Layra
The Death of Hades warred on her. Given she did not blame Senka in the bit Hades did attack her and she all the right to defend herself. But now the possibility of some peace with the Haunters was on the verge of breaking if Senka, Nemu and Dusquei could not convince the whole of the haunters to understand that she and Tuini had nothing to do with Hades attack on Senka this would out right mean war she knew this and she did not want war. That was not what she intended for this pride. She just wanted to live with a pride of cats instead of cooped up in the ruins. But she knew Tuini wanted more but she did understand what Nemu an Senka meant by them acting as Risen had wanted and so she wanted to change this. She didn't want others to view them like they viewed and still view the haunters. The haunters were struggling to change others perspectives. She didn't want this but in order to do this she had to convince Tuini to let it all go. Not to forgive but to just leave it be. But how did sh do this? Her ears were back and she paced to and frow.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
The lion was resting at the mouth of the cave today, hiding from the summer heat that blazed above them. He'd spent most of the morning there, still recovering from his injuries and simply waiting out the day until dusk would bring cooler temperatures.
A few yards from them, Little Tuft rested in the deeper shade of the cave, head on paws and eyes half-opened. He too had an inkling of what had bothered Layra, and unlike Tuini, he sided with her more peaceful views.
Layra
Layra paused as she felt Tuini's paw. I can't, im sorry. She was itching to continue pacing but she remained still now. She really felt like they were turning into what the haunters use to be. They were holding grudges and hate. When they should just forgive and forget. She knew Senka was telling the truth. Sure maybe it was because Senka was getting older but perhaps age did that to you for a reason. I know you don't favor an Alliance with the Haunters, its not an easy thing to accept but we can't be this way we just can't Tuini. But after Hades did what he did even I don't believe the alliance no matter how temporary it was going to be will hold. Senka only has so much ability to convince them that Hades acted on his own. It not like we told Hades what were doing so some of the blame is on us for this. I just want to live a calm peaceful life with you and the others. I want to protect our territory if need be but I don't want the whole valley to fear us eitherShe said looking down now. I fear we've gotten too into this hatred. I fear that eventually it will be the end us of us like it was for the haunters. The valley knows the haunters are not what they use to be. But the valley don't care, they view the haunters permantly how they were except there little fear of them. She said. The fear is now turned to usShe said.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
The lion frowned and sluggishly lifted his head from the ground and rolled onto his paws. Bits of grass and dust clung to his dark mane, but he didn't bother trying to groom himself right now. "I think Senka and Nemu have gotten into your head, sis. An alliance with Nemu is one thing, but the Haunters... I can't honestly believe that'll last." He pushed himself up, stifling the yawn that wanted to come to him, "And peace is just an illusion - we're not meant for peace, especially not in this Valley. We're cats, we're the top of the food chain out here, and we have got to be ruthless to ensure we stay that way. The only peace we need is between our own pridemates, and Nemu's pride if she's serious about this alliance."
His gaze clouded a little as he looked past Layra and towards the distant mountains where storm clouds were beginning to brew. His tones sobered some, "Hades was a valued member of this pride. Sure, he shouldn't have run off like an idiot by himself, but... he was one of us. We should be defending him, not throwing him under the rock and shaming him. We should be honoring him. He died trying to make us stronger."
Layra
She growled slightly. In order to have peace with her we need peace with the haunters Tuini. We don't need to run ourselves like the haunters did they aren't wrong about that we are liking the old haunters She said shaking heerself and now pacing again. She snorted. I loved Hades but he was wrong to attack Senka she has done nothing to harm usSHe said.and he was wrong to attack Oracles brotherShe said. You are talking like the old haunters there Tuini and I refuse to be like the old HauntersShe said.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
He shook his mane, sending up a small cloud of dust. "Layra, you know I love you, but you're running down a dangerous path right now." He pulled his gaze back to her, no longer frowning but serious and intent. Emotion was starting to seep into his words as his lethargy melted away, "You stood back and did nothing but criticize and bemoan our efforts to make this pride stronger. You consistently side with our enemies and treat us like we're the bad guys. You stood back and watched me nearly die, just so some enemy could feel better? Hades is dead now, and all you're worried about is how his actions make us look bad? You use to be different Layra... I don' know how Nemu and Senka got into your head like this, but if you really feel this way, you should join them."
Layra
She growled now. No this is MY Pride as much as yours and I wasn't gonna let her kill you. I want our family alive and safe you want to murder thats all you seem happy doing lately no matter who it hurts. Hades made mistakes of his own and I miss him but that was his mistakes. I do not treat you like bad guys I treat our true enemies as bad guys, But Nemu is not a bad guy nor are the current haunters except maybe Terserk who is stuck in the old ways but Senka isn't She said now hurt by his accusations. I want a true pride a pride that defends is home but doesn't slaughter every last animal out here. WE hunt for food and to protect our territory. She said. That is what we agreed on when we first starter our pride Tuini. Your the one vying away from it. You want to rule the whole valley is what your making it out to beShe said. You wont even see reason any more and that hurts you never listen to me at all any more because I want to rune a pride a true pride one who lives peacefully as can. You just want to make enemies A tear slipped from her eyes as she moveed a bit away and now curled up. Her brother hated her. For all she knew he actually wanted her dead.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
The heat helped to temper his usual aggression, even if it conversely made the brute more agitated. It was simply too hot out for him to get too worked up right now, so he remained seated where he was, squinting against the brightness of the son as he stared back at his pale-coated sister. "This pride was not established on ideals of peace. Father helped create this pride to protect us from the the Haunters, and we've done that so far. If we don't maintain our strength and make others fear us, we become what the Haunters are now. Weak and stagnant, fractured. The great Shadow Haunters are little more than a joke of what they use to be." He watched as she turned away, wincing internally at the tear that formed at the corner of her eye. Tuini hated to see her upset, but keeping the pride strong was a responsibility he did not take lightly.
Putting aside his discomfort, the big male picked himself up and strode after Layra. "Layra, I don't want to fight with you... but I am worried the direction you're trying to take this pride. Where is the sister that was by my side when we kidnapped Haunters? That's the Layra that I want back, the fearless white lioness that would let nothing get between her and her pride, damn anyone who tried. That is what I need.. that's what the Makucha need." He sighed as he stood beside her, not yet reaching forward to give her a nudge, "You know I have no ambition of taking over the Valley, don't let Nemu and Senka poison your mind with their lies. They're trying to turn you against me, and steal you away like they did Dusquei. You're a Makucha, sis - don't let them win, don't let them separate us as well."
Layra
She wanted to be what Tuini wanted but the fighting, sure she wanted the Valley to know they weren't to be messed with but she didn't want them to develop a hatred for them. They were two different things and the way this pride was going was going to earn hate of the valley. She laid down on the boulder. Father didn't want the valley to hate us Tuini. Yes he wants us to be able to defend ourselves from those who would seak to harm us but I fear that we will now be the hated, not the haunters. The valley will no longer hate the haunters it is us they will hateShe said. Her ears were back at the reminder of the kidnapping. that got us no where Tuini, it just made and caused strife and hatred. YEs I want our numbeers to grow I want the valley to know we are strong but... I do not want their hateShe said. And too much fear leads to hate. The packs will join forces just to get rid of what they hate. We cannot take the whole valley Tuini. She said. They have not corrupted me in any way. I want to be the bigger person here. The bigger one lets things go and moves on. No we don't need to be their friends, but we dont have to go out of our way to kill themShe said.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"The Haunters are dying out, that's what I don't want for us. But I also don't want to be them, no matter what Senka and Nemu claim." He snorted harshly at their names, as if disgusted that they'd even broached his tongue. "We are Makucha, and we own this land here, and that's it - we have no ambition to grab any other territory or have dominion over other packs, that's not our way. But what we will do is strike our enemies wherever we see them. Let them know that we're here, and if they want to live, they'd best stay out of our way."
When she moved to the boulder, he sat down beside it, resting the bulk of his weight against its cool side. He tilted his head up, gazing towards his sister. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "I don't know what's happened with you Layra, but it worries me. A lion should not concern themselves with what a lowly wolf or hyena thinks, much less enemy packs. But you've become obsessed with how others view you and our pride. Don't worry about them. Worry about us and don't let Nemu tell you how to think and act."
Layra
She listened to him we only have enemies that we are creating Tuini this is the only place attacking someone not In our pride should happen going onto other lands that aren't ours and attacking someone unprovoked just makes us look power hungry she said. nemu and senka aren't enemies they are family she said. I don't care what others think of us but we aren't here to take over the valley
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"Nemu's pride aside, anyone who is not with us is our potential enemy. Things may be quiet now, but you remember the stories that Dad and Dusquei told us - the Valley does not stay peaceful for long. I won't risk us getting complacent out here, and having some enemy band rolling in and attacking us because they think we're weak." He rumbled a little at that, not at Layra, but at the idea of others moving in on his pride. "I told you, we're not here to take over the Valley - that was the Haunter's failed ambition. But I wouldn't be doing my job as pride male if I didn't thrash any enemy that I came across. Nemu may run her pride like a band of frightened deer that avoid conflict at all cost, but that's not the Makucha way."
Layra
Layra listened and just laid there. We have no enemies, Only enemies we make Tuini. It is our fault if others hate us. WE should defend our home and our pride. Yes if we are out and someone who made it clear that they are our enemy should be watched and given fair warning to not approach us and if they approach us then yes attacking them is fine but just going out and murdering on other lands that they are allowed to be on is wrongShe said. She felt almost like she was talking to a wall.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
Tuini shook his head softly but resolutely, "I won't change who we are, Layra. We've gotten this far by being ruthless, and it's worked for us while others have withered and grown weaker around us by going soft." He shifted his gaze out across the prairie, where his rounded ears twitched at the sound of distant thunder. "You can stay out of the fights if that's what you want, but I'm going to keep leading this pride as I always have."
Layra
She became more depressed by tuini words and now she looked away from him. Her ears were back. I want my pride to stay alive I don't want them to be known as murders because that is what they will be classified as. We make our own enemies Tuini that is all we are doing. But fine we can keep doing that and no I fight beside my pride but we will eventually fall the way the haunters have She began to just shut here emotions down now. Tuini wanted to do this then fine she will no longer show love nothing. She will just murder and kill like he wants. Sme one in this pride gets hurt oh well then they must be weak. I will just stop loving then because that is all im doing. You want to be ruthless killers fine will be ruthless killers. The whole valley will then come for us and we will fall but okay fineShe said her voice already showing the lack of care.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"Forget the labels, Sis. Makucha is what we are, and that name rightly strikes fear into those that hear it. The only enemy that ever held a chance against us was the Haunters, but look at what we've done to them - we've whittled down their numbers, and fractured their pack. Our method works. They are scarcely a threat to us anymore." He watched her ears go back and her head shift, and as much as he wanted to get up again and move towards her, the oppressive heat convinced him to stay against the cool face of the rock. "Layra, this is who we've always been, and our pride is strong for it." His words at least were a little softer, though that in part was due to a simple lack of gusto and energy right now, "You're asking the entire pride to change our ways to suit you, and I can't do that. What I can do is keep you and the rest of our family safe as I always have, and I'll keep doing that till my last breath."
Layra
She was not asking for a complete change no. This is my pride too and they will follow my words too. I am not asking for a complete change Tuini I am asking for better thought process. The current thought process is kill anyone that is not Makucha or Nemu's pride that it. There no thought to anything. No thought to maybe make friends and maybe others will join us because we make friends. We will not grow in size by making everyone our enemy. I am asking to be a pride of big cats a pride that defends our territory and if we get attacked by a specific pride pack then we go all out and attack them. Not oh look a random lion lets go attack it. That is wrong when you don't even know if they care for their pack or prides ways if they even have oneShe said. this pride is mine as much as it is yoursShe said. She'd fight any one cat in here who tried to defy her.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"C'mon, give me some credit." Tuini rumbled, his sharp anger still being tempered and even, rather than rising like it normally would have by now, "We're not out killing every cat we see, if that were true we wouldn't have Rufflan with us. And there were those leggy cats we tried to recruit that one time out at the Eskers. And all those imposters that Nemu brought in." Tuini let his shoulder slide down the side of the rock until he was more or less laying on his chest now, concealed within the shade. "We're actively killing Haunters because they are our enemy, and I'm not going to stop doing that now because you've decided to adopt Nemu's values and throw ours to the wind. It's bad enough that she coerced Dusquei into joining her, don't let her get into your head as well."
Layra
She frowned now."so your going against this truce we are calling?" She growled. "Nemu will turn on us fully if we do this" she said. "She didn't turn dusquei into anything she just wanted her sister back. And if we go against the truce then dusquei may indeed turn against us" she said. Yes if the haunters attacked them during this truce she'd end the truce herself
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"I don't trust Nemu any further than I could toss her." Tuini pointed out with a harsh thump of his tail against the ground. "You know Dusquei wasn't happy being torn away from the first pride she felt happy and safe in, but she's with Nemu now, and for her sake I'll honor this alliance with their pride. But I can't do the same with the Haunters."
A gust of wind came through the prairie then, billowing through Tuini's dark mane and, aside from a face-full of dust, also brought with it a brief respite from the heat. "All this work that we've done, all this time spent.. I'm not going to throw that away. I wish you wouldn't either, sis. I miss the old you, not this new wishy-washy lioness that's lost her bite."
Layra
She snorted. Her tail lashing out now. So Tuini was gonna make them out to be just as the haunters thought then. They were exactly like Risen. You go again it then your just proving to the Haunters that we are no better then themShe said. The old her the one with a bite oh she still had a bite. My real problem here Tuini isn't the killing and murdering its the fact that this pride has done things I know nothing of. WE are co leads I should of known everything. Maybe thats why im the way I am now because you are giving orders that we haven't talked about. You have no right ot make any decisions on your own. I don't know if im the one thats changed here. YOu use to include me in everything but even before dusquei left and all this started you stopped including me. You made decisions on your own without me that here is my problemShe finally said. Before all this he had told the pride to go do things without her knowledge without her agreement This was what really irked her.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"We're doing what we've always done." Tuini countered as he wiggled and rolled onto his back with more effort than it should have taken. Another rush of wind came by, and this time Tuini scented distant rain in the air. "Remember when we worked together to capture all those Haunters? And the cubs? We worked together then, side by side." He closed his eyes, releasing a heavy sigh, "I'm not making big decisions, I'm just doing that same work we've always done... only you stopped helping us." His feral eyes opened again, looking up at whatever bits of Layra he could see over the overhanging rock. "Ever since Nemu went awol, you just... stopped being you. Layra, you're the one that's trying to make big changes and go against your own family. I've been working hard to keep us going."
Layra
She snorted. Stealing cubs is a haunter thing that why I stopped that stuffShe said then snorted.I can't help you when I don't know whats going on don't turn this on me She had never stopped he just didn't care to inform her of what he was thinking.All decisions are suppose to be run by the both of us Tuini you have making decisions n your own atleast i told you we should make peace even if for a little with the haunters and Nemu I didn't hide that from you and I would of taken your words in to concideration. You on the other hand go and murder a child who could of been persuaded to join us She said.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"I haven't made any decisions, I've been patrolling and hunting Haunters as we always have since dad helped us found this pride. And you use to be a part of that." There was a noticeable drop in temperature now as the distant storm front grew closer, bringing with it a much needed break from the swelter. Tuini remained on his back, a new scowl starting to twist his face, "You're the one that's trying to force big changes, and I'm telling you I'm not okay with that. Maybe if you hadn't become so much like Nemu, Hades would still be alive, and Shadowstep would be with us like we planned on from the beginning, instead of dying with the Haunters because you sat back and let Nemu walk all over us instead of backing me up." A growl had hit his vocals now. "Do you even care how upset Spotlight is right now? That you're so worried about Nemu and Senka, you showed more concern over their feelings than his actual death? That you let me get mauled near to death for their feelings, and nothing more?"
Layra
Her ears were back and as he began saying things. I am not trying to change anything! The haunters don't need to be our enemies, theree is not many left of them of the old.She said then she glared. go ahead blame me for all of it it was your decision to tell them to kill Menace daughter, your daughter not mine I would of said to try to corrupt her to turn her but you told them to kill.She said. I am trying to protect our pride from getting the valley against us, From becomeing the haunters.She said. You chose to accept the fight with Menace you could of turned it down do not blame me for that. Funny cause I was right Menace has chosen to stay here and live with us so hasn't her daughter. You prefer to kill I prefer to expand our pride that is the difference at this point Tuini. To corrupt all the big cats to turn them against the Haunters is my ploy if you cannot see that then I am sorry that you ar blind to my strategy. IT does not have to be about killing the haunters. Stripping them of their members is a more adequate way, whether its getting them to live here with us or go to Nemu. Taking away all their big cats will leave them to nothing but Canines and they will fade away without our helpShe said. as for Hades I love him Tuini but he made a mistake and I can't condone it nor do I see a reason to get revenge for his fatal mistake. He should of known taken Senka on could of meant death he made that decision not you, not me he did.She said.
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"We tried to save them, but I had no back-up from you when Nemu went awol, and when the Haunters came to steal back those very cubs we worked so hard to secure. Shadow would have been alive and with us if only we'd acted together." Tuini returned defensively. If only he wasn't sprawled on his back, paws folded neatly over his chest, the big lion might have looked a little more intimidating than he did. "You know as well as I do that the Haunters are a tight group, and very rarely does it work out to bring one of their own members unwillingly to our side - you saw how well that worked with Nemu and that horde of cats she had with her." His eyes had narrowed, but Tuini didn't twitch a muscle to get up, and only continued to glower up at his sibling on the rock. "Listen Layra, we don't need to fight about this, it isn't helping our pride. I'm all for bringing in any Haunter or other cat that actively want to join us - and obey our authority. But everyone else is an enemy, and the best way to ensure that an enemy doesn't hurt our family in the future is by killing them. Besides, what other packs out there actually pose a challenge to us besides the Haunters? What few wolf packs there are are weak at best. There is no one else in the Valley that can threaten us."
Layra
She didn't move. " We became like the haunters when we forced nemu and the other two here, forcebred them and then tried to steal the cubs from them. That was a haunter move Tuini." She said her voice calmer. " No pack is a threat to us. Not even the haunters. Most haunters are old. The haunters soon will be nothing on Thier own doing. There is no need to murder them as they aren't big enough to be a threat. You saw Senka she not the young fierce fighter she once was. But she will do what she has to to protect her pride. Otherwise she wouldn't want this truce. She knows the truce is the way to protect her pride"
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"Eh, I don't care if it's a Haunter move or not, that's what we do. The Haunters themselves are dying off because they've restricted themselves with with all these new rules over the years, they've lost all traces of what they use to be, and now they're paying the price for it. You don't want that happening to us, right?" With Layra's tones becoming calmer, it had a mirroring effect on Tuini. The growl began to ease in his vocals, and the harshness of his fiery eyes softened. "Now's the perfect chance to wipe them completely out of the Valley." There was a pause, and an irritated huff before he added on, "I mean, I can concede that we don't go to the Ruins themselves to off the Haunters, if that makes it better? As long as they don't provoke us or anything, of course."
Layra
To off them her ears go back. **I will not condone killing senka or her relatives Tuini as they are in the long run family. Do what you want with Thier canines I do not care for them. There is no reason to wipe them out when they are doing it themselves. No need to muddy our name for them**
Tuini, Little Tuft, Khala
"There you go being concerned with what others think again. Forget that Sis, let others think what they want, at least there's one thing they won't call us - weak." Another zephyr, this one stronger than the last, swept out over the prairie and crashed against the stone face of their cavernous home. Tuini blinked and squinted his eyes as threads of his dark mane danced furiously about his face. "If you're really concerned about Senka and the others, tell them to stay in the Ruins, and I'll leave them be - but if they happen to cross paths with us anywhere else, I can't promise a friendly reunion."
Layra
She dropped the first part. ** Noone said anything about being friendly Tuini. But there is no need to attack them outright. They can't stay cooped up in the ruins there no food. We can warn them to stay out of the prairie but if we do that then others too will be warned to stay out of the prairie. As for other lands that are not ours warning them to stay away from us is acceptable and if they try to approach despite the warning them attacking them till they submit, flee or are killed is acceptable. If the haunters attack us at all then and only then can I be okay with killing them unprovoked** she said