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 Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:35 am
Finally he had found her scent amongst the bones! Finally he could get on with his task! It had been a while since he had seen the female firekin Nuri but he knew that she would remember him.
She had been an interesting lioness, one who held the Firekin spirit and strength but not their beliefs. She had talked to him about Finar-si and about how things should be and slowly Kidondo had come to see she was right. The ways of old could no longer be trusted. It was time to move on or face destruction.
Now if he could just get Nuri to join him in his task of changing the Pride things would be much simpler. Nuri was strong, wise and perfect in every way. However he feared she would say no, tell him that she had no desire to get involved with a Pride that had let her down.
He had to persuade her otherwsie! He had to!
The young juvenile prince - who was showing signs of moving into adolescene - had moved to the outskirts of the graveyard after following a strange lion's scent. With this new change of direction had come success and he felt a little safer now that he wasn't so deep within the bone maze.
He wanted to roar, to call to her, but he feared to in case it drew in mroe of those slobbering mutts. No. For now he'd move onwards and hope that he'd fall into Nuri's sharp gaze. She wasn't a lioness who would miss much.
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:12 pm
Time had passed, and along this way, No had had some time to consider at length exactly what they were undertaking. It really was preposterous- two juveniles roaming the dead like they owned the place. The path had gotten relatively easier ever since they’d gotten rid of that she-brute, although on occasion the sounds of hyenas and roaming lions was vaguely apparent in the greyscaled land. And yet... the coolness of it all was still there. Her pulse had long gone steady, and now she kept her eyes out for any would be dangers, occasionally skirting to the shadows to peer ahead.
But now, the land was flatter and there were less hulking forms of the deceased. Things were quieter in this place- and No followed behind Kidondo with a silent diligence as she peered about. He seemed to have caught up on a scent trail, and after a few moments she was able to recognize it as well. Not enough to know much about who he was looking for- except that she was a lioness.
“This person you are looking for-“ No spoke in a hushed voice as she pulled herself to pace with him. “Do you think she will be able to help you?”
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:33 pm
He felt comforted that No had remained with him. Already he felt he could trust her and as he protected her, she also protected him. He had learnt to respect females not just for their hunting skills.
Nuri was one of the females he held in utmost esteem.
He turned his eyes upon the black female and almost seemed to smile. "I hope so. If not then I don't know who else to turn to. I no nothing of any others like her, those who are willing to stand up and tell a pride that their way isn't good anymore." He sighed, "I don't want to do it alone, but I fear I will have to. I have found no one to back me up. No one..."
To face his father and tell him the things that he thought. He did not even what to imagine the look on the King's face as his eldest son rebelled against the traditions.
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:59 pm
It was as if their search had called to her, summoned her out of the normal rut she had found herself in. After the cubs had been born, she hardly traveled around, and it made it easy for the two eldest to leave completly. Their actions troubled her, and sent her into an even darker mood, one that left most fleeing from her den, including the curious cubs. Though she paid no heed, babying them would only make them weak.
And now, she was finally able to leave the den, and she slowly moved out. Naraka's scent was gone, a fleeting breeze clearly showing he had dispersed, and Ra had went a different direction entirely, with some female musk she did not reconize. She left her thoughts at that, seeing them as just moving on and worried more of herself once more, as always, and so she walked.
Her dark form blended well with the bones, the red flashing like a streak of blood as she moved across and towards the edge. It had been awhile since she really was able to hunt for a good meal, so she decided that would be the first task since her freedom became. Padding to the edge, her eyes skimmed the distance, more in search of prey and noting of other creatures than anything else. She never imagined that she would catch sight of a different shade of red, and as she did, her eyes slowly narrowed and she trained her gaze upon the prince and him alone. She was still a great deal away, but she knew, if she kept her eye on him, he would sense her and realize he was not alone.
Sadly, she was growing a bit rusty, so she had no clue No was right next to him, though once she found out, she would make sure not to make the same mistake yet again.
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:27 pm
No frowned softly, and nodded her head somberly. There was something... something about the way he almost smiled when he spoke those words that half broke her heart. He would try to change his people even if he knew he’d fail. Would he die- she wondered? She wasn’t sure what the kind of punishment there was for doing such things. The world she had known- at least, had been relatively peaceful.
“I would help.” She spoke lightly, although she supposed it wasn’t her problem. But... she wanted it to be. She wanted to think there was something in her that could be worth such a cause. She’d always wanted to be great and do something. As she was, though- it seemed hard to fathom she could help. Almost as if dismiss her comment, or any possibility of her help being uneeded, she added- “But, you’re right. You’ll need someone. They have to be smart to help you,” The black cat continued, before taking a few paces forwards, her face shifting still. "I hope you are right about her."
She did hope he was right. Up until this point she was certain of most of what Kidondo said- but now she’d make sure to size up this woman with her own mind. She was still hesitant- from what she knew from the pridelands, lions living in the graveyard were never particularly well spoken of.
It wouldn't do for Kidondo to place his trust in someone who would only lead to ruin.
No paused for a second to look back at him, for a moment her mind turned on voicing her concern, when she noticed a faint trickle of red in the far distance. Her head moved at once towards it- but the with all the black in the female's pelt, she had to squint her eyes to see her correctly. Her whiskers perked forwards. "I think someone watches."
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:42 am
Death would not be an unsuitable punishment for what Kidondo planned to do. In fact it was probably the closest to what would happen if he stood alone. Partnered with others however...who knew what might happen. There was strength in numbers. Lions had always known that, and in a way Kidondo was searching for a pride to take over the firekin pride already in existance.
Sort of.
Though as he had learned, nothing was that black and white. In fact he planned to mingle half-bloods, pure bloods and complete rogues as one. They would no longer be the Firekin. They would be something else. But what he did not yet know.
"You have already helped me No. I don't think you realise quite how much. I would not decline if you offered your assistance but I must warn you first that it will be dangerous. We are going up against lions set in their ways, who would kill to preserve tradition. I would protect you as much as I could but it may not be enough."
He had always been a realist.
Simultaneous to No's declaration that someone was watching a shiver of familiarity ran down Kidondo's spine. He didn't have to look to know who that was.
"Nuri..." Her name was released in a hushed breath and almost instantly he turned towards the bot of red amongst the white. "That's her. The one I'm searching for. Come on No, you must meet her!" And with that he increased his speed, moving as swiftly as he dared in the uneven terrain.
Then when he drew close enough he raised his voice to call to her. "Nuri! Nuri I need your help!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:17 pm
Content just to watch, a satisfied smirk raised slowly across her emotionless features as her shoulders relaxed. She was certin now that the prince was in the lands, and instead of worry lacing her thoughts, she grew a bit proud he had went outside of the boundries of his pride. It was when he moved closer that she wiped the smirk off of her maw and took on a relaxed pose, her eyes turning away and a sigh slipping from her maw.
A lone ear flickered during his calling, and she glanced his way as her chin lifted just slightly. Prince and all, she still made sure that he understood, she was above him in every way now that she had left the firekins, or in her mind at least. Tail waving, she looked sideways towards him again with a lidded gaze, and let out a large yawn. Closing her maw, she waited, eyes slowly slinking to land on No as the two now became clear. She would not speak until they were close, for she was not one to waste her breath with yelling.
"It is funny..." She started, eyes still trained like sharp daggers upon No, "...how a pride needs one only after they leave..." Her voice soft and drifting, the emotionless tone took over and she sniffed lightly, before a rumble rose from her throat.
"You are not of the blood." Blunt and to the point, she glared once more upon No, her eyes demanding an explination.
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:39 pm
No turned her head reflexively and peered at Kidondo. “It’s a good thing I don’t need much protecting then.” She remarked with a small smile. It could have easily been a boast, but she did not sharpen her voice as she said it. She wasn’t sure what she meant; but she wasn’t afraid of dying. Well. She was afraid of dying- but who wasn’t? Yet... she couldn’t stand the idea of leading a life that went on forever that had no grand reason. Not everyone needed a grand reason- but she knew somewhere in her small heart that she did. And it was worth whatever cost that might be.
The black cat followed behind Kidondo as he approached this ‘Nuri’. She was a large looking lioness- and she was starting to gather that these firekin might have all been as big as brutes. They certainly did have a... manner about them, that was for sure. It startled her for a second to see an adult glare at her with such a face- but after a few moments she flipped on the stalwart switch and shot back her own coldly serious look. It might have been more motivating had she not been a child. There were hints of maturity, but she wouldn’t quite get the look passed just ‘sour’ until her adolescence.
Bah! No thought quietly as the female drawled to Kidondo. She should have been glad this pride needed her at all. But if Kidondo respected her, No decided she’d force herself to. So she kept her mouth shut, and only responded when she was spoken to.
“My blood is just fine.” She spoke cooly.
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:14 pm
He bowed his head slightly in respect to the elder lioness. For though he was indeed royalty he knew that a lioness with such wisdom could not be looked down upon. Her size, her strength and her intelligent eyes demanded to be respected and not even Kidondo could refuse.
He nodded approvingly at No's reply, glad that she had not cowered down. If she did indeed want to help then she had to show strength. Strength that the Firekin themselves possessed. Not one to stray from the point, the young prince spoke again.
"Oh but Lady Nuri, we have always needed you, it is just they are too dull to realise it. When you left I had much time to dwell upon things. Upon our Goddess Finar-si and what she has brought us. The conclusion I came to is nothing except pain. Our kind is dying, bloodlines are closing up. If we continue on this insane path of tradition then we shall be no more. I cannot let that happen to my people but I cannot do that alone. That is why I am here. That is why I sought you. You can be trusted because I know you hold no love for our Goddess."
"But now let me introduce you to my newest friend, and partner in crime as it were." He tipped his head towards the black cat, "this is No, and though she is not of the Firekin, she holds a strength that even I must admire. She wishes to help and I will not decline it. If changes are to be made then our kind must mingle with other blood."
Then his eyes made a genuine expression of plea.
"Please Lady Nuri, will you stay a while and listen to what I have to say?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:09 pm
Blood red eyes turned mocking at the sight No made, silently teasing the so-called glare with an emotionless smirk. There was no smile that crossed the female's maw, just deep smirks that caused chills, not warmth. However, when the cold snap made way to her ears, Nuri felt a sudden narrow of her eyes and a low growl raise from her chest.
Had Ondo not chosen that precise moment to speak, No would have gotten a thoural lesson on just what blood meant to the Firekins and where she was meant to stand.
Turning slowly towards Ondo, her glare losened just slightly, before her ears flickered once. The tip of her maw raised an inch only, moreso because of his clear attempt at complimenting and brushing her ego.
"You honor me so..." She murmered softly as he spoke up about her and her lack of love for the goddess, "Indeed...you speak no lies..."
When he spoke of No, her eyes once more snapped to the black cub, and she studied her closely. Moving to her paws, she padded around the two, eyes training to the stance, the pelt, and the eyes of the young female. She circled twice, before pausing and silently starring into the gaze. With no catch to the pleaing eyes of the prince, her ears moved to him when he finally asked her to stay, and she moved her gaze back upon him.
"For you to come all the way here...alone..." She stressed the word, clearly not considering No any sort of strength just yet, "...it would be a disappointment for me not to listen...my have you grown." And with that, she was once more on her haunches, and looking out to the distance, "Yes yes...such strength becomes you, young prince."
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:54 pm
No listened quietly as Kidondo spoke, her eyes tracing the form of Nuri and solemnly judging the female up. She came from a family of strong women- even if they were pridelanders. She was not going to be ashamed of her family, and likewise, she wasn’t about to let this woman think she could besmirch them. Particularly in such surroundings. But No did not have too terrible of a temper, and she was the kind of person who could let her feelings simmer when she wished. And this meant a lot to Kidondo. The last thing she wanted was causing him, and her, any problems.
But that didn’t mean she’d be so receptive of being so outrageously sized up. The black cat sniffed faintly and lifted her chin, the corner of her tail flicking twice as she felt Nuri’s body circulate hers, and her eyes crawl across her form. She said nothing- and she did not look at the female as she did it.
If the other female was going to say something about her- she hadn’t, and No flicked her ear capriciously. She seemed about as willing to ignore her as she was, so she didn’t mention it. Although the extent of Nuri’s exclusion seemed to go as far as making an abridged version of their journey. That too, she said nothing off. But she quirked her eyebrows once, just to show she had noticed it.
Instead, No tried to push off the idea of judgement, and tried to focus on what Kidondo would say to this female. What he wished was certainly quite an ordeal.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:44 am
He gave a sigh of relief, looking straight ahead towards the horizon. He would tell No later that it was probably a compliment being treated in such a way. Nuri sizing her up was somethign to be proud of. He just knew that in the end Nuri would agree that the black female was a worth ally.
"Thank you Lady Nuri." Finalyl he swept his eyes to her and with a small breath began his explanation.
"I have sat and I have watched. I have listened to the stories that the old lioness Ripuka speaks and I cannot ignore the fact that we have changed. Our pride will never again be as it was. The old are dead or dying and the young are rising to take over. Those like Ripuka can fight it all they want but it is only natural that with time comes change. We have been fighting against this and it has only brought us doom." His tail flicked idly.
"I have seen things. Things in my dreams, things that disturb me. I cannot let these dreams become reality. But in order to protect the best interests of our kin there is something I must do. I must challenge my father, make him see sense with words or...with force." He seemed somewhat hesitant to add the last part. "There is a good chance that doing so will bring my death but that is a chance I am willing to take. If we continue along this road then our Pride will be no more. There will be no tradition, no warriors, just myths that speak of our kind as if we were characters in a storybook."
He turned to gaze at Nuri's powerful form. "So I have begun to plan and have put things into motion. I will sweep across this world in search for dispersed members, for half bloods and for rogues - such as No - who would be willing to aid me. In short, I am looking to gather an army. However an 'army' isn't nesecarily the right word. I don't intend to wage war, not really. I just wish to use numbers to enforce my words, get others to see sense. They might not listen to one lion, but would they listen to a pride of voices?"
"You were the first on my list of ideals Nuri, you and your son. Though I have not seen Naraka around. Any advice you could offer would be welcome before I return home briefly to assure them all of my safety."
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:00 am
Keeping silently long moments after his words trailed off, she appeared to idly think over the statements and the decisions the prince was to be making. It took her about a minute once again to think of the right words to say, and she appeared all the more like the wise female she portrayed in those moments.
"You cannot win with words, for words are not the way of The Blood..." Her words lazed out in a soft breath, guiding him along with soothing tones, for once, "If you try and speak words, they will kill you, but if you go in with strength and with numbers your father will understand just how strong the new blood has become. For when you took up these thoughts, young prince, you shed all of the blood of Finar-si, and rose with the strength of your own."
Eyes turning towards No once more, she just let out a soft sigh and pondered over the next step, the thoughts of outsiders, and than she looked back towards him.
"There are too many gods to count, and the blood of the rogues hold the strengths of the gods...as well as my first sons spoke of such a goddess, one with a raven black pelt that was related to Finar-si...this female, she seems like a sign, that there is more out in the world than just the Firekin...Naraka believed that, and that is why he is gone."
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:20 am
No listened quietly, filling it all into a mental repitoir of what the firekin seemed to be. The gods seemed to have such a hand in all of this- was the reason the pridelands prospered because they put gods aside? They looked to ancestors, not gods, to guide them. The way she saw it- if gods did exist, they could never understand mortal affairs. And ancestors would never understand the times. The important things were what existed at the end of the palm with only a half hearted consideration to the past and the future.
“Should be cautious, I think, to enter in with teeth bared.” No spoke. “Even if they wouldn’t listen to words, aggression will give cause to rally." She didn't know the history of the firekin- but if they were older, it was unlikely that they didn't have at least a handful who had found their worth in salt in the battle. If they were not ready for it, they would strike quickly.
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:39 am
He was thankful for No's words, for with her speach came the balance in his mind. The balance between physical and mental. Kidondo was by no means a weak lion, one could tell that by his physique, however he was not one to rush into a fight with teeth bared. He was quite able to step back and think about the situation intellectually. That was why he was so different from his kin and that was why he could see the doom approaching them.
However whilst No's words held truth, so too did Nuri's. The fact was that those who opposed the thought of breaking traditions would resort to violence.
"I wish no blood of any God or Goddess upon this world. Whether it is Finar-si or some other immortal I no longer wish to acknowledge them. They bring trouble with them. Instead we will live by our own teachings, not by those set upon us by some mysterious being."
He sniffed, "it is time our kind came to realise that perhaps we were not the only lions to have been blessed by the Gods. There is strength in rogues, a strength that our kind never had. They do not rely on traditions or Gods, they rely on their own strength. This is what we must rekindle! That is what I intend to do." He puffed out his chest. "Nuri, if a fight breaks out then so be it but I will not be the one to start it. No is right, we should not use violence before intellect. I will talk and talk until they see sense or strike out. If the latter occurs then I will not back down. I will draw blood for what I believe in."
"But tell me Lady Nuri. Naraka is gone? Do you know where? He was the second on my list and I would very much like to speak with him. Though if what you say is true he would not be interested anyway."
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