Even though she could not immediately sell the idea of a betrothal, Talisa was all for giving them their best chances to do so. If they didn't find someone worth their attention then perhaps, in the very least, they could find some good solid friendships within @Kiton's children. That was what she really wanted most was for them to build some solid connections in their beginning of their lives so that they would be able to explore their world without feeling so alone. Family was nice but having friends was quite nice, too. So she ushered her kids near to the borders and stood in a safe, less mucky area before summoning her friend and his children. Though, she wondered if maybe they had already seen her coming.

manip & table code by k'sariya

@Cassandra @Khal @Ori @Farrow @Morrigan (spouses don't have to come, it's up to you!)
@Lysander @Aphelion @Delphine @Taj @Kallan @Hemlock @Silver

Cassandra Valour

Mama had woken her from a nice nap, and then expected her to walk quite a distance. She wasn't a fan of this trip, especially not since the start of it had disturbed her nap. When they were halfway there, Cassandra huffed and then let out a ""Are we there yet?"" The last bit of the statement was drawn out in annoyance. Her feet hurt as they traveled from the Brook all the way to this place Mama insisted that they go. ""My paws hurttt..."" She said, looking at @Talisa with a pitiful look. She had never traveled quite this far as of yet, and even though she was 7 months old now, she wasn't used to traveling such distances.

When they finally stopped near the borders of a mucky looking swamp, Cassandra looked at the location with disgust and slight annoyance before finding herself a somewhat clean location to flop down at. Her dark ears pushed forward and she lifted her head though as Mama let out a call that sounded like she was calling for someone. ""Who ya calling for Mama?"" Cassandra asked, tilting her head as she asked, her last two words parted by a yawn as the dark brown girl let out a large yawn, indicating her sleepiness after their journey from the Brook to this new place.

text. "She speaks." 'She thinks.'

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Ju didn't exactly understand where they were going or why they were going, but she followed her Aunt Talisa regardless. Wandering alongside the other children that took part in this adventure and wondering why this was so important. Mom wasn't around (yet) but father was sticking behind them closely, perhaps just to keep a watch on them but Juliette had long since figured out that she didn't need to have a guardian at all times. That her mom and dad were alright with other adults keeping a tab on her, though she doubted she could find much trouble. That was until her aunt called for someone and the princess gazed with confusion at her then promptly to @Cassandra who asked the very question she was thinking. Who was here? Why were they here? Juliette sat herself down, presuming to be done walking, and began to lick at her paw before swiping it over her right ear. Best look presentable!

table by ferus, art by dusk

following behind @Talisa, nymeria was equally as excited as she was nervous about today. would their children get along? would @Kiton and @silver like them? call it typical, motherly worry -- but it plagued the valour's thoughts nonetheless as they trudged eastward, corralling the gaggle of the children along as they went. as they approached the edge of the pride's borders, pale eyes would sweep across the territory before them, giving herself a moment to take it all in. instinctively, nymeria would arch her neck and look to plant a kiss atop the head of the nearest babe, before she straightened her posture anew and looked towards her sister. "today's the day, hm?" soft tones would muse lightly, hoping that her humor would help stifle any looming jitters. but, hopefully, the members of the mire would arrive soon, and save them all from their patient, and nervous, waiting.

she was a dutiful little daughter, following behind the other forms of her family as they set out on a grand and amazing adventure towards the mire. she had never gone so far from the brook before, and nearly every rock and tree garnered a flash of rhaella's bright, endearing gaze, her curiosity peaking as small, tempered steps moved her towards the thick embrace of the jungle. occasionally she would whisper low, sweet words towards @Juliette or @Cassandra, but, for the most part, she remained focused on what exactly they were up to today, unaware of the plan and thoughts that swirled within the heads of the adults. the nymph fumbled to halt once her aunt sent out a distinctive call into the air, ears pricking instinctively at the sound, as rhaella looked to push herself against her sister's side. she would remain silent for now, but it was eagerly that she waited for something -- or someone -- to sprout from the bushes, wondering what sort of beings this new place harbored, compared to her own home.

table by ferus

kiton hodari.

He was poised and ready as he emerged from a cluster of thick foliage, effectively announcing his presence to the group of Vermeda travelers with a wide smile stretched across his face and joy beaming in his gaze.
"Talisa, Nymeria," he greeted the leadership warmly, attempting to touch his nose gently at the side of each of their necks in a show of respectful affection. Whatever other adults graced their presence that day, these were the two lionesses he was most familiar with and on whom he depended for a successful outing together. Kiton stepped back to try and get a look at all of them, relaxing his expression to a softened smile as he looked upon the cubs of the Valour family. He could certainly see their parentage made plain, through pale and earthy pelt colors and eyes vibrant and cool. Glancing behind his shoulder, he waited with anticipation for his own brood to appear.
"Welcome to all of your highnesses to Ecrosia Mire," Kiton announced grandly, pleased at the idea of getting to show off his home as if it were some mystical place rather than merely their own nook of Amaryllis. "Our land is known to only allow the bravest of souls. Congratulations to you all for making it here. I am Kiton Hodari, and as a reward for your journey, you are all welcome to explore our forests. My cubs can introduce themselves and help show you around." He explained it all in the most exciting tones he could muster, hoping this prompt might prove more fun for the gaggle of kids than purely a meet-and-greet of diplomats.

(there are so many of us, please feel free to use this thread as a free-for-all or break off into individual threads in the mire if it's fitting?? no posting order just vibes)
@Cassandra @Khal @Ori @Juliette @Rhaella @Ariadne @Calder
@Farrow @Morrigan @Gareth @Soren @Nymeria
@Lysander @Aphelion @Delphine @Taj @Kallan @Hemlock @Silver

Khal came along behind his aunt and mother just as the King of the Mire appeared to give some explanation as to why they were here in the first place. It had been a long trek, but given that Khal wanted to be a pathfinder someday, he didn't really mind the ache in his paws. Likely he'd feel differently once he had to make the walk back but for now, he was still running on excitement. "It's so different from the Brook..." he said aloud as he looked at the swampy lands around them, but he was also eager for one of the Mire royalty to give him the tour, lest he tries to on his own and gets eaten by an alligator. "I'm Khal Valour," he introduces happily to the big King, standing a bit off to the side so he was free to be approached.

The anticipation of a meeting going on that day had filled little Kallan's body to the brim. She fluttered about under-paw of all the mire adults, trying to understand the things they talked about and why the air felt as if they were about to throw a party. She wondered if the surprise would ever come by the time she heard that announcement call that their visitors had arrived, sending her darting through the foliage of the mire to try and catch up with the large pawprints of her father.
"Hello!" She called out to announce herself, eyes almost even wider than the grin that was plastered on her expression as she greeted the group of strangers there at their borders. She took notice of the adults standing there, of course, but her attention remained fixated on the group of cubs more than anything. She had only known her siblings within Ecrosia and wondered what children from other places could possibly be like.
Tuning into her father's spiel about bravery and showing them around the territory, Kallan perked up at the implied invitation.
"I'm Kallan! Can we play hide?" And-go-seek was the rest of the title, though she had not quite grasped it in full.

Calder followed after the others, though he did not exactly have much say in the matter at that age. He brought up the rear of the caravan at most points of the journey, content to toddle around the thick scenery and take in the odd sights and smells. Every once in a while he would take a small 'chomp' out of this appealing shrub or that branch, taking note of the different flavor profiles and how much different it felt to eat things from different places. Silently, he thought about how impossibly wonderful it was that Maua had created all of this--all of Vermeda and each place outside of it, too.
He almost ran into his mother's rear end by the time he realized their party had stopped. Jolting to a halt and peering around her mature form, he witnessed the gathering of a strange group of cats--similar to the time they had met the "hollows lions", though it had been them to approach Vermeda rather than the other way around. Calder pursed his lips together and attempted to weave through @Nymeria's legs until he stood between her forelegs, staring up at the strangers with a deep blue gaze through fluttering lashes.

Wait 'til i get over this phase

Is that i knock on an early grave?

code by corvus

While the new father would have liked to be at @Nymeria's side when going anywhere away from Vermeda, being the caboose or the bumpers for the the children was a neck-and-neck tie. Fatherhood was new to him but definitely something he had never thought he would enjoy the same way others did. Lo and behold having his own children had certainly made him far squishier than he already was so he was happy to shuffle young @Calder along while Juliette, @Rhaella and presumably @Ariadne had already joined their mother at the forefront.

Arriving just in time to see his young son somewhat dumbfounded and quiet at his mother's legs. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, @Kiton. I am Gareth, Nymeria's husband. These four, he said as he drew a paw to point at each of his own, are our children. Gareth was no stranger to the art of betrothals but he knew better than to force anything with the Valour women. Instead, simply offering that betrothals could be good for them in the long run and nothing more. At least so that she knew that he was supportive of the idea. Go on then, he echoed to his present children in the hopes that they would mingle confidently. It was a large gathering much like that of the Hollow lion visits but he did not wish for his children to not get the most out of such an occasion.

table by ferus, art by munk