ooc: Tiny 'gathering' event to celebrate his Sovereign ship of the Lagoon. Friends are welcome, Allies are welcome. Remember that the Lagoon is neutral grounds and any rogue's that come are welcome to join under the request from Vasilis first.

It had been nearly a week since he had claimed the lagoon. He had collected his borders with his scent, marking what was his and made sure all was well. He had called forth for Jewel and her family. Letting them know that they were welcome to come and relax - to gather and have fun. He had also called out for those who he allowed safe harbor within the pride to the outskirts of the lagoon. Just shy from where @Jewel's own Caladan cove resided and where his own Lagoon started, he found himself a perfect piece of the beach. The waters hinted in dual-toned colors. The shade from the tree's giving amble resource from the heat of the setting sun.



Vasilis had waited for dusk to be in full swing, the clutch of small animals laying dead against a long-dead shell of a large sea turtle. Besides the meaty morsels were a variety of fruity Melons and broken exposed Coconuts in different sizes. The melons were yellow, orange in the shape of something pointy and dangerous but to him, it tasted amazing. Vasilis had aimed to tell some stories as well, to which he had wished he told Mallory to come and tell some of her amazing stories. But he doubted she would show unless her ears were burning.

He would call out then to those who he welcomed to join him, @Amra, @Pistis, @Elijah, and any that he had dubbed friends to join this merry event and have fun. It was all to welcome these lands under his ruling - to please the guardians of the world that he was here for the good of all and not the bad. Though he was not sure if that helped since he had spilled so much of his own blood the day of his claim to the Lagoon. But he was here to please the gods and those above who would listen.

The fireflies slowly darted around the beach sands giving a beautiful ambiance of lights as they floated about. And how odd that the beach too seemed to be glowing with each step he made through the waters back to the sea turtle shell to drop some trinkets for Jewels cubs to enjoy.

the evening was picturesque, and it was finally time for ambrosine and her kin to officially take homage within the lagoon. she had made herself clear to dirius, and had not faltered when explaining her decision to her family — eventually, of course, they would have their own pride again. but for now, the life of a rogue was simply too fickle of a thing, and getting amra back had become of the utmost importance. tensions were too high, the risks too prominent, and it wore heavily upon the parisian’s head, forcing her into action.

and so, steadily does she make her way towards the pride gathering, her chin angled upwards and lips smoothed into an array of clean, even lines. she had explained her reasoning to her family, but that did not necessarily mean that they would oblige — it was all just a waiting game, curious as ever. amethystine gaze casts itself upon @Vasilis first, offering him a warm, engaging smile, as the woman’s lips part. ”well, this is quite the welcome.” velvet tones hums, chest rumbling in a soft sound of amusement, before her maw would twist over her shoulder and look to those that had chosen to follow her here.

optional: @Manes @Vermier @Tripfire @Xerxes @arizona @Amara @Ramona

even on the bad days, the lagoon was gorgeous. the water was nothing short of picturesque, and here in the dimming light of dusk, it seemed to glow. his homeland had never been quite so pretty - but maybe that was his memories, coloring the shore from whence he came. it's hard to dwell on the past when the lagoon stretches out before him, lit up by both the moon and the buzzing of fireflies. a happy sigh rumbles from his throat as he approaches the small crowd, chuffing lightly to those already assembled. diuris is always a welcomed sight (and if elijah gives him a once-over to see how well his wounds were healing, then certainly no one could blame him!) and the woman is familiar too, he realizes after a moment - he hardly recognizes her without bats swooping around her!

"good evening, everyone," he offers, shooting both of them a wide smile, stopping just short of where they stood. it's only then does he realize that diuris has acquired quite the spread, and he observes it all with wide eyes. "oh, this all looks wonderful!" he murmurs, voice thick with awe - a little touched by the consideration. diuris certainly didn't have to get them anything for this gathering, but he'd gone above and beyond. "you've done far too much!" elijah observes with a pointed smile, but smiles nonetheless. diuris must be feeling much better, if he could wander around to gather all these items! there was food (both meat and fruit, the latter of which elijah was especially curious about), and surely there would be more lions coming. easily the medic reclines on his haunches, eager to see what else the sovereign had in mind.

""

Tripfire figured that they would be staying for a bit but he didn't think it would be forever. Maybe it was childish, hint it was, but he wanted a throne. He would be a great boy-king. Amazing! Or at least he thought so. Tail twitching he followed his mother moving to brush against her right front leg looking up at the king, he wasn't about to grovel for forgiveness. He was above that. He didn't need to beg for forgiveness. Not from anyone. Except maybe his parents. ”maman” he murmured to her softly, though he was sure she knew he was there.

@Ambrosine

He didn't want to be there, but whatever. Xerxes had a plan to get away from the lagoon, he need only wait for it to come to fruition. Timing was essential, after all.

The teenager slumped onto his haunches without a word, settling himself away from the members of his family. He would show up, mingle for a few moments, and retreat back to the hole he crawled out from. Hopefully.

the adults were all up to something, and it irritated cassine that she was being left out of all the fun! her age often escaped her, not understanding the breadth and severity of the drama that her parents and uncle had involved themselves in. but, still, she had little say in where she ended up, or where her parents would look to whisk her away too -- and so, here she was. on the doorstep of an unknown man, looking for salvation beneath his sandy, wet roof.

the only perk, at that moment, was that both of her brothers had come also, and were not going to abandon her to deal with this all on her own. chirping lightly as she followed behind, cassine steps are wide and purposeful as she pushes into the crowd, gaze scanning the unknown faces with curiosity, as well as a twinge of reservation. "who's that?" the babe whispered towards @Xerxes, referring the golden brute, as she hoped to slide up along his flank and take her spot next to him.

Vermier obediently followed his sister. It was her decision where the group would settle, as he would repeatedly assure her, and as usual it would be difficult to draw out his own opinion. Not because he was shy but because he didn't have one. He didn't have the right to. Didn't even want to have one. As far as he was concerned the perfect Dieudonne male didn't have any opinion at all about any of the orders given to them and clearly he needed to work better on being perfect.

The guard trailed behind, making sure to watch the backs of all the cubs. One of the bastards wound around his sister's paws. Fat leech. At least he wouldn't need to watch that one. Another bastard hung back - that was fine, he was a male and didn't need to observe any diplomatic customs too closely - but Cassine decided to join him instead of hitching along with Ambrosine as Vermier thought she should. He hesitated. It would be stepping beyond his bounds to discipline his sister's female cub. But he didn't like her being friends with the bastard. A male. It might make her grow soft. Soft bastards were an annoyance... soft future matriarchs an existential threat.

Vermier lowered his paw from where it had been hanging midair and decided not to join the proceedings. He stayed back far enough to watch the cubs and rested, stomach in the sands, letting his bruises rest. There was only the king and one stranger, otherwise they were all cannibals here. Stranger was small and soft looking. Maybe they could eat him?

Oleander followed after Vermier, a silent shadow to the older male. He was still in training and while a wandering eye drifted over to the other cubs he didn't move to join them. He wasn't allowed, or so it felt. Vermier's training hadn't said that he could talk to them. They would see his flaws. They would know that he couldn't fluently speak the language that he was meant to be able to speak.

Wistful glance over Oleander took in the rest of the gathering. There was Ambrosine, someone he knew by name from Vermier but hadn't really had much interaction with, with another cub. A couple of other adult lions he had never seen before. There was also food but no one was eating. And a lifting crane of his neck showed Oleander there weren't those squirmy bugs on it. Why was no one eating meat without squirmy bugs? Experience told him meat with squirmy bugs didn't taste that great.

The cub had no clue what was going on but he knew better than to ask questions. Instead the boy stood tense and ready next to Vermier. Vermier was allowed to relax but he was not. Expect an attack at all times, that lesson had been drilled into him.

@Ambrosine was the first to enter and he would smile brightly at her words. "this was the best I knew how to welcome your family and all else that reside within my walls." he chuckled. When @Elijah came in he smiled just as bright "Elijah! Please come try the fruits I assure you they are the best around the Lagoon." he tells the lead healer before looking to the younger generation that then follows into the beach. @Tripfire which was the first as he nods "Hello young one - welcome to the Lagoon. You are welcome to eat some of these delish melons that grow just feet behind you." he taps one of the bright green and yellow mounds near him.

The next @Xerxes simply retreat to the shadows, but the child doesn't go unnoticed by the golden male. "Hello. I hope you enjoy tonight's festivities." he calls out the silent child from behind Ambrosine. The next was @Cassine who was also seeking to stay far from him "Hello" he dipped his head. Even though the two were far from the gathering of the others, Vasilis wanted to be sure all were met with the same emotions and soundness for those who were closer to him.

@Vermier had entered next looking a bit better than the last time he had seen the man. He dips his head with a smile. "Vermier I am glad to see you doing well." he tells the man before then seeing another child enter, @Oleander, as he stood tensely next to Vermier. "You are welcome to both eat. I assure you they are fresh and the finest of foods we offer here." Vasilis would wait for more to come - if they would come that is - before finally clicking his tongue.

He shifted and nodded to Ambrosine and Elijah first. "I'd like to make this a night of pleasentries, I am to announce that Lady Ambrosine is to become Gentry of the Lagoon. And this man here." he points to Elijah once more "Is our Lead healer - whom is well versed in all things, if anything is needed to be looked after for pains or injuries - he's the man you'll call upon for aid." he tells them before looking to Vermier. "Vermier, I would like if you would have me. To become our Lead Fighter, if that is something that you wish to consider." he then turns to the children. "And while all of you reside with Ambrosine here at the Lagoon I would like you all to officially hold the title of Lagoon Children." he then turns back to his Gentry and Lead Healer.

"Our allies are the Caladan Cove as well as the Andal Oasis. The Obsidian Hollow is to be met with.....caution as history provides that they do not fit our ideals and way of life. That being said if an Obisidian Hollow has a member that comes here seeking refuge from whatever may happen in the Hollow - they are to be welcomed as if they were coming from the Cove or likewise, the oasis." he was not going to turn a blind eye to those who needed a place to hide regardless of where their 'home' was. "Tonight will be a night to swap stories, jokes and enjoy the meal before you to your bellies content. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me." he nodded.

Hopefully, this would be a fun occasion for all that had come to him and to those that were to come as well. He had hoped that perhaps Jewel would make her way to the festivities but he knew not to hold his breath even if they were neighbors, she was probably neck-deep in her own duties as leader of the Cove.

the woman's gaze moves first to @Elijah as he arrives on scene, pushing forth compliments and sweet introductions to the rest of the growing crowd. her lips curl upwards, flashing a brief, charming smile in the ashen man's direction, before her attention is enthralled by a flurry of movement behind her. and it is then that all the other bodies trickled in, thankfully having not changed their minds or dragged their feet (too much) during the short travel here. @Tripfire, @Xerxes, @Cassine, @Oleander, and @Vermier all pooled into the beach, and instantly does the parisian feel a sense of relief wash over her. unfortunately, however, she was still missing some -- amara, ramona, arizona, and most of all, manes, who she was shocked had opted to stay behind. she could not begin to fathom what would cause him to bypass the family's move, but she intended to track him down, soon enough, and sort the situation out.

for now, however, she could put all of that behind her, if only for the sake of her family in this moment. and so, the woman would arch her neck back towards those gathered, ushering them forward with a brief gesture of her paw, as her voice reaches out towards @Vasilis. ”diuris, i'd like you to meet my family.” velveteen tones offer, leaving a moment of opportunity for them all to introduce themselves. ”and to thank you again, for your hospitality.”