[PRIVATE] And The Hunt Is ON!

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(I was just asking myself the same question! )

Kiara nodded approvingly. "It is possible that we can't fight these creatures on our own." she said,facing the rest of the pride. Everyone except Kacia's mother,whose expression was still somewhat vacant,gazed up at her,looking terrified. The petite lioness to Jengo's left,who Kiara hadn't noticed at first but now recognised as Isoke,let out a little gasp of horror. Kiara took a deep breath before she continued to speak. "They may not look it,but they are very powerful. We must increase our numbers. And by that,I mean that we have to seek help from other prides. In the Outlands and beyond. It will be dangerous.." her voice quivered slightly as she considered the many hazards of entering the territory of another pride, "But right now,it's our only hope. Now..Jengo..I assume you are familiar with the Outlands?" she added,turning to the young male, "Perhaps you could assemble a small team to join you and check out the area,search for other prides nearby?" she asked.

[oXButterflyKissesXo]

Jengo didn't need to say a word for Kiara to know that he knew the Outlands well. His numerous and many scars on his one side were enough evidence that he couldn't even so much as lie about it. The male nodded his head, looking at the queen with pondering eyes.

"A few...but I'm not sure they would be so down with helping out. You know, since they were banished there and everything". Jengo looked out to where the direction of the Outlands were, and then back down at his feet. "How queen Vai is going to take me coming back, I don't know how well that's going to go...". Jengo grimaced at the terrible things the Outlands queen, whom he knew too well, might be planning for him.

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Isoke,who also knew quite well what queen Vai was capable of, looked from Jengo to Kiara and nodded. "I...I agree." she said nervously,rather afraid to make eye contact with the queen or her daughter,both of whom she respected so much,"I..don't think we should expect the Outlanders to help us out."

Kiara sighed. "I suppose you're right." she said, "I know there are other prides up North who might be a little less hostile. We'll go there first. Well,not all of us,we're needed here. I know it's dangerous,but I think we should try to keep an eye on these creatures. Try to track them down,try to find their den. Because if we manage to do that without getting detected,we'll find out not only from what direction they're likely to approach,but what they really are." she glanced at Bina and then back at the pride members,who were still looking frightened and discouraged, "I know you all have the courage and strength to do this." she said,"Don't give up yet. This is our home,and we have to fight for it. So..who will venture North and who will stay?"

[oXButterflyKissesXo]

"Your magesty, I said I didn't know how well it would go over," he looked at her and smirked his usual cheeky, cocky smile, "but I didn't say I wouldn't try". He looked down at Isoke with the same smile, but this time it was softer to hopefully give her some confidence. Bina watched Jengo and Isoke, reassuring her thought about what was going on with them.

"What can I do to help?" The princess questioned, looking at Jengo with a smirk of determination. Jengo looked down at the princess, trying to idetify if she was serious or not, but when her ruby hues had no trace of joke in them, he was lost for words and looked to the queen.

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(Just noticed that Naki won't be back till August 1,eeek lol)

Kiara smiled at the male before her,somewhat amazed with his bravery. "If you feel up to it,I'd certainly appreciate your help" she said,glancing at Isoke to indicate that her efforts would also be welcome,"but please be careful." she added in a more serious tone, "If you get in trouble,don't try to be brave. Just back off. Like you said,we don't know how they will react to our asking them for help,or your sudden return. You need to be very careful." Here she paused,turning to her daughter, "Bina,I would be most grateful if you'd join me in tracking down the creatures." She looked at her with the same determination the young princess often displayed,"I want to keep you close to me." she said,and her heart skipped a beat as she thought of her father,of how many times she had heard him say those words and of how she wished he was,somehow,there to help.

[oXButterflyKissesXo]

[I thought his internet just went BOOM xD]

Jengo nodded his head with a huff of his nose and furrowed his brow with that overconfident smirk he wore so well. "You don't have to worry about me" he said, turning his body to the queen to show her all the marks on his life side and smiled at her. "I'm more than capable".

Bina looked at her mother and snorted. Just like her father in so many more ways than just his looks. "I want to go on an adventure" she complained. She looked at Jengo, making him bob his head back as she walked over to him and stood on his marked side. "Jengo wants me to come along. Right?" She looked up at him and held his breath. From the ruby eyes of the young princess, he looked to the ruby hues of the older queen and waited for her to tell her daughter what she had to do.

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Kiara gazed at her daughter and sighed deeply. She knew exactly how the young princess was feeling,having been put in the same situation herself by her not always so understanding father on several occasions during her upbringing. Bina was no longer a cub,and Kiara knew that she would have to let her go at some point. It wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done sooner or later,especially now that they were all in danger. "Fine." she said,beaming at her,trying to appear calm when she was,in fact,screaming on the inside. She looked down. This would be a lot more difficult than she had imagined. "Just..please be careful." She looked up at Bina again and tried to put as many unsaid things in her gaze as possible,hoping that she would understand.

[oXButterflyKissesXo]

"Mom, you worry too much" she joked, walking over to Jengo and awaiting his further command. Even thought she was the princess, she knew how to take a backseat when needed, and Jengo was the one appointed by her mother so it was obvious he was to lead.

Jengo looked down at Bina and then down at the lioness beside him who had remained surprisingly quiet. "Isoke? Will you come with me? ...us?" He questioned looking down at her. He was quite unsure of the female's feelings towards everything that was happening right now, but he would have to see how she was going to go about the situation that had her so upset and scared.

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Isoke had spent the last couple of minutes sitting down,staring absent-mindedly at her own front paws and lost,once again,in daydreams. However upon being addressed by Jengo,she leapt to her feet,hurriedly looking up to face him,a little ashamed of her obvious lack of attention. "Yes.." she answered rapidly, "Yes,I'll come." The thought of returning to her former home intimidated her slightly,but the thought of Jengo and Bina embarking on this journey all alone felt even worse. Not because she felt that her presence would,in any way,be particularly helpful if they did get into trouble,but for reasons she couldn't explain even to herself.

Kiara beamed at the three youngsters. "Well..off you go then." she said, "We don't have much time."

[oXButterflyKissesXo]

Upon seeing the lionesses reaction to his question, he let out a small scoff and a smile at her lack of attention at a time like this. Though he couldn't blame her-- he didn't want to talk about going back there either. The very thought of going back to queen Vai was enough to tear his tail off. He heaved in a heavy sigh and looked to Bina, who had been looking at the two of them. For some reason, she had such a way of making you seem intimidated, not only by her royal staus, but by the confident way she presented herself. "Well, then...let's go" Jengo said, walking away from the queen and her pride. He could feel Bina come up beside him and she walked ahead of him, giving him a look like she was testing to see if he had any problem with her, but he turned his walk away from her like she were a normal lioness and walked onwards. Li, where the heck are you? He asked himself, looking around the others, seeing them following him. I'm outnumbered by girls and I need your help!