Welcome to Gaia! ::

A bright, fat moon hung in the starry sky, not a cloud in sight to hinder the light it offered the grassy plains below. A gentle breeze played in the slightly dead blades, bending them in rippling waves as it passed through. Trees dotted the savanna, offering a place to rest for those that weren't as active at night as others, giving just a bit of protection from hungry eyes.

Hanzo's eyes weren't hungry, but they were certainly keeping a close watch of the area that he and his companion were in. The small male was always scanning the horizon, ever wary and watchful. He knew what the world had to offer in terms of danger and he wasn't going to let anything sneak up on him while it was his turn to be on watch. A loud snore made the dark eyes narrow as he slowly glanced beside him to the much larger lion dozing by his feet.

Mikree slowly woke after that snore, the noise startling himself out of his nap. He didn't move right away, though, content to remain on the ground beside Hanzo for a while. Brown eyes opened slightly, adjusting to the darkness in a moment. For the two lions it was as if it was high noon thanks to how bright the moon and stars were, the plains easily visible as well as all the creatures that were resting in their trees and herds.

Shuffling around a bit, Mikree got his paws beneath him and pushed himself up into a seated position, mouth gaping wide in a massive yawn. He shook his fluffy head, the fabric around his shoulders settling down as he finished.

"See any ghosts?" he asked with a little grin to which Hanzo rolled his eyes.

"You are the one that sees ghosts, fool," he muttered, his yellow tie dancing in the light breeze that moved the grass around them. "Have you finished sleeping? This is hardly the place to remain for very long."

Mikree chuckled at Hanzo's prickly reply, lifting a paw to scratch at his chest. "Well, can't say you're wrong," he murmured, the dark pelt and burning eyes of one Reyes coming to mind uncomfortably fast. He let out a huge yawn again as he shook those thoughts from his mind, not wanting to dwell on the past if it wasn't here to bother him.

A loud voice had both of the lions turning their heads, eyes and ears trained on the direction it had come from. It took Mikree only a moment to grin, the voice registering before Hanzo groaned quietly.

"Not him," he growled, claws digging in the dirt as Mikree laughed.

"Oh, come on! Lucio's a good pal."

"Of yours," Hanzo hissed, not at all pleased with the encroaching company. The other lion was talented in his singing and could be useful during a hunt, but he had far too much energy for Hanzo's tastes. His enthusiasm for life in general was a bit sickening to the small lion who had seen far too much to enjoy living.

"Don't be like that," Mikree chided as he got to his feet, moving in the direction the other lion had been heard in. "C'mon."

With a grumble Hanzo rose to his paws as well, following Mikree like a second shadow. The two moved quietly through the tall grass, the larger lion keeping his head high to try to spot the quick lion.

"Lucio!" he called out with a grin as he finally spotted the other male. "Long time no see."

Mikree watched as the younger lion bounded towards them, leaping off a rock and rolling neatly onto his paws. He was definitely an acrobatic guy, that was for sure!

"Nothin' more than usual," he replied with a drawl, giving a Lucio a grin. "Just layin' low for a while, tryin' t'stay outta trouble for once." The scoff behind him let Mikree know Hanzo didn't believe him for a second, but it was the truth. Trouble just seemed to follow him. It wasn't like he went looking for it.

"How've you been?" he asked, tilting his shaggy head to the side. "Been a bit since we've crossed paths. Right, Hanzo?"

The small lion bared his teeth in a grimace, not wanting to be dragged into the conversation. He remained silent which was a hint enough to Mikree that his partner wasn't going to join in the conversation willingly. Ah well. He was used to carrying the brunt of a back and forth anyway.

"You see?" Hanzo groused as Lucio pointed out that trouble seemed to be a constant friend of theirs. "Even he knows it to be true. You simply call it confidence."

"'cause that's what it is!" Mikree said with a laugh. It wasn't like he had a terrifying smoke god hunting him almost constantly. Nope, wasn't because of that at all. The brown lion decided to ignore Hanzo rolling his eyes in favor of answering Lucio again.

"Y'know, we were lookin' for a place to rest for a while. Bein' on the move all the time takes it toll on your paws," he said, lifting his heavily marked one to give it a shake. "You mind if we bunk up with you for a while? You wouldn't mind?"

Hanzo didn't comment, nor did he look at Lucio. He knew his presence was tolerated by some with Mikree being the exception in terms of accepting his attitude for long periods of time, so if the musical lion said no it would be because of him. He was used to being pushed away, of course, but he didn't want Mikree to suffer because of his presence.

Mikree nodded slightly as Lucio mentioned making the den bigger. He certainly wouldn't mind and it was the least they could do in return for crashing the smaller lion's party. He chuckled as he shook his head, rolling his shoulders so his serape settled a bit nicer along his back.

"We don't mind makin' it bigger, Lucio," he said with a warm tone of voice. "Or helpin' out in other ways if it really is large enough. We're just thankful for any friend we come across out here."

As Mikree spoke Hanzo admitted mental defeat, knowing that there was strength in numbers and to spend a few days in a sheltered spot would be welcome. He remained silent, not wanting to be rude to their new host, and gave a little nod of thanks as well. He knew how to be polite if it was called for even if he knew he'd have a splitting headache by the time their stay with the musical feline was over.

"Lead the way," he said, his voice still low and curt but without any bite to it.