[ pre-take over ]

Stagnant.

Despite the poor circumstances plaguing those settled beyond edges encased within radiation scoured swamp such had grown those caught within, quiet lives settled on the outskirts of perception. Routine forged and kept to, daily occurrences enacted upon basis of muscle memory, existence more than it was life. Accustomed the child slow to rouse from light slumber, impromptu the nap that left him sprawled along porch, suited to such yet so too was he prone to bouts of agitated energy pent up for all too long. Obscured dark eyes beneath hard touch, rubbed each in turn until gentle ache encased them, heavy the lids halving wandering vision.

Few those who occupied the main square of the town, stragglers permitted rest during the dwindling hours of the late afternoon, some preparing for their own work. Abandoned placement, though longing arose to further lounge, whittled away the remaining hours without care, elsewhere attention turning. He knew of the location pertaining to supply sheds, their contents allowing a more varied diet for those capable of such. Yet he cared little for any of it, purpose simple as the cub meandered through the town.

Pillaged one such stash until, upon exit that was rather clumsy and saw Salvia nearly fall as his weight was unbalanced, drag from within a half empty bag of seeds. A waste, he knew this and understood reprimand may be administered when found out, his care for such not there, however, stopping only long enough to close the door behind himself. Once more did he return to the central square of the town, in tow his stolen seeds, heavily settling before a large empty area. With none present to disturb he began to spread the seed with careless abandon, about it spreading until the ground was littered with brown specks.

Now it grew a mere waiting game, extracted a smaller amount of the seed he inspected with some interest. Along the mound tongue ran, drawn in those few clinging and sharp popping arose as he made short work of them, along tawny visage disgust worn clear. Salvia may not be deemed one of the more intelligent, once more into the back deposited those remaining, and to those he spread he turned waiting to see if any birds took the offer. Bait or mere wish to see them, one may only guess to the purpose, gleeful joy drawing a smile as the first landed, unsure as it hopped about before settling in to the supposed meal the lion offered.

Apart set on basis simple, derived from times behind passed by either oral or written means, custom and tradition dictating the current moments as though beside may walk those who acted their origin. Unique each culture, people their own and deserving of respect for such, co-existence and trade bolstering the already present. Yet, for what is given in brief interaction or fair trade, singular the facet all must adhere to.

Life bore needs rather simplistic at their core — shelter, food, and community.

Untested the child, even as head grew hazey beneath lessons conducted on the history and culture pertaining to this land and the inhabitants that once tread it, past now though remembered in markers in graveyard. Time enough had he to prove himself, as had the charcoal hued cheetah that faced the slowly dwindling day with face unobscured, a strategist befitting the placement at head of a war effort, or else a hunter with more skill in tracking, he need not worry.

Another fluttered down from prior perch when seemed safe the environment companion occupied, briefly startled, opened wings though only hops were conducted. More agitated this one, and within his chest built the desire to calm the avian as it begun to feast with beady dark eyes watching both, yet the opportunity was lost. The clatter of beads striking one another is what first drew attention, bitten off startled sound, passed as a rather agitated cough, confusion briefly rising before she began to speak. Back did his attention turn and realised finally the oddity this situation presented, tongue held between teeth, chewed upon the tip as he formulated a response.

"I like watching them." Rather foolish felt Salvia voicing the murmured response, made clear he had thought little before acting. While he lacked the names for any species he had found a certain fondness for bird watching, the more successful this method and so taken to was it without thought to the waste of resources that would be of use in the warmer months. "I, um… Don't know how to hunt." Heat scoured cheeks, though imperceivable the rise within temperature his embarrassment at admitting such caused, twisted the canvas bag between his claws.

Further words not given time to be voiced, alighting upon his lips another smile, smaller but genuine as approach of Aurum was noted. Initial remark offered to Elsweyr and so held his tongue, though he offered a brief nod at the notion the action was peaceful. To some there may be only boredom in the act, the repetitive motion of replacing that the birds ate and enticing more, slow the trust established with time. Mouth parted yet once more bad be been cut off, expression falling for a moment.

"Oh no, I just…" Into silence trailed his voice when it became clear that his father spoke in a light tone embedded with a teasing lilt, paired with a grin filled with teeth only further confirming this. Mirror pressed against into his muzzle as Salvia poked his tongue out, away attention turning only to note, with some disappointment, the two birds attracted by the seed had been driven away by the commotion.