This one enjoyed the labyrinth. Enjoyed the endless twists and turns. Admired the sprawling web of connected paths. Once entered, the unwary were entombed with a swift finality that sent pleasurable chills down the spine. Oh, how interesting this place so was. How much more time would be spent here, exploring further and deeper. The mental map of the 'scape was already vast, and growing by the day. Or, rather, by the night. Even in the depths of the earth, rare breaks in the rock-ceiling let in a few stray rays of the sun. How undesirable. So cartography was undertaken when only the gentle blues of the moon could penetrate the blackness. Speaking of...
      Long ago, a clash of teutonic plates shook this place and all its contents. In doing so, rocks fell apart and parted to create the smallest of cracks in the roof. As time and the elements ravaged the area, the jagged edges became softer, and the opening larger. Now, after untold eons, a sparrow could come and go from the caves with ease. Now, though, only the light of the full moon filtered through. On the edges of the faint illumination stalked a shadow of shadows. A being of unknown form that wore the darkness as a cloak, and was yet darker. Its eyes flashed as it gazed up at the wonder, then disappeared as it snaked on its way.
      The scent-border had been growing strong as this one moved. This was due in part to the rise of moisture levels, giving strength to the spread of smell. Yet, there was more reason; The smallest of breezes that wound through the tunnels, bringing fresh air from the outside and circulating with the stagnant. It would make sense that a pride would make their home here--it was a fortress of nature and made habitable by the more numerous air-vents above. That was the precise reason this one had continued, despite the warnings given by an increasing amount of claw marks and waft of scat; If a lion could live here, so could the plant this one sought.
      With quiet steps and hushed breath, the shadow slithered through the darkness. Over the border and into the cave, mushroom hunting we go.

Kriilosah is in pride territory, and attempting to remain hidden

---

words. 373
tags. -
notes. teehee trespass

october y7 ≠ obsidian hollow, pride lands
3y 9m old ≠ rogue
assassin lvl 0 ≠ sleuth lvl 0
wounded ≠ fatigued
H2 ≠ D6 ≠ L5

Trade: Assassin
+5 +10* gather poisonous plants
1/2 posts

Trade: Sleuth
+5 +10* study the landscape of an area
1/2 posts

*Site-Wide Exp Boost

+5 (10) Walk the pride borders

With the mist receding across the land, he felt they were much safer now than they had been previously. Still, there was a myriad of cubs now within the Hollow, and that meant security needed to be tighter than ever before. So, Tobin roamed the border to ensure everything was as it should be. Even at his age he could tell the scent markers were strong. Of course, that just meant one couldn't beg ignorance for stepping over them.

Something seemed off, though, and Tobin stopped to scent the air, straining his ears to see if he could pick up the sound of something irregular. It might need to be chalked up to his uneasiness regarding the mist, but it was always good to make doubly sure.

Roll to find @Kriilosah:

Rolling 1d10: 8

(1-3, not found. 4+, found)

      This one's travel hadn't been aimed to abduct or injure, and whether it would even participate in such an act was anyone's best guess. The goal was for fungi. For a particular mushroom that, when ingested, caused delirium and fever. It was for this one's own use in a concocted poison, but none other needed to know such a thing. Ahead, there was a ray of moonlight that brought just enough light to show the pale, pale green cap of the ingredient this one sought. Focus honed in, and care was not as taken as before.
      A paw slipped against a loose rock, and a clatter rang out into the silence. It wasn't truly loud, but enough for any nearby to hear. Oh, well, then. The form of a male loomed from the shadows, listening intently for any hint of intruder. No doubt he heard precisely what this one had been hoping to avoid. The proximity gave no time to adopt the greater guise that this one so preferred. Instead, a quick persona was pulled, hasty, over the blackened form. And she slipped into it as though a second skin.
      "Damn it, now. Ouch." The voice was hushed, as though unaware of the pride-lion so near. She stopped in her tracks, lowering her rear to the ground and lifted a forepaw to examine the imagined pain. It was by design that she was on the edge of the light, plainly visible for those who were looking. "Damn rock doesn't need to be so damn sharp." Exasperation was clear in the voice, written on the face. Then a heavy sigh was produced, and black eyes glanced up.
      Shock widened her eyes and froze her form as her gaze landed on the male. "Uh... uhm..." A flawless appearance of a truly surprised woman. What would he do, now? And her mind raced, preparing a response to any number of reactions the male might give.

---

words. 322
tags. @Tobin
notes. xD i am super hype for this

His nostrils finally picked up on the scent that didn't belong, locking in on it as the noise of a rock skittering across the ground reached his ears. A snarl crossed his lips as he turned to face the woman, teeth bared in silent warning as she spoke.

"You are not of this pride," he said, warning clear in his words. It seemed as though his cause for concern had finally come true, as a stranger stood before him. Either that or she had just very recently joined, but he hadn't heard any calls for the pride leaders either...

He wouldn't attack her, though. In his youth he might have, but he was well past that point. Roan wasn't the violent sort either, from what he thought he knew of the man. "You will not go further," he said decisively, turning his head to the left slightly to keep his good eye on her as he sent a series of chuffs back along the tunnel he had come from, hoping to summon one of the sovereigns. If she truly was a new member and they could confirm it then he would apologize, but otherwise... well he'd never been told to attack an intruder, but he would certainly escort her out and make sure she stayed away.

@Kriilosah

      Interesting. Rather than react much, he just offered a warning. And a stern one at that. Response at the ready, she went ahead without a pause.
      An exasperated sigh left her, heavy, as her entire body drooped just a bit. Black gaze dropped to the floor, ears turned back in seemed embarrassment. "I know I'm not." There was a moment where defeat hung in the air. "I'm not pretending to be. I don't even know who lives here." The truth, for once, though the words are lilted as an invitation to provide information. If he was so willing to explain whose territory she had trespassed upon, she was willing to listen. Then he called for others, and the stakes of the game rose dramatically. She glanced up at him, appearing sheepish. "Sorry wouldn't be enough, right?"
      Then it appeared that she caught sudden sight of something just beyond him. At his left side, where his bad eye couldn't readily see--and oh, how she noticed he had to tilt his head for clear view of her, and noted the thinning musculature and hair of age--was a small cluster of pale, pale mushrooms. She perked her ears and sat just a bit taller, leaning forward ever so slightly: a picture of excited hope. "Oh b-but! Those mushrooms there." She used her muzzle to indicate to his blind side. "Those are what I was after. I just need a few." So began the fun, while she could have it.
      Holding her 'injured' paw off the ground, she leaned forward just an inch more and let her eyes gleam with unfettered hope. "They are only found here. I can't even find them in the tunnels nearby." Lies, smooth and ready as the truth. "They help calm an upset stomach. Almost like an antidote of sorts to bubble guts." If she could've made her own belly grumble in agreement, she would have. As it was, she let her face slip into pleading, her eyes growing round. "If I could just get one, I'll leave. I won't come back without permission, I promise. Just one. Please?" The cherry on top of her acting cake was the twitch of tail behind her, as though eagerly awaiting his response.
      She would leave, surely, but not until she had at least one of those precious fungi.

---

words. 387
tags. @Tobin
notes. :D this is fun!

Trade: Assassin
+5 +10* tell a lie without getting caught
1/2 posts

He studied her as she spoke, noting that at least she didn't try to pretend like she didn't know what she was doing. She was giving off quite the innocent, woe-is-me air, which might well be true, but he wasn't the sort to trust such things at first glance. He wasn't an innocent himself, after all. But, it was entirely possible that she was being truthful, and as such he didn't attempt to sink his teeth or claws into her.

"Leaving would be, though," he commented. But, something had caught her attention. She pointed to the side that he couldn't see well on, and the mistrustful side of him said that she wanted him to turn his head all the way to have to look at what she was pointing at. What she would do if he took his eye off of her he didn't know, but the risk wasn't worth it. So, he wouldn't look, but he did ponder her request for a second. If she was being honest about her intentions, which at this point he was beginning to doubt considering what mushroom could possibly only be found in these caves and not the labyrinth, then she would just leave after he let her take the mushrooms (presuming they were even there at all). He didn't keep track of mushrooms, though, so he couldn't even tell if she was lying about that.

"Fine," he rumbled after a beat. "But if I find you here again I will not be so kind," he warned. He wasn't going to turn his back on her though. That was just a bad idea all around. Instead, he backed up carefully, turning his head slightly to the side so he could better see the wall where she had indicated. It didn't take him long to spot the mushrooms he assumed she was speaking of. He waited until he was a few feet away from them and then gestured with a paw. "Go ahead. Take them."

@Kriilosah

      The midnight feline kept her rear firmly on the cool cave floor, 'injured' forepaw still raised slightly, as the male took a moment to mull over her words. He wasn't immediately trusting, but not immediately violent, either. She noted that with glee. Not all pride lions could be reasoned with. Some couldn't even be conversed with. Keeping track of those who could was a vital part of her greater machinations. When he gave his warning about finding her next time, she dipped her head and let her ears splay to the side in a face of submission.
      "I understand." The voice was quiet, solemn, as though she was taking his warning to heart. Then he did something she found herself admiring; Instead of turning his head to expose his vulnerable blind side, he took steps backward and then turned only just enough to spy the clump of mushrooms. Well done. Today was not a day for bloodshed but, if it had been, and he had been less cautious, she would've taken absolute advantage of his disability. As it were, she didn't do more than watch him quietly, gently, as he moved.
      Only once the male used a paw to indicate the mushrooms, his position plenty back and safe from attack, did she get to her feet. She held her 'injured' paw off the ground, putting only ginger weight on it as she stepped forward with the slightest of limps; Predators naturally hide their weakness from others, especially when one is in the presence of a larger and stronger predator. She came to stand just above the clump, and let her eyes peer from beneath her lashes with a smile.
      "Thank you." The voice was soft, feeling of genuine gratitude. "You have no idea how helpful these will be. I--" She paused, as though catching herself, and shook her head in regret. "I won't ramble. I won't stay any longer than you have so graciously allowed." Using her raised paw, she delicately used her claws to swipe three of the fungi from the clump and scoot them toward her. Gathering done, she gave him another soft smile. "My name is Nemhain, by the way."
      The invitation to give his own name was clear, but not weighted. If he didn't want to, she didn't appear to want to fault him for it.

---

words. 390
tags. @Tobin
notes. sorry this took so long! i am enjoying this <3

Trade: Assassin
+5 +10* tell a lie without getting caught
2/2 posts

((This is super fun c: ))

He watched her, unwilling to trust despite having no signs of falsehood or aggression from her. It was just his nature, and not any fault of her own. She was offering the perfect picture of innocence and injury that one couldn't fault her for it. He just... didn't trust strangers on their territory.

She came forward slowly, offering more platitudes that he could feel trying to work their way through his walls. He wouldn't allow himself to feel sorry for her though, not with there being children in the caves behind him.

"Tobin," he said in response. He could have lied, probably should have he guessed, but at this point he didn't see the sense in it. What did it matter if she knew his name? "You should probably get your paw looked at once you leave here," he added, not entirely heartless to the woman's plight. It was obviously hurting her. If he knew any healing himself he would offer to help her with it, but he didn't and he wasn't about to call for one of their healers to help someone who was where they weren't supposed to be.

@Kriilosah