The large cat lumbered through what had once been greenery, his chest tight with some terrible mix of anxiety and guilt. He had been so preoccupied with the disasters of the land that he had not made the effort to see Elke again following their visit. She was a capable lioness, surely, but Calder knew he had a habit of being a fair-weather friend. As such, he was making an effort to seek her out in the turbulent weather, too.

As the trees turned from frosted tips to charred remains, he wondered if he was going in the right direction at all. He lifted his inky nose to the air and took in a few deep sniffs, the musk of a scent marker quite clear. Twitching his whiskers thoughtfully, Calder let out a quiet call for the lioness to see if she might be nearby and, god willing, alive.

---

|| may y8 | two years | VB barony | at firnen rainforest | @Elke ||
+5 - BWP-related exp

code by corvus, art by moogle

she had been exhausted by the strain of putting out the fires and what other natural disasters that plagued the land. those activities and that of her solo hunting had taken a toll in elke's health that she slumped low within the confines of her den. talitha was no longer the leader so she had no responsibilities to the pride itself. but she was also instinctually a guardian, shield and protector to the place she called home. it was within her blood to answer any calls from the border and place herself between the caller and the pride.

this time, she was most happy to hear that it was @Calder who asked for her. she hadn't seen him since they last parted in his pride. throughout the in-between, elke wondered what the baron had been up to. was he well? how was his pride faring among the chaos? if elke hadn't been so intent on guarding her own pride, she would've came to help. a heavy feeling of guilt pushed its way into her chest cavity as she approached him.

hey calder elke said, breathless. he looked alright at the moment. there were no visible injuries she could find nor any sudden change in expression that may suggest otherwise. but not all injuries were visible to the naked eye. how have you been?

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He waited in eerie silence, noting how the usual chatter of birds and monkeys was absent from this place. Could it really be that much different than the jungle? A solid pit of dread was forming in his gut, anchoring him there as he waited for any sign that his new friend was indeed alive. The trees were woven closely together, though their branches had been charred and deadened with fire, leaving a sour stench in the air that threatened to overwhelm any possibility of tracking effectively.

Just then, a pale figure broke through the trees. Calder jolted slightly, his paws moving more quickly than his mind could process as he rushed to try and close the gap between them, breathless as anxiety melted from within him.

"What happened?" He blurted out, knitting his brows together with concern. "It's so burned. The trees are so sparse. Where have the animals gone?" Calder noted, glancing around them to the carnage. "I'm okay," he answered finally.

---

@Elke
+10 - Discuss the features of a territory with someone
+10 - Find a notable landmark in a territory
+5 - Explore the borders of a pride or group

code by corvus, art by moogle

elke had not realized the extent of her rainforest's destruction until @Calder spoke up about it. long had the lushness of firnen been stripped of its life. the birds and animals either left or were left buried beneath the mud as charred remains. elke had almost became one herself during the first week, but a pride lion rescued her before she was consumed. while she was happy to see calder healthy and well, she couldn't put aside that her home had been ravaged beyond recognition. at least, the lions here were safe and well. she was still up and around, even if she was tired of the fires and tired of the destruction.

gone she told him. and elke wanted to tell him that she found some of their remains. but her mind egged her on to say otherwise. but they'll come back. the ones who escaped, anyway. elke couldn't imagine the creatures would find another habitat that suited them more than the rainforest. perhaps a miracle would happen and the lands would revive itself. she heard the god here performed such feats in the past, even if they may be rumors and lies.

paranoia that a fire could start again made elke look around. when the coast was clear, and safe, she beckoned for calder to come in. i'm just glad we're all safe she said, voice almost a whisper. but it's not a good time to have a conversation here. my den is near the water so...follow me. normally, elke didn't like the idea of sharing a den with someone else. but this was calder and they were better off being safe than sorry.

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"Gone." The simple word cut him like a blade as he gazed around, practically able to feel Maua's mourning as he stood there.

"My aunt always said the rainforest was a lush haven," he explained solemnly. Standing there amongst the charred remains of the trees, he was struck with grief. The destruction was far more visible there than in Vermeda, where one could pretend the wintry frost was a mere callback to another season. "But it's not a good time to have a conversation here. My den is near the water so...follow me." Her directions shut him up effectively, nodding in compliance.

"Okay," he said, moving to follow after the small cat wherever she would lead him, even if it was deeper into the volatile territory.

---

@Elke
+10 - Discuss the features of a territory with someone
+10 - Find a notable landmark in a territory

code by corvus, art by moogle

one day it'll be back to the lush haven your aunt told you about elke said, though it was also half a promise to herself. she had no idea when it would happen and how, but firnen will regrow and become the rainforest it once was. all elke had to do now was to survive and help her pride mates survive as well. and even though she realized @Calder should not be here, a large part of her was relieved to see a familiar and friendly face.

the walk to her den was a quick one. elke had mastered the ability to take as big of a stride as possible now that she was faced with imminent danger at every corner. there was only the lone water source behind her that still remained untouched. but each day, elke wondered if it was her, or if the water level was slowly rising. she couldn't study it as intently now with a guest over so she instead took to heading inside her little home. there was enough room for two lions, sure, but calder was bigger than her. make yourself comfortable she said with a genuine smile this time.

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"One day it'll be back to the lush haven your aunt told you about," she insisted, and Calder decided that this was something he liked about Elke. Her spirits never seemed to dampen, even in the wake of utter chaos that left him feeling disheartened at best. He followed her through the territory, noting the river that ran through it and then eventually what appeared to be a modest den amidst the brush. "Make yourself comfortable," she instructed, and he could not place why heat flushed his cheeks at the statement.

He smiled at her, though he hesitated in moving forward. Had he ever visited a den that did not belong to his family, he wondered? He was only allowed a moment to consider this before he resolved not to insult her by turning her down, moving quickly to duck inside the shelter.

"I'm glad your den has stayed safe," he murmured quietly to better match their close proximity, trying to tuck himself snugly in the back of it to take up as little of her space as possible.

---

@Elke
+10 - Find a notable landmark in a territory

code by corvus, art by moogle

@Calder wasn't quick to accept her offer of coming inside her den. elke couldn't fault him, not when the sheer idea of sharing a den with another was alien to her. she had seen others share their den, with children, with loved ones, and with friends. calder of course would be a friend, so it ought to be normal for them to be inside the same den - elke's den at that - all at once. right?

she laughed at how calder clung tight to the wall, as if his form will swallow her own if he didn't. the image of big calder squeezing in was funny, but it also lifted some burden off of her shoulders. it's fine if we-if we touch elke said, realizing just now how awkward it sounded. i'm not a biter. her words sounded off but elke insisted to herself that it was just her fatigue. but a part of her was embarrassed. perhaps with time, she would be used to such things.

now, however, elke realized how strange and quiet it was. usually, she would be content to take a nap or re-organize her padded fur underneath. but with calder here, it felt like she should be busy entertaining him. if i can, i would like to join the brook in the future. elke said, hoping that that would dissolve the silence. she looked down at her paws, at the small nicks and scars from her patrols and hunts. but i have responsibility here.

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She laughed, and Calder could not be sure exactly why. He stretched his lips into a sheepish grin, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment he could not name. In the warmth of his fur and of the den, he half-wondered if the flames were about to engulf them. "It's fine if we-if we touch, I'm not a biter," she insisted, and Calder finally let out a laugh of his own.

"You look like one," he joked, nestling in to adjust slightly so that he was not entirely plastered against a wall of brush. He lifted one arm to try and place it gently over her shoulder – daring as he had ever been. It should not have been surprising that the little nook smelled like her, notes of herbs and flowers finally overpowering the scent of ash from outside as he tried to will himself to unwind for a moment. If he had come those months ago when they first met, he imagined this would have felt more like a paradise than a corner of safety against the world.

He flicked one ear forward with surprise as she announced that she would like to join the brook eventually, if not for her responsibility there in the rainforest.

"I didn't mean to pressure you earlier," Calder insisted, worrying that she might feel obligated to join him after the things he had said. "I'm sure you love your home like I do mine. I'm happy just to see you," he explained, turning his head to try and meet her earthen gaze.

---

@Elke

code by corvus, art by moogle

elke would've showed @Calder her fangs in jest, but instead of just showing, it instead looked something more akin to a forced smile. at least she took great care of her dental hygiene and she hadn't eaten anything yet. she absolutely didn't want to make calder faint with bad breath.

calder shuffled close, even placing an arm over her shoulder. elke stiffened, mouth half-way between surprise and a smile. her heart fluttered for a moment at this sudden touch, mimicking something close to what happened when talitha kissed her. but this was different too; elke never had been close to any men in her life. nor was she close to any women either, which was why both actions made her feel odd. a part of her was secretly thrilled, but another part - the stronger side of her - felt entirely different.

it was like she wanted the linger touch, but she also didn't want it.

elke almost missed calder's words, before her ears perked up and she swiveled her head to meet his. they were much closer than she anticipated. oh? no it's fine! elke said, laughing a little. i actually...love the people here more than the actual pride itself. it was an admission she had never told anyone. but it was true and elke was glad she said it. the realization took more than a few weeks of being here for her to confirm. firnen may be beautiful and bountiful, but it was talitha, mordecai, jurgen, and the rest of the lions here who made it even better. but i bet the brook would be just as nice - you're there, aren't you? and maybe it was her being too tired, but elke's body collapsed against calder's, her head pressing into his thick mane.

i'm sorry! she said, quickly gathering herself. yet still, most of her was still stuck close to her friend. the space was ample for her to move, but her body insisted otherwise. you can lean on me in return too elke added, deciding not to fight anymore.

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