The One's Who Had Been Gone for So Very Long

[Rafael]

Dark colored hues stared quietly at the fire that flickered before him, the large saber was curled towards it letting the heat warm his pelt while he reflected over all that had happened over the last collection of weeks. His heart had felt heavy and though some of the weight had been lifted it barely felt as though it was enough. So many losses had occurred and though they were thriving in their new home the damage was still done and the wounds were still fresh either physical, emotional or mental every member had their scars and Rafael was trying to tend to his.

The creak of the floor boards had him lifting from his haze of thoughts, his gaze lifting before the large saber turned his head towards the lion who entered his the nearly vacant longhouse. His brows furrowed as he was met with the sight of Kion a boy who he hadn't seen much of until now.

"Can I help you, mijo?" Rafael questioned, raising from his comfortable position on the floor.

[Kion]

    Kion was admittedly nervous about talking to Rafael. He was a lot bigger then he was, not to mention the saber teeth and what other abilities he could have had under the surface. But he was a friend of the late Jasper, so he could be trusted... Maybe. The teenaged lion wasn't all that sure if he personally could trust him. But the larger cat knew Jasper, so maybe he could get some answers finally.

    "I..." Kion's voice faltered as he slowly padded in, but cleared his throat before speaking again. "I know that you knew Jasper, my... sister and sibling's birth parent. I wanted to ask some things about him, especially in turn with his involvement with my parents."

    He didn't bother to mention Nala and Simba's names, as just mentioning his parents would likely be enough. The lion guard leader disliked his parents after all that they had done... even hated in some ways, though they were still his parents. Kion didn't want to think on that now. 

[Rafael]

Light colored whiskers twitched on Rafael's muzzle as he watched the boy's expressions change. The child looked tormented in a way that no child should. Kion seemed to be gathering his thoughts and words and while he did Rafael stretched his body out freeing it from the confinements of sleep. He exhaled a yawn, before he moved to dip his paw in a nearby crate prodding around for some of the berries he had stashed away.

The mention of his old companion though had him stopped mid-scavenge and his brows twisted with guilt. Jasper was gone due to them being unable to do anything. His children left without a father and his mate was suffering as well. It was a really poor situation, made even poorer now he was certain. "I see." He grumbled softly.

His ear curled towards Kion's direction proceeding in his search, his eyes half lidded while he internally reflected over all that had been lost. He inhaled deeply, turning to face the other once he found what he was looking for and dropped the bag between them offering the other some of the food. "Ask away, I will answer as best as I can, little lion but be warned that I will tell it exactly as it was and you may not be able to swallow that truth."