Talisa was rather excited to get a gathering together to welcome in the coming of spring. It was definitely one of her favorite seasons as it led for the growth of the world around them and there was much more prey to be seen coming and going. The world seemed to come alive after a lifetime of hibernation over the winter. With her own children nearly five months old, she was prepared to let them mingle a little more with the outside world. But she was going to start them off easy with bringing their allies to their door if they wanted to. Talisa mostly wanted it to be a way for the children to have some inter-pride friendships with one another but she wouldn't mind a stray adult here and there if they wanted to tag along. The more eyes there were, the better.

So Talisa called for those that she was ready for them to make there way into the Brook to the near center of it. Where she had stationed a small portion of bones from their last elephant catch to play on and chew, whatever they wanted, as well as left a few pieces of meat for the adults if they were hungry. The brook wasn't too far so they could play in it though it was still a little chilly, it was a lot safer now than it was.

+20 Organize a cub play date between allied prides

^{TABLE MANIP BY MONO, CODING BY DUSK}

Well, this was an opportunity that he could not pass up. His own offspring with @Nadia were no longer tiny balls of fur, but to socialize with others around their own age - from allied prides, no less - would be of great benefit. So @Talisa would not have to wait long before Magnus attended her call, signalling his approach as soon as he crossed the border with low chuffs. In tow - he hoped - would not only be his wife but @Myrkvi, @Voluspa, @Rasmus and @Hrefna. Otherwise what would be the point of him attending? When the brunette mother came into view, the High Sovereign slowed his gait, dipping his head in greeting. Talisa, he rumbled, how are you?

The growing Sígrun boy eagerly followed the long stride of his father with no hesitation. As many adventures as he’d done already, he was pleased to attend more. His jaws dropped open part way to intake the scent as they both neared and crossed the border. Kvi stuck it in his memory for future reference if he ever met anyone else from this pride. Magnus would greet the lady standing nearby piles of bones. His silver-gray gaze settled on her curiously as he came to stand to his father’s right. He wanted to immediately claim a bone for his own, but he would politely wait. Cause.. manners are a thing.

code by javs | art by irish

Hrefna surged forward on the heels of Magnus, a crazed light shining in her eyes at the notion of receiving visitors. The hollows were as much a prison as they were a haven for the enigmatic royal, and some outside stimulation was a more-than-welcome idea. Her paws glided over the smooth stone of the caverns in rhythmic pursuit of her family and in stubborn refusal to be the last of the bunch to arrive, even if she had been in life as the youngest of their litter.
"I'm Hrefna," she introduced quickly as if in a race to get the words out before anyone else. She nearly bumped into the back of her father's legs by the time he stopped to greet the adults of the small party of strangers, ducking to one side and then glancing with wide eyes at the strangers to try and detect any hints that they had witnessed her near-accident.

Aquila had no children to contribute to this party but he'd be remiss to not attend. Protective was an understatement. His duty to his family hadn't ceased when he took the Andal throne. There would be young cubs to keep out of trouble, and strangers in his family's homestead to keep as equally a close eye upon. He came into the familiar and comforting veil of tree's shadow, the earthen scent rose up and fell into his nose like an old friend. He inhaled deep the woodland scent, his ancestral home. He had a little more pep in his step as he moved inland towards @Talisa's set up. He came to her side and reached over to nudge his cousin's shoulder fondly. "It's a lovely set up." He made mention of the work she'd put into the surroundings.

His eyes traced along the bones, and also the guests gathering up. Dark and cavernous aroma adorned their pelts. Silently the Andal King considered them, tipping his skull to @Magnus in recognition.

ART BY BESSONA , CODE BY LARS

Nadia was more then eager to attend the 'play date' that was extended to her and her children, after all any additional time with an allied pride was time well spent. It would be good to get the children out and socialize them with other cubs too, they could always use some time outside of the caverns. She knew that the Hollows could sometimes be suffocating especially to young, curious minds. Nadia took up the end of their cub train, chuffing lightly for Voluspa and Rasmus who seemed to be taking up the rear before turning her attention to Talisa and Aquila up ahead. Once she was within their vicinity she offered them a genuine smile before speaking, "This is all lovely.. thank you for having us. I'm sure our children are thankful also to have this opportunity." She said to them easily before falling into a comfortable silence, her dark gaze sweeping as she did a quick head count to keep tabs on each of them before returning her attention back to the other adults.

@Aquila @Talisa @Magnus @Voluspa @Rasmus


+20 - Be invited to join another pride's event (1/2)

ahh yes, the sweet taste of salvation! it was warm upon her tongue and ignited small, eager fires within the princess' chest, trailing behind her family with an already-pleased grin coiled across her features. not only did they get a chance to spread their wings and mingle with some of their parents' friends, but they would finally get the chance to hang-out with some other cubs. voluspa's family was great and all, but it did not take a genius to note that they often got on each other's nerves, and had gotten quite good at pushing one another's buttons. and so, perhaps having a few kids to act as a buffer would be a good thing, and a learning opportunity for everyone.

it was abruptly that the sigrun family came to a halt, prompting voluspa's eyes to brighten as a flurry of newfound scents graced her nostrils. it was close to a sensory overload, but the young viking attempted to keep her cool, peaking out from around @Magnus and @Nadia so that she could bask in the wonder of these strangers. "you all live here? oh -- i'm voluspa, by the way." she questioned out-loud, eyebrows rising in a look of youthful surprise and wonder, towards both @Talisa and @Aquila. it was very different, after all, to what voluspa was used to -- there were no caves, no dark corridors, no cool floors or fluttering bats. it was oddly, and perhaps startlingly, peaceful out here within the forest. hm.

the hustle and bustle of moving bodies garnered the princess' attention rather quickly, having chosen to watch curiously from the bushes as auntie @Talisa set up a collection of bones and snacks -- though the reason for why she did this was not yet apparent to rhaella. her tail gave a quick swoosh, a grin etching along her youthful complexion, until there was a sudden influx of unknown faces within the brook, prompting her to pause. they are near opposites to her family -- all thickly built, with hides of obsidian and rich swatches of colour --, and @Aquila was the only other face that the babe found herself comforted to see.

nonetheless, she was intrigued about what exactly was going on, and was excited by the sight of other children, albeit the fact that they looked to be a bit older than herself. and so, inhaling a big gulp of air, rhaella mustered all of her bravery before she scampered out of the woodlands, heading first for the protected space beside talisa's forelimbs. "h-hi!" she piped up softly, opting to remain close to her aunt's shadow as much as possible in those first few moments. she shuffled forward a few more steps after another few breaths, just close enough so that she could properly look at the gaggle of dark-pelted newcomers, and offer them a bashful sort of smile.

The details of this occasion were completely lost upon Calder Valour. He toddled through the plush territory of the brook, his eyes wide as ever as he approached the large gathering of giant lions. Rhaella was first to speak, of course, and he found himself wishing to disappear within the depths of her shadow when facing the towering creatures at their doorstep.
Calder spied one of the smaller ones nearly running into the largest of them all, and he saw how excited these dark lions seemed to be there. Inwardly, he could not relate to this excitement. It felt as if they had all received an invitation to a party he had only stumbled into, and he was trying to deduce what the occasion was they were celebrating without cluing anyone into his ignorance in the first place. Standing a purposeful distance away from the rest, he craned his neck behind him in search of emotional support.

Wait 'til i get over this phase

Is that i knock on an early grave?

code by corvus

The small child of royalty followed at length behind @Rhaella, keeping her steady eyes on her ready-to-go sister while occasionally looking back to see @Calder coming along. It didn't take much to feel overwhelmed and by the sudden influx of smells and noise, Ju felt quite overcome with senses. There was a deep intake of breath as she stood still for a moment on the outside of the gathering. Eyes peering at each individual and while there was some happiness at seeing more cubs, there were more cubs. More folks to meet that would want to meet her and she them, but her fretful soul worried. So when her brother came closer she gravitated to him. Attempting to push her shoulder against his so that they might go forward together and be the braves souls that they were supposed to be.

table by ferus, art by dusk