Tesla Coils & Steam Vents

“Oh dear, I’m sorry, I forgot,” she purred, mocking Lady’s voice and placing her paw on her forehead in a dramatic manner, “But if the train doesn’t stop I suppose you’ll end up expensive road kill. But that’s not entirely my problem is it?” She chuckled softly to herself. Lifting a claw, she keyed into the cage, shoving little Enzo in with Lady. His sisters yelped from behind Zira but a sharp look from the lioness caused the girls to sprint out of the jail. Leaving their brother crying softly as he looked from behind the bars.

“Now you have a cellmate,” Zira whistled, lifting up from the ground and pacing back and forth in front of the cage. “I will send a vulture to them. To the heroes, telling them that you are tied out here. There’s no way they will send a group to pick you up. They’d be scared of an ambush. So they’ll send the train. Perhaps your mate inside. Oh how upsetting all I’m there for is the steam thingamajig and I can’t snap him in half in front of you.”

She shrugged. “Oh well. Anyway,” she huffed, “Do we have a deal, my friend?”

The spaniel backpedaled as the door was unlocked, her heart leaping back into her throat as for a second she though the queen was coming in after her. Instead, the young pup was tossed in. As soon as the ivory door closed and latched, Lady stepped forward, and placing a forepaw to each side of Enzo, gently drew him in. She sat down on her stomach with a forepaw and leg to each side of him so that she  pulled him into an embrace that was more akin to a mother protecting her young then an open hug. A wash of relaif spread across her form at finally having him out for under the lioness's claws.

"There, there. It's okay." She cooed softly, her voice warm and honey smooth. Those soft brown eyes looking down protectively from above. She didn't touch him, nor press him. She would let him make that physical move if he so desired. She simply held her muzzle above him as if ready to nuzzle him should he need it. A protective mother. "It's okay, you're safe now."

Her head whipped up, eyes narrowed into a hard glare as the queen outlined the rest of her plan. She knew that Tramp would try something if he got word that she was in mortal danger. He had been keeping a close eye on her, and he had that mix of hubris and cunning that could land them both in trouble. What would happen if they did not send the train? Or if Tramp decided to come alone. Standing there with the sobbing pup, Lady felt her blood boil when Zira huffed out weather or not they had a deal.

"Like I have a choice. Play bait, or be killed. Those are my choices? Why I never..." She let out a very unladylike snort. "But I suppose I don't have any other say in the matter. I'm yours."

"Oh, la-dee-da," Zira mocked, rolling her shoulder, "Well pardon me for giving you an option. Honestly, you'd think you were raised in a barn." She smiled softly, eyes narrowed towards the fluff ball before her. She was right; Lady was so predictable. Giving up her own life to save a pup that wasn't even hers. She would NEVER do that. Which was what made her strong and Lady weak. Safe? Ha.

"Yes, he's safe for now," she purred, "But if you do anything to sabotage this plan or if you LIE to me...expect him and your own pups to suffer a horrible death. Ripped apart by hyenas, fed to Scar, whatever my creative fancy dictates." She waved her paw to the side.

"Anyway, I shall go send the vulture now. Enjoy your new cell mate. I shall be back, you can expect that." She pushed herself through the termite mounds, leaving the canines alone. Her plan was in motion. Soon...her land would be lit.

(Zira has left)

Enzo stuck his nose in the fluffy chest of the dog who'd got him stuck in that cage. No, he didn't blame her. He wasn't hateful like Umeme or distrustful like Sasha. He knew Lady didn't have a choice. He was making horrible little sniffling noises, huffing and puffing and barely breathing. He lifted his paws, trying his hardest to avoid the icy cold iron collar and taking advantage of her fluffy warm fur.

Eventually, he was sure, his sisters would get his Mommy. But as of now, Lady was a fine substitution. He rubbed his head against hers and licked her chest fur.

"I'm not brave," he whimpered softly, head lowering. He'd only spoken after Zira left. "I'm not brave."

(feel free to continue or close the thread with your next post, I just had to throw this in XD)

Lady lowered her head, giving a quick little nuzzle with the crock of her neck. Her long ears flopping forward around the shivering sobbing pup like twin blankets. She closed her eyes and let him sob into the fluff of her chest fur. It mattered not that he was Dixie's pup, nor that his squirms reminded her of her own litter, and made her heart yearn to be with her family again. For that moment, they both where safe. She opened her eyes and raised her head, giving a cold glare in the direction of Zira's retreating tail, only letting up with the queen vanished from sight. Still, the air was choking with her presence.

"There, there." The spaniel soothed, bringing her head back down to gently press her black nose against the crown of Enzo's head. "Bravery, is being smart enough to know you're afraid."

She closed her forepaws around him, protectively as if he was one of her own. Sure he and his sisters where annoying selfish creatures who seemed to lack any sort of politeness...but she wouldn't have been able to live with herself had she allowed anything to have happened to him. For the moment at least, they where together in this. At least untull Zira found some new way to torture the imprisoned mother.

Taking a deep breath, Lady visibly relaxed. She began to hum to the young pup, her voice honey smooth and full of warmth. Much as she had done with her own litter late in the evenings, when they had trouble finding sleep. It was a song with no words, but a low calming melody that she had soothed her rambunctious litter into the sandman's waiting arms many a long night after their birth. Humming the little tune untull the sobs and whimpers faded away.



(I think this is a good place to end. ^^ If everyone is alright with that.)