Part 1: The Battle Begins

[Fel]

A close call, that bite to the neck had been. A rookie's mistake in her book. Stopping to watch the exchange between Zalira and Asuka had left her wide open to attack. Alandriene robbed the ground of another tuft of savannah grass as she stalked angrily through the night. Her pridemates were injured, Fire was arguing with Xena, she was hungry, there appeared to be no food nearby, and to top it off, the blasted rain was stinging the bite wound on her neck. 'Oh and not to forget,' she thought bitterly, 'my sorry excuse for an ability has left me dead on my paws!' She really should have taken a nap, but if she didn't find food quickly then she knew she would be in even worse condition later.

[Cova]

(OOC...been like..5 days soo..)

Xena glanced back slightly to a small hidden sigh of relief at the sight of Chaza leaving, dangerous antagonizing males alone, but she knew a few tricks. Slowly she looked up as the rain poured down on her face, it was unusually refreshing, but she scowled as another roll of thunder fell down to tear its way across the dark sky..the day had been long and it was still not over.

She contemplated the welcome she may well receive upon her arrival back at the cave, it was not far away, figures still mulled around the entrance..she didn't need her night vision to see that. They didnt know the dangers that had been lurking around..and indeed still did. She pondered what to do..the rain clouded her thoughts as it pummeled her back, she must look a state and so decided that her first move should be to return and hope that there was still order around their temporary home. keep the younger ones in check and such, it was at times of such low that she had to be like rock to make sure they stayed as one and not split.

Xena let her thoughts go to that of Burja..splitting themselves would be their downfall...she would investigate in time. now reaching the cave to survey everybody outside.

"shall we all get out this dreadful weather?"

She herself leading the way into the cave, standing at the entrance, dripping wet, glad to see everyone around and well, despite looking a state, mud half way up her body and drenched, she stood tall and proud nodding over towards the direction of Sumai, he would be one she would need to have close at times of insurrection within the pride.

[Katari]

OOC: Yeah, ‘bout time we kicked this thing back in gear! In honor, I will post a largish reply. XD

IC:

Chaza could see that Lorien was still fearful, and her words served to back that up. Well, she had nothing to fear while he was around. “Don’t say things like that,” he chided gently. “You didn’t do anything wrong -- I was afraid in my first battle, too.” That had been a long time ago…a very long time ago…. “You shouldn’t be so scared of Sitama; let me worry about her.” He smiled, but inwardly knew that he would have to. If the Burja rebels didn’t submit to him, well, he would have to make them do so.

“Excuse me for a moment,” he said abruptly. Glancing at Kirsui and Stardust, he nodded. “I guess you’ve already met. I need to do some thinking.” Walking to the back of the cave, he stretched and lay sprawled on the cold stone floor of the cave, eyes half shut. Anyone who didn’t know might have thought him to be sleeping; but his mind was working frantically, trying to sort this situation out. With Lorien here -- and obviously cowed by Sitama’s influence -- he couldn’t take any drastic actions against the fiery lioness. But he couldn’t let her run things, either. He had his plans, and needed to stick with them.

Perhaps doing something…unexpected. That might do the trick, if he could think of just what to do. An attack on either pride would be foolishness: they’d be eaten alive. Unless…. A grin tickled the edges of Chaza’s mouth. If he could put on a good show for the Burja pride, Ina might just parlay with him. And if he could use Lorien as, ah, a sort of hostage, that might give him a lot of bargaining power. Hmm….

----------

Sitama scowled again as she entered the cave. Nothing had been out there, and she had a feeling Chaza had known that perfectly well -- what was he doing back there? Sleeping? She snarled. “Get up, you fool, there’s nothing out there.” The male flicked an ear, looked at her with unblinking eyes. Not sleeping, then, just thinking.

He rose, slowly, and strode towards her. “We’re leaving here,” he said. “Right now.” Turning to Lorien and those other wanderers, he did not smile. “I’m not forcing any of you to come with us, but it would probably be safer than anywhere else.” Sitama doubted that very much, but still. “If you’d rather stay here alone...." Sitama looked at her comrades, deciding to see their reactions before giving her own.


OOC: Kinda confusing, maybe, with the change in perspective and all, but I think you can figure it out. ^_^ Also, maybe we should start a "Part 2" for this RP? Part 1 has gone on for a long time.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: Yea, a part 2 sounds like a plan. ^^ Lets get some more replies from what the group in the cave will do and start a new part after that. ^^ And now I got to think what I'll make Kir and Dusty do! xD Shall be interesting... xD))


Kirsui glanced at Stardust, seeing that the hyena glanced back at her. What should the two do? Go with Chaza or...
"Well?" the hyena whispered to Kirsui, waiting for a decision.
"It's up to you, Kir..."

The lioness bit her lip. She didn't like the idea of being too close to other lions, but nor did she like the idea of being left alone with Stardust when the two prides were at war.
The hyena waited calmly, not saying a word.

After a moment of thinking Kir let out a sigh.
"We'll come with you, Chaza..." she said qith a quiet tone of voice, rising to her feet once again, seeing Stardust do the same.

The two walked to the others. Stardust had a blank expression. The hyena wasn't going to complain about Kir's decision. After all, she was a lioness, and a lioness should be with other lions.

And maybe... If he only could make Kir trust lions once more... Stardust could continue his journey as a wanderer, alone. He would know the creamy lioness was in safe, with others of her kind.

[KanuTGL]

OOC: Yeah, a part 2 sounds fine. I'll wait and enter Satoba there then. Not much happening around Sumai at the moment, so this reply will be boring

IC: Another minute or two passed before Sumai noticed movement outside. So Xena had returned. "Welcome back, Xena." he said quietly and bowed down his head in respect as she walked by him and was followed by a group of others who had been sitting outside into they could no longer bare the storm.

The thunder seemed to have moved on, the rumbles and flashes of light seemed more distant now... Only the rain was still as heavy as before, it was like a wall of water outside the cave. Occasionally drops of the wet would also splash into the cave and hit the guarding lion, something that he, who prefered heat, didn't like too much... It was quite cold here too, so maybe moving further into the dark wasn't such a bad idea after all. But at that very moment, Sumai thought he saw a movement outside and got to his feet quicker than you say "Pride Lands", all senses alert. When another lightning cut the sky he discovered it was only a young waving tree... The lion sighed and lay down on his belly again. He really would've liked some heat, but lighting a fire here would just be plain stupid. Oh, well... It'd be dawn soon, so better get some sleep... He lay down his head to rest on his front paws, then closed his eyes and sighed.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Yeah, i think we should start a part 2. And also.. what is happening with Burja? There are only 3 members left. Ina, Kriz and Satoba. And.. is Lorien still in it? I'm partly confused..)

[Katari]

OOC: Lorien's character is still in, but we're just waiting for her to make a reply before we start a second part. Hope that clears things up. ^_^

[Lorien]

OOC: Mmm, sorry you guys are waiting on me. I've been sick and busy, so here ya go. And Lorien is still in Burja, just not with them at the moment.

BIC: Lorien up at Chaza as he spoke, looking to the ground when he spoke of Sitama. She felt so confused at the moment. She didn't really know what was going on. When Chaza went to lie down, she just stared out of the mouth of the cave, watching the falling rain as if in a trance. She wondered how Ina was doing.

Just as the thought entered her mind, she saw Sitama's face and quickly backed up a bit. She looked to Chaza as the lioness spoke, and was suprised when he got up and announced that they were leaving. She was now posed with a decision. Should she stay with Chaza and Sitama or go back to the pride? Her ears swivled as she heard Kirsui pipe in that she and the hyena would be joining them.

Looking outside the cave once again, she really didn't want to be alone tonight. She didn't know if Feraga would find her in her treck back to the Burja den. She didn't even know if that's where they were. She then looked to Chaza with a serious expression. "I'm in too." She stood up and walked to the middle of the cave, awaiting their departure before looking bravely toward Sitama. Sheepishly, she tried smiling, seeing if the older lioness was still angry.

[Katari]

The storm was losing its force as Chaza set foot outside the cave. He drew in a deep, long breath, then looked back as the others emerged: Lorien, watching him with half-admiring eyes; Sitama and hers, glaring and muttering as usual; Kirsui and Stardust, their faces unreadable. He wondered how many of them would live to see another sunrise.

The ground was muddy, almost like a bog. Not too deep, but the wetness was irritating -- Chaza didn’t care much for water. But he had to act the part of leader; this was his army, such as it was. “This way,” he said, already starting toward where he thought Burja’s cave home lay. Lorien could correct him if he was wrong. “And keep on your guard,” he added as an afterthought. He grasped his telekinesis power -- it seemed to quiet the voice in his head, if only for a while --, scanning the plains ahead for any threats, and knowing that there were threats right behind him, as well….

And as a new day dawned, the night’s storm clouds faded with a rumble of distant thunder. But for three groups of lions, a new storm, a different kind of storm, was about to begin.


OOC: And that’s all for Part 1, folks. ^_^

[Kirsui]

OOC:

This part is finished and the thread will be locked!
see ya all in part 2!