Nightingales, Day 1 (July 12, Year 1)

Well Joestar is done having his "moment" with Lucille now he decided to go on sentry duty and wait for Lucille to make the lead calls to go foraging because he was getting fairly hungry now but of course he wouldn't want to pester the boss because he was hungry, he'll wait for her to go on her own accord for now he decided to oberserve the rest of the group silently.

Well, they certainly had interesting attitudes, most of them seemed to dislike him, the burly female Scarlette is just ignoring him, Tikara is obviously annoyed with him especially after his display of dominance with Lucille, Ballatrix too, he took note of her claws and teeth she would be a damn good fighter but not unless if she attacks him instead but regardless they'd most likely warm up to him someday hopefully.

He noticed another male on the horizon running towards them, obviously a rather cocky rover wanting to challenge him or so he thinks so, but considering the size of the group he could use a male like him to help around doing things such as chasing rovers away, scent marking and fighting but first the male would have to submit to him, Joestar began casually trotting towards the approaching male, to show that he isn't a least bit intimidated by his "Charge and hope for the best" tactic.

Scarlette also had noticed Okello and sounded an alarm to alert the others, with her more loud voice, hearing her call out be fairly simple. She watches Joestar go off to confront this new male and goes back to sentry duty. Her sharp green eyes scan the sky, seeing no signs of any predatory birds. Being the warrior type anyways, Scarlette doesn't think much on things. Her only strong instinct was to fight. But none of the other members seemed to want to spar anyways so she'd have to learn not to always depend on that instinct constantly. However, as she began to scan the area from the top of the bush she was on, she does make glances over at Okello and Joestar now and again. If things got too rough, she'll likely rush in. But for now, she lets it be between the two males.

This calm approach certainly did shock Okello- so his dash slowed down as Joestar just trotted on up to him. His tail dropped instantly.

A sudden shrill of an alarm call made the Male turn in his own alarm. What- Was he gonna get chased off by some secretly hidden males? Okello stood up onto his hind legs as his dark eyes scanned past Joestar...hoping to see younge, fit males war dancing and spitting at him.

But this thought didn't come true as it was still only Joestar after a few moments after the alarm was sounded. The loner's gaze darted back towards the huge male, whom was still trotting towards him.

Eh? So no one was going to maul him? Good. Okello huffed softly.

Okello slipped back down onto his four paws and began to walk towards Joestar. The loner's tail flew back up and his head up perked up in a tense curiosity and wariness.

((OOC: After this post I'm going to wait 'till Pancake posts.. I think we all should, I don't want us to get too far ahead of her ^^'))

    Tikara nodded at Bellatrix, smiling at the thought of possibly being above the male. She then grunted. If Lucille kept Joestar by her side, then they would all have to deal with him. So be it- she supposed she could get used to him. Besides, he'd be an asset for wars with other mobs. But of course, she'd always leave an impression that she disliked him. She had just began to relax as the sun warmed her up when Scarlette's deep bark caused her to snap to attention. Tikara turned to see another form bounding towards them.

    Oh no, not another one! With an aggressive bark, she was beside Joestar in an instant. Deciding he was moving too slowly, she ran at her own pace, boldly approaching Okello and sniffing him over. She realized he was a male and so her confidence boosted- She was automatically above him, despite the fact that she was smaller. Tikara growled, waiting for Joestar to approach as well. His decision on whether the rover was a threat or not would also decide her next actions.

(( Sorry guys! ))

Having accomplished the first duty of being a dominant female, Lucille stands tall.  If she ends up pregnant, it will reinforce her position at the head of the Nightingales.  Of course, she does realize the possibility that not all her subordinates agree with this action, and is quick to notice the objection of Tikara and Bellatrix.  But she carries her head high.  Whatever her subordinates think about having her pups around, Lucille could really care less as long as it had nothing to do with her.  She realizes that it might have been rather impulsive of her, but she can't afford to be picky.  Besides, she's still going to keep a close eye on Joestar... he may have a higher position than the others, but he's still being tested...

That being said, she watched closely as the larger male approached the newcomer, Okello.  This new male didn't seem very submissive, but then again, they were still small and could use new members.  Besides, if Joester didn't work out, then she might have a second choice.  But, ultimately it was the dominant male's decision whether he stays or goes.  She wasn't amused by how Tikara intervened, but did nothing to stop her or show her displeasure... Lucille was happy to watch and wait for the time being.

Joestar sniffed Okello back, the male didn't appear very submissive and he wont have a chance being in the mob if he isn't submissive not by Joestar's watched. In only a few sniffs Joestar began trying to hip-slam and scent mark Okello if he wants to join the mob then Okello would have to submit.

Okello's dark pupils widened a bit in uncertain amazement...or was it shock?
This hasty Female certain didn't cause the newcomer to turn a blind eye.
She was instant to rush over, sniffed him, and then growled? What? Why so huffy?

What did Okello do to get a Female, of all Meerkats, to growl at him?
Maybe Tikara was defensive of their small mob and sought him as a threat or maybe they held some sort of superiority complex.
Either way...it was strange, but Okello just mentally shrugged it off as Tikara backed off to impatient await Joestar to catch up.

It only took a split second for the strange to tilt his head and Joestar was looming over him but he too, wasted no time sniffing.
Huh. This wasn't what Okello expected- not at all. He was expecting a blood bath under these Meerkats jaws, or a mad dash to safety of the undergrowth.

The tyke's hopes brightened. Today that seemingly was going to be another day alone, in this arid desert turned out to be a possible acceptance and granted to a safer haven within numbers...most importantly, a possible new family.
Not that Okello was one to mellow out within a new mob's complex, but aforementioned, he was seeking for a new home and others that will protect each other. However, he could only be picky that if they weren't a bunch of softies.
Tikara must have proved that that she growled at him, who would growl at a newcomer that wanted to join among them?

An abrupt hip slam ripped Okello out of his thoughts-There was a sudden push enough to unbalance Okello into the sand. His eyes darted up at Joestar- a gleam of aggressiveness danced across his gaze, but was placed by shock.
Wait- What was he even doing?! Attacking him- oh no!

That's what Okello thought for the briefest of moments...surpassing a growl in self-defense- his head rose.
But he quickly came to realization. Joestar wasn't tending harm towards him.
The much larger Meerkat was only scent marking and that hip slam was only to try and make Okello submit.

The hardy foreigner wasn't one to openly lay his head low and drag his stomach against the heated surface. But...if he tried to attack he'd be outnumbered, seeing that Tikara was still next to the pair of males. From what Okello could see; she would leap at him at any moment and attack. He was so close to a new home...it would be foolhardy to try and muscle in and stand his ground with growls and defiant standoffs.
With very much reluctance, Okello slipped his head back onto the hot sand and his sight moved away from the two Nightingale ‘Kats. He couldn’t bear to stare at them as the male scent marked him...If Joestar asked for a tuck and roll onto his back and whimper submission cries then he’s poorly mistaken.

Tikara hadn't noticed her behavior was brash- her lack of experience allowed her to think that it was only natural for her to be overly defensive and suspicious of anyone and everyone outside her own mob. She had always been raised this way- outsiders weren't to be trusted. He could only be a rover here to jeopardize one of the younger females' homes in this mob...  She really didn't trust anyone for that matter, but she knew who was reliable and who was not.

The confused look on Okello's face as she growled assertively at him made her roll her eyes. He was sorely mistaken if he thought he or anyone else would get a warm welcome from her. He was on their land, after all. Tikara smirked as Joestar hipslammed the new male, knocking him down in the dirt and then scent marking him. It appeared that he would indeed be staying. Sort of disappointed that she wouldn't be chasing anyone off today, Tikara stood up, preparing to leave... but she caught the rebellious glimmer in Okello's eyes and hesitated.

If he was smart, Okello would stay in his spot below Joestar in the sand at least long enough to give the dominant satisfaction. He was doing good so far, she'd give him that. She knew all to well... It was very hard to throw your pride aside even for a brief moment while submitting to anyone, but he would have to deal with it if he truly wanted a home here. Tikara sniffed Okello while he was held prisoner beneath Joestar's authority so he couldn't get away from her, gathering information on the new male. He seemed healthy and had a strong head on him, based on his defensive actions against the towering Joestar.

He'd surely be a nice addition to the mob. Even if he and Tikara didn't get off on the right foot, she'd be able to tolerate this one. She really had no choice whether she tolerated Joestar or not, but she did with this new male, and that made her happy. He submitted to Joestar and he didn't oppose her- that was good enough for Tikara. Now that she thought about it, she really didn't get off on the right foot with anyone, but then again she didn't really care. With another growl, she skipped back towards the burrow, waiting for Lucille to lead them out to forage. All the action of today put her on a slight edge, and she was hungry on top of that.

Oh, now this is good. Markie is gazing on with amusement, green eyes wide with fascination. She was first surprised by Tikara, quick and brash to go racing to Okello, and then Joestar's first acceptance as patriarch of the mob. He is a little rough, but seems to settle right into the mindset of a dominant male. That's not a bad thing. He'd need to be a little rough n' tough to be Lucille's partner, she thinks.

Once the actions are all said and done Markie relaxes. The mob seems to have grown quite rapidly, and in a good way. They secured a dominant male, meaning a future now promising pups, and another male has joined. They do need the spare paws.

She peeps a hello to Okello, wishing to remind him not everyone here is as upfront as Tikara and Joestar. The new male has a very unique pelt, rusty with splotches of gray all across his flank. She's never seen someone like that.

(Maybe someone could powerplay Lucille while Pancake is gone? she did say she's fine with her characters being played i'm sure she wont mind someone playing Lucille to get the mob to foraging)

Joestar didn't expect Okello laying on his and submissively whimpering if that were the case he would have thought Okello isn't worth having in the mob because Joe would have viewed him as weak but Joestar knows when to not judge a book by its cover.

After he was done with Okello he decided to do some sentry duty on top of a nearby fallen tree branch as he waits for Lucille to lead the mob to foraging, the events of today has made him quite hungry now.

ooc: I'll make a quick little Lucille post to keep things going

Lucille notices her group has become antsy. Feeling her own belly rumble she issues lead calls, ready to begin the scavenge for her morning meal. She then heads off quickly, eager to learn the best spots for grub in her new patch of the Kalahari.


Markie finally hears the lead calls she has been waiting for. The young female perks up, drops to all fours and heads after her leader, visions of a delectable breakfast floating in her brain. She too is excited to see what the territory they have secured has to offer.

Bellatrix senses the frustration coming out of this new male. She knew he didn't like Joestar but only submitting to avoid a fight. For the time being. She snickered as she watched the two. Perhaps this could be fun.. She then notices Lucille heading off to forage and she quickly follows behind her, with her tail high up, copying Lucille.

(I kinda want the group to encounter The Puzzles or Fiddle Nips honestly just have something interesting happen)

As soon as he heard the lead calls Joestar was quick to follow Lucille's lead calls and trotting right besides her. Once they reach the foraging grounds, Joestar was quick to climb on top of a bush and do sentry duty, he's hungry, yes, but he is the new dominant male of the group and he wanted to impress Lucille and the rest of the mob, plus it means he can keep a good eye on Okello and any potential passerby males and predators or rival meerkat mobs.

Meanwhile, Kirara on the other hand was already up and foraging before the resident mob, The Nightingales and they happen the arrive where she was foraging. She quickly stood up on her hind legs to look over the mob... Well they seem to be rather small and have a impressive sized male on sentry duty which she now assumes is the dominant male.

She began approaching the mob, her head and tail laying low so she wouldn't look like a threat, Kirara isn't the submissive type but if she were to live long enough to have her own mob and pups she has to start somewhere and this small group is the perfect opportunity to do so, but as she got closer she noticed a familiar looking Kay that she wished she had not seen again.

It was Tikara, her whom she probably have a bad relationship with, for a moment she tensed up, resisting the urge to attack but then she thought if she isn't the dominant female then she doesn't have the power to do anything to her if the dominant female accepts her, but subordinates evicting other subordinates is a real thing but Kirara knows what to do in a situation like that and no it's not to run away.

She continues her advances towards the mob, hoping to catch their dominant female's attention though she occasionally glances to Tikara who hasn't noticed her yet just in case she tries anything. On the other hand she had caught Joestar's attention who much to Kirara's relief, didn't sound the alarm call and simply returned to scouting the area, guess that's a signal that he doesn't find her a treat.

ooc: Another Lucille post. Anyone heard from Pan? I'm kind of worried. I know she has a life, but usually she'll drop in to tell us.

Lucille, after finding a suitable patch of luscious greens halts and raises her tail into the air. She barks once, signaling for her Nightingales to halt behind her. The group then begins to fan out and forage. She begins to dig, hungry for her first morning meal.

Lucille's lead calls were music to Tikara's ears. Joestar and Okello forgotten, she sprang after her leader, flanking Bellatrix. She wasnt really concerned about impressing Lucille for the time being- right now, her thoughts were something like food food food! In her ravenous state, she had yet to be aware of an old enemy attempting to join the group, but oh, if she did! Kirara held a special place in Tikara's heart, but it wasn't a good place. At all.

Finally, her leader called a halt, and Tikara couldn't be any happier to follow directions (for once). Finding a spot to herself, she busily sifted through the sand, eager for something to munch on. She still didn't see her sister encroaching upon the mob.

ooc: We could try reaching her through DA

bic: Bellatrix stops where Lucille stops and begins digging. She sticks to her like glue, knowing no one would try stealing her food under the dominant female's protection. She looks up and sees a female approaching the group but does nothing. She's more interesting in eating her scorpion she had just found..

Finally.
Okello pushed himself up and out of the sand,shaking his black and brown pelt. He inwardly sighed...well...that could had been worse. Right?

Ignoring the greeting from Markie - although he did hear it - Okello sets off once the lead calls were set out. But he stayed a few paces away from the tiny mob before coming to a halt in a section of soft sand. The newcomer wastes no time to forage; plowing the soft sand in a misty flurry.

(( My apologies if this is post is out of place, but I wanted to try and keep things going ^^ ))

Tikara had dug herself halfway underground on the trail of what she was sure to be a tasty morsel, only to have the earth collapse on top of her. She was truly a silly sight- Her rump and tail wiggling fiercely back and forth in attempt to dislodge herself. She finally emerged and shook sand from her pelt with little sucess- Red clay still coated her face and torso. Standing on her hind feet with an enraged growl, she glanced at her foraging mob mates, making sure no one dared laugh at her.

If anyone had laughed, she (luckily) didn't hear. Luck was also on her sister's side as once again Tikara failed to catch sight of Kirara coming closer and closer. Dropping back to her fours, she spotted the new male foraging kind of aloofly from the mob. With a smirk, she tried to casually make her way behind him. Perhaps he would have better luck with this wretched soil, and perhaps she could persuade him to give up something he might find...

The clusters of pale yellow sand shifted slowly into larger clumps of orange and then red clay sand.
Huffing quietly, Okello's head rose out of the round hole that he had dug up. His muzzle was covered with speckles of sand as his fore legs and paws.
Cocking his head towards the crystal blue sky; the young male smirked in reassurance of no airal threats lingered above.

Dipping his head back into the soil, Okello pushed more sand up and then out of the earth.
After few quiet moments his head popped back out...a millipede hung in his tightly clasped jaws.
Waking rather slowly out of his self dug hole, Okello dropped the worm like bug onto the soft sand. His nose nudged the toxic bug forward before pressing his left tpaw against the crawly bug; his claws helped to brush the bug into the sand, slowly removing the awful taste of the light coating of toxic.

Markie, although she is considerably hungry, decides to stand watch first. The nimble female clambers up the gnarled remains of a former tree, balancing her small body on a thick branch. The desert expands before her in the morning sunlight, the sky bright blue above her head. For now, all is peaceful. She relaxes and scans the area.

Standing on her rear legs, the young girl watched intently over Okello's shoulder as he dug. She briefly glanced over at Markie, reassured that someone was watching over the group. She turned back to Okello, noticing he had stopped digging. Ah! she exclaimed inwardly, happily watching as he pulled a large millipede from the sand. Almost as soon as he wiped the last of the toxins from his prey, Tikara was beside him. With a series of complicated churs and peeps, she desperately tried to get at his millipede. She even emitted a little growl as she pushed against his shoulder, trying to throw him off balance and better her chance of persuading him to let her eat.

Parting his sharp teeth, the young adult reached down to go snatched a bite of the fresh desert bug. But the only thing that stopped him was a series of peeps. His head swiveled around and a female pushed into his meal.
His well earned meal!
Emitting a low guttural snarl; Okello brushed his hips against Tikara to try and shove the nosy Meerkat away.
She looked well to him- so can't Tikara hunt her own meal?

Nothing seemed a miss other than the fact there was a lone female approaching Lucille but he didn't let out the alarm calls as the female didn't seem like a threat and its not his job to choose weather or a not a female meerkat would stay or not.

Joestar then notices Tikara and Okello seemingly having a little conflict, after observing the two for a little he soon learn what they were fighting over and it was nothing more than a juicy millipede.

With nothing else to do and a empty stomach with the eagerness to throw his weight around, Joestar descends down from his post and rushes towards Tikara and Okello with stealing the millipede in his mind.

Tikara's teeth snapped shut on air mere inches away from the squirming millipede. Okello nudging her away just in time would extend its lifetime for a little longer. What nerve! Eyes narrowing at his rejection, she gave an insisting bark before scrambling over him, trying yet again to snag his meal. Unfortunately for him, his growl didnt faze her.

Of course she could get her own meal, but that was a lot of work! And besides, this one was ready for pick up. Tikara's hind foot slipped as she tried to climb over Okello and she landed back in the sand with a thud. Reaching under him this time, she managed to get a paw on the bug as she chittered at him. Her head was twisted akwardly as she pawed at the millepede which allowed her to see Joestar.

Tikara noticed the new lead male charging over, and she didn't move. The millepede was now in high demand and she had even more reason to want it, especially with Joestar thinking he had a chance! She began to snarl as he came closer.

In the corner of his dark gaze; Okello grimace in horror when that larger male meerkat that pushed him around earlier, was swiftly making his way over to him and the greedy female.

His attention flashed back to Tikara, who was now trying any undertake approach. Okello lowered his head, his jaws parted in a sharp intake of heated air. It was somewhat difficult to balance on his four legs when someone else was squirming below.
As his front paws tightly pressed against the delicate meal; Okello's jaws finally darted down to the black bug and grasp an end of the quivering prey, quickly reeling his head back- ripping off a chunk of the millipede.
He would've grasped it whole but that might had created a tug of war. So might as well rip off and eat it peice by peice...or most of it, anyway.