Forward Plans

Rue,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by Cat

---

Why was she not surprised, as she stepped on to the dust-ridden land, that yet another territory was drab and dreary. The crooked smile that was normal to be found on her lips had dropped as she scanned the wasteland. A dust cloud swirled in the distance, but her gaze caught on the rock formations instead. They toward upward as if they attempted to break the barrier between land and sky. Who could have created such a thing?

It is curiosity, and a chance to look for the others, that fed her fuel to move forward. Each limb methodically placed as she picked a path through the dried, dusted shrubbery that was sparsely scattered about. Paws stirred the ground and particles rose behind her as well as clung to the lower portions of her pale slate limbs. Rue only stopped once she had made it to the nearest rock tower. Her side pressed against it just as she had done at the entrance in the mountains.


Only this time she added a call. She was tired of looking. Tired of waiting and she had already heard two summons to claim lands. She had not been fast enough. However, it would not stop her. So a roar left her parted lips in an attempt to bring her first mate to her. She could only hope he was inside Aesseldar and near enough to hear.

Kieran,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Mara

---

As is usual, a new land is discovered and the unruly crew splits into as many directions as possible, determined as ever to make Kieran grey haired before his time. Rue is no better, still young at heart and as eager to explore as their youngest bairn, but the first mate is set on tracking down the captain first.

He finds her without trouble, honing in on her direction at the beckoning call. The place she has settled is a wasteland, no more inhabitable than the ocean. Kieran’s upper lips curl around his fangs, the distaste for the barren place evident.

"Do we continue our scouting, captain?" He asks by way of greeting, lumbering to a stop shy of Rue’s form by the giant formations. Such strange, massive things - it does not occur to him to question what formed them, only to accept them as they are and ponder no more. "Or are we to settle here?" Not here, obviously - but this land, whatever it is called. Kieran cares little. His priorities lay with the safety and security of their crew, and the steps toward strengthening their power.

@Rue

Rue,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by Cat

---

Why she ever even had doubt was a question to ask herself later. Of course, she should have known he would be there. Ever the dependable and loyal crewmate. She admired him in more ways than one. His stoic nature, large stature, and berry hue. She watched as he approached, her body returned to a full stand and no longer leaned on the rock formation. She always tried to appear a bit more formal in the company of her crew. It might not be needed, but she felt it best to keep an appearance despite who the company might be.

"Nay." She replied casually. The crooked smile had returned to her lips. "Aesseldar, be wha' they seem t' call it." Rue was glad that she at least had that bit of information about the place to share with her "right-paw" of sort. "Possibly. I heard a couple o' summons fer claims. I figured we could swin' by 'n see if we like wha' they 'ave.." Head cocked to the side and she beamed with excitement at what her words meant. Surely he would know what she intended.

Kieran,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Mara

---

Without as many words, Rue explains her plan - the plan, one shared by the crew as well. To set up a stronghold, permanent or otherwise it does not matter, has been the goals of captains before them. It has never worked, and the nomadic crew had always continued on. But if any were to accomplish this far-fetched dream, it will be the blue captain. Kieran does not doubt it, nor does he doubt her.

Aesseldar. The word itself has no meaning to the brute, but it’s stored away all the same. Names are power, a part of the land as much as a river is. And of course, Rue does not intend to waste any time. To wait would be folly, and if they do like what someone else has claimed as their own - well, they only intend to make sure they earn it.

Kieran smiles, but it isn’t the kind sort. It’s one that twists the first mate’s lips at the promise of violence; cold and wicked. Very few things ever elicit such responses, but Rue’s excitement is certainly one of them. That, and what fun is available on raids and pillages. Whatever the reason he smiles, he does not elaborate.

"Hopefully it will lure the rest of the crew out of whatever holes and brothels they’ve stumbled into." The lion adds after a moment, still in good humour enough to only be half serious, and there’s no hint of frustration at the lack of organisation. They’ll come when they are called, Kieran is certain of that.

@Rue

Rue,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by Cat

---

The smile, though not one for happiness, still thrilled her. Breathe caught, but she forced it out anyways as her eyes immediately jumped from Keiran for a moment. Though quickly they returned as he mentioned the others. Rue gave a sharp nod. She had not seen the majority of the others either and by the way that her second spoke, he had not as well. "I've found Vex. She be stayin' nearby enough 'n already collectin' her 'grass'." She commented on the meet up she had with her sister. It wasn't a bad thing to get a head start on herbs if Rue planned to follow through with her next course.

After all, she still knew little about the rest of the lions who may live within the realm. Their skills and power were new and foreign. Her first fight may even be a failure of a sort. If only to test the waters. If she did lose, she'd only move to the next one. Rue was most definitely not the type to retreat with a loss. Be it determination, or sheer stubbornness, it kept her will strong enough to try time and time again. Perhaps it was her persistence until success that had earned her respect. Or something different entirely.

Kieran,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Mara

---

"Aye, that sounds like her." Kieran, with his temper and (lack of) patience, had very little to do with medical things - necessities, of course, but to a warrior all the herbs and plants made very little sense. It is best left to the ones trained to do such things, like Vex. "She is not one of the ones that go looking for trouble." He points out with a roll of pumpkin colored eyes. Not that he has that much room to talk, really. Before taking over as first mate, he was just as liable to take off at the first sign of a new land. He does not believe in karma, but if there were such a thing, he is receiving all of his now.

Kieran knows his captain, and he knows that look. His gaze softens a little, and though the smile withers and fades from his lips there is nothing harsh to replace it. "One lost fight does not mean failure," he comments simply, as if it is an observation of the color of the sky, "cowardice is failure. Turning belly up is failure." And he knows Rue, before she took the mantle, and to now. She is no coward, and not even the gods themselves could make her roll over. He would not put his faith in her otherwise.

@Rue

Rue,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by Cat

---

The mention of her sister's actions went mostly unresponded to. It was the truth, after all. Unless one purposefully picked a fight with Vex, she did not search it out on her own. It was perhaps why Rue was so fond of her sister. She was level-headed where others were not. Even if that level head may be distracted half the time. It was still a nice fresh breath of air to have around. She was thankful they had not left the other two of her litter behind when the pirates took them in.

Keiren did know her. In fact, he knew her better than her siblings did at times. She had no need to mention the thoughts that wracked havoc in her mind. The pressure she constantly felt as their captain. Despite it all though, she loved it. There was not a second that she felt the need to let it go. This was her crew, from the moment they had stolen her away to join their ranks. She had fought tooth and claw to earn her way among them. Even more so to lead them. "Ye're right. 'n that be one thin' I won't do." Never had she turned away from what she wanted and never did she shy away from the draw of blood.


"Should we get t' it then?" Waiting was not her strong suit and she figured if they got a head start, they wouldn't have to deal with much of a crowd. Or so she hoped.

Kieran,

Lion of Junior Member

Played by Mara

---

Sometime ago, one of the crew had asked him why he never put his name forward for the captaincy. He was a capable warrior, had proved himself a skilled leader in battle - he would have the votes, or be able to earn them, if he so chose. Kieran had said it never interested him, and that he is better suited to other positions. That was not the entire truth.

He does not need to reassure her, and he does anyway. Kieran has never questioned it, or the urge to defend her - she is his captain, and it’s natural to do so. Rue is more than capable, and has proved herself over her time as captain, even if has not been for so very long. Whatever she faces, whatever challenger she comes against, there’s nothing that can happen that will sway his opinion. Rue would die before falling to fear and weakness - and that is something that will simply not happen. Kieran would not allow it.

"Aye, lead on then." The lion shifts so as to walk at Rue’s side, ever his place in battle and otherwise. His shoulder bumps against her smaller one, in a moment of encouragement and affection - not something he would dare try if they were not alone, but he can allow it for just now. "Let’s see what these Aesseldar lions are worth."

Exit.

@Rue

Rue,

Lioness of Prideless

Played by Cat

---

If anything she could she see her oncoming decision as a test. If not a test for the beast she would cross, then a test for herself. Regardless if she won the battle, it was the war itself would conquer. One way or another. But she chose to give the straightway a chance first. His agreement set the plan in motion as she turned to lead the way to the rainforest she had crossed by before. She knew she had a short window from the moment their claims went up before someone else might jump the gun. She had no choice. Their shoulders brushed and for a moment Rue is thankful for the distraction it causes on the way. A flutter in her stomach and excitement in her eye. She enjoyed a good fight regardless of what it was for.

-exit-

@Kieran