Like a big cat with an even bigger toothache

[Paxx]

Paxx did admit to herself it took a long time for her to gain the trust of Loki in the first place. the previous oracle had luckily left just in time the ruling for the new oracle. The death of the previous was an accident, --so mortals believed--. But, like any smart oracle, they had picked with the aid of the spirits who would come before them. It was always wise to be ready for encase incidents like this happened. The previous oracle must have had an idea in the back of their mind that they would be killed. Like any good oracle, the sense of knowing what was happening was an important trait and knowing when one would pass is a constant need to know. Even Paxx knew that she would one day pass, and if she really put her head and spirits to it, she would know the exact day she would perish. Paxx could know the date of any one who would pass on if she wished; for it was not hard to find out.
Paxx at first was very wary of Loki, she knew what he had done; she had done her research on this cat before she even had met him. When the news came she would be the reigning oracle, she did her research to discover who she would be partnered with. The cat did all of her power to find out who he was, and uncovered his dark secrets as well. Paxx would never tell though, she wanted her outer level to appear oblivious, even though she was an endless pit of knowledge and wisdom.
"In truth, master. There are very few males who I would even put my simple gaze upon...I do not have time for a male, my spirits and serving you; is quit enough for me." She laughed to herself and smirked, watching her master roam about.
She kept most of her body still, with the exception of her tail and her ears, which constantly twitched and moved. No, the pair was not alone, they were watched by a thousand eyes, and would not be left alone any time soon.
She could feel her master return to an on edge feeling, she wondered if he could feel the spirits around them as well. There could also be a mortal figure creeping near by, but she could not be certain on that. perhaps he was not used to the spirits around and found it strange, any would their first time. She twitched her ears, and addressed her master.
"Master. I would not want to speak without properly discussing this matter.There is a certain line that is drawn beaten the desire of another feline and conquest. Of course, you may do both, but one must have some power over the other, it is feline nature. Now. Paxx leaped from the table to the floor in one swift motion and moved herself down to wards her master. Once she found herself to the floor and at a respectable distance from her master, she sat herself down and continued to speak."In order to know for certain what is requested of you by the spirits I will have to look into that further, on my own time. But, in my opinion...I see this as an opportunity. Master, You are not getting much younger, your youth has passed you by master. If I do say so myself; you are not a young kit anymore. Yes, you may still feel these kit like feelings but that could e my spirits telling you what to do. Now. This feline, this female. Could be sent to you by the spirits...Before you know it, Master, you will be old, and have no one to pass on your throne to. A chief needs a son to pass on his duties, a daughter to instill his pride. Master, you have no heir, to be blunt. This feline you speak of, Renn...Could be just what you need, your chance, your muse. Now, to know for certain I must look into this....but in the men time, please...check into this feline, Renn. It will prove most usefully. The cat grinned
"I guarantee it."

[Loki]

"You speak, dear mistress Oracle, as if I won't live to see tomorrow. Are your spirits telling you something that I need to be aware of?" His voice was still friendly in a somewhat sarcastic manner as he continued to scan the hallway. A young warrior in training was sitting across the way staring at a large paining that was hung there. It was a battle scene that was quite horrific but showed a great victory for the cats. Horses lay bleeding and broken with their heads turned to their feline overlords to beg for a swift death, white wolves hung from trees with their entrails below them being picked over by buzzards, and this was crowned by felines of various kinds in poses of triumph. The eyes of the young one were casting back and forth as if they were studying every detail. A look of awe was apparent on his face and Loki couldn't help but wish for such a battle to cement him as a savior in the minds of those he lead. Like a 'green' recruit who has never seen the nightmare of war Loki only thought of the glory and fame such an encounter would give him, and by extension his tribe. Silently he moved to a spot next to the young one and sat down.

"Is this how my warriors train now, by studying pictures or by actually getting out there and practicing what they need to know?" There was no trace of malice in his voice but a slight hint of curiousity underneath the monotone words. The kit, a tiger that was probably just under a year, turned to see who had spoken before he turned quite pale and ran off. Loki chuckled, he really hadn't meant anything by his words other than hoping to see just what techniques the teachers were using, then turned back to face Paxx.

"Obviously I'm not the fatherly type. Let's hope the spirits can bless me with some sort of wisdom before they bless me with kits." He wondered what kind of mother Renn would be then shook the thought from his head. He knew he was older than most leaders, 8 years to be exact, and needed an heir. Leaving such a detail not taken care of lead to, well, lead to a leader being over thrown and someone like Loki put in their place.

[Paxx]

Paxx watched her master with intent and ears that were ready to listen. Her attention span was well intact, and she listened when she needed to. This cat listened not just for herself, but for others as well.
She watched as her master stalked about; pondering to herself. Loki was getting older, and the spirits were well aware of that, as was Paxx.
"No, Master. I do not mean it as that. It is simply a statement. You are not growing younger, Master." She looked about the room, and then back to her master, her eyes fixed upon a moving target."However, it is important that we must watch our backs. One can never be too sure when it comes to the future. You must always watch out. One never knows what is beyond the boulder." Paxx trailed off slightly, and a velvet like voice slipped from her muzzle. She smirked at Loki, as she recalled the trouble Renn and himself had gotten into early on in the week. Paxx knew of the bear incident, and often gave him trouble about it. A chief running off with a rouge; happening upon a bear, it was madness; but she could tell Loki enjoyed it.
She watched him interact with the other feline. The tiger cub had scampered off, it was indeed true his kingdom was full of dreamers. paxx moved her tail across the floor, keeping her eyes dead set on her master."Master, perhaps you are not a father like figure at the moment." It was true. Loki was in no way a father figure; and maybe, he never would be. But maybe, he would. perhaps there was a fatherly love deep inside Loki that was covered up and hidden by his blackened heart. Maybe, just maybe once this jaguar set his eyes upon his own litter, he would feel different. Paxx wondered.
"Master, I am sure that once you do see your own kits, your attitude will change; like most parents do. Why dont you add that to your list of things to do for your kingdom: give it an heir."
Yes, an heir, it was what the kingdom needed. The last few rulers were not from the same blood line, it would be a nice change to have clean blood from the same family line.

[Loki]

Loki scratched his chin with his paw as he thought over her words. He tried to picture himself with kids biting at his ankle and pulling at his ears. How could he find time for whatever offspring the spirits sent his way and still have time for the kingdom? He supposed there were others that could raise whatever children he may sire but didn't like the idea of that at all. No he may not be the fatherly type but he did like to think of himself as the perfect role model for any young kit to admire and strive to grow up into. His own father had been a fairly decent feline, a stronger warrior there never was in his opinion, but he lacked the ambition that put Loki where he was today. His mother had known her place and accepted it with pride and dignity. Yet there was never much time for what some may call 'play' unless it was something that taught some sort of lesson. One would think that being an only kit that the couple would ever have would have forced them to spend more time, more real quality time, with the future ruler. Perhaps if they had known they would have made sure to do just that. Then again probably not, they were set in their duties and didn't wish any more than that.

"I can't help but feel I'm missing something, something vital, in regards to being on guard against the other kingdoms. I don't worry about the grass munchers as much as I do the butt sniffing pompous flea bags. They have dark hearts that I wish to squash like bloated ticks. How I wait for the day when I can lock those sniveling hounds in proper shackles and feast on the innards of the hoofed ones." Loki spoke through gritted teeth as he headed back into his war room. As far as he was concerned the discussion regarding offspring and his new found 'friend' was closed, for now anyways. He was sure if the oracle wished to continue in that vein she would once again steer the conversation that way. It was her way. or the spirits way, and he knew that fighting it was like growling at the wind -you might think you are doing some good but by the end of things it would all have been pointless. His stomach growled slightly which seemed to echo his frustration.

[Paxx]

She became lost in a dimension of thought it seemed. The oracle often did this when she was puzzled. A place for thoughts to become reality was in her mind. A powerful weapon that Loki was still learning to manipulate - herself as well.- It wasn't uncommon to find the oracle of the felines alone by herself, wide eyed and mumbling to herself. This was her way of truly speaking with the spirits, what they lacked in physicality they made up in her mental state. Thoughts came to life, and her world was shifted, she could here, get down to the meaning of everything.
Paxx looked at the floor, not directly at the floor, but instead, in her mind. Her eyes were fixed on the floor however, as if she was staring into lost space and time. Her eyes began to glow a small hint of purple. The purple eyes of the oracle were dark and sometimes hollow looking; but now they bloomed with life. Pictures and images played out in front of her as her thoughts were busy going by her.
Yes, it was true; one day Loki would be a father; it was a decided fate that Paxx would not reveal, for sometimes; futures changed,--or were cut short--. Paxx slowly let that topic die, it was useless to attempt to beat a dead horse -even if it was a fun pass time.- Paxx knew of what would come in the future, and for now she would let it be.
Paxx thought to herself deeply, what was bothering the chief? Her master was in peril and she did her best to think of a way to fix this problem. He was so focused on this war, perhaps this was causing him distress.
"Master..." She came back to reality. Her gaze was still fixed upon the floor, but her words came out crisp and clean. "This war, it is eating you alive from the inside out. Perhaps you are in need of some sort of break..where you can not worry about these kinds of things. Yes, it is good to be on guard, but in this time of peace, you must use it to relax. There is no time to waste in this war, if you can take a few days to fix yourself and rest, you would feel much better, Master."
Paxx nodded and took her gaze from the floor. She looked at Loki with her large unnatural eyes. She hoped he would give her a positive reaction; but with Loki, she couldn't be too sure.