faevyre.Her paws grow weary, her head hangs low. Nose snuffles the sand, searching for the scent of the yearlings that had preceded them. Brow knits as her efforts prove fruitless.

Wolfgang's blessing doesn't make her any less worried for them. She gazes across the narrow strip of sand with fire-rimmed eyes, peering carefully from behind mauve mane. Her tail sways slowly at her hocks. Faevyre glances back at the spotted woman that accompanies her.

"You think they went this way?" she inquires, low tone lilting softly as she muses partially to her and partially to herself. A pale strait linking to a massive island -- no, continent. It has to be an irresistible golden pathway for the wayward three. Right? "They must've, right? No way they'd be able to resist that." Convincing Narcissa, convincing herself -- what's the difference, really?

Her toes grip the sand a bit too tightly, like if she doesn't hold on to the ground it'll fall away beneath her. It's how she's felt for the past few weeks. An awful part of her gnaws away at her reason, whispers to her that fate frowned upon them because fate frowns upon her. But she tries not to burden everyone else with it as she looks into the strange new land before them.

( please wait for Narcissa to post before responding! Koi also requests for no Scilla Lagoon, since she wants to keep Narcissa separate from Bee! )

Narcissa is not quite so worried as her companion, but she was hardly about to let @Faevyre go on ahead alone, so she had offered to accompany the woman when she had insisted upon looking for the children. Much like Wolfgang, she and her siblings had set out on a young age in search of answers from the world, and had always been encouraged to find their own footing and fight for what is theirs. But she understands why the woman is worried, and so they have gone on ahead together to satiate the mauve lioness's peace of mind. The last year and a half have greatly changed the woman that Narcissa once was, transforming her from selfish and lazy to a woman of grit, determination, and loyalty. She takes great pride in who she has become, both an incredible mother and worthwhile lover, and has been happy to shed the skin of her past self. You think they went this way? Faevyre's question pulls Narcissa from her thoughts, a soft hmm in her throat as she pulls herself back into the present. Her bright gaze takes in the sight ahead of them, a great crashing ocean at the shores of a land bridge that leads the way into a veritable heaven for their kind. "Without a doubt," she answers with a quirk of her lips; if they are daughters of hers, then they are most certainly here. She trots forward a bit more quickly so that she can catch up to her companion's side, her shoulder brushing comfortably against Faevyre's as she settles into a tandem. "It'll be okay," she reassures the woman, flashing her the grin of a mother who has all the confidence in her children. She knows that it will do little to ease her anxiety until she actually sees them, alive and well, but Narcissa can certainly try. There is a more prevalent question that she asks herself, however: will we make it in unnoticed?

image by mono, code by koi

Zoticus

...They will fear him.

Zoticus nears the passage with a solemn look, head having been in the clouds while having been deep in thought. However, the brute was determined to not sit idle. His wounds were healing- scabbed over with obvious signs they'd become scars, but he was able to function better. At the very least, leave his lands without other members with the mindset he could defend himself if need be.

Two scents lay heavy in the land that catch the King's attention. Lifting his teal gaze, he makes way forward, battle-worn pelt easy to see against the layout of the land. It doesn't take him long to spot the two females, rogues, something that catches his attention. He's even more surprised he doesn't see the Scilla King or any members shouting for claim upon their pelts. Deciding to near closer, Zoticus lets out a chuff to announce himself.

"Welcome to Amaryllis." His gruff tones speak as he halts a respectful distance away, not wanting to appear too much of a threat to the two lionesses. "Are you both new here?" He inquires, gently prying for information before he would attempt to recruit the two to the bluffs. They both seemed capable of strength- neither too young or old, and Wolfbron always needed capable minds and bodies to help them thrive.

@Narcissa @Faevyre

Image & code by reveriegraphics

It had been quite awhile since Nadia had visited the Passage, mostly because she had been so tied up in other endeavors within her pride's bounds. But today was a different day and Nadia was ready to return. With the recent loss of members she was feeling the need to add to their ranks and fast but there were standards that needed to be met. She needed capable individuals that could pull their own weight (willingly at that) and be good at what they needed to do. She couldn't afford to take on any free loaders, not now when the weather was only getting colder. The ebony lioness moved across the land, her dark gaze scanning. She didn't really have her bar set high, she wasn't expecting much on this outing, but when multiple scents wafted her way she couldn't help the spring that was found in her own step as she lurched forwards, intent on greeting them.

It appeared that there were two lionesses up ahead, and greeting them was none other then the King of the Bluffs himself. Nadia couldn't help the thoughts that came to the forefront, his recent fight within the bluffs to defend his crown and the other fights that broke out amongst his pride members at the same time. It hadn't been a good look but Nadia wouldn't judge, or at least she tried not to. She could only hope that things might have settled for him since then. She pulled in closer to the gathered individuals, offering an easy smile before speaking, "Hello, I see my acquaintance Zoticus has already greeted you. I'm Nadia Sigrun, Queen of Obsidian Hollows not far from here." She offered to them before she fell silent; she was assuming that Zoticus had asked them what they were searching for so for now she would wait and supply more information when it was needed.

@Narcissa @Faevyre @Zoticus

+20 - Learn a character's full name and rank (1/2)

This place is warm. Much warmer than the Bezra man is accustomed to. He has been silently stewing over it for days, in a dissociative brooding sort of way. His heart hurt to leave behind the cool mountain slopes and caverns they had called home. But sometimes that was just the way the divine signals pointed.

He pauses to take in the scent trail. Faevyre and Narcissa had gone forward to scout and look for signs of the children. He hadn't been as worried as Fae had visibly been. Even though they had travelled far, their gods still watched over them. None of them would allow his babes to fall harm.

There's a gathering on the horizon; it must be them. Wolfgang pushes onward.

There's a pale lion with a ruby-colored mane, and a dark lioness. Both important people, Wolfgang gathers by the introductions he arrives just soon enough to hear. He sidles up between Narcissa and Faevyre.

He offers the mauve woman a fond touch of his tail, trying to soothe her. He knew Faevyre well enough by now to tell she was uncertain. Narcissa he is a little more possesive over, brushing his muzzle up over her back to push his cheek into her's -- a affectionate greeting and a clear statement.

"Wolfgang Bezra." He never thought he'd miss his title, but habit makes the introduction feel empty to him. "We are new here, yes."

To abandon the only true home she's ever known breaks Ania's heart, but the floodwaters had left them with little choice. The children had left first, spurred on by their youthful vigour and the promise of adventure; Faevyre had been too concerned for the children to stay much longer, and Narcissa had accompanied her. Ania had decided to stay back with Wolf and Az, preparing for the long journey ahead.

It's warm in these new lands, more like the forest of her childhood. Sand shifts underpaw, golden and soft, as she pads along besides her husband, sticking to the large shadow his hulking form casts over her. To leave his native land hurts him, she knows, so the petite woman has tried to offer silent comfort during the trip, small brushes up against him and quiet, melodious humming.

Wolfgang spots the crowd first, pushing forward on his long legs. Ania hesitates, watching the reaction of the two strangers as the large lion presses himself between Narcissa and Faevyre; no obvious signs of aggression, so the pixie woman trots after him.

Ania brushes briefly past Narcissa in a quick, quiet greeting before fitting herself underneath Wolfgang's body, peaking out at the two strangers from between his forepaws. "Most call me Ania." She offers, bright amber eyes flicking curiously between the two strangers.

empty+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank

It hadn’t been surprising to find two missing from their group - leaving earlier than planned, Fae and Cissa had left a trail for the rest to follow. At least Ania had stuck around with them - he'd hate to see how Wolf would have reacted to their smallest wife gone as well. Taking fewer breaks (urged by Wolfgang and his never ending need to find their mate and friend) had allowed them to catch up quickly enough. They're fine, obviously. Both capable women. The dry look shot the large male’s way says everything that doesn’t pass Azriael’s lips.

Told you so.

He manages to not stick his tongue out.

The umber lion’s attention is drawn to the strangers as he draws up alongside Wolfgang, ears flicking through the thick locks of mane on his head. He could cringe at the introduction his husband offers, but Az is far more used to it now than he once was. Times like this require he take the lead - lest his mates insult their first sign of civilization in so long.

“Well met, Queen Nadia - sir Zoticus,” the lion offers a dip of his head, plastering a courtly smile along his lips. “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.”empty

faevyre.Narcissa's confirmation is comforting, as is the warm touch of their shoulders. The large woman leans her head over to gently brush the side of her temple to Narcissa's with a grateful rumble. Faevyre's always been affectionate as a friend, though she watches her boundaries with them all when Wolfgang is around. Perhaps a bit noticeably. Oops.

In the distance, two figures begin to approach, staggered from one another. Faevyre's form straightens to its full height, eyes and ears set forward in an ever-vigilant and regal poise without even thinking about it. It'd been a long time since she'd been among the royalty of her own kin, but her body slips back into the formality of it without thought. It's almost a bit strange, that two lions would appear now, but with the myriad of scents layered across this place, it seems likely with the amount of lions that are apparently bursting from this land.

The first is a reddish statue of a man. Her eyes drink in his form -- large, with stripes upon his haunches, and marks of wound scattered across his pelt, some at different stages of healing. Her head tilts softly to allow her mane to fall away from her right eyes, letting her see a bit better. This one has fought quite a bit recently. It piques her interest, but also puts her on edge -- neither of which shows on the surface. She responds to his question with a nod, and is about to vocalize her response when her eyes latch onto the dark shadow approaching.

Faevyre looks over Queen Nadia, as she introduces herself, with a soft curiosity in fire-rimmed eyes. Her pelt is a deep, deep black, cast in a pitch so thick it seems to draw the light from the day. Her eyes share the trait. She's seen lions like this before -- melanism being the name of the trait, if she remembers correctly. There had been a pride in her homelands whose deity had prized such a pelt. Faevyre's kin would have cast her out as a spy sent by the gods, though she herself carried none of her deceased wayward family's reservations.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," she greets politely, her head dipping. "I am Faevyre, and this is Narcissa." Her tone is composed, but tinted with a soft casual lilt. The sounds of paws behind them captures Faevyre's attention, prevents her from further responding -- her eyes land warmly upon Wolfgang and the lions that accompany him. The soothing brush of his tail reminds her, much like Narcissa had, that things will be alright. Faevyre's eyes avert softly at his more close greeting to Narcissa. It's a gentle envy, born of a soft pining and not held against the objects of Wolfgang's affection, not a vicious or unkind one.

She glances at the tiny woman that takes a spot beneath Wolfgang, offering the woman that peers from between his legs a soft smile of amusement at her familiar choice of perch.

Azriael approaches with all of the same poise and professionalism that Faevyre had cast upon her features, offering a full explanation that the mauve woman had yet to be able to offer herself. She nods in agreement and gratefulness to his initiative in answering. Notes with a soft warmth that she's technically grouped in with "my family", though she reminds herself that it's far easier to do so than to make an exception for the stark minority in the group. Besides, her status as one of these things is not like the other is made a bit obvious for the group by her pelt, she presumes.

the druid had heard whispers of this place -- the entrance to amaryllis, where wandering souls and pride recruiters met to try and find some sort of common ground, and occasionally make arrangements to solidify new homage. however, it was an odd and foreign concept to nymeria, who did not understand the custom of going out and finding people to join the brook -- vermeda had always just been, after all, and they had never had the need for such practices. her curiosity, however, had gotten the best of her today, prompting the woman to wander to the southern edge of the peninsula, and investigate exactly what the whole fuss was about in regards to the passage.

light, purposeful steps carried the valour forward, mind buzzing, until she spotted a rather significant gathering within the distance. it caused her brows to furrow slightly, closing the distance between them and herself, as she announced her arrival with a soft chuff. she noted the already present forms of @Zoticus and @Nadia, both of whom were regarded with a small, polite smile, before the woman's attention turned towards the staggering group of rogues. nymeria had only managed to pick up on the last few lines of the conversation, however, eyes fluttering at the mention that they had been separated from their children. "i'm sorry, i hope i'm not interrupting." she started, tail giving a brief flicker, before continuing. "my name is nymeria valour, from the native pride of vermeda brook. i have not seen your children, but i am more than happy to help look for them, if needed." offering aid in such a way was the woman's first inclination, albeit the fact that she wished she could have given them something of more us. she could not, after all, turn a blind eye to such a situation, for she knew that if she were ever to be in the same position, she would want the help of as many willing souls as she could gather.

Hecuba had been like them once, until she'd taken an arrow to the knee.

No, no, it was far less exciting than that. Her polyamory had simply melted into a possessive greediness that knew no bounds, and before too long the serpent had shackled the dragon (willingly, if you asked him, she swore). It had once taken a string of lovers to sate the sovereign's appetite but now there was only one hunk capable of wrangling the obnoxiousness that was Hecuba; she could only hope these five had everything figured out. She may had been a smidgen jealous at the fact there were two men involved, but.. well, she hadn't come to stare.

Well, not only to stare.

"Hello, hello," the thick woman said, coming to a slow halt beside the other recruiters. "We haven't seen any of your children at the Cove, either, but I imagine with everyone here they will be swiftly found." Good thing the rogue attacks had slowed, Hecuba thought quietly. "My name is Hecuba, sovereign of Caladan Cove. We would be happy to help in your search." How many fucking kids did they have between them, anyway?

_^DEEJ