[PRP] How the Mighty Have Fallen! [Koka, No, and Kidondo]

[Kolina]

The day had started out like all others and it was a cycle that Koka was getting dreadfully fed up with. The proud Firekin mother was tired of the same-old thing day after day and the damn cubs just didn't help matters. With her daughters in toe, Koka had been forced to slow her pace as much as she pushed the cubs to keep up with her. It was an annoying predicament and one that Koka would love to see come to end one way or another. For now though, that same old cycle must continue on.

After ditching the cubs in a thicket not far behind Koka took time to relax amongst the tall swaying grass without the runts jumping all over her. It was a marvelous feeling and something she didn't get often anymore. Uriah and Tanwen always managed to worm their way to Koka's side and it annoyed the hell out of the lioness. As much as she was the cubs mother, Koka held little to no motherly urges towards the two. No, her mind was set in other places. The only thing she wanted was power and right now she was dangling at the lowest end of the power spectrum. To think that she was now a rogue of all things.

She had been so close to worming her way into Nyek's heart, maybe even close enough to take that elusive rank as queen but the b*****d had to go and get himself killed. What idiocy. Forced to leave the pride, not that there was much of one after Nyek's death, Koka had no choice but to roam alone until the cubs were born. She had hoped that she would have found....something by now but nothing had come round to her.

A thought struck her at that moment...what of Mrost? She had struck a deal with the God maybe there was something there that she could pull upon to get herself back up into some high-ranking position. It would be a start to things, that was for sure.

Stretching out her body, Koka yawned. The female had managed to work away every last inch of whatever fat she had gained wile carrying her cubs and was back to her well-tone, muscled self. This one factor, Koka took great delight in. She had not delighted in the pudge that had stayed after delivering the runts and made sure to work every last bit of it off and it was well worth it. With the extra baggage off she had more stamina and strength seeing as there was nothing to hold her back.

Violet eyes gazed around her surroundings as she moved out from the tall grasses. Those orbs saw nothing...nothing but golden grass and the waves of heat radiating from the ground. How wonderful....another long trek would be in store to find any source of food.

A younger pair of violet eyes gazed out from the thicket that was to protect against danger. Not that Tanwen minded where mother hid them but of all places it was the least comfortable. Every movement she made another thron would find it's way into her fur causing her to have to yank away. There was only a little space that was safe enough to relax in and Uriah was already taking it up much to Tanwen's annoyance. "Can't you just share! It's not fair that you get the only thorn free place to sit!"

If Tanwen could she would have attacked her sister in an attempts of pushing the fiery red hued sibling out of the way but with thorns on all side of her she dare not take the chance.

Pulling herself away from another annoying thorn, Tanwen huffed. "Why couldn't mother find us somewhere else to hide. This is so uncomfortable!"  

[Kimaria]

They had fled the land of gold.

The journey they had taken to get to the desert, the efforts they had taken to mask their true purpose of being there. It had all been for nothing. For NOTHING! Kidondo's pride had taken a battering. His adolescent body would never have been enough to beat his father and even now that he was left he struggled to think of himself ever becoming an adult. He knew that his true size would be gained soon, that he'd reach his peak, but somehow he wasn't sure it mattered anymore. Even if he became one of the strongest lions to ever live, could he really extinguish the flame of his father's life.

He did so love Kimeti and perhaps if his father had been more open-minded they would have been much more successful in their relationship. It was never to be though, because in the end for all their similarities they were both very, very different.

The pain of his father's claws still burned with the memory of that short scuffle. He remembered the flash of rage in his father's eyes, his great paws raising up to crush him. He remembered the claws, the claws that pierced fur and flesh and the blood that was so red...

So red...

It was even redder than his pelt, the true colour of blood. It was pure and sickly but beautiful too. The red of life, the red of his soul. But soon it had dried to brown and had matted his fur around the wound where it was slowly healing.

That same red had dried to save his life, to keep out infection and seal the tears in his body.

Luckily, the majority of the claw marks were not that deep and the shallow ones were already healing. By the time they had left the jungle only one of the marks on his shoulder was causing him difficulty, but even the pain from that was ebbing now. It did, however, cause him to flinch every now and then; when he stepped too heavy.

Ever since they had returned back to rogue lands he had been in a sort of trance, his eyes bleary and head down to watch his paws. He seemed uninterested in the world around him.

Instead he felt shame.

A terrible shame that he had put himself and No into danger, that he had failed to protect her when he most needed to. And last of all...the shame of rebelling against his father. The father he still loved. The father he would always love.  

[Mimsey]

“Tanweennn-“ The red cub hissed and pushed her sister back, her tiny claws mere pricks compared to the sharp thorns that had surrounded them in place of a mother’s embrace. As she shoved her sister, a thorn poked her in the elbow. “Don’t knock me into the thorns too! I can’t help if your butt is so big. Ugh! Look at my arm!” For a moment, the cub attempt to remove it- but doing so risked hitting more of the sharp and prickly projectiles. Agitated, Uriah quieted and ignored the slight sting, focusing instead on the form of their mother in the distance.

Not once in Uriah’s mind had she ever realized that mom might not have really wanted them. Mother was strong! It was only right that she tested them to make them strong as well. Right? Right. Uriah bit her tongue and tried to push back the thorns. “Just don’t wiggle! Okay, okay- no more moving.” She instructed, trying to wedge one of the branches back with her tail. It was a tenuous arrangement, but for the moment it kept them from poking if she moved.

In the distance- something else was catching her attention.


The journey back had been shorter then the journey coming to- but they had said so few words since that time that the journey felt a thousand steps longer. It wasn’t the first time No had kept herself quiet to let the time be right for words again- silence was not something No had much problem with. But now that the desert had ended and they were soon upon the thorny steppe- the black cat decided it would soon be time to talk about the matter. Kidondo was sunken and haggard- and he still smelled of dried blood from his father’s claws.

That damn fool of a man, No thought bitterly. Even with all this time to consider him, she couldn’t understand how he had let pride cover up the love for his son. The love for his people...was there no love? Not even a concern? The firekin were a rough people, but they were not heartless. The black cat’s whiskers struck forward in a snort, and she craned her head to look about.

Weariness- that kept it quiet too. They hadn’t stopped walking yet.

In thick of the golden grasses, the black cat caught sight of a shadow pooling in the distance. Another lion stalking- and another part of her flicked on. The firekin lands were desolate- but they were back in the world filled of people, and they’d need to start taking notice of the places they traveled.

“Kidondo,” No spoke, and moved up alongside him. She hoped it was not too soon for words, and watched the expression on his face as a guideline. “In the distance...” She turned her head towards it, and shifted her jaw in a serious glance.  

[Kolina]

A movement in the grasses caused an ear to flick before Koka's eyes focused in the direction of the sound. Muscles tensed and rippled under her ebony coat as she lowered herself to the ground. The wind was not on her side and carried whatever scent there may be away from her. No matter. Whatever it was would be dead soon. Sneaking up on a warrioress was not the most clever thing to do. A warrior was always ready for whatever came.

Digging claws into the dray ground, Koka launched herself foreward to whatever it was. The grasses stood no chance as the bulk of the lioness pushed through the dry vegetation to her goal. A flash of red and black peaked through the grasses. Koka gathered herself and leapt at her prey, claws outstretched.

Her paws connected with the red mass, sending it to the ground with Koka on top. Teeth bared Koka was set to dig her fangs into the throat of the beat until she realized what it was...who it was. The rage of hunger dissapated and quickly change to surprise as violet eyes met bronze and sister and brother were reunited under terms far from the ordinary.

Koka's surprise quickly changed to that of glee as she composed herself, but it was a glee that was not the most beneficial to Kidondo. "Why...big brother...how wonderful to see you again." Her voice was thick with sarcasm as she remained in top of her brother, paws pinning his shoulders to the ground as she looked down upon the red hued heir of the Firekin throne.

"But Uriiiiiiahhhh!" She whinned as she tried to push her sister from amongst the thorns. "It's so much easier for you to be still when you at least have a place to rest!" Poor Tanwen was forced to stand over a rather large piece of vine with thorns quite large enough to cause some major damage should she fall upon them. The little white lioness was forced to arch her back up in attempt to keep her delicate belly away from the danger below. "Why can't you...."

The sound of her mother caused Tanwen to turn her head in the direction that mother was only to find nothing but swaying grass. She looked back at her sister before taking the initiative to get herself out of the uncomfortable space. Carefully stepping over the vine elow her, Tanwen crawled out from the thorn bush. "Come on Uriah! I think mama got something." She said happily, nearly bouncing around from outside the bush waiting for her sister to join her.  

[Kimaria]

Kimaria

He barely even flickered an eyelid as No spoke to him. As far as he was concerned, any rogues or prey that might lie in the path ahead wouldn't bother them. He wanted to walk, to walk in silence until he had figured out what he was going to do.

Maybe he should just keep walking and never return, find someplace else to live. Perhaps he should strip himself of his title as prince...or ex-prince and live as a simple commoner amongst the inferiors. No. Not inferiors. He could never have fallen in love with an inferior. In Kidondo's mind, the outsiders were far stronger and far more powerful than his kin could ever hope to become. If his father could not see it then his family would be at risk.

He couldn't turn back. He couldn't!! He loved them far too much to leave them to their terrible fate.

As if that one thought had snapped him from his trance he raised his head to inquire on how No was, only to find himself being flung off of his paws. A crushing weight pressed against him and the force to the ground momentarily knocked the breath from his lungs.

His scarred face rose and a vicious snarl leapt from his throat. His father! His father had come to finish the job! His eyes flashed open to meet those of a lioness he had not seen since he had been but a cub.

Koka.

The snarl instantly died and he stared up at her with that usual blank Kidondo expression. He hadn't changed much, not really. He had never hated Koka when they were younger, but like he and his father they shared different views, views that had inevitably wedged a wall between them. He did not hate her but he did not love her either - that was the difference. He loved his father and it would all but crush his soul to have to hurt him, but with Koka...she needed to be put in her place.

"Oh..." He put on his best, emotionless voice. "It's you Koka. I wondered when you'd show your face again." He growled and forced himself up, pulling back away to stand beside No. He knew that the black female could protect herself but he felt guilty for not being able to protect her back in the Firekin lands and wanted to make up for it now.

"What brings you here, dearest sister?" There was perhaps a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

 

[Mimsey]

The black cat waited for some sign from Kidondo, but he barely batted an eye. She’d have to do something about this sooner or later- but when was the right time? How long was an ‘approved’ length of grieving? She cared too much about Kidondo to let him wallow for too long. They had to do what they had to do. There was very little way between that. Somehow... it would right itself. She was sure of that. All it took now was some ample grunt work and some good old fashioned politics.

But with Kidondo uncaring, and No suddenly considering the future, both their eyes had turned from the stalking Koka. It was only when the sound of rabid footfall that a sudden burst of remembrance dawned upon her. No whipped around with a warning snarl- but by now, the other feline was slowing down; and she was certainly quite a sight. A large lioness even blacker then she was. There were wingmarkings across her shoulders which seemed to bounce as she moved; but No had a distinct notion that this was not in fact an angel. Her expression soured as she began to speak, sweeping an eye towards Kidondo to see if she got any reaction out of him.

Kidondo looked about as agitated as she had been- until some recognition passed across his face, and the other lady spoke. Sister!

Oh, this family. No squared her jaw and quietly considered the female in front of them, and what it meant that they had not until this point seen a thing of.


Speaking of family, Uriah took off after Tanwen, dislodging a few thorns from her feet as she did. “Son of a-“ She started and did a slight tumble. In the distance, she could see mother’s dark from facing something. Food! Maybe she’d let them eat their favorite parts this time! With glee, the red cat scrambled, attempting to get ahead of Tanwen in the rush to greet Koka.

But after a couple of lengths, it became apparent that mother was not, in fact, alone. Two strangers were facing her- and when it didn’t look like they would be dinner, Uriah picked up the pace. Tanwen was bobbing out in front of her just barely ten feet from the adults. “Tanwen!” Uriah hissed quietly, and launched herself at her sister.

She hit her in the shoulder, and the two girls tumbled into another bush before being seen. “Sssh! Let’s watch first!”
 

[Kolina]

Koka smirked as Kidondo heaved his bulky form from underneath her, forcing the lioness to push away from him. "Aw, Kidondo, you don't seem all to pleased to see me again. We haven't seen each other for such a long time, I thought you'd surely be happy to see me." A smirk danced across her face as she cubishly rubbed her body against Kidondo, knowing all too well that the Firekin heir had no interest in seeing her again. Oh no. The two of them were completely opposite felines.

Kidondo's easy-going and quiet ways were not the approach nor style that Koka possessed. No, Koka was a manipulator. Sure, she could be quiet, but the quieter she was the more dangerous she became. Kidondo on the other hand, from what she remembered, was nothing more than an admirer of their father who wished to please Kimeti to the best of his abilities no matter what it took. It made Koka was to vomit. Oh yes, Kidondo had always been the goody-goody of the litter. The one who did no wrongs and was the perfect heir in everyone's eyes. Koka would show them, one day, that -she- should have been made heir. Only -she- was strong enough to lead that pride of fire warriors.

Maybe...Maybe should could get rid of him now...

Her attention was dragged from Kidondo at that moment to the pale black female that was apparently accompanying his royal highness. Violet eyes gazed at the lioness with scrutiny and dislike as she took note to the lionesses lack of Firekin features. "Kidondo, I am surprised to see you running around with riff-raff such as this." Koka turned her full body to No though and ever-intent ear focused on her brother. "She is far from being a Firekin lioness...would she happen to be your slave?? She turned her head to look back at Kidondo. "She is rather too healthy looking to be nothing more than a slave though." That calculating look of Koka's fixed on Kidondo with an almost knowing look.

Tanwen had not even noticed her sister's proximity to her until the two cubs were moving head-over-heels into a bush. Skidding to a stop, thanks to the vegetation, Tanwen, growled and rubbed her head. "Whatcha do that for?" Se rose to her paws and glared at her sister until she realized what Uriah had just said. Eyes shot open as she looked from her sister to where their mother was with two other strange lions.

Wanting to get the best viewpoint, Tanwen took it upon herself to scramble up onto Uriah's back so she could get her head above the really thick greenery. "Whatcha think they're talking about?" Tanwen whispered down to her sister.  

[Kimaria]

A muscle twitched in his jaw as she rubbed against him and he wished, truly wished, that Koka had meant the gesture sincerely. She would have made a beautiful and perfect Firekin if only she used her brain a little more than her brawn - or so Kidondo thought.

"Don't get me wrong Koka, I am glad to see you still live." It could not be told whether he was sincere or not. "I would not have liked to see you hurt even if we don't see eye to eye." He dug his claws into the earth and snorted, wincing at the pain in his face.

However, Koka's dig at No only agitated the lion. He had had quite enough of his kin throwing insults at No. His father had been the same. Did they not see what he saw? There had been nothing truly official made about their pairing but it was there in spirit and clear for anyone to see, no doubt. Kidondo had not found the words or the strength to tell No properly but he would, someday.

However, he feigned surprise and arched a brow, glancing at Koka's dark face. Her face was dangerous and her eyes were...awfully cunning, awfully Firekin. Is this what a traditional Firekin was like? He wondered to himself, deciding that he was glad he was not one of them.

"Hardly." He replied. "I thought you'd know a Queen when you saw one Koka, you seem to hold yourself in that esteem - falsely of course." He cast a look at her, a blank look and flexed his claws. "Seems like you've been a rogue too long, my dear, you've learned their brutish and thoughtless ways." He didn't mean it, of course, he had nothing against outsiders anymore. "I hardly recognise your scent for all the strangers upon your fur."  

[Mimsey]

No pulled slightly on her lips, watching as Koka got off of Kidondo and rub herself against him. It was a childish, and effortless act- but there was a empty feeling about it. Was it just those wings that bobbed across her shoulders as she moved? There was a coolness in her that she didn’t like, and something familiar too. Something... clever about this one. Well! If she thought she was the only woman with a set of claws, she had another thing coming.

But No kept herself quiet as the brother and sister spoke, although not because she was resuming the slave’s role. She was finding a certain...advantage in keeping herself composed and stoic. When she spoke, it would matter. She was in no rush to explain her pride to this sister.

The conversation revealed only tiny fractions of information about the female, but the fact that she was not on firekin lands made her allegiance to the firekin doubtful. But what was her story then? She didn’t seem to support Kidondo, despite the smile. She seemed to share similar views on the firekin however, No noted with a slight arch in her brow. It wouldn’t be an easy battle showing the people that she was on their side. She didn’t ask that they welcome her as a firekin. But she did want their respect. Achieving it would be her ultimate goal, and she was careful to consider how to go about that.

“She,” No spoke in between, before the conversation continued further. “Is not a slave, I’m afraid. But I do not think titles such as slaves and kings matter much in this place. Or, to bitter rogues.”



Uriah grunted as Tanwen stepped on her shoulders to get a better look. “Uggh, Tanwen! It was my turn on top!” She muttered, but decided to keep herself steady. Peering through the leaves, she could only barely make out her mother’s form in the distance. Another female too she saw in her line of vision. A male’s voice was speaking now, but he wasn’t visible. “What’s going on?” Uriah gaped and shifted her shoulders. “Tell me! What are they doing?”

She did catch the part about the queen however. That black cat a queen? “Hey!” The red kitten uttered. “Do you think we’re royalty too?” If that female was a queen, one could only imagine what mommy was!  

[Kolina]

Koka nearly broke into hysterics as she turned back round to face Kidondo. "A Queen? Surely you're joking! And what pride, may I ask is this supposed queen of? I know father enough to know he would never let an outsider take the throne. So what could this possibly mean? Has the esteemed heir run off with a lowly outsider or...is there something more to this?" Koka's calculating look danced with pleasure. This day was turning into quite the adventure and very amusing all the same.

An unfamiliar voice caught the winged-marked lionesses attention causing Koka to round upon No again. This...lioness was hardly anything to look at. Her pale black coat was far from eye catching and she was far too quiet. Perfect for a slave actually...as much as Koka would have loved to strike this femme and mar that already horrid pelt of No's Koka knew despite Kidondo's weakened state, that she wouldn't be able to take on both of them. As strong as Koka thought herself to be she wasn't suicidal. She knew when to use her strength and now was not the time. Now was the time of wits and words.

"I am sorry my dear. Forgive me for thinking so lowly of you. It's quite apparent that you hold a far higher status than myself. It's a pity really. I could understand Kidondo wanting to be with an outsider but surely he could have picked someone of greater value. Ah well, my brother has always had some strange tastes." Koka's gleeful smile turned into a smirk before she positioned herself so that both her brother and his escort were in equal view. Better to throw insults when one could see an attack coming afterall. "You are right though. Titles matter not out here. Right now the only title Kidondo holds is my brother and one that I'd rather he not have. But blood is blood and I will not argue that we are not of the same blood."

Tanwen looked down at her sister and purposefully stick her claws out to p***k the red-hued cub below her. "Stop moving! You'll make me fall!" She hissed before trying to see up and over the tall grass. It was so difficult. The vegetation continued to move with each little breeze that went by.

A the mention of a queen though, Tanwen nearly tumbled off her sister's back in excitement. "Maybe! If that smaller lioness is a queen than surely mommy is too or at least related to one! and...if she's not... Mom could take that lioness in an instant and take her queen status." Tanwen spoke lightly to her sister before going back to playing giraffee and trying to peer out of the grass.

Standing on the tip of her paws in and attempt to get a better Look Tanwen managed to catch a glimpse of the male whose voice that had heard earlier. He had a black mane and was red like Uriah! "That lion looks like you Uriah! He has the same color fur as you." She hissed down to her sister in excitement.  

[Kimaria]

His tail thrashed angrily behind him, once, as he bore his eyes into his sister. He did not trust her, not one little bit and he knew that she was always up to something. She would not have left the lands without a purpose because he knew Koka wasn't one for mindlessly wandering...or was she? He did not know much of her, except she seemed always to be plotting.

Her words both angered and saddened him though and when it seemed she had finished with her subtle insults towards No, he stepped forwards towards her, his strange, blank eyes staring into hers.

He decided to ignore her first question and instead respond to her further comments. He was terribly defensive of his companion and whilst Koka could say all she wanted about him, he would not have her belittling No.

"Surely dear sister, you are not still of the mind that outsiders are weak?" He responded. "You have been living amongst them long enough to realise that, I fathom." He flicked his ears then and gave her a strange look. "You seem to be contradicting yourself. Does value matter or not" He shook his head, "You say she is higher status than yourself, then you say I could have picked someone better?"

"You are right though, out here in the freelands, status means nothing. It does not change the fact that No is a Queen and that I am the future king. What are you, dearest? A rogue lioness, by the looks of it and one who was born far too late to have her share of kingdom." He huffed then and his eyes seemed to search for something in Koka's face. "Though what I have done to make you hate me so, I do not understand." He sighed, "If it is because I think before I act then guilty I am, but there is strength in the mind Koka, not just strength in brawn. If it is because I was the first born then do not blame me for that. Such things were out of my control."  

[Mimsey]

“What a terrible thing to say,” The black cat thrummed steadily. “Had he picked someone of greater value, then there’d be two in front of you instead of one. You should not be so self depraving.” A noise caught her attention towards the end of her rebuttal- and she shifted her ear backwards to listen to it. Two tiny voices? As she tried to listen more closely, she heard nothing more. She turned her attentions back to Koka without another hinge. One thing at a time.

It was too bad the brother and sister were on such bad terms. She couldn’t help but remember how Jing and her had been as children... although, she supposed she’d been somewhat cold to them too. She hoped that where-ever her family was, they were not loathing her such as this one did. They would see that she knew what she was doing. And that she had a greater purpose in all of this. The idea of growing old and having cubs in the pridelands was not an option.

She wondered if Koka would answer her brother’s question. What was it that drove a wedge between the brother and sister? Surely she could have been a powerful ally. No shifted her tail and listened.


“No doubt!” Uriah uttered. “I mean, mom could take both of them. Probably without her eyes too.” She proclaimed. She lowered herself as Tanwen climbed down, and immediately took interest in what her sister was talking about.

The red cub was estatic. “What, really? Do you think he’s our daddy?” She gleed, and tried to climb on Tanwen. Mother had never really spoken about daddy- although she seemed a bit annoyed at him for “dying.” Whatever that meant. “He’s sort of pissed off looking, I think.” She mumbled, and shifted her tiny tail.  

[Kolina]

Ohw how she wished to go for her brothers throat and rip it and his voice box out! How dare he insult her like that! He knew nothing about her! She was so much more than this naive king-to-be could ever be!

Koka's anger showed but the black-hued lioness quickly got control of herself and smirked at Kidondo. If she couldn't physically hurt him, might as well keep him wondering and maybe hurt his ego a bit more but before she could contemplate any response to Kidondo's words her eyes were fixed upon No as the lioness spoke. "My dear, they always say that the truth hurts. I feel sorry for you if you're just realizing how worthles you and my brother may be. Afterall..." Her yes turned to her brother. "I still think there is much more to you two being out here, alone and injured." She spoke with a gleam in her eyes as she looked upon Kidondo's wounds. "Not too many lions could take on a Firekin, yes even you dear brother. I do think that you, Kidondo have come to hard times with someone in the pride. Why else would you be outside father's kingdom wandering. There must be -so- much more to this story that I am not privy to. Maybe I should start piecing together a story. I can tell you I have quite the vivid imagination for things such as this."

Yes, she'd just keep the two guessing and doubting. Why not? It was so much more fun this way. Besides, she was not entitled to answer any of their questions for, as they have already covered, ranks and status mean nothing out here. Only the strong survive and Koka ranked herself right at the top.

As much as Tanwen enjoyed standing on her sister, she was none-too-pleased to be the one stood on. "I don't know if he's our father but...Ow! Uriah! Get off!" She hissed as she attempted to shake her sister from her back. "I said get off Uriah!" This time Tanwen attempted to dislodge her sister by falling over onto her side which would force Uriah to either perch herself on Tanwen's side with careful manuverability or tumble from her sister's back.  

[Kimaria]

He raised his head, and glared at his sister. The wounds on his face were proof enough that something had gone on, but would Koka ever believe it to be father? As far as she had ever known, he and Kimeti had gotten on well.

Strange how things can change so quickly.

His ear caught the sound of other voices close by, raised voices but small none-the-less. He tried to keep the look of surprise from his face and did well, though the expression may have been picked up ifone was looking into his eyes at that moment.

He was dissapointed that she didn't answer his question but he supposed he should have realised that before. She would never admit weakness nor the fact that she hated him because he was the heir and she was not. He gave an idle flick of his tail and rubbed his head against No's shoulder, a sign that he wanted them to leave before he did or said anything he might regret.

"Then use your imagination dear sister, weave a story so fantastic that it'd make our old storyteller proud." His heart gave a twinge of guilt as he thought of Ripuka but it was too late for that. What was done was done.

Then with that said he moved off again, crossing in front of Koka so that No would not be the target of flailing claws.

"Farewell sister, there are things we must see to before the day is out." He gave her one final glance. 'May the next time we meet be more joyous than this one. You may hate me but I am family and Firekin have always looked out for family." Then he continued and he did not look back.  

[Mimsey]

Although Kidondo turned and gave his farewell to Koka, No kept her feet rooted until it seemed clear that this was the end of this less then wonderful meeting. She saw no reason for him not to have the last word and said nothing- although privately, she wondered if Koka- or even Kidondo, realized that being in an exodus was far more harsh to them then it was to her. To her, there was little stigma of shame involved in it. They would bide their time, they would rally support- she’d always imagined it would go this way. She might have been filling the pawprints of a queen, but she’d not been born one. So Koka’s words settled on her more as a reflection of how firekin saw this life outside the lands. Bitter, and low.

No frowned pensively, and looked once towards Kidondo who was already stalking off. She had to do something... something that would renew some faith in him. This wasn’t the end of it. It was barely starting.

The black cat averted her eyes back to Koka, and rose her neck upwards in a sleek, and somewhat self satisfied manner. She didn’t care to say anything, because this was a family manner- but she tossed the other lioness a slow smile, and turned to catch up with Kidondo.


Uriah rolled off Tanwen with a grunt, kicking up a small plume of dust. “Ugh, Tanwen! I never knock you off!” Of course she did, but that was besides the point. Her paws flailed, and she rolled herself back over. “Look, they’re leaving. Wonder what they wanted....”