The Search for a Home (Private or with Permission)

[Artemys]

"Her name's Walla. I'm certain she poses no threat and by trusting her we may gain a useful ally in the grand scheme of things as well as food, entertainment and a rest for tonight." Viserion said, selectively choosing what information to divulge to appeal to his brother and sister.

"Alright, we'll go." Rhaegar decided, looking over to Kijani who nodded in agreement to his decision. She placed more trust in Viserion than Rhaegar did but she was certain that he always knew more than he told, making it hard to completely trust him. This lioness will have to be blind to feel comfortable enough around Viserion to offer a place to stay, as he was never the most normal-looking lion and his creepy and piercing gaze didn't help much.

"Lead on Viserion" Kijani said, glancing at the setting sun and wanting to reach shelter before sunset. And faithfully following the youngest sibling , she made her way over the stony plain. Rhaegar stayed near Clarissa as he followed Viserion who silently padded ahead.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Clary padded along slowly, the arrival of the new lion had unnerved her slightly, but she trusted the two siblings she'd met so she felt she could trust him slightly. As she walked with Rhaegar she opened her jaws in a yawn, stretching, her paws starting to drag. A nice warm cave was certainly an appealing thought right now. As she walked she kept stealing quick glances at Rhaegar and then mentally scolding herself. This wasn't her normal behaviour and she didn't want Rhaegar to think it was. Decidedly she continued staring ahead determinedly, "Is it far?" Clary piped up, looking to Viserion.

[Artemys]

"Yes" Was Viserion's firm answer as they climbed up the hills to where Viserion had met and left Walla. He felt a pang of guilt in being so cold to Clarissa, even though he was rather distant to most lions. He sighed quietly abd slowly turned to look Clary straight in the eyes. "Sorry, I believe we haven't properly met yet. I'm Viserion" Runt of the beggars he thought. He spared a glance up to where he suspected Walla was observing or where she ought to be.

Rhaegar's eyes wandered over Clarissa's perfectly formed figure. She was powerful, much more so than his own family who had always had sleeker and paler bodies, a trait that ran in every member just about, and though Rhaegar's father had said that the liquid silver mane and violet eyes were a sign of superiority, Rhaegar couldn't imagine a more perfect lioness than the one before him. In fact, he was so focused on Clary that he stupidly stubbed his paw on a rock and let loose a quiet hiss. To his dismay, Viserion did notice without even tearing his eyes from Clary's and Rhaegar watched the smug smirk form.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I'm Clarissa, but you can call me Clary. It's a pleasure" Clary replied giving him a smile and dipping her head out of politeness, she glanced to Rhaegar when he hissed under his breath and Viserion smirked, Clary couldn't help the giggle that passed her lips, "Bit clumsy there weren't you?" She teased, giving him a smile and nudging Rhaegar's cheek in a half playful half affectionate manner before turning her attention back to Viserion, "I met your siblings when I was travelling with my friend Zeb, but we got separated a while back so it was just the three of us until you showed up." Clary explained to Viserion

[Deleted]

Walla saw the four of them coming up the slope, and gasped. Viserion's siblings indeed. Where else would one see three silver manes together? Nevertheless she tried her best not to stare. Having been laying on her stomach, she rose to her feet and waddled forward a few steps, intending to meet them part way, but her body was so huge and unwieldy now that it only took a few steps to make her breathless, and the ache in her back from lifting her stomach distracted her from the rest of her composure. So she simply let her enormous belly hang on the ground between her legs. Raising her head, she called, "Greetings, Travellers!"

[Artemys]

I know Viserion had to fight the urge to say. He had seen it all from a distance, the two meeting each other and then running into a not so charming Rhaegar, which might've almost started a fight had it not been for Kijani stepping in.

The runt quickly snapped his head up when Walla called down to the group. He distinguished her well-rounded figure in the quickly disappearing light.

"May I present Walla, who has kindly offered us shelter for tonight." Viserion said.


Having flushed deep red from embarrassment, he left the gently throbbing paw and averted his attention to the voice above. He was certainly stunned to see a lion that size... Heavens! How did she get aroumd carrying all that weight?

"This... is the lioness you were talking about." Rhaegar asked doubtfully.

"Her name is Walla and yes, she is." Viserion padded up the last leg of the hill, leaving his siblings and Clarissa to make up their minds. He knew, for Rhaegar and Kijani, at least that they had travelled too far to turn back now so he was almost certain they'd come. Clarissa would probably come along, but he guessed her motives may not be so self-centered; he didn't think she would want to judge someone based on appearance or at least didn't want it to seem that way.

Rhaegar looked after Viserion, unsure if his little brother was pulling his leg. As if Kijani had read his mind, she spoke up.

"At least we know she has food" The lioness shrugged and followed Viserion.

Rhaegar lingered a second, knowing he ought to follow but his pride was suffering from having to make such an ally. He kept his thoughts to himself and looked at Clary.

"After you" He smiled politely.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Clary giggled and nodded, padding ahead of Rhaegar and close behind Kijani and Viserion. The lioness padded to the top quite easily and stop just a little from the flat land that shouted of safety, for one night at least, decidedly she stopped and waited for Rhaegar to reach her so she could walk alongside him, whilst she waited she turned her gaze to Walla, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Clary smiled, "I'm Clarissa, but please feel free to call me Clary, it is very nice what you are offering us." Clary continued with a friendly smile at Walla.

[Deleted]

"I'm pleased to meet you too," Walla said to Clary. Then she looked at the others.. "Viserion, will you introduce me?"

[Artemys]

"Of course." Viserion nodded. "Well you've met Clarissa, and there's Rhaegar my brother, and the eldest of what remains of our family and Kijani who follows Rhaegar in age." Viserion pointed out each member in turn.

"A pleasure." Kijani smiled and gave a respectful dip, thanking the lioness for her hospitality and demonstrating she meant no harm to her.

Rhaegar stood silent for a moment, his eyes flickering between all the lionesses and Viserion. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

(I'm heading out on a 2 week course so whilst I'll try ad get back to you, I can't guarantee anything I hope I get on soon )

[Ruby_Fehu]

(OOC: that's fine we'll wait for you)

Clary glance at Rhaegar with a small frown before turning back to Walla, "I don't wish to sound rude but where is there food, I'm quite hungry." Clary asked hesitantly.

[Deleted]

"Food I keep down by that stand of trees, by the bend in the river," Walla said, pointing down the slope perpendicularly to where they had just come up. In the shadow of the hill it looked like a small dark forest. "I will lead you there. Wen we're close, please follow me, as I've laid many snares and traps to help me catch my prey among the trees. But I keep food in the centre. Would someone walk beside me, to help me keep my balance down the slope?" Then, lifting her stomach, she started waddling towards the trees. It was a glacial pace, however, for every step was tiny, and she watched the ground at her feet as if the very ground were about to give way... Or at least she tried to. In truth her enormous cheeks and protruding brisket prevented her from seeing straight down, but it was better than nothing anyway.

[Lokisenna]

(i know its freestyle but can I join? Because seem pretty set up)

[Ruby_Fehu]

(Sure go ahead! But you'll have to wait a little while whilst Art is away, when she's back it'll start up again :)so just post your bit for now if you like.)

[Artemys]

(I'm back! Time to get this rolling once more )

Viserion hopped off the small rock he had been perched on and took his position by Walla's side, it wasn't all too safe as he probably wouldn't be able to do anything should Walla run into trouble. He knew that Rhaegar would have no part in helping the lioness, Viserion guessed that his brother would have deemed her unworthy of his help and furthermore guessed that at some stage in time, insults would come flying at all of them. So he turned to Kijani instead, and without a word being spoken out loud, she went to Walla's other side to steady her. Viserion was almost certain that Kijani had telepathic powers by now, it seemed he didn't have to move his mouth for her to know what he wanted. With Kijani in place, Viserion silently padded down the slope, placing each paw sure-footedly on the ground beneath him. He watched Uschi slowly making her way down and felt pity for her, that her body posed so many restrictions. He knew some cultures encouraged rounded figures and he also knew that changing the way you were brought up to act was very difficult. Just look at Rhaegar: he was a beggar who still thought himself King over the Eastern Plains.

Rhaegar waited at the rear to climb down with Clary. He didn't like the lioness they had just met at all; she was fat and couldn't even walk down a slope by herself. He prayed to whatever gods or spirits there are that she wouldn't continue with them. She was sure to just drag them all down. Though ignoring the fat lioness, he was aware that for the first time in his life he kept his thoughts to himself, which was noted by his brother Viserion as he turned to look at Rhaegar initially confused by his lack of insults but then something in his mind ticked and his scrawny little brother gave a grin before turning back around. And the reason, which Rhaegar was sure Viserion had guessed, was that he didn't want Clary to think he was the lion he was for fear she wouldn't like him as himself.

[Ruby_Fehu]

(Welcome back )

Clary waited patiently for the three cats to reach the bottom of the slope before turning to Rhaegar, realizing with slight surprise that the duo were alone. "Shall we go?" She asked slowly gesturing to where the others were stood at the bottom waiting for them both.

[Deleted]

Walla felt a thrill when Viserion stepped beside her, one that was only slightly dampened by his sister's presence. It was so nice to be among other lions. She wasn't without company, of course, but it was nice to feel the same kind of fur next to hers, and familiar smells.

The thrill didn't last long, however. Normally she'd follow a more shallow game trail up and down the hill, but she didn't want to take the long way around when home was right there. Still her body protested in the tilt in angle as everything (including her stomach) hung slightly towards her front than usual). It was hard to take long strides with such a huge belly in the way, and being able to take only little steps down this slope, as gentle as it was, gave her vertigo.

When they reached the bottom she almost collapsed with relief. "Thank you! Not longer now. Just in that stand of trees. Let's just... wait for your friends for a moment." She was out of breath but doing her best to control it: she didn't want to seem week before her new companions. Allowing herself to sit, she took a moment to look over Kijani, and offered the skinny lioness a smile. Even though she knew she was royalty, being so spare, it was hard to see her as anything but a common lioness. "You must travel much, Kijani. I envy your slim legs!"

[Artemys]

Rhaegar nodded and took a few steps towards the edge of the slope. He hesitated before making his way down, before turning to face Clary. Let the lioness go first. He thought, something that had never been taught to him as a cub. He had always been taught that lionesses are to stay behind their mates, to be seen and never heard. But he was far from home now and it seemed everything was very different from the world he had grown up in.

"After you" He gestured for Clary to go down before him.



"Thank you" Kijani said to Walla, it was certain that they both came from very different cultures. Thin lionesses were considered the image of beauty in the East. Kijani's mother had purposefully starved Kijani when she was younger, so Kijani would take on her perfect form. Though Kijani had never lived up to her mother's unrivalled beauty.

"There is little muscle in me, I wish at times I could have a little more force" And then what would a princess do with strength? Her mother had never had done anything but look pretty for her subjects. Never had strength been of any value to her and neither had a sharp mind, and so she had told Kijani countless of times when she had asked to play with her brother.



Viserion was vaguely interested in the conversation taking place between Kijani and Walla as he was strangely amused at Rhaegar's attempt to be anything but himself, but his eyes were flickering about his surroundings, his ears perked for sounds and his nose trying to sniff out any peculiar scents. He searched for the traps that Walla said she had set up, and they were certainly well hidden. It took a while but his eye caught a few, however he couldn't be sure that was anywhere near all of them and he had a hunch that there would certainly be more.

[Ruby_Fehu]

(Feel like introducing a new character if that's okay with you guys, if not I'll delete the new lion section and just leave Clary)

Clary smiled sweetly at Rhaegar before padding to his side, she glanced up at him before brushing her tail against his flank and setting off down the slope, placing her paws carefully. The throb in her paw had ceased in the last few hours but now as she stepped carefully, resting the front of her paws against various rocks to stop herself from slipping she felt the slight throb return. Gritting her teeth and trying to ignore it she continued down the slope until she slipped and stumbled a little, staggering to Kijani's side. "Stupid paw." She muttered before raising her head and glancing up towards Rhaegar with a small smile.


A large male lion lay hidden in the shielded branches of a large tree, his tail hung down and his head was resting on his paws. This lion was different to most, in colouring and in health. His fur was a dark red colour, red like the blood of animals, he had a black underbelly and socks and black marks curved around his body in one winding spiral making the markings look quite tiger-like. His black mane was large, sleek and majestic, showing he was a fully matured adult, the mane and tail tufts however were streaked with a grey making him look much older than he was. The truth was this lion wasn't much older than the lions he was currently watching, it was the poisons from when he was captured by humans, slowly killing him. He shuddered his great shoulders as he thought back to the sprays that had temporarily blinded him; and the food; he knew something bad was mixed into the meat he'd been fed, but what, he didn't know and never would now. Uruz turned his head to get a better look at the lions revealing a large scar going the length of his left cheek, clouding the silver eye, he scoffed as he looked at the pathetic excuse of a lioness; the obese one who had to be helped down by two others. Siblings, he assumed before he let his gaze wander to the russet lioness steadily making her way down; he yawned boredly and nestled his head further in his paws, watching the scene below him unfold.

[Deleted]

(OOC: See here for an image I commissioned of Walla: tlkgoeson.proboards.com/thread/4124/walla . I'm quite proud of it. Would love some feedback!)

"Then follow me, and let's give you a meal to put some flesh on your bones, "She said to Kijani, then turned away just before the other lioness fell into her. "You too, Visarion. We wouldn't want you confused for a maned cheetah." She smiled at him and winked, then waddled down the game trail towards the broad thatch of trees.
Inside it was particularly dark, what with the sun going down. Only Walla's lion-eyes allowed her to make out anything at all. She followed the game trail through the dense shrubbery and then inexplicably deviated around a tall fig tree, before returning to the trail. "Don't walk on that part of the trail," she said, hoping they heard her around her ponderously huge body. "And then don't step OFF the trail. And if you hear a whirring noise, run."

Finally, after a few minutes, they reached a small clearing, where their one game trail reached many others. Ghostly shapes greeted them in the twilight: white and angular, standing about like sentinels. Some had horns, others teeth. Some were as small as a monkey and others as large as wilderbeast. Black bands cris-crossed their pale white surfaces: they were skeletons, held together by thin cords of vine and grass.
Walla stopped by one and turned to her guests. Raising a paw she gave it a rattle. "A hobby of mine: leftover bones tied together into skeletons. Please don't think I'm crazy. Just bored... And they keep away unwanted guests and startle prey into my traps. I even gave them names! this one's Bothus, that one's Rigarri, that little monkey on the log is Stu...This is not helping my case, is it?"
Regardless of the creepy decor, the still air inside the forest was rich with the sweet smell of fresh kills. A mostly-eaten wilderbeast lay on it's side by the fallen tree, its stomach torn open and gaping in the dark. Two untouched gazelles hang from ropes slung high up a tree, and a young male giraffe lay on the ground beside them. "Make yourselves at home and eat what you like. I recommend the giraffe, as it's probably quite tender by now." She settled onto her huge haunches with a sigh, poking her tiny heels laterally out of the large bulges that passed for her legs. "Visarion, i know you're my guest, but... would you mind opening the kill for us?"

[Artemys]

Upon arriving in the clearing, Kijani had to take a step back in shock. She had not expected this.. unique way of decorating. And she hoped this was not the norm in this area. It wasn't that she had a problem with death and neither was she a stranger to kills. However a kill was a kill and not to be messed with in her mind. Though she was certain that the skeletons served their purpose and ignored them as she took a few more steps into the clearing. The kill looked nice and relatively fresh, and boy was she hungry.



Viserion walked past his sister as if there was nothing wrong with the clearing and sat himself down near a few of them. He gave a quick smirk as she introduced the skeletons. It didn't look like she had company very often besides Bothus, Rigarri and Stu... And then she asked him to open the kill. Funnily enough, he had never opened a kill before. He lived off leftovers and scraps; a scavenger through and through. But this was a guest's house and he wasn't going to decline the request. If he had turned to face his sister, she would've most likely had a smug smile on her face. But he decided to ignore that and walked to the carcass.

"Well now we all know each other, Let's get stuck in." Viserion smiled and used a fine white claw of his to open the kill. The claw pierced the skin easily enough, but cutting through the flesh was harder than he thought and he created a jaggedy line down the kill's stomach which looked worse than if Walla had asked a bunch of hyenas to do the job. But the main point was that it was open and ready to eat. It was messy, yes but that was a minor detail.



Rhaegar looked down at Clary, giving her a questioning look. The others followed the waddling fat lioness, but Rhaegar wanted to make sure that Clary was all right before they went further in. After all, as Walla had warned, there were traps set up everywhere and if Clary might stumble into one with a hurt paw, then it was worth taking a look at it.

"What's wrong with your paw?" Rhaegar asked, he was no expert in healing or wounds, but he wasn't stupid and knew whether an injury was serious or tolerable.

He thought he sensed something then, a scent of another lion caught on the wind. But as Rhaegar lifted his head to look for any signs of another lion, he failed to see any thing suspicious. So doing what he did best, he ignored the impulse. Viserion would've sensed something had there been anyone or anything out there.

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I injured it when hunting, just before I met up with you, it's been fine for a while but I must have caught it without realizing when walking down. I'll be fine, don't worry." Clary said giving Rhaegar a shy smile before turning when she heard Walla speak to Viserion, with quite an unusual request. "I think your brother has an admirer you know Rhaegar." Clary grinned before turning and padding away, towards the other three. She cried out in alarm when she came face to face with a skeleton and jumped backwards, her expression one of surprise. With a hesitant step forward, she padded past the skeletons warily before hurrying to Kijani and Walla's side. She wasn't usually one to show fear or shock but she had most definitely been caught offguard and she scolded herself inwardly for making a fool of herself in front of her fellow lions, especially Rhaegar.


Uruz sniggered at Clary's cry of fear before he stood and edged his way to the end of the branch before stealthily leaping across onto another branch, so he was looking down at the others. He knew most lions couldn't quite jump from tree to tree but after months of staying hidden from all animals except when he would hunt occasionally he had near enough mastered it. With his gaze still locked below him, he lay down against the length of the branch trying his best to cover his tail but failing a little, with a dismissive shrug he poked his head downwards through some leaves and resumed watching the lions.

[Deleted]

Walla was impressed by Visarion's cut. She'd never seen a lion open a kill with their claws before. Normally it involved tearing and pulling with their teeth. "Remind me never to let you scratch my back!" she said, then added, "Please, begin. I've already eaten today and it's you two who need it more than me. Besides, I have a tendency to eat more than my fair share. Please eat your fill!" She waited a moment, then asked, "do you have giraffe where you're from, Kijani? I find them delicious, especially the meat over the shoulder." Then she stood and waddled over to eat some herself, plonking down besides Visarion, close enough so she could access the kill which, due to her girth, also meant it was close enough that the sideways bulge of her stomach touched Viserion's skinny flank. "Sorry," she said, and leaned away a little.

[Artemys]

(Great picture of Walla krissi!)

That makes two of us in the clearing Rhaegar thought to himself as he walked in.

Rhaegar wasn't impressed with the decoration in the slightest. It was hideous and he pondered whether she put that up to prove she wasn't completely useless or to attempt to make herself appear even more intimidating than she already was. Though he was astonished by the giraffe that lay dead in front of him. Though he didn't let his surprise show externally, he still didn't approve of Walla and being the childishly stubborn lion he was, he didn't want to seem impressed in the slightest.

"Thank you for sharing your meal" Rhaegar said before advancing towards the kill. He growled slightly at his younger brother to move out of the way, before tucking into the juicy meat.


Viserion dragged a small cube of meat away in his teeth as Rhaegar began making quick work of the carcass which Viserion had opened. Truth be told, he didn't even know if that was how you opened a carcass but it worked anyway and that was what mattered. He made his way around to Walla's other side and began playing with the cube of meat. His claws now out, he thought about the comment that Walla made on them.

"I guess that gives a completely different meaning to the phrase, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." Viserion smiled slightly as he picked at the square of food. Perhaps it was a good idea that Viserion had moved away from the meal, because at that very moment he noticed that one of the trees appeared to have grown a tail. It might've been another of Walla's inanimate friends but the whoever it belonged to gave their position away by light twitching.


Kijani looked at Walla and Viserion and had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Why was it that it was so obvious to everyone but Viserion that he had an admirer. She knew he couldn't help it, he had often been left in solitude until the point came when he actually preferred being on his own so he was slow when it came to taking a hint. For such an intelligent lion though, he could be painfully slow to catch on at times. Shaking her head, Kijani was about to dig in for another bite when Viserion's voice cut in:

"I may be an Eastern lion but it's a strange thing to come across a tree with a tail." His gazed remained fixed at where the mysterious figure lay hidden in the trees.

[Deleted]

Uschi glanced sideways at Rhaegar's growl, and observed disapprovingly as Viserion moved for his older brother. She was, however, pleased when he sat beside her. "You can scratch my back if you'll be more gentle" she said. "It's been a while since anyone groomed me... Kijani," she said softly, after a pause, though loud enough for Rhaegar to hear, "Would you mind removing the heart? As Viserion is the reason I invited you all, I'd like him to have it. And Raegar if you wouldn't mind getting the brain for me I'd be EVER in your favour. And you look strong enough to do it." She smiled at him, then leaned in and took another mouthful. In truth she had given him the hardest task. The brain was nice, but it wasn't worth the ten minutes it took to gnaw through the skull, unless you weren't expecting to make another kill quickly.

At Viserion's comment, she looked up. But in the darkness and shifting shadow of leaves, she saw nothing. "There's monkeys up there, sometimes. Mostly they're frightened away by the skeletons I make of their dead. I hate their howling... And their dung-slinging..."

[Ruby_Fehu]

Clary watched the two brothers in dismay before stepping back a little and resting on her haunches to wait for them all to finish eating, especially Rhaegar who seemed noticeably more dominant when eating, despite Walla telling Viserion to eat first. She swung around when Viserion spoke of a tail and tilted her head, narrowing her eyes in a squint so she could see better, "Pretty sure monkey's tails aren't red and grey." She said slowly.


Uruz cursed when he realized he'd been discovered, he relaxed slightly when the round lioness suggested it was a monkey then growled in frustration at the russet lionesses eyesight and detecting his colouring. With a shrug he jumped from the tree and landed near the round lioness, straightening up with a growl.

[Deleted]

Walla gasped and shrank back. She didn't get up: such a process would have taken far too long, so she simply leaned back to free her arms. "Visarion?" She squeaked.

[Artemys]

Viserion would've instinctively gone to hide within the dark undergrowth in which surrounded them. After all, what good was he in a fight? He couldn't hold his own ground against a single hyena, let alone a fully grown male lion. He stayed low on the ground, and nudged Walla so she'd get up. It unnerved him to be so close to such a large lion and especially one who's intentions were yet unclear. He gave a very low hiss to the lion but didn't dare make an offensive attack on the beast. That would only end badly for him... and probably for Walla too.



Rhaegar was immediately on his feet and strode up to the intruder. Unlike his coward of a brother, who was whimpering beside fat Walla. Rhaegar stood tall and proud. He bared a set of sharp teeth in a low growl and with his claws out, he certainly wasn't playing around. Kijani was close behind him, and was making herself look intimidating as she could. Which was easy enough for her.

"Who are you and what do you want" Rhaegar demanded of the intruder.

[Ruby_Fehu]

(Sorry guys, decided to change his name)


Clary observed the three siblings and saw Viserion cowering, despite there only being one male he seemed intimidating and powerful, flicking her tail she move to flank Rhaegar and Kijani, a low growl passing her lips.


Uruz sneered and watched the scrawny lion and the overweight lion cowering before turning his amused gaze to the three before him, "My name is Uriz, I came across you when I was roaming and was most interested in watching you." Uruz smirked, he felt a spasm spread through him and he winced but did his best to stand his ground and not show that he was momentarily in pain.

[Deleted]

Walla looked at Viserion in dismay. They were five against one and he was... cowering? As she sat, more stunned by Viserion's cowardice than the intruder in her home, she heard Rhaegar and Uruz (Uriz?) exchange words. Anger flared, and all fear left her.
"So you thought the best way to introduce yourself would be to drop into my home while we're having dinner?" She pushed herself up on her forelegs and then pulled her legs underneath her stomach - first one, and then the other, and marched forwards until her nose was almost touching his. "Or were you just going to sit up there and watch us eat. Do you know how *creepy* that is?"

[Ruby_Fehu]

(Uruz, I was half asleep in my last post and caught the i on my phone haha)


Uruz glanced at Walla, "Well, I don't think you need to eat any more but anyway, yes I was going to drop in, maybe take a little food claim the cave as my own for the night and then maybe leave in the morning." Uruz smirked, "But frightening you all like this is much more fun." He stretched and slid onto his haunches with a crooked grin. "Problem?"