Odhran was not by nature impatient, but he was intrigued and when the smell of other lions came so strongly to his nostrils the yearling had not wasted a moment in journeying onward - the others would catch up in their own time. The slight youth moved with purpose as he all but swaggered through the baron lands, his head high and an unimpressed frown etched onto his features.

His pale pink coat brought to life by golden stripes and a dark undercarriage stood out against the dull browns of the rocky passage, he was certainly not subtle in his approach. Whatever prides he could smell would see him a mile off, and that was what he wanted.

If nothing else Odhran was not a great fan of the rogue life, and though he had never tasted it the strength of a pride called to him. Not for the protection it offered, or the warm fuzzy sense of community but the power. To be able to control others, the idea of it filled him with pleasure. He wanted to have it, to lord his success over others - and he would do whatever it took to gain it.

With this in his mind he walked on, golden paws carrying him closer and closer to the lands of Amaryllis where he would make his name one way or another.

there is little space in which ulla hasn't occupied. from the tallest flat-surfaced stone to the dips and crannies that she must wedge herself in. the lioness has passed and stood in all. so much so that the passage is made into a mental map, replaying itself inside her head whenever she comes back. and so it's only natural for her to know what she likes to see and what she wants to ignore. for example, a rogue with a striking coat is easier to find and so ulla prefers them than a rogue who can blend into their surrounding. the passing of the pale pink-coated lion catches her attention the moment his form comes into view. she follows, making sure her pawsteps are heard as she chuffs toward him to gain his attention. are you looking for a home, stranger? @Odhran

table by ferus

It isn't long before one of the lions approaches him, he didn't exactly expect that but it made sense - meet them at the door and you're more likely to get the best picks - and though he was small Odhran was certainly one of the best picks.

Slowing his gait the youth turned his head slightly, taking in the grey form which approached. A lioness, larger and older than him, most lions in his experience are larger than him so he doesn't feel intimidated or even remotely impressed. His expression shifts from unimpressed to pleasant, as she greets him.

The offer of a home cements in his mind, that the lions he had scented were eager to take newcomers before their rivals - it was the sort of behaviour he had hoped for but hadn't been able to verify. It was impossible to know how many prides lived beyond the passage by scent alone, the stale stench of other lions was mixed and confusing when you didn't know the area.

"I am." He gives a slight bow of his head, mismatched pink eyes never leaving her face. "My name is Odhran Kvint, and I precede my family, I hope they'll begin to arrive in the next few weeks." He lowers himself until he's sitting, gaining a little height as he does so. "I don't speak for them though, so any decision I make today is mine alone - if your Pride interests me I can't promise they will follow."

@Úlla

code by corvus

the man is quick to respond and ulla eager to listen and to know if he will be a good fit in the hollows. so much time has been lost to wandering and resting that ulla doesn't know what is happening in her pride. so hopefully this will be a quick conversation and she can go back for her pride duties. this one is younger and small, but that's only a good thing. some tunnels are smaller and more narrow, so ulla has a hard time going through. if she can employ the help of a lion like @Odhran, then maybe he will be able to make it through. and the idea of potential lions joining the hollows just to follow odhran isn't bad either. of course, i won't force you or your family to join if the hollows is an ill fit. but we do have certain amenities i believe you may like. for example, preys funnel themselves in, so our hunts often take place right outside of the dens. we have secret tunnels and exits that only pride lions know, and otherwise, our defense is impenetrable. most ranks are open and i encourage you to work for them or challenge for them. will these be something that may entice you? for now, ulla wants to keep odhran's interest and hope he wants to join. his family will come later, and ulla supposes they may be a tougher bunch to convince.

table by ferus

The pride sounds interesting and he's intrigued by the idea of these tunnels, "And if one of your members defects to an enemy pride with this knowledge?" Would she have them killed? He anticipated an answer along those lines, but it was a question he had to ask he would not be lead by a soft ruler.

"I do have two other questions, if you will humour me." He offers her an apologetic smile, "You have open ranks because there are not enough members to fill them, or because current pride members lack ambition?" He thought it was a fair question, if her pride was large but still ranked positions were empty it begged the question why. If on the other paw her pride was small and simply did not have the numbers, he saw a way he might be able to prove his worth and climb the ranks himself.

"I am a firm believer in bettering oneself, and grasping at opportunity when it presents itself. Even the lowest born beast can become an Emperor," he nods appreciatively in her direction, "or Empress if they work hard enough. Do you believe that among your ranks all lions have the same opportunities, should they choose to take them?" He knew, or at least had heard form others, in many prides only the physically imposing could ever get anywhere - Odhran wanted to make his name known but he didn't wish to have to fight every brute who stood in his way.

@Úlla

code by corvus

a curious one, this man is. úlla isn't sure how many more questions he will ask before he gives a decision. but she can't fault him for something that may change his future here in amaryllis. and úlla, the ever-patient woman, knows that the hollows is in good paws, with her son and his future wives and the ranked lions she elevated. she thinks to the lions that are in her pride, from the adults she took in to the yearlings that are months away from adulthood. both she begins, knowing that @Odhran's assumptions are both right. they are a small pride, but not new in the same sense as the mire, who was just claimed. her brother claimed his after her ascension to sovereign, but he already has the backing of their kin. if úlla isn't a queen, she would be under scilla's banner too. anyone who works hard and proves themselves as strong, capable lions will be awarded ranks. but i am selective to who i pick, for i need to make sure they will continue to be capable once they are given a rank. she thinks to zoticus and alva, both of her nobles, the latter which she knows from his day as king, and the former who won the position after a fight. each has proven themselves to her in some way, as friend and as family, respectively. and it's the same for leader ranks, no? a capable and loyal leader is much more beneficial than ones who only seek fame and fortune. tilting her head, úlla watches and waits for the man to respond to her reply.

table by ferus