It was somehow surprising that the Dieudonne still hung on to the bluffs. Things hadn't been exactly stable when he'd left to find Ambrosine, but evidently things had trended upwards. He still smelled Amara and recognized a few other scents as well; it was strange to him that so many lions still called it home. He wasn't complaining, however, because it meant his family had been easy enough to find.

The lion lingered at the borders and called for anyone nearby who might be able to help get him all snuggled back into his den. It better still have been his den..

code by Cloudy; art by irish

ooc: ** means French speaking, too lazy to translate. He is just coming to say hi until Amara or Louve arrive A familiar scent drew him from his den, followed by the roar he was quick to jog towards it. He couldn't place the scent very well not until Xerxes came into view, and for a split second, he considered turning back. But no, he had matured since their cubhood. Though he never knew why Xerxes had such a hate for him, never made sense to him when Tripfire just tried to have fun. Slowing to a walk he approached him to face neutral at first before he let his lips peel up in a smile, "Long time no see bro," he spoke then added in their native tongue. "**"Glad to see you are well. Healthy." there was no mockery in his voice this time. A far cry from their last encounter. Tripfire looked around them searching for either Amara or Louve to approach. Once they had, he would take his leave. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy

Ohh, he recognized that scent.

Xerxes did his best to remain relaxed, never entirely knowing what sort of approach @Tripfire would give him. If it was an immediate attack, he wanted to be prepared for it - but none came. In fact, the guy seemed almost glad(?) to see him, or at least tolerant of his presence enough to exchange pleasantries. Xerxes, surprisingly, let some semblance of a smile drifted across his scarred features. "*Damn, look at you all grown up. Not too shabby, Trip." The comment on his health was met with a nod. "*For now. We'll see how long that lasts." The lion didn't step across the borders but lingered a bit closer, cocking his head off to the side: "*how's family life?" he asked with a flick of his tail, curious to see if there was any tea worth spilling.

code by Cloudy; art by irish

Once she was certain her children were tucked safe in the den (under the watchful eye of Apollinaire, no doubt) Louve made for the borders. The voice that had called for a leader was unfamiliar, but as she arrived to catch the tail end of the conversation she realized that Tripfire at least knew the male.

Louve, admittedly, did not. However the fact that he spoke French worked in his favour -- she had a feeling this was another family member. The more she looked at him the more certain she became, there was a vague impression of familiarity. Still, better to play it safe...

"Puis-je vous aider?" Can I help you? As her gaze flicked from one to the other, trying to remember a name for the face.

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✦ louve dieudonné ✦

code by scorpixia♡︎ | art by aurora

ooc: ** means French speaking, too lazy to translate. He is just coming to say hi until Amara or Louve arrive Shit were they having a conversation without little digs? Damn, they were grown weren't they? Turning his head to focus on Xerxes again curiously now, he had fully expected Xerxes to tell him to eff off. And he didn't blame him. They had parted on bad terms. "*heh, same could be said for you Xerxes," he said a compliment to his brother's growth. "Your little bro isn't so little anymore," he chuckled because he always saw Xerxes as an elder brother. A grumpy one but a brother nonetheless. "**Are you ill?" he asked with slight concern, but it wasn't really for Xerxes rather than the pride. He didn't want to risk illness sweeping through them when they had made so many enemies recently. "*hm, we are growing. You are an uncle," he said with a shrug of his shoulders he was being careful when he spoke, and it was not that he didn't trust Xerxes but rather following Amara's rules. Louve arrived and immediately Tripfire was dipping his chin in a brief bow, turning to focus on Xerxes letting him answer the questions she would have for him. Tripfire was essentially extra muscle to support her, doing his duty as a Dieudonne and Bluffs lion. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy

it's all French oui oui

"It seems that way," Xerxes chuckled. "How the tables have turned. Think you've got an inch or two on me now." He said, squinting to make a show of his appraisal of the man. Yeah, he was definitely a bit taller. Oh well, Xerxes couldn't win them all.

His ear flicked at the question. Oops. "Non, I just meant I'll likely show up here one day missing a limb from a brawl. Amaryllis has always been quite tumultuous and I'm.. me," he said with a snort. The man shifted his weight as if to enjoy his legs while they lasted. Eventually someone was going to bite one off, he just knew it. When the conversation steered towards cubs instead, Xerxes' eyebrows raised in surprise. "No shit? Congratulations. Where's the lucky lady?" Because surely there was one, right? That was how it worked.. right?

@Louve ♔ arrived and Xerxes took a moment to try and piece together who she was. She carried scars beyond her years and spoke French. If it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck..

It was probably a Dieudonne.

"You are.. Louve? Or Elaine?" he murmured, trying to figure out which one of the pipsqueaks had blossomed into what stood before him. "Xerxes Dieudonne, son of Ambrosine. Brother to Tripfire and Cassine. I left Wolfbron when you were young to find my mother and have returned to rejoin if you'll have me back." He couldn't imagine why she would reject him, but stranger things had certainly happened.

code by Cloudy; art by irish

@Tripfire stays quiet, allowing @Xerxes to speak, and Louve pieces together some of the puzzle as he does so. The vague familiarity made sense, now, and she could almost remember seeing him at some of the more important events when she was young. More often than not she had been busy fighting, though, so it wasn't terribly surprising that she didn't remember him well.

"Louve, oui," she concurred, "souverain, maintenant, et matriarche." sovereign, now, and matriarch. The latter is said with a little more emphasis, watching to see how he might take the news that Cassine no longer held that position.

"Si ce n'est pas un problème, alors bienvenue à nouveau." If that is not a problem, then welcome back. If it was, well, she would answer whatever questions he might have.

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ooc: speaking French "Size isn't everything, but yea I guess I am a bit taller," he spoke coyly but he was smiling warmly at him, a reassurance for Xerxes that he was only kidding. The smile soon faded into a brief frown his brows furrowing before he shook his head, "non, you are home. And if someone tries to take your leg, I will be taking two off them in return," he spoke firmly but smiled again at his brother. Yes, Tripfire would aid Xerxes in a battle now. Oh if only their mama could see them now. "She is at our den. You will like her, she keeps me grounded," he spoke with a chuckle, giving Pyracantha credit for calming him down some. Xerxes introduced himself and Tripfire looked between them silently, though a faint smile curled at his maw at the mention of Ambrosine. Louve seemed fine with him joining, and so he turned his head to look at Xerxes a brow lifting with interest. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy

Xerxes chuckled darkly at his brother's words. Yeah, yeah, size wasn't everything but it sure helped when it came to intimidation. That was a problem for another day, though. He'd be lying if he said it didn't surprise him to hear @Tripfire declare some sort of protection over him. It was strange how they had both seemed to let bygones be bygones, but he wasn't complaining. "You as well. One for each of us makes for a pleasant supper, oui?"

@Louve ♔ stole his attention as she introduced herself – or reintroduced, he supposed - and declared herself the new matriarch. Xerxes couldn't exactly argue when Cassine was nowhere to be seen, though he did wonder what would happen if she ever chose to return. "Long live the matriarch," he said with a dip of his head. He didn't particularly mind who was in charge, honestly. At the end of the day, he was nothing more than a loyal hound to do her bidding. "You need but call for me if you require anything, sovereign. I am at your disposal."

code by Cloudy; art by irish

There is no disagreement, which is a relief for the scarred sovereign. If she had to she would have fought to defend her title again, but she would not have expected any argument from a male in the family. Louve had fought for her position and so she assumed that all the rest would fall in line, until another woman wanted the power for herself.

"bienvenue à la maison, alors," welcome home, then she says with a small inclination of her nose, a tiny gesture of acceptance. At the end of the day she was relieved that they had another number in their midst, and she would welcome him with that in mind.

"je vous laisse à vos retrouvailles." I will leave you to your reunion. With that she turned to depart, pausing only long enough to ensure they didn't need her further.

-exit-

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