Fools Quarry [aw]

[I L Y I C H]

As much as I did enjoy my John's presence I couldn't help but be less then enthusiastic about our current assignment. No lonely avenue for us to tramp down. No game this time. Just a well worn path to a border we watched so curiously now that the times were growing red with future war. Soon humans much unlike our old feeders would drop from the east and this camp of soldiers would be prepared for them. By any means necessary. This 'alpha' whom we two lead back to her own lands seemed not to know too well what was going on. Of course she knew of what came from man, but she did not understand Ende. Few did, fully at least. It was doubtful any pride had the slightest idea of how to sway Symphony Bava' in anyway. There was a reason why we were spoken of with vitriol or hushed whispers. Feared and respected and so very unknown.

It was what made Ende dangerous. A snake sat in the center of it all, but hidden beneath the marsh. Venomous enough to kill and so expertly disguised as to strike without proper warning. And here this irimote to our north had crossed a river to seek us out. Seeking a breaking of our veil and the thing that protected our family the most. It was a pitiful showing at best. She'd lost herself to a tantrum shortly through and had all but threatened our Fuhrer to try and prove her worth and in doing so had lessened her standings even further. Every single step Kunabee had taken had flung her farther and farther back in the eyes of the army. My ebony lips pulled back in a sneer. Ende had been so easy to play and pull. Putty in my claws upon my first meeting, and yet highly intelligent. Manipulating myself back. It was their greatest strength; making me their ally as it was my only gift.

This girl brought ribbons of idealism into a house of realists. Spoke of peace to those who started wars to protect their loves. It was foolish poorly thought out and unwise in all ways possible. The very idea that this little girl had thought it would bring us over appalled me on an intellectual level. Being the cat I was it burnt my fur to be within touching distance in all honesty. Any curiosity I had in the girl's motives left the second I'd reasoned them all out and now I was left to trudge with as much regality as I could atop the compounded layers of boredom and annoyance. Not that it mattered. John would deal with the dull little irimote. There was little to speak about anyway, and it was only a backwards loyalty that kept me even walking with the two of them. Wouldn't want to leave my poor doctor alone with the silence and boredom. Even if he didn't show his own boredom so prolifically as I always found myself doing.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

No words had passed between Sherlock and I as we set out to return to woman to her homeland. None were needed, though I had to work to keep the amused tug from setting my lips upward. I knew my mistake, but had realized too late—I had called Sherlock my superior and, though it was truth, admitting the fact would be held over my head for all of time. I would pretend to be annoyed by his remarks on the matter, but then I would simply tackle the brute to the ground (and, despite my size drawback, he would let me) and hold his jaws shut with my own careful nips. Snarky little bastard—my snarky little bastard.

I flicked my ears towards the Iriomote, perfectly content with the silence but knowing it would not last. I wished to return the girl home and continue on with the existence I had not known I wanted—a family and nothing else. Those other armies, if they could be called as such, could keep to themselves. I had jumped around enough in my life-time—I wished to keep settled in Ende with my mate and daughter, surrounding my cats that I was comfortable with and trusted. Ironic, that—the pride that had destroyed my first home in the wild, and the pride that had had such any icy grip on my second home in the wild, was the one I felt I belonged in. It wasn’t just the presence of Sherlock, clearly, for the man had been by my side in Eznox as well. Ende was home—the only one I had found since my time in the war came to an end.

“Kunabee, if I may call you such, the sentimental piece of me must know—has anyone from Eznox come back to their lands and tried to lay claim? Or perhaps were welcomed into Esson?” Perhaps I had cared little for the cats in Eznox, but fact of the matter is they gave me a home when I had none. More than that, they had given Sherlock a home—and the beast was not the most tolerable cat during our time there. Not that I blame him, they were a group of lower-life forms if I ever knew any, but their hearts had been in the right place. Though the heart can drag you only so far—sometimes the brain needs to put in some effort, too. I dare not look down to the Iriomote, knowing my guarded expression might leak my thoughts.

This girl was all heart, and it would be the death of her as it had been for Eznox.

[Kunabee]

Kunabee

I was as silent as the others. I was ashamed, and felt like a bloody fool. Look what I had done; this bloodshed would all be mine, mine, mine. It was a heavy weight I carried. I'd have to fight like hell. I still had so much to prove of myself. Anger and hate, what could I do with them but push them upon myself, carry the weight greater than my small little shoulders could stand. But though my head was down, and my tail drooping, I stayed upright. My dignity did not belong here, nor anywhere; I was not dignified. I should have never created Esson. Perhaps I could simply find Daniel so that he and his daughter would be returned to their family, and then kill it; nip it in the bud. It was a foolish hope.

But I couldn't give it up. As stupid as it was, I couldn't let go. Bringing peace, that is what I wanted. It was a goal I could aim for, without f***ing it all up like I did everything else. And even if it failed - which it would fail - at least I would have done something. Everyone thought it was impossible. But I had saved a small Folami once, and - without even expecting it - it had protected me. I smiled briefly, one flickering light on my face, before it fell. An innocent time when Mahal had family and Bhuvana had faith. Well, then it all went to hell.

But slowly Mahal had been getting his family back; wasn't that true? I had nearly cheered when news finally reached me of Carska and Bidziil returning to each other; that Ekshen - while still distant - stayed near. That his sister had found love. Slowly but surely it had happened, when everyone had given up hope. But I felt that flicker, that little burning flame, all the time. Even now Bhuvana had faith; just because it was in Bokor didn't mean it was gone. It was there.

My ears twitched; I was being spoken to. I turned my head up, looking at the feline who asked of Eznox. "No," I said in monotone, "None of them have." My head fell back down. My tail twitched. I had no dignity, I thought once more. I was shaking; I hid it with the way I walked. I felt a weight that was so great and oppressive.

"War's not the only way to prove you love someone," I murmured, almost to myself; repeating words to myself. Words I could not give up faith in, not as long as I continued to say them. "Peace is possible if hate is given up. It's okay to make mistakes as long as you fix them." On and on I went, murmuring things to myself. Audible but soft, some of them a mere breath that tried to mimic a word.

And then I fell to silence again. I checked my position, and moved slightly. I'd been getting a bit too close to the jaguar. He wanted me far far away, so I'd humor him as best as I possibly could. I'd made a fool of myself, and now I owed the whole world an apology - or so it seemed like.

Poor Eznox. I'd happily let Esson to itself, but Ende - Ende couldn't trust anyone outside of its borders. They thought everyone was evil. But we weren't. I didn't want to get at them; and I doubted any of my pridemates - even the Folami! - wanted to either. I had come here because of necessity.

And then I had cursed us all. Well, no use in having self-pity. I gritted my teeth. Hate and anger could war at me; I could have no dignity. But I would not, under any circumstance, feel sorry for my own stupid self! My eyes flashed, my fur fluffed. I calmed it down, however.

Keep walking, I ordered myself, Feel sorry for someone else.

[I L Y I C H]

Ah yes John's sentiment. I frowned softly, hiding the expression behind the bored petulance pressing across my muzzle. I had cared little for that pride and all but hated it as a whole, but John had felt loyalty to it. A loyalty that in my spare time had attempted to destroy and betray. Had succeed in doing that later. What guilt I did feel for those actions whispered chaotically about, but I chose to ignore them rather then voice it. Especially in front of the pouting child. John did not need my own sentiment to add to his own. My eyes drilled into the air before me, resolutely not allowing myself to think that people I had interacted with on a daily basis were simply no more. I had hated them. Not wanted them to exist. I had not thought of simple nothingness in their place. And perhaps death excited and incised me but it was never for the sake of death but for the problem of it.

Frowing in ernest now I cut one ear back as Kunabee continued speaking, low. To herself. Silver eyes staid focused forward. I did not want to be drawn into some moral debate with one who had no ability to be swayed. Not that my own arrogance could ever be shifted but I had the knowledge of the world spread out at my claw tips. Ever little nuiance of ever moment that I had learned through observation as a child settled into my mind and picked the world apart piece by piece. It was easy to know just about everything about anyone simply in the manor in which they carried themselves. Simple to my own mind to easily state a cat's entire life in a fraction of time after meeting. It was my gift and how I saw the world; alas I found it difficult to accept other people's 'morals' and ideas about how the world functioned. More often then not they were being optimistic, ridiculous, and horrendously wrong.

I could not quiet hold my tongue however, in that small second sentence even after I had resolved to remain silent. A problem of mine, I supposed, that branched off of the issue of my genius. A problem for John, usually. "Peace is a fallacy. " It came out far more contemptuous then I had intended, and my accent only made it colder. "It exists only in small groups or in manipulation tactics between larger ones. In the grand scheme of things it is mentally impossible to care enough about everyone in the world to even be able to contemplate peace in such a scenario." I flicked the long length of my ebony tail in emphasis. "And" I continued on, forestalling any attempt at interruption hopefully. "As you are surely going to deny such a thing, then consider that it is also utterly impossible for any feline or otherwise to ever be able to go around every beings personal selfishness to make the entire world happy. It is impossible."

Glancing back over one shoulder with a narrowed stormy gray-blue eye I watched for a second before swinging my head back in place, head high and pace all but nobel in format. Mycroft would be so very proud. Lips pulled into a sneer at the thought I slashed my tail aside before bringing it back and all but allowing it to drag on the dirt. Not that the motions would make any sense to the others but I would assume that John knew me well enough at this point in our relationship to just give up questioning. "Ende is at peace." I added gruffly. "With each other and ourselves. But being the largest pride we have greed in the manor that we must feed our family and damn the rest." Perhaps peace was possible in the human world, where technology allowed for a level of survival not possible to us out in the wild. "In the wild we fight to survive, and that will not be changed. No matter how hard anyone tries. A family will always love it's family more then those outside."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I was ashamed to admit I wanted to believe the words that passed the Iriomote. Peace for all was a thing I ached for, but I had too much worldly knowledge to let myself fall into such impossible dreams. It was knowing the world that kept me from following the gods that may or may not be there. That kept me from cringing at the sight of a mutilated body-- a body that had spoken to me only moments prior. I missed the fallen that I had dared to love--my human and the felines I had fought beside--and it had been war that killed them. But if not for a willingness to fight, how many more would have died? I had saved many and it would not be so if I walked the path I wished the world would follow.

And so I only let myself stare forward as the Iriomote mumble under her breath. I could not afford to listen, knowing I would not find hope, but only hate. A cat so kind was foolish--you have to get your claws sticky with blood if you love someone because someone will try to kill them and you have to have the stomach to pick a side. You cannot love without war but I held my tongue and only walked. Love is a war, it is something every heart has to fight for. I flicked my peripherals to capture the sight of Sherlock. I would not let this Iriomote belittle my efforts in the fight for my mate. I worked out of necessity, and blood had had to be spilled for it.

My pace slowed to that of a normal speed, rather than my typical fast walk, when Sherlock spoke up. Ears turning in his direction I smiled guardedly at his words, proud. The man was smart, no one could deny that, but something about his calling Ende a family warmed me in a way I could not remember having in the past. Yes, we had a family now--more than just him and I a mates, more than Adalaide as our daughter, we had all of Ende to fight for. What I had been dismissing as soldier obligations was truly my heart saying they were worth it. I won't say I agreed with every aspect of Ende, but no family sees eye to eye every step of the way.

I watched the man's confidence droop to a dragging tail, but I knew better than to say a word. I could only smile warmly after the larger male, walking in silence.

Peace did exist, but only for the individual. Love is peace, and I had it.

[Kunabee]

Kunabee

He expected me to disagree. I smiled to myself at that. He was entirely right. So I replied, stating with my truth.

"You're right," I told him, "But if not for fools where would any light be? I must keep hoping for something, even if it's impossible." I shrugged at that. They thought me naive and stupid; I was not nearly what they thought I was. The icey claw of anger gripped me once more; how dare I ever think of anything positive of myself again. I was stupid and pathetic.

The smile fell. I turned to my silence once more, but wait. I had more to say. I turned and looked at him, pausing briefly, but then continuing to walk. "Then how," I said softly, "Do you explain me?" I shook my head; and then went on with that.

"I care about others, and yes, I know I am a fool for trying to show compassion for all. But in all good there is evil; but also in all evil, there is good. You call Ende your family; yet others call you monsters. You aren't, nor are the humans we call murder apes; there are simply sides people do not see. I saved a Folami pup when I could have let him die; I expected nothing from it, except for heartbreak and more deaths. But I saved him because I could not let any child die. I know at least two others like myself, who could not let another die; that Folami pup has grown into a great leader who will lead at least one of the packs, if not inherit both of them. If I can see past the monstrosity, if there are others who can see beyond the darkness in people, then it is possible that, as selfish as we are at heart, we can be selfless enough to give of ourselves in a situation when there is nothing to gain from it." I'd spoken more than I intended to; my eyes widened and I quickly bowed my head.

"My apologies," I muttered, shaking my head. "You don't want to hear my nonsense."

I didn't want to say it anymore, either.

[I L Y I C H]

If she expected to sway me with words then she was more foolish then I had imagined. Perhaps the persona I gave the world made me seem judgmental to a harsh degree. What the world did not understand was that all of my judgments rang wit truth, fact and my own inability to dislike based off of social graces. I had little in the way of mannerisms which would lead one to assume that I had anything against most people. I simply found so many of them so horrendously boring I could not stand to be around them. Or else they hated me for my lackings, or for my genius. It was always one or the other. In that way I was not foolish. I did not lack the ability to see the people around me as multifaceted beings. All of them were. I was not, however, foolish enough to fully ignore a being's darkness.

Stormy eyes rolled in their sockets as I elongated my stride. Trying to force the time go by faster. How had Annora dealt with such drivel all the way home? Let alone the tantrums she must have been throwing. How I loathed childish behavior. My daughter was less then a year and she acted with more maturity then this irimote had. One must be proud and resilient to get a point across, not petulant and snappish. A snort rang from me at the end of her little speech. She would have been better off just keeping her mouth shut. "No. I do not." Ebony ears cocking backwards I lashed my tail back into it's regality as usual, unable to hold it down just for the sake of pissing off a brother who was no where near close enough to see it.

"What do you know of darkness, aside?" My head turned sharply, eyes drilling into that brown coat and the softness of the fur. An easy start to life. A pet from a young age. Cared for well and with kindness. An accidental assent into a wild cat then. "You got lost leaving your home one day. A kind home." My lip curled coldly. Gotten along right good with every cat in that place too, I'd wager. She'd not any look of aged scars on her and cats were infamous for fighting about territory when they disliked one another in a domestic setting. She'd not faced my brother or sister. Not had any amount of bleakness in that pretty little heart of hers. Yet here she sat judging me for my disassociated behavior and unwillingness to trust dark intentioned animals because 'they might be good'.

"You've not been in a real fight sense you wandered away." I turned away, having already gleaned what I needed to know from her body. Scar free. Scuff free. Barely raised but for the sorrow in her for failing on her moronic little venture. My voice turned my accent harsh and cutting. "Aside from the verbal ones your pride has been building." Tsk. That jaguar I could smell on her would be leaving he 'peace pride' soon. Ire all but boiled around the scent. "Yet one day that will change. Soon. War is on the horizon." My teeth rubbed together at the thought. "And you fight to protect the things you love do you not? Is that not how the saying goes?" I twisted one ear in John's direction. "Life is war. There is only peace in death and that is simple because there is nothing."

Tail tip flicking, I let myself fall silent for a moment, simply enjoying the stretching of my muscles. "That pup you spoke of. He is a leader because he fought. He seeks peace but he does not disregard war as an avenue for it. The son of a royal is not born royal in that system of leadership." It is an earned thing, if any of the information I've learned about the folami is to be believed. This Mahal must have fought in their civil war, and he must be preparing for the next much more dangerous fight. He fought for his pack and his loved ones. Knowing that love was a bloody nasty business that must be fought for tooth and claw. "Had he wanted to hurt you you would have been hurt, yet you were not. His darkness was a different darkness yet you yourself judge him for a thing he does not possess." A child that had never been a folami at all. "Yet another may have despite you. You speak as a child does with idealism that will do nothing but kill you."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I did not chance a look to either feline, forcing myself to disregard the words being exchanged for simply what they were--sounds. We were near the Esson border by this point and I would not let Sherlock or myself come off as a threat to the Alphess by those few who remained loyal to her. I set my snout to the crisp tang of the new taking over the old. This scent used to be my own, the one hidden beneath that of Esson markers now. It was not anymore, and for that I was glad, but I did find myself wondering whatever happened to the cats that called Eznox their home. Had Ende truly destroyed my own pride simply by killing one in their ranks? I found that thought disgusting, on Eznox's part. No pride should be so ill-fitted for war that a single casualty breaks the bind that holds it together.

My ears flicked away from my pairs, the sound of approaching paws catching my attention. I continued casually, absorbing Sherlock's oppositions but not completely hearing them. Light steps, though not stalking. This was simply a small footed cat, though it was neater sounding than a child's would be. This was another small feline, and the scent said it was an Esson male. The creature appeared on his own side of the border, gaze anxious but cautiously defensive all the same. Another Iriomote, a newer addition to the home. Well, newer than I was to Ende, anyway. "Alphess?" I watched the male's gaze flick first to me but then rest heavily on Sherlock. The smaller tom was obviously intimidated, but it was clear he was sizing up the threat, throwing out his chest slightly was slowly turning as if to flee and gather reinforcements. Wise move.

"Do not concern yourself, soldier. We are merely assuring your Commander a safe return to her own base." My own tone was distant, though there was a hint of warning sitting around the edges. We did not need to drama of a child group--Esson was still young, lacking confidence in its ways. This lead to hasty decisions, and we did not need a creature to die here because they thought Sherlock and I were more a threat than we truly were. I slid my gaze down to Kunabee, shifting to allow her passage across her own border markers to meet with the male. "Your soldiers wish you to go home safely. As their leader, you need to listen to your people." There was threat and forewarning sitting there, as well. We were done listening to the woman's empty words, and here she was being given a chance to run off unharmed, able to find a pride who is silly enough to care about her feelings.

Go cry to Zonta. Tell them Ende is a big fat meany. The lug will hear your pleas and react with foolishness of his own.

[Kunabee]

Kunabee

"It is normal to judge," I said softly, knowing he looked at my body without scars. It had no scars because once I was too scared to fight. But no longer. Oh, I tried to protect my pride with peace but if worse came to worse I would fight. And perhaps I would get a scar and feel the regality - and harsh reality - that came with having such a story.

"And yes, I did come from a home where all was peaceful and happy, where we all got along. But if you think that physical wounds hurt more than emotional than you are - then I must disagree." I quickly corrected myself. I'd have enough childishness for one day. Disagreeing was much better than saying someone was wrong. As we reached the border I waved my tail, looking cheerful for Geronimo. To cross the river again! I paused, turning back around to look at the other two.

"You will see that one day this cat understands that war cannot be avoided, and that she is willing to fight for what she loves." My voice was soft. I shook my head. "Mahal is great because he is kind. If warrior-tyrants were the only rulers than it would be a mess. Warriors are necessary; but so are caretakers."

With that, I plunged into the river, swimming diagonally. It took me a little while but I made it across. The first thing I did was swipe my tongue briefly over myself, before turning to Geronimo.

"I did not expect to be greeted by one of my own, I left in such bad feelings," I said dryly, "But thank you." I bowed my head. I glanced back, checking to see if the other two were gone. As soon as they were I continued.

"I've made an awful mistake, one I must admit to," I said softly, "I went to Ende searching for peace, to see if they would not come up into our territories, and instead I found bloodshed." I shook my head sadly. "My stupid temper tantrum caused a war that will be coming soon." I paused, letting that sink in. And then I continued.

"I am going to give everyone a choice, now. To leave or keep Esson. It was a stupid idea, and I honestly don't know why anyone joined. Perhaps if Esson is gone, Yone can rejoin her mother soon enough that she won't die young." I found the misery pressing on myself.

"But anyway, let's get back to camp. I need to tell everyone I'm here - and apologize." I took a deep breath. "This is not going to be easy."