Tersek & Others
The Haunters swarmed through the trees without any thought for stealth today, knowing full well that the Makucha wouldn't be caught off guard after the daring theft they just pulled off. They'd have to cross a stretch of open ground anyway, so any attempt at sneaking up on their enemies would have been pointless. Even if they could have succeeded on it, Tersek wanted these cats to know what was coming. To know what happened to those that dared to steal from them. So it was without surprise that they heard the wailing shriek of a falcon out along the rock outcrops, signalling that they'd been spotted. Tersek narrowed his eyes and pressed onward, scarcely missing a beat as Dally swooped in through the branches and alighted on his back. The elder brute didn't even wince as those sharp talons dug in for balance, hardly noticing the minor irritation when his blood was boiling so hot.
"Khala's seen us. I didn't see Katara or the others, but I spotted two snow leopards entering the den; they may have more members than what we last knew of." Dally's report caused Tersek to frown a little deeper, but didn't disade him from their mission. The falcon went on, "I didn't see the cubs either, but they have to be in the den."
"Good, being in the cave will make them easier to corner." The co-lead commented, now breaking the cover of the treeline and stepping brazenly into the open grass. His stride didn't falter or slow. "Senka, you have anything in mind for this little encounter? I'd say we give them a minute to come to their senses and hand the cubs over before the slaughter begins."
Behind Tersek traveled Lupanare, Duality, & Blackmist. Zanara and Leomar weren't far beyond them, keeping up the rear. In stride with Tersek, none of them showed hesitation as they drew nearer and nearer to the Crinoid Cavern.
Senka
Senka did not care if they were spotted. They came for one thing and the Makucha would need to know. If they do not hand teh cubs over we attack and we kill if we need to . The new ones may know what going on and may stay out of it or help them or perhaps help us but I am not leaving here without those three cubsShe said. As they got nearer she sent out the call. Her steps were purposful and meaningful and only when they were close to the dens did she come to a halt.
Nemu followed Senka and sent out her own call.
Terri listened and then heard the calls.MOM!She said excitedly. Super happy.
Dutch cried out even if their calls can't be heard.
Katara yawns. and shakes her head.And I shall do that I hae no problems with that but these three will be returned home first She said.
Sarabi just shakes her head with a yawn.
the new cats just were calm and had no problem right now.
Tuini & Others
From the mouth of the main cavern, Tuini emerged and stood tall, quickly spotting the approaching Haunters. 'I count four cats, but there could be more. Handful of canines.' He thought to himself, seeing Senka, Nemu, and Tersek first, and then the pumping shoulders of Leomar and Zanarah trailing in behind, with a small gathering of canines. He knew from first hand experience that there were more cats, but wasn't sure if they were here or not, or what the Haunters had planned. Indeed worried that they be outnumbered if more emerged from the distant treeline, Tuini uttered a short, bellowing roar to his sister and the other Makucha he hadn't seen since his return from the Scar.
Autumn Sun stepped in beside the lion, where her golden coat would have shown brilliantly if not for the heavy clouds in the sky that threatened rain at any moment. She squinted her eyes against a sudden lash of wind before joining her leader in sizing up the incoming group.
Dwarfing both big cats, the hefty Spotlight was next to saunter up to the exit of the den, and gander at the encroaching enemies. He felt Tersek was little challenge, and was a bit disappointed that Velvet didn't appear to be with the party. "So, what's the plan?" He murmured to Tuini, though like the lion, kept an eye out for his other leader.
Starbane remained with Katara and the others, to frightened and confused by the situation to do anything.
Khala continued to circle in the sky above the caverns, keeping a particularly close eye on her father. If she saw any other Haunters emerge from the trees, a screech would announce this to the Makucha below.
As the Haunters gathered closer and Senka brought them to a stop, Tuini glanced back at the new recruits, "Come forward everyone, and say hello to our enemies." He then turned his focus back to Senka, addressing her while blatantly ignoring Tersek, having little respect for the canines, "Welcome to our grand abode, Senka. What brings you here on this fine day?" The sarcasm dripped like poison from his fangs.
Senka
Nemu head was lowered and her fur already bristled. Her ears heard the call of her daughter and she so badly wanted to run to her but she held back.
The new cats did emerge but sat down.we will not fight anyone till the cubs are returned Said one of the cougars.
Tuini & Others
Tuini was starting to grow more suspicious of these new recruits that followed Katara's whims rather than his orders, and that lack of trust shown in his expression when he turned to look at the cougar that blatantly defied him. What should have been a simple cub-napping had turned into an internal fiasco with every new members save for Rufflan inexplicably siding with the enemy they had no ties with. "Your defiance will be dealt with later." This was no time to continue an argument however, not when the Haunters were here and could exploit the conflict to their benefit. He looked back to Senka, quashing his irritation for the time being to deal with the larger threat.
"You've come to bargain, then? You wont attack us as long as we give the three cubs back?" He raised a tan brow, his words still lacking seriousness and verging on a mocking tone. He wanted to attack them now, and was certain they could have wiped out this small group of Haunters, but two things stopped him. His sister and the others hadn't shown up yet, and these ten new cats lacked loyalty. Making a hasty decision, Tuini went on, "I'll do you one better. You take the three cubs and Katara. I can no longer guarantee her safety here with the Makucha." The latter part was said loud enough for Katara and the others to hear, making it clear that he no longer wanted the traitor in his pride.
Above them all, Rufflan scarcely twitched an ear. The lynx was laying flat against the rocks, peering down at the gathered Haunters and calculating his best angle of attack. Part of him was hoping it wouldn't come to it, for he'd stand no chance against the larger cats. But the canines... that was another story.
Autumn Sun and Spotlight shared a look with one another when Tuini gave his verdict, and were somewhat surprised with his decision. But neither said a word, allowing their leader to handle the negotiations.
Tersek & Others
Tersek was merely waiting for the word or the wrong move to charge in and shed blood. It wasn't that the old wolf sought it out, but he was ready with every fiber of his being to defend the Haunters and eliminate their enemies, and that's what the Makucha were to him. With Senka handling the negotiations in a far more diplomatic manner than he would have, the old wolf kept his jaws shut and simply observed.
Zanarah's own auds perked when Katara was mentioned. She raised her head a little, but didn't yet see her friend. 'She must have been a thorn in their side.' The ligeress thought with an internal grin, just imagining what Katara must have done to rile Tuini up so badly that he wanted to get rid of her. That mattered not to Zanarah; she would be happy to have her friend back again.
The only one not particularly happy was Leomar, who was itching for a fight. The lion rumbled audibly and shifted his giant paws against the rough ground. If only Senka and Tersek weren't here, he would have found some way to instigate a battle.
Lupa, Blackmist, and Duality remained quietly behind Tersek.
Senka
Senka was calm and collected.,B>we terserk and I stand by our words and any haunters who do not are deal with accordingingly. So yes if the three cubs are returned now there will be no retribution for going back on your wordShe said calmly. She frowned a little at that. That is up to Katara as I know perfectly well she herself wishs to be surrounded by felines then canines and others. I will not force her to do anything she does not want to let alone the others came with her because she asked them not I not Terserk so you may want to rethink sending her awayShe said calmly.
Nemu was listening quietly.
Tuini & Others
Tuini swiveled an ear, listening for any sign of Layra or the others. Without them, and with the presence of the new cats in question, he couldn't safely make any sort of move against the Haunters. It left a sour taste in his mouth, but the co-lead wasn't going to risk the massacre of his pride for three cubs. "Leave her here if you wish, but like I said, I can't guarantee her safety after you leave with the young things." To Senka's calm attitude, the big male offered her a flippant one in return, and sat back on his hindquarters at the mouth of the den. "She failed her test as a true Makucha by turning against us, and I can't have that kind of disrespect and lack of loyalty in my pride. So, Katara-" He angled his head back, catching sight of the female from the corner of his eye, "Bring the cubs forward and turn them over, and take your leave. Or, if you really want to be Makucha, stay where you are and keep the cubs in the den, to be raised along side you here as true felines in our pride. It's your choice, as Senka said. Either prove to me that you won't betray me in the future as you have today, or leave while you still can."
Autumn Sun shifted uncomfortably and looked between Tuini, Senka, and Katara. She too was uncertain about these new big cats and their true allegiance, but was loath to see any of them leave if Katara decided to go. More than that though, she was afraid of what might happen if the cubs were turned over and Katara stayed. Whatever it came to though, she would followed he and Layra.
Senka
Senka glared at that.she hasn't betrayed you she just trying to make sure you stay up to your rend of a dealShe growled.
Nemu growled and lowered her head. Nemu wanted her sister to come to but knew she wouldn't it hurt to know she would willing going against her and senka. It hurt to know her sister didn't stand up to get the cubs returned.
Katara frowned at him.Consider me wanting to keep you from going back on your word, that is a traitor move in and of itself but I am the reason the other nine cameShe said grabbing Terri and bringing her out.
Sarabi didn't want to leave but she would. She picked up Dutch and came out.
Scar too picked up the third cub and brought them out.
The others snorted.I then willalso e taking my leave because you are a traitor like Katara said going back on your word. You will loose all 9 of us Said the male cougar.
Tuini & Others
"As a Makucha, she should have no qualms with stealing, and the only words we don't go back on are ones with each other. The fact that she turned all these strangers against my orders is troubling and just a little suspicious." As soon as Katara moved past him with Teri, Tuini gave a low rumble to the others, with a quick nod of the head that told them to move in on the entrance.
Autumn Sun and Spotlight were already there, leaving Little Tuft to hobble forward, and from the back, a highly reluctant Dusquei to crawl out from the shadows. She held her head even with her shoulders, perhaps even a touch higher, but there was no mistaking the sorrow and guilt in them. As she squeezed in between Spotlight and Tuft, Dusquei filled the gap in front of the main cavern, symbolically blocking Katara and the other two from coming back in; at least, through the one cavern.
As the members gathered around him, he focused back on Katara, his now narrowing eyes shadowed by the furrow of his brows, "I can't have a rogue member who can sway half my pride against me so solidly because they don't like how we opperate." To the male cougar, he glanced back and added with no less determination, "If you're leaving because we went back on our word with an enemy, it's best you leave now, because I'm sure this wont be the last time. I'm afraid your friend Katara must have honey-coated what the Makucha were about."
Nemu
When dusquie willingly blicked the cavern her heart entirely shattered. She took terri from katara and without another word or growl and against senka and terserk command took off.
Katara watched Nemu for a moment before turning to face Tuini. "You actually failed to even tell me what your group is about. I have no problem stealing cubs just not from the haunters at this time. I did not turn them against you i simply informed them on why i was asking them to join strangers." She said.
Senka watched nemu take off once she had her daughter. Nemu had been depressed ever since finding her sister alive and it hurt wors that her sister had been ok with nemu being force bred her. She listens to katara. From what she just heard katara would eventually be okay stealing from them. Her ears go back. "You best watch yourself katara i fully understood what you are implying." She growled she turned back to Tuini. "You should learn diplomacy it will help you run your pride better ." She said as she began to back away. She took dutch from sarabi
The cougar shakes his head"she only informed us that you had a pride that could offer protection and the reason she was helping get you members. " he said
Tuini & Others
The ligeress hadn't been able to look Nemu in the eye, her sweet sister who'd done nothing wrong to her in all their years. It was Dusquei that had been the passive betrayer, allowing such cruel things to happen to her littermate in this very cave, and now to stand up in defense of those that had stolen her sister's child. When Nemu grabbed her daughter and ran, fleeing in a direction that was opposite of her home in the Ruins, Dusquei very nearly ran after her.
It was Autumn, seeing her mother tense and her head dart in her aunt's direction, that placed a soft paw in front of her. "Be strong, mom." She advised, "You did the right thing, you stood with family." She gave her mother a nuzzle, but Dusquei couldn't quite reciprocate it. In the elder tiger's heart, nothing about this felt right to her, and the guilt was mounting.
Tuini took note of this too, but for now allowed Autumn Sun to handle her mother. Katara was his focus, and he stood stubbornly in front of the cavern, "You knew what you were getting into, and you led all nine of them so far astray that they only follow your words and not that of their pride leaders. Even after I explained how our pride runs, they still choose to follow you, and to help our enemies instead." He shook his head in disgust. "We risked our lives trying to bring new blood into the Makucha today, and reduce the Haunter's numbers without killing any of them - and you undid all of that! You are no longer a Makucha, Katara."
He turned an eye to the cougar next, his seething glare leaving no room for doubt about how he felt of the felines that failed him in this hour, "You had your chance to follow my orders, but you refused. If you are truly willing to live here without Katara, you and whoever else wants to remain with us will go out and steal for us. As punishment for your transgressions, you will not be allowed inside the cave until I deem you trustworthy again. If any of you can accept those terms, I'll allow you to stay. If not, leave now with Katara."
Tersek & Others
An uneasy feeling crept along Tersek's spine. There was a clear fracture in the Makucha, and he half hoped it would implode this so-called pride and reduce them as a threat. Again, he stayed quiet to allow Senka to do most of the talking, though now he was a little more uncertain about Katara's future. He hadn't been happy that she joined the Makucha in the first place, though he understood her reasoning at the time. Now, as she was being cast out of that very pride, he was suddenly leery of her coming back to the Haunters. "Lets get out of here, Senka. We've got what we came for." He began to turn and back away with her after the rest of the cubs were picked up, ready to leave.
"Zana, go after Nemu" Tersek ordered, upon seeing the mother cat bolt with one of her daughters in jaw. "Dally!" A sharp bark and a nod told the falcon to keep an eye on Nemu, to make sure she wasn't ambushed by the Makucha. Ideally, he'd have ordered her to come back with them, but even his old eyes could read the heartbreak on her face, and knew that she needed time alone.
Leomar padded aggressively forward, fangs bared as he encroached dangerously into Scar's personal space. He wanted so badly to take a swipe at the other male, but held back. Instead, he swept his head down and snatched up Starbane, then turned to follow the group out.
Zanarah didn't need to be told twice. Her worry for Katara quickly transferred to Nemu, and she bolted after the other. Dally's shadow trailed after like a silent wraith.
Katara
She snorted at Tuini.This is your own undoing then. She said before looking to Dusquie. But she couldn't bring herself to say anything as she turned but Stopped as Senka spoke. Her ears went back then. If that is your choiceShe said and then turned to head the opposite way of the haunters the others who had joined the Makucha following her including Scar and Sarabi.
Nemu wasn't gonna risk bringing Katara home.I suggest Katara you go find somewhere else for now to live I am sorry but I am not willing to risk the cubsShe said picking Dutch up and heading out.
Scar didn't wince away from Leomar but let him take Star and headed to follow Katara.
Tuini & Others
Tuini wasn't particularly happy to see so many potential Makchua leave, but at the same time, these cats had posed too great a risk to keep, and feared that they would sympathize with whatever goals Katara had. For the sake of his pride, he watched them leave without making an attempt to dissuade any of them. "No, this was a necessary purge." He returned in rebuttal, refusing to show any of the uncertainty that wormed its way into his thoughts.
An ear did twitch at was Senka said, and that part did surprise Tuini some. He'd assumed she would merge back with the Haunters, but it seemed that she wasn't trusted there anymore either. The big male frowned, watching the small brigade of cats file out across the prairie, disappearing into the tall, swaying grasses. Off in the distance, thunder rolled in a near inaudible pitch, coming to the gathered creatures as a faint tremor. 'Will there be a third pride in the Valley?' He thought, no squinting as a gust of wind caught his mane and drove it against his forehead and eyes. With an irritated grimace, he shook his dial and, after the rest of the Haunters had filed out, turned back into the den to mull over what had transpired today.
Autumn Sun eventually convinced her mother to join them, and the two retired into the protection of their rocky home, to avoid the downpour that threatened to unleash at any moment.
Spotlight half considered following Katara and the others at a distance, just to see where they were going. He also thought of sending Erathi after them, but with the storm promising to be a fierce one, the falcon would be grounded and unable to safely navigate the skies. Brushing past Tuft with a friendly nudge of his chin against the elder lion, Spot disappeared into the cavern next.
That left Little Tuft sitting outside, breathing a quiet sigh of relief that no blood and been shed. There he waited, silent in his thoughts, until he saw an unmistakeable wave of wind roll through the grasses, kicking loose bits of leave and debris dozens of feet into the darkening sky. The stormfront was roaring his way, and he was not keen to meet it. Ducking his head, the hobbled old lion retreated inside with the rest of his pride.