He’d not bothered stopping at the entrance to this land to wait around for an escort. The earthy beast wasn’t keen on hearing campaigns and potentially empty promises - he’d rather find for himself a home that fit his fancy. Raul wasn’t a particular sort of guy, he liked the simple things in life. But he’d seen enough prides dissolve for one reason or another to feel a bit jaded about joining one willy-nilly.

Instead he’d venture his way through as a tourist might. His ruby gaze careened this way and that, taking in the sights this place had to offer. It seemed that there was plenty to choose from in these parts. Mountain ranges sprawled every which way, scraggly deserts blowing him in. Beyond that had been a rather idyllic set of beaches and a lagoon - both stank of pride-scent. A deep pit scored the earth, doused in blood and rotting bits of flesh. A war zone if he’d ever seen one. No one claimed that spot aside from the bloodthirsty. Beyond that to the northwest were red dirt and similarly colored bluffs. He had yet to venture there, nor to the forests and peaks to the northeast. No, head gone more immediately east through the fields and plains.

The wide open sky and grassy knolls were where his heart sang. Birds of prey soared overhead and the sweet scent of wildflowers drifted to his nose. He’d wandered there a while, enjoying the spring sun shining on his back. Once it started to dip toward the horizon however, he’d move on. There was another scent of pride lions drifting toward him among those prairies, so he felt the need to move a long for the moment.

Eventually Raul found himself in a rather desolate patch of land. It was clear by the sooty earth beneath his paws that a fire had once ravaged this section of woodlands. It was hard to tell how long ago, as the scent of smoke still lay upon it like a thick blanket. Ash drifted every which way as the charred skeletons of trees stood like daggers against the sky.

It was eerie, silent. The place reminded him of death. His hackles found their way to rising, skin crawling like ants were under his fur. There was a strange sort of tension in the air - something otherworldly and ethereal.

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It was about time he ventured out. He had been stuck in the dens too long. He had been told to stay, for his safety but…he was restless. He was tired of the endless plains that never seemed to disappear or hold anything exciting aside from carrion birds. So, he walked. And walked, and walked some more. Eventually, he would come across the smell of something odd, something…unique. The smell of smoke and fire and something else.

When he arrived at the clear boundary for the Wilds he would pause, brows furrowing slightly as he nibbled on his lip in indecision. Something didn’t feel right, his paw touched the charred ground, but it was not hot, but something told him to go away. The youth started to listen, but then, he hesitated again, turning back to the wilds. Something beckoned him, drawing him to the place. Taking more steps onto the charred ground, he went deeper into its depths. His fur rose along his nape, skin prickling with an energy that didn’t belong.

Azriel shook himself, trying to get rid of the feeling but was not successful. In doing so, he only managed to stumble. Stupid legs. As he righted himself, he found another lion. "Hey!" He called, straightening as he approached the earthen lion. Oblivious as he was, Azriel hadn’t noticed the odd silence of everything. He had found it somewhat peaceful. This guy looked just as weirded out as him, maybe he knew what was going on.

--Note: Azriel is marked VB, but he never left the Plains and would still smell like a LP lion--

@Raul

As strange and eerie as the scenery was, Raul had no way of preparing himself for the arrival of a another. Ruby gaze would blink, then scan his surroundings a moment before realizing the voice came from much lower. Maned head would tilt downward to view the bundle of fur as confusion colored his face.

"What're you doin' out here all on your lonesome?" he'd rasp, voice gravelly from lack of use. He'd not had much company in the past few months due to his fast paced travel. Raul had been in a mighty hurry to get nowhere, only to find this fine piece of land.

His gaze would leave the child to roam the space around them - still desolate. "Where's your ma 'n pa?" he'd murmur, glancing and scenting for them for a moment before returning his attention to the cub before him. This was no place for a youngin' to explore.

@Azriel

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