Gremio:
Despite Safi's assurence, Gremio was still unable to simply sit back and rest. He had began pacing along the boarders, though he had stopped muttering to himself. He kept the horrible scenerios of what could be keeping Tir tardy to himself. It didn't help his sanity at all, but it allowed the cubs some peace and quiet for their midnight nap. Taban was already out with Feng patrolling the boarders. They had asked Gremio to keep an eye on the den- hoping it would distract him.

Still... they didn't have a fresh kill. What if Tir returned hungry? The cubs needed something to eat too...they were growing afterall. Jowy was looking on the thin side and Riou needed his muscle! Their training was very demanding...

And Safi! She needed something to eat....the hyenas' teeth would dull if they didn't have something to chew on.... was it his turn to hunt? He'd not asked! The lion cleared his throat and forced himself to take a seat. He had to calm down...everything was fine, nothing was wrong, no one was hurt...

Tir:
It had been his day to hunt, indeed. Tir had taken the initiative to get as much as he could out of this excursion - the feeling of being by one's self in this vast world few and far between, since had taken his score up as warleader in the previous pride, and his new home full of life, and warm bodies. Sometimes, you just have to get out and enjoy a little, even when strapped with such an important responsibility.

But he had returned in all due time, the warmth of of the small catch filling up his mouth as he carried it back to the clearing, eyes smiling from the success. Sure, it was small, but one lion alone would be foolish to attempt to strike down something that could feel the mouths that expectantly waited back home. They would all have to work in the end for that, but for now - thinking in the paws of a father - Tir figured this would be good enough to fill the stomachs of the future Chokwe Tribe Leaders and warriors.

It was none too long until he saw the all too obvious rampage that was Gremio - a creature he could only call a 'mothering' figure in his life. A bit of a worry wart, but he did well, and meant well. He even went out of his way to follow the warleader when he took from the last pride, nitpicking all the way here, even when they took up adopting the young Riou.

"Dear Gremio, what has you so up in arms?" he murmured, after lowering the kill to the ground, smiling like nothing had ever happened. (FIN)

Altai:
Like a falling star, a small, feathered body fell from the sky and landed with a thump in Gremio's mane, right on top of his head before rolling off and fluttering to land in a ruffled ball of fluff by his paws. Altai was still growing and had just started flying, so she was just big enough to get away from her "mommy" when she wanted to.
And taking a nap was not on her agenda.

Safimoto:
Safimoto came running up, looking more than a little worn herself, and glanced around hurriedly, trying to spot her wayward little falcon. How could such a small bird be so sweet one moment and so troublesome the next?
Her father had left not too long before this incident, chasing a goddess he had caught rumor of being in the area. He always had a soft spot for deities, for he believed that they traveled farther than any mortal, and with traveling came wondrous tales to bring back to the troupe. No doubt he would be back soon, finding the rumor to be empty as usual, or maybe he would finally come back with a new friend to tell the troupe of her journeys.

But that wasn't important at the moment. Her father was gone and that meant she was alone in her search for Altai, or at least she was until she came across a familiar face. The other lion registered in her mind and she assumed he must be Tir, but at the moment he wasn't the what needed to be addressed right then.

"Gremio, have you seen a white and brown baby bird, Altai? I was attempting to get her to take a nap when the next thing I know she's out of my sight, flying in this direction." Oh, she hoped her sweet little thing hadn't fallen from the sky, that she wasn't hurt.

The young dancer looked as fretful as Gremio had when they had first met, though she probably had a great deal more reason to be. Tir was, after all, full grown whereas Altai was just a baby. And she was much smaller and her gaze settled on Tir and the kill he'd brought back- Oh gods! What if some bigger predator had snatched up her baby?! Tir certainly hadn't, but the thought was in her mind now and wouldn't leave. Her ears flicked back and the look of worry grew on her face.

Gremio:
"Young master!" The lion was back up to his paws in an instant and loping over to his young chage. His tone was something inbetween relief and accusation. For one- how could he just leave him behind? What if he got hurt? What if there were other predators about? At the very least he could have helped bring in something for them to eat. While Tir had suceeded in his hunt, he hadn't brought enough to feed more than the cubs....but that was important.

"Where have you been? Riou and JOwy were up an hour ago...they've gone ba-AHHH!" He jumped, bringing his paws up to swat at the air as a small bundle of feathers landed in his mane. After a few short moment of hystarics, his paw brushed against the fluffy bundle. Nearby, Shoka gave a long sigh and launched herself out into the air to circle her companion.

At Safi's inquiry, Gremio only sighed. "...yes... actually. We just ran into eachother."

Tir:
"I just returned, dear friend. A gift to the youths - strength is key in survival." he came out with, before the little fuzzball streaked past the old warlord and landed in the mane of the old warrior, sending him into a frightful rampage, his paws flailing everywhere, Tir stood out of way of any frantic claws, holding himself over the kill so that nothing unfortunate happened.

He couldn't help but burst out in laughter before he could answer his old friend though - the sight too cherishable to let up. Smiling from ear to ear, this just hardened his affirmation even more, that feeling of doing something right, even if it meant leaving behind a honest past. But, it was always nice to come home - and a commotion always followed in chaos' footsteps, at the heels of the little fluffballs that danced, pounced and flitted around the clearing that the Chokwe had taken to. Tir had almost forgotten what it was like to be at the mercy of the little souls that were the future of a pride - his previous home dying out on old blood and bones.

"I'm sure all the children are fine - being seers, I think they have the upper hand in their futures. Look what it's done for Teyd." he murmured, smiling still ear to ear. "For now, I think we should worry about keeping their stomachs full."

Turning to Safimoto, he nodded an affirmation of her existance, a silent hello.

Altai:
Altai cheeped in surprise and tried to flutter away.
"Nonap!" she cried but she really was tired and couldn't manage to get back off the ground, leaving her an easy catch for her mommy.

Safimoto:
As soon as Gremio spoke, Safi spotted Altai and lunged around the older male, scooping up her baby bird with one paw and holding the small falcon close to her chest.
"Don't ever go off like that again," she scolded down at her baby in a hushed tone, her eyes closing for a moment to collect herself. Altai wouldn't stop wiggling for a few heartbeats, but eventually the strain from the flight got to her and with a yawn she closed her eyes and went still. At that, Safi looked back up and gave Gremio a small smile.
"I hope she didn't cause any trouble..." she said softly. One had to wonder if the gray hybrid had a volume louder than the whistle of a breeze. And she did, of course, she just never used it.

She finally glanced back over to the younger lion and gave him a smile as well.
"I'm sorry for interrupting. I'm Safimoto." She was getting better with longer sentences. She still didn't like to talk terribly often, but she had learned that one couldn't always be silent. Especially in a large group like the Chokwe.
could not send the last message because it was too large.

Gremio:
"No trouble... just unexpected." Gremio took a deep breath and reached a paw up to comb his mane back into place. He couldn't be seen walking around looking like some underkept brute! What would it say about Tir's quality of character if he'd be seen with such an individual? Nothing good, certainly. "And... this is master Tir. He was so kind as to-"

Again, the older lion gave a yelp as a set of very small, but still very pointy, teeth sank into his tail. Jowy had grown bored with his nap. With Taban out and their 'baby sitter' distracted, he took the oppertunity to find himself some entertainment. Sadly, it was far too easy.

Taking another deep breath, Gremio turned over a shoulder. Jowy looked up, eyes wide and innocent as he could possibly make them. The effect was lost as he continued to chew on the base of Gremio's tail. "...it seems... the young ones are ready for their supper, Master Tir...should I prepare it for consumption?" By that- removing the fur so the cubs wouldn't get hairballs later, or worse- indigestion.

Tir:
"No interruption at all, my dear - you had the stage." Tir broke out into a softened smile at the introduction of the halfbreed, lidding his eyes a little. "Yes, as Gremio states, my name is Tir - most people call me McDohl, from my tribe name, but I'm open to anything." He introduced himself, a light hearted hello in response. He had seen this lass once or twice around the Chokwe group, but had not met her - there were so many here - so many new lives that Tir was not used to, his mind not opened enough to catch so many names and new blood that ran through this tribe. It was starting to feel like a home.

"Ah, Jowy, am I to understand that you, and your kin are running around the tribelands with rejuvinated energy?" He murmured to the halfbreed cub, as he made a play-meal out of the old warrior's tail, making the warlord chortle deep in his throat, before turning his face up to Gremio.

"I think that would be a good idea, you know how the children rampage at you. They have no idea how much they'll miss you when they're on their own feet."

Safimoto:
Safi sat down so she could carefully tuck Altai in a "nest" she made by curling her tail around, letting the baby bird doze on her thick tail-tuft. It gave her a moment to consider Tir without staring, a habit she was also trying to get out of. He had an odd way of speaking to her, but it was nothing unpleasant. He seemed a little more formal than his guardian, not a bad thing either. He seemed a pleasant male and one she thought would make a good friend.

"I think I like Tir," she replied with a short nod. It was short and sweet, something she preferred. Hence why, though she would formally introduce herself as Safimoto, she much preferred to be called just Safi.

She glanced over at the appearance of the white male-cub... Jowy. He was a child of speed and power like herself and it gained him and his siblings a soft spot in her heart. In her travels with her father, she hadn't met many hybrids like herself or her cousins. In fact, she'd even met some when she'd grown older who persecuted her for her birth. To find a place where she was welcomed no matter what she was made her so very happy.

She would probably go hunting herself a little later, to get something for Altai, once the little raptor returned to the waking world. She wasn't the best hunter, far from it really, but she was competent enough to feed herself and her baby, her father having taught her when she was young.

Jowy:
"I'm bored." Jowy stated simply, releasing Gremio's tail from his mouth. He sat himself up, properly as possible, and threw out his chest. It was as if he'd never even THOUGHT of pulling a childish prank such as biting the tail of a 'foe' with his back turned. "And I'm working on.....stealth. See? I did it."

Gremio:
Ah youth... he missed having cubs around again. It seemed like an eternity ago that he had kept watch over a young Tir as he and Ted sparred in front of the late general's den. Teo had always been so busy for his king... and Lady McDohl hadn't survived giving birth to Tir. Ted had been there to keep Tir entertained at least...though it never failed. He always found himself on the wrong side of children's pranks. Tir had enoyed pulling at his ears when he was younger. He quietly hoped Riou hadn't picked up on that.

"Ah....yes. Well..." He took another deep breath, making a faint choking sound. He'd miss it when they were on their own as well... it wasn't easy to watch the young grow older and independant. At the same time, he couldn't wait to see the young warriors they'd become. "They have their own lives to lead...and I have supper to prepare."

Tir:
Tir could only send a softened smile over to his old guardian, before grabbing Jowy up from the ground, noogie-ing him lightly with a large paw and holding him in his grasp. "Let us let the old warrior work on your breakfast, or you and Riou will go without, less you find your own. Don't think I won't make you chase mice again, little monster~." He murmured strongly, giving a sense of do what I say, not what I do. A fathering tone to his voice was surprising to him, feeling that he was starting to follow in the Old Lord's footfalls. It made him feel a little somber, having seen the Great Lord in a life's time. A past life he almost missed.

Breaking his concentration from his past mullings, he glanced to Safimoto, his ears swivelling and eyebrows raising to the sky. "I appreciate the compliment. Anyone who is a friend of Gremio is welcomed into my house." He responded, his tail thumping in return against the ground, before relenting on the grasp he had on Jowy, looking down at the cub. "He's always in need of a friend, be good to him."

Safimoto:
Safi thought it was cute how Tir handled Jowy, something caught between fatherly and brotherly. It was something she came to expect from the troupe. Everyone filled a role in the family, if you were the quiet dancer, the fretful parent, the big brother, the annoying little brother/sister, the brooding protector. It was like out of one of her father's stories. And yet it wasn't a story, this was real and it was her family. She'd spent so long with just her papa, she'd almost forgotten what it was like in a larger group.

"I hope I can count you as a friend, too, Tir," she replied, taking his second comment to heart. She liked Gremio, he was interesting and caring. She did think that one day he might hurt something with all of his worrying and fussing, maybe she could help him learn to relax a bit more instead of getting all worked up. If there was one thing her papa had taught her to do, it was how to relax.

She returned her gaze to the lion in her thoughts and tilted her head a bit, curious over what he was going to do. To her, the process was kill something, eat it, there wasn't really a preparation to it. But she liked learning new things and waited patiently to see what he would do, hoping he didn't mind her observing.

Jowy:
"HEY NO!" Jowy flailed under the paw of the older troupe member, his tiny little body squirming under his unrelenting hold. It was too late...all that time grooming his mantle was waisted. Alia would no doubt point it out....

"Fine... alright but....ew mice." He shuddered. They were gross. They didn't even taste good! Why would they make him chaise them?

Gremio:
"Very well." Gremio reached a paw out to pull the kill closer to him. He'd take it away from the main troupe so he could properly clean the kill so it would be a convienient, and healthy, meal for the young ones. "Master Tir, if it's not too much trouble, can you find Teyd and ask him to watch after the young ones? It was my turn today.... Safi it was very nice to see you again. I won't be long, afterwards I suggest we find something for the rest of the troupe."

Tir:
Tir smiled almost devilishly when he felt the squirming cub trying to relent. Hearing the defeated groan from Jowy, he let his grasp go, allowing for the cub to escape his meany pant ways, patting down the cub's mess of hair, feeling a little mean for ruining such a prided part of him. Having had no siblings of his own, the ability to watch cubs grow around his legs made him feel like he was being treated to a second chance of childhood - even if there was that sense of fathering deep in there, at the core of his feelings - especially when it came to Riou. It was like looking at him from the past - he couldn't watch himself go through the lonliness that he experienced until Teyd had found his way in to the old pride, the scared leopard youth, who had been spooked from something he dare not talked about back then.

Smiling to Safimoto, keeping her in his range of sight, he nodded soffly, his smile warming up to her as she queried about their status in the pride. "I think it would be safe to say that, yes. I'm sure Teyd would appreciate you, also, dear." He could see why Gremio had appreciated her so much. Where he was frantic and fretful, always up and about, she seemed so quiet and reserved. A yin to his yang - something akin to his own stern silence that he awarded those outside of his personal bubble, to Teyd's warm open-ness. A streak of kindness that seemed to span ages before they were even born. Almost unnerving.

Swivelling his ears back, he caught the statement from his caretaker, and leaned his head to gaze at him, nodding ever so softly. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that he's become the cub's plaything for the day, but I will definitively corral the cubs to him when I get the chance, Gremio."

Safimoto:
She was glad she could count Tir as a friend, and this Teyd he had mentioned. She had so few after her family had splintered apart and now it seemed in finally rejoining the Chokwe, she had gained so many more. It was unnerving and wonderful all at the same time.
In her youth, Safi had been the sweet, playful cub, but she had avoided talking. She had learned that when you did, others were more guarded about what they said around you, because some things others feared would be repeated. She didn't like that her family couldn't be completely open around one another, so she had waited as long as possible before she started speaking. Plus, if she listened rather than spoke, she learned so much more about others. They could confide in her more easily.

Sometimes she had gone off by herself and just talked, to get it out of her system. Of course, her aunt had eventually caught her at that and marked the point at which she ceased the charade. At least for the most part.
She still kept the playfulness, though it rarely manifested outside of her dancing, she was still as sweet as could be. She hoped her new friends would learn to confide in her when they needed to, eventually. It was one of the few times she really felt like she was helping another.

She shook the thoughts from her mind with a slight twist of her head and returned her attention to the present.
"Wait... Do you mind if I watch? You prepare the food, that is," Safi asked before Gremio could move away.

Gremio:
Gremio smiled slightly, "Tell Teyd I'm sorry in advance. I'll see if I can't find him a little extra for dinner." He always was a fan of mealtime. In fact, more often than not, Teyd would be right on time for dinner, if not earlier, than Tir. The young man was a fan of a good meal.

He leaned down to the kill, pausing only when Safi offered to help. "Oh...uh...w....well if you'd like. I suppose....but....your paws will get dirty..."He leaned down and lifted the kill by its throat. Jowy wrinkled his nose, still not too comfortable with seeing food as a former living, breathing thing. It was perhaps why Gremio insisted on hunting more those days.

He jerked his head otwards a large boarder on the edge of the camp, where he often cleaned the kills. Their pelts made for good places for the cubs to lay down- they were warm on the cooler nights. He'd never be able to live with himself if one of the younglings caught cold.

Jowy:
Jowy licked the bottom of his paw and dragged it over his mantle again. He'd look presentable if it took him all night to do so! Perhpas he could bribe Leknaat to help him out. "....Tir, Riou says Gremio shirieks if you poke his sides. Can I try? Please?"