Caves of Darkness (OPEN)

[Mutheru]

THE TERMITE MOUNDS
of the outlands


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The large, russet lion paced the roomy caves of the termite mounds impatiently, his heavy paws stepping back and forth over the sandy stone.
Very little afternoon sun let in, everything of course was cast in darkness.

Mutheru found himself very bored and he wondered if any other lions were around. The extensive pathways and hidden areas were great hiding places for the other outsiders, and he did not doubt he could find any if he went exploring. Mutheru was still pretty new to the Outlands, not having explored them fully.

He growled to himself, the low rumble escaping his throat. This was not to threaten any other lions, simply a way of 'defending' himself, the growls should precaution any lions that may sneak up on him or confront him. He learned quickly that in the Outlands, one needed to think of everything and learn what it takes to survive here.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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God he loved the freedom he had. To travel wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted with no one to answer to regarding where he'd been or was going to be the next day. Sure there was the fact that he would have to answer to the various Kings he came across upon entering their respective territories, but Kopa wasn't an idiot. He'd been doing this for long enough to know how to do so without being seen.

Today he was returning to one of the few places where he didn't need to worry about being seen because for the majority of his childhood and adolescence it was his home. When he lived in the Pridelands he remembered sitting atop Pride Rock with his parents and looking out at these very lands. The stories they told him were obviously lies, including everything they said regarding his uncle Scar. Even now as his paws treaded carefully on the rough terrain, some nostalgia set in.

Still, he kept his ears alert. He hadn't been there in a while so there was no telling just who inhabited the lands currently or if any of his friends remained. The low growl that sounded had the young male sniffing the air. It wasn't a scent he recognized and as such his own low growl sounded within his throat. His eyes finally landed on the male before him and while Kopa still stood tall, there was no threat there. At least not yet.

"Just passing through? I can't recall seeing you in these lands before." His tone was calm and those piercing blue eyes he possessed remained unwavering.

((OOC: Not a problem at all. I actually have to run myself. Have a good day.))

[Mutheru]

Mutheru stopped pacing around the caves boredly when a large lion approached and he turned to look at him. His attentive green eyes quickly skimmed over him. He had a full dark mane and a light gold coat, this lion must be older than him, and one to be respected, though he had never seen him before. He relaxed a little when he heard his tone was calm, and he did not seem to be a threat.

"Are you another outsider?" Mutheru asked, his voice was quiet, but it had a underlying assertive tone. "I've only been in this pride but a few months, unfortunately I haven't really gotten around to meeting more of the locals."

He flicked his tail back and forth a few times in a laid back manner and briefly let his eyes wander about the room once more, but he quickly turned his attention back to this lion.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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Ah, so he wasn't passing through, but instead a new member of the pride. That would certainly explain why Kopa had never met him before. The male mentioned only joining this pride a few months prior and during that time the lost Prince of the Pridelands lived in various territories, but specifically in the Vinelands.

He took in his appearance briefly. The dark brown fur and dark red mane with dark fur also surrounding his green eyes, made for a somewhat intimidating look; though they looked to be about the same age. Taking a seat where he stood, it was obvious that he was significantly more relaxed than before. "I guess you can call me that. I grew up here and still visit occasionally as I still consider it my home." Pausing for a moment, he mentally debated properly introducing himself, deciding in the end that he would. This lion was a member of the Outlands and as such they were family.

"Name's Kopa." He watched for any reaction or signs of recognition after introducing himself, hoping for none. Not many in the Outlands knew who he was and that is how he wanted it to remain for now.

[Mutheru]

A small smile slipped over Mutheru's face as the golden lion introduced himself. Kopa.. Kopa.. the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Mutheru saw him sit down before him, so he went ahead and sat down as well, curling his tail around his paws.

"So you're Kopa..? It sounds familiar but I can't say I've met you before.. Anyway, my name is Mutheru. I was raised in the Creeklands, but I left of course," He felt he might have said too much, but surely it couldn't do any harm. His old home was quite a ways away, so he doubted Kopa had been there before.

His shoulders raised in a large shrug and he lazily shook his red mane. It was a habit he had made, a weird habit, but a habit still it was. He looked around some and still the question of the whereabouts of other lions raised in his mind.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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When he said that the name sounded familiar, although every muscle in his body tensed he remained calm. Should the lion decide to attack Kopa was ready to defend himself or run if that was the better option. Not because he would be afraid of him, but because he was only passing through he did not want to draw unnecessary or unwanted attention to himself.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you've heard the name before. It's not the most original." He lied. "Still, it's nice to meet you, Mutheru. Can't say that I've come across the Creeklands just yet in my constant traveling, but I'm sure I will." Ready to enquire just how far or it was from the Outlands, a familiar scent had the young lion frowning slightly before getting to his feet. "Brace yourself for arrogance," he said to Mutheru quietly.

Almost on cue a slender charcoal coloured lion entered with two similar lions , each of them smirking when they saw Kopa. "Look what the cat dragged in boys. And he brought a friend." The two lions that accompanied the one currently speaking moved to surround Mutheru.

[Mutheru]

Mutheru's ears perked forward as the three unfamiliar lions entered, they were acting so cocky he was sure they must be outsiders too, for if they were intruding they wouldn't be making such a show of themselves.

The large russet lion pulled himself up into a standing position and his lip curled slightly to show his sharp white teeth, a low growl emitted from his throat as he kept his eyes attentive on the three lions. He didn't know what they were planning to do, but he was sure it wasn't the first choice on his list of good deeds. Mutheru hoped Kopa was 'on his side,' since he seemed like a nice lion, and also two against three was better than nothing if they tried to start anything. Mutheru hoped they wouldn't, he figured they would just try to annoy them more than anything.

Mutheru was not a small lion, his body being muscular and generally large. His tail twitched back and forth in an irritated manner.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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Standing tall, the soft chuckle that resulted couldn't be helped. Kaleb had been a bully for as long as he knew him and growing up the two lions butt heads on multiple occasions. Kopa was always the one to walk away from those encounters even when he was the one winning, out of respect for his bully's mother. She was the lioness responsible for finding him and nursing him back to health so he felt forever indebted to her.

"Why am I not surprised that you're still here Kaleb? What, still trying to become king of these lands?" It was now Kaleb's turn to chuckle and the two lions still surrounding Mutheru joined him.

"I think I'd rather be that lion than an ex- prince who lost his rights to his throne. Wouldn't you agree Kopa? I know where I belong; do you? And your friend here..." His eyes narrowed on the strange lion. "What purpose do you have here in the Outlands. Or perhaps you're merely trespassing." It was more of an accusation than a question.

[Mutheru]

Mutheru automatically knew that he was not to show any sign of weakness here, any soft spot at all that they could possibly sniff out and prod at. The russet lion kept a cool disposition and simply said, "No, I am not trespassing, simply a member of the pride. It's a shame you haven't seen me around already." he said cooly, smiling, he left out the fact that he was a new member and made it to seem that they were the ones who hadn't seen him before. Mutheru hoped Kopa would get the gist and play along.

What the other lion had said to Kopa made Mutheru very curious. Who exactly is this lion? Why have I heard his name before? Where did he actually belong? the questions surfacing in his mind. He kept quiet and simply looked at Kopa questioningly and then back at the other lions. Mutheru just hoped the other lions would pay more attention to Kopa than himself, though, as he seemed to know them well.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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Right. The golden lion had forgotten just how annoying Kaleb could be. The fact that he also had information regarding the truth surrounding Kopa's past didn't help matters. Still, he knew how to play this game. As much as he wanted to attack him or silence him for what he said, he did better. Stretching his hind legs out and then his front, giving the impression that the entire conversation thus far was boring, he ignored Kaleb to look at Mutheru.

"Don't waste your breath. One, these aren't his lands. Even if they were, he could have been the one to welcome you and still wouldn't remember having done so not even a day later. I haven't been here in what, five months or so? I remember you." Kopa was quick and was all too seasoned at talking his way out of a tight spot. There was no way he was not going to play along with the lie.

"I don't know about you," he paused to look at Mutheru, motioning subtly with his head towards the exit. "I've got better places to be." Blocking the entrance, Kaleb and his two friends all growled. "Think again."

Kopa's fur was on end, his blue eyes narrowing into a dangerous gaze. A low growl could be heard from within...

[Mutheru]

Mutheru laughed a few seconds upon hearing what Kopa had said, hoping it might have hit a sore spot on the other lion, Kaleb, was it? Mutheru was starting to learn this lion, and he quickly picked up on how to go along with things without humiliating himself. If he did, he didn't think he would care too much.

Well I certainly have better places to be than hanging around here and playing with these cubs." he snickered as he emphasized the last word teasingly.

Mutheru could care less if he hurt the other lions' feelings or anything, he didn't even care if he had caused the light of a fight brewing, he doubted anyone would be seriously wounded over it. Besides, Mutheru and Kopa looked a size larger than the other lions, even though there were three of the others.

The bulky male stepped up beside Kopa as he walked toward the door, smiling as the other lions tried to get in their way. "I don't believe we need to think it over again, it seems we have already made up our minds. Now if you would please move," he said the last sentence rather impatiently.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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As angry as Kopa was at the moment, Mutheru still made him laugh. 'Cubs' described them perfectly. Though Kaleb was always one to be petty and childish at times as they were growing up, which he knew was due to the favoritism shown when Kopa joined their pride so long ago.

"I really don't want to start trouble here. But if you insist..." He was serious as his eyes focused on Kaleb and his two friends and as Mutheru stood beside him, considering both of them were slightly larger than the Outlanders, being in their presence was more than a little intimidating. It was unclear just what the three lions whispered amongst themselves, but soon they were moving away from the cave's entrance to allow their rivals' departure. "There you go. Go ahead and take your leave."

As suspicious as he was about it being a trap of some sort, Kopa stepped forward and then past them. He figured if they did decide to try an attack of some sort, he would rather it be when they were out of the caves. Kaleb's eyes remained narrowed on the pair.

[Mutheru]

Mutheru looked at them one last time before turning his dark brown back on them and quickly pacing out of the cave and into the open, a growl of warning slipping from his throat. He wanted them to keep their distance and not cause any trouble.

His large green eyes blinked a few times as they adjusted to the sudden light, the yellow glow fading from them and perhaps even making him appear less sinister. His large paws kicked up dusty waves of dust behind him as he stepped farther away from the caves; Mutheru wanted to be as far away as he could be from those pestering lions.

He lowered his haunches and sat next to a scraggly tree that appeared dead, it was dry and dusty without a leaf or sign of life to be found on it.
This land really was quite barren, but Mutheru shrugged, it was the place for him and where he decided to stay. A scowl came over his angular muzzle, "I just hope they don't bother us anymore. What a bunch of pests," he spat, gesturing towards the cave entrance. He only hoped they were out of earshot, because if they weren't, something would likely go down between them.

[Kopa]

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K O P A
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Glancing back occasionally as they walked away from the caves, it was a habit he developed with the amount of time he spent wandering from territory to territory. He had no one to watch his back but himself, so that meant having to constantly look over his shoulder. If it kept him safe then so be it.

When Mutheru chose a place to sit, Kopa paused to survey their surroundings briefly. Their vantage point was good and even sitting they had quite an extensive view in any direction they looked. "Pests is putting it mildly. I am sorry that Kaleb involved you in something he knows is just between he and I. Foolish childhood rivalry, but I guess he refuses to grow up."

Kopa wasn't planning to spend much longer in the Outlands, but now he wondered if it was a good idea for Mutheru to dwell here after their most recent encounter with Kaleb.

[Mutheru]

MUTHERU
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Mutheru sat with questionably bad posture; though it was almost impossible to notice when he was standing upright, when he was sitting you could clearly see a crick in his back, and so he sat slouched with his head a bit lowered. This did not seem to cause any pain to him though, and his posture made him look more like Scar besides his face shape, though no heritage to him are known, if even existent. Mutheru was much more muscular as well.

The lion shook his head and chuckled quietly, "We all know one lion like that at some point in our lives. Ah well, but what can anyone do?" he said rhetorically. "Hmnn.." he growled lowly to himself, it was apparent that it was in thought, and not in any threat. Yes.. but what about you? I don't remember if you may've mentioned it before, but do you live in the Outlands?" he asked curiously, quickly taken back into thought. He seems like a bit of a loner; a rogue. thinking this among other thoughts, he glanced back at Kopa, but then averted his green eyes back to the towering termite mound and then towards the sky. Water here seems to be lacking, as does any promising rainfall, and the sun's heat seems to be even more intense than it had been just a few days ago! If the weather doesn't change course, things can go downhill fast. I wonder if any other pride lands are suffering the same heat.. I can't see a cloud in the sky.. Oh if only it would rain. just thinking about water made his thirst worsen, and his throat seem drier. I like the Outlands, but what if the rains don't come? I don't think I'll be the only lion going about and searching for sustenance.