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 Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 12:43 am
 He had been just out for a leisurely stroll, meandering back toward the sea-loving pride. Sjunheal hadn't really gone that far from it, not really. He'd met a few folks, had a scuffle or two, and gotten a little bit turned around - but all that adventure had culminated in not making it all that far away from his current favorite pride-away-from-home.
So it occurred to him that it would be the thing of a moment to stop in for a spell. Maybe take a dip in the water - he was always quite fond of the way it swirled through his mane. And maybe, just maybe, he could drop in on the lovely lass he'd escorted in last time he came this way. He'd found himself thinking about Anya more than once in the recent days. Of course, she'd be alright: she was a capable lioness, and this was the Bahari of all places. One didn't need to spend long among them to know that peace loved those shores.
That's why the atmosphere crossing into the pridelands caught Sjunheal so by surprise. There were somber whispers, panicked cries. Talk of a death. Talk of a ritual. Whispers of the Stormborn and the shrill cries of some kind of scourge. The whole thing made the hackles rise on the back of Sjun's neck. Shadows seemed to crawl across the beach in the gloom. What was normally sunny, inviting shores instead looked bleak, and reeked of a dire unpleasantness.
All of that combined was the reason that Sjun was running by the time he caught sight of Anya. The massive lion likely made quite the sight, a rolling mountain of dark fur and low growl charging his way toward the ornamented lioness. The way the light had gone out of his eyes and concern drew his muzzle into a frown could not have helped matters. "Anya!" His roar was a bass bark, carrying the anxiousness of his expression down into his tone. "Are y' alright? What's happened here?" These were neither the sunny shores nor the relaxing how-do-you-do he'd had in mind. But she looked to be safe enough. He would thank the gods for that alone.
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Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:15 pm
 She had heard the whispers, smelled the death in the air, and it left her hackles raised and heart pounding. She knew that much of her pride was gathering right now to track down the killer, and she prayed that her mate, Coburnicus, was alright. She'd left the den earlier today, thinking that it would be nothing more than another enjoyable morning, but it quickly spiraled out of control.
Anya briefly wondered if she should be helping to track down the Scourge, supposedly the name of what their attackers were, but... she felt herself freeze at the thought. Huntress she may be, a fighter she was not. Instead, she chose to remain with those of her pride who had stayed behind. They were told to hide in the light, an odd idea but she was no expert in wartime, and so that was where she was.
She worried over Burny - was he in the thick of it all? She had heard a passing lioness mention that they'd seen him with the hunting party. Perhaps she should have gone with them, at the very least to be with him. Her heart sunk at the thought of anything happening to him....
The lioness was pulled out of her thoughts then, at the loud roar of her name. Ears flicking up in surprise, Anya turned to see a familiar face coming towards her. "Sjunheal?!" She padded swiftly up to him, coaxing him away from any of the shadows. "What are you doing here?"
She paused to look around with a grimace, "I'm fine, though I can't say the same about anyone else." Her ears flattened, "Someone was murdered in our pride. There's a hunting party out looking for them now, but.... It's sounding like it's an enemy that's very elusive."
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:09 am
Her skittish behavior rattled him, left him confused. With emotions already running close to their peak, that bafflement just made him angry. Murderers! Here, in this place of peace? Striking lions that were not experienced in their own defense, not wise in the ways of war? A single interloper would be bad enough - maybe it could be excused as an opportunist, or some dark soul out for revenge. Perhaps even a scavenger.
A group, though - that was something else entirely. That spoke to Sjun of organization, and intent. Some folks that might strike at the pride precisely because they were more vulnerable than most. And to 'elusively' cower in the shadows on top of that...! The whole situation set the lion's blood boiling. "A hunting party out an' about's good thinking," he murmured gruffly, padding heavily at her side. He used his size for vantage, speaking to her even as he tried to watch the shadows that surrounded them. "I'll be about joinin' them here shortly, I expect. Mayhap I'll accompany you there, lass, if you're done seein' to things here on the shore." Big brown eyes - though much darkened for the moment, and overshadowed by a heavy brow - blinked at her curiously. Perhaps he was somewhat surprised: as adventurous a lioness she'd seemed to him last they met, to not find her out in the thick of things now. Naturally, he'd assumed she was on her way - and given no thought to the idea that she might serve the battle in other ways.
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Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 5:10 pm
Anya looked uncertainly out into the shadows. It's true that she would normally be one of the ones out there hunting - heck she was a huntress, both in her former and current pride - and especially so with her own mate probably in the thick of it all, but....
She glanced back at the rest of the group she was with, noting some of them cowering and crying. She had to admit that she knew how they felt. Just the idea of a shadowy monster, hiding in the darkness.... it sent shivers up her spine and she felt like a coward for wanting to run from it. Her pride was in danger! She should be helping them!
But then... that's what she had found herself doing, if unintentionally. She wasn't sure if she would be able to really put up a fight, but she could at least help protect those who needed it.
So, she shook her head, "I stayed to help protect some of my pridemates." Anya nodded towards them, particularly the cubs, "They're scared and they could get hurt."
She sighed, "But.... I know they could probably use help hunting. I... I'm not sure what to do."
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 6:06 pm
He blinked again, taking advantage of a moment's silence to look between the lioness, and those cowering on the shore. He saw the way she looked into the shadows. He heard the hesitation as she spoke of the hunters. And in the space of a moment, Sjunheal understood what was at work here. His expression softened, and he reached out a comforting paw. "You do what comes natural to you, lass. That's all anyone can do in times as tryin' as these." Smiling, he nodded past her to those behind, crowding the shoreline. The cubs in particular tore at his heart, jumping at shadows as if they were living, deadly things. In this instance, Sjun realized sharply, they likely were. If only he were not committed to action, he might have been sorely tempted to remain behind himself. There was a bit of him that longed to shelter those frightened wee forms and lay every one of their fears to rest. "There's those here that have need of ye, m'gel. Not a bit o' shame in stayin' behind to protect those that need it, 'an don' you let anyone tell you otherwise.
"I assure ye, yon hunters will have quite the sizable assistance comin' up quick as you please. There's a friend of mine on 'is way to 'em just now, I expect." He straightened, squinting into the darkness as if he could make something out beyond it. "We'll make short work o' these cowards, hidin' in the shadows an' attackin' peaceable folk. But I'll need information. Is there anythin' more you can tell me about th' situation?" Sjunheal's voice pitched lower, into the beginnings of a growl. These people didn't deserve this. Anya, looking for nothing more than a home with a bit of a paddle, didn't deserve this. Maybe if these creatures had decent reason for their attack, he could understand, but just now there was nothing redeemable about what was going on here.
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:50 pm
Anya gave a shaky smile back, a bit more reassured by Sjunheal's words, "That's good. The more help, the merrier."
Then she paused to think, tilting her head. "Well... the hunting party left a little while ago, but you should be able to catch up to them fairly quick." The lioness hummed with a flick of her tail, some of her normal, cheery personality returning as she pulled her thoughts away from the scarier aspects of the situation. "We were told to stay in the light as much as possible. They would not get to us so long as we did."
She clucked her tongue, "A visitor here in the Bahari was the one who recognized them as.... as something called the Scourge." Anya sighed and shook her head here, "That's about all I know though." At least, that she could think of.
Actually, if he was going to join the hunting party.... the lioness turned a pleading look to him, "If you have the moment during the hunt, could... could you maybe keep an eye out for Burny? He's a short, gray lion with a light pink mane." She smiled a bit wistfully, "I... I'm sure he can handle himself, but I'd feel better knowing he's okay."
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:08 pm
Scared of the light? Sjunheal snorted, the sound emerging more furious than skeptical due to his mood. What utter nonsense! It was as if this force were the villains right out of the fables he'd heard as a cub: striking with fear and melting into the shadows when their dastardly deeds were finished. The comparison wasn't doing his outlook of the mysterious attackers any favors.
Neither did Anya's name for the blackguards. "The Scourge?" Sjun coughed incredulously. It was hard to keep the scoff out of his words. If these creatures hadn't already proven themselves capable of killing, he would think them a joke. Or someone's macabre theatre troupe. But that was hardly the case, so he could only scowl. "Thank ye', lass. You've given me much to think about."
Of course, no sooner had he said so, than she gave him still more. The lion's eyes darkened for a moment, not even the space of a breath, with some indecipherable emotion. Quick as a blink though, it had passed, replaced by raised brows and a warm, almost mischievous twinkle. "Burny, Anya?" He leaned closer, smile conspiratorial; he recognized something in her tone. "And why should I be on the lookout for this young buck in particular, eh?" Although the question might as well have been rhetorical. With the way he asked, it was perfectly clear what he suspected she might say.
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:34 pm
Her eyes widened at his words, and she gave a sheepish smile in return. At once, the giddy feel in her paws returned and she shuffled them in front of her. "Oh, well....." She supposed he would't know. After all, she had met Burny after joining the Bahari, and she had not seen Sjunheal since then. Plus, she and Burny had only made it official a little while ago.
Anya loved talking about the two of them too. Truly she did. But this hardly seemed the time to gush....
Well, she supposed, he did ask, and it would be remiss of her not to answer. So with a happy flick of her tail, the lioness purred, "He's my mate." She clucked her tongue, "Recently, anyway. We've known each other since we both joined the Bahari at around the same time, and well, one thing led to another...."
Then her ears flattened in worry, "And I know that he's probably fine. He's with the rest of the hunters and it's not like he doesn't know how to take care of himself. I just... can't help but worry."
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:27 pm
His chuckle was nothing close to the hearty boom it might have been, but these were dark times. Figuratively and literally, with the enemy right on their border. Made sense that a little solemnity would be in order.
"Well, look at you." Even quieter than he might be, the warmth in his tone was unmistakable. The paw that had lifted to comfort her earlier now moved again, scooping the smaller lioness into a fond embrace - if she allowed it. "Lost no time in makin' yourself at home here, I see! Well good on ye', lass. Good on ye'! Seein' your way through this storm'll be no trouble at all with a worthy lad alongside."
He wished he could have met with Anya under the circumstances he envisioned. A tour of her new home, a bit of sun, and playing in the ocean waves. Maybe he could have met her mate, spoken with him mane-to-mane. Instead, he was about to hunt beside him, seeking out some unknown enemy. Not the best, but Sjun could think of worse how-do-you-do's.
"I'd have liked to see you under better circumstances, girlie, an' make no mistake. Alas, here we are instead! We'll have to make th' best of it." A rueful smile spread over his muzzle. "Don't you worry. I'll keep a weather eye out for your fellow. An' if we hit a spot o' bother, I'll get him home safe." Surely that was the least he could do. He had led her into this mess, after all. He didn't want to think about what would happen if she got hurt: her blood would all but drench his paws. He didn't want to live with that, and didn't intend to.
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:55 pm
She let out a giggle as he pulled her close for a hug, "Well, of course I made myself at home. The Bahari is a wonderful place!" For many reasons. It was just too bad that that was now tarnished. She imagined that there were many, Bahari or not, who would be saddened over the state of the pride now. After all, they were fairly well-known for their peaceful lifestyle.
Anya's eyes softened as Sjunheal spoke, feeling far more at ease with his words. "Thank you, Sjunheal. You're an amazing friend." She paused, and then added with a narrow look, "Just make sure you stay safe too."
Then she sighed, and glanced back at the cowering lions & lionesses behind them. "I'd better get back to guarding them, and you'll probably need to hurry to catch up with the hunting party."
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 3:50 pm
He chuckled as he released the lioness. "Ah, but you're good t' worry, m'gel. I'll be right as rain, don't fret." Almost reluctantly, Sjun disengaged himself from the warmth of his friend's laughter - distancing himself just as surely from her physically as he did from the good feelings she inspired. Lifting his head to gaze once again into the shadows, his lips pulled back; snarling teeth grew out of the lion's smile. There was no room for such fluff in war, and that was surely where he marched to now.
"Take care o' these gentle folk, Anya. I'll see ye when th' hunt's had done." So saying, he moved off - away from the "safe zone" that the lioness had told him about. The mildest semblance of good humor drained from him as he did, leaving only the dark and dire warrior. These strangers wanted to lurk in the shadows and harm the innocent? Maybe they would have more fun picking on someone a bit closer to their own size.
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