Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Set after Surtak's disappearance, before Nguvu is replaced))


Xatu was excited to be back in the area he called home. The smells brought back memories, and his heart felt lighter as he closed in on the area where his birthpride currently resided. They were close to the Firekin outpost at the moment, and Xefo had told him there were many cubs this season. Or chicks, as the stubborn old vulture liked to call them. He might mean there were vulture chicks in the pride, but Xatu was fairly sure he'd meant "lion-chicks".

He was in no hurry, and since he was carrying his vulture companion he moved at a slow and leisurely pace. He had started to notice the scent markings that meant the current borders were close when a hostile roar greeted him.

Xefo had already checked out the pride location, and exchanged some gossip with the other Bonelands vultures. Wings had their distinct advantages, and since he'd done his part (and more!) he was content to ride on Xatu's back. They wouldn't get there much faster if he flew, and his old wings were tired. They had seen much on this trip, and the vulture found himself longing for this home. He'd be able to chat with Bora, and rest for a while.

"Not very friendly, is he?" Xefo commented.

"He sounds really serious about his job," Xatu remarked as the yellow male let out an even more fierce roar, but he kept moving. This was his home, and as an Enda he could come and go as he pleased. Still, he better do something about the aggressive Inselelo before he decided to charge.

"I live here too Jasiri," he called, "I'm Xatu, the Enda, remember? You kicked out my dear old dad to gain your position..."

Not that Xatu held any grudge against the yellow male because of that. Leading males came and went, it was only natural. If a male wanted to lead, or be Inselelo, he had to stay strong or be kicked out.

Xefo chuckled. With the gossip he'd carried back from the pride Xatu was well prepared to deal with this meeting. The two males hadn't really met before, but knowing the name of the Inselelo would hopefully help. The vultures and some helpful lionesses had also armed him with some little tidbits and gossip he'd be able to use if the loud mouthed lion wanted to be difficult.

He'd saved the best gossip for his own use, of course...

Xatu didn't seem very bothered by the insult to his parentage. Jasiri might have had more luck if he'd tried to say something nasty about Nahmba. Kamal wasn't even in the pride anymore, and everyone knew he had a flea problem. Especially that time when he managed to give almost everyone fleas. Xatu had no problems laughing at it now, especially since he wasn't affected back then.

"Nah," he said, "He kept those to himself. What, he give you some?"

Xefo was doing weird things behind his back, and he could see Jasiris eyes move to follow whatever the bird was up to. Half the time he had no clue what went on in that bird brain's head, but he'd learned to just roll with it. It was far easier than going crazy when Xefo decided to surprise him with whatever his current plan was.


Xefo studied the yellow Inselelo, silently delighted that the male seemed bothered by his staring. He was tempted to try perching on Xatu's head instead, just to be able to stare more effectively without so much fluffy mane in the way. Tempting, tempting, but he knew he was a bit too heavy for that stunt, and that his lion hated it when he tried sitting on his head.

"I eat fleas," he lied, "You should get a vulture young man, we're very good to have around."

He bobbed his head, going in and out of view of the Inselelo. Now you see me, now you don't... From his stony expression Jasiri didn't like the little game of peek-a-boo.

Xatu wondered if Kamal had actually managed to give the other male some fleas as a parting gift, but judging by Jasiri's facial expression it might be wise to leave the topic for now. He kept a straight face, since he didn't really want to get on the Inselelo's bad side. Xefo had no problems with riling up the male, and while the result was hilarious to look at it was counterproductive. The lion abruptly shifted on his feet. Judging by the flapping sound he had successfully unbalanced the vulture. With a bit of luck the old stubborn bird would take the hint and stop goofing around.

"I've encountered a few prides," he said, "None that seem to be a threat for now. And as usual I took note of the herd movement as I drew closer to Ithambo'hlabathi. Do you think Gakere would like my report now?"

Xefo sulked. He'd had such fun, and then his spoilsport lion perch had to go and ruin it. Lions... They had no humor at all. He turned his back to the two lions and busied himself with getting his flight feathers in order. If Xatu's conversations bored him he liked to make use of the downtime for preening and plumage care. A little preening now would save a lot of headaches later.

Xefo wasn't really up for polite small talk so he decided to fly on ahead. Bora might be interested in hearing about the easily annoyed Inselelo. He liked traveling with his lion, but there were some things only other vultures understood. Feather-care... The importance of nice perches... How to raise fledgelings properly... How silly lions could be without even trying...

"I'll see you later," he said as he took wing. "I'll go find Bora now."

And with that the vulture flew ahead, towards the place where the pride resided at the moment.


"You do that," Xatu said, wondering if the vulture would want to stay around and build a nest again. He wasn't sure if vultures partnered up for life or if they changed things around. The two vultures had already raised a litter, no... it was called a clutch, wasn't it?

He walked beside Jasiri, keeping a friendly smile on his maw.

"So, what's new?" he asked, just to talk about something. Xefo had told him some of the goings on already since the vulture had scouted the area and located the pride's current whereabouts before Xatu got here. The vulture usually picked up some gossip as he did that. However, the bird didn't always pick up on what a lion would find important...