Zanarah, Sunburst, & Dima

Sunburst was already at the Temple, though he hadn't waded into the water. Instead, he was pointing out all the interesting fish that lived in the makeshift pond to Nefereyt, and trying his best to get her mind off of the ordeal she'd been through. "See that one there? That's called a darter - they're super fast." He was peering down into the crystal clear waters, his snout directed at a tiny fish resting on a stone beneath the surface. Patches of red and blue adorned the tiny fish, making him stand out against the drab background of his habitat. Sunburst paused and looked up when he heard talking, and swung his muzzle around to see Zanarah enter the area. Immediately he stood up and turned fully around upon realizing she had three guests following her, none of which he recognized. "...hi?"

Zanarah bowed her head to the wolfdog, "Sunburst, Neferyt, meet Sarabi and her children, Mansa and Leo. They and their pride are our newest members." With that quick introduction out of the way, the lioness approached the edge of the water and lowered her head, speaking now to the cubs, "...now, Dima can be a little grumpy sometimes, but he's no danger to you. He's here to keep us safe. And if ever there is any danger in the Temple, you come here. He'll protect you, and take you to his temple in the middle of the lagoon."

Oh, Dima knew they were all here, and he wasn't super excited to be entertaining any young. But.. the alligator couldn't just hide forever amongst the lilies and algae. Missing most of his tail and a limb, the poor gator did not possess the most graceful of movements as he finally popped up to the surface and began to swim towards the group. His big, broad snout swept side to side with the effort it took to move through the water, but his remaining three limbs were powerful, and the reptile was bulky with muscle and fat despite his amputations.

Neferyt

Neferyt listened and stared at the fist till the group arrived. She hid under Sunburst not liking big cats because of her ordeal.

Mansa and Leo eaggerly followed and looked at the wolf. He looked like theo ne that was outside so they just moved to follow to the water. When Leo got there he tilted his head to the side where his only seeing eye could see. He does look similiar to croche said as he saw dima moving toward them.

Sarabi dipped her head to the wolf but stayed close to the ones sshe was with.

Zanarah, Sunburst, & Dima

Sunburst had stayed quiet when Nemu had stopped in briefly to talk with Neferyt, and then had stood protectively over the youngster when she sought refuge beneath him. "Don't worry about the cats there, pup. You stick with me for now, then we'll go see you're pack again soon." The hybrid wasn't entirely up to date on what was going on, but it sounded like Neffy was being returned. Whatever the case, he was going to continue with his duties to occupy the pup and keep her calm to the best of his abilities. "Oh hey, see over there? That's Dima. Kinda looks like a living log, doesn't he?"

A few short yards away, Zanarah had noted Neferyt's anxiety, and pointedly ignored the youngster so that she wouldn't upset her further. Instead, the ligeress focused on the cubs that would be staying with them, and chuckled at Leo, "Yes, he does, doesn't he? This water use to be filled with alligators and other reptiles a long time ago."

Dima finally reached the ledge where the big cats were and floated there with his snout a few inches from the stone edging. "New faces I see." The alligator's voice reverberated through the cool water as he sized up the new felines, committing their faces to memory. It was a vital task, for anyone who didn't look familiar to Dima was considered a tresspasser and an enemy to the Nuova, and would be dragged beneath the waters by his deadly jaws.

Neferyt

She didn't care the reasoning and she'd go with what ever they wanted as long as she was returned. She eyed the alligator who she was actually less scared of then the water itself. After that one inciident at hom Neferyt barely went near it.Can we go somewhere else, i don't like waterShe said. Just as much as the big cats scared her.

Mansa and leo crept close to the waters edge. Being lions they did not like water enough to swim in it. Hi, im mansa!She said. And Im leo

Sarabi sat down.

Zanarah, Sunburst, & Dima

Sunburst quirked his head at Neferyt, "Sure we can. Where do you want to go?" He hadn't immediately connected with her fear of water, at first thinking it was just anxiety in general that had made her shy back and show little interest in what he was trying to teach her. Now that she spoke up, Sun realized his error. "You don't need to worry about the water here Neff, Dima and I won't let you drown, if that's what's bothering you."

Dima shifted his gaze from one little lion to the other. "You look like you'll grow up to be strong additions to the pack." His attention fell on Leo's defunct eye, piquing mild curiosity in the alligator. "Born like that, Leo? Or did you get into a fight?"

Neferyt

She tried to get over her fear of the water but it was hard. anywhere but hereShe said and then glanced at the water and alligatorStill I rather go somewhere elseShe said.

Mansa smiled but Leo looked away. When the humans came they had animals with them that attacked usHe said. He had barely survived. Luckily he jus tlost the one eye.

Zanarah, Lupanare, Sunburst, & Dima

"Sunny." A soft bark from Lupanare distracted the other canine, who looked over to see the larger hybrid sauntering his way. "I'm to take her back now." As she moved closer, Sunburst took a single step back, not wanting to completely abandon Neferyt, but also not about to get in the way of Velvet's orders. Lupanare tried for a soft smile as she looked down to Neferyt, "It seems that your family is safe now, so we're going to take you back to them. Now, I can carry you, or you can walk. Which one would you prefer?"

A single, rounded ear had swiveled in Lupanare's direction, but the liger did not otherwise involve herself in their conversation. She was watching Dima and the cubs interact, while she spoke up to Sarabai. "I think you'll like it here. We never have human troubles up this far in the mountains. We're soon to get birds to help us keep a better eye on the land, as well."

"Animals?" Dima questioned, "Like dogs? I've seen them with hunting dogs before, when I use to live in the marsh." Gold speckled eyes focused on Leo and how he looked uncomfortable discussing his malformed eye. "Don't worry about, pup. Look at me-" Dima raised the stump of one hind leg up above the water, "I've got scars abound, but no human would dare come near me. When you get a bit of size to you, you'll be the same way. You've got the mark of a survivor there."

Neferyt

Neferyt stayed near Sunny when lupe came over she bared her little pup teeth despite knowing they do no good.why can't sunny take me back?She growled clearly still disliking lupe from earlier. Don't touch meShe growled in response to carrying or walking.

Leo listened to the alligator.dogs yahHe said . He looked at him. Other will view me as weak thoughHe said. Mansa was quiet.

Sarabi listened. I hope soShe eyed leo. She had almost lost him.

Zanarah & Others

Less than half of Lupanare's size, Sunburst nevertheless held his ground with Lupanare, refusing to back away when she invaded his space. "Lupe, maybe she's right?" He suggested almost hesitantly, awkwardly cocking his head so that he could look up at the fae's eyes, and also switch his gaze down to the pup growling at his paws. When he saw a look of disagreement beginning to form in his companion's expression, Sun hastily added on, "I know I messed up earlier, I know. But I'll talk to Velvet myself, okay? Besides, I think her pack will react better if Neferyt is not actively growling and trying to get away from you, you know?"

Lupanare still did not look entirely convinced, "It's not that I don't trust you Sunny, but these are Velvet's orders." The large hybrid sighed, turning her gaze down to the defiant pup, "You're also a rather poor disciplinarian, Sunburst. You know Velvet wouldn't tolerate that."

Sunburst shrugged and put a paw protectively in front of Neferyt, "She's just scared is all."

Over in the water, Dima snorted, "Pah, do you think I'm weak for missing limbs? No. It just means the ones I have left are that much stronger. That scar of an eye you have is a testament to your strength, it shows you survived something could have killed you."

Neferyt

Neferyt had no qualms with showing her displeasure. She didn't need to be disaplined. Her mother did that plenty for the right reasons. She kept to sunny refusing to go anywhere near lupe.

Leo listened ot him.Maybe your righthe finally said.

Zanarah, Sunburst, & Dima

"Scared or not, she needs to mind." Lupanare countered, watching the unhappy pup with a mixture of sympathy and aggravation. If she had more authority, the sleek wolfess would have simply taken Neferyt, whether the pup fought her or not. But she didn't exactly want to get on Nemu's bad side, and Sunburst did have a point. "...but I'll defer to Velvet. Just... keep an eye on her." Her gaze lingered on Nef for a moment longer before she turned and padded away.

Sunburst let out a long-held breath, then offered Neferyt a half-smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll let me take you. And, we'll steer clear of any water on the way." Once his larger counterpart had sauntered out of sight, Sun nudged Nef and led her a few yards from the water, to show her some of the various skulls they kept around the Temple.

Zanarah was content to sit back and let Dima entertain the youngsters for a short while, while she got to know Sarabi. "It sounds like you've traveled some distance from your home, is that right?"

If Dima could have grinned, he would have. In lieu of that, the alligator's sharp yellow eyes squinted a little in amusement at the cubs. "That's a start, anyway. You'll have to work on that confidence of yours, pup."

Neferyt

She kept baring her little puppy teeth and growling. her ears back till lupe turned away and started heading away then she was quiet again. She just nodded and followed sunny.

Sarabi watch her cubs intently.Yes, humans have over taken itShe said.

Leo listened.I willHe said. Mansa was lapping at the water even though they still nursed.