The trees here were dense, far denser than those that surrounded the edge of the Badlands or clustered at the base of the Peaks. This was a forest, a proper forest, and the already dim light from the overcast morning had little to no hope of breaking through the canopy. It was.... rather soothing, actually. Comfortable. Prowling through the undergrowth below, Magnus felt very much part of the furniture; his pelt, already absent of pigment, blended easily into the shadows. With little purpose in his step he would push through the unfamiliar territory, thick tree-trunk limbs disturbing shrubs left right and centre.

+5 Observe and study a new scent

☼

He could not remember the last time he had stepped foot in a forest. Was it months? It had to of been, the beast was sure of it. The loamy ground below, soft and holding the slightest of moisture, felt rather cooling on his paw pads. It was a welcomed feeling, even if the temperatures were a little cooler than what the Nikolov preferred. Sea foam eyes would dart this way and that, taking in his surroundings and keeping it all tucked away in his mind for later use if he ever needed it. He had found a rather peaceful place indeed, one where the sun did not intrude as much as other places, one where if he wished to be left alone he could seek company in only himself. But... That would not happen today, for it seemed as though he would have company that he had happened upon. Valerius caught the sight of a figure, a dark shape that was several lengths ahead of him. Odd how he did not catch his scent, but maybe that were perhaps he were preoccupied with the grove's many smells that his simply hid within them. A low, welcoming chuff would be sounded in the stranger's direction. If anything, Valerius only wished to tell the other that he was not alone anymore.

"speech."

artwork by bane

@Magnus

Had he not been stumbled upon so soon, Magnus supposed that he could rather easily have lulled himself into some sort of trance. Slow lumbering movements were almost hypnotic, with head low and posture relaxed. It only stiffed - considerably - once the scent of another rose to him amongst the aromas of damp moss and disturbed earth. It was clear that the smells of nature were strong, here; on an open plain he probably would've detected the man's trail before even being able to see him, and yet here (both of them concealed by the musk of the grove) @Valerius had managed to get rather close before raising awareness. It mattered little, though; judging from first impressions, this man did not intend to quarrel. Not that Magnus would have minded, particularly, but it was always nice to have a little warning before getting into random scrums. A chuff is offered back, in turn, before a query. "I see I am not the only one enjoying the peace." It was a simple observation, but one that he imagines is bang on the money.

☼

His presence would be taken in a casual manner, thankful that this stranger did not have the urge to spring into attack. He, too, would not have mattered much if a fight did arise, but he were rather happy that one did not. He had been out of practice for quite some time, so who knew how that would have went. A nod of agreement would be given to the male's words, gaze shifting to glance around them before landing back upon the older male. "It is hard not to find enjoyment while here. This place seems to hold some sort of... soothing atmosphere." His pace would slow down but he still were heading in the other's direction, trying to close the distance between them but would not be offended if the other still wished to keep himself several paces away. "I am Valerius Nikolov." His usual introduction would be given, not wanting to be impolite. The brute was always such a gentleman, or at least tried to be, anyways.

"speech."

artwork by bane

@Magnus

The other man seemed to be in agreement with the sentiment, and - after a moment or two of passing the time - Magnus deemed it appropriate to close a little more of the gap. As he did, parting thickets with his sheer bulk, he was able to pick up more details from the other male. Younger, paler and definitely less scarred. The sign of an easier life, perhaps. "I am Magnus Sigrún. Well met." After casting a glance around at the sleepy grove, he would settle into a seated position, making it clear that - for now - he was prepared to take a minute or two for respite. "Are you familiar with this place?" Perhaps @Valerius had spent more time on this island; perhaps he would be able to give him some information.

+5 Observe and study a new scent

☼

"A Pleasure it is to meet you, @Magnus." It were a rather interesting name, one he had not heard of yet with all of his travels. Much like how he had not heard of another with the same name as he, but he could not say for certain that he were the only lion that had ever lived named Valerius. He would watch as the lion closed more of the distance between them before taking a seat, the brute himself ceasing movements and following suit. He would stay quiet for a moment, allowing for the scents to once more waft into his nostrils. This time he were focusing on the male in front of him, noticing how he seemed to have the same musk as the Nikolov did himself in the sense of they both had no ties to a pride. A rogue just like he it would seem. "I am rather new here to Amaryllis. I have only been to a handful of places. But it is all... interesting, to say the least." It was at least nice to know the name of the land you were brought to and most likely settling down in. "And you? Are you a newcomer like myself?" Brow would rise as he asked his question, watching the other with an observing gaze.

"speech."

artwork by bane

In truth, his attention is not quite snared successfully until Valerius uttered an unfamiliar phrase. "Amaryllis," Magnus mirrored quickly, obsidian brow heavy in consideration. He knew enough about the land to know what it was colloquially known as, and that was a damn sight more than him. Interesting. Helpful. "I did not know that it was called this." And now he did. Good. "I have only lived here a little while, so... yes, new. There has been more activity on the island lately." He would pause, and then fix Valerius with his dark gaze. "And what of you, @Valerius? Do you intend to settle?" Do you see promise in what you have found? Admittedly, the Sigrún was still undecided himself.

+5 Observe and study a new scent

☼

So it appeared that more than just himself did not know the name of this place, him just recently finding that out for himself. And he would mirror his thoughts, "I had just found out what this place was called not too long ago." Valerius would fall back to being silent as he listened to @Magnus continue, saying how he had only been here for not too long of a time and already noticing how much activity that seemed to be buzzing around. "I have indeed noticed how active it seems to be here. Perhaps whatever had brought us all here has created the chase for power." The brute was not shy of wanting power and wanting to seek it out, but as of now he were only wishing to explore and better get to know where he would be settling down at before jumping to the stakes of claims.

"Eventually, yes. For now, the role of being a rogue suits me just fine." Nose would flare once more, this time focusing on the flora that surrounded the two of them. The musk and sweet scents of trees, leaves, brushes and flowers that dotted here and there created quite the concoction, one that was rather pleasant to be around. Something he could see himself getting used to, that was for sure.

"speech."

artwork by bane

The concept of a chase for power stirred amusement in his chest, but alongside it another emotion was roused. He had not led anything as sophisticated as a pride, sure, but he could not imagine it being much different to the ragtag bands - of relatives and strangers alike - that he'd moved with during his younger years. "Some are suited for it, but others not so much. I wonder what soft Kings and Queens await me here." Because, inevitably, most - if not all of them - would be. Feeling somewhat restless, keen to keep on the move, Magnus would offer the final response to his new companion while slowly heading off in his original direction; he would motion with his head, hopeful that @Valerius would take the silent invitation and walk with him, so that they might continue. "Do you picture yourself a ruler, then? Eventually?" If he were to picture the typical Southern monarch - big (but not that big, not by Northern standards), eloquent, all warm colours and almost immaculate hides - then the man beside him would have ticked pretty much every box.

☼

Valerius would stay silent and simply listen to the ebony lion, feeling as though his comment was that of the rhetorical sense. Sea foam gaze would watch as he would rise, starting to walk off and for a moment the lion wondered if he was leaving the conversation entirely. Perhaps Valerius did not have the certain answers he was looking for? But when he saw the motion of Magnus' head, the act of telling one to follow along, the brute would not be far behind him, slowly catching up so that they were walking side by side.

The questions of whether or not he wished to become a ruler would cause for the Nikolov to take a moment's pause. "I already am, in a sense," he would begin, gaze shifting from staring ahead to giving @Magnus a sideways glance. "I am the Patriarch of my family. I have also ruled a pride for a short time." Politics and the overall responsibility of taking care of others seemed to be embedded in his genetics, as well as literally being born into taking a familial throne when it was his time. "And you?" Surely the black lion could not be asking all these questions out of pure curiosity alone, right?

"speech."

artwork by bane