Dusk Syndicate Territory

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Lawlipop

Nero's nose was not the best thing he could rely on when out of the territory. The one that wasn't huge on his giant body was his nose, which was just as useful as a kittypet's most times. Nero looks at the cat up and down. He did seem to look the part of a Syndicate cat. He doesn't take time to observe the appearances of those in the Syndicate. He keeps himself mostly in the territory in some favored spots and comes back to camp to eat and rest. The scent seemed to be there, but seemed to faded, or maybe masked with another scent. Nero deducts that the tom probably is telling the truth, but he doesn't relax his features and still stands stiffly. This tom gave the pale ginger some off vibes and it irritated him that he couldn't figure it out. He huffs, "My mistake, then. I'll then continue on my way to dispose of this and expect to take more attention to seeing you in camp later." he says, turning back and preparing to continue to search for a good place to dispose of a useless corpse.

Whether the tom believed him or not, Hannibal didn't particularly care, after all this large tom appeared to be the sort to always be on edge and ready to attack anyways. Even if he believed the truthful statement that he had said, he would likely not relax his features anyways. No matter, so long as he doesn't exert rudeness or attack first he'll end up just fine.
Hannibal was truthfully tired of the brutes of the Syndicate, that liked to use their size to try and intimidate others, or the fact that they had killed to drive fear into others. Hannibal didn't kill to cause fear, fear was just a side-effect, a side-effect that he cared nothing for. Some cats got pleasure out of seeing fear run through others, of seeing other cats trembling in terror at the sight of them while Hannibal? He simply wanted cats to not be rude. If fear is what got this result, than so be it.
"You can dispose of it here. The ground is soft from the rain and there are very few cats that come trekking through this part of the territory. At least if you're looking to completely get rid of it, if you'd like to keep it out for others to see the mangled remains, let it remain above ground. I'm sure the crows will just love the little feast it will provide. Regardless, I don't much care what you do with it. But yes, if you do see me in the camp, please do sit down for a chat. I always enjoy company." The words were pleasant along with the tone, in fact the tom even seemed to have dawned a somewhat friendly demeanor, a polite smile upon his lips as he went back for his meal. If Nero had known Hannibal, he might have known that this wasn't real, that it was an act, but to any cat who hasn't met the tom. It would truthfully seem that he was being friendly. The he held emotions.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by tawny~

@Duskflight
Iesha felt a bit guilty for thinking about it. The scorn that healer's got. It was wrong. But, she pushed it aside, or at least tried to. For her half-brother, for her step-mother. For all the healers out their. They were scorned, and not treated right, and Iesha wasn't going to be like that. Besides, her trainer was a former clan cat. She shouldn't be scornful, or treating others like garbage. Even if her mother thought healers were... bad. She wouldn't treat them like that. She would promise herself that. She scampered after her brother, eyes shining with exciting as she followed. New smells, new sights, new EVERYTHING. Iesha was extremely excited to see the territory. It would be her very first outing to the territory, and that was the most exciting part. Her first outing! Exciting. Yes. Iesha kept a smile on her face as she followed her brother through the entrance of the camp. Not very exciting as she originally thought. Oh well, the territory would be worth it. WAY more worth it. She could just... feel it! Her smile grew wider as she thought about it. It would be really pretty and exciting! And-- the ocean! Iesha heard about it from her mother, and had wanted to see it herself. It sounded very pretty looking.

Whether he got scorn for being what he wanted to be or not didn't matter to Icarius, just like others opinion of him. The only time it stung was when it was family, like his father.. He knew that his father would hate him for becoming a healer, but his father was dead. It didn't matter what his father wanted him to do, he did what he wanted and that was it. A dead cat shouldn't dictate what he wanted to be in life and if he wanted to be a healer, if he believed that's what would help his siblings the most, then that's what he was going to become. He was a hard-headed cat, but he was hard-headed for a good reason. I'll show them that being a healer isn't bad. And.. And if they come to me, needing my help. Then I'll show them how much they need me. Gritting his teeth, the young tom's eyes darkened with determination. He was going to be the best healer, and he was going to make it known.
The look faded and in it's place returned his happiness and excitement as he looked over his shoulder at his sister as she followed him out into the territory. While he had only been out into the territory a few times, he was sure of his steps and believed he knew where he was going. Iesha was in good paws with him, at least in his own mind. "Sooo, is this your first time in the territory?" He chided with a bright grin, slowing his pace a bit, wanting her to enjoy the view just in case it was her first outing. He really hadn't ever gotten a good chance to talk or hang out with his half-sister so it was kind of exciting to be able to spend this time with her and get to know her like he wanted to. As they left the camp entrance behind and actually began to head into the territory, it grew relatively eerie. The pine forest they padded through was dim and ominously quiet, their pawsteps almost seeming to echo and whisper through the trees along with the snapping of branches somewhere far off. Icarius didn't seem to be bothered by it at all, or even notice, but inside he could feel his neck prickling. It was always so creepy out here, even during the day.

[ShiningFern]

Originally Posted by TheBread

The molly dropped down beside him, huffing, "That was fun." She said, pawing gently at the tom beside her. Maia grinned and rolled onto her side, raising an eyebrow at him. "Would you like to do something else?" She asked, her honey-like tone coming back again as she met his yellow eyes with her amber gaze.

Kovu smiled, rolling over and looking at the shecat beside him. "Yes, it was," He said, eyes twinkling, "Hmm...yes. How about a game? Some ones the young trainees and older kits play are still interesting. Like "prey and hunter," I was always fond of that one." The muscular red tom waved his tail, occasionally brushing the tip of Maia's fur closest to him with it. No matter how the pretty molly beside him would answer, he wouldn't mind that much. Just spending a bit of time with her was enough. They never spoke that much, but both were skilled fighters, and they saw each other from time to time. His yellow eyes glowed as he flicked them back to Maia's amber ones.

[SuspiciousMindz]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

Patience was very much a virtue, and a virtue that Hannibal had plenty of. Many moons now he had waited, letting her grow a family, letting her get soft, letting her forget. And now, it was finally time to tie off this loose end. The only cat that has ever survived one of his attacks, and not because he let them do so. It was a shame that she had forgotten it, but then again, it was part of the plan to let her do so. It would make this final encounter so much more.. Monumental.
The dark toms head slammed into it's target, exploding into her chest and sending her backwards in a motion that was so fast that a cat as soft as her would hardly have a chance of escaping. Perhaps if she remembered her training, if she hadn't grown soft, if she hadn't became a mother, she could have avoided it. But she didn't, and he had made sure of it. He made sure not to visit her often, to not speak to her often so that his figure wouldn't rouse past memories, potentially setting his plan back farther. And now it was falling into place. Skidding to a stop, dazed momentarily, Hannibal approached, burning eyes focused on her, reading her face. Fear, confusion, perhaps thoughts of her family. Oh how different you've become since you were a trainee Illusion. You could have became a decent fighter for this Syndicate, if you hadn't done what you did. But unfortunately, you can't turn back now and retake your actions or words. Rudeness is intolerable, no matter how great of a fighter you could have become.
No words, not at the moment. He let her question hang in the air as he stood there, a mouselength away. She wasn't going to move, or run, she knew what was going to happen and Hannibal knew too. He had all of the time in the world.
After a long pause, letting her mind frantically try to rediscover what she did to deserve this, he would finally speak.

"You were my trainee, a trainee that showed great promise in the ways of being a fighter. But unfortunately, you held a trait that is insufferable, a trait that I will never tolerate. Rudeness is a plague that must be cleansed, especially if you dare to present it in my presence, in which you did. You were saved by that she-cat, Hera, had she not been here I wouldn't be having to do this now, but she was there and you had been momentarily pardoned. The only cat who has walked away from me alive when I had full intentions of you being dead."
Hannibal sighed and watched Illusion for a moment.
"You didn't think I could really let you live, did you? That I would forget?
Perhaps if it was some other cat, but unfortunately enough you're dealing with me. Now, with this gift of memory given, I believe it is my time to truly put an end to you. Have you any words that you wish to be said before this happens? I will say beforehand that I have no intentions of culling your family, I have no reason to, they will be as safe as they are now."

With the wind knocked out of her once again, Illusion was left on the forest floor whimpering in pain. She loved Hades and her kits, but in this moment, she almost wished she and Hades hadn't had them. They could be in possible danger now, a danger she could no longer fight or protect them from. Sure, she may have forgotten what she'd done, but she would've kept her kits from Hannibal at all costs. No longer could she do even that. She was going to die and she knew it as the gray tom's voice rang in her ears. In her dazed state, she didn't quite catch all of it. It was simply a blur as she awaited her final moments, however she did cat snippets and the ending. "Waiting until I was a queen was your mistake, Hannibal. Comes to show you prey off the weak," the fluffy alabaster she-cat spoke bitterly. The only thing that could come to her mind in that moment. There was no use trying to mention how much she loved her family or how much she was sorry. Truth was, she would never be sorry. She would voice that one. Last. Time. "Hera may have made me apologize, but I hope you know I was never sorry. I will never be sorry," she spat at his chest, unable to lift her head any higher without feeling dizzy, hoping it'd hit him. She knew how much he despised a dirty pelt. It gave her satisfaction to know she was able to pull such a stunt, one last time.

[Lawlipop]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

Whether the tom believed him or not, Hannibal didn't particularly care, after all this large tom appeared to be the sort to always be on edge and ready to attack anyways. Even if he believed the truthful statement that he had said, he would likely not relax his features anyways. No matter, so long as he doesn't exert rudeness or attack first he'll end up just fine.
Hannibal was truthfully tired of the brutes of the Syndicate, that liked to use their size to try and intimidate others, or the fact that they had killed to drive fear into others. Hannibal didn't kill to cause fear, fear was just a side-effect, a side-effect that he cared nothing for. Some cats got pleasure out of seeing fear run through others, of seeing other cats trembling in terror at the sight of them while Hannibal? He simply wanted cats to not be rude. If fear is what got this result, than so be it.
"You can dispose of it here. The ground is soft from the rain and there are very few cats that come trekking through this part of the territory. At least if you're looking to completely get rid of it, if you'd like to keep it out for others to see the mangled remains, let it remain above ground. I'm sure the crows will just love the little feast it will provide. Regardless, I don't much care what you do with it. But yes, if you do see me in the camp, please do sit down for a chat. I always enjoy company." The words were pleasant along with the tone, in fact the tom even seemed to have dawned a somewhat friendly demeanor, a polite smile upon his lips as he went back for his meal. If Nero had known Hannibal, he might have known that this wasn't real, that it was an act, but to any cat who hasn't met the tom. It would truthfully seem that he was being friendly. The he held emotions.

Nero stopped his tread away from the cat and turned back at the dark colored with a raised brow before standing there for a moment before coming back and dropping the corpse down on the ground. He wasn't a fan of having to carry the corpse for so long and was ever so obliged to use any chance he gets to dispose of it and not making it his problem. Nero kept his mixed expression of confusion and being intrigued as the tom mentioned his "enthusiasm" at the idea of the golden tom coming to speak with him. It made wonder him why, though. Did he have a reason to want Nero to come by him, or does he truly just want to talk? He looked down at the tom's smile. Despite his suspicions, he accepts the shady colored tom's offer. "Sure," he says, his deep voice finally clear enough to hear now that there wasn't another cat's fur was caught in his maw. He was naive to this cat's quirks, and though he theorized his small smile was fake, he would never guess this cat was truly incapable of feeling. "What is your name? I was named Nero?" he asks, introducing himself with a flick of his long tail.

[monfang]

{ @Nighty }
Joke ran around, just for the heck of it. He ignored the scents of prey and ran, feeling free and feeling happy. He could hear the birds chirping, and his mind then began. Ugh they always sing, thought they sometimes have good songs. Sometimes. Other times it's just annoying squawking that needs to be silenced, but sometimes it gives away where they are making them an easy target, but they wake me up in the morning, too early too! His mind rambled, all about one subject. Oh Joke, always gotta be like that. The tom kept running and he caught a whiff of the river. His nose wrinkled.

Those darn fish eating fools. It's always hard for them to get a decent meal during the winter since their food source is frozen over! But the river is cool sometimes, a nice swim is always fun, and-

Thud! He smacked straight into a tree, his mind lost in thought. He didn't see it. He fell back and snarled at the tree, and then, his face fell and he felt like a complete idiot. He put his forehead on the tree, anger flowing through him. He sighed, and sat down, and gave his paw a lick before swiping it over his now sore muzzle. He felt like a kit at this moment, wanting to just cry. But he didn't. What of someone saw him? He only huffed and sat there, taking a break.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Suspiciousmindz

With the wind knocked out of her once again, Illusion was left on the forest floor whimpering in pain. She loved Hades and her kits, but in this moment, she almost wished she and Hades hadn't had them. They could be in possible danger now, a danger she could no longer fight or protect them from. Sure, she may have forgotten what she'd done, but she would've kept her kits from Hannibal at all costs. No longer could she do even that. She was going to die and she knew it as the gray tom's voice rang in her ears. In her dazed state, she didn't quite catch all of it. It was simply a blur as she awaited her final moments, however she did cat snippets and the ending. "Waiting until I was a queen was your mistake, Hannibal. Comes to show you prey off the weak," the fluffy alabaster she-cat spoke bitterly. The only thing that could come to her mind in that moment. There was no use trying to mention how much she loved her family or how much she was sorry. Truth was, she would never be sorry. She would voice that one. Last. Time. "Hera may have made me apologize, but I hope you know I was never sorry. I will never be sorry," she spat at his chest, unable to lift her head any higher without feeling dizzy, hoping it'd hit him. She knew how much he despised a dirty pelt. It gave her satisfaction to know she was able to pull such a stunt, one last time.

"Believe what you will, it doesn't effect me, even if it isn't the truth. While it wasn't my attention to kill such a soft queen, actually, I thought you would have remembered some of your training, a real shame. But what you are,
your rank, your gender, your family, it doesn't matter to me. If you were a guard, if you were the commander, I would have no hesitation in ending you. But my words won't change your delirious mind, after all, you're already accepting your fate. So believe what you must Illusion, to make you happy."
Hannibal expected that, at least the 'I'm not sorry part', most of the vile cats he put down mentioned that they were never sorry for their rudeness. But the spit. His lip curled back in utter disgust, a dull burning sensation in his stomach that could have been anger if he weren't completely devoid of emotions. He lowered his paw. No, he wouldn't strike her. Much to quick.
Instead he leaned down, his face mere inches from hers. "Perhaps your family isn't off the chopping block, at least not anymore. You would be helpless to stop me anyways. Goodbye Illusion."
His head lurched forward, jaws separated before snapping down at the top of her neck, right near the jawline, piercing through the windpipe, biting down and continuing to apply bite force until he couldn't. Letting go, he would stand and look down at her. It would take perhaps a minute, maybe more, for her to drown in her own blood. It would seep down her crushed windpipe, bubbling into her lungs the more she tried to gasp for breath all whilst it pooled on the ground around her as well. And Hannibal would stand and watch until she had given her last breath, wiping a paw over his chest and flicking the spit away, licking the crimson blood from his muzzle.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Lawlipop

Nero stopped his tread away from the cat and turned back at the dark colored with a raised brow before standing there for a moment before coming back and dropping the corpse down on the ground. He wasn't a fan of having to carry the corpse for so long and was ever so obliged to use any chance he gets to dispose of it and not making it his problem. Nero kept his mixed expression of confusion and being intrigued as the tom mentioned his "enthusiasm" at the idea of the golden tom coming to speak with him. It made wonder him why, though. Did he have a reason to want Nero to come by him, or does he truly just want to talk? He looked down at the tom's smile. Despite his suspicions, he accepts the shady colored tom's offer. "Sure," he says, his deep voice finally clear enough to hear now that there wasn't another cat's fur was caught in his maw. He was naive to this cat's quirks, and though he theorized his small smile was fake, he would never guess this cat was truly incapable of feeling. "What is your name? I was named Nero?" he asks, introducing himself with a flick of his long tail.

Settling down by the plucked crow, Hannibal took a small mouthful, his eyes focused on the large tom that stopped in his tracks. Truthfully, he thought the tom would have wanted to dispose of the body himself and gone on his merry little way, not actually have taken him up on the offer. But then again, he didn't know every cat of the Syndicate and what they normally would do. So he made a note on Nero.
The corpse dropped to the ground with a dull thud, a sound that Hannibal himself has heard much too often, and the smell of it was all too familiar. It didn't bother him though, not in the slightest, and it never has. His fiery eyes focused on the body for a moment, the tip of his tail flicking in thought before he looked back up at the other tom as he stood there.
He truly doesn't know who I am. Isn't that interesting.
Refreshing his smile, he would swallow the bit of bird he had chewed and savored before replying to Nero.
"A pleasure to meat your acquaintance Nero, I am Hannibal. Were you born in the Syndicate by chance?" Asked the tom with curiosity, and while he couldn't actually feel it, he did want to know the answer to the question. It could help him piece together this tom's story.
"And the ground right there, with the moss-" He would nod his head to the ground in front of Nero where a large swath of moss was growing along with several mushrooms. "- will work just fine to hide the body. It'll decompose rather quickly, with the mushrooms above it, so you won't have to worry about it really being discovered."

[SuspiciousMindz]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

"Believe what you will, it doesn't effect me, even if it isn't the truth. While it wasn't my attention to kill such a soft queen, actually, I thought you would have remembered some of your training, a real shame. But what you are,
your rank, your gender, your family, it doesn't matter to me. If you were a guard, if you were the commander, I would have no hesitation in ending you. But my words won't change your delirious mind, after all, you're already accepting your fate. So believe what you must Illusion, to make you happy."
Hannibal expected that, at least the 'I'm not sorry part', most of the vile cats he put down mentioned that they were never sorry for their rudeness. But the spit. His lip curled back in utter disgust, a dull burning sensation in his stomach that could have been anger if he weren't completely devoid of emotions. He lowered his paw. No, he wouldn't strike her. Much to quick.
Instead he leaned down, his face mere inches from hers. "Perhaps your family isn't off the chopping block, at least not anymore. You would be helpless to stop me anyways. Goodbye Illusion."
His head lurched forward, jaws separated before snapping down at the top of her neck, right near the jawline, piercing through the windpipe, biting down and continuing to apply bite force until he couldn't. Letting go, he would stand and look down at her. It would take perhaps a minute, maybe more, for her to drown in her own blood. It would seep down her crushed windpipe, bubbling into her lungs the more she tried to gasp for breath all whilst it pooled on the ground around her as well. And Hannibal would stand and watch until she had given her last breath, wiping a paw over his chest and flicking the spit away, licking the crimson blood from his muzzle.

Illusion's eyes widened at the last of his words, however, she had no time to speak before pain pierced her throat. This pain was followed by gurgling. It was a painful, though quick death for the alabaster queen. Although, her pretty fur was stained crimson as her blood pooled around her head and chest, streaming down little dips in the ground. There was too much of it, no cat would ever survive such a bite. As her deep blue optics desperately searched the territory for last minute help, they slowly became blank. She was seeing rabbit holes now and it felt like it was taking forever for her to just let go. She fought for a little longer until she was finally met with darkness. Her eyes clouded over as the last little bit of life she had was drained from her body and the last breath was merely coughing as air was unable to enter her body any further.

[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by monfang

{ @Nighty }
Joke ran around, just for the heck of it. He ignored the scents of prey and ran, feeling free and feeling happy. He could hear the birds chirping, and his mind then began. Ugh they always sing, thought they sometimes have good songs. Sometimes. Other times it's just annoying squawking that needs to be silenced, but sometimes it gives away where they are making them an easy target, but they wake me up in the morning, too early too! His mind rambled, all about one subject. Oh Joke, always gotta be like that. The tom kept running and he caught a whiff of the river. His nose wrinkled.

Those darn fish eating fools. It's always hard for them to get a decent meal during the winter since their food source is frozen over! But the river is cool sometimes, a nice swim is always fun, and-

Thud! He smacked straight into a tree, his mind lost in thought. He didn't see it. He fell back and snarled at the tree, and then, his face fell and he felt like a complete idiot. He put his forehead on the tree, anger flowing through him. He sighed, and sat down, and gave his paw a lick before swiping it over his now sore muzzle. He felt like a kit at this moment, wanting to just cry. But he didn't. What of someone saw him? He only huffed and sat there, taking a break.

The white oriental mix sat by the river, just taking some time to herself, out of camp and away from others. Sure the social feline wasn't one for much alone time, but she had to take time to fix up her pelt. For all she knew, that perfect one might be sitting in camp and she most certainly couldn't walk in in a disheveled mess. It was quite and peaceful, definetky a place she wished she could share with a special someone, but oh well. Not this time, but maybe in the future if she made note of it. Her white pelt was freshly groomed, only tiny bits of moss clung to her from where she was sitting on the ground. Her pale indigo eyes scanned the rippling currents of the stream. She gazed down at her reflection even, smiling beautifully back at herself. Viana was quite vain, yes, but for the toms and the shes, not herself. She had to look good to impress them. But then there was a thud, and she whipped around in surprise. Her neck fur bristled as she looked at the source of the sound. From what it appeared to be through the undergrowth it looked like a cat that had made full contact with the tree. She stifled a laugh, knowing it would come off rude. She stepped closer looking to see who it was, who knew, maybe it would be a cute feline she could flirt with. As she stepped out and closer to viewing the cat, she let out a chuckle to see none other than her brother standing there, head pressed against the tree. "Hey little brother. Did you crash? You alright?" She asked, stepping towards him and curling her long, elegant plume tail around his flank.