Mwenyezi - Waterhole
Thin, scraggly grass touches the barren rusty red of the ground here. It becomes steadily thicker the farther you walk towards the sound of gurgling water, and where it’s at its peak and the scent of clean, fresh water touches the senses, a few bushes and trees huddle around the edges of the small pool. The source of both the noise and the water is a small spring that bubbles up from between two rocks, crashed together at odd angles. Dark streaks lead the eye down these rocks to where the water has gathered at their base, creating a small waterhole a couple lion-lengths long. It tastes of certain minerals, but not offensively so, and will do the body no harm if consumed.
Exits:
[West] to the Caves
[East] to the Sandy Flats
[North] to the Hunting Grounds
[South] to an Acacia Forest
Present:
[ZZZ] Sarabi
[ZZZ] Chiwa
[ZZZ] Kichara
Next to the waterhole, the young lion is resting. For some reason, Reo has never liked eating with the others, he likes eating on his own, away from the dens. So, near the edge of the waterhole, the lion eats, a wildebeest in front of him. It's night, perfect for a quiet decent meal by the moonlight, just perfect isn't it? The lion is still young, still handsome? Maybe, it depends on who's looking at him... Below the tree and next to a rock, he simply is digging his bloodied muzzle into the wildebeest's ripped belly, eating.
Next to the waterhole, the young lion is resting. For some reason, Reo has never liked eating with the others, he likes eating on his own, away from the dens. So, near the edge of the waterhole, the lion eats, a wildebeest in front of him. It's night, perfect for a quiet decent meal by the moonlight, just perfect isn't it? The lion is still young, still handsome? Maybe, it depends on who's looking at him... Below the tree and next to a rock, he simply is digging his bloodied muzzle into the wildebeest's ripped belly, eating.
Who is looking at him is indeed the question. The answer? Some of the Royal Eyes. These elite spies, both male and female, have been scouting the main features of Mwenyezi quite a bit lately, looking for traitors...and perhaps more. They serve the King and Queen, but that does not mean they are trusted. Eventually, if enough secret lions are present, one must eventually make a sound...and like a misplaced wind, the bushes rustle, then fall still.
Kohrin has grown into a fine specimen of lionhood, thick-maned, powerfully muscled.. and still just as fruity as always, though he tends to avoid showing it. The older descendent of Aso'Caed stalks smoothly through the grass until the noise from a distant bush makes itself known. He stops with a forepaw partially raised and squints, sniffing lightly at the air. He came to try snagging away the younger male's meal, but maybe something interesting will happen.
Lounging near the water as well is the young cheetah.. no one's really sure where she came from, but after Mish's passing she seemed to come along and fit in where the elder cheetah used to.. if not exactly so. The dappled feline lays sprawled out, lazy in this dark hour when hunting it out of the option, golden eyes watching the feasting lion intently, keeping distance so that he doesn't get irritated with her and because she just doesn't eat other's kills anyway.
If someone is there, stalking him, Reo is completely aware of it. Come on, he's eating, and he captured the beast, so he surely wants to protect it, at least until he's done eating. So ears are perked up, scanning his surroundings, ready for aything, but for now, he just continues eating.
The two young Eyes known as Afertani and Mnorni, a pair of lions who consider themselves mates of a sort, slip out of the bushes, the rustle serving as their announcement and fanfare. They move toward Kohrin, although not without a sniff at the meat. "Good evening, Sir Kohrin. What tidings?" "What tidings" echoes the female. Around and around they go, as is their habit. The Queen is probably not far away. Her scent is strong.
Kohrin folds his ears back slightly and lifts his head, doing his best to look carefully unconcerned with the questions currently being directed at him. The male juts his jaw forward and snorts, nosepad twitching at its corners. "Nothing of interest beyond the smell of an unshared meal, which is something that should be speedily rectified."
Movement nearby and voices finally bring the cheetah away from staring exclusively at Reo, her thoughts still not entirely clear, though she's expressed herself to the young lion a time or two enough for him to know.. Her golden head twists around till it spots the two other lions, an ear twitching as she does. Her presence is all too obvious, but she's used to blending in and being ignored usually, so the youthful cheetah just watches, an eyes towards Reo constantly.
Idredh'Reo rolls his eyes while he continues eating. His half brother's words just make him angry. Unshared meal, now now... Just to bother him some more, Reo stands up, with the meal on his muzzle as he drags the carcass towards the cheetah. Yes, they know each other thanks to Rafi, cheetah meets cheetah and then meets lion. Reo drops the carcass next to the female cheetah, nosing the carcass a bit, "Thought you might be hungry." And woithout another word, he continues eating, on one side of the carcass of course, giving the cheetah some space to eat.
The female, M'norni, winks and blinks at Kohrin, trying to distract or discomfit him, while the male, Afertani, treads softly to the young cheetah and takes a deep whiff of her. "Do we know you?" he asks in a somewhat foreboding tone. His ears stand up like little effete buttercups. "There is a Silent War on, after all...and all must Earn their Trust."
Kohrin refuses to be boxed into such a situation by the female - one he doesn't like to begin with. He simply sidesteps and starts on after Afertani, his eyes affixed firmly on Idredh'Reo and the the wildebeest corpse. Cheetah? The cheetah can be taken care of with violent ease. Kohrin simply wants to eat.
When the carcass is draged towards her the cheetah's initial reaction is one of revolsion, but she knows better that to refuse such offerings as she's gotten steadily more accustomed to leonine methods. As such, a soft trill is sounded in thanks as she rises to meet him and brush her forehead against his flank in extra display of her appreciation. Anything to impress him, after all. She moves to settle where she can sniff at the kill to find a decent spot to work on. First, however, she addresses the lion that speaks her way, "Yes.. you do." she replies simply before gnawing at the pelt to eat, despite her discomfort in doing so.
Bughudhi has arrived.
When the cheetah nuzzles him, Reo just smiles and continues eating. But as the other male comes closer and starts bother her, Reo stands up, without words just standing there, glaring at him. If they try to hurt the cheetah, he'll fight back, royal spies or not, they already messed up with his dinner.
Kyltora chooses that moment to arrive. With a growl from the corner of her overgrown lip, she dismisses the two Eyes...who give little bows to the cheetah, the handsome lion, the poof, and scatter off to the north. The Queen now steps neatly into the open air and sets her feet together neatly in front and back, and takes a deep, long, ostentatious breath. "Ahhhhhh...hhhh." She is a somewhat stiff monarch, lacking some of the grace she had in her prime. Her movements are just as well-calculated as ever, but her bones and nerves are unable to support some of their finer points. "I apologize, my friends. You, I trust. Except for those I don't, but...well, I trust you all to be yourselves. And that is all one can ask, is it not?"
Kohrin, as it happens, just ends up slowly lying down nearby. He stretches out on his stomach and rests his head across his forelegs, letting out a long, huffling sigh that indicates both boredom and thin patience, though what would be trying him so is anyone's guess. Still, he seems not to be in the mood to entertain questions about it.
A strong purr is afforded Reo, blinking her eyes at him affectionately before she sets into the effort of eatting, despite her lack of hunger and desire for the non-fresh kill. She pauses a moment when the lioness speaks up, a soft trill murmured to greet her, then back to eatting while the other lions continue their grumblings or whatever it is they do, herself largely focused on the nice young lion across from her.
Idredh'Reo quickly turns completely around, facing the male that dared to be an arse with him... Looking at him all the time until he walks away, then Reo looks at the female, "Now my mother spies on me?" The young wolf questions Kyltora, standing there, pissed off.
Kyltora furrows her mouth. "Idredh, dearest, you say that as if it were a departure from tradition. When have I =not= spied on you? Really, Idredh...I would have thought by now you would know better...." She pivots on her haunches and faces the young cheetah. "I don't mean to sour your meal, sweet one, but I am still awaiting your decision, you know. We need a new long-distance messenger, and you haven't given your assent." She glides her way closer to the cheetah, peering at her with caring eyes. "You haven't even yet given up your =name=. Yet I do hold out hope." Speaking of hope, the queen hopes that she smells her consort and husband nearby...it would be about time for him to appear...
Now why, exactly, the young female cheetah choses not to classify herself by any sort of name is anyone's guess, right up there with her origins and meaning of being here, aside from having fallen nose over tail for Idredh'Reo almost right off the get-go. Getting her eyes off the studly lion is hard to do, but the sweet elder lioness does manage to accomplish it, if with some resistance as the spotted one constantly glances at him while staying laid beside the shared carcass, tail weaving about swiftly, "Uhm.. yeah.. I suppose.. but that'd take me far away a lot, wouldn't it?" glance, glance.. no name given, of course.
Idredh'Reo settles down on his haunches, hearing the conversation, and as always, thinking of what mother said... She spies on him? She always has?! Wow, yeah, he knew it, but what he really wonders is the WHY.
"Well, yes, of course it =would=--and is that really such a terror?" She leans in closely to murmur in the cheetah's ear. "Some people simply love to see the world--they adore nothing more. And others--like me--well, we're homebodies. We have an endless richness of fun right here where we are." She smiles broadly at Reo, flicking her tail in wide strokes, for several seconds. "The question is...which are you? For the life of a long-distance messenger is a wild one, and rewarding. You have the speed for it, and the strength of mind...but is it in your heart?"
"Wee-eell..." the cheetah keeps looking at Reo, tongue flicking over the end of her muzzle as her purr rises in her throat only to be quieted as she realizes it was there, her neck arching back as she grunts and clears her throat, boney foreshoulders rolling back to lay a bit more upright, ".. I.. do.. like it here." the lioness' close proximity is a bit intimidating, but she tries not to let it get in the way of her focus on the handsome one.
Idredh'Reo keeps looking at the lioness for amoment, trying to figure out what's on her mind now. But the moment he catches the cheetah's glance, he smiles at her... But he remains where he is, sitting there.
The years had not been good to Bug, no not at all. The ailing king is mostly blind in one eye, and scars crisscross his face. One young lion who wanted power is all it took to change Bug's appearance so, but Bug still retains his title. He takes no notice of anyone as he approaches the waterhole, but does recognize Kyltora's scent. And Reo's for that matter. He takes his drink, which was the reason he was here in the first place, and then thought about returning to the caves or going to Kyltora.
Kyltora is stirring up a reverie to describe the position to this reclusive young cheetah, but finds herself speaking with blanks, so to speak, when the cheetah reveals she likes it here. "Oh. Oh, well. Yes, you would serve us here, and yes, you would be..." She sidles around the young feline and follows her gaze with curiosity. "Why, Idredh! It seems your dear mother isn't the =only= one spying on you!" A little throaty giggle escapes as she passes by her "son" and to the water hole proper, where the King is taking his ease. In the shadowy blueness, with the sun just gone, she goes to him and touches him with her face. "What are your thoughts tonight?" she whispers just loudly enough to be overheard. "Do you feel we can win this Silent War in short order?"
The cheetah murmurs a coy note of her own at the lioness' comment to the young lion, herself laying there a moment or two before rising and shuffling around the carcas to get closer to the lion.. she so does like his smell! Soon she's dabbling her nose across his hindflank while the queen whispers with him, fairly well dropping the whole matter of her purpose here for now.
Idredh'Reo nuzzles his mother as she passes next to him, not making any face when she mentions the spying thing. But when she leaves to go to Uncle Bug, he just waits there... Ok, not for long as he feels something-, "Hey." The young lion chuckles lightly, nosing the cheetah's cheek slightly, "Sorry about that lion minutes ago..."
Bug smiles slightly. "My thoughts are mixed, as always. Jumbled beyond sense allows." His good eye sweeps first over Kyltora, checking for any signs of a scuffle, finding none, he moves onto Reo. "And who is this?" he asks, his smile fading, his face going back to its normal stoniness. He didn't know many of the newest arrivals to the pride, but if she is talking to both Reo and Kyltora, then she is worth knowing.
Kyltora smiles with a mature touch. She turns to face the cheetah, holding herself in a stately but warm way against her scarred and aged consort. "That, alas, is but one of the mysteries. Afertani believes her a question mark worth looking intl. I believe her a worthy candidate for long-range missive delivery...but she apparently has eyes only for our son." Kyltora persists in calling all of Aso's children "their sons", despite there being not a drop of truth to it in their blood. "Reo, it would be nice to know what your plans for the future are. Assuming they do not include another attempt to overthrow your dear parents, would there be room for the fawning of this creature, here?" She studies her, and then, as if it were a brilliant deducation, she exclaims: "Why, she's of a different kind!"
The cheetah sways and turns her head to rub her dappled forehead against Reo's jaw and cheek firmly following his touch, fluttering a delighted purr before she stiffens and withdraws to avoid being overbearing, "Huh? Oh.. no.. it was okay, lot of lions don't seem tah like me." though her glowing golden eyes say 'but not you!' without needing to speak it. Eyes then turn to the lion breifly then to the lioness, back to lion and lioness once more as she startles a bit from his arrival while the queen speaks to Reo. The cheetah flicks her tongue out over the end of her nose, nervous, as her flicking tail indicates. The idea of long distance messaging is nice! But.. what about Reo? Golden eyes turn to him, inquiring to what his reply will be to the queen's question.
Idredh'Reo raises a brow at his mother and Uncle. What!? No no no... It's not what they're thinking, well maybe, but no! "relax mom... It's ok. We're friends." There's no need to wory, besides... Hell, what if! "Everything will be alright." He replies to the lioness as he walks closer to her, nuzzling her neck a bit, "I'd never dare to thinkabout overthrowning you guys... I love you both."
Bug looks at Reo and the cheetah. Hmm. Now what if...? No, there are more important things to think about now. "And what would this long range messenger be going to? And with what message? To Pals, to ask for hunting rights? The Pridelands, to ask for more barren land from that moron Scar?"
Kyltora chuckles. "=Now= he loves us." Who knows what tumultuous adventure she's referring to, unless some of their scars do. She places her forepaws on Reo's shoulders, gives him a rub forwards, and a gentle push back. "I've always enjoyed how he doesn't taunt anyone before he does his evil plotting, like some of his brothers do...he just does it quietly, with no mess or undue fuss." She inclines her head to the King. "Of course, of course. But why not take advantage of the diplomatic skills of this creature, who I can see is the soul of efficiency? Isn't it about time we conspired with the Palandasya to bring down Scar once and for all? I mean, his hyena army is starving itself to death rather neatly for us."
The cheetah is a little let down by the handsome lion's words, but she reads into his hesitation enough to hear what she wants to hear, causing her to purr soundly and brush her tongue across his hindflank before sliding her jaw up ontop of his torso, lanky body shuffling up to nestle against his side partially. "Yeah.. friends.." riiiight. All this talk about her usefulness just keeps her quiet, seeing as how she couldn't make the decision about it on her own.
Idredh'Reo looks away from his mother and uncle. Old lion, always being like that, they'll betray me and whanot... Grow up! reo would never hrt or betray them, not like Runako. He doesn't say anything about the words of the lioness, hejust turns his head slightly, returning the purr to the cheetah... Yeah right, friends. Reo smiles at her, leaning his muzzle closer just to nose her cheek.
"Well, a starving army would bean easy takeover. And I'm sure that the native pridelander lions are not too happy with their leader. That would only make things easier. Hmm," Bug trails off, thinking. It was possible, now that their pride consisted of able bodied fighters. They may be able to take the pridelands themselves, but Pals' elp would, well, help. "And I assume you would word the message, my dear, since you are so good at being..diplomatic."
Kyltora smiles indulgently. "As you wish, my rock. I serve at your command." She clears her throat and steps dramatically into the pool of the water, which changes its tone as it laps about her feet. "Ahem. In perceiving that the tracts of our common plaything, our onetime enemy, quarry, stalwart, our good ragdoll of a neighbor the king Taka, popularly known as Scar, are continuing to fall prey to what can only be termed the exact opposite of the great Circle of Life, and in seeing how his stubborn policy of refact--" But the wordy quen stops short as she stares at the nestled-up 'friends'...practically mounting one another. "Reo, I do believe she wants you to go with her," she states dryly, and not without astonishment.
The cheetah's hindquarters rise and forelegs crawl to scoot inward, sliding her golden body up against the stockier frame of the larger lion, her long tail weaving around to curve around his hindquarters while her slender head wedges up under his jaw and into his chest and neck fur, finally just submitting to her affections, despite the company being shared, one of whom seems to quite interested in exploiting her presence while the other seems indifferent at best and disturbed at worst of her affection to the handsome lion. The conversation of the older ones is almost ignored until the last quip which makes her pull her head back quickly and sober herself a bit, "Uhrm.. go.. with?"
Idredh'Reo doesn't move from his post, he simply lowers his muzzle to brush his chin against the figure of the cheetah as she gets closer to his muzzle, smirking a bit at the other lions for a moment, "In fact, I was thinking that the King and Queen might be tired." Ha! He is Aso's son deep inside, he can be an ass sometimes, even if he didn't mean it like that.
Kohrin has disconnected.
Bug smiles. Definitely his father's son, that one is. "Hmm, odd. I don't feel tired at all." He stifles a laugh, looking directly at Reo. You're an ass by blood, I'm an ass cuz it's fun. "But perhaps you should go too, Reo. Represent the pride in a foreign land. It would be good practice."
"Never!" retorts Kyltora to her son with a savage grin. "Naa-ha. Oh, Idredh, you =would= slow the poor girl down in her business quite a bit, wouldn't you? Nevertheless--well, it's up to the pair of you, I suppose. You've been poking about for something useful to do for quite some time...and I suppose one wouldn't miss you all that much, if you were only away for a trip now and again." She smiles at her husband. "Yes, that is true. Practice! Always a good chance to practice one's diplomacy, when one is of royal blood." She turns to the water at her feet and sips it thirstily. "Tired, he says. As if I would ever grow tired of all this."
The cheetah tucks her head back and nestles it into the growing mane of the young lion, her lanky figure shifting a little as it remains tucked against his side, golden eyes wide and shifting between the two elders as she tries to figure just what's taking place exactly, having sort of gotten lost on Reo's comment, not that she wouldn't adore private time with him, though it's still in the realm of personal fantasy as to what could go on there since privacy is kinda non-existant here.. him go with her on delivering messages? Is that what they're meaning?
Idredh'Reo is not really confused, he just chuckles lightly, "Well then... Uncle, mom..." He nods respectfully to each as he starts walking away, brushing side side against the cheetah's a bit and still walking till his tail rubs below her chin, "Good night to you both then..." And he stops, turning to see if the cheetah will folow.
Bug smiles, barely noticeable, as always. He turns to get closer to Kyltora, so the retreating form of Reo or the cheetah could hear him. "I believe that when he comes back, he will make a fine leader. Perhaps even lead the charge into the Pridelands." Maybe, maybe not. But the one who lead the charge would no doubt be the next king, and Reo was Bug's first choice. As long as another one of Reo's siblings did not try to kill Bug for the throne again.
Kyltora smiles sideways, flicks her tail through the influx of water, and wipes her mouth on the King. "If you envision such a hefty quest as that...then yes, it may be so. Shall we let him go, then?" She turns calmly to her 'son'. "Good night, Idredh! Adventure awaits!" She's given him that farewell many a time...but this time, she seems to mean it. "And you, slick thing." Kyltora examines the cheetah and her eager, unusual libido. "You need a name, even if it isn't yours by birth. I shall call you Sundrop," she decides thoughtfully. "Will you go and maneuver for our undying supremacy, Sundrop?"
The cheetah lags behind a bit as she tries to make full sence of it, but that's just not gonna happen, so she parts her maw with a shrill chirp and picks herself up to hastily dash after the lion, catching up swiftly enough that she uses him as a brake, shoving into his side while her hindquarters bounce, tail flaging about wildly for a moment. Only then does she respond to the lionesses inquiry of her, perhaps feeling too nervous without Reo beside her, "Sun.. drop.. okay! I'll try." she calls back. It's kinda nice, yeah.. that works!
Idredh'Reo chuckles lightly, nodding to his mother for the last time before he continues walking, bumping his shoulder lightly against the cheetah's, offering a smile to ther and just... Getting lost with her godknowswhere.
Bug's eyes close, thinking. Running scenarios, more likely. Pals helps them take the Pridelands, and then they kill the Pals' warriors, leaving the lands open to attack. Casualties? The Pals' warriors will make the first attack at the hyenas, and if Bug's lucky, they'll kill each other off and save him a load of trouble. "I believe that this is the perfect time to make our move on the savannah. With some timing and luck, we can not only secure the Pridelands but also Pals' lands for the next generation," he says quietly, knowing that 'next generation' really meant 'Reo'.
Keeping pace with the young lion is no problem for the cheetah, her tail raping against his hindlegs then dragging up over his lower back to dangle upon it in clear suggestion. Gaze is peered back at the two older ones, still curious about this name she's been given and the task that seems to be placed on her as well, but not nearly enough to miss the opportunity here to get more... insight into the handsome lion and determine just what he does think of her since he continually dances around the subject whenever it arises.
[OOC] Idredh'Reo says, "I think that's it..."
[OOC] Mish chuckles. "Apperantly."
[OOC] Idredh'Reo says, "Fade to black for some luvin'."
[OOC] Mish tsks.. the old 'fade to black'.. what a cop out
[OOC] Mish giggles.
[OOC] Mish thinks the crowd died.
[OOC] Idredh'Reo XDD
[OOC] Idredh'Reo says, "That leaves us alone. úrr."
[OOC] Bughudhi dies.
[OOC] Idredh'Reo ...
[OOC] Idredh'Reo slaps Bug.
[OOC] Idredh'Reo says, "Dude!"
