Welcome to Gaia! ::

It hadn't been long since the Mwezi group had left the Tianxia lands, making their way slowly back home. Badru felt empowered by the visit and the fact that he had been allowed to join them despite his age. His maturity levels far surpassed that of other males in his group and his mellow and easy going nature truly did lend themselves to his future rank of Priest that he had been groomed for starting when he was just a cub. He now felt more worldly and understanding of other prides, even if they had only visited the one. This time in the rogue lands would certainly open his eyes even more, he was sure.

He was set off a bit from the group who were resting on the other side of a gently sloped hill just to see what else was around. He made sure not to stray out of earshot in case something happened, but his curiosity would always get the best of him.

It wasn't long before a pale lioness came within his sights and he watched he for a bit, wondering where she was going. He had never spoken to a true rogue before and her jewelry and other adornments were quite fascinating to him. True to form, Badru shifted his direction to cautiously approach the female.

"Hello," he called out once he got a bit closer. "Forgive me for being so blunt, but are you a rogue?" There were those from other prides that wandered as their profession, after all. He couldn't assume she was prideless just because she was out here. He was out here and he had a pride, after all!

Badru tilted his head slightly at the reply he was given. She guessed he could say that? Was she not a rogue? Or perhaps she was just out traveling like he and the other Mwezi were. Or perhaps she was newly prideless? There were so many reasons she could be out here!

"I was hoping to ask you what it's like to live out here alone," he answered honestly. "I grew up in a pride and we're returning from a diplomatic mission to a pride we used to be in contact with and I'm trying to learn all that I can while we're out here." They weren't too far from home anymore and he knew his time of learning would soon come to and end. He'd be able to apply all he had seen and heard while out here to his studies and he was sure it would help him become a good Priest when he grew.

"But if you'd rather not talk, I understand," he added with a little bob of his head. "I wouldn't wish to impose myself on you."

Ah, so it would seem she had lived most of her life within a pride. That was fine, too! As long as it wasn't the Tianxia since he had just been there, Badru would eagerly drink up whatever information she was willing to give.

He nodded slightly, leaning in just a bit as he waited for her to tell him about her former pride, but her question made him realize he had been horribly rude and hadn't done so much as introduce himself.

"Oh! We are the Mwezi'Johari," he said, motioning back to the gently sloping hill behind him that hid the rest of the party he was with. "I'm Badru," he added with a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry for piling all these questions on you without even telling you who I am. That's not very polite." Even if they weren't at home he had the name of his pride to represent. He didn't want to cast the Mwezi in a rude light.

Badru tilted his head slightly. Stages of the moon? They followed the Great Lion, but he supposed to some that was a simpler way to explain it. He nodded slightly after considering the question, his tail bobbing back and forth at her sudden excitement.

"Ru. That will be easy to remember," he said with a grin, considering it was the last half of his own name. He was sure he'd be able to remember Rukopa-eupe if he put his mind to it, though, and as a Priest in training he should! Rogues could have long, strange names that they might want to be called so if he were to be a good Host he'd need to be able to make anyone feel welcome.

"The pride itself isn't too far, perhaps a few more days journey, but there's a large group of us just over here," he said with a nod of his head. "Were you seeking our lands? You'd be more than welcome to join us as we return if that's the case."

Oh, her son was here! That was exciting. It seemed he had missed all the drama that surrounded the pride not long ago, which Badru had also thankfully missed by not being born. The pride was still in recovery mode from that whole fiasco though so he knew of the history well.

"Of course not! We welcome anyone who wishes to stay with us, even if it's just for a visit," he said with a warm smile, shifting his weight to walk back up the hill. 'Come! You can travel with us at the very least and if you find your son isn't among our numbers we'll wish you well on your journey. But we're always open to new faces."

He turned completely after that, leading Ru up the little hill to the camp where the traveling Mwezi were resting. Hopefully she'd stay...he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't mind a pretty lady in their numbers like her!