Bédoier's steps were careful as he moved along. He was in unknown territory once more. And now...he wasn't a child anymore. He had his adult name, had the experience that would define his life from here on out. He would stay a little longer in the rogue lands, for the sake of his friend, but soon...soon they would return. And when Kisa returned home with HER adult name...he'd ask her if she would be his mate. His Name Quest had forced him to think about many things, including how he felt for the gray female. She was his starshine, his heart. The gray-brown and blue male sat, seeing no one else in the area.
Just a couple of weeks ago, he'd still been 'Asce Kibou'. Now though...now he held a secret within him, and that secret gave him his name...Bédoier. "I will keep that secret to my grave, and pass it on to my cubs, so they may know and visit, Tsubasa." he would make sure his ancestor could rest in peace, like he wanted.
Arden prowled, on the hunt. Life was harsh since leaving, and the sheltered lioness was stronger. Sleeker, with a growing grace. She scented another, and prowled, stalking.
Treize watched, slipping after her. Someone spied a stranger close by, and Arden went to see. Treize followed to mind his mate, and now found himself following. At least he enjoyed the view.
Arden slowly moved, then froze seeing the figure, perking and pouncing, purring.
"Asce!"
The adolescent Swampie yelped and was bowled over, surprised to hear his name in the rogue lands. He blinked, bright blue eyes confused before he realized who it was that had knocked him over. He grinned, managing not to cry from joy. "ARDEN!" Despite his awkward position, he nuzzled his sister, purring. He'd thought he'd never see her again! Not...not with what his mother had been warning him of since he was young.
"It's not Asce, anymore. I found my adult name!" He chuckled. "I'm Bédoier, now." He said the name proudly, with an odd, almost sad undertone.
Arden purred, nuzzling him, then frowned. "Be-wha? That doesn't suit you at all. You'll always be my brother Asce." Artden looked sheepish. "Just like I'm always going to be me."
Treize slowly came up, eying the other teen, and bowed his head.
"How do you do?"
Bédoier chuckled. "I know you'll always be Arden." He'd always known. "I...I didn't think I'd get to see you again." His smile was a bit sad, but he was infinitely glad he'd gotten to see his sister again, before he returned home.
He looked to Treize, blinking. He...looked a little familiar. Huh. He nodded in return. "Hello. I am well. Who're you?"
The adolescent male blinked. And blinked again. Her mate...was...ohshit. Bédoier managed to NOT panic. His mother had warned him, she had. Seemed he hadn't even needed to go to the pride Arden was eventually bound for to run into trouble.
"Mate, huh?" He switched to 'brotherly' mode. He'd be doing it for Noriko one day, too. And any little sisters he ended up with. "You been taking care of her? 'Cause if you haven't...well, I'm not as puny as I might look."
: "Of course I hasve." Treize looked offended. "A proper male doesn't take a mate if he cannot care for her."
Arden giggled, smiling. Silly boys!
"He's a perfect gentleman."
He looked at Treize critically another moment, then nodded. "Alright than." Bédoier pawed at Arden. "Lemme up, sis? I GOTTA tell you about some of the stuff I've seen. How far over the rogue lands have you been? I mean...I'm glad I'll be going home once Mtoti finds his adult name too, but...wow. I even ran into GRANDMA!"
Arden let him up, sighing.
"We came here. But there's... Been a lot. Like Uncle Eti. He and Treize fought."
Treize didn't look proud, pulling Arden close.
"Arden knocked sense into both of us, however--your Grandmother?"
He perked. Family talk!
Bédoier drooped a bit. "Mister Etihad is out here too?" He looked troubled for a moment. "I'm glad you got some sense knocked into you. Arden shouldn't have had to." He snorted, then looked at ease again as he began to talk about his grandmother.
"Our Mama's mama! She's a very nice lioness. She's a storyteller, and makes things too. She's got a limp though." He shook his head. "She wouldn't tell me why she had it, and I didn't ask beyond the first time because it made her sad."
Arden frowned. Limping meant injuriers.
"Grandma probably got hurt. I wish I could meet her."
Treize chuckled, but sat.
"She shouldn't have, though, indirectly... She's been stronger since. And your grandmother sounds a very good lioness." He smiled gently.
Bédoier nodded. "She'd definitely been hurt, in the past. She...she had a lot of old scars. And she's definitely not a fighter." He smiled slightly. "Grandmother did her best to make me not worry about her." He nudged Arden affectionately. "I bet you'll run into her at some point too! She'd visited Mama before I ran into her, and our Uncle Glaise who lives in the desert. She said that Revez is doing well, and that Mama is pregnant again! With Uncle Fleance's babies." He looked rather proud of that fact.
Growing up, it had been no secret that Asce had adored the God of Ashes. To now have him as REAL family was something wonderful for the adolescent Swampie.
Arden looked devastated.
"Mama's having Uncle Fleancer's babies?"
The look on her face made it clear. She was regretting leaving the swamps, and Treize frowned, pulling a paw around her.
"It's alright, love... It's alright..." He looked to the other male, unsure of what to do. He wanted her to be happy. And he could te3ll... Arden wished she could meet her new siblings. And couldn't.
"Maybe... It best you remain as a guest for now. The pride here welcomes outsiders, and... Maybe it can make Arden feel better."
Bédoier moved to try and comfort his sister. He hadn't meant to make her sad! And he felt guilty for doing so. "I..." He sighed and looked to Treize. "I can probably stay for a couple of days. I'm sure Mtoti wouldn't mind if there were a few girls he could flirt with."
He put a paw on one of Arden's. "Arden...I...I know you're not coming back. That the name you have is the only one you'll wear."
"I... I want to meet them... It's not fair..."
Arden sobbed, paw clutching his. Treize sighhed, closing his eyes, and rumbled, nosing her gently.
"Come... I'm sure Shinigami will See us if we're gone too long and come looking."
Treize nodded to the boy, motioning him to follow before padding for the heart of the pride, Arden sulking beside him, still distressed. Treize sigherd.
If only he could help her...
For now, hopefully, her brother would be enough.
