Katenka had seen tyranny before. Not in her own native pride, but she'd seen the affect it had had on other prides, their neighbors, the way their lionesses had deteriorated, had seen rebellions rise and fall, had taken in some refugees and sent others away. She had seen tyrants, met them, sent her males to dispatch them when they dared cross into their borders. She'd always been unafraid. And now, Katenka was too old to be afraid of tyrannical males.

The scabs on her forelegs gave dull throbs of pain as she pushed herself up from where she was resting beenath a tree. She blinked away the yawn that came with it, drifting her eyes over the pride. Many of them felt fear, felt the pain, the ache of the losses. Some part of her knew she was morbidly fortunate, she had few personal connections with the cubs beyond knowing many were her granchildren. She hadn't been here long enough to form any special bonds.

The elder flexed one of her paws, scraping her claws through the dirt, before beginning to trek across to Itai and Nnenia, the two sisters of the fallen Queen, and the latter stationed as the new Queen by the males. Her tattered ears flicked up, catching the edges of their conversation as she trodded over, her pace and body relaxed, as if she had nothing to fear in the world.

Rather than commenting or announcing her presence, Katenka came to a stop close to the two females and laid back down, her head raised to watch the pair. She was silent for a moment before she spoke lowly, just above a whisper, voice rough and scratched.

"So long as you listen to them, Nnenia, I do not think you need to fear much for the cubs," she ran her tongue over her lips, nodding her head to herself, drifting her gaze to the two Kings. "They are brutish, but very intelligent. They must know that by keeping the cubs alive, you still have something precious to lose." She looked back at the lionesses, face somber. The males had been systematic in everything they'd done, she didn't doubt at least one of the Kings, or even their Second Male, had thought about it thoroughly.

"You will always have more to lose to them, and you are Queen. The pride will follow you. If you remain loyal, there's a higher chance the lionesses will too. Or they will turn away from you out of jealousy, and walk right to the males." She paused, blinking slowly for a moment, before laying her head down on her paws. "If you have nothing to lose, though, you will become rebellious. A rebellious Queen is a rebellious pride."

Kiburi

Mimicked Itai's actions, the lioness found herself lowering onto her haunches, pressing the cubs against her until they began to squirm from discomfort. Like a hyena guarding their meal, she stood over them, refusing to allow them to end up like the others.

"I certainly was surprised," she countered, her lips twisting into one of distaste when the Coalition was mentioned. "The way they entered in that manner, it was uncalled for." Turning to Itai, the lioness released an amused puff of breath as she spoke of males and their uselessness, to which she found herself agreeing. There was nothing but truth in those words, unfortunate as they were.

"My mistake was expecting that their arrival would be like Kosi's. Deep down, a part of me knew that this would happen." While there was no mention, it was clear that she was speaking of the murdered cubs. How she managed to convince herself that the Coalition would do no harm to them, even she did not know. It was a foolish thought. A delusional one. "What caught me most off guard was that they seemed to enjoy what they were doing, the sick basta-" Pausing, she too, had cut herself off at having remembered the cubs, though given her tail lashing behind her, the anger did not vanish.

"Regardless, I have hope that Kosi and Koen are alive, rather, I am sure of it. Whether we see them again or not, I do not know. What I do know is that they cannot help us, not right now." As much as she hated to admit it, she knew that she was right. If they were alive, they would need days, perhaps weeks to heal. And then what? Return and go against the Coalition, only to be killed? It was a hopeless plan, and even if they managed to come up with a better one, how long would it take? If Nnenia had to guess, it would take time. Lots of it.

"It is best to go onwards. Continue as we always do." Shaking her head in defeat, she soon turned to Itai, leaning into her touch. Remaining there for a moment, she proceeded to nod at her sister's further words regarding the cubs and Nyela before growing silent at the mention of Chuma. She had avoided the topic, not wishing to think of her nephew and his fate. Perhaps it was guilt, for had she called him hers, too, then maybe he could have had more time. Risky, yes, but she could have tried. She should have.

"I will never forgive them for that, nor myself for allowing it to happen. For that, Itai, I am sorry," she spoke, her words barely above a whisper. Truthfully, Nnenia would always wonder that if she had been braver, perhaps more bold, that the cubs would have been spared. Had she spoken to the Coalition before they massacred them, would they still be here?

She paused then, lost within her own thoughts before being brought back having taken in a brief glimpse of her sister's eyes. They appeared so defeated, that it struck worry in the younger female's chest. Observing her for a moment, Nnenia proceeded to nudge her softly in the shoulder. "I am grateful for you," she began, reminding Itai that she still needed her. No matter what, she always would.

The sound of approaching steps had caused the lioness to turn her head, gaze softening when Katenka, the only elder and Kosi's mother, had joined them. She had great respect towards her, having heard her story. So, when she began to speak, Nnenia made certain to remain silent.

"I will listen," she finally said, breaking the silence after Katenka had concluded. "But to what extent?" She scoffed, her words moreso a rhetorical question than an actual one. "The moment I disagree with them, they will threaten me through the cubs. If I deny them something, they will threaten me. The truth of the matter is that they control me. What type of Queen is that?" Her lips had twitched, begging to expose a set of tinted teeth. "To use the cubs as leverage, it disgusts me."

Nnenia was preparing to ramble on. In fact, she had a large speech in store, however, her words had slipped away from her, her gaze landing upon the Dominant Males. It was not the sight of them that had caused the female's gaze to narrow, but the company they had. Ears twitching, she observed the form of Gahiji near, asking the Coalition what she may do for the day. Pausing for a moment, Nnenia's body straightened as she raised her head.

"Gahiji," she spoke in monotone, beckoning the lioness to approach her. "Since you are so keen to do something," she paused. "Why don't you, Palesa, Tala, and Itai go hunting." Staring at the female, she observed her. "Itai will lead." Glancing to her sister, she averted her gaze back onto Gahiji. She would give her the benefit of the doubt, at least this singular time. They were all uneasy with the takeover, they were all fearful. It was easy to make an error.

"Next time you wish to do something for the pride, you seek me out first."