Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

The night had been an eventful one for sure, though it had taken Zanarah some time and a dip in Dima's moat to properly clean her fur of all the mud and gunk she and the others had used to hide their scents. She'd gotten in a good rest after that, then had departed with Leomar and Velvet earlier in the morning on a new mission. Now, several hours later, the ligress was returning to the Ruins ahead of Velvet and their new guest. She gave a short series of roars to call the Nuova to her, so that she could explain what was about to happen.

---

A mile away, Velvet was purposefully moving slowly to give Zanarah time to ready the pack for Tyrant's arrival. With Lemoar plodding behind them, Velvet felt relatively safe in their journey, and had decided to entertain Tyrant with some lighter conversation that was less controversial than what they had been discussion at the Canyon. "...with another male in the pack, we'll be able to coordinate larger hunts. What kind of food do you fancy, Tyrant? I'm partial to the deer in the area, though I have discovered the delicacy of salmon."

Tyrant

Tyrant would not trust her till he saw no new cubs that weren't born here. Any that came till now he would accept for the moment. But if the parent came calling he would make them return it. He followed her his mouth slightly open.Deer and elkhe said.

Nemu, and her three cubs came forward. Nemu spokewhat is going on?She asks.

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"Deer and elk." Velvet repeated thoughtfully, "Well I can tell you we have plenty of deer, and elk have become plentiful in the past two years. Perhaps a cooperative hunt will be good to initiate your turn to us? At the very least, a feast to celebrate your arrival is in order."

Behind them both, Leomar nearly rolled his eyes to hear his aunt trying to butter up the big cat. And yet, despite how uncertain he was of Tyrant, the lion was glad to have another male in the pride to help out, even if it wasn't a pure lion.

----

Back at the Ruins, Lupanare was jaunting towards Zanarah just a few dozen yards behind Nemu and her children. She dropped a young hare she had caught for Sunburst and their newly captured pup, and perked her ears at Zanarah's words.

"Velvet found Tyrant; he and the Haunters are still alive and well. And-" The ligeress took a deep breath, trying to set straight what she wanted to say, "-she convinced Tyrant to return to us, and live amongst the Nuova again. We are to pretend to disavow cubnapping and not interfere with mothers or their cubs for the time being. It means we will have to be especially crafty in stealing them now; killing the mothers if it comes to it, and 'rescuing' the orphaned young." She paused long enough to turn her head back, flicking her short ears behind her to make sure Velvet and Tyrant hadn't caught up yet, "As for our new pup, her mother was killed by a bear - we heard the sounds of the struggle, tried to step in and help, but it was already too late for the mother and the other pups."

Tyrant

He did not trust them one bit at all. But he would do his damn best to make sure no young from other packs or prides entered this land even if he himself had to physically stop it and return the child. I haven't turned to you, I still hold the haunters views and will always be a haunterhe said but not denying the hunt either.

Nemu frowned especially when the fact that killing the mother was brought up. She already hated the cub napping ways, katara shared her view but Azula and Zuko had no qualms with it. She sighed.That sounds stupid and risky, perhaps she should put a true pause on it then go behind his back. going behind his back will only make him hate us even more then Senka hates usShe said sitting down. She would be all for stopping the napping.

Katara frowned.killing the mother? That is wrongShe said shaking her head. She wouldn't participate in cub napping if that were the case.

Azula and zuko said nothing

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"I didn't choose my words wisely, did I?" Velvet corrected herself, realizing she was again pushing Tyrant too quickly. The big male certainly was stubborn, and she was going to have to be exceedingly careful in how she dealt with him. "We're all true Shadow Haunters at heart. I've always believed that, and I believe that we can all be united again - and that all starts with you." Still moving slowly, the lioness wondered if her niece had gathered the pack yet, and how they were handling the news that was being delivered. Unable to hear or see them yet, with the Ruins not quiet yet in sight, Velvet tried again to pacify the conversation, "To be quite honest, I believe the real catalyst in bringing our Families back together is cubs... think about it, Tyrant - if you and I had a litter, they would be both Nuova and Haunter."

----

Zanarah listened to the objections of her older clanmate, then shifted her eyes to Katara to give audience to her views as well. And though she saw their sentiments and morals to be weakness, she was wise enough to seek an agreement rather than argue and cause any rift with her Family. "Perhaps other ways can be found. A meeting might be necessary to get everyone's ideas on the matter, and go from there on how we can handle this problem without sacrificing the ideals of the Nuova Alba, or ruining our truce with the Haunters." Zanarah smiled faintly, as if to brush aside the comments on mother-killing, "For the time being though, you are right. We won't take any more pups until we have a better plan in motion, and one that we can all agree on."

Nemu

Nemu had never agreed with the cub napping . She had joined the Nuova because of her twin sister. She didn't believe in it. Sure to rule the whole valley would be great, but she rather rule it like a queen with other packs and prides existing on their own but answer to them if they need them. But killing the mother? Just to make it look like the cubs were orphans? Personally Nemu thought that when cubs were about ayear old they should be approached and offered a chance to join them rather then stealing them as pups. But Velvet was set in her ways.

Katara listened.

Azula and Zuko were silent.

Tyrant wanted the two groups to merge back in to one neither was as strong as the original haunters were, but Risens time had come and gone and some of their ideals change while others still thought that the pup napping was okay. It wasn't. that is the only way our prides and packs should be getting cubs with the occasional truley orphaned cubs that might pop up here and therehe said. Ill have cubs with you, but know that if this goes sour and I leave my cubs will come with me if they so choose and if their too young then they will come with me till their old enough to chooseHe said calmly. He didn't want to take them from Velvet no, but he couldn't leave them under her without him here to make sure they weren't brainwashed into believing cubnapping was okay. That any who thought that it wasnt okay were weak minded. He was not scared to tell her this she did not scare him.

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"The first step towards reconciling our differences and merging our Families back together is trusting one another." Velvet purred in response to Tyrant. "You have to trust that I'll keep my word on putting a hold on the pup napping, while I trust that you will help work out an alternative to that." It was true the lioness had absolutely no intentions of letting Tyrant take her cubs, nor did she plan on putting a permanent ban on the stealing, but that wasn't to say the lioness wasn't open to hearing new ideas, skeptical as she was of any alternative to stealing cubs. She would play both sides of the situation and see which one was the greater benefit to the Nuova.

Happy that she'd gotten cubs out of the deal at the very least, Velvet again pressed for a lighter subject as the mossy stones of the Temple began to come into view. "I'm sure the others will be glad to see you, and you'll get to meet Nemu's offspring." The lioness began to cross the empty moat down, padding down one steep side of the Haunter-dug ravine, where a few bits of bone lay scattered from a number of reptiles that had perished during the fight. "Lupanare is still with us. Is Tersek still around? I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see his daughter again."

Hearing the Oracle's voice, Zanarah's ears twitched and she turned from Nemu and the others, "Ahh, and here they are."

Tyrant

Tyrant continued following.its hard to trust one that you grew up knowing and know their ways. I trust when I see it with my eyesHe said calmly.there are plenty of alternatives, much better alternatives.He said calmly.

So his aunt had cubs now well from the sounds of it grown. terserk is still alive yes old but still fighting He saw the others come into view. Mix feelings for his aunt. He loved her and he understood she did it out of loyalty not that she wanted to herself but it was still hard to look at the one that tore you from your family. However when she came to greet him he did butt heads and rub against her in the end. Mother is fineTrue she was recovering from bullet wounds and a vicious fight but so wasn't he. He had nearly pulled one of those humans out of his little cage. But he had abloodied tail dried now and scrtches and bites to his underside.i am fine, humans had taken Darkia so we went and got her, of course they were adamanet in keeping her stupid two leggershe said. ill heal Nemuhe asid.

Nemu really did hope her nephew could change their ways, She had wanted ot stay with Senka her whole life but when Dusquei found her she could not turn down her twin sister. what happened to you your covered in dry bloodShe asked rubbed against her nephew. Humans she hissed at the thought.

Azula watched with her sister and brother.

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"Once you've settled in, we'll have a chance to discuss those alternatives. For now, lets mingle and celebrate this reunion." Keen to say out of a fight, Velvet was eager to leave the conversation at that for now, and turn her attention towards information on who all still remained with the Haunters. "Still alive? Impressive, but not unexpected. He was always quite the fighter." The lioness had respect for the aging wolf, though she viewed his siding with the Haunters as a weakness and softening of character. At the very least, she didn't think he'd be much of a challenge to her Nuova if the two packs did come to blows again.

Stepping into the crumbled walls of the Ruins, Velvet perched herself on a moss covered alter to listen and observe the interactions between Tyrant and the others. Zanarah took the opportunity to move in closer to Tyrant and very light brush her cheek against his shoulder, helping to mingle their scents, "Welcome to the Nuova Alba, Tyrant. I do hope all works out well between us, and I'm quite eager to meet the rest of the Haunters in the future."

Lupanare showed no fear as she moved in amongst the big cats. "Fighting humans? You'll have to tell us how that all went down." The wolfdog comments, then smiles with a lolling tongue, "I'm happy to hear that Darkia is still alive. What of the other horses? It's been a long while since I've seen any of them."

Leomar didn't bother joining in the greeting just yet. The trek to and from the Canyon had been a long one, and he was more interested in laying down for a nap, and waiting for this big hunt that Velvet had talked about.

Tyrant

He sat down as Velvet wandered a little ways off . we shall see if i or the haunters join back. If she stays true to her words it is likely that Senka may bring them back here to form the true haunters once again but if she goes back on it, well we know where that will leadhe said shaking his head. He glanced to Lupanare. it wasn't an easy fight since those humans carry those boom sticks. But thankfully msot of the time we were so scrambled with their own canine protectors that they had refused to shood directly at us. he said calmly. we have only found Darkia and Cloudbreaker, as of the others there has been scent of a few of them scattered and words of herds but I nor the haunters have crossed them. We can only hope they are doing alright on their ownHe said.

Nemu laid down .

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"I would like to meet them someday." Zanarah purred thoughtfully, "Velvet's told me much about you, Senka, and the others. And I have to say, I wish I was here back when the whole pack was together." The ligeress laid down on her side with a yawn, the dappled light filtering in from the canopy above to dance across the pale brown stripes that stretched across her hide. "You sounded like a powerful bunch."

Lupanare frowned a little, "I hope the others are well." Her thoughts traveled back to the disaster at the Aspen Grove that had claimed the lives and health of several Haunters, and the terrible fight that had fractured them here at the Ruins. "We could always go out looking for them, Tyrant. Besides, a bit of cooperation and teamwork between us would go a long way towards rebuilding trust between the Nuova and Haunters."

Tyrant

Tyrant listened as he finally laid down. One ear was always on velvet, he knew what she really wanted but didn't say anything toward it. The others with the haunters are well enough and we are a powerful group and always will be whether we return to unite our two packs or nothe saidd. His ear facing Velvet twitched as he spoke. we could but I will not do so with this pack til I know that the pup napping is over as I will not bring others into the pack that agree with not napping pups to have it pick up again because then they will not trust mehe sasid.

Velvet, Zanarah, Leomar, & Lupanare

"Everyone has their own opinions." Zanarah answered with a thoughtful nod, "I propose that we have a Meeting tonight or tomorrow morning, after we've had our hunt and have full bellies. We can work towards some compromise at that point, and we'll hear everyone's thoughts on the issues of pups." The ligeress looked not only to Tyrant, but to Nemu as well, knowing the mother cat did not like the idea of stealing youngsters, and had reacted poorly to Zanarah's suggestion of killing the mothers. While Zanarah still stood strongly by her thoughts and ideals, she was an even-tempered feline who was more than willing to try to reach a fair agreement with her clanmates.

"We can have that meeting later." Velvet chimed in from behind the group, where she still rested on the altar. "Tyrant, may I have a word with you?" the almond-eyed lioness stood now, and stepped down from the large stone platform. With a glance back over her shoulder, she disappeared into the temple.

Tyrant

He snorted. well know that if it is to continue stealing then I will leave and the haunters will still be your enemyhe said calmly. Then his ear flicked to Velvet before getting up and following her. And what is it you wish to speak of ?He said. part of him knew what it might be.

Nemu nodded saying nothing.

Velvet

Leaving the Nuova Alba to talk amonsgt themselves, Velvet led Tyrant deeper into the Temple he'd once lived in himself. The scent of her siblings had since faded, but the skull of a massive lion, some leathered skin and a patch of dark mane still fastened to the bone, lay beside the entrance to one of the many rooms. She glanced at it as she passed by, but said nothing until they'd entered the the central hall where light shone in through stone windows lined higher up along the walls. "Cubs, Tyrant." The lioness turned about to face him, "You were always one of our strongest, and the Nuova needs that now."

Tyrant

Tyrant followed behind her calmly. He glanced at the almost skeleton before continuing on. I will tell you this now if we have cubs now know that if you go back on your words I will take said cubs with me when I leaveHe said calmly. He sat down. He watched her without fear.

Velvet

"We have an agreement." Velvet responded with a purr to lace her voice, though whether or not she meant to keep their agreement was to be seen. "Our cubs will know a good life, with both of their parents in it, and a strong Family to keep them safe." She turned back to him now approaching with calm, confident steps. "The fact that I haven't had the Nuova attack and kill you should be proof enough that I am good on my word, and want what's best for our young."

Tyrant

He eyed her. But he'd give her the cubs and she was right for now. But he had no qualms with stealing the cubs if she stole from another pack or pride. You wouldn't of brought me here where Nemu is , she may be loyal to you but f she knew you were gonna kill me or have me killed she would intervenehe said. Nemu was loyal yes but family was stil lfamily to his aunt.