The Shakti allowed some time to pass before he requested his father's presence. He had never felt so conflicted before, so much had happened in the last little while that it was stirring mixed feelings in him. Pacing back and forth he was starting to wear a grove into the ground just a bit. He chuffed for @Caligula to come to him, he needed guidance away from the rest. Away from anyone who might shame him for his passive ways. Because as a big strong lion, he shouldn't be that way, should he? Guilt twisted his gut again and he had to pause his pacing to prevent getting physically sick. A low groan left him while he lay down in a slump, his chin on the ground he watched some ants cross in front of him. Suddenly jealous that they didn't have to worry about this pressure. "talk"

Caligula was curios as to what his son might wish to speak with him about. Could it be the infatuation that Bronx had hinted at before? Was the other no longer happy within the Brook given change in leadership? There were so many possibilities but whatever it was he would always be there for his child and would abide by whatever decisions there were to make. So long as Castus was happy that was all that really mattered to Caligula.

When he arrived to the summons he found Castus slumped to the ground. It reminded him of Aquila not so long ago when Cordi had been having nightmares. It was so hard to see those important in his life so broken like that.

The bronze male moved over to his child and sought to lick at his mane to groom it. "You look like you have the weight of the whole world on your shoulders."

@Castus

Castus was unaware that when he had confided in his uncle about his crush, that Bronx had hinted it to his father. But that was a separate issue entirely. Watching the ants go by he lifted a paw to allow them to climb over it, giving them an obstacle in their path. Why should he be the only one with hurdles? Hearing his father approach he didn't feel the need to move, instead, he rumbled happily when he cleaned his mane for him. Then he snorted at the phrase that was uttered. Pretty sure he'd be squished flat if that were the case. Though he was relieved that his father could easily tell something was wrong. "hmm" he hummed in his throat "i ... feel.. weak and foolish..." he muttered to his father. Not physically weak just... emotionally. "talk"

@Caligula

Caligula happily groomed his child, attempting to try and soothe him through acts of physical affection. But then that had always been the bronze male's go to. He wanted his family to always know that they are loved no matter what.

"Are you ill? Should I go find a healer?" Though his son would know he possessed very little medical knowledge and so he wouldn't ask to speak with him on that matter. But still he was worried that something might be physically wrong as well. The other had looked quite unwell at the recent pride challenge after all.

@Castus

"No," he said quickly moving to sit up a bit but left his paw there for the ants to crawl over for now. Castus did not want to disturb their journey too much. Shaking his head he sighed, he hated worrying his father but he had to ask. "I... find it hard... to hunt," he explained sheepishly looking at the ground in shame. What lion didn't hunt? Him. "It's so silly, but I want to learn so I can ... " he hesitated looking at his dad feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. "So I can provide..." he hoped he wouldn't jump to conclusions too quickly. Tualtha and himself were still dancing around the seriousness of the subject. "talk"

@Caligula

Caligula backed of once Castus had moved to sit up. He denied being ill but still Caligula was worried and watched the boy warily as if he might collapse at any moment. Cordi had done so. Aquila had done so. If something happened to Castus too...

His worries were momentarily alleviated with his son's confession. The bronze male found himself laughing, though not at his son. "That you get from me." He admitted with a chuckle. "Worms and snakes are my specialty. I can also scrounge up some pretty fresh carcasses. But doing some actual hunting on my own." He shook his head at the last statement. The whole killing part of the hunt was often troublesome for him. He could chase all day long but he always struggled when it came to actually catching his prey.

"Group hunts are the easiest. My strength lies in running. I've learned to hunt in a group. I can chase the prey to those more skilled at taking it down. Sure, you have to share the catch with everyone else but you already sound as if you plan on doing that since you wish to provide." The maneless lion didn't often speak on his strengths as much as he did his weaknesses but he felt compelled to let his son know that someone could be good in one area and not another.

"Aquila might be able to better help you. I can show you how to run and dodge but to be able to actually catch and kill, he would be better suited for. Or else I can show you the best spots for worms and snakes. Snakes you want to get in the early morning before the day starts to warm when they are still slow." Sarthak hadn't exactly liked the unconventional meal that Caligula had provided to him and so he hadn't even attempted it with Aquila because the small male wasn't looking to ruin another relationship.

@Castus

Castus' ears pulled back in shame when his father laughed. At first, he assumed it was because he was laughing at him. But quickly it was evident that was not the case. 'You get that from me' he said and his ears pushed forward once more looking to his father curiously. "I am not the most slender to be built for running," he admitted with a sheepish laugh. "But i would appreciate the lessons," he added because if Caligula could teach him to chase prey than maybe he wouldn't seize up when he was needed most. "I am unsure on... the ... last part of the hunt," he admitted in quiet tones but then smiled at his father. "I have another... uh, question." he added this was a different subject and he prayed it wouldn't cause Caligula to become upset. "talk"

@Caligula

He hadn't meant to cause his son any worry or concern. The male figured it would be well known that he would never think to mock any of his children. All of that was saved entirely for himself. No, his children were all the most wonderful beings in the world to him. He loved and cherished each and every one of them exactly the way they were. He wouldn't wish for any of them to be any different than they had grown to be.

"Just because you are big does not mean that you can't be fast as well. Perhaps not as agile or possessing as much stamina but your size does nothing to hinder you from being quick." And Caligula really believed it was possible for his son to be fast. It was all a matter of reflexes. "I will have to come up with an obstacle course just for you. Or else just set you up with the cubs. They will teach you to be quick when they are awake. You will realize when you have your own just how much trouble they can get into and just how quickly they can do it. Just blink and they are gone." The last thought ended up troubling the bronze male. It showed in the frown on his lips and the way that he was staring at Castus. "You were gone." And it had bothered Caligula ever since to have lost his child like that.

So maybe he wasn't exactly the best one to get advice from. How could Castus ever forgive him for that? But still he seemed to turn out okay regardless. "That part of the hunt would be better suited for Aquila. I don't have much luck ever actually catching what I am chasing. You can also observe during pride hunts and see what the others do." But really, he didn't think Aquila would have any issue with giving Castus some lessons. "Aquila can also help with fighting if that is something you are interested in." As it was well known that Caligula was a strict pacifist and chose to always use his words. And it seemed Castus had followed in his steps on that front if the pride challenge had anything to show for it. But he couldn't fault his son if he felt it best to learn how to at least defend himself.

"What other question do you have? I will do my best to answer anything you want to know." Caligula did pride himself on the extent of his knowledge but he would also admit that he didn't know everything. Still, if it was important to Castus and he didn't have an answer then he would do his best to find one.

@Castus

While he was reassured that size would not matter when it came to being fast, it was quickly mixed with guilt. "Oh gods, I can barely catch Elysian and Hadriana!" he laughed softly but then the laugh died on his lips. Moving to try and embrace his father in a half snuggle with his head aimed to nuzzle beneath his chin. "I'm sorry papa.." he murmured, he had never meant to worry him. "I miss them too.." he added, he missed his sisters especially. Castus had always been closer to them, and his heart ached for them every day. Listening to Caligula go on he thought about it and then shook his head quickly. "Hm... I don't want to fight unless I have to, like for my life or your life, you know?" he muttered softly he didn't like getting down and dirty in the muck and blood. His poor mother would probably balk at the idea of her son being a nonfighter. "... how..." he started then grunted trying to find the words to fit his question properly. "How are cubs made?" he asked suddenly staring at his father his green eyes widened in shock that he had managed to spit it out. "talk"

@Caligula

"Well then you definitely need more practice chasing them around." Caligula stated with a grin. Nothing taught you to be quick like chasing after a cub to keep them from getting hurt or into some other sort of trouble. Caligula was lucky that his cubs never chose to cause too much mischief but still there was more than enough that went on with them and keeping an eye on them. And the Brook was an amazing pride, allowing the cubs to explore and grow without them being fussed at for anything they might get into.

The bronze male sought to wrap his forelimbs and hold his son as he was being snuggled against. "I never meant to lose any of you. Everything I have ever done was to keep our family together." That wasn't to say that he expected his children to remain with him for the rest of their lives. No, if they wished to go somewhere else then he would support that. He only wanted them to be happy. Still, he would rather know where they were should they leave. "I have always worried that you are upset with me for not being there." Just too many things had happened all at once.

"Just because I choose not to fight don't think I will be upset with you if you decide to do so. Aquila even volunteered to no longer fight because of my beliefs. I told him, like I am telling you, I will never try to change who you are. I love and accept you for just how you are. I never want to be a reason that you hold back or are unhappy." But Caligula had always been the understanding sort. Just because he didn't do or believe in certain things didn't mean that he would fault someone else for their opposite opinions.

Caligula wasn't exactly ready for the next question that came. "Are you thinking about cubs?" The bronze lion has never really considered his children having children of their own. "And that answer really depends on your potential partner, male or female?" Caligula had experience with both.

@Castus