The gruesome events of the night before had subsided, but it would be quite some time before they were forgotten. After Orson's ill-fated attempt to thwart the imprisonment of his brother, Colsun, he had dragged himself to his feet, checked on Anniston, and then retreated to a place of concealment near the edges of the territory. He didn't want anything else to do with the dirty business of a war that he really was not involved in, save for his main concern; that being the well-being of Anniston. And it would appear that his brother had secured her a place in his pride before being unfortunately whisked away himself. And because of that, Orson had made up his mind that he would need to stay here as well.

How odd it felt, being a stranger, a tresspasser in the lands of his birth. He wondered how Colsun had come to return here, and indeed how Anniston had wound up involved in this war. There were many questions, and few answers thus far.

As the sun began to peek above the horizon, revealing a sandy beach stained red with the blood of many battles, Orson knew that his concealment would not last. And so he rose to his full colossal high and stepped forward to utter a chuff, calling for whatever leadership resided here now. He stood on the very edge of the territory now, salty water lapping about his heels and carrying winter's chill making him shiver. He held his head low, trying to seem unimposing. He was sure that there would be some tension considering the happenings of the night before. He hoped he would not be seen as an enemy.

_______________

@Anniston @Isla ♔

"If anyone should look at home here, it's you," came drawling announcement of Anniston's presence. Her eyes were glazed over sleeplessly as she walked intentionally across sparkling sands, unable to shake the feeling of waiting to be scolded at any moment. Though the specifics of her falling into Scilla paws eluded her, she was rather accustomed to certain, rougher treatment when being held hostage. Thus far, the ocean cats had largely left her alone – or had they forgotten about her? Anniston swallowed down the worry of reminding them by showing up to that summons.

Her gait morphed into more of a skip the nearer she approached, until at last the young lioness attempted to tuck herself forcefully beneath Orson's pale chin in an embrace. The details were forgotten, if only for a moment – details of separation and scorn and what felt like a century gone by. She could not help the feeling of returning home at his presence alone.

"I missed you," she sighed the revelation, muffled by umber furs.

---

|| december y12 | four years | SL lioness | at scilla lagoon | @Orson ||

She should have been resting, allowing for her fresh wounds to begin their healing process, but Isla was far beyond restless. She needed to ensure that her borders remained safe, that the members within her pride had the chance to breathe after yet another war fell upon their heads. It's here that she quickens her pace at the sounds of a call, requesting her presence. Brows furrow as the Queen moves swiftly over still stained sands, soon enough coming across not one but two lions - one on Scilla's side of the border and another on the opposite.

"Hallo," she greets the two of them, purple eye looking them over. She recognizes the male being the one that had fought for Colsun's freedom, wondering what the two meant to one another. The lioness, though, she tries to remember. Isla knows she was at the war, but what exactly brought her to be apart of the Lagoon? It was too soon for the news to have reached her; perhaps she would learn today. "Isla Greyflood, Queen here." A brief pause before she resumes. "You fought for Colsun. Why?" A glance is given to the lioness then, a questioning look upon her face as if asking what the woman's name was and how she was brought here to her pride.

@Orson @Anniston

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER
*DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!*

He waited, his gaze cast inland as he awaited the approach of Scillan leadership. His ears immediately perked at the sound of a familiar voice, his breath catching in his chest as he turned his head to set his eyes upon her. “Anniston…” his voice rumbled in an affectionate growl, paws chancing across the border just a few feet in order the step clear of the cold lapping water that swirled around them.

He met her as she pressed herself against him, dropping to his haunches and lifting one massive forelimb to drape across her shoulders, holding her tight against his chest. His eyes squeezed shut as he breathed in her scent, so familiar and so alien all at once. A thousand questions coursed through his mind but never reached his lips, for they seemed insignificant in comparison to her simply being there, safe within his embrace. He had lived through so much uncertainty and doubt in her absence, especially recently, but it mattered not to him in that moment.

Now that he had her back, her wouldn’t allow himself to lose her again.

The moment was interrupted then, by another voice and Orson glanced up to see another lioness approaching them. Her greeting was measured but lacked hostility and so Orson met her in kind, eyeing her carefully as she introduced herself. He released Anni and stepped aside, ducking his head briefly in acknowledgment of Isla’s greeting. He paused for a moment at her question, before giving his reply. “Because he is my brother.” He said simply, then added, “and he freed Anniston.”

He glanced at his companion, indicating whom he spoke of before continuing. “I am Orson Valentine and I have come seeking a place within your pride. I will happily fight again to secure my brother’s freedom.”

---

@Anniston @Isla ♔

She would have chained that moment to her side had she the power. Let it remain far longer than it intended – let them know only each other and the rolling of lagoon waves, just as things had started for the pair. Unfortunately Anniston, no matter how she may try, had not learned to command time itself.

"Hallo."

Her senses jumped to life as another announced her presence at that melodramatic reunion. Anniston moved to straighten herself up just as Orson pulled away, pivoting on her heels to face her – a large and shaggy lioness, her scarred visage stirring recognition deep in her gut. Worn by time and experience, Anniston knew only that she associated the woman with that rageful day upon the peaks long ago. That would make her a diplomat – "Isla Greyflood, Queen here," she specified conveniently.

"Anniston Frei, former Lorien Heiress," she introduced in turn, attempting to ignore the way her chest ached at the word 'former'. It was a grief best felt later, if only she did not feel it always.

“Because he is my brother, and he freed Anniston.”

She trailed fuchsia gaze to study Orson's expression, jaw set slightly at the reminder that her freedom had been immediately paid for with his brother's. She tried to swallow the cotton forming in her mouth by the moment.

"My family was allied with Luther's," she explained feebly, tail flicking with unease at even the mention of him. "He claimed me when he took Ecrosia and I thought it would help to learn his business. But..." Anniston frowned and let out a nervous laugh as she peered off toward the horizon. "He's crazy. Harsh. Unpredictable."

He doesn't know anything about our son.

---

@Isla ♔ @Orson
+10 - Discuss pride, group, or family relations with another character
+5 - Learn a character’s full name and rank
+5 - Have a conversation about politics

She is silent as she listens, intrigued by what @Orson says. "Your brother?" Her eye looks him over, trying to see the resemblance from the dark male that was the father of her children. There were few she could recognize but they were there, and with a soft hum she would nod her head as part of her response. Before she could speak, though, @Anniston takes her turn in properly introducing herself and explaining that she had before been allied with the Rike due to familial reasons but has sense seen the true image of what they were. Learning that Colsun freed her, as well, makes things a little more interesting.

"The Lagoon welcomes you and your proctection," Isla begins, tail tip twitching behind her as her attention shifts between the two. "You use far more tamed words than what I would have when speaking of Luther, but you are right, Anniston. They cannot be trusted." A sigh escapes the Queen before she speaks again, this time focusing on the smaller lioness. "Colsun freed you from the Mire. Do you wish to stay in Scilla?" If the woman wished it Isla would give her her freedom, but something told her that she would stay if this Orson was a lion she was fond of.

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER
*DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!*

Orson exhaled a sigh of relief that he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as the High Sovereign looked him over. He was accepted into Scilla and he dipped his head graciously. I am a skilled huntsman. I will prove this to you at the first chance I get. He assured @Isla ♔ with a confident nod. Then his gaze turned toward @Anniston as she began to speak.

Orson’s eyes drifted off as the plum lioness explained her own involvement and ties, gritting his teeth slightly as her answer somewhat explained some of the questions he was holding inside himself. So she’d been claimed then… Orson looked back down at her as her words criticized Luther, a scoffing grunt lending to his own agreement on the matter. But he did not speak further after Isla raised the most important question of all…

’Do you with to stay in Scilla?’

Orson was holding his breath again.

(Exit)