Saulk, Zanarah, Leomar, & Fallen Ember

The pale grizzled wolf moved quickly across the moat and shook his coat out on the other side. He moved a few paces across the stony ground before stopping and looking back, making sure the rest of the troop was following. Dual-toned eyes then turned back to the Temple that yawned before him, and the gave a short, throaty howl to call forth the Haunters.

Zanarah was just now wading into the channel with little reservation for the coolness of the liquid. She didn't have much tiger blood, but what little she did have didn't mind the water. "Keep your heads up, and swim strong." The ligeress coached as she moved forward, until all but her head and shoulders were submerged for the short swim across the moat.

Behind Zanarah, Leomar waited for Tophee and Zaphren to cross before he'd follow. Being full-blooded lion, he wasn't especially keen for a dip today, but he'd endure it for this special occasion.

The broad, cinammon-tinged wings of Fallen Ember carried the eagle neatly above the group, avoiding the bath altogether. The raptor alighted on a broken pillar a few yards from Saulk and eagerly awaited the arrival of the others.

Tophee & Zaphren

The tawny-orange sister padded right along side Zanarah, and made no hesitation about plunging into the dark waters of the moat. She lifted her head, whiskered bunched up, and paddled hard until she was on the other side. Tophee shook herself off after clambering out, and looked with awe at the strange structures that made up the Ruins. This was her first time coming here, though Zana and the others had told her plenty about it. "It's like our temple, but there so many trees."

Zaphren wasn't far behind his sister. The pale-coated brother shook his fur next and stepped a little ways past where Saulk had given his howl. He sniffed at the ground, then raised his dark mocha eyes to the various stone pillars and walls that littered the ground in front of the main Temple. He liked the closeness of the area, how the trees seemed to press in and around the rocks when compared to the openness of the Ancient temple. This felt more like home to the young liger.

Saulk & Others

Saulk looked to the siblings, watching as each took in the sights of what would be their primary home, at least until their training was complete. His gaze shifted suddenly when movement caught his eye, and he turned in time to see Velvet emerging from the complex. The lion's fluid movements belied her advancing age, and even her glossy fur still retained the shine and softness that had lent to her name as a cub.

"Ahhh, welcome, Children. You must be... Sister Tophee, and Brother Zaphren?" She asked, her voice a melodious and welcoming purr.

Zanarah stood behind the pair, where she put her bristly tongue to use in straightening out their soaked fur. The bath paused briefly for the liger to give Velvet a nod, in deference to the elder's higher rank.

Leomar paced the outer edge of the moat, grumbling to himself as he contemplated the murky depths. Couldn't he just wait here, until the cubs had been properly introduced, then head back the the Ancient Temple? Surely they didn't need him for this ceremony. Fortunately for the African lion, Saulk noticed his dilemma and offered a compromise, and raised his voice to be heard across the distnace, "Leomar, why don't you patrol the perimeter? We don't want anyone interrupting these proceedings."

As Leomar eagerly paced away from the moat, another big cat was approaching; Starbane. The maltese liger sprang across the channel, clearing all but a foot of the distance, so that his hind legs and tail splashed into the shallow edge of the water on the opposite side. With another hearty bound, he'd brought himself up to Zanarah and the others, not bothering to shake the moisture from his coat. "Woah, looky here - these yours, Zana?"

Tophee & Zaphren

Something about the title she was given made Tophee's heart pound. Maybe it was the lion in her, or just part of her personality, but she felt included. She was part of something bigger, not just a cub living with alone with her siblings on the side of a lake, surrounded by wilderness and enemies. Her deep golden eyes seemed to glisten with emotion as she looked up at the old lioness before her, and following Zanarah's nod, Tophee briefly dipped her head too, then moved forward to nuzzle Velvet beneath her chin, "Uh-huh. It's nice to meet you... " Tophee paused and glanced back to Saulk and Zanarah, looking for guidance before her memory caught up with her and she looked back to the feline who fit the description she'd been taught, "Oracle Velvet."

Zaphren wasn't quite so caught up in the fervor of the moment, though he too nodded his head when addressed. His attention was more caught up by the giant ball of white and striped fur barreling towards them. The adolescent scrambled back into Zanarah, while blinking wide-eyed at maltese liger that now stood, dripping and un-introduced before him. Given his unique appearance, this had to be the one called 'Starbane', but Zaph was going to wait for introductions before assuming as much.

Saulk & Others

Saulk had offered Tophee a patient, albeit expectant look, letting the young liger work over the proper title in her head when it came time to greet Velvet. And to Tophee's credit, and perhaps to the credit of her training, the youngster got it correct and the wolf felt a flicker of pride. He had worked hard for this moment, and so far, so good.

"Well met, Children." Velvet purred, with a single, approving glance tossed in Saulk's direction. "Blackmist is currently whelping, so why don't Starbane and Zanarah give you a tour of the Temple? Once you've done that, we can all meet in the main chambers and go over a few things." The lioness nodded to the temple behind her, "After that, we'll secure a feast to celebrate your arrival."

An acknowledging look from Zanarah let Velvet know she'd been heard. The liger then raised an eye at Starbane and pronounced at length, "This, children, is Brother Starbane. He's part of the Coalition, like Brother Leomar. One day, you too could be part of the Coalition, Zaphren." More softly, she added on, "And no, they aren't mine, Star. We rescued them from the Makucha."

The use of titles threw Starbane off a little and his face contorted for a moment in confusion. Sure, he'd heard Velvet sprinkle them around here and there, but not often. Shrugging it off, the maltese liger crouched down in front of Zaphren, in an attempt to make himself look a little less intimidating. "Welcome to the pack, Zaphren and Tophee! You can call me Star. Or Bane, or Starbane I guess? I-"

"Start at Dima's Temple, if you would. And while you're there, see if he or the others need anything." Saulk interrupted in a gruff bark, trying to get Starbane back on track. "Ember and I will go with Leomar to find food for the feast." With that order given, the co-lead headed back for the moat, with Fallen Ember swooping from her perch and following suit.

"Come along, children." With a nudge to each, Zanarah began heading for Dima's Temple, while Starbane fell in line behind her.

Tophee & Zaphren

So much was going on, Tophee felt a little overwhelmed. Her rounded ears perked to Velvet's voice, then to Saulk's, and then to Starbane, but she didn't quite get the chance to interject. Before she knew it, they were being shuffled off deeper into the Ruins, and she dutifully padded along.

For Zaphren, now was the moment he felt his heart swell with excitement. Leomar had done a fair job in getting him excited about the Coalition, and meeting the other member of the infamous squad did wonders for chasing away any apprehension he had. "Um, I'll call you Starbane? Erm, Brother Starbane." Soon a nudge was offered to his back, and he scrambled up. But instead of following at Zanarah's heels, he opted to travel beside the maltese liger.