[PRP] Rumored Warning (Madakata, Farasi)

[Talencia]

She had had some very troubling news reach her ears this morning. It had come in the form of a friendly raven. Granted, she hadn't seen the bird before, but it seemed like it might be inclined to stick around now. Kata found that to be a very promising, and honestly had enjoyed her conversation with the avian. However, the news it bore, while not earth-shaking, was certainly unwelcome.

In fact, this news had her now searching for one of her Bouncers. It was occurring to her that perhaps she needed to discuss the idea with her fellow rulers about appointing a single Bouncer to be in charge of the rest, one for each clan. It would have been simpler if she could have gone to one specific individual, and trusted them to inform the rest. For now, she would simply give one of them a very specific task for the duration of their festivals.  

[mouselet]

Farasi was reclining on a rocky outcropping - just part of the mountain really, and quite secure - soaking up the warm summer sun. It was one of his favorite seasons, summer. Also spring. And winter. They were all his favorite seasons because he was of the Vuli clan and thus required to work in autumn.

Not that the leopard was lazy. He did his share, pulled his weight. He'd just rather not have to. That's why he was a Bouncer - it was the most straightforward duty the pride had. Not to mention that the brown leopard was big for his race.

Still, he had to wonder why the Queen was heading right for him. Somehow he doubted she wanted to share the warm rock.  

[Talencia]

Aha, there was one of them now. She noted his relaxed and reclining state, but did not mind it. Each clan member chose different ways to handle seasons that were not their own. However, it soon would be Vuli season, and each of them would get to work. Fair enough for the leopard to be spending his time lazily for now. She knew he was a willing worker when the time came, though she had also noticed he tended to only do what he must. He was not one of those who lent a paw wherever needed. He did his job, did it well, and that was all. Eh, hopefully that meant he would be willing to take on this task for her.

She mounted the rock slowly, nodding her head to him. "Afternoon, Bouncer Farasi." Though Madakata did let her guard down with little ones, she tended to remain more formal, at least initially, with others. Not so much so as to require scraping bows and mighty titles, but enough to command respect. "Enjoying Kaskazi season and their celebrations, I hope?" She did unbend enough to lower herself to the sunwarmed rock near him. Ooooh, this was indeed a nice sunbathing spot! She made a mental note to check it once in a while when she needed to unwind.  

[mouselet]

It was...uncommon for the Queen to simply stroll up to someone and sit next to them on their rock. Farasi did not look any more alert, but warnings were going off inside his head. She had something she wanted, and he was somehow involved. What or how or why he had no idea, but the leopard was wary.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," he replied politely. "It is a good summer for celebrations." Of course he went. Just...not all the time, like some people. It was enough to be there a part of each day, preferably not at a time when he could be sunning himself as now.

He didn't ask why she was here. One didn't do that to Queens. Actually, Farasi generally didn't ask questions anyway.  

[Talencia]

She cast a sideways look at him, then broke into a wry smile. "I suppose I am grateful you are not one of those who seeks to curry my favor by attempting to become my right-hand-man," she admitted bluntly. "Alright then, on to business." She shifted, half-sprawling so that she was facing him, one forepaw neatly over the other. "I have a task that needs doing during our celebrations. I will be informing the Kaskazi King as well, in case he needs to also put something in motion, but my main concern is for our own celebrations." She gave him a steady look, to gauge his reaction to what little information she'd given him thus far.  

[mouselet]

Farasi blinked once, slowly. That had been a fairly abrupt change of subjects. And all without actually telling him what was going on. This made the leopard nervous. Another creature might be suspicious, but he knew the Queen would never do anything to hurt her pride. He just was disinclined to work.

Given that this "request" was pretty much phrased as an order, he didn't have a great deal of choice on whether or not he wanted to do whatever task there was or not. Oh well. Sometimes you got to sit in the sun for three quarters of the year, and sometimes you had off-seasonal duties.

The brown leopard watched his Queen calmly, waiting for her to elaborate.  

[Talencia]

Well, at least he hadn't protested. Not that he ever tended to, of course, but a queen tended to prefer willing service. Still, she knew that look in his eye. Having essentially grown up around each other, she was able to interpret what he did not say. Too bad, because he was the first she'd seen, and he was the one being given the task. She firmed her jaw and lifted her chin minutely, assuming her more imperious persona. Farasi was not one who got buddy-buddy with her, most especially when it came to extra work.

"I have been informed," she began, "that we have trouble heading our way." She cast her mind back on what she'd been told. She wasn't about to go into the detail the bird had, but she needed to weed out what did need passing-on. Without enough information, she could hardly expect Farasi to be on guard for this miscreant.

"It is a hyena who makes his way in the world by lying. If he can cheat his way into being fed, currying intimate favors, or obtaining things he desires, he will." She gritted her teeth, imagining the havoc this one hyena could cause if he arrived during one of the Vuli festivals. "He isn't to be trusted, and I do not want him in our territory during our season. At all." Her eyes refocused on the leopard, pupils narrowing intently.  

[mouselet]

The leopard blinked again and considered what he'd been told. A hyena, male by description, who chose to live his life falsely. The bit he'd been told didn't make this unknown other seem so bad, but Farasi wasn't foolish enough to argue with Kata when she was in that kind of a mood. Still, it seemed he was to be stuck with the job of trying to keep this hyena out next season.

However...

"And his looks are..." The leopard finally voiced something like unto a question. After all, he couldn't just ban every male hyena he saw. That would go against the Sikukuu way.  

[Talencia]

Good, he was taking it on, however unenthusiastically. She cast her mind back to the raven's description. "His fur is very dark, probably black or deep, deep brown. He has faded orange tracings as markings, specifically an outlined swirl on his hip." She paused to think further, as the description had been spotty, scattered through their conversation. She would have called the bird back to give the recitation, but she hadn't seen her since. Perhaps she was off sleeping from her journey? Who knew the ways of birds. They were so odd sometimes!

"He also has a sort of tear-track mark from his eye down his cheek, traced in muted orange. Oh, and his mane and tail are muted orange as well." She stopped and gave him a questioning look. Was this enough for him to identify the male? "I am told he never tells the truth, so it would be pointless to ask him anything," she warned him as well. "He is apparently an accomplished actor, convincing folk he is other than he seems. He steals, lies, and causes trouble everywhere he goes." Her gaze became very stern. "It is your job to keep him out. Entirely. If you have to stay on his tail the whole season as he lurks about, then do so. If he leaves the area, let him, but stay wary."

She leaned forward intently. "Just do. Not. Let. Him. In." Each word was punctuated by a pause, and the unspoken threat that if he did not manage this, he'd find himself stuck with a much worse duty than guarding against one hyena. She had been known to assign disgraced Vuli with clean-up chores, even so far as to have them hauling feces out into the savannah, far from the pride's borders. She meant business.  

[mouselet]

The leopard loosed a long sigh as he considered what he'd been told. The description was nearly perfect, meaning he should recognize this hyena at once if he saw him. Of course then he'd have to work and keep the lying fool out. Hmph. When would people learn that it just wasn't worth the effort it took to lie?

Finally Farasi got to his feet. The Bouncer bowed to the lioness. "As you command, my Queen," he assured her.

That being said, he was out of here. Off to find a better place to relax where he wouldn't get recruited for any strange duties.