Silence filled the halls of the Nesryn cavern. Pale wintry eyes skirted about the landscape, a frown against the light tan of the homely muzzle. Even the plink of a water droplet sliding down a stalactite resounded within the hollowed core of earth. Rippled walls displayed a mirror effect, warped as her body elongated into mystical shapes. From her maw hung a thick badger fur, something to offer her family once she'd arrived. Now it would only due as an ornament for her sleeping quarters.

Athletic thighs rippled beneath the nutmeg surface, riddled in thin scars that told tales of battle prowess. Of course, the matronly woman was not one to engage in combat often, finding that only fights worth bloodshed grabbed attention. Protection of the Nesryn first and foremost. By scent there were none here to protect save one.

A singular scent trail wove through the cavern, familiar yet faded. To be the sole warden left, that would be a heavy burden to bear. Even across thick, wide shoulders she could not afford to carry such burden. Sorrow filled an aching heart, welled and seeped inside, withering ears against the skull as the badger hide was lain to rest against the cavernous room. The most telling sign were the carved indentations within the walls of the chamber - no other would do this aside from the Nesryn, her family's tales written against the walls.

"Oh Chinook, it seems we are too late," speaking firmly, sorrowful, pale eyes turn toward vaulted ceilings, uncertain if the raven had followed her within. Ever the mischievous companion she could never be certain of the bird's whereabouts, much less his intentions at times.

@Alabaster

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A lone cry sounding from on high. The black bird circling the snowy scape, searching for any signs of his own family. Yet his lone calls only echoed off the ice and snow.

Chinook swooped, an expert eye finding the small hole that led into the Tunnels and into the Nesryn Chambers. An entrance meant for his kind and his kind alone. Every flap of his wing bounced over the walls, echoing through the empty hall. Each overly loud beat a stab into his heart.

Oh Chinook, it seems we are too late..

Too Late! The corvid wailed. Too Late! Too Late! No Signs! All Gone! Chinook circled a few more times around the high ceiling before coming to rest upon Sienna's shoulder. His beak clipped and feathers ruffled up around his neck. There was very little in ways of bodily expression when it came to birds, but the low croaking that rattled around in his throat was sign enough of his growing grief.

His visits back home were becoming more and more infrequent. It was turning out to be a kin to a waypoint when his travels brought him into the North. It would forever be his home, there was no doubt, but lately the wounds were far too fresh. Seeing what the home cave had become left his heart to feel just as empty as the old familial halls.

Alabaster had almost not come that day. He was heading back down south and honestly coming here was a bit out of the way. But something nagged in the back of his mind to check. To make sure everything was still as it was. He found it absolutely ridiculous to think that way. Of course everything would still be as it was.

He wound his way through the dark tunnels and was nearly there when realization twitched at his nose. A scent. Brows drew together as he slowed. It shouldn't have been too off putting if someone had found their way into the Nesryn Chamber. All older Natives were privy to it's location and it had always been a safe haven before the family holed up.

As Alabaster prepped himself up to either confront or greet this new guest, his heart skipped a beat and the world felt as if it came to a screeching halt. But it wasn't the world that was screeching. It was a bird.. The calls echoing out from the hidden entrance and into the cold tunnels The Warden stood in. No birds.. No crows had been in the home cave since..

Alabaster rushed forward, bursting into the great hall with very little grace. Blue eyes set wide and wild as he looked around, immediately coming to lock onto the clay lioness that stood in the center of the room.

@Sienna

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Indeed grief welled in her chest at the sight of the empty caverns with intricate carvings lining the walls as a reminder that her family had once occupied the halls. Brilliant blue eyes moistened though tears didn't spill, for she was tough, hardy, not prone to grieve in an open manner. Not even @Chinook would see her cry, though they knew each other well enough that the sorrow felt palpable.

"Where could they go?" After all they'd come to the island to rebuild the wardens. Empty halls were not what she'd expected. The might of the Nesryn bloodline couldn't simply crumble or wash away. Even as the dulled scents of the glacial cavern told her that none had frequented the place in quite some time, if at all, she wanted to scream her denial into the empty space.

Before her lips peel open the clamor of footsteps jolts her earthen body, swinging the athletic frame so that her bold sapphire find none other than @Alabaster barreling into the cavern. Shock overtakes muscles, causing a delayed reaction of joy as pointed ears slid against her skull. Alabaster? Near-disbelief colored her voice just before she moved forward in a lope to embrace her larger brother. Elation appeared across the clay features as she nearly wept against the pale mane, overcome with emotion at seeing her brother for the first time in ages.

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As the sorrow threatened to swallow the avian whole, a tremor under his claws caused his body to slowly puff up. Something was barreling down the tunnel and it was coming fast. Chinook turned an eye toward the entrance, beak giving another clack. This time it was one from nervousness.

When the great white beast erupted into the hall, Chinook let out a mighty squawk. He launched himself from Sienna's back in a flury of black feathers. He circled high before doing a few sharp swoops. "Go for the eyes! The eyes!" He cried, ready for battle. Waiting for @Sienna to launch the attack so he could aid her in his usual way. By diving in and grabbing at the opponents ears and nose to pester and distract.

He couldn't believe his eyes at first. Was this some sort of specter, come to play with his heart? No that made little sense. Alabaster had never been particularly spiritual in that way. He had never experienced any sort of afterlife activity.

His name rang through the hall as if she might as well shouted it. And then lunged for him. She did not have to bound far since his own limbs hurled him forward. The Warden skid to a stop, nearly barreling over from her impact. He rested in a half sit, one massive paw coming to wrap around the brown lioness and pull her closer. I can't believe this. He rumbled through a deafening purr. I didn't think I'd ever see you again, @Sienna Although she had said she would come back, it had been nearly five years now since that day. Half of him always wondered if something nefarious had befallen his dear sister.

A God's awful screeching brought him out of this moment of joy. He thought he would find reason to celebrate further, seeing their father's old companion and all. But the black bird wasn't looking for a reunion. The screaming about going for the eyes made Alabaster realize that the winged creature had yet to comprehend what was happening. Thus reminding Bast how very seldom the crow ever stopped to analyze a situation.
The avian swooped and Bast ducked just in time, talons coming to pull at his mane. Dammit, Chinook! It's me! It's Alabaster, ya thick skulled bat!

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"Sorry I'm late," voice was a touch raspy as she thrummed with a happy sound, thrilled to be reunited with @Alabaster when neither of them had thought they'd see each other again. Elation cuts short at the screeching above them, pointed ears twitched above the bright spice head, annoyed by @Chinook's inability to be so bird-brained sometimes. Cool blue eyes rimmed in a darker shade of brown drew heavenward to the crow, brow furrowed as the irritation drew obvious upon her brow.

Head shook as she grinned sheepishly at the great white warden. "A bloody idiot that one." Neither of them could deny that the bird was as much a part of their family as any other warden. "He's not used to seeing other wardens either." Lips curled in a frown at the thought, wondering how their family caverns had become so empty. Once the bloodlines had been strong, numerous, now it appeared only she and Alabaster remained.

Stepping away from the larger brother, azure eyes blinking as she considered the lion. "You are happy?" For even if it was just the two of them left, if her brother was happy that was all that mattered for her.

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He continued to screech and bat wing into the intruders face. Yet he quickly noticed that Sienna was no longer helping him. Or had she ever been?
The black bird swooped up and back, analyzing the situation and taking in what the white giant said. Head tilting to let himself get an eyeful of this man. Alabaster he says. Bigger, older, but Chinook looked harder to see the young lion he remembered.

Chinook landed near Sienna's feet. "Alabaster. Alabaster." He croaked with a bobbing head. "Older you be. Not the same lion as when we departed." The white feathers of his chest slowly lifted then settled. "Gone? The others? Dead?" Chinook peered at the White Warden carefully. He needed to know where the family had gone. Was it sickness? Starvation? Murder? He couldn't imagine them just leaving.

Alabaster shook out his mane once Chinook let off of him. The Warden listened but his ears slid back as a sorrowful look crossed his face. Grandfather died just three years after you left. Our Grandmother released us back into the world. Obsidian was with me and we patrolled the land together but.. Brows furrowed as he still blamed himself for their brother no longer being with them. I found my Fated, Alizabeth. Eyes looking to @Sienna in response to her question on him being happy. And I have kids. A smile; albeit a saddened one. Obsidian though.. He wasn't keen on it. My Fated, she uh, has another mate. His name is Ransom and we share children with with Alizabeth.
For anyone who had ever known Alabaster the idea of him being in a poly relationship would have been ridiculous. He had always been a stickler when it came to his own morals and beliefs. Polygamy wasn't against the Nesryn code, but Bast himself had only ever been interested in having one love all to himself. Obsidian as well. Our brother left when I told him. I haven't seen him since. The shame and hurt in his voice was evident. Grandmother passed not too long after that. As for everyone else.. I've heard nothing from them. He hoped with every fiber of his being that wherever the rest of their family was, they were alive and thriving.
Would you.. Like to meet them? My family?

Their brother's companion always had a way of being both endearing and an annoyance. Much to @Chinook's true nature he found himself entangled in the great white locks of her fellow warden. Posed questions came as squawks from the avian, all inquiries she'd like answers to as well.

Tanned haunches settled against the floor as @Alabaster took the floor, beginning to speak of Obsidian. Strange that there was only the two of them within the cave, which felt as though it should've been filled with the clamor of wardens speaking amongst each other. Pale sky eyes held onto the walls covered in paintings, listening to her brother speak of his experiences within Amaryllis. While Alabaster had gained something on the island it sounded as if he'd lost something as well - though Obsidian was surely not all encompassing. "Some of us just aren't ready for change." Shoulders rolled forth in a shrug, dismissing Obsidian for a fool as the great alabaster warden spoke. "As long as you are happy with this Alizabeth I will grant my favor to the match." Despite the look that crossed the pallid face she could see the hints of pride from the family he'd formed with Alizabeth and this second mate. Even so much as to create cubs with them. {I would very much like to meet them.}

Gathering tan paws beneath her there was a flow to the way she stood, facing the greater warden for a moment. "You can tell me about them while we walk there." Lips curled delicately as she began to pad toward the entrance, knowing well enough that Alabaster would lead she and Chinook once they made it out of the cavern. /exit with Alabaster?

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