[FIN] Isolation

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Maji was in a more distant and isolated part of the pride's territory and had been for a good portion of the day thus far. As King it was his job to direct the Spies and other ranks the pride at large didn't need to know about and to do that he did need to meet with these people. Hence he'd periodically go to a relatively untrafficked location to take reports and give orders.

Things were...odd right now. Not because there was anything going on within the pride itself, but because some parts of the world itself seemed to be going crazy. Hopefully their borders would remain secure, at least in terms of disease. But it was his job to make sure of it. Which was why he'd have to go talk to his - step-uncle? step-brother? it was very hard to determine relationship - soon. Kestven had taken over the position of Master Warrior following Mittere's death and it was generally a good idea to discuss the pride's security with said Master.

The reports had finished coming in a good paw's width of sun ago, but Maji was still digesting what he'd learned and considering what to do with the information. Only when he came up with a real plan of action would he go back to the dens.  

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There were not a lot of white-pelted individuals in the Kitwana'antara. That was Maji's first thought as movement caught his eye. And, fortunately or not, he was related to most of those people. Which meant he had to wonder why a Warrior would be seeking him out. Sure, there were security issues they could discuss with him, but it was more appropriate for them to bring those to Kestven and then allow the Master Warrior to discuss them with the King.

Which meant that whichever of his relatives was heading straight for the blue lion was looking for said relation. And that made Maji nervous.

As the figure came closer it resolved first into a lioness and finally into Aella. Which could be good or bad, again. All of Mittere's offspring were...notable...in some way.

"Aella?" Maji prompted as she came near.  

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Of all the things Maji could have hoped to hear, those were not the words. They were also the words he'd dreaded hearing ever since Kua had died years ago. At least Ua had lived a good life, longer than so many in this pride. But still...to know that he was the last of his litter, the litter that his mother had died to bring into the world...

He didn't even know how to feel.

"I...uh...thank you," the King finally managed to gasp out. The news shouldn't have been so surprising, but no one ever expected a particular day to be their brother's last.

Now what was he going to do?  

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A low growl escaped Maji's throat as Aella berated him the way only family could. And that just...wasn't fair. Just because Aella was Mittere's daughter and he was Tarafa's grandson didn't mean he was going to let her do this. The blue lion abruptly shot to his feet, bristling.

"And what, exactly, am I supposed to do with this information?" the normally mild-mannered and somewhat meek King hissed. "My brother is dead. If he'd wanted anyone to be with him when he passed, I'm sure he was capable of asking. But he didn't. He probably didn't want anyone to worry. Which is his right as an adult. Which our brother Ua didn't survive to achieve - although of course you wouldn't remember him, since he died moons before you were ever born!"

The King was shaking with a rage he'd never expressed before, anger with the Goddess for decimating his immediate family so much more than most. It seemed the rage had finally overwhelmed his ability to speak, at least for the moment.  

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Maji was silent several moments longer, yellow eyes narrowed. He couldn't help feeling as if he'd walked into a trap by allowing his anger to run free, but he wasn't going to back down while his sort-of aunt was still here.

"You've delivered your message," the King growled. "Now leave."