Envy had since departed these lands, but not before he had spoken to Recluse, the designated second in command, though it was difficult to recall with any certainty who of his siblings was the first from the womb. Poltergeist had not shown interest in the role of leading, only following. Archaic was perhaps the only one that could challenge Recluse's new claim to leadership, but he seemed to lack in ambition. With him, they might remain as there were now. Recluse tired of Envy's infinite patience, believing the family needed to take strides toward former glories. Even if the chateaux male returned, Recluse might be prepared to defend what was presently his. From above the safe harbor of the Black home, he would send up a summons, calling to all of his kin to brave the snowy afternoon in order to attend a meeting. Recluse would see the family flourish, see long-standing traditions made crystal clear.

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Papa was calling. For Mneme that is what mattered the most. He didn't get the point of having coming all the way up here. There was only a little water and that water was always hot. Hot water didn't taste good. The jury was still out on the snow. It felt weird to walk on but at least it didn't get him dirty. So that was a plus at least.

Mneme left behind the warmth of the den to go and see what it was that his father wanted. A yawn left his lips and caused a puff of steam to slip into the air. He moved over to to seek to brush against his father when he got close. The older cub kept on moving to sit near to the water and soak in the heat coming up from the hot springs.

@Recluse

A call had echoed though the barren wasteland that was the Freeze. Vain was nearby when the call rang out... and as he made his way at his own pace toward whoever was summoning them, he began to wonder why he had stuck around for so long. Perhaps it was to be closer to Opium? Perhaps it was some strange need to be closer to family in general? Perhaps he was just sick and tired of being lonely... even though he often spent his time in solitude even now.

Whatever the reason, he made an effort to throw it from his mind for now. Those thoughts were best delt with when the moon was high and his insomnia was at it's peak anyway. Shuffling to the meeting ground, Vain was quite surprised to see Recluse standing alone (excluding his little goblin, of course). His icy gaze made one last discrete sweep, but Envy was nowhere to be seen.

'Wonderful... We're under new management.' He thought to himself as he released a quiet sigh. This was not going to be a plesant meeting.

Vain played with the idea of greeting Recluse verbally... tossing it around in his mind before eventually dismissing the notion. Instead he opted to stay silent, slipping over to the warmth of the hotsprings as well. The young cub Recluse created did have common sense, Vain would give him that much.

image by moogle/code by saph

Recluse's call rang out, and Poltergeist was still nestled warmly in his den. His brother's summons would reverberate through the cave and echo against the stoney walls of his den, stirring Poltergeist from his slumber. "Oarrgghhh!" he groaned and yawned at the same time, parting his jaws for a huge yawn. He took his time waking up, stretching, and then eventually crawling from his den to fully stretch and then shake out his coat. The cold, stone floor woke him up further as he made his way towards the hot springs. Whatever.

The day greeted him like a shock to the eyes and he squinted as he left the Black Manor, following the trails of paws - both big and small - that led from the manor to Recluse's chosen meeting place. Eventually, his eyes adjusted enough to where he could see those that had gathered had gathered in the hot springs. Well, fuck, that wasn't a bad idea! Poltergeist made haste the rest of the way, eventually slowly dipping into the hot springs, finding a clear enough space to wade in, feeling the warmth soak into his fur, his skin, his bones as his curly locks floated on the surface of the water. "Might as well join us, @Recluse . It'll be awhile before the others get here," he spoke up at his brother, flicking a momentary glance towards @Vain . "Even though Opium and @Archaic live right on the mountain..." he added as a sarcastic side note.

@Mneme

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The Merle lioness slowly walked in, eyes glancing at the others, She'd truly only let them in passing, she searched for her sister but did not see her yet, the female stood, looking up at Recluse before looking away. Here she stood, meatless, Envy had left, and she had wanted to go with him at first, but she had taken a moment to think, and decided that maybe, this was a journey for Envy to take, he promised he would come back to her, but she didn't know if it were true.

What if he didn't come back? Left her mate less, cubless, unable to do anything because of his selfishness, she had wanted to spit and throw things at him when he'd decided to leave, because at first she wasn't going to get to even accompany him, and she was furious. She was his mate, or atleast something to him, they'd never done anything, it was as if Envy was not interested in making their marriage sealed. Though he swore that wasn't the case, a small sigh escaped her as she sat back on her haunches.

Hyperion wasn't far behind his brother when he left the den, but unlike Mneme, he did get distracted along the way. With the snow quickly piling up each night in this area, he was... less accustomed to having to traverse the thick, frozen stuff. With his small body (smaller than those of his siblings), he found it difficult to climb over the piles. He had a bright idea to try taking a shortcut through the copse of trees beside the manor, hoping to find less snow under their spread out branches. He was right.

Eventually, he managed, but by that time, it seemed like a few other lions had gathered. One male he hadn't recognized by sight, but had smelled in the manor, and the other he had met just recently. Hyperion waded into the shallows of the spring, finding the need to compensate for his short coat immediately after the wind began to blow. What was dad waiting for?

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So, @Recluse intended to take up the mantle of the Black family. What an intriguing thought that his brother would wish such responsibility upon himself. A shame, really, that Envy hadn't panned out quite as they thought he would. Slit pupils surveyed those present, noting cubs among the adults now. Someone had been busy... Multi-colored eyes drifted toward his betrothed, yet to be coveted by himself, and he wondered what Recluse would have of them.

Still, he walked beside @Opium, a show of pride within their coupling despite not having consummated as much. Shoulder-to-shoulder he would try to keep with the paler counterpart, leading them toward his brother and the others present; notably, @Poltergeist was among them, which pulled his dusk form toward the other brother. Situated close to his sibling there was a half smile upon the ink lips as he sat beside the male. How like Recluse to fill in the paws of our once great patriarch. Spoke in a droll tone, he half-rolled his eyes as pastel locks cascaded over the silver orb. Pointed ears flicked, unsure how this would go over with some of those who'd become established within Amaryllis already.

Tendrils danced as he shifted, moving to lean against Opium if she was there. What do you think? Would their lives actually change? There was no question that he would wish to leave the summit at this point. Establishment within a pride was hard enough, but he would follow his betrothed's decision whatever that may be.

image by moogle/code by saph

Opium sauntered towards the Hot Springs with her betrothed. She was quiet for the most part, taking in the sights and smells of the area, noting some scents that she hadn't quite perceived before. She allowed @Archaic to lead them for the most part as she directed her attention elsewhere. Perhaps she should extend the invitation to them to have them join up at the Summit?

When Archaic settled into a seat nearest to Poltergeist, Opium fought an eyeroll as she settled in the snow, farther away from the hot springs so that she didn't get too wet. She hadn't been seated too long before Archaic directed a question at her, and she blinked, looking towards Recluse before parting her lips to respond. "I think it's ambitious of him," she spoke, realizing that now she would have to direct her intel to Recluse instead. "Time will tell if he's the better Patriarch, as will his actions."

Then she looked over her shoulder, eyeing the few cubs that had collected here. One was a pretty collection of blues, and the other looked like a mohawked Recluse. She could only guess at who they belonged to. She offered them a smile, regardless, but she did not vocalize a greeting. When she straightened, she found @Vain and @Laveau nearby. Perhaps it'd be wise to invite them to the Summit as well.

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Io Black

Losing a home was tough, and even more if it was the only one she had ever known. After the little crisis she went through after their brief but likewise traumatic separation she stuck like glue to her siblings and father. Never leaving their side. The ocean seemed scary now, a place she didn't want to go near anymore. What if more angry waves threatened then again? She didn't want that ever again.

Today a meeting was started by her father and slowly she went to join. Finding her brothers already there, along faces she had yet to give a name to. Family but no one she knew that much. Slowly she made her way to seat bear her siblings. Quiet and saying nothing for now..

coded by flea - Art by Shazaki

The others would all begin to gather, seeking warmth within the springs for the most part. Recluse would not join them, finding the cold air rather refreshing personally. He would not deny the others the warm waters though, looking on dismissively as he waited for everyone to arrive.

"First, I would like to introduce everyone to the three cubs you see before you. They are my cubs, born of a lioness called Nebula. She took on the trials of the Black fever and recovered. She gave birth to Mneme, Io and Hyperion in the cove. Now that they are strong enough, I bring them to live among kin." He addressed, looking between his children and encouraging them to greet the extended family.

"Envy has left Amaryllis, leaving the leadership of the Black family open to the next eldest. The responsibility now falls to myself and my brothers. I would not deny either of them a chance if they wish it. Do either of you wish to lead?" He would question, looking between Poltergeist and Archaic for their response.

image by moogle/code by saph