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These lands were harsh, Kasoro had come to find. Harsh in a different way than the diseased lands had been. His old pride had cracked, dead earth and very little plants or passing animals, both of whom seemed to sense the illness that plagued most lions in the pride. He had been lucky to leave without becoming infected, never really seeing the illness as a blessing as the other members had. How could something be a blessing when one suffered so much? Perhaps it was because his mother was a goddess that he didn't share their views. He hadn't seen her since he was a tiny cub, but Kasoro knew that if there would be any god he sang the praises of, it would be her, not someone that brought such sickness.

But that was his old pride. Here, the grounds were cracked, but with heat. He was lucky for his pale coat, since it reflected some of the sun's rays, but others here were not so lucky. Dark coats were common, and he could only imagine how warm those felines grew. Sand and strange plants dominated the lands, as did prey animals. He had been told that this wasn't always the case, that he had come at a fortunate time, but it was a nice change and he accepted it with open paws.

The large male moved through his new lands, dry and sandy though they were, hesitantly. He had been told that he was in a probation period, and anything that was out of line would send him packing. He wasn't permitted to travel too far, so he made do with the areas he was told he was permitted to go. He hadn't seen much life outside of the lion he had fought and a few guards, and although Kasoro was a quiet lion, he did crave company.

When his bright blue eyes spotted a lioness not too far off on a rock, there was no hesitation to the change of direction. Finally, a new face to talk to! Many of the lions here seemed rough and grumpy, but the way that she carried herself made him feel positive that she'd be enjoyable company.

"Hello," he called out softly so as not to startle her. "Do you mind a bit of company?"

Kasoro watched as the darker female straightened her posture. Ah, yes, it wasn't good to appear to relaxed to new comers, he was sure. He couldn't wait for his initiation process to be over. Then, perhaps, he would be treated normally.

"Wonderful," he said as he padded forward, leaping up easily onto the rock. It was quite big, even for the two large lions, and there was more than enough room for them to sit comfortably away from each other. "As you might have guessed, I'm new," he said, offering her a little bow of his head. 'And as such I'm still learning the ways of our pride. I'm not sure if there's any greeting to say or do, but my name is Kasoro and it is a pleasure to meet you."

Politeness never hurt, so he figured it was the best way to start their little introductory meeting.

Kasoro shook his head as Soleil drew back a bit. No, he certainly wasn't after any duel. He could certainly fight if he needed to, but he wasn't one to seek out a duel just for sport. "No, my joining duel will hold me over for quite some time, I'm certain," he said with a nod. "I can promise you that I'll be the last person to go hunting around for a fight."

And if he did want to rough something up, he'd probably go find a hare to play with. That was always enjoyable when he got grouchy. His aunt told him he got that side from his mother, and anything he could learn about Uuni he cherished, so he'd indulge his darker side from time to time.

A laugh left his lips as Soleil commented on his manners. Yes, he knew they were a bit out of place here, but he hadn't been brought up by savages. Or Firekin. "Yes, I do. Perhaps after a few months here I'll get a bit rougher around the edges," he said with a wink. "Oh, the usual. Just on probation for a bit longer, so I've got to stick to the outskirts. Which is unfortunate, since no one seems to be coming my way very often. I've heard things from the guards that suggest a few disturbances on the other side of the pride's lands, with strange ibex or water bucks or something."

He waved a paw, but shook his head to let her know it wasn't of any concern to him. "All I know is that you're here and seem to be very good company, so for now I am satisfied."

Kasoro chuckled quietly, tilting his head as the female spread out a bit more on the rock. It certainly was odd and kind of a relief to hear someone talk about this place without so much...passion. He liked that it has a huge family feel, and that everyone had everyone else's back even if they didn't like them, but at the same time hearing nothing but talks of fights and owning land and how much stronger so and so was than so and so got to be a bit dull.

"And there's no shame in being what you are," he agreed, shifting to lay down next to her, although he was sure to keep as respectable a distance as he could given their space restrictions. "It's a bit of a relief to hear something that doesn't have to do with catching the biggest antelope or showing off battle scars, to be honest."

The question made him fall silent for a bit. He knew he wasn't supposed to tell too much of his old pride, so fear wouldn't spread through the savanna, but it seemed the Firekin knew something of the diseased lands that he had come from.

"It was the community, really," he said after a moment. "I didn't feel I fit in as well as I could have in my old pride. Here I feel as though I can be of use without endangering myself, and while still slipping under the radar." Drawing attention to himself wasn't something he relished, and he'd be happy to go through life with only just a few knowing his name. "But it's the comradery here that I do like. Even if you don't know someone, you'll defend them to the end."

Kasoro tilted his head just a bit as his new friend started to laugh. It made him smile since it was the first laughter that wasn't mocking or forced that he'd heard in quite a long time. Honestly, it was a sound for sore ears. He shook his head to let her know that he didn't take offence, instead chuckling along with her after a moment.

"I'm glad I've hit the ground hog on the head on the first try," he said as his chuckle died down to a simple smile. It faded a bit, though, as Soleil referred to these lands as a prison as well as a home. "A prison?" he echoed, but she explained why. He nodded in sympathy, understanding what she meant.

"It does seem that types like us are in the minority," he murmured, resting his head on his paws for a moment. "But that shouldn't make it feel like a prison. I mean, at least you've got me now to talk to about things that don't revolve around brute strength and strategy."

Kasoro lifted his head again as his companion fell silent, nodding once again. "Family is the most important thing to me. Which," he said with a slightly weak laugh. "Is kind of odd for me to say. I have no idea who my father is, my mother is...not. Not here. And my only sister I left behind to seek my fortune elsewhere." He let out a little sigh, shrugging his shoulder.

"I suppose water is thicker than blood in that case. But I prefer the type of family that you choose, rather than you're born into. Finding those that think like you and want to live like you is the best thing in life, I think."

Kasoro smiled just a bit as Soleil began to purr. Ah, she seemed to like his idea on families. Considering his own had abandoned him and he had abandoned the rest, he knew that being able to pick someone to spend his life with was much better than having it forced upon him.

"I don't mind at all," he said, bright blue eyes watching as the darker lioness yawned. He chuckled softly, deciding to take that as his cue to leave. "Of course I will. Same rock?" he asked as he hopped down, glancing back up at Soleil as he pause. "Well...wait, you said this was your rock, didn't you?" he murmured. "Then of course this rock."

He remained where he stood for a moment, just watching the snoozing lioness, before shaking his head with a smile. "Have a nice nap, Soleil. I'm sure I'll see you again." With that, Kasoro turned to head back to the guard station where he was currently spending his probation period.

FIN