The place that Roan had referred to as Obsidian Hollow was aptly named. Where Callan had grown to love the forest for its soft ferns and mosses and abundant wildlife, the hollow was a rather lifeless place in comparison. Yet, it wasn't without wonders of its own. The cliffs were exceedingly fun to climb (to the small amount that he could climb them) and thus far he's felt safe even among a sea of strangers. Really, he made himself right at home by simply ignoring the other lions and focusing on exploring, playing, and eating.

Sometimes, he'd remember the gravity of his hopeless situation or how much he missed his family and stop to snivel quietly to himself, but most of the time he seemed quite resilient...or maybe just easily distracted. He was grateful that these lions saved and fed him, and as long as they continued to keep him safe then he would stay right here; never again would Callan make the mistake of leaving on his own. He certainly learned his lesson.

Yet, there was the ever present complication that he couldn't really communicate with anyone here. His family had their ways of understanding him and he had his tells, but he wonders if he'll ever figure out how to tell them even what is called or where he came from.

The mist was slowly fading in some places, but Tobin still felt it wise to stick to the Hollow for the time being. He had no desire to get lost in all of it, nor to find himself blocked off from his home.

So, he roamed the tunnels he had been living in for almost a year now, reflecting on how his life had turned out. He had few regrets, thankfully. Being here, serving under Roan and Faelyn, was not one of them.

It would seem there was another nearby, one he recognized as the child they had found. He presumed the sovereign mates had taken him in, but that didn't mean the boy couldn't wander, nor that he couldn't say hello.

"Greetings, little one," he rumbled as he approached to lay down near the boy. It had been quite some time since he had spent any time near cubs. Probably since his own had been small. He remembered them fondly, and wondered what they would be like now had they survived.

He lifted his tail and reached it out towards the cub, wriggling the tip of it in the air close to him as a living teaser toy.

@Callan

He bats at the loose rocks around the hallows, pretending he is a mighty bear emerging from his cave after hibernation. Not that he's ever seen a bear, but he's heard stories about them. When he hears the much larger form of @Tobin approach, he stops to watch, eyes wide and alert but not frightened either.

Tobin lays nearby, calls him little (which is true, but hurtful to the narrative that he was in fact a mighty bear), and then begins to dangle his tail for him to bat. Callan tells himself he won't, but the fluff was irresistible for his minuscule attention span. He swats at it with both front paws, supporting himself somewhat shakily on his haunches.

For a moment he wasn't sure if the boy would react, not that he would blame him for not wanting to play with a total stranger. Then, after a rather agonizing moment, the boy reared up and batted at his tail. He was well coordinated for his age and Tobin couldn't help but smile.

He lowered his tail to the ground, sweeping it close and then darting it away so the child could chase it. He was certain whoever this cub belonged to was terrified, and he hoped they would be able to find them soon so he could be returned to them. At least he had been found by a pride who would protect him wholeheartedly. Tobin was past the point where he would be of any use in a fight, but if it came down to him joining in one or the child getting hurt, well, it wasn't a question of what he would do.

@Callan

Guided by instinct, Callan cannot help but play with the fast-moving fluff. Tiny claws lash out as if by their own accord as he attempts to snatch and pin the elusive thing. Even when he succeeds, his puny might would do little but prick the much larger lion. Besides, unbeknownst to @Tobin, he had a large family and had learned the value of gentle play.

Eventually, he gets tuckered out and meanders closer to the dark male, sitting in a small loaf with his left side pressed against Tobin's as he yawns. He looks a bit crestfallen then, orange eyes casting to the mouth of the cavern as he thinks about his family. Callan tucks his paws further beneath his breast and casts a glance up to the adult with him, wishing he could tell him what he knows about where his family is.

The boy only had so much energy, and when he was tuckered out he found himself a spot right next to him. Tobin smiled down at the boy as he looked up at him. "We will have to find your family soon. I'm sure they are missing you," he commented. "But for now we will take good care of you." Excellent care, actually. Between the sovereigns and himself there were plenty who were eager to make sure he was doing well. He would, of course, be making sure the prides nearby knew that they had found the boy, but for now surely he would be able to spend some time with him.

@Callan

A twitch of his ears tells that he is listening as @Tobin speaks, but it isn't until the word family leaves his mouth that Callan looks up at him curiously. A familiar well of sadness bubbles up from within him. It was always there, despair just beneath the surface kept only barely at bay with whatever occupied his young mind at the time.

He missed them so much - and he knows that they miss him too just as Tobin says.

Callan wants to ask Tobin a hopeless "How?" as he looks up at the older man with quickly watering eyes. His throat goes tight as he swallows, ears pressed forward as he waits to see what Tobin had to say next.

Toben felt for the boy, for despite being young he seemed to still understand what was going on around him and, judging by the look in his eyes when he looked up at Tobin, was not happy about it. He felt for him, he really did. "I will start asking the prides if they are missing you tomorrow," he said, both as a reminder for himself and as a promise to the boy, if he could actually understand him.

He bowed his head to the cub, aiming to lick the top of his head. It had been quite a while since he had been around a child, but he was fairly certain he knew how to give a bath still.

@Callan