Khala, Tuini, & Spotlight

The sky was awash in swirling gray clouds when Khala returned from her most recent scouting trip. The air was brisk and cold, with frost coating the brown blades of grass, and hugging the sides of the rocks where the Makucha sheltered. Khala raised one of her yellow legs, tucking it into her feathers to let it warm up, while the other balanced on a small rock at the foot of the caverns. "Layra! Tuini!" She call came sharp and loud. The falcon roused her feathers and tucked her head down, trying to conserve as much warmth as she could on this blustery, sunless day.

Tuini lumbered from the mouth of the den, with Spotlight shadowing him out of curiosity for what their scout had to say. The lion was a little loath to leave the relative warmth of his chamber, but managed to hold his annoyance at bay as he stepped up to the little raptor perched on her rock. "Yes, Khala?"

The bird tilted her head back, looking up at the whiskered maw of the lion, and then glancing to the far larger one that stopped beside him. "I've spotted a lost Haunter, I believe. I don't know for certain, but it may be a young offspring of Lupanares." She began, "Shadowstep and Erathi were b-lining towards them, in the Eskers. I saw no others with them."

Oracle

It had only been a day since the ligeress had left her family home. Long enough to begin causing concern, but not quite long enough to send out a full-blown rescue party. As she lay at the edge of the furthest cavern, curled loosely on her side, Oracle's eyes were trained on the sky, just waiting to see the brow spread of Cedar's winds, or the quick, agile flight of Dally or Erathi. She nearly jumped when a falcon alighted on the rock a few hearty yards away, causing the big cat to fling her tail and roll hastily onto her paws. But this bird was mostly wrapped in white, not the darker shades of the raptors she was use to.

"Khala." Oracle breathed, having caught the name earlier yesterday. She took a few steps towards the bird, after Tuini and Spotlight had strode forward. Lingering a few paces behind them, her heart began to thrum at the news that was shared. Her breath came a little quicker. She didn't give herself time to think, or time for her emotions to weigh her decisions. The big cat parted her jaws and announced firmly, "I can accompany you."

Tuini, Spotlight, Autumn Sun, & Little Tuft

The news brought a delighted smirk to Spotlight's broad, tawny mug. The last time he'd ventured to the Eskers, he'd killed a Haunter that had strayed too far from home, traveling foolishly by themselves. "Sounds like easy pickings to me, eh Tuini?" Oracle's voice brought his head swinging around, with one brow inclining ever so slightly at the daughter of Tyrant and Velvet, "Ready to prove yourself so soon?" Spotlight was still a little skeptical of their new recruit, and shared this with a questioning expression shot to Tuini.

The smaller lion had nodded to Khala, "Good work. I don't want to waste such a fine opportunity, so we'll head out soon." Like Spot, Oracle's voice had him looking aside to the pale ligeress, surprised by her adamant desire to join them. Catching but not returning Spotlight's gaze, Tuini drew a light smirk and answered her back, "Can't say I'm not surprised, but I am heartened by your desire to shed that Haunter skin and fully embrace your new pride. Alright then, Oracle, you'll be accompanying us today. Tuft!"

The roar had roused Little Tuft from his light slumber, and after a minute or two, the crippled old lion came hobbling out from the shelter of the caves, squinting at the brightness of the day as he approached Tuini. "Tuft, the pride is going hunting. I want you to keep an eye on the Den, and if you see Layra, let her know we're going to the Eskers and she's invited." Little Tuft nodded to this shortly before breaking into a yawn. He sat down, folding his legs beneath him as Tuini began to move away already, "Khala, lead the way!"

The falcon burst into the air, climbing in a short, sharp incline before sailing towards the Eskers. Tuini picked up speed, dropping into a light jog. Spotlight fell in line behind him, jowls and dark mane bouncing with his heavy strides. And further behind them all, Autumn Sun joined their ranks. Only she traveled at the very back, making sure that Oracle would be in front of her, just in case the ex-Haunter had any funny ideas.