It was no longer winter and the warmer seasons were coming. Ástríðr was beginning to get things together for those who would be coming to join her. Though currently it was only @Arachnae, @Alexon and @Amalia that would be coming from the warmer area's to join them but she was getting ready for their arrival. Of course, Ástríðr would call out to @Aurochs and @Pandora. She wanted him to meet them all. She wanted him to understand that they weren't going to be dangerous. That they were going to help them stay strong. She wanted him to trust her.

OOC: Anyone else like @Devil May Cry @Addie or @Sunday are free to join! This thread is just to get everyone official and the band established. NO POSTING ORDER 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

The snow had melted, leaving tiny patches of icy slush around the bases of trees and the air damp. But the sunshine was warm, the air still blew chilly, but spring had finally started to creep in. And with that, the witch prepared to make her way with @Amalia and @Alexon to the tundra, having already left the mamba to make himself at home in the shop the day before. Anxiety and grief plagued her mind, Nonoyo haven been discovered missing the day after Astrid had visited the Grove. But today had been a planned day, a day she and her family had waited for, and she wasn't going to let things she couldn't change delay such an important day.

Strapped as well as they could be with vines, saddle bags made from preserved stomachs held herbs, her telling stones, and dried meat. Beneath the bags, two ibex pelts looked like a fluffy coat draped over her back. Once the other two had gotten ready, she made her way to the caverns, leading the others through the twisting tunnels until they reached their destination. The peach woman shuffled into the place the viking woman had showed her where she lived before, relief on her face as she slid the pelts and bags off her back, "@Ástríðr." She said, dipping her head in greeting.

(Pp's a little bit, just so they can "fast-forward" and just be in the caverns after lmao"

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

“Mama I want mother.” The small Siamese whispered, tears welling and pricked in her eyes. Why’d they left when she still wasn’t back? Poor little Amalia couldn’t quite grasp it. Didn’t they love mother no more? Maddie wasn’t with them either. That made her sad.

She followed though, one step after the next. Again and again until they arrived, it was a repetitive motion. And her tiny legs ached a bit as she tumbled along. Sometimes ahead, quite often right by mama and even more often, far behind. Still they soon arrived and mama said something to that lady, her new friends . Amalia grinned up at the lioness who towered above her, even if she was sad,

Just forget the baby, it’s alright. Addie heard her mother call, but it was for someone else not her. “Forgot me?” She grumbled softly, confused by all the excitement. Still, she grabbed piney and trotted around until she saw @ Ástríðr . “What’s happening?” She asked the woman who had recently adopted her, as she crept up behind her, standing by Astrids back legs in curiosity.

A head would peak at those already here. Why were they? Nona nagged that that question was rude so it went unsaid. The little voice of Nona had been so quiet recently, that it rather startled Addie. Instead her orange eyes turned to Astrid, hoping to ask the question without her words.

I wasn't raised in a castle

I grew up on the outskirts of town No dresses with golden tassels The rings on my hand are handed down But I'm gonna find the one that needs me, sees me And treats me like I'm already royalty There ain't nothing priceless on my wrist I might not fly private, but that don't mean I ain't a queen Queens don't hate, queens don't fight Queens don't stay unless their king treats her right, oh Every jewel on my crown, you better believe I earned it Won't keep people around that don't believe I deserve it No, queens ain't fake A queen's gonna rule just the way she was made, oh I ain't 'bout to let nobody come and take me off this throne Some girls might, but queens don't

code by corvus

White hairs bristles as the pale lioness moved through the vaccine of the frozen lands she called home. Home along a growing group of their so dreamed band. With Astrid as the head, and of course Pandora was going to support her in all ways she could. Cold eyes scrutinized the terrain, lurking. But then summons from the lion she was growing feelings toward, came and without hesitation the porcelain pelted feline made her way. Way to the cave she resided with Astrid and she soon noticed she wasn't the first to arrive.

A lot of strangers, lions she didn't know about. And that rose a bit her anxiety. Not insane but strong enough to almost make her turn away, but who would she be if she didn't support her loved? Her beloved @Ástríðr?

Taking a deep breath, filling her lungs to a top and then release, she walked between the crowd but quick to seat down on her own spot. Distant a bit from the other lions but close enough to be visible and at listening range.

@Addie @Amalia @Arachnae

You loved me and I froze in time

code by corvus

Soon other's arrived and Ástríðr would watch as it was @Arachnae first with @Amalia right behind her. Ears twisting as the woman would give her peach friend a small smile and a dip of her head. Arachnae, Amalia, it's good to see you again. She glanced behind the two expecting to see Alexon but when she didn't she figured he was coming but making a last few minute details to the shop they were running. Understandable. Paw steps came from behind her and a touch to her leg was felt causing the shield-maiden to look down and see @Addie. A chuckle formed as she saw the look in her face and the unspoken question. Well, my dear, these are my friends. They have come to join us in our home and form a band. She would answer, glancing over to the movement of @Pandora and see the anxiety on her features. Her features softened for the white woman, letting a thigh. I want to welcome everyone home now that winter is gone. And to make sure we are all okay that this be the base of our band. She already knew the answer but for safe measures.

OOC: with the 4 + Ástríðr I'm going to go ahead and post but others are welcomed to join! 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

Sunday would appear toward the back of the forming group, shuddering occasionally from the chill. He looked better, the boy begrudgingly allowing @Ástríðr to help him. It was for that that he even appeared here. He casually glanced at the others with dual hued eyes and opted to remain silent. He gathered names by listening to Ástríðr say them. They were taking this frost cavern as their home? He glanced around, wondering if it was ultimately better than the thicket he had somewhat outgrown. An interesting choice. He’d murmur to no one but himself as he watched from the fringes. Do you need help with herbs and such? He’d say a little louder.

Alex loped up behind @Arachnae and @Amalia quickly, a fresh herb clasped in their jaws and a few (several) more furs draped across their back. They were a couple minutes late (they'd gotten distracted), but they made it nonetheless. "Hey guys," they purred, offering a headbutt to Arachnae and the same to Amalia. They wanted to befriend her, after all. "Sorry I'm late."

They sat next to Arachnae and looked around at all the new faces they didn't recognize. Oh well, they'd all be friends soon enough. It was still frigid, but they'd adapt soon enough with their thick coat. And all the furs.

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

Shit, there were... a lot of them. A lot of voices. He knew the echo inside the glacier made illusions but still, he could tell, it wasn't all an illusion. There were many unique voices and he knew exactly one of them. Aurochs half lifted his chest from his slumber and waited inside his den, waiting for the perfect moment to walk in that would never arrive. Actually, he was waiting to feel confident. But he just felt worse.

He didn't want to make Astrid come and get him. That would be even worse than not showing at all. She'd be treating him like a baby and not like a brother. So, her "brother" would be there, though the thought lay heavy on his stomach like a gristly piece of hide and he lifted his clumsy paws firmly down the ice hallway. One at a time. So he didn't trip over them. He didn't want to draw anyone's attention to himself.

He made it to the "door" of the hall and that was it, that was as far as he could go. He could tell few of these lions were related so how could they be family? How could he trust them when he couldn't even trust family? Impossible. Astrid seemed to be at ease and familiar, and Aurochs was... Aurochs was blocking the cold from getting in, if anyone asked.

He plopped his haunches to the floor, slightly separating his limbs to make himself seem wider and also letting the air cool between his limbs. He felt too hot. He tried to look at nothing at all, which he succeeded at mimicking a somewhat aloof expression, but his ears were glued back and he was waiting for his signal to bolt back to his room.

One by one, the cavern gained more and more company, and the rose woman couldn't help but feel a little.... Relieved. She had bounced from home to home, pride to rogue so often that settling down was.... New. She hoped, no.... It would stay like this. She would fight tooth and claw to keep their home. No one would dare take it again.

Not this time.

Arachnae looked down to Amalia, her face solemn and saddened, "Mother is....." Her ears slowly flattened back a bit, "Nonoyo is gone. Madison wanted to explore, and.... I don't know where she is." She wanted to keep everyone that was there with her close. Close as possible, so they could never disappear. Her lover, her daughter, one after one. The witch took a deep breath, looking back to the viking woman. "It's lovely to see you again too. It's nice to finally be home." She smiled. Many faces she didn't recognize, including a few little ones that made her happy to see. She loved having cubs around. A familiar giant teenager hobbled his way through, more filled out and much healthier looking than the last time they met. "Where would you like us to settle in, @Ástríðr?"

Code by Naya Image by Tippy