nymeria was torn somewhere between frustration and growing intrigue, as the waves of invaders continued to spread, planting stakes across their land and claiming thrones upon their backdrops of their memories and childhood. the oasis had always been a favourite of the queen's, and so when she had heard the claim rise up across the valley several days ago, she knew that she wanted to inquire about the new sovereign, one way or another. it was habit by now, she supposed, to grace the new neighbours with her presence after they acquired their new thrones -- and, well, she wasn't about to stop now.

slow steps carry the woman across the sands, following her memories of the invisible trails that led out towards the hidden, exotic paradise. nymeria continues until she takes note of the distinct cologne that marks the pride's borders, stopping quickly as she inhales a quick, greedy breath of air. glancing up briefly at the early afternoon sun to soothe her spirit, the nymph would finally tilt her chin upwards, jaws parting as she lets out a few, requesting chuffs for those who now called the oasis home.

While Nymeria was relatively open-minded to the idea of newcomers - albeit with a healthy dose of trepidation, like any sensible soul - it made Demetria itchy to see all these strangers stomping around. Only for the sake of her sister would she keep the unimpressed expression from her face, and as she moved at the High Sovereign's heels the Valour woman soothed herself with an internal mantra. They aren't all bad, they aren't all bad, they can't all be bad. Sadly Aquila's reservations could well be contagious; the more vitriol he spouted, the more restless Demetria became. A muted sigh bloomed behind gritted teeth as she drew up alongside her sister. A gentle bump to the shoulder was all she offered to the freckled Queen - no words, not yet. That would come once they had been greeted.

BIG PINK HEART

Another woman at his borders - this one a lady who seemed to know her way here, arriving with purpose and summoning him directly.

Fionn was starting to feel like a pingpong ball, all this back and forth.

His hulking pink body bounced as he quickly made his way towards her sound, maw open as he scented her upon the arid breeze. His heavy gait made his sheer volume bounce with his footsteps as lush oasis faded away to dusty hot sands, a pleasing soft feeling betwen his toes as he kicked up handfuls of the desert behind his paw pads. Slippery and evershifting, much like the seeming constant fog that clouded this isle.

And then - another, scent mirroring the other, similar but not quite the same, like two songs sung by the same voice but with different chords.

And as he came upon them, what chords they were! Clearly sisters, that much was evident, tawny and ashen shades beautiful against the golden orange sands, seeming to shine with the lowering sun. Fionn couldn't help the smile that split his maw, slowing to a halt a few metres away from the pair.

"Afternoon," he greeted warmly, ducking his head towards them both. he still didn't quite know what to say as a leader - only as Fionn, professional idiot and part-time softie. "To who do I owe this pleasure?"

He hoped they were looking for a place to stay, gorgeous and strong as they were - they'd make excellent hunting partners, and if their minds matched their appearances, wonderful company too.

thankfully, @Demetria is there by her side; a fealty shadow, who's company helps calm the rattling of nymeria's nerves and her solemn fears of rejection from these strangers. not that she needed to fear them, persay, when she had her kin to her back and knew every dip and valley of the island like the back of her paw -- but still, it was natural to be a little nervous. the important part was not letting it show, and covering it up with smoothed, even complexions and sweet, tempered grins.

thankfully, the valour sisters are not kept waiting long -- he materializes across the horizon like a soft, rose cloud, moving well despite his size, with all the confidence of a newly-crowned king. the damsel's eyes brighten with a mesmerizing glint, lashes fluttering as she looks to intertwine her tail with demetria's, before listening to the stranger's introduction. "nymeria valour, high sovereign of our native pride, north of the fog. i heard your claim the other day, and thought it might be polite to introduce myself." the words fall easily from her honeyed lips, well-rehearsed at this point after conversing with some of the other new kings and queens. it was always a curious moment, however, when they registered the term native, as most were often unaware, if not oblivious, to their precedenting presence. the druid does her best not to judge too much before giving the other a chance, however, and so she would wait patiently for further chatter, her eyes flickering momentarily to her sister at her side.

Unfortunately for poor Fionn, the women were not in the market for a new home. No, they were quite content where they were; not that their rosy-pelted welcome wagon was to know that, of course. Not yet anyway. Demetria would remain silent until Nymeria had given her introductions, and only then would the elder of the pair tilt her head in a nod of greeting. "I am Demetria, Nymeria's sister. I hope we are not intruding, sir....?" By the way she trailed off with intent, it was clear that she was giving an opening for a name in return. Which, she imagined, the man would oblige to. After all, first impressions implied that he was the cheery sort. With desaturated yellow gaze she would glance over to her sister, offering her the slightest of reassuring smiles, before focusing back on Fionn.

Hmm... Interesting.

BIG PINK HEART

Native? Well that was certainly unexpected, But to Fíonn, it immediately made sense. The stone paths of the Pit had been worn, and the leylines of this isle had been traversed before. He thought whomever may have lived here had suffered a plague, wiped from the earth in the blink of an eye - but no, seemingly, they’d hidden amongst the fog.

“Of course....” he breathed, watching the two of them brightly, “I knew there must’ve been others here before us. Whoever they were though, I’d thought they’d must’ve migrated. Or perished.” His voice betrayed the fact he was glad this wasn’t the case.

The thoughts were clear in his eyes, and were precisely the reason he let out a good natured laugh as the other woman asked if he were intruding, his honeyed tones rumbling in his chest. “Intruding? Not at all, my queens,” he supplied, eyes twinkling as he offered them a small bow of his head. He stood before the first rulers of this place, after all. “If anything, it must seem I’m intruding upon you.”

The disappointment he felt at the fact they didn’t intend to join him was washed away by pure curiosity. His mind was frought with questions he wanted to ask, things he’d pondered many a time when traversing this place - the fog, the rest of the isle, the Gods at work here - but he shushed his rushing thoughts and instead offered his name. “Fíonn, Lady Demetria,” he supplied, feeling the title appropriate for the Sovereign’s sister. “I must admit,” he watched them brightly, his expression inviting but his eyes clever. “I have a thousand questions for you both.”

to much of her relief, this man was at least the polite type -- and though she couldn't judge him for too much else at the moment, that had to be worth something. the druid's gaze tilts warmly towards her sister as she introduces herself, nodding absently to her demure words, unsuspecting, despite their desire - their thirst - for information. and it his moment of awe that causes a brief thrum to flutter within the woman's chest, tail prodding again towards @Demetria, as she relishes in the words that he ushers forward. "quite the contrary - our families have thrived here for generations, without falter." she muses, proud and yet not bolstering in her delivery.

the nymph's mind swirls with a thousand thoughts in that moment, teetering between hesitance and curiosity, swollen with intrigue and deep-seeded hunger for further information. she was a fickle creature, and was quite aware that she may as well be playing with fire, smothered somewhere behind that kind expression -- but, as was the risk with all things. besides, this king himself seemed to be rather respectful, and his words warmed a gentle, soothed look to the sovereign's complexion. "well, @Fíonn, maybe we can help fill in some of the blanks -- please, ask away."

To be referred to as a Queen was a little jarring, admittedly, even if refrained politeness would prevent such feelings from being made apparent; it is only because of Fionn's sincere expression and genuine tone that Demetria could tell that he was being genuine. And so, in the spirit of friendliness (not something the woman was 100% in-tune with all of the time, but she knew she would have to work on it) the freckled lioness would muster a little chuckle and nod, just light enough to not appear forced. She purred in agreement with @Nymeria's lesson, and almost did the same when Fionn confessed his awareness of how the descent of strangers upon the land-locked island must have seemed to its longterm residents. However, such an affront was not his fault on a personal level, so the huntress would do her best to not hold it against him. Or any of them, really. "No matter - we will recover from the shock." Again, a half joke, but the way her tone lilted at the end and her inky lips curved knowingly hopefully made it clear that it was meant in good fun. "And I'm sure we could oblige you with some information. Perhaps, dare I say, for some in return." Now was a good opportunity to negotiate, wasn't it? They would be fools to pass this up, and @Fionn did seem like the sort of chap who would sate the curiousity of a couple of young ladies.

And then some.

BIG PINK HEART

Demetria's hesitation was picked up on some frequency by the Oasis Sovereign - but he didn't let it be known. He tried to imagine his own ancestral home being invaded much the way this place had been, and he knew he would've reacted similarly. Most likely much more harsh than a bit of stiffness. The idea of people walking around like they owned the place would've been more than enough to irk him, especially when he was younger - when he had more fire to him. Now he was just a greta pink cushion, and he was fine with being that way.

Before moving along the discussion, Fionn gestured behind him, inviting them within his borders. "Please - we can continue this in the shade," The Oasis was ringed by verdant palms, accenting its sparking beauty, "We're all rather pale and after coming all this way, I feel a drink and some shade might be needed."

Of course, he understood that these natives likely knew more about the watering holes in this place than he could ever dream of - but the glare of the sun could not be denied, and he was one to obey its insistent stare.

Should they decide to join him, he would begin the trek back to the palms, and say to Demetria. "Ask away, my Queen."

if nothing else, this man was kind and well-mannered -- a gracious host, willing to accept the two native women into his fold without falter and without hesitation. and so, naturally, nymeria's smile stays in place, warm and curling at the edges as she listens to @Demetria's words. her older sister had such a way about her, an unfaltering confidence that nymeria had always grown up trying to mimic and mirror. she would like to think that she had almost perfected it by now, but would she ever truly compare?

"after you," the vermedan would accept @Fíonn's offer to delve deeper into the territory, biting her tongue as she looks to follow his lead, albeit knowing each twist and turn of the desert, without fault. as they went, nymeria's gaze would instinctively flip towards her sister as she was addressed, not thinking twice about chiming in, as she gives demetria the chance to pose her questions to the oasis king.