Salt lingers in the air, waves crashing against the dampened sand. Cold, austere winds have become her friend as she crosses the sandbar to the isle she once called home, a dreary path to her past. Memories of her father swim in her mind and she tries, oh does she try, to dismiss them with a fierce shake of her head. She is hopeful that she will loosen the hold of those memories -- of him, her mother, her siblings that she has not seen in so long that she sometimes finds herself wondering in the dead of night if they even lived. That was years ago. Why must she dwell on these things?

The ocean disappears behind her as the stretch of sand before her widens and the path that she had traveled years ago comes to an end. Promise looms before the lioness, her rusted pelt dampened by the sea spray, and this time she hopes it will yield a beginning, not an end. She shivers as a cold wind brushes up against her. Daeva watches the horizon, darkened paws gripping the sand. Fiery eyes brim with hope, hope that she can fulfill those dreams of cubhood. You may not be here, but I will still prove myself to her. A promise to her father.

Paws beat steadily against the familiar sands of the passage. The last time she found herself here, a young cub had been who she had encountered. Ultimately the youth had chosen to come to the Brook over the other option of the Bluffs, and for that the Brook Queen was grateful. The way the young girl had seemed... the Bluffs were no place for her to grow up. Her mind doesn't allow her to dwell on those thoughts much though. She needed to be attentive while here in the passage, for no one knew what would pop up or happen.

Making her way along the sandbar, Cassandra spotted a figure in the slight distance. The wind whipped her fluffy fur around a bit as she padded closer, a chuff escaping her as she grew nearer to alert the other to her presence. "Casaandra Valour, High Sovereign of Vermeda Brook. Is there something I can help you with?" She asking, stopping a polite distance away so as to not crowd the other lioness. She hated when others came into her space bubble when she didn't know them - it wasn't polite in her mind.

@Daeva

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

Today was recruiting day! And as such the maned female went through the passage hunting for any fitting potential recruits. The Rainforest could welcome ambitious and hardworking lions. And Alma wanted to help Maia with that task, of finding new pride members. And there was one, a woman. But she soon enough found she wasn't alone, another lioness defeated her on arriving first. Someone she didn't know up close but she came just at the moment to hear her name and where she came from. Still a place she didn't know personally. Letting the other finish she would take the turn to speak. "Alma, noble of Firnen Rainforest. And of ya need help, I am also open to assist. Mostly to offer a well stablish home." For her it was atleast. @Cassandra @Daeva

code // art // do not use without permission

He arrives just at the tail end of the last introduction - a familiar one, at that, drawing up some distance beside @Alma with a smirk. Firnen Rainforest slips off her lips, and the scent of paradisical flowers and honey-lapped warmth that rises from her skin is fuller than the taste of oasis blooms. The first, Cassandra, the ruler of the Brook. He collects the intel to the back of his mind, shedding the shadow of a barbarian for the repose of a royal. There isn't strain to it. He's tidy and unscathed, but there is no hiding his scars and the roughness of his gait.

Looking out to the ruddy traveler, he admired her stature and musculature, eying @Daeva curiously. I am Gauthier, the imperialistic weight of king or high sovereign never tasted right on his tongue, as though they didn't fit. One day he would find an apt word for it, but they would settle for now. King of Caladan Cove. What is it you are seeking? Perhaps it was nothing at all. Amaryllis would open to her like a flower._{BG — ART — CODE}

It did not take long for a small menagerie of lions to gather. Each one speaking their titles and introducing their homes. Most of them asked what they could help her with. Daeva thought it curious how they were so quick to assume that she was in need of help. Perhaps she was taking their questions the wrong way. Firelight gaze flickered between them, landing for a curious moment longer on the lion who introduced himself as Gauthier.

"I am seeking a place where I can make a name for myself," she told them, the tip of her tail twitching as she spoke. Daeva did not care much if the place she were to call home was well-established. She wanted to become well-established. The rusted lioness lifted her head slightly. "I am Daeva Casimir." Her last name fell a bit quieter than the first, its addition only due to her wondering if anyone would recognize it.

@Cassandra @Alma @Gauthier

A polite nod would be given to @Alma as the Firnen lioness would approach and speak herself as well. She had no qualms with the Rainforest. Maia and her family were good friends of hers - and she knew the Rainforest would always be a place she recommended if one didn't find the Brook to their liking. Sometimes one preferred a rainforest to the Brook's less dense forest. The next lion to approach would be unfamiliar to her, but based off of what she knew of the new rulers of the prides across Amaryllis she could determine that he was one of them at least.

Cassandra would give him a suspicious look from the side of her gaze for a moment. @Gauthier, King of Caladan Cove... She had heard another from the Bluffs had taken over the Cove... This must be him. Interesting. She'd stow that information away for now, something to discuss with Maia next time they talked. Regardless, her attention would turn back to the lioness at the passage. "How you seek to make a name for yourself will ultimately determine if the Brook is a place you could call home. How are you wanting to make a name for yourself?" Cassandra asked. The last name didn't ring a bell to her at all - but her parents probably would've recognized the name at least. She would wait and see what @Daeva's response to her query was before she offered up anything else. Especially with a pride here that was potentially an enemy, she needed to be a bit careful about the situation.

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

She answered the brown lions nod(@Cassandra). Soon retuning her gaze to the newcomer. Eyes were calm and so was her posture, feeling well and secure of herself. She was fine with this lion going to any pride here. There were always more newcomers to try to invite. She took a moment to let the Brook woman to speak first, holding her tongue for now. Nothing wrong with the other, she just knew she could mess things up if she ran her tongue. Not today. She nods once more to @Daeva's response. She could understand onces desire for a name in a new place. Herself cam with the same wish. "A great desire ya got there. Firnen offers opportunity for ambitious and hardworking fellas. We act both as an unit and a family. But any of Amaryliss prides gives you the chance to get yourself a name around here." She said looking at the other two.

code // art // do not use without permission

Alma is right. A name can be found in any niche and corner of Amaryllis, a world opened to the prospecting wanderer - and all Prides, cropped from every end, offered security and food regardless of Sovereignty. But each also had their own cultures, expectations, demands, histories. That of Caladan was at its base, an unwritten slab waiting to be carved. It had its own needs, and Gauthier's particulars were made fine.

The speeches given by the others made him consider the root of his wants. Caladan was not so much a family, not an army, not a democracy. He was not a jailer, a father or even an acceptable diplomat; his hungers were many, his greed deep, his warmongering lust insatiable. The how in Cassandra's offer is precise, he nods to its utterance. How Daeva Casimir chooses to stake her name into the heart of Amaryllis was the trailhead to many paths.

The one that led to Caladan was a path with brambles, salt, and blood. At its end may be ash and ruin, or it may be an utmost greatness with a legacy enviable by the most exalted of ancient kings.

Gauthier sighed with the passing thoughts, grey daylight shifting over his sharp features. Caladan needs those willing to act in tandem. Who will not shy from whatever needs done, even - perhaps especially - in hard times. It was made apparent the ways of the world since he was a cub, unshielded from the brutality that existed in every crook of peace. There would never be peace. Could @Daeva get her claws dirty? Assertion and diligence are held fondly._{BG — ART — CODE}

This decision was not to be made lightly. Daeva listened intently as each lion spoke, clinging to their words. The russet lioness shifted again, thinking deeply. "My father left a legacy to uphold," she said, looking to Cassandra as the words fell from her maw. She had yet to decide if she was going to follow in Gwyn's footsteps. In due time, she would discover her purpose.

"You- Gauthier," she looked to the lion, eyes flickering briefly to the scarring that marred his face before returning to his eyes. "The Cove intrigues me." It seemed an easy decision, one based mostly on the strength she felt he exuded. "I am not deterred by anything, I believe I would be a fair addition to your ranks," she boasted, trying to keep her pride in check. "Perhaps you can tell me more on the journey there..?" Daeva made the suggestion hesitantly, hoping she was not being too forward.

@Cassandra @Alma @Gauthier

Well, it was time to go home. It seemed the newcomer had picked the Cove today, again she didnt mind. There were more lions out there, this wasn't going to be the end of the world. Nothing was for the clay lioness, or for the most part. Calm eyes landed over the rest as she took the time to stretch her legs and toes, to get the laziness and anything bad out of her frame. Saying nothing more she turned to leave, walking back to where she came from. There were other things to do, besides this wasn't going to be the last time she was going to recruit here. exit