Musical chairs [aw]

[I L Y I C H]

Spots and stripes. Tawny and gold. Orange and brown. They sat side by side in silence, for the most part. The younger one, her golden body wriggling kept shooting wide eyed glances at her older friend. The leopard never shifted her stance, never even seemed to breathe. Noelle let her ears slip back against her skull. Was she dead? Fighting the urge to reach out and poke the staring leopard the cub rocked back on her haunches yet again, it seemed the only thing to do after all. She had come to sit next to Ilyich hours ago, and the spotted woman had said nothing but a short nearly whispered hello. But Noelle was serious. Ilyich had only given her one lecture in her entire life, and it had been on patience.

So she would be patient. Clamping her jaws together the liger held her breathe, screwing up her eyes at the same time. A slight shuffle to her side distracted her, and with a sharp puff the young animal turned her head to stare up into the orange gaze peering down at her. Flaring her own eyes in an attempt to make the other smile, Noelle was pleased to see the normally blank leopardess crack a grin. "Have you been sittin' here thinkin' 'bout something, Ilyich?" she demanded in her bright chipper voice. The leopard turned her tawny face back to the horizon, eyes narrowing as the light shot off of the little remaining snow. "I have been wondering when you would give up and run off, Kleine"

Noelle grinned. There she went with the weird roughly textured words again. But the little girl didn't really mind, those words seemed very comforting after all the hustle around Zonta now a days. Then again it never had been really calm around here for a wile. Ilyich was one of those people that never changed, and Noelle loved it. Her mama grew more and more anxious as the day went on, but the tall muscly leopard never seemed worried. She always greeted the children with a hushed hello, and a small smile. And it made her feel special 'cause mama said Ily didn't like to smile all that much.

Even if mama said they had to get ready for soem big fight, Noelle was sure it wouldn't happen. What was the point in fighting one another any way? Speaking of which... The little striped cub rolled her head around to stare sideways over her shoulder. Where was mama? Blinking slowly, Noelle turned her head to ask her friend the same question. Ilyich shrugged, her big spotted shoulders hanging in the air for a moment before dropping. She didn't know. "But mutti is bound to be here somewhere. She doesn't often leave you for long" Noelle nodded vigorously. That was true! And hten their was Ily's words. Mutti. When she had asked Ilyich had said the word meant mother, but that was just confusing. Was Mama Ily's mama too?

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

With laughter that twisted to kitten like roars, my paws dragged up dust on the dying earth. Heaving breaths escaped my lips, ears perked forward and eyes alert with hectic mischief. I wasn't scared as I ran, but considering the environment in which I not wandered. Currently, my paws stirred up trouble closer to that of the Akando border; the forests near Zonta's camp had to be my goal.

And so I turned with only a slight decline in speed. The skinny bull elk stumbled, but was quick to regain himself as he followed in fury. The food was dying and it was hungry. Now, the elk, of course, had no taste for liger cub, but his temper was nasty and a thirst for vengence was planted. I'd taken advantage of his tolerating my small form creeping around him, walsing up to his behind. He was aware of my presence, but had no reason to pay me any attention. His mind was set on the few females he was in charge of guarding. The very females I'd humiliating him in front of day after day by running around their feet. He was a good natured male, so he left me to scatter his calves and annoy his females. But, apparantly, I'd gone too far today.

Walsing up behind him, I'd sprung upwards and bite a decent size chunk from his tail. What? I was hungry and bored, with no guidance from an older, wiser adult. How was I supposed to know an elk could feel pain? Okay, maybe I knew...but I hadn't cared much. I was known for doing what I wanted, unsure of how my father would react in certain situations, though I wanted to be exactly like him. My subconcious stated he would be considerate of the bull's life, but I pushed the thought aside. For now, I would make the image of my father the king of chaos.

A large snort erupted from behind me and I realized the bull was gaining on me. I'd only just entered the trees near my camp, and the deer-like creature barely slowed. My beating heart quickened slightly as I realized I would need to get some back up. "Coming in!" I screamed the words as I broke into the clearing of my home, slidding across the sand as I attempted to turn and hide behind the first larger creature I could see. I assumed it was Anna, but realized it was Ilyich...and my goody0two-shoes sister, Noelle. None the less, I lowered myself to hide behind them, hearing as the bull elk crashed through the brush close to camp. Hopefully it'd appear through the wall, realize it'd lost sight of me, and wander off.

If not, well, Ilyich could fight, right?

[I L Y I C H]

Alphonse!

His sister's eyes widened, showing their whites in terror. What had that tuft-brain done this time. Letting out a shriek she followed her brothers single good move, and dove behind Ilyich. The little cub stared at the leopard in absolute confusion. Wasn't she going to do something!? Anything? The spotted woman's head turned towards the raging bull slowly, though nothing really past over her face. The end of her tail flicked as she jumped to her feet. No growl came form her, only a violent lash of her tail. Now Noelle was use to her nanny's lack of emotion towards much, but this was crazy. No animal faced something like that without a word! But it would seem Ilyich did.

The leopard's ginger eyes fastened onto the bull's and she lurched forwards. Claws unsheathed she lashed at the animal. The viciously curved implements dug into the larger animals wet black snout easily. Sicking in her grip the huntress drug herself up, snarling now thank Dio. Noelle remained crouch beside her brother, staring wide eyes. "Your an idiot, Al" she whispered in awe at her brother's general stupidity. Though she had to admit she was a bit jealous that he had managed to keep ahead of the beast all the way into camp. Dio knew where he had been.

The golden coated liger flinched when the bull lowered its head to drag her friend across the dirt. It was bellowing in rage, shaking in terror. It was thin and under nourished like everything else alive in the cat's lands right now. It didn't want to stand up and fight the mean pointy thing tearing its face to bits. Ilyich hung on as the elk shook itself hard, becoming far more frightened then mad when the usually easily shaken hunter gripped him tighter. Ilyich growled, deeper lower in her throat, snapping in a language Noelle didn't understand. "G-Go Ily!" she cried, still hunched beside her brother. She whimpered in worry when the animal stamped the ringed tail of her dear Ilyich, though she thought she saw something more the pain spasm up the spotted fighter's spine. A low hissing groan spat from her cream muzzle, before with one sharp rip she lurched away from the bull.

Poor bloke didn't give her, Alphonse, or the camp one more glance. It ran away bellowing its injured pride, blood dripping from its tattered snout. Ilyich watched its trail for a long moment, as Noelle slowly stood up, whiskers twitching with worry. She turned a swift glare on her brother, though it swiftly died to worry and then altered in some kind of pride. "I bet it wouldn't 'ave caught up to you if we had enough water" she told him in a whisper. Her brother was fast and strong, no Elk would have killed him. She shut up when the leopard came limping towards them. Noelle felt her jaw drop. SHe hadn't even see Ily get hurt! The woman grimaced, her spotted cheeks pulling up slightly. Ilyich didn't say a word she just stared blankly at Alphonse, the kind of stare that made Noelle's skin crawl despite it being fastened on her brother.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

“A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.” (Napoleon Bonaparte)

That cat was good. I'd never admit it, but Ilyich was a fine female. Anna was moronic, Tuma was a coward. It was Ilyich who held Zonta pride together, even when her existance infuriated me. In my heart was admiration as she took on the bull with lack of emotion. On my face, however, my gaze was calculating and observant. My sisters words didn't drag my look from the fight scene, nor did it dampen my thin smile. "No I'm not, Noelle. You just can't respect the genious of my plan. It's okay, I don't expect you to understand anything quite at my level yet. You take after mother. Me, I'm fortunate. I got the brains and bronze of dad." Didn't know the man I spoke of, but he didn't matter. He was my father, so that made him a god of all life.

As the bull trampled off, the leopardess turned to blank expression to be fixated upon me. Noelle teased her lack of faith in me, and then grew silent. I stood up and stared levely at the warrior cat, my sister's remark forgotten. I didn't like that look, and I shifted to be in a defiant stance, tail high above my head in absolute dominance. "You passed my test, Ilyich. Seeing as I will be the future leader of this puny pride, I need to to examine who to keep and who to throw out." It was a lie, of course, but my look of pure seriousness took on the air of honesty. Glancing at Noelle, I scrunched my nose in disgust. "You, on the other hand, need some work. If you weren't my sister, I'd boot you out now without question." My look returned to Ilyich and took on the defiant honesty once more.

[I L Y I C H]

Noelle ground her teeth at her brother's answer. He was such an arrogant little ball of rabitt fur! At this rate someone would eat him befroe he became king of Zonta, because thats what he'd be. Such a perfect fat headed male would never claim the title alpha. Alpha's cared about their pride mates, not just their pride. Dragging ehr thin childish claws in the dirt, the young liger gave her brother a sharp look, but didn't respond. He would just chime in with another infuriating smug comment. None of them had even met dad. And for all they knew this 'Onida' had been an airhead, he had after all gotten himself killed. Ears swivling Noelle muttered under her breath. "And Al's on the same path of blatant pride"

Peering up into Ilyich's dark stare the young cub shrunk even farther back, before snapping her eyes to Alphonse. How could he talk to her like that? Their friend! The one who had saved his flea bitten self from that bull he had angered so horridly. Ilyich's face darkened for a second before with a sigh the massive leopard sat down with a thunk. "I will not condone such talkings" she grumbled in her usual toneless voice. "You know this punny pride would fight tooth an nail to save you hide, maybe you should consider that, but thats just a thought that I know you wont follow" Tipping her head back, the leopard reacted to the show of dominance from such a tiny creature with one of her own. Rising to her paws Ilyich's blood coated claws dug in the mud and with a rough snarl she lashed her tail up.

"Just because you are going to be leader, little fuhrer, does not mean you are leader now, and learning when to show your teeth is a leason you must learn quickly if you want this punny pride of ours to live for any amount of time." Shurgging after her long tanjent the woman sat back down, tail still bristling. EVen she the neerly emotionless ILyich would not take such a talking to form that little cub out of Anna by Onida. Noelle scrunched up her nose in responce to her brother. "And what are you, the mighty fighter going to do when you come tumbling home hurt and alone because no one wants to fight or hunt with you any more?" she growled, her usual good nature gone. Tossing her head, the liger stood and stroemd off farther into camp, leaving her brother and Ilyich to search out Anna.

Watching ehr go with a bored expression, Ily turned her orange gaze back to Alphonse. "Alphonse" she spoke the name with an obviouse rough German accent. "You are strong and on the way to being clever, but clever and smart are no the same thing" Tipping her head to the side, Ilyich narrowed those dead ginger eyes. A sudden light watery grin split her maw. "You should try complementing some one once in a wile, itll shock 'em so good the poor kämpfer
will freeze and you can nock out their legs."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Alphonse
Call me arrogant, but I was only barely listening. Why waste my energy chatting with commoners? My father was a beast mighty beyond measure, far too superior to bother with peasant talk. I would also follow such a rule, but my age kept me from being able to just tell these burdensome kittens to shut up already. Maybe if I made my expression bored, they'll take the hint and go away. I decided against doing such, knowing one thing for sure; a real ruler at least fakes interest in the opinions of their pridemates, even when the ruler knows he is the only one who has the right opinion.

It wasn't until Ilyich pointed out that I was not yet a leader. My gaze turned molten as it fixated on the rat. This was my pride. My mother and father built it, and my gender handed it down to me. How dare this mongrel tell me I was not yet the leader! I had more position than her, and that was all that mattered. But, again, age kept me from lashing out. I was a small liger still, but I'd soon tower over Ilyich. I wouldn't have to deal with this bullshit much longer.

“I am, indeed, the king, because I know how to rule myself.” It was the first thing I spat, still focused on the statement many sentences earlier. My sister had wandered off, frustrated by me no doubt, but this cat had continued. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” A cold smile sprang forth as I glared hottly at the adolescent female.

And then her final conlusion sank in, making my smile fade and tail tip twitch with agrivation. "I compliment only those who deserve. I haven't met someone worthy of such kind phrases." My maneless skull turned to look angrily to the side. Instead of breathing relief at no longer staring at this infuriating cat, I caught the disapproving glare of my approaching mother.



Anna
I entered camp with a young calf carcass being dragged behind. My mood was uncharacteristicly content, a smile playing my features, though lined with the young moose's scarlet life. I pitied the poor boy, but was grateful for his sacraficed life. My beloved children, all three of them, would feast well on its bulk. Well, better than they have been doing on the skimpy rabbit hinds we've been forced to sink to. This damn droubt had robbed us of our bigger prey, and any remaining large beasts were low on fat. Even this calf was a little skinny, but much chubbier than anything we'd had in a long while.

My youngest daughter stormed away from Ilyich and Alphonse, and I could tell Ilyich wasn't having too much fun with my youngest son. My only son. A scowl crossed my face as I stomped angrily towards the boy. He didn't notice me until after I was almost upon him, and aware of the arrogant words he'd said. To make things simple; I hated my son. His attitude always made me sick, and the his gender was an automatic turn off. Onida and Ahote had taught me males were pig-headed backstabbers. Tuma had stayed true--so far. I was always watching closely to see his betrayal.

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong, idiot son of mine.” My pleasant mood had retreated, hiding behind my face of disgust. My tone was thick with hateful venom as I towered over my mixed breed son. You're just like your good for nothing father and brother. A piece of shit. I glanced over to Ilyich and gave a bipolar loving smile, eyes adoring. "Sorry for any trouble Alphonse caused you, beloved daughter. I figured I'd catch some prey for you and Noelle, since you both work so hard to help me run Zonta." Again I looked to Alphonse, eyes dark once more. "I was going to let you share, but if you're so high and mighty, catch your own damn prey." My son dropped his eyes, but I could feel the hate.

Hate always lead to death. But who's life was to end--mine or his?

[I L Y I C H]

Ilyich sighed, watching her adopted brother pipe in his long winded voice. "But will others stay under you?" she mused mostly to herself watching him, her head tilted slightly. LEaning forward, she set her muzzle against his cheek. "I do not doubt your potential, but you must grow into it. Kingship is not grown with a mane, swiftly and easily. It is grown with the muscle, under hard labor and harsh training." Clicking her tongue as she pulled back, Ilyich frowned intently at the young master. He could proove a good king in the end, or a monster that needed to be demolished. Either way.

Her bored ginger eyes turned to her mother. The slightest flicker of her ears dismised Anna's worries. The tiger had become even more disturbed then she in the past months. Speckled face twisting to the side to sniff at the food smell on her alpha's muzzle, Ilyich stood slowly, curling out her tail to press the tip against the striped flank beside her. "Your son has tried his skills at hunting today, Anna" she murmured softley, watching her mother. Lifting a paw to lick away the remainder of the elk blood, Ilyich gave an uncharacteristic smirk. "He did well, his size alone stopped him. I myself was very impressed by his skills." there was no acid in her tone, it was true. She would never had thought he could have out paced such an animal.

Twitching slightly as the pain in her tail lurched, the woman turned slightly, eyeing the foliage. "Allow me to go fetch Noelle, Mother. Ill be back in a moment." and with a huff she trotted after the fumming Liger cub.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I don't need your pity.

Alphonse
My mother's words stung, but my face glued tightly to the ground. As time continued, I felt our bond sway. It'd never been as strong as her and Noelle, or her and Ilyich, but I assumed that was as simple as the fact that they shared gender, thus interests. But a deeper feeling spoke that it was more than that. I wasn't her little Alphonse like Noelle was Noelle and Ilyich was Ilyich. I was someone else. Someone that my mother hated.

I longed for my own identity.

My gaze cast for a second on Ilyich as she mildly defended me. The back crevice of my mind said that I had been unfair to her, treated her more harsh than anyone because of jealousy. She shared no blood to my mother or father, and yet Anna loved her far more than she loved me. This put the leopardess on a low rank in my mind. I'd never admit it, but I loved Ilyich as much as Noelle did.

But I loved my pride (emotional, not the noun pride) more.

Fighting back any weakness, I scoffed at Ilyich's friendly intents. As she walked off, I dared a look to my mother. The tigress met my gaze with her own uncertain one. I could see a war behind her eyes, one between hate and love. It clicked then that I had my own identity, but it was only half of me. I quickly understood who my other half was.

"I'm not Ahote, you bitch." That said, I turned and ran to the den of vines that lay shriveled to the side of camp. I'd been born in this den, and it was a place of pure comfort, no matter my unease. Heart heavy, I layed my head upon my paws, willing sleep until it came.

I tried to keep you pure, dear child. I tried to save your soul.

Anna
It took all my strength not to chase after my son--did I want to punish him for his remark, or comfort his unfortunate burden? My gaze hardened as I turned away from the den he had fled to, tail tip flicking with angry disgust. Someone had to have told him about Ahote, and there were only two cats who could of. My precious Ilyich would never goes against my wishes, so that meant Tuma had betrayed me. I was biased, favoring my female over the male. Hell to it all. I drifted over to the calf carcass, waiting for my two beautiful girls. I'd put a smile on for them, of course--my pure angels.

I'd have to keep a keen eye on Tuma.