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 Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:31 pm
 There were any number of places around the pride that a Reaver could be posted as a guard. The best known place, at least as far as outlanders were concerned, was the strip of beach that ran between the sheer cliffs and the sea. It was not actually the easiest access point to the pride - that would be through the forest, actually - but it was the most obvious. The sands there had drunk their share of blood from lions fighting an askorun, that was certain.
And now Voldemaras stood on guard, perched on high-up rocks so that he would be afforded the best possible view of the one approach to the lands. There were usually two Reavers on guard at this place at any given time, largely so that one could deal with any challenge and the other could go back to the pride with news or to call for reinforcements, should it become necessary. Only once in Vol's life had he heard of Reavers on guard needing reinforcements to deal with outlanders. He preferred to do his guard duty alone, and his seniority meant that he got what he wanted in this.
The great dark lion turned his amber eyes away from the beach for a time to gaze out at the sea, which was far calmer than usual this evening. He supposed it was mostly to do with the waning moon. At least that's what some folks figured. The Priestesses said it had to do with the gods, and he had no trouble believing that, too. There were advantages to not being particularly spiritual, and among them was the ability to simultaneously hold multiple, possibly contradictory beliefs.
Even on nights like this, when the sea was calm, a lion had to listen carefully in order to hear the approach of another lion over the lap of the waves on the sand and the deeper thrumming of the water's depths. Vol wasn't going to put himself to that much trouble. It was the wrong time of night for challengers or attackers.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:35 pm
While there was a certain feeling of familiarity, almost like her woodland home, within the forest that skirted a portion of the pride's lands, there were places that warranted further exploration. Chief among these was the beach and the cliffs that overlooked the vast sprawling sea. The sea itself was something of an interest for the lioness, having never really witnessed anything larger than a sizable lake. The air that breathed off the ocean and carried smells of salt and seaweed was so far removed from the usual earthy scents that she was normally accustomed. Already from her roundabout approach could she tell that it was a quiet night down on the shore, for the sounds of the waves pounding against the sand had died down to mere whispers, echoing the drawing rhythmic beats of the sea from somewhere farther off, or perhaps deeper down. Not that she was worried about it being unable to help cover her approach. Even when utterly relaxed, her footfalls were as close to silent as a living thing could get. After all, she's had her entire life to practice stealth and the woodland prey-things occasionally picked up a trick or two of their own so one had to learn how to be patient and stealthy in order to make a meal out them. By now, moving in silence was practically second nature.
Iseq had noted that there were big, burly lions stationed here and there around the pride and decided that she would do well to memorize where the sentries were regularly posted. It would be most bothersome to slip off for a romp or rest in the woods only to be stopped by someone who didn't quite get her need to be surrounded by the unclaimed wilds. As she drew closer, it became apparent that she wouldn't be on her own gazing out at the sea and taking in the sights of the beach. Hm. It was a large someone, dark, and most decidedly male. Most likely a Reaver set out to watch over the paths of coming and going into the pride.
Hm. She wouldn't approach him too closely. It was unknown to her how he might react of some unfamiliar female was suddenly within his vicinity. No. She would start out beyond swiping range and, if he seemed amiable or interesting enough, then she'd draw closer. Iseq let her feet find their own footing as she climbed up a slanted rock, glancing from the male, to the waning moon, to the sea, and back again before she spoke. "Such a quiet night for sitting out here alone, Viking," She drew out in a voice that hinted at something akin to a faint purr or a soft growl. Nothing threatening. She didn't fear the Reaver, but she didn't want to put on airs about seeming all big and bad either. If she needed to take care of business, it was done efficiently without unnecessary showing off and making herself seem tough. If anything, she preferred to be underestimated. That made surprising folks far more fun.
Shifting her gray eyes up to the slimming moon, she sighed and gave a long, languid stretch before seating herself neatly upon her perch. She remained facing out to the sea but shifted her eyes back in his direction. "Would you terribly mind if I stay for a time? I want to watch the sea, but if your solitude is so cherished, I can leave you to your guarding."
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:56 pm
It wasn't until the lioness spoke that Vol was even aware of her approach. When she did speak, coming up on him unexpectedly as she had, he was on his feet in an instant, claws and teeth bared as he hissed a startled, "Stormlords' balls."
He squinted at the lioness in the dark, using the sliver of moonlight to make out actual coat patterns. The foxy pelt was vaguely familiar to him, but he was fairly certain that the colors were different. Well, everything was more or less grey at twilight and in the dark. Still, he wasn't going to address her by the name of the mother of the Warlord's bastards. Just in case.
"Woman," he growled. "You should never sneak up on a Reaver who's on guard."
Of course, he wasn't even one hundred percent certain she was of the pride. She smelled more like the forest than the sea. But so did Aesir's bastards, mostly. And they moved with that same freaky quietness. His young friend Ru was trying to learn it from one of them. Wyrd or Odd or something. The Warlord had too damn many cubs.
She didn't seem much disturbed by his display of ferocity, however. At least if her languid stretch was any indication. He sighed gruffly and settled back onto his haunches.
"Stay if you like," he grumbled.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:22 pm
His show of tooth and claw at being crept up on wasn't completely unexpected, but it still caused her to turn her head slightly more towards him in the event he decide to act on some hair trigger response to defensive action. Physically she didn't appear to tense, but her mind was ready with a few possible actions to take if it had come to be so and trying to size him up in the event she had to defend herself. He was obviously larger than her and stronger, but seeing as she had never seen him in action his speed was an unknown variable that could have been her advantage, had she needed to use it anyway.
The little flick of her ears gave a vague hint that she may have taken more offense to simply being addressed as 'Woman' over of getting growled and fussed at. Iseq waited until he reseated himself before speaking. A hint of a grin had tugged at the corner of her maw and she returned her gaze towards the moon lit sea.
"I do like, so thank you. And I shall commit that lesson to memory to prevent any further transgression..." She said in a tone only just approaching cheeky. Sighing, the lioness briefly closed her eyes and listened to the thrum and pulse of the sea below. How very different it was from the lakes and rivers of her old home, more alive in the way it seemed to shift and move. Of course it was known to her that the moon did hold some sway over the way the water acted, but her upbringing taught her that sometimes there is more than what is commonly believed to be. Slowly reopening her eyes, she spoke in a somewhat distant manner, as if letting herself roam out over the seas, in spite of being firmly seated where she was. "Do you come out here every night, Viking?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:36 pm
Vol eyed the smaller lioness sharply. He was big and muscular, but that didn't make him stupid. It was a mistake a lot of outlanders made about Stormborn lions. Right up until the Stormborn proved it didn't matter by tearing them to shreds. Usually physically, but there were a few Freeborn who could easily tear a person a new arsehole with just their sharp tongues. He usually dealt with them using his claws, and their stupid ideas of "stronger isn't better" could be damned to the depths.
In other words, he was aware that he was being teased by the lioness, albeit subtly. He didn't really mind though. While he believed that a female's place was in the den, he didn't care for meek and timid females. That was not how a Stormborn ought to behave. They were superior, and they ought to comport themselves as such. And so if that manifested in occasional cheekiness, well, there were worse things. Cringing, for instance. When Vol saw a Freeborn cringing, he just wanted to hit them for behaving like Thralls.
"No," he said shortly. After a moment's pause he added, "I'm on guard duty. I come here when my name comes up in the rotation. Other assignments, I go elsewhere and at different times of the day."
No, there really wasn't a romantic bone in this lion's body, even though he appreciated the power and majesty of the sea.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:09 pm
"Ah ha," She breathed softly, before shaking her head and seeming to come back from letting her mind stretch out over the sea. She looked to the big male, her expression for the most part neutral save for the mischievous glint that lit subtly in her eyes and the little quirked grin that she managed to keep at a minimum. Oh, there was fun to be had, but she didn't want to push him too far, too fast. Hell, she just got here. It wouldn't do at all if she started making trouble for herself within the first few days of joining the pride. Besides that, she didn't even know his name and, if she were to genuinely piss someone off, even accidentally, she at least liked to know who they were so that she might be able to personalize her apologies to suit their tastes. If she bothered apologizing at all. Sometimes folks deserved their aggravations.
"So there's no telling where you may end up and when. Well, damn, I suppose I'll have to take my mischief making deeper into the forest then, no matter the time of day. Hm." She hummed, tipping her head coquettishly in thought. "What's your name, Viking, or is it improper for new Freeborn to ask? Or should simply I use other methods of finding this out? Perhaps I shouldn't...I don't know if there is code of conduct for guard duty. It's a mite too early to stir up unwanted trouble." She let her voice trail off in another thoughtful hum.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:13 am
Vol wasn't really looking at the lioness who had intruded on his watch at this point, but he was aware of her in the periphery. He was here to keep watch, and not to socialize, or so he would say if she complained that she wasn't getting his full attention. It was true that guards often conversed and joked and gamed amongst themselves while on watch, but it was very obvious that this female was no guard, and was truly an outlander. He didn't feel much of an urge to get to know her.
"There's a rotation," he said shortly. "It's not that unpredictable."
Really, though, it was pretty unpredictable. Lions traded shifts all the time, and frequently a Reaver would volunteer even when it wasn't his shift just because he was bored and was looking for a little action. So while there was a rotation, it was really only in place to make sure that the main entry points were guarded at all times by at least a bare minimum of Reavers. It didn't really matter who they were. He knew of Reavers who hadn't stood watch in seasons, always trading to get out of it or being conveniently unavailable when their name came up.
"But if you're interested in making mischief, by all means keep it to the forest."
He figured the Warlord's bastards and their mother would be fine with mischief. In fact, he was sure they got up to plenty of it on their own in those woods, with no one to watch them. On the other hand, they also were pretty effective at keeping people out with their tricks and games, he'd been told. Albeit, his source was second-hand at best, but Ru was generally reliable about these sorts of things.
"Voldemaras. Vol. It's usually best just to ask if you want to know something around here. If you ask something you shouldn't, people will be sure to let you know."
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:16 pm
Mm, so if she observed things long enough, she may well be able to come to expect certain lions in certain places on various days. The prospect of seeing who among the Reavers was more amiable to or, at the very least, less likely to cuff her if she happened to be in the grips of a mischievous mood. Delicious. Of course, if she were in the mood to hunt down someone in particular she had no problem with finding them. If she couldn't find them or if her desire to seek out whoever it may be waned, well, she was perfectly capable of occupying herself otherwise.
Iseq looked to the larger male, her mouth forming a neat frown, a brow quirked up in silent challenge. The severity of the look was handled well by her vulpine beauty. She sniffed, tipping her chin up a degree or two. There wasn't a man or woman alive that was going to tell her where or where not to do her carrying on. Not a one. Finally after a moment of staring down the Reaver, the light of a grin lit her eyes before slowly forming on her face. Say what he may, she was going to do what she wanted, when and wherever the urge struck her. Keeping the majority of her mischief making to the forest wasn't a problem. Her sister as well as her nieces and nephews surely had little issue with joining in and making some part of the revelry their own. However the opportunity to interact with these new and, if impressions were correct, more serious minded folks was just too delicious to pass up! "We shall see," Iseq drew out as if in a sigh. "I'll give some thought into playing nice. We shall see..."
Upon learning his name, the lioness looked to the larger, dark male more fully. "Well, Voldemaras, I'll be sure to keep this in mind. I would so hate to ruffle someone's coat who can't handle a bit of fun." Angling her head, she rose to her feet and neared the far edge of her perch, gazing down to the water below, curling her tail up as she lowered herself into a pose as if she were stalking the sea. "Tell me, Vol, what is it like?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:06 pm
Vol was unimpressed by Iseq's display of disapproval and deviance. He had seen it before on larger and more impressive lions and was not the least concerned that any mischief she might make would come back and prove problematic for him. Why should it? He spent little to no time in the forest, and that was where Aesir's b*****d brood tended to spend their time when they weren't working on specific tasks or duties within the stronghold.
"Of course it's your choice," Vol said with a certain amount of indifference.
Ultimately she would be Aesir's problem, from what he could tell, since Aesir had claimed her sister's cubs as his blood, and one of them had claimed her as his kin, so it all really came back to Aesir and his viking-born bearing the consequences. Maybe she didn't know that.
"But your kin who have stood surety for you here would probably find that any trouble you cause came to rest at their paws. Just something to consider." He was walking a very fine line between issuing her a warning and teasing her, but he was not a lion much given to subtlety in his teasing and so when he did go in for such things most people would probably assume he was serious.
"What is what like, nameless? The sea is salty and wet and powerful."
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