Only A Cat of a Different Coat

[Malik]

March 30th, open to Jasper's family, Rafael, Kanzi, and Kiara.

---

Industry had been high in the past week. Since the crust of snow had broken under the newly-christened Dawnseeker army activity had been fairly high. The creation of housing had been a necessity to protect against the cold and had moved high on the list of priorities. A sick bay had been the first structure erected, followed by the very building that Malik now resided in.

Sturdy walls of wood kept the elements at bay, and a fiery hearth brought warmth within. Tables and chairs were pushed to allow for groups to converse, joined by low-lying tables and benches that could hoist the army’s four-legged members to eye level with other seated creatures. With Malik’s considerable height they weren’t for him per se, but he could appreciate the meaning of the gesture. He himself was eye-level with most humans while seated on the ground.

Eyes of red and hazel lowered behind a thin veil of lashes as the tiger picked at a clump of snow caught between the toes of a fluffy forepaw. Rafael was to take the lead in this very specific meeting, but the purpose had been decided by the pair a few nights prior. There were things that needed to be brought to light after the hell of recent events. Had fate been kinder it would have been Jasper himself calling his family together. It should have been Jasper at their side and explaining his side of the dreaded tale… But Nala’s actions had seen to the death of that possibility.

A sigh of a growl breathed out as Malik's thoughts were swept up in memories darkened by grief. He should have been there for the trial... For Simba's murder, even. He and Rafael had grown close to the young tiger when they first had joined, but rumor that their surviving clan members might wander in Canada's wilds had prompted Malik to take a leave of absence and search for his cubs. Because of that he hadn't been there for his friend... Maybe his presence could have made enough of a difference to save him. Maybe not.

He'd never know for sure, he supposed.

His gaze rose to the creaking of shifting wood. Kiara's wary expression took in the room as she pushed open the wooden flaps that served as the four-legged door into the meeting lodge. She and Kanzi had been invited under the pretense of an explanation for their parents' demise. Malik blinked a slow welcome to the smaller feline, gesturing for her to take a seat by the hearth as she shook snow from her paws.

"The others should be here shortly."

[Rafael]

Rafael's hazel hues glared into the crackling flames before him. His large pinkish body lingered before the fireplace in silence having been unable to convince himself to sit longer than a few seconds. Usually in the past he would be the calm one, content to do whatever he had to do to calm Malik. However now it was as if tables had turned and Malik was the calm one if at least temporarily. He should have been keeping a calm head but every time tensions got even a bit high he was ready to chomp down on someone. He didn't really recongize that he was mourning, he just felt angry constantly and then in the middle of the night? Sadness ate him down in the core. It made his limbs numb and his body tremble...

The sound of tiny paws clattering against the wood had his eyes slowly raising away from the fire. The soothing voice of Malik made an ear swivel towards the noise before he turned his head to gaze at the child. His tail wiggled impatiently as he turned his whole body towards her. A small dip of his head was given in greeting before he moved past Malik and Kiara toward the door. "Make yourself comfortable little one. This conversation will not be a light one." Internally he cringed at how harsh is voice sounded but he could not find it in himself to correct it. Especially not after the previous night and also the discussion that he had with Zamora. None of this conversation would be easy but he knew he needed to do some sort of damage control. He needed to let the bonds start to reform and develop that was for certain.

He plopped his rump down, frowning and waiting for the others. Unable to help wonder how the cubs out of all of them would take it.

[Shani]

Shani padded into the newly constructed long-house, shaking loose snow out of her fur as the warmth of the hearth greeted her. Her ears twitched, and she noted the scents of three others already there. Rafael, Malik, and Kiara. It seemed she was one of the earliest to arrive.

"Hello," She nodded to the others gathered, making her way towards the warmth of the fire, feeling the smooth floor under her paws, her ears twitching at the sound of the crackling fire.
It felt good to have good, warm places to stay in, rather than the old, drafty barn.

[Nevada]

Nevada huffed as he trudged through the snow, heading towards the longhouse where Rafael and Malik had convened a meeting of some sort. He noticed Shani ahead of him and flicked his ears forward with interest but he remained silent as he followed the young lioness into the dwelling.

Green eyes narrowed immediately at the sight of Kiara but Nevada kept his feelings of mistrust to himself as he settled himself beside Shani before focusing on Malik and Rafael.

"Let's get this over with..." Nevada grumbled.

[Zamora]

There’s a low, rumbling huff as a massive form follows behind Nevada, ears low and eyes dull. Zamora was... tired. Construction had been going well, but there were still... Gods, how many more to make? While she appreciated Shang’s assistance when it came to military prowess and sheer force, one hundred men required at least twenty five more cabins, if not more.

But if there was anything she’d taken to doing, it was staying as close to her family as she could. And Nevada and Shani were here, so she would be, as well.

There’s a soft bristle as she enters the room, a familiar scent hitting her. Ears fold back sharply as a single voice echos in her mind.

"IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN, MAKE WAY!! THAT... THAT MALE... TRECHEROUS MURDERER!!”

Bile burns the back of the alien’s throat as she growls lowly, immediately turning to sit beside Nevada. Almost instantaneously, she no longer wanted to be here. She wanted to be in the woods. She wanted to be building. Hell, she’d rather be dead, too.

If they were going to request sympathy from her, it would not come.

[Kiara]

The smaller feline knew neither Rafael nor Malik well, so when the former offered his gruff advice she was quick to find intimidation in her reaction. In the way a schoolkid fears being called to the principal's office despite their innocence she felt a twinge of worry. Had something happened that she and Kanzi were to be punished for? If that were the case why hadn't Kion and Kopa been summoned to attend as well?

Because they can defend themselves, a dark voice in her whispered, they would be more troublesome than an untrained princess and a cub. If they wanted your parents dead, if they wanted vengeance for Jasper's life, what stood in their way? Would any among them even hesitate to kill the cubs of their enemy?

Kiara wanted to shake her head free of that line of thinking, but intrusive thoughts were stubborn creatures. The concept had been voiced and like a burrowing worm would not leave her subconscious. Her heart took up a steady pounding as the door creaked open again -- but abated a bit when Kiara's red gaze found Shani entering. They had their differences, but Shani was... She was something else. She was fair. Kiara couldn't imagine Shani's presence allowing for anything to happen that wasn't justly deserved.

The tension that had tightened along Kiara's spine eased a bit as she offered a little smile, taking a step towards the other feline with the intention of taking a seat beside her. The arrival of another cat behind Shani stalled Kiara's paw mid-step. She recognized the grieving male as Jasper's mate, just as she recognized the narrowing of his gaze when it met hers. The smile at Shani's arrival flickered and died as Kiara's ears slid back in uncertainty.

Perhaps the girl would have pressed on towards Shani with the resolve to not let her nerves take charge had Zamora not entered in that moment as well. She was clearly not of Nevada's mind to hold her feelings within, voicing a growl that set Kiara's heart to beat a heavy drumming within her chest. As the adults settled themselves beside Shani their decided dislike grew like an unseen barrier in the room, holding Kiara back. Kiara's gaze flickered, stalled for a moment on the blind teen, before lowering and turning away. Without ever needing to address her directly it had been made clear that Kiara would likely not be permitted to approach Shani -- not with the adults around.

Feeling much less sure of herself Kiara moved to hop up onto one of the lower tables. She couldn't make herself lay down as though she were unconcerned, willingly putting herself into a position of near helplessness, but any adult in the room could be able to tell that the stiffness with which she sat herself was a false front of the unafraid.

Much as Kiara wanted to act like she wasn't, she was scared of what this meeting was meant for.

[Rafael]

As everyone filed in Rafael could feel the tension grow on his shoulders none of this should have played out how it did but there was nothing that anything of them could do now but heal. This had to be one of the first pawsteps towards that, he had to silently believe it or else everything else would crumble. He still had to heal too, and in his mind this was the only thing that made sense. He rolled his shoulders back before he held his head high. He was quick to stand up and turn to face them, his gaze taking in each form before he let out a breath. His back foot kicking the door shut. Everyone was here, Kanzi and Boso included. No time to hesitate any longer.

"I'll try to make this quick and painless as possible. As you know, or at least should know I've been serving by Jasper's side since he became leader of the Freedom Fighters. Even before than, Malik and I were close friends with him and he had entrusted me with information that I was sworn to relay in the event of his passing," He grimaced at the mention of his friend's death. It was an event that still rested heavy on all hearts within the room. A hefty sigh left him as his gaze focused on the floor.

"I think some part of him knew that things would go south eventually... as each new person joined his family he gave me something to tell them, and it's with a heavy heart I now have to tell you." He turned his gaze towards Nevada before it shifted to the floor. "I will say this exactly as he would, so please brace yourselves....

Neveda, keeper of the moon, thank you for your patience, your love and care, and your undying want to keep me on my feet. You led me out of one of the darkest parts of my life, gave me a light when I had none. You were brilliance and kindness when I had none, you reinstilled life in me when I thought mine was worthless... I will meet you back in July when the moon finally sets.

Zamora, keeper of the sun, I wish I had more time with you. There is so much we did not have the chance to do or accomplish, but the time I have gotten to spend with you was a blessing. You were sunlight on a hard day, you brought a constant smile to my face and your endless love was something I needed during the darkest of nights. Even though we had a harsh beginning I will never regret the day you came literally crashing into my life...

Shani. You have always been such a brave child since the first day I met you, your stubbornness and will had always stuck out to me and overshined my own. You were always determined to prove yourself, always willing to go above and beyond even though you didn't need too. You are stronger than you think, you could move mountains just with your heart and spirit alone, you are a lot like me. More than you know, do not let the darkness claim you, do not give into those negative feelings and do not bear them alone little one. You have friends, family to help you carry the weight of the world. It is okay to let yourself be weak sometimes, because we only grow stronger from that. I am proud to call you my daughter, and I always will be...

Boso, much like your sister you always stood out to me from the beginning. Headstrong, stubborn, but a big heart, we did not have as much time together as I wish but the time we got to spend together I hope was enough to get you on the right path. You have a good heart, let it lead you through the dark, protect your siblings, be the deer you were meant to be....

...Kiara. Kanzi. I wish I had words to explain everything, but I don't. I wish I could spare you the pain you feel now, and I wish I could have been there for you longer. It breaks my heart every day to know that we could not have what we should have, but I hope one day you can forgive me. Forgive me for my actions, forgive me for not being stronger for you. These words may taste bitter in your mouths today but maybe one day in the future you can look back in fondness. You two, just as Shani is, are the little stars of my life. You were the little lights that I did not expect but I am always forever blessed to have. I wish I could have been there for you, to raise you as the father I should have been but... I didn't have that chance. You are my children, the Great Kings blessed you two upon myself and Simba... and I will love you two far into the afterlife just as I shall with the others of our family. I don't know what has happened, or will, but... please take comfort in this new family that you have, that I have left you with. They will be your sword and shield, your comfort in the night.

Protect one another. Stay strong, prevail, because you all will shine the darkest in the night. I love you."

[Kiara]

Kiara had fallen quite silent as Rafael began his speech, counsel kept as close as the tail she twined around Kanzi protectively. None of this was information that was old news to her -- Kiara had known even less about Jasper's personal life than she had the army affairs -- but she listened in respectful silence. Internally she wondered what exactly their place was in this. It seemed as though this was a passing on of final words and wishes, a family affair to which she and Kanzi decidedly did not belong.

Only... Not.

Kiara's ears had not been closed against the words prior to her spoken name, but when Rafael addressed her and her sibling the little lioness' full attention seemed to return. It had seemed almost rude to stare as such personal feelings were shared. These were words meant for lovers and children, not the cub what might as well have been Jasper's murderer. Kiara's half-lidded gaze had been fixed instead on the whorls in the wood between her paws.

Looking up the young lioness blinked at Rafael in apparent confusion. What message was needed for herself and Kanzi? They hadn't known Jasper well, had exchanged words and friendly gestures a few pawfuls of time that she could recall. But... He had cared for them. That knowledge rested not in Kiara's head but in her heart, bolstered by the fierce adamancy with which he'd protected them. Throwing himself between their bodies and danger.

Having Kanzi used as a weapon against him.

Kiara had carried her suspicion in the back of her mind since that moment, so it wasn't as much of a surprise to hear that twinge of doubt regarding Kanzi's parentage confirmed. Her own...

That shocked her.

Kiara remained silent throughout Rafael's confession more due to her state of shock than a desire to remain mute. As the last syllables hung in the air she choked out an attempt at a question. Once again the rug was being tugged from beneath her barely-situated reality. It left the lioness floundering; wide eyes wild, throat tight, body stiff.

She knew better than to cry out in denial. The truth of the words settled in her bones with a finality that brooked no argument.

Jasper was her father.

"Hh -- how -- _no." Not a denial of the fact but a quiet demand of herself, a request for a moment to think as Kiara pressed a paw to her mouth. A moment to gather her words. "How... Did this happen? Did --" The tail wrapped around Kanzi tightened. "How did we happen?"