with a momentary lull in the life (aside from the fact that her first nieces and nephews were about to be born!), nymeria was intent on stretching her legs and learning more about the more established prides of the region. she had been slightly neglectful, as of late, and she was well aware of it -- she had been horribly and wonderfully wrapped up in her personal life, and it had caused a delay in her visits to the other pride leaders. her bit of a repose, however, allowed the woman to feel recharged, rejuvenated, and she walked with a newfound poise to her gait, a smile curved lightly upon the edges of her lips as she slipped across the familiar, warm dunes.

nymeria had not been here since the initial challenge for the oasis, but she still looked back fondly on the time she had met fionn here, with demetria at her side. he had been a kind and humble man, and she could not help but wonder if the new sovereign shared similar values, and if they would be welcomed so openly. with a bundle of fruits and herbs wrapped up in a banana leaf, nymeria finally reached the edge of the borders, dropping the gift gently atop the sands as she took in the lingering flurry of scents and perfumes. taking a moment to cast her eyes back towards those that had accompanied her on the journey, the valour would turn her attention back to the pride-lands, before releasing a call for @Ashelia, whilst hoping that their unexpected visit would be well-received.

All that glitters is not gold

The male was on his first official outing after receiving his rank. He's pleased, projecting a bit more confidence than before and hoping to live up to such an honor. While these folks are likely yet more of the strangers, he is in a good mood. Matching the pep in his sisters step, he is playful on the journey. Flicking his tail at his siblings, nudging them, and otherwise gamboling. However as they near the destination he draws on his usual thoughtful brooding nature, straightening his spine and walking a lot more sedately. There is a twinkle in his eye though, and as he stops beside his sibling, slightly back, as befitting of his rank. He looks to her and queries "Do you remember her name?" He surely didn't. After that his eyes return to front and watch the pridelands for movement. He's not much use in a fight but he is good at noticing what others often don't. Even though he was in a good mood, and seemed well suited to this place with his coat(which was all but blinding in the sun), it never hurt to be cautious. Particularly when his favorite sister @Nymeria was about.

Manip by Era, Code by Saph

Tullia wasn't too far behind her siblings as she was going to do her very first visit to a different pride beside Vermeda. After meeting quite a few outsiders, the wall she had built between her and them was breaking down, and now she felt like she could now give them a chance to know her, and perhaps to meet them in return.

She walked behind them, as she for some reason started to get a feeling of inferiority. Feeling shadowed by her siblings, reasons were yet unknown but she felt like she wasn't as great as them all.

Her face was blank but kind as always, posture was casual as without saying anything stood by @Aurum 's side. Ready to be here for them, even if she was just a lead medic, she didn't hold any important position but that was fine, as long as she could support @Nymeria she was happy wherever she wanted her to be.

code by corvus

slowly but surely, she is getting used to being called upon.

two others prides had come to her doorstep, intent on discussing politics - yet none have come with a group this large. the extra body felt imposing, more than she'd originally assumed when she'd started her approach; it is a shame, truly, that her steps are no longer dogged by her brown shadow. that rielus is still lost to the sands is a hurt she still hasn't recovered from, and somehow she doubts she ever will. despite this the desert queen wastes no time in answering @Nymeria's call, shapely frame easing forward across the familiar paths to the borders.

her expression remains placid as she approaches, ears pricked forward. good afternoon, everyone, she murmurs, casting sunlight gaze to each of them in turn. nymeria and her soft, caramel palette; @Aurum with his sun-kissed dapples that wouldn't look out of place in her own family; @Tullia's large, wheat frame. the two females certainly looked similar enough to be siblings, though she wouldn't assume such familiarity. instead her head tilts, considering. i am ashelia azar, and this is andal oasis. is there something i can help you three with? perhaps they were lost and needed directions? somehow she doubted it, but stranger things had happened...

no more dreaming of the dead ,

as if death itself was undone No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love No more dreaming like a girl, so in love with the wrong world And I could hear the thunder and see the lightning crack And all around the world was waking, I never could go back 'Cause all the walls of dreaming, they were torn wide open And finally it seemed that the spell was broken And all my bones began to shake, my eyes flew open

code by corvus

having @Aurum and @Tullia present was something that nymeria welcomed with open, eager arms -- though she also hoped that it would be well-received by the oasis' new, outstanding ruler as well. it could be intimidating, at times, to having a welcoming committee arrive upon your door, but the queen liked to believe that the trio of valours were far from threatening. nonetheless, the woman's posture remained poised and proper as she waited upon the edge of the borders, casting a small smile and nod of encouragement to her siblings, until she spotted the smooth, palomino shape of another approaching from the horizon.

moonstone gaze rested easily upon @Ashelia's figure as she drew nearer, head dipping in polite greeting as the desert sovereign began to speak. "it is a pleasure, ashelia -- my name is nymeria valour, high sovereign of the native pride, vermeda brook, in the eastern end of the grove." hopefully the introduction would provide some context to the azar, for the druid did not know if she had been aware of their presence previously, or not. pausing then, nymeria would give a chance for tullia and aurum to introduce themselves, before continuing on with the intent and purpose of this visit. "i don't know if you knew him, but i had had good relations with fionn, before your reign. i was hoping that we could get to know each other, and perhaps work out something between our prides." candor was the best method for meetings like these, after all, and it was then that nymeria would fall silent, allowing ashelia and her siblings to listen, process, and respond to what had been said.

This was Tullia's first diplomatic visit to another pride, and of course she found herself with mixed emotions. Excitement in one hand, in the other rested some nervousness for what could happen. But none made reflection on her eyes, only leaving a serene expression that didn't leave room to detect anything beyond being calm. As the three of them arrived and @Nymeria have the call, she wouldn't say anything. The queen was her sister , she was just here to learn and to be of support. Other than that she wouldn't say anything, just observe. And like that, the leader of this pride arrived. But again Tullia didn't share words with none of them, just observing in silence.
@Aurum , @Ashelia

code by corvus

only one of them speaks, and it is @Nymeria — who's name is vaguely familiar, but the realization only sparks when she says her title. ah, the queen of the brook. magnus had mentioned her, and so had benedict, though not by name. she glances to @Aurum and @Tullia when nymeria does, giving them each a nod in turn (she assumes they are from this very brook too), before looking back to the wheat-pelted sovereign. she seems to be in charge here (if the others have ranks, they must feel more comfortable with her doing all the talking), and that is just fine with ashelia. it is good to meet you, nymeria. i had heard rumors that there was a pride over there, but have not had the pleasure of meeting any of you yet. she had, of course, she just didn't realize it; after all, she still wore the scars from valhalla. you said you are natives? had she heard that right? have you lived in these lands long? it is a nosy question, but one that is spoken plain.

ears prick forward as nymeria speaks, head tilting slightly as she processes. i did know him, yes, i was gentry under his rule before the storm. she'd not been so invested in his business then; he'd never invited her for these kinds of talks, and she'd never pressed. a shame, that. i do not believe my reign is much different than his — if you found an ally in him, i am sure that we can work something out. she says with a smile, soft and warm. andal is small, so we could not provide much in the way of bodies. she says, and does not sound apologetic about it at all; unlike her father, she would not throw those under her rule into the fray on a whim. but we strive to be self-efficient, and i hope to foster a strong community here. at first she had wanted a kingdom, but now she knows better. curiously she looks to nymeria, wondering what she wanted.

no more dreaming of the dead ,

as if death itself was undone No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love No more dreaming like a girl, so in love with the wrong world And I could hear the thunder and see the lightning crack And all around the world was waking, I never could go back 'Cause all the walls of dreaming, they were torn wide open And finally it seemed that the spell was broken And all my bones began to shake, my eyes flew open

code by corvus