with tessa's untimely departure for greener pastures, israel felt... stuck. worried, too - often too wound up to truly sleep a wink. but he couldn't afford many mistakes, not with the kids taggin' along at his heels. they'd be fine, he was sure, but when tosca mentions that she's joined a pride... well. it gets the gears a-churnin'. havin' a pride weren't always a bad thing, and he don't much like the idea of her bein' too far away. so it's with steady steps he comes to the cove's borders, stoppin' just shy of the scent markers. here he unleashes a pleasant chuff, hopin' to catch the attention of those who live within. knock, knock. he trusts tosca and her judgement, but he figured he'd come and check it out 'fore bringin' the kids around. ears tip forward, ruby gaze searchin' the horizon as he waits, patient as anythin'.

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Her days had been filled with exploring; venturing into every nook and cranny that her new home had to offer. The vast sprawling sands, the sea caves, the rockpools.... It was all so different, but it was nice. It was even nicer to have Camelia with her, too, the entire time; despite having the responsibilities of a team leader now, her friend had always made ample time for her.

And then, one morning, she hears him.

"Pa," she whispered, ears pricked and gaze alert as it focused on the horizon; where the borders lay, out of sight. And then, eager, she would make haste to the source of the call. She managed to reach @Israel before anyone else, but no doubt Jewel or someone else with authority would be with them in no time. "Pa!" Tosca bubbled happily, seeking to tuck her nose into the crook of his neck. While she'd visited relatively frequently - and had shared news of the Cove, of course, which was why he was here no doubt - she'd still missed him terribly. The cubs were no doubt stashed somewhere nearby, but she'd still glance around in his immediate vicinity just in case.

Quietly, she wondered how the man was doing since Tessa's departure, but now was not the time to pry further; they could talk further in private.

[OOC: Patrol the borders 1/2 (x3 exp)] Jewel slowly made her way along the pride's edge, once more wearing the same path in the sands that she had been for the last six months. While pausing to scratch carefully at one of the sections of the ground that held sandstone rather than shifting sand, she noted two forms in the distance. A frown would marr her features just long enough that the ebony sovereign would abandon her task of ensuring that the scent markers were well and truly settled.. and made her way towards the pair. Noticing as she got closer that she recognized the smaller of the two forms, her heart tripped in her chest for a moment.. Fear for @Tosca momentary until she realized the yearling was greeting the older male. breathing out a sigh to calm her nerves, Jewel's chuckle rose as she stepped closer to the pair, her skull dipping in greeting. "Tosca, my friend... who do we have here?" There was mirth in her tone- hiding the earlier fear and the female slowly breathing out the nerves that had risen with that sudden rise to awareness that preceded her leap into battle. Nerves that had instantly come alive were slowly settling, and she was 'shaking' off the last of them with the languid twitching of her tail tips near her haunches, gaze turning to look @Israel with a kind expression. "Welcome to the Cove, my friend." For anyone who knew the members of the pride were friends to her until proven otherwise. "speech"

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ears twist as he hears @Tosca in the distance, yellin' like always. immediately his expression softens into somethin' sickly-sweet, endeared with the clumsy way she hurries to his side. it weren't like she ain't seen him in awhile - but still he preens under the attention. she's always a sight for sore eyes, and he weren't gonna begrudge her the excitement. hey, you. he murmurs, wastin' no time in plantin' a big smooch right to the center of her forehead. sorry kiddo, he was always gonna embarrass ya. anything else that might've been exchanged is put on hold, for they're not alone anymore. a dark-pelted woman approaches, wearing a soft expression. she seemed to know tosca, and that pleased him greatly - glad to see his little girl was out here makin' connections aside from him. howdy ma'am 'nd thank ya. my name's israel - i'm this brat's pa. he says with a smile that goes a little lopsided at tosca's expense. it's short-lived - and his fondness for her is obvious - before he does his best to put on a Serious Face. best to get down to business, right? i was hopin' to speak to somebody in charge, as i'd like to learn more 'bout y'alls pride and maybe join. despite his hangups, he did enjoy being in a pride - he'd found them to be much more lax than he'd originally assumed. 'course, he didn't wanna assume he'd be let in - but hopefully him and the leaders could at least have a conversation. ears tick forward as he falls quiet, a hopeful expression on his handsome features - blissfully unawares that @Jewel herself was sovereign.

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OOC NOTES: Feel free to skip Tosca after this round @Tabs ★ @Bunny - I don't want her holding you two up! She'll just be sitting there grinning like an idiot.

The reunion is a sweet one, and she would gratefully accept the smooch to the top of her crown. It might be embarrassing, but she had months to catch up on so she'd drink it up greedily. And then, when @Jewel arrived, pink eyes would eagerly shift from @Israel to the Khulani matriarch. "It's-" and then it catches in her throat, as she and her Pa had clearly been about to speak at the same time - silly! He would continue and she would lapse into content quiet, nodding along eagerly at the man's explanation. "Definitely join, Queen Jewel," Tosca hummed, quick to correct her father with a nudge of the paw to his ribs. "He would definitely like to join, wouldn't you Pa?" She would nod along good-naturedly with whatever was said in response and then settle back quietly alongside the russet man; content to let the two adults chat.

The pair spoke, and Jewel found herself surprised that @Israel was @Tosca's father. But, she supposed she shouldn't be. The Ebony feline shifted when she heard he was going to join - or rather.. to speak to someone about joining and settled to her haunches with a grin. Tails curled around her as she let her gaze wander the excited form of the yearling. "Well, I'd say if Lady Tosca here was any more excited, she'd be exploding." Jewel's laugh was easy - showing she truly did enjoy the yearlings exuberance and excitement. "Well - you have your wish, my friend. I'm Jewel - Leader of the Cove."

The lioness would give him a tilt of her skull in 'official' greeting before she let her gaze wander the pair. "What is it you would like to know? I would hate to jump into my 'recruitment' speech to find Tosca here has told you all about us and I'm only succeeding in talking your ears off.. Though, I've no doubt if they up and ran away, she'd be right behind them." There was a wink tossed towards the girl before she returned her gaze towards the male at the borders.

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"Speech"

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seems like him and @Tosca had the same idea, answerin' at the same time. he shoots her a grin, wrinklin' his nose just a little at her - a wordless apology. sorry, darlin'. he thinks his explanation is just fine, but she's quick to correct him - and his ears twitch forward, doin' a double take. queen jewel? the look of surprise on his face is probably comical, the way ruby eyes widen and whiskers twitch with wonder. ah, shit. well, at least he'd been all polite 'nd proper - hopefully this queen wouldn't take too much offense at it. ah, m'sorry 'bout that! i didn't realize. he says sheepishly, though it's followed by a rumblin' laugh - happy to wave it off with a bit of humor and mirth. worse things had happened than him puttin' his paw in his mouth, right? it's nice to officially meet ya, queen jewel. i've heard quite a bit 'bout ya. courtesy tosca, of course, who seemed finally capable of shuttin' up. he shoots her a smile before lookin' back to jewel, focusin' as he gets down to brass tacks. i'd like to learn 'bout yer rules, and what ya expect from yer members. he wanted to live with tosca, and trusted her judgement on leaders - but still, he'd feel better if he heard it from @Jewel's mouth. he weren't gonna be able to promise much to her - or her pride - as he was busy with his tots, but iz ain't never been the lazy bum type. at this point he was just a single dad, and he just wanted to make sure that'd be okay. besides, it wouldn't hurt to learn more 'bout the woman who might be his queen. and, uh, i was curious how y'all feel 'bout cubs. he adds, almost as an afterthought, as if this wasn't the main reason he was here. a paw reaches up to brush against his goatee, and though he tries to appear slick, there ain't no pretendin'.

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The lion spoke, and she shook her head, a paw lifting to 'wave' off @Israels apology. "It's not your fault, I didn't exactly announce myself, did I? I don't expect everyone to know everyone." She chuckled, and then let her ears tilt towards him when he spoke, asking of her laws - and following up with cubs. The questions had her lips twisting into a smile.

"The cove has few laws that are strict..We don't claim others unless it's for their safety or in dire circumstances.. and once they're better or otherwise able to care for themselves, they're granted the same as anyone else in the pride.. If you wish to leave you are free to do so. I just ask that you tell me or my mate that you're leaving so we can adjust hunting and not let meat go to waste. Ranks are all able to be challenged for - though if you take a rank, I expect you use it or I will promote someone else.. Pull your weight - if you take food from the cache.. join a hunt once in a while to help refill it."

Her words were spoken softly, her tone kind as she doubted that @Toscas father would end up being hte sort she wouldn't want in the pride. "We are allied with many of the other prides in Amaryllis.. We ask that you don't start trouble - but if you do please give us a warning before hand. Tresspassers are to be detained or in some cases chased out. Otherwise..." She shrugged, her lips quirking into a smile. "IT's pretty relaxed around here. I reward hard work... and as far as children.. Well.. my own ankle biters aren't so small these days.. but you can feel free to put them to work babysitting yours... goodness knows they could use a taste of their own medicine."

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"Speech"

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the black-pelted woman seems a decent sort, and that judgement only extends as she begins her spiel. he listens intently, filin' most of it away for later. she describes the cove as relaxed, and he'd have to agree. her rules weren't anythin' he couldn't handle - and it seemed a decent enough fit. besides all the sand, but he figured jewel weren't gonna sweep up the shore on his account. yer rules don't sound bad at all, queen @Jewel. i 'ppreciate ya goin' through 'em with me and i think yer cove might be a good fit. he says with a smile, hopin' she'd take it as the compliment that it'd been meant as. her rules reminded him of the way ramona had ruled - and he'd done well there.

he can't help but laugh as she continued, remarkin' on her own kids - and signing 'em up for babysittin' duty. oh, yes, iz thought he might like it here. aside from this troublemaker here, he says, gesturin' a free paw towards his darlin' @Tosca with a cheeky smirk. i've got three tykes - two boys 'nd a girl. only one of those was really a handful, the other two far more well-behaved. ah, they'd gotten so close to gettin' a perfect trio of angelic kids... 'fore toro had to ruin it all. it'd be the four of us joinin' - if you'd have us? he asks, ears tippin' forward as he waits. the kids were tucked away, not too far from here, but he didn't want 'em barrelin' down on the borders 'till they were good and ready.

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[OOC: I could have SWORN I replied to this! Sry for the wait!!]

Jewel would give the lion a smile, her skull tilting as she grinned at the male with commenting on his children tallying up to the total of four. "We would be happy to have you, @Israel..And when you can corral your children, you're welcome to bring them across the borders.. Just let me know when they arrive so we can get them all official, mm?" The ebon woman chuckled, her tails flickering around her ankles.

"I would feel bad if one of our members were to think they were trespassing.." The lady would look towards @Tosca with a proud smile and then return her gaze to the elder male, shifting as she gave a faint stretch of her hind leg. "Unless of course, they're just around the corner and we can simply finish that little bit of business before you four choose a den?"

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"Speech"

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