Caliana & Others

It had been some time since Caliana had laid eyes on her home. It hadn't been by choice, she had wanted to get back here every day but it just hadn't been possible. Though, while she had been out of the area, she had been able to gather a bunch of other felines like herself to help her get back to where she needed to be. She had been relocated some time ago, against her will, without her even knowing what was happening. But she was back now.

On silent, padded paws she walked back to her home, staying to the borders as she sent out a call to any who might come, hopefully some she would know from before. Her daughter Toxic was with her, the feline having been very young when they had been taken.

Hondo, Eshe, Denisha, Adanya, and Bahiti, African Lions of varying ages had decided to come with Caliana along with their young, bringing their numbers up to nine lions.

Young Asima, a Siberian Tiger also followed behind the others.

Velvet & Others

The low roar of a lion called out through the trees and tumbled stones, carried on a voice that Caliana would likely recognize. It was Velvet, the sly lioness who'd seen the fracture of the Haunters, and stood beside Bandit as they led the Nuova Alba. Today, she was back with the newly reunited Haunters, and defiantly sending out her voice to warn the approaching felines that they were headed into occupied territory. With that warning sent, Velvet made her way to the edge of the moat and waited for the group to show their faces.

Erathi, the falcon that had spotted the pride's movements half an hour earlier and warned Velvet, fluttered down on a mossy pillar beside the lioness.

A younger feline was soon padding up next to Velvet, her coat a cool, slate gray with bold rosettes. Her facial structure bore a strong resemblance to Velvet, while the rest of her body and thicker coat spoke of the tiger blood in her genes. The hybrid followed her mother's gaze to the nearby trees, eager to see who was about to step through.

Senka

Senka heard the call and she stood up leaving her daughter and Nemu in charge of the babies and moved out of the basement. She releases her own roar as she padds toward the group.

Malertech follows his mother and sister.

Caliana & Others

Caliana had followed the familiar scents from her old home to this place. When she had met the others, they had been living at the Ashen Domes, but it seemed that things had changed. She didn't find any of them there but instead found that the familiar scents were in a different place altogether. She wasn't stupid enough not to realize that the area was claimed. So, it was no surprise that a call came soon after she had stepped paw into the area along with the others. The call was familiar to Caliana, though it was one that she hadn't heard in some time. She sent back a call of her own, announcing her presence before moving a bit closer to meet Velvet and the others.

Upon reaching the lioness, she lowered her head a bit to show the respect required. "Velvet. It has been a long time." She spoke, acknowledging the other female as a respected figure while the others hung back just a few steps.

Velvet & Others

Velvet had immediately found recognition in the leopard's voice when she called back, but waited cautiously until seeing the midnight-hued huntress before confirming that this really was Caliana. Almond eyes flashed from Cali to the others then, noting that all of them appeared to be fresh faces, including that now grown Toxic whom she'd only seen as a cub. A swift, harsh flick of her tail warned the newcomers to stay where they where, while a nod to Caliana invited the panther forward.

"A long time indeed. Last we met, our home was elsewhere." Velvet swiveled an ear back as she heard Senka approach, but didn't stop to look back at the larger tiger. "We are part of the Haunters once more." She offered this to clear up any confusion, as the two groups had been at odds with each other in the past, and she wanted to avoid any misunderstandings. "I see you've brought some friends with you - who are they?"

Oracle took a seat next to her mother, idly curling her tail up around her side. She had the same, slight slant to her eyes that her mother did, giving her an almost sly expression as she gazed at the newcomers. But there was no hostility or aggression in the big cat, only curiosity as she watched the interaction, pausing in her stare only long enough to glance back and see her brother heading her way. "We've got some newbies. Maybe, Mom seems to know one."

Senka

Senka was calm at her approach since Velvet did not seem too agitated by these ones approach. She didn't know them however as she came up beside velvet.Greeting, I am Senka one of the leaders. I am assuming Velvet knows you which is the only reason you aren't being rushed at for trespassingShe said. The haunters did not take kindly to intruders right now.

Maelertech studies the group.I can see thatHe said.

Caliana & Others

Caliana had already been to their old home, had realized that the group that she had once been part of had moved on and gone elsewhere. It was what had gotten her trying to follow the old scents until they grew stronger, until she found this place. She moved forward when given the signal to do so while the others continued to hang back, allowing the ebony feline to be their ambassador when speaking with the other feline who she seemed to be familiar with. She nodded her head slightly. "I followed the scents from our old home." She informed, letting the other know how she had found them in this new home. She didn't know much about rejoining the haunters but Caliana had always been one who trusted those types of choices to those who had earned her respect, such as Velvet.

Another small nod was given as the others were mentioned. "Yes, I have picked up a few friends on my way back here. You might remember my daughter, Toxic." She gestured towards the lighter black colored feline. Then she moved on to the next. "The others are Denisha and her son Oringo, Adanya, Bahiti and her sons Kasim and Maalik, and her daughter Jahia. Also Eshe, Hondo, and Asima." She introduced the younger felines who she had found orphaned last. It was quite a bunch, but she was hoping that they would help to bolster the numbers within her old pride. She just offered a nod to Senka as he spoke to her. "Indeed, we have known each other for some time now.

Velvet & Others

"It's good to see you and your daughter again." Velvet returned, easing her posture into more of a relaxed one and taking the initiative to step forward and rub her head briefly against Caliana's. It was both a gesture of greeting, and one of unification as she mixed her scent with that of the leopard's. "We'd be more than pleased to see you and your friends hunting at our sides again, if you're looking to rejoin us." Her almond eyes flashed to the introduced felines, giving each of them a look before tilting her head ever so slightly and shifting that gaze to Senka, "If that is alright with you, of course?"

Oracle was more interested in the younger felines. Boldly, she flicked her tail against Maelertech before striding forward to meet Eshe, Hondo, and Asima. "The name's Oracle, and that's my brother, Mael." She stopped only a few steps from the younger trio, showing little in the way of caution - or even acknowledgement - towards the larger cats. "You guys wanna hang out? We can show you around the place."

Senka

Senka hated that Katara gave herself to hte group had taken her nemu and her daughter but she respected her nieces chooice. She sits down.As long as they will defend and work with us I have no problem adding to our ranksShe said thinking of the problem that she had just been in.However, the prarie is off limits unless we are in a big group as their is a feline group there that has no issue with taking what they wantShe said eyeing them for a reaction.They are former haunters or nuova albaShe said.

Caliana & Others

Caliana was quick to return the nudge of the other female, rubbing her head against that of the other in a showing of solidarity as she finally felt that she could relax. It was obvious that things had changed greatly in the time that she had been gone, she had no idea if any of the others she had known back then might still even be around. Callholm came to mind, she had begun to take a liking to him before she had been relocated but she didn’t ask yet. Things had changed and for all she knew, he could have gone with this other group that the other spoke of. “We are indeed looking for a home, for a family to call our own.” She confirmed at Velvet’s welcoming. ‘The Haunters have our loyalty, we’re family once again.” She said truthfully.

The twins were the first to move forward to greet the other two who had approached them. Both were tawny in color and growing into adolescence but not quite adulthood yet. Hondo’s mane was only just beginning to grow in, though, he had promise to be a big boy. “Good to meet you both.” It was Hondo who spoke, his twin sister nodding her head in greeting. “Yes, we were worried that everyone here wouldn’t be as friendly.” Asima was the more shy of the three, the odd man out, you could say. But even her posture was relaxed as she greeted the other female. “We would love it if you could show us around!”

The lionesses moved a bit closer now, having been welcomed into the group as well while Toxic moved forward to much more hesitantly rub her head against Velvet’s. She only vaguely remembered the other female, being that she was so young back then.

Velvet & Others

"Welcome back home, Haunters." There was almost a purr to Velvet's voice as she finalized the reunion of Caliana and Toxic, along with their new comrades. With their arrival, the balance of power shifted back to the Haunters and once more placed them as the strongest group in the Valley. It was a much needed addition after the discovery of the Makucha, and one that Velvet was more than happy to see through.

Without any hesitation, she pressed her head forward to nudge Toxic back, a content smile playing across her velvetine face. "Senka's warnings are to be heeded when it comes to traveling in the Prairie. As strong as we are, the group that resides out there is very bold, and made of former members of our own clan." She now stepped back, taking in the sight of so many new faces. "With a bit of time and planning, we might someday soon be able to route them out, and eliminate that group as a threat. But for now, familiarize yourself with your new home. Come in, relax - I imagine you've all had quite the journey to get here?"

Oracle had already phased out whatever her mother and Senka were talking about. Just excited to have some fellow adolescents to play with, she turned and headed back for the Temple after they'd all greeted her with enthusiasm, "There's a few cranky butts here-, but as long as you stick with me, I can point out who to stay away from." She paused at the edge of the large moat that surrounded the temple, then leaped into the water, paddling swiftly to get to the other side. Once there, the ligeress shook her coat and looked back. "First bit of advice - the moat is filled with River Monsters. Well, there's a few of them in there, but we're suppose to get more."

True to Oracle's words, the eyes of a large crocodile could be seen less than two yards from where she'd pulled herself out of the channel. Bluescale hadn't quite reached her full size yet, but the reptile was still a force to be reckoned with, and took her guard duties very seriously.

Senka

She did not wish for anyone getting harmed and she did not need to looes anyone else.

Maelertech followed.

Caliana & Others

Caliana couldn’t explain how happy she was to hear that simple welcoming. When she had found that her pride was no longer in the place where they had been, she had worried that if she found them that too much would have changed and they wouldn't be welcomed back. But that wasn’t the case and she was glad for it. She smiled slightly as she watched her daughter greeting Velvet in a friendly manner and the other feline returning the gesture. It was good to see Toxic with others that she felt comfortable with once more. “We will definitely heed the warning. And I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that any help that we can offer in this endeavor, we will be more than happy to provide.” It was as much of an assurance of loyalty and such as she could think to give. “It has been quite the journey.” She agreed as she moved to follow Velvet into the place that they would all call home. Toxic walked beside her mother while the lionesses and their young followed.

Hondo puffed out his growing chest when she spoke of some of the others here being cranky. I’m not scared of some cranky cats!” He said boldly, obviously trying to appear strong and fearless in front of his new friend, only to have his twin sister, Eshe, swat at him playfully due to his overly bold actions. “Don’t mind him, he can be an idiot.” She said it with the utmost affection but also laughter in her voice. They then followed behind Oracle to the moat, stopping as she spoke about the monsters that lived there. “Won’t they try to eat us if we try to swim across?” It was the young white tigress that spoke this time, apprehension written all over her face as she spotted the pair of eyes breaking the water and backed away from the edge a bit. Even Hondo looked a little bit worried as they waited for her response.

Velvet & Others

Feeling her confidence in the Haunter's power grow, Velvet turned back into the mossy forum with her head held up and the hint of a smile playing across her soft muzzle. She'd lived and worked alongside Caliana enough in past years to know the pantheress and her offspring would be a tremendous help in any conflict they might have with the Makucha, and she didn't have to second-guess their loyalties. For the sake of the newcomers though, the lioness did turn her head back and speak as she led the group across the stone-paved ground, and towards the temple that loomed before them. "Here with the Shadow Haunters, expect to see more than just felines. We have canines as well, along with other animals that aid us in various ways. You'll likely see Quilikahm running around; a small black deer who aids us when we're sick or injured. Nightshade is another that you'll want to not eat; a similarly black-coated deer, though he is a larger one. Both will carry the Haunter scent."

Oracle was grinning at Hondo's posturing, already thinking that she was going to have fun with these new additions to their pride. "Luckily, most of the really cranky ones are wolves, so we'll be a lot stronger than them. There is Leomar, who's a lion - but we can annoy him because my mom is the Oracle of the Haunters, so he can't be mean to me. And because your my friends, he can't be mean to you either." Whether this was true or not was to be seen, but showed just as much bravado and certainty as Hondo was, and had a cheeky little grin to go with it. When Eshe spoke with hesitation about the monsters, and even Hondo looked a little apprehensive, Oracle batted a paw against the water, "Nope, Blue wont hurt you because you're with Mael and I. It's his job to protect you actually."

The crocodile in question remained utterly silent on the issue, not terribly inclined to do a lot of talking. His bright eyes remained unblinking as he watched the gaggle of felines join the Haunters, and he did his best to try and memorize what they all looked like.

Senka

She listens as she turns to head further in. She would get her vengence on those cats. Of course she wanted ot persuade Dusqui to leave them but shed leave that to Nemu to do.

Maelertech snorted as he rolled his eyes.Eveeryone that lives here are friends but some will only put up with us for so longhe said.