NATURE’S WRATH

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Spring comes in like a lion.
Something is anew.
Nature is calming.
Nature is thriving.
Will you heal?

The snow and cold has not entirely lifted from this portion of the Grove. But it has made travel through the thicket a bit easier as portions of thick briar is kept at bay and has not began to grow fresh new spring growth yet. Everything seems just a bit thinner and it makes navigation easier, the thicket is less of a maze and less dangerous to explore today. It is drawing a fair bit of attention, with lions taking the chance to come here while they might not get lost, and there are plenty of new faces to see here. Some old faces may turn up too as the thicket turns into the latest Valoria hangout.

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How strange it is, to see snow still covering the ground this late in the year. The greenery that had long been set to sprout along the floor of the pine forest competed with the unusual frost and chilly atmosphere, creating an odd picture of colorful plant life struggling against the cold, white blanket. It was an enchanting sight, even if it seemed faintly unnatural. Or perhaps it was because the turn of events was so odd, that made the view so alluring.

But that white blanket is finally starting to show some holes, bright flowers blooming here and there in small patches beginning to release their sweet perfumes into the cool, crisp air. Adrien would be remiss not to enjoy the beauty of it while she was here. She can’t say she knows exactly how she’d found her way into the thicket. She’d simply allowed her paws roam beneath the pines with no particular goal in mind, until she’d blinked out her thoughts to find herself in the midst of lush, densely packed vegetation. Her violet-ringed eyes sparkled as she took it all in. The tangled weave of thick roots, the creeping carpets of fuzzy moss, and still, the occasional clump of snow scattered in a few places.

It's lovely, despite the fact that the thicket appears half-withered in places, likely a result of the late winter. It might be for the best, however, because Adrien suspects that it would be easy to get lost within the labyrinth of briars were the place decked out in its finest greenery. As it is, she thinks that she can retrace her steps easily enough. But why rush?

She settles herself comfortably in the shelter of a mossy nook, content to relax and take in the scenery for a while, with the cheery melody of birdsong is there to keep her company. She smiles as a pretty, orange-winged butterfly flutters past her nose, going nearly cross-eyed to follow its movements. The scales seemed to have shifted back in their favor. Spring was finally beginning to grab hold of this place, at long last. Maybe nature really was going to restore everything to the way it was supposed to be all on its own.

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It seemed the weather was finally beginning to calm, and as such he could return to his usual haunts without concern of becoming stranded or struck by some calamity. It seemed he was not the only one to have such a thought, as he saw many coming out in greater numbers than he had recently. Perhaps things were finally easing up.

He reached the Grove without trouble, and headed deeper in. It didn't take long to spot a familiar face. {I see you survived our odd season,} he commented as he approached Adrien, making more noise as he did so this time than the last as he was wary of startling her again. It wouldn't do to make a habit of that.

This place was far different than the Oasis. Here winter clung on still while back in the desert the sun beat down mercilessly and had nearly dried up the water source there. But here the snow melt created puddles on the ground. The lingering snow also caused drifts to make it easier to move through what had once been thick vegetation.

The sound of voices drew the lilac man forth. He had no idea whom the pair were but it didn't stop him from approaching. A nod was given towards the duo before he dipped his head down to drink from a puddle of snow melt.

After whetting his throat did the man finally speak. "This normal here? The snow and all?" Despite the hydration his voice still sounded ravaged, damaged vocal chords straining against use.

Well, traversing around Amaryllis was definitely her idea of a good time. And she had scented @Adrien again! What a happy thing! She bounced today, not bounding, not trotting- no today she moved like a disjointed bird as she hopped around landing lightly on her toes and into the thicket she goes.

She enjoys the fact that there was less thorns today and that it oddly seemed less prickly in general. Marja liked goop not prickles. She bounced around following the scent of her friend and when she finally saw her and a bunch of others who didn’t matter much- “Doing?” she would demand of her friend upon her bouncy arrival.

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He was not the only one to come to this place, it would seem. While Adrien was greeted by a woman he didn't know, he turned his attention to the man's question. Not at this time of year, he replied. He would have asked if the man was well, given how rough his voice was, but he was no healer and so the question would serve no purpose. The weather has been... odd, recently. I am hopeful that with the snow melting here, things are returning to normal. Of course, now that he had said that he also hoped he wouldn't have to eat his words in a couple of months, if this was just going to be the new cycle of life around here.

Such a lovely environment was bound to attract more than just one visitor, and the soft sound of paw steps soon alerted Adrien to the arrival of some lions into this cozy place.

@Tobin's approach is met with a warm smile, and a light laughter at his words. "I did! I'm half-surprised by that too." There were points where her survival hadn't seemed particularly guaranteed, the memory of being trapped in that cave-in never straying too far from her mind. "I'm pleased to see that you look well, Monsieur Tobin."

Another male arrives, his pelt wrapped in evening hues of plum and lilac. A lovely creature, despite his roughed-up appearance. And roughed-up voice, she soon discovered. One shoulder lifted in a delicate shrug in response to @Vitae's question, her head shaking slightly. She'd been told a while ago that the lingering snow wasn't normal, but Tobin was the one who knew these lands best and so she was happy to let him explain.

Ah, and what was that sound? The noise of a peculiar bouncing gait speeding through the thicket announced @Marja's arrival, and Adrien has to repress a sigh. Their paths seemed to cross a lot lately, didn't they? Was it truly just coincidence? "It's good to see you again too, Marja." She said dryly, pointing out the other's complete lack of pleasantries in that subtle way of hers. "I'm not doing much of anything, really. Just admiring the scenery. I think we'll have a proper spring soon." The noblewoman is clearly pleased by thought. "What about you?" Please don't say 'following me.'

Speaking of spring, her attention was drawn partially back to Tobin's comments about the weather, and she would nod along in agreement. "Things do seem to be settling down again. I just hope that this bizarre weather doesn't end up being a yearly occurrence. I doubt my heart could take it." She mused, only half-joking. "My name's Adrien, by the way. A pleasure." She inclined her head politely towards Vitae.

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Another joined the small gathering but seemed to only have eyes, and voice, for the lioness here. That was fine, Vitae wasn't all that concerned about such. He couldn't say that he wouldn't have immediately went to someone he knew versus those he didn't. But then it seemed he was the only stranger here.

Still, the original pair didn't treat him as an outsider but took the time to speak to him and answer his question. He knew all too well how his voice sounded and he hated it. He could only imagine how grating it had to be to others. But these few had never known the musical quality it had once possessed before his throat had nearly been ripped out to know exactly how much had changed.

"The Oasis is acting different too, so Haros said." So maybe this was a land wide thing and not stuck to a specific area. Though each area seemed to be going through its own little oddities.

A smile was given when he was told it was a pleasure. "Only when I'm not speaking." Vitae teased, making a joke at his own expense. The others might be too polite to say it but the lilac man knew all too well just how horrible he sounded. "I'm Vitae."

@Adrien @Tobin @Marja

As she practically dances on her toes, she almost glares at the male who speaks before her friend can reply to her. She huffs- her boredom apparent- until @Adrien spoke to her. She bounces again, and chirps happily. “Following. Smelled you.” She said.

Another spoke, and she whipped her head around to stare at them and then looked around them again. “Snow going away. Spring coming. Swamp less frozen.” She says, whilst nodding up and down eagerly. The swamp was thawing and she likes it. Her tail curls excitedly, where she has it high in the air as she whips her head around to study the other two that were present with a sort of disdain.

Naturally, the only way to determine if they were okay- because Adrien seemed to think was to smell them properly. So she marches up to @Vitae and attempts to press her nose into whatever part of him she may reach- assuming he doesn’t swat her into a thicket first. Does he smell good?

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Tobin dipped his head in acknowledgement of Adrien's words, his attention quickly being drawn to the other lioness who came upon the scene. He didn't know her, but clearly Adrien did so he trusted her by proxy.

"We have had some curious things happen in the Hollow as well," he commented. It seemed there wasn't a single territory within Amaryllis that hadn't been struck by some kind of oddity.

He watched as Marja approached the other man, stifling his smile of amusement at her antics.

"My apologies, but I cannot linger. I wish to see if prey is returning to the lands as well. It would be good to restock our caches," he said, dipping his head apologetically in farewell. They were free to join him if they wished, of course. The more the merrier.

-exit tobin-