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 Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:00 pm
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 Salma was running out of time. With the feast starting and the royal children bouncing around in the crowd she should really deliver her gift. She took a deep breath and picked up her gifts, one for each cub, and went to place them near all the other gifts. Each cub got the same thing, a branch with dried grass knotted like simple tassels around it. The priestess had meant for it to symbolize the Endless Forest and the Grasslands of the Gods. She didn't expect the cubs to grasp the symbolic value, and she didn't stay long enough to explain it either. They could just play with them, and perhaps it would help them keep on the right path and make sure they ended up at Shan Furen's side.
On the way back she jumped out of the way of a prancing, jingling leopard. She had never met anyone as noisy and violently friendly as Kakariko.
"Hello," she said, with her head down. Manners, manners... If someone said hello she'd answer in kind, even if the leopard in question rattled and jingled as he moved.
She slipped onto a dust brown fur quite far from the Queen and just two places down from Benvolio. Whew... She sat down with a small sigh. The food smelled nice at least. |
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:43 pm
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No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Etssiin refused to believe that they were supposed to bring gifts. If that were the case, he would have brought the best. He couldn't be wrong. Just couldn't. "I don't see why we need to bring gifts for the royals. The messenger said nothing of it," he claimed, nose up in the air. He was positive that they weren't. Yet, he frowned. What did the bird claim? He couldn't recall...Ah well, didn't matter.
His pompous expression turned mirthful as his brother called his sister a bird brain. "Wouldn't doubt it," he smugly agreed, body wiggling in humour. More likely, she was a bird brain. Why else would she bring feathers? It wasn't a proper gift. But then, it wasn't like he had anything to offer either.
His eyes roamed, catching sight of a small twig in the snow. Brightening up, he took it in his maw. It was perfect for the royal highness. Who needed feathers when a stick you could draw from. It was a great tool. And didn't he know to always bring the best? Even though he was assured that presents were not necessary, this small gift....it was just a little bit extra. Nothing more. Of course he wasn't trying to save face in front of his siblings. Of course not.
Etssiin lips pursed, watching his brother dash off towards the celebration. What was the need to rush into things. He halted in his step, fear sinking into his paws. Derik was going to get to the princess before him.That just wouldn't do. With quick steps, Etssin followed the paw prints that his brother left behind, accidentally dropping the stick on the way.
"Brother, what are you doing?" he snapped out, tail swishing nervously as he eyed the crowd. She had to be somewhere. But his brother was creating a ruckus and had to be dealt with first. He smirked, standing next to his brother and bowing towards the other cub. Who knew who she was. With hope, she was a royal. "I'm sorry; was he bothering you?" he asked the other cub, giving his brother a chiding look. "I'm sorry for his brutish nature. He's not right in the head, you see."
Mbali was not naive to his wife's critical glance towards him. Not at all. He gave her a wry strained smile, attempting to placate whatever she was thinking about. He could never quite get into Nyota's head. Her every being seemed to evade him. And yet, all he was trying to do was get along. There had to be a way to get on her good side, sans win public. He just didn't know what.
Nodding towards his mate, Mbali made his way towards the other presents and placed them down with an oomph. His head turned as the queen started to speak with a frown. She hadn't been seen for weeks, and, with how she was looking, it seemed that she wasn't faring very well. It was a shame. He enjoyed her rule and was reluctant to see what her brother could do in power. The leopard pushed the thoughts to the side. Best not to think about it and focus on himself. The political drama would only get him into trouble. It was best to keep himself away from it. Remain indifferent.
So, with a careful step he went towards the group of furs, settling on one big enough for he and his wife. Expectantly, he looked towards her, tail patting the side next to him. He hoped she'd get the message.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:49 pm
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 Benvolio couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Overwhelmed. That's a good word to use." He looked around the room, glancing at all the different pride members gathered, both high class and low class. Once a Prowler, now a Noble, the male didn't quite know what to do with himself. At times it felt like he had no more duties anymore thanks to his promotion, and other times it felt like he had to follow a ridiculous amount of rules regarding etiquette and high class-this, society-that. It was one of the reasons he hid in the temple. Well, that and the fact he owed Shan Furen his life after nearly dying in the snow, but still. "I must admit that I know how you feel. I'm not sure where to sit or who to speak to or what to do with my paws." Benvolio laughed again. "I say, I feel quite like a cub learning to take his first steps, just waiting to trip and go tumbling down a hill!" Something Benvolio had done quite a lot as a cub. It had taken him quite sometime to grow into his paws. And his ears.
 Derik growled at his brother, attempting to sound fierce, but his tiny body could only produce so much sound. Still, Etssiin did not get to insult him like that! He'd put his brother in his place, that was for sure. "Nobody asked you, Etssiin." Derik snarled, crouching into a fighting stance. He may not be the smartest cub in the den, but he was already quite good at wielding his needle-sharp claws. "Keep talking, and I'll make sure you aren't right in the head." Brutish. How in the world was Derik brutish? "As if you know anything at all. You didn't even bring a gift to the party!" The cub sneered, smirking. "Looks like there isn't just one bird-brain in the family." As if Etssiin could insult his brother without having the upperpaw. Ha! Not only had Derik gotten to the party first, but now he was doing spectacularly at arguing, he thought. Perhaps he should be a scholar instead, the smartest thinkers in the pride!
No, wait, much too boring. Not enough fighting an excitement and adventure. Derik would rather use his fangs to stop evil villains and crooks. |
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:23 pm
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Lyubov smiled widely, teeth and all showing her excitement as she moved inside to find a seat. The cheetah wasn't all quite sure of where to sit however! "Um..." She looked to the left and right, lost in her decision and yet to have found a seat.
Her instinct was to go near Noir or Ann themselves, but she saw them most days anyways and this was her chance, no, excuse, to talk to others. Lyubov sat somewhere randomly. She hoped she wasn't getting in the way of anyone, but her mind was distracted from even that with the smell of delicious food wafting in the air.
Mmm! She couldn't wait to eat!
Kuishi noticed Benvolio having been heading towards him, but everyone's attention was altered as one of the lady-in-waiting's announced it was time to get ready for the feast. He wore a soft smirk on his face to reflect joy.
Now it was just the matter of getting up the hill and into the cave for his portion of the food. His back was going to hate him for this, he knew it would already. But his stomach was hungry and demanding of food, which caused Kuishi to ignore his sore bones for the time being. When he finally reached the top the leopard sighed and stepped inside, trying to find a nice fur to sit on.
This wasn't before he nodded to Benvolio from a distance. He was one of the other nobles in the pride besides Kuishi himself, might as well make with being friends...
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:09 pm
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"Hmph. I could tell on you." Ann retorted with a firm frown on her little face. She wasn't mad, nor would she ever do that, but said it first so obviously the best reply was to copy him! ...right? Another cub approached her too. The crown princess was as excited as could be expected as she returned the blue cub's bow with one of her own and a chuckle to go along with it.
"I see. I pray Shan Furen heals his head soon." That was the right thing to say, right? There was so much to learn and really, Ann wasn't being given the time to learn everything she needed to.
"I guess you two are the cubs that Noir said would be coming." Glancing behind them, she frowned. "I thought there'd be more...Oh well, come on, I hear Noir talking now and--eep!"
The princess' words were cut short as she yelped in surprise at the sight of a much larger and unfamiliar male lion making its way out of the temple and onto the ledge with Suk'tamu running ahead frantically with both of her other cubs held in her mouth by the scruff of the neck. The small leotah's cry was not ignored as suddenly two guards were between her and the larger male.
"State your business, forest-dweller." One snarled as claws came out.
Looking down his nose, Paku snorted. It was enough to make the two leopard guards flinch and take a step back. He laughed loud enough for the group inside the den hear. "Is that any way to speak to a guest?"
"A guest?! Why would we invite one of your kind?"
Having been missing from the sudden scene, Lori returned with Barafu-taji jogging close behind her.
"What's the meaning of this interruption on this joyous day?" The captain demanding, his stride slowing until he came to a stop within feet of the lion. Glaring, his chin tilting upward to look the forest-dweller in the eyes as he waited for a reply to be given.
"I did not mean to interrupt," Paku's voice was rough, his fur a complete mess and his legs caked in mud. "A little bird told us there was a party to be had, so we decided we'd stop by. Besides, we're in a truce, aren't we?" As he spoke, the larger feline walked around the three, giving the time to look at the three cubs that had been otherwise obstructed from his view by the three guards, as he made his way to the pile of gifts that had been lovingly gifted to the royal litter. Upon the top of the litter, he put a single black feather, obviously belonging to the poor messenger and a bit of fur. It was a grey-brown...and a light purple.
Frowning deeply, Barafu-taji watched as the lion not only placed his 'gift' with the others, but then proceeded to sit directly to the right of the queen.
"Your majesty," Paku said with a dip of his head.
Walking back into the cave, he stopped to glance at what the lion had left. His silver eyes widened at what he saw. Quickly turning to the guards present, he whispered, "Keep an eye on him. This fur resembles Emerce's."
Clearing his throat, the captain sat himself beside the only exit, with several other guards around it as well, before finally addressed the group. "May I introduce the...ambassador for the Msitu'nyeusi." There was a distaste of the words he forced the disgusting words from his throat.
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:49 pm
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Derik gasped at the sight of the lion chasing his mother, pink eyes going wide. Well, it looked like her was chasing her. Mama was certainly running, and with her sisters in her mouth. But the lion wasn't running after Mama...but lion's were bad, right? It looked like Mama seemed to think so.
With another tiny snarl, Derik leapt in front of Ann, tiny body puffed out to make himself look as big as possible. Only a split second later, guards came rushing in. Derik's snarl lost form as he stared at the guards, and then the Captain himself. No, he couldn't been seen gawking, especially not with the Captain here to impress! Derik started growling again, giving the lion fierce glare. Well, as fierce as he could manage for a cub. He jumped up and snapped a little when the lion turned to stare at them, then grinned as the lion continued to walk away. "He's not so scary." Derik said with a grin. The cub had sure shown him!
Benvolio stood up in shock at the sight of the lion entering the den. He wasn't of the mind that all lions were bad. The ones that resided on the mountain were loyal to the Mlima'Tuokoa, and contributed to the pride just as much as any leopard or cheetah. But those of the Msitu'nyeusi, well, only those who had been living under a rock wouldn't know of their violent history with the Mlima. Sure, a truce had been called, but Benvolio had seen enough violence on the plains, seen the nasty looks and snarls to know that a truce meant that the hatred was still as alive as ever. The Noble sat back down after a moment, worried his actions could have been interpreted as rude. Surely not as rude as seating oneself directly next to the queen, but nonetheless.
Benvolio knew that many would not be happy about this lion's presence. The Noble himself wasn't entirely sure how to react. Politically, he supposed, the lion had every right to be here, as ambassador to a neighbouring pride. Benvolio was only left wondering whether the lion had come alone or with company.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:20 pm
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The hair on the scruff of Etssin's neck prickled, making his claws dig into the snowy earth below. He eyed his brother warily, expression steely. He wasn't exactly keen on a fight. Derik would undoubtedly win; he was no fool. So, sniffing pompously, the cub slid closer to the stranger. "Now brother, no need to act like a ruffian, he stated, eying him warily. His gaze reluctantly landed on the female with a slight grin. Oh, if only Shan Furen could. He was tempted to make a jab at his brother, but thought it best to heed his warning.
His jaw dropped at his brother's accusation however; head whipping towards the male. "I----I didn't forget!" he spat out, frantically looking for his stick. It had to be somewhere. It just had to be. Unfortunately, his stick was nowhere to be found. And his sister was too far away to snag a feather from. "Well, my presence is a gift, enough, is it not? he claimed, sitting down and holding his head proudly. Didn't Momma say that they were all little gifts? But---Etsy frowned--it wasn't a valuable gift, not something that one could hold in their paws or mouth...unless they were an adult. ...The princess wasn't an adult already, was she? He could only hope so.
At the mention of noir, Etssiin's head swiveled around, perplexed. "Noir? he asked, frowning. Who was this Noir? Obviously, someone he didn't know. Yet...they knew his family and knew that they were coming? His tail flickered nervously, eyeing the crowd. How? And what all did they know about him?
The leopard was just about to ask how having only he and his brother there was really a bad thing when the female yelped, making him turn towards what she was looking at, sliding closer towards her. Why would she---he paled, frozen in fear. His Momma was running from the lion. Someone much more subservient than his family. However; Etsy would gladly run if given the chance. Unfortunately, his legs seemed to be stuck in place.
The guards, and soon, the captain of the guard came forward, making him at ease. His hackles were still raised, but he was able to look over the scene with a clear headed mind. And warily, he bumped shoulders with the female cub as the lion walked around.
"Ingrate" he muttered, making sure that the lion was well out of earshot. It wouldn't do to cause any trouble. Not with someone who was so large. Letting out a dignified huff, he turned towards the female, eyeing his brother. If only he had his brother's tenacity. But that would surely get him killed.
"Are you alright miss? Etsy was sure that she was fine..however; it was only right to ask.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:49 am
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For the most part Rochelle had been content to let her brothers speak over her, without giving her a chance to cut into the conversation edgewise. Even if she'd wanted to, that would have meant dropping her feathers, since she couldn't quite articulate around the gathered stems gripped between her tiny teeth--and she definitely couldn't risk getting her gifts dirty!
Instead their sister deftly expressed herself in facial expressions and guttural utterances as she padded along just ahead of her mother and sister. Bristling in annoyance as Derik called her bird brained. As if his opinion counted for anything when he couldn't keep his face out of the dirt!
She might have told him that after his most recent fall his pale face, which their mother had groomed to perfection, was now littered with flecks of soil he'd churned up when he'd stumbled, but why ruin the amusement of watching him greet the royals looking like he'd just been eating mud? Apparently Etssiin wasn't saying anything either, always eager to show them all up whenever the chance presented itself.
Despite her mother's encouragement to run ahead, one neither of her brothers had needed any time to consider as they dashed headlong into the meeting hall like a couple of fools, Rochelle lingered behind, close to Suk'tamu. She wasn't in a rush to reach her first party, especially with the rumble of socializing voices that seemed to increase in volume the closer they got. It was all a bit overwhelming still for the little leopard cub. Better to let Derik and Etssiin feel out the surroundings before she entered, at least then she'd know what she was getting herself into!
In fact, she'd been standing near the opening, gazing at the conversation being had by her brothers with a golden, spotted cub when her mother had scooped her up in a mad dash deeper into the throng of guests.
Ro hadn't expected to be lifted off the ground so suddenly and the collection of meticulously collected feathers fell from her mouth in a flutter as she gasped. Left in a litter on the floor to be stepped on by the giant that entered behind them. A lion.
Pink eyes grew round and wide at the stranger as the scent of the forest wafted off the black and white male. Unlike leopards and cheetahs, male lions were easily identified by the thick manes that circled their heads. Though she didn't know much about the world around her, about her pride or about the lions that acted as servants to them, she did know that much.
Her soft voice squawking with wonder at the stranger where others showed trepidation as she wiggled to escape Suk'tamu's grasp on her scruff, Momma! A lion!
She didn't know what an ambassador was or a Mitutu-yuoo-see, or whatever the guard had called him, but he sat at the party like he belonged there. Why did everyone look so scared?
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:47 am
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Salma was startled when Benvolio suddenly stood up, she folded her ears back as she followed his gaze. The large lion looked too big for the gathering, but the reason she was all puffed up fur with folded ears was Benvolio's reaction. When the Noble sat down, and no one else seemed to panic, she started to regain her usual level of fluffiness as her fur sleeked down. Her ears were still held slightly to the back showing she was still on edge.
It was no secret that many pride members were not comfortable among lions, even the lions that had their place in the pride. The addition of a strange one, even if he was an ambassador, changed the atmosphere in the room. To Salma it was almost unbearable. Before the lion entered the crowd had radiated a feeling of happiness, festivity and a bit of nervous energy. Now the general feel of the room had changed to fear, hostility and uncertainty. Sure, some individuals were still calm, but the rest drowned it out to her. The leopard closed her eyes and tried to focus on her own breathing. She stomped on the impulse to stand up and yell at everyone to shut up and calm down. It wouldn't help, and she knew from experience that most people wouldn't get that their feelings could be extremely "noisy" and overwhelming to the priestess.
She rubbed the fur she was sitting on with one of her front paws, trying to soothe herself by the simple repetitive motion.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 8:09 am
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With a great deal of haste, Suk'tamu nudged her children in the direction of the main cave, being sure to follow in-between the guards as they entered to protect everyone should something happen with the lion present amongst them now. "Come now, keep your heads down." She whispered to them all. For now, the cubs were separated from Ann as she was lead away by another of the guard to take her spot beside Queen Elisheba and the other royals at the head of the makeshift tables.
"Momma, what's going on..." The little heiress asked quietly, looking up with widened eyes are the wine-red queen as she tossed a sideways glance to the new, large body in the room. It was odd, seeing a lion so confident around the others. Most lions she had met were meek and quiet. Not this one. He laughed, told crude jokes and generally seemed dis-interested with common practices in the colony. Princess Ann frowned. Some ambassador he was.
"Come now, my dear daughter. We must not let this guest's arrival dampen your celebration." Elisheba purred, leaning down to rub her face against Ann's. The air was quiet, nervously so and she could not blame her guests for quieting so suddenly with the introduction of a lion, let alone one from the Msitu'nyeusi. Raising her head back, her eyes narrowed as she looked down the curve of her nose to the black and white lion in her presence now, she addressed those in her company.
"My beautiful subjects, please, eat, be merry, mingle amongst eachother and be at ease. Shan Furen is with us in this moment and smiles upon my daughters. There is much cause for celebration and while the ambassador from our neighbor may cause alarm, do not be. We are safe from harm."
Finishing her address, she stood and walked down the slope of the central raise, pausing to speak to the new lion with her voice lowered so only those directly around them could hear.
"Ambassador. What an unexpected addition to our midst. My apologies that we did not receive you more kindly, but you must forgive us for acting hastily. As the ambassador to your pride, you must be well aware of the relations between yours' and our colony. Perhaps we may speak in private?"
Raising from his position, Paku followed closely behind as he and the queen left the company of the guests to speak privately in the sanctum of the monarch. This left all of the guests to openly speak on the events now and even investigate the 'gifts' left by the strange lion.
It was no surprise that the captain followed not all that far behind, pausing at the entrance of the queen's den before turning back to climb the raise to sit himself down beside the heiress. While he was not the one with the queen now, the strain was there as several other guards posted themselves outside of the mouth without need of orders.
[OOC Information]
I apologize for dropping the ball on this. I've lot a good amount of my muse for RP in general and am struggling to write anything at all. While I desperately want to do more in this RP, I feel it best in everyone's interest to officially end it here. I'll be working on the prize as soon as I'm able to, so I will not be rolling until then. No posts after this one will count for the raffle, but you may continue posting to get to five posts if you still need it.
Thank you all for participating and I apologize again for my lack of updates on this. I hope the next ORP proves to be a much better one on my part.
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Quaji generated a random number between
1 and 22 ...
22!
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Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 6:26 am
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