Welcome to Gaia! ::

Keir moved about his den slowly, going over every inch meticulously. He had misplaced his new rock that he had found that was a bit strange - in actuality it had a fossil of an ancient sea creature embedded within it, but Keir clearly didn't know that. He just thought it had an interesting shape and color - and he was determined to find it. The way the sun would catch on the strange surface intrigued him to no end and he wanted to bring it out into the sunlight once more. But where had it gone?

A hesitant voice made his head turn to the entrance of his den. In the light he could see his dear friend Zjarri and for the time being he forgot about his prize. Some would argue they were mates and Keir wouldn't deny they had pledged themselves to one another, but he didn't look at it as that sort of relationship. They were first and foremost friends that admired the other and got along well enough to let the other live as they pleased while still remaining close. Well on her way to becoming Captain, Keir awaited the day with delight and a bit of anxiety as she had promised him she'd take him out on his first Viking to elevate him to a Reaver. Then he could go on all the outings he wanted, exploring to his heart's content.

"Yes, I'm here," he said, padding out of the shadows that hid him so well. He paused before her, though, his expression turning into a frown. Something wasn't right.

"What is it? You seem troubled."

Keir picked up on the grimace and golden eyes quickly scanned his friend for any sign of injury. He didn't see anything obvious but he knew internal injuries could be much, much worse than any visible injury. He did notice she seemed a bit more plump than usual, but perhaps she had found a feast out in the rogue lands.

Or...not.

The blunt admission made Keir blink a few times in surprise. At first he was going to congratulate her, but then he realized why she was telling him. They were his cubs as well. They were what others would call a mated pair, after all. She wouldn't be doing things that might make cubs with any other male.

"...that..."

All right, Keir, use that big brain of yours.

"...is a wonderful surprise," he finally said, a rare smile crossing his muzzle. Cubs. Cubs! And judging by the size Zjarri already was, a bunch of them. "Well. Don't look so distraught. I'm sure you'll be back on your paws in no time. I'll be happy to do whatever I can to assist you."

The question make Keir laugh, his surprise melting away as delight slowly replaced it. Cubs. How exciting!

"I'm sure," he said with a nod, a fond smile on his face as his eyes traveled to Zjarri's middle once again. Soon there would be little warriors running here and there and he could only hope he'd be able to keep up with them. With a mother like Zjarri he knew they'd be a handful and he only hoped at least one was mild-mannered like him.

The second question caught him off guard and his dragged his eyes back up to the female's. He held her gaze before nodding once, a solemn look on his face. He wasn't the type to dump problems he made on someone else and he certainly had a paw in creating this situation. He wouldn't let her handle it alone.

"Of course. I'll stay as long as you need me to," he added, knowing full well that this wasn't a request to become his mate. Zjarri was a strong lioness who liked her independence and Keir wasn't the type to force someone into being his saltwife. They were friends - good ones at that - and he'd do anything he could to help her as the life they created came into the world.

"Or as short as you need me to," he added with a little smile, moving forward again to lower his head, nuzzling her neck in an embrace. "I'm a bit nervous," he added with a weak laugh, pulling back to look at her once more. "I hope I'll do all right."