The journey wasn’t terrible, the Plains turned out to be not too far away. It was a quiet trek, made entertaining by the company of his sister. It was obvious, however, that the closer they got the tenser the dark brown beast became. Doubts would begin to swarm in his mind, what if Violarum took over and would not allow Deirdre to leave? What if… Teeth would clench, he had no qualms about fighting for his sisters freedom, but he didn’t want to make an enemy of the Plains- even Violarum had his uses as an ally. The borders were well marked by his friend and he would slow as they approached. Ronin would shake the tension from his body and turn to @Deirdre. “Ready for a cushion to rest on?” He asked, teasingly in the early morning light. Ronin would chuff softly for @Ghyslaine, kindly demanding her presence at the border. He didn’t trust the word of her pride-mates, not yet. He wanted to speak to her to make sure standings with the Mire were clear and that his intentions were clear as well. ”Hi " -- please allow Deirdre to post first--

The walk was quite pleasant, and the scenery while it didn't change much remained just as comforting. As welcoming as the fields beyond. But she could feel the shift as they got closer, and she went from casual small talk to glancing warily at @Ronin. Wondering if he was going to make it or change his mind...

Before long they made it. "Yeah sure - lay down." She launched her hip against him, as if trying to sit down on top of him. He was the most cushy thing around after all. But after her brief hip check she leaned in for a more soft touch, her nose upon his shoulder. Quickly she let her voice drop into quiet softness, a whisper upon the wind. "Don't let them see you sweat." This woman was supposed to be his friend after all, this meeting should go smoothly. It would be everyone after that grew harder... Everyone with all these lions whose names Deirdre did not yet have faces for, all strangers but some she felt like she knew so well at the same time.

The soft chuff that summoned her from where she had been chewing on a bone nearby her den- a ear trained on it for sounds of the cubs rousing. She cast the den a long glance, deeming it quiet enough for her to leave it- and then, she turned away, and headed for the border. She moved quickly, to warm herself up after staying so still for so long, and once she emerged from the tall grass- her muscles had limbered up and her breath came evenly, if not a little quicker than it had before.

Surprise, lights her eyes and expression as she beholds @Ronin and another at the border, but she recalls his words at the Obsidian challenge, and she smiles easily at them. "You found us easily enough, I hope?" She greets him. "Welcome to Lorien Plains." She says with a grin. "I'm Ghyslaine," She offers to the strange lioness, with a friendly grin, and looks between them both, curiously.

@Deirdre

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The swing of her hip into his flank would cause the beast to sway, glaring at her playfully at her words. “Oh you wish.” He huffed, smirking at his sister. She was perhaps the only lion in the world he joked with so openly, the only one besides Slaine that had seen his softer side (well and his mother…but that was different). Her lean would turn soft, nose brushing against strong flesh of his shoulder. He smiled faintly at the familiar and reassuring sibling affection. Her voice would drop low, barely a whisper, ears twitched to pick up the words spoken and he would nod slightly. Head turning so that his chin could brush the top of her skull before he would turn back to the plains patiently. They did not wait long. The familiar and friendly face of @Ghyslaine would appear, showing a look of surprise as her gaze shifted between him and his sister. Her greeting would be met with a smile “well enough. Hard to miss such an open space.” He teased lightly, nodding at her welcome. She’d introduce herself, knowing good and well that was for @Deirdre and not himself. He gave his sister a pause to respond before speaking. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing company.” He doubted she would. “Before we seek acceptance, I was hoping you could tell me more of the Plain’s standings with the other prides?” Really, he only cared about the Mire but he didn’t want to be totally obvious. “As well as agree that should Deirdre wish to leave, you allow it without a fight.” His words were fairly blunt, he had no doubt that Ghyslaine would never hold a pride mate against their will. They both knew Violarum would…at least for awhile. ”Hi "

Their greeter has obvious familiarly with her brother. Deirdre waits for a few breaths before speaking up to introduce herself. Unafraid to insert herself into this equation. Quite eager actually to dive into the dynamic and many relationships her brother has made here. Deirdre, the adorable sibling. She says with a smile and deceptively wholesome wave.

Deirdre nods to Ronin's addendums. The politics could be interesting to know, although knowing what she did from him her suspicion was that it wasn't quite politics Ronin was after. Not entirely anyways. Bless his heart. His other came as an ultimatum. One that seemed amusing to Deirdre. For the younger lion would love nothing more than to beat up any man (or woman) who tried to keep her around. Making them regret it would be funny. She leaned in a little towards Ghyslaine with a smile on her face. She acts like she's trying to keep a secret from Ronin but in reality speaks loud enough that the nearby lion could most definitely hear. Personally though I'd be happy to pound on anyone I need. Ghyslaine. This Violarum dude. The next strange king to come along. It wasn't personal. It's a promise. But for her brother's sake however Deirdre hopes that such a thing wouldn't be necessary. He had enough on his mind, his sister's freedom and autonomy need not be added into the pile.

Ghyslaine laughs softly, at @Ronin 's words, and nods, "Easy enough to find, but strange that it just appeared after the weird storms we had. Another pride cropped up in the North- Illyria Summit. It's run by a lioness named Morrigan and her wife, Talisa." She shared the information. Then the lioness with Ronin introduced herself, as @Deirdre , and Ghyslaine couldn't help but grin at the way she did so. "A pleasure, Deirdre." She said.

To Ronin's question on standings, Ghyslaine reclines onto her haunches, and nods. "My husband, Nero Valentine rules with me here- he's recently taken up residence and mantle of Sovreign alongside me. We've decided to not be allied with any pride- the Mire included... He's... not a huge fan of Alaric, honestly." She frowned. "And for the sake of my marriage, and keeping my cubs safe and out of harms way with wars and fighting.. well, it makes sense to go for true neutrality. No allies, just staying neutral among everyone. A safe haven for anyone who wants out of the constant fighting bullshit, is our goal for our home." She says. "I need to go talk to Alaric yet, but that is something we've recently decided in the last few days- and how we'd like to move forward." She shared. "So... Neutral is the plan, honestly. Truly neutral."

At Ronin's last question, Ghyslaine smiled at them both. "I can also assure you, no one is held here against their will. Not by me or my husband. I don't believe in that. When/If you wish to leave- you are free to do so, with my blessing and hopes for happiness in whatever you seek."

@

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@Deirdre would speak, adding her own twist to an introduction and the warrior would smirk to her. There were times he questioned if she were even capable of being serious, but with someone like @Ghyslaine, he did not mind the light hearted and playful demeanor she showed. It was better to be friendly with the Queen than to be unnecessarily blunt. Ronin would roll his eyes as she leaned in to fake whisper to Ghyslaine about beating up anyone that tried to contain her or hold her prisoner. Yeah…that was his sister... The Queen would explain the peculiar rising of the Plains- and another Pride and land never before patrolled- and his brow would furrow, head tilting curiously. Morrigan and Talisa. He did not readily recognize the names, but something felt familiar about them. “Have I met them before?” He’d ask, but really, he meant, had he fought either of them? It was possible he hadn’t and the familiarity was misplaced, but it never hurt to double check. Ronin wasn’t exactly known for getting the names of all the lions he had fought. Ghyslaine would take a seat and Ronin would follow suit, taking it as they would be here for a minute discussing politics. The name of her mate, Nero, did not ring a bell either and he would nod slightly, listening and absorbing all of the information that she gave them. When she spoke of not being allied with any pride, a look of shock would be seen on his façade, but what captured his attention more was the fact that her husband was not a huge fan of Alaric. He wanted to blurt out the question that burned on his tongue, but he sat still as a statue, waiting patiently as she continued. Speaking about the reasoning behind not being allied with any pride. It made sense…in a way, but he’d never known any pride to remain truly neutral for too long. Friendship and familial ties and all of that. He would glance to Deirdre, wondering if she was having the same thought as he was. Ghyslaine would draw his attention, however, and he listened as she assured them both that no one would hold them. He would nod his head, grateful for the acknowledgement of that. “Thank you..” He would trail off, taking a breath before speaking again. “Why doesn’t your husband like Alaric?” He asked curiously. “I’m sure you are aware that he and Slaine have…” He paused awkwardly, not really wanting to talk about it. “ grown close….but I’m trying to still be friends with them both.” He wished he had never fallen for Slaine, his feelings made things so much more awkward. Ronin would shift, straightening ever so slightly. “I wouldn’t want to put your family in the predicament of having an enemy, should they need help and I go to their aide…” Why he still felt that sense of loyalty, he did not know, but Slaine was the mother of his child, he couldn’t fully turn his back on her. “If the Mire does need help, do you plan to turn them away?” He would continue asking, making sure he understood where exactly this neutral boundary was with Ghyslaine as well as to let her know where he stood as well. “There’s also something else…Iona wants to come live with me. I don’t doubt you would welcome her, but I do not know yet how Slaine will take this…” He came seeking a home while carrying quite a bit of baggage…although nearly all was self caused. He could easily get rid of a lot of it by simply saying he would not defend the Mire if they needed help. ”Hi "

Neutrality could be a problem for Deirdre. She didn't speak up, didn't let her gaze or facade shift to suggest her thoughts... But she was not afraid to make somr enemies herself or rock the boat in some ways. Could imagine a few lions taking offense to that... But for now she'd have to wait to express that concern to her brother later when they were alone. And, begrudgingly, try to behave for a bit.

She, perhaps unexpectedly, was going to let quiet and just think. But there came more names, more facts. And it was a for the relative newcomer. Not that she faltered completely but it did feel like there was a short circuit somewhere amidst all of this new information she was getting. Whoa, whoa hold on. Deirdre felt dizzy trying to figure this all out and keep it straight in her head. You- She indicates Ghyslaine. - are friends with my brother who's now ex-wife is fucking the King that your husband hates. She glanced quickly between the two lions to make sure she has at least this piece of the web straight. A little bit of a longer look given to Ronin, a weird mixture of his sister's unique brand of delight and love for drama with a bit of honest worry. This wasn't a pride of neutrality this was a pride of denial, a powder keg. And while she didn't mind that fact one bit it did give her pause when it came to her brother. The rest of these lions it would be quite fun to watch further tangle themselves up until they choked, but not him. She wanted him to be happy and content... For now entirely possible here but Deirdre was less certain for the future of that. She didn't want him to fall into this seeming trap of disillusionment and distopia.

She felt that now familiar aching in her gut- the feeling that she was somehow betraying a part of herself, as she revealed her new intentions to be neutral. Did neutrality ever work? Could it work when the land was beginning to shift as such? Wolfbron was spreading in power... and how long would it be before someone made a move for Lorien? Ghyslaine was not a fool... they had lived in peace for too long.

Yet, silent is how she remains, until Ronin asks about the rulers. "They both fought in the war at the Mire that erupted after Cassandra challenged Alaric for the pride?" She explained, wondering if he would somehow remember them then. She couldn't remember if Ronin was still around then, but she was thinking he had been. "Morrigan has been around a while- far longer than I have. Talisa was Sovreign of Vermeda for a while along with Aquila."

As to why Nero didn't like Alaric? Ghyslaine took in a deep breath. "Nero... was adopted by Saga Sigrun." She said simply. "He has since... stepped away from the Sigrun name and traditions, and our children will not be raised in such... but..." she shrugged. "I can assume you can.... put two and two together on why he and Alaric may not see eye to eye?" Then she realized his sister would not likely know. "The Sigrun, and Alaric's family he married into the Rike... have a longstanding fued. I'm not a fan of the Sigrun and their beliefs. I don't support them in the least but... I just want out of the fighting... at least until my cubs don't need me so much." She admits.

"I am aware of Slaine and Alaric, and I am sorry." She says softly, and kindly. Not sorry that Slaine had found happiness, but sorry that Ronin's heart had been hurt in the process. "I would never stop you from aiding them. Alaric and Slaine... the Mire... they're my family. I would only stay away for the sake of my cubs- that they keep a mother in their lives." Really, that was the base of all of this. She didn't want to leave her cubs... without a mom. That primal fear of losing one of them or herself and them unable to defend themselves... Ronin was a father, could he see that? "Of course Iona is welcome here. I haven't seen her since I left the Mire, and I'm sure she's larger than I am now."

"Truthfully, with the shifting in the politics of the land... I don't know how much you've caught up on? Wolfbron has now had members take two other prides... I can only assume they're allied- but I do not know for certain. It seems... that a lot is changing." She sighs softly. "I won't claim to know everything, @Ronin... @Deirdre. I only know what today offers, and what I hope for tomorrow." And she wanted for tomorrow was a safe place for her cubs to live, and better world.

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More names, more places, the wealth of information gathered over months of someone living here came down upon Deirdre in just one short conversation. And it was... a lot. And onwards the conversation went until Deirdre felt upside down and lost in the back of it all. Struggling to keep up and not able to engage. Quiet fell and she sighed, features clearly becoming overwhelmed. Oddly so for her. We don't live in tomorrows. Deirdre said with a hint of remorse but heavily factual tones. That's the thing about tomorrow, it never comes. It's always today and for most of her life living for today suited Deirdre just fine. She glances towards her brother for a moment and leaned over to give his neck a nudge. I'm going to go get settled in, you keep catching up if you want. Deirdre had felt an intruder in this conversation anyways, and this wasn't the place she wanted to play snotty nosed sister butting into big brother's business.

/quick exit