The Hollows was, exactly that, hollow as of late. A quiet sort of peace had grown within its borders and Zulema found herself in quite a rut. She wanted to see more and be out there more, hoping to find something to bide her time as she figured out what to do. Finding her cousin had been something of an odd spectacle but it certainly put a lot into the light. Like how the males within her family were a bunch of idiots who couldn't keep it in their pants and couldn't handle the consequences.

Those thoughts alone led her outside of the pride. More specifically, to the Bat Cave that she had wandered by every so often. In the broad daylight, it was a lot less eerie as you could easily pick out where the bats were by their silhouette's but in the night time you couldn't quite see them until they flew past your face. Perhaps why she had decided that she would stroll through while it was daylight and see if the bats were coming and going as usual.

The winter had surely made a few of them migrate here and some to leave, opting to allow the Noble to figure out how many had come and gone. Not that she liked the pesky creatures but they were a curious animal, and supposedly blind. Which made sense when you thought about how erratic their flight pattern was.

+10 Study prey migration patterns
+10 Scout a neutral territory

table by ferus, art by munk

A Wise Man's Heart Is Seldom Glad

+10 study prey migration patterns
+10 scout a neutral territory
Claw had traveled quite a ways as he explored this new island he had come across. It was curious and a good opportunity to learn about foreign culture, habitat and (most importantly) animal life. He was interested in dangerous creatures most of all... the ones that were tricky to observe. He found a certain exuberance in the hunt for knowledge when it came to those creatures that could easily snap him in half if he were to be discovered.

He had been starved for good conversation and intellectual stimulation for quite some time now, and as he passed by a rather interesting cavern, he simply couldn't help himself. He assumed this was a good a place as any to find... perhaps... a bear, komodo dragon or even an anaconda if he was lucky! The young man lifted his muzzle ever-so-slightly to test the air for a suitable quarry when he detected the scent of a lioness. Well... he wasn't exactly sure how to take her presence. He wanted to chuff to alert her of his arrival... but if there truly WAS a bear within these cavernous walls, he did not want to put her life in jeopardy by awakening it. After all, bears should be hibernating at this time of year so it was a grand possibility one might just be nearby.

Instead, Claw decided upon the next best thing. He began padding through the cavern in search for the other Felidae, hoping to not startle her once he finally made contact.

@Zulema

code by corvus

If there were a bear, Zulema would be sure to poke it with great enthusiasm. There was no danger that she was inherently scared of and was all the more eager to experience whatever she could. Perhaps that was part of the reason why she was so eager to map out Amaryllis like she had been so that she would know the places to go and places to avoid. So far, the Labyrinth had been one of her greatest discoveries and one of her most explored.

Coming across the bats that migrated to and from this place had been an interesting find and it helped to investigate to see if things were still on track for the coming of Spring. Luckily, it seemed as though several bats had returned this way already which meant that spring was just right around the corner. No doubt the rest of the flying blind creatures would be coming shortly. With the absence of many she was able to see small crevices within the ceiling of the cave with more ease, spotting a few places that she could jump to and watch others come and go. Perhaps it was time for a sleepover in this dusty drab cave where she could mingle with the flyers.

+10 Study prey migration patterns
+10 Scout a neutral territory

table by ferus, art by munk

@Claw

A Wise Man's Heart Is Seldom Glad

As Claw explored the labyrinth, he was grateful that it seemed the female ahead of him knew exactly where she was going. Past tricky choices, slopes, inclines, sharp drops and collapsed walls she had made her way through as though she were on a mission.

He noticed a few bats beginning to fly through overhead heading in the same direction as he, and then it dawned on him. The female was a pathfinder too! It was the only logical explanation, of course! She was watching the bats, studying them. How fascinating! Surely they would have a lot to talk about! Perhaps even work off of each other's discoveries!

He stepped up his search, moving at a faster pace as he went to catch up to the female. Finally his eyes spotted a red pelt and he nearly smiled. He had found her... despite not being the best of trackers. He slowed to a walk, and then stopped a short distance from her. A quiet chuff announced his presence. As far as he had gone in these tunnels, he had not yet smelled a bear. Therefore, he was fairly certain it was safe.

"Bats?"

He asked, keeping his tone flat and his movement slow and controlled... though all he wanted to do was express his excitement in finding someone who had similar interests.

@Zulema

code by corvus

Ears twist erratically on her head as movements distracts her. A clear shifting of paws as she realizes that she isn't quite alone here in the Cave of bats. It wasn't like others to be traveling in here when they were constantly flying overhead. Usually, they tended to scare others away with their noise and their capability of looking like a black shadow in the darkness.

Whoever it was kept a comfortable distance before rumbling out the obvious. Mm, it would appear they have migrated back to us. Or, in the very least, continuing to do just that. There were still plenty of bats that she was certain kept this cave occupied. Many were present already but Zulema knew there would be much, much more that lived in this cavern. They are most curious creatures, she points out for no other reason than to inform the stranger that they were nothing to be slept on. Bats had a lot of interesting qualities that certainly made up a lot of what made Amaryllis the way it was. Nature-speaking, of course.

+5 Study prey migration patterns
+5 Scout a neutral territory

table by ferus, art by munk

@Claw

A Wise Man's Heart Is Seldom Glad

Claw looked up and scanned the caverns many crawlspaces. Some places were occupied by the furry little flyers, but still more sat empty. He hummed in agreement and another four or five bats came to settle into some of the empty spots.

"And still are."

He commented on her statement in regards to their migration. He then lowered his gaze as she spoke again.

"Indeed. Especially the ones that sustain themselves purely on the blood of other animals. Or those who look like little foxes with wings for legs."

There was an excitement and a sort of joy in his tone, even though his lips were devoid of any real smile. He enjoyed the topic of animals. Types, behavior, feeding habits. It was all so intriguing! And this was the first time in a long time he had been able to visit these topics with someone who understood.

Just as he was finished speaking, one of the younger bats fell from the cavern's many ledges and right onto the top of his mane. The fall was broken instantly, cushioned, and he was sure the little bat was grateful he had been standing there. He tried to look up at the little creature, but for now could only feel it beginning to crawl it's way to his forehead.

@Zulema

(OOC: Sorry for the wait!!)

code by corvus

The knowledge of the fauna around your chosen home was something that Zulema took into great care for. So to find that @Claw also enjoyed knowing the small bits of information they could about the animals that lived in their world was nice. Zu didn't quite openly show it as well as others and certainly didn't now but she liked the dude.

Lucky for him, a bat seemed to small seamlessly into his thick mane and to her knowledge, disappeared within its trestles. A lot of folks believe that bats are very unclean creatures when they're actually quite the opposite. They often times not only clean themselves regularly but they also take part in cleaning others within their colony. Not that she expected anyone to really take notice of their odd behaviors but at least this fellow seemed intrigued by the information that she had to give.

table by ferus, art by munk

A Wise Man's Heart Is Seldom Glad

Claw hummed at her facts as the little bat climbed through his mane to sit on his nose. The young lion went cross-eyed following the mischievous little thing, and the bat seemed very intrigued as it studied it's own reflection in Claw's gentle magenta eyes.

"Y'know, I think I have heard that somewhere."

As he looked at the innocent little creature, a small smile formed in one corner of his maw. It was discrete, and fleeting... only lasting a second before he stretched his muzzle out to put the young bat back onto the wall of the cavern. They were amazing animals, the only truly flying mammals that he's ever known of.

He then turned his gaze back to the female, the slight smile now faded, but his gaze was still gentle.

"It's been a delight to speak with you, if only for a little while. I hope we meet again one day... perhaps we could even study together?

My name is Claw. I'm a member of Caladan Cove."

He offered his name and his home, knowing that she smelled of a different affiliation. Hopefully their prides were on good terms, but he had no way of really knowing. Still, she was kind and they had common interests. He would love to one day manage to call her a friend.

@Zulema

code by corvus

As it were, Zulema did not come by friends very often so it would likely be a long journey for Claw to receive the same title. It didn't mean she wouldn't be friendly, of course. The bat seemed more than content to linger on @Claw for as long as it possibly could but it seemed that they both had somewhere they needed to be. Zulema nodded, seemingly alright with the idea of studying wildlife together if that was what it took to get information. As a pathfinder, she was interested in learning all she could about what was around here in this land. There weren't a whole lot of them out there willing to shoot shit with her about their own findings. Zulema Kivasante, noble of Obsidian Hollow. Discreetly taking his own introduction and remembering it for later. Perhaps it would come in handy to know another from the Cove, wondering how Jewel was or even Vysemala. It had been a while since she had stumbled across either. Tell your leaders that Zulema said hello. A grimace lit up her face as she allowed the male to see that she knew the Cove relatively well at least by its leaders' standpoint. Or, at least, she thought she did -- from Zulema's outdated knowledge, Jewel was still the leader.

table by ferus, art by munk

A Wise Man's Heart Is Seldom Glad

Claw’s smile had vanished, though his gentle gaze had not. The female introduced herself, perhaps following his lead, and he made sure to commit the information to memory. She had a rather unique name, and quite a unique look to match. He nodded to her request, finding it quite interesting indeed that she knew the leader of their pride. He had no reason to doubt that she had not heard the news of the usurper, especially if she had been so familiar. It might be useful to mention @Zulema ‘s name in conversation to see what kind of reaction he would get. (He was not only interested in the behavior and patterns of animals. He loved dabbling in the lion mind as well).

“Of course, Lady Zulema. I will be sure to extend your greetings to those who lead the Cove. Please, tell your leader of me as well, if you would. I feel it would make things much easier if I were to come to the border and request your company.”

With that, a slight dip of his head expressed his silent farewell before he turned to let her alone with the flying creatures of the underground. He didn’t wish to overstay his welcome or stay so long the conversation became stale.

Exit Claw

code by corvus