Tyrant

Tyrant was full grown now at three years old. He did not like this place at all. He had kept to himself as much a s he was allowed to be by himself. He had such a strong will that that was why he didn't care to be in this pack. No the Shadow Haunters were his family. He leaped onto a large out crop in the cave where some sun filtered in and layed down.

Paranoia watched the male from a distance. She was in season but was waiting for Martimoor to want more cubs.

Plaque sat with her sister and groomed her. Influenza who was two years old now was outside chasing a rabbit.

Gargoyle sat beside Bubonic who was now full grown and hadh is full mane.

Martimoor & Others

Most had since decided it was best to leave Tyrant to himself and not pester him. Some, like Martimoor and Leopeson, didn't stand for any impudence from the younger cat, and would readily give him a warning - or a fight - if he crossed their paths the wrong way. However, most simply didn't bother the male, and thus he was left to stew in silence. Today was a little different though, because Dusquei was watching the male, pondering his actions as she lay on a flattened rock some ways away from him. She might be Martimoor's daughter, but the big, liger female had a soft place in her heart for Tyrant. After some time of watching him, she rose up and padded his way. Dappled light danced across her dark tan pelt, highlighting the stripes of black here and there that marked her as having tiger blood, along with the lion. "You seem particularly sullen today." Dusq murmured quietly as she approached him, keeping her distance at first.

Tyrant

Tyrant knew a lot of the big cats here were related to him but didn't care. How could anyone steal a cub from its mother? He heard pad falls coming his way. he thought it was his Aunt Nemu but when he picked his head up too look it was his other aunt Dusguei. What did she want? His ears flicked forward. He snorted.Sure, and whats it to you?He spoke. His tail flicked. He had plenty of scars from Martimoor and leopeson proof that he fought back. A fresh one was on his forehead.

Nemu watched her sister warily. She knew her nephew still wasn't happy and deep down she hated it.

Dusquei

Dusquei dared to get a little closer, padding to within a spare foot of the big cat before she sat back on her striped haunches and regarded him sympathetically. "You're my nephew." She stated lightly, taking no offense from his tones or bitter attitude at the moment. "It bothers me that you have so much hostility in you." Martimoor and the others obviously didn't help the situation, and she could safely assume that the newest cut across his skin came from one of the Coalition members. But there were a few, like her, that genuinely wanted to help Tyrant settle in to the pride, even though it looked more and more like that was a goal never to be fulfilled.

Tyrant

He snorted and jumped down now and moved by her and then turned his head to her.Yah? you call yourself my family? You took me from MY MOTHER! MY MOTHER! and if you think I'll ever turn against her your wrong He spoke his tail flicked.

Dusquei

Dusquei stood calmly as the other approached her, though her rounded ears flattened back a little at his angry words. "We did it with your best interests at heart." She retained her light, gentle voice with her nephew still, vainly hoping that she might reach him, despite how unlikely it seemed. "The Shadow Haunters will fall in time, and I didn't want to see you go with them. Your mother... perhaps there is still hope that she can be brought to our side, if only she can open her eyes and see that we are the better choice."

Tyrant

He snorted at her. Truth be told he didn't care for most of the haunters only those to which he was related. He turned to glare at her.I will not help in that and I will protect my mother! HE growled. as for that she wouldn't join here even if she could be made to see your pathetic way! She would never submit to anyone here she barely submits to greyfell. She is second in command there because she supports him and I support him as long as my mother does.He growled. Stealing cub and pups is wrong and that is worse then the shadow haunters! He growled. His tail flicked.

Dusquei

Where others might have grown irritated or lost their cool, Dusquei tolerated her nephew's righteous anger as easily as she tolerated the rambunctious youngsters that insisted on tormenting her with their play. "The Shadow Haunters have you fooled, Tyrant. The are no better than any of the other sorry packs out there. They have stolen many pups and cubs in their time, but only with the intentions of turning them into mindless warriors." The liger looked to the ground for a moment, pausing before she spoke again, "Tyrant, I'm only trying to help you. The time will come when the Haunters will fall, and when it does, I don't want it to drag you down as well."

Tyrant

He growled at her.Well in that case This pack is no better then the haunters! If you just do what they do it makes you no better then them. Don't kid yourself auntie, if they kidnap cubs and pups and so do you well that makes you the same in my books. He spoke his tail flicking side to side. I will fall with them cause my mother will fall with them. I will not let anyone harm my mother or anyone else that is my family with in the haunters..He spoke.

Nemu listened in and sighed but didn't speak.

Dusquei

A sadness dwelled at the bottom of the liger's heart, and try as she might, she felt like she was fighting a losing battle. Tyrant had a strong will, one that wouldn't be broken by her pleas or reasoning. "Tyrant, do you really want to go back to the Haunters? Do you really think that they even want you back?" She slyly decided to go a different route with this, speaking gently still, "They have not even tried to retrieve you or the others. If they were really your family, and if they really loved you, they would have at least tried to get you back. That is the difference between them and us - we care about our Family."

Tyrant

He snorted at her next tactic. His tail flicking side to side as he tried to see the flaw in that. Even so I have the right to choose where I belong and either way I will not aide you or this pup cub stealing pack in taking down the haunters and I will go to my MOTHER and siblings aideHe said nothing of the haunters. It was clear that his mother and his biological siblings were all he cared about.

Dusquei

It was an effort for the ligeress to keep her own tail still and not let it flick or lash in her growing anxiety and frustration. "I am your family too, Tyrant." She reminded him with a little more emphasis in her voice, but still made no effort to raise her voice or talk down to him in any way. "Can't you see the truth in what I say? I don't want to hurt you Tyrant, but I you must realize that your so called 'family', the ones you say you love, don't care for you anymore. I'm only trying to protect you, and help you see the truth."

Tyrant

He growled loudly now and glared at her.If you loved me you wouldn't of allowed this, let alone force me to stay here! MY MOTHER does care! She was chasing nemu and the others if it wasn't for the others with nemu my mother would of saved me!He snarled. He shook his head. You may be family but you sure dont act ithe growled.

Dusquei

"The reason I brought you here is because I love you, and was concerned for your welbeing. Isn't that what family is about?" Dusquei defended herself in the face of his accusations and wrath. She stood up to her full height and looked Tyrant square in the eye, "I act to protect you, and they-" The liger's voice had grown a little louder with emotions, with a slur at the Haunters thrown in when she said 'they', "-they sit back and hide in a shabby, human-built dwelling and haven't so much as lifted a paw to try and 'save' you and the others we rescued from them. Tell me, does that sound like true family to you?"

Tyrant

He snarled at her and lashed out with one paw no claws. MY MOTHER LOVED ME! YOU STOLE ME FROM HER! HOW would you feel if you were stolen from your mother and how do you think your mother would feel? The haunters aren't dumb they will attack and you will be sorry for supporting kidnapping. I will not watch my mother die nor will I let harm come to her. My mother wasn't stupid she would of come for me back then but alone she would of been killed! You know nothing!He snarled. Tears in his eyes now.

Dusquei

Her face wrinkled into a silent grimace and she drew back quickly, half-expecting to get some decent claw marks from the swipe. Fortunately he had his sharp claws sheathed, but the act of aggression brought a cloud of worry - and some irritation - to her expression. Dusquei repressed the rumble that wanted to come out, and continued to speak in a mostly level tone, "If I was stolen, my mother would have immediately fought to get me back, or would have died trying." Now her tail lashed to the side, showing some of the more bitter emotions she was trying to hold back. Upon seeing his eyes water up, the striped ligeress sighed quietly and briefly dropped her eyes down, before bringing them back to focus on her nephew. "Listen... I'm not trying to upset you, or make you chose sides. I'm only trying to help you, because I don't want to see you killed. And I don't want to see your mother killed either, because I know that would hurt you."

Tyrant

Tyrant snorted.Then your mother would of been foolish!He growled. Then he snorted and shook his head.Yah well thats envitable now isn't it? We'll both die because you and your stupid pack think you have a greater right in life then everyone else and think its your stupid job to silence those you believe to be in the wrong!He shook his head. He moved back to his perch now and turned his back to her. One ear on her .

Dusquei

Tension eased out of her posture when he turned around, putting his back to her. The deep tan feline was not pleased that her nephew was acting like this, but as always, she was infinitely more patient than most of the other big cats around here and didn't say anything against it. "You were too young to know why the pack was formed in the first place. It was formed for the very reason that you blame our pack with." Dusquei padded closer to him, leaping up on the rocky perch he'd retreated to, and circled around to face him. "The goal of the Shadow Haunters is to wipe out everyone who doesn't agree with them, and to rule the Valley." Although... that was also the purpose of the Nuova Alba, but Dusquei didn't bring that into the conversation yet. "Don't fool yourself nephew, the Shadow Haunters are a dark and murderous pack themselves, only they have grown stagnant and weak with time."

Tyrant

HE snorted and just laid his head on hsi paws.You and this pack are no better! So whats the difference?He spoke. My mother will never join you for more then just the reason she is loyal to greyfell. She is not gonna be a subordinate to any pack.He growled. He would not fight against his mother or let anyone fight her.

Dusquei

As much as it hurt her, Dusquei could see that this conversation was not going to get her anywhere with Tyrant. He had his mind set on the issue, and a loyalty to his mother that was impressive and unshakable, though an illfounded one, in Dusq's opinion. "Nevermind Tyrant, nevermind." She dropped the subject there, even though she knew it would need to be addressed eventually. "Why don't we get out of the Basin for a while? A good hunt, or even a walk might make you feel better."

Tyrant

Tyrant laid there. He hadn't been allowed out of the basin since he been here. he was only alive thanks to his stupid aunts. So when she said this he stared at her.Yah like the others will let me out of here with just you...He spoke. His tail flicked it was obvious he wanted to and for that he wanted to run away get free...

Dusquei

"I know you don't think highly of me, but... I don't want you to be unhappy." The big cat whispered, to avoid anyone else hearing what she had to say to him. She closed her eyes and let her head droop down a little as she thought deeply about what she was saying, and what conclusion she was finally reaching. She had tried for so long to get him to see the way of the Nuova Alba, but it hadn't happened yet, and she knew in her heart he would never accept this life. When Dusquei opened her eyes again, there was sadness in them, "If you'll follow my lead, I might be able to help you." It went against every fiber of her being to say this, yet failing every other means of making Tyrant happy, it seemed to be the only thing she could do for him.

Tyrant

He listened to her and snorted.Its not you or nemu who I don't think highly ofHe spoke. His tail flicked. he didn't think he would return to the haunters if he did get away instead he would start his own group that would take in anyone who didn't want anything to do with either group.

Dusquei

Unknown to Dusquei at the time, Dune and Stranglethorn were watching the intense conversation between her and Tyrant. Though too far away to hear any of their words, they kept an eye on the pair, especially Tyrant. Dusquei showed a shadow of smile to Tyrant, but her heart remained heavy and her mind terribly worried. She was loyal to the Nuova Alba without a doubt, yet... she couldn't let her nephew continue to suffer like this. "I know you don't want to listen to any of us, but I implore you to think about what you're doing. Leaving the Nuova is a one way ticket." She knew as well as Tyrant that he would take his first opportunity to get out of here, and she wanted to be sure that he knew there was no coming back, unless it was as a cold corpse. Even she was taking a great risk in this, one that she did because she truly cared for her nephew.

"Stay quiet, and follow my lead." Her paws felt so heavy when she began to walk, and again her mind screamed at her to stop, and to try and talk with him again and change his mind. It was her heart that guided her on, leading her and Tyrant towards the second exit, where Leope was standing guard; or rather, laying down smack dab in the middle of the pathway out of the Basin. "Leope, I've gotten permission from Commander Bandit to lead Tyrant out for a short while. Tyrant has had a change of heart about his loyalties to us, and wishes to prove himself."

Leope was no fool, and found this immediately suspicious. Why, only recently, he'd gotten into a fight with Martimoor that left that cut above Tyrant's forehead. Leope picked himself up and narrowed his eyes at the other male, "Is this true, Tyrant? This isn't some ploy of yours to escape?"

Tyrant

Tyrant listened to her and snorted.Coursehe spoke. In a way he'd miss being here but it be just like missing being at the ruins. His tail flicked side to side as he followed her. His mouth slightly agape. He stopped just behind her as she spoke to Leope and listened to his aunts words. He forced himself to not react negativly to that statement nor when he asked him. Yes it is the truthhe spoke. Though his muscles were tense.

Dusquei & Leope

Leope regarded the younger male a few seconds longer, and saw fit to give him a warning, "If you try anything, it'll be your head. Understood?" Leope was personally suspicious of the male, but as usual, he just didn't get himself into the pride's politics. If the females wanted him to stay, he'd grudgingly accept it. "If you're not back by dusk, we'll come get you."

Dusquei looked calmly back at the big male, "He will be under my watch, Leope." Leope didn't look particularly impressed by this, but he moved aside with little more than a nod to the ligeress. "Thanks, Leope." She went first, padding evenly along, leading the way out of the Basin. It was hard for her to pull together a facade of calmness that she was wearing now, but it had been enough to fool Leope. How they would receive her when she came back without Tyrant... she tried not to think about that.

Tyrant

Tyrant waited and didn't respond to the threat/warning. His tail just flicked and he followed his aunt out. He blinked a few times from the brightness.

Dusquei

The tawny, striped liger didn't say another word until they'd both traveled well away from the Basin, and past the point where their voices would be heard by the others. "Tyrant, I hope you understand what this means, don't you?" When she finally did speak, Dusquei drew up beside the male, walking shoulder to shoulder with him, "There is no coming back, and if they ever catch you..." She didn't finish, figuring her nephew new perfectly well that he'd be killed if the Nuova Alba ever caught him, if he did indeed plan on not returning after their walk.

Tyrant

Tyrants tail twitched as they got away from that place. He had one ear on his aunt while the other swivled to listen to the sounds. He snorted.I might as well leave and try to live rather then stay and be killed. I know the coalition would rather just kill me so whats the use in staying? I have a better chance at living if I leaveHe spoke. He didn't plan on returning to the Haunters for one thing he knew they would be too wary of him and another well he just didn't want anything to do with either of those groups. He would seek out his mother and siblings but that would be it.

Dusquei

Dusquei's heart sang with sorrow at the predicament, still not sure whether she were doing the right thing or not. Part of her knew that this was the only way for Tyrant to be happy, yet another part of her felt deeply guilty for sneaking him out against the Family's wishes. "Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck, Tyrant." The ligeress sounded wistful and almost distance, with her troubled thoughts on other issues. She seemed to snap out of this when she gave a ghost of a smile and nuzzled her head briefly against his shoulder. "You'll have at least half an hour before they'll suspect anything. Put distance between this place and yourself."

Tyrant

HE snorted. Its definietly death if i go backhe spoke and he sighed and nuzzled her back and took off running. He was agile like the leopard in him. He didn't cast one glance back.