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Patrols were Bruten's favorite duty. It made him proud to carry out tasks befitting his new title as Reaver. The askoruns were always the most entertaining, and they were truly what the large lion lived for. There were also times that he'd come across the scent of a strange lion, and usually such meetings ended in a thrilling chase.

Bruten much preferred the askoruns to the random interactions that ended in chase, but a patrol was a patrol and he would tend to his duties regardless.

There was an odd scent on the breeze, and Bruten followed after it, all senses at full attention.

"Oh, I think we're so very close now! I cannot wait to meet my papa. I think he will be handsome, have I told you, Orla? I cannot wait. And you, Aagen? Are you excited to meet our father? I imagine him to be so very handsome, and I am so very excited to meet him, brother."

Corallus pranced along, a spring in her step as she walked. The lioness was truly floating on air, and it was obvious that little would dim her spirits.

"I also cannot wait to have a den of my own. What of you, brother? Orla? Are you both excited?"

Orla didn't bother stifling the chuckles that broke past her lips, her eyes bright with humor. She glanced at Aagen as the walked, brows lifting.

"I'm excited for you as well, dear. For the both of you."

The smile flickered to something different as a strange scent caught her attention. She'd protected both Corallus and Aagen since they were little balls of fluff, and Orla always caught herself on high alert when it came to their safety.

"There's someone close," she whispered softly to Aagen, speaking in soft tones so as to not alert Corallus. "Do you smell it?"

Hopefully it was someone who would listen to their tale.

Ayyyyyyy girl.

Of course, it did not take Bruten long to catch up to the small group of lions. Not one of them had called out in challenge, and Bruten almost didn't know how to react. Should he give chase? They seemed to move with great purpose, and for a moment Bruten hesitated. Two females and a dark male. He was clearly outnumbered, but the prancing footsteps of the smaller, pale female made him wonder how skilled she was - or if she should even be considered a threat.

He was most concerned about the male, truth be told, but until Bruten could be certain, they would all be considered a threat.

He was about to find out what they wanted, as it seemed that the smaller female had caught sight of him, even at such a great distance.

Corallus caught sight of the male in the distance, and she didn't hesitate in dashing forward. It was foolish, but she was driven by pure excitement. This was it! This was where she would make her home, where all of her dreams would come true - and it was amazing. She was thrilled. So thrilled, in fact, that she didn't hear Orla's cry of dismay or her softly muttered curse.

No, Corallus was all bouncy cheer and bubbly disposition. Any dour impression that the strange lion intended to give off was ineffective.

"Hello, you there! Hello! I am Corallus, and this is my brother, Aagen - and ah, my... aunt. Orla. We're --"

"-- not looking for any trouble. You are Stormborn? We come in search of family here amongst your ranks. We pose no threat," Orla sidled up to Corallus and placed herself between the fanciful lioness and the rather brutish-looking lion who was beginning to look more than slightly irritated by their presence.

Orla refused to believe they'd come this far only to be turned away or beaten down by a single sour-looking lion. She did her best to make herself look as unimposing as possible, head held low, a smile on her muzzle. The last thing she wanted to do was come off as aggressive.

If there hadn't been a mention of family, Bruten would not have hesitated in giving chase, particularly to the male with the ridge of hair down the length of his spine. It nearly felt like an unspoken challenge, and Bruten had never been the sort to back down from any kind of challenge.

Keeping his eyes on the dark male, Bruten merely grunted at the flowery pale female and her larger counterpart.

"A name."

Corallus did not seem to notice any sort of tension, and she did not pay Aagen any mind. In fact, she hadn't even heard him mutter her name, so excited was she by the prospect of finally meeting their father.

"His name is Asper, and he is our father," Corallus chirped softly, shifting her weight from one front paw to the other. She nearly vibrated with excitement as she watched the dark lion expectantly.

"Do you know him? We have never met him. Our mother had Orla bring us to him. Is my father very handsome? I cannot wait to meet him. It has been a long trek to find our way here," she added with a huge smile.

Orla merely fell silent, though she watched Aagen and Corallus in turn; she flashed Aagen a mildly warning glance, though, just on the off-chance that he might find himself eager to attack the stranger. The last thing she wanted was bloodshed, especially since they were attempting to make their way deeper into the pridelands.

Her attention flickered from Corallus to the large male, and she plastered what she hoped was an encouraging smile on her face.

Bruten actually took a step back from Corallus as she pranced towards him, his eyes narrowing on her. She made him nervous, this small and delicate little lioness, but the name she spoke elicited a low laugh from him. It was not a scoff, but a true laugh. Of course she was related to Asper and the rest of that nutty family.

"I know of Asper," he grunted, turning away from Corallus, "and do not ask me if I find a male handsome."

He sounded annoyed.

That bright smile did not waver, no matter what tone the lion took with her. She couldn't help but to give a small dance when he admitted to knowing her father. It was fantastic! They were here! They'd arrived, safe and sound, at their new home. Their forever home! It was an amazing thought, and Corallus giggled.

"I am so excited!" Her tail thrashed with enthusiasm as she padded behind the dark lion animatedly. "What is your name? What do you do here? I wish to know everything!!"

With a soft sigh of relief, Orla followed a few paces behind Corallus - though she waited for Aagen so that he might walk next to her. She spoke in soft tones, mere whispers meant for his ears only.

"Stay alert, Aagen," Orla warned quietly, never turning her gaze away from the dark lion that led them into the interior area of the pride. "If anything looks to be wrong, you take your sister and run. I will buy you whatever time I can."

She did not think things would turn sour, but Orla wanted to be as prepared as she could be.

Bruten glanced over his shoulder at Aagen before he peered at Corallus. If he ever had a daughter like this one, he might be forced to suffocate her in her sleep. Her constant talking was growing tiresome, and as soon as he deposited the female before her father's den, Bruten was going to put as much distance between himself and the female as he possibly could - as quickly as he could.

"Bruten," was all he said in his very best I'm done talking tone (which he hoped would prove to be quite effective).

It wasn't.

"Bruten! That's an odd name. And I wasn't asking if you thought my father was handsome - just... what others think of him! Do the females find him handsome?" It was very important that her father be handsome for some reason, but Corallus did fall silent long enough to slant a narrow-eyed look in Aagen's direction. Was he laughing at her?

"How long until we get to the pride? Are we nearly there? I hope we are. I'm a little hungry, but mostly I'm quite excited! Like there's birds in my belly! It kind of tickles!"

Aagen's laughter had Orla quietly chuckling to herself. Sometimes Corallus could be a little intimidating in her enthusiasm, but she found it endearing. Somehow she doubted that Bruten did, but it didn't appear that he had plans to do anything that might endanger their lives.

Choking down her own laugh at Aagen's suggestion, Orla whispered back, "I think your sister has him under control, come to think of it. I don't think we're going to wander into trouble, honestly."