He'd been here once, before.

The ground had been unstable then. Tremors rocked the mountain and the floor below it, making everything unstable. That, combined with all the poor weather washing out the trails and loose soil.... the peaks had been a nightmare to traverse. Now, though, the weather is calm. The day is bright and, while not warm, certainly warmer than it had been. Brunette ears pitch forward in wonder, quietly considering.

Did that mean spring had finally come?

Tentative paws carry the larsen forward, as they pause to sniff at the new growth on the trail. Fresh green buds peaking up through the dirt, an omen if they've ever seen one. Huh. It was about time, he knows; it should be summer heat by now with how late in the year it was. But they would get there, he assumed. Picking back up the trail, absalom continues onward and upward, pausing again only once he's reached a crest.

And here, the island lays spread out before him -- the view unhindered and beautiful.

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This place might seem like harsh terrain for most, but for Mathias it was what he was most comfortable with. Every little mountain path, every little scrap of tundra, every stone in his paw... it reminded him of home, for better or worse. Remnants of a recent landslide hindered his path only temporarily - with practiced steps, he moved to higher ground and skirted around the debris. His expression lifted a little once he caught wind of @Absalon up ahead. With a low chuff he would seek to alert his older brother to his presence, quickening his pace until the familiar form came into view on the horizon. "What the hell is going on in this place," the brute chuntered in common tongue as he sought to draw up alongside his littermate, attention shifting across the wreck and ruin that both flanked and lay behind them, before focusing on what was ahead.

And... oh. It was rather breath-taking, actually. "Looks nice enough, doesn't it?" It was a casual statement - a bid to half-heartedly try and conceal the fact that, despite the shit they'd just walked into, Mathias was actually rather taken with the place when it sprawled out before him like this. It looked promising. The sort of place, maybe, he could call home. The Larsen lowered himself down to sit a few inches away from the cusp of the crest, attention shifting up to his brother. Would @Absalon be so easily impressed?

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what the hell is going on in this place?

the voice is familiar, and so is the grumbling. brunette ears pitch backward as his paws falter, a meaningful pause as absalon slows to allow @Mathias to draw closer. there is a knowing look in his eye, because he knows — this was nothing compared to what the peaks used to be. watch your footing, he says instead, in his typical older brother tone — equal parts condescending and genuinely worried.

it might get worse, is left unsaid. mathias should know this.

but — it doesn’t. the trail up gets easier as they go, until there is nothing but the view and the fresh, clear air. at his brother’s words, all soft and thinly veiled, absalon smiles. a quiet thing, mostly for himself, as he rolls a shoulder — happy to play the part. looks just fine to me, he says, pausing for a long moment, before his smile grows. cocksure and sharp, as he rolls a shoulder into his brother’s side. this place might just be it. wistful words from a wanderlust soul, but there is something about this island that speaks to him.

even with all the heinous and hurtful weather.

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In his typical way, the first thing to leave Absalon's mouth would be a caution; weighty, with an ample mixture of concern for wellbeing and delight at the opportunity to dictate. Mathias would allow it, though - after all, this was @Absalon they were talking about. The brother he loved to tease and niggle at, and the very same he'd look for before anyone else on the battlefield. It just went without saying. They were yin and yang. So, with a fond roll of the eyes, he took lighter steps and extra precautions. They were Larsen, and knew better than anyone else the dangers of being sloppy on a mountainside. Especially one that looked this unstable, with its dislodged rocks and pathways disturbed by debris indicative of serious turmoil. For now, though, they seemed to be able to enjoy a quiet spot. Mathias' silvery gaze shifted over the very same picture that Absalon was appreciating, and his shoulders sagged a little. He didn't want to get his hopes up too soon in terms of settling, but so far? Things seemed promising. He jostled back as his older sibling jarred a shoulder blade into his flank, wrinkling his nose up in faux annoyance as he sought to lift a paw and playfully swat at the other. That'll teach you! "I hope so. I'm growing bored of having just you for company."

Oooh, burn.

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They snort, a disdainful sound -- but when it's aimed at their younger brother, it sounds terribly found. Even with the swat (that they dodge, artfully) and the pest like nature. Absalon grins, despite himself, letting the teasing fall away easily enough. I'll remember that the next time you need me, he warns though, brows furrowing on a playfully serious.

A short, then, as his muzzle twists. Looks back to the view, considering. There's plenty of island they haven't seen -- room for opportunity, for growth, for adventure. We could find a place to stay, soon. He says, almost gently -- quietly prodding to see matty's opinion on this. Did he want to settle down and find a place to rest his head? Or did he want to stay wandering and roaming?

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The jest was, for the most part, taken in the spirit it was intended. @Absalon could sometimes be a bit of a stuffed shirt, but no matter - like brothers did, they fell right back into easy and affable conversation. "Oh, you surely would not let me perish if a terrible fate befell me, brother?" Of course he wouldn't. The man was far too charitable for that. Mathias smiled, then - a wide and wicked thing, and not the sort of expression you would expect to be worn by someone that bore such fatigue as the Larsen did. In truth, he's just relieved that they've found somewhere to rest their weary bones - even if safety was a little precarious.

Oh, how their forefathers would roll in their graves if Absalon and Mathias died in a landslide, of all things.

"I'd like that. Somewhere to settle, just for now." Given how many weeks - nay, months - solid they'd spent on the move, it seemed sensible. Before one, or both of them, keeled over. "Besides, your bones must be aching by this point, old man."

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Brother does not sting the way it usually does, as jovial as they are here. Emersed in spring, beholden to the new life of the island. That is exactly what I will do, they say, deadpan -- easily leaning into this familiar routine. And when you ask why, I'll remind you of this moment. A good moment, made better for their teasing -- no matter what absalon syas.

What are you wanting in a pride? He asks, ears tipping forward. Pointedly ignoring the last bit of matty's speech, since he'd been the one to drak them both up here in the first place. Could an old man do that? Smh. Maybe the beach? We could kick back and relax... he says, disdain already rgident in his tone even if he tries not to let it show. Oops.

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"You are rude," he huffed, feeling rather slighted by his brother. Any deflation he felt at his zinger of a joke being ignored would quickly subside in favour of enjoying the view and making plans. Making plans was good - it bode well for their future. It was all Mathias could ask for, truthfully. "What do I want in a pride?" He mirrored the query, tilting his head in momentary thought. "Stability. If someone is to command us, they must be worth our loyalty. We cannot bend the knee to just anyone." His expression turned lightly mischievous then. "If they do not satisfy... we will just have to take the throne from them." Idly, he wondered what @Absalon would make of that notion. His expression soured quickly at mention of any beaches. That was one thing Mathias could not get on board with. He could detect the sarcasm easily, but it did not stop him from showing vehement disapproval. "You know how I feel about sand, brother. We are mountain stock, and mountain stock we shall stay."

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He is terribly fond of his snot nosed younger brother.

Matty's answer is far more thoughtful than he expected. He expected another zinger or three but instead he gets a true answer. Gears shift, settling easily into the calculating older brother role -- nodding along in agreement. I don't know anything of these lands, or who rules what, or what we might come across. He admits quietly. Something they'll have to combat together. But it's good to know that we're on the same page. The cousins will need to be roped in later, but absalon is worried only about matty at the moment.

We could stay here, he says, a wry smile on his lips. Make our own pride. Wouldnt his younger brother look nice in a crown of their own making? Mountain stock and all, and kings they will be. Once more.

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Mathias knew when to be serious, and the conversation had taken a turn to a point where the self-described - and accurately labelled - snot-nosed younger brother would pipe down and listen. It was true - they were going into this blind. But the longer they stayed and the more they learned, the better a position they would be in. And the brute was all for mingling with the locals, even if he was a little emotionally stunted and bull-headed at the best of times. "Yes," he rumbled in light-hearted agreement, "and, personally, I think we'll be absolutely fine." Because they would be dealing with it together, and that's all that mattered. He couldn't help but get a little animated at the notion of ruling their own pride, and - with a huff of laughter - he preened, fluffing his mane up in preparation for the crown that was to sit atop it. "We would probably do a better job than these Southerners anyway."

With another chuckle - and some more planning - Mathias would quite happily wile away some more time with his sibling. They had things to do, and dens to find, but for now? Why not enjoy the view.

They'd have to get used to it.

EXIT

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