Post by Avalikia on Sept 22, 2010 16:03:11 GMT -7
Characters:
Utkrosh - Female Golden Eagle
Dushta - Male Black Tiger
Rakta - Male Tiger
Ananth - Male Elder Tiger
Setting:
Dark Understory
----------------------------------------
A dark shape crosses into the Dark Understory from the far side of the river to the east, flapping slowly, a flying fox. It is not alone, however, for its brief transit across the river brought it out of the protection of the rainforest canopy, and a hungry golden eagle happened to be overhead. Utkrosh swoops down silently, using the momentum from her dive to carry her into the thick Dark Understory after the bat. The bat is overtaken by the sky hunter, piercing its wings with her talons. She then begins pounding the dark air with her wings, her sharp vision nearly useless in the poor light. She can see only silhouettes of the trees against light on the far side, and collides with one branch while trying to reach another, costing her a number of feathers. She fights against being stunned to pull herself to the branch she had selected for a perch, managing to make it. She screeches in pain, clutching the bat tightly in her talons ... there are reasons she rarely hunts under this particular patch of the rainforest canopy!
As is his habit this time of day, Dushta lounges neatly concealed among the bushes. Between the normal darkness of this patch of forest combined with the additional shadows of the plantlife, he's far from visible. And that's just the way he likes it. In fact, the only movement that he makes when he hears some foolish bird crashing through the trees is the twitch of an ear to follow the sound. But as he generally doesn't find avians that interesting he does nothing more. Perhaps this one won't need his attention anyways. Instead he muses idly about his unshakable boredom. Surely there must be /something/ more interesting to do here.
Rakta is not expecting much. Just some food and a good place to claim. He knows the sort of obstacles that can get in a tiger's path, however. But he is intelligent, and so far he;s got others to join him. Not necessarily as a way of deflecting those who are a threat to him or his ambition. No, they are assets, something he can use to his advantage. He also takes good care of those who please him. Likewise, few have witnessed his fury and lived, and none who have survived would care to cross his path once more.
Utkrosh carefully peers at the dark ground below. She's not used to not being able to see what's about. She clings to her meal while trying to preen her feathers back into place. "Is someone down there?" she screes into the dark. She thought she saw something moving ...
If the bird was ignored before, the sound of approaching steps makes Dushta's lack of concern for it even worse. Ah! Now /here/ might be something interesting. But as he listens he realizes that there's something wrong. Where is that thrill of excitement that he normally gets when he anticipates a little fun? Not there. It's just too... routine anymore. Well, in that case he'll just have to do something different. But what? Unable to decide that quickly, he remains concealed mulling that one over as he keeps his senses alert in case the other comes near to his hiding place.
Not to far behind Rakta comes an old battle hardened male. He had joined this youngster for the sole reason of being able to go to battle again. That was what he lived for. Even if he wasn't doing the fighting himself, he was an expert tactician, and very good at making subordinates do what he wanted... able to push them further than others had said his troops could go. Don't count him out in a fight though, he maybe old, but he can be as ferocious as a tiger half his age. His one eye looks out for anything out of the ordinary, as he slowly walks along after Rakta.
Rakta finally stops, he seems to have caught a scent. And not just any scent. No, not even the scent of an avian creature. What tickles his olfactory is the scent of what he's been tracking for the past few days. Finally, the accursed master of this domain settles somewhere he can be found. "Be alert, we're no longer alone." Rakta finds Ananth to be a convenience in a world of problems. He is not disloyal, but he is not blind or a stranger to betrayal. How he keeps this clan well-greased relies on his strategic brilliance and concealed cunning.
Utkrosh can still see nothing in the darkness, but *something* is disconcerting her. She snaps her powerful beak upon the soft mammal's corpse. Upon hearing ... something ... she pauses, holding silent. Eagles lack the sharp hearing of owls or canines, but a large male tiger lumbering through the jungle generally isn't stealthy. After several moments, she hears a male tiger's voice. She cranes her head downward along the trunk of the tree she is perched in, trying to gauge in the very faint light whether she is high enough off the ground to be safe from the striped titan cats.
As accustomed as he is to his kind traveling alone, aside from a mother with cubs, Dushta nearly misses the sound of a second set of pawprints. Well, perhaps his instinct to not play his usual games is well-founded. In fact, a new game has just revealed itself. Dushta's been in the area more than long enough to make his scent noticeable, but he knows that in the still, damp air it will be hard to pinpoint. So he takes his time assessing the two tigers that come into view. He hardly takes notice of the one in back; it's not difficult to see that the old one has experience, but Dushta has experience /and/ youth. The second would be a bigger challenge, probably, but not quite enough to really worry Dushta. Having reached that conclusion, the black tiger is bold enough to speak, "Looking for me, are you?" Will that give away his hiding place? Possibly, but he blends into the darkness more than well enough for it to also be likely that he only gave them the direction he's in.
Ananth stops a few feet behind Rakta, looking around, nostrils flaring as he inhales the scent of this cat, his ears swivel around,listening for sounds, some probably can't hear. Having partially lost his sight, his other senses helped pick up the slack. When the other cat speaks he turns his head in its direction. His eye, looking right toward this mysterious tiger. "It seems we are meeting a rare cat. I have only seen one other black tiger over the many years I have wandered this land." he says, his voice harsh, gravelly, probably in part due to the scar on his throat.
Rakta turns his head as the tiger reveals his location. Their tracking has finally concluded. Now for the next phase: Is this one a threat or is he not. They have already killed other tigers viewed as threats. Will this fiend join them? "One could say we have been looking for you."
Utkrosh quickly finishes off the bat she has been dining on. She is aware of a second tiger, and both seem male. The eagle cranes her head and neck to peer through the shadows, but still has not located the black tiger -- even though he has spoken and is actually fairly near the tree she is perched in. This meeting of tigers is rather disconcerting and hearkens to a few years ago ... she's never really pulled punches in issuing menacing calls, but in the heavy fog of darkness in this section of the jungle with at least three titan cats, she just listens for now.
Is Dushta a threat? Generally, yes. In this specific circumstance... well that will very much depend. The fact that they spotted him is vaguely impressive, and for now his boredom is being kept in check by his curiosity. "Many creatures come and look for me. All who succeeded are now dead," he informs them with a smirk, not bothering to leave his hiding place even though it seems to be ineffective now. He's comfortable, so why should he get up? "Which leads me to ask /why/ you are looking for me?" he questions, "Are you hoping to do away with the unseen menace who is haunting the forest, or do you have a reason that would prompt me to spare your lives?"
Ananth stays silent now that they know where the tiger is, letting Rakta do the talking. He was never to good with the whole negotiating thing, plus as it stands Rakta is his superior. He won't speak unless asked too. Though his own ideas, and mouth may sometimes get the better of him. He has no reason to speak, thus, doesn't.
"I am no philanthropist. If you threaten the so-called goodly creatures of the realm, what good would come from me stopping you?" Rakta says smoothly. That could appeal to the hiding tiger. "If they wouldn't have the strength to stop you, they would deserve to die." Very, smooth, Rakta is one smart tiger. "Besides, if you kill me, you won't live much longer beyond that. You see, I have a clan. But instead of having enemies, perhaps allies."
Utkrosh 's feathers rouse in the dark. A clan! But ... Sakht Nakh was destroyed! She was there, she saw, she and her sister helped track the Sakht Nakh scouts for the ground fighters by circling over them. There were only a talon-full alive, and they were all old now ... is a new clan forming? Remembering the terror of Sakht Nakh, she nervously rouses her feathers and clutches the branch she is perched on tightly and abandons her efforts to preen her tattered feathers from her earlier collision with a branch in the dark back into place.
Indeed, if the tigers had said that they were here kill him, this would certainly not end pleasantly for either of them. But the grin and vague snort from Dushta those words prompt indicate that they appeal to him at least enough to give them a pass on violence. But the part about a clan does pique his interest. In fact, as he mulls the idea over, he realizes that this sort of thing may be a great opportunity. "I have no need of allies, but I may desire them. I have grown bored with this solitary existence. It's... limiting. However, I take orders from no one," he says, eyeing the other two tigers carefully to see what they'll make of that.
Ananth continues to stay silent, mulling over every word of the exchange, trying to figure out where this apparent loner might fit in. Outwardly he appears stoic, the only movement are his ears, which are listening for the sounds of anyone else that might be in the area. He tilts his head upward slightly, looking into the trees, though it seems he doesn't see the eagle, because if he did he might say something as he knows how they have been used in past conflicts. He had even made use of them himself. After a moment his gaze soon goes back to where the tiger is sprawled out.
Rakta is taking this and calculating it. Where Ananth is a brilliant tactician, Rakta is second-to-none as a strategist. A lesser mind would immediately take this as a challenge to his authority, but the gears turn on in Rakta's head, and likely never will stop. Let this fool assume the leadership of his clan, and Rakta will have the luxury of not being a target for the inevitable do-gooder in these parts. The Ran Garjana could be absolutely unstoppable, Assuming some other things, of course, "Perhaps you would take leadership of my clan." Rakta says, not even sounding angry. "The sheer presumption shows a strength we could use."
In the dark understory, the tigers possess better vision than the eagle, but at least being up a bit, Utkrosh's silhouette is not betrayed by a bright background as it would were she on the ground where one can see out to the open area at the base of the waterfall to the east, the brighter sunlit jungle to the south, the broken jungle to the west and the bright cliff face to the north. She falls silent, listening in. She tries to see the black tiger, but her exquisitely sharp vision is useless in this permanently dark section of the rain forest. She can only make out a void against a scattered smattering of leaves.
A part of Dushta actually hopes that this tiger will take his comments as a question on his authority. As interesting as this conversation has been, he's beginning to get bored with it and could use the entertainment. But what Rakta says instead is more than enough to regain Dushta's interest, and cause him chuckle for a moment. "You'd offer your clan to a stranger merely because he will not be a follower?" he asks once his amusement eases enough to allow him to speak clearly. It's only then that he finally decides to leave the cover of the bushes and allow the others to see him clearly. He's a /huge/ tiger by any standard except perhaps in weight. He has the lean build of an athlete, not the round belly of one accustomed to eating a little too well. And his black hide that blends all too easily in this dark area makes him seem all the more intimidating. "Are you being serious? Because if you are the idea intrigues me. Tell me about this clan of yours," he says as he idly stretches out muscles that have become tight from laying in one position for too long.
It's almost too easy. Those who thirst for power without actually planning on how to get it are doomed. But at least Rakta can get the full potential out of this one. Nothing betraying his intent, he says, "We are the Ran Garjana, we came together to form into a juggernaut of a force. My ambition is my own and not for you to know or understand, but it is a thing for killing or ambition." Sell it well, Rakta, sell it well. The fact this large tiger seems all too ready to take control of his clan makes it all the better. And not an ounce of suspicion can be seen in the strange feline. "I got word of a human place in these parts, and curiosity stirred me to investigate." While true he wishes to see this temple, he wouldn't dream of taking over such a conspicuous place himself. But if this stranger is malleable as he seems...
Utkrosh silently listens and thinks. Ran Garjana ... Ran Garjana ... at least they do not purport to be Sakht Nakh, not that a new clan would necessarily be any better. Human place? Human place? Mayhaps the temple ruins, an excellent perch over the cliffs to keep an eye out for prey or simply a rest. Already, the eagle is pondering whom to speak with about her finding, but she knows so long as the tigers are together, they may spill more useful tidbits.
It's not that Dushta thirsts for power, it's that he thirsts for something interesting to do and this offer is nothing if not interesting. And if it doesn't go well, then destroying an entire arrogant clan from the inside would be rather interesting as well - the other tiger may be plotting and scheming under the surface, but so is Dushta. "The one beyond the cliffs just north of here? Yes, I know of it. A cave made of rocks by tall monkeys - I didn't believe the legend until I saw it for myself," he idly replies. And he'd rejected the place because too much light is not his friend when he's trying to remain inconspicuous. But if that's no longer necessary... "Then I provisionally accept your offer. I can only be certain after I have met them, but I will lead this clan of tigers if they are competent and will do as I say."
Rakta smiles and says, "If I say you are our leader, they will accept it, because to them it will make little difference." Rakta says, informally. "But I shall remain second only to you. It is because of me there is even a clan to be had."
Utkrosh ponders things over. Sakht Nakh was, more or less, a harem; Rijayi was the sole male aside from his sons. He had a few male cohorts, but they were not considered part of the clan. She wonders how well these males will get along when it comes to divvying up females. At last, she has a view of the large tiger ... she cannot help but stare. He should be visible from the pale light reflecting off the cliff and surrounding ground, yet she could still only see a silhouette -- as though he possessed no orange at all!?
"I wouldn't presume to put anyone over you," Dushta says with a grin, "If you are the one who managed to gather the others then you have skills that would be wasted if I did not have you as my second." Besides, that would avoid several potential conflicts that would arise if he were to come in and change everything in an established group, particularly with its former leader. No, better to maintain the status quo - at least in the beginning. "That leaves me only to see that those you have gathered have a decent amount of skill, though if this old one is a good example then I won't worry about that," he says, casting a glance towards Ananth. He /did/ spot him in the bushes, after all. "My name is Dushta, by the way. Not that it matters," he adds as an afterthought.
"My name may be revealed in time. Better not to speak it, lest any potential enemies learn too much and leave us exposed. Weak." Rakta says. The way he sees it, the more they focus on Dushta as the source of their woes, it'll be easier for the conniving second-in-command tiger to go unnoticed, and much damage will follow. "Inspect away, dear Dushta, I think you will find those I gathered are up to your standard."
Utkrosh remains quiet and listening. Aww, come on, there's nothing but a widdle birdie about! Not that it mattered particularly much whether Dushta gave away his name -- there aren't too many black tigers about. She does endeavor to memorize the glimpses of the other two tigers' stripe patterns, but its difficult to get more than a piece of their coats here or there in the poor light.
That first part doesn't seem to impress Dushta much but he merely says, "Or perhaps it's weakness if your enemies knowing your /name/ helps them. But as you wish." As the bird suspects, Dushta just doesn't see the value of being unidentifiable except in the most general of terms because he never has and doesn't expect that he will be mistaken for anyone else. But he's not about to insist on something as trivial as a name. Instead he says, "Then lead the way. There is no reason to delay, and I would like to hunt after nightfall."
Utkrosh - Female Golden Eagle
Dushta - Male Black Tiger
Rakta - Male Tiger
Ananth - Male Elder Tiger
Setting:
Dark Understory
----------------------------------------
A dark shape crosses into the Dark Understory from the far side of the river to the east, flapping slowly, a flying fox. It is not alone, however, for its brief transit across the river brought it out of the protection of the rainforest canopy, and a hungry golden eagle happened to be overhead. Utkrosh swoops down silently, using the momentum from her dive to carry her into the thick Dark Understory after the bat. The bat is overtaken by the sky hunter, piercing its wings with her talons. She then begins pounding the dark air with her wings, her sharp vision nearly useless in the poor light. She can see only silhouettes of the trees against light on the far side, and collides with one branch while trying to reach another, costing her a number of feathers. She fights against being stunned to pull herself to the branch she had selected for a perch, managing to make it. She screeches in pain, clutching the bat tightly in her talons ... there are reasons she rarely hunts under this particular patch of the rainforest canopy!
As is his habit this time of day, Dushta lounges neatly concealed among the bushes. Between the normal darkness of this patch of forest combined with the additional shadows of the plantlife, he's far from visible. And that's just the way he likes it. In fact, the only movement that he makes when he hears some foolish bird crashing through the trees is the twitch of an ear to follow the sound. But as he generally doesn't find avians that interesting he does nothing more. Perhaps this one won't need his attention anyways. Instead he muses idly about his unshakable boredom. Surely there must be /something/ more interesting to do here.
Rakta is not expecting much. Just some food and a good place to claim. He knows the sort of obstacles that can get in a tiger's path, however. But he is intelligent, and so far he;s got others to join him. Not necessarily as a way of deflecting those who are a threat to him or his ambition. No, they are assets, something he can use to his advantage. He also takes good care of those who please him. Likewise, few have witnessed his fury and lived, and none who have survived would care to cross his path once more.
Utkrosh carefully peers at the dark ground below. She's not used to not being able to see what's about. She clings to her meal while trying to preen her feathers back into place. "Is someone down there?" she screes into the dark. She thought she saw something moving ...
If the bird was ignored before, the sound of approaching steps makes Dushta's lack of concern for it even worse. Ah! Now /here/ might be something interesting. But as he listens he realizes that there's something wrong. Where is that thrill of excitement that he normally gets when he anticipates a little fun? Not there. It's just too... routine anymore. Well, in that case he'll just have to do something different. But what? Unable to decide that quickly, he remains concealed mulling that one over as he keeps his senses alert in case the other comes near to his hiding place.
Not to far behind Rakta comes an old battle hardened male. He had joined this youngster for the sole reason of being able to go to battle again. That was what he lived for. Even if he wasn't doing the fighting himself, he was an expert tactician, and very good at making subordinates do what he wanted... able to push them further than others had said his troops could go. Don't count him out in a fight though, he maybe old, but he can be as ferocious as a tiger half his age. His one eye looks out for anything out of the ordinary, as he slowly walks along after Rakta.
Rakta finally stops, he seems to have caught a scent. And not just any scent. No, not even the scent of an avian creature. What tickles his olfactory is the scent of what he's been tracking for the past few days. Finally, the accursed master of this domain settles somewhere he can be found. "Be alert, we're no longer alone." Rakta finds Ananth to be a convenience in a world of problems. He is not disloyal, but he is not blind or a stranger to betrayal. How he keeps this clan well-greased relies on his strategic brilliance and concealed cunning.
Utkrosh can still see nothing in the darkness, but *something* is disconcerting her. She snaps her powerful beak upon the soft mammal's corpse. Upon hearing ... something ... she pauses, holding silent. Eagles lack the sharp hearing of owls or canines, but a large male tiger lumbering through the jungle generally isn't stealthy. After several moments, she hears a male tiger's voice. She cranes her head downward along the trunk of the tree she is perched in, trying to gauge in the very faint light whether she is high enough off the ground to be safe from the striped titan cats.
As accustomed as he is to his kind traveling alone, aside from a mother with cubs, Dushta nearly misses the sound of a second set of pawprints. Well, perhaps his instinct to not play his usual games is well-founded. In fact, a new game has just revealed itself. Dushta's been in the area more than long enough to make his scent noticeable, but he knows that in the still, damp air it will be hard to pinpoint. So he takes his time assessing the two tigers that come into view. He hardly takes notice of the one in back; it's not difficult to see that the old one has experience, but Dushta has experience /and/ youth. The second would be a bigger challenge, probably, but not quite enough to really worry Dushta. Having reached that conclusion, the black tiger is bold enough to speak, "Looking for me, are you?" Will that give away his hiding place? Possibly, but he blends into the darkness more than well enough for it to also be likely that he only gave them the direction he's in.
Ananth stops a few feet behind Rakta, looking around, nostrils flaring as he inhales the scent of this cat, his ears swivel around,listening for sounds, some probably can't hear. Having partially lost his sight, his other senses helped pick up the slack. When the other cat speaks he turns his head in its direction. His eye, looking right toward this mysterious tiger. "It seems we are meeting a rare cat. I have only seen one other black tiger over the many years I have wandered this land." he says, his voice harsh, gravelly, probably in part due to the scar on his throat.
Rakta turns his head as the tiger reveals his location. Their tracking has finally concluded. Now for the next phase: Is this one a threat or is he not. They have already killed other tigers viewed as threats. Will this fiend join them? "One could say we have been looking for you."
Utkrosh quickly finishes off the bat she has been dining on. She is aware of a second tiger, and both seem male. The eagle cranes her head and neck to peer through the shadows, but still has not located the black tiger -- even though he has spoken and is actually fairly near the tree she is perched in. This meeting of tigers is rather disconcerting and hearkens to a few years ago ... she's never really pulled punches in issuing menacing calls, but in the heavy fog of darkness in this section of the jungle with at least three titan cats, she just listens for now.
Is Dushta a threat? Generally, yes. In this specific circumstance... well that will very much depend. The fact that they spotted him is vaguely impressive, and for now his boredom is being kept in check by his curiosity. "Many creatures come and look for me. All who succeeded are now dead," he informs them with a smirk, not bothering to leave his hiding place even though it seems to be ineffective now. He's comfortable, so why should he get up? "Which leads me to ask /why/ you are looking for me?" he questions, "Are you hoping to do away with the unseen menace who is haunting the forest, or do you have a reason that would prompt me to spare your lives?"
Ananth stays silent now that they know where the tiger is, letting Rakta do the talking. He was never to good with the whole negotiating thing, plus as it stands Rakta is his superior. He won't speak unless asked too. Though his own ideas, and mouth may sometimes get the better of him. He has no reason to speak, thus, doesn't.
"I am no philanthropist. If you threaten the so-called goodly creatures of the realm, what good would come from me stopping you?" Rakta says smoothly. That could appeal to the hiding tiger. "If they wouldn't have the strength to stop you, they would deserve to die." Very, smooth, Rakta is one smart tiger. "Besides, if you kill me, you won't live much longer beyond that. You see, I have a clan. But instead of having enemies, perhaps allies."
Utkrosh 's feathers rouse in the dark. A clan! But ... Sakht Nakh was destroyed! She was there, she saw, she and her sister helped track the Sakht Nakh scouts for the ground fighters by circling over them. There were only a talon-full alive, and they were all old now ... is a new clan forming? Remembering the terror of Sakht Nakh, she nervously rouses her feathers and clutches the branch she is perched on tightly and abandons her efforts to preen her tattered feathers from her earlier collision with a branch in the dark back into place.
Indeed, if the tigers had said that they were here kill him, this would certainly not end pleasantly for either of them. But the grin and vague snort from Dushta those words prompt indicate that they appeal to him at least enough to give them a pass on violence. But the part about a clan does pique his interest. In fact, as he mulls the idea over, he realizes that this sort of thing may be a great opportunity. "I have no need of allies, but I may desire them. I have grown bored with this solitary existence. It's... limiting. However, I take orders from no one," he says, eyeing the other two tigers carefully to see what they'll make of that.
Ananth continues to stay silent, mulling over every word of the exchange, trying to figure out where this apparent loner might fit in. Outwardly he appears stoic, the only movement are his ears, which are listening for the sounds of anyone else that might be in the area. He tilts his head upward slightly, looking into the trees, though it seems he doesn't see the eagle, because if he did he might say something as he knows how they have been used in past conflicts. He had even made use of them himself. After a moment his gaze soon goes back to where the tiger is sprawled out.
Rakta is taking this and calculating it. Where Ananth is a brilliant tactician, Rakta is second-to-none as a strategist. A lesser mind would immediately take this as a challenge to his authority, but the gears turn on in Rakta's head, and likely never will stop. Let this fool assume the leadership of his clan, and Rakta will have the luxury of not being a target for the inevitable do-gooder in these parts. The Ran Garjana could be absolutely unstoppable, Assuming some other things, of course, "Perhaps you would take leadership of my clan." Rakta says, not even sounding angry. "The sheer presumption shows a strength we could use."
In the dark understory, the tigers possess better vision than the eagle, but at least being up a bit, Utkrosh's silhouette is not betrayed by a bright background as it would were she on the ground where one can see out to the open area at the base of the waterfall to the east, the brighter sunlit jungle to the south, the broken jungle to the west and the bright cliff face to the north. She falls silent, listening in. She tries to see the black tiger, but her exquisitely sharp vision is useless in this permanently dark section of the rain forest. She can only make out a void against a scattered smattering of leaves.
A part of Dushta actually hopes that this tiger will take his comments as a question on his authority. As interesting as this conversation has been, he's beginning to get bored with it and could use the entertainment. But what Rakta says instead is more than enough to regain Dushta's interest, and cause him chuckle for a moment. "You'd offer your clan to a stranger merely because he will not be a follower?" he asks once his amusement eases enough to allow him to speak clearly. It's only then that he finally decides to leave the cover of the bushes and allow the others to see him clearly. He's a /huge/ tiger by any standard except perhaps in weight. He has the lean build of an athlete, not the round belly of one accustomed to eating a little too well. And his black hide that blends all too easily in this dark area makes him seem all the more intimidating. "Are you being serious? Because if you are the idea intrigues me. Tell me about this clan of yours," he says as he idly stretches out muscles that have become tight from laying in one position for too long.
It's almost too easy. Those who thirst for power without actually planning on how to get it are doomed. But at least Rakta can get the full potential out of this one. Nothing betraying his intent, he says, "We are the Ran Garjana, we came together to form into a juggernaut of a force. My ambition is my own and not for you to know or understand, but it is a thing for killing or ambition." Sell it well, Rakta, sell it well. The fact this large tiger seems all too ready to take control of his clan makes it all the better. And not an ounce of suspicion can be seen in the strange feline. "I got word of a human place in these parts, and curiosity stirred me to investigate." While true he wishes to see this temple, he wouldn't dream of taking over such a conspicuous place himself. But if this stranger is malleable as he seems...
Utkrosh silently listens and thinks. Ran Garjana ... Ran Garjana ... at least they do not purport to be Sakht Nakh, not that a new clan would necessarily be any better. Human place? Human place? Mayhaps the temple ruins, an excellent perch over the cliffs to keep an eye out for prey or simply a rest. Already, the eagle is pondering whom to speak with about her finding, but she knows so long as the tigers are together, they may spill more useful tidbits.
It's not that Dushta thirsts for power, it's that he thirsts for something interesting to do and this offer is nothing if not interesting. And if it doesn't go well, then destroying an entire arrogant clan from the inside would be rather interesting as well - the other tiger may be plotting and scheming under the surface, but so is Dushta. "The one beyond the cliffs just north of here? Yes, I know of it. A cave made of rocks by tall monkeys - I didn't believe the legend until I saw it for myself," he idly replies. And he'd rejected the place because too much light is not his friend when he's trying to remain inconspicuous. But if that's no longer necessary... "Then I provisionally accept your offer. I can only be certain after I have met them, but I will lead this clan of tigers if they are competent and will do as I say."
Rakta smiles and says, "If I say you are our leader, they will accept it, because to them it will make little difference." Rakta says, informally. "But I shall remain second only to you. It is because of me there is even a clan to be had."
Utkrosh ponders things over. Sakht Nakh was, more or less, a harem; Rijayi was the sole male aside from his sons. He had a few male cohorts, but they were not considered part of the clan. She wonders how well these males will get along when it comes to divvying up females. At last, she has a view of the large tiger ... she cannot help but stare. He should be visible from the pale light reflecting off the cliff and surrounding ground, yet she could still only see a silhouette -- as though he possessed no orange at all!?
"I wouldn't presume to put anyone over you," Dushta says with a grin, "If you are the one who managed to gather the others then you have skills that would be wasted if I did not have you as my second." Besides, that would avoid several potential conflicts that would arise if he were to come in and change everything in an established group, particularly with its former leader. No, better to maintain the status quo - at least in the beginning. "That leaves me only to see that those you have gathered have a decent amount of skill, though if this old one is a good example then I won't worry about that," he says, casting a glance towards Ananth. He /did/ spot him in the bushes, after all. "My name is Dushta, by the way. Not that it matters," he adds as an afterthought.
"My name may be revealed in time. Better not to speak it, lest any potential enemies learn too much and leave us exposed. Weak." Rakta says. The way he sees it, the more they focus on Dushta as the source of their woes, it'll be easier for the conniving second-in-command tiger to go unnoticed, and much damage will follow. "Inspect away, dear Dushta, I think you will find those I gathered are up to your standard."
Utkrosh remains quiet and listening. Aww, come on, there's nothing but a widdle birdie about! Not that it mattered particularly much whether Dushta gave away his name -- there aren't too many black tigers about. She does endeavor to memorize the glimpses of the other two tigers' stripe patterns, but its difficult to get more than a piece of their coats here or there in the poor light.
That first part doesn't seem to impress Dushta much but he merely says, "Or perhaps it's weakness if your enemies knowing your /name/ helps them. But as you wish." As the bird suspects, Dushta just doesn't see the value of being unidentifiable except in the most general of terms because he never has and doesn't expect that he will be mistaken for anyone else. But he's not about to insist on something as trivial as a name. Instead he says, "Then lead the way. There is no reason to delay, and I would like to hunt after nightfall."