Novelty was frightening, in a way. All that Velimor had ever known was now lost to him, unreachable, as if some distant dream long-forgotten. He could feel the ease with which his paws guided him, pressing large prints into the white sand shores of the peninsula. The blissful warmth carried upon the breeze eased his chilled nerves, the blissful rhythm of waves crashing against the shore drowning out his haunting thoughts. He is silent in his purposeful, his mission to scout out the safety of these lands before he herded the rest of his shattered family toward this new hope. This new chance. Cruelty, it felt, to leave behind what all he'd once known, to thrust those of his ilk who had chosen to remain into this dangerous new place; and yet, it seemed the only option they'd been afforded, the last thing they could do to survive.

Eventually, he came to rest alongside the treeline, having diverged his path northward along the rocky cliffs of the passage. Had he known these were a sort of claiming grounds, he might have pressed on, but for all Velimor knew, he was alone. The moon rose above the cusp of the cliffsides, illuminating the beach in a silvery light. His chest heaved with every careful breath, rattled, permanently altered by his years of waging wars and fighting battles that were not his own. Scars were hidden underneath new fur growth, a temporary anonymity from a past that threatened to haunt the rest of his existence.

Scavenging the passage down the line for an hour, traveling from east to west, he couldn't say that he had found anything worthwhile. All that he had seen were a couple rogues that were being hounded by every recruiter possible. The chances of him obtaining any such recruit, when everyone and their uncle twice-removed were present, were quite slim. So he pressed onwards until he came across a scent that had passed by him not so long ago.

They hadn't stopped promptly at the passage but had gone a little further in. Interested and curious, the Casales strove a bit northwards towards the treeline where the scent led. A male, of no doubt, but as his gaze eventually found who the scent belong to his feet stopped. A brute of his own age, no less, but even from the backside Jafar admired. Do you require assistance? A tour or a place to rest, perhaps? It wasn't very often that he stumbled across anyone his age or older so this was a grand discovery. Tobin was the only male he knew in Amaryllis that was older than him as most everyone was of middle-age or a child.

@Velimor

TABLE BY RABBIT

Such was the life of a faithful hound! To think he, out of all lions, would have to go an woo the rogues that press on through a strange valley's passage! He, who was so prideful. But duty always overwrote pride (well, not always) and Apollinaire had to play by the rules of Amaryllis. It was for the Dieudonne's sake, he liked to remind his irritable mind.

He approaches two men, one of which a Firnen representative and the other a rogue, with a deep bow and a far too kind smile. Welcome zho Amaryllis, mon ami, he adds, expectant to hear the lion's answer to @Jafar's question before he buries him with information.

@Velimor_{BG — ART — CODE}

The night was his sanctuary. It kept him safe from the evil of the water. Well, not really but he couldn't see it and so that made it much more manageable. He also forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He was out to offer those needing aide and rest a new home.

And others were out on this quest as well. "Or perhaps information is more your style." Caligula tacked on to what the others were saying. Sure, he might not have the vast depths of information that he once had or the branching connections but he still possessed some information. Really, he needed to work on that. Instead home and family had been the most important to him.

@Velimor @Jafar @Apollinaire

He had only ever known one place, one peoples. He had studied the nature and cultures of other lands, had known there were some countries who lived as multiple kingdoms and prides scattered throughout a continent, but the intricacies of such foreign politics were hard-navigated by a man who'd never known anything but the Emperor and his domain, his unyielding command. Thus, when he is met with Kings and Nobles, Velimor immediately lowers his head towards them, bites back the bitterness of grief that wells deep within his chest. He is an old warrior, now, a nomad left without his master, without his greatest friend. None of them offer their names, but each carry a scent belonging to a different realm, a different kingdom.

Assistance, a welcome, information. All of which Velimor needed, but what was it he wanted? He paused for a moment, thoughtful, his gaze regarding each man before him as it became abundantly clear his companions had not caught up, or had abandoned him. He deserved it, after all; he had wronged them all. A place to rest, perhaps, if you don't mind, he admitted, defeat settling in each of his words. He tries not to make it obvious the way he is truly broken and beaten; if he is to be desirable, he must appear strong. Thus, when he returns to his feet, he holds his head a little higher, and keeps his gaze even with the lions standing before him. My name is Velimor Dragos.

---

@Jafar @Apollinaire @Caligula

Wolfbron arrived shortly after he did and gave a french accented welcome to the handsome traveler. Then one from Vermeda which allowed him a little more ease upon the Passage. An ally with one of wary nature but he dared not to let anything show upon his façade. One thing he had going for him at all times was his skill at the "poker face". I am sure that all three of us can and will offer a place. He pauses and gazes to @Apollinaire and @Caligula briefly. I rule a pride named Firnen Rainforest. Name gives it away; very lush landscape, a lot of green, shade and can be a bit humid at times. But it was a lovely place for a rest, with or without the bias.

@Velimor Dragos, he says with confidence and assurance, I am Jafar Casales. Because it would be rude to not introduce himself to the stud rogue who may or may not join and pick a home in just a moment's notice. Whatever your skills or interests may be, and should you choose to come, Firnen would be more than happy to help you further your abilities. He was most certain that they had nearly one of every skill imaginable. Lions who had mastered their crafts and those that were still learning.

^{ART BY RABBIT, CODE BY CALA}

@Jafar is the next to speak upon his introduction, and Velimor's gaze swiftly turns toward the bronze King. He might have managed a small smile had this been years ago, when he was younger and far less slighted, but all that there was upon his scarred face was an expression solemn, steeled. And yet, not unkind. Even he could not stifle the curious excitement that dwelled deep within his belly; the place Jafar described matched the earthy smell on his pelt, the kinks of fur that told of journeys taken place between the gnarled roots and snaking branches of a jungle. When the man speaks his name, Velimor inhales sharply.

It felt nice, in a way, to be desired again. Even if he was just another soldier in this man's army.

Thank you, Jafar, he replies finally, before turning toward the other two representatives, @Apollinaire and @Caligula. He would not force them to waste their time in explaining their cultures and customs when his mind was already made up. And thank you both. I believe Firnen will be my choice today. And, perhaps hopefully, he could collect himself enough there to begin the search for the rest of his scattered family; whoever had come here, whoever remained, whoever still wished for him to be a part of their lives. He then turned back toward the bronze King, and at last, a small smile unfurled upon his dark lips. I'll follow you.

Exit Velimor with Jafar

For the very few times that he actually ventured to the Passage to find recruits, he was quite pleased to hear that the handsome @Velimor was choosing his side of the land. Glad to hear it. And so he was, immensely glad that it was he who had been chosen today and to begin the walk home with his newest recruit. Hopeful that he wouldn't end up like the two he had taken into Ecrosia that had turned against him when he needed them most. That had left a sour taste in his mouth on recruiting at the Passage but at least Maia had been able to recruit loyal lions. Even if a few of them were family. I can catch you up to speed on our laws on the way, of course. Nothing too extreme, I guarantee. Jafar led a rather simple life in the pride but he was no fool to know that it would not always be that way. exit jafar w/ velimor

^{ART BY RABBIT, CODE BY CALA}

The male made his choice easily enough and Caligula couldn't fault him for it. Everyone had certain places that they felt they would most belong and that was what Caligula would wish for. While it would be nice to grow the Brook further he would rather someone go somewhere where they would be the most happy. That is why the bronze male was always willing to offer information so that the individual could find somewhere that would be the best fit for them.

He watched the pair head off and gave them a parting dip of his head. "I wish you well." It was an honest wish with no begrudging tactics added to it. Caligula then gave a dip of his head to the other representative that would also be leaving this encounter without a new member to add to their ranks. "Perhaps next time then?" He gave parting words of hope before heading away.

Caligula Exits