[PRP] The best tree (Xefo, Bora)

[Annchen]

There weren’t a lot of trees in the area the Bonelands lions had claimed for their territory, but there were a few at least. Xefo, the vulture, was currently flying from one to the next, huffing and muttering under his breath. He tried out different branches at different heights and shook them with his talons to test the stability. A particularly vigorous shake sent dry leaves cascading down at an unsuspecting lioness under the tree, and she growled and shot him a nasty glare. Xefo glared back and flew to the next tree, still not finding what he was looking for.

It was one thing for lions to nest on the ground, they had no wings so they had to stay there, but to build a proper nest you needed a sturdy tree. And he needed a proper nest. From what he understood it was the lioness who did most of the work with nesting, and that seemed very unfair to him. It was an important process of courtship to build the nest after all!  

[Jovi of Shadows]

One thing was for certain. Or rather two things. Her wings were tired and she felt heavy from a large meal of good, fresh meat. Any meat was good, of course, but the advantage of partnering with a lion was access to juicy, warm flesh. A meal such as that would have anyone in a good mood, albeit a tired one.

The white buzzard began her slow spiral downward, spilling the wind from her large wings steadily as she circled her targeted tree. It was a nice tree, though she wasn't really in a position to be picky about it either. It took several long, lazy circles for the vulture to lose her altitude completely, and a moment longer before her talons grasped the bark of a strong, yet shaky branch. Her wings unfurled partially to steady herself, before lazily tucking against her sides as the branch calmed.

Her beak slipped down to n** at an unruly feather on her chest, when her blue eyes spotted the grey male. "Xefo, is this your tree?" She hadn't noticed him on her decent, and blinked curiously at him.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

Xefo made a happy vulture noise as Bora landed in the same tree. He started walking over closer to the branch she had landed on. It was slow moving and awkward, but probably less awkward than trying to take flight for the short distance. He used his wings to balance himself as he waddled closer.

"Do you think it's a good tree," he asked, "I'm looking if this part of the territory have any decent nesting trees. It's no good to nest on the ground."

It didn't help that their lion partners liked to move around... Xatu and Xefo had recently returned after a trip through the roguelands. For the moment the pride was near the Firekin outpost again, and Xatu was catching up with his mother and other kin. Xefo was just glad to be around other vultures he knew. There were things a bird knew and a lion didn't. With Bora he didn't have to explain things.

((Going to pretend this is more current, if that's ok with you. After their first batch of chicks have grown.))

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bora returned his pleasantry with a low croon that vibrated in her throat, lifting her head to bob happily at him as he got closer to her branch. There was only so much feline company a sophisticated bird could stand, and she was rather happy to see Xefo return from his journey. "Its one of the better ones", she admitted, clutching the branch with strong talons.

Sadly the bonelands wasn't home to many large trees, and as Xefo had stated ground nesting would be near ridiculous. "Most lower branches should be sturdy, I'd think", and she eyed the higher ones with suspicion.

She wasn't very fond of falling out of trees when weak limbs broke, nor would she be happy on the ground where lion cubs might bother her so close to the pride. There were many cubs this season. She'd gone out of her way to notice them all and stay out of pouncing range. "There are no other contenders for trees", she told him proudly, as an after thought, puffing the feather crest around the bottom of her neck. "I've seen to it." Where the bonelands lions claimed the land, Bora saw fit to claim the trees of the territory from other buzzards that might fight for her... their scraps. Xefo was also bonelands, she reminded herself fondly.

Annchen

((Absolutely! <3))

 

[Annchen]

Xefo imagined a fluffed up Bora chasing away any rogue vultures making the mistake of settling in the prime spots around the current Boneland territory. Those birds could sit in other trees while Bora's and Xefo's lions lived here. Until they got lions of their own they didn't deserve the best trees.

"There is another huge advantage of these large cats," Xefo mused, and stretched his neck to be able to preen Bora, "Plenty of left over fur for nest lining. Xatu hardly even complains if I groom some out of his mane."

It was good to preen another bird again. Grooming and preening Xatu's mane was soothing, but the lion couldn't return the favor in any way the vulture appreciated. Bless the kid, he had tried, but a cat's tongue wasn't meant to do the job of a beak.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bora shuffled slightly on her feet, pleased to have Xefo groom her feathers. It was one thing to do it yourself, but an entirely different experience to have someone reach those ridiculous, neck straining spots for you. She'd tried, and Diná was absolutely no help at all in that aspect.

"Indeed! Though I'd imagine your male has more to offer than my Diná", she told him, pausing to n** at a stray feather on Xefo's back. There, back in place. "The silly beast only has that one tuft of hair as a mane, and she gets picky about it." Something about being worried her beak might miss and poke her in the eye. Bora didn't quite understand it. Her beak was the most delicate part she had!

A thought occurred to Bora, and curiosity prompted her to ask. "You're well traveled; have you noticed others of our kind that pair up with felines?" Bora had lived along side the Bonelands all her life. Not always in direct contact with the pride, but she'd follow the group of lions around when they migrated, picking off the remains of their kills before she'd met with Diná.  

[Annchen]

Xefo bobbed his head in agreement. He helped preen Xatu's shorter fur too at times, but mostly if something was stuck in an area the feline couldn't reach. He imagined Bora's companion wouldn't need that kind of help very often. The females in the pride often groomed each other, while Xatu couldn't be picky if he wanted help while they were out.

"Yes, yes," he said, "It's the sensible thing to do, to get a lion, and for a lion to pair up with a bird."

'Their' lions might not put it in those words, but from Xefo's point of view he was the one keeping the young lion around. Well, they were more like friends or companions than pet and keeper, but everyone could see clearly who the brains of the operation was.

"I've heard of a lion and bird pride where all lions must be paired with a bird," he told Bora, "They can't stay if a bird doesn't accept them!"

Jovi of Shadows