Nemu

Nemu was out with her daughter and son for ahunt. They had brought down a large bull elk and she was currently relaxing in the winter sun.

Nerogi who is 652 lbs now that he is full grown. He has the same dark tan coloration of his father and looks strongly like the African lion, with dense muscling and a long, powerful tail. His mane isn't as full as his father's, but it is a dark mahogany on top, fading to a blonde-yellow on the bottom. He has a few faint brown rosettes on his haunches, and blue-gray eyes. He is currently dozing off.

Korra who weighs more then her brother at 680. She is long-bodied and tall in the legs, with decent musculature. She has a slightly elongated face that looks very lion-like, with cloud-gray eyes. Her coat is mostly pale beige with a hint of silvering in it, especially along her back and shoulders. She has dark brown striping along most of her body aside from her limbs, and a white chin and underbelly. She is still chewing on a piece of bone.

Dusquei

Dusquei trailed after the trio, keeping her distance at first as she let her sister hunt with her children. Slowly, little by little, the liger was adjusting to her life in Nemu's pride. She visited with her own children when she could, and despite her initial resistance, she was finding life at the Sora Asiatic rather peaceful. Not crowded like the Shadow Haunters or disbanded Nuova, and less intense than the Makucha.

After the trio had had their fill, Dusquei ate till her belly's content, then plopped down by Nemu and rolled onto her side, letting her back rest against her sister. "They've really come along in their hunting skills." She pointed out, turning her head to the side to peer up at the other.

Nemu

She didn't like her sister going near the Makucha but she wasn't stopping her from seeing her children. Her children were more then welcome to join them any time to stay or visit. She was much more calm and relaxed now that her sister has joined her. Every day they get better. They will be able to support the pride just as well as you and i soonShe said.

The siblings were now wrestling.

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

The end of Dusquei's long tail flicked idly upward, hung in an arch for a moment, then flexed back down to the ground. This slow rhythm repeated itself as she basked in the quiet moment, now watching her niece and nephew hone their skills against one another. "By spring's arrival, I'd bet. It's good to see the pride growing. It..." Her words ended abruptly as something in the distance caught her attention. Dusquei sat up slowly, raising her head and peering in the direction of something that was heading their way.

A few moments later Dusquei's tense muscled relaxed. It was her daughter, Autumn Sun, and she offered a warm chuff to the approaching liger. "Autumn, I didn't expect to run into you out here."

Autumn held back, stopped a few yards short of her mother and Nemu, out of respect for the latter's uneasy feelings towards the Makucha. "Didn't expect you either. Khala's hurt, so we haven't had eyes in the sky for a few days now - I caught scent of that kill a few miles back and thought I'd check it out." Autumn chuckled as she sat down, not about to invite herself over to eat without Nemu's permission. "How have you guys been?"

Nemu

Nemu didn't much care for anyone in the makucha even though most of them were relaitives or sorts. What they did was no better then what the Haunters have done. She only did the alliance to keep Dusquei from abandoning her again. She sat up when her sister did but relaxed. Dusquei kids were welcomed.I shouldn't have to express again Autumn you and your siblings are my niece and nephews you are welcomed to our meal and to our homeSHe said calmly. She had no issue with the younger generation. It was the older generation in the Makucha that were the problem.

Nerogi & Korra tilted their heads giggled and then began inching their way toward their cousin. Korra was the first to attempt to pounce her.

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

At Nemu's assurance, Autumn Sun finally did come forward, padding across the short distance between them to share a head nuzzle with the pair. "You're too kind to me, aunt Nemu. It is good to talk with you again, and while I'm here, I.. do have some news to share." She took a step back, settling her golden haunches against the pearly white snow. Now that she was closer, signs of battle could be seen clearly on her face. Three jagged lacerations, scabbed and just beginning to heal, ran from her forehead to her nose, cutting neatly across her left eyelid.

Just as Autumn Sun was about to part her jaws and continue, and just as Dusquei was leaning forward to inspect these recent injuries, Korra launched her attack. Autumn's eyes blazed wide and she reared back, ready to fight or flee before recognizing who her assailant was. The liger felt the wind rush from her lungs as her much larger cousin collided with her, and down she went.

"Korra- urghh!" She wrapped her front paws around the other's head and kicked lightly with her hindlegs, laughing as she did so.

Nemu

She saw the scars and she didn't like it at all. Korra laterShe said to her daughter.

Korra giggeld and then whined.BUt mom!She said as she pulled her head attemtpting to free herself from her cousin.

Nerogi sat down to act innocent of it all.

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

Autumn was still chuckling as she let go of Korra and shook her now ruffled fur. "Not too bad, Korra. I didn't see that coming. And by the looks of it, neither did that elk - nice catch." She lightly batted a paw at her younger cousin's head, finding a certain happiness in this carefree moment that was all too missing in the cub-less Makucha right now. That moment quickly faded as Autumn's joy sobered and her brows knitted slightly together.

With a waning smile and a quieter tone, she addressed Nemu and Dusquei again, "I don't know what relations you do or don't have with the Haunters still, but one of their own defected to us, and we took out one of theirs. Two, if you count the falcon." Autumn didn't hear the faint hum in the distance, with her ears still focused on her family and her mind elsewhere, "I just wanted to give you guys the heads up; if you see Oracle, leave her be. In turn, she knows not to bother you guys."

Nemu

At this she stands up.who did the makucha kill? what Falcon? She growled her head lowered now. The haunters are not my enemies. Oracle? Are you telling me Oracle is spying on the haunter for the Makucha? YOu mean Tyrant and Velvets daughter? No no that has to be a lie. Senka and Tyrant will be devistated. For Oracle to betray her own father! and Grandmother!! Family betrayls again! She growls pacing. How can you be allied with Makucha when they seek to rip families apart! . Just like the haunters they are no better. Senka is trying to right the haunters but the makucha just keep making life worse. The Makucha are the haunters Risen wanted now. She growled stressed out and angry. Hurt .

Korra and Nerogi lowered down from their mothers anger.

Maelertech

HE had been roaming since his father told him to stay behind that he could go hunt for the pride if he got bored so here he was. His ears twitched as he caught wind of his sisters name and traitor and he leaped ontop of the boulder by the group.My sister would never betray our father or our grandmotherHe said glaring at Autumn as he assumed she is the one to of suggest this. He leaped down off the boulder and strode over to he rubbed his head to Senka and Dusquei having visited them when he could. Grandmother senka sends her hello Senka, Dusquei. They also wished for me to warn you that the two legger Ethan is making moves againHe said calmly. i should be with them, but father said no it was too dangerous. Grandmom agreedHe said.

Nemu looked up and rubbed her head back.we will figure this out Mael don't worry. If your sister made a mistake I will get her out of itShe said. when you see your sister you tell her to come and join Dusquei and I at Sora okayShe said. Then she frowned.and they are absolutely right and telling you to stay behind. The two leggers are dangerous too dangerous. They don't want to go near him either but.... family is family and we fight who we must for our family. We may not be Haunters any more young Mael but you are family, Senka is family. She is doing right by the haunters. They are changing for the better.She said soflty. Strange how Nemu could easily calm herself when she was so angry. But when it come to the younger generation she could get a hold of her temper. She looked to her kids.Come dusquei we are going back to our home. Autumn if you want a true pride one that cares about family feel free to permenantly join us. You are welcome to visit any time of course. But I will not support the Makucha in any way to take down the haunters. When the Haunters are not the same Haunters as they were before. IF Makucha want to better their relations with me they will find a way to put their hate of the haunters aside and to stop tearing families apart. Till they can do that they are nothing more then an aquaintance that I hold at lions length due to my sister because I respect my sister and I am not loosing her again. But if they push me enough there will be problemsShe said. She made to tear a leg off the elk.

Nerogi and Korra did the same.

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

"We killed Shadowstep." Autumn answered cautiously, now beginning to stand up as she focused on keeping her composure. She expected a strong reaction from her aunt, and wasn't at all surprised by the pacing that begun. As a bridge between Nemu's pack and the Makucha though, the golden ligeress did her best to remain calm in the face of unleashing such news. "I believe Oracle said the bird's name was Erathi? It was a small falcon." She gave all of this openly, showing cool indifference to the lives that she had no connection or care for. Her ears went back at the growling, but still Autumn kept her calm, not growing back, and keeping her body loose and relaxed. "We have no interest in the Haunter's old ambitions, we don't want to take over the Valley or dominate any other pack that is no threat to us; we just want to be the strongest, so that our enemies know not to come after us."

When Maelertech made his approach, that's when Autumn Sun bared her fangs and took up a more defensive stance. She also took a step or two back, tail beginning to shift in agitation behind her. "The Makucha are just trying to survive, and your sister chose the stronger side. I won't be the spokesperson for Oracle, so I'll let her know you want to speak with her - and if she agrees to it, she agrees to it." She backed off a few more steps, not want to get into a tangle with these cats out here and ruin what bond she still had with Nemu and her pride.

Nemu

She snorted "you murdered them" she corrected she laughs. "If you didn't you wouldn't break up families" she growled. "makucha will never be the strongest. You say your not trying to take over the valley but saying you want all to fear the makucha says differently" she said. She wouldn't attack her niece. "Unlike the makucha or haunters, my pride wants peace. I don't care if we are feared or not. Family is the goal of my pride. I will defend my family from makucha from haunters a like. But I will not out right murder either" at the name she growled. "Tuini let his own child be murdered! He should be ashamed. I will let menace know and we shall mourn the young one. You tell your leaders that they aren't to set foot on my land I don't trust them to not kill nerogi and Korra who are also Thier kin. If they need to talk they can send you or your siblings to set up a meeting." She said. "you can also tell them how close I was to fully accepting an alliance so much that I was gonna let these two come get to know the other side of Thier family but this murder of Thier own child now prevents that" she said

Maelertech snorted. "If she wanted a better pride nemus would of been better choice" he ran off

Nerogi and Korra grew closer to dusquei "no not shadowstep she didn't deserve to be murdered" Korra whimpered

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

Autumn Sun didn't balk at being called a murderer, and let the accusation roll from her with no sting of guilt. She listened to all that Nemu had to say, while keeping a close eye on Maelertech until he ran off. Once he'd gone, her demeanor loosened just slightly, or as much as it could given the sudden new tension in the air. "Peace is a luxury nature rarely affords us. I'm glad that you and your pride have found that and haven't been challenged yet, and you'll find no challenge from me or the Makucha on that. But our prides are different, and killing our enemies - blood related or not - is necessary to keep the balance of power shifted in our favor." The golden ligeress frowned for a moment. "The world is a cruel place Nemu, and we embrace that reality, rather than fight blindly against it. We take charge to ensure our own are taken care of, and so far, it's worked."

Nemu

She stopped.If you keep killing my family I may have to force my pride into this fight. The only reason the makucha should touch them is if they attack first otherwise your nothing but monsters. Don't fall to risen's ranks. What the Makucha are doing is reflective of what Risen wanted to do. The haunters are different now. They are trying ot protect their families. Senka is family and if the Makucha go at her then they go at me and mineShe said and then made to follow her sister and kids towards home.

Dusquei & Autumn Sun

Autumn shook her head as if to dismiss what Nemu accused her of, "We don't want to follow Risen's ideals, and we have no desire to take over the Valley. We only want to be strong enough that other packs and prides know not to harass us. The Prairie suits us well, not the Ruins or any of the forested areas." Her words continued to be spoken in a calm manner, trying to hold together whatever tenuous thread of alliance they might still have together. "The Haunters are still a threat to us, and until they speak with Layra and Tuini to discuss a possible ceasefire, I can't gaurantee anything. We aren't Risen, we aren't the Haunters - we are Makucha, plain and simple."

Dusquei lowered her eyes, looking away from Nemu and Autumn both. She loved both dearly and could harm neither - if it came to a clash, she wasn't sure what part she would play. With such thoughts clouding her mind, the aging liger turned and began to follow her sister back home, as Autumn stood and watched in silence.

Nemu

She wasn't mad at Autumn just the makucha.They expect them to talk with them about a cease fire when they murdered an innocent young adult? They'd have to offer quiet a lot for them to even think of approaching them. Retribution for the murder if you will. The haunters have not even attacked the Makucha. The Makucha are the ones attacking.She then left with her sister and cubs.