Part 1: The Battle Begins

[Katari]

Sitama was not happy. She couldn't explain why, it was just that way; had been, ever since the cursed Feraga pride had entered these lands. They were not like her Burja clan members, instead, they were said to be savages, and uninterested in anything but violence. Well, Sitama could give them that, if it's what they wanted. She snarled, and the air around her shimmered, seeming to become reddish in appearance. It was a talent she had, among other such...talents.

The golden lioness was headed back to the communal cave after a hunting trip -- unsuccessful, again. She blamed that on the Feraga lions, too, not for any real fault of theirs, but because she was fed up. Hunting had not been good, lately, and the herds seemed to be moving further still; who knew where they would end up, and what part that would play in the fate of the lions? Muttering to herself about the intruders, Sitama continued on towards home.

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A rock exploded into dust as Chaza strode past, black fur blown by the wind his own power had created. I should be a king, he thought to himself with a satisfied smile, and not for the first time. But that was not what he wanted, and he did not know just what it was he did want. But he was in green lands now, and there were supposed to be prides nearby. Perhaps a lioness or two that wouldn't mind meeting a handsome rogue?

He winced, stopped walking -- it was the scar again. It would be fine, as it always was, but every now and again it would act up, burning pain like fire in his side. Not even his healing powers would work on it...he had not mastered them at the time, and the scar had become old and unhealable; but, blast it, it still oozed blood after strenuous physical efforts. Perhaps whatever higher powers there were had given him his powers of mind for that reason; one didn't need to exert himself if he could do it with just a thought, after all, although claws and teeth came in quite handy at times.

The pain was gone, now, and Chaza kept on walking, towards whatever he was headed to. A wind blew up around him, lending its speed to his weary legs, and he started to run, nearly flying over the savanna.


(OOC: Alright for an RP-starter? I didn't go into much on what the Feraga pride was up to, exactly -- decided to leave that to the members of that pride. It's a bit long, but then, I had to cut a ton of stuff out to make it this length....)

[Deleted]

(OOC: By the way, who are the leaders going to be of the prides?)

Ina sat there in the green grass. Looking around. She saw a lion running in her direction, almost flying he was running so fast. She hadn't seen him before and wondered if he was from the dreadful Feraga pride. "May i help you?" She yelled out to the lion who was coming her way.

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Zalira was laying down at the big cave that the Feraga pride called home. She couldn't see any of the others and wandered what they were getting up to.

[Cova]

OOC. Discussing in "just wondering" thread

BIC.

Xena had watched as Zalira came in and layed down in the Feraga Cave. She herself had been there for an hour or so, she had been so insistent that there cave had been compromised and that the cursed Burja Clan had spy's searching it.
Due to this fact she had kept herself invisible, deep in the shadows of the cave, her breathing kept so slow so that she could have been there for days. But as she saw this Lioness enter, she knew no attempts to invade would come, so re-awakened her body, signaling this with a large breath, at the same time, her body materializing back into view..although her black physique kept her hidden quite well anyway. her day had been wasted...no intruders..just more Pride. She rose to her feet and slinked into view.

[Katari]

Chaza looked up, stirred from the sort of half-sleep that was his windrunning. Before him, he saw a lioness, sitting in the tall grass and smiling at him. A strange-looking lioness, to be sure, but rather attractive, for all that her white coat made her look like a snow-capped mountain. But he had no reason to fear her, so.... "Why, hello there," he said in a smooth tone. "I'm Chaza, new in these parts. And who might you be?" he finished with a grin.

[Deleted]

"Oh, why hello there Xena." Zalira said and smiled as she saw the lioness come into view. "Where is everyone?" She then added on curiously. At the same time a big gust of wind blew into the cave. But it stopped when Zalira raised her paw and motioned it in the other direction.

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Ina sighed with relief when he said he was new to these parts. "Chaza.." She repeated and nodded her head in greeting. "The name's Ina.." She said and smiled at him. "I'm from the Burja pride." She then added on.

[Lorien]

Lorien had been lying atop a rock near the entrance of the Burja communal cave. She was looking around the lands, making sure that she didn't see anyone that she didn't recognize. As she looked, she saw Sitama make her way toward the cave. With a smile, she got ready to greet her, but the smile soon faded when she saw the look on the lioness's face. She looked down at her paws, wondering if she should say anything at all. As Sitama approached, Lorien decided that she would. "Not a good day, Sitama?" She didn't know how the lioness would react. She never knew with Sitama.

[Katari]

Chaza still smiled. Concentrating, he caused a number of flowers to whirl around Ina. "A pleasure, Ina." What was this Burja pride she spoke he? He'd have to know; but prides meant trouble, he would bet. "A true pleasure. It's not everyday I meet a lovely lioness. And where might this...Burja pride be located?"

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Sitama's scowl faded -- just a little -- as Lorien, one of her pride sisters, addressed here. "No, Lorien, it was not a good day. All the herds seem to have left these parts, and with the Feraga nearby, I don't know what we can do about it." Short of starting a war, she thought grimly. Perhaps that wasn't such a bad idea....

"We can't live safely with those monsters nearby. We need to take action, now, before they suspect it."

[Lorien]

Lorien looked away a bit. "So the herds have moved?" She knew this wasn't good. Without them, they would have no food, and she didn't want to move. They had been here in these lands as long as she could remember. She then looked back to Sitama. "You really think it's their fault?" Lorien knew that she wasn't supposed to like the Feraga pride, but she couldn't help rethiking it. They hadn't done anything to her personally, but then again, she hadn't come into contact with one of them yet. She was still young and perhaps a bit naive as well.

[Deleted]

Ina smiled as the flowers whirled around her. "Why thankyou.." She said and smiled. As she said this she dissapeard. Then her voice spoke up. "It's this way.. if you would like to come.." Then a big whirl of water appearred in the air. When it dissapearred Ina was left standing there, now visible again. "You gonna come?" She then asked Chaza.

[Katari]

Chaza was confused at first when he could not see Ina, but he quickly regained his poise. After all, nothing said he was the only lion with such...abilities. He'd have to remember that one, though, just in case. "Why, yes, I think I'll join you." He motioned ahead with a raised paw. "Lead the way, my dear."

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Sitama resumed her disgusted expression as Lorien spoke. "I don't know, Lorien, I just don't know." After all, she hadn't actually seen any Feraga lions yet. But.... "What I do know is that, with two prides in the area, it means half as much food for each. So, by letting Feraga remain her untouched, we're cutting our own food supply. And you and I both know that's not enough to live on." She snarled, lips curled back to reveal sharp teeth, and the reddish aura of violent anger clouded her again. Naivete was something she'd noticed in young Lorien; hopefully the cold, hard facts would convince her.

[Deleted]

Ina nodded with a smile and started to walk in the direction of the Burja's home. After a while she saw Sitama and Lorien. "Well, we're almost there." She said motioning to the two ahead of them. "Just up there." She then turned to Chaza. "So.. what's your story??" She asked him curiously.

[Lorien]

Lorien looked at her feet again. "I guess you're right..." She didn't want to think ill of them just yet, but she didn't want to go hungry either. She then looked up in time to see Ina and another lion approaching. She smiled and waved slightly. She liked Ina a lot. Not only because she was the leader of their pride, but because she was kind hearted. Rising to her feet, she jumped off the rock onto the ground and waited for the two to arrive.

[Katari]

"Well," Chaza said with a cough. He didn't feel like going into his past, like how he'd gotten the scar, but he had to say something to satisfy her curiosity. "I come from a pride far away, hundreds of miles from here. There were just some things back home that required me to leave." He shrugged, avoided going into what those things were. Some things were better left unsaid.

He saw that they were approaching a large cave, presumably the Burja pride's communal place, and also that there were two lionesses talking there, one atop the cave; the other, a scowling, downcast thing, remained on the ground. He inclined his head in acknowledgment as they both walked up to him, the younger one bounding from atop the rock. "Hello. I'm Chaza. I've just met Ina, here." He waited, not sure he wanted to speak directly to that sour-faced one.

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"Well, Ina, I hope you're happy with yourself," Sitama snapped. "How do you know he's not a Feragan spy, Ina." She didn't like the look of the newcomer. She shot Lorien a significant glance. Just look at what our "great leader" is doing. I could do a better job of it. That was the second good idea she'd had this day, but it wasn't worth the effort. She only wanted security for the pride.

[Lorien]

Lorien was just about to introduce herself when Sitama started in on him. She took a step back, not knowing what to do. When Sitama looked back at her, she looked to Ina to see what she would say. She wanted to meet this new lion. She was intrigued by those outside of their pride, for she hadn't seen many. But by the look she had been given, she didn't know if she should trust this intrigue.

[Deleted]

"Sitama.. i just know.." Ina said to the lioness. "Chaza.. this is Sitama..." She said motioning towards the lioness. "And this is Lorien." She said motioning towards the grey lioness. "Guys, this is Chaza." She finished introducing everyone and walked over and sat down inside the cave. 'I wonder where all the others are...' She thought to herself looking around.

[Katari]

Chaza nearly repeated his flower trick, but Sitama didn't look like a lioness to be easily charmed. He was relieved when she followed Ina into the cavern. "Good to meet you, Lorien," he said with a winning smile. "I take it she" -- he nodded at Sitama's retreating back -- "isn't fond of strangers?" He chuckled softly and sat down.

Inside, he wondered what he was doing. If anyone in this pride took a disliking too him -- if more of them were like Sitama -- he would be in serious danger. This lioness seemed friendly, though, so he would try and get to know her.

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"Just what were you thinking, Ina?" Sitama said angrily. "Bringing a stranger right to the cave?" She circled around the sitting lioness, face a mask of confusion and fear. "What if is is from Feraga, huh? What'll you do then?" She didn't want to think of that. Her aura was coming back, so she let out a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself down. "What I mean to say is -- why should we trust him?"

[Deleted]

"Why should we trust him?" Ina repeated. "Because you should trust me.." She paused and raised her head, looking it Sitama. "And i trust him.." She replied simply. "And if he is from Feraga, which i highly doubt. I will deal with him myself." She added on.

[Lorien]

Lorien smiled and dipped her head when she was introduced. She got a bit nervous when she was left alone with him, not sure whether to trust Ina or Sitama's words. She then looked up at him when he spoke about Sitama, giggling slightly. "That's Sitama alright." She looked toward the cave where the two were conversing before bringing her attention back to the male. "So what brings you to these parts?" She didn't really know what to say, had never had to get to know any new lions. All the lions she knew, she had known since birth, being the youngest of the pride.

[Katari]

Sitama nodded in deference to Ina -- her leader, whether she liked it or not. "Yes, Ina. We will both deal with him."

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Chaza sighed inwardly, but kept his thoughts hidden from the pretty young lioness. "Oh, well, I get around," he said airily. "I've never been in these parts before." But who knew how long he would end up staying? "This Feraga pride -- enemies of yours?" he asked, changing the subject. If there was a war going on, he wanted to be informed before dashing into it headlong. He absently made the grasses wave around him, hiding the effect so Lorien would think it nothing more than a strange wind, but inwardly, his mind was astir with questions and choices that needed making.

[Lorien]

She looked to the ground. "I would suppose so, that's what I'm told." She glanced to the cave. "Especially by Sitama." She sighed and took her eyes from there and brought them to the lands before the two of them. "I don't have a problem with them, but two prides can't share the same lands." She looked up at the male, a smile on her face. She brought her fluff of a tail around her, wrapping it around her paws. The wind made her hair blow in the wind, allowing her right eye to see the world, something that didn't happen all too often. Her emerald oculars looked him over, noting the large scar. She wondered, but would not ask. She was too shy to get into personal matters, but she was also excited about meeting somebody new. "Ina's nice, isn't she?" She looked back to the grasses, the bright smile on her face. "Pretty too. She's such a good leader." She looked back at the cave, back at Sitama and Ina talking to each other. "Well...at least I think so..."

[Kirsui]

The wind blew at the savannah, causing the grass to sway, forming a pattern that resembled waves. The green grass waves stopped to a river, then continued their way on the other side of it.
By the river banks, there were two characters. The other one was lying down, apparently asleep. But the other was sitting, gazing around the area.

This sitting one... It was a hyena. A very odd looking hyena, that is. His fur was light brown and he had 6 creamy star-shaped dots on each side. His hair and tail were dark brown and they had white stripes, causing him to look much older than he was. His deep purple eyes scanned the area and a peaceful expression was on his face.
He was Stardust, named after the colour of his fur and the star-shaped dots.

Stardust blinked his eyes and turned his head away as a rather strong gust of wind blew to his face. His eyes focused on the other one, a young lioness.
A smile rose to his face.
The lioness' fur was creamy, her tailtuft was dark brown. But the most remarkable thing in her was her long, a bit pinkish brown hair. Stardust's smile grew a little and he stood up.

"Wake up" he whispered, poking the lioness with his paw.
"Wake up, Kir..."
The lioness blinked her blue eyes, opening them slowly and turning to look at Stardust. She yawned a little, streching herself as she slowly stood up. The wind blew to her hair, maiking it wave around her.
"Morning, Dusty..." she said, giving a light nuzzle to the hyena. Then she walked up to the river and took a drink. Her hair toughed the water, but she didn't mind about it. The wind would dry it up, eventually.

Then, the lioness stood up again and walked to the hyena. They both started walking away from the river, heading towards the savannah that looked like a green grass-sea.

[Cova]

"Morning Zalira"

Xena commented, her view was focused on the door of the cave as she padded her way into the middle of the cave,blinking a few times as a gust of wind blew in but was quickly pushed back by her fellow Pridemember, she sniffed, it was probably the only sign of thank you she would give.

"no one has been here in hours..i don't much like it when we get separated for long periods of time"

She added, now turning to head into a small hole in the cave wall where quite old meat had been stashed previously, pulling out a grayish part that was the only one bit left and, slowly chewed on it whilst sitting down.
She was half way through it when she looked over at Zalira and shook her head, throwing what she had not eaten to her feet.

"go on, finish that and we will search"

[KanuTGL]

A large red and black lion rose from the grey stone where he had been resting and stretched; he had been lying on top of a few rocks, from where one could see nearly all of the lush, green lands. The sun had already begun its journey across the sky, and not a cloud was in sight. It would be a beautiful day... But just how beautiful would be another question. The lion's green eyes narrowed and he turned to look West, against the other side of their border. There were the Burjas, another pride of lions. And they had started becoming a little too cocky lately... The red male had feared for this for a long time, too long had peace reigned these lands. It was only a matter of time before the battle would begin...

Sumai, as was this skilled warrior's name, was the highest ranked officer of the Feraga pride and took this job very seriously. It had been long since his knowledge had been to use, but he had a feeling they soon would be again. Last time the Feraga had been in a conflict had been with a wandering pride of the North, and Sumai had only been an adolescent then, but he remembered it all very clearly. During that time he had been appointed officer, and now he had advanced all the way to General, something the elderly lion was very proud of.

Sumai's element was fire, that wasn't hard to guess, and he was very skilled in his area. His other ability was speed, a regular cheetah would envy him; even if the lion was more stocky built than the light cheeath, Sumai was able to run incredibly fast and keep top speed for about twice the time of those spotted cats; a good advantage in battle.

Now he decided to return to the main cave, where he supposed most of the other pridemembers were. A talk with Xena couldn't hurt either. As the pride leader, she'd probably have an idea of what was going on with the Burjas...

[Katari]

Chaza nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face as he watched Lorien. "Yes, I suppose she is a good leader, if she can keep that one in line." He grinned mischievously, sneaking a sideways glance at the other lionesses within their cave. "But let's not worry about her." He considered what she'd told him of the Feraga pride, and it was true, no two prides could occupy the same hunting grounds, and one or both of them not suffer for it.

But this was not his problem, after all; he was just a visitor, and he couldn't stay for much longer. Perhaps he should seek out this Feraga pride, as well -- where there were prides, there were chances to garner...influence. And influence meant power, in the long run. But did he want power? Was that was Chaza truly desired? He shrugged, admitting to himself that he didn't even know what he was seeking. To be different from his father, yes, but....

Shaking himself, Chaza turned his attentions back to Lorien. "Would you walk a short ways with me, my dear?" he asked kindly as he stood. "I have some, ah, things I wish to discuss with you."

[Lorien]

Lorien looked up at Chaza as he asked her to take a walk. Now, she had been perfectly fine speaking with him on her own there by the caves. Ina and Sitama were there to watch over. But going off with him was another thing. She thought a beat, glancing back to the cave. She remembered what Sitama had said about the lion, that she didn't fully trust him. But, if anything went wrong, she could use her abilities to help her out, right? She had never really got to use them besides when hunting, and this idea excited her a bit.

Looking back at Chaza, a gentle smile on her face, she nodded. "I'll go, a walk sounds nice." She didn't think she had anything to fear from this lion, but she couldn't be too sure.

[Katari]

"Very well, then," Chaza said, and walked slowly through the fields, the lioness at his side. "Tell me, Lorien: what of this Feraga pride, hmm? Have there been any battles, any encounters at all? I've never been here, you see, and if there's a war, I need to know which side to jump to." Whichever side had the better chance of winning, he knew, but left that unsaid...no need to alienate this lioness too soon. But this act was getting to be tiresome; one could only play the charmer for so long without slipping up, after all. But he had no qualms about Lorien. She was friendly, perhaps too friendly. Trusting, and maybe even malleable. He smiled, but not at her, and stopped underneath a grove of acacias, where he lay down. A supernatural wind swirled and billowed around the pair as he waited for Lorien's answers.

[Deleted]

Ina smiled at Sitama. "I'm sure you will, if that needs to be done.." She watched as Chaza and Lorien got up and started to walk away. "If you don't trust him, then why don't you follow him.. make sure he doesn't get up to any michief? Hmm?" Ina suggested.

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Zalira nodded at her leader. Xena then chucked some meat infront of her. "Oh, thankyou Xena!" She exclaimed and bowed her head in respect. She bent down and started chewing on the meat. "She hadn't had anything to eat for a day now. Food was a shortage in the area for some reason..

[Katari]

Sitama nodded and left quickly, but not before she said, "Alright, but keep an eye on him yourself, Ina." She moved quietly, more with her natural skill than with any powers of an otherwordly nature, only emerging from cover when she drew near the pair. Then, out of sight, she decided on a whim to watch the conversation, rather than joining it -- she was close enough to help Lorien, if that was needed.

(OOC: Chaza will wait for Lorien before going on.)

[Lorien]

Lorien walked beside him, looking out along the grasslands. "There haven't been many encounters. No fights yet, but I think they've been close." She looked up to his face and shrugged. "I've never even seen one of them. In fact, you're the first I've ever seen that's not from my pride." When they came to where he lay down, she just sat beside him. "So you're thinking of joining one of the prides?" She closed her eyes as the wind blew through her fur and hair. This was nice and she felt at ease around this outsider.

[Deleted]

Ina nodded. " Of course.." She said and smiled. "Maybe i should go aswell... just to check up on things..." She thought as she turned invisible. "No... i trust Sitama will bring back any information that is worth me knowing about..." She said to herself and became visible again. She sat up and walked outside. Sitting on a rock. She looked out at her pride's lands, admiring the beautiful grasslands.