Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

Mufasa and Scar were brothers who shared in the protection of their pride of lions and fathered the current cubs. The group was relaxing in the sun on top of the canyon.

Zanarah

The once colorful landscape of the Valley had shifted hues, and now reflected the cold winter colors of white, gray, and brown. Though a few conifers did throw the solid green into the mix, the land was still overwhelmingly white, and that worked in Zanarah's favor. Other than her brown stripes and slight maltese coloration, the big cat's coat was largely white. It helped her now as she padded across the snowy terrain, her footsteps muffled by the soft white powder below her paws.

The scent of other cats was strong, and their own paw prints clear and easy to follow... up until she reached the top of the canyon, where the warm rays of the sun had melted the blanket of snow that had earlier covered the rocky surface. Zana had concealed herself amongst a thicket of young cedar trees to observe the pride, trying to piece together who these cats were, and whether they belonged to the Makutcha or not. They didn't smell familiar, that she was certain of, and they appeared to be pure lion, rather than hybrids like herself and most of the other cats.

Taking note of her escape routes incase this encounter turned violent, Zanarah rose and took a single step out from the cedar trees, so that the front half of her body was exposed. "Good morning."

Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

Mufasa was the first to notice her or rather smell her. He waited though not worried about anyone get hurt from who was spying on them. Pretty brave to approach us alonehe said but it wasn't meant to be aggressive just that he was amused.

The others watche her the cubs moving to thier mothers.

Zanarah

Zanarah knew it was dangerous to approach this close, but her pride was in jeopardy, and these cats just might be its saviors. Still keenly aware of her escape routes, Zanarah dipped her head in greeting to Mufasa. "I mean no harm to you or your family." The tigress did her best to come across as calm and confident, despite the tension in her muscles. "It's just that it's rare to find a pride of lions in a place like this, so far from home." She shifted her weight and settled back on her haunches, to better portray the fact that she had no ill-intent. "Where do you come from, if I may ask?"

Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

Mufasa listened and laughed.You be a real fool if you had meant harmHe said calmly. Not that he wasn't aware she could have friends in hiding. Scar was keeping an eye on the surroundings as he talked to this female. hmm humans had us and trailer got hit and we got freeHe said.though originally we are from Africahe said.

Zanarah

"Thankfully for me, I'm no fool." She chuckled lightly in return. She watched the way that Scar kept an eye on the surroundings, and was glad she came alone on this outing. It made things less complicated. "Africa? I've heard of that land. My late grandparents were from that place, and they had a similar introduction here." Zanarah smiled as she recalled the tales that had been passed down to her by her mother, "Though they were part of some traveling... circus, they call it? And some local inhabitants helped to free them." The tigeress shook her head, "I myself have lived in the Valley all my life. How is the Valley treating you?"

Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

He listens to her calmly.That you don't seem to behe said. We do not know where the humans were bringing usHe said wtih a shrug of his shoulders not that they could really be seen. It has been decentHe said.

Zanarah

'So far, so good.' Zanarah thought to herself, pleased with how cordial the introduction had gone. "Thankfully the humans here are easily thwarted, with the right tactics. Where I live in mountains, they never step foot." She gave a nod and a flick of her ear in the direction south of the Canyon, where the mountains stretched along the Valley's western boarder. "If you're seeking a more permanent home, I'd like to invite you to ours. There also is a second pride as well, one that lives in an environment I'm told is similar to ancestral ground" This time she turned her head to gaze past the dipping cliffs, and out across the Valley. "The Makutcha, they call themselves, and they're quite powerful."

Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

Mufasa listened to her calmly. Perhaps yours would be ideal but only if no one tries to take over my pride directlyHe said.

Zanarah

She listened to Mufasa, trying to read into the big male and decide how best to explain the situation. "If you join us, you would become part of the Shadow Haunters clan, with a ligeress and a wolf as your leaders. We're unconventional as far as prides go, and packs for that matter, but we are strong." Shifting her weight a bit, Zanarah positioned herself a little more comfortably and decided honesty was the best policy with Mufasa. "The Makucha seem to function more as a typical pride, with only feline members... but I can't say much for them. We've only recently encountered them, and they abducted three of our members." She gave the pride king a moment to digest that information, whilst glancing at the other females and their young, trying to read what their opinion might be. "Whatever your choice, if you do choose to join one of us, I can personally lead you to your new home."

Mufasa

He listened to her as he glanced at his pride. tell me this, If we choose to join these shadow haunters would I still be permitted to lead my pride? I have no problems listening and maybe taking orders from a ligeress and I suppose a wolf but I still wish for ultimate control of my pride. He said calmly.

Zanarah

"I can't speak on behalf of Senka or Tersek." Zanarah started, "But I would imagine you'd be able to direct and lead your pride within the confines of their rules, and as long as your actions didn't harm or disrupt the Haunters. We have another pride that joined us earlier in the year, and they've settled in quiet nicely." Worried she might lose Mufasa's interest, Zanarah next offered him the perks of the Haunters, "You would be invited to become part of the Coalition, a group of the strongest male cats the Haunters have to offer. Front line fighters and defenders. You would also have access to any willing female." Her eyes flitted to the lionesses next, "Cubs benefit from the entire pride watching over them, with dedicated cub-sitters that allow the huntresses to go out without having to worry over the safety of their children."

Mufasa

He listened to her. that is fine, so long as I have my own control over my pride I don't mind taking orders. We only do what us lions normally do anyways so it shouldn't go against what ever the haunters stand forhe said.

Zanarah

The ligeress stood, and bowed her head as she did so in a sign of respect and appreciation to the big male for hearing her out. "It should be a perfect fit for you, then. I can lead you there now, if you're willing to make the travel. We can go slow for the cubs." She passed a gently smiling look to the youngsters, always happy to see little ones after such a drought of pregnancies in the Haunters.

Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Jasmine , Laya, Mwaya, Tyra, Tessa, Coko, Markisto

Mufasa stood up stretching as he did so and the others followed suit.Alrighthe said.

Zanarah

Once they were all up an ready to travel, Zanarah turned back into the evergreen scrub she'd been hiding in originally, and began to trek back to the Ruins. Her pace was slow to account for the cubs, and she was mindful to pick the easier route possible to avoid any mishaps.