His sister had been right. Something strange was brewing in this land. The weather had been intense and downright terrifying at times. Let this pride think that was the sole purpose of him coming to their borders- a rouge seeking shelter in the midst of a very strange storm.

The reasoning seemed good enough, and truthfully he wouldn’t be mad about the perks of living among others. He could recover from his travels, and contribute to their hunting stores. Not to mention, he could learn something about this pride that he had decided to join. At the moment, it was a marriage of convienne, but perhaps it would lead to something else.

So he stopped near the strongly scented border, and let out a low chuff- calling any that would be near- to see if they had any interest in a male joining their ranks.

ART COPYRIGHT IRISH

She didn't like what was happening in the lands. There was smoke in the distance, over near her old home, and deep down she mourned for the loss of the jungle and mire. It would bounce back, she knew that well enough, but it would take an amount of time. When the fire died down, she intended to go pray over the ashes for its swift renewal.

She'd been just sitting there, looking in the direction of the smoke trailing into the sky, when a call came from the border. Heloise remained sitting for several beats, and then rose with a quiet sigh to go attend to their guest. There would be many in need of healing and shelter, and she had no intention of denying them that.

"How ye be?" she asked as she came near the man, who at least was waiting respectfully on the proper side of the border.

@Eskel

He is not left waiting long. That is a good sign surely? A sign of a strong an active pride?

As a lioness approaches, he does not move, merely studies her silently with a neutral gaze. She speaks, and her words are just a touch different
… a touch strange.

“It is strange around the lands, but I fare as well as a lone lion can.” He rumbles a careful reply. He hesitates a moment before offering the name he’s chosen to be called in this land- the alias, he’s chosen so recently for himself.
“I am Rabbit.” He offers the lie, as earnestly as he can. It isn’t his name but it is what he’s choosing to go by. “I would like to be a member of this pride. Not just so I may weather this weather, but so I may lend my strength and hunting abilities to this pride.” Careful words, so careful- not entire untrue but not his main reason to seek refuge here.

@Heloise

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Ah, yes, things had certainly become strange. Aye, she agreed. This is new to all of us. The lands usually be more peaceful. She wasn't surprised that loners would start coming to the prides as prey began to become more scarce due to the locusts and general destruction of the lands. It also wasn't surprising to her that they would choose to come here, seeking out those who had lived here the longest and who perhaps stood the best chance of surviving whatever was to come. She didn't know that she liked the idea, but if they helped then so be it. She would do what was necessary to keep her family and her son safe.

She didn't question why his parents had named him after a small, fearful prey animal. Maybe it was his coloration? It didn't matter regardless. More hunters be useful in these trying times, she commented. We be a peaceful pride, but we don't tolerate injustice if we come across it. You will be expected to protect your pride mates, of course. We look out for each other. If ye want a rank, ye can go for an open one at yer leisure, but if someone already holds the rank ye must ask one of our leaders first. Does all this be agreeable to ye?

If so, then she didn't particularly see a reason to deny him entry. As she'd said, they could use more hunters, and more warriors, just in case others decided to come for them during the turmoil that had struck.

@Eskel

He studies the female but not in a predatory way, merely one lion studying another. When she speaks, he nods. The could use another hunter, and that was amenable enough for him. Though he had his own agenda for being here, he wasn’t the type to ignore another in distress.

“It does.” He simply agrees to her terms. He is quiet for a few moments, leaving her the room to speak before he politely asks, “What is your name?” If she was to be a pride member he should know her after all, or so he assumed, Even if he hadn’t been forthright with his own title.

@Heloise

code by dee, art by spu

He agreed to their terms and she nodded, shifting slightly so she wasn't directly in his path as a silent welcome to their pride. She saw no reason to forbid him to come over the border and be one of them.

He asked for her name, and she chuckled softly as she realized she'd neglected to give it when she'd approached. Ah, apologies, all dis time talking to de spirits must be addling my brain. Heloise Saucier, a pleasure to meet you, she replied. Wasn't that just embarrassing? Some emissary for the pride she was. Probably a good thing she didn't go to the passage since apparently she might just forget to tell newcomers what pride she was from if left unattended.

Would ye like a tour or do ye prefer to show yourself around? she asked.

@Eskel

She introduces herself as @Heloise Saucier, and he nods in response and he commits her name to memory. She then asks if he wishes for a tour, and he smiles, shaking his head. “I can explore on my own, I’m sure you have other duties to attend too.”

He stood, and walked closer to her, crossing the border with a soft sigh of relief, that wasn’t entirely false. Despite his intentions and motivations for being here, it would be nice to enjoy the comforts of a pride and the companionship that it offered for as long as he was here.

“Thank you Heloise. May we hunt together soon.” He said, with a polite smile to the lioness, before he would go on to explore his new home.

-Exit Eskel-

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He declined her offer of a tour, which she had rather expected, having much the same mindset herself. Aye, I expect I be able to find something, she agreed. Like going and telling one of the sovereigns that she'd let a newcomer in. Though they'd probably expect that considering his call at the border that presumably had been answered considering he hadn't called a second time. Well, it was good to let others know anyway.

I look forward to it, she commented before turning to head deeper within the pride herself, scrounging around for someone else ranked to let them know.

-exit heloise-