Nate Nate was still on leave and didnt have to report yet, not to his job anyway. But to someone else he did and having sent a text earlier and not getting a response he figured Syd was still lost in whatever had kept her. Looking to Tempe in the short drive over in the new Silverado he parked outfront and looked to the house and then back to Tempe with a smirk. "Well, you didnt get to meet her the first time, but I'm hoping she is atleast home now." He said. Leaning over after parking in the drive and placeing a kiss to her neck he growled softly then got out of the truck and closed teh door, waiting for her to join him he held out his hand to her. Here at the Pride house despite having been gone foe the past what month? It was almost instinct to let that power flow out over the grounds, his scent followed. his lion slipping out and chuffing to his mate and towards the Regina to see if that white lion was about.-d
Sydney When life decided it was going to fuck you, it really fucked you in every way it could think of. And when things blew up, all hell seemed to break loose. With Jean back at the house now, after suffering from the heart attack, she was babying him just as he'd done to her and the others so manyt imes. To the point the old man finally banished her, and she went with a chuckle. Valen was easy to take care of. So low maitnece. As for Logan, Syd had a feeling the male lion had gotten himself killed, and in the end, she would never know for sure if that was true or not. She wasn't sure how she felt about it, if that was what actually had happened. And comming back to a house that held very little of Nathaniels scent had confused her. She knew he hadn't gone compleatly, but it was a bit of a shock to not come home, and have him there. She couldn't begrudge him the need to change though. So not knowing they were comming, having left her phone in the bedroom,
In the kitchen now, she pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, and had stepped onto the back porch, only feel that wash of power from outside that had become very familar. and a small smirk curled her face. bottle set down, she moved through the house, and opened the door, arms crossing over her chest, as she leaned against the door frame, and the white female, moved forward, giving a huff, and Sydney spoke quietly. "Figured you'd come back at some point...." eye's shifting to the female with him, she eyed her. Taking in every feature, and assessing her as the Regina waited for them to come to her. -d-
Temperence When Nathan said that they were going to be reporting in to the Reginia if she was home...she thought that it sounded like a good idea...seeing the first time she was not around. A glance over to him...as he spoke...head was nodding. "I think the sooner the better." Curious glance. "She is not like the Master of that last city is she?" Pert nose wrinkled a bit at that...then the distraction of that kiss to her neck...damn that man. When he slipped out she got out of her own side. Moving towards his side...taking his hand...and moving with him. Unlike him...and his...comfortableness...she was not really familar and shields were not exactly down. Maybe she needed to relax some...just low enough that one would be able to catch the smell of the savannah flowers and sunshine...on the breeze. When the lady appeared in the door way...she was quiet...at first. Once more she was following Nathan's lead as she did when they had met the Master of the City. Her blonde hair was worn loosely about her. Dressed in a pair of jeans that were not to tight but not to loose, black heels and a black cami with a black see through shirt with with black stripes...long sleeves the front was a v neck style. -d
Nate Nate felt Syds power and knew she was home. His lion looked about until that white lioness neared and he moved to rub his large head in greeting to her. Nuzzling a moment before he continued to look about and chuff towards his mate calling for her again with a little more force in the sound. Nate looked to Tempe about to say something when he turned hearing the door open and seeing Syd standing there. Hearing her words he looked her over a long minute then let a smile come to his lips. But he knew she didnt watch him any longer than her sentence had been. Turning his gaze from Syd to Tempe he did the introductions as they were near. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, softly nuzzling his bearded face which needed to be shaved before work. "Syd, this is Temperance Reynolds." letting the last name do as much spelling out as he wanted to do in the door way of his former home.-d
Sydney The greeting from the larger white male to the lion queen was accepted and returned. Then the white female moved away from the male, and waited. Watching to see what this new female would do, and if she would give the proper greeting or if Syd herself was going to have to remind her of her manners. She prefered not to do that. It was much better if someone actually did it on their own.
At the name, she blinked, and eye's flicked back to nate, brow arching upwards, and the question there in her eyes, but after a moment, she nodded her head, "Seem's i've been gone to long, and more busy then i thought....." The words were quiet, and she looked back towards Temerance. "Nice to meet you, Temprance. Welcome to Nawlins..." The name of the city rolled off her tongue, and she stood with arms loose at her sides. Relaxed and calm. Just waiting for now. "I'm sorry i haven't been around..." she glanced at Nate again. "I don't know if you got my message about what happend to Le'Cleric. Seems to be pulling through now. But still..." -d-
Temperence
The calling from Nathan's white lion seemed to of gotten through...because the yellow brown lion slipped out...as Temperance's shields were completely lowered. Not that it happened often...she was still in some shock that lions did exist here. Lion moved over towards the two white lions...where she moved towards Syd's lion...moving her head to rub against the other lion in greeting. An attempt at a nuzzle of greeting before backing upwards..watching. Smile that formed over her lips transformed her whole face. "It's nice to meet you." Unsure if the woman prefered to be called Syd or Sydney she was trying not to make a faux paus. Nathan had not quite explained how things went around here...men. Nor did she say that she had been out once before to try to meet the Regina...those things did not need to be said. To the other words she would smile. "Thank you." Hand gave Nathan's a small squeeze...but she over all was not overly chatty...more of a speak when spoken too at the moment. -d
Nate Nate was hurt in some aspects, a hurt he had put away, because he had always been there and nothing had been there for him. But water was under the bridge and his eyes caught Syds. He wanted to have apology in his but he couldnt be sorry for that had happened because he wasnt. He was happy where he was now and it showed in his eyes and on his face. he had a wedding ring over a tattoo on his finger. Hearing Syds words he took in a breath. "Things came up, life happens Syd." His eyes looking back and forth with hers before he turned down to Temperance and smiled. "Lets go have a smoke and catch up shall we?" he asked. His hand returning the squeeze to her own. His lion seeing his mate waited until the Queen had given her stance watching, gauging what the reaction would be. His Queen was respected but his mate he was protective of.-f *d
Sydney The greeting was accepted and returned. Syd was more laid back then alot of the lycan leaders in town. And for a lion, she was even more so at times. The girl had shown respect if nto for Syd herself, but for her position at least, and she accepted that. Nodding her head, she held the door open, and ushured the other two through,. Nate knew the way. She hated that she'd left him and Valen alone for so damn long. And so often. but as he said. Life happens. And things do come up. Fingers threaded through her hair, and she followed them out onto the back porch. Grabbing hers mokes on the way, and settling onto the railing back leaning agaisnt a post. Lighting her smoke, and then looking from one to the other. "So when did all this happen?" Her head tilted to the side. Moving from one of them to the other. It might give her a mesure on how long this girl had been in town, and Syd been blind to the fact of all but LeCleric getting better. -d-
Temperance
Things were different in the states then they were in South Africa...that was for sure...slowly she was learing the ropes. Her lion had moved back...out of the Reginias personal space...her head had lowered a bit. As for Temperance herself she would move with Nathan as Syd ushered them through. It was not that she was rude...but a part of her felt almost as if she was interfering on something. When they were outside she wondered if Nathan had told Syd about her being here wanting to meet her...once she found out about the lions in New Orleans. But she did not know that Syd had not been around. Thinking it best to let Nathan handle the majority of the speaking.-d
Nate Nate looked to Tempe a moment as they stepped out on the back porch. he pulled out his own smokes and lit one. Looking up to Syd as she asked what happened. His eyes settled over her a moment as he took in a drag. "Well... we met at the park about a month or so ago. Hung out, then went to Georgia Graces dinner party and ran into one another and in all honesty we havent been seperate much since." He said looking to her. But there was more to it so he continued. "I was approached, before I met Tempe and while you were where ever you were." He said . "I was approached to go back in and teach the snipers leaving everything I know, I said ok and finally everything went through, got stationed in Norfolk, the same time Tempe got a job offer at teh Zoo there, we moved there and I just got retransferred to be the military liason for a private company. So we are back here. While in Norfolk, well things happened and we mated, then to make it all legal we got married." He said honestly looking to her. Watching her reaction. hurt was not something he wanted from her but with nothing to do but work and twiddle his thumbs well... Nate took a drag of his smoke and looked to Tempe with a smile.-d
Lighting her own smoke as she settle donto the railing, she took a drag, eye's half closed lazily like the large cat she was, and listened to what he had to say. "I wondered when Mouse said you took off...." She sighed and shook her head, looking out into the growing darkness of the bayou. "I should have checked in more...or at least let you know what was goin on."
At the news that they were mated and married, there was a split second flash of emotion in her eyes, that was quickly squashed from existance almost faster than it appeared. Too quick for anyone to catch unless they knew her well. After a moment, she looked back, a smile in place, and she nodded her head. "Well sounds like congratulations are in order then....Dinner's on me then.." She nodded her head, pulling out an iphone before either could make any protests on it. It wouldn't be anything horribly fancy. Pizza and wings, and some wine she had chilling. Not that big a deal. The order was placed via the application on her phone, and she pulled the smoke from her lips that had been dangling there easily, small drags taken as she punched buttons.
"Your both welcome to stay here still of course. And if you decide not to, your welcome here any time you want. Though I'm still going to require both of you be here for the full moon. that's our time...our time to bond and hunt together...and i don't expect that to change." It wasn't a request. it was one of the few orders, or rules, that Sydney actually put into place.
Looking to Tempe now, she studied the girl, the white lioness studying the gold with that regal bearing that only a lion could posess. And that only a true queen could display. "Tell me about yourself, Temperence.......what brings you to Nawlins?" It was time for the kitten to talk, and Nate to keep his mouth shut. He could be as protective as he wanted to be, but by god, she'd get a mesure of this girl, and Nate was just going to have to deal with that.
During the time that Nathan and Syd were conversing…hazel gaze was watching between the two of them….as for what had happened between herself and Nathan he pretty much nailed it on the head. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other…not that she was going to flee…she just was a bit on edge. It could just be her…but she felt a undercurrent of something she could not put her finger upon…so she did not try…for now.
It was not Tempe’s place to interject when Syd said she was handling dinner. Though her words were a bit on the quiet side. “Thank you. That is very nice of you.” The kitten was not always quite so meek…she had been quiet when she had first met Nathan as well…more of a way she was until she became comfortable. Quiet did not mean she did not have manners.
Letting Nathan handle the conversation about the living arrangements…but hearing the other about full moons…she actually relaxed a little bit. She had one full moon on her own…that had been an experience…not that she told anyone about that experience. Nothing bad had happened that was all that counted. Hazels moved between Nathan and Syd and sure he probably knew this already but that did not stop her from wondering. “Is there a set time you like to gather?” About the night of the full moon. Back home in her home Pride they got together at a set time…before everything started to happen.
Knowing that she would have her own time to talk…knowing that Nathan was protective…she was prepared for the questions from Syd. “I am from Great Karoo, in South Africa. My father is the Rex of the Pride that I was in there..” Taking a bit of a breath…debating what she was going to say and not say…not that she was hiding things…just something’s were not first meeting discussions. “I was a tour guide for journalists that were doing stories in the area. Poaching is a big thing back home. The work that I did along with my schooling got me a job offer at the zoo here.” Head gave a bit of a nod. “While working here I received a job offer in Norfolk…It was a strange coincidence that it happened at the same time that Nathan was required to report there.” Nathan had already told her about what happened in Norfolk and how they were back here now.
Almost as a after thought. “I had been in town a month before I ran into Nathan at the park. Honestly I was told…by my father…that the states did not have any lions. Obviously he was misleading me…he did not want me to come out here in the first place.” A thoughtful frown marred her features for just a moment…shoulders gave a shrug… before she smiled. If Syd wanted more information she would not be a closed book…she would answer anything that she wished to know…if it was in her knowledge.
Nate was protective, he always had been. Syd could attest to that fact. Not that he had ever needed to outwardly prove it but she knew him, and just because he had disappeared, mated and married that fact hadn't changed, perhaps more increased since then. His eyes slipped back and forth between the two.
Sitting he pulled out a smoke and offered one to Tempe before he lit his own and Tempe's if she took one. His eyes were flicking back and forth between the two. Hues would settle on one and then move to the other. He watched Syd a good bit and if she thought he hadnt caught that flick of emotion, well she was wrong. but that was not a lets discuss this right now. That was a conversation for later that he would have with her in private.
Nates hues then turned to Tempe, taking a drag of his smoke and looking her over. She was giving off her information and the where's and here I am's. He smiled towards her and stood. Moving within the kitchen he grabbed three beers and then returned outside, popping the top to each and handing them out. When he was Near Syd he caught her eyes a moment. Leaned in to nuzzle her cheek reassuringly but he whispered ever so quietly. "We should talk later Syd." But he pulled back and once more took his seat. Hues returning between them.
His lion, the lazy Fuck that he was moved to rub along his mate, nip against her neck and then moved to Syd. Rubbing against her, happy to see her once more. Once both were thoroughly rubbed on and both carried his scent, though Tempe held more he moved to lie between the two.
Listening to the other woman's story of where she was from, what she did, and that her father had told her that there were no lions in the US. The last had her staring at her in disbelief. "Not wanting you to go is one thing. Telling you such a bold faced lie is another, expecially since it could very well have gotten you killed." If Sydney had been any other Regina, it might have. Lions were not a gentle beast, and prides were run with a vicious and ruthless command. They had to be. They lived to close to their animal counterparts in alot of respects. Should Sydney ever take a Rex, if one presented himself, it may not go so well when it came to Nathaniel. Male lions tended to fight quite a bit. Just the reactions from Nate and Logan were enough of an indication of that.
When Nate leaned in to nuzzle at her cheek, she glanced at him as he pulled back, simply nodding her head to his statement. A talk was indeed in order, but it wasn't one that Tempe really needed to be privy too. His wife and mate she may be, but this was between her Regina and him. Past issues that needed to be resolved before they could comfortably move forward.
The white lioness lay lazily. Lounging with that regal bearing of hers, as the large male butted against her. Nuzzling back, she lay back with eye's half closed. "So...We are down to four then. You two, Valen, and myself. I'm not counting the other female you found a few months ago. I really haven't heard much noise from her since. And I get a weird vibe off her. something about her just dosn't add up. so I'd rather she stay away from mine untill I can get it figured." Settling back, she stared out into the Bayou and lifted a hand to place smoke between her lips, drag taken, and the white plume blown back out.
"THere's another here....but I can't get more than a vauge sense of him....He's either hiding, or was just passing through..." shaking her head, she looked back, and let those cool green eye's meet Nathaniels fully. "....Logan's gone. No idea if he was reassigned, or what. Hell. For all I know, he could be dead...We'll probably never know...." She gave a shrug, and looked away again before anyone could see the reaction to those words. She might not have cared for Logan all the time, but he'd still been one of hers when it was all said and done.
Ever get that feeling that you were a third wheel…that maybe things should have been handled…before the meeting of the Regina? Eh…after the time she had in South Africa when Mads left…it was not that bad of a feeling. Did that mean that the girl was not curious…or was not watchful in a most careful manner…that made it look like she was rather not paying attention? When one spent as much time on their own as she had…you got good at not looking like you were paying attention to details…when you really were.
She stayed standing…but she took the smoke from Nathan…and after he lit it she gave a bit of a nod of her head towards him in thanks. If she thanked him whenever he did something nice for her…the word would be worn out in short order. As the smoke was lifted to her lips…inhaling…holding…releasing.
The look that Syd had of disbelief was one she had seen before…do not think that the girl had not had thoughts about why her father had lied to her….nor had the thought of what could have happened escape her. Crafty old bastard that he was. Head gave a simple nod. “It might have been his goal.” Frown marred her features…and perhaps it would explain a bit more when her lips parted once more. “Before I left home…I was not allowed to leave the Pride…but I was more on the outskirts.” Outskirts….outcast…they were very similar in this meaning. Syd had a right to know….Nathan already knew about this…unless she missed her guess he was even befriending the man. As the words slipped out of her mouth…hand was lifted to rub against the scar that had been left on her neck/shoulder area. “The Pride was not to happy with me…for taking up with a human…for loving him and not one of the pride.” She had been a outcast…not included in many things…even during the full moon hunt it was obvious she was the outcast. Taking a drag on the smoke…she had looked away for the moment…almost as if she was reliving that. Snapping out of it…as the smoke slowly billowed out from between parted lips. It was hard to go from being in the heart of something to cast out…something her father and her were still dealing with…obviously.
Hazel gaze settled on Nathan when he walked back…the beer he handed her in her hand…but then they flickered over to Syd…breath was taken in before she spoke once more. “I am sure in time…being part of a pride…with a few reminders…will come back to me.” Being brought up one way….training yourself another way…only to have to remember how things were before…sometimes took time. One could only hope that the Regina was of the understanding sort….which she seemed to be…
Just as Syd and Nathan had things to discuss and talk about…if Nathan ever went back home with her…there could be a situation that might be considered similar. Everyone had a past…some were more checkered then others…but a past none the same. Be it a recent past or a distant past…things usually popped up that needed to be dealt with. Her lion bumped her head against her mate…before he went to rub against Syd’s lion. When he laid down…then her lion laid down…she stayed up a moment longer before lowering herself fully to the ground.
Nathan seemed more at home here tonight…then he had the night she met him…when he had brought her here to meet the Regina…that did not escape her. When the talk turned to the other lions…or rather other lions that may or may not still be around…none of the names were any that she would know. Though it did not show on her face…the last bit about a lion named Logan…made her wonder what the significance was about him…not that it showed.
Nate had kept quiet for the most part, yes he had a feeling Tempe may get that way but it wasnt intentional. He and sSyd needed to talk, time and lack of any communication, or proximaty or well anything had left things unsaid and with him now mated and married there was that to get into as well. But that was another place another time discussion to have with Syd.
Hearing Tempe he moved to her. Slipped his arm about her and pulled her in close, resting his cheek to her crown and closing his eyes a moment. Letting his power pool over her to calm her as best he could, hoping the closeness would qualm any fears she may have, or any thoughts that might worry her given the earlier situation.
But hearing Syd of another she felt he hadnt been abck long enough to feel much of anything or more take o note of what he did feel if anything. Looking to her however he arched a brow. "Another? Do you want help locating him?" He was asking for the good of the pride because sometimes two were better than one not that she couldnt defend or take care of herself but everyone present knew Nate was the protective sort. He searched Syds actions as she spoke of Logan and even still the name brought a snarl to his lips which was quieted as he kissed Tempe's crown.
"Well, we will make it all work out Syd. You are strong, all by your lonesome but you add all of us in and we as a pride are unbeatable." Even with small numbers they would put up a hell of a fight if ever needed to.
Watching how the two of them interacted was facinating to her. Couples always were to Syd. and it didn't matter the type. The relationship between a romantic couple. Between a child and a parent. friends, or buisness associates. Just the interactions that went on in every day life. At Nate's offer to help locate the unknown lion, she nodded her head. "Locate him...but don't actually approach him if you see him. or if you have to..try to call me first. " She believed that Nate could take care of himself. She knew he could. But a male lion approaching another male...Well she didn't have to immagine that hard to come up with what would have happened if Nate and Logan had met without her there to keep them civil.
There was a feral note to this unknown lion. Something was off about the hints she'd gotten. Which was what had made her curious. THey say, curiosity killed the cat. Well, here's hoping she wasn't about to expend one of her supposed nine lives by trying to find out about the cat.
The sound of the doorbell, had her slipping off the railing, and moving towards the front door. The sound of her talking to the delivery driver, and paying for the food, could be heard, then the door closing and Syd calling out, "Come and get it while it's hot!" And it was still hot. No mean feat for how far out they lived. But then again, she tacked on a rather nice tip. so there were times she knew, that the drivers would fight over who got to run the food out.
Laying the boxes down on the island of the kitchen, she popped one open, and grinned. Snagging one of the wings, she moved about, getting out plates, and the wine glasses. Pulling the bottle from the fridge, and opening it.
Glasses poured, she settled onto her stool letting the other two slip in where they pleased.
