True, when rescuing people, it's different, but Phantom is reassured by @Gawain's assurances that he's not into forcing people to do things. Finishing up the dik-dik and crunching into the bones now, he listens as his savior tells him about his new home. Why would I join a pride? He asks, sneering at the idea. His only experience with pride life is Darkstone, of course, and so he assumes they're all like that - and it makes his skin crawl. I won't willingly be a slave again. I'd rather die than go back to that life.

"And you won't be, if I have anything to say about it." To Gawain's knowledge, no one he had rescued had ever wound up back there. It was a pretty decent track record.

"Not all prides are like that, though. In fact, most are nothing like it. A pride is just a group of lions who care for and protect each other and defend their territory together. But you definitely don't have to join one.I haven't joined one myself." Gawain wasn't surprised by @Phantom's thought process. Most lions he rescued had been rogues or part of another pride before Darkstone, and longed to go back to that life. Those that had never experienced anything different tended to want to go it alone.

The way @Gawain describes prides makes Phantom think of his description of friendship. So... they're... friends? Like the flock of birds? He's trying, he really is. He's a lil confused, but he's got the spirit. He doesn't comment on Gawain's assurance that he won't allow Phantom to be taken again - rescuer or not, Phantom doesn't believe in anybody. Not yet, anyways. Someday, perhaps, he'll learn to trust, but for now he remains guarded and wary, albeit willing to learn. He can't help the fact that his upbringing has left him scarred, but he can work on improving. What if I... wanted to have my own flock? Er, pride? But not... not like, a big official one. Couldn't I just have a... a group of... he squints, trying to think over the laughter in his ears. a group of friends? That all live together? As a matter of fact, Phantom, yes! You can! Considering you're an outlaw and all.

Gawain smiled at his efforts. "Yeah, like friends. There's a hierarchy, leaders and stuff like that, but the goal is to keep everyone safe. In most prides, it's against the rules to fight each other, and killing each other definitely isn't allowed."

He laid down. He was used to traveling long distance and carrying lions, but it was still exhausting, and he'd made most of the trip back in one go. Maybe he should have gone to Elijah first to get some sort of energizing herbs or something, but this had been an impromptu trip. "You can do whatever you want. Create a band, find a mate, even take over a territory if you really wanted to."

The explanation helps, certainly; Phantom still doesn't quite grasp the concept as well as he'd like to, but he understands more than he did at the beginning of this conversation. The idea of finding a mate, however, brings the yearling up short - he isn't even sure what he's interested in, as far as that sort of thing goes. Wrinkling his nose in thought, he decides the sound of his own little band sounds pretty cool. I think... I think I might like to make my own group. Maybe... for refugees from places like Darkstone. A place for people to be safe. He's as unfamiliar with safety as he is with prides, but his mother had told him about what safe was supposed to be, and that's what he wants to provide other victims with. Perhaps @Gawain will be interested in helping him?

The yearling's next words made Gawain smile. "I've been thinking about the same thing. There are..." he paused to count in his head. "There are five other lions here that have escaped from Darkstone specifically. At least, that I know of. Three are your half siblings. I have a feeling they would all help."

He thought about @Phantom's siblings. All of them had ended up in the amethyst forest somehow or another. He wondered if they'd run into each other yet. "I will try to talk to all of them soon. One is just a cub still, but the rest are grown enough to understand."

Now, Phantom doesn't know many of his half siblings, but the ones that come to mind have the rage bubbling deep in his veins again. It isn't their fault their father had favored them over Phantom, the defective son, but - he'll need to work on his issues before meeting them, he thinks. I hope they will, he manages to say, and it's sincere despite the way he fixes his ruby gaze firmly on his oversized paws. He cannot help his resentment; they'd lived far better than he, who'd been tossed to the wolves the second he'd been weaned. He repeats to himself it isn't their fault, closing his eyes and blowing out a stressed sigh.

@Gawain

Gawain noticed the tension that was suddenly rewritten on the yearling before him. He wasn't sure what was causing the tension though, so he decided to explain further.

"Elijah-the medic I mentioned- has been here the longest. He isn't related to you. Alexon arrived next. They're your half sibling. I assume you've heard... mixed opinions on them, but I'm quite confident they would help us. Thana and Alva are next. I haven't had a chance to encounter them yet, I've just noticed them in passing. They are also your half siblings. Then, Nazonal came along, she's the cub I rescued before you. And now, you're here."

Gawain slumped slightly, tired and a bit frustrated. There was only one way to actually rescue everyone. Only one way to stop more from being taken. But he would need an army for that. He was strong, sure, but Landicus had a bona fide army, and he couldn't compete with that.

He... he vaguely remembers the name Elijah, now that he's thinking about it. His head snaps up, red eyes locking on @Gawain's face in excitement. I think I know him - Elijah, he says, sounding boyish and uncertain. M...maybe, anyways. His excitement turns to an uncertain frown, anxiety creeping over him and making him doubt himself. How can he trust so much as his own memories? When the voices laugh in his ears and the shadows dance in the corners of his vision, and he can't remember all the time where he's been or what he's done? Oh, but that name sounds so familiar!

Gawain wouldn't turn down an invitation to talk about his friend, even if it wasn't exactly an invitation. He perked up again a bit at the chance. Elijah had come to him at a time he'd sorely needed a friend, a person to tell him that he really was helping, even those he couldn't carry out directly. And Gawain owed him for that. He owed him for giving him a chance and for every kindness since.

"You might! He's a medic. He's a tiny little lion, all silver and white with a bit of a curly mane. He's soft spoken and kind." Gawain shook his head to avoid talking about his friend forever.

"I know you haven't gotten any rest in... a long time, probably. Whenever you're ready, I'll help you to your den so you can actually sleep."

@Phantom