+5 Exercise to gain strength (0/2)
+5 Tell a battle story (0/2)
+5 Discuss a battle strategy (0/2)
Morrigan was probably more familiar with this particular part of the island than anywhere besides the Hollow or Brook as it had been a frequent haunt of hers in her early days. Yet there was one small corner the valkyrie was not familiar with as it had always taken a little too much effort to reach. Now though her ivory paws were dipped in the water's edge, looking out at the cay nearby. It would be an easy enough swim, she thought, at least the first few times. It was a new way to exercise anyway. Here in the south the winter wasn't so rough on the ocean and her coat was thick enough to keep the chill waters out at least a bit. She took a last few breaths before moving forward until her paws could no longer touch the bottom, paddling out toward the cay.

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He couldn't remember the last time he had visited the Cay. Obviously it had to of been months, but it was much longer than that? Years, maybe? Valhalla remembered swimming to it to 'escape' his parents, more specifically his father when he didn't want to train. But once his training was done with the Viking felt no need to continue to go there. But today seemed to be a little different, him falling for a bit of nostalgia. He didn't even realize where he were at until his front paws were dipping themselves into the chilly ocean water. It would cause for a shiver to run along his spine, him then shaking his body to get rid of the sensation. It wouldn't be until he was doing that that Valhalla would notice another not too far off from him, a somewhat familiar black and white lioness.

Hadn't he seen her around before? Yes, he was certain he had. Talisa's friend maybe? Valhalla didn't know the two were much more than that, so much so that they even had children together. After a moment would he let out several deep sounding chuffs in her direction, both in a warm greeting and to tell her that she were no longer alone. If only he could remember her name...

@Morrigan

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She was just coming upon the far shore, pulling her heavy self from the waves as saltwater streamed from her thick coat. Even wet it probably would have been unbearable in the heat of summer, thus her reasoning for never bothering this before. When the chuff sounded behind her she turned and squinted into the sun as a rose-colored figure in the near distance came into better view. She couldn't recall his name right at the moment either, as they'd never met in anything more than passing, but she was certain he'd originally called Vermeda home. She also recalled he didn't exactly like the outsiders, but maybe he'd since changed, "Long time no see," she called to him across the water, waiting to see if he would cross to join her. She supposed if not they could just converse like this, half-shouting over the shallow waves to @Vahalla. Comical at least.

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He'd watch her as he neared the shoreline, toes dipping into the chilled salty water that separated him from her. Ears would strain forward as she gave back a response, having to speak up just so that her voice would carry over both the distance and sound of the waves. "It has," his own comment would be elevated in tone, a nod of his head going along with it. He watched the ebony woman for a brief moment, wondering if he should cross over to her or if she were going to come to him. "How've y-" Valhalla would cut himself short, letting out a huff before finally deciding he would make the swim over to where the lioness were at. There was no reason for them to holler back and forth, looking like idiots, when this was the easiest solution. Now, did he want to drench himself? Absolutely not. But might as well be a 'gentleman' and him do the work instead of waiting to see if she'd get the same idea.

With several fluid movements would the Viking soon make his way toward her, paddling with long and methodical strides. It was definitely a workout, feeling his muscles tense and relax with the movement and his lungs inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly to help him stay at ease. As paws began to feel sand beneath them he'd quicken up his pace so that he could exit the water, and once doing so he'd give himself a good and hard shake, sending droplets flying in every direction. "Now," he'd restart, golden gaze fixating back upon her, "how've you been?"

@Morrigan

Her smirk widened into a grin when he actually did respond back from across the Cay and for a moment she wondered if they were really going to converse like this, fearing he might still be a little too mistrusting of the non-natives. Thankfully he seemed to decide against it and moved to cross the water to her. She took a moment to shake herself off again before he reached her, willing to postpone her exercise for a moment longer. "I've been really good. I assume you've heard of Talisa and my children?" If not, he had now anyway. Beyond the chaos that had continued to shake the island in his absence, there wasn't actually much different from when they'd met before. "And yourself?" she asked @Valhalla, still not thinking to ask him to remind her of his name.

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He would be told a bit of a bombshell, eyes widening only slightly and him having to physically think about not allowing for his jaw to drop open. He knew that she and Talisa were quite close before he left but he never thought they were romantically involved. "Uh, no, I haven't. But now I have." He couldn't stand in shock and awe forever, could he? Only a few seconds would pass before he began once more. "Congratulations to the both of you. It doesn't surprise me that Maua blessed Talisa with children; she is very faithful to them. And blessing you, too, of course, all things considered." Now that was one way of saying that he was surprised that Maua decided to allow for an outsider to be given wisp children. It was an anomaly to him, that was for sure. But was he entirely mad about it? Not as much as one might've thought. Valhalla knew Talisa more than deserved happiness and to have children of her own, and he was happy that she had found both.

Having her ask him about how he had been would let out a rather loud sigh, his facial expression giving a kind of 'where do I start?' look. "Well after everything that was happening I felt the need to disappear for a little bit. I took that time to search for whatever remaining family I had, to fill them in on what was happening in Amaryllis and to see if any of them would come back." There really wasn't any other way to say that he felt the outsiders were trying to take over Amaryllis completely and destroy what the natives have kept sacred and safe for so long. "Some said they would, so now it's the waiting game. My family does seem to enjoy the dramatics." And perhaps a little bit of that had rubbed off on him, too. He would also keep out the part of Asterin and how she seemed to have taken to her own disappearing act; there was no need for the Viking to fall into a depressive state in front of the woman.

@Morrigan

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She supposed it wasn't too surprising that @Valhalla hadn't heard the news, considering she'd only seen him around in the days immediately before Aquila had taken the Oasis. He'd likely only just arrived home and was now busy building the native's second holdfast. She watched his reaction carefully, keeping her own as a small but proud smile. She couldn't help but take note of his acknowledgment of Maua allowing an outsider to be blessed so deeply and her smile widened just a bit, "Thank you. And I assure you, no one was more surprised than me when Maua came to us and deemed me worthy." She looked out over the waves cresting the horizon for a moment, briefly overwhelmed again at the magic she'd been blessed with.

When she asked about where he'd been through, her attention shifted back in time to see the exasperated reaction he had. Apparently, he'd been busy, too. It seemed his own family had left the valley and he'd been looking for them but it had in part been influenced by the chaos sown by the outsiders, "But you don't?" She knew Valhalla had an aversion to the changes his homeland had seen, but she couldn't help but ask him herself. Morrigan had lived a while now with a paw in both worlds, and if he wanted an opportunity to talk about it with someone who wouldn't take offense either way, this was his chance. But if not she'd just invite him to continue her exercise with her.

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He would feel slightly better when @Morrigan herself said that she were just as surprised that she were blessed and given the opportunity to have children with Talisa. This seemed to make Valhalla feel a bit... better? He knew that not all outsiders were blood and land thirsty and not all seen Amaryllis as one big claiming playground. Those were the ones he wished to get to know, the ones that knew that just because they were shown a new land that it didn't mean it was rightfully theirs and that the natives were here first. And the Obsidian woman was apart of that group, thankfully.

With her question would the beast feign a hurtful expression, a forepaw lifting to place it paw pad side down upon his breast as if he were shocked and hurt. "Now why would you ask that?" Words would hold a joking tone to them, keeping his façade (and perhaps a shitty one) for several moments before allowing for his paw to drop back down to the ground and a rumbling chuckle to be released from within his chest. "When it's about Amaryllis or those I care about I'm not afraid to show just how I feel. Whether others appreciate it or not is not my concern."

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Morrigan smirked at @Valhalla's pretended offense, but he was quick to continue on rather than continue his ruse. Anyone who had been paying attention knew which natives were unsettled by the newcomers, especially when they'd first arrive. Even then she'd believed it would only take time, but that really only applied to the decent ones. Some of them... well, some of them Valhalla had been exactly right about. Including the man who had found Morrigan's sister before she could. She hoped he lay as bones somewhere now. "I can't fault you there," she told him honestly, "I'm a soldier, not a politician. And I have little interest in changing any more than necessary." She shrugged at the colossal man, glad that he' at least marked her as one of the good ones.

table by ferus

The Viking had to agree with @Morrigan's words. He wasn't much with keeping himself up to date with the current events that were always going on within Amaryllis; he knew just enough to get him by with being informed, but after that? Even though he did wish to stake claim on a pride of his own some day he knew he would have to seek out council that would be better with the political side if it were to flourish. Valhalla was a man of strength and battle and he would use that to his advantage whenever possible.

"How are things in Obsidian?" He didn't know much about the underground pride other than it was a more less than favorable place for the colossal. Why someone would call that area home was beyond him, but it wasn't something he was going to bring up since the woman lived there (and may even enjoy living there).

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