Going in Circles and Downward Spirals

[Bhu]

OOC//: Is there any flower species you had in mind to have caused this, or simply "yellow flower"?

I awaited a responce, bringing my gaze over to Laela to examine her without physical contact. I expected Lapara to be the one to respond, but she did no such thing. Luckly, Holitorn leapt at the oppertunity to help his fallen sibling, and spoke.

"Not really. We would have noticed it earlier if she'd had things like that. As I said before, she has just been more noticeably tired and can't remember anything as well as she used to. I don't know what it could be though. I mean sure she was in a fight and lost a lot of blood, but she would have recovered by now. Wouldn't she have? Thank the higher power that Taj was there. I didn't even know he was a healer, but if he hadn't healed her she would have died..."

This didn't help a whole lot, therefore I gave a frustrated 'huff' without tearing my eyes from the little female. I was about to ask further question, when I heard Holitorn speak again.

"The yellow flower..." He turned his gaze to his mother, "Taj gave Laela a yellow flower..."

A smile crossed my maw, the frustration leaving. "Now we're getting somewhere. We must find out more about this yellow flower...or better yet, Taj." I played with the idea that perhaps Taj had not tried to heal, but rather harm. I threw-out such a thought, knowing that it was in my nature to give everyone the benefit of the doubt; innocent till proven guilty. "Any ideas where we could find the flower, or Taj?"

[|~|Lapara|~|]

OOC: No... Sorry. I just made it up. It's a golden colored flower that has a slow acting poison. If it gets into your bloodstream, your mind will start deteriorating. It seems like it has healing powers, because it helps seals up wounds really well. It only affects big cats. Not humans. I didn't really think about whether it should have a cure or not. I'm not sure there should be a cure. It seems like much more entertainment making the family suffer. *evil cackle*. But then again I have plans for the future either way. *another evil cackle*


Lapara was getting angrier at her son the entire time. But then he mentioned the flower and she realized what was going on too. Her maw dropped open. Only the words of Takoda brought her back to reality. "We must find out more about this yellow flower...or better yet, Taj. Any ideas where we could find the flower, or Taj?" She thought. The last time she had seen Taj was when he had given her the flower. She didn't remember where he had said he was going. She did however know where the flower was. "I don't know where Taj went, but the last time I saw him, he was around here. Maybe we'll get lucky. I do remember where we found the flowers though. I can show you. We're only a little bit away." She looked up at the setting sun. There was only a sliver left. It would be only a few minutes until twilight. "If we go now, we could get there before the sun sets. It's really close. But it's also really close. To the lions who mauled Laela in the first place. I don't know if it's worth the risk."

Holitorn agreed with everything his mother said and it surprised him. It had been so long since that happened. He added a bit under his breath though. "I want to go. Maybe I'll find that snowy puffball and finally teach him the lesson he deserves. His eyes narrowed as he said it. Then he thought about what he had just said. What's happening to me? I never would have said that just a little while ago... Then he opened his eyes wider, looked up and talked louder, "I can lead you there. I remember exactly where the flower grew. It grew in this wet cave that had sunlight streaming into through the cracks and entrance."

[Bhu]

[glow=blue,2,300]Takoda[/glow]

The very mention the flower seem to douse the anger that was riveting off of Lapara. I was grateful for her sudden calmness, for the heat of her fury had been beginning to make me nervous. Never been one for negative emotions. I chuckled inwardly.

Though it was disapointing that neither had a thought as to where Taj may have gone, it was reasurring to hear they both knew where the flower was. The comfort flew away, however, when it was said that the flower was near where Laela was attacked. I grew even more uneasy as Holitorn mumbled under his breath about a "puffy snowball". So, there's an albino. That didn't matter much, but it was good to know that I should be on my toes should I come across an albino lion in this area.

I looked to Lapara as her son offered to lead me. "If it'll make you feel better, you and Laela may stay here in the safety of this area. I have a thing against traveling after dark, for that's when the darkest warriors come out, so we will stay in the cave that holds the flower." I got a little closer and held her gaze. "I will keep Holitorn safe, I promise." I gave a quick, playful smile to the male lion. "Not that he needs me to keep him safe."

OOC//: I thought it'd be fun if just Holitorn and Takoda went, kinda like a father/son bonding time. And it would bewilder them all if Lapara trusts Takoda that much

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Lapara had gone back into a small state of shock. Just a little paralysis. Not much though. She didn't really register his words, but then he looked at her. Her attention snapped right back into place when he said, "...so we will stay in the cave that holds the flower. I will keep Holitorn safe, I promise." Her first emotion was shock. The male had just considered taking her son away. Her tail started to move to a protective position around her cub, but she stopped. She realized that she just did this out of habit. Holitorn could survive on his own now. He was a year old already. He should be allowed to do what he wanted. Her mind went back and forth, but finally settled, though reluctantly, on asking him if he wanted to go. Leave it up to him. Something amazing then happened to her. She realized that she trusted Takoda. He wasn't like the other males she had met before. She felt she could trust him. She knew if anything happened to Holitorn, she would change her mind in less then a second. Finally, she said, "Sure. That is, if you want to go Holitorn."

Holitorn looked at his mother with pure shock in him. He wanted to go with Takoda, but he never thought his mother would allow him to do it. He thought that for sure she would quickly snatch him up and run off. But she didn't. She granted him permission. He looked at Takoda as the shock on his face slowly turned to a big grin. "Ya Mom, of course I want to go!" He said, still smiling.

[Bhu]

[glow=blue,2,300]Takoda[/glow]

My gaze remained gentle as I watched Lapara consider the task. Her tail started towards Holitorn, and I felt a flicker of disapointment. I knew that move, a defensive posture, as if ones tail could sheild their cub from the world's dangers. She wasn't allowing this. It shocked me how much it hurt that she lacked trust in me. We had only just met, I was asking a big thing. It shouldn't have hurt so much, but it did.

Suddenly, the tail retracted and Lapara's eyes stated that she had made a decision. I waited the outcome, clinging to the fact that she'd pulled her tail back. That was a good sign and I clung to the hope of it being enough.

"Sure. That is, if you want to go Holitorn."

My gaze instantly flew to the male. Judging by his facial expression, the trust Lapara was placing on me truley shocked him, as it did me. Again, I'd only know her for a short time, but in that time I had observed that she was a very protective, perhaps overprotective, mother. I felt very blessed to first be trusted enough to receive their names, and now this.

Refocusing, I heard Holitorn announce that he did want to go. A warm smile broke out before I glanced to the sky. The sun was very low now, and us two would have to move fast. That was one sure good thing about Lapara deciding for her and Laela to stay behind. Carrying the cub would have caused this to be an after dark journey, which was something I had no desire to do.

Looking back to the mother, I gave an affectionate look. "Thank you." I stated before looking to the sleeping female cub. "We'll be back, precious Laela. We will do all that we can to help you, even if that means searching this whole unexplored forest to find Taj." With that promise hanging above the sleeping cub, I looked to Holitorn and smiled with a determined look. "Guess we should head off so as to be there before dark, ay?" He didn't start walking right away, sure the male would wish to say goodbye to his mother and sister.

[|~|Lapara|~|]

As Takoda told his mom what the plan was, excitement built up in Holitorn. The young male quickly said, "Bye mom! See ya later!" Then started to set off. He then looked quickly behind at Laela. "I'll get you better. Don't worry." He whispered toward her, then turned away. Better to get going now anyway. It was almost dark anyway.

Lapara watched as her son started to walk away. Come back! She wanted to call to him. Don't leave! I need you! She wanted to say. The words didn't come out though. And she knew that it was herself for once not letting them. Not her vocal cords. Not her tongue. Her. The thought amazed her.

The young lioness walked through the yellow waving grass. Her brother next to her. The brother she had never been separated from. Her twin. When she turned she was attacked and pain flooded through her. She could see the red of her own blood in a pool next to her. She felt as if a rhino had plowed into her. What was a rhino again? Then she saw above her, an evil form of herself, clawing at the young lioness. Shredding her to pieces. She tried to scream at the other cub to stop. But she couldn't. She tried to run, but she couldn't. Then she was flying. No, she was falling. No. She had been tossed away into a field of dusty yellow. Of flowers that landed on her and healed her. Flowers that wouldn't come off. She got up and found herself able to move again. But she couldn't think. She couldn't think at all. The only thing her mind registered was that her brother wasn't there any more. "Holitorn?" She cried out. "HOLITORN!" She screamed, but all that answered was her own echo, and the feeling of loss and abandonment and pure terror.
Laela opened her eyes for a moment, and asked, "Where's Holitorn?". The only answer that came was her mother's voice saying, "Don't worry. He's close by. Go back to sleep.". Laela, reluctantly obeyed.


A little further off, a tiger roamed. Looking for a place to spend the night. Like many cats, he didn't like to be outside at night. Taraji's stripes helped him blend into the grass in the light of the golden sunset perfectly. Finally, he came across the cave of yellow flowers that had such great healing powers. He slipped in quietly. He knew that only Lapara and her family knew about this cave, and they were nowhere near. It was safe. He settled down and prepared to sleep.


Jasninon beamed. His first hunting job. He had been told that in order to live in the pride, he needed to contribute. He would contribute. Oh boy would he contribute. Though he hated soft-hearts, it was important that he got some favor in the pride before he took it over. Now he was off to hunt. He saw a small doe and started to stalk it, but his feet kicked a pebble over and off went the deer. Jasninon tried to chase it, but failed. He swore. This was going to take some practice. His mind, for a second went back to the few days he had spent with his mother. If he had remained there, his mother would have taught him to hunt. He would have learned how to hunt under her watchful eye along with his brother and sister. Then he realized what he was thinking about. He felt sick. He hated his mother. Even back then he could tell how soft she was. How accepting and it made him despise her. His mind went back to trying to find new prey.

[Bhu]

[glow=blue,2,300]Takoda[/glow]

I gave a gentle dip of the head in farewell before taking off after the male cub juvanile. This tomcat was no cub, for cubs were dependent on others. This male could care for himself.

I was sure to walk a pace behind, so as to be close enough to talk and defend, but still in a way where it was obvious I was following Holitorn. In other words, I wanted others to see I was being lead by a creature must younger than I, and still able to be proud. That could be a lesson for the world.

My nose rose in the air as I froze suddenly, letting out a huff of warning. "There's another lion nearby. Scent is just like yours, so I guess he is your age." His voice was low as he informed the male. Another scent came to focus. "And an adult tiger." This was a bad idea...Oh, I sure hope I can keep Holitorn safe...

[|~|Lapara|~|]

A male my age and a adult tiger. Holitorn thought. He sniffed the air. It was true. He smelt it too. The lion he didn't recognize, though he had a sense of deja vu. Like he had smelt this lion before. Only faintly though so he pushed it out of his mind. The tiger however he recognized. It was Taraji. "Takoda. This way. Follow the scent of the tiger. It's Taj." He said, then bounded ahead. Running towards Taj. He didn't know why. He didn't even know if he liked the tiger anymore. After all, he had poisoned his sister. Who could be forgiven for that?

Taj was awoken from his dose to the sound of pounding paws coming through the cave. It wasn't possible. Nobody knew about this cave. He stood up, ready to protect himself. The intruder came running through the entrance. If Taj had recognized Holitorn a moment later, the young lion would be dead. He took a deep breath. "Holitorn! You scared me! Nice to see you though. Is this meeting coincidence or purposeful?" He said. Holitorn replied, "Purposeful. One sec, let my friend Takoda catch up.".


Jasninon tried and failed to catch something for the third time. He was so angry you could see the steam rising off of him. He stomped through the dry grass and sat down to catch his breath. Then he scented them. Two lions and a tiger. He'd gone too far, he realized. This was the central lands. He was about to turn and go back when something caught his attention. He recognized the scent of one of the lions. He didn't know why, it's not like he could figure out what the name was, but the smell was so familiar that he couldn't leave without finding out why. He turned and headed towards the trio.

[Bhu]

I readied myself to turn back, though I knew we couldn't head over to Lapara and Laela. No way would I lead the dangers to the two females. No, Holitorn and I would lead these dangers away from the vulnerable pair. We'd protect them and...

"Takoda. This way. Follow the scent of the tiger. It's Taj."

The words distracted me from everything, even the scent of the lion. Never one for anger, I was surprised by how feircly it took hold of me. For once, I didn't give the tiger the benefit of the doubt. He'd posioned Laela. He'd hurt this family. With furious grace, I took off after Holitorn, keeping a close eye on him just in case Taj decided to harm another cub.

Upon entering the cave, I let out a low growl. "So, you're the Taj that poisoned presious Laela. Wish I could say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I don't lie." My eyes were dark and this truley surprised me. I'm a gentle soul! What's going on? Oh, please explain yourself, Taj! I don't like this angry feeling...

[|~|Lapara|~|]

"So, you're the Taj that poisoned precious Laela. Wish I could say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I don't lie." Taj's mouth dropped open. Poison Laela!? What was happening? He loved Laela! She was one of the sweetest cubs he knew! He just stared at the male. Then when he finally regained control of his body, he looked at Holitorn for any explanation for this.

Holitorn was surprised when Takoda started out with the accusation. He had been about to ask Taj a little more gently then that. He could feel the anger coming off of the older male lion, which was weird because it was hard to even imagine him angry. Taj looked at him for an answer and he said, "Ya. That's why we're here. Laela's sick." He eternally shuddered. He hated the idea of his sister sick. "And we can't come up with another reason why she would be except for the golden flower you gave her." He took a deep breath, trying to hold it in, but he couldn't. "Why would you do that? We trusted you!" He said this in a slightly louder voice. In one that made it clear he was trying to plead the answer out of the tiger.

Taj looked at the distressed cub as he gave an answer. Shocked when not only the adult suspected him, but Holitorn too. He barely managed to say, "I- I didn't! Why... the flowers? They don't poison! They heal!". The tone of his voice betrayed that he truly believed this. He couldn't believe it. They were so mad at him. He held his head low. "Do you really think I'd be sleeping in a cave full of them if I thought they were poisonous?" He asked.


Jasninon was getting closer to the scent. Why he couldn't just leave the trio alone and go back to the hunting grounds, he didn't know. How was he going to explain his scent being so far out of the pride lands? He didn't know, but he guessed if he found the source of the scent, that he would have a pretty good reason. He didn't know why he knew this either, but he just did. The trio's scents were just a few minutes away from him.

[Bhu]

A look of regret crossed my gaze for a moment as the male took on an expression of surprise with first mine, and then Holitorn's words. Perhaps I had been too quick to accuse...What was wrong with me? I'd always given benefit of the doubt, and here I was simply saying this male had tried to kill young Laela. With his defense, I took a breath with closed eyes, clearing my head from the unusual sensation of anger. I couldn't react properly if I let emotions get in the way.

With the fury gone, I was able to take in my surrondings. The cave was surely filled with golden flowers, each holding a dangerous beauty. However, it was not the sights around me that caused my fur to prickle. That lion I'd scented earlier was closer now. My goal was to keep beloved Holitorn safe, so I made a quick turn and exited the cave. "We are of no harm to you, young male, so please come out. Do not be foolish, for you are outnumbered." My body was large enough to protect most of the opening. No one was getting to Holitorn without first going through me.

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Jasninon approached a cave. The cave was full of golden flowers. He almost jumped out of his pelt when a adult lion spoke to him, telling him to show himself. He arrogantly strode down to the entrance of the cave to find the male waiting for him, blocking the doorway. He looked through the legs and almost died when he saw what was there. His brother. His BROTHER. "What the..." He said. He had thought for sure that they were dead. They couldn't have survived. And who was these cats with him. "What the hell! Holitorn! Why are you- Where are- Who are-" He stammered. He all his questions seemed to be coming out in one big glob, all mushed together.

Holitorn just stood there. Who was this. Sure he smelled familiar, but he couldn't put his paw on it. Then he smelt the second part of the the scent. Akando pride. That was where he had come from. He was there when Laela had been injured. His rage came out all at once. His vision stopped at the cub's edges. Not even noticing Takoda blocking his way, he scraped through the barrier. He roared as he attacked the cub. How DARE he! How could he! He had tried to kill his twin. That was unforgivable. He pinned the male down. He reached to bite the neck and he whispered, "You are going to die for what you did. What you did to Laela. And what you did to my mother. You are going to die and I'm going to make it as painful as possible." This cub was not the fuzzy snowball, but that didn't matter. All that mattered was getting revenge for Laela.

Jasninon screamed inside as he saw Holitorn coming for him. None got out though. The rage in the male's eyes petrified him. The next thing he knew he was pinned down. He heard the death sentence and managed to say, "What are you talking about?!? I haven't seen Laela since I was a month old! It's me! Jasninon!"

Holitorn stopped in his path to kill. The rage started to clear from his eyes. Jasninon? Like, his brother Jasninon? Had he almost killed his own brother? He stepped off the cub and sat. Not thinking about anything but the fact that he had almost been responsible for the death of his brother as well as the on-coming death of his sister.

[Bhu]

The lion appeared and I visibly relaxed. I had been right, he was not older than Holitorn, and not much larger. He held the thick stench of Akando, my least favorite of the prides due to the pride master, Ezhno, but I didn't hold it against him. He began to stammer to Holitorn, and I realized quickly that was why I reconized the other half of his scent as well; it was similar to Holitorn and his family. A brother...I silently confirmed.

It was sudden, the attack. I'd been so focused on keeping the newcomer out of the cave, I did not watch to keep Holitorn in the cave. So in seconds, my cub had thrown himself into danger, attacking this unfamiliar male. I made a move to stop, but as the male spoke his name, Holitorn stopped on his own. A sigh of relief passed my maw as I realized the violence was over.

Retracting a few steps to give the reunited brothers space, I found myself near Taraji. My gaze drifted over to him humbly and I lowered my mane bordered head. "Can you forgive me for giving such quick accusions? It is unlike me to be so angry, just Holitorn and his family have become like my own in such a short time. I feel as if Laela is my own daughter to protect."

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Jasninon finally came out of his shock. His lip arched as he snarled at the other cub. "Is this how you treat your own brother?!" He asked cruelly. He took a menacing step forward and tried to tower over Holitorn. It would have been easier had it been the sister. Obviously that was not the case, however. The juvenile inspected the other. To his surprise, he was mildly impressed. Holitorn was actually a fairly well built male. Maybe he had been underestimated. He, after all, had just barely learned to walk when Jasnion Had last seen him. He was as tall and almost as muscular as the spectator, and he obviously wasn't as soft as he was once believed. He had just attacked his own brother. Of course he had done it for revenge of the mother (Which annoyed Jasninon) and the sister (Not quite as annoying. Maybe she was like him.). Then he took in the position of the brother. Sitting. Looking down at the ground. This cat was not as innocent as a newborn. This cat had seen horrors in his life. He could potentially be deeply depressed. He would have to do more observation to find out.

Holitorn stayed were he was. Names and images whirling through his head. Laela... Jasninon... Lapara... Takoda... Taj... The white male covered in blood. Standing over his sister. His sister who was dead. A golden flower blowing out spores. His mother screaming. His mother dead. Taj poisoning Laela. Takoda dead. Everyone he cared about being tortured. Jasninon standing over him. No wait. That last one was real. He screamed inside, but then realized the male was not trying to kill him. His eyes went up and he was sure that every horror he had ever experienced, either real or in his worst nightmares, was showing. He stood up and put his head down again. Then, with his face hidden, he realized what he had done. He had left Laela alone. With no one but his mother who was incapable of doing anything right now. His mother who was not truly a mother. He put his paw forward and whispered, "Don't follow me." then ran as fast as he could. Nothing mattered now. Only making sure Laela was alright. To protect her. He didn't matter anymore. Where was he? It was dark. He couldn't see anything. He vaguely felt himself being tackled and dragged back, despite his struggling.

The next thing he knew, the brother had told him to not follow him, and ran off. At first Jansnion was shocked. What? He wondered. Then he raced off. He wasn't following Holitorn, he was chasing him. Wow that cub could run fast! This was getting better every second. Maybe he could get him to join Akando pride as a warrior. But then, no. How could he? Only one adult male in a pride. Oh well. Holitorn might be an exception. Finally, he managed to jump onto his brother and pull him back by the scruff. "What the hell were you thinking?!?" He mumbled as he dragged Holitorn back. He hadn't thought about anything but what good he would do the pride. Then he realized that this stunt might deluge the two idiots back there on where he really stood. If he could just play it up a little (Which would make him sick but might help him gain a helper against the thick skulled leader back home) he might be able to stay long enough to convince Holitorn to help him. He would say something like that he just wanted to hurt Akando pride (For whatever reason) and then Holitorn could do what he wanted. Of course that would not be happening. If he could get close to the daughter, or any of the higher ranked females, he would be able to force Holitorn to stay. An malicious plan, but a necessary one.

Taj took his eyes off the cubs for just a second to answer the lion. "It's okay. No harm done. But what happened to Laela? I really want to know. Just to warn my brain forever not to ever give these plants away as healers..." At that very moment, he looked over and saw Holitorn running off and the brother running after him. He gave a roar and started to run after them, but it was dark, and he had to admit he was scared. He didn't need worry. Jasninon came back after a minute with Holitorn in tow. He immediately thought Jasninon had killed him. He was about to go rip the cub to shreds when he remembered something. Don't follow me. This had been Holitorn's idea. He was shocked and stood still for a moment.



OOC: I think that Holitorn is going crazy with rage and grief. Amazing where characters will end up if you let them roam with no planning! I also thought Jasninon was getting a little out of character so I made the post deliberately evil. \_/+=*evil grin*

[Bhu]

My maw parted to explain to the tiger, but it quickly snapped shut as I caught Holtiorn's whisper. Don't follow me. With suspicion, I let my gaze move quickly over to the two cubs. I nearly yowled when I saw neither stood where I had last sat them, but each was running towards the trees. Immedietly I was to my paws and making a rapid pace after the duo, ready to defend Holitorn against the brother.

But the brother didn't harm Holitorn, but rather caught him and towed him back. In an instant, I was upon the two, eyes glaring angrily at the more familiar of the pair. "Holitorn, you mustn't run off like that! I know you are capable of caring for yourself, but still, you're my responsiblity right now and I don't need you and I get seperated. Lapara would have my head on a rock! Besides, I would destroy myself if I allowed something bad to happen to you. You're important to me." It didn't occur to me that such a statement might unsettle the cub. I didn't care much, either. He was important to me. He was practically a son already.

I didn't even glance towards the other male.