Happy Happy [AW] }{ joy joy

[I L Y I C H]

ooc:// this is short because I forget how Noelle acts cause I think she's my only happy not that angsty character left. (not any more) I apologize for the crummyness Dx

Disgusting. I was disgusting. Every tiny hair on my body lifted with revulsion even as I ran. Every muscle in my body shuddered with the terror. I was sure I smelt of him, even my pelt wouldn't let me forget. The shuddering was getting worse, thinking about it brought agony to my heart. T-That man. That white tiger who had so happily caused the slaughter of my mother had come upon my lands, and... and he had taken yet another thing he wanted. A thing I was not willing to give him. Horror beat it's wings as panic bubbled so powerfully in my chest. I should have known better than to leave pride lands. I should have known better then to have let my guard fall, even amongst the chest high grasses of Zonta's northern reaches.

This was my fault. Symphony Bava' had rapped me, and it was for the most part my own stupidity that had caused it to happen. The grass sank lower as I ran, breath heaving and lungs burning, but I couldn't stop. That laughter still pervaded my ears. I could still hear him talking to me, like I was some long lost lover he had found once more. Those eyes, the lightening blazing in those blue eyes was unnatural. There was nothing human there. Nothing sane. He did not know what normality was. He saw me not as a victim, to that contorted disturbed tiger I was willing. He heard nothing but what he wished to hear. My frame shuddered harder this time, as if it could still feel the vileness of his touch.

Because it had not been vile. My mind twisted painfully around the idea. When i had given up fighting, as there was no way out that I could find, he had been gentle. So fucking gentle. What sunlight was left in the sky faded slowly, twilight over taking the world. Darkness was a thing I didn't comprehend. Even in the death of my mother I could not feel very much sadness. Maybe it was horrible, but as much as I loved my mother... I think I hated her equally. This was different, as selfishness was involved now. This was my body, and there was now nothing I had that was my own. I had been violated, and I could only pray to Dio that that monster hadn't gotten me pregnant.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I could smell him. He was coming to claim my home, my family. The two leopards. My white tiger. My little liger. He wanted them. He would take them unless I stopped him. Only I could overcome this beast. Because I am a man. I am The Alpha. The Ruler. The Guardian of my family.

Where's that little liger girl?

It occured to me then that the tigress and leopards had been the only ones in camp. The liger, my fucking sister, was out there alone with that bastard about! Oh Hell no. Oh fucking Hell no. Her scent mingled with his. He killed my sister, too? I had failed my duty as protector? Not possible. No way.

I could see her with the white tiger on her tail. My paws carried me to her and I shoved her behind me forceably. The tiger was not visible, but I had assumed he'd been there. His scent was upon us. I knew he was right here with us. My claws lay out and ready, teeth bared as I hissed at the nothingness around us.

But I could smell him...

[I L Y I C H]

ooc:// sorry this is so short Dx

Alphonse came, charging as always, but I could not find it funny now. The rough treatment made me feel better, and I stood shuddering behind the man without a word for a long moment. Jumbled as I was it took me a wile to realize what he was doing, and even longer to decide how to face the problem. Terror is an emotion I am not use to, nor was I able to process it. This day... I didn't even know how to explain it to him. "Al...Al he's not here anymore" It was said in a trembling tone, the words shaking like brittle winter leaves. Symphony Bava' was no longer any where near here. He'd watched me back away from him then turned tail and walked away. Not even bothering to make sure I wouldn't attack him. Because he knew I wouldn't be able to.

A shudder ran up me once more, hazel eyes locking on my brother's tawny face with a beggar's stare. I wanted to be reassured. I wanted him to help me, but I feared once he realized what had happened he would only hate me. Maybe he would just become more obsessive, but I didn't want that either. My poor brother, precious Al. He looked like a ghoul half the time, and was passed out from sheer exhaustion the other half.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I answered the words with a blank stare. Not possible. The scent was still here. He may have tricked the inferior nose of the female, but I was wiser. I was a man. I was an Alpha. It was in my genes to rise above.

Of course, I shared the same genes as her.

I jolted at the realization and let a prickle of compassion reach my gaze. This was not my sister as I so possesionally claimed her. She was Noelle. She was her own cat, true to her own skills. She was my sibling, but I was also her's.

"He hurt you." I stated it and didn't ask. She had no bloody marks, but the scent was on her. He had attacked her. I moved forward and nudged my face against hers in assurance. The stench of the man brought tears to my eyes but I overcame the need to cringe. The only thing in my mind now was to make my sister okay.

And then I would kick the sorry ass of that motherfucker.

[I L Y I C H]

"Yes" My voice gasped, my form hiding away in my brother's touch. I swarmed forward without heed and burred myself in Al's larger frame. He would protect me. He had always protected me. But even Alphonse couldn't protect me from the stress that would surly flood me for these next weeks. There was no telling until then. No telling just how much damage Symphony Bava' had caused. Just how far he was about to rip apart my family. Composing myself was beyond me at the moment, as I cuddled against the tawny chest before me. I was fighting the urge to sob, and was failing rapidly as tears began to build in hazel eyes.

How could I ever explain this to him? How could I even begin to tell him how terrified I was? Alphonse for all his compassion for us was still male. He couldn't understand the viscous suspense of pregnancy. Couldn't understand what I would be going through if such a horrible thing could truly have happened. But.. But Dio wouldn't do that to me would he? God couldn't be so cruel as to do such a thing to a loyal child. Right? Oh... Oh I don't know what to do. Don't know what to say. "A-A-Al" It came out as a blubbering noise as my inner terror finally broke out. My entire frame began to shake violently. "Al h-h-he. He r-r-..." I couldn't say it out loud. That word. Shame burned my face, as hazel eyes brought their tear filled gaze to the ground and closed.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I could feel her tense discomfort, her need to be protected. I wanted to be the one to coax into ease, but knew I could not. A deeper instinct, one that only now dared to peak above the fog that had enveloped my mind in recent months, whispered a quiet instruction. My sister, my precious Noelle, needed to speak with our older sibling. The leopardess had been consumed by her brother, but perhaps she and Serentity could bring the girl a sense of relief. Meanwhile, Vengrad and I would find Symphony, and will do what males do best; destroy that which threatens our family.

"Dearest Sister, I do think we should go to camp." I gave her a gentle push in the direction of home, my own voice shockingly soft, and with no razored edges. Even when trying to give reasurrance, I had not currently been a beast of careful words. But here, with my true family writhing beside me, I found that my heart for her overcame my need for blood.

I waited for her to start towards camp. I would walk behind her, for that sorry white demon was sure to trail behind.

[I L Y I C H]

Head lifting slowly, I eyed the approaching duo with something of concern in my eyes. Apathetic at best, Vengrad shifts a bit to peer up from the position his head rested on the ground. My concern is thicker then his own, my own inability to feel diminishing under the bad emotions; my mind let those through it's blood barrier at least. Maw splitting the air blew heavy from my lungs and I stood. Something was wrong. Two forms, tawny; their bodies over coated in visible but not obvious stripes. It couldn't be anyone other then Alphonse and Noelle. Why would one allow themselves to be shepherded in such a fashion? It went against the sibling's shared arrogance. The little sheep is smaller then the shepherd. Noelle then. Air blasted from my lungs, the rush painful in my nostrils.

Vengrad stood as well, his generally lethargic smile failing in tempo as cold anger began to bubble up. Dio, he took a long time to boil but once he had... once we had. Noelle belonged to us. No one was allowed to hurt our possessions. Our friends. our family. Our forms press forward, paired eyes watching Noelle allow herself to be pressed forward. Definitely wrong. The girl stumbled a bit, the sound blubbering from her chest reeking of barley contained sobs. No. Tear tracks. Newly contained sobs. Vengrad left my side, body coiled as he shifted forward to greet our siblings; the ligers had been drawn straight into the boy's web of kinship from the beginning.

Vengrad's form pulls forward, his apathetic smile drawing up to cover the murder that he can't quiet pull from his eyes. "Liebling, What is wrong?" Noelle's hazel eyes stared mournfully back, tongue trapped between her teeth in a pathetic need to hide her thoughts. Emotions. Shifting forward on heavy paws I approached, casting a glance backward at the two animals moving towards us. Two of our newer pride members. The king cheetah, his face screwed up with anxiety inched a bit behind his more hot headed companion. Zero didn't look ill today, which was a good thing. Perhaps the sickly but stubborn leopard could help me.

Vengrad's tawny form whisper past our sister, nose lifting to brush under the larger female's chin before ghosting up to Alphonse. even from where I stood, now perched before Noelle, I could see the way his face fell dead and ice cold upon those sapphire pool's meeting Al's own hazel. Despite my original thoughts, Zero stormed straight past us, her personality not letting her react the way her gender would make one expect she act. Ciel placed himself beside me reaching forward to whimper into the pale throat of the damaged woman with empathy. No one said a word. Noelle sank into the cheetah, looking at me with massive eyes. Vengrad turned to glance at Zero who stood stock still before her alpha with a determined glare.

Alphonse would decide what happened next. Oh I already knew the past, the smell was obvious. Symphony Bava' had decided to take what he wanted, and he'd done so for his petty game of chess. A portion of me wanted to sit down and finish the round, but I knew better. Al would not take well to my need for completion.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I watched each feline with reservation. I hated that my love for Zonta was smoldered with distrust. Anna had taught me that even mother's can hate their children and turn against them, so I was predetermined to believe all these felines to be capable of the same selfish hate. I knew I was. I fought for my right to be alpha, not for the rights of my pride. And that was wrong.

I would use this event to make it right...sort of.

Despite everything, I adored my sister, and I would defend her. But to go after Symphony now would be more than just a lesson that Zonta females are to be respected. I wanted to kick his sorry ass, and this simply gave me further excuse to do it. What this was. It occured to me then that I was not fully aware of the situation. I was so preoccupied with anticipation for the future, I had denied the present.

Turning my gaze to Noelle, a shiver ran up my spine. I was about to display pure affection in front of my pride...but I couldn't help me. My ego could hold off for a little while.

Nudging her with the gentleness of a loving mother, rather than an arrogant alpha, I whispered quietly for all to hear. "Noelle, my love, do not feel it is your obligation to tell your story to us all." I made eye contact with her to further bestow the depth of my understanding. "I know I am not easy to talk to anymore, but my ears are always open for you. However, if you so desire, I am sure anyone of Zonta would be willing to give you a shoulder." I glanced around in challenge, daring anyone to step back. This was my sister, head huntress until I found a mate. They would treat her as a goddess, because she rightfully was.

"However, for now, I need males to come with me." I pinpointed Vengrad with a serious expression. The gentleness was gone, the brother inside of my turning back over to its sleepless warrior. I loved my sister, but a little voice said that maybe I loved the thought of killing Symphony just a little bit more.

Pushing that unsettling thought aside, I broke my stare at Vengrad and walked proudly to the camp's broken entrance, stopping only to wait for those of male gender.

I am Warrior.

[I L Y I C H]

Zero - - - - ->
I ignored the affection, cutting it off at the knees in my mind, because otherwise it would hurt. A selfish notion, yes, but a thing I upheld with the same strength that I denied my illness. Sharp blue eyes cut sideways, avoiding watching like the very act would set my form a flame, as it would. A wash in the burning of jealousy and shame. Selfish. Pathetic. Once it was done and my alpha had returned to his normal state I allowed myself to look back to him, to lift my white chin and feel proud. Because I was Zero Tervyne, and fuck them. Al's words caught me in a weak point though, and my pride rebounded with the force of an enraged typhoon. "I'm coming too." There was no question there, and perhaps that was wrong of me. To demand such a thing from my (sexist) alpha. I had every right to go, though. I had every right to want to fight for this pride and for Noelle who was a dear friend to me even if I refused to show it.

Zonta's high and mighty would have to chew his cud and let me come along or I would just follow at a distance. Orders were not my thing. For Dio's sake I was dying. Not that Alphonse knew that. Still I did my best to radiate 'don't-argue-with-the-sick-girl' brainwaves in his general direction. Hopefully the sternness to my expression would make him request. Vengrad look to me, his startlingly cold eyes warming a fraction before driving themselves back into the brine barrel to freeze. An acceptance then? Making sense of anything the other two leopards did was not my forte. Baby blues flicked backward, watching Ilyich lead the trembling Liger away Ciel swift on both of their heels. Funny. Al wanted the 'men' and Ciel and I swapped places. It made sense though. After everything. That cheetah and I had become good friends, enjoying the stuff the other lacked. Where I had very little 'girly' personality traits he had very few 'manly' ones. We evened each other out. Nevertheless. Eyes bounced back to Al. Daring. Come at me bro.

[Kunabee]

*Serenity

I stayed back, smelling the other white tiger. I was nervous that I would not be trusted. I knew, instantly, what he did. He hurt Noelle. He took from her a cherished thing. My tail lashed, but I stayed back. Alphonse had mistaken me for an enemy once, and I did not want that again.
However, I came over to the young liger. I nudged her gently with my head, trying to indicate some comfort, before following the others around her. My eyes were all on Noelle, however.
I felt worry, an emotion I was not familiar with. Worry lead to confusion, because this emotion confused me. It was unfamiliar. I was normally so calm.
Worry and nervousness in the span of minutes, huh. Interesting, how I was changing. I must be changing.
"Noelle," I said softly, leaving compassion alone in my eyes and face and voice. I didn't quite understand, but I could feel that she was worried. Had a large piece of her life stolen, could have more if the worst happened.
I hoped my presence would have its usual calming effect. Noelle needed calming.
I needed calming.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I spit in the direction of the female as she declared her joining. Vengrad had given approval with his eyes, I had caught them, and I felt a soft hiss rise in my throat. This little welp would not be part of our expedition, but that other male would. I cared not what personalities were. That boy had to learn to be a man, and this woman had to realize she had no balls.

"Go away, Zero. And tell Ceil to get his ass over here." Even as I growled the words, I found myself folding to allow this. Or, more specifically, my eyes went screaming to another source of hate. The woman was forgotten, male or not, she would fight and I wouldn't do a damn thing to stop it. My cold glare sat harshly upon Serenity, unease tickling my intestines. Her approach had caught me off guard and, had my ears not caught the faint whisper of a woman's voice, I would have run across came to get her away from Noelle. Cursing myself, I pushed away the distrust. That was Serenity, not Symphony Bava'. She was safe. She would help Noelle.

Turning my expression back to Zero, I submissed without physically doing so. "You know what, whatever. Let's go teach that white bastard what happens when he attacks my sister." There was that term of endearment again. The only cat in the world I loved. She deserved the respect of being seen as my sister. She endured Anna as I did. We would always have each other.

I wouldn't let Symphony steal her away from me (forshadowing, dundundun...).

Turning, I picked my way out of the dismantled entrance, twitched my tail to direct this small caravan to follow behind. Like kings of former generations, I would fight in the battles of my pride.

I wouldn't do the modern warfare and sit on the sidelines while my comrads fall.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I tailed behind in a guarded eagerness. Something wasn't right. Symphony had stolen more than pride from Noelle. I could feel it in her gait. Still, I was male, and the alpha had demanded males follow him. I could not console the little girl that so often made me think of Nala. I wondered absent-mindedly if Alphonse had been like me as a child.

As a child? He still was a child.

Refocusing, I followed the young boy, flicking my tail in a friendly manner towards Zero. I approved. My father had not been sexist; just somewhat ageist. I couldn't blame him; his death proved I had been too young to be alone for any period of time. I felt my head fall and the kind mannerisms fade as I dared to let myself feel guilty.

"Zero, is Ceil, I don't know, right in the head?" I couldn't understand the man's feminine qualities. Being the former heir to the PrideLands, I had been raised to be the man of the household. It was all I knew. Every male I knew was like that. Even Uncle Scar, whom had not been raised a king. I figured it was natural for males to strive to be war-like, to be the dominant. They could only back away from it by concious decision, as I have since my carelessness cost daddy his life.

Keeping my eyes carefully on Zero, I stalked behind Alphonse. Then there were woman, like Zero, who made the concious decision to be warrior-like. Perhaps I was sexist, I was just not so rigidly so as Alphonse. I knew woman and men were born with different motives inherited into their instincts. But, unlike Alphonse, I realized that they were both capable of following either course, they just had to decide.

Ah, but all this mental blather was irrelevant. For now I had to focus on hearing Zero's response, making friends, and kicking Symphony's sorry butt for harming our beloved Head Huntress.

Yeah, I wasn't biased or anything...my devotion to Noelle had absolutely nothing to do with her personality resemblance to Nala...

[I L Y I C H]

Zero-->

Lip curled I glared back at Alphonse, not at all appreciating his tone. Alpha as he may be he wouldn't dare keep me home on a day like today. This was important dammit and it had nothing to do with my lacking of balls! A snarl right at the edge of my tongue I couldn't help but grimace as the liger lashed about and went right on his way. Patently annoyed and rather bristly due to it I skulked after him, ears back as to ignore the small mewl that Ciel released in apology. The cheetah had nothing to say sorry for. It wasn't his fault that Al had no ability to look at personalities other then his own. Ciel had been born different so what? Hackles still up my head snapped sideways to glare at a new voice. Simba. Fuck. Tail lashing I hurried forward a bit faster, staring at Alphonse's tawny stripped rump with loathing.

"There's nothing wrong with Ceil's head." The words were harsh but the anger was directed towards the masochistic king, not Simba and with a heavy sigh I shook out my anger." His mum just raised him different is all." I added with a good deal more calm then the previous statement. Blue eyes apologetic I hurried ahead once more, hoping to out pace the problems I was causing. Tail still twitching at it's black tipped end I caught up to Vengrad and moved by his side instead. The heavy shouldered leopard looked towards me with mild interest in those icy eyes but otherwise chose to disregard my presence. As his sister before him the amur had decided that Noelle and Alphonse were his siblings, and he would not let things happen to them. I suppose the distracted air to him had to do with a belief that this was his fault at least partially.

Guess we were all just raised differently then.

We had been walking sometime before I heard it. The light crack of dead grass beneath clumsy paws. Rounded ears lifted I shot a hard look towards Al, searching for expression. She came out of nowhere and definetly not in the direction I myself was expecting. Vengrad looked at the little lion cub with not a lick of surprise and not a fraction of interest. I had to agree with that assessment. Even if this kid sniffed of Ende she wasn't a real threat. Or else I wouldn't assume she was. Bright eyes landed on the lot of us without a ounce of fear, and she turned her bulky frame towards us peering upward with demanding eyes at Alphonse. "'ave you seen Fuhrer? Mummy said he 'ent this way and tha' daddy was neer 'im" A long pause followed the words wile the child thought, face screwed up with it. Vengrad came to a stop and I did too, head tilted with mild confusion. "I meeaan Symp'ony, Mont'go and Ahote."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Simba
A product of environment, good good. Ciel was a good cat because he was raised to be a good, gentle cat. That was another angle I forgot to allow for; environment. It didn't matter your gender; if you were raised by only a woman, you would grow up feminine. If only a father brings you up, then masculine you'll be. Plain, simple.

Ah, but Zero had scurried away from me. I sulked at this, having failed at making friends, apparantly. I walked on my own, knowing when I wasn't wanted. I wouldn't bother anyone, just simply do my job an avenge that whom lead us. Yeah, like that was why I was here, to avenge my Head Huntress simply because she was my ruler.

My ears flicked to the noise only a few feet away. I had dropped back a short distance, so I only heard the child's final statement. Alphonse spun on his heals up front, quite clear prepared to kill the stranger that dare say Symphony's name...or perhaps his brother's. I would never be clear who of Ende he hated more; the Fuhrer that had lead the attack, or the brother who had made his mother abuse him, and then killed her in cold blood. Either way, I could not let the alpha harm a cub, but I would not outwardly outspeak him.

"We are actually looking for your Fuhrer now. We can help you find him, if you'd like." My smile was sweet as I trotted to stand beside Vengrad, careful to keep him between me and Zero. I eyed Alphonse carefully, who had become stiff with my words. Hate played his expression at first, but it slowly faltered as he realized what my words meant. This cub would know Ende lands better than us; she would navigate us and we could play the characters of her aid. Then when we get our bearings with scent, we would have to silence her somehow so she would not give away our position. Alphonse would surely wish to kill her, for she called Ahote daddy and he hated anything to do with that cat, whether true child or adopted, but I would find a way to sit her unconiencous.

I looked to the cub gently. "What is your name, child?"

[I L Y I C H]

Zero-->
My eyes turned to fastened themselves on Simba, looking at the lion with respect. Alphonse was furious, that much was evident. This little lion cub would not live if someone did not intercede. Tactile of him. Offering a sly smile over Vengrad's back I slid about the larger leopard to stand on the pure blooded lion's right. Sympathy pervaded my expression, but I wouldn't botch this up. Noelle was counting on us, after all. The child shifted a bit, as if suddenly aware that she was almost surrounded. Wide honey hued eyes flicked about locking on each of us in tern before they settled on me and smiled. "You 'ook like Orie!" That broad wedge shaped skull whipped about to stare at Vengrad, the little mouth gaping. "So do 'ou. But only a l'ttle." Her face puckered again, teeth biting into the inside of a golden cheek. "Bigger" She decided after a moment before her ears twitched and she turned to look towards Al. "Why you so mad? Mad isn't good. Mummy says people do stupid stuffs when their mad." She pulled a face, sticking her tongue out slightly as if to emphasize.

Caught back into the swing of things I watched with curiosity as the Ende cub turned back to Simba with what could almost be defined as a halo of joy. "Oh! You would 'elp me?" Her voice was deeper then most children's, though it had managed to hit that shrill level just then. I took a step back automatically, seeing her leap forward with such speed. Oh Dio is this what all children acted like? Whiskers twitching I blinked almost owlishly at the girl who had decided she was to become one with Simba's legs. "Oh thank you thank you! Sym-Sym will thanks 'ou too!" Were most would pull away the cub nuzzled closer, face alight with her playful joy. Accusation appeared in my gaze as it flicked to my Alpha. And he would destroy this? This which grew so pure even upon Ende lands? "Ohhh and Mummy too. Mummy will think I got lost and she'll rush about even though she ain't suppose to be rushin' about."

She paused for breath. "My names Verona! And daddy will thank you too, I bet. Even if he is a big butt sometimes." Verona pulled back abruptly flinging herself farther south as she did so. "Come on! Come on!" Casting a glance sideways I saw Vengrad shrug and thus we both moved forward in one motion following after the overly excited cub.

ooc:// should we move this to ende land or just continue here?