He had been thinking, and thinking, and then pondering some more since the nasty displays he witnessed at the last two large battles. When not focused on surviving as a lone lion in the midst of the unnatural winter Dayin had carefully considered where to try and call home.

One thing was certain. He would not go to the brook. Nor the mountain. And from his memory several other prides were ruled out due to the scents at the battle. But there were a couple which had changed paws since then or that had not seemed to be in on the attacking cubs thing.

While the desert was not exactly the most pleasant sounding place (climate wise) when he would prefer the oceanside view, it was a place that might be ruled by a lion who's code may be aligned with his own.

Dayin sighed as he drew to a stop at the borders, there was only one way to find out right? Perking softly folded ears Dayin called for a ranking member of the pride to come speak with him if they would?
----
@Scorpius , @Lucía

code by corvus

The desert had never been known to attract followers on its own. It was rare that anyone sought it out, as few shared the love Léonie had for it, so she was not expecting that a rogue would come calling. Surely he had another reason to visit — one Léonie was eager to learn about. The dark imp made her way down from the dune she’d been stretched across, those charcoal paws quiet and quick on the sand as she approached their massive visitor. “Léonie Miroslav,” she introduced herself when she closed the distance between them. “We don’t get many lions stopping by. Most avoid the desert. None of ‘em know how to cope with a little heat and sand. So what brings you out here?” the lioness inquired in a curious hum.

@Dayin

artwork • coding

WARNING: Mention of attacking cubs.
--------------


Dayin tried to act like he wasn't nervous while waiting for some kind of response from within the borders. Nope not nervous at all. Pay no attention to the slight shifting of his weight from paw to paw - that was just him getting use to the soft sand! Paw pads sweating? Well of course! It was hot sand after all. Yeaaaaaaah.

Ears pricked more sharply atop his head, pressing forward when the young man first caught sight of the approaching figure. Oh! It was a lioness! Curious teal eyes watched the stranger's approach, noting that she too had a darker colored coat. Woot! They would be sunbaked together while talking!

"Dayin Darce. Nice to meet ya." he offered in return with a friendly edge and a dip of his head in greeting. "I was thinking about maybe joining? If that's a possibility. After the ... whole...cub hunting thing...I witnessed during the last two big battles I'm hoping to find a group that wasn't in on that bullshit. That doesn't support going after cubs." he explained, an edge of passion and intensity coloring the young warrior's words as he could not help but remember his anger, revulsion and confusion at witnessing the disgusting chaotic display.

"It was really fucked up. I don't mind fighting or battles at all. But I'm not cool with hurting young kids." he fell quiet, watching @Léonie for...hopefully...some indication this pride was not 'into' that kind of thing. "I don't mind the heat so much."

code by corvus

The way the visitor seemed to rock his weight between his paws did not escape Léonie’s eye. She smiled, tickled that fate had sent her another nervous individual to pester. The dark imp wondered what would happen if she introduced him to Amandil — if the sand would sink under the weight of their combined awkwardness and swallow them.

@Dayin, as he’d introduced himself, was not quite as socially stunted as Amandil though. He managed to greet her and explain his reason for being there without stammering once. Léonie nodded while he spoke to show that she was paying attention and that she understood. So, he had come looking for a pride to join — one that would not partake in the hunting of cubs, which he made a point to stress. She liked that. It informed her that he wasn’t another monster, but someone with decent morals.

“Don’t worry. We’re not the type to maul kids. We let the old ruler’s kids stay with us while they looked for the rest of their family to take them in,” she reassured him, hoping her comment would give them credibility. “He was a real twat. Pretty sure anyone else would’ve chased ‘em off into the desert.” Her shoulders shrugged while she stated that fact. “But he’s old news. The pride’s still bouncing back from changing paws and we really need members that can pull their weight. I’m trying to fill up some ranks — so, Dayin, tell me … how’s your hunting skills?” she inquired with a beaming smile.

artwork • coding

Dayin took her smile as a good sign (if this was wise or not he would have to wait and see!), and he stilled the shuffling of his weight - for the most part! Further encouragement was found in the nod he was given while speaking, and most of all when she informed him that the pride did not maul cubs - more than that they had given refuge to the cubs most other prides had seemed down to hunt. Dayin had seen the old ruler was a sick bastard ... he was very, very glad this one was much better.
"Thank gods. I've seen enough sick crap to last me a good while! "


Hell yes! He wanted to stay here, sand, heat, sun and all! Maybe he could like... find sulfide to cut his mane shorter or give it a 'mane' look like a zebra to stay cooler in the desert heat? It would be pretty rad the more he thought about it actually.

Dayin's face brightened further at @Léonie 's question "Pretty damn good actually! I've been solo for a while now. And I'm working on getting better at it all the time." Sure he liked to relax and sunbathe or swim when he could but one HAD to eat so that was a chore the massive youth never tried to dodge.

code by corvus

Léonie wondered if Dayin’s size would hinder him in the sand and prevent him from being a successful hunter, but he seemed confident in himself. He said he was alway working to better his skills too and she liked that. So, she beamed and responded with a decisive nod. “Alright then, if you’re wanting to stick around, then stick around as our Lead Hunter,” she invited him. “Consider this a little practice run. If you like what you’re doing and where you’re at, then you can stay for as long as you want. No hard feelings if you decide it’s not your thing.” Perhaps she should’ve been more selective about those she welcomed in and promoted, but she had few to select from. The pride was small and needed to be nurtured. If she was going to help strengthen it, she needed to begin with its core ranks. And if @Dayin accepted, that was another one filled.

artwork • coding

The young hunter as of yet was unaware how more difficult hunting in sand could be. He had been successful in snow and on ice, within the narrow spaced confines of forests, and on the harder wet packed sands of seashores and waterholes. But dry sand? - that a different beast.

Luckily Dayin was a stubborn young beast - and unlikely to be phased long even after discovering his new occupation would provide a unique challenge in the desert.

And it did appear he would have a new job. HIs first official one as an adult in a pride! Pride swelled in his chest at the smaller hunter's words. Of course it WAS a practice run, he was going to have to be good at it and find out if life in the desert really suited him or not, but eh - details.

"That sounds great! I'm honored, and really appreciate the chance." and he did truly asperate @Léonie 's approach. The job. The door to take a no hard feelings exit if he needed to later. It was such a freaking relief to find a ruler who was not - something more sour than expected.

code by corvus

“Of course,” hummed the lioness as she angled her striped head in the direction of the Oasis, inviting @Dayin to follow her across the border and deep into the heart of the territory. “Find yourself a shady den and make it your own,” she hummed to her new Lead Hunter. “You can check the cache if you want to get an idea of what we have stockpiled. We’re small, but we’ve had a few successful hunts recently.” Her dark paws took her towards the oasis itself, and it was there that she paused to give Dayin a bright smile. “Whenever you feel up to a hunt, just give a call and we’ll join you. Until then, have a look around,” she encouraged him. “I’ll catch up with you later.” With a parting nod, Léonie turned to leave him to his own devices.

Exit

artwork • coding