[ORP] Word of Warning

[Shia bean]

He had come to accept one rather important rule here-- You did not need to understand the mongrels to know their intent. It was almost always the same, never an act of kindness but a way to drive fear deeper. Not all of the Nergui provoked violence, too, although this morning it would seem inescapable.

With the hiss of every pride animal closing in on the motley crew of slaves, and with the snip of teeth at his heels and the jostle which fed through the line-up like a ripple effect at sea-- Byu stiffened. To lessen the predator-drive in his captors the male kept his eyes to the earth at his feet and endured the mental tease in which their foreign tongue initiated; no longer shuddering, only listening.

The Muvukol had chosen his first victim, a lioness who immediately was dragged from her place in line-- the hole most likely to be sealed under the impression that she might not return to fill it again. He chose not to regard the scene with anymore attention then the turn of an ear. Had fear replaced the courage she bore? Perhaps. He feared FOR her in that moment, but in many ways it was more a fear for himself. Would they only choose the disobedient ones? Byu had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't matter whether he kept his mouth shut or not.

What did she think would come of her outburst, anyway? Did she seek out punishment? Masochists...all of them. Another reason to fear them...

Pride was foolish when one did not intend on acting fully upon it.  

[Hopefolly]

Basha had been going by the moniker Hari when Byu last saw her. She remembered him well from their former pride. One of Sen's brood; the third born of five sons she'd left there to be raised by the nannies. His lack of real parental guidance was all too obvious watching him cower before his captors. No backbone at all.

She stood behind him, off to the side, between the coward in question and Lua.

Gever paced back and forth, eyes and ears turned to the line of slaves. He passed Basha, Los, Styx, and any others that chose to step up and heckle their captives.

As Pele was led away, he stopped, facing Gable instead.  

[Hopefolly]

Promoting the emkurcar to braak and shuko was another chore on Gable's long list of responsibilities. He remembered the face and name of each of them, as well as the best and worst thing about them. There weren't many grievances he could recall having with Ardant and for that the lion was one of his favored pupils (for lack of a better word).

Gable did not appease him with a response, instead telling him in the Nergui tongue, "Stand here by me." He did not speak again until Oxotl arrived with Pele, at which point she was instructed to keep her still and wait.

"The Xakaav Oma has grown impatient with these slaves." Gable spoke now to the entire crowd. Those who had not yet masted the language of the Nergui would be at a loss, for his words were heavy with accent and spoken swiftly. "To break their backs and blister their paws has done nothing to lead them down the path of the great Graos Oma, so today we gather to show them the error of their ways. To try and save them."

Gable's eyes drifted around throughout his speech, then they honed in on Los. "Bring me Byu," he ordered.

Just as he knew the soldiers and the spies, Gable knew the slaves. He knew who had the most potential be converted and who was more likely to be killed. He knew which languages they spoke; more importantly, which they didn't.

Spectators could easily determine he knew exactly what he was doing speaking to Pele in his own native tongue loud enough for all to hear, but not necessarily understand. "One of you will be harmed for both your insults to Graos Oma. You have until the hyena brings him over to decide which of you it will be or it will be both of you."

Having said that, Gable tilted his head back and stared directly at Alamea.

OOC NOTES::

>>> Assuming Byu is moved without incident, the line-up is now as follows:

Adanna -- Lua -- Adeyemi -- Nebo -- Alamea

If for whatever reason Byu does not move, the line-up is as follows:

Adanna -- Lua -- Byu -- Adeyemi -- Nebo -- Alamea

>>> Slaves are of course OOCly welcome to jump to the defense of Pele and/or Byu with their safety having now been officially threatened. Likewise, spectators are welcome to get involved however they see fit should a ruction start. Be warned that characters are likely to be injured, perhaps severely.

If need be, a dice rolling system will be put into place, but for now everyone is just encouraged to be courteous and realistic.

>>> Please only one post each until everyone has had the opportunity to do so or until my next post.

>>> If it weren't already obvious, anything in italics is the Nergui language.

>>> Gable's next post will be on June 15th unless we're still waiting on posts at that point, in which case it will be extended accordingly.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Shia bean

Mimsey

Yin-Bug

SilverLutz

Andranis

Kaelyndra

Zingling

Hopefolly

 

[SilverLutz]

Los snapped to attention as he felt the lion's gaze fall on him, his eyes focusing on Gable once he spoke.. A curt nod was all he gave in recognition before moving down the line to his target. Byu was a rather sorry excuse for a lion if Los had anything to say about it, trembling and looking at the ground all the time, but that was to be expected of a slave.

"Let's go," he snarled quietly next to the lion's ear as he came up beside him, pressing between him and Lua. He spoke in the common tongue to make his life a bit easier. The language of the Nergui was harsh and hard to follow, even if you spoke it. He was lucky to know both languages, his head somehow fitting both in seamlessly.

He refrained from using too much force to start. He had been given the okay to bleed the slaves if it came to that, but for now he wanted to see just how much this slave would bend. Another growl and a warning snap to his leg, however, let Byu know that he wasn't joking around. He needed to move, and he needed to move now.

Shia bean

 

[Shia bean]

He half expected to hear it, the case of déjà vu some might suspect. However, what was thought to be only a nightmare, easily avoided in his mind, quickly became a self-fulfilling prophecy; why not pick on the blindingly white feline who stiffened up when passed, and who avoided every hungry stare? It wasn’t like the others seemed to have the same level of fright, right?...Right?

As another of their lot found him and swiftly made use of an ear, the male damned his previous thoughts on death and by whom. He hoped the sharp hiss of pain would not be cause for reprimand, but attempted to make short work of any by eagerly settling in place beside the original, disobedient one.

Lioness or not, what the male feared now seemed to take forefront against all other uncertainties. As was the way of a coward.

…Of course, had he known the intent behind his choosing, and what words had been shared only for the female slave beside him (or really, any of the words that had been shared in their native tongue)—Byu might have walked a little slower.

Hopefolly

SilverLutz

Los is so nice. ; D Taking it easy on little baby Byu

 

[Andranis]

Hopefolly

Sorry about that, I don't know where my brain went! gonk

Alamea's face changed fast, horror spreading across it. She didn't want her mother harmed - The lioness had protected her and made sure she at least grew up, even at risk to herself. She didn't step out of line, only gave her mother a pleading look. After a moment, a mere heartbeat, she looked at the lion she found herself up against. The strange male who always seemed to have grass in his mouth... Odd habit, really. The look on his face told her he at least got the idea of what had been said. She licked her lips for a moment, then suddenly looked to Gable. "Is there anything I can do... To spare my mother further punishment? Convince her to... To join the ways of Graos Oma?"

One ear flicked as Nebo glanced at the lioness. After a moment, he looked over at the white-maned lion, pondering what he was up to. He then looked again, rather sharply, at the brightly-marked black lioness. What was she up to? Did she WANT to get beaten? He barely understood what she was saying, only something about Graos Oma. Gold eyes narrowed for a moment, before he looked back to Gable, waiting to see if punishment rained down on the lioness at his side.

Was she afraid? Of course she was. She glanced at her daughter, quietly willing her to be quiet. She was no cub any longer, and Pele could no longer protect her even a little. The scale-marked lioness spared a glance at Gable, then to Byu. She'd caught the meaning of enough words to know that something bad would happen, and happen soon. She sorely wished she could speak more of their words now, in some hopes of sparing herself a lot of pain.  

[Kaelyndra]

For all her concern, Alamea was ignored. Oxotl no more than batted an ear towards the darker lioness, teeth full of fur. It wasn't until her jaw had released and Pele was secure next to Gable that the lioness spoke.

"Decide," she encouraged in common tongue. It was likely the only source of support Pele would be getting from the Nergui. Words, and pity, were not her strong suits. If Pele wished to change Pele's predicament, it was on her shoulders.

Oxotol's golden eyes were counting Byu's steps. In her mind, she switched the count and began to go backwards. No one had yet made a decision.

Five, four, three. . .  

[Zingling]

[ I will be posting later tonight hopefully. However if things change, Ardent will have followed Gable's order to stand by his side and is awaiting further orders. Watching everyone carefully, silently. ]  

[Hopefolly]

--two, one...

Gable turned his head to Oxotol just enough to make it clear who he was speaking to. His eyes lingered only long enough to say, "Attack," then he nodded the way of poor Byu.

Any wails from him or snarls from Oxotl went entirely unnoticed by the Muvukol. After he looked away, back to Alamea, it was as if they didn't exist. Gable addressed Ardent, speaking his name so he knew: "Ardent. You decide what to do with her mother, but decide quickly."


OOC NOTES::

>>> The line-up at the time of this post is as follows:

Adanna -- Lua -- Adeyemi -- Nebo -- Alamea

>>> Ardent is now deciding the fate of Alamea and Pele.

>>> Byu is presently being attacked by Oxotol (permission given in advance by Kael and Shia). If your lion(ess) plans to get involved, please allow Kaelyndra and Shia bean to post before you. Those who simply watch may assume this is happening and post first if they like. Spectators are welcome to get involved however they see fit. Be warned that characters are likely to be injured, perhaps severely.

If need be, a dice rolling system will be put into place, but for now everyone is just encouraged to be courteous and realistic.

>>> Please only one post each until everyone has had the opportunity to do so or until my next post.

>>> If it weren't already obvious, anything in italics is the Nergui language.

>>> Gable's next post will be on June 29th unless we're still waiting on posts at that point, in which case it will be extended accordingly (and an announcement will be posted OOC at that time in regards to the new date).

>>> Sorry for the wait, guys!

show spoilerhide spoiler

Shia bean

Mimsey

Yin-Bug

SilverLutz

Andranis

Kaelyndra

Zingling

Ecavi

Hopefolly

 

[Kaelyndra]

It only took the time between changing gaze from Gable to Byu for Oxotl to lunnge, claws outstretched.

One paw was going for a sharp blow on his back, the other swinging around to the front of his shoulder. Her mouth was pulled back into a snarl, bare teeth snapping at his jawline.

Though Oxotl was usually quiet, she was vocal now, the sound of her own growls making the task of beating down on Byu easier to handle.

Shia bean

 

[Hopefolly]

OOC Note:: As we are still waiting on posts, this will be extended until July 2nd. If we're still waiting on posts, I will quote everyone again and extend the date.  

[Andranis]

Alamea stared Gable straight in the eye, opting to not flinch. "If you let me talk to her... I'm sure she'll see the error in her ways..." The dark lioness didn't much want to give in herself, but she'd also spent most of her life around these lions. She had grown up with the whispers from her mother and two remaining other pride mates about the Red Mountain. She wasn't sure sometimes just what to believe, only that she wanted to end her mother's suffering without the end being death. She glanced at the male being beaten, cringing visibly. It only drove the point home that this had to end for them, or one of them would end. "Just... Tell me what to say to her..."

Nebo, too visibly cringed, ears folded back as he began to tremble. For all his calm demeanor, he was visibly getting rattled. But it wasn't the beating that the other lion was receiving - It was something else entirely. He closed his eyes, jaw clenched, as he leaned slightly on Alamea. A shudder ran over the brown and tan lion, before he leaned over, getting physically ill. He could feel the black and fire-marked lioness' eyes on him, but Nebo's mind was somewhere else as the world momentarily went out of focus. He'd never had a vision pass over him quite like THAT before...

She visibly flinched, not even looking at the other lion as he was beaten. Pele focused for a moment on the dirt under her, before glancing up at the strange brown lion from the south, then over to Gable. Her daughter was talking to him, in that strange gutteral language the Nergui used. Her dear daughter, who'd grown up in these conditions. If she thought any of the remaining four Hongshan slaves was most likely to turn Nergui, it'd probably be the one who could understand the language and speak it. If it meant less time getting beaten... She looked over at Gable again, not having realized her gaze had traveled to Amalea. "Want... Stop..." She was going to have to work on her language skills...  

[Shia bean]

Once again, assumptions were betraying. Just when he thought he saw the claws come from one lion, reality would set him straight and another would knock him off his feet. It was just like them to be unpredictable. To be merciless.

Forced to stand side-by-side with a lioness, then to be pummeled by one... an unfortunate series of events set quickly in motion. In the farthest reaches of his thoughts, where he saw things that rarely came to be, Byu questioned the Muvukol's choice. Did they sense his distrust, particularly for the females? Or were they all blinded by bloodlust, the first that would catch his eyes gaining rights to serve the first blow-- despite gender? The thought slipped when the lioness lunged. Her touch made his skin crawl. Her violent vocality met with folded ears, a peeled lip, and an equally violent shudder, which ran the length of his thinned frame. Instinctually Byu took on a submissive stance.

As much as he hated to do so, he moved with her, not against, in an effort to neither fight her blows nor feel them at their strongest. It was at this point that the male realized he would do just about anything to make it stop.

Kaelyndra

Quote:

Sorry for the wait. ;;

 

[SilverLutz]

Los let the lion step forward on his own after a bit, knowing far too well what was coming. He stepped back with a sneer on his lips, his hackles rising as the energy skyrocketed in the immediate area. Blood would soon fill his nose, and he knew it would be a trick to stop himself from joining in. He only hoped someone would step out of line so he could sink his teeth into their flank.

As the beating began, Los couldn't help himself. Battle wound him up so much that he had to move. He paced in a small line back and forth, between the lion that he had brought forward and the other slaves, a grin on his face as his tail swished. This was what he liked the most about being here. Seeing this daily, smelling blood, getting to bite and claw and take down those that were weak and not needed in this world. That wasn't the aim today, of course. Today was something bigger. But blood was blood, and it made the large hyena laugh all the same.