Autumn Sun & Little Tuft

"Layra, Tuini!" Autumn's roar rattled through the caves as she approached their den site. She had an interesting new recruit to introduce, but this one would require the leaders' inspection before she was fully integrated into the pride. As she waited for the pair to arrive, the golden-coated liger sat back on her haunches just outside of the caves, where the rocks helped to block the wind, and the sun offered what meager winter warmth it could. "Wait out here, Oracle."

Just inside the smaller of the caves, Little Tuft was watching with growing curiosity. The old lion sat up, not committed to approaching Autumn or even fully standing as he observed her and her guest move in, but wanting to see what was happening nonetheless. He'd never actually seen Oracle himself, but he was familiar enough with the Haunter scent, and caught it as she drew near. A questioning gaze drifted in Autumn's direction, but the big cat was not currently paying attention to him.

Oracle

Oracle slunk after Autumn Sun with pinned ears and a tense, twitchy tail. The scent of Makucha had grown stronger, and then it had overwhelmed her once they reached the rocky outcropping where they resided. Part of her suddenly wished to be back at the Ruins, and within the safety of the Temple and the burbling moat. And yet...

'It's so open.' She mused, dragging her wary gaze from Autumn and casting it to the rolling plains around them. Something about the endless stretch of grassland called to her, and brought her flattened ears back up. "So this is your... den?" The big cat questioned, slowly drawing her gaze away from the prairie and looking back to Autumn Sun.

Autumn Sun, Tuini, & Little Tuft

From the shadows of the largest cave stepped a full-blooded African lion, his pelt a darker shade of tan, and his dense mane even deeper. Honey-golden eyes immediately lit upon Oracle and remained there as he drew in closer, inspecting the surprising new recruit. "Oracle... right? Hhnn, it's been a while." Even though the pallid ligeress was larger than him, Tuini had no qualms about stalking right up to her, nearly nose to nose to meet this potentially new Makucha. "Tuft, send Khala out. I want to make sure this isn't a trap."

Autumn Sun sat back on her haunches now to watch. "I scented no Haunters when I met her in the Prairie. I think she's well and truly on her own." As she said this, Tuini passed a brief look to her, nodding vaguely.

Little Tuft stretched forward coaxed his tired hindlimbs to rise, with a full audible cracks sounding as he did so. With his characteristic limp, the elderly lion hobbled off to find Khala and send her out on a patrol.

Oracle

She was in the literal lion's den now. It took considerable effort to keep her breath even and passably calm, especially when Tuini got right in her face. But calm she remained, meeting his eyes, and holding them unyieldingly. "Oracle, yes." Her firm reply came as she focused on keeping her tail still and her ears up, rather than planted back as they yearned to be. "I've come to join your ranks. I need freedom, and space, things that are hard to come by in the Ruins." A quick glance sought Autumn Sun as she went on, "-and I am prepared to fight for and defend this pride against any and all enemies."

Tuini, Autumn Sun, Little Tuft

"Interesting." The word rolled with a light growl from Tuini's tongue, "So you've chosen our side. And when you claim to fight for us, does that include fighting against your former 'family'? Senka, Tyrant, Oracle, that brother of yours, Mael, is it?" His head tilted and his eyes raised, following the fleet shadow of Khala as she rose into the sky at Tuft's request. Those liquid pools of honey soon shifted back to Oracle, "If that's the case, settle in and get to know your new pride members. Rest up. Tomorrow night, you can join us for our next hunt."

Autumn Sun moved in, brushing her shoulder roughly against Oracle, smothering the other in the Makucha scent, and wordlessly showcasing her strength. "Welcome to the fold." She turned, stepping around and running her cheek against the newcomer's side, further casting the Makucha banner on the liger.

Oracle

She tensed against the frame of Autumn Sun at first, finding herself still nervous and out of place. And yet... there was also something so simply inviting about the gesture of scent sharing and mingling with pride mates. Finally throwing her caution to the wind, Oracle nudged Autumn back, fully embracing the invitation to the Makucha. With more certainty in her eyes, she answered her leader firmly, "You are my family now, and that's who I fight for."

Her gaze turned to the caverns, shallow in depth, but spacious enough to comfortably rest the entire pride and then some. After bowing her head to Tuini, the ligeress stalked into the shadows of the rock formations, curious to investigate what would be her new lair and home. As he bade, she would get to know the rest of her new family, and join them on whatever hunt they had planned in the coming hours or days.