The gap in the mountains loomed ahead in the evening light. The last rays of sunlight were fading from the sky and soon the world would be blanketed in night. Two young lionesses approached, one bathed in earth and the other in shadow. The darker of the pair, almost looking more hellhound than cat, began to slow as they grew closer. The scents of strangers had started to reach them across the winds and Andromache's black eyes flashed to the mismatched brown and orange of her sister with a warning and a question. She supposed there was really little else to do except to continue their approach and wait for someone to find them, though. They were more or less throwing themselves to the wolves by coming here alone, but they could not be coddled forever either. @Beelzebub

table by ferus

They broach new heights with each passing step, crossing boundaries they have never dared to before. They have fled the nest, as younglings are wont to do, and by now, the girls have gone so far that the way back is blurred and uncertain. There is nowhere else to go but forward, into the mouths of lions. There is comfort in knowing that each of them had the other to rely on, and that there would be safety in familiarity when they woke each morning. Most of their journey has been uneventful, and without dangers to chase them down (for though they are hardly more than children, Beelzebub and Andromache are still massive in size -- untouchable by anything but other apex predators). She has taken to following far more often than leading, liking to take the backseat to observe their surroundings whilst her sister is more of the groundbreaker in the pair. They can both sense change in the air -- on the salt breeze, there is the untainted scent of their species, in uncountable quantities. Her ears twist back uncertainly, for though they can boast of many siblings, the girls are rather inexperienced when it comes to strangers. Andy, perhaps, will face it more bravely than her sister. The cliffs on either side of them plunge down into tumultuous waters, making for a foreboding welcoming, and she meets her darker sibling's gaze with an uncertain look of her own. There is, however, nowhere else to go but forward, and she sticks close to Andromache's hip as they cross the passage together, certain that fate awaits them on the other side. @Andromache

They indeed were throwing themselves to the wolves- large in stature or not, there were always bigger fish.... However, they should find themselves lucky that the first wolf that came to meet them was the red Noble of Wolfbron. She recalled back to when she herself had been traveling through the passage alone... Jewel had come to her side to accompany her through it, whether she wanted to join or not, for safety against some of the others that may want her for their selfish needs. She appreciated the woman's generosity even though she'd admittedly taken it for granted at the time. Now, in the face of recent attacks and tumultuous change of leadership, she wanted to be quick in extending that to these two young women.

Not to mention, Wolfbron could use some more strong women in their ranks, if they can help it.

"Welcome, to Amaryllis." She chuffed, walking forward with her head high and proper, but otherwise casual in her greeting. "My name is Circe Da'ei. What brings you across the passage?"

@Beelzebub @Andromache

table by sentinel / lion + sky

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

Evening promised dark deeds to fall under its embrace. For him the passage was too thoroughly traveled. Close to home, attractive to rogues, and granting him the opportunity to gauge the strength of other prides - these were advantages, yet they tasted often sour on his tongue, because when he weighed these advantages he felt like he was weighing them as a woman. What he wanted was the certainty of success... and if not that, at least a good fight! What the king did not want was to talk politics very sweetly like a lioness might, and he lumbered dour despite his wounded right leg, daring anyone to suggest that he was not looking for a fight.

He smelled several rogue scents, faint of sex, suggesting children who were perhaps at the tender chicken nugget stage. These would be delicious, of course, so he followed them, taking note of two other lions who proceeded him. Neither he knew. Neither he needed to know, and perhaps they would be weak enough that their acquaintance could still be postponed. He squinted, noting two of them, but as he was approaching from behind the female caught his eye first. Nice tuft. Smelled like the bluffs. Were all their females so red? The king had been an appalling unattractive color but maybe he had an eye for beauty. If she had a silvered tongue as well, maybe she would be worthy of his attentions - yet now, Vermier fixed his eyes on the immediate prey. A colossal male who held himself like a kicked puppy, cringing low, as if in fear of two yearling females. Well may they outrank him if he was so afraid! His words were difficult to understand. All polite and formal and stuff, stuff that he was used to tuning out when it came from his sister's mouth. It was never important at all.

Vermier stopped somewhat behind the others, away from them. It was quite beneath him to join the conversation as though he was anywhere near the same caliber. "Hallo mademoiselles!" his flashing grin already held a joke for them. One dark and sharp looking like the embodiment of night, and the other scruffy and brown like a hyena beast. Both very intriguing by appearance. They would be good friends for the Dieudonné yearlings. Or entertainment. Good... entertainment. "Skeela best pride here! Now pride for you! Maybe blood you see?" Maybe was the test, the joke, because it was blood he wanted. His eyes narrowed and his grin diminished into a flat line of teeth over bared fangs. He cast his attention slightly away from the pair and watched the adults. It would not surprise him if the female sought to detest him instead of the simpering male. Males who tried to engage in political command like females seldom were as dangerous as them.

@Andromache @Beelzebub @Circe @Seraphiel

Given the density of the scents ahead, it was no great surprise that even this late in the day someone was there to greet them. No sooner had the sisters looked away from each other than did silhouettes appear ahead. The first was political in her manners, surely willing to make promises in their best interests but not trying to steal them away at least. Andromache was by no means brave, she just enjoyed her place in the shadows enough that she didn't care to play the sickly sweet part. Didn't care to be respected so long as she got what she wanted. The last to arrive wasn't so much sinister, but he didn't mince his words, no matter how little sense they might have made.

Her brow furrowed and she turned to looked at @Beelzebub, "I think he just claimed us. What do you think?" The girls hadn't had a real chance to answer the invitation of @Circe before @Vermier showed up, so maybe if Bee didn't like the look of this guy, the Wolfbron lady could challenge him? Whatever happened, Andy didn't really feel like running unless someone was actually imminently going to eat them. Her black eyes were quick to shift back to the three strangers with suspicion. She didn't much care where they ended up so long as they had food and shelter, but maybe Bee cared one way or the other.

table by ferus

It's not the first time that she's fallen behind, nor will it be the last. They're all very aware of her fish-brain, a short attention span attached to a restless body. If she could speak, she'd have driven her siblings absolutely batshit over the course of this journey. Instead, in silence and often without warning, distraction drags her off their shared path every now and again, either by some flash of movement or an intriguing smell. Never for long does she allow them to gain ground (lest she miss out on some meal they've managed to scrounge). Their still-developing rumps disappear from sight quite often, to be sure, but their musk is burned into her brain, layered thickly in the creases of her nostrils, and so they are never truly gone at all. Lumbering strides lead her back to their sides time and again, guaranteed.

When finally she spies them this time around, it isn't just the two of them anymore. From even this fair distance between them, Urs can taste the dense populace of lions beyond, in the direction now blocked by two strangers. Undoubtedly it's what has led her sisters here, across this soft sandbar into the realm. And already they're being investigated, newcomers to claimed lands, to established cultures and prides and families. There's an acceleration in her heartbeat, in her limbs as her wide paws take her closer, lilac eyes alight on the unfamiliar faces so near to her beloved sisters. Bravery doesn't even cross her mind (impulsive and emotional thing that she is), but protectiveness does, and her thick frame only slows when she is upon them all, veering closest to the two she'd followed in. Andro is peering at Bee as the freckled one arrives at their sides, and as such Ursula's own gaze seeks to find those heterochromatic eyes for a moment.

The glance is fleeting, though, as she's far too interested in the strangers to stop staring at look away from them for long. Besides, she'd not receive any information on the situation at paw until someone made a move. Whether that would be her sisters, this ruby-pelted female or the brown-coated male remained to be seen. Peering at the unknown with calm confidence was better worth her time. She's bright blue of eye, with a smattering of freckles adorning the bridge of her nose. The way she holds her neck high seems proud but not rude, distinguished. There's no other indication on her features of her intentions here. He, on the other hand, is peering at them as though they might be toys, or else they smelled a little gross. The prominent circles around his narrowed eyes made their crimson ever darker, and her eyes linger on the tight grimace displaying his teeth before settling steadfastly on one of his pale eyebrows. If he had a problem with her sisters, he'd have a problem with her too.

Interesting.

It was to be expected that such a gathering of rogues would attract attention; especially women, young ones too. He did not recognize the carmine-pelted woman - @Circe - that smelt of Wolfbron, but @Vermier was a now vaguely familiar face. Magnus had not arrived in time to catch what the Scilla patriarch said - the accent was thick, anyway, and hard to distinguish especially at a distance - but the expressions of the yearlings implied some sort of reluctance. Well well. He huffed a greeting as he slowed to a halt on the outskirts of the gathering, but would say nothing else for now. Things seemed weighted between the brunette King and the youngsters that faced him; Magnus was content to sit back and listen for now. Best to know what was said before wading in.

@Andromache @Beelzebub @Ursula

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Truthfully, whatever gets them through the passage as quickly as possible is the most beneficial option to Bee. They have been traveling for what seems like forever, and they are weary and thin; her feet hurt, and she wants nothing more than to rest in whatever home will have them. A sharply-hued russet female joins them first, introducing the land as Amaryllis, and herself as Circe. The girls do not immediately offer an answer, for they could be described as socially awkward at best. They have little experience outside of their own family, and are far from versed in the subtleties of politics. And before they can even attempt some sort of appropriate response, another approaches, loud and boastful and his words heavily accented. She can only assume that "Skeela" is his home, as he proclaims that it is the pride for them. Bee can tell, at least, that they aren't being given much of a choice -- but honestly, she does not much care. They have yet to realize that there is true evil in the world, after all. As Andy meets her gaze, questioning the paler of the two's thoughts on the matter, Bee hmms softly. She is distracted by the pitter-patter of approaching paws, a familiar sound that comes to them now and then; Ursula is prone to wandering, but always returns sooner or later, and this seems to be just such a time. Bee is quick to sling a paw around her rather feral's sisters shoulders, seeking to grab her close and prevent her from doing anything rash; it is difficult to explain their intent here -- Ursula must rely on trust that her sisters have her best interest at heart. "No blood today," she determines, though she must admit that she is intrigued by his mention of it, given her own fascination with ritual sacrifices. A conversation for another day, perhaps. "We will come with you to Skeela," she tells the exuberant man, wherever that is. "I'm Bee. This is Ursula. She can't hear you," the girl states, introducing herself and offering vital information that will help her sister be at least somewhat understood in their new home. She glances towards Andy, allowing her the opportunity to give her own greeting to the man who seemed would be their king. Truthfully, she hardly even notices the final stranger on the outskirts, for he arrives without fanfare or any words. She glances to him momentarily, curious about his silent purpose, but her gaze soon returns to the ruby-eyed king. @Andromache @Ursula @Vermier @Circe @Magnus

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

The first one sent out a deliberate question and confusion, consulting with the other yearling. "Oui, claim!" the king confirmed merrily. It was not worth his time to shovel through all the feminine niceties of invitation when rogues were a dime a dozen and he had the power to simply take and sift through them later. The reactions of the red female and the colossal male were far more valuable and he narrowed his eyes at them though eventually found them lacking, snorted, and looked back to the yearling cluster. Another yearling had come to lurk @Ursula. This one was more of a warm brown, like his own coat; the other speckled one was dull-dark like his sister. They were each obviously more related to each other than possibly to him. Dark leggings were unfortunately common. Maybe once he ruled the entire island he could wipe them out, reserving dipped beauty for the Dieudonné. It was touching that the first girl hoped to restrain this one. Protecting her from him, or him from her?

He heard a huff behind him - deliberate - this greeting, and nothing more, struck him as manipulative, but he would not be fool enough not to investigate a new presence whether his investigation was desired or not. He turned and looked the dark, huge male @Magnus over. Intimidating. Maybe. Or maybe a coward who thought to let his size do the talking for him, but would actually turn and flee if pressed. The lack of mane did imply some inherent weakness of character. Vermier peeled his lips over his fangs, letting them glisten in a typical smirk. This was someone who needed more testing.

The first brown female seemed to do the speaking as well as the commanding. Although she was only a yearling, this raised her in his estimation. A proper female. One who led and spoke for others, knowing that letting others speak for themselves was often just farting stupidity into the air. "Ah, no today? Later, eef want!" or if she didn't but later. "Good! Good! Skeela love femme-ale strong!" Two names were given. Without surnames. Somewhat disappointing, but also advantageous to him. Other families were only competition. He understood that the newest yearling was deaf. He half-blinked at her in greeting since words would be useless, and smiled at Bee to grant her a mite of approval for wording this information in a way his deficient English could understand. "Et you!" his smile passed to the dark one @Andromache without fading. Yes, he could be beneficent to all. Those who served him got nice things. "Skeela, Skeela, we go!" he announced, moving off back toward the Lagoon. A nice catch for the day!

-exit

Just as she was turning to see what @Beelzebub wished to do when their straggler also appeared in her black view. @Ursula was fashionably late but so was @Magnus, and while Bee paid attention to @Vermier, whom she’d declared as their new Sovereign. He had the same dark mutation that blanketed Andromache and marked her different from her siblings but she could only spare the dark man and @Circe a respectful nod before the accented man declared they would be on their way now. “Andromache,” she said after lingering a last minute. Once Ursula was safely on her way, Andy followed the trail of wildlings and the French king out. exit Andromache w/ vermier

table by ferus