[ORP] A New Chapter [closed]

[Motoujamii Lands]

Welcome to this Firekin ORP.

Today is the day that the Firekin who won the votes of their peers are appointed into their new positions. You can expect speeches, a change up of tradition and a step into a new chapter for the pride.

Feel free to RP reactions to these announcements and mingle with other pride members. This RP is open to all pride members and familiars, regardless of age or rank.  

[Motoujamii Lands]

Raffle



As part of this event, one lucky participant will be in for the chance of winning Ukame'chaka [image above]. She is extra special in that she will be appointed to the rank of magistrate to work alongside the new regents and the magistrates. As such, we'd like an active owner for her.

you can win her by....

...Asking for a ticket in your first post here.

arrow An additional ticket will also be awarded to those who applied to become a pride owner in the contest.

arrow You do not have to be entered into the raffle to roleplay in this event.
 

[Motoujamii Lands]

Introduction

Today was the day.

Kidondo felt a mix of emotions as he sat upon the stone dais. Pride at seeing how far his people had come. Joy that he had been able to witness this next stage of the story they were carving for themselves. Sadness that his 'reign' was finally at an end after all of this time and relief that the judgement and responsibility would no longer rest upon his shoulders.

Further change was coming and at a pace that, he hoped, would be accepted by all. He had great faith in the two females who had earned the respect of the pride and of Na-atesh who would be there to guide them every step of the way. In those three he saw the separate entities that had existed within the Firekin coming together as one, united force.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Agni-pariksha, Tapana as well as the magistrates, Na-atesh, Nawvlee and Ukame'chaka as they awaited their moment.

Without warning, he swept up onto his paws and - if that did not command attention - added a short, blasting roar that certainly would.

"Today, a new chapter begins for our people. Welcome it and embrace it, for it is our future," he paused, "we have come so far in such a short amount of time. Think of how much further we yet could go. Change is upon us again and it will make us all the greater."

Then, without looking back, Kidondo stepped neatly off of the crest of rock to make room for the new regents and magistrates, filing through the crowds until he found the dismal face of his eldest daughter, Fia.
 

[SilverLutz]

[OOC: I'd like a ticket, please! I entered for the pride ownership as well!]

Kasoro and Soleil

Kasoro kept his eyes on Kidondo as the old ruler spoke. Thanks to his goddess mother he stood tall among the large lions, yet his presence wasn't threatening or even noticed any more. When he had first joined a few brows had been raised, but no one had confronted him about his strange size. He knew change was good, but it was a bit sad to see him stepping down. Things had been the same in the Firekin since he had joined all those years ago so it would be very interesting to see how things progressed from here.

"Let us hope it makes us greater," he murmured to his mate whom he stood beside. Soleil glanced up at her tall mate, a little hum leaving her lips. She licked them before turning her head up to watch Kindondo stepp down, a little sigh following her hum.

"I'm sure it will," she said, trying to stay optimistic. Things needed to change, it was only healthy, but the Firekin as a whole had been stuck in their ways for many, many years. She hoped that change would come easily to the group but she knew there would be those that went kicking and screaming the whole way.

"And if not...well. We can't say we didn't try."

Mate'Moto

Mate'moto smirked slightly as the old ruler stepped down off the rock. This was it, then. Everything was changing. She was quite pleased that the two new rulers were both female. While gender wasn't really an issue here within the pride, seeing her own kind taking the helm of this vast and powerful group was great. She waited expectantly for the new leaders to come up onto the rock, her claws digging into the sand under her toes. This was exciting!

Shi and Ud

Although Shi had recently had a litter of cubs, she found herself in the crowd to await the presentation of the new rulers. She had managed to wrangle at least some of her children on the way here, but now only a few stuck by her side. The rest had gone off to play with other cubs which was fine by her. One less little scamp to keep an eye on. She listened quietly as Kidondo gave his farewell speech, expression blank as he stepped down.

Ud sat between his mother's paws, quiet and content. He was easily the best-behaved cub out of his siblings but only because he was a very strange youth. Rather that wanting to play all the time there was a very interesting air about him that suggested he was either destined for great things...or for terrible things. His little golden eyes seemed wise beyond their years as he watched the old ruler step down. Indeed, mother and son were equally immobile as they waited for the new leaders to step up. Ud, for his part, eventually stepped forward a few paces to climb up onto a small rock so he could get a better view.

Kuzimu

This was rather dull, the pale lioness thought. She didn't really care one way or the other who ruled the pride. Unless there was some interesting facts about the new rulers she could dig up, of course. Kuzimu shifted to get a little closer to the rock so she could at the very least study the new rulers to get to know what they looked like. Her bright blue eyes seemed unblinking as she focused on the rock, not at all paying attention to who she bumped into on her slow journey forward. She was a bit strange, thanks to her eccentric mother and Nergui father, and those that knew who she was generally gave her a bit of room to move. Her rank didn't make her any friends, either. Still, she didn't seem to mind being alone most of the time. To be among so many lions now was quite strange.

Brasa

Standing on her toes to peer over the larger lions before her, Brasa struggled to watch what was going on. She was still fairly young and was very curious about everything around her, so getting to see the switch of power within her pride was something she took very seriously. This could change her entire future!

Finding that she couldn't hear that well, she began to worm through the bodies to get closer. "'scuse me! Sorry! Oh was that your tail? I'm so sorry, I'll be more careful!" She picked her way through the group until she found herself directly in front of the rock. She sat down so others behind her could see, an excited twinkle in her purple eyes.

 

[Nuxaz]

(I would like a ticket please :3 )

Xipil arrived as expected, taking a seat in the sands not too far from where his father and sister sat. He thought of approaching them because they'd all been busy and he hadn't had as much time to converse with them as he might have liked but -

There would be time for that later.

As it were, Xipil here was on business, with the sands shifting beneath them foretelling a new beginning. Logically, he understood why his parents were stepping back, being replaced. Emotionally, he was...apathetic for the most part. Logic often won when it came to the large male.

Without thought, blue eyes swept across the gather crowd looking for Vesta or Mii'ah  

[magnadearel]

(Ticket for me please)




Today was an important today. Akane was sure everyone could feel it; down to the littlest cubs. She padded confidently to the gathering with Que faithfully at her heels. The lionesses simply took it for granted now days that the jackal would be at her side. Perhaps too much so. She found herself an open spot to settle so she could listen to the announcements. Akane looked over the others already there. How would the rest react? How would she? Depended upon the changes she decided. Well she would wait and save her opinions until she had the whole story.

A roar brought her attention to the lion standing on the dias. Here it comes! She listened to the very short speech. Hmmm, she thought he'd have done more ceremony. Akane watched as he stepped off and made his way through the crowd without introducing the new regents and magistrates. So they had to introduce themselves. "What do you think Que? Will they be everything everyone says they'll be?"


The jackal was indeed faithfully at her side. The changing of the rulers didn't really affect him as much it did his partner. That wasn't a reason for him to be absent though. He waited for the lioness to sit, then settled himself on his side next to her. Que-ale tilted his head as he listened as well, then glanced up to the dark red lioness. "I suppose that would remain to be seen? Actions do speak louder than words don't they?" He could obviously tell she hoped the pride had made the right decisions.





The bright red male scampered to join the crowd just as the lion gave his speech. Plamen stood on tip toes to watch. His ears perked forward to hear. Should he try to press forward or simple hang around the back. No he wanted to hear! He spotted a free spot and gingerly eased his way forward. Oh to be a cub again and be small enough to slip between the adults, he thought with amusement to himself. He glanced around for the medic he'd recently met. He thought she'd of been here unless she was repairing some broken skulls. It was silly! Who would spar right before the change of regents and magistrates? Probably someone.

Plamen nodded to the old regent as he passed by, then his eyes went back to the dais to wait the new. How exciting! He wondered what all new changes they would bring to the pride. Things were surely going to be exciting soon!

SSBrosB

Shula

 

[Andranis]

With the usual methodical way he looked at things, Ogon'krylo listened to Kidondo's words. He sat back, staring almost blankly, before he looked over at the two who sat with him. "Part of me was worried he'd died..." There'd been a period where Ogon hadn't seen the Regents at all, wondering if they'd vanished into the sands. Singh had simply waved his worries off, and now he saw why. As far as he could guess, they'd been talking about this moment, which had led into voting. That, of course, had been the sign that no, the Regents were not dead or missing, they were simply preparing for retirement. Beside him, he heard a huff to his left.

"I think you could figure out by NOW that lions in my family don't die that easily." Kiran's gaze flicked from his great-uncle to the lions behind him. Two were distant cousins, through Mwali. The other two were newer blood, one from amid the Hongshan and the other from joined rogues. When Na-atesh had opted to become a medic, later in his life, Kiran had laughed a the thought. The medical wards had more or less been taken over by coats a crisp white, his own no exception. Still, he looked at the new Regents and one of the new Magistrates with a critical eye, the eye of a medic. "They've got some lacerations and bruises... Must have tested their strength against each other."

To Kiran's own left, Aurinko let out a laugh. "If you ask me, it looks like Agni-pariksha got the s**t beat out of her by Na-atesh!" She could recognize some of those hit marks anywhere, even from a distance. She'd sparred with him a few times, before his change in career path. He was a powerful lion, as strong-willed as any pure-blood Firekin.

Not that Aurinko was of old blood, herself. She was very much proud of her newer blood, related only to a few lions in the pride from her mother's first litter. Kiran, she'd heard, had been very lucky to nab her for a mate, but really... It was she who'd nabbed him. "I wonder what changes they might impliment..."

"What makes you so certain they'll make changes?" Ogon shifted, tail flicking. His gaze panned the gathering lions, spying Mircea. A new face... There were many new faces lately. It pleased a part of him.

Aurinko shrugged. "I dunno, they MIGHT." They'd see.  

[ShinosBee]

((No tickets for me please—I'd be a pretty trash leader-type, lol!))

Saharan was all ears when the pride gathered near the throne. She wasn't a born-in native to the pride, but she'd lived there long enough to feel like a real Firekin. This was her home, these were her people. And she was a historian. Such a momentous change as a change in leadership was literally history in the making, and she wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Of course, she was quite a bit smaller than most of the lions muddling around, and she'd resigned herself to having a primarily auditory experience. She sighed, leaning against the flank of her much taller mate. Saoiraed was surprisingly observant, and he'd fill her in on anything visual-only that was worth adding to a historical account.

Saoiraed paused in his lazy watching to nuzzle against his lady love. The day was important to her, and to him, of course, but for different reasons. He'd do his best to make sure she knew what was going on, and he'd briefly considered trying to coax her to climb up on his back. It'd be a bit awkward, but he was strong, and she was light. Above, Peri circled in the air, keen avian eyes watching the stragglers rolling up to join the meeting. Both of them were going to have to adjust to new leadership, but so would the rest of the pride. It'd be a busy few coming days, months even, perhaps.

Khaluun was more alert than even her mother, and being gifted her father's size...she was staring up at Kidondo with an intensity that was blatantly unchecked. It was her job to do this kind of thing, and unlike some others, she was making no effort to hide her listening in on anyone and everyone. A change of leadership was important, and probably upsetting to more than one person in the pride. Especially if the lion they backed wasn't tapped to advance. It could get rowdy. She'd be ready, if it was, she decided, with claws or with words, whichever'd work. The new leaders had not been announced, but already she was just as loyal to them as she had been to the previous ones.

Lumt'vena did not care for politics. It was a sport for those more patient, better spoken, and probably more devious than himself. Still, something as major as new leaders got his attention. He wasn't about to have a party over it, but still. He'd showed up, hadn't he? And his mate seemed sort of interested, so he'd put up with the crowds (he didn't like those either) to be sure she had a good time. Kidondo's roar thankfully silenced most of the chatter. Looked like it was about time.

Thema was more interested in the gossip this event would kick off than anything else. She was a terribly social huntress, and with her cubs gone from their den, she'd taken to spending much more time with other lions and lionesses, discussing the pride's goings-on while tracking prey. Her focus was on Kidondo, but her ears were on a swivel, constantly flicking from person to person as she exchanged greetings and caught interesting threads of conversations. She'd be chatting all night to Lumt about it, but hers was the one voice he didn't mind hearing, so that was alright.

On his mother's other side, in similar stoic silence to his father, Lumt'bakar looked dead bored. He was freshly into adulthood, and too young to feel the weight of the moment. All he knew was that for now, he had to stand still, and put up with people. He'd taken after his father in more than looks, and side by side they looked almost identical. The only real difference was how comparatively impatient this 'twin' looked. Vena had learned patience. Bakar was still a young, eager flame. Oh well. Maybe something interesting would happen...  

[Kimaria]

Tapana mounted the rock with all the 'refined aura' she could muster. Well-groomed, her red pelt blazed under the touch of the sun; signs of her recent duel washed away. She'd been lucky, in truth, to come away with just a bloodied nose considering how terribly she had done. Still, there would be another chance someday soon and maybe she could earn back a little of her dignity!

The (partial) old-blood female loved the opportunity to adopt her 'formal' mask and today was the best moment yet. Many of the pride here, hanging on the words that she - and her colleagues - would speak. She had practised in her den, talking at the walls to ensure it all sounded perfect. And so, with a long sweeping look at all those had gathered, she drew in a deep breath and began.

"I would like to extend my thanks to Kidondo for the introduction," she cast said lion a short look of appreciation. "He and No have led this pride through troubled times and taught us that change is a natural process when it comes to survival. And, my dear friends, we not only want to survive, but to thrive whilst doing so. My colleagues and I have been in long debate about where our future path might lead us. Today we hope to give you the opportunity to hear some of what lies ahead."

She paused. For dramatic effect.

"It is my honour to begin this ceremony with two of the changes we intend to put in place. It might have been a long time coming, but moving forwards, we wish to drop the name 'Simo' from our pride name and move together as 'Motoujamii' - an undivided and unconquerable force.

It was a natural progression and likely the least surprising of all changes, but it felt right to have that stated first. "We are no longer the pride who emerged from the civil war. This day we are so much more than that. We are all Firekin, whether we were born here or journeyed here to take up the mantle." Hongshan, rogue, those who had left prides to join them. They were Firekin, one and all.

"Secondly, it is no secret that the Firekin have complicated bloodlines. They twist and turn and merge at every corner, making it complicated to find a mate to whom we might procreate with. In an attempt to aid those wishing to find a mate - for children or for something more - we intend to recruit a matchmaker who can provide information on ancestors to support those wishing to start a family."

Tapana blinked slowly and ended with; "thank you for your time," before stepping back a little to make room for the next speaker.  

[magnadearel]

Akane/Que-ale

She nodded a pleasant and welcoming greeting to Mircea. "Wouldn't miss this for nothing. Doesn't happen all that often, thank goodness. I hope they'll be good for the pride." Akane nodded decisively. "This would be a good time to mingle and get to know others," she pointed out. With so many lions around in one spot, surely he could find someone to talk to. She laughed a moment as she realized he already had. Her! Well at least she had someone to make comments to besides Que.

"Oh listen! It's starting." Her attention was riveted to the red lioness on the dias. Akane flicking her tail, either impatiently, or eagerly. Her jaw dropped as the change to the pride name registered with her brain. "Whaaaat?! How is changing that going to make us 'undivided and unconquerable force'?" She muttered out loud mimicking the lioness. She glanced around at those around her. Once she'd been a rogue, but now she only thought of herself as Firekin. Given enough time those welcomed here would do the same without a silly name change. Pah!

Thankfully she had no use of the second announcement. She was from outblood and related to no one within the pride.


"Hey Mircea! You haven't forgotten now have you?" He peered up with interest at the dark lion. He was hoping the male hadn't joined them only because they were the only familiar faces around. It really was a big pride. Could take some getting use to, he supposed. That just meant Mircea should circulate more! Oh well. Now probably wasn't the time to be thinking about female jackals. The lions would most definitely have their minds on the changing of the rulers. Politely he turned his attention to words that had no real meaning for him. There was no one to talk to when they were all paying attention to those words.

He chuckled softly as he heard the outrage in the lioness' voice. "Change makes it easier to accept Akane." He glanced toward the other lion sitting with them to see how he'd take it.



Plamen

Plamen gave a welcoming grin as Shula squeezed in beside him. He moved over a bit, pushing against the lion beside him, to make a bit more room for her. "Shula, glad you could make it! I'm excited to hear what they'll say." His undivided attention was on the lioness who stepped up. He mulled over the announcement declaring the change in the pride's name. "That will take some getting use to." He admitted ruefully. He'd grown up with that name in his heart, blood, and bones.

His ears perked up at the mention of a match maker to help sort bloodlines. "Well! That'll certainly come in helpful for some. Might even make use of it myself." He pondered the idea of finding a nice girl and settling down.

SSBrosB

Mircea/Shula
<.< Plamen doesn't know what the future holds for him lol.

 

[Kimaria]

Kidondo watched the faces of those around him with a keen curiosity. What sort of reaction would the announcements be met with? Anxiety? Excitement? Uncertainty? He was eager, perhaps, to see how the Firekin had adapted to change, to see what this new generation had become.

Beside him, Fia gave an almighty sigh. Still a single lady despite her somewhat advanced years (did he spy a grey hair there on her chin?) she had never taken a mate, for love or otherwise. Fiery and stubborn in nature, she'd spent a lot of time training for a battle that had never fully surfaced. Her face looked tired and worn and Kidondo's heart could not help but feel sorrow to look at her.

"I don't understand why this had to happen. Any of it," she grumbled.

"Because life stays still for no lion." Kidondo replied.

Fia lapsed into silence before a conversation had barely struck up and, at Tapana's words, there was no visible reaction for him to garner. Her face was stone.

---

Not too far away from Kidondo and his daughter were three generations of another bloodline. Descendants of Bodaway. A father, a son and a grandson. Azar'bijan sat tense, his tail twitching as if facing off a foe. He had mixed feelings about all this change and what it meant for him. Could he benefit or could he suffer? It was hard to tell at this early stage but the unknown made him nervous.

Beside him, Heti seemed much more easy going about the whole thing. "A revert back to the pride's original name sounds good to me. She's right. There's no division anymore."

Azar 'hrmphed'.

"And," Kerra chimed in mischieviously, "maybe the new matchmaker can find grandpa a mate."

Heti stifled a laugh, not daring to look at his father. Surprisingly, Azar said nothing - almost as if he hadn't heard at all.  

[Andranis]

The limp in Agni-pariksha's walk wasn't missed, and Na-atesh smirked with just a bit of smugness. He had settled on his haunches behind the new Regents, gaze dancing just slightly while keeping his expression mostly impassive. The ability to do so had served him well amid the medical wards.

Now it made the pale lion look stoic, or so he hoped. He certainly didn't need to be making silly faces to stand out - Both Regents were some shade of red, the other new Magistrate was as black as a burned branch, and the other Magistrate, Nawvlee, was also a blood-red color. Na-atesh, meanwhile, was absolutely stark white. The fireless Magistrate.

He knew he made up for it in sheer power behind his blows.

When Agni-pariksha mentioned his name, he rose to his paws. They'd discussed this before, as one large group of Regends and Magistrates, and he stepped forward, clearing his throat. "I don't care for pretty words, so I'm getting to the point. You'll all probably recognize why I might be a bit touchy on the matter of coats, my sisters are departed from these lands for it, and while I'd personally like to see them come back, we've settled on a compromise that all parties could agree on. Cubs born with coats of particularly bright yellows and oranges will no longer be considered Huria, and those who had to leave because of it will be accepted back into the pride." He gave a huff, frowning just slightly. "Seemed silly, anyway. Isn't orange a color of fire? And yellow's all around us."

He paused, then turned and went to sit down. "Okay, I'm done talking."  

[Excited Apathy]

(would like ticket, yes)

Nuria was not sure how she felt about the name change. On one paw, the Safi rejoining the Simo for the sake of survival was long ago, and the civil war longer still. On the other paw, the Simo had been such her entire life, and herself descended from Safi lions. That divide had blurred over the passage of time, but it was strange to think it gone. ...A matchmaker, familiar with bloodlines? Good. She knew she was connected to some lines through this marking or that, but wasn't sure how far her bloodline ran through the pride. Her sons and daughters should have the best chance possible to continue those lines without mingling too closely with others of the Blood. Those close relations had defeated the Safi.

Goddess knew that favored names were used and re-used until you had to get descriptive just to figure out which Moto or Azar one meant. But what really got her attention was the loosening of huria restrictions. Tifu, wherever she was now, was neither orange nor yellow. But Erle...Erle could come home.

---

Mkazo stood silent, green eyes watchful. He had wondered, when the Regents had become quiet and seldom spotted, and now he had an answer. Most of the changes, as they stood, had little to do with him. The matchmaker would be useful, of course--if a lioness took more than passing interest in him. He knew he had Firekin blood, but he was no native. Help in avoiding close ties with some long-unknown cousin would be appreciated.