- who says curiosity killed the cat? (hunter)

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[atrb=background,http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/gimble2355/almiddle.jpg] Walk "Talk" Think The sun had just peaked above the horizon, illuminating the city with it's warm rays. The sky was devoid of clouds, promising a beautiful day ahead. Justifiably, Alcyone was of a rather joyful mood, and he shivered in pleasure as he lay on a rooftop, sunbathing. The air grew steadily warmer, but the dryness in the hot wind that blew steadily from the west made it feel pleasant, instead of a sticky hell that it could be. After a few minutes, he opened his green eyes, wondering what he would do with the day that was coming up. He needed a plan; the immensity of time he had on his paws was almost scary. It would probably be a very warm day, but the early hours could be used for exploration. He longed to have a look at the Iris Pride he had heard about. They shared his hatred of dogs, and wanted to make the canine race bow before the felidae. He knew that to help in this cause, he would have to join the pride, but he wanted to know just how the hierarchy was, to see if there was strong leadership and good values. That would influence what role he could have in the pride. Besides, he didn't want to jump head first into something before he had checked it out. No. . . he would have to have a look. They would probably not appreciate a stranger entering their land; by what he'd heard, trespassers were severely punished. It would be downright stupid to risk injury like that. Besides, it would be a bad start with his potential pridemates. I'll have to stay at the border, he told himself. Luckily, he knew exactly where to go to see the border. In fact, he could see an Iris guard walking along a rooftop in the distance. Feeling better now that he had a scheme, the golden-brown cat took a running leap towards another rooftop, landing with the softest of thumps on the flat surface. He made his way slowly, in a relaxed way, to the roof just in front of the border. The spotted feline sat there for an instant, his green gaze shifting over the landscape, watching for movement whilst his sharp ears listened for the sound of pawsteps. Both coming up negative, the clouded leopard descended the wall headfirst, his claws holding a firm grip on the brickwork. He landed on the ground silently, taking in the scents. Smack in the middle of the alley, the Iris Pride border was clearly marked. Staying on the loner side of the alley, the cat made his way forward, looking into each alleyway, wishing to see a glimpse of life in this stronghold. He just hoped the guards of the border weren't too touchy about strangers being near their border; that would make things dangerous. Just as he thought that, his ears picked up the sound of approaching pawsteps. ------------------------------------------------ words; 490 muse; Good ^^ tags; Hunter with Sota notes; Sorry for the awkward finish, I didn't exactly know how to conclude it >.> Word count will also get better once they interact.

[Hunter]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] Sota walks, ”Sota talks” Sota had been up early this morning just as always. As the Duchess of the Iris pride there was no time to sleep the morning away, and today she had a meeting earlier than usual, so the cheetah woke up with the sun’s first rays. She was going to meet some of the guards of the pride to get an update of their work. She wanted to know just how many dogs there were sneaking around and how many there had tried to trespass into Iris’ territory. More so, it was also the guards of the pride who oftenest were the first to encounter new members, and new recruits to the pride were more than welcome. The pride always needed new members to grow so they could stand against the Tempest pack, and maybe one day become stronger than the pathetic pack of fleabags. Walking in the shadowed alleys, Sota couldn’t feel the warm rays of the sun. At least not this early in the morning. Even though many of the buildings were old and partly burnt, they still gave much shadow which was highly treasured during a warm summer like the one that had hit Hexasol this year. She was happy that it slowly was drawing to a close. Rain had poured down from the sky not many days ago, and it meant that prey would be coming pack in high numbers now when the grass would grow tall, and that was just what the pride needed. The summers could be hard when too dry, but the pride was full of skilled hunters who did a great job to make sure everyone had something to eat. She was really proud of their great work – it meant that pregnant females and newborn mothers could get what they needed for their young to be strong and healthy and old veterans who couldn’t hunt for themselves could get what treatment they deserved after they had retired. And the hunters also made sure that the sick and wounded also could get what they needed to get better. Everyone was important to the pride, and the three year old cheetah was determined to see it grow. The young duchess met with the guards at the border and took note of everything they told her. It didn’t seem like the Tempest pack were making ready for an attack, but you could never be quite sure. Being too laid back could become the pride’s doom, so even though nothing from the guards’ reports seemed to be significantly different from her last update, Sota chose not to be too relaxed about the news. ”Thank you for your reports,” she said formally to the little group of guards when the meeting had ended. It was then a guard on a rooftop above them climbed down with quick but calculating steps - the old tom had clearly had many years as a guard and was so talented that he used the buildings as his playground. ”Where are you going to Reicher?” she asked calmly when she saw the older male tom coming down on the ground. ”I thought you were busy these days teaching a new recruit?” The old, brown tom looked at her with a smile and bowed his head in respect. At least Reicher wasn’t one of the members who didn’t like their new duchess. Sota was young, and therefore it wasn’t everyone who had liked Panja’s choice about promoting the young spy into a duchess, so she treasured her supporters very dearly – without looking down on those against her. She wanted to prove that she was the best for the job and not a triumphing bitch. She would show everyone that she was professional and that she wanted the best for the pride. ”Duchess Sota, my younger companion spotted a stranger coming close to our borders. The feline has now disappeared from our sight and I am simply going to see what he is up to,”

[/b] Reicher explained. ”A male feline at our borders you say?” she asked, her interest lit. How interesting if this stranger could prove to be a new member. ”Yes indeed, a clouded leopard we think,” the older tom answered. Sota nodded a few times, thinking it through before she took a decision. ”Don’t worry about it my friend, I will take care of this. Just give me the direction in which you saw him go and go back to your apprentice. We shouldn’t let him be alone for too long at the time, he’s after all still too young for working alone.” Reicher nodded in agreement, gave her the direction and jumped up to sit at the rooftop again.

Sota left the other guards who also started their work. A few asked if they should go with her, but she chose to go alone. It wasn’t like a clouded leopard was too dangerous for her – not even a male one, but of course it was nice of them to ask. She had about an hour now where she didn’t have anything to do, so why not spend it by taking a look at this newcomer?

She went on silent paws to the alley which Reicher had mentioned and soon found whom she was looking for. She had on purpose made sure to be right behind the stranger so that he couldn’t escape easily, because you never knew. He could be someone who wanted to join the pride or he could be an intruder. And for his own sake, she hoped he wasn’t the latter. The clouded leopard male had sneaked just across the border and Sota narrowed her eyes. Quite bold wasn’t he? She saw that he now had caught the sound of her soft steps, because his ears flickered slightly. But it didn’t matter. It was also time to show herself. ”Looking for something are we, my friend? Maybe I can help you,” she said boldly with a teasing voice, stopping not far from the male. She was about twice his height, but he was stockier in build than her. He looked strong and agile, just a figure the pride would long after having as a member.

((OOC: Okay this is a reeeally long one for me, I don't usually make this long posts! xD))

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[atrb=background,http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/gimble2355/alcytablemiddle.jpg] "Talk" The spotted cat kept dutifully to the loner side of the border. He wasn't the type to seek confrontation with the guards of the Iris Pride. He wasn't stupid, he knew they had probably seen him by now. His approach to the border by the rooftops wasn't any effort to keep hidden. After all, the pride was experienced enough to know not to let their guard down, even if there hadn't been an attack by the canines in weeks. To expect that his approach had gone unnoticed was rather idiotic. The male, keeping his emerald gaze alert to any movement in the alleys, hoped that there wasn't an attack on sight policy with felines that came close to the border. Being realistic, he knew that he could have a decent chance at escaping the guards if they weren't too big or too numerous. He was, after all, a very good fighter. As his ears picked up the sound of pawsteps, the male turned around, ready to face whoever was coming towards him. When the creature finally came into sight, he kept his calm, neutral emerald eyes fixed on her. The she-cat was a cheetah, easily twice as tall as he was, but with a willowy, long body which was befitting for the speed her kind was noted for. The clouded leopard knew she would be a rather fierce opponent if it came to battle. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, and her tone when she spoke, slightly teasing. From the boldness in her voice, he deduced she held some power within the pride. After all, she was alone. Looking for something are we, my friend? Maybe I can help you. The male raised his eyebrows, giving a nod at the same time. Yes, she probably could. After all, her scent was that of an Iris Pride cat. ”Yes, I think you could. Am I right in thinking you have a position of power in the Pride?” he asked, his tone keeping a calm not devoid of friendliness. Then, he figured she might be suspicious of his question; only normal because of eventual spies. Not that he could find any reason a cat would spy for the dogs. Yet again, you never knew. ”I am asking this because I'm looking to join the Pride.”

[/color] he said, his reasonable eyes locking with the gaze of the cheetah. The marbled cat sat down, tail curling around his paws in a clearly non-threatening way. He was confident the cheetah wouldn't attack, but he kept his guard up anyway, as cautious as he was. One could never be too careful.

Keeping his eyes fixed on the cheetah, the leopard wondered what the hierarchy was like inside the pride. He was hoping to find out as much as he could in this encounter so that he knew what he was going into. He had heard rumours of the leader, Panja, still recovering from the loss of his mate, Florence, who had been a driving force in the pride. Maybe was it ambitious to think that he could change things, make the pride stronger, and eventually, maybe. . . just maybe, win the war.[/justify]

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words; 526
muse; 7/10
tags; Hunter with Sota
notes; My goodness! Congratulations on the astounding word count ^^

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[Hunter]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] Sota walks, ”Sota talks” The male nodded when she asked him the question and started to speak in a calm voice, asking if she wasn’t a high positioned feline in the pride. ”Sure I am,” she said with a little smirk. It was clear that even though the male assumed she was an important feline he didn’t know exactly who he was standing right in front of. How disappointing. It wasn’t a secret that Sota was the Duchess of the Iris Pride and the fact that the clouded leopard only assumed that she was a high positioned feline and not the duchess only proved that this male either was a loner or a really bad acting spy. And now when she had come closer, she couldn’t even put any scent on him, so he couldn’t be from either Lexis or Tempest. And besides, why should Lexis need a spy since they weren’t a part of the war? And how on earth could Tempest recruit a feline loyal enough to spy on a canine hating pride? If a feline should make a deal with Tempest about spying on the Iris Pride, he must really be in problems, and Sota didn’t really buy that kind of situation. This male was far too calm for being in serious trouble. So with no scent and weird questions, Sota relaxed a bit more about the clouded leopard’s presence. And her assumption about the spotted male being a loner only became stronger when he said the words himself quite bluntly after his question about her position. So, he really wants to join the pride huh? They could definitely use someone like him. ”That surely sounds interesting my friend,” she said with a purr as the male sat down. ”Then I would ask you to answer two questions for me, if you would be so nice,” she continued calmly. ”Firstly, out of pure curiosity – not to mention the level of politeness in this conversation – I would like to ask you of your name? I am Sota, the Duchess of this pride,” she introduced herself. ”Secondly, and far more interestingly, I would like to know just why you want to be a member of this pride?” One thing was to just say that you wanted to become a member of a pride, but the reason would maybe tell something more about the feline in front of her. She knew that it wasn’t likely she would get his whole life story, but the reason why he wanted to enter the war could perhaps say something about the loyalty of the feline – not to mention how strong his drive in this war would be. ((Haha sorry, I think I misunderstood your first post since I thought he had crossed the border :b))

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[atrb=background,http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/gimble2355/middlealscrolly-1.jpg] [scrolly:h(290),w(236),sy] The marbled cat rested his calm emerald gaze on the lithe feline in front of him, taking in her traits and her demeanour. At his question, there seemed to be almost the tiniest hint of disappointment in her liquid chocolate eyes, as if she was hoping him to know who she was. Well, she walked with enough bearing to be a powerful feline in the pride; her head held high, her gait dignified and energetic. . . the image of a strong, young cheetah in a position to do something with this goddamn war. Yet honestly, the spotted feline didn't know enough about the hierarchy or the felines in this pride to know exactly who she was and what rank she was at. All he knew was that she was of higher rank than he would be upon entering the pride, and he displayed the proper respect for the situation. Couldn't make himself enemies upon entering the pride, now could he. Besides, a pride was like a family, and he had to respect cats in a higher position if he didn't want to attract the ire of those in question. Sure I am. Her lips were stretched in a smirk, but he ignored that fact. She came slightly closer, seeming to check him out. Her tests seemed to have been conclusive because she relaxed slightly, looking a little more comfortable with his presence near their border. At his explanation, the cheetah seemed to gain interest. Maybe there was room for him in this pride, if she was displaying some kind of attention to him now that he had stated his objective. He wondered if there was any kind of test before he was accepted into the pride. Whatever happened, he would do whatever it took to make a difference in this war. He had high moral standards, but it was clear to him that the Tempest didn't, and wouldn't stop. They would continue on killing and torturing to end this war. Only option left: destroy the Tempest, fight for the freedom of cats and make the world right again. No more scared families, no more irrational killings. It had to stop, and the only way to make it stop was to fight. Fight so hard that they killed all dogs in the Tempest and annihilated the source of the violence. No more cases like him, family killed, kits left alone. . . It was going to end. He would make sure of it. That surely sounds interesting my friend. Then I would ask you to answer two questions for me, if you would be so nice. He gave a bow of the head. ”Of course,” he said, his deep vocals still implacably calm. Firstly, out of pure curiosity – not to mention the level of politeness of this conversation – I would like to ask you your name? I am Sota, the duchess of this pride. The male gave a smile which was tinted with charm. ”I am Alcyone, pleasure to meet you Duchess Sota,”

[/color] he responded, his tone imprint with the right amount of respect. His ears flickered forward as she continued with another question. Secondly, and far more interestingly, I would like to know just why you want to be a member of this pride? The male gave another smile, but this time, it was wider and had lost it's charm. His emerald eyes suddenly blazed with anger and determination, flashing back to the day where his parents and sisters were killed. His smile faded, his face becoming serious once more, taking on a slightly more thoughtful expression. ”There are several reasons. One, my family was killed by those sons of b****** that are the Tempest dogs. And I, I want revenge. They were an innocent family, and those cockroaches wiped them out.”[/color] his voice rang with suppressed rage as he told her this, his lifetime of anger and pain swelling up inside him. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to gain control over his emotions. When he looked up, he was calm once more, but his traits had taken on an expression of ice. ”The Tempest won't stop. They'll keep on killing, murdering innocent families until they are wiped off the face of this earth. I want to make that happen. I want to fight. I want families to be able to raise their kits without being scared, without being eternally worried something will happen to their cubs. That pack has to be killed. It's the only way.”[/color] His emerald eyes were hard and determined, his ears pinned back as he looked decidedly at Sota. ”And the Lexis think the Tempest will eventually agree to end the war. That'll never happen,”[/color] he said, shaking his head, ”That's why I want to join. So that those creatures may be crushed.”[/color] he added, his deep voice a growl.[/justify]

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words; 811
muse; 9/10
tags; Hunter with Sota
notes; It's ok xD It wasn't very clear on my part either.
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[Hunter]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] Sota walks, ”Sota talks” His voice was respectful when he introduced himself, and Sota appreciated his respect. It was nice to see that this male, this Alcyone, seemed to be a nice young male with manners instead of a boasting nut-head with too high expectations of his own abilities and his own importance. As for her other question, it really seemed that it had started a firing rage inside the clouded leopard. Pain, anger. She knew those feelings very well and felt sorry for Alcyone. She knew how it was to lose beloved ones from a canine attack, and she knew how the thoughts of revenge were your only soothe. She still sometimes mourned those she had lost that day, but her thoughts were oftener and oftener dwelling at the pride. And how they could defeat the Tempest Pack. They surely had to pay their debt in blood so that families could live in peace, just like Alcoyne wished as well. She could see the determination burning in his emerald eyes, and the cheetah didn’t doubt a second that he would make a good fighter. He would be a loyal member, a great helper in the pride. ”Yes, the canines must be crushed,” she said with a thoughtful tone. ”It sounds like you have come to the right place, Alcoyne, my friend.” She looked him over once again, becoming surer that he would fit well into the pride. ”I am deeply sorry for your loss, but unfortunately you are not the only feline with a past full of horrifying memories. The canines have without doubt done terrible things – no matter what the Lexis Tribe may claim – and that is why we, the members of the Iris Pride, are here. We fight so we can get a better world, so no one will ever have to lose someone dear to them in such a terrible way ever again,” she said with a firm voice and a determination showing in her brown eyes. ”We will be honoured if you would join our pride and help us in this war,” she ended and smiled softly to him at her last words. ”Do you have any questions for me before you make a final decision, or do you want me to tell you the rules of our pride already?” she asked kindly. If the male wanted to know about the rules already, that meant that he had already chosen to live in the Iris Pride, which would be good, but sometimes the loners had some questions they wanted to get answered before they made their final decision.

[* chemistry]

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[atrb=background,http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/gimble2355/middlealscrolly-1.jpg] [scrolly:h(290),w(236),sy] The fire that raged inside him was one that was difficult to control. All the times where he had lay there, looking up and the stars as a youngster, wishing more than all that his parents or sisters were there to fill up the cold space next to him. . . It was something he would never forget, nor forgive. It was hard enough for him to deal with this. He didn't know how to make all the pain and anger go away. So he dealt with it the only way he knew how: locking it all up in the darkest and farthest corner of his mind, unable to feel it any longer. It was rather ironic that the way he faced his emotions was by not confronting them. He wasn't stupid. The clouded leopard knew that it was daft to do so, yet he didn't know what else to do with all those emotions. It was confusing. . . a writhing mass of shame and self-loathing disguised as hatred for the enemy so as not to acknowledge that it was his fault his sisters were dead. He did hate the enemy. More than any other cat, or so he though. But he also didn't want to accept the fact that they could have been alive if he had gone back in there when he had heard their cries. Yes, the canines must be crushed. It sounds like you have come to the right place, Alcyone, my friend. He gave a nod. Yes, he had known that as soon as he had set paw on the Iris territory. It was obvious that the pride was strong, although weakened by the battles that had gone on in recent months. He knew that there were rumours that the leader, Panja, wasn't at his peak since the death of his mate, Florence. But he also knew that if he put enough efforts into it, he could make a difference within the pride. ”Indeed.” The words were simple, but held a fierce determination. He could fight until he died for the freedom of the feline race, so that they could live without fear. Liberation. That would be his prize at the end of that long battle. If he ever got to savour it. He looked at Sota once more, his ears forward to catch her words. They were ringing with belief, strength and determination shining in those liquid chocolate eyes of hers, and the certainty of her declaration gave him no doubt that he would find his place within the ranks of this pride. Yes, this would be a very good thing. We will be honoured if you would join our pride and help us in this war. Her words made a smile spread on his lips. He was accepted. He would have a place in the ranks of these warriors, defenders of the feline race. It was reassuring to know that it he had a plan for his future. He wouldn't go round, a loner, living his life aimlessly. No. He had a purpose, something to strive for and achieve. And that was one of the most important things to him. ”And it will be an honour to serve the pride in every way I possibly can,”

[/color] he said, giving a slight bow of the head. Do you have any questions for me before you make a final decision, or do you want me to tell you the rules of our pride already? The cat pondered the idea for a second. He was already sure of his decision, but he was searching for something he might have forgotten. Finding nothing, the leopard felt a lot better. He hadn't forgotten anything. Everything was fine. ”I'm ready to commit to the Pride,”[/color] he answered calmly, his deep vocals assured as he spoke. A tingle of excitement ran along his spine. He was joining the pride! [/justify]

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words; 650
muse; 8/10
tags; Hunter with Sota <3
notes; Yays!
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