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They hadn't been home for long, but Ottir could feel that something had shifted in the pride. There was a whole different dynamic, and Ottir approved of it. It truly felt like home again, and it felt nice to settle back into old routines. His den was still his own, and it was just the way he'd left it. It needed a little cleaning, but that hadn't taken long, and once he was finished Ottir sought out his brother, Draugr.

Draugr wasn't home, and it had taken some pressing but he'd finally found out that Draugr had gone on a small quest of sorts - to notify Aesir's son that they were no longer in exile.

It was good, and Ottir approved. Days later, he visited his brother again, and as he approached the den he called out to Draugr.

"Brother."

"Ottir. Come in."

Draugr was resting on a modest pile of furs, and he was more than a little exhausted. It was a beautiful feeling, though, and he'd missed the long treks and adventure that came with Viking. He couldn't stop thinking about the lioness he'd met, and while Draugr was certain that nothing would ever come of the mild fascination he'd felt, he still couldn't stop thinking about the female.

"How are you, brother?"

Ottir looked good. Refreshed. His brother always had a look of mild amusement on his face, and today was no different.

Being home certainly agreed with them both.

"I'm well. And you?"

The common greetings used in the pride were never used between the siblings when they were in private, and most certainly never between the oldest two brothers.

"You've been viking, I've heard?"

It was good that Draugr felt comfortable enough being home to leave on a viking without telling anyone. The older lion had always felt such a responsibility for his siblings, and Ottir knew that the viking had been something of a vacation for his older brother. The thought amused him, and Ottir grinned.

"How was that, then?"

He did not berate Draugr for up and leaving without notifying his family. Ottir firmly believed that Draugr should do such things more often.

Draugr smiled, something that rarely happened. It was a smile of satisfaction, and it was all the answer he would give about how he was feeling.

As for the other query, Draugr shrugged.

"It was uneventful. Not really a viking, but more of ... something that had to be done. Hroarr had to be told that it was safe to return if he so chose, and that was all we did. I have no intent on staying with that band."

Draugr rolled his shoulders back, and gave Ottir a mildly amused look.

"Are you checking in on all of us, mother hen?"

Ottir narrowed his eyes at his older brother, though a smile still toyed with his lips. He would never admit it, but yes, that was exactly what he was doing. Draugr already knew the answer to the question he'd asked, and so there was no reason for Ottir to respond. Where Draugr was the great protector of the family, Ottir was the mother hen, especially over the younger two.

"It is good to be home, isn't it?"

Ottir was surprised by how large the pride had grown, but it was a good thing. New blood in an old pride was always, always a good thing.

Draugr nodded his great head.

"It is. Better than I'd thought it would be. Perhaps I missed it more than I'd thought - but I'm not going to get sentimental over it, brother. If you want sentimental, you'll have to find Katta or Rorik."

His voice held a little humor, but no malice or annoyance. Draugr never was and never had been a sentimental sort. Ottir was, which was fine by Draugr, so long as he didn't get roped in to being sentimental, as well.

"We need to find a Captain," Draugr changed the topic abruptly. "I am expecting Katta to come find me crying about how much she wants to go viking."

Ottir grunted and refused to respond at the dig on his sentimentality. Their mother had always been a sentimental sort. She'd worn a necklace of their baby teeth for as long as Ottir could remember - it had been important to the lioness for them to take care not to swallow the teeth, and because the young brothers had adored their mother, they'd done as she'd asked.

He did not take offense, though, at Draugr's words.

"You could become Captain," Ottir needled. It was an old conversation, one they'd had many times in the past. "You've got a ready-made band of the most loyal reavers."

This was a conversation they'd had many times in the past, and Draugr's response had always been a loud, resounding NO. He did not want to have to be the one to tell his sister she could not be a part of his band when power shifted and someone like Thorgrim came into a position of power. Someone like Njal. No, they would simply leave the pride again if something like that happened.

But being home, being back in his own den after nearly a year, well.

"Perhaps."

Maybe it was time to think of being a Captain in his own right. He was capable enough, without a doubt, and there was no question that his siblings would follow.

Ottir was a little shocked, but pleasantly so. If Draugr became a Captain, they could all stay together. They wouldn't have to be spread out in different bands, or viking without Kattakyn when a Captain banned females from their group.

It would be a blessing from the Gods, Ottir felt. An over-exaggeration, perhaps, but not by much.

"It would make Katta and Rorik happy," he pressed, then dropped the topic. "I'm going to go visit them next. It was good to see you brother. My den is the one I've always had. Katta has the den of our parents, and I do not know where Rorik has taken up."

"Good, good," Draugr rose to his feet and moved towards Ottir, reaching out to clap a rather huge paw against his brother's shoulder. "Say hello to our brother and sister for me, and be sure to let them know my home is always open to them. And, Ottir," Draugr paused and stepped back.

"Do not tell them I am thinking of becoming a Captain. I would tell them myself once I reach a decision."

Draugr watched Ottir nod, and he gave a satisfied grunt of his own.

"Do not die in bed," Draugr grinned, "unless it is with a pretty freeborn lioness."

The brothers laughed, and Draugr watched Ottir walk off.

He had a lot to think about.