(OOC: Set a few days after this thread: https://www.amaryllis-lions.com/showthread.php?tid=7224) Gawain made his way to the border of Caladan. He knew that everyone here was likely on edge, but hopefully they would recognize him from a few days ago. He'd promised to hunt for them, so he brought some food with him- a hare in his jaws and a duiker across his shoulders. He sat at the border, the same place he had a few nights ago, and chuffed for @Talisa or anyone who would answer. He just wanted to make sure that everyone was okay and had made it over safely. After all, not everyone had come with them that night.

code by irish

Keeping a steady eye on her kids had never felt like a more important job than it did now. Ever since they had arrived she'd been finicky and fidgety, concerned for their health and safety even if they were somewhere she believed to be safe. News had yet to come to her on what had happened but she had to believe that everyone was doing what needed to be done. If Vermeda had to be taken, then let it be taken but let all those there be free and safe. Even with how dedicated she was to keeping close to the den, she couldn't help but wish to watch the borders in case anyone came to tell them any news. So it was good when she saw @Gawain approach and she made a hasty jog towards him.

Prior to that challenge he had been a stranger and now, she considered him a great friend. One that she was happy to call an ally in such a dire situation. Happy that he had been at her side, prepared to protect her, her friends and especially Vermeda's children. Gawain, she said as she began to slow upon approach and could practically taste the food that he had brought for them just by looking at them. Thank you. If she hadn't said it enough times already but she would always owe him. Have you .. seen anything? Anyone? Farow, perhaps? Talisa hadn't heard or seen anything which could be a good sign but could also mean something terrible. She hoped it was the former but one could never be too sure.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Gawain gave her a smile and dipped his head at her approach. She was still okay, so that probably bode well, right? He didn't see anyone with her, so it seemed that no one was too panicked about his arrival at their border, which seemed to indicate that no one had attacked here. That was good.

@"Talisa, it's good to see you." He sighed sadly at her question and shook his head. "I haven't, I'm sorry. I've been trying to keep an eye out, but I've also had my family to protect as well. I haven't seen any of them take refuge in the jungle, though. And as far as I'm aware, Ástríðr and Leía are still well, if those names mean anything to you." He'd seen Ástríðr at the challenge, but he didn't recall seeing Leía there. "Leía is a native that lives in the jungle near me, she blessed my band." He decided to clarify, in case they weren't familiar.

"Is everyone here okay?"

CODE BY LARS & ART BY MOG

With Farrow having gone missing and feeling rather out of the loop on what was going on in Vermeda, she couldn't help but feel frantic as she tried to grab onto whatever loose change she could find. Astridr. I know her, I'm glad that she is well and safe. Leia, too. She didn't know Leia but if they were important to him, then she was glad that they were alright. As such it was good to know that those who were close to her family and had offered their services were well protected and doing good after all that had happened. Talisa could wish that it had never come to that but it would do no good. In the very least, it had made her far more aware of the awful things that could happen but also of the great friends that she had never met like @Gawain that had helped them no matter the cost. We are doing the best we can. My girls... constantly ask about their father, Farrow. He hid them during the challenge and helped me to get to them but... when we fled, he never showed up. That, so far, was her biggest pain -- she knew that Nymeria was safe and that her family and allies were planning their attack to get their home back into safe hands but knowing that her husband was out there somewhere frightened her. If only because she didn't know what to tell her girls.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Farrow. He paused for a moment to recall who he was, there had been so many names that night, and he had a bit of a hard time keeping them all straight.

But eventually, his face popped into his mind. Ah yes, Farrow. He'd been sent off with him, but somewhere in the confusion, the other man had gotten lost.

"I'm deeply sorry to hear that he hasn't returned. I don't have all that much free time, but I'll certainly keep an eye out for him in my travels." He knew it wasn't a ton of help, but it was the best he could offer.

He frowned slightly, thinking.

"I know this may be a silly question- but is there anything I can do to help with... well, anything?" He didn't have endless resources, but he could certainly hunt more, or check in with some ally- he was more than willing to step in wherever he could.

@Talisa

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The last thing that she wanted was to make him feel as though she were demanding things of him when he certainly had his own things to do and deal with. In the last week she had felt her mind being in a million different places at once and nowhere all in the same moment. A place filled with so much white noise that she had a hard time following anyone's voice let alone her own train of thought. Of course. Don't spread yourself thin, @Gawain. An eye and ear out is all I can hope for. He should continue his days as best he could and keep his own loved ones safe.

In the mere chance that he saw or heard Farrow nearby then she hoped he might act on it but truthfully, she knew that if Farrow were capable of coming home to her he would in a heartbeat. Perhaps his wanderlust lifestyle had caught up with him and he was taking the opportunity to return to that. After all, she had told him that she would never hold him back against his will and she would continue to do just that. Let a man have his freedom.

I think we will be alright for now. The crazy has passed and the hardest thing to do now will be to rebuild. And to find a good and honest way to explain all not only about Vermeda being taken, lionesses and children being coveted but also about their brother's death and their father's disappearance. All of which seemed to coorelate within the same span of time which made it all the more difficult to sift through. You've done my family and I a great service, Gawain. It will not be forgotten. Should you ever need anything of us, please don't hesitate to call for us. Talisa would do everything in her power to make sure that he was given the same strength and assistance that had been given to her and Vermeda. If anyone deserved all that they desired, it was he.

manip & table code by k'sariya

"Well, I'm more than happy to do that," he replied with a nod. The family had already lost their home, he didn't want them to lose anyone else along with it. If he'd been able to step in, he certainly would have tried- but so would nearly everyone else that had been at the challenge.

The fall of the brook had shaken everyone.

"If you need anything, I'm easy to find in the jungle. If you would like, we can declare a more formal alliance." He didn't want to appear to be capitalizing on their tragedy, but an alliance would benefit both parties without causing any more burden to either.

CODE BY LARS & ART BY MOG

No matter what was said or done, the Vermedan born lioness felt like she couldn't say thank you enough time. Any time there was silence she just felt the urge to embrace him and thank him for all that support that he had given to them. They may have been near strangers but his assistance had quickly boosted their relationship into a great show of faith and loyalty. One that she was certain would never be squandered so long as she was alive. I would love to have a formal alliance with you, @Gawain. Once we get situated back in Vermeda, I'll come find you and we can sort out the specifics. Deal? For now they were still separated by prides and they would begin the journey back home in a day or so but she was more than happy to extend that branch without hesitation. She knew what she had to do for her alliances as she felt confident enough in her relationships with those in Amaryllis to know that she had some of the strongest connections within her family, save for Nymeria.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Thankfully, she approved of the alliance. That was a good sign. And when the brook was back up and running, she'd come find him.

"I am glad to hear it. Travel safely. I wish you all the best. I am easy to find in the jungle, or you can just call for me."

His home was secure, yes, but not secretive. The dens were a little more hidden, but the territory itself was not.

"Is there anything else I can do for you before I head home?" Theyd covered food and an alliance, he wasn't really sure what more he could help with except carrying something or fighting someone, neither of which seemed pressing at the moment.

@Talisa

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Over most anyone that she wasn't already aligned with prior to Vermeda Brook's fall, @Gawain was at the very top of her list for recommendations. Even so, she wouldn't mind going straight to his Band and asking for an alliance even without discussing it with Aquila. She would, obviously, do so but she was that adamant that this was a worthy investment socially and politically. He had done so much and offered so much to her in that moment that she couldn't not see a good and steady bond. I will, for while he might not know it the Jungle and the Rainforest were two places in Amaryllis that were her absolute favorite locations. She'd been pretty bummed when lions had overtaken the Rainforest and used it as a pride location but she couldn't exactly snap at them to get out, now could she? I'll be alright. You've done plenty for me. You go home to your family and take it easy. Take care of yourself, now. Talisa needed to go continue looking after her kids and help Caladan out since they had a few extra mouths to feed and shelter.

manip & table code by k'sariya