They had claimed the Lagoon for a mere month before an unnatural cold set in and drove what few members they had out. Poltergeist would muse that it was rather interesting that once the Blacks left, the beach seemed to return to its normal state. Of course, it was still cold, but it didn't feel like the damn tundra. The waves weren't pushing beds of ice up onto the shore. And if there was anyone more suited to the cold, it was perhaps the Blacks...

He was a bit salty about it, but he hadn't spoken to @Recluse on the happenings yet. He only spoke to him about their next course of action - join the Cove instead. It was a place where his brother and his children had already come to settle once before. Poltergeist had never lived in the Cove before, but now rekindled with his brother, he was content to follow him to the ends of the earth.

As they approached the border of the Devorre King who was said to own the Cove now, Poltergeist took the lead in calling for him - chuffing loudly so the man could hear him over the waves crashing nearby. He looked around for @Laveau , having invited her to join them since the Lagoon was no longer... and how short-lived it was, apparently he was still expected to be mated with her. He grimaced at the thought, but he supposed he still had use for her yet.

art + code

A new day — a new stranger at the border.

The scent carries sickly sweet upon the air, drawing the Dieudonné babe from her lair and in the direction that the scent was carried from. Lithe limbs carry her quickly across the terrain, salmon-coloured eyes quick to hone in on the prey once he comes in sight and— oh my. She'd never seen a lion quite like that before.

Her brow twitches in curiosity for a moment before her gaze slides away, shifting across the open expanse of territory. A grin slips into place as she realizes it: first again. There was some sort of small pride that bloomed hot in her chest at the knowledge she was so on the ball that she beat every other to the borders to greet the stranger, yet again. It felt good to have a home... And she was intending to keep it that way. Lips still peeled into a coy grin, she swiftly descends upon the stranger, gaze no longer wavering from his form.

“Is there something I can help you with?” she questions @Poltergeist as she finally reaches close enough to halt, just inside the borders — a guard dog, knowing just how long her leash can stretch.

Recluse would trail after his more brightly hued brother, hardly in a hurry to arrive at the Cove, regardless if it had served as a home in his past, one in which he had fond enough memories he supposed. His mind was too busy dwelling on everything that had gone wrong of late. His family seemed in a state of unrest and his new crown had been taken away from him. It was not a lion that had taken his throne, perhaps there was some silver lining in that. A judgment call had to be made, and in that brief period of time in which the Lagoon became a frozen death trap, he had evacuated the family.

There would be no going back to it now, the lions of Amaryllis had descended upon it as vultures to a carcass. He had no choice now but to leave it behind, brooding quietly for a number of days now. He had little to say, keeping close to Poltergeist, whose presence had always been a help to him. Of all of his kin, the cotton candy-hued male was the one he trusted most and the only one he had a strong attachment to.

Eventually, he would catch up, having paused to look back for a long moment in the direction of the Lagoon. A lioness stood at the entrance to the cove, questioning their purpose. He would come to stand near @Poltergeist, looking at @Ludivine in silence for a brief moment. We are here to speak to your king about Cove residency. He informed simply.

image by moogle/code by saph

hail to the king
kneel to the crown

royal flames will carve a path to chaos
bringing daylight to the night
let the water flow with shades of red
arrows black out the light

A daily pleasure it seems, finding Ludivine's ambitions so persistent. Her loyalty comes without collar or coax - she is quick to make herself dutiful and certain, punctual, hungrily enterprising. Gauthier can't help a wily grin cross his features as he arrives shortly behind @Ludivine, enjoying the view of the silhouettes dancing on the backset of distant tides.

He remembers them from the overturning of Scilla, the recent raking of recent sovereignties seemingly neverending. They were strangers beyond familiar faces from the other side of a battlefield, namely Recluse. There was a guess that could be taken in their matters at the edges of the Cove kingdom, but their presence was a surprise nonetheless.

Cove residency. Gauthier pulled shoulder to shoulder with Ludivine, eying the visitors with calculative interest. "You battled well for the Lagoon," he hummed, recalling precision, care. He wouldn't prod too much about the loss of it, it was made all too well apparent that the nature of their coast was rather volatile. His gaze rolled to the others with expectant inquisition. "Would you so readily fight for us? Have you other skills to offer?" Open-minded to more than brute strength and dogging barbarity, he understood the importance of other wisdoms after all.

@Poltergeist, @Recluse, @Laveau

Art © Ryuu

The lioness stayed close, at first she had been hiding, watching, waiting for something to happen, but when the Cove king answered her mate and their patriarchs call, she closed the distance between her and Poltergeist, if they were to keep up appearances, they may as well act the part. Her hip rests against his left flank and she carefully regards these other two lions with a cool lavender gaze.

When Gauthiers gaze sweeps over her, the lavender swirled lioness waits for him to finish before she speaks, her thick accent not unpleasant, just different, "I can readily fight. But I am more skilled in poisons, herbs, gathering information. Or I can be of use in aiding those that need it, discussions with the dead, calls to the divine.." Her eyes roamed over Gauthier for moment's, though they flicked away, of course she'd love to view him from every angle, painting a masterpiece of the Cove King in her mind, but she was polite and so with a gently head tilt she looks back at.him and meets his eyes, "Tell me, my king, do you believe in God's?"

She was actually genuinely curious, those with religious purpose no matter who, how, or what, religion always had a reason for what they believed in and whether it was noble or cruel. She worked for whomever had her loyally.

image by moogle/code by saph

Poltergeist opened his mouth to answer @Ludivine, but @Recluse came up from behind him and answered for them, so Poltergeist snapped his mouth shut. Yes, it was residency they sought here, among other opportunities. The king would eventually approach shortly after as well, gracing the small group with his presence.

Poltergeist parted his lips to speak, but this time was cut off with a feminine voice. @Laveau , who he had not heard approaching, had finally decided to join them. She asked the High Sovereign whether he believed in Gods, and Poltergeist questioned the important of that. What if he didn't, Laveau? So what? Pangs of annoyance settled within him, but for the most part, he was quiet until he finally had a chance to speak.

"I can fight, too, but my skills lie in poisons as well as politics," he admitted, though left out a lot. There really was too much time to figure out his strengths - and if @Gauthier would allow them to use the Cove as their new residence, perhaps the male could come to benefit from these talents.

Poison and politics.

Poltergeist looked over his shoulder at his wife and murmured to her, "Nice of you to finally show."

Poltergeist cleared his throat. "I'm Poltergeist, this is my mate, Laveau, and that's my brother Recluse. I'm sure you'd like to know who's asking to live in your pride, no?"

art + code

Another emerges from the terrain like a phantom, slipping into place with the other at the border, and the hair rustles ever so slightly along her back — two against one. She doesn't visually shift her posture, but she's ever aware that she is now outnumbered, even if the second male confirms they were there to meet with her king. Gaze slips between the two of them, very evident they were kin, and she opened her mouth to speak with another scent drifted onto the horizon. A much more pleasant smell.

Ludivine turns her head to greet @Gauthier as he prowls onto the scene in all his glory — a true king amongst heathens, even though she hasn't had much socialization with others in the land. Her salmon gaze, heated, is focused on the brute — notes, with a wry grin, as he draws himself shoulder to shoulder with her. Equals. It means nothing, but it still gives her the courage to flatten her fur once more and return her attention to the strangers.

Suddenly another darts forward and she's once again on edge, eyes barely narrowing as they watch the lioness saunter forwards.

Ludivine notices.

Notices the way @Laveau doesn't even acknowledge her presence. Her gaze is focused solely on Gauthier the entire time, her gaze roaming over him as she speaks, spills forth all her secrets. The mention of poisons does not go unnoticed, but a certain amusement rattles around in Ludivine's head at just how enthralled the strange lioness seems to be with Gauthier, ignorning the lioness at his side completely.

“Looks like you have a fan,” she muses with a haughty laugh, a rumbling whisper that is just loud enough for the strangers to hear if they choose — but the words meant for Gauthier. Her attention removes itself back to @Poltergeist and @Recluse as the initial stranger begins to speak again — once more, the topic of poisons being brought to the table. Ludivine doesn't hide the quirk of her brow at this, a question gnawing at her now.

“Nice to meet you,” she greets as their names are finally given. Her gaze roams across all three — a brief glance in Gauthier's direction — before she returns her attention to Poltergeist. “You're all so open with the skills you can offer. But tell me — do you think it wise for us to invite in two, possibly three—” a quick glance in Recluse's direction, “rogues with self proclaimed ability in poisons? Are we to assume said skills won't be turned on us the first chance you get?”

Bold, perhaps, for her to speak out of turn — but her gaze twists to Gauthier as she speaks, curious to see if her King had a similar thought. Worthy allies, but deadly enemies.

Recluse would listen to the banter between his kin, the newly crowned Caladan king and the lioness that had first encountered them. Mostly his attention was on @Ludivine, who neither offered name nor rank. For a time he could only look on, her boldness in speaking for the king quite surreal for him. Had he known she was only a lioness and not some high-ranking individual he would be even more perplexed.

Eyes would shift to @Gauthier then, looking for a reaction. Did he welcome her interjection so readily? The comment about them knowing how to use poisons being a concern was humorous to him and he could not help a small chuckle. "Anyone could learn how to concoct a poison within half an hour. Poisons should be the least of your concern in regard to my family line." He informed her, a comment he was sure that @Poltergeist might appreciate the humor in.

"There are no certainties in life, nor is there any reason he should trust the word of a stranger. I would say go with your instincts." This last part was meant for him alone, given how intently Recluse looked at him in that moment. "You have observed my skills and battle and may understand to an extent my ambitious drive. I chose the Cove because it is a pride I am familiar with, I have scouted this land and know its every detail intimately. I also have a talent for gathering knowledge. Perhaps in time, I will wish to move on to take a new pride, but I have my sights set on a pride far removed from the coast." He would not lie, he had no cause to. If they believed him or not was entirely up to them, though he had little care for how the lioness felt about it.

image by moogle/code by saph

hail to the king
kneel to the crown

royal flames will carve a path to chaos
bringing daylight to the night
let the water flow with shades of red
arrows black out the light

Do you believe in gods? His eyes flicked to the woman who approached him now, slinking from the shadow of her mate. The mention of gods seemed cruel to the silence that stretched between them, given the humor that sprawled in languish across his features. There had been many a mention of gods as of late, as though Amaryllis sprung with them from every corner. And then again, maybe it did.

Ludivine piped from beside him, quipped with a peculiar glee under-breath. But to @Laveau and her gods there is only the sharp grin of a heretic, masterless, cold. "I believe in immortality." he answered, a cruel divinity alone, altarless and wanting for those lofty gardens of celestial purpose.

The first of the visitors is swift to make his intents clear: poisons and politics, ambassadorial joviality, aside from the deathly look he shot his wife. A curious trio, that. Before Gauthier can answer, Ludivine is cut in once more, though not with an unreasonable scrutiny. Her question has its merit, one he does not interrupt. Instead he looks to them for their answers, his eyes flicked to @Recluse, first to respond.

The comment of his family line misses its mark for whatever undisclosed humors reside in it, letting on to further logic. They were of more use to Caladan than against them, after all. Though the suggestion that poisonous potions were of scarce concern left his brother at a lesser vantage, did it not? There was more to it than playing with berries and leaves and hoping the rashes stayed away. There was also meticulous care and craft in the application of that skill - one of which he hoped to only be a distant bystander to, if at all.

"Cunning is at times more useful than brutality, should times call for it. Suppose you are better our ally than enemy, no?" Especially given their understanding for the land, as it was entirely foreign to him still. He turned back to the hooked shadow of the Cove, to the waves battered against the shore. "You are welcome, so long as you do not experiment your concoctions on your pride mates." he offered the three, the corner of his mottled lips upturned with amusement.

He would have Ludivine watch the cache closely for tampering until their trust was earned.

@Ludivine, @Poltergeist

Art © Ryuu

Laveau eyed the pair with a cool gaze, she flicked an ear as Poltergeist murmured in her ear, she stood close to him and gave a quiet snort of amused annoyance, "I'm never very far away." She whispered back, in truth she had been following quietly, watching the brothers back in case they were ambushed, and once safe, she'd come out.

Her attention was drawn back to Ludivine and Gauthier and she flicked her stub tail, @Gauthier answered her and she couldn't help the corner of her lip lifting, she ignores the glare given to her by Poltergeist as she sits back to allow Recluse to speak.

image by moogle/code by saph