[ORP] Daughters of the Storm (Open!)

[Krysin]

Whispers spoke louder than one would think, and if one were not careful it could spread like wildfire. For now, the embers were kept in the hearth, contained and maintained. A gentle warmth was permitted to heat the room, but the lick of flames were not allowed to ignite.

The fox colored lioness slipped through the crowd, her head bowed low as one would think someone of her station would behave. She was thrall-born, but freeborn, the b*****d daughter of a lion gone now. The timing of her birth was her only fortune, weaned from her mother's n****e before Ushindi had taken reign over the pride. Her age allowed her to be called freeborn, but she felt the taint of her mother's thrall blood keenly.

All Zorra wanted was to shed her heritage and be recognized for her own worth, but she knew the position that she was in. Ushindi could tighten his grasp upon them if he so pleased, and she was unwilling to risk her thrall blood making her worthy of that rank only. She wanted to sympathize with these lionesses, but she could not understand why they fought the future instead of adapting to it. She had listened to the stories of the pride of old, during the first Warlord's reign. Most were too young to remember, and those old enough clearly would rather forget that this was not the only time period where females were not permitted the ranks of reaver and captain.

She supposed it was not her place to make such judgments, not when she was only here for her own future. After all, a fire could not be left unsupervised. If Zorra could make a play for her future, she would without regrets.

Word of this gathering had fallen to her naturally. There were a few who knew of Zorra's concerns over her station in life, but none suspected that Zorra would work with the tide instead of fight against it. She wanted to be a true Stormborn, a good wife to a reputable reaver, who carried a strong enough bloodline to cast away her own. If all went well, nothing would come of her actions. After all, she did not entirely disagree with the cause.

"We are all daughters of the storm," she chimed in, her gaze cast over to Vigdis. Of course, the daughter of the fallen Warlord. Her actions made sense, but Zorra had to wonder if this was for the sake of vengeance or for the sake of the future.

---

A giggle, sweet and alluring tickled the ears of those nearby. Mirth reflected in bright blue eyes, but her gaze was meant for none other than the lioness by her side. Mitama rested her head against her companion's shoulder, looking up into eyes that saw little of this world but could see everything of the next. "If they die, will you see them go?" she mused sweetly, her breath hot against the vixen's neck.

Mitama's obsession with death would have made her an outcast in most other prides, but her bloodline and her aptitude made her an invaluable member of the Myrsky Syntynyt. It was her saving grace, for at times the dark lioness was hard to stomach. Death was written all over her flesh, both from markings natural and unnatural. Bone-like markings caressed her sides, and crawled up her front legs. Yet etched into fur long-ago thinned by a fall into a cursed lake were scratch-like markings. She had carved into her skin during a fit of inspiration.

Most who knew her knew to let her be, that the only harm she would inflict was upon the already deceased. "You beckon a purge, dancing so seductively for death... it will answer, it always answers." The words were purred, but there was little malice in them. Rather, a warning for those gathered if they so chose to take it.

After all, Mitama, like death, had been summoned by this dance.  

[Lightning Shadow X]

Vigdis was bitter, she had every right to be so. When she was content to start her path to becoming a Reaver, it was suddenly snatched from her by the new changes this Warlord had put in place and it made the dissatisfied rumblings hadn't stopped with her. Oh no sir. When this meeting of lionesses came to whisperings, Vigdis was more than happy to take part as she like many others took her place amidst their fellow pridal sisters and listened to the pale figure atop the rock with a flick of her ear.

Her words struck a deep chord with her, as did it obviously strike a chord with many others of the pride as she saw other females raise their voices in outrage. Soon enough she too felt the great fire in her belly and snarled out. Muzzle wrinkled back in outrage.

"I am born of the STORM! I have it flowing through my veins....yet I am to prove myself? To work harder than any male of this pride or subjugate myself to grow fat in some cave as some milquetoast wife? To merely watch over a cave and spit out strong children?" She slammed her paw into the stones that matched her markings and growled with a ferocity like a laden thunderstorm ready and waiting to unload its fury. "T'is despicable, t'is OUTRAGEOUS! Many of the blood of sisters here today have been here longer than these new rules, we have not needed change and yet now change comes and inhibits our progress to yield the lightning within us!" A slight foam of spittle showered as she yelled, snarling and pacing slightly as her blood boiled.  

[Andranis]

It hadn't taken long for the Captain to hear the whispers. From day one of their current Warlord's reign, he had been incredibly displeased. His daughters, in his eyes, were far more capable than any male at fighting. He knew from the roguelands that a lioness would do anything to defend her cub, even face down a strange male intent on killing it. He knew his daughter, Freyja, needed nobody to protect her. She was born from the Storm, there was iron in her blood, and she would continue to fight until her dying breath if she had to. Yu walked amid the lionesses, doing his best to both make his presence known, and not detract from what they were gathered about for. Instead, he looked to his twin children, nodding a bit.

(Old Freyja cert is still old)

Oh he was spitting mad. The fact Bjorn was spitting mad was testament, to his family, to how much he hated the current rules. His sister was NOT made of flowers, she was NOT some delicate little thing that needed sheltering and protecting! He huffed and puffed, ready to spit vitriol about the Warlord, when he felt a paw on his shoulder. Turning, he met Freyja's eyes, and when she shook her head, he sat back, glowering. With a moment to collect his cool, he looked at all the lionesses gathered, and even spotted one other male besides himself and their father. Well, that was certainly promising!

Freyja nodded just a bit to herself, watching everybody, then felt her lip curl just a bit. Like her brother, she was spitting mad. Not the kind that had led their cousin's daughter and mate to leave, but the kind that could possibly carry her through a storm. "I, too, am born of the storm! I am no delicate flower like this..." She spit out the word, "WARLORD... Believes us to be! We don't need somebody to hold our paws while we go beyond the borders, lionesses have been doing that for ages now! And what of the lionesses that came to the pride from outside? None of THEM had to have their paws held! Hell, many of them could kick the asses of six males and keep going! We are not WEAK, we are not DELICATE, and we are not INCAPABLE just because we don't have BALLS and MANES!"

Beside her, Bjorn quietly mumbled, "How aptly put, that last point..."  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Rumors had trickled throughout the pride and though some turned nose away from the opportunity, Shi could not. Her recently returned Mother, a Captain turned Valkyrie, had been the underlining reason for the curiosity she currently felt. Warlord Ushindi had entered the battlefield, presumably slaughtered a lioness she considered to be her Aunt and then proclaimed the removal of titles which had become a cherished reward for everyone who tempted fate out in the roguelands.

The initial out cry by a lioness as she approached had fallen on deafened ears. The howl of winds and waves crashing made this a less than ideal meeting spot and a small chuckle erupted from the pale lioness as she realized what an odd palette of colors they were. The dulled tones of their homelands would give them away, or could. Should the Warlord bother concerning himself with the matters at hand. Her stern golden eyes looked for those of bloodlines she recognized, but she was surprised. Among those gathered were mere thralls. She snorted, the sound of disdain lost in another crash of a wave.

"Even the wee thralls want to prove themselves." She murmured sourly. A rally that was intende for the pure, and strong, was tainted by their den-keepers. Had the Warlord planned to disrupt this gathering she wasn't sure he wouldn't chuckle. Yes. The women sounded strong and united, but she wasn't sure if their union would only be as strong as their weakest link.

For the time being she didn't speak up, not to anyone in particular. Curiosity still boiling beneath the surface - of course her Mother would slaughter her if she knew that she were there. Shi smirked slightly as she though funny how that fear never fades, even when I've had my own cubs that have be born and grown. The amused expression could easily be misread.  

[KasaiLoki]

AstoriaFallen

While Meria had been making a name for herself, Astra was content with where she was for now. However, knowing that she could have potential to rise up if she had wanted intrigued her. That, and she wanted to make sure her hot headed niece did not get into a lot of trouble. That girl seemed to have more to lose.

The darker seer glanced at her sister, a smile on her face. "Very much! Look at everyone!" Astra said, looking around to everyone.

Ayanga huffed, turning her attention from the lionesses proclaiming themselves as daughters of the storm, towards her younger aunt. She reminded her a lot of her grandmother, just with her looks.

"It is needed." The lighter female stated. "However, I hope it can do more than just put a target on our backs." Aya's eyes narrowed as a few males had appeared. Breathe She reminded herself. It wasn't every male's fault the predicament they were in.

"You went the priestess route, why are you here?"  

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Eiran stood a head above her companion. Tall and hulking, the lioness was an intimidating sight, thick with muscle with a broad chest. Her eyes were pale and her gaze unfaltering, focused into the distance, looking into the beyond. She was as still as a gargoyle until she felt a head come to rest on her shoulder and a deep, purr of approval rumbled in her throat. Her own head rolled to the side, and came to rest ever so softly on the white, ghostly crown of her lover.

“No.” She whispered, words meant for only the lioness by her side. “But, I will hear the death knell.” Eiran had always been afraid of the darkness that would eventually consume her. Now it has claimed her sight she discovered, there was nothing to fear. Losing it all had brought her together with the one guiding light in her isolated world. Losing her eyes had helped her to see and now she knew; she had been blind her entire life.

She only mourned the fact she had never had the chance to look upon her darling.

The larger lioness shifted, lifting her paw so she could place it on her companions shoulder. Pulling the smaller creature against her side, cradling her into her chest. Eiran sighed, letting out a small ‘tsk’ before her eyes closed all together.

“Don’t waste your words, on the deaf seeking to become dumb.” Her voice was soft but stern. She had not wanted to attend this gathering, and only came because the Priestess had insisted. Honestly, she was hoping Mitama would lose interest soon, so they could head home.  

[RuIerr]

Pehmeä's heart, having weighed so heavily since the idea for this convening cropped up, fluttered at the massive wave of support Vígdis received. Lioness after lioness (along with a few males) clear their throats and announced themselves, too, as daughters of the storm. She smiled, her mind mulling over the name. "Daughters of the storm." It was great messaging, and felt so powerful, which is how she felt surrounded by so much strong, feminine power. It was phenomenal. Unfortunately, the question posed earlier by the black lioness with the batwing marking rang in her ears. There was a problem. What were they going to do about it? That part was dizzying. What could they do?

 

[Rennekae]

Bryndis had been fuming for too long. The dark lioness had been striving to become a Captain since the day she could fight; to have it ripped away by some overly-accessorized male, to have herself and her sisters be referred to as "taint"... it was beyond infuriating, but what could she do?

She could leave. No. This was her home. Her family was here. This life was all she knew, even if it was changing. She wasn't ready to give up on her dreams quite yet, not until she had no other option.

Or she could fight. Now that she could get behind. But, as capable as she was, Bryn wouldn't take on a Warlord. Partially because - while she was good - she didn't think she was good enough, and partially because she had no desire to lead the entire pride. A Warband, yes, that was her goal, but not a pride. So even if she did manage to win, the result was not ideal.

When she had heard the rumors of this gathering, Bryn had jumped at the idea. Together, the females of the Myrsky Syntynyt - even only half of them, or a quarter - could do anything. Ushindi wouldn't stand a chance.

"I, too, am a daughter of the storm. We have fought well and hard alongside the males, brothers and sisters in combat, equal in honor. All my life I heard, "If you can do it, no one can say that you can't". Until now. We have proved our mettle day after day, we have shown all who dared to look what we are capable of, and yet this rock-brained male claims we can't do what we're already doing? His folly must cost him."

She hadn't meant to be quite so aggressive in her words, but Bryn had admittedly gotten more than a little fired up by her fellow lionesses and picked up momentum as she spoke. She sat back on her haunches, forcing flat hackles she hadn't realized had spiked with rage, and calmed herself - though her eyes still blazed.
 

[Krysin]

"It tolls so sweetly for those who beckon it," she purred to her companion. Her lover was an impressive sight even among those gathered here, but Mitama had never cared so much for looks. There was a deeper, darker attraction she felt to the lioness. She had seen it in Eiran's eyes, the first day they met. It had not been so long ago, but Mitama loved passionately and obsessively. Once she had her claws sunk into Eiran's flesh, there was no letting the lioness go. Only death could steal Eiran away, and Eiran was one of the few Mitama would consider warding death away from.

Not today, just a little longer with her sweetling...

It had been Mitama's idea to go to this little rendezvous. She had overheard one of the apprentices gossiping about it, since word would have never reached the ear of the Warlord's niece otherwise. Mitama had no intention of interfering, but it was the perfect excuse to bring her lover out and about. "But they're my words to waste," she pleaded with Eiran. The lioness nestled close against her lover's chest, burying her face briefly against the dark fur of her chest.

"I would see the fools dance and hear the chorus of their song. Are their words not beautiful, so openly inviting dissent and chaos? They throw them around carelessly, but Eiran, oh Eiran! I hear them, I listen to them!" her voice rose in pitch as passion threatened to overtake her. Her paws lifted to cup her lover's face between them. Claws, gentle despite their sharpness, pricked at the corners of Eiran's eyes.

"Death will hear them too, and when it comes, will you stand beside me to witness it? Confide in me what you see when it rips them from the shells of their bodies." Mitama had managed to regain some of her composure, whispering the words passionately to the only person in her world who truly mattered.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Eos Galvus]

Eir and Frigg

Eir had been by Nafsi'kataa's side since the lioness had begun her permanent, male-free viking and only came back because Nafsi had, with her corvid coompanion's aid in collecting information. Eir was strongly displeased bythe young Warlord's immediate stripping of females' independance and freedom, and the female was agitated so close, kneading the dirt with teeth bared and claws extended to reflect her displeasure.

She'd been quiet until that point, but hearingthe others speak, the lioness snarled and lashed her tail.

"A pity we can't simply kill the little whelp." She grumbled. "That would show him how much iron we females have."

Another knead, and she leaned a bit into Nafsi. She knew rage still clouded her judgement and that she'd be gone again as soon as the meeting was over, but the female could sit. And be patient. Possibly.

"A pity. Though I suppose there's other things we can do to slap sense into the whelp, surely." A feral grin filled her maw. Not normally so hostile or quick to violence, Eir still valued decisive action, and the female leaned onto Nafsi a bit more.

"What IS keeping us from fighting or leaving on our own though? How would that fool STOP us?"

Nearby, an adolescent in red and white watcvhed the other females attentively. Frigg half hoped one of her mothers might be present, or a sister, but she didn't SEE anyone, and the female flicked her tail in silence as she simply absorbed the murmurs. She truly disliked the new rule herself -- women less strong by no fault of their own might be hurt by some idiot male with no concept of safety or compassion -- in facty, it meant a male might do to a female what nearly happened to her mother, and her expression soured any time it came up.

Women were just as strong, and capable, but males werte brutish more often than she liked and certainly more focused on... Well... Things than need be, and Frigg watvhed the area bustle as she considered this. A scant few males were present, and these few were., so far, the only good ones she saw. Troubling -- very troubling, but she said nothing, simply watching before a thjought crossed her mind.

"What's stopping males from forcing marriage in this rediculous rule anyhow? On vikings, here.... If there's always males... Who's to stop them from being stuipid and trying to force things? Present company excluded, naturally. Some males seem to actually CARE."

A derisive snotrt, and then a resumption of silence.

Das Tor

ur minion platonically loves u Nafsi

 

[KasaiLoki]

AstoriaFallen

Ayanga nodded at her aunt's comment. "With your rank, I'd be weary of staying too long. At least those who have gone the more physical route can protect ourselves." It was apparently Aya didn't think highly of her relative's decision to become a priestess rather than fight for the pride. Then again, who was she to think about others.

"We can only hope." Aya could come up for some sort of lie if needed. Regardless of what happened tonight, she still needed to cover her own hide in the event somewhere where to go sour. She had her title to protect after all. One she worked damn hard to get.

"I don't think he will come." Astra said with a small shrug, ears flickering as another announced her of the storm. "He doesn't seem to wander much." The chocolate female cooed, nudging her sister. "Though I am glad you are here! Priestess duties have kept you away far too long!" She grinned.  

[In Good Faith]

Vígdís had stood watching, her eyes scanning those that were willing to speak out in favor of their cause. She'd counted... one, two... more than ten lionesses who had spoken out in support, along with a few males. She suppressed a snort at this, but was begrudgingly reminded that males could be of benefit to them when she glanced Ragnvald's mane on the perimeter of the gathering. It was his job to contain any hostilities that broke out and also serve as a scout for 'unwanted' participants showing up. Ví also noted the ones (lioness and lion alike) that seemed hesitant or outright unwilling to speak up.

She heard a few particular proclamations that drew her attention from her mental tally. Namely one calling out for a specific plan. While it would be Vígdís' preference to stage a coupe and kill the b*****d warlord, it was unlikely to gain the support of most gathered here. Assassination was not the Stormborn way. There would need to be a leader willing to overthrow the warlord and despite Vígdís' hatred for Ushindi, she knew if her mother couldn't beat him, there was no way in seven hells she could. A smile twitched at the corner of mouth, however, when she heard at least one lioness seemed to share her sentiments.

Finding a lull in the declarations of lionesses, Vígdís began again. "Tonight's gathering is to serve two things! First, to discover how much support the lionesses of Stormborn would have. Second, to discuss our options." Her eyes narrowed at this. There were those gathered that had not voiced any support for their purpose and she felt suspicion well up in her stomach. If there were those present who came to hear them out but chosen not to join them, they couldn't be trusted not to divulge what they hear. At the same time, it was too risky to stage another meeting of substantial size without raising suspicion amongst the pride.

With that in mind, Vígdís continued cautiously. "But first! Look to who stands beside you. Think on what you've heard tonight. Do they support you in this cause?" She cast her eyes across the gathering, narrowing slightly as she assessed the expressions of those she could see in the dim night.

"We risk our position and perhaps our lives if we chose to make a stand. Those who do not offer strength to our purpose should leave and not repeat what they have heard tonight." She made eye contact with a few who'd chosen not to voice support in the cause, including a white and gold lioness with a pair of wing markings, an eerie black lioness with white-blue hair and skeletal markings, and her companion with purple hair. "Now."

OOC

Sorry for my lack of posting over the weekend guys! My grandmother was in the hospital and took up a lot of my attention. I'm back at work but its a slow day today and I'll be more available. :3

Side note, no one actually has to leave the ORP if they don't wish to!