"'Fantasy. Lunacy.' All revolutions are, until they happen, then they are historical inevitabilities."


Zaynabi |•| Female |•| Huntress |•| 8 years |•| Camp
Mentions: Aris; Valor; Raijin

Zaynabi received Aris's returned greeting warmly before the Queen's thunderous roar filled the camp, summoning her Huntresses to her side. The striped lioness trotted after Aris, shooting a suspicious side-eye towards the king, who was still being welcomed by a cluster of people. Luckily for her, the king did not notice her look but instead continued to greet his followers with reserved gripe, a hard look still etched into his onyx face. Blocking out her disdain for the king, she brought herself in front of Valor, bowing her head and allowing her ears to lay slightly back in submission and respect. If her bow was to be accepted without issue, Zaynabi would calmly take a seat and wait for the rest of the Huntresses to gather. She lifted a paw to groom herself before her steel eyes caught one of Amenhotep's Royal Guards approaching. The strong-willed lioness was almost tempted to ignore him, but as an attempt to avoid conflict, she instead opted to set her muscular paw among the dirt again and nod to him respectfully as well.

Fajin |•| Female |•| Junior |•| 1 year, 10 months |•| Den ⇛ Camp
Mentions: Adsora, Hisoka, Nyul, Oshin, Tahirah

Fajin hadn't been quite prepared for Adsora to turn on her so quickly, her intention of settling the young felis until they eventually made it out of the den's entrance. Paws Adsora still had yet to grow into wrapped themselves around Fajin's own. She tried to pull it back, but decided to handle it a different way. In the most indifferent voice she could manage, she stated a little louder than intended "Oh no!" Before letting her whole body go limp, falling down on top of Adsora. "You've defeated me!"

She looked over at Nyul who was already pestering the larger Hisoka. 'Two birds with one stone,' she thought, calling over the enthusiastic bobbed female. "You must avenge my death, Nyul." Having hopefully subdued one of the more energetic juniors for a moment at least. Tahirah's question gained her attention though for a moment before it was stolen by Oshin who, despite Nyul's night kicking, she found to be more annoying. Not really for anything he'd actually done, but he just seemed off to her. Perhaps it was the leopard blood in him, though she'd never really know.

Training. What ever they were told to do today, she'd just hoped it was something quick, perhaps she could sneak in a quick nap in the Elder's den. It wouldn't be the first time and it probably wouldn't be the last either.

Nyul || Female || Juvenile || 1 year 2 months ||
Mentions: Fajin, Asodra, Oshin, Tahirah, Hisoka,

The shedua youth gently gnawed on Hisoka's ear, her torso still leaning against his larger frame as she listened intently -for once- to her companion's thoughts. Asodra's enthusiasm for fighting made her lip curve slightly upwards, but it concerned her that Oshin's contradictions would dampen the mood. It had already been such a bright start to the day, it would be terrible to have it go fester into sourness so soon.
Nyul eyed the younger cross-breed, trying to analyze him, though truthfully in the most naïve fashion. She had never had a problem with the ochre cat. He'd always been respectful, and was definitely pleasant to be around. The notion that he wasn't much of an aggressor could been seen easily seen at first glance. The male's smaller stature due to his mixed heritage gave him an almost gentle appearance. However, such observations were likely made in ignorance, and Nyul occasionally wondered if there was more to him than meets the eye.
All the while through her pondering, the small lionesses had been absentmindedly chewing on Hisoka's ear, her slight weight no doubt becoming a real annoyance to the poor felis beneath her by now. Suddenly, there was a soft thud, and Fajin was trapping Asodra underneath her body, no doubt as payback for the young primal's rambunctious attack on the older pale-eyed lioness. When Fajin let out an almost exaggerated mock cry for her help, and Nyul couldn't keep her giggles in. So in turn, she used her forelimbs, pushing against Hisoka's back, to heighten her figure in a heroic manner before calling back in the most theatrical voice she could muster, "Fear not, fairest Fajin. I shall smite the evil Asodra with the heat of a thousand suns!"
Regardless of how hard she tried to stay in character, a snort and a giggle made it out at the end of her chivalrous display. Her speckled body scampered over the skyward male that she had previously been smothering, her hind legs likely kicking the unfortunate youth in the process. The bobbed-tailed female bounced over to the conflicted pair, and she flopped her body down beside them, her form resting on her back, as she attempted to gently bat at Asodra's nose from underneath Fajin's figure.

Though despite all the fun and games, she wondered the same as Tahirah. It wasn't that Nyul dislike the daily exercises, because she did find pleasure in the competition, but she was enjoying herself so much right now. If she had her druthers, she'd be playing with her fellow juniors until the sun fell below the horizon.

Barota
Female | 5 Years | Citizen
Location: Camp
Mentions: Malkia

Barota stirred from her sleep at Valor's roar. She knew the hunting call well. They'd be setting up groups and marking herds for the morning hunt. In truth, she was jealous of their position. Sure, it was safer as a citizen, but she didn't enjoy it. She longed for the days of her youth, watching her aunts and step-mums prowl towards a lone zebra. She remembered the first time she'd assisted in a hunt, how her heart had raced and her body had felt full of fire. She'd felt invincible as she brought that first gazelle down. She'd felt like a goddess, a cruel taker of life and giver of meals. She'd felt powerful. She hadn't felt like that for a long time.
Her paws brought Barota out of the rocky den and into the light of the camp. She yawned and stretched, green eyes watching the gathering hunters. Her head dipped towards her queen. She'd always respected and admired Valor. She even wore a rabbit fur tuft on her tail. She'd never go as far as to copy her queen's look, but she figured this small show of admiration was welcome.

As the group around Valor grew, Barota looked around for something to do. She glanced at the juniors tussling and her nose scrunched in distaste. She wasn't a fan of cubs and found they only got more annoying as they grew. Why couldn't they just be born adults? No, there was no way she was getting stuck training those nightmares. The growing group around Amenhotep? Her stomach seemed to drop and her skin felt clammy. She didn't want to go anywhere near him. She couldn't understand how so many of the pride idolised him, as if being bathed by his harem somehow washed away his sins. She hadn't forgotten how many friends she'd seen lost to his jaws. No, she wasn't going over there, something else. A brush of movement to the side caught her eyes. A younger felis whose eyes darted suspiciously towards Valor slunk into the tall grass. Barota's eyes narrowed as she ran through the pride's members in her thoughts. It wasn't Adsora. It wasnt Kifo. Malkia! That was her name! But she was a huntress, why wouldn't she go to Valor? Curiosity bit at Barota's thoughts and eventually her heels as she followed the felis into the grass.

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Mkali
Female | 9 Years | Citizen
Location: Camp
Mentions: Juniors

Amber eyes blinked tiredly open as the lions began to shuffle from sleep. Mkali watched as each cat rose and padded out of the cave. They all seemed so ready for the morning, like plants stretching to take in the sun. She wasn't a plant. She was barely a lion. Since her cubs had been taken she'd hardly eaten. Her once impressive body wasting away to untrained muscle and bone. Even the elders looked stronger than her. With a struggle, she rose to her feet. Her light body felt like it weighed a ton and every part of her wanted to lay back down and sleep. Maybe if she slept long enough she'd discover this was a dream. Or maybe she'd pass peacefully rather than at the claws of Amenhotep. She shook the idea away groggily and stepped out into the sun. Though not a plant, the light seemed to help. It keep the darker thoughts away. She closed her eyes and soaked in the morning heat, feeling it warm her frail body.

Once Mkali was toasty, her eyes cast around the camp. She quickly spotted Amenhotep and his admirers. Her muzzle wrinkled bitterly, but she caught herself before showing teeth. She couldn't let him know how much she hated him. She wouldn't let him end this grudge before its time. It seemed foolish to wish such a creature dead. He was an unstoppable monster, a constant in the pride's life. He was enormous, bestial, and commanded an army. And yet, Mkali, without a plan to her enmity, knew she would stop at nothing to see his last breath. It was the least she could do for letting him end her cubs. Once he was vulture fodder she would rest. Perhaps for the few years she had left or perhaps forever. Either would be a welcome retreat.

Mkali turned her head from Amenhotep and his groupies. She couldn't spend all her time obsessing and planning. She had to lay low. Their king was already paranoid and vicious. There was no point painting a target on herself. She eyed the prey pile, but decided against it. They couldn't eat until Amenhotep had and she didn't like her odds of stealing something without him knowing. She'd have to go hungry for now. Unless... the adolescents caught her eye, tussling in the dirt and chatting. None of the lions had approached them for training yet and they were getting restless. Perhaps she could train them and get a snack in the process.

The older lioness padded over to the juniors as Nyul landed a paw over Adsora's nose. The resulting squeaked sneeze made Mkali smile. She realised she hadn't smiled in a long time. Maybe spending a day with the adolescents wouldn't be too bad. "Oh let her up Fajin," she said softly, clasping her mouth around the mottled junior's scruff and lifting her off. "It's hardly a fair fight when your opponent is pinned." She eyed the group. Six adolescents in total. Hopefully she could handle them. "Now, what do you all want to learn today?"

Subira

Female | Citizen | 4 years 9 months | Location: Camp | Mentions: Everyone (ID)

The quiet whispers of the morning breeze isn't what woke Subira, nor was it the warmth on her back by the sun. Subira opened her eyes slowly, the sapphire catching the sunlight. She lifted her head slowly, the warmth of the sun making it difficult for her to awaken completely. She had opted to spend the night outside of the cave, just to the right of it. The night before had been cool and welcoming, causing her to fall asleep under the twinkling stars. Her red-tipped tail flicked around her front paws as her gaze rested on what had awoken her. She could feel the juniors training through the rumble in the ground beneath her sun-kissed paws and could hear their voices easily through the dust that had coated her dark auburn ears. She watched them tussle with quiet dignity before she turned to look at the group surrounding their king. They had all squeezed in tightly around him, doing their best to remain respectful while greeting him. She had no desire to get up and join the group- she had nothing to say that would add anything to the conversation anyway. She remained on her stomach, watching the pride with clear sapphire eyes. Only when she felt the sun being blocked from her back did she speak, her voice a smooth river that could easily change its course. "Father."

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Krishna 

Male | Citizen | 10 years | Location: Camp | Mentions: Everyone (ID), Amenhotep (ID), Juniors (ID), Mkali (D)

"Daughter." There was clear disdain in the primal lion's as he addressed his only living offspring. He towered over her small frame easily, blocking the sun's rays to touch down on her back. His green eyes were narrowed in disapproval, their color darkening as he watched her. "You have awakened last again." Before she could reply, he continued his lecture, the hostility clear in his voice. "Come. You must greet our king." The dark red lion stalked away from his daughter without waiting for an answer. His steps slowed and calmed as he neared the crowd, visibly relaxing as he distanced himself from the lioness. He gave a respective bow of the head to Amenhotep before doing the same to his guards. Krishna had little desire to speak to the king, knowing well he had things to do. Rolling his big broad shoulders, Krishna left the crowd, his large paws making barely a tremor in the ground as he headed to the juniors. He shook his mane roughly, the sunlight catching the red to make it seem lighter. The large primal came to a halt beside Mkali, watching the juniors silently for a moment before speaking directly at the lioness. "Do you request aide, Mkali?" 

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Subira 

Female | Citizen | 4 years 9 months | Location: Camp | Mentions: Open

Subira watched her father silently, her dark fur relaxing against her neck now that he was gone. Her father took pride in training the juniors ever since the death of Subira's siblings. She suspected he felt responsible and wanted to overly prepare the new young lions and lionesses for whatever may come. The dark lioness let her eyes roam around the camp, her jaw agap to take in the scents. There was a dry taste to the air, but she ignored it to focus on any possible dangers nearby. After establishing there was none, the lioness curled her tail around her paws. Lowering her head, she kept her blue eyes on the rest of the pride, focusing on the crowd around the king for any signs of tension. As the warm breeze passed through the camp, she basked in the return of the sun's warmth. Too easily, she mused over the possible significance of her father taking the warmth away from her. Overthinking does one no good, the lioness thought to herself as she watched her pride-mates from a safe distance. She was unnoticeable unless you knew where and who to look for. 

• Valor •
Female | 6 Years Old | Queen
Location: Camp | Mentions: {D} Raijin, Huntresses, Ka’ri / {ID} Amenhotep

Nearly the moment the young male entered her thoughts Raijin appeared, his eyes warm and tone affectionate as he greeted her. Her own expression mirrored his fondness and she leaned forward to rub her cheek against his chin, forced to bounce off her hind paws a bit to reach such a height. Amenhotep had many sons and daughters, the majority not sharing her blood, but Valor still viewed them all as her children in one way or another. She had aided and comforted their mothers while they were born. She had helped raise them and assured they always felt loved.

“So he is,” she acknowledged with amusement, blue gaze once more returning to her king and the growing crowd for a brief moment before returning her attention to Raijin. “Good morning dear.” The sound of approaching pawsteps saw her focus divert to the huntresses, leaving little room for further conversation, and she hesitated before leaning closer to Raijin once more. “Let's speak privately later...about what you mentioned before,” she whispered softly, loud enough only for the guard beside her to hear. “Off you go now. Your father and brothers will be waiting for you,” she added more briskly.

She greeted each of the lionesses kindly as they gathered around her, preparing to lead them into the tall golden grasses surrounding camp when movement headed toward them and the scent of prey blood caused her to pause. Mere moments later Ka’ri’s tawny form emerged from the savanna, dragging a zebra along with her. The sight was impressive, but a frown now pulled at the edges of her mouth. A citizen hunting by herself, and such a large animal at that, was extremely dangerous. Lionesses hunted together for a reason. It would be clear immediately the younger lioness was in for a lecture the moment she ventured close enough.



• Malkia •
Female | 3 Years, 5 Months Old | Huntress
Location: Outside Camp | {D} Barota / {ID} Amenhotep

Managing to escape camp undetected filled the young felis with satisfaction, her creeping gait growing more relaxed as she put distance between herself and the pride The moonstone lioness suspected she would receive a scathing reprimanding from the queen for neglecting her duties once she returned, but for now the few hours of freedom her disobedience offered felt well worth it. Valor was unlikely to report her to Amenhotep. The last time a huntress had given the bronze queen a difficult time the brutal king had taken out one of her eyes.

Valor appeared more keen to deal with dissatisfactory behavior from the other females privately after that. As Malkia headed further into the tall grasses the uncanny feeling of being watched had her slowing to a halt, the sound of a body moving closer confirming her suspicions. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of red and black fur through the golden vegetation. Turning fully to face whomever had chosen to follow her, Malkia sat back on her haunches, waiting silently for the lioness to show herself, her expression impassive, but eyes holding a hard glint that gave away her annoyance.

Fajin |•| Female |•| Junior |•| 1 year, 10 months |•| Den ⇛ Camp
Mentions: Juniors, Mkali

Fajin listened to Oshin's rambling for a moment about his distaste for fight training. She didn't really agree with him, but saw no point in arguing. That would be effort with no reward so no effort is what she gave towards the discussion. There wasn't even a point to changing his mind. Rolling her body a little to get more comfortable a top the young Adsora, she wasn't very surprised to have finally captured Nyul's attention. Letting things take their course, she allowed Nyul and Adsora to simply entertain themselves for a moment, shutting her eyes in a brief moment of peace. Fajin paid little mind to the Felis' wriggling underneath her weight.

Through the high pitched sneezes and muffled giggles, she'd remained blissfully unaware of the approaching older lioness. It wasn't until Mkali's jaw and clasped itself on Fajin's scruff that she relented. She'd known this particular citizen from a young age. Perhaps not as closely as she recalls, but enough to have made an imprint on her when she was but an emotionally frail young cub. Scattered between Mkali's reds, whites, and blacks, were small scars that she would often count, some times from a far, other times a mere tail length away. The teeth that cradled the skin on the back of her neck were that of a gentle mother's grasp. Surely Mkali knew Fajin had grown far to big to be picked up, but obeyed the tug nonetheless, relinquishing her hold on Adsora.

Stepping aside, her pale eyes looked over the older female once more, trying to remember the last she'd seen her partake in, well, anything. Keeping her mouth shut, she let the group decide what the training was today, rather indifferent on that matter now that an adult was here to keep the rowdier juniors occupied. "Fighting seems to be the popular consensus." She mumbled, more to get the ball rolling than anything.