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Post by EbonyPatriot on May 27, 2011 23:26:14 GMT -5
OOC: No problem Epesi. ^^ I like the reference to the first movie. ^^
BIC: Talus’s ears prick forward, pleasantly surprised. “Very well, sabre-tooth. I must admit, you do have good manners and have shown loyalty. Still-“
“Savik’ll be fine,” snarls Vetus, tail lashing; the Cave Lion’s temper improves when Savik replies. The cat’s whiskers twitch forward in surprise, then pull back in concern. “I hadn’t thought of that. Still, it’s worth a try; after all, the Troodon knows more about Tazer than we do. Being alone all winter may have softened EbonyPatriot.”
Sollow smiles and rears on her hind-legs, pawing at Savik’s foreleg with her oversized forepaws. “Savik, will you play with me? Aurum and Argentum are tired of playing.”
Talus’s ears prick in surprise. “I better go speak with them.” She turns to Savik as she starts walking off. “Remember sabre-tooth, if you hurt my brother or pride…” With that, the mahogany-colored cat stalks back to the pride.
“Sollew, Savik and I are going to fight Tazer,” says Vetus softly.
---
“What?!” screeches EbonyPatriot. This day is not going the Troodon’s way at all. “But Kenai, you can help; every bear we have is a better chance to beat Tazer! I mean, do you really think that you’ll be safer by yourself? Why Koda’s right, you have to help us. You can’t abandon…” EbonyPatriot stammers at looks fearfully at Ken’ichi. “I mean, the Pack needs you.”
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Post by Epesi on May 30, 2011 17:40:11 GMT -5
"If it hasn't killed him altogether, I suppose," Savik replies doubtfully. "But as you said, it's worth a try."
Feeling Sollew's touch on her leg, she looks down at her again with some surprise. Play? It's been a long time since anyone asked her that. On another day, she might have considered it -- though she wonders what Talus would have had to say about that. She's also been with the pride long enough to recognize the abnormality of Aurum and Argentum tiring of play; she wonders what's bothering them.
Setting aside that curiosity, and brushing off Talus's final warning, she lowers her head to give Sollew an affectionate nudge. "Sorry, little one. Perhaps another time."
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Post by EbonyPatriot on May 30, 2011 22:02:27 GMT -5
Vetus looks down at the lynx with half closed eyes, pleased that Savik agrees with him. Smiling, he licks to the top of Sollew’s head, comforting the sad lynx.
Sollew sighs and settles down on her haunches, her ears drooping back as Vetus says that the two plan to leave. “Can I come?” The idea of being left alone with the pride, with Aurum and Argentum currently sad and the rest of the pride too busy to pay attention to her…
Vetus is about to say no; better with the pride than a Wolverine. But then, as Talus, still in earshot, looks back, the Cave Lion remembers and snarls softly in his throat. “Of course you’re coming. Let’s go!” With that, Vetus lopes off.
Perhaps if Sollew were older, she would wonder if Vetus’s insistence at having her along was related to the cubs he lost. But Sollew instead happily rears and paws Savik’s foreleg again. “I get to come, Savik! Maybe we'll find Koda and Sioul!”
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 1, 2011 20:33:59 GMT -5
"You can count me out, too," Ken'ichi simply stated once he found an opening to say his piece, still keeping his gaze away from the group - and his back toward them. "I'm not fighting another war again, Spirits know I'm not."
He narrowed his eyes a bit under all the rain, wondering why he's still standing around and just not going ahead with his original idea of just moving. A wince from the young bear made him squeeze his shoulder again, praying to the Spirits to just stop the hurting. Oh Spirits, the hurting, are they punishing him for something? For giving up on this land and moving to another territory that would be much safer for him?
"I'm moving to another territory, far away from here," the bear went on to say. "Away from whatever blood and bad memories still remain here. A new place to call home..."
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 1, 2011 23:37:38 GMT -5
EbonyPatriot stammers, trying to think of an argument. “But…Ken’ichi…” What can he say? ‘Help me defeat Tazer and then you can leave’ ? Would that work? “Tazer’s come here from my home down south; where would you go that Tazer couldn’t track you down?” Yeah, that works. "Besides-" The Troodon whirls around, teeth bared.
---
Roanoke sighs miserably, shaking the rain from his reddish fur and white antlers. The spring always turns his mind to Dulcis; for the two had met in the spring, as do many of the moose from this land.
The moose stag stalks through the storm, ears back. Roanoke, tiring of his sons’ company, had wandered apart from the two. Though he had told them that even two sets of moose would have an easier time finding Dulcis, the moose’s mother and Roanoke’s mate; truth be told, he needed time to heal his regret at the way his sons had turned out. Qoheleth, before the old white-tailed deer had traveled south to avoid the harsh winter (for Qoheleth came from far southeast, in a land that would someday be called Maine), had begged Roanoke to forgive his sons and learn to love them as they were, not as how he wanted them to be. Roanoke scoffs. “Easy for him. Nehemiah, from the sound of it, turned out fine. Why couldn’t Rutt and Tuke have turned out better? I mean, they don’t have to be perfect- they just have to be like me…”
With a snort, Roanoke halts, fore-hooves spread to slow himself, ears and crest both raised as he stumbles across a gathering of four carnivores: three bears and some bizarre beast. Rearing slightly, Roanoke is preparing to flee; true, he doesn’t scent Pyronondo, his wyvern enemy, nor do the voices sound like Pyronondo’s, but predators are not to be trusted, especially grizzlies.
That is until he finally recognizes two of the scents. Feeling braver and arrogant (the latter a feeling he rarely doesn’t feel), Roanoke stalks through the trees into a clearing. “Why I remember you. You're the Bear and cub that helped me find Rutt and Tuke. How was your visit with your brother?” Despite the seemingly mocking tone out of his voice, the statement is as kind as Roanoke can be with any save Dulcis; remembering Qoheleth’s words, Roanoke is trying to be nice to this friend of Rutt and Tuke’s.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 2, 2011 6:02:38 GMT -5
Savik is surprised when Vetus allows Sollew to come along; there's no time to argue, and it's not really her place to decide, so she doesn't voice her concerns aloud. She just gives Vetus a doubtful look.
"Maybe we will," she replies to the lynx as she follows Vetus. "They ought to be out of hibernation by now."
---
Kenai feels worse as EP says his piece, and the troodon does bring up some pretty good points. If the wolverines do find them, they'd be safer with the pack. But then again...if they go their own way, they might face the wolverines. If they join the pack, they will.
"Come on, Kenai," Koda pleads. "We can help. I want to help. I wanna protect people, like...like my mom protected me, and your brother protected you."
"Koda, what you're saying...is..." Kenai trails off, at a loss. His heart sinks further when Ken'ichi also refuses.
Koda's jaw drops. He'd thought for sure that Ken'ichi would stay and fight.
"You're leaving? But you're such an awesome fighter! You could beat Tazer! And..." His head droops as he realizes something else. "If you move away, we won't get to see each other anymore..."
The two look up in alarm when the moose appears, but they recognize him as soon as he speaks. Koda is still too upset by Ken'ichi's news to give Roanoke much of a greeting, and Kenai is not at all happy to see him.
"It was good," he replies simply, doubting Roanoke would care to hear any more about his visit with Denahi than that. "How are Rutt and Tuke?"
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 4, 2011 21:22:35 GMT -5
You could come with me. Was that was he was going to say to Koda? Ken'ichi wouldn't admit it, but it hurt him leaving this all behind for a "better home". To leave all of his friends and acquaintances behind...Or what's left of them.
EbonyPatriot's words echoed in his mind even long after the moose interrupted their conversation. The newcomer only warranted a glance from the young bear, but he immediately went back to brooding, putting little thought to the conversations between them all.
Him? Capable of beating Tazer? He wondered...Nah, he wouldn't be able to. The last time he tried...He nearly...Died...
He trembled slightly at the thought and wondered whether or not to slip away unnoticed while the moose had their attention.
'I don't think it's worth throwing your life away, Koda...' Ken'ichi thought to himself as he processed through his head again Koda's insistence on helping the Pack. Things went sour when they tried, what'll make one more time any different?
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 6, 2011 0:12:22 GMT -5
OOC: Ack sorry for the late reply. BIC: Vetus sees Savik’s worried look. I haven’t told her yet about Caesius and Leucaspis, come to think of it, the Cave Lion thinks. Should I tell her?
Sure; once Sollew is asleep, I'll tell her. Perhaps she’ll help me. Sollew smiles at Savik, despite having to scurry to keep up with her. “I hope so- it’ll be nice to see them again.” Plus, it will be nice to have cubs to play with, she thinks, unwilling to share this with Savik. I mean, I like Uncle Aurum and Uncle Argentum, but…“Which direction should we take, Savik?” Vetus asks. --- Roanoke swivels his ears back at the angry expressions, his dark eyes going from Ken’ichi and EbonyPatriot to Kenai as the bear replies. “Wandering the woods,” replies Roanoke, content to not ask more about Denahi. “Perhaps they’re looking for mates. This is time Dulcis and I met as well.” Roanoke sighs miserably, forgetting himself enough to mutter, “Of course, if those two find females that can tolerate them, well…” The moose shakes his crest and looks at the depressed Ken’ichi and angry Troodon. “Who are your friends?” he asks Kenai, biting his tongue to keep from adding his own assessment of these beasts. EbonyPatriot, swishing his tail in frustration and wondering if it’d be worth asking this Moose for help, turns to Ken’ichi. “Ken’ichi, please…we need your help,” he says softly. “Think about Kamali.”
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Post by Epesi on Jun 6, 2011 22:14:26 GMT -5
"I'm sure you know this region better than I do," replies Savik, growing increasingly concerned about their mission. She's beginning to realize that they're basically running blind here, looking for one small creature in a vast wilderness. It could be an enormously difficult search, and the approaching rain isn't going to make things any easier.
"EbonyPatriot could be anywhere. Perhaps we'd be better off first looking for someone who knows him better and might be able to tell us where he went. Someone...larger, easier to spot. Tyonek and his herd, perhaps?"
---
Kenai's not surprised that Roanoke and his sons have split up, but it is a little sad. He just wonders which party got fed up with the other first.
He glances at the others when Roanoke asks about them. To his frustration, they seem to be preoccupied, leaving him in the uncomfortable position of handling the introductions.
"Um, the bear is Ken'ichi, and that's EP," Kenai replies, unable to remember exactly what "EP" is short for, or what EP is.
"EP's on an important mission," Koda pipes up, feeling suddenly inspired. "He needs to get lots of animals to help him out. Have you heard about Tazer?"
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 6, 2011 23:13:27 GMT -5
“Perhaps,” agrees Vetus. “Perhaps Tanana might know as well. Tyonek should be easier to find; not sure how well we’ll be able to approach the herd, of course.” Vetus pauses, unsure of which direction to take. “The carbibou herd is east of here; Tanana is northwest.” ---
“Ah,” says Roanoke, ears tilted forward to Ken’ichi, then to EP. Frankly, what the beast is would have been more interesting. While he’s trying to find a polite way to say this, Koda pipes up. “Tazer? I know Pyronondo, but not Tazer,” replies the stag, lowering his head to look at the cub, hoping he looks interested. “A caribou cow did mention Tazer though, along with an EbonyPatriot that she wanted me to look for. Why?”
The Troodon turns briefly at the sound of his name to the moose, but focuses once again on Ken'ichi. The moose can wait.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 7, 2011 0:22:01 GMT -5
Given the options, it doesn't take Savik long to decide which she prefers.
"I suggest we go east, then. Perhaps we can also persuade Tyonek to rejoin the pack."
---
Oh yeah, EbonyPatriot -- that's what it stands for. Before Kenai can say so, Koda continues.
"See, Tazer's a wolverine, but not just an ordinary wolverine. He's real big, and real mean, and he has a whole pack of other wolverines who do whatever he says. And Tazer has it in for all us bears, and wolves too. He's bad news! So EP's been trying to stop him, but...well...it hasn't been goin' too well. He really needs all the help he can get. And, well, you're pretty big, and my mom said that moose can get real mean when they have to...I bet you could be lots of help!"
Through his little brother's speech, Kenai wonders if he should interject and stop him. He doesn't think it's really their place to try to convince anyone to join the cause -- but then again, if EP can find more animals willing to help, maybe...maybe things will be different this time.
Still, Kenai doesn't imagine Roanoke to be the helping sort. He keeps a wary eye on the moose to see his reaction.
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 7, 2011 0:44:10 GMT -5
Vetus has frozen in place, fangs bared at a familar scent. So focused is he that he barely hears Savik, only catching Tyonek’s name. Breathing hard and ears flattened, the cat sniffs again; only Nebula’s scent, not Leucaspis and Caesius…the Cave Lion’s fire-red eyes turn on Sollew. With an angry snarl at the scent, the Cave Lion lopes to Savik’s side. “Yes…perhaps,” replies Vetus. “Perhaps EbonyPatriot....”
Sollew lopes between the two, rubbing her head against Vetus’s foreleg. Was he mad at her? “Daddy…”
Vetus looks at Sollew, unable to keep his lips from twitching. “Stay close to Savik or me, Sollew.”
---
Roanoke tilts his ears forward with interest. This Tazer does sound like bad news… Still, Roanoke has his own problems.
Pretty big?...moose real mean? Roanoke can’t decide whether the cub is insulting or complimenting him. The stag, as always, decides to take as a compliment. "Yes, we moose are strong and aggressive, especially a full-grown stag like myself.
“But, well..." The Moose hesitates. "Surely your mother told you that we Moose tend to take care of our own problems?” dryly replies the stag. “I’m not…I tend to be alone. Why should I take on Tazer when I’m trying to fight Pyronondo and trying to find my mate? It doesn’t concern me, cub.”
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Post by Ken'ichi on Jun 7, 2011 22:05:43 GMT -5
...Kamali...
Ken'ichi gritted his teeth as he lowered his head. How could he forget about him? His older brother, his only remaining family. Why did EbonyPatriot had to bring him up, of all people?
"What about him...?" The bear finally spoke, his paw never leaving his hurting shoulder. "It's not like he needs me anymore. He can take care of himself last I checked."
Sighing through his nose Ken'ichi closed his eyes, not wanting to stay on the subject for much longer. But knowing EP and Koda it's gonna linger until the horse is dead. Maybe the moose will grab their attention and then he can just sneak away without being seen.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 7, 2011 23:24:05 GMT -5
After a few steps, Savik realizes that Vetus has stopped. She looks back to see him with his fangs bared, sniffing at something. Savik tenses up and sniffs the air as well, but she doesn't smell any of the expected threats -- wolverines, Turgor, or hunters, perhaps. There is a faint trace of Cave Lion, but no one she can put a face to from the pride.
Puzzled, and a little concerned, she watches Vetus for a moment after they start walking again.
In a low voice, she asks, "Was that anyone I should know about, Vetus?"
---
Koda's ears droop, discouraged again.
"I guess not," he replies to the moose with a sigh. Sullenly, he adds, "Kenai and Ken'ichi don't think so, either..."
Kenai's disappointed too, even though Roanoke's refusal was exactly what he expected. He would feel better about leaving if he could see that EP has some chance of success. With a last guilty look at the troodon, he turns away.
"Koda and I have a lot of ground to cover, so we should really get going," he says quietly, not looking at anyone directly. "Good luck with that stuff, Roanoke, and...good luck, EP..."
He looks at Koda, but Koda doesn't budge.
"I'm not leaving," he says, sitting down to emphasize his point.
Kenai turns around and bends down to pick Koda up with his teeth, but Koda scurries away behind Roanoke's forelegs.
"Koda," hisses Kenai, "Come on. Don't make a scene."
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Post by EbonyPatriot on Jun 8, 2011 0:00:42 GMT -5
Vetus looks at Savik with hurt eyes. Should he tell her now? “Yes...yes, you should know her. That was Nebula, a killer.” The Cave Lion hesitates and looks at Sollew. “I suppose I should tell you too, Sollew.
“I told you before that humans were responsible for the death of my mate and cubs. They were; but they were not the killers, themselves.
“When I overthrew Canities- you remember Canities, don’t you, my father-in-law through Talus- well Canities’s daughter, Nebula, decided that she wanted to be my mate. I didn’t care for that whiny brat; besides, I already had Aerugo and our cubs.
“When I was out fighting those wretched humans, Nebula attacked my cubs Caesius and Leucaspis. When Aerugo intervened she killed…she killed Aerugo.” The Cave Lion’s voice breaks. Blinking back tears, Vetus continues “When I came back, that stupid wretch thought that now I would be her my mate. I tried to kill her; but then Aurum and Argentum told me that my cubs lived. I had to let her go; I had to find them.
“I’ve been looking ever since. Oh, Caesius, Leucaspis…” Vetus lowers his head, unable to keep back the tears any longer. “How much I want them back.”
Sollew whimpers and rubs against her sire’s forelimbs, shaking herself.
“Nebula is trying to kill my cubs; she’ll try to kill Sollew too…” continues Vetus softly. "She wants my rank as Leo; by being my mate, she can have the rank without fighting for it..."
---
Roanoke snorts in surprise and resentment at the familiarity; it’s all the moose can do to not rear and strike the cub with his hooves. “Cub,” the moose finally says, struggling to control his temper. “Look, cub…remember how you said moose are dangerous? Well if…” With a sigh, Roanoke lowers his head, trying to find a nice way to tell the cub to move.
“Are you really going to abandon Kamali?!” screeches EbonyPatriot, heart pounding in fear and tail lashing in frustration. “Are you going to let Tazer kill him?!” The Troodon snaps at Kenai. “Do you think I want to be back here?! Do you think I don’t have places to go?! If it weren’t for Sitka, I’ll still be at home! I’d be back with my own Pack by now!”
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