She had not expected them to get far without company, truly. In a place like this, the prides' leaders are certain to flock to the only passageway where newcomers will arrive, and so it is that they are first greeted by a pale man sporting a deep russet mane. He calls this place Amaryllis -- important information that Narcissa makes certain not to lose. Before she can respond to his question, a woman dark as night approaches them, naming both the man who has arrived first (@Zoticus) and herself. Narcissa cocks a hip, knowing that this interaction may take some time, but she is patient to allow tradition to proceed. The next arrival comes from behind her, and is a face both familiar and welcomed with silent glee. She hadn't thought that her mates were far behind, regardless, but is still more than pleased to see them approaching in a trio so soon after she and Faevyre have gotten here. She shuffles to the side to make room for @Wolfgang to weasel his way in between them, a purr rumbling in her breast as he makes his possession of her clear for everyone to see. A soft grin breaks across her lips as @Ania approaches and greets her before taking shelter beneath the considerably larger form of their husband. She cannot help the slight laugh that escapes her to see the amusing size difference between the two. @Azriael follows soon after, restraining himself from visible signs of affection and slipping into the political façade he wears so well. She expects little else, though Narcissa is tempted to tease him; she refrains, intending to pester him for attention later. For now, they need to secure a safe home for themselves; Narcissa and Faevyre can handle themselves in most situations, but for Ania's sake, they require somewhere she will not come to any harm. Her ears lilt forward and her bright gaze returns to the strangers before them, watching as a few more women of power approach. "Not at all," she purrs easily in response to @Nymeria, bobbing her head graciously at the offer to help find their children. The final arrival, @Hecuba, is also glad to offer her assistance -- so very many helpful faces. "I would love to hear more of your homes and your ways. Perhaps one of you could also tell us which prides are not in attendance, and where to locate them, so that we know where to begin our search?" Her head tilts curiously, sharp orange eyes flickering from one representative to the next. If none of them have seen the yearlings yet, then they certainly must be in a pride whose leader is not here. She highly doubts that they would have managed to sneak through the passage unnoticed, after all.

image by mono, code by koi

Nadia was truly fascinated by the family that seemed to come together all at once before her very eyes. There was an interesting dynamic between the lot of them, husbands and wives all coupled together in harmony. It was something that Nadia had hoped for with Magnus, though their own little trio hadn't necessarily gone as either of them had planned with Desdemona. Either way their "lifestyle" was something that many did not understand, but from what Nadia observed it seemed that this group lived in a similar manner. It put her more at ease and certainly made her even more willing to open her door to them. "Wolfgang Berza. We are new here, yes." One gentleman introduced himself to which Nadia dipped her skull politely in response. Shortly after the much smaller lioness would speak, "Most call me Ania." And Nadia offered her a reassuring smile. It was nice to have names to match with faces, that much was certain.

Her attention turned to the next gentleman that would speak, "Well met, Queen Nadia - sir Zoticus, I am Azriael. My family is searching for a place to call home after our territory flooded. Our children came ahead of us - Bezras, about a year old. They were likely in small groups." Not long after his speech they would be joined by two more pride representatives, Nymeria and Hecuba. Nadia turned her dark gaze upon them swiftly, offering both a nod before she turned her attention back to Azriael. Both Nymeria and Hecuba had not seen the yearlings, which left Nadia. "I too have not seen them unfortunately." She offered truthfully to them before pausing. Her gaze turned to the two other women, Faevyre and Narcissa. Narcissa would speak next to which her ears flicked towards her, listening intently. "Not at all, I would love to hear more of your homes and your ways. Perhaps one of you could also tell us which prides are not in attendance, and where to locate them, so that we know where to begin our search?" She wouldn't wait long before she offered the information that Narcissa sought, "Well as I mentioned I rule the Hollows alongside my husband Magnus Sigrun. We work as a cohesive unit with our members, everyone pulls their own weight and helps one another. Our personal relationship however seems quite similar to your family .. at least in our ways of living with one another." She says vaguely, dark eyes twinkling before continuing, "There are three other prides that are not represented here today.. Ecrosia Mire, Scilla Lagoon, and Firnen Rainforest. It's possible that your yearlings could have ended up at any one of those .. My brother lives in the Mire .. it wouldn't take much for me to find out if he's seen any of them. In the meantime you all are more then welcome within my Hollows .." She extended an offer easily before turning her attention towards Nymeria and Hecuba. There were plenty of options for the group here it was just which one would be the right fit for them.

@Nymeria @Hecuba @Zoticus @Narcissa @Wolfgang @Ania @Azriael @Faevyre

*Skipping Zoti so we can keep this moving

+50 - Learn a character's full name and rank x5

was there always so many lions at these sorts of congregations? it nearly made nymeria's head swim with thoughts and contemplation, surprised to see the almost systematic way that they all interacted with each other. for the valour, recruiting had never been something near the top of her list, but it was becoming more and more apparent, with each passing moment, that the passage had made a name for itself, without even trying.

bright eyes shifted across the wide sea of faces as conversation continued to be exchanged, each of them unique and different than the last, before she suddenly felt a sort of responsibility resting her shoulders. it was less-so the inclination that she needed to sell herself to these strangers, however, and more-so the desire to provide them with what they were looking for, and give them the best chance at a fresh start. after nadia had finished speaking, nymeria's eyes trailed softly back to the group of rogues, lips still upturned slightly at the edges, before she opted to divulge further information, at their request. "like i said, vermeda brook is compromised largely of my family and other natives to amaryllis, though we've seen some expansion recently. my family has lived in and ruled the brook for generations, and i currently lead alongside my sister, talisa." she started, gaging briefly for a reaction, before continuing. "we value loyalty and community first, along with preserving the pride for future generations. we are peaceful people, who work hard to protect and flourish our own -- everyone pulls their weight in one way or another, but i value a wide range of skills." nymeria could not, after all, even begin to imagine the breadth and variety that bloomed within this group -- though she had no doubt that they were full of surprises, whatever that may entail.

there was, however, a small nagging thought within the back of the druid's mind, prompting her to take pause, and consider what she was going to say next. she wanted to be as candid and honest as she could, while also preventing the possibility that she would be wasting anyone's time -- which was a hard balancing act, mind you, while she felt the weight of the crowd's eyes upon her. "of course, i'd also like to acknowledge the fact that you don't know me, and i don't know you. if you are interested in the brook, i would like the chance to get to know all of you more - as, i'm sure, you'd like to do the same to me." the valour would stay true to her word, surely, but there was only so much that could be discovered from a meeting such as this. nymeria found purpose and utility in knowing who was living within her home, if only to make sure that they could all prosper, and remain aligned with common goals and understanding.

@Nadia @Hecuba @Zoticus @Narcissa @Wolfgang @Ania @Azriael @Faevyre

He was not the only one who showed to the passage at their scents. The smell of Obsidian Hollow came, teal eyes locking on the black frame of another. She spoke, speaking his name, and announcing her own title. Zoticus had never met her before- but hearing she was Queen to the Hollows only made him assume she was Magnus' mate. Regardless, they were allies and Zoticus gave her a nod of greeting.

A male came forward, the name of @Wolfgang, and confirmed that they were new here. Another woman introduced herself, @Ania , and Zoticus nodded to her as well. And then there was another male, perhaps the head of the family of rogues? @Azriael confirmed these thoughts and Zoticus became curious, and interested. Before he could say anything, @Nymeria emerged and began to talk, and soon enough @Hecuba , holding the Cove's scent showed as well. Zoticus was respectful and didn't interupt their words.

After hearing @Narcissa's words, Zoticus looked to her and @Faevrye again before his own jaws opened. "Wolfbron Bluffs, the land I hold reign over, is founded on strength, survival, and loyalty. We do as we must to ensure we survive and thrive among the lands of Amaryllis; and everyone is required to bring some sort of phyiscal contribution to the pride." He wasn't going to speak too much into his laws, or the specific details, but he felt the information he gave was enough. "We would be more than willing to help search for the remainder of your family, as well, and extend the same offer for home to them, too." He wanted the family to know Wolfbron would have their backs if it was showed in return- and what better way than helping them find those they lost?

"Speech"

Well, this was quite overwhelming. It certainly would have been a win for Caladan to recruit the lot of them, but she could only imagine how complicated their inner-workings were. Hecuba wasn't entirely sure she wanted to invite the cast of a sitcom into her home, but it wouldn't do her much good to simply walk away in front of so many pride representatives. The sovereign awaited a pause in the conversation before offering her own tidbit, wondering what might make Caladan set apart from the rest.

"Caladan Cove is run by myself and my husband alongside the former high sovereign and her wife. Between the four of us, the pride has remained stable since our original arrival in Amaryllis and has only passed between friends. Stability is what we can offer you and yours, as well as a safe place to lay your head at night and willing paws to help search for your missing kin. We only ask to help with hunts, with guarding the borders. Pull your weight and it will be returned tenfold."

There, how was that?

_^DEEJ

There are introductions all around and Wolfgang listens for the sake of information. There were many representatives before them, hailing from clans and groups he had never heard of. It appeared this realm was far more populated than where they had hailed from. He commits the names of the groups to memory.

He felt secure, despite the newness of it all because of those flanking him. Ania settles herself between his forelegs and he is pleased with that; she was the smallest and most vulnerable of their group. Around strangers especially he felt much more protective. He was of all his partners actually; his stoic gaze didn’t betray it but there was absolutely a possessive edge to him that those more attuned to his blunt, impassive behaviours would be able to detect.

Azriael covers for his directness with that courtly dexterity of his and Wolfgang’s dark gaze lingers on his husband, nodding his support. As much as he could stare at Azriael all day, Wolfgang is soon drawn back to focus by the proceedings.

Narcissa asks the question that had been on Wolfgang’s lips, and he remains silent again. Words were not needed from Wolfgang unless absolutely necessary. His silence was hardly disinterest though. Those sharp brown eyes of the maneless man were flicking between the pride representatives with vigilance.

Nadia introduces the hollow, and its other ruler who was not currently present. What she thought exactly of the Bezra relationship he couldn’t divulge… but he wasn’t so keen to explain things in the current situation. Wolfgang was a private man.

Nymeria’s speech gives him the name of the isle; Amaryllis. The idea of peace and focus on skillsets was interesting to the Bezra leader. But with the children’s safety less in the forefront of his active life these days, a interwoven community felt perhaps a little… exhausting. He didn’t like have to please large amounts of people. His family was his focus.

Zoticus spoke next, talking of the bluffs. A physical contribution, hm. Wolfgang wondered exactly what that meant for their group. Did they need capable fighters? Perhaps they valued expansion. He could respect it.

Then there was the cove, last but not least. Hecuba spoke of stability and a return of effort. Wolfgang did like that. But again, with security and safety came limitations and people to please. This was a new frontier and Wolfgang had lived defensively for a long while now.

He knew the decision fell to him. They waited on his word.

It was a few careful moments of thought as Wolfgang considered the options laid before them. If he chose wrong, he would be leading Narcissa, Ania and Faevyre into a difficult situation to free them from. That was not something he would ignore. But the longer they would wait, the less information they could find about the children.

“Sovereign Nadia.” he speaks finally, his voice a deep rumble, “The Hollow, I believe will suit our needs as of now. We will join you.”

He waited patiently, ready to leave whenever signs pointed their gathering intended to.

/exit wolf w/ group ?

@Faevyre @Narcissa @Zoticus @Nadia @Ania @Azriael @Nymeria @Hecuba

faevyre.They offer information, each tidbit valuable. Faevyre listens carefully, records the information down in her mind dutifully. She raises a controlled and curious brow at Nadia's mention of living similar to them -- another polyamorous crew, perhaps? She casts a brief sidelong glance at their companions, wondering if she's the odd one out of the bunch, and a dark part of her crushingly reminding her that she is.

She sweeps the thought away. The Brook fascinates her the most, perhaps. Loyalty, community, peace. It sounds pleasant. Like they can capture some part of Orusa here in these strange new lands, if they find the children and stay long enough to do so.

From the Bluff King's healing wounds, she has an idea of what kind of physical contribution is required. She respects the strength of the red king, to emerge from such battles and still live to tell the tale -- and, perhaps, worries a little about his health -- but hopes that war is not in their future. The thought of any of them getting hurt makes her chest ache.

The Cove offers stability, but not much more -- the offer is... vague. She doesn't learn much about the pride from it other than that it's been around for a while. While comforting, she's curious to know more. But that ends up not mattering too much anyway. They look to Wolfgang, their King, and he chooses the Hollows.

Faevyre doesn't question the choice -- she'd follow the Bezras blindly into hell and still smile about it, though she'd never admit it to herself. "Very well," she murmurs with a smile, stepping away from the group and toward the ebon Queen.

"It's a pleasure," she offers politely, "Ania and I--" she nods to the small lioness between Wolfgang's paws, "--are healers." She smiles as she seeks to slowly pad past -- and hopefully with -- the Sovereign across the sandy way. "I offer my services, if you and yours are in need." She casts her eyes back at her group, gaze passing the Bluffs' red king as she does, then looks back forward, towards their home.

exit faevyre w/ nadia ?

Nadia listened patiently and intently as each pride representative spoke, explaining their own strengths and weaknesses. One thing was most certain, they were all vastly different and it would be up to the family before them to decide which place would suit their needs best. The queen of the Hollows didn't feel the need to fling more information at them, she figured their heads were already spinning like a top with everything they had heard thus far. So for the time being Nadia remained silent, her dark gaze ever watchful as she waited. It was Wolfgang that would speak up and this piqued Nadia's interest, perhaps he was one of the 'leaders' amongst them. "Sovereign Nadia, The Hollow, I believe will suit our needs as of now. We will join you." He spoke much to her delight and she offered him a genuine smile with a firm nod of her head, "Very well. I'd be glad to keep you all beneath my roof." She said to him then before casting her gaze towards the others. It was the star speckled woman Faevyre that spoke up next, "Very well, it's a pleasure. Ania and I are healers. I offer my services, if you and yours are in need." She offered her a smile then before gesturing for all to follow, "I appreciate that Faevyre.. I'd never turn down extra healers around the Hollows. Come, let's get you all settled." She encouraged then before falling into stride only a few paces from the group. This would certainly bolster their numbers but Nadia couldn't help the curiosity billowing within her - she looked forward to learning more about this interesting family.


exit.

@Faevyre @Wolfgang @Ania @Azriael @Narcissa

+50 - Learn a character's full name and rank x5

Truthfully, it matters little to Narcissa where they go. She grew up in places like this, and finds that in the end, the prides are all often much the same. When one is unburdened by fear like she is, it becomes easy to settle into whatever place she ends up. Wolfgang is likely to make the best choice, regardless, and they all see him still as their leader -- more than their mate, he is their king, whether he holds the title in this land or not. She is careful to take in the information about the other prides in the area, her ears lilting forward as Nadia answers the question she had prompted, proving herself to be both knowledgeable and well-spoken. Truthfully, they all offer valuable options, and she finds that she can appreciate each of their causes. But ultimately, they will only choose one, and her ears swivels in as Wolfgang makes the decision. She bobs her skull agreeably, quick to follow after him and their new queen, though she suspects that it won't be long until they depart again in search of their children. But for tonight, they have a place to lay their heads. Exeunt Narcissa.

image by mono, code by koi

it was hard for nymeria not to feel akin to a salesman, as her words hung out across the air, echoed shortly by those of the other leaders. if this was always how the passage was used, it would appear as though the vermedan had a lot to catch-up on in terms of the culture of these foreigners. pale ears gave a few idle twitches as the attention swayed from one figure to the next, her expression remaining soft, until, finally, they announced their desire to return back to the sigrun stronghold. "well, if i know anything, it's that the hollows will take good care of you all." the valour hummed, nodding, before her eyes turned towards @Nadia before her departure. "if you end up needing extra bodies for your search, you know where to find us." their prides were close friends, after all, and nymeria would never dream of going back on her word, especially not for the sake of this group's lost children.

feeling as though this meeting had run it's course, however, she would not look to linger here any longer. these recruiting grounds were an odd place, and one that the druid was not sure she would be returning to anytime soon. irrespective of this, however, she would take a moment to bow her head to the rest of those gathered, before spinning lightly on her heels, and returning home to the warm arms of her family. exit.