This land that he had stumbled upon was something else entirely. A land full of opportunity but also of great unknown; it was better than where he had come from, that he was certain of. The further that the behemoth traveled north, the more interested he became. To his right, to the east, he could spot more land that seemed to simply be surrounded by water. The beautiful and dangerous water, he would add. Its properties vastly unknown thus entirely shrouded in a dark mystery that he was reluctant to solve by himself.

The closer he got to walking in between the two mountains on each side, the more scents he seemed to pick up. They were vastly different from one to the other, each a fragment of something someone had left behind. The brute lifted his head and gave a long look around him, his body giving pause to his travels. Form stock still and standing tall, head sweeping to the left to throw the lengthy fur from his eyes as he awaited what he could only sense might be coming.

everybody knows my name now

but somethin' 'bout it still feels strange. like lookin' in a mirror, tryna steady yourself and seein' somebody else and everything is not the same now

code by corvus

rogues seemed an endless infestation in amaryllis, like termites burrowing out of their towers, crawling across the ground in search of new lands to infest. he heard of lions scraping what they could from gigantic mounds, shamelessly devouring the bugs with chipped claws and teeth, body so brittle they no longer exercised the strength to hunt. so, too, seemed the disease of the rogue, traveling without heed or honor, taking what they could and leaving half-eaten carcasses in their tracks. they killed without mercy or purpose. such dishonor disgusted and upset bjorn. The black mane and tawny body of a foreigner flashes against the dying foliage, choking on seawater, surrounding the gates of his homeland. Bjorn jumps to his paws, ears back. with a bright blue, angry stare, he stalks towards the cliffs on either side of the passage, hovering right above the large, black-and-brown stranger. hidden between two boulders forming a cavern of sorts, bjorn's tail waves. obsidian-shade claws grasp at the earth below him. and you are? rumbles the massive cat, standing on all fours as he gazes down at the would-be traveler. bjorn keeps his distance. slow on foot but brutal in combat, he feels the need to reserve his strength and stamina. in the event he attacks this intruder, he will need as much energy as he can spare. are these lands welcome to new incumbents? i don't see or sense a pride dweller's presence?

While the behemoth was a vigilant man and had his senses on high alert, he had hoped that none would come across so aggressively. The male that approached from the ledges near was not displaying teeth and not exactly claws, but his tone implied that he was unsettled by the stranger's appearance. Gareth had no intention of turning back as this was free land; none had marked these paths as their own as far as he had seen or smelled.

The male held himself statuesque. Not an enemy, he addressed clearly and straight. There was no reason for this stranger to berate him and he would not act as though he had done anything wrong. I am without a pride, though I can smell one's faintly that have been here. It was not a stationary scent but rather one that had come and go on several occasions. Though, judging by the young males questions, Gareth wondered if he was just a rogue that didn't know much about the land within just as he did not.

everybody knows my name now

but somethin' 'bout it still feels strange. like lookin' in a mirror, tryna steady yourself and seein' somebody else and everything is not the same now

code by corvus

Bjorn, while not surprised, cocks an eyebrow. Right. He decides... better to believe this outsider, for... what reason does Bjorn have to reject the trust of an outsider? Except, despite being a rogue, Bjorn felt and saw Amaryllis as his true home. Therefore, it makes sense he's retaining a sliver of superiority, even if its sheen is dulled. Bjorn jumps down from the shallow cliff and approaches the male, quirking an eyebrow. A young mane peeks out from under the fur of his shoulders, wispy tufts of white contrasting against his gray pelt, and the stripes over his paws come in ever so faintly. Are you looking for a pride? asks the yearling. If you wait long enough, a pride member might find you here. They come every so often to check for potential recruits. But be forewarned - pride life is unforgivable, and swearing yourself to a king is... a soul-less promise. He cocks his head to the side, admiring the male's long, curly mane and dusky coat, with what appears to be a galaxy-like pattern along his coat. You are their type... But Bjorn puffs out his chest, offering the male a grin. I'm Bjorn Grave, a Viking fighter. The... title, though self proclaimed, told the stranger all he needed to know. Glad to make your acquaintance.

The last thing he was interested in doing was instigated a pointless fight when he knew that there would be no true outcome. The male was young judging by his mane and while seemingly pointed with his words, easily taken as asserting dominance. Perhaps he was testing himself with his words and learning how to be more up front now that he was an adult? Gareth remembered those years fondly while they were only a few off his, he could vaguely making out feeling quite powerful back then. Back then he'd been more boastful of his strength whereas now it was something he harbored but did not vainly spread.

Should the right pride present itself to me, I don't see why not. It wasn't at the forefront of his mind that he needed one as he didn't travel with a woman that would need safe keeping or be under watchful eyes. A pride, however, could give him responsibility and drive as it once had. The knowledge that pride members came here to recruit was interesting and outlandish but it made sense that they'd come here. It was looking to be a bridge to this new land and thus the perfect place to set up camp.

Gareth then hummed to himself, not quite sure he followed the youth's warning. Do you know much of these soul-less promises? Had this Bjorn, as he called himself, seen first hand what promises were without soul? Gareth had met many power hungry leaders just as he had met with pacifist ones. Granted, he also didn't know what the boy meant by being their type but figured that didn't quite need an explanation for now. Gareth Taur, he introduced himself as the male freely gave his name a kind remark, and same to you.

Does this place have a name? Perhaps at the very least he could get a little more acquainted with the menial things before being greeted by pride members. To know the little known facts before implementing himself somewhere.

everybody knows my name now

but somethin' 'bout it still feels strange. like lookin' in a mirror, tryna steady yourself and seein' somebody else and everything is not the same now

code by corvus

So. The man sought a home. Bjorn feels the soft... prickle of jealousy ripple over his thick coat. Now, he has his own family: a pride all his own, complete with his sisters, brothers, and mother, but... they live nearly isolated from all other lions, and Bjorn often feels unwanted and unimportant, as he contributes little to the family. Too large to hunt, and too young to breed, he simply eats and pretends to protect the family, though in his sub-adult stage there's really little he can do from an incoming rogue male who wishes their small family as his own. These fears haunt him endlessly, and his excuse... look, i'm only a year. just give me time, is becoming overused and abused. His sisters no longer find this argument valid or compelling. The right pride... Bjorn purses his lips. He sees now there's no talking this stranger out of his decision, but Bjorn can at least... inquire. What do you mean? Innocently, he sits, tail wrapped over his paws, cocking his head to the side with a blank, innocent stare. I am part of a pride. Ok, fine - not one of the big prides, but... I call it a pride? Now Bjorn's true inexperience shines through, crystal-colored eyes impoverished by the cruelty of the world. What do you think it's like? His question exposes Bjorn's true ignorance, and the white male only shakes his head. Admittedly... it's only what I have heard. I've never... met a pride lion before. My family... we've always been on our own. Traveled here for sanctuary, or something like that. Perhaps the Graves hoped to start their own pride in Amaryllis? Bjorn remembers the long, treacherous journey, how his paws hurt, how his mother could not carry all of them in her jaws. Be strong, little ones. We will be home soon. Standing once more, he takes steps towards Gareth. Maua's passage. The first place all travelers enter through when they reach Amaryllis.

Gareth didn't have all that much to compare these prides too seeing as he knew very little about them. The pride's he had seen had been rather strict in their rules, traditional he supposed in the sense that no one got a free ride and if you slack, you're punished. You don't want to be in the pride? You fight for your freedom. Obviously for men it was quite different but he'd made it pretty sweetly in the sense that the new leader that had risen when their old leader had passed and made it quite clear that he wanted Gareth gone. No true reason was given but they had always butted heads so it made no difference either way.

While the male in front of him was quite young, there was still a lot to learn so Gareth held his reservations close to his chest. Yearlings tended to be fragile things sometimes (he knew it better than most) and thus answered what he could and asked what he felt was necessary. The best pride tailored to my needs, as there was bound to be a pride here that he wouldn't agree with. Their laws and traditions might not align with his own and that would certainly make it a lot easier to choose when he could scratch one out of the running. Gareth listened, humming occasionally in solid understanding, as Bjorn expressed that he lived in a semi-pride basically. One seemingly built on the premise of family.

Maua's Passage within Amaryllis. The names rotating within his head as he thought on the name. It wasn't familiar by any story he had ever heard in his life but that just meant there was more to discover. And you're... positive that folks come here to recruit? he suddenly asked, looking away from the gray yearling and looking out across the expanse to the north and ultimately seeing nothing. Not a single soul was coming to either of them so either he had chosen a very poor time or they were some lazy little lions who didn't want a recruit or two.

everybody knows my name now

but somethin' 'bout it still feels strange. like lookin' in a mirror, tryna steady yourself and seein' somebody else and everything is not the same now

code by corvus

Jewel trailed slowly across the sands, her tails flicking near her haunches as she made her way closer to the pair that were speaking in low tones to one another. The ebony lioness was thinking of passing them by as they seemed engrossed in their conversation and she didn't want to bother them until the last words of the large maned male reached her ears. A smile touched the lips of the Sovereign before she adjusted course. "They do, though it sometimes takes us a little bit to get through the passage.. I'm Jewel - Sovereign of a pride to the northeast.." The female inclined her head towards the two males, cerulean optics passing over each form with curiosity before she shifted to get to where they could both see her without turning. "There are a few prides beyond these mountains to pick from if that is what you're seeking. I can give you information on Caladan - my pride... and if that is not what you are looking for, perhaps I can guide you to the other ones?" @Gareth @Bjørn [OOC: Vague on SL Details as it just got done]""

irish

Viper wasn't one to rush so she walked at a lesirely pace across what seemed to be a sand bridge.  Her bronze colored fur shineing a glistening reflection off the sea on either side. Their was a small smile on her was on her maw, as her large form walked with confidence towards the mainland. Despite being a loner in this new land she always made sure that her form was immaculately groomed.

As she drew closer her bi colored eyes scanned the three figures. Two male one female, or at least from what she could tell from this distance. Her we eyes were mainly drawn to the males but her eyes occasionally flickered over to the ebony feline. The ebony feline vaugly reminding her of someone she used to know.

She would sit on her hunches at a safe distance while keeping the tree felines in sight. "Oh..Hello there," she says softly as she joins the conversation. For now merely watching and listening

Why? Bjorn flicks an ear suspiciously. Are you looking to be recruited? It seems the more he talks to Gareth, the more on-edge Bjorn becomes. So... the lion did want a pride after all? He feels his claws slide out of their sheathes, digging at the earth underneath him as his muscles bunch, ready. Pride lions are dangerous. Pride lions are fools. They don't want peace and harmony, only to take what's theirs and slaughter the rest. So says his mother, at least. Nervous and skeptical of this lion's intentions, he takes a tentative step back from Gareth. However, before Bjorn even attempts to argue the side of the rogue wanderer, a dark femme nearly slides out of the shadows, her pelt so dark it appears more a mirage against the obscurity of the dim-lit wilderness. Bjorn jumps, nervous, before turning quickly to face the newcomer. I'm... unfamiliar with prides, admits the young brute, desperate to keep his voice from wavering. That look in her eyes meant interest: it feels familiar, like the stare of a hungry lion stalking a baby gazelle, unaware of its presence and intentions, willfully ignorant of its impeding moment of death. Another voice. Bjorn is stunned by the approaching lioness, smelling not of pride but of earth and soil. Another rogue. His hackles relax. Hello. Bjorn's tone is cautious, eyes darking back and forth between Gareth, the black female, and the new addition to their group. I suppose... introductions are in order?