A female felinoid, about age 17
Aliza is a fierce but well-balanced young woman. Her parents are gone, dead due to the violence of her homeworld. She was raised until age 10 by them, then after they were killed, her education and upbringing was done by the religious caste of her township.
Her body is lean, muscular and strong - but very flexible like all felines are. She rarely allows her tail or ears to give away her inner emotions when she knows she is being watched - but when alone her tail often swings back and forth, and her ears twitch back and forth at every thought.
The job of the Defenders of this world is to keep demonic invaders at bay. Their job was done well for centuries, and then was almost completely ruined by an evil lordling who took control of their organization. As such, then, Aliza's education in many ways is lacking because now, less than 30 years later, the Defenders are only just regaining their old knowledge and skill.
She is one of their star pupils, and has been handed back and forth between the swordsmaster and the Aura mages, regularly. Once she masters a form in her martial arts, she is sent to learn something new in magic. Her studies are not yet complete.
Now comes a new leader of her people's lands - nephew of the evil lord Kaitzal, and just as worrisome to the Defenders...
"And I am telling YOU, that you must not."
"But master... I -"
"This is not about you and your skill, Aliza. This is about our honor as Defenders. It is our job to protect from demonic hoards, and with Kaitzal having weakened us before, we cannot afford to be weakened again." The old hoary-furred felinoid master at arms nodded and folded his thick arms across his chest.
"Then it's all the more reason to have this new man, what is his name? Bikar? Have him removed from the picture. He is a threat! Just like his uncle was." Aliza growled. Her eyes glowed in the candle light of the meeting room, and her padded feet wore gentle circles on the stone floor.
"Yet we are not murderers, Aliza. I know you are sure that his uncle had your parents killed. And that may very well be so, but that is completely beside the point." He sighed deeply, "Aliza, the man must prove himself a danger, first. He has done nothing yet."
"So we're to sit around waiting for him to do something? Which village gets burnt to the ground first, Master? Which church is razed?" She lowered her eyes, "which people are hunted down next? Your kin or mine?"
The Master leaned back and pondered. "Aliza, I cannot and will not condone your actions should you choose to do something ... rash. And I will deny ever having any contact with you if you do, as well. Do you understand?"
"You would -- you would deny ME? You've -"
"I have practically raised you, and though I am not your father, Aliza, I am your Master and you ought to be doing as I suggest. Go back to your meditation and study your forms. It is the best thing for you. And for me."
"... fine." Aliza said, her anger making her gut ball up. "But you watch. I know this man will be the death of us all..."
She exited the room, the huge wooden door swung shut and thudded in the frame. The Master drew a long frown onto his face, and tightened his fingers grip around his arms. "I know you mean well, Aliza... But your temper will be the death of you yet..."
***
Aliza paced in her room. Her dorm was bigger than many of the younger acolytes in the church, she had been there longer than many. Yet she could not enjoy even the space she was given, right now. She turned circles and paced, from the narrow vertical slit window back to the doorway.
"He'll condemn the church just like his uncle before him," she muttered, hand up in the air as if someone were being preached to. "The Defenders are so few now, it's almost as if they mean to weaken us and..." Her pacing slowed to a stop, tail moving around her ankles nervously.
"No..." she breathed. "He would. He does..." Aliza bolted down to the master's rooms, but he was no longer there. Frantic, she rushed to the study and found him meditating.
He did not look up from his crouch, but his ears turned back to listen. "Aliza, you should be meditating. Join me." His tone indicated that he would not be taking any more argument from her, even though her breath was ragged and her heartrate was furious.
Aliza calmed herself, though not quickly. She assumed a position beside her master, strong toes the only contact with the fur-covered floor. Her tail balanced her body, and her hands rested between her knees, elbows over her thighs. Her head was lowered, but her eyes were open and burned with anger.
"He will break the church until the demons come," she said, after a few minutes. "That would be the only reason that he and Kaitzal would have attacked the Defenders in the first place. Our position in the community has been secure for milennia, no matter who the rulers are. Only with him did this start."
The Master breathed carefully, then spoke. "I know this to be true."
Aliza's concentration was broken, and she spun onto one knee, looking at him. "Then why do you stop me from killing him? He will destroy our world!"
"No, no he will not. He will certainly try, but he will not succeed." The master's eyes rested still on the fire before them, but he saw Aliza, frustrated, look away sharply.
"The church should be willing to defend itself," Aliza pointed out. "If we don't, who will teach the next generation of acolytes and apprentices?"
The Master sighed, blinked once. "Perhaps it should be you," he said, quietly. "For you know so much about how our church survives."
Subdued suddenly by that tactic, Aliza let her balance drop and she sat on her butt. Her tail curled around her ankles and she gripped the end of it as a child would. "Master, I am sorry. Forgive me. I'm ... just - so ..."
Words failed her, but not the Master. "Aliza, your anger should be under control before you make any decisions. Especially if you represent the Defenders." She nodded, silent. "I understand why you are so worried, but you must not think that the church has no defenses."
"Then how?" Aliza asked, "if you know that he'll be trying to destroy us, how can you even just sit there. Are you and the elders planning something?"
The Master's flickered smile told Aliza everything she needed to know. She leaned in curiously, her furry ears pushed forward.
"Ah, now, that's elder secret stuff," the Master said, laughing and breaking his own balanced crouch by pouncing on his student and tussling with her. She was getting stronger than he had ever been - he respected her strength but also her ability to reserve it for her true opponents.
"You really won't tell me?" Aliza said, laughing and curling her neck back, again as a child would. She never let those instincts die, because they always got a good response from her master. Now, the Aura mistress was another story - but she wasn't here right now was she?
"No, no, you're not ready yet. You've still some learning to do yet, and then you may be able to comprehend our plan."
"So there IS one!" Aliza said, "master, please..."
"Aliza, you're involved in it, but you must be patient. Remember your training, and remember your place as a Defender. That should always come first. Remember your true enemy."
Aliza nodded deeply, "I will try, master. But it will not be easy with Bikar on the throne..."