[ORP] Daughters of the Storm (Open!)

[In Good Faith]

The white lion prowled around the edge of the gathering, using his training he'd received anticipating a reaver-position to remain quiet and sleuth. There were plenty gathered that seemed gung-ho in defying the laws laid down by Wardlord Ushindi and it made him both excited and gladdened. He was relieved of course but had been unsure of how he would feel when anticipating tonight. He feared lack of interest in that what was happening to Vígdís and other lionesses would continue. A small part of him had also hoped for it to come of nothing, however, because it meant she would be safe; or rather, safer than she was by rebelling against the Warlord.

A snippet of conversation caught his ear then and he slowed his pace. Discussing the possibility of the Warlord showing up? It didn't sound as if they actually thought he would but the need for a cover story was mentioned. They had actually decided that their guise--if discovered--would be a forum on the strange happenings going on recently. The unnaturally violent storms, the whisperings in the woods... but he sent a silent prayer up to the gods that they wouldn't have to use it.

As to not be suspicious, Ragnvald moved on.  

[KasaiLoki]

AstoriaFallen

Astra purred. "I'm glad! Maybe we can catch up soon. Go on a lunch date or something," the darker sister eyes narrowed to give Meria a sly look, "Talk about booooyyyys?" She giggled.

Her aunt's words caused her to roll her eyes. "I don't think the males would protect us. I guess having them here is a bit more beneficial than not." At least it wouldn't look too suspicious with the few males here anyways. She glanced around, looking to see if any Captains were about. Unfortunately, Aya wasn't as well versed in that rank and who was one, so her gaze faltered as she shrugged.

Her attention towards to Vigdis' next words. "Regardless," Aya turned towards Meria. "I am here for a reason. I guess we all are, no?" Aya held her loyalty to Zjarri'fol. She had helped her, tried to warn her, but yet failed to do so. She would not make that mistake again.  

[Andranis]

At Vigdis' words, Freyja looked proudly at not just her twin brother, but at their father, both of whom stood with their heads held high and conviction in their eyes. She knew just how angry they both had been with the new Warlord's declaration that lionesses, the ones who carried and birthed and nursed cubs, who laid down their lives for their own children in the roguelands, were too weak to leave the pride. She gave her brother a nudge, then her father, then whispered, "I believe in you!"

Now, now was the time to raise his voice. "I certainly support the lionesses! This warlord, this... BOY, this CUB, thinks you weak. Lionesses were doing just fine going beyond the pride's borders, using their skills to help win fights, coming upon their ranks more honestly than HE did! He has no honor, fighting a lioness with cubs, Warlord or not! I don't believe ANY of you have flowers in your blood, iron courses through your veins as surely as my own, perhaps more so!" Much like his daughter, he was of the firm belief that lionesses could be stronger than males. Yes, he had the advantage of bulk and a mane, but lionesses were better at fighting, he felt, because they had no mane. They had to be craftier than any male, using a more fine-tuned skill set to win a fight, and many had agility on their side to boot. This lion who fancied himself their Warlord was surely in for a surprise.

At some point, Bjorn had started to pace, looking around at everybody. He was practically bouncing on his paws as he moved, pausing to call, "I lend my support!" Then he went back to pacing, ready to... He wasn't sure. If he noticed Ragnvald, he didn't comment or call attention to the pale lion, instead continuing to pace close to his father and sister.  

[Eos Galvus]

Andranis

Fas Tor

Eir remained against Nafsi'kataa silently, watching the going-ons firmly. Ragnvard didn't miss her eyes, and her guardhaitrs rose in response but no more, the female well aware loose lips could spell danger for them all. Still, she made note of his face, and the female nosed her Viking companion warningly. She wasn't going to decide alone and Nafsi? Was older and wiser.

Frigg, for her part, moved after, and only after Yu spoke.

The red lioness really hadn't expected much more than frank discussion of the idiocy of the Warlord and the water in his veins -- piss maybe? Mother's milk? Who knew, but this! The lioness blinked as he spoke, ears pricking upo attentively in listening patience before she dared move, the adolescent awkwardly moving next to his group before watching him with a sense of wonder and... Well, admiration. So wise! And honest! And intelligent! Were those his kids?

OH NO WHY DID SHE SUDDENLY WANT TO SIT HERE?! Ah, well. As Yu finished, she nodded to them, smiling faintly.

"Truer words I've never heard." She said, softly. "But... What can we do about the Warwhelp?"  

[In Good Faith]

Vígdís nodded almost to herself, allowing time for those gathered round to assess what she'd said. Her eyes again roved over the gathering in thought before loping down from the rock. She weaved through the lions and lionesses, making eye contact with nearly each individual as she did so. Before they could continue, she needed to feel they were safe in their discussion. Safe as could be, anyway.

She caught sight of Ragnvald again but chose not to approach him. Eyes were on her and he needed to keep a low profile through this. Part of his job was to gather the names and identifies of those that had joined us. If need be, they would be used as threats later. In stead, she noticed Pehmeä and waded her way towards the black and white lawspeaker.

Ruler of Everything

Ragnvald noticed the small family which spoke passionately for the cause. He guessed a father, a daughter, and a son. His mouth twitched in a suppressed smile as he noted their animosity radiating from the lions. It was heartening to see males so stirred up on their lioness' behalf. It would be what was needed for this thing to move forward.

Noting who Vígdís had acknowledged last in her speech, he slowly made his way to position himself behind the one who talked to herself almost in constant and what he suspected to be her mate. Huh. Not every day you see a lioness-couple. He turned his lips down but not in admonishment but in mere observation. What he did note was the black and purple lioness' seemingly obvious dislike for what was being said. That was dangerous.

Krysin

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

In Good Faith

Krysin

Eiran heard the words that Vigdis spoke, however due to her blindness, the pointed glace the white female gave had no impact. She was completely was unaware that they had been noticed at all and even if she was, she would not be able to find it in herself to care. Instead, she listened to Mitama weave a dramatic string of words - and her brow furrowed.

“Breathe, Mitama.” The lionesses words were stern, a harsher tone than many would dare to take with the unhinged Priestess. Her dark lover was a lionesses of passion and excitement often overtook her. So, Eiran had become her guardian, someone who would stop her from flying too close to the sun when she lost her way. Mitama, in return, had given her hope in her isolated, dark world.

Eiran sighed, letting the frustration leave her voice as she rested her chin on her lover’s white hair. “I will stand besides you, always, my moonsong.” She reassured her, purring softly as her pale eyes closed. Though, they soon shot back open as she felt a presence nearby. Under dark fur, her muscles tensed.

“Speak now, stranger. We did not ask for company and my patience is thin today.” Eiran addressed the male behind them. Despite her condition, the large female was notoriously hard to sneak up on. Even Mitama, silent as a ghost; failed to do so. She held her lover’s body closer to her own as a deep growl rumbled in her chest, it was a warning, possessive and protective.

She was blind, but a warrior still.  

[Krysin]

Her lover's command stopped the current of words that flowed from Mitama's lips. The skeletal lioness sucked in a deep breath through her nose and released it with a chuckle. "If every breath I took stole the air from their lungs, I would be silent," she murmured against Eiran's chest. Her passion, though controlled, did not diminish. She was a creature unafraid to speak her mind and to follow her will. Very easily, Mitama could get caught up in the moment and overstep her boundaries.

But, she was a Priestess who dealt with Death, and as such commanded respect despite her nature. Furthermore, she was the daughter of Daijur and Jupe, and she would not be advised what to do. There was no mistaking that Vigdis' words were directed towards her and her girlfriend. The words were bait, and Mitama never failed to take it. "Will you remove me yourself, daughter of Zjarri'fol?" she challenged, her maw open with a toothy grin. It was Eiran's grip alone that held her in place. After all, she was reluctant to leave the warm embrace of her love to pursue a girl with aspirations but no plan to execute them with.

"I... do not think so," she purred. "You will let me be, I am sure you know it as true as I." It would be a mistake to attack Mitama, but it was why the lioness welcomed it so openly. Perhaps here she would finally be embraced by death. At the Lake of Sighs, it had thrown her away and kept its secrets closely guarded. She wondered if death's will was strong enough to protect itself from her even here?

Mitama left the challenge there for Vigdis to stew on, as she felt Eiran tense up against her. "You are the only one who truly sees, a gift that I do not deserve," she pouted, not realizing that her love had become tense for another reason. Her lover's senses were far more attuned than her's to both the world of the living and the dead. Mitama had failed completely to notice the male lurking behind them, and so when Eiran warned the male the skeletal female was taken by surprise.

Mitama looked back over her lover's shoulder, blue eyes sweeping over the pale male. Her interest faded as soon as it had piqued. He was among the living, and hardly worth her attention. Eiran would ward such a creature away from taking up Mitama's time. "The are asleep, dreaming of things that they have not the strength to achieve. I do not think death will show." The lioness pouted, her attention focused solely on back on Eiran.

In Good Faith

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Pandorus Sphinx]

Amid all the interpersonal conversations that were happening here in this poorly hidden open forum a large orange lioness entered, her coat speckled with a thin layer of dried blood. She carried herself with a presence that both demanded respect and warned others to stay away, moving firmly against the flow of the group. Large paws would carry her into the shadows until she found herself crossing paths with a familiar face. "Mitama-" her words were short and to the point, greeting the female as she slinked past her and who Awilix could only assume was her lover, Eiran. Though she had not yet met her formally the demi-god was aware of her existence. She gave the pair a slight bow of the head before moving on, ignoring the male that slowly made his way closer to the dark couple.

He would be a fool to poke his nose into a place that it didn't belong.

Wide eyes danced like two embers in the night as the seer settled herself to the far left of the private pair, watching from a place of solitude as other females spoke openly of discontent and outrage. An uneasy feeling settled deep in her belly as she listened in, tilting all her weight to one side as the orange lioness leaned into a resting position.

"Mmmm..." a low mumble escaped her chest before Awilix found herself studying the crowd, finally taking inventory of who was here.

She had come simply to observe for a short while as Awilix had no real issues with this new Warlord's reign and rule - the dark eyed female was a proud Shield Maiden herself, working her way up in rank upon returning home from her time as a captive outside in the world. Some of these females had no idea how lucky they were. A soft frown crept cross her white muzzle as dark eyes glanced over the crowd once again. From her seated place she could now recognize a few other familiar faces, but offered no warm greetings. It was best she say back for now, observing from afar, shrouded in silence.



Wisteria had removed herself from Orm long enough to escort a fellow friend to this meeting, though she personally had her own complex feelings toward the new Warlord the changes in this pride had been the norm for all of her life. She couldn't miss what she never had, and yet, somehow she could relate to some of what was being said.

Still, speaking like this so openly seemed risky, too risky for her at least. The brown lioness would keep her feeling buried deep within herself for now, finding a place beside her pale friend Yorshka as the two settled in to hear what these females had to say. Wisteria and Yorshka had arrived together, unaware that her sisters were also here in this crowd. "Stay with me?" the brown female insisted as the pale Seer stepped beside her.



"Of course." the female nodded as her white dipped paws settled against the cold earth. "Let's sit." Yorshka's duel colored eyes glanced around as she sat herself down beside Wisteria, nodding in silence as both females tried to catch up on what all had been said. This whole situation was tense. The pair had heard about this meeting through word of mouth and decided to experience it for themselves. Though she was now married the lioness knew her place here in the pride was not completely guaranteed and that on any day her life could reset back to thralldom. She lived everyday of her life knowing this was a possibility, Aldan could die anytime he left the pride to Raid. Being married to a Captain meant very little because she was a thrall still deep down, she knew her title was just a place holder until her husband inevitability died. That was her reality here.

Her happiness was void, and her promise of a better future for as long as she carried that title with her.

"You alright?" Wistera frowned as she used her closest shoulder to nudge Yorshka.

"Yes. I'm just thinking. I'm fine, I promise-" as she spoke the pale lioness nodded slowly before glancing down at her paws. Something had to give and soon if she was ever going to allow herself to feel completely happy here. This was a personal issue though, and not one that needed to be brought up here. So Yorshka would tuck it away for now and revisit it again later when she was alone and able to process her feelings better.
 

[In Good Faith]

Ragnvald wasn't aware of the black and purple lioness' condition even as she spoke. He merely believed her to refuse to look in his direction, which given her demeanor, was not atypical.

In a voice that was level and natural, the lion responded. "I am not here to voice my opinions tonight. Rather, I am more interested in hearing other's. Including yours." He didn't move though they were less than a tails length from each other. If she heard him approach, she could hear him now. "Your's and your... companion’s." Luckily Eiran was unable to see Ragnvald as he gave Mitama a look which clearly questioned her sanity.

It was then that that lioness burst with an antagonizing tone, directed squarely at Ví.

Vígdís' feet stalled and her back tensed as the unsettling, airy voice of the lioness came to her ears. Quite forgetting Pehmeä, the lioness turned and settled her eyes back on the skeletal, black Priestess; she believed her to be a priestess, at least, though she'd never encountered her before. Honestly the idea of the intangible and mystic unnerved her. This included the Myrsky Syntynyt priestesses and she had duly kept away from their temples and lionesses.

With little choice in the matter now, Vígdís eyed Mitama with a mixture of haughtiness, caution, and suspicion. She stood, almost intertwined with another lioness, this one black and purple with an expression which appeared less than open. Her eyes then caught sight behind the pair. Ragnvald was eyeing Vígdís in an obvious attempt to caution. The mildest shake of his head indicated she shouldn't engage the priestess. Unfortunately for them both, she couldn't stand by and let the challenge hang in the air.

"I am the daughter of your former Warlord Zjarri'fol." Her voice was angry, rising in volume at the word 'former.' She took a few steps forward as the crowd stepped away, allowing her a direct line of sight at the priestess. "And while I welcome the Gods here tonight, as I have welcomed you, you have no place here if you have decided that the lionesses of Myrsky Syntynyt are to be cast down beneath their lion companions."

Vígdís, having felt she was handling this with quite the bit of political finesse, let her attitude get the run of her once again. "Or is it that, as a Priestess, you do not concern yourself with the matters of your fellow lionesses?" She sneered the idea of 'concerns,' almost in a mocking manner. She noted Ragnvald hang his head as she'd spoke but chose to act as if she hadn't.

Z o m b i k ii

I love these girls!

Krysin

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

In Good Faith

“Your interest means nothing to me, stranger.” The dark lionesses reply was sharp and short. Then, he was forgotten, in favour of a more pressing matter. Eiran was all too used to defusing the trouble the Priestess found herself in, and by association, she found herself in. The female growled as her claws unsheathed, pressing lightly into the smaller females shoulder as a warning. Eiran would not be too happy if she ran her mouth for much longer.

At the same time, she would not allow anyone to address her lady like the pale challenger was. “Vigdis.” Her voice was calmer than she felt. Her eyes opened once more as the lioness sat taller, lifting her head and making the other lioness aware of the cage of muscle that Mitama was being held against. ”If you take one more step towards Mitama, you are going to make an enemy of me.” The statement was simple, Eiran was not a creature than embellished her words.

Nor was she a female that would make a threat without meeting it. She had no reason to be invested in this gathering, she was here simply because Mitama inisited. However, there was no sooner way to earn her ire than through her lover. A small ‘tsk’ left her maw as she spat, as if it would get rid of the bad taste in her mouth.

“There are many here who do not know me. I left these lands as a child and I returned the creature you see before you. The time in between was spent on the battlefield, against a pride that had fire in their hearts and iron in their blood. I was the one to kill their prized seeress. No mortal alive can take that honour from me. No mortal alive can tell me who I am. No mortal can cast me down; or strip me of my pride. It is in my blood and bone.

I am Eiran. I do not need reassurance, I do not need affirmations. My sense of self is not so fragile. I trust the God’s with my fate, and my faith will not falter with their trials - it did not falter when they took my eyes, it will not falter now. If you welcome the God's, welcome their will.

And I am done whispering in the shadows.” Her gaze, though blind, was not without focus. She stared into the voice intensely and it never faltered. A large paw fell from her lover’s shoulder and the hulking lioness stood. She had no desire to waste another word.  

[RuIerr]

Pehmeä noticed Vígdís walking towards her and nodded to her before she saw Ví pause, her body stiff and tense as she turned to address two lionesses to her side. Pehmeä studied the interaction - part of being a Lawspeaker was getting involved. Another part of being a Lawspeaker was knowing when not to. This was conflict, yes, but this was the Stormborn. With so many iron-blooded lions in one area, things were bound to get rowdy.

In her gazing at the three, Pehmeä noticed another lion, hanging out in the background, red hair shining behind the two black lionesses he seemed to be trying to interrupt. Seeing her chance, Pehmeä wove her way through the crowd, nodding at anyone who met her gaze, and squirmed her way to Ragnvald's side. "Glad you could make it," she said with a small smile. This didn't feel like the moment to be smiling, but with the backdrop of this large gathering of lions and lionesses looking to convene together for this cause, it was hard not to. Plus, Ragn was a great lion. His presence tended to put a smile on her face.

In Good Faith

 

[Keantha]

Thora paced back and forth uneasily, her tail twitching like mad. She wished her sisters, her brothers, anyone had joined her here, so that the young lioness would have someone to stand by but it wasn't the first time she had found herself on her own and it wouldn't be the last.

Sin's ears perked hearing Alstroemeria's words about males not knowing what to do when faced with the hoard of angry lionesses and had to laugh a bit. It was true that most males would be taken aback but he and the other males there to support their sisters or mates or loves or friends, they wouldn't back down from the coming fight.

[quoet="AstoriaFallen"]  

[Krysin]

She shook, her lithe body vibrating against Eiran's chest. One would have assumed it was from fury at the accusations that were hurled at her. Vigdis had attempted to slander and dishonor her in front of her peers, Mitama had every right to be enraged. Yet, it wasn't anger that coursed through her blood now. It was excitement. She could practically smell blood in the air and felt the crackle of energy in the air around her.

Her maw opened to respond in invitation to the chaos and calamity of a fight. Normally she had her brothers by her side to ward off any potential conflict, but now she had someone better - she had Eiran. Before she could put a word in her lover spoke a speech so passionate that it left her breathless. Mitama's chin lifted, her gaze cast up to look upon the firm expression upon Eiran's face. The lioness lost herself in the moment, listening to the song Eiran weaved with her words.

They were all fools, it was not Ushindi who cast them down, but themselves. Eiran stood as testament to what a true lioness of the Myrsky Syntynyt should be, and if they could not see that Mitama would entice death into the heart of their dens.

Eiran stood, and even Mitama was keen enough to know that her love had no desire to remain here to mingle with the weak. She sighed, knowing that her game had come to and end. Her gaze shifted back to Vigdis, and she looked at the lioness with a mixture of disappointment and pity. "You called to question my honor, that was a mistake." Her words rarely were straightforward, but she knew that Eiran would have none of her tonight if she dawdled much longer. "In doing so you have revealed the weakness of your character. To follow you would bring about a dishonorable death."

Mitama rose to her own feet to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Eiran. "Forgive my tongue." Though, of course, Mitama never regretted her own actions.

Z o m b i k ii

In Good Faith

 

[In Good Faith]

Ragnvald took a breath to respond to the black and purple lioness when he saw her gaze shift and his stomach dropped. Well, s**t.

He couldn't intervene on Vígdís' behalf for several reasons. Firstly, Ví would kill him for attempting to help her. Secondly, she was attempting to start a faction of lionesses who would push back against the reign of Ushindi. It was thus not his place to intervene. Instead he watched intently, his muscles coiled tight in their concern for the direction this was heading.

His focus was so intent on Ví and the black lionesses that he hadn't noticed Pehmeä's approach until she was beside him. Flicking his eyes from the growing conflict to his mentor and back, he grunted in a way that made it clear he wasn't too happy he could make it, not at this moment. Especially if his oldest friend was going to go and make enemies with the priestesses. He took a breath to reply to Pehmeä when the quarrel before him continued, he promptly shut his jaw.

Ruler of Everything

Vígdís did not speak at first. She allowed the black lionesses to continue their speeches until it was clear they were quite done. Taking in what they had said, the lioness remained silent for the span of a few slow heartbeats longer before nodding her head in decision as to what she would say next. Rather than taking the bait offered by Mitama, she began first with what Eiran had to say.

"The God's fate, you say." She paused here, turning to face those gathered and raised her voice so all could hear. "The Gods of Myrsky would be disgusted with our decision to lay out bellies to the ground and submit to a leader who would call us lessers. Ushindi is no god!

You are a true warrior, blind one, that is clear." She directed her words only at Eiran again. "You have blooded and look life and death as your own. It is... mighty of you to accept his decrees as if they are not an insult. But the disparagement in treatment by this warlord will not be so easily tolerated by others."

With that, she turned to the lionesses (and lions) gathered. "It is my belief that Ushindi's laws are not the will of the Gods. I am the daughter of Zjarri'fol, the second lioness Wardlord in our remembered histories! If the GODS did not wish me, my mother, or her daughters to fight, to raid, to do battle, to lead others in our way of life, then why have they blessed us with our strength?" She turned in the group, making eye contact where she could and shook her head. "No. This is not the will of the Gods. Nor, do I believe, the will of our people."

She then sat, giving over to those who would chose to speak now.

Z o m b i k ii

Krysin