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Ur was on patrol, but that seldom meant an actual path he had to stick to. Unless there was a specific threat going on, he was allowed to roam as he willed, wherever he might be needed. He had emerged from the jungle beside the river to quite a sight. A lioness was fighting with seagulls. An all-out battle right there on the beach, sand flying, feathers drifting, shrill bird cries and snarls mixing into a cacophony of distress. If this wasn't a situation for a guard to handle, what was?

He bounded down from the jungle level and found a swift, if treacherous, way down to the beach, bringing a lot of sand and soil with him. Still, he kept his feet and hit the beach running. He gave a bellowing roar, notice to the seagulls that they had best watch their tailfeathers! He swatted an unwary bird from the air as it harassed the lioness, its back to him. He swiped at a couple more, loosening yet more feathers. He lunged past her, jaws gaping, and very nearly caught one in his very teeth. "Go on, you beggars!" he growled. "Leave her be! There's plenty of fish elsewhere. Leave the lady alone!"

"What, because of those guys?" he asked her, startled, tossing his mane towards the rising, cackling flock of snots. He cast them an evil glare, but returned his gaze to the lioness. Yes, she definitely hadn't been born here. He knew everyone who had been born here, and was getting to know the creatures from the nearby island as well. He was more certain now, though, that she was from inland rather than the island. "You are not the first they've hassled, and certainly won't be the last! That hardly counts against you making it well here."

His nose twitched as he caught the scent of her lunch, and he leaned forward to look at what she'd caught, eyebrows raising. "And you said you weren't doing well! I'm willing to bet you caught that on your own, by yourself, without anyone beside you to help." He angled his head to look at her sideways with a kind smile. "Am I right?"

"Pshaw," he said with a wave of his paw, "for not being born here, that's pretty amazing." He shook his head at her offer of the fish. "No way I'd eat your triumph! You defended it from the birds, it shall be your feast!" A quirk of his mouth indicated that he knew it wasn't much of a feast, but his words were genuine. "Large or small, the accomplishment shall make the celebration." He gestured grandly for her to eat while they talked.

"Truly though, as another who wasn't born here, it seems to me you are doing fabulously." He sprawled beside her, keeping one wary eye out for the flock to return. "I was a teenager, but it still took me a lot longer than you to adjust to life beside the ocean." He blew at a tuft of mane that had fallen across his eyes, trying to remove it from his line of sight. "There's learning to swim, and the ways of the ocean, and the unique critters we have to deal with, and adjusting to eating sealife, and the dangers of the jungle..." He tipped his head one way, then the other, back and forth as he gave the list of items. "It was a lot to take in. So yes, as a veteran of learning how to live here, I can adamantly assert that you are doing great."

He flashed her a huge grin. "Would you mind telling me where you are from, and how you came to join us?" He settled in with an attentive look, hoping to hear more about her. He wasn't ready to admit yet that he thought she was lovely. For now, getting to know her and being friendly was more than enough for him. "I promise I'll share too," he added, hoping it was further incentive to share.

Ur frowned thoughtfully as she described her past. To him, it sounded barbaric, but she seemed to reflect on that past with fondness. It admittedly baffled him, but he was not the sort to impose his perspective on others. It had been her home, where she'd been born and grown up. Who was he to be scornful about having loved it? Still, what a strange background to come from!

"Well," he began slowly, trying to shift gears mentally. "You have a lot more to tell than I do." He cast her a rueful smile. "I didn't have any family but my mother, and we had no home. All I remember is wandering, and my mother's unhappiness." He gave a soft sigh and laid his chin on his paws. "Life was hard, since it was difficult for my mother to hunt and ensure I was safe at the same time. Food was scarce, and safety was never guaranteed. But when we found Bahari, we found a home." He raised his head to gaze over the ocean. "It was strange, seeing the sea for the first time, but the idea of having a safe place to stay for always... it meant a lot to both of us."

He shrugged a little. "That's my story, what there is of it. Don't you miss your mate?" he asked cautiously then. "I can't imagine loving someone, then being separated from them like that. Will he come looking for you, do you think?" For her sake, he hoped so. She deserved happiness just like his mother had. But for his sake, he rather hoped not. It simply felt wrong to court a female who was waiting and hoping to be reunited with her lost mate. Ur was not at all the sort to take advantage of a damsel in distress!

He couldn't help it. He beamed approvingly at her as she expressed her feelings regarding her past and her mate. "I think that is a healthy attitude," he confessed. "I would never encourage anyone to leave their past behind if they weren't ready to, but eventually it's a good idea. At least," he hastened to add, "it is if that past never returns." He paused to frown faintly, wondering what would happen if she was wrong, and he did come looking for her. Well... it wasn't a problem unless it happened. As for now...

"Have you explored all the pride's area?" he asked lightly. It would be no bad thing to get to escort this lovely lady around and show her all his favorite spots. "Many newcomers think we are just beach and surf, but there actually is a lot more to our territory than just that. I'd be happy to show you around, if you wanted?" It was a not-so-subtle bid to spend more time with her, and he hoped she wouldn't be put off by his daring to show interest in her. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all.