He didn't want to be here.

Dread filled him as the sound of rushing water flooded his ears. The cave ahead was once a welcome place, a sanctuary that he could feel safe in. Now, it was a nothing more than a trap- a place he was certain he'd never leave again if he entered its foreboding walls. Leon rested here. He could smell the bear a mile away. Makyna was here, too. She was the last person he wanted to see now... but Amaria had been firm about his return. At the very least, he had to find Quix, and Bevy, and Fisher- and let them know where he'd be staying, away from here, in Orion, he'd decided, though he wouldn't tell even Amaria yet. He wanted to be kept a secret of the caves, a hidden gem for none to find unless he willed it so. This was against his wishes, this visit to what was once his home. Maji Walezi had been lost to him the moment he'd led Leon out of its safe walls, and into the dangers of the caves- for that fateful battle... and what would they think of him now? Healed, as if nothing had happened?

Damn that sheep. Her blessing was a curse.

Still, he'd followed Amaria here, and after reaching the entrance tunnel, had slowed to let her lead the way. He didn't want to be here, he really didn't. He knew what was coming- hatred, regret, judgment. He didn't want to be seen as a monster, but when he himself could see nothing more or less, then what good would it do to expect better of the rest of the Maji crew? His chest felt heavy, his sore muscles screamed to flee, his stomach flipped and turned uneasily... it was for the greater good, though. Only cowards turned away from responsibilities- and he had one final act as leader to preform, before he abandoned this place for good. He had to tell them all the truth- and in turn, be judged for it. Oh, but he more certainly didn't want to...

The black leopard waited at the entryway of the cave, hesitant. Amaria would lead the way in, and he'd follow her once she passed the threshold, but until then, he stood stock still, intimidated and breathing perhaps just a bit too quickly- those panic attacks were starting to become a real problem since the pit. Would it serve to put him in a pickle here? Gods bellow knew better, but he felt as if he'd fallen into another pit, this one enclosed and in his mind, like a grasping arm ready to swallow him whole--

"Amaria, I can't do this." He stated very quickly, quietly, his voice riddled with uneasy anticipation. "I shouldn't be here."

"Speech"

PLEASE LET AMARIA POST FIRST! Takes place a few days after the fight- it would've taken Amy some time to convince him to come back, and even then, there would have been stops and backtracking along the way as poor Can the Man panics at every turn. This is the Trial and Election thread! MANDATORY for all MW members!

"Speech"

Their trek back home was slow, riddled with pauses and doubt. It was a struggle just convincing the fellow leopard to return to their home. Amaria wasn't even sure if Cancer so much as viewed the place as home now. Her mind was a storm of thoughts, going over and over again of the things Cancer had told her. She was unsure how to feel about it. Completely numb to the thought that Cancer had tried to murder Leon. Though, had it not been Leon's intention as well? The anger the two shared for one another over a single feline. Paws moved slow across the tunnel floor, silent in their step as she continued on just slightly in front of Cancer. It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous now. Bringing back Cancer had been her first initial goal when she had originally set out to find him, but now she could only imagine what Leon had been telling the others. There was no doubt they probably knew the full detail to the end of the two's fight.

How could anyone be as judgmental about the happenings like he was worried about in the first place. Sure, Amaria would have undoubtedly been devastated had her Big Brother fallen victim to Cancer's dagger, but that was also something Leon had willingly risked upon his first strike at the Leopard. She could not side with either of them. She loved Leon, but he had attacked first out of blinded hatred. She adored Cancer, and he had only been trying to save his own hide. Albeit with attempted murder. How could any of them be sure that Leon was not going to do just that in his rage? Fighting was not something that was meant to be anything but dangerous. There were risks anyone would have to face should they bare their fangs and unsheathe their claws.

A quiet sigh slipped from the clouded leopard as she closed her eyes in an attempt to stop her mind from racing with so many thoughts. It only proved to have her mind shift direction and linger over the Lamb that had healed Cancer. Wondering if the Lamb was okay or if that monstrosity had gobbled her right up like it seemed was going to happen to both she and Cancer had they not fled. A voice pierced through her thoughts and Amaria opened her eyes and slowed to a stop.

She turned instantly and looked at Cancer, pushing her ears forward to listen as he once again spouted off that he shouldn't be here and that he couldn't do it. Her ears folded back for a moment before she padded over to him. Gently she bumped her head against his shoulder in an attempt to help ease his sudden rapid breathing. "Cancer, breathe. It's going to be alright..." It was an an unsure assurance. Amaria had no idea what was going to happen once they stepped foot back into Pisces. Regardless of it Amaria would stand next to him. To support him in what he must face upon their return. If not she, then who? Everyone was so wrapped up with Leon and taking care of him. Someone had to do the same for Cancer. Though the leopard no longer bore the wounds of battle, it was clear that he was struggling with something deeper.

"It's not much, but I will be here for you. Just a little further. You have a right to express your side just as he gets to express his side," Gently she groomed at his cheek near the base of his ear as if trying to prompt him with gentle affections. It was only meant to try and ease his panicking nerves, nothing more. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling right now. If she had been in his paws she could assume she would be acting the same way.

She didn't know how she knew it but today was the day. Call it intuition but she knew that damned leopard would show up and try to come home. Well, as long as she was here it wasn't happening. If that traitor was allowed back in their midst then she would up and leave herself and take whoever would go with her. In her den the lioness paced back and forth, unable to be consoled because in her blood she knew it would happen today. The tension had been building and now it was all to come down to this. Leon was there with her but any words he had said would wash right off of her. Only one thing would satisfy her today... The trial.

It was the smell, just the slight scent on the moist air that had her stopping and lifting her head. Pink nose twitched as she sampled the air then opened her mouth to taste it just to be sure. It was him. A growl erupted from her throat as she turned quickly and made her way out of her den. "He's here." Was the only warning Leon would get before the lioness exited.

Nimbly she leaped down the ledges that lead the way to the main part of Pisces. She held the grace of a predator, a predator out with a purpose. There he was. She could see him returning with Amaria by his side but he was the only thing that mattered at the moment. The bear at her heels didn't matter, the roaring of the falls refused to phase her, if anyone called to her at this moment besides that leopard she would likely not even notice. Her blue eyes were narrowed into tiny slits, twin slices of ice as she stared down dangerously at that murderer. That traitor. That monster.

Her paws fell with purpose as she neither faltered nor strayed from her path straight to him. Tail lashed behind her, ears pinned, mouth opened slightly to reveal her sharp fangs as she gave a snarl to catch his attention. To her he was not welcome here. If it hadn't been for the trial that was set she would chase him away now but she could not. She could do nothing before the trial started...

Which was why her next move might have been surprising to all that attended.

The lioness didn't stop moving until she was directly in front of Cancer, nose to nose, and when she finally stopped it was only so she could lift a paw and slap it across his face. Her claws had come unsheathed and in that one motion she put the whole force of her body behind that blow, leaning into it so there would be no mistake that this was her intention. She wanted it to hurt, she wanted it to sting, she wanted to leave a mark so he would forever remember what she thought of him.

Ky was usually laid-back, quiet, and even-tempered to all of those she spoke to. However, when she had been crossed too many times or those she loved were put into mortal danger as Leon had, she turned into what her species was. A predator. "Traitor!" She hissed at him, hatred spewed in that word. "Murderous monster!" She added, no less venom in her words as she stared at him. Eyes ablaze with righteous rage.

"Do you think you can waltz back in here and not be punished for what you tried to do?" As she looked over him now she saw that his body was practically unmarred! Had he no wounds? No nothing to show from the fight? She spat at him and growled. That just meant that Leon had even more of a case! The bear probably hadn't even put up much of a fight if Cancer was hardly even scarred! It made her blood boil all the more.

"You don't... We will have justice." Her voice was low, cold as she stared him straight in the eyes then quite suddenly her voice rose. This time she didn't speak again but her voice rose in a roar. A deep roar that would travel far throughout the cave system. It spoke of urgency, for a need to gather, a need for justice to be helped served. Those of Maji Walezi would hear as well as those from neighboring caves. This was a serious issue and everyone would be needed to help decide what was to happen.

"We'll let the gems decide your fate... The fate of a monster."

---

words: 764
tagged: Trial
ooc: Ky has summoned the other gembounds for jury duty.
muse: 9/10

"Talking looks like this!"
"Thinking is this!"

They had all been anticipating this moment, Makyna more so than anyone, and Leon absolutely the least. He didn't want to see Cancer again, not now, not later, not any time ever again - even thinking about the leopard and what he almost did would set the bear on edge, remembering those few fleeting moments, that time of absolute helplessness when he was pinned to the ground under his own weight, struggling to even breathe. And Cancer had come upon him with that gleaming knife... the memory made him shudder.

Makyna was unable to let it go. She'd been on about it for days; she told everyone, Bevy, Quix, everybody in Maji Walezi that cared enough to listen. And of course, they did, especially since it had to do with Cancer and Leon, the bear that had disappeared. He'd been gone for a month, and before he left, he had avoided a lot of Maji Walezi simply because of Cancer. It made him feel like he was barely even a part of the group, yet here he was, storming into Pisces and trying to beat the hell out of Cancer before staggering home with news the cat had tried to kill him. It made him feel... well, guilty to say the least. Did he really deserve all the care and attention they were giving him?

Leon would furrow his brow and shake the thought away. He was one of the original founding members, he was a part of Maji Walezi just as much as Cancer, and yet the leopard thought he would try to kill him. Now they were going to hold a trial to determine whether or not the black leopard was guilty for what he'd done. As much as Leon desired justice, he really just didn't want to see the leopard. He wanted to forget this whole thing had ever happened. Hell, the bear would be content to have Cancer back in the caves as long as they didn't speak of the affair ever again. It was pretty hard to forget a traumatic experience when everybody was making such a huge deal out of it.

Today, the tension of the whole ordeal had peaked. Makyna had been pacing around her cave, and Leon found he couldn't sleep with the constant patter of paws on the ground. Besides, when she was upset, he was upset, even if it wasn't as deeply rooted. He'd tried to soothe her, to get her to sit with him, or think about something else; maybe a walk around the cave or even out to a different room would make her feel better, but nothing satisfied her. All he could do was sit by and talk to her, and hopefully take her mind off of it - until that telltale scent had wafted in, just barely lit upon the moist cave air. Cancer. Before he knew it, she was off. Her back turned as she damn near bolted out of the den, making a beeline for the doomed man.

"M-Makyna, wait," Leon stumbled over his words, clambering to his paws and hastily jogging after her. "are you sure you aren't being rash about this?" He didn't mean to offend her, of course, he just didn't know if storming up to him would end well... at all... "Don't you wanna wait until you're maybe not... so... mad...?" There was no way she could deny it, either. It wasn't just in the emotions that stirred within the both of them, it was in the way she walked, the intent in her eyes, the fury that sparked in the air around her. Still, it didn't matter how much he tried to calm her down, she went head-on towards the black leopard until she had stopped right in front of him. Then, she reeled that paw back and slapped him, hard as he'd ever seen.

The bear froze, wide-eyed behind Makyna - his posture could have been mistaken for cowering, had he not been so monstrously huge. When she started yelling, he pressed back his ears and shrunk even lower. She had a powerful voice to her, enough to make any creature quake in their boots, even Leon - he'd never seen her so mad before. But he could feel it, and he knew it was true. Suddenly, the lioness roared, summoning everyone to the cave to witness the event. He couldn't imagine how Amaria would have felt about all this, heading out to find the leopard only to be bringing him to his demise. As her voice dropped into an ominous threat, Leon's expression too slowly shifted into one of anger and guilt, averting his eyes from Cancer.

Amaria's reassurances were met with a frown of doubt, and an almost childish look of defiance. She was trying her best, he appreciated that, but he knew the truth. They'd sooner see him dead in Pisces now. Surely Leon had told them all what happened... and he would come in looking like a monster. He leaned into the reassurance licks, not out of affection but for a dire need to be, well, not hated in that moment. Amaria seemed like his only friend, and he looked at her with fearful, but appreciative, yellow eyes. He took a deep breath, one that shuddered down his length, rattling his armor plates, then turned to enter the cave proper.

Makyna was already approaching, fury in her gaze, every step closer like the beats of a war drum to him. Immediately, he stepped back, faltered, his chest tightening at the sight of her. She'd never looked so angry, and never towards him. Then, as she got close enough that he could smell the stale meat on her breath, that paw rose and he winced, clenching his eyes shut as claws and pads made heavy contact with his face.

A yowl of pain rang out as his flesh tore, four long, deep marks scored into his cheek and across his muzzle, just below his left eye. He stumbled from the blow, and backed off, body low to the ground, ears pinned. He kept his eyes clenched shut for a moment, silent as she screamed at him. Every word had him flinching below her, looking more like a scared and tormented kitten than some leader or king now. Finally he opened his eyes and stared harshly at his paws. She called out for others to come, for a gathering of more than just his old cave mates. He crouched where he was, unwilling to move, but slowly, eyes turned up to look at the already gathering crowd- Leon had arrived behind Makyna, and he looked... okay. He wasn't dead, or good for dead, at least. A small relief. He wasn't a murderer. Not in truth. Leon had survived, would've survived without harm if he'd never attacked to begin with. Oh, but of course- and a small swelling of anger bubbled up in his chest- no one thought him the monster here. Oh, of course not, that bear was perfection incarnate to them. Even Quix and Bevy probably sided with him. Cancer felt his chest heave, another panic attack coming on, like cold sweat. He looked towards Amaria with a cold and shattered expression- I told you I shouldn't have come.

"Speech"

________________

Behind Cancer and Amaria, a bedraggled Great Horned Owl hopped quietly along the edge of the tunnel. He seemed to have been following them--but for how long, it wasn't clear. When he heard the sounds of fighting and roaring ahead--sporadic, but unmistakeable nonetheless--he flinched down and cowered for awhile.

It was only after several long minutes of Dark hiding, trembling, in the darkness that he finally took flight, quickly and silently jumping up, spreading broad wings and flapping a few times before soaring overhead and past the others entirely. He flew slowly and he listened, and managed to tumble onto a familiar rock ledge without hurting himself too badly. Here he turned, and huddled down again, simply listening to everything.

As he had been doing, since Monoceros.

As he had been doing since he first cowered away, when the sounds of fighting had broken him from his watch over the pit, and his attempts to observe by sound--and mind--the inhabitants within.

He didn't know what had happened (being blind) other than violence, but he knew that it had frightened him, and he hoped that now he was safe.

But what was the fighting about? And what's going to happen now...?

________________

Amaria had been relieved when Cancer had finally eased up just a little. Continuing into Pisces Amaria immediately spotted Makyna storming over she had opened her mouth to say something but the lioness was already upon the leopard. "Makyna!" Her voice shook, bordering on a quiver of terror and a trembling roar. She scampered right back over to Cancer to where he had sunk back away from the enraged lioness. She looked over the years on his face, but the sudden look Cancer had given her kept her from doing anything about it. Her chest tightened as she shot a look to Makyna, ears flicking as she just barely caught Cancer's sudden heaving for breath. She shifted closer, brushing her shoulder against him in hopes that he would calm just a little. She wasn't sure how much it would help given the situation he was now facing. Maybe he was right. Maybe she shouldn't have convinced him to come back. Yet, how fair was that? He was on the verge of death when she had found him and if it had not been for that lamb he would have surely perished.


Eyes narrowed, pupils turning into slits as she turned her gaze towards Makyna. She gritted her jaw, unable to find the words to say to her sister. She had already called for others to show. For what she was unsure. It didn't matter in the least. She would defend the Leopard. Especially considering that Cancer had no wounds to show for the battle he was definitely going to need someone who had seen them to confirm it. Her gaze lingered away from Makyna and towards the bear. Her brows furrowed as she gave him an almost apologetic look. She knew how much her big brother disliked Cancer, but she was not going to turn ber back to Cancer.

calypso
critical and melodic
ooc ;; for makyna~

Ahh, the king had come home. From her perch by the waterfall, she spread her black wings and took flight, rising high to the ceiling. She flew among the bright white lights, her feathers casting fuzzy shadows as she swept overhead of the gathering group.

Makyna laid her claws on Cancer almost immediately. A small bubble of, rather expected, frustration popped inside of her and she dove down. "Makyna! Enough!" She screeched, her red eyes pinned on Cancer. The old king. The one who had betrayed his own kind. Enna, he's back, don't you want to say hello? She wondered, the silence in her mind a welcome surprise. No, Enna didn't want to be anywhere near what was about to happen. Not like anyone could blame her. She felt a sharp sting, her flight pattern turning abruptly chaotic as she fluttered into a rather rough landing between the pair.

He's not a murderer, her mind buzzed with anger. She felt the violent tug for control and puffed up, shaking her head. "We'll see about that," she spoke lightly, venom in her words, to herself. Then, abruptly, she met the eyes of Cancer and stood as tall as a teeny birb could.

"Carcino Karkata, you are to be put on Trial for the attempted murder of Leon, Scout of Maji Walezi. You have a right to one Gembound to defend you if you so choose. Makyna is your Prosecutor, in the place of Leon," she spoke simply, clearly, her voice ringing out to anyone listening. She noticed Dark, hanging back behind them... Had he been gone all this time? Was he okay? She returned her gaze pointedly back to Cancer. Distracting nonsense.

murderers are not monsters,
they're men; and that's the most frightening
thing about them

In her head, until she made that move to slap him across his evil face, it had been just him and her. Him the evil one and her fighting for what was right. Leon's pleas had fallen on deaf ears and Amaria's feelings had not been considered. It wasn't until the voice of Bevy cut through the fog of her rage did she stop to look at everything around her. Cancer was recoiling away from her as he crouched on the ground, staring at his paws. Amaria glared at her then looked to Leon. Oh dear... She'd lost her temper. That was no good. No good at all. The lioness peered down at her unsheathed claws. More specifically she peered downwards at the one with the tufts of black fur. It was so unlike her to lose her temper... so unlike her to strike someone out of anger. It scared her and it was almost enough to make her apologize.

Almost.

That murderer doesn't deserve your apology. The thought formed almost on its own and Makyna reached for it. Took comfort in it. Yes, he was a murderer and as a murderer he was a monster. Perhaps later on she would feel guilty about what she had done... feel guilty about what she was doing to Cancer right at this moment but for now she would surround herself in the comforting embrace of condemnation. She could think of nothing else but Cancer's guilt until this trial was done. She would not allow herself to fall into doubt because then this leopard would go unpunished.

Still, the act and feel of striking someone was a new one to her so she narrowed her eyes and turned her head. Effectively looking away from Cancer and his bleeding cheek, and Amaria the one who she had no doubt would defend him. Makyna would not try to dissuade her for now. No. The clouded leopard probably didn't even know what sort of creature she was defending. The dark one had probably filled her head with some lies to sway her to his side. Amaria would see the truth when the trial started.

For now she listened to Bevy's words, pleased that they'd worked all this out beforehand. Now they just had to wait for the other gems to show. His guilt would be proven.

---

words: 390
tagged: Trial
ooc: ---
muse: 6/10

"Talking looks like this!"
"Thinking is this!"

Everything seemed to happen all at once. Makyna's slap, Cancer recoiling away from her, Amaria's protests, and several other creatures emerging at the sound of the lioness' summoning call. Bevy suddenly fluttered in, yelling at Makyna. Leon peered around at her, momentarily dropping his discomfort with the black leopard to move up beside Makyna and press his shoulder against her flank. He could feel her anger, then her shame, them the internal struggle she faced in realizing that she lacked the capacity to truly forgive him. All Leon could do was try to offer her comfort and support the best way he could. His gaze flickered back up to Cancer, then to Amaria, meeting her gaze. He returned her look of apology, but Leon couldn't help feeling confused too. Before he left, Cancer had accidentally harmed Amaria, leaving he and Makyna to comfort her. Not only that, but Amaria... She was Leon's friend, a younger sister. Why was she taking Cancer's side?

Maybe something had happened between them during his absence. The bear huffed and shoved it aside. Bevy announced the trial. Cancer's fate would hang in the balance, be it that he would remain a part of Maji Walezi or be exiled for his transgressions. No matter how guilty the bear felt, a part of him truly wished to see Cancer gone if only for the comfort of the antagonist being gone. He said nothing, pressed against Makyna while he watched Cancer and awaited a response.