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The lioness had to keep from grinning as they were told their clan. Earth Clan.. She looked at her pelt, stretching a leg out. "Oh, look, Minoru, we already match the clan!" She noticed some lions waving, clearly happy to have more in their crowd. She pointed to them. "I think that may be some of them over there now!" With a spring and excitement in her step, she started away, then returned, bowing to Skan. "Thank you! May the sun ever light your path!" She then all but bound off, feeling almost... Cubbish.

Minoru gave a bow to Skan as well, smiling. "Thank you." As he followed Meztli, he listened behind him, purely curious, as other lions were told their future clans. Another would be following them to the Earth Clan, from the sounds of it! He didn't feel like he and Meztli would be so out-of-place as new lions in the clan, with someone else joining it with them. It was... Exciting! As the blue-tailed lioness got further, his ears pricked and he followed after her, starting to run. A grin and a laugh lit up his face. "Come back here, Meztli!"

Sunobari hesitated as the ceremony began, watching participants step up with interest. He'd been a rogue for so long, he wasn't sure what exactly made him change his mind, especially for a pride so strange. He assumed that was why, it was interesting, far more interesting than anything that happened out in the roguelands. Maybe not more interesting than some of the weirdos wandering around there but meeting them wasn't the same as doing something for yourself. Committing to it was the problem now. He let his mind wander so long that soon, he was one of very few left to step up.

Hoping it would hide the depth of his uncertainty, he pushed himself forward, determined not to be the last one in the line up. He probably spent enough time looking zoned out in the ceremony so far, it was time to stop hesitating and focus. When he reached the wanidatsi, he realized he hadn't been paying enough attention to what or how much others were saying to him before making their offering. He would have to wing it.

"My name is Sunobari," he said, "I have always been a rogue and I have been alone for a long time. I don't have anything to offer but myself."

With that, he reached awkwardly down and tore out a tuft of fur from his mane.

Well. This was it. Now or never. . . No looking back, only towards the future. Rahim let his crimson gaze dance around all the strangers, before settling upon Jazi. He wasn't entirely sure how this was going to work -- would they be rolled for clans together? Separate? Would he follow where Jazi was placed? And what would the spirits have to say about the pair of them? What clan might he now call his own?

The olive and yellow striped lion wasn't the most social of sorts. He was quiet, he was reserved, but he did not wish to cause trouble. After his original pride had been lost, he'd been lost, with only Jazi as a guide. While perhaps their romance had not been traditional, or particularly romantic, that did not make it any less valid. He had given her his loyalty, and a piece of his heart; but that was enough for Rahim. He loved her, even if he did not gush like some fool. For Rahim was, indeed, no fool.

Tired. Anxious. Uncertain. But here, all the same. This pride was so different from his origins, but it was a place he could settle. It would be where his children would be born, it would be where he'd make a home with Jazi, and he would have a home. . .a clan, even. They would travel together, they would be bound, and he would accept this new life.

It was a change, but it would be a good thing. He would no longer be a rogue, he would have a place to truly belong. So it was, the male reached over and pulled some black fur from his once, plush mane. There were some grey strands within it, perhaps prematurely so, but life had been trying for the lion. The lion that once knew where he belonged, had been so lost after his pride disbanded. But, this place. . . . For as different as it was, it made Jazi happy, and in turn, Rahim. He would be happy to dedicate himself to a place that would be there in the morning; that wouldn't crumble, that wouldn't fail or disband.

Reaching over, he took Jazi's offered mane. "Come." He stated, encouraging the lioness to walk with him, to approach Skan. The red-eyed male gave a respectful dip of his head, before offering the male the two tufts of fur. "I'm . . . Rahim. This is my mate, Jazi'biri. We thank you for this new opportunity." His words were low, stoic, for the lion was ever stoic. Still, his sincerity was not lacking, for all that it was still awkward -painful, even- to drop his proud titles of pad and banu.

But. Mate. Jazi was his mate, and he would do well by her, and by this new home. He had learned long ago he could not cling to the past -- he had lost his mother, his father, Suha, Ly, all of his siblings. No. It was time to start anew. . . here. It was time to grow up, to accept those losses, and move on. The Ela would be as much a new home, as a place of healing.

Sunobari was oblivious to any critical looks he was getting, once his fut hit the fire he was watching intently in hopes of understanding whatever it was that the wanidatsi saw. He didn't expect to be able to make sense of it, the leader of the pride must surely know or see something special for the ceremony to proceed this way.. but he was a touch disappointed he couldn't. Nevertheless, he smiled, nodded and murmured a thank you before he walked off to figure out exactly which clan the Earth Clan was and who was in it.

Turu had to admit it was somewhat intimidating but he wouldn't change this occurrence for anything in the world. Xerxes was very much worth it. Staring into Skan's eyes Turu took in his words of advice and nodded. He extended a paw towards the leader and held his breath. This was it. Either he was accepted or he wasn't and that was that. Usually calm and collected Turu was shocked to feel his fur start to sweat when his necklace wouldn't burn. Please, oh please let me be with the pretty! As if those above heard his prayers the necklace started to smoke and caught fire. He nearly flopped down right in front of everyone, it was a relief that was for sure!

Standing tall and proud Turu bowed to Skan in return before he could stop it a smile was sent towards his leader and he trotted back into the crowd to find his mate. Things were certainly looking up for this lion!

Skan nodded as the last waiting lion approached him. "Greetings, traveler. I see that you've decided to become one of us. I am pleased to see this." He accepted the offer of hair, and watched as they burned up into the ashes.

"Baako, you are to live within the Mantis Clan. As your feet rest within our lands, I hope that you come to love your new life as an Ela'wadiyi."

And with that, Skan scattered the pile of herbs near him, as the Tree Ceremony was complete this year.