Trial. [OPEN]

[kahara]

CARNAL, ODYSSEIA, NERANTE, NERRY, KODIAC

[/i] Despite her frown, Carnal's tone was soft. She leaned in to nuzzle her mate, Kazbek, and then stepped back and sat down. Standing was too much of an effort for a pregnant 'ess like her. "Honestly? I'm really angry. Cocaine's party was supposed to return Atryn. But instead they return us no cub and someone's dead." She gestured to Fracture. "Maybe Cocaine's losing his touch.." Her tone was low, and she hoped only Kazbek would hear that. Cocaine was old, certainly, but had he really lost his touch?

Odysseia appreciated Ryssor's comfort, no matter how short lived, and she wouldn't forget it either. After a few more moments of quiet sobbing and the occasional wail of agony, the queen stood, a little more firm, and walked away from her brother. She headed for the throne and didn't look back, not until she stood at Funeral's side. From there she could see it all. Everyone talking, Fracture's broken body, everything. Odysseia sat down with her ears pinned against her head. Her world was spinning, but she was a queen, and she would be a strong queen. A strong sister as she was, a strong mother as she will be, and a strong queen through not being ashamed to sit on the throne and let them know she was sad or angry.

"Funeral." Her tone was soft and quiet, threatening to spill over with sobs should the wrong nerve be hit. "Can you please tell me of what I missed while I was with my brother?" She asked. Before any sort of announcement could be made, she had to be well informed and aware of her surroundings. Odysseia needed to know why her brother was dead, and why the cub wasn't with the party. Her gaze was on the ground, watching as her claws dug into the dirt and tossed a rock off of the side.

'Should probably mingle with the commoners.'

The voice took Nerante off guard, again, and he'd nearly swatted at his own head in frustration. Nerry hadn't been paying attention though. The young boy and healer had walked out to investigate. He spotted his mother and ran for her, nearly colliding into her legs. "Mother!" He leaped up at her twice, a bit excited to see his mum. "Wanna come help dad and me with healer stuff, it's so boooooring sometimes. I just like giving out flowers." Nerry said. Nerante didn't protest to what he'd heard some distance away, but someone else did.

'NO! Don't let her over here. She is the enemy.'

Oh shut up. Nerante thought. He offered a smile, though not as sincere as it could be, for Ryssor to join them if she so wanted to. Though he knew she'd probably reject the offer. Ever since Damien's death, most of Ryssor's trust had been lost in Nerante. And Nerante knew, deep down, he couldn't blame her. Ry would probably go to see Cocaine instead. It seemed more fitting than visiting her ex just because her son asked her to. That wasn't how the world worked, poor innocent child.

Kodiac noticed Estevan taking off, and decided to trail his son. Maybe he could talk to him and find out what had happened, or just talk in general. Father and son stuff. That or Estevan would chase Kodiac off..

Cocaine didn't stop until he was far down the path behind the throne. He didn't stop until the voices faded or were faint. When it was peaceful he took his chance flop onto his side with a huff, claws digging into the soil and then relaxing his tired, weary muscles. For a moment he closed his eyes, and only a moment. The Veldt wasn't as safe as it used to be, and he knew this. War did terrible things. No. The ENEMY did terrible things. Cocaine rolled back onto his belly and stretched out, tail tip twitching.[/ul][/blockquote]

(Okay so we can continue this for a bit. I will either make another thread for the second announcement, or keep it in this one, we'll see!)

[Noa]

RYSSOR & ESTEVAN KANNON & ??[/font]

She gave a small smile as Nerry's voice called out to her, and immediately she heeded the call of her son. Walking over to the pair, she gave a nuzzle of greeting of Nerry. Standing next to Nerante, Ryssor could see how much he was turning out like his father.. and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Nerante, as much as he meant a bit to her, was still distant from her heart. And his behaviour of late was making her more uneasy. And then she remembered her hallucinations.. looking up at Nerante, her former mate, staring down at her with those eyes.. she couldn't help but give a small shiver. The events played back in her head. But she tried to suppress it as much as she could and continue on as normal.

"Heh.. love to, kiddo. But," She looked to the blue male. "I'm not exactly good with the healer stuff. I think I'd just be slowing you two down, ya know?"

And the truth was, she couldn't say to both of them that she didn't want to be near Nerante.. but then again.. part of her wanted to go along.. christ, was she really thinking that? No.. no. Nerante was just broken by her. That was it.

Estevan had been flying low to the ground, wings catching gusts of air onto the leaves more than the skies. So he slowed down outside the Flame Grotto and stretched out casually, sucking in breath and exhaling again. What a drag.

Trials this, death that.. man, I need to relax..

But his goal for taking rest was short lived when he looked over his shoulder to make sure he was alone. And there was the sound of someone else nearby. Fur bristled on the back of his neck and he tried to suppress a scowl. He wanted to be nice to his father.. but god damn..

Deep in the darkness of wherever, a flitted, low, sophisticated voice spoke out and shattered the silence that had been bought on by his brother's words. It was a low laugh, resonating at the insistence of him to not allow the familiar, yet distant female close to them.

"Enemy, huh? She seems nice. You know who wasn't, hm? I'm not sure you know, but I certainly do.. and she's closer than you think.."[/i][/b][/font][/size][/color]

[drifter]

Osic Donovan | Zalui Xemvoi

Osic stared head. Everything fell silent for him. He saw nothing. Heard nothing. Felt.. nothing. Going... Going where?!
When everyone was dismissed to leave and rest... Well, that was that right? He couldn't leave. Couldn't stay out of it. Purples slid to the ground, hackles rising ever so slightly. He was angry. Osic wanted a voice. He wanted to know what the hell they were going to do with him. He had a right to know when it came to his life... Didn't he? ...
In any case, nothing was going to be done now. All this was for not. At least they knew his side of the story. If there was one thing this pride liked to toss away it was the other side of any story. He got his out.. He supposed that was better than nothing.
Osic was drawn back to reality as someone touched him. Looking up he tilted his head at his brother. Alright... Alright.. NO! NO I"M NOT ALRIGHT!
"Yeah, I'm fine." He couldn't be mean to Devyn. Devyn wasn't at fault for what Osic had done. He had such a headache though. Close... So damn close. It seemed more and more like when things went wrong for him it somehow always involved the commander. Osic took in a calming breath before tossing a grin his brother's way. "I hope you're fairing well." He studied Devyn closely. Then it struck him. "Wait... How long have you been here?" How long indeed. The brother had been absent for some time now. But by the looks of no family members making a fuss over him, Osic figured that he had been back for some time. Figures he would have missed the welcoming party unfortunately.

Zalui didn't favor the verdict. But he didn't like Osic. He didn't like the immature brat near his perfect daughter. But Osic wouldn't be able to stay out of things. He was bound to step a paw where it did not belong. The boy thought himself righteous. Bah!
Ears twitched to the voice of the commander. Brows furrowed further, if that was possible, to see one dead and no cub. They couldn't get back one pathetic little cub? Perhaps I should have gone after all.. And they even had one of the Crimson brothers. Zalui's eyes travelled to Cocaine as all were being dismissed. In the horned beast's eyes this was the scene that portrayed Coke in a light of old age that made him unfit for his position.
Zal shook his head slowly and he looked away. With a hurumph he stood, gave Circa a proud nod; if she looked his way, and departed. Most likely back to the Grotto.

[kahara]

(I think Devyn wandered over and tried to talk to Osic?)

[drifter]

My bad. Was in a hurry and didn't go back to page 3 @.@

I'll edit it lol

[TheWG]

Circa & Kazbek

Kazbek let out a harsh breath of air... He couldn't help feeling that his mate was right. The commander was loosing his touch, it disappointed him so much that he had let his mother be taken; along with another life. They hadn't even returned with what they came for- to him, it appeared cowardice, and the sheer thought that the people he looked up to as a cub were cowardice made his head hurt. He shook his head, brows furrowing as he tried to lean his head on his mate's in an effort to calm himself. "And they let my damn mother get taken- without a single care! I bet they didn't even look for her before they turned tail."

Circa's ears flicked as Estevan came and went, aparently troubled by someone's appearance. Oh well, not her deal. As the people around her dissapated, she once again sought out her own mate. Perhaps outside he looked simply tired, but she knew on the inside, he had to feel like she did... Fucking pissed. A bargaining chip, Cocaine had really used that name to call upon the Lord's own son- her mate? It pissed her off, and she felt disturbed that Funeral hadn't bitten his head off after she thought about it for a while... It seemed so selfish to sell him out for a cub. If it were anyone else's cub, would Meurtrier have done the same?

She sighed... What if it were her cub? The thought made her heart both soar and ache badly, especially with the distant sight of Osic. Damn this hurts... Why does it have to be like this? But she dare not show the discomfort and anger on her face as she walked up to Funeral- only addressing him after the Queen was finished speaking to him herself. "Should I escort Osic back his holding place?"

[Jason]

Jasper started to groom his mate as a second thought passed from Neo to Jasper. His motions slowed and his fur stood one end. Claws sank into the ground and thick, black, odorless smoke began to roll from his jaws and his nostrils. It was a strange sight, as if his insides had caught fire. "Excuse me, Asesino," he murmured, voice strange as he stepped back and away from his family.

Anger threatened to drown him as the wave of fury rose within him.

Mute. Victor was mute. And someone had did that within this pride. The leader's son. Yet, he could not outright attack him.

Giant paws slammed into the ground, in a way that resembled fists. The ground cracked beneath him and light flared as two sides clashed for dominance in his mind. His claws tore down his face, laughing and screaming simultaneously, unable to control himself. Only the internal war kept him from lashing out. Blood ran from his face, black ooze forming a puddle on the ground. He spoke once again in an old language and a portal seemed to envelope him. Like a faithful dog, the Arena came to its master's aide and took him in, a place where he would be safe while he dealt with his emotions.

Neo knew Jasper had disappeared to the Arena in moments after having felt its presence. Be brief. He put a wing over Asesino and leaned in so close that few would even see his mouth move as his teeth brush the female's ear. "I will describe to you what caused that in a few moments. We must be alone for such, though." His gaze lifted again as he looked at the others gathered. His eyes turned on Nerante, remembering his earlier suspicions. This needed to be dealt with.

[LAD]

Devyn, Samara, DarkMoon

All three blinked, noting what had just occured. DarkMoon twitched, her eyes curious as she took in the Crimson brothers and their display. Someone had pissed them off. She shrugged, it was none of her business. Standing, she caught sight of Kodiac after Estavan. She'd tell him the news later. Tensions were high and this could wait. She turned away to join her son and dad.

Samara watched Nerry approach his mother and smiled lightly. But her worry was for Ryssor. She nudged the woman, tilting her head curiously at her. "Ry?" Her voice was soft, questioning, and prompting the feline to open up to her.

Devyn looked at Osic with sharp eyes, noting that, no, his brother was not alright. He shook his pelt briefly and sat down beside him. "Sorry that was a stupid question." He flicked his tail lightly on Osic's flank. "I got back probably a little after you all got back from the first battle. I've been meaning to go down and see you.. But I've been working on pulling some strings." He lowered his voice considerably at the end of his comments, keeping his voice quiet so no one heard what he was saying unless they were close enough. "With dad's permission I'm planning to go see ma.. But I'm not sure if what's just happened has changed things or not." Devyn frowned.

"I heard Cocaine call you a bargaining chip. But with him having spoken only to Circa and Funeral up there, I'm not sure if this has thrown a wrench in my plans or not." He glanced back at Osic. "I'm worried about you now, and Carnal really. I'm doing everything I can though to make things work but I definitely need to talk to Dad again soon. And find out what's going on now. Originally I was gonna go with another person to visit Ma, no one knows but him and I, and now you. But now..." Another frown. "I don't know what'll happen." He sighed heavily, his pink eyes with green flecks looking back up at their dad upon the throne - joined by Odyessia shortly after. He wondered at Osic's thoughts about this, so he stayed poised for his thoughts, his opinions, tilting his head at his brother. "And I see the way you look at Circa... Whatevers going on... I hope things can pan out safely." He murmured.

[Dingo]

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» CROWTHER & CASSIUS

Crowther laid around, thinking about the battle. He hung his head, knowing he could have done better during the fight. He let himself slack, and he was paying the price. A snort escaped him. They were such a small group, perhaps things would have gone differently. His claws scraped at the ground as he thought about his individual enemies that day.

Cassius looked after his father desperately, wishing for at least a hint towards the full story. How could they have let this happen? Had they given up? The mother of his potential cubs could have already been dead for all he knew. He kept thinking not to get ahead of himself, but his thoughts kept jumping back to the worst possible scenario. He lowered his head as he listened to a pair of Caylis's other children express concern for their mother. He glanced in that direction in time to catch Estevan's smirk, but they had dispersed by the time he could pull together a reaction, which wasn't much more than a gape. What was that for? Cassius would mull over it's significance later, but for now he had to get out of there. He knew better than to follow his father, so he backed up through the crowd and then turned tail to head away. "This.. can't be happening. Why me!?"

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"speech" // thought

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[kahara]

NERRY, ODYSSEIA, ASESINO, CASPER, CARNAL, KODIAC

[/i] He was about to turn and head back for his father and medic, Nerante, when someone else approached his mother and spoke her name. Nerry couldn't recall seeing her before, but maybe she was a friend of the family. Nerry gave her a short nod and then bounced back to the healing dens. There, he and Nerante began to organize herbs for anyone who came in needing them, and discussed, in quiet, Fracture's funeral needs.

Odysseia dug her claws into the throne. Her gaze flickered to Circa. "I don't see why he'd need to be placed in a cell. There's enough of us around to keep an eye on him. And if he planned to pull a runner, now of all times.. I think he would have already." She assumed Funeral could agree to that. Osic trying to attempt anything now seemed incredibly foolish. No reason to put effort into something they really didn't need to do. Her gaze flickered back out to her brother's limp body, momentarily taking note of Jasper's leave. No doubt the others had seen it too.

Asesino was purring when Jasper grew... agitated. Something was wrong, and she didn't need her lover's instincts to tell her that. Jasper was a frightening beast when angry, but she still felt safe, knowing he wouldn't bring her harm. Casper, on the other hand, had bristled up, wide-eyed in alarm. Asesino's ear flickered toward Neo as he spoke and she gave a short nod. They would speak later, in private, then. Or whenever Neo thought appropriate, really.

Carnal leaned in and nuzzled her mate. "It'll be alright. They'll have to explain everything sooner or later. We can demand answers to our questions then, okay? For now, we should probably go and rest." She beckoned Kazbek to follow her to the den she had dubbed her home for the birth.

Kodiac was several paces from Estevan when his son bristled. He saw it. Kodiac thought his actions over and decided to leave, to head back to camp. His son needed time alone. They could talk later.[/ul][/blockquote]

[drifter]

Osic Donovan

Ears honed in as his brother spoke. Though he would have loved it if Devyn had come to see him Osic knew that the chances of it would have been slim. He had been on some serious lock down.
Pulling strings? He turned to look at Dev then. So he hasn't given up either.. The thought brought a smile to his maw. If only Carnal had taken the time to know both sides of the situation.
Speaking of, Osic flicked a gaze toward their sister. He watched her with her mate and his ears lowered a fraction. Desperately did he want to speak with her, but the memory of her spat to his face kept him planted. Perhaps he could get his brother to speak to her for him..
Head whipped around back to the speaking male. The way he had looked at Circa... Osic swallowed. He trusted Devyn but he would not risk the trust that the King and Commander held for her. So he simply shook his head. "I worry for her is all. We've been best friends since practically birth.. Just don't get to see her since she took up the new position." Knowing that most of that was true made him feel better about lying. "Eventually we'll see mother." Hopes of switching the subject off the Captain. "I'm sure we all will.." Osic didn't like it but he had a feeling that it was true. It weighed on him to think about Najisi getting into another fight. He knew his ties were torn and that he most likely wouldn't be able to aid her again.

[Noa]

RYSSOR & ESTEVAN KANNON[/font]

Ryssor smiled as she watched her son leave with his father, thinking about the times they'd had together.. but that was it. It threw a bitter taste to her heart. She knew she'd never get it back, no matter how much she sometimes wished for it to be so. When they were.. younger and idealistic and into each other immensely.. now with a pawful of cubs, she had to mature. Although nothing would save her from regretting the mistakes she had made. She just had to mature and move on.

She was thrown out of her thoughts again when Samara nudged her, and she looked over to her. "Oh, hey Sam," She greeted softly. "What's up?"

Estevan watched as his father stop, turn around and leave. Thank the gods for that. Although he wouldn't have minded talking to his father, he wouldn't blame him - he was slowly starting to come out of his 'emotional teenager grump' phrase and starting to be a bit more relaxed, but the whole awkwardness with his father and Carnal was probably the reason he was being given space at the moment. Kodiac probably knew well.[/color]

[Silverfang]

The King watched as Cocaine left to rest, and a simple look was given to those about before glancing at Odysseia as she came upon them. He murmured close to her ear. "Cocaine has plans. We're all to speak about it later, when everyone is rested and not as tense." He did not ask if she was alright - he knew she was most likely still grieving, it was probably best not to bring it up now. As Circa mentioned escorting Osic away, the dark eyes flicked toward where his son was with Devyn. It lingered there for some time before his neck craned down and he stared at his paws.

It wasn't long before he simply turned and went to settle just behind the Throne, not taking the path Cocaine had chosen but against the large mountain the Commander was most likely behind. Odysseia would be invited over with a flick of his tail if she so wished before staring down and contemplating everything that had unfolded.

[TheWG]

Circa & Kazbek

Despite the fact she was taken aback by Odysseia's frustration, and the fact that she was more brushed off than answered, her gaze still turned somewhat hopeful at the idea the Queen had given. All this time they wanted him in a cell, and she hated the idea as well- considering he had never once tried to run away. Knowing the Queen shared at least a part of her opinion made her feel a bit better. Watching where Funeral disappeared, she looked to Odysseia once more for a clearer answer before she would likely go to join him. "I don't think he'll run even if we weren't watching, honestly... Does this mean he could be free tonight?"

Kazbek couldn't agree more. Though the under of his pelt still shook in frustration from the night's issues- rest was a good idea for everyone. Taking a breath, he nodded. Padding to catch up to Carnal's side as she went, he fell in beside her, wrapping his large tail gently around her as they walked to the den. Cuddling with her seemed a lot better a comfort than slashing trees- yet sleep likely wouldn't come as easy for Kaz... Knowing that his mother was in the paws of their enemies.

[LAD]

Devyn & Samara

Samara looked Ryssor over, her eyes portraying her worry for the female. Red orbs glanced back down to Nerry - she really should get well acquainted with the cubs better, none of them really knew her - but she merely offered him a smile as he nodded to her than scurried back to the healers den. Her eyes flicked back up to Ryssor. She knew the female wasn't okay. She wasn't going to ask if she was. So she simply stated her what was on her mind like she always had before. "I'm worried about you." She motioned with her tail to the scene behind them, Cocaine, Funeral, Osic, Circa, Kazbek, Odyessia, and everyone else, half telling of what exactly she was worried about. She didn't want Ryssor to possibly relapse from the failure to return Atryn.

Devyn looked Osic over as his brother spoke his piece, taking mental notes of everywhere Osic's gaze landed on but knowing better than to push on any subject. And he certainly wouldn't push on the subject of Circa even though he could clearly see there was something more - he wasn't Osic's brother for nothing. "No worries. Secrets' safe with me." He said, allowing a smile to grace his own maw. Then he sighed as everyone began to turn their own direction. "I should have gone to see you sooner honestly. And yeah, we'll see Ma alright. But under what circumstances?" He looked up just in time to see Circa speaking to Funeral and Odyessia - and noted how Funeral's gaze landed on them. He swallowed, his paw twitching to move toward him. But he stayed put as he quickly looked back at Osic. It bothered him a little more than it should have, this whole scenario. And now that things had changed he desperately needed to find out what was gonna happen next - and he definitely needed to talk to Ma before this whole thing went down at the full moon.