[PRP] Checking In

[mouselet]

Teet and Tzarach were relaxing by a stream in one of the core locations in the pride. It was where lions and avians were more likely to be, if they were to be found at all. The Aka'mleli covered a large area of rugged land, but was not a very numerous pride. It was their partnership with the birds that enabled them to effectively hold such an area, that and the fact that the land was too rough to be of interest to any of the more powerful prides.

Life here was peaceful, if hard. Though, it was not nearly as difficult as being a rogue and living on one's own. The lioness was pleased to call these lands home.

Tzarach was resting on his favorite perch - Teet's head. Theirs was an old partnership, far older than their membership amongst the Aka'mleli, and he was more comfortable with the green lioness than with anyone else around. The bird looked up and his eyes lit up at what he spied.

"Teet! Oh Teet look! It's Lomasi and Shikra! Hi there!"  

[mouselet]

A smile crossed the green lioness' face as she turned towards the approaching pair. It had been quite some time since Lomasi had led them to Umoja and they had joined the pride. Teet hadn't seen the other two much in the moons since then, and was pleased to be able to spend time with them once more.

"Please, come and sit. It is very good to see you again as well," she told the other lioness.

Tzarach had to laugh at Shikra's enthusiasm. In case he'd feared having the wrong pair, for whatever reason, the other bird had just proven him correct. There couldn't possibly be two avians that hyper in the whole pride.

"You seem energetic, as usual!" he replied.  

[mouselet]

"Everyone here has been very kind," Teet reassured her friend. She was glad to hear, and see, that Lomasi was recovering well, but she had no regrets about encouraging the other lioness to sit and not strain herself unnecessarily.

"In many ways it is much like being a rogue, but with much more safety, from what I've seen," she told the other. After being alone with only Tzarach for company, Teet really didn't mind that too much.

Tzarach shook his head at Shirka's twitching. "I'd hope so!" he told the other bird with dignity. Now, just because birds had a higher metabolism than lions was no reason for her to always be moving around so rapidly, now was it?  

[mouselet]

Teet nodded with a smile. "I'd think it would be comforting, to know that there were so many people checking in on you to make sure you heal up properly!" she told the other lioness. Certainly it painted a far more appealing picture than dying alone for lack of aid.

Her expression softened as Lomasi talked about Shikra and the bird echoed the sentiments. "Yes, I don't think I could imagine life without Tzarach. He's a part of me in a way that a mate never could be...that's part of why we wanted to come here, because only someone else who has the same kind of bond with a bird could understand how we feel about each other and not be jealous."

There were moons beyond reckoning of pain and anger in Teet's words, but her voice was steady and calm.

"Always and forever," Tzarach agreed with both Shikra and Teet, bending down briefly to preen his partner's headfur. Not that he could even begin to do a decent job, but it was a compliment to her words that he made the gesture.  

[mouselet]

If it felt strange to Teet as the newcomer to be reassuring Lomasi who had certainly been here longer than she, the green lioness refused to mention it. Indeed, she was fairly confident that she was the older of the two, in experience, if not age.

"Understanding is not necessary for comfort," Teet offered these few words of philosophy before smiling at her friend. "But yes, friends are always there to help however we can. And I know I speak for both of us when I say that we're glad to have you two as our friends as well." It gave her hope for the future, that this would truly be her home and where she might finally raise children of her own.

"Tzarach happy too," the parrot seconded Shikra with a laugh. This...this was why they had come here. To be among lions and birds who felt and lived as they did. In peace and in happiness.