ooc: now back to your regularly scheduled order

Avana couldn't help the slightly giddy grin from forming on her face as @Hiccup congratulated her. She'd never been much for ranks, but maybe that came along with being born a princess. She'd never needed to go looking for a rank because she already had one, and so just always did what she could to help. Whenever it was a family pride she was part of now, even if she was no longer a princess, it was simply ingrained in her to continue to help as she was able, with or without a rank. "Thank you," the maned girl practically squeaked. As for sticking out, she knew that struggle as well, though maybe not as bad as Hiccup had it with his stark white coat. "I know what you mean. Pink doesn't really blend in well either," she smirked. "As long as you're not opposed to getting a little dirty, stalking it easy." It may not be the cleanest way of blending into one's surrounding, but it was definitely one of the most effective to simply coat one's self in mud or dirt to go unnoticed. If anything, it would at least mask their scents. For now, though, she'd let the boy get settled back into his home before dragging him out on a hunting lesson.

The rest of the conversation was returned to her brother, as it probably should be anyway. There were still some things to discuss about ranks and abilities. Despite his larger size, Hiccup claimed he wasn't much of a fighter, though Avana would likely chalk that up to simply his age. Not all boys were rough and tumble from the start. As far as she knew, not even Roan was much of a fighter as a kid, but look at him now. The maned girl's attention only really peaked again when the yearling mentioned secret tunnels. "Ohh, that would be nice to know," the Hodari girl couldn't help but chime in. She wasn't much of a fighter herself either, so if there was an escape hatch within the Hollows, she definitely wanted to know where.

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Much to his expectations, Avana did not disappoint in receiving the rank. He wasn't sure if she'd want to stick with it for the long term, but it would probably help them out a great deal to at least have someone in the position while they got their numbers up. Whatever help they could get in keeping the pride fed was for the best. Roan even took note of @Hiccup recognizing the promotion by congratulating the man's sister. Hopefully, they'd be able to train well together. Who knows, maybe the yearling would eventually take the rank himself if Avana didn't wish to stay in the position. She wasn't a ranger, after all.

It didn't concern the mauve lion to hear that the yearling wasn't much of a fighter. He was still young and just may not have had the opportunities to train or even a need to fight so far in his short life. Or, he just didn't like fighting. Whatever was the case, there was always need for other skills within a pride, and it was because of this that he didn't often like to see people simply fight for a rank when fighting experience was not the only thing a pride relied on. "That's perfectly fine. We've already got a decent mix of fighters and non-fighters. And hopefully we'll recruit more members soon to help fill out the pride's needs." And surprisingly, they had female fighters more than males as Tobin was older and not interested in that sort of thing anymore. No matter. The masked man had seen many a great female fighter before. "What are your trades of interest, then, if you're not much of a fighter?" That being said, though, Roan was curious as to what did interest Hiccup going forward.

Even if he couldn't offer much in the way of his abilities just yet, Hiccup did not come empty pawed, at least. With mention of secret tunnels within the Hollow, Roan was instantly intrigued. He did wonder how so many seemed to get out unscathed and how lions like Alva had gotten back into the lands without his notice. Then again, Roan had only just been getting used to the caves, so it probably wasn't hard to sneak by him at the very start. "That would be great information to have, Hiccup. Thank you." The Hodari's voice was genuine in tone, truly interested to learn what he could about these lands from Hiccup.

Table & Ref by Amanda | Background | Base

Truthfully, Hiccup hated being dirty. He hated being wet, too. He realistically knew that the best way to blend in was to camouflage his coat, and @Avana confirmed it. Hiccup could’ve grimaced, yet he chose to smile. “Whatever helps,” he chimed. He was willing to do whatever was needed of him, even if he had to roll around in the mud like a warthog.

Neither seemed too concerned that he wasn’t exactly gladiator material, which was comforting. The boy nodded when @Roan said they had a nice blend of warriors and non-warriors, but that they would hopefully recruit more members soon. Roan wanted to know what interested him though, seeing as how fighting wasn’t his thing, and Hiccup answered with a smile, “Well, I know I said I’m not great yet, but I like hunting. I like tracking the herds and knowing where to find them.” That was important information to have, he thought. “I think pride politics are cool, too. Úlla, she was Sovereign when I was smaller— sometimes I went with her to other prides, and that was fun to meet everybody and learn about them.” He’d been too young to help Úlla, but joining her on her rounds had sparked in Hiccup an interest in diplomacy.

The pair seemed happy for his offer, to which Hiccup smiled brighter — before the distant growl of thunder made him look over his shoulder. When he turned back, he asked, “If it’s okay with you, I think I’ll see if my old den is still available, and I can show you the tunnels after?” Provided that neither were busy elsewhere.

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Hunting and politics. It wasn't a bad combination. All important things when it came to pridelife. Roan was an adept diplomat himself, so perhaps he could take up the same offering Úlla had given the yearling. @Hiccup would likely get more out of the experiences now that he was older anyway. "Both are welcomed trades to have for a pride. Food is essential, after all, but I think I'll leave that to my sister to work with you. I believe our Baroness is also a ranger." Though he got the impression that Alva was geared more towards fighting, it couldn't hurt to mention her other area of expertise. "I am an Ambassador myself, though, and obviously being king requires a lot of political talks. You are welcome to accompany me on travels if you would like to continue learning as you did with Úlla." It never hurt to have other opinions along for the ride when talking alliances. Sometimes the younger views might even bring along other ideas that Roan would not think of himself. He didn't have an apprentice anymore since Cressida was... gone. She wouldn't have needed him now anyway at her age. That is, if Hiccup wanted a teacher.

Only when the thunder rolled in the distance once more was the Hodari lion reminded of the weather outside. They were lucky to have sat here this long talking without getting rained on already. Best not to push their luck any further. Nodding, he stepped aside to allow room for the yearling to return to his home. "Yes, of course. Get yourself settled, Hiccup, and find me whenever you are ready." Though it would be a very useful bit of information to know about these secret tunnels, Roan wasn't in a crucial rush to find them. "Welcome back to Obsidian," the masked lion would offer in parting with a brief grin. He had high hopes for the boy's return to the Hollow, convinced he would be a beneficial addition to the new regime. "Let us know if you need anything." And with that, the Hodari would lead the way back into the caves, content to remain underground while the weather passed.

exit Roan

Table & Ref by Amanda | Background | Base

Though she wasn't the prissiest of lionesses in the world, Avana wasn't all the fond of getting completely coated in mud either, but whatever would help her hunt, she would do it. When it came to hunting with a whole group, though, she didn't often have to go to such extremes since there were usually enough of them to compensate for her unusual coloring. The maned girl would offer just a brief chuckle at @Hiccup's response before her brother asked more important questions.

For the remainder of the conversation, the younger Hodari wasn't needed for much and so just sat respectfully quiet and attentive until all was said and done. The thunder in the distance was noted as well, recalling why she had come up here in the first place. She still wanted to watch the storm, but the boys were more than welcome to dip back into the Hollow. "I'm gonna sit and watch the storm for a bit, but it was nice meeting you, Hiccup," Avana offered with a little smirk of her own. "We'll go hunting whenever you're settled and ready." The maned girl sported a cheery smile before watching the males leave (assuming Hiccup goes inside as well). It'd leave her with a quiet contentedness as she hunkered down near the mouth of the cave entrance, ready and eager to watch the storm brew in the distance.

exit Avana via watching the storm

Table & Reference by Amanda | Base by Drifty | Background from unsplash

@Roan mentioned another ranger who Hiccup could learn from — the pride’s baroness — and he nodded. He would have to track her down soon and introduce himself (not knowing yet that they’d lived together before, under Úlla). The Sovereign invited him to join him on his political rounds, which earned him a beaming grin from the boy. “Really? Yes— absolutely!” he enthusiastically accepted, excited that he had the chance to study under not only an ambassador, but the KING himself. Talk about a learning opportunity!

Before, when he had arrived, the yearling had been a nervous, hiccuping mess. Now though, he was wonderfully thrilled. He was home and he had what he believed to be a bright future ahead of him under Roan’s rule. For now, he was told to get himself settled again, and to let them know if he needed anything.. “I will, thank you both,” he offered again, looking from Roan to @Avana with an appreciative smile.

While he and Roan were bound for the tunnels of the Hollow, the lead huntress decided to hang back to watch the storm. She said it was nice to meet him, and he nodded. “It was nice meeting you too,” the yearling replied. There was a hunting lesson waiting for him whenever he was ready, for which he was grateful. “Definitely!” Soon, he told himself. Just once he’d finished with his den and if the weather permitted — though he supposed he could learn in the rain, if it came to that. He had to get used to all hunting conditions, didn’t he?

Turning back to the older male, Hiccup quickly picked up his paws and stepped after him, joining him for the walk back inside.

Exit

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