[LOG] Against the grain [ Shen & Oni ]

[Thalion]

OOC

This is a logged rp from AIM.
The active parties are: Ririka and Thalion.

Oni || Ririka || [WC: 3465]


Shen Lung || Thalion || [WC: 2,146]  

[Thalion]

Shen Lung ||
All things structures within the Fire Tribe had been built with the future in mind- a temple for worship, a throne room to seat a wise Magus, a grand square at the foot of the palace to display festivals, and a rough training hall to one day give shelter to a force of honor-bound warriors. The foundations had been laid- either by the efforts of the B'alam within the land or by the Weaver Himself. Shen didn't know, nor did he particularly care. The Magus who had preceeded him had thrown a paw into the face of both weaver and kinsbalam in one stroke. Everything had been laid at his paws from power to a people and he had simply walked away. It was one thing for him to abandon his gifts, but to do so without a word or warning had been inexcusable.

The throne room had been secured, for now. He had two loyal warriors, both had proven capable in combat so they had been honored with the positions of generals- but both had eluded to a commander within these lands. A commander, Shen assumed, that would likely question the new change in authority. A commander that he would either have to sway... or replace. Hopefully the b'alam was reasonable.

It took some time to locate the garrison caves, mostly due to their crude, unfinished exterior. It was shameful. A hall for warriors should be an open, flaming maw, not a set of claws hiding behind a velveted paw. Disgraceful. One more thing to change.

He paused in the entryway and glanced over the walls and floors with a critical eye. This was where warriors were to grow?

Oni ||
The military commander could swear he had once had dreams that mimicked the crisis that was currently unfolding within the Fire Tribe. Though he had prayed night after night, it seemed the universe had their own plans for the tribe. There would be no peace, at least not for the moment. In-fighting was currently weaving its way through the Fire Tribe like a venomous worm with a hunger that could not be sated. Time and time again those who wished for some sense of peace would attempt to speak up, but they would quickly either be talked down by the one who, at the moment, claimed the thrown, or they would be dragged down by those who sided with the would be king. Oni himself did not understand why they took the tah's side, but desperation made B'alam do crazy things.

In his dream the world around him was painted a muted gray. No matter where he looked or where he walked there was neither charm nor cheer within the world or those that populated it. The sky above, oh the mass of darkness and apathy, carried within it a storm that never seemed to calm. The thunder it erupted at all angled roared like a B'alam with unfathomable anger and pain. With that came pain that was represented as rain and beams of light that painted the sky in fear. What the land would become, Oni did not know. The images "gifted" to him never gave him any answers.

None of it mattered much in retrospect. As many had to remind themselves from time to time, dreams and reality were two separate worlds. And at the moment reality called him to action. So much was changing in what seemed to be a short amount of time.

Their magi vanished like leaves carried away by the wind. Madness had taken control of Xiao's mind due to the pressures of leadership, or so many had guessed. She had spent much of her time hidden away from judging eyes by crawling around the tunnels of the volcanoes. Many who traveled nearby said they could hear her muttering and praying to the creature she believed would bring them prosperity. The sphish she called it. Some kind of royal fish and bug like creature whom had some kind of tie to the moon above.

Madness. Plain madness. Oni could not wrap his head around it all.

Once upon a time he had questioned how Volk could spend his days watching his mate fall into the void. He pitied him and his situation. These days he just wondered how he could sit back and allow his mate to keep her title and continue running the tribe as an equal figure. She was mad. She threw around threats at those who questioned her stability and her prays to a creature who had no stand in reality. It was pathetic.

Now that there was no leader for the tribe a new figure called for all to see him as their new leader. In the stranger's mind he was fit enough to be deemed the perfect leader for the falling tribe. He was willing, that was for sure. He believed himself able. Not to mention the tah already had a handful of followers who were more than willing to use threats and violence to keep everyone in line. That showed just that with the recent lose of life in the crowd. So sad. Such a waste.

Oni could only guess that many more would soon follow after the would be leader like moths to an open flame. They craved direction and leadership in the absence of a Weaver guided magus, and he was giving them just what they cried for. He stood with radiating pride and cried for all to follow after him. He promised to bring them back to the path of greatness if they just bowed and listened. No one would dare question him if they wished to stay safe. They would not turn against him. Pests, all of them.

As the commander of the tribe what was he to do now? He had no concrete plan, yet. The commander was just lucky none who took the stranger's side had come looking for him, yet. Such luck had given him enough time to lead a select few out of the the capital territory in hope that a plan could be formed away from prying eyes and twitching claws. The Naraans, his friends, were the first to be lead out, and a few within the family had volunteered to stay within the territory to aid in surveillance and lead the innocent out when time permitted. Oni owed to much to Naraan and his family. The older B'alam had taken him in and mentored him for so long. He had protected the commander before he was who he was today, so in turn Oni vowed to protect him and his family. He would do everything in his power to make sure they survived all of this.

Naraan himself and a few of his children and grandchildren still remained though. It broke his heart that some of those children recently lost their mother to the stranger.

'Soon, maybe tonight I can lead the rest out' Oni thought to himself as he walked the caves of his home. He was hoping he could get a few errands done before night fall, such as the cleaning of his armor which currently sat hidden away. Each day it it got harder and harder to wear the armor, let alone just look at it.

Even with his plans in mind, it seemed the day had different plans in mind. Someone else was in the warrior's sanctuary, and it was none he knew well enough, nor did he want to once the stranger entered his line of sight.

Speak of the creature himself.

He could say something snarky. He wanted to. Weaver knew he did. There was much on his mind after all, but he elected to remain silent as he approached the exit, eyes sharp and claws ready.


Shen Lung ||
Shen felt, more than heard or saw, the approach of another. It was a stronger Tah's spirit, one who moved with purpose. His gait was confident and wide- a larger B'alam with a good deal of muscle to shift around. A warrior.

He flicked his ear back and took a short, fleeting glance over one shoulder. Shen had padded further into the main lobby of the garrison. At present it was less than impressive. Only a few crude weapons sat in equally crude racks along the walls, simple lanterns fueled by coal burnt against the walls, staining the stone black while throwing wild shadows.

"From what little I have heard about you from my informants, your name is Oni." Shen turned himself about, his eyes catching the lantern light just enough to cast a faint glow across the dank room. "You served the last Magus as the commander of...what might have been the start of a guard force."

Oni ||
Almost ghost white eyes settled into a glare as their owner watched the so called new leader make his way around a section of the main lobby. For all the time that Oni had held his title as military commander, for the all time that the cave space had been gifted to him by the previous magi, he would not deny that he did little to use the space to his advantage. There was little in the way to show anyone who passed the purpose of the space. There was even less to show that the space actually had an occupant, but time had not been kind to Oni, and he rarely spend time in the cave anyway. It did not feel like home to him, unlike Naraan's space. There was little comfort. There was little purpose. He did not feel as if he deserved any of it.

Standing his ground, Oni watched Shen with great suspicion. Though the white b'alam was supposed to be a symbol of strength and tactic, though he had trained for and accepted the role of Commander, all he knew of the game of battle and strategy was useless to him at this moment. He was left to admit that he was no all too sure what the stranger was capable of, and more importantly, he was unsure what Shen was willing to do to get what he wanted. From what he saw during the show in the magi palace, it was clear he was capable of manipulating others with fear and carefully chosen words. But so far he had just used his words to get others to do his work for him. All the easier to keep one's claws clean he guessed since not once had he seen the other Tah make his own moves. One unnerving thought though was the whispers that were currently being carried by the wind. Residents were talking about the incident that happened in the throne room, and many were not sure what happened exactly, but Oni was able to put the pieces together. He knew enough, but made no action to continue following the whispers since there would be no point. Dead was dead. That's it.

Oni did his best to bite his tongue as the tah spoke. It took some control, but he managed to swallow any words that threatened to spew out, and stopped the growl that was bubbling within him. He could feel his muscles start to tense since Shen's presence just felt...off to him. He should not be here. He should not be doing what he was doing, and yet there he was leading the tribe towards what Oni was sure would be self-destruction.

It was kind of amusing to think that anyone beyond those he held close to him would know enough about him to actually speak of him. He could not help but wonder what could have been whispered to the younger b'alam. Sure, he held a title, but he was never given much opportunity to actually put use to it. The magi of the tribe were too busy with personal issues to put any of their plans to action, but still those like himself and other appointed b'alam did their best to put themselves to work here and there. But who could really say they knew anything of those who found themselves in positions like Oni? None. Laughable.

"And you," Oni stated with words that were barely above a whispers. If one listened carefully they could also pick up on hints of annoyance and suspicion in his tone as well, "from what I have both seen with my own eyes within the throne room, and from what I have picked up from whispers among the masses, are a usurper. You have taken claim to a throne that never truly sat anyone worth the title of a leader of our tribe. No one can say if it will ever find someone fitting of the title. And yet here you are claiming that you are worthy to lead us. Not showing why, but just stating so. But forgive me. Maybe I speak of things I have no real knowledge of. It is just merely my own opinion on the matter."

An opinion Oni held close to him like a poison he could not shake for his own reason.

"But yes, I was given the title of Commander why the last hollowed leader. Titled and then forgotten like others around here. So what purpose do you have in seeking me out, stranger? Do you require me to continue on in your reign when you have others whom would happily take my place?"


Shen Lung ||
Shen chuckled and bobbed his shoulders. While he wasn't as well built as the older, more experienced fighter, there was a raw strength behind his form. It was untrained, unseasoned, but just as dangerous as a flame that had spread outside of its containment. Shen was aware of the sloppy nature of his combat. It was wild, opening far too many weaknesses- hence his visit. He needed a worthy sparring partner as well as a loyal commander. Smaug would sharpon iron with iron- but he'd given his loyalty right away. This commander would hold a higher stature among the tribe. He would take some convincing... it was a challenge he was more than willing to accept.

"Ursurper is such a strong word. I simply did what all others lacked the ability or courage to do. Anyone could have stepped up onto that dias and asked for a chance- but none did." He flicked his tail sharply. "Any is welcome to challenge me. Some have- none have managed to pry the throne from my claws."

He smirked. "Your opinion is your own. Perhaps it can be swayed. I wouldn't think a commander would bend his ear so easily to gossip."

He grunted and glanced to the crude weapons along the wall. The blacksmith, yes that was the word for it, was apparently perfecting his art.

"I wish to give your post some meaning, brother. What good is a blade if it's for ceremonial purposes only?"

Oni ||
It would be a hard hitting lie if Oni claimed he did not feel some amount of emptiness within the title that was given to him. He believed he had been woven with purpose like so many before and after him. Forge, the blacksmith had found his calling in bending and crafting iron and steel so it would have purpose in the paws of others. He as woven to give warriors like Oni the materials they needed to protect others, and so he did and still does. Though he did not find many warriors to outfit he still found pleasure in crafting items outside of swords and armor. He still held purpose and happiness. And yet, Oni did not have that.

The days of pride and opportunity were long gone. Now he sat with disdain and distrust in his heart.

But to feel like he could have purpose again... something the previous Magus had failed to provide within his empty words and promises. He did not want come up a fool again though...

It was at the stranger's final words that Oni could not help but laugh. Oh, such pretty pretty words.

"The same could be said for a blade in the hands of one whom has little knowledge on how to use it. Contrary to what the inexperienced believe, one does not attack and defend simply by blindly swinging. You might as well lead a mad Jackalight into a bit of Harmadillo and expect it to come out on top."

Oni's ears twisted back, his stare sharpening, if it even could become sharper at this point. Talks of wishes and promises. Talk of him being this usurper's brother. Who was he to talk Oni his brother of all things? Oni knew nothing of him and he knew nothing of Oni. All false. All wishful thinking. All the friendliness and ease where none should be had. He dared say if Oni was one to base his moves on instinct and wishes alone he would have already done for the Tah's throat and been done with it. But he was not. He sadly thought of consequences and then some. There was too much on the line just chatting with the fool.

He still had no trust for the other Tah. He spoke pretty words and talked of fairness, but talk is worthless. If his words held any truth they would be shown through future actions and results.

"You may wish all you want, stranger, but wishes are for cubs and the newly woven whom have not been hit by reality yet. If you are done sprinkling your pretty words everywhere, I have things that need attending to. I may give you something and consider your words, but I make no promises or alliance, especially towards one I have known for less than the time the sun hangs in the sky."

Shen Lung ||
Strangely, Shen didn't seem to take offense to Oni's laughter nor the statement that followed. Instead, there was a strange, resigned look of understanding in the B'alam's eyes. He had the raw materials for something great, he understood that, but even gold in the wrong paws would become nothing but rubbish. Anything worth any value had to be carefully cultivated, tested, broken, re-forged, and tested again. Iron had to be beaten and heated before it birthed an edge.

"That is why I came to you, commander. I may have had the nerve to take nessicary action, but I lack the skill to maintain my hold. My methods may be questionable, but I did what had to be done. Any quiet, meek request for the throne would lead to hostility and debate. If anyone had made such a claim, there would be opposition and supporters. Soon- chaos." He threw a paw into the air, "And bloodshed. I did what had to be done. I paid in blood- but I very well may have saved the lives of our kind in doing so. Now, commander, I lay myself at your paws. Teach me..."

He met the other's eyes and smiled. "Teach me, and I will give you what the last Magus could not- would not. I will not allow this tribe to stand on weak paws. You will train them. The blacksmith creates weapons but for whom? You are a commander- but what do you command. I am a leader- but what do I lead? I need you...as you need the smith and as you need me."

He grunted. "Dreams are for the dead, commander. I seek action. Curse me or bless me in time- but I take action now so that this tribe no longer sits and rusts in a scabbard while the rest of the tribes grow into empires."

Oni ||
A smile slowly crept across the commander's face as he did his best to beat down a chuckle building within him. He had to admit that this Tah was a persistent one, even though for the life of him he could not fathom why he would truly need Oni at his side. Another trainer could easily be found if he knew where to look, but then again, maybe he just deemed it easier to convince Oni rather then wasting resources on finding an outsider. Maybe that in itself was the issue, the stranger wanted no outsiders within his circle for one reason or another.

"You know," Oni started as his gaze slowly moved past the stranger, "I heard that life is so much better within the Light tribe. I hear that the pathways, especially around the capital, are paved with what seems to be sparkling precious gems. They glitter so beautifully in the day, and seem to sparkle just as brightly during the dead of night. And the trees, oh, you would think the trees are made of rainbow glass when you first lay your eyes upon them. Tch, I would think it all lies if I had not been told the same by several travelers and traders."

Oni had hoped to one day travel to the Light tribe in hopes of seeing it all for himself. To bask in all the light and walk the rainbow roads himself.

"And then there is their Magus' throne room. Supposedly it is carved right into their largest living tree that sits at the center of their capital. Carefully manipulated wood as if it knew what its purpose was to be upon its birth. Decorated with plant life and gems that shine as bright as the stars and sun alike. Apparently it was prepared for two Magi, and yet now only one resides there, and he is not even one of the original pair. Oh, and there are the tales of the Dark Tribe..nice ruling family I hear. Father is a frightening one though...Funny how they managed to overcome their obstacles and we have not."

It was at the last part that Oni's gaze shifted back to the other Tah.

"Tell me, stranger have you ever head that little voice in your heard, possibly the same one that talked to you before you woke? What does it tell you? Does it claim what you are doing it for the good of the tribe, that you are doing what others cannot or should not? That you are chosen?"

Shen Lung ||
Shen rolled his eyes. "I'm certain that you would already be off frolicing like a little floofaloo in the spring through rainbow filled fileds if that was more to your calling, commander. That is the vision of another tribe- the pride of another tribe. I'll not stomach hearing it within the walls of this territory."

He shook his head and stepped around the commander, leaving the crude weapons against the far wall. "What those tribes have in common, commander, is that a magus rules over them- an entity that was given everything without actually having to work for it. What a blessing it must be to prance along roads made of gems and to sit upon a throne cultivated especially for one's royal backside." He sneered.

"That's not our way." He filled his chest with a deep breath and lifted his horns. "Whatever that little voice said was empty- this is our reality. We live in a land where the very earth under our paws runs red with the red hot blood of the earth. Fire flows like rivers over fertile soil. That fire flows through our veins. The roaring of the mountains is the very rythem of our hearts. This soil- all of it - is crude and unrefined. Why? Because it is ours to form as we see fit. We have no magus, no...magical entity sitting in a throne of cloud scultping our futures- we have the ore and the hammer both."

He turned and snapped his tail behind him. "If you wish to frolic on rainbows or go offer your blood to the darkness then be my guest. If you wish to remain, you will not stand by idle. Love me or curse me, commander, I will push this tribe towards their future one way or another. I will not suffer my brothers and sisters to sit idly by and watch other wonders rise around them. We will rise- and we will do it on our own."

Oni ||
Oni shook his head at the words that filled the lobby. This stranger truly believed he could lead the Fire Tribe to greatness at any and all costs, and it would all be for the good of the tribe members. He truly believed he could do so on his own with some great army behind him to help some semblance of control and protection, to show he was meant to lead them. At least, that is what Oni grasped from his words anyway.

"You talk of leading this tribe to greatness, about being better than those around us by showing we can do so without a Weaver chosen leader, but what value does that really hold?"

The warrior sighed with a shake of his head. He and the stranger could argue back and forth all day, but where would it lead when he could already guess they would just talk circles around each other because neither wanted to back down or give straight answers. Or rather...true answers from what Oni guessed.

With a quick stretch of his back and legs, the larger B'alam sent the stranger one last look before moving towards the hall that would lead him outside the large cave.

"You know, sometimes doing something on one's own may bring about feelings of accomplishment and pride, but it is not always worth it. There is no shame in accepting aid from others, especially outsiders. If I had to ask, none of those so called great empires actually rose up on their own. But I don't believe you wish me to blabber on about that, and I truly have no need to hear anything more from yourself. So if you are done, I think I will find company with someone else."

Shen Lung ||
"You presume much." Shen glanced back over his shoulder. Perhaps it was foolish to leave his back to the seasoned warrior behind him but attacking him now would only unleash chaos again. Shen had turned heads and ignited a few fires. Not many- but enough. If he fell, he was fairly certain that at least one or two would seek to continue what he started. If that was his role then so be it.

"Did I once say I wish to be greater? That I wish this tribe to be greater? I wish to be great." He let that settle for just a moment, "I wish this tribe to be great. I was woven to a kin broken, full of despair, lost, and without a leader. I, like those here, waited, hoping that...cute little voice would produce something for us. DId he?" He narrowed his eyes.

"...I like to think that's why we are here, commander. Our gift is our fire- and with it we can forge anything. To sit and wait for anything to be handed to us would spit in the face of everything."

He raised a lip and turned about, quickly closing the distance Oni was desperately trying to put between them.

"... I came here for your assistance, commander. You presume much yet again- I did not ask to stand alone." He sneered, "But I will not be detoured now- I've gone too far. Blood has been spilled and I'm sure in my...mercy I have planted some seeds. Peace is not something that simply exists, commander. It's fragile- and it can be broken easily. It must be protected at all costs. We've tilled the ground, now it's time to plant seeds."

He pressed his face in closer to the commander's, unafraid. "And pull the weeds. If you catch my drift."  

[Thalion]

Oni ||
In his own opinion, Oni had humored the younger B'alam long enough, but no more. He would hear no more of the other's words, of his plans for the tribe he has taken over and his plans for those who lived within in. He would hear no more of his so called pleas for aid, nor these...hints that he insisted on giving the commander.

It was becoming serious now, and it was clear that the stranger would not take no for an answer. And if he would accept no, then it would most likely come with a price.

With a growl of warning, Oni's ears quickly flattened, teeth showing and claws readily extended. "I hear you, stranger, but I think I made myself clear when I said I would give no answer to your call. Do what you wish to do with your new found throne, but leave me out of it. I have little reason to involve myself with the likes of one such as yourself."

Enough time had been wasted on the foolish, and Oni had important matters he needed to attend to. If this was the leadership the tribe was going to be stuck with, then clearly there would be more that would have to be lead to safety, and he would not keep them waiting any longer than they need be.

"I will not waste time keeping...pests from feeding on your crops. Find another to do your work. Now step aside."

Shen Lung ||
"I don't think you're taking this as seriously as the situation calls for, commander." Shen's ears rolled back as his own maw drew back to show his fangs. Perhaps this was as good a time as any to test just what this tribe was made of. This B'alam maintained the title of commander- but was it like everything else in the world? Had it been handed to him or was there some merrit behind the position? Perhaps he was like the weapons along his walls- rough, crude, holding promise but sitting to rust in a dim, darkened cave.

"I regard you by your title, I would have you do the same. Until someone finds the fire to take it from me- you will address me as Lord Shen Lung."

He narrowed his eyes. The pale one was thick, wasn't he? Or perhaps he was playing the fool, attempting to side-step responsibility while maintaining the comfortable life he had lived for far too long. "Let me give you some perspective...commander. You command, I assume, a group of B'alam who will, one way or another, learn to fight. I would hope that you will train them to the best of your abilities...we've made enemies whether you like it or not- and they will likely return with whatever they can. I made a statement for us all- like it or not, the fate of those b'alam are tied in with mine."

He stepped a little closer and lowered his head, "And I will not suffer the roots of a weed strangling the strength from this tribe. Or...perhaps I should make myself a little more...to the point."

He leaned in and pressed his forehead against the general's, horn meeting horn. "You stand with me...or you fall before me. There is no middle ground, commander. I was not chosen for anything- but I have made my choice and I will live with everything to come from that choice- regardless of the cost to me...or anyone else. Have I made myself clear?"

Oni ||
Well, one thing every good warrior is taught is to know when one is beat, whether it is pertaining to the current fight or the ones to come. And while there was a chance that Oni could beat down this...Shen...before him, he had a feeling that beating his followers would be another thing all together. He could run, but if he were to run where could he hide? What would become of those close to him? Shen's followers would likely go after them, and he did not want to be the reason for their potential suffering.

Oni's jaw tensed as he looked down at Shen (oh, excuse him, Lord Shen Lung, how forgetful), eyes obviously swirling with anger and annoyance as he mentally goes through all his options.

He did not want to be under the fool's command. He did not want to train his even more foolish followers. He just did not want to be in these lands all together, but what other option did he have at the moment? As much as he hated it, he would have to resign himself to playing nice with the Tah until an opportunity presented itself and he could slip away.

With a scowl, and another show of his fangs in anger, the commander gave a quick shove of his horns before backing off, at least for now anyway.

"Tch, as clear as crystal."


Shen Lung ||
Shen lifted his horns and narrowed his eyes. There was a dangerous look in his eye but it passed as quickly as it had come. The commander's own gaze was filled with hatred and uncertainty, but there was the shadow of fear there. Not for himself- no self-respecting leader would dread his own fate- but for...someone else. Perhaps that would be this mandafu's leash then...

He sneered. He'd need to ensure this one's loyalty. One weak link in a chain could send the rest of them flying under too much pressure.

"I do hope that we can put this...messy discussion behind us, commander. We both need to expand our vision a little. Failure will lead to death. Is that a concept you have learned yet?" He stepped away, flicking his tail in irritation as he did so. "I expect you to report every morning. Pray...to that cute little voice of yours, rainbow roads, or whatever you hold sacred that I never have to come pull you from your hole."