Every journey started with a single step. His journey had already been going for a long time, and he expected it would continue on for a good while yet.

So that first step he had taken was a long while back and a land or two away. However this would mark the massive lion's first step into a new territory, and that was an important occasion all on its own.

The sun was just starting to rise, the sky painted a stunning mix of pastel purple, pink, yellow and teal. He could hear the soft wind and the waves against the shore on either side of the path. It was very pleasant. IN the distance, just visible, the path widened and he could see the beginnings of wider territories.

His journey here was just beginning.
Gods willing it would be a meaningful one, if not at least occasionally pleasant.

"..."

code by corvus

She shifted only slightly when the form of the multi-hued lion broke into view. Cerulean optics widened just slightly when she realized how very large the lion was the closer she got, but the ebony queen was not one to be deterred simply based on his size. She had a lion of the same girth in the pride already. Jewel gave a low, polite chuff towards the lion as she approached, head lowered and lips twisting into a smile.

What she didn't realize is that perhaps somewhere in the past that she had in fact met the lion - eons before.. though it would have been a very distant time in a land far away. Not that it would ever be something her psyche would remember.. The gods simply saw fit to allow her another chance. Lips twisted into a smile, her tails curling near her ankles as she came to a stop a few feet from the lion. "Good day, my friend. Is it a home you're looking for? Or simply information in the new land?"

Oftentimes she noted that there were those that were just simply looking for information and the ebony female would walk away with empty paws.. but she would continue to try as that was the duty of the lioness that had taken up the helm of the pride. "I'm Kewel Khulani - Sovereign of Caladan Cove.. we are one of the two vanguard prides in Amaryllis. If a home is what you seek, I would be more than willing to give you information on our laws?"

@Stormshadow


"speech"

Another day, another opportunity.

The piebald man was a behemoth, like himself, and Magnus would diverge from his intended path North in order to join the pair. A chuff would be given, an alert to his approach, before he would draw to a halt several feet from @Jewel and @Stormshadow. His attention, first, would lock on the dark-pelted Queen. We must stop running into each other like this, Sovereign Jewel. It is said in jest, if his arched brow and slightly lilted tone were not obvious enough to go by; he did have a resting asshole face, after all, so one could probably be forgiven for not being able to pick that up. Magnus would then turn to the rogue, nodding briefly in greeting. Magnus, ruler of the Hollows. Lapsing back into silence, the Sigrún could not help but wonder if perhaps, maybe, he was starting to get used to the ways of leadership.

Or at least the Southern way of doing things.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

He was late, he combs up the side of @Jewel's open side, looking over to see that sir @Magnus was here as well. Oh, how nice to be able to meet them both here like this. "My moon, Sir Magnus." he greets them appropriately before turning to look at the man wanderer @Stormshadow. "I am Diuris Yeager, High Sovereign of Scilla Lagoon to the southeast of here. Welcome to Amaryllis's passage. If you are still interested in finding a home and have yet to decide on these two before you - I'd love to give a bit about my home?" he stated softly giving a glance between both the Cove and Hollow leaders.

Her coat was dark and in the still semi-dimness it was the motion more than the form that first drew his attention. However when pausing to look it swiftly became her form that sharpened his interest. Where his memory had blurred and soften on the edges over time basic over arching events and some images remained, and hers was recognized as being familiar and distinct. However the pure amount of time which had passed meant whatever similarities existed must be somehow coincidental if slightly nostalgic.


"Hello." he greeted in turn, tipping his crown slightly in friendly greeting in return "The first for certain, the second possibly." a flash of a little grin offered in a almost playful way before his gaze shifts twoards another approach even as he still continued to respond to her words.
"Stormshadow Celestine. A pleasure Miss Khulani. I would indeed be interesting in hearing your laws. " he assumed 'sovereign' may be the equivalent of 'queen' or 'King' here.

A faint smile still gracing his maw lunar eyes mutely and swiftly assessed the other behemoth upon approach, just slightly tipping his crown in polite greeting in response to the chuff and introduction. "Stormshadow Celestine." the words this new arrival spoke to Jewel noted, a former connection between the two established. A maneless male...that was a rareity. Still given their shared size Stormshadow somehow doubted the other suffered much bullying for it.

A third arrival would gain his attention as male with various sun hues joined the small growing gathering. This brought back memories. "A pleasure." a to the point but polite greeting greeting offered to this third lion, another ruler it would seem, after the former introduced himself. He offered that friendly little smile and tilt of his crown as was custom where he had been raised. "Stormshadow Celestine." a moments pause as he shifted to accommodate for giving each equal attention and regard. His posture relaxed but displaying a certain calm readiness and alert awareness. A habit the Warrior could never shake even if he wished to at times.

"I have made no decisions regarding my destination, and am open to and seeking any information on offer." only a fool turned down information. And he was not opposed to joining a pride should the ruler and laws prove agreeable and compatible with his own views. However loyalty came with respect and respect tended to take a bit longer - but the first step was finding a ruler he could work with.

@Jewel @Magnus @Vasilis

code by corvus

Jewel tilted her skull towards the Lagoon king as well as the dark pelted form of the Hollows leader when he arrived. She was pleased at least that she was starting to become familiar with those that frequented the claiming sands, and the lioness hoped that it would help her pride in the long run to have someone familiar to the other leaders. "A pleasure indeed, Sir Celestine." When he spoke to the other two of his thoughts, though he asked her laws, she would give them.

"The Cove laws are simple.. We do not claim, if you wish to live there, it would be by your choice rather than force. We allow rank challenges for any and all ranks, my own included, though maiming for such ranks is prohibited. Pull your weight, don't get into fights with our allies. If you have a mate in another pride, and they wish to join the cove, we will seek a peaceful resolution with their pride before we go to fighting for them. If you're expecting cubs, let leadership know so that we can arrange extra hunts if need be."

She kept the laws short - sweet.. to the point. There were other things - such as who they were allied with and such to go on, but that was something that she would answer if the lion standing before her asked. No need to wax poetic when she felt there was little need to do so.

@Stormshadow @Vasilis @Magnus

"speech"

@Stormshadow would make it clear that he was in the market for both information and a home, and Magnus would tilt his head as inky black gaze shifted to rest once more on the two-toned features of the rogue. Aha. An opportunity, then, that would ensnare his interest more and more as the seconds passed. It was not a done deal, not even remotely, but the prospect was at least worth seeing out to the end. @Jewel would speak first, of Caladan and her laws - a quaint summary of a sleepy, idyllic life on the beach - before the attention of the group would naturally shift onto the melanistic man. Under my rule, Obsidian Hollow is a place of opportunity. As long as members pull their weight, I am happy - I do not have patience for slackers. Initiative is rewarded, and there is plenty of room to ascend the ranks should you so wish; I openly welcome challenges amongst pride-mates, and will not get involved myself unless things get personal. He wanted those that were the most capable to be able to keep their claws anchored firmly in the higher echelons of the hierarchy; the last thing he needed were nobles and gentry who were not able to hold their own in a fight. But if it caused dissent in his ranks? That would be where he would have to draw the line. All I ask is that you respect our allies and that you do not make a fool of the Hollows. Or, more importantly, me. It wasn't easy to paint a picture of how life in his Kingdom would be when he had only held the throne for a matter of days, but - for the sake of striving towards expansion - he would have to try. Now that it was @Vasilis' turn to give more information on his Lagoon, Magnus would lapse back easily into silence.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Its a pleasure to meet you Stormshadow" he begins a moment or so later. The others take their turn and he listens intently at his side. When Jewel was done the next was the new obsidian king - interesting he would have to linger in another recruitment with this man and see how else he decided to run his pridelands. A twist of his lips as he smiled, touching his eyes as he bows. "The lagoon is a safe haven for those who need it. We offer sanctuary to anyone regardless of their last names, their bloodlines, or their gender and ages. We welcome members to take up the ranks but I only ask that you let me know beforehand. Allies are to be treated with respect and allowed passage into the Lagoon's location without question - trespassers are to be pushed out until a high-ranking member can come in, we do not accept rapists - child killers or abusers and they will be punished immediately. Everyone is expected to pick up their weight in aid with the food stores, keeping the lagoon safe as well as helping with providing shelter and protection to the children even if they have parents or not within the lagoons doors." he nods. He hoped that wasn't too much rambling, he would have to find another way to tell things about his lagoon without sounding so repetitive and odd. He also had neutral locations for the temporary guests as well as nonguest members and visitors, but he wouldn't get into that unless Stormshadow had decided to go with Vasilis to the lagoon, which was a secret best kept to themselves for now.

@Stormshadow @Jewel @Magnus

Stormshadow would smile slightly and listen with full focus to each of the three as they gave the information and details that they must feel was most important for him to know.

Starting with Jewel he found her speech agreeable, the only slight pause given was over the 'mate' situation...depending on the attitude of the other pride leader his first impulse might be far from peaceful. However as he had no mate, and no plans on one any time soon that was a remote potential issue at best. 'Cove' suggested by the ocean, which was fine although should a strong storm arise there could be a risk of danger from the ocean.

Magnus gave the impression of a firm if not strict and dominant personality. Good things in a leader....to a point. However as another dominant personality Stormshadow was quite aware that mutual respect might form - or irritation and distaste. Climbing ranks was tempting. But what 'made a fool' of someone or a group tended to be subjective.

Diuris spoke of a lagoon, another water based location. His rules were also agreeable. He thought the rule of letting the King know before going for a rank was a little odd, but not so much it would cause an issue. Now helping with the food stores was...'iffy' as given his size hunting was not his strongest suit although not a problem exactly.

It was simply rare for him to take down more than what he could eat in a meal, leftovers were...extremely rare. Protecting and combat, now that was more his line of work. Permitting ANYONE, even allies in 'without question' ...rubbed him the wrong way to be honest. Just because one joined an allied pride - did not make them a 'good' lion. Things should always be politely questioned.

He knew by this point his choice was between the Lagoon, and the Cove. It was however the talk of providing shelter to children that tipped the scales ever so slightly. A difficult choice. But it should be. Commiting to a group should never be done lightly.


"I appreciate all the information and introductions, I have decided to offer my membership and skills to Sovereign Khulani. Should for some reason things not work out, I hope calling upon the Hollow or Lagoon will still be an option. " he glanced at each in turn and offered a polite nod, starting with Magnus, then Diuris, then resting with his gaze on Jewel. He expected things would likely work out just fine, but time would tell.


@Jewel @Magnus @Vasilis

code by corvus

Truthfully, the female was a little confused that he had chosen her pride over the one that @Magnus had presented, but Jewel dipped her skull in a nod towards the beast, her lips twisting into a smile. "The Cove welcomes you, sir Celestine. If you would like a tour once you arrive, I would be more than happy to accompany you? Otherwise, you are welcome to claim yourself a den and find some rest after your journey."

Towards @Vasilis, she gave a warm smile and a nod of her skull before she returned her cerulean gaze towards the Hollow's king. "It's been a pleasure meeting the two of you gentleman again. Until next time?" Jewel would turn, giving @Stormshadow a moment to say his goodbyes, or what he wished before she would lead the way towards the Cove.

//Exit to get you tagged?//

"speech"