Caliana

Caliana was used to the cold weather that sometimes overtook this lands by now, though this was her young daughter's first winter since she had been born at the end of the last winter. So, the sleek black cat was bringing her daughter somewhere that she knew to be much warmer than most places. Caliana had spent much of her first winter in the valley here herself. After all, she had not been accustomed to the cold either upon coming here. Quickly, she had gotten used to it, though. But, she wanted to give her daughter a little time to warm up, it was very early morning and it was just about the coldest that it would be today, so that was when she had decided to make the trip.

The small light black feline followed behind her mother as quickly as she could. She was a very small girl as far as her bloodlines went and she always would be. This made her slightly weaker, though she was in no stretch of the mind a weakling. Once they reached the Domes, Toxic stayed close as her mother had told her in order to stay out of danger. She lay down on the heated surface, though, enjoying the warmth as her mother sat there, keeping an eye out for danger.

Callholm

The Ashen Domes were a hot spot, quite literally, for many creatures in the Valley during the late fall and winter months, especially for those who were still trying to get use to the cold snows and bitter winds that often hit the valley during the later seasons. Even Callholm, who'd been here since his fateful rescue five years ago, enjoyed the warmth of the Domes. Today, the black leopard was resting on the top of a low earthen mound, where steam was rising up through a few fissures in the ground around him. The heat was luxurious, and he almost fell asleep as he basked in it... until his rounded ears heard the soft paws of two felines treading across the ground.

Call lifted his head immediately to find the source of the noise. Living part of his life with the Shadow Haunters, and now with the Nuova Alba, he'd learned that one had to keep a constant vigilance for their enemies, for an ambush could happen at any time. In the distance, bright yellow eyes honed in on a bit of movement, which he quickly recognized as two felines laying down; one was a female, and the other must be her cub, he assumed. Callholm watched the pair for a few minutes, trying to see if they looked familiar to him or not, but he couldn't tell at this distance. Slowly, he got to his paws and began to head their way, moving at an easy, unhurried pace. After all, if he approached too fast, he figured the female might see him as a threat to her cub, and go on the attack.

Caliana

Caliana had lowered her lithe frame to rest upon the heated ground as she saw that there seemed to be no danger. Though, her rounded ears remained on the alert for any sounds. Soon after she had laid down, she did hear approaching steps of another large feline. She stood up immediately so as to be able to defend herself and her cub if the need arose. The other feline was approaching at an unhurried speed, so she did not think him to be an imminent threat. Though, she still remained alert just in case. When the other reached her the tip of her tail flicked a bit in slight anticipation. It had been just herself and her daughter for so long without any contact from any one else.

Who are you? Words were cool and collected without showing the tinge of excitement that she felt at finally coming in to contact with another. She was not the best at starting conversations, though... She realized that she should have introduced herself and she quickly did so. I am Caliana and this is my daughter, Toxic. The latter mentioned cat was laying there, just basking in the heat, she saw no need to join in the meeting.

Callholm

The first thing he noticed, aside from the younger cat basking in the radiating warmth of the land, was the subtle tail flick that Caliana was giving. It was a sure sign that she wasn't completely at ease with his approach, and he could understand why, with a cub for her to protect. To play on the safe side, Call didn't approach too closely before he stopped and sat back on his ebony haunches, to signal that he had no intent to attack or otherwise pester the pair.

"Callholm, of the Nuova Alba." The male obligingly responded to her first question, also giving the name of the group he was part of. They were just starting to make a name for themselves in the valley, after a successful attack on the Shadow Haunters and the Lurkers, and no challenge from either group so far. "Caliana and Toxic, you say? Greetings to you both. I see you've found one of the more comfortable areas in the Valley during the winter months; it's a far cry from the jungle, but personally I enjoy it better."

Caliana

Caliana had not even really noticed the flickering of her tail, it was somewhat of a nervous thing she did. And she was a bit nervous to have this other big cat approaching her. Sure, if it had been another smaller species approaching her, such as a dog or even a wolf she would not be nervous in the least. But this cat was a bit larger than even she was, and she knew that she had her young daughter to protect. Her son Cliff had gone off on his own some time ago, but her daughter had stayed with her, so she still felt that she needed to protect her.

When the other stopped a little ways away and lowered his rear end to the ground before answering her question as to who he was the flicking of her tail ceased and she calmed down immensely. It was just a reaction to not knowing whether he would attack or not. And now, she was sure he would not. He introduced himself and then the group he lived with, though Caliana knew nothing of this sort of thing, she had been a loner since coming here. What is the Nuova Alba? Sure, it might seem like a dumb question but coming from one like her it was something that could not be helped.

The other big cat then spoke in reply to their names and she nodded, showing he had correctly repeated their names. Then he went on to speak about the Ashen Domes where they were now. Yes, I found this place last winter when I first arrived... It was at least a place that made her feel slightly at ease, seeing as she did not have to worry about getting cold.

Callholm

Though he didn't show it out on the outside, he slight hesitation in the sleek black cat faded away when he saw Caliana relax. There was always a notion of danger when approaching a stranger, and it didn't go away until both sides were clear that neither meant harm. "A pride of animals that is staking a claim in the Valley." Callholm went on to explain, addressing her first question, and using 'pride' rather than pack, since he fancied the term. "Ah, so you've been here a year?" The next question was responded to as the big male flicked an ear, listening to the hiss of steam belching from a nearby dome. The air around them shimmered with heat, combating the otherwise cold temperatures of the encroaching winter. "I've been here five years now, and I must say, I haven't come across many of our kind. It's nice to see another cat like myself."

Caliana

Caliana was glad that the other cat was no harm to her. As he spoke in reply to her question she nodded, taking in the information and then replying. I did not think there were any prides here... Of course, she just assumed that being a pride, that it was made up of cats like herself. She had not caught on to the fact that he had said animals, not cats. Then he went on to ask her to confirm the fact that she had been here for a year and she nodded. Yes, a little more than a year. She looked to the dome that was making the noise without much interest and then looked back to the big cat in front of her as he spoke. It is nice to see another cat, I have to say that I have only come into contact with one other since I have been here. She spoke of the male who had led to the birth of her son and daughter.

Callholm

Callholm bowed his ebony head in a nod, his dark fur glistening to show that he was in prime health. "There are, or were, a few of them." There were many lions he knew of, not personally, but their scent and their distant roars had reached him. "Ours is the most powerful." Call wasn't afraid to boast the strength of his group, even if his statement could be challenged by the other superpower in the Valley - the Shadow Haunters. "Only one other? And who might that be?" The leopard wasn't sure he'd recognize the name or not, but for the sake of conversation and his own curiosity, he implored.

Caliana

Caliana looked around the area to keep track of where Toxic was. Her amber orbs scanned the area and spotted the light black cat not too far from them swatting a mouse who had come too close back and forth between her paws. Callholm then spoke saying that there were a few of them and she nodded, she had smelled other cats but all of the scents she had found were old. He then spoke of theirs being the most powerful and she nodded once more. She did not know how to reply to his statement other than to just nod. Then he spoke of the other cat she had met and asked his name she spoke. Ummmm... I believe his name was Real, er, Realgar, yes thats it, Realgar. She had not stayed in contact with the male, nor had she really socialized with him at all. He is Toxic's father. Not that the young cat had ever met him, the other had not the decency to even see his kittens.

Callholm

Realgar. He fished for the name in his memory, and soon realized why it sounded so familiar to him. "I've... met him before. A hybrid cat, isn't he?" What Callholm didn't say was that Realgar was an enemy of his, or at least was at one time. "There are quite a few hybrids in this place, and a few in our pride as well. Along with several cubs that were born this year." This was the leopard's first attempt to make his 'pride' sound appealing to Caliana, without outright inviting her into it. He'd already taken something a fancy to this other leopard, but didn't want to say anything too abruptly or prematurely.

Caliana

Caliana nodded as the other leopard spoke his question to her.Yes, I do believe that he is... She did not really know this Realgar, just that he was Toxic's father. She had not had the time to get to know him at all nor had he attempted to get to know her or their cubs. Speaking of cubs, she was beginning to worry about Cliff, he had wondered off again like he did quite often, but he had been gone for a while. As she thought of this, the other cat spoke of there being many hybrids here and also there was a few in his pride. He also said there was some cubs that would be Toxic's age there. That made this pride seem appealing to her, after all, she did want her babies to have others their age to grow up with. She would not just invite herself to join, though. Your pride sounds nice. It was a simple enough statement. She would enjoy getting to be able to be around others, she was not much of a solitary animal unlike most cats.

Callholm

That was what the sleek-coated feline was waiting for, a spike of interest in the pride and an opening for him to invite her. Callholm casually flicked his tail to the side, letting it curl against his haunch, "It's particularly nice when it comes to surviving the winters here, and staying safe from humans. Where we live, we've never seen a human come within ten miles of our main territory." What he didn't say was that the climb to the Basin was a rather rugged one, but it did serve the purpose of discouraging humans from venturing their way. "Your cub there would be well protected by the other Mothers, and have others to play with, if you ever wanted to check it out."

Caliana

Caliana listened to everything that this other feline had to say about his pride and she had to admit that it was sounding more inviting all the time. So, when he suggested her checking it out she nodded her head in agreement. I think that I would like to check it out. She spoke to the other that she was interested in the pride then went on to speak once again. Toxic does need others her own age to play with after all. She did not want her daughter to grow up without having playmates, so she was all for visiting his pride.

Callholm

Callholm stood up and idly stretched his front legs, showing his his muscles as they rippled under his dark, ebony pelt. It was a subtle way for the big cat to show off his strength and try to impress Caliana, without being too obvious about it. "You wont be disappointed." Call assured as he rose up out of his stretch and flicked his golden eyes between the mother and the cub. "And you'll find plenty of new faces to meet, and games to play." When it seemed that he'd caught both their interest in meeting the pride, the only thing left was to lead them to their potential new home, and hope that they found it to their liking and agreed to stay. "Would you like to go their now?"

Caliana

Caliana caught herself keeping her eyes on this male as he stretched, though she tried to look away without him noticing her gaze as he looked back to her. Then Callholm spoke saying that she would not be disappointed for checking out his pride and for some reason she believed him without even thinking about whether she should or not... Then as his gaze was adverted to Toxic a look of pride shone in her chocolate orbs as she also looked to the light black year old kitten. Toxic looked up to her mother and spoke. Mom, can we go? Her eyes were pleading, she wanted to meet some others her age. So then when Call asked if they would like to go there now she nodded. Yes, I think we would both like that... She stood to her powerful legs and readied herself to go as she moved gracefully to Call's side and Toxic stood to follow them.

Callholm

"It's some ways to the southwest of the Valley, but the trip is very well worth it." He could see the pride in her eyes, and knew that the cub of hers was a very important aspect in Caliana's life. If he wanted to continue impressing her, he would be sure to keep that in mind. "I should tell you in advance, we are a very.. diverse pride. There are several lions in the group, and tiger crosses." Callholm began to explain this as he padded along, leading the two towards the Basin. "They'll of course be no threat to your or Toxic."