He had not stepped within the halls of Obsidian Hollow for many months. He had been an ungraceful little cub upon paws much too big, eager to venture into the world beyond.

He had grown a lot since then, not quite as tell yet as his smaller father, but fast approaching. The beginnings of a mane were finally beginning to appear along the top of his head and down his back. He had always wondered if he would have the straight thick mane of Alexander, or the wavy curls of Fissure. It seemed he would have the latter of the two. In time it would grow out into something appealing, but until then he would have the look of an awkward teenager.

He had returned a rogue, but his intention was not to rejoin them, just to visit his kin. It was such a wide world outside of these caverns, he hungered to experience everything, to be a part of every place. Perhaps he would even try to live within each and every pride for a time, just to know the lay of the lands and the families that made up each one. Perhaps the Savante had enemies within some of them, but in taking the name of Crow he would be freed of such political rivalries.. or so he hoped.

He would step inside, loitering near the exit in the night. Most here should recognize him, but he would show caution. He had grown a lot since he was that tiny cub, his coat gradually made more white over time. Was anyone even awake? He did not wish to call out just in case they were all sleeping. Instead, he would just sit down to wait, taking that time to reminisce about his early childhood.

And I'm feeling good

Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, For me

code by corvus

Night was his time. Time to wander the tunnels of the Hollow and keep watch while most others slept. Time to hunt or even simply to sit and stare at the stars. That night he intended to patrol the borders, but it seemed he would be distracted before he could do so, by the presence of one who didn't smell like the pride.

Dmitri was always alert to the possible presence of interlopers, despite things being peaceful in recent months, and so a low growl rippled from him as he approached, green eyes catching the moonlight that spilled in from the outside and making them glow briefly. His jaws parted, a flash of white in the darkness, about to question the boy when the pattern on his pelt became clear.

Welcome home, he said instead, his voice gruff but not unkind as it would have been if he didn't recognize him as some flavor of Savante. Exactly what flavor, he didn't know, but what he did know was that they were all welcome within the walls of the Hollow.

@Daedric

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He would be greeted by a stranger, appearing out of the dark of the cavern. Daedric studied the large cat with caution. He had not been around the Hollow long enough to feel comfortable in the company of other cats, least of all such a large creature as this. He vaguely recalled a smaller feline living here, one with a long fluffy tail and tiny stature.

The tiger recognized him as one with Savante blood. What might have been a violent conflict would be averted in the simple presence of the swirl upon his side. "What are you?" He asked, curious. It was a question he might have wished to ask as a young cub, but he hadn't been brave enough before.

@Dmitri

And I'm feeling good

Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, For me

code by corvus

He'd grown used to such comments and questions in his time in Amaryllis, and so a low chuckle left him as the young Savante asked what he was and not who he was or perhaps some other more pressing matter. Then again, what was more pressing than understanding what one was dealing with?

I am a tiger, he replied, his tail flopping beside him as he took a seat and showing off just one more way they were different, as he lacked the usual tuft of fur at the end. A Siberian one, to be precise. There were plenty of other types of tigers out there, so one had to specify. Though at the end of the day, a tiger was a tiger was a tiger.

Dmitri Katona, he said by means of introduction, as if the boy didn't know what he was then he surely didn't know who he was either. Besides, he also wanted a name to go with the face. A first name, anyway.

@Daedric

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Daedric would follow the tiger's example, sitting down comfortably. His caution was changed to a sense of curiosity as the creature spoke of his origins, as well as offering a name.

"Daedric.. Crow. I am son to Alexander." He offered, a momentary pause before adding a surname. It was something to get used to, and he still felt some personal conflict. It was what felt right to him, but he wasn't sure everyone else might agree. Would he be considered as lesser for it? What significance was placed on it?

"What would compel a tiger to join lion society?" He asked, a child eager to learn, to understand. "I was hoping to greet my family after time away, but perhaps I should have come earlier in the day." He went on.

@Dmitri

And I'm feeling good

Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, For me

code by corvus

Alexander's large form lumbered into the scene quietly. Not making himself known at first, simply observing @Daedric and @Dmitri as they interacted. There was so much that Alexander needed to teach his children still. The history of their home, their family - their weaknesses. Though, perhaps the newer generations would not be so affected. One day, he could only hope - the weaknesses the Savante had would die out with the old blood.

Ears flick forward as Daedric introduces himself. At first, there is a pang of hurt. The Savante name was so precious to him, and he had worked hard to ensure it's survival. Creating a legacy was no easy task, but all in all, the Patriarch knew he had succeeded. At least for the most part. After that initial hurt, Alexander realizes that he shouldn't feel such a thing. He had agreed to this; to allow their children the choice. While most Savante children were given the name at birth, it was not required to keep it. There was some beauty in Daedric finally making his choice.

A smile curves his lips as he finally slips into the scene fully, blue eyes gleaming proudly at his young son. "Daedric, I was told you were wandering, I am happy to see you visiting." Alexander hums, moving to stand next to the boy. An affectionate, fatherly lick is offered to the top of his head. A low chuff is made outward, calling any of their kin to join to meet their brother - if they hadn't already.

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Son of Alexander, who chose not to claim his birthright as Savante. Dmitri was slightly surprised, but he also knew the man had raised a litter alongside another male from outside the pride (Angelo had been far from quiet in his grousing about trying to wrangle the cubs from that litter when Alexander had been recuperating), and could guess that Daedric had chosen to take on his title instead.

There are few who choose to do so, he agreed. In my case, my family has fought alongside the Savante for generations. It is simply what we do. I've no doubt those beyond the Katona have their own reasons. Just what those reasons were, he couldn't say.

Alexander himself arrived, and Dmitri dipped his head to him politely. He had been expecting the man to show up. Very little went on within the pride that the high sovereign didn't know about, after all.

@Daedric @Alexander ♔

art by era, code by corvus

There was still so much to learn about his Savante family, even if he should choose to walk another path, it would be in his best interest to know about his bloodline, how others might receive a child of Savante, even if disguised behind another name. He would still try to do right by them if they needed something from him that he could give. The only thing that would change was that he would keep the teachings and practices of the Crows alive, perhaps help to form a legacy and traditions all his own.

@Alexander ♔ would arrive after a time, making a point to embarrass the boy with a show of affection in front of their guest. "Yes, one of my half-brothers told me I should at the passage when I declined his invitation to rejoin the ranks of Obsidian. It is good to see you." He explained, a bow of the head and a brief grin. It wasn't much of a reaction, but coming from one as stoic as he was, it should mean a lot.

Attention would return to @Dmitri, who had limited information to offer. He could say only that tigers had dealings with the Savante for a long time now.. but why? "Dmitri here has told me of tigers living along side the Savante for a time. What first encouraged them to do so, do you know father?" He asked.

And I'm feeling good

Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel, Breeze driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day, It's a new life, For me

code by corvus

Storm was taking a mid-night walk, her sleep schedule had not yet settled into anything considered normal, when she overheard a conversation. She couldn't make out all the words but one very familiar word rung in her ears. "Tiger." She breathed lowly, her voice in awe. The Hollows had tigers? Disregarding that she did not recognize the scents or the voices, she approached the group.
In passing, Storm recognized that the two lions there had the same swirl as Karsa, the Savantes he'd said it indicated. She'd run into a few although she did not know any very well. However, her sight was quickly captivated by the striped beauty before her.
Storm's mother had told her many stories of tigers when she was growing up. Where her mother had been born, tigers were viewed as direct messengers of the gods. Her mother had revered the creatures and some of that reverence could not help but manifest in Storm as she laid eyes on one for the first time. She did not worship her mother's gods but she almost felt like she understood why her mother had. Never before had Storm seen such a glorious beast and she wasn't sure she ever would again.
Belatedly, she offered polite nods to the two lions and the tiger.
"My name is Storm, and my sincerest apologies for intruding, you were discussing tigers?" She can hardly keep her eyes off of the tiger, her grey-blue surely filled with a mixture of awe and fear. Her bobbed tail failed to swish behind her as it surely would have, had it been long. Her paws were practically trembling in excitement.

@Dmitri @Alexander ♔

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Alexander smiled at @Dmitri at his greeting. The tiger had always been loyal and dedicated - even now, outside of their homeland. Away from war. He was grateful beyond measure to him for helping keep their home protected. He had been speaking of tigers within the family, it seemed. This was a topic he was surprised had come up. It hadn't been spoken about in some time.

"Well," He began, clearing his throat. How to begin this tale? It was quite an intricate one and he didn't want to get lost in all the details. Tail flicks behind him idly, shoulders rolling back a bit in thought. "The Savante ruled an empire in our previous homeland. During my Grandfather's reign, a band of tigers joined the empire and swore allegiance." That was the start of it, and he recalled the stories of his childhood concerning the strong beasts.

"Whenever wars broke out, this band of tigers - later called the Kingdom of Katona, would always fight valiantly on the frontlines to ensure the safety of the empire. I do not know why the tigers decided to swear to my Grandfather, but I know that the bond between the elders was strong." And it now spanned over generations. And of course, other aspects had trickled in. A smile touches his lips for a moment before the King continued.

Before he could, however, another joined them. @Storm seemed like a newcomer, and the King offered her a dip of his head in greeting. "Not intruding, no worries. We were just discussing the history between our family and tigers." He explains, noticing the way she looked at Dmitri. Brows raise in mild amusement as he flicks a look toward the tiger.

"As time went on and the Savante Curse took hold of our bloodline, we thought mixing our bloodline with that of the Katona tigers might help improve not only our strength, but counteract the Curse. While it did help in some aspects, unfortunately the Curse still loomed over us." And to this day it still did, but it was not as all consuming. A cub hadn't been born for over four years before the Savante had made their way to Amaryllis.

Perhaps the Mother had wanted them to leave all along. He couldn't begin to understand Her will.

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