It hadn't gone unnoticed when @Jai did not sit with his family during the pride meeting. And while it shouldn't be such a big deal where one sat during a meeting, the father still couldn't help but feel distanced from his children since leaving Obsidian. There was a distance with everyone, frankly, a burden the mauve lion had never been good at shaking. With so few of his immediate family in Firnen now, though, the Hodari wasn't keen to miss anymore time with them. First on his mind, though, was his eldest son. Not knowing how adventurous Jai might be at this age, the father hoped he might simply be able to find the boy at home as Roan went wandering through the Rainforest. A few chuffs called for his son, but there was no urgency to be found. He didn't want to worry the pale lion, after all.

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He was in Firnen at this point, just lounging about when he heard @Roan's call. At first he was debating on whether or not he wanted to answer but sighed and rolled onto his feet, pushed himself up with a stretch and began to search for his father. He wasn't very adventurous, but one could see that he had been training by the growing muscles beneath his pale coat. Pastel jewels searched the Jungle until he found his father's dark form and called out to the Hodari Patriarch. Walking towards him, one could see he wasn't the same as he once was in the Hollow.

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Roan came to a stop in a small clearing within the Rainforest, hopeful that his son would find him eventually. The mauve lion wasn't left waiting for long before @Jai's own voice returned to him, followed moments later by the pale boy's figure emerging from between the leaves of the jungle. "Jai," the father murmured in greeting as he aimed to slowly close the gap between them. Even if his eldest had grown slightly smaller than the rest of the Hodari boys, Roan certainly took notice of Jai's bulkier body. He wasn't the tiny little cub he found in the labyrinth anymore, but a young man in his own right.

"My son," the masked father continued, aiming a gentle headbutt against Jai's crown if he would allow it. "How are you doing, Jai? Are you settling into Firnen alright?" Roan did his best to keep the true extent of his concern from etching its way across his face and seeping into his voice. He cared and feared for all his children and their well-being, especially after the way they lost their home. At least Jai and Alvena were close at paw, but the rest, Roan was forced to worry even more for.

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@Roan closed the gape between them and Jai would meet him half way and return the affectionate bump that he always got. Something he treasured from Roan. It was the first real love that he had gotten to feel after being found and the tall safe place that he had during his healing process. A small smile formed on his pale features as his pastel jewels glanced around before he would sigh. I'm doing alright I guess, just finding it hard to settle I guess. He would shrug his bulky shoulders, his scars rippling slightly as they moved before he shot down. How are you and Ma doing? Jai stuck close cause he almost lost him in the caves so that underlying worry was there constantly.

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An expected answer came from the boy's lips. He was alright, but found it hard to settle in. Roan was prepared for @Jai's response, as he settled down next to his son. "I know, son," the father murmured with a nod. He knew this experience all too well of having to lose one's home and move on to somewhere else. At least they were still in Amaryllis, just in a different pride. Jai, hopefully, would never have to know what it was like to have to leave his homeland completely as Roan had in his childhood.

"We're doing alright, as well," the masked man nodded, having a very similar answer for he and his wife. It wasn't easy coming back to Firnen after everything the Hodari had experienced here years before, but it was their home once more, made easier with his family around him. "It's a very different feeling not being a king after ruling for two years straight," he mused lightly before catching himself. Roan didn't want to talk about himself, though, at least not right now. He wanted to talk about Jai and truly learn how he felt about Firnen.

Circling back to the boy's response, Roan tried to sidestep his own settling process. "Is there anything I can do to help you settle in better, Jai?" Brows lifted in earnest as the father questioned his son. "I know you had only just become Heir before we left the Hollow, but maybe you can still be something here in Firnen if you're interested." Whether the mauve lion meant by rank or simply be learning something new wasn't clear yet. Jai had always seemed to be a gentle boy, but he was getting older and perhaps his interests and desires had changed since coming to the Rainforest.

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As much as he wanted to keep the topic off of him and it did for a minute. @Roan claimed that they were doing fine but when his Pa spoke of feeling weird about not being king after having that title for two years straight caused Jai's ears to fall flat on top of his head. He was disappointed in himself for not being able to keep the Hollow safe. But what could he do about keeping the caves from collapsing. There hadn't been, in fact he didn't even know the caves were going to collapse to begin with. Blinking away those emotions and thoughts, Jai would sigh. I'm not sure honestly. He would be honest with the Hodari. Right not I'm just trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.

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The man listened intently. It didn't surprise him to hear that his son didn't exactly know what he wanted to do with his life. @Jai had always seemed a little wayward, which was perfectly fine of course. He had a different start to life than the other cubs his age after all. "I understand," the mauve man nodded gently. "I felt lost for majority of my youth as well. Unsure what to do with myself." And truly, he had. Just because one's father was a king didn't automatically mean that the son was destined for the same path. When it became necessary though, Roan had found his way to leadership anyway. "Well, what interests you, Jai? Do you like the idea of fighting or protecting others? Maybe healing or hunting? There are paths to choose in life." And while Roan offered the suggestions, he did so gently. There was no urgency in the masked man's voice that would make it seem like he expected Jai to make decisions right here and now.

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@Roan seemed to understand. He knew about Jai's past, at least partially some of it at least, there were just a few things that Jai didn't talk about but he also felt like if it would be anyone that he'd talk to it could be Roan. He had found him. Saved him and gave him a home. There was a lot that Jai felt like he owed to the Hodari and one was to get the Hollow back. I want to be able to protect others, like you've done. He would finally admit. He had looked up to Roan for and even though Jai knew he wasn't being forced to answer, he knew it was the right one.

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The masked man remained quiet as he watched his son think over his words. Roan didn't know exactly what kind of answer he was expecting, but when a response eventually made its way from @Jai's mouth, the father could not have been prouder. Vague, but heartwarming all the same, Roan contemplated his own words as well. "That can mean a lot of things, Jai," he started off. "Do you want to fight for others? To offer them a home or stability?" Jai was still young, and thus hadn't experienced his father's full life. There was a lot the mauve lion had gone through before reaching the throne of Obsidian Hollow. A crown was not the only way to protect others, and he wanted to be sure his son knew that.

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When @Roan spoke again, asking him questions he would think hard and carefully on how he would answer this. There were things he wanted to do. Like get their home back but also be able to give stability to others who needed a place to rest their head. Both. I want to be able to help keep those safe when they cannot and be able to give them a sense of stability. He didn't have that at the beginning of his life and thanks to both Roan and Faelyn, he got it. I don't want anyone to have to feel like I did before you found me. Scared, alone. Haunted by nightmares to this day it seemed.

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