Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Every young male (adol/adult) should post at least once even if it's just a short post of being anxious before leaving. The Pads may also post advice or concerns about their sons etc. No posting order as this should be kept pretty casual and it's mainly meant as the release for the young males to leave the pride lands and go search for their first female (even if they already have a female from within).))



The night was beautiful and clear, stars shone high in the sky and the moon hung in a perfect glowing crescent. Light blue eyes sought out the heavens before looking back at the group of males. The females had gone on a grand hunt earlier and provided the feast that lay spread out now. This was a celebration of sorts, but many remembered that it was also a goodbye. Not for good, or so he hoped, yet many males who had left on this same journey had never returned their fates unknown. He wondered how his own father had felt sending out wave after wave of young males and then waiting and watching the borders as only a few came back.

He knew his days would be painfully drawn out now, he would probably pace a trench just looking out for the Pesars who would be Pads. He considered sending out one or two Pads to keep an eye on things, ensure that none of their own came to serious harm. He was certain that by dawn he would do just that, when the worry overcame him. Still, for now he forced a bright smile and laughed as they shared stories of their first captures. There was playful ribbing as well mocking the younger males and daring them to return with a pretty female.

Clearing his throat he stood and looked at the males around him some looked eager others nervous. He would need to give them some words of encouragement now, as his father had given so many others.
"Tonight you all set off on a grand journey, some may go father then others in their search. Some will find the perfect beybanu, others a rebellious kajira. Rest assured though when you return with your female in tow you will all be Pads, you will know what it is to survive alone, and to take another into your care and bring them safely back to these lands...your lands...your home." He paused then trying not to sound ominous, he wanted them to be confident, but he had to issue some warning.

"Not all share our ways, our traditions, and so out there you may face challenges. Not all males will be as brothers to you, and not all females will understand your rights. Be cautious, do not let bravery blind you to true dangers." That was enough of that, just the word danger had him worried for the young males all over again.

"Good Luck Pesars" He let out a mighty roar, the sound of a pad, of an adult, of brotherhood and strength. It invited all of them to join together in this loud send off.

Zeki had been three banus away from a copy of his father, lounging in a relaxed manner during most of the feast. Oh, he filled himself, stopping when he hit his limit, but that wasn't what was really on his mind. He hated leaving Thabi with his father, not because he didn't trust his father, no. He trusted his father with his life and knew that he would take good care of the young lioness. Zeki just didn't want to leave her, period. His only consolation was that he had enough confidence in himself to believe that he would be back to her soon. And with some lovely ladies to help her with hunting and whatnot.

He, too, listened to his uncle's speech, a short streak of worry creeping across his spine. With a firm paw, he smashed it down, standing with a faint smile on his maw. There would be danger, but they would get through it in good health. He and his brother had a rivalry, yes, but there was no other lion he could more deeply trust at his back than his older brother, besides his father and uncle, of course.

Zeki watched as Ilyas said goodbye to Mother and Father and approached him. He nodded once.
"But one moment, Brother," he added, turning to Thabi to give her an affectionate, loving nuzzle.
"I'll be back soon," he whispered to her and moved to nuzzle his mother, also trying to banish her tears. He received a pat on his shoulder from his father, just as Ilyas had.

"Make me proud, boys," Faiz told them with his lazy grin, though there was a tone of concern to it. Zeki nodded and turned to walk away with his brother.

Mi'rage was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He was going out into the world tonight, to bring back a banu for himself. He knew he would never be a pad, but it matter not to him. He still wanted to be apart of the important ceremony and to prove even though his mother was a cheetah he could be like the others. His father had told him he was allowed to banu and he wondered briefly if he should bring back both as he doubted any of the females in the pride wold have him.

He listened to the Sultan his excitement rising, then listened to his father and quite frankly he was tired of waiting. He wanted to go now. When he father stopped talking he was estatic, they would leave soon right.

"I do not know about the five of you, but I'm excited to go. Though I'm not sure I want to so it alone. Maybe would should stay together. I am the oldest and I really think it would be best at least until we got use to being out in the outlands."

Cairo had listened quietly and attentively to both the sultan and his father. He was wide and awake, but unlike his brother's he wasn't to sure he wanted to go out into the world. He liked his how just where he was and he really had no desire to go. He knew however, it was his duty to go out into the world and he would most certainly do his duty.

Cairo looked to his older brother, he was smaller, but it mattered not to Cairo he still respected him. "I would be far happier in a group. It could be like a time for us brother to bond and we could help each other gather banu. I think it would be best if we stuck together."

Anwar'Mazin, lay silently at the edge of the group, idly clawing marks in the dirt as his dark crimson eyes flickered around to all the others. There were a lot of them now, all grown enough to leave. Some were a bit older than he was, like the Vizier Faiz's sons, others, like his siblings by Mother O'tep, were younger. But all were old enough to undertake this test, this quest.

Some were worried. He'd studied emotion long enough to know this without much doubt. But for him, though the roguelands were a strange place, he had no qualms now. Unlike the others, he knew the girl he was going to bring back. Obadias had seen her fall from the sky, the star he'd chosen to bring back to the pride. Perhaps it would take him longer to find a very specific white female, but in the end...no other had ever returned to the pride with a fallen star.

His cold gaze snapped to the Sultan the moment Aali started talking. Now was the time then. His stomach comfortable from the meal he'd eaten sparingly, with no desire to be sluggish and overfull, Anwar pushing himself up to sit back on his haunches. He growled along with the roar, reluctant to demonstrate to the pride that his voice was less than impressive still. He certainly hoped that it would come to him in time, that he wouldn't always need to worry that his roar would end in a cub's squeak.

Anwar glanced at the others once the roar had ended. They were saying their goodbyes, heading off in groups. Was Zarha here? He wasn't sure but... but he didn't see her just yet. He ought to say goodbye but...well, she knew he'd be back. He'd spoken to her already, and already he was confident that she would be his banu upon his return. And the two of them...oh the plans they had.

"Little brother," Anwar murmured, rising to nudged Obadias briefly. He had no desire for any other to travel with him, save this one person. He'd need Obi's eyes to guide him to his fallen star after all...and his little brother might need some looking after. Anwar would make sure that Obidais returned to the pride successfully along with him, his little brother was deeply important to him. Or, er, useful. Obadias was very useful. "Shall we go?"

Obadias had been reluctant to leave Parvana's side, but at the last moment, nuzzling her cheek, he had left her within the crowd and moved to stand at his brother's side. He knew she would stay to watch him leave, but did not seek her out int he crowd, instead he focused his gaze on the Sultan as he spoke. This was it. The moment that would start their quest to be Pad's amongst the pride.

He roared along with the pride, though his voice, like his brother's was still unimpressive at his age, though he held no shame in admitting it. Many of the others were like them, still a little too young to get the roar down just right.

His brother nudged him, just as Obadias had been turning to see if he could catch one last glimmer of his beautiful Beybanu, who he had only just laid claim too and now was forced to leave. He glanced towards his brother, giving him a small smile. "Yes," Obadias said simply, uncomfortable speaking much in the crowd. The noise around him was overwhelming, and he glanced back, catching sight of that beautiful blue which easily filled him with strength. They would return and, with his brother by his side, he knew they would return quickly and safely.