Link to cat(s) or lion(s) involved in prompt: orpheus, lucian
Link to their pride or group: Vallis
Prompt level completion: Level 5
Prompt:
Prompt 2 wrote:"So, what do you think?"
Orpheus had little a clue that Lucian would even come into the portal as he did; he was shocked, but he was somewhat relieved, not being alone.
Lucian had other ideas.
At first, the odd-eyed cat attempted to break away from Orpheus, attempting to do things his way; a notion that was convinced otherwise by the black tom. "It's a big crowd," he had convinced the high-ranking cat with these words, rather pleadingly, "even lions are in this mission; it's best for us to stick together, don't you think?"
Although his quest was to one-up the other cat, he had to realize that he was speaking the truth.
They really didn't know what was going on; and, they were in a foreign place - the one thing they had in common was where they came from, and Lucian had to agree that splitting would potentially lead to danger.
Not that he was concerned for Orpheus, of course; if he died, it would be of little matter to him - maybe some explaining would be proper, of course, but he could make the situation work in his favor if he tried hard enough - but he was also concerned of his own fate.
He really got into this situation without thinking, didn't he? This wasn't something he wanted to actually admit, yet...
And it was true how two powers were worth more than one. Another fear of his was actually having to use his powers.
He hadn't for as long as he could remember, and he guarded the secret to why entirely.
It wasn't like Orpheus was particularly strong or battle-oriented, but he had someone.
The question snapped him out of his haze; honestly, he hated the notion of listening to a goddess, but he had to.
If he wanted what he came here for, he would have to listen; something he never had quite been the best at.
I don't have to tell you what I think, he thought; and he wanted to respond with this but he kept quiet. "We'll join. There's no questioning that. Unless you're too scared?"
"I'm not scared," Orpheus replied softly, as if he was trying to not return with another similarly-toned statement; conflict was the last thing he wanted to start. "I believe what she has to say. We have to come with her and her guards."
Lucian said nothing, but he dipped his head in recognition.
Why was he being so civil? He could hardly believe himself, but he knew he couldn't play this otherwise; if he wanted to get what he desired, he would have to play it low for now. He would have to ultimately prove himself over the other cat - but he couldn't do this without first acting at least a little fair towards him.
This won't last for long, he thought, glaring at the other cat as he glanced aside. I'll have it my way. I'll prove myself to the others that I was meant to be the champion, and not you.
I'll prove it to Alev myself.
"I... I must admit that I'm not particularly made to fight. My powers are too weak for that," Orpheus spoke, looking at the ground; the two had separated from the crowd, planning on what to do in order to support the tree goddess. "It's odd. It's like I'm restrained from doing anything too powerful, not that I want to, of course - but it's weak, asides from healing..."
"You've tried to do something 'powerful', huh?" Lucian snapped, in an attempt to catch him off guard.
"Not to actually hurt anyone, no!" Orpheus quickly shot his head back up, expression one of panic. "I can assure you! It's that I physically can not past a certain point.. and if I wanted to defend myself in situations like these..."
"Yeah, yeah," Lucian muttered, looking aside; he never really wanted to socialize too much with the other cat, but his worries of becoming weaker if they were separate had only grown, and he knew he'd just have to deal with this turn of events. "I'm sure they need healers."
"I'm alright with that... I always learned with Cyrus, although he was much better at it... but I can try!" he rambled, attempting to reason. "What about you, Lucian?"
He thought back to what he could do, exactly. He was itching to fight, but he knew he wasn't as great as it as, say, Solaris - but she was back in Vallis, it was far too late to contact her.
Maybe he'd have to learn more first.
"I can potentially use my powers against this army of death, yes," he responded; he didn't exactly want to get friendly with this cat, so he kept his tone cold. "But I'd have to learn more first about this foe. We can't be caught unawares."
"That sounds reasonable, of course," Orpheus nodded, before continuing, "We'll have to stay together, though, right?"
Lucian thought for a moment before muttering, "Only when we return from whatever it is we are called to do..."
He was not intending to stay with this cat for longer than he had to.
"I can feel some sort of pressure already," Orpheus admitted, sighing, "I know you don't like me, but it means a lot we can stick together somewhat. I don't want to work against each other."
Lucian glared back at the other tom, but he knew he was right.
It's only a matter of time.
He didn't know what Orpehus was getting up to; he spoke of encountering another cat, Nereus, who was supposedly his mate; he didn't care, truly, he didn't want to even speak to him, preoccupied with his goal.
And there was the matter of socializing with the group. There were countless amounts of cats he had no clue of where they could have even come from - and lions, for that matter, something that alarmed him as well at first, but he learned to keep his fears in check - except for one group he recognized; and recognized unfortunately, as cats who came from Rusted Daemons.
Worm had spoke up about Solaris; turning the encounter into a negative one as she reacted in a hostile way when he expressed his apathy. The other cat, Aluraune, was not as hostile but rather...
...sketchy. He had gotten away from them as soon as he could, disappointed he couldn't particularly make true allies of at least Worm - unsure about the other cat - wondering how the rest of the series of events relating to the situation at hand was going to play out.
He returned with a sigh of resignation.
Lucian wasn't sure how he was going to learn about this foe or even fight it, but he surely was going to try.
And Orpheus - he knew he was going to have to do something. Something important. He was going to devote himself to this healing mission, and perhaps find a way to hone his powers in fighting.
He was going to finally prove himself to Vallis, for once. He was going to prove not just to them, but to Lucian; having forever wondered why the other cat had such an irrational hatred towards him.
Their opportunities lay before them, and it was only a matter of figuring out how to beat the mounting pressure.
[1220 words]