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Athena was sleeping peacefully after a big hunt. He and several of his older offspring had gone out together. Aphrodite had been among them for once. The adol had done quite well, but his wishing to go along had been one of the reasons Athena made it into a group hunt. It was easier to teach a younger lion confidence in his skills when there were others to support said skills. The hunt had gone VERY well, with Aphrodite managing to get a kill and Athena being able to play the proud father over it.

Of course when the hunting part is all one's siblings, they tend to allow their little brother to get the kill. Everyone had coordinated to make sure that Aphrodite got that mark, not just the doting father. Athena was proud of how well his children got along and worked together. He was a little disappointed that Pallas had not come along, but she had seemed more worried about something else and passed on the hunt. Whatever she was bothered about was likely what had Zenobia looking like a zombie when they had left.

Athena was dreaming of chasing down a zebra and had just about gotten the creature when he was brought out of the dream by a poke. He hated waking up from good dreams, but he was sure it was important if someone wanted him awake. He was sure that one of his older children was watching the cubs, but it was still the first thing that sprung to mind. The mental question of did he somehow sleep through watching the cubs and someone got hurt? But no, no, when he opened his eyes it was Zenobia poking him and saying something about needing to talk to him.

Athena stretched and gave a yawn. If Zenobia wanted to talk, most likely it was about their joint offspring whom were almost grown. Sometimes she came to him with things about the other cubs, but usually not. He was usually the one going to her about them, or his other offspring and he were discussing them. Athena was the only parent they all shared, afterall. it was his job to keep up on everything, or so he saw it. He just hoped that nothing bad had happened.

"Why do I need to talk to my daughter? I talk to my daughters all the time." Which was true. Athena made time to talk to all his children, and snuggle them, and play with them... and take them hunting when they were old enough. He really was a good father and loved every part of being a father, so it came quite easily to him. Seeing Zenobia worked up over something, did get his attention, though. She did not usually get too upset over anything.

Athena rose and looked a little worried as the female started explaining things. What was she going on about? Pallas leaving? Well, he supposed she was at the age to start thinking about it if she was ever going to do so. He rather expected that some of the cubs would leave eventually. Not all of them could stay forever if one really thought about it. The traveling got harder as the group got bigger, and besides there was a lot that one had to find on their own really.

"I am sure she could find a mate here, if she really wanted to... And yes, any mate of hers could join, but perhaps Pallas wishes to settle down in one spot? We travel all the time... or perhaps she wishes to be the lead female of her own pride. These things do happen, Zenobia, and I certainly will not try to hold her here if she wants to go make a life for herself. I certainly will speak with Pallas, but I doubt this whole situation warrants getting so worked up over, my beautiful butterfly."

Athena nuzzled Zenobia and tried to pull her close for a snuggle. He wanted to comfort her, but he was not sure why she was upset. Did she have some reason to think that Pallas had been forced into the decision or was she just scared of losing one of her cubs? Perhaps having Zenoba stick around had made her think that none of the cubs she kept should leave? But she HAD left some of her cubs so it should not be this upsetting for her. He was confused.

Athena sighed as Zenobia shrugged him off. She was upset over Pallas wanting to leave. Which meant she was upset over the idea of one of her cubs leaving. This was going to be a very hard battle for the adol and her mother, and Athena was getting dragged into it even if he did not want to be. It would probably be a bad time to tell her that Aphrodite had mentioned finding a pride someday while they were on their way back from the hunt. That would only upset her more and Athena did not want to do that right now.

Besides, it was his son's place to tell Zenobia such things. Aphrodite should have that discussion with his mother just as his sister obviously had. Athena just hoped that Zenobia would take it better when she heard it again from another of her offspring. Oh this was going to be one big mess of a situation, the male just knew it. What was he going to do? He could not do what Zenobia wanted to do, and force the cubs to stay. They were old enough to be thinking about it, and once they got a little older they could and would leave if they wanted.

"I do agree that I would like her to stay a bit longer, until she's an adult, and I will speak with her about that. But really she knows how to fend for herself already, we can't really force her to stay. Just because she CAN do something, Zenobia, does not make it what she desires to do, and I will not block any of my offspring from following their hearts to find happiness. I know from experience what happens when one clings too hard to the ones they love.... my siblings left for such a reason and hate me to this day."

Athena's heart wrenched at the look in Zenobia's eyes, but he knew she would not let him comfort her. She wanted to hear things he could not say without lying, and he would not do that to her. He would, of course, go speak to his daughter as he had said, but by the looks of things, Zenobia was not going to take that as any comfort. His promise to try to delay Pallas' leaving was not good enough for the white lioness, and Athena could not do anything more than that. He hated not being able to make things better for Zenobia.

Athena was not prepared for Zenobia to turn tail and run. He thought maybe she might walk away for time to think, but to see her just run off like that hurt. He wondered if she would come back. He hoped so, but perhaps this was something that she could not stand about him. If she never came back, he would have to go on, but it would be very hard. He liked having Zenobia around. She was as close to a mate as he was ever going to get and he loved her.