You're /mean/, lady!

[Shomoro]

I was going through my folders of logs, and I found this taking up space. It's from way back in September, during the Ice Age TP, when Kivuli departed for the Forgotten Lands.


~*~ Kivuli - Mountain Cavern ~*~

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| ~*~ Mountain Cavern ~*~ |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| While the heart of the Kivuli lands is in the middle of the valley, the |
| heart of the Kivuli Pride is inside this cavern. And a large cavern it |
| is - not huge, but large - big enough to give shelter to a healthy-sized |
| pride of lions. The floor is of stone. The same, silvery-grey stone that |
| can be found anywhere in the lands. The walls and the ceiling match it, |
| bare and almost slippery. A few, tiny ledges and loose rocks can be found |
| near the corners, though, but otherwise it's a beautiful cave. Lion fur, |
| as well as the bones and remains of old carcasses and other things can be |
| seen littered upon the ground, and the scent of lions is very strong here. |
| |
| The cave mouth is large, allowing a great deal of light to enter the |
| cave. It's especially beautiful in the evening, when one can see the red |
| light of the sunset on the western horizon, casting its glow into the |
| cavern and across the cliff. However, at night, the cavern tends to be |
| cold, as the night chill easily finds its way through the large entrance. |
| In the back of the cave, there is an opening to another, smaller cave. |
| |
---------------------Type 'khelp' for a list of commands.---------------------


Ehuka, the Fool on the Hill. Undine, The THONG! Kiet, King of Kivuli Shahila, .. a mommy? Xian, voiced by Hugh Jackman. Saibh, Queen of Kivuli. Ashlin++ Don't make me kill you. ++ Eris [[ Basic instincts. Social life. Paradoxes. Side by side. Open your heart, And push the limits. ]] Ukomobasi, I AM the Ice Legacy. Kulula Carrying On The Reign Of Fire Sharifu has returned from exile. Kieleaji; she who decides her own fate marks her own destiny. Kisehemu, a legacy-less bum. Ebeni, Second-Born little Princess Tiye, looking for her Prince.
Exits:
Royal Chamber, To Smaller Cave
Back Out to the Cliff

You see OOC Note.

[IDL] Undine, male adol. lion [IDL] Ehuka, male lion
[IC ] Mizuka, male lion cub [IC ] Alai, male lion cub
[IC ] Kiet, male white lion [IC ] Matope, male lion cub
[IC ] Xian, male barbary lion [IC ] Shahila, female white lioness
[zzz] Ashlin, female adol. lioness [IC ] Saibh, female lioness
[zzz] Ta'akha, female lioness [zzz] Nabana, male lion
[zzz] Naasir, male juve. lion [zzz] Eris, female lioness
[zzz] Kulula, female lioness [zzz] Ukomobasi, female adol. w. lione
[zzz] Kieleaji, female lioness [zzz] Sharifu, male lion
[zzz] Bolvai, male lion cub [zzz] Z'ru, male lion cub
[zzz] Ebeni, female lioness cub [IC ] Kisehemu, male adol. lion
[zzz] Ullan, male lion cub [zzz] Ilesha, female lioness cub
[zzz] Tiye, female adol. lioness

Tia has arrived.
Fajra has arrived.
Shiro has arrived.
Jamilah has arrived.

This should be a time for celebration. The next generation of royalty has been born in Kivuli.. the pride has a future King! But alas, the mood is a somber one. The weather, which started out as an unusual amount of rain during the dry season, has evolved into snow and ice and sleet. The prey animals, once so abundant, have abandoned Kivuli in search of warmer lands, leaving the local leonines with no food. And the cold has been spreading illness around, even killing off some animals. The weather combined with lack of food has made staying in Kivuli a death sentence. And with so many youngsters now in the pride.. and more on the way.. the time for action has come at last. Into the main cavern of the mountain comes the small white male, the pride's King, Kiet. There is no smile on his face, as often can be found gracing the features of a new father. He looks cold and tired.. like everyone else in the pride, no doubt. Brown eyes drift over any of the pride already gathered in the cavern and Kiet cannot help but imagine what the early generations of Kivulians would think if they knew now that the lands were being abandoned. Could they ever have predicted something like this? Would great Kivulian Kings and Queens of the past have made the same decision Kiet and Saibh have come to now? Oh well.. it is the best descision, given the circumstances, in Kiet's mind. The white male moves to a position in the cavern where he can be seen and heard easily, and he stands there quietly.. waiting to gain everyone's attention, or for those not yet present to arrive.. for all have been told in some form or other of the urgency of the meeting called by the King. .. Already present is one of the newer lioness' of the pride, the red-furred Fajra. She is glancing around the cavern, trying to spot anyone that may look friendly.. just because. It's odd being around so many strangers.. that she is supposed to now consider part of her 'family'. .. And arriving after the King is the large, black-coated adolescent guard, Undine. Despite the somber atmosphere, the teen /swaggers/ in, looking rather carefree. Snow in his fur? Forget about it! No food? Forget about it! Everyone here just needs to chill out or somethin'.

Thalia has arrived.

Still tired from the rather long ritual of giving birth to seven beautiful, healthy and adoreable children, the Queen slowly makes her way out of the royal chamber into the main mountain cavern. Crimson rimmed ears tilt forward at those already present, a smile is cast her mate's way before she slowly settles by the royal cave's entrance to keep a close eye on the newborns. It was going to be a long way, and she was so nervous. Already in the mountain cavern is the impressive form of the former barbary monarch; Xian, who approaches his daughter, the new-mother and takes seat besisde her. "Everything's going to be ok, darling.." He whispers, sensing her nervousness. He knows about this decision, and knew all the way that there would be no choice but to leave if things went on like this. They had to move.. and it hurt the former King, for it's here where he was born, where he had his children, where he ruled and where he passed down the crown to his daughter and her mate. A white lioness is settled at the back of the cave, grooming a paw idly. Though Shahila soon notices the form of Xian, Saibh and then Kiet, and places her paw back down. It was time to listen .. but first she offers a small smile to her son, Undine, as he enters. Chin is tilted up, and ears remain alert while her blue eyes focuss solely on the King. Jamilah is laying nearby, as this was the only shelter she's found in the lands, and her golden eyes look over Kiet as he moves in. That must be the king, no doubt. Little Treowan is snuggled up his mother, lady Kulula, when all the lions gather up, and he slowly makes his way out of his mother's embrance to see what's going on. Lastly, Shiro, is still here, keeping close to lady Nyuki while paying attention.

Treowan has arrived.

Arrgh. Heavens alone only know why he /bothers/ babysitting this...this /buffoon/, when he could be out searching for something edible, or searching for stragglers to herd back to the cavern so that they won't miss the rulers' announcement! But /no/. While he /was/ looking for food--which he does not, at this point, expect to find--Kisehemu had to run into a certain very miserable-looking lion huddled under a tree, and...well, trying to get /Ehuka/ off to shelter without the fool running off and breaking his neck or falling into the frosty river just to be contrary has been an exercise in herding cats. The older male is very /friendly/, granted, but he's also so very /stupid/. And it doesn't help that he's also so very much /bigger/ than Kise; if he really decided to run for it, the squire would be unable to stop him. The journey back has, then, been very zig-zagging and slow going and required absolutely /monumental/ patience...but shortly after Kiet and Saibh emerge from the royal den, nevertheless, Ehuka skitters into the cave with a rather grumpy-looking adolescent snapping at his heels. Kisehemu's normally well-groomed mane is tangled, shot through with frost, and sticks up at odd angles; his fur, as well, is dusted with a layer of melting snow. Ehuka doesn't look much better, but it's not /him/ who's sporting an expression that borders on murderous. "I /told/ you we could have /walked nicely/ if you'd just cooperated with me!" the younger male snarls as he draws to a halt; a final flash of teeth in Ehuka's direction (the maneless lion cringes and then slinks off towards the others with a few mumbled words of defiance), and he draws in a breath, lets it out. Okay. Mission accomplished, and--look! People are still gathering, even.

Eye contact is made with as many as he possibly can, trying to give the slightest of smiles. A warm smile is given to Saibh - his mate, the mother to his seven new children - and to Xian.. before Kiet finally clears his throat. Looks like everyone is about here, time to get this show on the road. Literally. "My pride," Kiet does not speak loud.. in fact, his voice is somewhat soft. But it echoes through the cold cavern, allowing all to hear him. "As you have all noticed, the weather has gotten worse. The herds have gone, leaving us with no food.. and it is so cold that I fear that we can't survive much longer in these lands. We have many new cubs in the pride.. and more on the way. Had we not so many children, I might have considered staying longer.. but we cannot take a chance on such young lives. Staying here means slow death from either starvation or cold, and I know none of us wants to watch the pride wilt away." The King shifts slightly, taking a deep breath. "And so the decision has been made. The pride is leaving the lands of Kivuli." Here Kiet pauses, allowing a moment for all of that to sink in. "I know it will not be easy for many to leave.. many of you were born here. Many of you can trace your lineage back to the first to live here. And it will not be an easy journey in the snow and cold. But I assure you, we stand a better chance leaving than we do staying. We move out tonight. Anyone able to carry cubs, should.. they will tire easily in the cold. Stay close together to keep warm. Xian and myself will lead us out.. Knights, please bring up the rear, make sure there are no stragglers. Guards, please keep up a watch around the perimiter of the group. We will move as fast as the slowest among us can go.. no one will be left behind. We head for the forgotten lands.. it's been said that it is a bit warmer there, and that a few herds still linger there. We will stay there for a few moons, I will send scouts back to Kivuli on occassion. If after a few moons the weather has not returned to something more livable.. we will begin scouting for new lands to be our home." That will be difficult news to hear for some.. but it may become reality. "We'll hope it doesn't come to that." Another breath is taken, followed by more instructions. "When we stop, everyone sleeps together, as close as we can get. Don't let cubs sleep on the cold ground.. balance them on limbs, or cuddle them close. They are the most vulnerable among us at this time. The sick and elderly are to be kept near the center of the group as we walk, to protection." That said, Kiet sighs. "I know this won't be easy, but if we stick together.. work together.. we'll make it." That said, the King steps back and nods at everyone.. the signal to gather themselves, the children... the pride is leaving their homelands.

Alai has disconnected.

The path to the forgotten lands isn't quite as long, and they had the advantage that half of it all was crossing the Kivulian Jungles -- which, hopefully, are quite sheltered from the snow and the ice. It'll be the easiest part of the journey, Xian thinks, looking at all those gathered. Some faces new, yet some of them old and known. Shahila, their guard, Shiro, his adopted son, Saibh, Nyuki, Treowan, Tumbuiza, Ilesha.. all of them are here, watching them expectant. The former monarch can't help but be proud of the new young couple; their reign started with a rather chaotic weather, and the fact they're strong even the hardest times proves he's made the right choice. A slow nod is given as the white King says they will both lead the way, and his turquoise eys scan the crowd, looking hopefully for Tia's face but not finding it. He just can't go find her right now, can he? No. He's got a whole pride to lead out of these empty, snow-covered lands. Saibh listens, though she isn't as confident as her father. She takes a look over her shoulder to the seven newborns and heaves a breath. The instructions are given; there are no elders in the pride, surprisingly, but a big bunch of cubs they'll have to protect. First in line to respond is the only female guard of the lands, Shahila. "Yes, your majesty." A nod is given to Undine; he will help her guard the perimiter of the group. Now, it's Saibh's time to speak up. "Alright.. Kivuli has many children we cannot risk to loose... the lionesses can pick up a cub and carry them, the lions can also have a couple of them upon their backs." She looks over the curious Treowan and Ilesha nearby. "There's Treowan, Ilesha, Bolvai, Ullan and Ebeni to carry, plus keep your watch on the older cubs that come along, none should be left behind. No one." She slowly moves back to her own children, and picks up three of them to place them gently upon the King's back for more warmth -- Thalia, Atreyu and Alai. "Find Pekulia to shield them from the snow on the journey, love." The remaining cubs --Mizuka, Matope, Leilani and Khamisa-- are placed carefully upon their grandfather's lush mane. Xian lowers his head quietly, feeling the four little babies into his mane, and looks over Tumbuiza. "Hop on, Tumbuiza.. and make sure they don't fall off." Who better than their monkey healer to watch after them. The monkey hesistates a bit, and then slowly climbs up the former King's back, close to the cubs. "Alright, everyone.. pick up a cub and follow us down the path. Don't hurry, remember the rock is frozen and there's ice everywhere, so take it slow." Still with his spirit of a leader, Xian follows Kiet out of the cave. Nyuki picks up one of the remaining cubs, Shiro picks up another, then Jamilah and so on, and then they all venture out into the snowy night. Shahila and Saibh remain inside the cave, to check none is left out.

Xian offers to carry Shahila with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Saibh with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Shiro with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Treowan with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Jamilah with Xian.
Shahila scrambles up on Xian.
Saibh scrambles up on Xian.
Treowan scrambles up on Xian.
Shiro scrambles up on Xian.
Jamilah scrambles up on Xian.
Xian offers to carry Kiet with Xian.
Kiet scrambles up on Xian.
Xian offers to carry Undine with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Fajra with Xian.
Undine scrambles up on Xian.
Fajra scrambles up on Xian.
Xian offers to carry you. "HOPON Xian" to accept.
Xian offers to carry Kisehemu with Xian.
You scramble up on Xian.
Xian offers to carry Mizuka with Xian.
Xian offers to carry Thalia with Xian.
Mizuka scrambles up on Xian.
Xian offers to carry Matope with Xian.
Matope scrambles up on Xian.
Kisehemu scrambles up on Xian.

And Ehuka, charming model of tact that he is, chimes in at some point during the middle of Kiet's speech: "'s cooold today, guys. 'course, 's cold every day..." Why, no, he has /no/ idea what the King's talking on about. A sneeze from Kisehemu and a hissed "Ssshhh!" as he stalks over to join the group, however, and the older lion shuts up and collapses back onto his haunches, clawing with a hindpaw at a bit of ice that's frozen to his side, to try very hard to follow all those confusing words. Kisehemu, on the other hand, has no trouble whatsoever understanding any of it, and while the adolescent doesn't interrupt out of respect for their authority (it's a concept Ehuka ought to try and learn sometime, he thinks uncharitably), the news doesn't make him happy. The move is definitely necessary--in fact, hadn't Xian told him something about the possibility of exactly this happening even back before it started /snowing/?; Kise thinks he did--but the idea still makes him nervous. He'd /just/ gotten used to the lands, cold as they are these days; at least he can take the people with him. And he /did/ spend most of his life in the Forgotten Lands before Msegami decided to get rid of him, so it'll be a return to old stomping grounds! ...Okay, you know what? He's not even going to /try/ to feel optimistic right now. Too much effort. The squire sniffs, rubs a paw over his nose, and then speaks up tiredly: "I'll be in the rear with Master Camrath, correct? Somebody's going to have to keep an eye on..." His eyes flit back to Ehuka, and the young male's ears tilt back just slightly. "...Him. Or he'll run off." Which Ehuka had done to /him/ at least five times during their little walky together. The lion in question peers back at him with a look of faint perplexion, his own frost-rimmed ears perking forward, and then looks around. "Will /not/," he informs matter-of-factly, and is met with a growl of irritation. "Don't /lie/ to me. You nearly ran off the bloody /cliff/ when we were coming up!" Normally the most mild of individuals, Kisehemu's patience has been wearing thin to match his body today. It's all Ehuka's fault, really. Mizuka, for his part, has been quiescent throughout all of this, but when he feels himself being lifted off the ground and away from his siblings, the boy utters a startled squeak. Small paws paddle at the air for a moment, and his body twists in protest; then, when he's set down, he quiets to sniff at Xian's mane. After a few minutes, he wiggles his way over to cuddle up against Khamisa; out of all his siblings, her scent is the one he's most used to.

Naasir has connected.

Matope utters a mewl of confusion, much like his brother, as he is also placed upon his grandfather's mane. The shy cub's first instinct is fear and he mewls loudly for his mother. Though the scent of his siblings lies close-by, this new scent surrounding him is overwhelming and frightening. Had he the slightest idea of where to go, he would have attempted to crawl away to his assumed safety, an action that could have led to a tumble off Xian's back. However, Matope's instinctual fear of the unknown serves him well and he stays put, though he continuously sniffs the air for familiar scents.

Tirah has arrived.

"Guys, guys.." Shahila says, interrupting Kisehemu and Ehuka's little argment with a somewhat bemused smile. "Come on, we need to get out of here. The sooner we do, the sooner we'll arrive there." A slow nod is given to Kisehemu's words. "Yeah, keep an eye on him just in case.." He might not be a part of the pride, but they aren't about to leave -anyone- behind. "Yes, you go with Camrath in the rear.. I'll be with my son, Undine, keeping an eye on the surroundings, if anything comes up, find us there." She tilts her head in the direction of the form of a black big lion, her son, Undine. Shahila soon exits the cave as well, and that pretty much leaves Saibh alone. She's tired, but she knows she can make it. Yes. The lioness turns around and heads into the royal chamber for a moment, to send a little prayer for the great kinds of kivuli to bless their journey. Then crimson paws carry Saibh out of the royal chamber, and furthermore out of the main cave. "We will return.. someday." She whispers to herself. Yeah.. someday.

Oh, /dear/. Rearguard duty /and/ Ehuka-babysitting duty. Kisehemu winces and gives himself a shake to try and calm down a little--he feels very tightly-strung right now. "Will do, ma'am." A resigned look is cast in Ehuka's direction as the larger male gets up, stretches, and then wanders aimlessly after the others, completely ignoring the fact that he's supposed to be staying with the adolescent. Or maybe he's just oblivious. It's probably the latter, which means that Kise's got to be patient with him, which makes everything so much /worse/. "Ehuka, get /back/ here!" he calls, moving after the group--in the order he's been assigned, /thank you/. "Dun'wanna!" comes the protest from much further up, a bit chattering from the cold. "You're /mean/!" Oh, yes. As if relocating an entire pride to new lands in the middle of a bloody blizzard wasn't already going to be stressful enough...

Saibh offers to carry Naasir with Saibh.
Naasir scrambles up on Saibh.
Thalia has disconnected.
Saibh has left.
Naasir has left.
Saibh takes Naasir with Saibh.
Xian has left.
Shahila has left.
Shiro has left.
Treowan has left.
Jamilah has left.
Kiet has left.
Undine has left.
Fajra has left.
Xian carries you along with Xian.

[Shomoro]

/Forgotten Lands\ Pridal Cavern

Cool air easily dances in, touching each creature that might reside into this long-forgotten shelter. The smooth ground is usually warm thanks to the touch of the african sun and the overall intense hot days. This cave, at some point, proved to be home to many lions and lionesses, from little newborns to aged elders. Used for meetings, sleeping, giving birth.. and now, empty? This shelter from the cold days, the storms and even the sun is now only used by the rogues that constantly dwell in the abandoned lands, without wishing to join a stable pride. Quiet is the best way to describe this cavern these days .. and yet, in front of you is the entrance to another, smaller cave. Behind you, of course, is the exit to the promontory. Relax, have a nice nap and go, there are lots of things to find out there, creatures to meet, challenges and places to visit ...


Ehuka, the Fool on the Hill. Fajra, Just a lil' bit of spice Undine, The THONG! Kiet, King of Kivuli Treowan, Carrying on the fire legacy. Shahila, .. a mommy? Xian, voiced by Hugh Jackman. Saibh, Queen of Kivuli. Yllan, "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."
Exits:
Into - Smaller Cavern, Back - To the Cave Entrance


[AFK] Fajra, female lioness [IC ] Ehuka, male lion
[AFK] Kiet, male white lion [AFK] Undine, male adol. lion
[IC ] Treowan, male lion cub [IC ] Jamilah, female adol. lioness
[IC ] Shahila, female white lioness [IC ] Shiro, male adol. leopard
[IC ] Naasir, male juve. lion [IC ] Xian, male barbary lion
[WIZ] Yllan, female leopardess [IC ] Saibh, female lioness

Kisehemu has arrived.
Mizuka has arrived.
Matope has arrived.
Tia has arrived.
Xian carries Shahila, Shiro, Treowan, Jamilah, Kiet, Undine, Fajra, Ehuka, Kisehemu, Mizuka, Matope, and Tia with Xian.
Yllan goes home.
Yllan has left.
Tirah has arrived.

The journey to the forgotten lands was quite a long one.. the sun is already to be seen in the distance, and it finds a large group of lions and lionesses walking through the frigid area. Things here looked a little better; they could see herds on the way, small.. but still more than enough to feed them. The waterhole was nearby, too, and it wasn't frozen.. which was good. The weather was surprisingly warmer than over Kivuli, which comes as no surprise seeing the aforementioned lands are shadowed by the valleys and, thus, colder. Now, the King has led the pride way up what was formerly known as Pride Rock. Sore paws carry the exhausted, snow-covered pride members up. But, after hours of travelling with chilly temperatures, the sunrise has brought new hopes for the Kivulian pride. Follwing the lead if Kiet, Xian steps into the cavern, where Saibh is awaiting, and she --one-by-one-- places them upon the cold stone floor at the back of the cave, then the Queen lays down there. It was time to feed them, and she noses the seven children in her belly's way, her tounge brushing the melted snow off their coats. Xian lets Tumbuiza hop off his back and shakes the frosty bits off his pelt before settling down to watch the others come in. Jamilah, Shiro, Treowan carried by another lioness, Ilesha, Nyuki, everyone. The cave was cold, but that will soon change. "We finally arrived.." Saibh whispers to her children. And they were alive.. could she be any happier?

Jamilah has disconnected.
Shiro has disconnected.
Treowan has disconnected.

Saibh has gone Away from Keyboard [AFK].
Xian has gone Idle [IDL].
Shahila has gone Away from Keyboard [AFK].

Kisehemu : designated caretaker. Actually, Ehuka doesn't much care for designated /anythings/, but since the adolescent was so insistent that they socialise on the long, taxing walk over, the older male's kind of glommed onto him as his best-buddy-of-the-moment. After he'd burnt out most of his energy on escape attempts and power-walking towards the front of the line (and he made a few spirited attempts to join the royal cubs in Xian's mane too, at one point; he'd been /cold/!), the lion finally settled down and started behaving himself, if only because he was too tired to do anything but plod along beside Kise in silence. Gosh, walking lot's really not fun in this kind of weather! ...This is a discovery that he's made and summarily forgotten about at least a million times since the snow hit. Straggling along into the cave after the others--he'd started flagging rather badly during the last leg of the trip--he pauses just inside and gives himself a mighty shake that sends little icicles flying in every direction away from him, then plonks onto his haunches and begins examing his paws carefully. They're /bleeding/. Gasp! Kisehemu, for his part, makes a half-hearted attempt at telling his charge to get over to the others and then glances back over his shoulder towards the outside, frowning. Well, it's a definite improvement. Kind of weird to be back here, though. /Here's/ where his mother used to bring them to get out of the rain occasionally...

Kiet has gone In Character [IC].
Fajra has gone In Character [IC].
Undine has gone In Character [IC].

Throughout most of the walk, Naasir plodded along slightly apart from the rest of the group, off in his own little patch of freezing cold, snow-filled personal space. The shy young lion still doesn't really know anyone aside from Xerxes and Mile', who have been terribly absent lately; he mostly keeps to himself, even after they reach the cavern, selecting an empty patch of wall space and sitting down in it to groom his sore paws. Everything aches. Or hurts. And if it doesn't, it's dusted in snow and freezing cold! He's never walking anywhere again. | Tirah was also quiet throughout the journey, but in a watchful, alert way; whatever her official title these days, the adolescent lioness views herself as a guard, and behaves accordingly. When Kisehemu had to track down Ehuka, it was Tirah who replaced him at the rear, silver gaze sweeping over their surroundings, peering through the falling snow. Now that they've reached their destination, she surveys the cavern and its new occupants, then chooses her own place near the entrance and sits down, gaze directed towards the outside world. Every now and again, she lifts a paw and delicately licks the sore pads, but otherwise pays little attention to her own aches. While she rests here, they will pass.

Matope has disconnected.

He stands at the entrance to the caverns, watching everyone shuffle in. It feels like it has been a long journey.. partly because it actually /has/ and partly because walking through ice and snow and sleet made the journey seem twice as long as it really is. But Kiet is happy.. they've made it. All seven of the royal cubs are back together near the back of the cavern with Saibh, and Kiet is there to welcome every member of his pride to the caverns. Those he knows well, those he does not.. all are given kind smiles by the King. A nod is given to Kisehemu and Ehuka. "You both all right?" Tirah is given a smile and a nod as she settles in by the entrance.. and Naasir is given a cheerful wink.. trying to offer a bit of cheer after such a long, tiring trek through desolate conditions. To the guards and knights present, the King calls out. "No one got left behind anywhere, correct?" ... The dark male guard, Undine, pads into the cavern. He shakes himself off at the entrance, growing mane spiking with the movement. He's never really mingled with any of the pride before, so the adolescent feels a bit out of place.. but he kinda flops down in the middle of where everyone is walking and leaves it at that. ... Fajra, having come in with the rest of the lionesses, curls up around some random cub, to offer what warmth she can. It looks like everyone should warm up a bit more here in these lands. Better than in Kivuli, anyway.

Kiet drops Khamisa.

"We're holding, thank you," Kisehemu says, at roughly the same time that Ehuka lets out a horrified little squeak as he realises that not /only/ are the pads of his feet bleeding, one of them has what looks like a /huge gaping hole/ in it! "There's a--a /hole/! In my /foot/!" This is directed at Kiet, high and anxious and very freaked-out, and he cautiously lowers his head to lick at the afflicted are a moment later. And the hole falls off. Blink. Blink. Oh gods. Sounding even /more/ freaked-out now: "And it /came off/!" The 'hole?' A large piece of rotting, blackened vegetation of some description that had apparently adhered to his paw somewhere along the line. -- Kisehemu shakes his head, discreetly inspecting his own paws for damage (they're chapped and there're a few small wounds on /his/ pads, too, but he'll live--for a boy who probably would have fainted at the sight of his own blood when he first arrived at Kivuli, he's come a-ways), and glances briefly in Tirah's direction as well. She'd taken his spot when he had to go play Catch-The-Overgrown-Cub; he'll have to thank her later. For now, though, he adds, "Nobody was left from the rear, no." A pride the size of Kivuli makes for a very large caravan, so he's not sure about the other parts...but that's what the other guards are there for.

The young lioness nods to Kiet in return, then glances at Kisehemu and nods again in agreement. "I saw no one left." Not that wandered off or that she walked past. Everyone got chivvied back forward, if they fell back, with the exception of the fellow rearguard. Ehuka gets a peculiar glance from Tirah, but she doesn't offer any comment. She blinks slowly, then swings her head around to regard the area outside the cavern again. Her gaze is thoughtful... maybe she should walk a bit more, get a feel for the immediate terrain. | Naasir looks up in time to catch the white King's wink, and offers a shaky, hesitant, shy smile in return. A very short-lived smile; Kiet would have to look rather closely, and at just the right moment, to catch it. Then he buries his nose in the fur between his toes again, trying to do his best to vanish into it. Even though he's nearly an adolescent by now, the boy is obviously anything but outgoing.

"Good.. that's good." Could things have gone any smoother? Kiet thinks not. Tirah, Kisehemu and Undine are all given another glance by the King. "Now, these lands are not claimed by any pride.. but I pretty much lived here during my rogue days, and I've known others to do the same. Spread the word to the other guards and knights.. there is to be someone on guard at all times. I'll take this first guard myself.. allow all of you to get some rest, let your paws get a bit of a rest too." Kiet is a bit worried about rogue males.. or small groups of rogue males and females.. trying to cause trouble for the pride. And Kiet is in no mood to be messed with, not after having traveled so far.. and with his new cubs. The white male sits at the cavern entrance looking out. He's exhausted.. but he supposes that is the lot of a King. The pride comes first. Not that Kiet really minds, for he's always been the honorable type; even if he wasn't the King, he would still be sitting here, keeping watch. A glance is given to Ehuka and.. Kiet just doesn't know what to say. Er.. who is that guy? Is he honestly in his pride? ; A glance is given to Kisehemu. Yeah. Undine, however, is not as speechless as the pale-hued monarch. Ehuka is given a look of pure disgust by the huge black adolescent. "Did you fall outta the stupid tree 'n hit every branch on the way down or summat?" It's not that Undine isn't a friendly guy - hey, if you're a girl, he loves you! - but Undine has issues with other males. It all stems from issues with his father, you know. Let's just say that the guard mingling with the rest of the pride should make for quite an interesting time indeed. XD;

...That's a cue to fall over and pass out if Kisehemu's ever seen one, but he doesn't take it just yet; instead he takes a few moments to pick out a spot close to a few others for warmth before he collapses onto his stomach; the youth's eyes squint briefly when he feels his weight go off his feet. Ugh, /finally/. Still: "I can take second shift if you'd like." Ever the dutiful boy. He doesn't quite settle down yet, though, keeping his head up and his ears forward; the glance from Kiet nets him a helpless shrug. "I found him out on the savanna earlier. Thought I ought to bring him back to the cavern so he didn't freeze to death. Or..." Here his gaze shifts to Ehuka, a bit darkly. "...Jump in the river." Ehuka, who's very likely already forgotten all about the circumstances surrounding that incident, pauses in his careful appraisal of his ouchies to stare at Undine blankly. Durr... "I fell out of a tree, once," he volunteers eventually, frowning. Yeah, that figures.

The young lioness nods to Kiet. But she doesn't budge. She's not that tired... or won't admit it. Probably a bit of both. In fact, despite the aches at the end of each limb, Tirah is sorely tempted to go back out. She gazes intently out the entrance, golden tail-tip twitching back and forth over her paws. She's spent all her life walking around Kivuli, ever since she could walk, and she knows every inch of it. It really grates that they're in a place now she's totally unfamiliar with. But... the King says he lived here for a while... so he should know. ...Question is, King or not, is she really willing to leave it up to him? Even just overnight? | After several carefully hidden glances at the other leonines - or glances he tries to hide, at any rate - Naasir satisfies himself that no one's paying him any mind. Just the way he likes it. The russet-furred boy slowly gets to his feet, lifting each paw and shaking it a bit as he gets reaccustomed to the feel of his weight on sore, worn-down pads. Then he eases himself a little closer to the entrance, keeping a shy distance from everyone else (even the sleepers). He didn't really look at anything around him, especially in the last stretch of the trip. So he kinda wants to see what's out there now... even if he's a little tired. Cue really big yawn from the little lion. Only a bit tired, honest.

Kiet nods absently, glancing back in Ehuka's direction. Well, at least he doesn't seem like he's going to.. uh.. turn around and eat people or anything. And it kinda seems like it's best if the male is in the cavern with all of them instead of out on the savannah on his own. Or something. ; Glancing back to Kisehemu, the King grins slightly, shakes his head. "No.. no, rest." Plus, after finally getting off your paws, Kiet would like to see anyone try to get back up. XD He knows that once he gets his chance to rest, he's going to be out for a few hours at least. Next Kiet looks to Tirah, another smile given to her. "Not tired yet?" He questions lightly. Perhaps feeling a bit uneasy in unfamiliar lands? Kiet, luckily, has never really had a home before he moved into Kivuli.. so new lands don't strike him the way they might lions who have lived in a pride their whole lives. Naasir is given another glance, watching the boy curiously.. and Kiet gives himself another mental kick for not keeping up with matters of the pride, not meeting everyone after he stepped up as King. Sometimes it feels as if he doesn't know /anyone/. ; .. Undine stares at Ehuka for a long, long moment, mouth hanging open, ears pressing back against his head. Oh. My. Gosh. How stupid can one get?! Huffing lightly, the ebon male glares at Ehuka. "Just do me a favor and sleep all the way over there, a'ight?" He says, pointing a claw to the far side of the cavern. "Your stupid might be contagious."

Elipedene has arrived.

Well, then. Kisehemu nods, stifling a yawn, and settles his chin on one of his forelegs; his eyes remain open, however, and his ears tuned to the conversations around him. Most notably, the one that's transpiring between Undine and Ehuka. Oh, /dear/. Looks like the maneless lion doesn't have a fanclub. ...Not that Kise can really blame him, given that he's been short on patience with the maneless lion in question since he found him and tried to escort him to the cliff...but... Less than two minutes later, the squire's eyes are shut and his body is /limp/ before he can finish his train of thought, much less get up to see if he can separate them. Ummm. Kiet was right; he probably won't be getting back up anytime soon. Ehuka, meanwhile, seems to have caught onto the fact that he's being insulted; the older male's head lifts and his nose wrinkles in bemused distaste. His mouth works silently for several moments as tiny gears tick and spin inside his head, but they can't produce anything worse than: "You're /mean/, lady!" Then, rising to his feet, he limps off with his muzzle held high in the air and his tail swishing haughtily at his flanks. Oooh, /burn/, Undine.

The white lion gets another glance, after which Tirah shakes her head. Not tired enough to sleep, anyway. Not here and now. She looks outside again, gazing into the snow for a long moment, eyes narrowing just slightly. Then, inclining her head with a faint smile towards Kiet, the young lioness gets to her feet again. She pads slowly back out into the falling snow, simply to make a circuit around the foreign Rock, the better to ease her mind. Ever an independent sort, accustomed to being alone - if not with Ashlin - and making her own decisions, it doesn't occur to Tirah to either ask permission or inform the King of her intentions first. Besides, it's not like she's going to go far, or be gone long. | Busy with his yawn, Naasir doesn't catch the look directed at him. Thus, when his amber eyes blink open again and he glances at everyone else, the young lion assumes he's still unremarked. Ignored. With one of the two sentries at the entrance now walking away, he inches a little closer, craning his head to better see the outside world. Which is... snow. Lots of snow. Falling snow and snowdrifts. His ears flatten back a bit. That doesn't tell him much. Brand new place he's never been and he can't make out a thing. And he's not about to leave the nice, warm (mostly) cave, either.

Elipedene has gone Away from Keyboard [AFK].

Undine has disconnected.
Fajra has disconnected.
Kiet has disconnected.
Tirah has disconnected.
Naasir has disconnected.
Elipedene has disconnected.
Ashlin has arrived.
Atreyu has arrived.
Ashlin has disconnected.
Atreyu has disconnected.

[Msasi]

A classic Ehuka moment. <333 That was just hilarious. XD And.. actually took place before Undine went off the deep end of craziness and lost his memory. XD