Death on the horizon. [OPEN]

[Deleted]

Vitali, Caesar, Vior

Vitali felt his heart drop when he was spotted. Navigation of the green undergrowth at his size, large and bulky with muscle, was be extremely difficult, especially with his feathery gray wings. With honey-colored hawk eyes he would have to fly just above the trees. There was no time to return for aid now. This mission was Vitalis alone. A jungle would prove most intense. Unfortunately, a jungle is exactly what Jericho had headed for. Vitali did not let up as he landed heavily, taking several moments to pull his wings in close, and raced after Jericho. The deeper he would get into the jungle, the harder it would be for Vitali to successfully track the cub-napper.

Caesar paused from his grooming session to look upon the concerned sibling, deep blue eyes furrowed down with his blatant annoyance. "Atryn? Atryn went with that guy to play. I wish I could have gone with them. It's no fair that Atryn gets to have all of the fun." Caesar stated with a deep and angry frown. He wanted to go with his sibling so badly! "When they're back, I'm telling that guy to take all of us. Don't pick favorites!" He scolded and lashed a small, gray paw into the air.

Vior watched like a vigil guardian above the smaller mountain peak. The Meurtrier Pride sure had a problem on their paws. He felt disgusted with their superiors. Jaaku was better in so many ways, but with an alliance dating back to before Vior was born, he could not openly voice such opinions. The forest-demonic headed swiftly down from his place and headed for Adelaide, Areta, Tear, Farrah, and Hagan. He brushed past the subordinates and offered them a subtle nod, but for Vior, the real greeting was in Adelaide's favor. Vior dipped his head in a deep bow and moved aside as not to block her view. "Dominant Adelaide, a pleasure to see you out here." He said with a sly smile. "Enjoying yourself?" Asked Vior, green eyes wide. Acceptance from dominants mattered greatly to him.

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[Noa]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,20,true][atrb=width,450,true][bg=3D0002] RYSSOR, FIRENZE, ESTAVAN, VIKTORIA, ZEPHYR

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So that was it. Damien was dead and Atryn was missing. Her ears flicked briefly, too emotionally tired to cry out like she had. But inside, her mind was racing for her young son. She wouldn't be able to handle another death. Just.. god damn. Why was life hating her at the moment?

She wanted to run out, bolt away and search the Veldt. Every nook and cranny. The idea was tempting. For a second she thought about what would happen if she didn't.

The body of Atryn in front of her, blood soaking her paws. It was under her command to find her son. She was going to save one more life today. She had failed Damien, but she wouldn't fail her son. No matter what.

Her gaze fastened to Cocaine, conducting business. Standing around, trying to stifle everyone, delaying. Had he no concern for his own kin? Well.. that was what his other children felt. Growling inwardly to herself at his conduct, Ryssor lowered her head. Trying not to burst at the seams. And then Nerante caught her attention.

She looked up, and his expectant gaze had met hers. Awaiting for an answer. She stared back at her former mate, seeing the hurt in his eyes. It was almost genuine. And then she spoke.

"Yes. Do it." She said simply, before turning around and facing an open path to the borders. She didn't even care if this was going to kill her. And suddenly, the young lioness took off, past the pride, past Cocaine, past her still alive children, past her friends and took off into the unknown. No relent, no mercy, just going to get her paws on whoever took Atryn.

Her cubs would be safe. Cocaine would be there. If not anything, he was pragmatic. And he wouldn't want to have the death of more cubs under his watch too.

Firenze watched as the party came back, huddled up to his brother and sister. He sighed - always he found himself the more mature one out of the group, but even then did Novocaine know better than to interrogate their father. He gave a small nod to him.

"Come on." He murmured, nuzzling them, trying not to break into tears himself at his mother now gone. He was taking it better than expected.. well, his stomach hurt from the intense knots, his heart was pounding like crazy, he felt like a ticking time bomb.. but he kept it together.

Estavan and Viktoria parted ways, Viktoria settling down to the dens nearby. She didn't really want to be part of the discussion now. The whole thing was making her depressed. She sighed as she watched her mother lead away, obviously focusing on everyone else except her. Such was life for her.

"Yeah, Dad?" Estavan murmured, caught in his daze as he watched Viktoria leave the scene. And then he faced his father. Unlike Viktoria, Esta was unpeturbed by the recent deaths going on and found having to speak to his parents less-than-stellar. As he turned to face him, something caught the corner of his eye.

"Ry?!" Zephyr called out, watching as his former sister-in-law took off without warning, surprised. His eyes moved up to Nerante, trying to gauge a reaction from him. Surely, his older brother.. no. When he noticed Evangeline had taken off, he would go to comfort him, but his father was a wreck.

He could only nod at his father's words, and just watch the scene, nuzzling his father and hoping that things would turn out alright.[/color][/td][/tr][tr][td][/table][/center]

[Caylis]

Evangeline's ears pricked before narrowing her eyes. "Went with who? What did he look like? Did he say his name?" he said with a serious look. "I feel.. I just feel that something is gonna happen to Atryn.." she murmured with a sigh. "Hopefully he comes back.." she murmured before looking up to her brother. "What did the male say when he got Atryn? We have to speak to Funeral, father and and Captain Circa about this. They'd know what to do. But just wait for him to get back and into focus. Let's just relax." she said with a sigh before shrugging and laying her head on her paws.

[Silverfang]

Things unfolded swiftly. His sons spoke with him upon their arrival, a cub was now missing and there was indeed a vigil to be held. Several others made an appearance, and he first and foremost spoke with Nerante as Cocaine arrived and began to form a party, likely to go after whomever had stolen the cub.

A simple nod was given in response to his son, and another as another arrived.
"You may gather any family members you wish to attend, however.." His gaze met the path that Ryssor had ran off too. "You may want to go after her." He stared at him seriously; concernedly. If needed, they'd perform a proper vigil when things were calmer and more organized.

His attention would head toward his sons, nodding to them in response to the request and the arrival of the other, before looking to see what Nerante would decide.

[LAD]

Sepheral is out of the picture, as well as Cheri and Nixen, and just for their sake, they did not see Adelaide when they turned away, as that was posted before she posted. Samara, DarkMoon, and DarkStar will not take part in this response.

Shinku, Devyn, Malluce, Donato, Aidan.

Shinku nodded back in reply to Kejethan after the fact, and then took a glance around as Asesino attended to her children. "Such bad timing for a family, wouldn't you say?" He took note of Cocaine looking for his son after Evangeline's call for her dad, and watched Ryssor run off. "And it seems the tragedy is not over yet." He sat beside Kejethan, content with where he was, observing all.

Malluce narrowed his eyes. A father whom was too clouded by grief and want of a funeral to not be able to talk or show expression? He didn't believe it. Something seemed off, but Malluce inwardly shrugged. He had no care for Nerante, and what happened among that family was their business. His business was with harassing his half-blood brother, Devyn, and seeing to his father.

Devyn narrowed his eyes at Malluce. Couldn't the guy just leave him be? But no, he wouldn't. So instead he waited for Nerante to make his decision and leave their presence to tend to his family, saying nothing this time around but merely shouldering against Malluce in a silent request for him to leave - which of course went ignored. Besides, what he had to say was for Funeral and Funeral only.

Donato blinked, realizing the anxious-ness surrounding Cocaine, he trotted to the male's side. "Let us make haste. Catching up with one another can wait, it seems there are more important matters to attend to. What has happened, Cocaine?" He puled his wings in tight to his body to avoid others, but dipped his head towards Cocaine to lead the way. The still yet to be known Commander had Donato's full attention.

Aidan paused once more as she was walking away, and she noted the surrounding demonics circling one in particular as they themselves turned away. 'Adelaide.' A soft rumble entered Aidan's throat, but did not escape her maw. Instead, Aidan narrowed her eyes at the tigeress, and blatantly turned her back on the gathered Demonics, and new dominant, now making her exit. She had no reason to acknowledge her 'step-mother', nor did she want to.

Kaden shook his head in mild frustration, and stood. He ignored everyone as he made his way through the crowd to one in particular. One who was very pregnant and probably about to burst any day. "Tolvia," He reached her side, and nuzzled her neck gently before sitting next to her. Adalyn had followed behind her Uncle Kaden loyally, taking position next to her Aunt and Uncle, then laying down in front of them, pressing a wing against them both.

[Canicas]

sorry sorry sorry! So much going on in my life ))

Stella nodded at Cocaine, before turning and walking towards Ripthier. Freedom, she felt it. Shackles breaking with every step, the speed increasing as she ran to join him. Ripthier, and this male....she didn't care, she could leave now. With him, with someone whom she cared for. A part of Stella was left behind, but the joy she felt was at least covering up some of it.

[Vee]

Two brothers arrived today, and left as a group of four. Tyzer, Stella, Sepheral and Ripthier. As soon as they were ready; having thanked the commander and united with exchanges of affection between them all, the group departed from the scene for the journey home. Meurtrier had more than enough drama for one day, and it was for the best for everyone involved that this adventure didn't result in more.

The journey home was faster than the journey to; thank goodness Tyzer's directions weren't used this time.

[kahara]

NERANTE, COCAINE, KODIAC

[/i][/color] He growled, stride wide and each pawstep heavy. "The short is, we're at war and one of our own, unknown to us, as killed my step-son. Nerante and Ryssor's boy, Damien." There was little else that Donato needed to know. He'd just returned, and the details surrounding Stella and Nerante didn't need to be open yet.. Donato could form his own opinions on the matter, once he had a full understanding of what had happened.

There was no time for that though. They arrived back before the throne and Cocaine moved past Donate and stood on the throne beside Funeral as they looked out over the pride. Everything seemed okay, for the time being. He turned briefly to Funeral. "Atryn may be missing, a cubnapping beneath our noses.. you've much to worry about without this, too. I'll handle the cub issue, and you handle the prides mourning and concerns; fair?" He asked, but gave little chance to reply as he moved from the throne to the ground where Donato stood. Funeral could object all he wanted, but in all fairness, Silv is a lazy fuck and Kah is much more active.

"Ask and I'll answer. But can I assume you are here to stay?"

Meanwhile, Kodiac tried to smile at his son, Estavan. "I.. how are you?" He asked.[/ul][/blockquote]

[Silverfang]

"Fair."

He had watched as Nerante went after Ryssor, and he gave a quick look towards his sons before moving onto Donato, a dip of his head quickly given. His gaze would hold a small amount of surprise before flickering away as soon as it had arrived. Business first, after all.

He gave Cocaine a nudge with his shoulder, not at all very strengthened but attention-grabbing. "Be careful." He chuffed lowly, before looking elsewhere as though it hadn't happened. He would glide down to where the cub was, a heavy drop as he placed himself before the child. A large breath, and he would watch over the youth as he awaited Nerante and perhaps Ryssor's return. And in the case they took longer than normal..

A grunt was given, and the Quetzalcoatl would carefully grab the cub in his maw and carry him to a more secluded area. The nearby cherry blossom seemed to be able, and not very far from the Throne itself (not the one on the path but.. it's like near where you spawn into the Veldt eue). His gaze darted around for anyone who may need guidance or help, but everything seemed more or less becoming organized and falling into place as Cocaine readied a search and rescue party.

[Noa]

ESTAVAN

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The young crimson male gave a small grunt, idly folding his wings at the sound of his father.

"Fine. Wishing there wasn't so much drama, you know?" He replied, not even peturbed by the sudden arrival of the storm. It could rain on the teenager for all he could care, but nothing would change the stoic expression on his face.

He flicked his tail, not really knowing what to say to his own father. Even Estavan would admit that things had been strained recently, at least with the way he felt towards his family. Good terms with his siblings, can't forgive his own mother and was starting to think less and less of his father as the days grew on.

Whatever Kodiac felt in return, he had no idea. As pragmatic as the young male was, he wanted desperately to keep his father close by in terms of respect. But he had a problem with him. Something that he refused to talk about, either out of pure embarassment or the fact that he was certainly a more rigid, stuffy and conservative thinker.

Nonetheless, Estavan gave a small huff. "What do you want, Father?"[/color]

[kahara]

KODIAC

[/i] He said. Kodiac watched every move, inhale, and exhale of his son for some sort of sign that Estavan didn't hate Kodiac. That there was something beneath that cold exterior that Estavan seemed to radiate when Kodiac was near. At this rate, they'd never have a decent father-son relationship.

"Do I need a reason to want to talk to my own son?" He asked in reply.[/ul][/blockquote]

[Noa]

ESTAVAN

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Feh.. the guilt tripping philosophical bullshit that Kodiac always employed. Trying to seem like a good father when all he did was the exact opposite. Why was he so insistent, anyway? Why couldn't he just stick to a commitment. As much as Estavan loathed the idea of commitment himself, he still felt it was telling when he was opposing his own father, his role model in his older years.

He shook his head nonetheless at the question and looked up to Kodiac. "No.. I suppose not. Everything's talk talk with little reason. Not really against the laws of the pride, so to speak. Only consequences are the attitude of the person you're talking to.."

And then the male realised he was going off on a tangent. Being himself, being the moody little shit that he always was. Talking whatever in that little droning voice of his, being distant from everyone else.

So he decided to change his pace. "Anyway, what have you been up to, Father? I don't see you around much anymore. The most I hear from you is rumours."

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[kahara]

KODIAC

[/i] He offered a smile in hopes that Estavan may return one.. but he was curious. "Rumours, huh? Hope they're good ones."[/ul][/blockquote]

[Noa]

ESTAVAN

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Roaming in the blood. Hm. At least they had something in common there.

"Well.. that could be said more than Mother." He murmured, looking around. Either Caylis had disappeared or was mingling in with the crowd again. He shook his head. She came and went as pleased.

And then he gave a smirk back to his father, in his mind knowing that whatever he would say would constitute good for him. And that was something he could at least admit to himself that he admired. But that still didn't change the fact that it was going contrary to his feelings and beliefs.

A shrug rolled off his shoulders. "I just hear you've been making us older siblings," He explained. "That Iden-Donovan girl, Lord Funeral and Najisi's daughter.. busy man, huh? Not happy with Mother?"

If Kodiac would explain himself, then at least Estavan would be a bit more at peace with himself. Knowing that his father wasn't willfully cheating a commitment would be good enough.. he supposed. He didn't know. Being promiscuous didn't sit right with him.[/color]

[kahara]

KODIAC

[/i] His voice trailed. Carnal had not yet had her cubs. "We'll see. And I won't lie to you, Estavan, I'm not happy with your mother and I never will be. I love you, and your siblings, but your mother was and never will be fit to care for you all properly. My commitment lays with my children, not with their mothers." He said. Kodiac was content with his reply, even if Estavan shouldn't be.[/ul][/blockquote]