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Xatu had decided to migrate with the others this year. It would make it easier for him to find them again, and then there was that vulture problem... Xefo would probably not want to leave his lady just yet. It did feel a bit weird, because it was his first migration as an Enda. Last time he migrated he had been one of the luzisi, with a growing mane that he knew would soon force him to leave. It hadn't played out like that after all, but that was what he had believed at the time.

This time he was someone else, and while he was allowed to be there he hadn't quite found his place yet. For all intents and purposes he wasn't male when he was with his pride, and he didn't know how he was supposed to act during this time. He mostly kept to the edges of the group, since it made more sense to make sure the females and cubs were in the centre and out of harm's way.

He had arrived to the main group just before Surtak, but he hadn't added to the conversation. If push came to shove he would have helped chase off the intruder, but he was glad it hadn't come to that. The situation with Nguvu was upsetting on many levels. On one paw, he knew that it wasn't fun to have to leave home and family behind, but on the other paw... He had found a way to stay, and he had paid the price. If Xatu could do it, so could Nguvu. The lion teeth hanging on his vulture's necklace was a token of the pain and sacrifice.

Some of the females seemed to think that he should be allowed to just saunter back in, and that didn't sound right at all. But Xefo knew his place, and he wasn't about to start bickering with the females.

"Never a boring moment," the large grey vulture commented dryly. He didn't waste a moment after taking in the scene at the watering hole. He took wing and soon landed heavily on the crocodile Ukulambile had been sampling. The vulture had seen Xatu's half siblings grow and was fairly confident that this one wouldn't mind. She was more or less family so she could share.

"This is how you do it," he said and started tearing at the crocodile tail with his sharp beak. The juvenile had actually managed to make some progress on the tough skin, and with that as a starting point Xefo could free up more meat for the two of them.



Buna was happy to see Surtak, but the madness didn't end at that. The small Umholi had proved his worth in her eyes, and it angered her that many of the other Abazingeli still challenged him. She could understand Wodi's teasing, because she knew the Busisa liked to keep Surtak on his toes. But the others? It was rude and wrong for females to try to decide that a male should stay with them. She joined Baie when the orange lioness walked to stand behind Surtak.

"Is everyone going mad this migration," she grumbled to no one in particular and went down to the water, staying far away from both Nguvu and the dead crocodiles.

The situation was resolved for now, at least. She could understand if Hadharani and Nyesui would want to speak to their brother, but any other lioness who decided it would be fun to talk to the rogue male would get the cold shoulder from her. It wasn't right! Not everyone shared her strong opinions about sticking to tradition, but Buna would defend the ways of her pride on her own if she had to.

Hadharani was unhappy about Surtak's ruling. She knew the rules but she loved her brother and her heart ached to have to send him away again.

When Hari pulled them away she listened to what the lioness had to say but she couldn't help be hurt. She knew in time the pain of her brother leaving would diminish again but it would never completely stop because she would always hurt. She missed him everyday.

"It's just like opening an old wound again. I can't help hurt knowing he'll have to leave again." She told Hari and then she leaned up against Nyesui just looking for comfort in the touch of her twin.

Slowly Ushari made her way towards the twins, the sisters of this Nguvu. She offered them both a smile, "I am happy you have some time to see your brother, even if it is temporary. Loosing family is always hard business." She offered softly. She understood how hard it was to see a loved one go, then come back, only to be told he wold have to go again. On one hand it was nice to see them, but the knowing they would leave again, and the fact you might not ever see them after this... it was hard.

“It seems so.” Baie answered her niece with a small mocking smile, brushing against her side again before her tone lowered as she eyed some of Njalo’s Lusizi. “Some never had much sense to begin with.” She eyed Thuli in particular, her eyes narrowing critically. She would try to have a serious talk with that one later, not that they’d ever gotten along particularly well. But someone had to make sure the old traditions were alive and well in the new generation and Baie was certain the young lioness she’d watched grow would at the very least sit down and listen to what she had to say.

“Don’t trouble yourself. You know Gakere will sort everything out when he arrives.” Her eyes were kind as they brushed past Nguvu but she didn’t speak to the lion again. It wasn’t proper for anyone other than his sisters and Surtak to address the muck-covered lion, after all.

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“Yeah…” Thuli agreed with her sister, mirroring Baie’s stare with a cold glare of her own. That family was so uptight about the old traditions! She had some respect over Buna but that orange one just plainly got on her nerves some times.

Well, all the excitement was over now. All they could do was to wait for Gakere and drink. Quiet boring, actually. Thuli yawned before making her way to the water’s edge.

Roll~

Sometime next week there will be a special ceremony held in the lands.

This will be heavily catered towards cubs and juvenilles, so bring them along and get ready. There will definitely be prizes.

Thanks for making this ORP a lot of fun! Be sure to join us again.

There is also a small topic up for discussion in the OOC thread. Feel free to put down input.