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If there was one thing to say about the Earth clan, it was that the lions here were a tad bit more welcoming than that of the Wolf clan. Not that the Wolf clan was rude or cold, but here...well. The lions just seemed to gravitate towards one another more. Perhaps there was a bit of rhyme and reason to the clans...wolves were loners sometimes, but the earth was always warm and close together, strong and powerful. It felt like a family here, even though he was so new. Of course, the fact that he'd joined the clan as a friend of Haini, the new Sky Festival champion, might have had something to do with that.

Zuberi knew the honor was great, but he found it slightly odd that lions were now coming up to his friend to talk with her even though she claimed that before she had been rather alone. Perhaps even these lions weren't immune to the taste of fame and limelight. The stoic lion didn't like that very much, but he certainly wouldn't voice his opinion, not when he was so new to the pride, let alone the clan.

It was a rare day when he wasn't by Haini's side, but today was one of those days. He headed off to one of the watering holes the Earth clan had in their control for the time being and paused to take a drink. The weather was growing hot today, and it wasn't even far past sunrise.

Zuberi lifted his head as he licked the water from his fur, ears twisting forward as he heard someone call out to him. He was the only lion in the area so of course it would be directed at him...but still, he was surprised. He wasn't used to others walking up to him yet. Something he would get used to, he was sure, but for now it was still a novelty. He straightened up and shook his head just a bit to make sure water wasn't dripping off his chin before moving to meet the female halfway.

"Good morning," he replied once he was within speaking range. It was a good morning, even though the heat was starting to get oppressive. A nap would be in order later, when the sun was at its highest. He didn't recognize the lioness, but the lack of total-body tattoos let him know that she was joining rouge, just as he was. It was nice to meet others that were like himself, and he offered her just a hint of a smile.

"Forgive me if we've met...I'm still getting used to this clan. I'm Zuberi," he said, bowing his head slightly in greeting. It was always polite to give one's name as soon as one could, after all.

Zuberi nodded slightly as he was given a nickname to call her. He was fine using full names, but the nickname would be there should she ever ask to be called just by that. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aarazthoorus," he said softly. While some might find the longer names daunting to remember, his own aunt had had an incredibly long name, but as was tradition in his old pride, no nicknames were allowed. It had taken him months as a cub to learn how to pronounce it, but once he got it, he he'd never have problems memorizing a name again.

"That's good. I'm usually all right with names and faces," he said now that their greetings were out of the way. "But this pride is so large I fear I may have met some Earth clan members during the festival and not realized it."

He didn't care to expand that he had switched clans at the moment. He wasn't a very talkative lion, and most of the things he said he had to make a decision on whether or not to say them. Greetings were easy, but as far as small talk went, he found it hard to carry a conversation when the other participant wasn't talkative or curious. Aara seemed to be friendly and inquisitive, though, so he was sure they wouldn't have a problem.

The lion nodded his head in understanding. In any other situation he probably would have kept to himself as well, but since the pride was so new he had decided to break out of his comfort zone to do things he might not normally do. He had entered the Sky festival and even talked to a few lions that he had never seen before. One of them turned out to be Haini, who he had returned to the clan with.

"It is quite lovely," he admitted. "As was the Wolf clan, but lions here seem a bit more...warm and welcoming I suppose." In the Wolf clan, when he had first stumbled upon it as a rouge, he had been welcomed warmly by a few lionesses but that was it. He had been smiled at as others had passed him, but as far as conversation or friends went...he had struck out. Now, though, the lions of the Earth clan were making up for their counterpart's lackluster way of greeting.

"I had one or two lionesses come up to greet and talk with me the whole time I was there. Here, already, I've had five or six, not including you," he added, nodding his head. "It's a very nice change, even if I'm not used to the attention."

Zuberi nodded in confirmation. While he was still new to this clan, he'd been with the Wolf clan for about half a year. Still a bit new to the pride, but not as new as some that had joined right around the time of the festival. It made him a bit more confident in himself to know he wasn't the 'baby' of the rouges any longer. Some of them still didn't even have tattoos. At least he'd gotten those taken care of.

"That is quite true," he murmured softly. He knew he didn't make the mark for 'friendly looking' lions, but he had been trying to at least stop the small scowl that seemed to be on his face whenever he wasn't speaking, and even sometimes when he did talk. It wasn't as if he was walking around angry, it was just the way his face looked when he wasn't trying to make it look like anything.

"You seem very pleasant to be around," he added. "You are very kind from what I can tell, so I doubt you'll have trouble attracting more lions to speak with should you wish." As long as she stayed out of her cave, there was an air about her that spoke of kindness and gentleness that many lions found desirable in a friend.

A little bob of his head indicated his thanks for her compliment. Zuberi was used to being the odd lion from his old pride, but here he really felt as though he fit in. Everyone was very peaceful and kind, even if some were a bit louder and clumsier than others, who were shy and withdrawn. There was no needless fighting here and that alone was a good enough reason for Zuberi to enjoy his time here.

With a glance up to the sky he wrinkled his nose. The heat was becoming oppressive already and the pink tinge of sunrise had just succumbed to the normal blue that stretched from horizon to horizon. Perhaps his nap should begin a bit earlier rather than later.

Glancing back at Aara, he shook his head a bit to try to feel the weak breeze that was blowing just a bit more. "You'll have to forgive be, but I'm a bit useless in the heat," he said as he motioned to some trees not too far in the distance. "A nap in the shade is calling my name. You're welcome to join if you wish...I know you won't meet any lions while sleeping, but at least you'll be out of your den."

Zuberi gave a little bow by way of excusing himself, a soft 'and you' leaving his lips, and he turned to go. She had been very nice, he thought to himself as he strolled off towards the trees. Already he had met more lions than in the wolf clan, and he'd been there far longer than here. Yes, he decided, it had been a good move to come here.

When he reached the shade of the trees it didn't take long for the male to drift off to a light doze, the hot sun lulling him to sleep almost instantly.