Welcome to Gaia! ::

Esti was happy to have a small pride growing, they all seemed close enough and her daughter was happy enough especially now they had a new cub running around. Allowing a pregnant Kanti to join them had clearly been one of the best moves they could have made.

She let her mind wander over the events that had led them here, of course they still needed a land to call their own but here they were a pride growing and to her they were her family. Somewhere she knew Sharubati would grow up and be loved. She let a smile cross her maw and found a nice rock to sit on.

Home had to be near by. Where was it?

Sebae had found it easy enough to settle in to her new family; Tulia's gentle nature had smoothed out any kinks. Sebae grinned to herself as she idly wandered about, ears perked and eyes alert. Her sister had a way of making friends with anyone and Sebae was lucky to be considered a friend by proxy to most lions they'd come across in their travels.

Spying the pride leader perched on a rock, Sebae decided to approach her. It was one of the rare occasions that Sebae actually felt like interacting with someone else, making small talk... the sort of things that her sister found so simple to do.

Dipping her head respectfully as she approached Esti, Sebae waited for a greeting in return before seating herself.

Esti saw Sebae and smiled. She had noticed quickly how the sisters differed but she rather liked how Sebae seemed not as social, it made Esti wonder what the lioness noticed that maybe she didn't.

"Good day isn't it?" Esti asked, a normal mundane question though it was hardly what was playing on her mind. She had never asked to run a pride, they had after all just started off as a group of females.

"How is Tulia and yourself?" She wanted to make sure everyone was okay. Esti wasn't going to be a leader who didn't care about her pride, she wanted to make sure they fitted in and felt at home. This pride was to be home to as many who needed it.

Sebae seated herself comfortably, tail wrapping around her paws as she situated herself. Peering out at the horizon, she fixed her gaze on a point in the distance and smiled. "Yes. Everyone seems to be in high spirits today, which is pleasant." A content pride was important, Sebae realized this.

"We are well, Esti. Tulia has decided she would like a family of her own, and while I realize that her desires are her own, I can't help but think it would be best to wait until we find a place to settle, a place the pride can call home. I was hoping for your input on the situation, Esti. I think Tulia would listen to you." Sebae paused, a scowl flitting across her features. "She thinks I am just a worrisome older sister."

Esti let out a sigh. It seemed she really did need to find the pride a home and maybe sooner rather then later.

"Yes you are right. We already have Kanti's newborn and my own daughter. If Tulia was to have a large litter we wouldn't be able to travel much at all." Yet she didn't want to turn around and tell someone she couldn't have a family yet. Esti adored her daughter, she wasn't going to then stop someone else from having that relationship.

"Sebae do you know of anywhere we could go? There must be somewhere close by that we just haven't found yet." Esti had thought of asking Sumana to go and scout the area but she then would rather her be near to the bulk of their small pride.

"Would you come walk with me? We should get quite far before anyone would miss us and if your sister is wanting a family then it is more urgent we find our home."

Sebae perked her ears towards Esti, the lioness holding her attention. "I am not familiar with our current position, Esti." She looked uncertain for a moment before glancing around. She knew that Esti was right; travelling with too many cubs would make them a prime target for someone stealing away with one of their beloved young, and that would just be too heartwrenching to bear.

Sebae rose to her feet, nodding at Esti. "Of course I will walk with you. The safety of our pride is of utmost importance to me." She knew the bulk of the pride would be secure with the males idling about; thankfully the otherwise useless males kept themselves in prime physical condition in order to keep their spots in the pride.

"We need a secluded place, I think. One with fresh, clean water."

Esti smiled and got up herself before jumping down from the rock.

"Yes water is a must, it would also bring in food. We would need somewhere that we could defend, being so small at the moment the dens would either have to be well hidden or easily protected. Maybe just have one den, we can all stay together then it would be safer." Esti started walking as she spoke. At least having Sebae here meant that she had someone to talk things through with, which of course would help them find what they were looking for.

"Can you think of anything else that would be useful?" Esti was aware also of the pride's colouring. They varied so much in colour she wondered whether hunting would be all that easy, unless they adjusted their hunting. She would think about it. They needed somewhere safe for cubs.

"I do wonder if the gods know where we will end up...." She looked up at the sky as if the gods were there watching down on them.

"A single den would be an ideal situation. The males can be left to find their own accomodations, and the females would be safe by mere numbers alone." Sebae fell silent as the wheels in her mind started turning. Until she'd come across Esti and the others, Sebae had only thought about herself and Tulia. This was different, though. Now she was responsible for cubs, and it was important to Sebae that they found a safe place for everyone.

"I have never had to think about it before," Sebae muttered sheepishly. "It is easier to find a safe place for a meager two lions than it is to find a home for a pride. If we could find a cave, or a large rock outcropping, that would be a good start."

Esti smiled, happy that Sebae seemed to agree at least if they both agreed the others probably would as well. Sebae was also coming up with ideas that Esti hadn't thought of.

"A cave! Of course!" She smiled and looked around. "Lets try by those mountains, there might be something there. Keep alert though the last thing we want is to end up on someone else's territory." Esti smiled and headed towards the mountains, that would be a perfect spot for the pride by mountains! Fresh streams from where the snow on the top melted and of course there had to be perfect hiding places and somewhere for a den! As long as the land wasn't taken... she so hoped it was free

Sebae grinned at Esti's excitement. "And the mountains aren't far from where we are now; it would make travelling to our new permanent home much simpler." Sebae couldn't help feeling a bit more excited herself. With a source of fresh water, there would be preybeasts vying for a drink and thus a source of food for the pride, as well.

"I hope its free, Esti. I think it would be the perfect place to call home." She knew Tulia would agree. Excited now, Sebae picked up the pace and moved into an easy trot. Her eyes were alert, ears perked for any sign of danger.

Sebae's excitement only encouraged Esti though she let the voice of reason speak to her as well. They had to be careful, she couldn't lead these lions to somewhere dangerous. She stopped every now and then to scent the area, there was nothing fresh other then prey and there was prey everywhere. The scents made her mouth water.

"Sebae could you head to the mountains, look for a cave or somewhere to make a den? I am just going to follow that stream see where it leads." She smiled at the lioness before bounding to the stream. Fish or something was swimming in it, they were small and not worth trying to catch. The stream wasn't as shallow as it looked but it would be safe if the cubs fell in it.

She followed the stream until it joined what looked like a river. There she sat and looked around. They seemed to have found home. She could see the prey from here ranging from hares to zebra. As long as Sebae found something, then maybe by nightfall they could be in their new home.

Sebae dipped her head and moved off towards the base of the mountain. A large pile of mountain rubble rested at the base; it was easy enough to climb and from her perch Sebae peered about. She was looking for a mouth of a cave, anything that would be suitable for a family den. It would have to be secure, and preferably hidden from sight.

Something caught her attention not too far from where she was. Moving towards it, she grinned hugely as she realized what she was looking at. A huge natural outcropping of rocks formed the mouth of a cave; the opening to the cave was hidden from view by a few large boulders. Weaving her way between them, she ever-so-carefully entered the cave. No threatening smells assaulted her nose; there were no bones, no droppings to lead Sebae to believe that the den was home to something dangerous.

"Esti!" Sebae called to the other lioness. "Come, follow my voice!"

Esti turned suddenly at the call of her name and a wave of panic flooded her until she realised that Sebae's voice had been rather calm.

She ran towards the voice, not wanting to waste time and it didn't take her long to find where Sebae's voice had come from as Esti picked up her scent. She climbed up to where Sebae had been sitting and then followed the scent round. The sight of the cave made Esti smile and that was before she even walked in it.

As she entered cautiously, she let her eyes adjust to the light and saw Sebae, looking rather pleased and so she should. The cave was perfect.

"We have found home." It was all Esti could say. The cave would keep them all safe and there was plenty of room for the pride to grow. She turned and sat at the mouth of the cave and looked over what was to be their home.

"Do you like it Sebae?" She curled her tail around her as she sat there. Watching as animals crossed over her territory. They should have no problem eating that was for sure.

Sebae nodded with satisfaction, very pleased that Esti had found the cave as wonderful as she herself had. "We have found home," she echoed, grinning from ear to ear. A safe place for the pride to prosper, one rampant with preybeasts, one with fresh water nearby. "I like it, Esti," Sebae nodded, "And I think the others will find it beyond satisfactory." She didn't much care what the males thought about their discovery; they could be left to their own devices for all Sebae cared.

"It will be a fantastic place to raise cubs. The Gods have smiled at us."

Esti listened and nodded before a thought came to mind. She turned to Sebae and smiled, the female had promise and so Esti couldn't help but ask.

"Sebae would you like to join Sumana on the council? It would only be the two of you but as you helped to find our home... I would be honoured to have you." Esti put it in words that she thought would be adequate, in all honesty she liked the female and knew she would be able to work well with her. She looked out for her sister and Esti was so sure she would be able to look out for the pride as well. If she declined then it wouldn't be a problem but Esti hoped she wouldn't.

Sebae was caught by surprise at Esti's offer of a higher rank in their pride. Shocked, she was silent for a long, long moment before she grinned happily. "I would be utterly honored, Esti." She couldn't help but feel pride for herself; she knew Tulia would be giddy with happiness and ever so proud of her older sister. "I hope to serve the pride well," Sebae murmured with sincerity. They were her family, after all, and Sebae would do anything in her power to make sure they were well-provided for.

"Do you think we should head back to the others? They will be excited to see their new home."

Esti smiled, she couldn't hide how happy she was that Sebae wanted to join the council! "I am sure you will serve the pride very well, after all you helped find us our home!" Esti smiled and then nodded.

"Yes you are right, we shall head back and bring them here. We shall also let them know you have joined the council!" Esti was so excited, they had a home and now the council had two members. At least it meant that Esti could get more input. That she was happy about. Oh she couldn't wait to have them all here. Home... they had found home at last!