Laini sighed, looking about. One of the juveniles in the pride had decided to go 'adventuring' away from the others. And that brought Laini to the southern border of the pride, looking for the errant Maisha. The little leopon was really a sweetheart...but he was bound and determined to be an Asikari when he grew up. And that meant he wanted to see the borders all the time. And Laini had to go chasing after him while Luta was busy with Maisha's siblings.

"Maisha! Cub where are you hiding now?" It didn't help Maisha was colored to blend in with the grass, practically.


Sairin walked the grass calmly, humming to himself as he went, looking skyward. Today was a lovely day, yes. And so nice to walk through! The maler skipped slightly, smiling as he went, and thought of Elua and the cubs back home. Yes... Today was a wonderful day.


Laini practically ran into the other male, focused on simply finding the juvenile before he got himself lost. He yelped and his hackles raised as he backed up a bit. s**t! He forced himself to calm down quickly. Well...this would be his first time dealing with an outsider since joining the pride. "Er...sorry. Have you seen an orange and white young one go by?" The other male was okay. He wasn't QUITE in the 'you really should turn back' area.


"Hnmm? Oh, no, I'm terribly sorry, I haven't." SDairin smiled warmly at the smaller lion, bowing his head. "I can help you search, though. Two eyes and all."

The enormous male bowed his head.

"My name is Sairin."


Laini refrained from sighing in relief. If he'd been a normal-sized lion, he might have been intimidated by Sairin's size. As it was...well, Laini wasn't exactly dainty himself. "That would be rather appreciated. He's got this desire to be a border-guard when he grows up, so he's taken to running out here." He did sigh this time. "He's a good kid, but he tends to blend in rather well with the grass." He smiled politely at Sairin. "I'm Laini-moto."


"A guard? Does he have a teacher?" There was a sparkle in Sairin's eye, warm and kind. This could be helpful, and he wanted to note it. Allies were always a plus, especially for their group.


Laini chuckled. "Not quite yet. He's a little young. He'll start his training soon though. We've a few border-guards who wouldn't mind having such an eager student." He started in the direction he'd been going again, keeping an eye out for the trace of white fur or blue eyes that would betray Maisha's whereabouts.


Sairin padded after, chuckling.

"He sounds eager. I longed to be a guardian once."

Then he met Elua. He was still learning love, but... Maybe...


Laini looked over to Sairin, curious. "Oh? That's a good thing to want." He smiled a bit. "I'm a guardian of sorts myself. I help watch the cubs, and keep them safe." It was something he enjoyed, even when the cubs caused mischief.


"Mmmm. I'm learning now, though." He smiled. "I never learned how to... Let go and love as a cub."

No, he grew too fast, wanting to tend his mother, a fact that even now haunted him.


Laini blinked. "That's a sad fate." He nodded. "Growing up, it was just me and my brother and father. But he taught us that love was very important." His father neglected to mention that love was also rather spontaneous and full of surprises. "He taught us you have to put your heart into what you do, else it's not worth doing."


"That sounds about right. Me... Heh. I have a blood feud with one brother." Sairin shook his head, sighing. "He tried to kill my mother.... I never knew what happened to either one of them. But I know I've other siblings. I smell them in this area."


Laini blinked. "That's quite a family you've got. My brother and I had our tiffs...but we knew when to just drop it. I haven't seen him in a while though. We kinda went our separate ways after our father died." He gave an encouraging look. "I hope your meeting is good, if you meet your other siblings."


"MMhmm. Mother was a flirt." Sairin chuckled warmly, shaking his head in amusement. "I hope so, too."


Before Laini could say anything else, he spied a bit of white. "Ah-ha!" He grinned and scooped the juvenile up before he could hide again. "Gotcha, you silly boy. You know you're not supposed to be out this far."


Maisha stared at Laini with big blue eyes, surprised the adult had found him. And a little guilty. "Ah...uhm..." Eep. And then there was the BIG (even bigger than Laini and Grandma Moto!) lion with the Mlisha. "I uh...Hi?"


"Hello, little guardian." Sairin smiled. "Straying from your post?" He gave a good natured grin gently.


Laini nodded slightly in approval. Sairin would make a good father once he decided to settle down. He seemed to have a good idea of what to say, at the least.


Maisha opened his mouth to protest, then closed it and blinked. "Uhm..." He was the oldest boy. And...OH NO! He HAD left his 'post'! He flailed a bit and Laini set him down. "Mommy Luta! And my sisters! And brothers!" He looked to Sairin rather quickly. "'Cuse me! Nice meeting you!" And he dashed back towards the den area of the pride.


Sairin chuckled warmly, nodding.

"Go ahead little one."

Then he smiled to Laini.

"Hopefuilly that helps..?"


Laini nodded, trying very hard not to laugh. "It does." He bowed his head to the other. "Thank you very much. I DO have to warn you though...it's not wise to wander too far into these lands. Those of us who live here know the risks but...to our north is a pride of demons. This pride was founded to combat them, and act as a sort of 'buffer' for the rest of the world. At least from this border."


"Demons?" Sairin looked confused. "Aren't those myths?"


Laini shook his head. "I once thought they were. But there's a pride of 'em in lion-forms. And others still wandering around." He frowned. "There are a few good ones, who've learned to live with the rest of us...but others..." He sighed. "If you've anyone you care for, I would suggest being catious anywhere north of here. There's vampires too, in the jungle north and east of us. But they tend to stay there, so you needn't worry much about them."


Elua...

"I... See. I'll keep it in mind."


Laini nodded. "I hope you have safe travels. You seem a good lion...perhaps karma will be on your side. But I'd best be following the youngling. Lest my pridemates wonder if I've gotten lost."


"It was good to meet you." Sairin bowed his head, turning to pad away.