Astraea pushed his way delicately through the dew-laden ferns, ruby eyes studying the undergrowth.

He could not sense Rift and the others here. He found no sign of them. Had they failed, then--or had they fled-?

"Rift?" he called out, suppressing his anger. If they had fled their duties, and then shirked the consequences, he would find them and punish them severely. "Kingdom of Eridanus-?" he called, but he saw no trace of them here.

Had they even tried to find Reji-? Or had they agreed to leave the cave to crumble to her foul Hive?

No one has to post in this thread, but tags are being given for visibility. Anyone, however, may join and speak to Astraea.

@Rift @Mercurius

The blind lioness heard the call, and knew who it was. It was Astraea, looking for Rift and the others. There was no point in lying to the master. The deer would not be pleased, but at least the rest of them were safe. Zavenlora, another member of the Kingdom of Eridanus, was right beside her, for she heard the call too. The blind lioness walked up to Astraea, with the maned wolf next to her. Both of them stood proud. Atinneas spoke with pure displeasure in her voice. "You called for Rift and the kingdom, but none of them are here accept for me and Zavenlora, the maned wolf who stands next to me." Her voice grew cold and full of hate as she spoke. "You dare show your face here, and ask us to kill someone, after you murdered one of our own. That's right, you killed Aetius. As far as I'm concerned the kingdom owes you nothing. What do you want here?" Coldness grew in her heart, as she looked at the monster who claimed to be a proper master.

Zavenlora nodded at Atinneas's words. She added her own words to the conversation. "The Kingdom, including Rift refused to do your dirty work. They are not here. Therefore, they did not carry out your wishes." The maned wolf casually sat down, staring down the deer. If they lost their lives today, then so be it. But Astraea needed to learn that he may be a master, he will not get away with whatever he wants. He killed an innocent member of the group, so he has no right to ask for favors.

@Game Master Dark

Attikias was, as he was oft to do, walking through the forest, his spear lashed to his back with the bag rustling with his steps.

He was looking for materials. Things to fiddle with- little gems hidden under roots, curious feathers, things like that. He looked like he belonged on a particular show looking for an idol, really.

Rift... That cat he saw so many cycles before. He was being called for. For what? Spine curling, he dropped low as he glanced around, following the sound of the voice warily. He had to step lightly. Each layer of his clothes against the cold rustled and set him on edge.

He'd arrived, skin tingling as he prepped the use of magic, behind the deer covered with fungus as two more spoke to him. Bright eyes widened, then lowered as he ducked into the underbrush, attempting at a practiced quiet. Green rippled over his features, mottled with browns of trees- it wasn't a perfect match, but when he shirked his clothes (except for pants) and shuddered against the cold, he blended in nicely.

In a sort of half-squat, he held his spear against the ground and looked between bushes, tail flicking agitatedly behind him. There was to be a hunt. A failed one- but the reason was lost on him.

Who was in the right, then?

He stayed quiet. A sense of deja vu had come over him, and the tips of his pointed ears twitched as he paid attention.

Astraea studied the two Gembound, briefly.

"And who told you this?" was all he said.

@Atinneas

"Who told us this?!" Atinneas's voice became enraged, but it was still low and deadly. "Aetius has a daughter named Zutar. Somehow, she found out from someone that you killed her mother. Not only that, she found Aetius's body that was nothing but blood and goop. She also found Aetius's feathers, which she kept some as a memory of her mother." Her voice got colder to the point it was almost scary. "Rift told us, that Zutar knew you murdered Aetius for knowing too much about him. He also mention that Zutar told him, you threatened to kill a child. You had no right to take the life of someone, just because they know information of you. You murdered Aetius due to your selfish desires. You are no master. You are a terrorist. A dictator. Now, if you have no other business here, I suggest you leave. I may be blind, but nonetheless I am still a lion. Even blind lions can lose their temper." Unbeknownst to her, Zutar knew of Astraea's past form, just like Aetius did. She added one more thing too, to set the record straight. She was fearless at the moment, fueled by anger. "If I find that something has happened to Zutar because of you, you better count your legs and hooves. I will not allow you to take anyone else that is close to me and this kingdom."

OOC Note: Zavenlora can be skipped, as she is just angrily observing and staring Astraea down

@Game Master Dark

Attikias grew restless. While his colors stayed (although, they'd begun to fade now), his eyes were wide as his fingers curled around his weapon. A murderer was being confronted by- what, a canine and.. a blind lion? As if someone blind would be able to do much, and yet he could be overwhelmed with the two of them.

But, was it murdering, or in self defense? What if there was dangerous information that she knew? What- what could be dangerous, something like... Like a mistake done in the past, something that could inadvertently kill Astraea in turn?

If nobody had been around to witness, would there be this anger turned to Astraea?

Attikias set his jaw, his hand curling around the stone knife at his waist. If a fight broke out, perhaps he'd go against who started it, but... In truth, this arguing was senseless. They knew of Astraea's murder, and yet they were enticing him to do the same to them. Even with a sense of right and wrong, Attikias knew that hunts- as much as Arsu would hate to hear it- were necessary.

'Get out of there,' he urged silently in his mind. 'Go, before we all make mistakes.'

He stared at this one, bemused. He did not need them in order to find Rift; the caves were not that large. And they were his.

"Your words are... bold. Cute, but misplaced," Astraea answered, smirking at them. If only they knew. "But you've reminded me of something. 'Count my legs.' Hm. I will go do just that, thank you. I bid you both *farewell.*" The grin that followed, briefly-visible as he turned away, would be lost on the blind one--but not on the maned wolf, unless it were a complete fool.

To find Rift, then. And then--to go and count his legs.

He turned, departing--unless the children were foolish enough to try and stop him.

@Attineas

Atinneas eyes widened in anger. First he killed Aetius, and now he found the situation funny?! She couldn't hold it in. She said her silent apologies to Rift, before speaking to that damned deer. "I don't know what Aetius knew about you, but I know she would never know or share anything to put you in danger!!! Now you have the nerve to kill her, and the stand in my face, as if it was nothing?!! I don't care if you are a master. I'll scar you now." She may be blind, but her other senses were heightened greatly due to training. Using her sense of hearing, she pinpointed where Astraea was. The lioness attempted to dig her claws and fangs into his backside, aiming for his spine. She put all her force into it, wanting to leave heavy wounds. Or kill him if possible.

Zavenlora was agitated as well. She was angry at Astraea's words. He did not deserve to be called a master. Watching Atinneas attack, gave her the courage to join in. She screamed something at Astraea before joining in. "MURDERER!!! Aetius was of no harm to you!" She leaped in, attempting to jump at his face, and dig her fangs into one of his eyes. She wanted to blind him. An eye for a life. Anger and rage filled both her and Atinneas. Their loss for Aetius filled them with grief. No gembound would dare to attack a master. But, Atinneas and Zavenlora were different.

@Game Master Dark