Dio grins a little, mischievously almost. She leans in and aims a good firm nudge to her father's shoulder using her dark skull. A bit rough in a playful way, a child used to using all of her strength in play with her fathers. And not realizing that now she more closely matched their strength and might. "Of course I want a home." Duh. She pulls back again and smiles his way, Cheshire and sneaky. She's doing a poor job at hiding the fact that her brain is still working and scheming.

"My home is with you. Not the Brook, not the Summit. It's wherever you are." He's not her only family, with him isn't her only home. But it's with him that she'd prefer to be. Especially as she continues to digest what has happened and what has changed since she left. Truthfully the thought of not being with him was more terrifying than anything that she might have living a rogue's life with him.

@Sylvey @Caligula

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Caligula tumbles under the nudge of his daughter. She clearly had size and strength on her side. But still he laughed as he tumbled over and sought to reach up and wrap his forelimbs around Dio's neck as if he aimed to tug her down with him. It felt good to not have to worry and just be able to play again. He missed this.

Of course she wanted a home. He couldn't blame her. Life wasn't easy when living on one's own. Besides she had plenty enough family in the Summit to keep her company. So he fully expected her to decide to settle there. What he didn't expect was for her to claim that he was her home.

"Oh Dio..." He sighed softly though a smile rested on his lips. Once more he reached for the girl and attempted to tug her close so that he could try and nuzzle her. In her travels she no doubt understood what it meant to be on one's own and without a pride to support you. "I would love to have you with me." But he wouldn't force her to remain should she ever decide to head for a pride instead.

Teal gaze slipped to the stars once more. "Remember where our family is?" He asked as he looked around for the cluster of stars that Dio had claimed for them.

@Diomedeidae

She lets herself be taken down to the ground where she can lay beside her father, her head coming to rest against him and snuggling up close as she could. There is a foggy, old, memory of being a child and safely tucked away in their den in Vermeda. Her, her brothers, her dads, all just one warm pile of love and slumber. It's not quite the same now, but having her one father back is plenty. I'm with you. She says in absolute, doubtless, affirmation. There isn't anywhere she'd rather be. Now or ever.

His question leads her eyes to pop open and her head begins to drift around. She is scanning the sky overhead for the family stars. She finds the familiar and easy to spot stars, traces paths through the sky overhead until- she inhales excitedly. "There!" Victory.

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Caligula was glad to have his daughter back in his life again. He could never fault any wanderlust on her part though. He had gone through that period before. Though he had settled since having a family of his own. Perhaps it would be the same for her as well. Maybe once she found the love of her life and started to have cubs she would find everything that she had ever desired right there at home with her. At least that is what had happened with him.

The bronze male smiled when the cluster of stars that had been picked out years prior had been found. "And there we will always be together forever." Because even though they might not remain together physically they could always be there spiritually for one another. Which brought him to another thought.

He shifted to be bale to look at his daughter's face. "Dio, when I'm gone, promise me you won't just stay alone because of what was said tonight." He still, perhaps, had a few years left but absolutely anything could happen.

@Diomedeidae

Together forever. She liked the way that sounded. The idea that, despite the time they may spend apart, they would always be together. That, no matter where she went or wherver father was going, she could look at those stars, Calgula could look at those stars, Aquila, her brothers, her sisters, everyone of them could look up. And there they were.

The idea was peaceful, she'd happily have held it in mind with nothing more to think about tonight. Just enjoy being home and cozily snuggling with her Dad. But then his tone became serious and she looked upon him with first concern, then a worried sadness. Don't talk like that Dad. I won't stay alone... but you're not going anywhere soon either. She held to him a little tighter.

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"I certainly hope not to but anything can happen. It is obvious that I'm not getting any younger though." But he still had those young at heart moments. Those were easily inspired by his children. They were all practically grown now. Even his youngest were just a few months shy of being adults. It made him wish for at least one more litter, just one more chance to do it right.

Sadly Aquila wasn't around to approach that subject with. Would his mate wish to try again or was he too shattered from lamenting over Cordi? "I miss this. I miss when all of your were little and we were all snuggled together. Maybe it is foolish but I'd like to try it all over again. Just one more chance to grow our family again." He knew he was old and he knew from plenty of experience that cubs were a pawful but he also felt that he was doing what he was meant to do when he had cubs underfoot. he might not like his own birth family but he adored all the progeny he had created. To him it was a blessing to see them learn and grow and become themselves. He liked helping shape those futures and having the ability to pass along all the things that he had learned in life.

@Diomedeidae

Throughout their time watching over Amaryllis, Maua had grown to love some of the couples they had previously granted cubs to. The idea of love, the abstract noun that seemed to bring so many together in a bought of celebration, humbled Maua and filled them with a sense of happiness and joy. Whenever Maua feels glum, or down, or bothered by the anger and hatred that Amaryllis seemed to suffer, they think to the passage in and out of their home. Despite a few minor instances of hatred, greed, or selfishness, Maua sees a world surrounded by love. Love is everywhere, and often it is not newsworthy nor dignified. It is not always loud, or big, but instead subtle, and always there - husbands, wives, mates, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, the bond between two old friends. If you looked carefully enough, and for long enough, love is all around.

@Caligula was no different to any of the other lions Maua had watched over. He had been a caring and doting father, a gentleman, and a lion of his word. He had raised many children during his tenure, and had served them devoutly as a father should. If all fathers could be like Caligula, Maua would be happy.

Descending down from the wind that idly blew through the gardens, Maua revealed themselves to the bronze male and @Diomedeidae. My, how you have grown! Maua expresses to the daughter, offering her a gentle smile as their body forms into almost a solid, with a white edge-like glow surrounding them. Eyes move from Diomedeidae to Caligula, and Maua offers them a further smile. It has been such a long time, and it is good to see that you are keeping well. Maua exclaims, studying the male briefly before continuing. I understand you have a desire to grow your family, one last time? They question, taking a step closer to Caligula. If every man could be like you, I would be happy. You deserve another chance.

They pause for a second, before continuing. You will find your chance in the hidden grotto, Caligula. Go there when you feel it is time, and my gift to you will be delivered. You will be able to grow your family and provide for them. Love is such a strong emotion - it's everywhere, you just have to look for it. Maua walks over to the bronze man, and with a singular raised paw, touches him on the shoulder and dips their head. I wish you the very best, and should you need anything, just call. And with that, Maua turns to leave, looking at Diomedeidae one more time with a gentle smile, before departing on the wind.

OOC: You have 48 hours to exit and submit your request!

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Someday, in the very very very far off future, she would have to face life without him. But Dio was just not ready for that time to come. She had so much left to learn from him, so man memories left to make together. She snuggle close silently, buying her face into him and then used his fur to wipe away the few tears of emotion that had emerged to run down her cheeks.

Dio wises se could somehow give him what he wants. But it's impossible. Even when her gut instinct is to remind him he could become a grandfather she finds herself hestiating. She doesn't know how to even make that happen any time soon. We can still snuggle all the time Dad, I'm not that little anymore but atleast we can do that and talk about the stars. She says bittersweetly, clearly regretting that she could not give him his wish.

Dio sighs, moving into a relaxed and comfortable position beside her father- intending to spend the night star gazing and eventually drifitng off into sleep most likely. That is when they are joined by Maua- radient form appering before them as they did. Dio's body trembled and she softly gasped. For not only had Maua appeared but they address Dio directly. M-mmmm-m-m She stammered and quickly rolled onto her belly, bowing her head slightly to Maua. Maua, thank you. Thank you. For everything.

Teal gaze then swept, up, over, twisting, locking. To her father. To Caligula getting his chance again to be a father. Dio's heart skips, fluttering excitedly as she reaches over to happily and quickly begin to tap on her father with a paw over and over. Dad-!_{CODE | BACKGROUND | ART BY MUULAND}

Caligula smiled with what comfort his daughter offered to him. She really shouldn't be the one comforting him but the other way around instead. And he hadn't really been seeking comfort but more just speaking his hopes and dreams. Words had power and things could be spoken into existence. At least, this was a belief of the bronze male's. That was why he had always tried to keep positive and only put those sorts of vibes out into the world. He was trying to speak the world into the sort of place he desired, not that it always worked but it had maintained for awhile.

"Come now, you don't want your potential beau to find you snuggled up to an old man." After all it was only in personality that Dio took after him. On looks alone the situation could be easily confused. Granted he didn't even know if his daughter had figured any of that out yet. "Though you do have to promise me that you will introduce me to them whenever you find them." Not because he was the overbearing sort of father that had to check off on if they would be a proper mate for his daughter. Instead he was only interested in whomever may have stolen her heart. And maybe there would be a demand of a promise for them not to break such a sacred gift.

Caligula is only mildly surprised to see Maua appear. It wasn't like the deity popped up so very often but he had managed to speak with them on a few occasions prior that they weren't an utter surprise.

The maneless male beamed with pride as Dio was recognized. Of course Dio had been a blessing from Maua. He was glad that the deity remembered her and was able to see what a stunning young woman that she had become. He was also pleased for his daughter to be able to meet the deity who had made her birth possible. Sure, there had been rough patches but he would always be thankful for what Maua had blessed him with.

"I do but Aquila isn't around. He has gone to find the scattered remains of our family." And the way that Caligula knew it worked was that there had to be a partner involved as well. And the only partner he could ever imagine at this point is Aquila. Perhaps it was a selfish desire to have another litter and hope that could soften and warm up Aquila's heart once again. Selfish to think another litter could mend the hole that Cordi had left in them both.

Caligula doesn't expect the praise that he receives and is quick to shake his head and dismiss it. "I only do what every parent would do." Okay, maybe his own parents hadn't been that way but he preferred to think them the exception to the norm.

The Hidden Grotto? Something would be waiting there for them when the time is right? The male's heart flutters and he could only hope this was some sort of prophetic vision for a long awaited reunion. Really, all he needed was Aquila back with him. And the rest of his family as well, but he wouldn't tear his cubs away from the lives that they have built for themselves just to have them at his side again.

Maua fades away and Caligula turns his attention to his daughter when her paw continues to thump against his body. "Yes Dio?" What is it that could have her so excited?

"Come, tell me the stories you remember." Teal gaze turned to the sky again. Going over the stories of the stars had been the bedtime stories that Caligula knew.

Caligula Exits Via Talking/Sleep

@Diomedeidae

She grew a little red in the cheeks. Introducing someone to her Dad, especially Caligula, got her a little nervous thinking about it. She hopes whoever it is will be someone very important to her. Dad is important to her too. So them meeting? It couldn't be anything other than perfect and they'd both have to like each other and.. And.... And that wasn't something she had in the cards right now. Of course I will. Dio says with a smile and slight twitch of her ear to try and calm herself.

You're going to be a A Dad again I think! I'm going to be a big sister again. She says, far more excited about this conversation than ones about her Dad not being around. Or about nerve wracking introductions. Or conversations with her literal creator. You better start thinking of names. She was certain in her heart of what chance Maua meant when they spoke.

/Exit via story telling_{CODE | BACKGROUND | ART BY MUULAND}