Username: minifun990
Lion name: Tasti
Lion Gender: Female
Link to pride: Mystic IslesPride Status: Huntress (Kathros Pride)
Prompt: Tasti has always been a law-abiding lioness. Always listening to her elders and superiors, always doing what she was told, and never questioning. She was often praised for this attribute and had earned a rather good reputation within the Kartho’s pride.
She was one of the most trusted huntresses, and so when one of the guards was sick and needed a replacement she volunteered, always eager to prove herself. She was quickly accepted, told the perimeter to patrol and left to her own devices. It wasn’t like anything was likely to happen tonight anyway. There hadn’t been a purification in a while, so it was unlikely any of the monsters would come for revenge.
The monsters, Tasti thought shuddering a little. She hadn’t had too much to do with the creatures that pretended to be lion, malformed and strange colours but what little she had seen already seemed too much. They had to be constantly vigilant, lest they destroy them all.
So, when she saw a bush rustle suspiciously she didn’t ignore it and continue to patrol. She instead breathed in the scent of the bush, surprised to notice the fresh smelling scent of a cub.
It was too fresh, leading to only one conclusion. There was a lost cub out after dark. Tasti had to do something! She didn't want to leave the area unguarded. But after a few more minutes it seemed unavoidable. Tasti sniffed once more and started on the trail. It weaved quite a lot, fading in and out as if partially disguised, but as Tasti got closer more scents joined in.
Familiar scents... It was far too late, their scents should be long faded. And yet it only grew stronger the closer Tasti got. There were voices now, echoing and yet whispered as if they knew they shouldn’t be out here, that it was dangerous to be so far from safety.
Why were so many of her pridemates out here? Nothing was making sense and a slow realisation started to dawn on Tasti. Yet she couldn’t believe it, there was no way, she crept closer and closer, staring down to where she could hear everyone talking. What she could hear didn’t sound good, they were talking about the gaps in the guard’s rotations, weaknesses and exploits of their kingdom, but not with the intention to fix it.
In fact, it almost sounded like -
The ground suddenly gave way under Tasti’s paw and she found herself skidding towards the congregation of lions. She couldn’t help but scream a little as she fell right in the middle of the group.
“Tasti?!” Glayva exclaimed surprised, before Gravia stepped forward, looking her up and down with an appraising gaze.
“Well I didn't expect this, but welcome,” Gravia said, grinning. “To the resistance.”
“No.” Tasti surprised herself by blurting out. It wasn’t the right thing to say, some lions stepping back while others started to growl, and Gravia raised a brow.
“No?”
“No! This is wrong! The king protects us, do you wish us to all fall to the monsters?” Tasti asked, frantically meeting each lions eyes, yet none showed any sign of agreeing with her. Had they all lost their minds?? Tasti backed up, feeling utterly trapped, and more than a little scared. These were lawless lions, there was no telling what they could do.
“Protects us? Tasti there are no monsters only-”
“You’re wrong! I’ve seen them, those unnatural lions and-”
“They are as natural as the rest of us.” Tasti shook her head, before noticing a gap she took the chance. Running as fast as she could, hoping desperately she could get back and warn the king of the traitors in their midst, the imposters. She didn’t get very far before she was tackled to the ground.
“Get off me!” She yowled, bucking to try to get the heavy lion off of her. When it didn’t work she bit into his paw, causing him to yelp and move enough she could get up and keep running.
Yet at every turn, she saw more of the ‘resistance’ members. Stopping her from getting into the prides lands, keeping her from safety and warning the others. (696/700)
