Sharing Secrets and Plotting Plans

[Miki]

Alia

"Nice to meet you too. I was watching them as they hunted, and they spotted me. If that's what your asking."

[/i]

I nodded slowly, and there was a moment's of awkward silence. I was really at a loss for words, and I glanced around helplessly. Usually I was good at meeting strangers, but I had been caught off guard and introduced in an unusual manner. Gratefully, Alec spoke, and I turned my attention to him.

"Alia, did you get something to eat?"[/i] He asked, hinting at why we had been separated in the first place. As I studied him, the young ocelot seemed anxious to go. "I did," I replied neutrally, I didn't want to sound rude and like I was eager to leave as well.[/color]

((Eh...sorry, it's been a while since I've written and I didn't really know how to respond...))[/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

OOC//:Um, Taj has now had the dream, but we orginally started this thread off with Taj being clueless. So, should Taj be like 'I'm tired' or something and then go off to sleep, only to be reunited with the trio at the meeting that the peace leaders are going to have today (in RP time, not real time).

My eyes went between each feline as they spoke. I got a small sense that Alec and Alia wanted to move on, but I couldn't bring myself to desire as such. I wanted to stay and talk with this tiger, or have him come with us. I gave a quick sideways glance at my 'pridemates' and then looked to Taj. "So, Taj, do you have anyone you travel with? You're a nice enough tiger, I'd expect someone to be tailing you!"

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Taj suddenly felt extremely tired. He couldn't figure out why, but that might have been due to the problem. "So, Taj, do you have anyone you travel with? You're a nice enough tiger, I'd expect someone to be tailing you!" He heard Bhuvanna say. "Not really. I've just been sorta winging it...." He said then stifled a yawn. He walked over to the shade of a tree and laid down. He didn't want to be rude by just leaving but he could hardly keep his eyes open.

[Miki]

Alec

I had the sensation I wasn't the only one feeling awkward. Alia seemed a little out of place, but I couldn't blame her. She hadn't been here when we ran into Taj, and she had no idea what to say to him. Heck, I hardly had an idea what to say to him. I was thankful for Bhuvana's company, she seemed like she knew what she was doing.

"So, Taj, do you have anyone you travel with? You're a nice enough tiger, I'd expect someone to be tailing you!"

[/i]

Except by saying that. My eyes probably widened a little in surprise at Bhuvana's words. Was she hinting at him that he could accompany us? I gritted my teeth, keeping my mouth shut so that what I wanted to say wouldn't come out. I glanced questioningly at Alia, but she didn't look my way. Her expression was neutral, she seemed neither upset or thrilled that Bhuvana was hinting at Taj.

"Not really. I've just been sorta winging it...."[/i] His face went somewhat distorted, as if holding back a yawn. I watched in confused wonder as the tiger turned and headed for shade. He laid down, looking ready for a long night's sleep.

"Huh." That was all I could make of it. I was utterly baffled. I looked at Bhuvana, a relieved smile beginning to form on my maw. "Quick, let's ditch the crazy while we can!"

I turned and felt like sprinting, but before I could make any other movements, a heavy paw whacked me upside the head. I was expecting it to be goody-two-paw Bhu, but my eyes met Alia's stern golden ones.

"Alec!"[/i] She hissed, "Don't be so rude. We don't know anything about Taj, don't be so quick to judge."[/i] Her eyes flickered towards the tiger, and I could sense a slight hesitation. She was struggling with common sense and the duty to be a 'Peace Leader.'

I knew that I could be mean sometimes, it wasn't something I was proud of, but now felt like one of those moments. "Guys, Taj just needs some shut eye. And you two have to meet the other leaders. We don't have much time. So why don't we just get a move on?" Alia narrowed her eyes, obviously disliking my idea of action. "We can come back and meet him. If he's tired enough, he'll probably be asleep the whole time."

I didn't voice the probability that the tiger could be long gone by the time we made it back here. I let my gaze drift from Bhu to Alia and back again. My opinion was out there, it was time to hear theirs.[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[Bhu]

I let my eyes dance after the tiger as he went to doze off in the shade. My happy, energetic mood did not waver at his actions, nor did I think him rude and improper. He was tired and I would wait until he woke up for me to invite him along with us.

That thought was shattered as Alec suggested with 'ditch the crazy'. A frown formed on my maw, not of disaproval, but simply unhappiness. The ocelot tom didn't want anything to do with this tiger, even when I wanted to befriend him. I wanted to make friends, but not if it made Alec uneasy. As long as I atleased had Alec as a friend, not much else mattered...I found that thought odd but didn't think more on it.

When Alia scolded, I couldn't surpress a giggle. Not having parents, I didn't personally know how embaressing being scolded in front of others were, but I could only imagine. As Alec suggested we come back afterwards, I lightened up once more. But then the idea that perhaps Taj would be gone by that time settled in. "No, he may leave before then. He needs a friend. Dio will understand...You two can go on, if you want. Maybe Taj will know the borders of Akando we he can lead me there so I can catch up with y'all." I made the suggestion easily, as if there was no possible problem with the idea of me, a tony ocelot cub, being left a lone with a full grown tiger male...stranger.

[Miki]

Alec

I tried not to look crestfallen as I predicted the thoughts going through Bhuvana's head. She probably realized as well that if we left, we might not find Taj upon our return. Sure enough, her reply came as no surprise. I silently comforted myself with the phrase, 'It was worth the try.'

"No, he may leave before then. He needs a friend. Dio will understand...You two can go on, if you want. Maybe Taj will know the borders of Akando we he can lead me there so I can catch up with y'all."

[/i]

I shook my head at her idea. I didn't like it at all. There was no way I was leaving Bhuvana alone with a complete stranger. A larger, more dangerous, tiger stranger. 'Stranger Danger!' flashed through my mind, but I still found myself slightly amused at Bhuvana's attempt to be a friend.

"I'm not leaving you alone with him." I said. My voice clearly read that it would be pointless to argue. "I'll stay here with you." I glanced at Alia, "You can go on, it'd probably look bad if two of the leaders don't show up. We don't know how long this guy's going to sleep."

Alia's tail tip flicked side to side, torn between decision. I felt bad for making her choose, but I wasn't going to let up on my staying with Bhu.

"I'll stay here a while, in case he wakes up sooner than we think. But if it starts getting late, then I'll go ahead to the meeting, and explain to the others Bhuvana's delay."[/i] Alia decided, and I briefly admired her logic and quick thinking.

I looked at Bhu, "That sounds good to me. What do ya think?"[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[|~|Lapara|~|]

He simply couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. Taj fell into a deep sleep, hearing the muffled voices of Bhuvana, Alec, and Alia. Haze fell over him, and a dream began. There was a Baboon. And a message. A mystical place that Taj was sure he would never see again. The details of the dream became blurry as he tried to remember it. I was if the information just entered his brain of it's own accord. He was a peace leader. Along with Alia, Bhuvana and a lion. He needed to meet with them soon. Then the dream faded. He couldn't see anything. His eyes popped open. He breathed in a deep gasp. He hadn't been thinking clearly in the dream. He had been sent a message from Dio. Bhuvana was standing there next to him. "Bhuvanna." He said. "Your still here. I need to go with you.". He knew she couldn't refuse once she knew who he was. They were going to the same place. And they were supposed to work together. "Does he know?" He asked indicating toward Alec.

[Bhu]

My maw parted to agree with Alia's plan, happy she was not going to baby me by demanding I stay on her tail. But the words never escaped my maw because, before they could, Taj was awake and telling me he had to go with us, and asking if Alec knew.

I gave the tiger a confused look for a split second, but Dio apeared in my brain and I smile crossed my mouth. This was the tiger peace leader. "Yes yes yes!!! Alec does know!" In an act of pure happiness, I leapt at the tiger and nuzzled his legs. Three peace leaders together, one more to go.

[Miki]

Alec

I was still waiting for Bhuvana's reply when I heard her name said off to my side. Surprised, I glanced over at where Taj was, now awake. My eyes narrowed slightly, but I tried to keep any feelings from invading.

"You're still here. I need to go with you."

[/i] My confusion grew, and I looked back at Bhuvana. Was he talking about the meeting tonight? Taj's next words confirmed my question. "Does he know?"[/i]

"Yes." I answered quickly, my voice a little gruff. But I doubted anyone heard me in Bhuvana's outburst. "Yes yes yes!!! Alec does know!"[/i]

She leapt towards Taj, rubbing affectionately at his legs. I felt hurt and turned away. A dark feeling seemed to overwhelm me, and my emotions felt overwhelming. Jealousy, guilt, anger, and isolation combined were a horrible feeling.

One more Peace Leader and I'd likely be soon forgotten. I already felt bad for being mean to Taj, it was like I was indirectly insulting Dio. And now Bhuvana's attention was on Taj - so I couldn't help feeling envious of him as well. I clenched my jaw, quietly making the decision to leave the Peace Leaders be as soon as they were all together.

I cleared my throat, doing my best to muster a light voice. "Well, it's starting to get late so we should get to that meeting. C'mon." I turned and headed in our original direction, keeping a quick pace.

I felt a sense of dread, knowing that Bhuvana would probably talk to me. She wouldn't be allowed to know my emotions at all, I'd be out of her life as soon as that meeting started. It would be better for everyone, she could focus on Peace Leader duties, and I could go back to my regular lifestyle. Hopefully our short accquaintance would make it easier to part.[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Both Bhuvana and Alec said yes at the same time, but Alec said yes much quieter. Bhuvana jumped up towards him and started nuzzling him, but he didn't mind because this was something cubs often did. Alec however looked like he minded. He would have to talk to him alone sometime soon. "Well, it's starting to get late so we should get to that meeting. C'mon." Alec said. Taj got up. "Okay. We probably should get going. My real name is Taraji by the way. Just so you know." He figured Dio hadn't told them he went by Taj. He had said Bhuvana instead of Bhu anyway.

[Bhu]

My nuzzling ceased as Alec suggested we start off, and then I captured Taraji's full name. I made a mental note of it, but I clearly would stay with the term Taj. It was much easier for my unfocused cub brain to fold around; much how fellow cubs tended to call me Bhu...well, Alec was the only fellow cub I knew.

Light footed, I floated over to walk beside Alec. My intention was to avoid the topic of peace leader'ness', knowing it could be a sore spot to him due to his lack of part. But that idea melted as I realized he had a huge part too; he was a loyal follower, or atleased Dio said he would be. Dio had also stated I had to keep a tight hold of Alec, because our futures were entertwined together. I was unsure of what that meant, but I intended to follow Dio's orders, and quite willingly too. I would be devastated if Alec were to abandoned me.

It was obvious, to me, that Alec was keeping some negative emotions down. One of my strong points was reading feelings, because I had a compassionate heart that wanted to make the world of every feline right. Due to this fact, I focused in on my friend and was silent for a second, matching his pace step for step.

Finally, when the silence became tense, I spoke. "You're unhappy." I merely stated it, any cublike humor gone. My observation was official, and my tone low and serious. It was as such that the two adults would be unlikely to hear, but it also left it open to Alec whether or not he wanted to talk about it.

[Miki]

Alec

I hardly paid attention to Taj's latest statement, and just caught the fact of his full name, Taraji. Taj was much easier to remember, so that's what he'd go by, if I were ever to address him.

Again anger engulfed me, but guilt quickly swallowed it. I was not enjoying this internal roller coaster ride of emotions. I glanced to my side, and as I had predicted, Bhuvana joined me, quickly matching my stride.

I said nothing, because I didn't know what to say, and I wasn't in a chatty mood either. I was also afraid if I did talk, everything I was feeling would come out, and I'd lose Bhuvana. I knew I was already planning to lose her, but it'd be me leaving her, not her leaving me.

So I kept my mouth shut, and at first Bhuvana was quiet too. I almost thought we'd just walk in silence, but soon enough she started to talk. Her words were short and to the point, which caught me off guard. "You're unhappy."

[/i]

My lips tightened, and I just gave a small shrug. I was hoping to avoid this topic, I would rather she went on with something happy and bubbly. A moment of silence passed, and I quickly debated my options. I could just leave it with that shrug, let it all out, or go with part of the truth. I gave the latter idea a second thought and decided to go with it.

"Sorry." The word was short, and almost sounded insincere, but I went on quickly. "I just feel bad for treating Taj so bad. If you know what I mean. I wouldn't have acted like that if I knew he was a Peace Leader."

There, part of the truth was out, and if I talked it out with Bhu, then part of the weight on my shoulders would be lifted.[/color]

Alia

Alec took the lead of our travel, and quickly Bhuvana joined him. Deciding to let them have some time together, I paused for a second, flicking my tail to invite Taj to walk with me.

I was silent for a short second, and then decided to plunge into conversation. It'd be easier to discuss issues at our meeting if I knew more about the other Peace Leaders. I was already familiar with Bhu, but Taraji was almost a complete stranger.

"So, Taraji. I like that name. Does it have any meaning?" I asked, sincerely curious. My name even had a meaning, as did many names of cats I knew. It was sort of a tradition for cats to name their young with native names.[/size][/blockquote]

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Taraji gazed ahead as the cubs bounded forward. He could tell they were talking about something but he figured that if they wanted to tell him anything they would. After all. He had pretty much just appeared out of nowhere.

He saw the leopard beckening him with her tail. He walked closer to her and she questioned him, "So, Taraji. I like that name. Does it have any meaning?". That took him a bit by surprise. Why does she want to know that? A pause, then, "Ya. My name means hope.". Now he could ask her the question back or he could inquire to why she asked him that. After a moment he said, "How about you? Any special meaning in the word 'Alia'?"

[Bhu]

Silence consumed us for a few moments more and I could feel my heart sink with each step. Alec and I had only just met the day before, but I knew there was a strong bond between us, or at least a strong one from me to him. Perhaps I cared for him far more than he cared for me. Why else would he be unwilling to talk honestly and openly with me? I'd tell him anything and everything, but perhaps the trust was only one-sided.

"Sorry."

The answer was short and it didn't bring up my heart in the least. He had spoken, sure, but not in the way I had wanted. If he even considered the idea that what I desired was an apology, then perhaps we weren't the best matched pair. I was a cat who liked to talk and help, never did I expect, or want, a cat to apologize for their emotions. My gaze held steady with the ground. One step in front of the other.

"I just feel bad for treating Taj so bad. If you know what I mean. I wouldn't have acted like that if I knew he was a Peace Leader."

Relief came over me at the toms words. He had continued and entrusted the forbidden emotion of regret on me. I was aware that he had only brought forward half of what was on his mind, but half meant he trusted me more than if he had said nothing!

"You're a cat." I reasurred gently, my tone taking on a motherly expression. "We are born to fight and be solitary, so it's no surprise you wanted to make Taraji go away. I am sure your instincts are saying you're crazy for even hanging with a fellow Ocelot, like myself! Never mind two of our natural enemies as well!" I gave a gentle laugh at this statement. "I know mine are saying I am nuts!" My admitance was purely honest. The instincts drilled into my brain wanted to run from these felines, the tiger and leopard, but thankfully my heart overpowered my brain.

Deciding I needed more to reasure him that his actions were normal, I decided to relate. "Ya know, right before you and Alia discovered me, I was in the middle of a verbal fight with a cheetah. So even I, a Peace Leader, lose control over my tongue...quite often too!" I giggled at the admitance, though my pace never faltered. I wanted to lighten the mood as best I could. However, if Alec was not comforted by the humorous approach I was taking, I'd try a much gentler method.

[Miki]

Alia

So Taj's name meant hope. That was interesting to know, but when the question rebounded to me, I felt a hesitance to reply. I chuckled, I loved my name, just not the meaning. "Alia actually means 'exalted' in Swahili. I know it doesn't fit me at all, but my parents liked the sound of the name. The meaning is just completely irrelevant to me."

I let that settle in, hoping Taj wouldn't judge me on the meaning of my name. I was the last cat who would want to be worshiped. I even avoided attention at times. I glanced over at the tiger, wondering how he'd respond.

Alec

I sensed Bhuvana's relief, and in turn I relaxed as well. I had her distracted with half of my problems, so hopefully she wouldn't remember the other reason I was upset. I let her rattle on as I listened in silence.

"We are born to fight and be solitary, so it's no surprise you wanted to make Taraji go away. I am sure your instincts are saying you're crazy for even hanging with a fellow Ocelot, like myself! Never mind two of our natural enemies as well!"

[/i] She laughed and I found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed the sound of her laughter. I smiled in response as Bhu went on. "I know mine are saying I am nuts!"[/i]

I found myself agreeing with Bhuvana. Now that I thought about it, it did feel completely strange to be traveling with a group when I would rather be off on my own. Another reason for me to leave... The thought sounded dark, and it surprised me that it came so quickly and naturally. It was almost like I had a darker half, or my bad conscience was speaking for itself. I shook the thoughts away and tuned in to what Bhuvana was saying now.

"...before you and Alia discovered me, I was in the middle of a verbal fight with a cheetah. So even I, a Peace Leader, lose control over my tongue...quite often too!"[/i]

"Really?" I asked, my sarcasm heavy. This was a new revelation about herself, but for some reason it didn't seem so surprising. Feeling guilty about the sarcastic response, I went on explaining myself. "I mean, that doesn't surprise me. You seem like the type who would readily fight for what you believe in. Even if it means being, uh, mean." I paused thinking over my statement. "Don't get me wrong though, it's a good thing that you stand up for what's right."[/color][/size][/blockquote]