[META ORP] The Calm Before

[viatorai]

[[+2 for Distance, +4 for not currently interacting (Isithunzi moved away, and so did Nchekwube.)
9 +2 +4 = 15]]

You definitely heard the rockslide coming from a little ways away. But you also heard something else. You think it was a shout coming from the same direction.

Oh how she wished she could have convinced Isi to stay, or that she would have felt alright to follow after Nchekwube. the young male needed some time to himself though, and she didn't want to be overbearing and upset him further. And so there she sat, laying down at some point, away from the commotion alone. Part of her wanted to see someone out for comfort, and another partof her wanted to go home.

When she heard the rockslide and a voice, a shout from the same direction, another part of her wanted to scream in horror. Instead, her pupils dilated until they almost disappeared entirely, her ears pinned flat against her head and she made the loudest sound she could make right now; A squeak of a yell that could be mistaken for a mouse dying. Eyes darted back and froth between the lions that were gathered, but none of them she knew well enough to rush to and press against for comfort. And she couldn't go back home to get that, either. Instead, she stayed there, opening and closing her mouth in the hopes that something would come out to alert others...But her fear and anxiety seemed to keep her silent.  

[Lady Kitania]

(+2 for distance and +4 for not currently interacting with anyone.)

Blood dripping from his pale maw as his hungry teeth continued to dig into the fresh flesh, a loud rumble suddenly shook the earth beneath him, Vukani's head darting up. His ears were on point and his amber eyes dashed around. Others around him both heard and felt the same thing, their terrified and confused looks verifying his own questions. He tongue lapped up the dripping blood, it leaving some stains on his fur, setting his meal aside as he stood to his feet. He know what he had heard... And he hoped he was wrong.

A rockslide. That wasn't all though... A voice.

Vukani wasn't completely sure if he had heard correctly. Why would there of been a voice? Most all lions were here now, save for a couple. He had been one of the lone stragglers, due to his duties. Surely no one would of been where the rockslide seemed to originate from... From the east.

From the forbidden areas.

The new Onyeisi's calm and collected words rang out to the gathered group. Some what fortunately, Vukani had no loved ones he deeply cared about. While yes, he still had his family by name, he had no direct relatives left anymore. It was just him. At least that was a minutely calming factor. Still, the well being of the pride and its members were his responsibility, and while not his responsibility alone, he still had to act as if it were.  

[Manda]

(( Roll for Nkwusi, +0 bonuses) = 3 ))

--------------------------------

Nkwusi noticed that his sister noticed something but didn't hear or feel it himself, too focused on Itiri and what he may or may not say to them. He wasn't exactly sure what he was hoping for, if anything. Simple acknowledgement? Encouraging words?

Tch. That wasn't really what was important now, was it? His attention was grabbed again when the pride's new leader did finally speak - and his somewhat harsh words made the younger lion frown slightly. Would it hurt to be a little more ... reassuring? But, then again, it wasn't his call to make. Turning, he nosed Naani and glanced at their uncle as well. "We should ... go and check on things," he murmured, starting to try and herd them away from the center of the gathering.

ChexaRain

MangoMeow

Epine de Rose

 

[KasaiLoki]

Lightning Shadow X

Golden eyes turned towards Isi. "You didn't hear it?" how could she not even feel it? "It was a rockslide." Mgbamizu finally said. "I think it came in...that direction..." he lifted a paw, pointing to the east. His ears swiveled on top of his head, hearing murmurs around him. Had someone heard something else within it? He didn't, but some had better hearing than he did.

Then a thought came to mind. Where was his mother? Keoyi hadn't joined the festival yet. Was...Was it her others were hearing during the shift?

"I..." he was at a lost. "I should go find my mother. Make sure she is okay." He said quietly to Isi, still looking around the slightly panicked group to see if maybe she was amongst them. Nothing.
 

[Anderleit]

( +2 for distance: Inkumbulo - 8, Dharau - 6 )

There she went again, proving that inner strength. Ink smiled at the lioness who was taking his refusal so much better than he had expected. He was so proud of her, and surely his smile spoke volumes. There was a none-too-small part of him that was glad she didn't turn to see it.

Of course, no sooner had he thought that than Nyarai did turn around. He schooled his facial expression, desperately trying to tamp down rapidly flushing cheeks, but feared the damage had already been done. Why else would she turn away so hurriedly? She'd been saying something, hadn't she? Ink hadn't heard over his own internal groan. He hated how awkward he was around her! Ever since that afternoon, everything had been so much better for him - for them? But at the same time, it was all so much harder, and so much worse!

At least she had the courtesy to repeat herself, for his foundering benefit. Or maybe she was just finishing her thought; he wouldn't know. "Yes, of course. Let's-" The chilling grate of stone-on-stone saved him from further awkwardness.

Again, as if second nature, he stepped closer to Nyarai. "I don't know- If he was out today, I didn't see him." Spotted ears flicked over her head, pulling out the sound of Itiri's caution in amidst the rising din. Thank goodness their new Onyeisi's voice carried. Ink had the sudden suspicion that keeping an ear out for it like this was going to become a familiar scenario, an idea that at once calmed him - and filled him with some unnamed unease.

Still, he took inspiration from it, and took care to keep his own voice low and calm. "If you want to go looking for him, I'll come with you." Of course 'Rai would panic over Khwezi. If he had so close a brother, he'd likely be the same. But that wouldn't help them.

Z o m b i k ii

Alas, poor fellow. Jumpy as ever. Dharau let his eyes glaze over the other's reaction, sparing him both the amused and pitying glance his behavior called for. He did nod his approval at Umhlaba's words, though. "Indeed. I think most would say our new King made the right call." Back arching into a stretch, he took his time before sitting beside the darker male. "As to the rest...my friend, you think too much! Perhaps the lionesses have grown up beautiful, but you too have grown into your mane, hm?" Jury was still out on that one, in Dharau's opinion; but that didn't fit the mood he was trying to set, so he bit his tongue. "You must simply relax. Be yourself. Death's long plan for you will spool out, regardless of your worries - so why bother?"

If nothing else, it was clear the green-eyed male took the words of the death priests to heart. Just how much of that was facade and how much was real, though, was anyone's guess. Even Dharau wavered sometimes with how comfortable he was 'letting go' of his plans for himself. Maybe he had his own destiny he wanted to worry about it.

For a split second, he thought that the rumble in the air was Death's way of telling him what he thought about that.

"I felt it, alright." The lion's brow furrowed, surveying the crowd around them even as he spoke to his tremulous companion. "Rocks tumbling - are you certain?" Maybe his voice was a bit sharper than it needed to be. The sound was a serious concern - even if, secretly, he was glad he wasn't the only one it was intended for.

Lightning Shadow X

 

[Nezi-ozu]

The following lions, upon reflection, note that the shout was distinctly that of a male. It certainly wasn't a cub, but you can't identify much about it besides that. (Roll=10)

Z o m b i k ii

Nyarai: 10

The following lions, upon thinking about the direction of the rockslide, note that it certainly came from an area a little ways outside the general day-to-day living area. This spot is somewhat remote and the ground is known to have been unsteady. (Roll > 10)

AstoriaFallen

Juu: 14

MangoMeow

Kione: 16

Kivras

Sadiki: 15

Lady Kitania

Vukani: 15

The Onyeisi has advised that no one make any rash decisions and go barreling into a potentially dangerous situation without thinking first. It is suggested that those who are worried about loved ones check on their family members. Those who are willing to search for anyone who is lost will reconvene in the morning after roll has been taken.

Characters are welcome to linger and chat, gossip about all the ongoing events, or simply take leave. The official events of this ORP are over, and the meta will continue in a new thread.  

[SilverLutz]

Taking the advice of the Onyeisi, Zuko slowly departed the gathering to check up on those he knew that he hadn't seen today. Surely they were fine, but it was always best to check.

[Last post from me]  

[MangoMeow]

With a glance an Nkwusi, Naani gave a short nod, nerves still feeling shot from the events today. She had been wanting to leave, and this was the perfect reason to do so. At least they had done what they came here to do. They didn't... at least, she and her brother didn't have anyone within their family to worry about, she thought with a scoff. At least that was one good thing about the status of the Uju family.

Though, she thought with a glance at their uncle, he might have someone that he is worried about. She wasn't really sure since they hadn't really.... kept up with their mother's side of the family.

... Perhaps that was something they needed to change as well.... but that was a thought for another time.

Instead, she allowed herself to be pushed away, before trotting off. At least now she would have more than enough time to sort out her own thoughts. While everyone was investigating whatever had happened... she wanted to be alone.

She would go to one of her alone-spots later tonight.

ChexaRain

Manda

Kione gave a narrow-eyed stare in the direction the noise had come from, barely listening to the words of the Onyeisi. From the way it sounded and the area it had come from, he was pretty sure it was one of the less-than-safe spots within the Nezi, a place he normally avoided himself. Rock slides were treacherous and he hadn't ever wanted to get caught in one with no one there to aid him.

He turned back as he noticed others beginning to disperse, most running to check on loved ones that were not in attendance. Kione had no such people. He had the Nganga family, sure, but he wasn't terribly close to any of them.

But this was a good excuse to leave. He could finish his meal in his den. So, quickly reaching down to grab his food, he stood and began padding away.  

[Z o m b i k ii]

Nyarai might have noticed her companions flushed cheeks if her mind was not preoccupied. In that moment all she could think of was her brother. There was dread in the pit of her stomach, a sickly feeling that had only consumed her once or twice before. Overreacting maybe; but Khwezi was her world, her only living relative, the last of her blood. When Ink said he had not seen him her heart well and truly sunk; if she was not already so pale than the others might have noticed the blood leave her face.

“Come on, I will check the den first.” She stated, thinking that was the most logical place to look (and the place she most wanted him to be). “But if he is not there, I am going to investigate.” There was no hesitation in her words, and though they were advised not to; nothing would keep her away from the site of the rock slide if her fears worsened. Be damned with the consequences.

Heart thudding in her chest, she shook her head and sucked in a long, deep breath. Her chest expanded and she held it there for a moment before breathing out. It was a comforting ritual that she had done since she was a cub, just like Father had shown her. Nyarai, unsurprisingly, was full of anxiety when she was younger and often needed to take a timeout to settle herself. She often masked that same anxiety and self-doubt with humour and false confidence, but it was still there, waiting to shine back through when tragedy or hardship stuck.

Ink had closed the gap between them, he had given an inch and she was about to take a yard. The pale lioness leaned and rested her head in his mane once more; though this time it was not from hiding, rather an affectionate hug. Her nose buried down until she could feel his throat, grateful she was not alone in this moment of irrational weakness. “Thank you, Ink.” She closed her eyes for a second to feel secure by his side, then she started running in the direction of the home she shared with her sibling; knowing that Ink could keep up with her.

Anderleit

 

[Krysin]

She was distracted from her own sibling when she noticed Nyarai frantically calling out to her. The pale lioness had a tendency to be dramatic, but Afya could hardly fault her for that when her brother was unaccounted for. The dark lioness cast an empathetic, concerned frown at her friend. "I haven't seen him - I can go check with some of the other lions who are on patrols and check if they've seen him." She was sure Khwezi was safe, but anything she could do to put Nyarai's mind at ease - she would.

Afya gave her brother an apologetic look. "I'll catch up with you later," she told him, and then hurriedly she left the banquet feast. Afya might as well make sure that everyone was accounted for.