Aria had been wandering aimlessly since being released from The Aviary. Although nothing had sparked their interest, the fond recollections of Caladan Cove were tempting like a siren's call. @Azhira had shown interest in finding @Sunder and taking her up on her offer to stay. It would be impolite to decline the invitation. The tigress appeared delighted with the proposal, and with a newfound sense of purpose, Aria scouted ahead.

The sand became soft underfoot as they drew closer to the borders. It was early enough to witness the morning sun rise above the bay's walls. A chilly breeze brushed through the spotted cat's fur, markedly cooler than it had been at the gathering.

They halted a few paces from the boundary, quivering with nerves. Starting afresh was bound to come with its challenges; doubly so when you faced the idea of slipping into a new role. He took a deep breath, attempting to discern the various scents in the air. The smell of sea salt pervaded everything, a fragrance he would need to become accustomed to if he were to call Caladan his home. Aria looked back and summoned Azhira, swinging their long tail behind them.

OOC: Hey! <3 Please let @Sammiie post first.

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Leaving the Aviary was bittersweet to her, but Azhira needed to move on to new horizons. With Magdalene out of the picture, there was nothing keeping her there, and with her new freedom came new opportunities that only she controlled now. With the other members scattered to the wind, and with Orchid in the Brook, it only felt right to return to the Cove and ask to join. She thought Sunder and her new mate were so sweet and she wondered if the woman would welcome her and @Aria in as members as eagerly as she had when they came to her as the Aviary wanting relations.

Aria, in all his excitement and purpose, scouted ahead, summoning her when he had reached the border. She hadn’t been far behind anyway, but instead just taking her time getting there. As a Rogue now with no home, there wasn’t much for her to do but wander anyway.

She chuffed back when she was in range, and eventually stopped beside him. Then she chuffed for @Sunder or @Kvare , remembering the latter from the party.

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ATTN: Leadership OR high ranks! Anyone welcome to hop in, too!

He remembered them from the party. Beautiful, delightful creatures they were; secluded somewhere within the wildlands of Amaryllis. And yet here, now, they were upon his borders, and the idea of it delighted the Caladan King endlessly. Quick was he to usher his way toward their call, content to see @Sunder join him, or remain within their den caring for their newborn cubs. At first, he arrived alone, and his gaze swept past the cheetah and tiger that lingered expectantly on his borders. Boyish brows raise, a pleasant smile unfurling across his dark lips.

@Azhira, he purred, @Aria. What brings you both to Caladan?

The scent of the Aviary had begun to fade, though it had always been uniquely theirs, attached to them in some way still. There was enough of a shift to cause Kvare some concern, fearing that perhaps they were in danger in some sense. Though he did not know them as well as his wife, the drawling peace of Caladan had left him itching, and there was a near-feral glint in his fiery gaze. Yet, Kvare held himself back, eager to keep from jumping to conclusions long before he'd known why they came here in the first place.

Art by TomoTheBear, table by cala

The pair did not have to wait for long before @Kvare appeared, sporting a roguish expression on his face. Aria leaned against @Azhira, taking in her familiar scent to ground themself. Their gaze shifted from Azhira to Kvare as they responded, “We would like to join, if you'll have us.” His companion was tasked with providing additional details, holding the man's attention as expected. It takes skill to recognize when to fade into the background and allow others to shine. Old habits, and all that jazz. “Kvare. That was quite a party, wasn't it?”

Aria surveyed the bay, searching for Sunder. Her absence was unfortunate, but understandable, given that a Queen's schedule is likely jam-packed. They pivoted just in time to glimpse something untamed in the depths of the King's gaze. Maybe the toll of the journey was affecting Aria and he needed a break. “How are things in the Cove?”

@Sammiie @cala

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Azhira took in the scent and views of the Cove as they waited for someone to heed their call. The gentle droning of the waves beyond their view was relaxing in its own right, and the air was moist and cool. She liked it here already; it was very different from the Labyrinth - in many exciting ways.

It wasn’t long before @Kvare joined them, a hint of concern upon his features as he greeted them. @Aria was quick to get to the point, but Azhira wanted to address his concerns, to wave away any confusion. “Summa’ my birds wanted freedom from the Aviary’s lifestyle. I ain’t no jailer, so I let ‘em go. Truth to be told, it was good timin' for everythin', really.” She doubted Kvare knew anything about her predecessor, so she didn’t get into that. She hoped Aria wouldn’t outright question the slight change in narrative either. It wasn’t meant to be a twist of the truth; just one that was simpler to tell to a stranger. A shorter story. “And since we hit it off right, Aria and I figured it’d be a nice treat to join you and Sunda’ at the Cove. O’course, if you don’t mind havin’ us.”

It was then that Aria asked how things were here, and Azhira fell silent again, quiet but with a pleasant smile upon her lips. Her tail swayed in contentness as she’d listen to Kvare’s responses to all of their questions.

They were here to join, much to Kvare's surprise. Last he'd known, they'd been part of a band not too far from here, and nothing had been threatening their stability (at least, nothing they'd called for help for). His gaze rests first on @Aria as he speaks, before turning toward @Azhira; and swiftly, his lingering, wordlessly questions were answered. His lips curled into a smirk at the cheetah's remarks, a boyish brow lifting playfully. Sure was, he chuckled, his tail flaring out behind him, before coming steadily into a sit. His demeanor suddenly turned far more relaxed, casual.

The Cove fares well. Sunder just welcomed our newborns, he reports matter-of-factly, though even the rugged King could not hide the sense of pride unfurling in his chest, written in his almost toothy smirk. And we would be blessed to have you both. Gods know they needed more members, and he was more than happy to welcome nontraditional ones; a cheetah and a tiger were just as skilled and dutiful as a lion, in their own ways, and Kvare was always content to seek the advantage. It helped, too, that they were so...good with others.

Kvare struggled not to bare his teeth at anything that moved.

Finally, he got to his paws. Would you like to see them? Certainly, they would at the very least like to see Sunder.

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Exit Kvare.
God so sorry that took me so long! Figured I'd exit so I don't keep ya'll in limbo.

Art by TomoTheBear, table by cala

Aria exhaled in relief as the peculiar energy emanating from Kvare dissipated as the latter reclined. The king's announcement of the arrival of his newborns prompted the cheetah to express his elation by exclaiming, “Splendid news! Congratulations to you both!” Cubs were a rare occurrence in his former line of work – they were either absent or invisible. He beamed at the idea of being able to meet the Cove's youngest members. With their membership officially secured, a leisurely road appeared before them.

“Absolutely.” The cheetah nudged Azhira's shoulder, following behind the muscular form of his new leader.

@Azhira @Sammiie

Exit.

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Aria did most of the excited talking here, so Azhira just let him do his thing. She understood that sometimes the Aviary felt restricted in what you can say and tell others, so to be rid of that burden, she could understand why Aria felt like he could speak so freely. Azhira smiled hearing that Sunder had just given birth, and chimed in, "That's wonderful for you and Sunda'!" But she refrained from going on further. She'd meet with Sunder and the babies at a later time, maybe in a few moments, to swoon over the babies.

Babies. That was one thing Azhira had never quite thought she'd have the opportunity to have... but with the Aviary behind her, she realized that... anything was possible at this point.

Azhira cast @Aria a smile when they nudged her, and she, too, followed behind @Kvare to meet his new offspring. /exit

I can be your everything; I'm your sinner, I'm your whore

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