TIME'S UP (OPEN)

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER, TANZEL, DARRIUM, DAZEON

[/i] She pointed at Jericho. "Had not brought the cub back in the first place, we wouldn't have lost any lives at all! I understand we're at war, and Meurtrier has done a great wrong to La Morte members, but are we any better for taking one of their cubs? Are we any better for holding the child hostage? We're not! Don't tell me we are! Don't tell me it's to make the world safe! And eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, Najisi." Tanzel sounded as if she was pleading. She meant no disrespect, but the hermaphrodite truly thought the entire mission a waste of their time, and a waste of two perfectly healthy lives. Now they had to meet with Meurtrier again, on a full moon, and who knew what may happen then.

Omen nodded her head in agreement with Tanzel, but Slaughter coughed, blood again, as he attempted to speak. "Najisi's - cough - just doing what she feels - cough - is right. We need to - cough, pant - back her up." He said, chest heaving from the pain. Slaughter rested on his side again, wincing. Siakon dipped her head in agreement to Slaughter, and of course, her mother. She shot her grandparents a look, an angry one, then it dropped. Oh.. Najisi didn't know..

"M.. mother. It's A.. it's Asera.." Her voice was shaky.

Reno heaved a heavy sigh as he listened, eyes flickered from Najisi to Tanzel and Omen. Najisi needed to stand up for herself. Reno, naturally, would back her up. She did the best she could, and in the end, they were safe, they had Atryn. And better yet, they may get Osic back. But.. oh, oh Asera. He moved in to comfort Najisi in case of collapse.[/ul][/blockquote]

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

She listened to Tanzel. If he hadn't taken the deal then, she would have given them Atryn in desperation. She only did what she thought was best. To ensure no one lost a cub. Yes, the prospect of having Cokes cub in revenge for Zenith was a nice thing. But it was a foolish endeavour and she knew this.

"Tanzel. I never ordered a cub taken. I may not agree, but the cub is here and we have to deal with it. I would have given them the cub if this failed. Hell, I would have given up myself if it meant the lives of the cubs and La Morte would be spared."

She said, trying her best to stand her ground without seeming angry. She was not used to doing this. Even in Meur she normally slunk behind Funeral.. Until it involved her cubs.. She would have said more but Siakon began to spek. Asera..? What's Asera?

Then it hit. Like a ton of bricks. That was who they lost. That was who fell. Her teenage daughter.. Asera had been killed. Her ears shot up and her eyes widened. She would have fallen had Reno not come to her side. No.. Even Zenith was still alive.. But.. They took Asera from her.. Permanately.. She shook her head..

"N-no....."

She whispered. She wanted to slump to the ground. But she didn't. Instead she lurched forward.

"Where!? Where is she!?"

She called out as she darted toward the battle site. There, in stark contrast lay the grey body of her daughter. A few scratches but otherwise in tact. She rushed to the child and put a paw on her head. Lightly petting it. Unsure what to do. How to react. Visions of her first litter flooded her mind. Watching the infants be slaughtered one by one.

"Asera... Asera.. No.. You can't.."

She whimpered and collapsed next to her lifeless child. Anger bubbled up into her. She would make whoever did this pay. She was just a cub... A paw slammed on the ground beside her as she began to weep over her child.

[kahara]

RENO, SIAKON, DARRIUM, TANZEL, OMEN

[/i] The hermaphrodite raised her head and looked around -- that's when she saw Darrium. Knocked out. She raced to his side and began to frantically groom his fur. "Oh Darrium, get up darling, get up." She murmured. Thankfully he was breathing.. but this made Tanzel all the more angry with the entire situation -- Omen, too. But Omen stayed with Shakespeare and the cubs.

Siakon raced after her mother and Slaughter watched as she went, Reno hesitated. He'd have time to help in a moment.. but first.. he turned to Shakespeare, Mizuki, and Lothaire's young. "I am so sorry any of you got caught up in this, so sorry. I'd like to talk to you all after.. we've had a moment." He dipped his head and then flew out, in pain, to Najisi as she mourned. He landed gently beside her with a grunt and nuzzled her side. "Shh.." Reno began to purr as he brushed against her, hopefully that would ease some of the queen's anguish.[/ul][/blockquote]

[TheWG]

Atryn & Sinna & Casket

Atryn hung limp in his jaws, confused, but unmoving. It was obvious whatever was happenning wasn't his say. Why did they keep say they were going to kill him? He felt sick, so sick. "Why... Does everyone want me dead. What did I do?" He whined, watching as his father left the territory. Maybe Ryssor wasn't better? He was hurt...

Sinna lifted her head as Camry nuzzled her, snarling slightly before she realized who it was. Her body had only lunged a bit as Camry advised they go to the dens, but as soon as he said it, Meurtrier ran past them. The 'ess leaped up roaring as they went by. Dammit! She snarled as they disappeared, fighting the urge to run after them and rip that male apart. He would forever be on her shitlist now, she swore up and down if she saw him... She'd kill him.

But Camry returned to her side, so she had to curb her darkness for a moment, sighing. "It's not your fault. I should have helped her..." She mumbled, head falling as her mother and Siakon ran to the dead sister, mourning. She backed into her betrothed, ears folding down in guilt as her mother reeled over Asera's body. "I'm so sorry mom..." She murmured.

[Vee]

Throughout everything, Shakespeare was silent to the adults. Sometimes he'd nod when addressed, but stress was sinking in and he prioritized the cubs comfort and safety entirely. Most regularly he'd say hushed words to the children, but even then it was becoming clear that he was afraid. The drama was right outside the dens, after all...

But... it would seem La Morte prevailed. The Meurtrians retreated and outside the pride were clearing up all that they needed to do...

"Porcelain, dear, please stay close..." He said, tiredly. Watching her closer to the den entrance than he'd like. Oh how he wanted to shelter her from everything out there... An idea came to his mind, but he will have to discuss it a little later.

[Noa]

LENA

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Lena had been ignorant to the fighting going on, the whole mess between her pride and her enemies. She just shivered from the cold that rang true over Arelth, and she heard the low voice of Shakespeare. It was a good voice, and her father had disappeared somewhere. She was just with Porcelain and Shakespeare.

Her tiny paws led her to press up against her guardian, signalling that she was there too.

[/color]

[Avian]

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▲ Lothaire Long and Mizuki Blaatt

Lothaire had headed for the dens again while Meutrier retreated. Why did they leave so sudden? Blues watched them dissapear till they were gone.
Mizuki was still fuiled with anger when the gathering took place, but kept her mouth while Tanzel spoke. Eyes flicked to Reno, "Okay..".
In the meanwhile had Lothaire reached the gathering and tried to settle down next to his cubs but his shoulders ached so much it made his lips twitch is pain before he managed to lie down. "It's over now, they're gone" he whispered to them. "Oh dear. We should get those wounds cleaned" Mizuki said and moved over to him. "Asera.." he whispered and dipped his head in sorrow.

[Caylis]

Influence & Caylis & Azul

Azul whimpered, shaking her head in horror, hugging her mother's leg. "Mother.. i'm so scared.." she looked up to Najisi. "What.. what do I do?"

Influence's reds turned to blues again as he dropped Caylis's unconcious being on the ground. "She is unconcious, waking up. What must we do with her?" he said, his eyes looking to Reno and Najisi. Suddenly Caylis woke up again, shaking her head, groaning before she looked up to Reno and Najisi with horror. "P-please.. don't kill me.. I have children back there at home.. please! I wasn't looking for bloodlust.. I'm not like that. Please, you can throw every blow at me.. but I can't die.. not yet. I just don't understand why.. why i'm in this, why am I fighting against a pride that wants nothing to do with my pride? Why do they want to destroy you? I want to know the truth behind all this; I want the full story." she said defiantly, looking Reno and Naji in the eye.

[Jason]

Neo and Corvette retreated grumping and what not. Corvette was carried by Neo, looking all crazy still. Neo walks through people if they don't move.

Victor was in poor shape now that he was missing his tongue. Blood still continued to fall from his mouth and he had to leave it open, otherwise it would run into his windpipe and he would drown in his own blood. He bypassed everyone gathering, hearing the call for a healer. He grabbed a dead animal from the fresh kill pile and used it to staunch the bleeding in his mouth. From what he had gathered, he was the best for fixing others up in the pride, or at least Casket was young and inexperienced and Time was often absent. Sardon watched the healer move, surprised by how he acted. Victor was hurt rather seriously, but one could never tell by how he dealt with it. However, Sardon went before Najisi, to listen to her. She did not look so well and she was expecting cubs.

The healer approached Yasbi, looking more than a sight. Black blood was drying him to him everywhere. His gaze swept over everyone and his gaze focused on Slaughter. He did not drop the rabbit from his jaws, but he would very gently slide Slaughter onto his back and carry him to his den, beckoning others to follow. From what he could see, many needed treatment, but Slaughter needed it most desperately.

[OnyxOryx]

Najisi Kain

Naji buried her face into Reno's chest when he came. What was she supposed to do now? Members of her pride went against her decision.. and now Asera was dead.. This war... She didn't want to deal with it anymore. All she wanted was to live in peace and have her family by her. The war was tearing her apart.

The queen was rather dumbfounded that Influence had interrupted her mourning to show he kept one of /them/. Rage and hate filled her and she snarled at Influence. How dare he bring that trash to her right now.

"Kill her."

She growled out before the Meurtrian managed to wake up. Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Najisi was more than furious. She didn't want to hear some meurtrian's sob story. They took her daughter.. They constantly tore apart her family. Why? Because she left the pride? All this sensless death.. just because her and Reno left?

"Shut up. I don't want to hear any bull from you. You don't have a /right/ to speak."

[LAD]

Phone. No coding.

Camry looked at Sinna and then at Najisi. He shook his head briefly, and knew he couldn't let Sinna take the blame. One paw step placed him half in front of Sinna as he brushed againwst her side comfortingly. "I'm sorry Lady Najisi... I should have stayed with her." He spoke, his voice soft. He dipped his head and then twitched when Influence came and the order came to kill her. He blinked, shocked filling him. They would just kill a Meurtrian? With nothing else to do from there? Then he looked at her, at the black feline and married his eyes briefly. In a way she should have kept her trap shut. But... this Meurtrian had just been doing as ordered of her. It wasn't her fault she was captured. And in his opinion Influence should not have captured her at all. They had enough to deal with without angering more Meur.

Yasbi stepped back when Victor approached Slaughter and she gave him a brief nuzzle on his cheek. Her gaze flicked to Victor and concern filled her then when she saw the blood leaking out of his mouth... "Victor are-" She paused and shook her head. "I'll help if you need me to." She told him softly, then turned away limping slightly over to where her mother and Kardei where. Yasha had heard the statements made and looked at Tanzel and this new one, Mizuki, was it? She snorted softly before looking up to Jericho who was still in the tree, slumped over the branches. "Oh my boy..." She murmured softly, and as the adrenaline filtered from her system she began to feel the pain pulsing throughout her body. Yasha swayed and Kardei moved closer for her to lean against him, but he himself was not unhurt. His body throbbed from being slammed into the rocks and being thrown off Cocaine when the big male had rolled over.

Cyber flinched with each step from when his shoulder had taken a loss of flesh. It /burned/ but he kept his jaw clenched shut. He wouldn't make a sound. However seeing Yasbi okay helped to calm him and he limped over to her, meeting in the middle he Nuzzled her gently, surprising her but she responded like wise. Then saw his shoulder. "Cyber you need to get that checked out." Cyber shook his head sharply. "It can wait." He told her.

All of then turned to look in the direction Najisi had gone for her cubs were along with Camry. They moved over to them and lowered their heads for mourning.

Jericho however stayed among the trees, unwilling to come down with Atryn with how everyone had been so against it. He looked at Atryn and gently nuzzled the cub. "No one was going to kill you, Atryn. It was just to scare your dad so he stopped attacking us." He murmured softly to him, pulling Atryn close to him once more as he laid down on the tree with him. He had brought Meurtrier here. He had killed Asera. He had caused these creatures to doubt Najisi. He had done worse than he thought imaginable. His eyes closed and he squeezed then shut tightly. He had nearly killed other cubs. He had nearly killed his sisters, his mother. So many of then here and they had all been endangered badly. Slaughter being the worst. Jeroho let out a huge sigh and nuzzled Atryn again. "You'll see your dad again soon though. And your mom will be better when you go back." He told him softly, gently. He would defend Atryn against them all should any try anything against him. He was a cub, an innocent one that he had dragged in this. He had lied, cheated, and done the worst thing he could think of. Jericho sighed heavily again. He was exhausted.

Diezel sniff led softly as he darted from the others to his moms sighed, curling into her fur and sniffling again. "Mommy what just happened." He half cried out.

[OnyxOryx]

((Forgot this bit so posting here since LAD posted))

Najisi Kain

Still reeling, the ess heard Camry and Sinna approach. She didn't blame them at all. Nor did she blame Jericho. She motioned for them to come forward.

"Sinna.. Come here.."

She whimpered softly. Siakon and Sinna lost their sister. She had to try to be strong for them. She wanted to hug Sinna closely. Vaska would need to be informed. Siakon would also get a hug if she chose to follow Najisi to Asera's body.

"Shh.. It isn't your fault. Its none of your faults.."

[kahara]

RENO, SLAUGHTER, DARRIUM, TANZEL, OMEN, DAZEON, SIAKON

[/i] He leaned down, tail lashing. They had dared to interrupt his mate's mourning. Reno was not happy.

"Why can't we kill you? If you have children back home, you wouldn't betray them like this, not unless you're sick in the head, or, pregnant." He straightened out.

"In which case, the young would be innocent and could be raised to be La Morter priders, and no Meurtrier would really know." His gaze fell on Najisi. He knew she was mourning, and didn't want her involved, but he needed her. Reno couldn't lead a pride alone. Her voice was just as important as his.

Slaughter only grunted and groaned as he was carried off, wincing at the pain from the broken rib, and coughing up bits of blood again. Darrium remained unconscious. He would wake soon, however, and Tanzel would be there to groom her mate. Unfortunately, her young had come over. She could explain their daddy was merely sleeping -- which was an extension of the truth. At least Darrium was alive. She leaned down and purred, nuzzling them.

"Meurtrier attacked, because of A.. because we upset them." She murmured. It wasn't Atryn's fault, he was just a cub. Tanzel would have blamed Jericho.. but Jericho and Najisi were blood. She didn't want to risk internal problems for the pride. As if there weren't some already. Dazeon moved to curl up with his aunt because the player forgot where they were at.

Siakon wasn't sure what to do. She followed after her mother slowly, passed by Influence, Caylis, and Reno, and leaned in to be with her family.[/ul][/blockquote]

[Avian]

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▲ Lothaire Long and Mizuki Blaatt

Lothaire had ignored Mizuki's advice and walked over to where Asera laid. Head hung in sorrow over the loss of his niece till his eyes set on the captured Meutrian. "If I may, I'd like to ask this meutrian a question!" he snarled in Caylis' direction. Lothaire still had one unanswered question. "Where is Hajime!?". He needed to know.

[Caylis]

Caylis & Influence

Caylis sighed and looked up to them, tilting her head, blinking. "I don't fight for bloodlust! I fight for my family's protection and care; family comes before the pride. I would never betray my children; that's actually the one of the only reasons I'm with Meurtrier." she looked up to Lothaire before flattening her ears. "That's what I'd like to know. He's dead; though we don't know exactly how he died." she said with her eyes narrowed. She stayed silent after that.. they would spare her? Huh, how.. unexpected. Though she knew this would become a consequence..

Influence dipped his head in apology before waiting for his orders.

Azul whimpered and nodded slowly. "O-okay.. will it happen again, mother?" she said sadly, her blue eyes concerned for her father. "C'mon daddy.. stay strong."