"You /will/ step down, or you will be removed."

[tanniyn]

Characters:
Chesmu - male adult cougar (Amaranth chieftain)
Yuma - male adolescent cougar (Amaranth)
Nayeli - female adolescent cougar (Amaranth)
Chandani - female adolescent cougar (Amaranth)
Maulisho - female adult cougar (former Amaranth)
Kasim - male adult cougar (former Amaranth)
Kein - male adolescent cougar (former Amaranth)
Pelutho - male adolescent cougar (former Amaranth) - ICly present, but OOCly was not able to join due to RL circumstances

Location:
Eroded Well (Amaranth)

Scene:

Chesmu walks slowly up to the well. He knows that this situation with Maulisho is going to come to a head if Kein's appearance in the lands is any indication. Chesmu didn't really want to throw him out of the territory, but he felt the things he was saying were not good for keeping him around. Now he is here at the well, taking a drink, readying for border patrol.

Yuma respects his father's desire for solitude, understanding the need to collect one's thoughts when faced with a difficult situation. He is no longer a cub, after all, and the time he has spent outside of the territory has matured him. Nevertheless he is concerned for Chesmu's safety, and he decides to follow at a distance, staying well out of sight while trying to remain within hearing range. After the Chief has time to rest, Yuma intends to join him on border patrol... for added protection as well as a chance to consult with Chesmu again.

It's happening! Nayeli had been on her way to go see if Kein had already left the territory when she happened to glimpse Kein.. and the rest of his family as well. Padding toward the well with obvious purpose, and leaving no doubt in Nayeli's mind that things were about to happen. As quickly as possible, she dashed back to where she had left her siblings, hoping to find them and get them over to where their father was. Yuma's already gone, but she sees her sister and with a loud "Sis! C'mon! They're coming!" she alters her course and speeds toward the well.

Chandani quickly dashes after Nayeli trying to catch up with her wanting to see them. Not wanting to lose sight of her or miss anything at all.

It's a bittersweet time for Maulisho, as she pads along the well-remembered steps from the mesa toward the well. If they don't find Chesmu there, they'll continue on and search the rest of Amaranth. The time for confrontation has finally arrived. Her tail lashes behind her as she continues resolutely forward with the rest of her family. There's no turning back now. Things /will/ be decided one way or another tonight, and things /will/ change. Hopefully for the best, but if not, then so be it. The status quo is completely unacceptable at the moment and Maulisho is ready to deal with whatever repercussions arise from changing it.

Contrary to the rest of his family, Kasim seems to be the only one of the group who is questioning what they are about to do. Now don't get him wrong, he is really proud of Kein for what he has done and he certainly deserves the title of Chieftain. But right now? After all, he /is/ only still a teen. Maybe he's just overthinking things. And besides, it's what his family wants so he can go with it. Kasim pads along next to Maul, trying hard to get rid of those thoughts but to little avail.

Kein has been using the time it has taken to get to the well to continue thinking. He's, well... He still doesn't fully understand everything he's feeling and thinking, but he does know that he agrees with everything his mother has said, and that he wants this to be /over/. If over means that he never sets foot in Amaranth again... Well, he doesn't want to be anywhere that Chesmu is, anyway.

Chesmu finally lifts his head up from drinking the well water and sighs. What will he be able to tell Maulisho? The same thing as Nayeli? He'll do anything she says except stand down? He'll have to be more diplomatic than that, surely! He stretches and yawns and begins dreading his trudge through the border. Though important, border patrol is so dull.

Yuma flicks his ears, glancing over his shoulder to see Nayeli rushing toward the well, with Chandani not far behind her. When they streak past he emerges from his position behind a stone slab, bounding after them, his broad paws pounding the earth. Something is about to happen, and this is clearly not the time for stealth.

Oh, so /there's/ Yuma. "Yuma!" Nayeli calls back over her shoulder, slowing down slightly to allow her brother to catch up. "I saw them.." Pantpant. "..coming toward.." Gaspforbreath. "..the well!" Adrenline is coursing through her as she tries to give a quick synopsis of what's going on while continuing onward. The well is just up ahead; should they hide and watch, or stand with their father? Nayeli slows to a halt to allow Yuma to make that decision. After all, he /is/ the oldest of them and as far as Nayeli is concerned, he's also the de facto leader of the siblings.

Chandani is starting to gasp herself then turns to face Yuma to see what he decides to do. Because she is by no means a leader and she follows others not sure of what she wants to do yet truth be told... yet she does not want to miss anything either.

She can see a lone cougar up ahead, and she's pretty sure that it's Chesmu. The way he walks, his shape.. her memory isn't /that/ bad. Taking a deep breath, Maulisho continues forward, knowing that her family is easily observable now. Hopefully Chesmu won't turn tail and run. All she wants to do right now is talk. For now.

Hopefully the situation won't call for more than just talk. Kasim really isn't looking for a fight. Of course, he /will/ fight to protect his family if he is forced to, but why fight when there's no need to? Letting out a small sigh, he keeps walking with his family towards the now visible Chesmu. Something is about to happen... let's just hope it's not bad.

Kein is more than willing to let Mom and Kasim lead on this. He couldn't even begin to talk to Chesmu, so soon after the last encounter, and still stay calm. And besides... He has caught glimpses of younger cougars in the shadows, and his fight is not with them... Especially not if one of them is Nayeli, as he suspects it might be. He remains several steps behind his mother and just slightly to one side of her, so that he can keep a close eye on whatever happens.

Chesmu looks up and over, and who he sees leads a a large amalgam of emotion in Chesmu. Happiness that Maulisho is here, and yet fear for what might happen. Chesmu tries to calm his heart, and wishes he could stop feeling like a cub in trouble with his mother. Largely because such trouble would have led to nfortunate things when he was that age. Chesmu finally gets ahold of himself and walks toward Maulisho and her family.

Yuma skids to a halt when Nayeli does. He's not yet out of breath, but he does pause for a moment when his sister explains herself, considering what they should do. He knows who 'they' are -- Maulisho and Kein, and maybe the rest of their family as well. What he does not know are their intentions. "Do you know why they're here?" he asks, looking into Nayeli's eyes.

She sure does, but.. how much should she tell her brother? Nayeli opens her mouth to speak, but suddenly catches a glimpse of her father moving again, and as the girl turns her head to look, notices four other cougars approaching Chesmu. They're here! Kein, both of his parents, his brother, and--wait. Where's Ruut'h? Nayeli can't see her friend's sister anywhere, which strikes her as odd. Why have her stay behind when the rest of the family is here? Something to figure out later. "What should we do?" she whispers to Yuma, keeping her head low. "Just watch from here, or...?"

Chandani keeps her attention on Yuma waiting to hear his answer just like her sister. Curiosity getting the better off her.

Maulisho comes to a halt, tail still lashing as she stares across the still-decreasing distance between her family and the approaching chieftain. "Chesmu," she begins, keeping her voice carefully modulated. "It's been a while." /That's/ an understatement. She's tempted to sit, but decides that until she knows the other's intentions, she'll remain standing and ready for anything that happens. Chesmu might run, he might attack... or he might simply remain calm and content to talk.

Kein comes to a stop not far behind his mother and keeps his eyes on Chesmu, for the time being, though he also listens to their surroundings carefully. Kein has no idea how many members of the tribe are willing to fight to keep Chesmu in his position, if it comes down to that, or if he has even had time to speak to any of them. He has spent too much time around wolves to ignore the threat that could potentially be waiting, just out of sight, while they focus on the one directly in front of them. Not to mention that listening for anyone else approaching helps him to keep his mind off of Chesmu, at least a little bit.

Chesmu looks at Maulisho and starts trembling. Then he sits and looks down. "Maulisho." Chesmu says. "Maulisho... Maulisho." Can he say anything more than her name? Just seeing her is overwhelming to him. "...I'm s-so sorry." Chesmu says.

Yuma turns his head as well, following the direction of Nayeli's gaze. He soon spots the four cougars as well, and watching them stride purposely toward his father strengthens his resolve. Looking back at his sister again, he regards her closely for a moment before saying, "We should get closer. In case there's trouble." At this point, he does not care if they are seen, whether by Chesmu or Maulisho and her family. If anything, the sight of them might discourage potential violence. He has barely finished speaking before continuing toward the well, looking tense but determined.

Nayeli nods, swallowing hard as she really hopes that there /isn't/ any trouble. Moving forward behind her brother, she keeps her gaze intentionally focused forward, not looking over toward Kein. The last thing she needs now is feeling like she's being forced to choose between divided loyalties. Friend or family? No. For now, she's just going to listen and observe. Next to Daddy.

Chandani slowly and nervously follows suite hoping that everything will turn out for the best. Not wanting to see any one get hurt at all as she pays close attention to what is going on not wanting to be caught in the middle.

Though she suspected this might happen, Maulisho is still somewhat surprised to see Chesmu so apologetic like this. How much of it is genuine and how much of it is simply a defensive bluff? And okay... here comes three of Chesmu's four children. What happened to Misae? Is she just around somewhere else, unaware of what's going on? Or perhaps unwilling to get involved? Or... has Chesmu lost a daughter as well? Her amber eyes flick back toward Chesmu. "Sorry for what, Chieftain?" It's a very deliberate use of his title, as she plans on discussing exactly that. Hmm. Chesmu has sat down... should she follow suit? Perhap so, in order to make him feel at least a little bit less threatened. Panic is not something she wants to enter this discussion. And so, she does sit down, brushing up against her mate for reassurance as she does so.

A faint smile crosses Kasim's muzzle when Maul brushes up against him, following suit by taking a seat next to her. He's here for her if she needs him, but as fast as he's concerned it's not for him to get in the way of this talk. So, at least for now, he remains quiet.

Kein already knew Chesmu's children were nearby. He actually does his best to ignore them, now. He doesn't want to involve them, any more than they already are. He's not very familiar with Yuma, but the two girls... Well, this is rough, and it's probably better if he doesn't make eye contact with either of them, right now. He doesn't want them to feel guilty for supporting their father, even though it does upset him a little bit. If he had grown up with Azriel, would he stand by his father's side while he was confronted by a female he'd taken advantage of, or tried to take advantage of? If he had grown up with Azriel, would he stand by Azriel's side if Mom confronted him?

Chesmu doesn't immediately answer. Obviously not because he doesn't know but because he is ashamed. "For... hurting you. Forcing myself on you... almost... raping you." Chesmu says. "To go back to that day, I'd tell myself to stay as far away from you as possible, or else I would betray you... you were my best friend." Chesmu looks up at Maulisho, he's not started tearing yet. "I've been worried about you and your family." Then Chesmu notices a certain number not among Maulisho's ranks. "Wh-where's Ruut'h?"

Yuma is certainly not here to make trouble. He keeps back a few feet, standing behind Chesmu and slightly to one side, glancing only briefly at his father before looking toward the other cougars. Thankfully, this encounter has begun in a peaceful manner, though his father's behavior is almost... unseemly. If he did not know the true cause of this conflict before, he certainly does now. The male sinks down onto his haunches, the tip of his tail flicking restlessly, and distracts himself from the exchange by studying Kein. He looks the other adolescent over in a openly appraising way, sizing him up. After all... it's been a long time since he's seen Kein.

Nayeli had heard rumors, suggestions, and partial explanations of what happened, but never as clearly stated as Chesmu just put it. He did /that/ to Kein's mom? Or tried to, anyway? She had just forgiven him a little while ago for the 'terrible mistake' that he said he had done, but... /that/? Her jaw drops slightly and she looks as though she's been struck.

Chandani also got struck hard by that knowing the reason why Kein and them left and is glad they are back but the whole conversation is hard on her.

"Ruut'h is dead, Chieftain." It's difficult, but Maulisho keeps her voice calm and even. "She was eaten by a rogue wolf only a couple of days after we fled from these lands." She's not going to add that Kein had to watch his sister die, powerless to save her. Her eyes narrow. "I don't see one of your daughters present, either. Where is Misae?"

Kasim hangs his head slightly when Chesmu brings up Ruut'h, all those sad emotions coming back to him. Every time her name is mentioned, he can't help but wonder what the cub would look like today if she were still around. Trying to imagine the grown up Ruut'h would always help perk Kasim up a bit, but then he would go back to being sad again when he would realize that it would never happen. Still, there's a time for mourning and a time for the present, and right now he needs to be focused on the present. Lifting his head back up, Kasim tries his best to look focused and push all the memories of Ruut'h away for later.

Kein lays his ears back at the mention of Ruut'h's name, and at what his mother says. Kein still feels guilt over that, will likely /always/ feel guilt over that... But it's not as severe as it once was. In this time, he stops paying as much attention to their surroundings, instead lowering his head to stare at the ground for a moment.

If Chesmu had looked devastated before, guilty about what he did, as well as sorrowful, his demeanor he takes upon hearing that the innocent Ruut'h is dead blows it away. His feelings of regret and doubt were *nothing* compared to what is happening now inside. Chesmu has to take a few deep breaths, but otherwise remains deathly silent as indescribable shock strikes him. Finally, after what feels like an eternity of silence from teh Chieftain, Chesmu finally speaks. "... Dead?" Chesmu says. Now it's all over. Even if Maulisho were to somehow forgive him. Even if all the rest of the world does, Chesmu never will. He caused the death of an innocent cub. A cub that was under his watchful protection until he committed his bad act. "... No.... I-I'm s-so..." Now tears come to the Chieftain's eyes. "N-no..."

Yuma flattens his ears at Maulisho's pronouncement. Ruut'h -- dead? The news does not strike him as powerfully as it does Chesmu, but neither is he glad to hear it. Protective as he is toward his own sisters, he experiences a pang of sympathy for Kein, who surely feels the same way toward his own siblings.

It finally clicks. Nayeli remembers hearing Maulisho say something a while back to Kein about losing a daughter, but she hadn't made the connection until now. Oh Kein, I'm so sorry... Nayeli wishes more than anything that she could stride across the no man's land between the two families and give Kein a comforting nuzzle. She can't imagine losing Chandani or Misae like that. Wait.. there's still a question hanging in the air that her father seems too distraught to answer at the moment. "Misae's asleep over in that direction," Nayeli volunteers with a nod toward the northwest... as well as a slight blush, as she really didn't want to become vocally involved in this.

Chandani frowns a little oh no. That is sad she feels so bad hearing the news. Then looks over towards Misae then back to Maulisho's family. "I am sorry to hear that." She says honestly in a soft voice.

Maulisho swallows hard, trying to keep her composure. As much as she misses Ruut'h, that is not the purpose of this meeting! She lets her eyes look over the three younger cougars next to Chesmu, and then back at the older male. "Chieftain, I accept your apology. And.. and I forgive you." There. She said it. "However," she continues, "I am stating the fact that you are not competent to remain as Chieftain." And while she's well aware that there is nothing in Amaranth law governing this, she quite honestly doesn't care right now. "You must face the consequences for what you've done. And what you /could/ do again." Her tail lashes behind her. "Step down, Chesmu." It's the first time she's spoken his actual name since seeing him again.

Kein takes a deep breath after his mother speaks, then slowly looks back up to Chesmu. He continues to ignore the chieftain's children, which is just as well. He doesn't need sympathy right now. He needs strength. He watches Chesmu closely for a reaction, because if it's going to turn violent, this is probably going to be where it happens.

Kasim smiles over slightly towards Chesmu's kids, giving a small nod of thanks for expressing their sorrow about Ruut'h. The smile lasts only for a quick moment, however, when Maul finally tells Chesmu how she feels about him being Chieftan. Once again, his thoughts are divided on the issue. Maul does make a good point... but what ever happened to second chances? Love is just one of those things that can take control of someone so easily and can make them do things they would never normally do. But instead of saying anything, Kasim once again keep his trap shut, not wanting to change the peaceful way of things so far.

Chesmu tries to regain his composure. "I am grateful for your forgiveness. And I'll do anything to be your friend again... however..." Chesmu lowers his gaze. "I won't step down. I do not believe I am unfit, even in reflection of what I have done. I can assure you, however, that I won't do anything wrong again like what I..." Chesmu says. "I'm sorry, but I will not stand down, anything other than that."

Yuma's look of sympathy does not last long in any case. When Maulisho speaks up again, his expression quickly turns to shock, his eyes widening at the adult cougaress. So this is what it all comes down to. They want Chesmu to step down... and his father is not willing to accomodate that demand. Eyes narrowing, he looks between Kein and Kasim. Even if they get their way, who do they expect to replace Chesmu as Chieftain?

Knowing that she's probably the only one over on her family's side who doesn't look surprised at Maulisho's statement, Nayeli can't help but feel a little guilty. Yes, so she knew this was coming already, and yes, she didn't tell her father. She tries to fake some of the same shock coming from her siblings, though it's only a half-hearted attempt as she's more interested in how Kein's mother will respond to her father's negative response.

Chandani is surprised and did not really know that was coming. Keeping her attention on everything else now she starts to wonder what the outcome of this discussion is going to be.

"This isn't open for debate or discussion, Chesmu." Now her amber eyes narrow slightly. "You /will/ step down, or you will be removed. Do you honestly think that you can just go on with life with no tangible consequences for what you've done?" Maulisho is now back on her feet with the sudden urge to extend her claws. "We don't want this whole.. dispute, if you will.. to require violence, but you simply cannot remain as Chieftain." Her seriousness falters a little as she adds, "Chesmu, I.. I don't want to see you get hurt any more than anyone else here. Please, don't force the issue."

Kein scowls at Chesmu's answer. Of course, he hardly expected Chesmu to stand by his word. It does nothing more than prove to Kein that there is not any remorse there, or, if there is, it is not enough. He has no concern towards the well-being of the members of the tribe. Chesmu tried to rape Maul, even knowing about Maul's past experiences with males and that Maul was already mated. How can he think he is, in any way, fit to lead? Kein's anger flares up again, causing him to tense, but he remains where he is. He and his mother discussed this before they came, and he has to let her say what she is going to say.

Kasim is somewhat surprised by how strongly Maul is forcing this on Chesmu. He knew that she would be insisting about it, but even he wasn't expecting this. Instead of rising to his paws like his mate, the cougar remains where he's seated next to her. He does, however, lean his head in to whisper something softly to her so that only she can hear it before looking back to Kein and giving him a look that clearly says to him 'calm down'. He'd like to avoid fighting if it's even remotly possible.

Chesmu doesn't stand. He remains sitting and calm. Unlike when he lost his temper with Kein, Chesmu is working his hardest to stay on Maulisho's good side. And unlike Kein's own thoughts on the matter, his sorrow for this runs deep. Standing down, despite this, is not an option. "There is no need to resort to violence. Just accept the fact that I will not step down. I'm sure we can arrive at a more satisfying arrangement that wouldn't deprive the tribe of the Chieftain they selected. By no means will I accept that there will be no consequence, as I have made clear to those who are willing to listen. Perhaps even a happy arrangement that would allow your son to return to the territory immediately following this meeting. But I will not stand down, and I will not stand to violence."

This is very quickly becoming the situation Nayeli was afraid it would become. With the increasingly possible chance that violence will ensue, the question of whose side Nayeli is going to fight on now becomes the front and center issue for the girl. She very obviously can't fight against her father, and she very obviously can't fight against Kein. But could she fight against her best friend's parents? Or his brother? Or her own brother, in defense of Kein?

Chandani can also see where it is going and she is affraid too. She is not even sure whose side she is going to fight on. She does like Kein and his family. It seems to be hard on her as well as to where she really stands.

Maulisho narrows her eyes in response to her mate's whisper. How can he possibly suggest that this isn't worth fighting for? Isn't justice always worth fighting for? "I will /not/ accept that, Chesmu!" The cougaress raises her voice slightly. "As you can see, my son /is/ on the territory. You cannot banish a Brother of the Amaranth tribe any more than you can banish the shamaness herself. So what are you going to do instead? Claim that he's no longer of Amaranth?"

Given the look that Kasim gives him, and the brief interaction between Mom and Kasim... Kasim isn't going to fight. That doesn't surprise Kein, but it does anger him every bit as much as Chesmu angers him. Pelutho doesn't want to fight. That's obvious just by looking at the boy. That leaves him and Mom against Chesmu and his three (Three? Is Nayeli going to fight at her father's side?) children. This isn't going to work. The thought takes hold of him and refuses to let go. This isn't going to work. He told himself that the entire way here, but now he can't brush the thought away, like he did before. So, with a deep breath, he takes a step forward, and speaks loudly, as authoritatively as he's capable. "Enough!" This will end in Mom and him injured, and for what? To guide a tribe full of members that have no desire to help themselves out of a bad situation. No. "You failed to rape my mother, but you've succeeded in raping this land of its virtue, Chesmu." One need only look at how Chesmu's children stand beside him, despite knowing what he did, to know that. One need only to take into the account that Chesmu is still allowed to rule here after all these months. "There is nothing left here worth saving." Nothing... Except for Nayeli, and he can't help but glance in her direction. She'll know he doesn't mean her, right? She knows she can stay with him, wherever he is... But not /here/. Not if it means Mom being hurt again and them having to live in the same territory as Chesmu. He told Mom he would do his best to lead the tribe before they left the area by the cave, but... No. Not like this.

"Kein, that's enough out of you," Kasim finally says, his voice actually carrying some authority behind it. He doesn't mind the teen expressing his opinions, but what he said just crossed the line and he wont stand for it. Saying that Chesmu has raped the land of it's virtue and that nothing worth saving is left here seems to be a bit over the top. "This isn't between us, it's between Chesmu and your mother so stay out of it," he tells the teen with the authority back in his voice and looking over at him. It's a rare time when Kasim actually raises his voice for anything, so he must really mean it.

Chesmu still doesn't get angry like Maulisho apparently is. "If it makes you feel better I lift the banishment." Chesmu says. "But I will not fight. Especially not my friend... you. I told myself long ago even before I was Chieftain I never would. You can go ahead and attack me. But you'll do so with the knowledge that you not only began the violence, but you attacked the Chieftain who chose not to defend himself." Then Kein says that and he doesn't know what to think. On the one hand, Kein understands what Chesmu was about to further tell Maulisho, the fact is that fighting for this isn't with it. On the other, he disagrees that the land lacks virtue, and marks it up for further resentment on Kein's part. Maulisho forgave him, but Kein appears to have not. "Maulisho. I am your friend, and as Kein puts so well... it's not worth the price of the violence for it." Chesmu sighs and closes his eyes. "However... there is no lack of virtue here. The members of this tribe are *good* cougars. And you dishonor me and Amaranth by suggesting they're not worth fighting for. Maulisho, I implore you. Compromise. I want something to happen. Something bad to account for wht I did to you. But I have a duty to be Chieftain. Anything but forcing me to stand down. Anything that would satisfy you and your honor. I cannot accept violence as the answer, nor revoking my privilege of... well... keeping the tribe safe from danger and assuring my offspring *and* yours of safety. I will never forgive myself... for what I did to you... or for Ruut'h. They were more than my fault but my absolute shames. My failures as Chieftain. However, I do not believe myself incapable of protecting the tribe."

[tanniyn]

(continued)

She hadn't been doing much than just listening and thinking, but as Kein suddenly steps forward and speaks with such fervor, she stares at him with wide eyes. That was /definitely/ unexpected, though Nayeli hadn't doubted that he was capable of it. The surprise in her eyes only increases as Kein insists that there is nothing left worth saving. But the way he looks at her... could it be possible that he's indicating there /are/ exceptions?

Chandani quickly fixes her attention on Kein at his words appearing to be a little surprised at his words. While all she has been doing was trying to figure out what is going on. Now that she does know it starts her to think about the situation that is going on.

Maulisho is, as would be expected, rather surprised when her son steps forward with his strong words. Hmm. But why would he feel the need to interject? Her hackles raise slightly with Kasim's words; the last thing she needs right now is her mate to turn against her. But it's to Chesmu that she speaks. "Do whatever you find soothes your conscience. Your 'banishment' was never recognized and you never answered my earlier question. If you choose not to fight to defend your position, then that settles the matter. You want me to compromise? But why? You offer nothing in return except your own cowardice. Cowardice on top of incompetence on top of an uncontrollable predatory nature. You are hereby no longer chieftain of Amaranth." She feels herself trembling, as though drained both physically and emotionally from saying that.

Kein turns his head so he can look at Kasim when the cougar who would pretend to be his father speaks. Kein has never really been angry with Kasim before, but now... Though it isn't what he wanted to do, Kein speaks to Kasim, his tone low. "Maybe you don't have any desire to support her, but /I/ do." Family business should stay between family members, but Kasim scolding him right here, in front of Mom, Chesmu, and Chesmu's children, as though he were still a cub, when all he did was stand up to do what Kasim should have been doing all along... Kein just couldn't ignore it. And as for supporting Mom... When she tries, once more, to get Chesmu to see that the only option is for him to stand down, Kein has to bite his tongue. Chesmu didn't stand by his earlier word to Kein, and Kein doesn't trust Chesmu to stand by his word now, to not turn this into something violent... But since his mother didn't seem to understand his intention, Kein gives Chesmu the chance to respond before saying anything else.

He's never been one to get angry over anything before, but a growl can definently be heard from the cougar at Kein's remarks. "You and I are going to talk later so that I can show you that what you just said was a complete waste of breath." Saying that he doesn't want to support his own mate is simply a rediculous thing to say. He's always been there for her when she needed him and for Kein to question that gets him a littl angry. The only thing he /hasn't/ done is show any interest about fighting Chesmu. Make no mistake, he's still upset about what the Chief did, but he doesn't feel the need to remove Chesmu from his position as Chief, a conflict that he'll most likely end up having to try and explain to his family. For now, Kasim returns his attention back to Chesmu to see his reaction to his mate's demands, not wanting to start something with Kein right now.

Chesmu looks utterly shocked at Maulisho. He may have done that terrible thing... but she seems to be carrying this too far. Chesmu shakes his head. "What happened to you?" Chesmu says, then stands and walks toward Maulisho, standing well within her striking distand, before sitting again. "Maulisho, why are you doing this? The Maulisho I became friends with would never have suggested violence... nor would she have called any of her friends... a coward..." Chesmu is hurt, really hurt. "I've been changing, myself... but apparently... you changed, too. The Maulisho I remember would have been willing for compromise... the work out a situation. But now... you're stuck on a false notion that I'm incompetent... going as far as violence and dishonoring those who wronged you. 'Coward?'" Chesmu feels the tears coming to his eyes. "I-I don't know this Maulisho. This is not the Maulisho I befriended long before I had a home." Chesmu looks down. "I wouldn't throw Kein out of the tribe, because all he has done is use words.

For a stretch of several minutes, Yuma holds his tongue, ears pricked attentively while his gaze shifts from one cougar to the next. The disagreement does not involve him directly, but the outcome of this meeting will. He is, after all, the son of the Chieftain. Whatever wrongs his father may have committed against Maulisho, he will not stand by idly and watch Chesmu driven out of the tribe. As far as he's concerned, Maulisho and her family should never have come back. Yuma's gold-green eyes settle finally on Kein, observing him closely. /He's/ the instigator... and when he notices Kein exchange a glance with Nayeli, his eyes narrow in deepening suspicion. Hmm. Might Maulisho's loud-mouth son have some ulterior motives? The idea causes the male to unsheathe his foreclaws, gouging the ground beneath, but the rumble in his throat does not build until Maulisho has spoken again. He glares at the she-cougaress -- a look that is equal parts anger and incredulity -- before moving forward a few paces. "She's not your friend anymore," he says to Chesmu, who finally seems to be seeing some sense. "She /left/, and now she thinks she can just... show up and tell you what to do!" Yuma fires a look at Kein at the end of this outburst, as if to add, 'And I know what /you're/ up to, too!'

If the situation wasn't hostile before, now it's quickly coming to the point that Nayeli is /really/ afraid blows are going to happen. And as her father starts toward Maulisho, Nayeli can only hold her breath. But thankfully, no violence does happen; her father merely sits down... much closer to his former friend. It's slightly alarming, however, how much hostility seems to be directed toward Kein. Maybe it's because they're friends again, but Nayeli feels slightly protective now that harsh words are being slung at him, both by his father and her brother. Swallowing hard, the girl keeps silent and doesn't dare look over at Yuma. She doesn't want any of that hostility directed at her, for sure.

Chandani is also worried that violence might happen and she has longed to see her friend Kein and his family again. But not under these circumstances and she wants Kein and them to be safe. She also does not want any violence to come to Chesmu either. The adolescent female still remains silent not wanting to be caught in the middle of all this mess.

"Do you hear that, Chesmu?" Maulisho has to struggle to keep from flinching as the male approachs, but otherwise doesn't move. "Do you hear what you're saying? Let me use your own words: The /Chesmu/ I became friends with would /never/ have suggested /violence/... but wait! You didn't just /suggest/ violence, you nearly /accomplished/ violence!" The dispute beside her: if Kasim thinks that /Kein/ is the only one who is going to get a talking-to... he'd better think twice. And now back in front of her: "You are absolutely correct. I am not the Maulisho you befriended long ago. I am the Maulisho that you nearly destroyed with your lust. If my son did that to your daughter, what kind of punishment would you see fitting for him? A mere apology, and then life is all back to normal? And yet you cower behind your title of chieftain, afraid to accept the punishment that I have provided for you. Not being removed from the Amaranth tribe. Not even put to death, as I understand is a common punishment elsewhere. Simply to step down and let someone more capable handle the well-being of these lands. But no. You refuse." Her tail lashes furiously.

This is continuing to accomplish nothing, and now Chesmu's son has begun speaking. Kein looks towards Yuma just in time to see the look that Yuma gives him, and it does nothing to calm Kein's nerves. And more now than ever, Kein does /not/ want to be here. Not just now, but ever again. He does not want to be part of a tribe full of members who would prefer to tolerate, who would /defend/, a would-be rapist before they would go through the uncertainty of change, a tribe that could easily ignore the suffering that Chesmu caused his family... And a chieftain who would beg and cry to avoid being held truly responsible for a heinous act. Good cougars? At best, they are lazy and complacent. "Mom..." He needs her attention, needs all of this to stop, because he's not sure how much more of it he can take before he can't keep the tenuous hold he has on his temper.

Kasim tenses a bit as Chesmu approaches Maul, being ready to jump in between them if something should happen. Fourtunatly Chesmu takes a seat again and a conflict is averted at least for the time being. This is starting to become too much for him with just sitting here and almost waiting for something bad to happen. He wants to help his mate, he really does... but he just can't find it in himself to support the idea of forcing him to step down. Guilt starts to wash over the cougar as he realizes he's pretty much let his family down. He'll no doubetly take some heat for it, but all he can hope for is that, in the end, everything goes back to the way it was before all this mess started... when everyone was happy.

Guilt also overtakes the Chieftain. He wants to make this right. Any other way than to step down, where he believes he can do the most good. Chesmu looks Maulisho. and says. "I..." Chesmu says. "I am so sorry. My last act as Chieftain, therefore, is not something of joy but of devestation. II wish I could have convinced you to punish me some other way Even ones that are far worse, but to take the thing that allowed me to do good for the tribe... I am no longer Chieftain. I must stand down. If not for what I have done to you... than for my failure in keeping even one precious life safe for Ruut'h."

Yuma tenses visibly as Maulisho touches on the subject of his suspicions -- not about her, but Kein. Why was he looking at Nayeli? The male's tail lashes from side to side as he takes in Maulisho's rant, swept up in the tension of the moment, with his thoughts scattered in a whirlwind of emotions. If any male were to take one of his sisters by force, he /knows/ what he would do. He nearly fought with Tohopka the evening before, believing him to be a rogue sniffing after the scent of females... and finally, he begins to see the other side. Yuma blinks slowly and looks at his father, his expression unreadable. Now, when Chesmu announces his decision to step down, his son does not argue.

He's actually doing it? Nayeli stares at her father's back, hardly able to believe that he spoke the words that surely Maulisho was longing to hear. No longer Chieftain... So, now what? Does her father plan on staying in the tribe? Or if he left, what then? Would he take his family? What about Mommy? She's the matron, so how does she fit into all of this? There are still too many unanswered questions here.

Chandani quickly turnsn to face her father in surprise not expecting to hear those words. The adolescent starts to wonder the same things that Nayeli is about the family and their mother. What is going to happen now that Chesmu has stepped down as the chieftain? She has no idea what is going to happen now and only time will tell what will happen next.

The former chieftain's daughters are not the only ones surprised by Chesmu suddenly agreeing to the terms set before him. Though Kein was looking at his mom, he turns his head so that he can focus on Chesmu after the chieftain... the /former/ chieftain... speaks. And if not Chesmu, then who? He looks back at his mother, who is looking at him, undoubtedly waiting for him to say what he wanted to say. "I..." Unlike earlier, his tone is no longer quite so certain, quite so proud. After everything that happened, how can he tell his mother here, in front of everyone, that he doesn't want to be the chieftain over /these/ lands, with /these/ cougars? And if not here and now, how could he let her say what has to be coming soon, and then tell her in private that he changed his mind? There is only one way he can think of. "I think Yuma should be the acting chieftain, until a replacement can be found." Yes, the matron is Yuma's mother, and even if she were to resign her position as well, one of his sisters would probably take that spot, but at his age, even Kein would not be fulfilling /that/ role, and Yuma does care for his siblings, his family, and the tribe... He can replace his father until a mature chieftain is found to fill Chesmu's position, right? Nevermind that, when Kein asked for his mother's attention, Chesmu had not yet agreed to step down, so this can't have been what Kein originally intended to say.

If she's surprised that Chesmu has finally agreed to step down, she's even more shocked to hear Kein suggest /Yuma/ as a potential replacement. It's a good five seconds before she can even think of a response other than just a startled and questioning glance. Apparently Kein must have changed his mind, or else he has something else planned. Either way, it leaves Maulisho feeling like she's on completely unstable ground now. First Chesmu put up far more resistance than she had anticipated. And then Kasim had all but placed himself against Kein, further weakening their position. And now Kein, changing his mind? Even with the victory of Chesmu standing down from his position, Maulisho still feels as though it's a bittersweet victory at best, and a mutual defeat at worst. So what happens now? The cougaress is now feeling all the adrenaline of the moment draining away, leaving her feeling completely exhausted on top of the growing depression that's now creeping in. She wasn't sure if she ever expected to be joyful at the outcome, but this... this isn't what she expected. She was so sure that Kein would be chieftain when all was said and done. But now? Yuma. Chesmu's son. For once, Maulisho is completely silent, looking somewhat defeated.

Even Kasim, who felt that it was /finally/ over after Chesmu gave up, is surprised over Kein's sudden change of heart. Just a minute ago he seemed ready to do something and now he looks almost like he was defeated. A small amount of pity does enter Kasim, but the sudden announcement of Chesmu stepping down overshadows it. Now Kasim is left with the question of 'what now'? Maul and Kein got what they wanted by forcing Chesmu to step down, even if the end result wasn't exactly what they had planned out. For now, Kasim remains silent, not wanting to miss what will happen next.

If Chesmu had appeared fine now, he seems to right before everyone's eyes, diminish to a fraction of the cougar they all knew him as. Chesmu stands and says to Maulisho, "I did not want to do it. Becoming Chieftain has brought me much joy... including a family and a home. I love my children. Being Chieftain allowed me to protect them. Stepping down may have been what you wanted me to do, Maulisho, my friend. But I can only hope that it will truly be for the best." Chesmu doesn't turn around, he instead he steps past Maulisho, toward the border. "Welcome home, Maulisho."

[tanniyn]

(continued)

Will the surprises never end? Yuma looks beyond his father at Kein, the other male's suggestion stunning him into silence. /Himself/ as Chieftain? Apart from cubhood fantasies, he has never seriously entertained the idea of taking his father's place; only making sure that whoever Misae took as her mate was worthy of the title. Expecting that Kein would make a claim, Yuma feels uncertain now, wondering whether he has misjudged the other male... not that it is a kindness on Kein's part, passing the responsibility to him. Yuma waits, half-expecting someone to speak up against the proposal, looking first at his sisters, Maulisho and her family... and then, finally, his father. Surprised looks all around, but so far, not a word spoken in protest. Not that anyone is showing much approval for the idea, either; Chesmu does not even look at him, his father's attention still fixed on the cougaress. But /someone/ has to step up. "I will act as Chieftain," Yuma says carefully. "Until the matter is settled." As he speaks, it feels as though a great weight has settled on his shoulders. He can only hope that he is strong enough to bear it.

Nayeli's stunned gaze now moves from her father over to Kein, unable to believe she heard him right. But... he was supposed to... no! "Kein," she whispers, more of a barely-audible mumble to herself than anything else, "Why are you doing this?" And then her gaze moves back to her father as he begins to walk off. Everything is just crumbling down, now. Where's Daddy going? Is he just going to leave? But as her brother speaks and accepts the responsibility suggested to him, Nayeli keeps her eyes on Chesmu, wondering if she'll ever see him again. 'Until the matter is settled'--that's what her brother said. How will they know when that moment comes? How /can/ something like this be settled?

The news came as a surprise to every one it seems even Chandani. Even Yuma accepting the duties until everything settles down was a shock. Her jaw drops as she turns to watch her father walking off then fixes her attention on Maulisho and Kein. With the situation it calls for a big change for every one what else could happen? How are things going to be settled? There are a lot of questions going through her mind.

Nayeli's mumbled question gets lost in the chaos, and Kein watches as Chesmu walks away. His eyes are still on the former chieftain when he hears Yuma accept his proposal. And as for Mom, Nayeli, and the others? Well, there are a great many more cougars in this tribe than those who would like to see Kein become the chieftain. Hopefully they will be more accepting of Chesmu's son than they would be of him, but... It's no longer Kein's concern. Now he has a whole new set of concerns, and he sighs as the tension from this encounter begins to leave him.

Despite the obvious decrease in hostility among the cougars present, Maulisho still feels as though the situation is growing even more out of control. She never would have imagined that when the dust settled, Yuma would be the one leading Amaranth. But the most disturbing part of all of this is how Kein seems to have pronounced defeat upon himself. What /happened/ to him? All the fight that she sensed within him... where did it go? It's as if he was suddenly crushed underneath a massive wave of doubt. But Maulisho doesn't say anything, instead deciding to simply look at her son with all the concern she's currently feeling.

Well this really is a surprise isn't it. Could it be that, despite his firey words and actions, Kein got a small case of cold feet? Or is it simply for another reason that none of them are picking up on? Either way, it's left both sides very confused. Kasim picks up on Nayeli's small whispering but doesn't say anything, mostly because he just can't find the right words to say. Yuma's vauge terms of acceptance are also noticed by the cougar, leaving whatever he means up in the air. It looks like that this is only the beginning of something much much bigger.

Chesmu is still walking toward the border.

Yuma looks toward his father, indecisive. He starts to take a step forward, then stops, deciding to let Chesmu leave if he wishes. If he does, Yuma will search him out later and speak to him in private. Of course, Chesmu is not the only one he will need to speak with. The young male finds himself wishing that Paoro was here, believing that she could have taken charge of this situation... and surely handled it much better than he could. Exhaling slowly, Yuma turns his head to look at Maulisho. "I hope you plan to stay."

It seems to be a collective silence, probably born out of the same shock that Nayeli is still experiencing. Everything has become almost surreal now. Her father is leaving. Her brother is now Chieftain. Everything's changing. Yuma's words nearly cause her to give a startled jump, but as she ponders what he said, she's fairly certain she already knows what the answer will be. Kein has more or less said that he despises everything and everyone here now, and that it's not worth staying. She looks over at the adult cougaress, wondering if Kein's mother would stay here even if her son left.

Chandani quickly turns to fix her attention on Yuma when he makes the comment to Maulisho on planning to stay. She does not know what to think say or even how to react now. It is too much changing all at once. Chandani turns her head to face Maulisho to catch her answer if she does respond to her brother's comment.

Is Mom going to stay? That's up to her. As for Kein, though... Well, Nayeli is mostly right. Though most of the reason Kein said what he said was to stop the conflict, he is certainly not comfortable here. And, especially since he's not going to make any attempt to be chieftain, he does not /belong/ here. When his mother told him, for the first time, that he was old enough to set out on his own, he told himself that it wouldn't be until sometime after he saw her through the conflict here. He just hadn't imagined that it would be immediately afterwards. Since the question was not directed to him, though... He doesn't answer. Instead, he takes a couple cautious steps towards Nayeli. He needs to talk to her before he leaves, and he can only hope she wasn't hurt by anything that was said here or by the idea of him leaving again. Though he pretends to not be paying too much attention to Yuma or his own mother, he does listen closely for her answer.

If Maulisho had been told a while back that she would ever balk at whether or not to remain in Amaranth, she would have laughed at the absurdity of the question. Why /wouldn't/ she stay? She's been a Sister ever since her early adolescent days, and this has come to represent home to her on many levels. Even while they were out in the desert with Lark's pack, it always felt like time spent away from where she truly belonged. Amaranth. The cougar tribe with the red markings. Her first reaction to hearing Amaranth defined was one of incredulity--who had ever heard of such an odd concept? But any reluctance to embrace that odd concept was quickly swept away. But now, she feels nothing but a deep weariness. So much of what she worked so hard for... dismissed as easily as one might dismiss a potential meal in exchange for an easier preycreature. And yet, there's no anger or bitterness toward her son in the slightest. Maulisho has always told him, ever since he became an adolescent, that his own path in life would be his to choose. His independence, his dreams, his goals... whenever he wants. So why does she feel so discouraged now that he's exercising that freedom that she gave him? Probably because this was the moment she never expected it to actually happen. She knows that Kein isn't going to stay. He's spoken too harshly of the current conditions here. Will Nayeli go with him? Possibly. But for Maulisho, it's all over. "I will stay," she finally murmurs, shoulders slumping.

Kasim notices the defeated tone of his mate and leans over to nuzzle her side softly. "And I'll be there with you," he says softly to her, trying his best to comfort her. The battle is over and it seems that this was a bitter-sweet win. He knows that he'll get some heat from his family for only half supporting them, but Maul is his mate whom he loves very much and nothing will change that.

Chesmu had told himself long ago when he was an adolescent that to commit himself to others and to a place he would find pain. When he reached adulthood and learned his important lesson from Paoro he dismissed it as a mere hatred for a settled life. Though he loves his family, this eventuality was a wakeup call for the former Chieftain. It is time to leave, unless his family were to stop him.

Yuma assumes, incorrectly, that Maulisho's mate and her two sons will remain with the cougaress regardless of what she decides. He flicks an ear, noticing Kein's movement out of the corner of his eye... but for now his own eyes remain on Maulisho, and he fails to notice the direction of the other male's attention. What has this cougaress /done/? And moreover, can he blame her for doing it? When Maulisho confirms that she is staying, Yuma's expression flickers, a change there and gone too quick to interpret. He nods once before moving slowly past her, following after his departing father to have a private word.

But.. if Kein's mother is staying, does that mean he will, too? Nayeli can't wait to speak with him again, and figures that what he has in mind as she notices him start to slowly move in her direction. But what if he /doesn't/ want to stay? She's quite sure that he'll want her to come with him. Should she? And what of her father? Does he plan on leaving altogether? There are still too many unknowns for Nayeli to feel even remotely comfortable with the unfolding aftermath.

Even Chandani is confused and does not know what to do at the moment. She is not sure who is leaving or staying yet. It is too much for her to take in all at once. She might need to try and figure out what to do herself once this has all settled down and she sees what the outcome of these events will hold and decide what she is going to do then.

That's not what Kein had been hoping to hear, but he responds to it with nothing more than a frown. Hopefully, he'll be allowed to visit, or else Mom will visit him. Pelutho too. Kasim? Well, after what just happened, Kein doesn't care so much about whether Kasim ever visits. He has to handle one conversation at a time though, so when he comes within a couple feet of Nayeli, he asks, "Can we talk?" He only asks because he wants to speak with her alone, not with everyone around. Otherwise he would have said what he wanted to say right off the bat.

Now that it seems to be pretty much over, Maulisho slowly pads over to the well and takes a long drink. Yuma and Chesmu have gone off to talk, and it seems as though Kein and Nayeli are about to head off as well for the same reason. She's fairly sure that Pelutho has a lot on his mind as well, and there's Kasim too, of course--she has plenty to say to him. But for now, she feels as though she can barely stand, let along have yet another intense conversation. She flops down alongside the edge of the water, intending to rest for a while.