrosity was suited enough, with her eerie markings. But not this one, and Hera had decided to take it, and began her chase, planning to herd the new found slave to her mother as a gift-- perhaps even to forget the blue toy the lioness' fancy was on. And mother would like a lovely slave to breed, naturally. And whoi knew what proper breeding could accomplish. Heta giggled, a thought of a devoted slave boy at every beck and call, draped around her elicting a giggle as she gave persuit, grin growing. Yes... This was good.
RThine had been returning with a well-earned antelope when she heard Cacao squeal, and dropped her kill, tearing off to investigate, the young lioness leaping onto ledges as she gave persuit, looking.rather annoyed. She ignored the bushes she moved through, mind focused on heloing the hapless duchess, and she bared teeth seeing a female lioness close to her age persuing Cacao, black, gold, and red. Rhine snarled, and increased momentim, using ledging to keep from sight before leaping down in front of the new face, fur fully on end, fangs bared, the youth roaring st the new lioness threateningly.
Cacao stopped, turnoing and hudling behind a stone a bit at TRhine's arrival. As a girl, she'd been taught of the cry Deathscythe made when one was endangered in the colonies, a call that instilled fear and warned others back. To her knowledghe, this life Deathscythe never uttered the lethal caqll, working with stealth and grace. SAhe never expected it to come of Rhine.
It was both terrifying and beautiful.
Hera had to force herself to stop when the new female appeared, blinking at the otherearthly warning snarl.
It was eerie... Beautiful.
The owner of the voice that stopped her was a lioness of avarage size, leaves-- first thought the wings of a god! Falling around her as she scowled, eyes locked on Hera.
Hera couldn't shake her own. A rich dark pelt... All proper demon colours.... Eyes... She was enthralled. There was no way this was a simple mortal lion, unless it were another demon, and Hera, for her first time, asserted a calmer position.
"I would like your Na'artu." Hera said calmly. Silence, and Hera realized she was an outsider to the Aikanaro.
"Your slave. I want it."
"Cacao is not a slave." Thine sdnapped. Hera blinked, studying the brown lioness.
"She looks like she is... She isn't better than a great demon such as yourself." Hera remained paitent. Rhine stared. Demon?
"I am no demon. My title is another. A demon is below me." Rhine looked to Cacao protectifely. Able to speak, Cacao moved forwards, frowning.
"My family is one of demons."
s**t. Hera's ear went flat.
"Are they? They must be ashamed of one so light."
"I am my mother and aunt's princess." Cacao frowned. "A grandchild of a great demon ruler."
"What's their name?"
"Iartuupe."
And that made Hera twitch.
"No. No cousin of mine is THAT pal,e! No no no no!"
"I am hardly pale! I just have a light paw and face!" Cacao protested. Rhine raised an eyebrow in amusement, watching.
"SHE would be a proper demon! Demons aren't... Aren't..."
"I'm not a demon. I'm an Angel."
"What's that?" Hera looked to Rhine. Cacao noted ahe was more amiable to the other lioness-- and wondered if it was within Deathscythe's power to win the heart and mind. She had to remind herself Rhine was not Deathscythe, and mused. Soi what was she?
"My mother is but one Goddess of Death. My Uncle, one of Death's go0ds." Rhine stretched, looking over.
"I am an Angel, a messenger, a bringer oif death for the needs of the divine."
Silence, and Hera scowled.
"Death? You are no less THAN a gtoddess."
Rhine and Cacao raised eyebrows at this, exchanging looks. Rhine then looked to her, but Hera continued.
"DDo foprgive my Transgression. How about this. I'll serve as your messenger, goddess? Surely Death has use for my skill?"
Hera rubbed Rhoine calmly, the female blinking. Cacao sweatdropped. Okay then!
Hera kept rubbing a bit, forepaws reaching Rhine's shoulders as she smirked softly to her. Rhine was, in a word, perturbed.
"Okay, opkay, geeze! But no slaves or anything retarded like that!" Rhine stumbled back, Hera perking.
"And no tormenting Cacao or Epyon either."
Rhine shuddered. Way too personal and... GAH. What was she after, her pants?
Hera nodded.
"Fine. But I will be certain you will also be given a gift of your value, Goddess." A dark, sweet smile.
"Any gift to show your glowry."
Rhine sighed.
"Look, Cacao and I really need to go before Epyon comes back." And she turned, walking the Duchess for the antelope kill. Hera smirked, trailing after. She would be3 a good demon.
Death deserved it. Even if unknown to her it was merely a mortal.
-FIN-
