Welcome to Gaia! ::

Avila padded her way along the border during the early afternoon. She had recently finished her lessons for the day and was taking a leisurely stroll before going out on a hunt later. Her skills in hunting had been rapidly increasing and while at first she had found it a bit frustrating, mostly due to lack of experience, now she loved the challenge that hunting presented. Lessons of coordination, hunting strategy and working in a team to bring down prey that was much larger and stronger then they were was a thrilling thing indeed. Heading towards the shade of a nearby tree Avila's eyes scanned the horizon, walking both those from the pride and those who were not a part of it move outside of the border.

Unlike his partner Apiyo was not so much anxious about the idea of joining the pride but more reserved. He also, being the overly protective type, didn't think rushing into the prides border was the best idea, they should approach slowly and a bit cautiously until they knew all would be safe. Yes, they had both heard rumors about the pride and it seemed to suit what they were looking for quite well but one could never be certain if the guards would see their entrance as friendly or hostile.

"Don't worry, we will get there in good time. It is only early afternoon." He reassured her, for probably the hundredth time that day. They had been traveling together for some time now, having met not long after his brother Adongo had found a female to settle down with. They were friends, good friends, but Apiyo hoped for more one day, perhaps after settling into a pride and he was certain Ubora felt the same way. Why else would she have insisted on them finding a pride together?

She had nearly reached the shade when Avila spotted two lions approaching. They both had brown pelts, though one was darker than the other but not by much. The shade would have to wait. Turning she padded towards the pair, while she didn't have much practice with talking to those from outside of the pride she would do her best. She smiled at the two and brought her paws to a stop.

"Greetings, I am Avila of the Tuiat'tekem." She nodded her head in greeting and then wondered if they were just passing by or wishing to stay. "Can I help you in some way?" Avila offered, and suddenly wished she had a bit more experience with this type of thing.

Apiyo couldn't help but smile and give a soft chuckle as Ubora sentence was interrupted by the arrival of a pride member from the very pride they were looking at joining. He politely dipped his head in greetings. "Avila." Apiyo however most noted the slight hesitation when Ubora introduced him to the youth, almost like she had meant to say something else and then settled upon referring to him as her friend. It hurt a bit but he understood at the same time, they weren't official mates yet. He would have said more but really what could he say, they had arrived at the pride and he was certain that any questions he would have Ubora would have as well and the two females could chat while he stood silent, listening and watching, it's what he did best.

A brood smile crossed her maw but she immediately wiped it off. This was no time to be joking around, these two wished to join the pride and having been the one to encounter them it was her duty to see to it to the best of her abilities. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. The pride is always open to new members. May I ask how you heard about us?" Plenty of lions had joined since she had been born so obviously word got around somehow about their pride. A gust of wind kicked up sending a small spray of sand towards the three lions. This was something she was used to having lived her entire life here but to newer lions it could be a nuisance. "I hope you don't mind sand, it's a big part of life here."

The sand he didn't mind so much, yes it was gritty and would get stuck to their fur constantly but it was also easy to get rid of with a good shake of your body. "Sand is better than mud." He offered but otherwise remained as the silent guardian of his friend and Avila. His eyes looked out upon the surroundings, it was certainly different here than where he grew it, there it had been a thick forest, with little open area, here it was pretty much the opposite. It would take some getting used to.

At the mention of the hunt where they had been told a bit about the pride he nodded. "He left out a lot of details but did mention that the pride makes it's home within a temple." This had been one of the reasons Ubora had decided to check out this pride as she was the more spiritual of the pair, and he respected that about her.

"It does take some getting used to." And then she let out a laugh. "Yes, it is much better than mud." Mud was nice to bath in during the extremely hot days but as a constant in life it was down right annoying. "The pride does live in a temple, it is our home but it is also where we learn, and worship the gods. It is a very pleasant place to live." She motioned for them to follow her, best to give them a bit of a tour first. "As I said before the pride is always open to new members so you two can join without problem. There are a variety of ranks that can be offered to you."

She began to describe the ranks, everything from nanny to guardian to scribe to priests and priestesses. As they walked she led them towards the temple, pointing out important structures and items along the way. When she was done giving out all that info she looked at the pair and smiled, a bit embarrassed about how much she had rambled on. "It's a lot to digest all at once."

Apiyo followed along in silence as they took the small tour of the temple and it's surrounding area. He was certainly impressed by it all even if he was being quiet about it, but that was the way he was, the strong silent type. Though it may not have looked like he was paying attention to what Avila was saying, as he would glance down every corridor they passed and inspect things thoroughly whenever they stopped he was in fact listening very intently. "It certainly seems like a wonderful place to live. The openness of it allows for great views of the world, making the guards duties easier." He could appreciate being able to see for miles on end without his vision being obstructed, something his old home lacked.

He fell silence for a few moments, mulling over what Avila had said about ranks and training, the worship of the gods, life in the temple. It was a lot to take in all at once. "Guardian sound like the kind of role that would suit me well."

Avila was so happy with herself that she was doing a good job of showing them around, at least she could only assume she was doing a good job as they both seemed happy as well and were asking minimum questions whenever she did explain something. When they stopped their tour in the midst of the temple Avila smiled at Ubora. "Sounds like you would be well suited to the life of a priestess. There would be much training to be done however, but clearly you already have a respect for all things spiritual so that will help out." Her gaze shifted to Apiyo as he spoke. He hadn't said as much as Ubora had but when he did his words were well thought out. "Guardian is a good choice, we can always use more who have the ability to protect the pride."

She waited a moment for them to take in the vastness of the temple that they stood in before speaking once more. "So do you wish to stay then? I can find dens for you to stay in if you so choose." But then that posed another question that she needed to ask. "Would you require one den or two?" Ubora had said they were friends, but they seemed to be wanting to join together, so perhaps they would like a single den. Either way Avila could arrange to find their sleeping quarters whether it would require one or two dens.

Apiyo smiled a bit at Ubora, he could just see it now, her becoming a priestess it suited her so well he couldn't image her as any other rank. His eyes turned back to Avila. "Then I suppose Guardian is what I shall become." It was the perfect role for him as well. He thought for a moment on Avila's next question as well as Ubor'a initial response to it. They had been sharing a den together while traveling and while that had been more out of necessity than anything else he really didn't want to give that up. Not when they were joining the pride together, not when he wanted to get to know her better, besides if it became awkward they could also use separate dens later on right? "A single den will be fine." He confirmed with a nod, committing them to living together.

Avila beamed at the two. "A priestess and a guardian how wonderful." It was nice to know that she had a paw in letting these two into the pride and allowing them their choice of the ranks. She waited patiently as they decided on their living arrangements. Avila was certainly not very worldly but she had noticed there was something between them, something that was only just beginning to blossom and it filled her with such joy to think she was looking upon what could very well be a mated couple in the future.

When their answer was finally given she gave her head a nod. "Excellent. I shall go arrange for your den now, I will return shortly." And with that she turned around and padded off to find a suitable den for them and to give them some time to speak privately amongst themselves.

Apiyo watched as Avila walked off to go settle their living arrangements and find a den for them. When he looked over to Ubora he noticed she was looking off into the distance, but there was a appearance of happiness mixed with nerves in her face. "I'm sure they are beautiful, we shall have to be certain to watch some." Watching a sunset would be a great way to appreciate their new surrounding but also spend time together to get to know each other better, something he was looking very much forward to.

"Yes it is the right choice. The pride is a great one, and it will be a good way to start a new life...together." He made sure to add in the together, so she knew for certain. He would have said more but from the corner of his eyes he saw Avila approaching.

It had not taken long to speak to one of the older lions of the pride and find a suitable den for Apiyo and Ubora. And so once it had been documented that the den was now occupied she went back to where she had left the two lions. They seemed to be talking about something, though Apiyo noticed her approach and she smiled at them. "If you'll follow me I shall show you to your den." Turning she led them down the length of the temple, making sure they were shown other things of interest along the way, things that could be used as markers to newer lions since many of the dens looked the same to new eyes.

When they reached the den they would be sharing she brought her paws to a stop. "This is your den. I think you will find it spacious enough." The den was quite large, most were especially those shared by more than a single lion. "I'll let you two get settled. If you have any questions feel free to ask anyone, we're all quite helpful." Avila went to leave and then paused, looking at the pair one last time. "And welcome to Tuait'tekem." Then she padded off, it was nearly time for her to go out hunting and she was certain the two would want some time to look around and be together without her as an escort.