if creation sings your praises so will i OOC NOTE: Sorry guys, I've brought a whole heap of folks to your doorstep :blush: @Nova @Shark @Yumpy pls can the rest of the Fellowship reply before you do?? Being back here felt strange. Almost a little wrong, truthfully. But word had spread quickly that the Rainforest had changed hands once again, and while Mordecai felt awfully bitter over the fact that Violarum had been so quick to seize Firnen from Talitha at her most vulnerable, only to cast it aside... well, he'd had to shrug it off fairly quickly. Shepherds did not sulk, especially not publicly. This was the time now where he had to focus on the betterment of his little faction, and they would thrive best under the roof of another. He had his own arrangements to make, but in the meantime they needed safety. Not only would it serve to create bonds and aid Mordecai and his flock to meet with wayward souls that needed the guidance of the Fellowship, but it was most important for @Shiloh; she was still very young, and while the group tried their best to shelter her, it would be best for her to live in a larger settlement until her father pulled everything together. Sooner rather than later. So he would come back to the threshold that he knew best; he had no idea what this new leader was like, but he trusted that between them they would be able to get a better grasp on who this new King or Queen was. Once the rest of the group had come to gather at his side, Mordecai would set out a summons for the new leader of the Rainforest. @Maia @Jafar @Thrain @Talitha @Viggo @Dumah @Ansella @Elke @Shiloh @Church @Valdi

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elke's still wonders about what fate sent her, these two babes with the marking of their father's line painted on their pelt. surely her dear mother had no ancestors who look like them, so elke assumed, after their birth, that the cubs' appearance is molded by calder and his family. since they're still young, elke has taken to keeping them hidden in an unmarked den nearby, close enough that she can go to them. only @Talitha and @Mordecai know the exact location, in case something will befall elke or her family in this meeting. but she's sure the new rulers will allow them their time to explain why they want to come back. perhaps elke can even get her position as noble back as well. for now, she prays that everything will go smoothly and the children of the flock will have a pride.

Ansella

Obediently, she follows- her head low, as she joins the family, her fresh scolding of sinning still ringing fresh in her ears. What had first simply been an act of desperation and convenience, was proving to be more difficult to accomplish in honesty without some appeals to those who offered her safety and protection. So she finds herself toeing the line as perfectly as she can, and she follows them. The promise of safety and a home... Still, Ansella follows- remaining towards the back of the group, her eyes scanning the rainforest that they had returned too. Why had they ever left? The question was silent in her mind, but she couldn't help but wonder.

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He had no need for the trappings of a pride, and certainly wouldn't follow anyone other than Mordecai and, by extension, Talitha. Yet their decision was to return to the Rainforest, and so he would follow them. They already knew he would obey no one other than them, so he had no further comment to make as he joined the gathering at the border. If nothing else, this would make it easier for him to protect the flock, having them gathered in one place.

Elke was there, her children no doubt tucked away somewhere to be moved to the pride later once they were accepted. For Viggo had no doubt they would be, unless it was their creator's will that they not be. Perhaps that would be the case. But, he doubted Mordecai would have chosen to bring them here if he wasn't already sure it was the right idea.

it had not been her idea — it had been dumah’s.

the prodigal son, returned on the dawn of ruin, had offered it — simply, easily, but it had made sense. there was a bitterness in her chest at returning to firnen as a stranger — but more than that, there was a guilt. dwelling deep and dark, twisting around her heart, but it was not time for her own misgivings. this was the best thing for them to do; they had more mouths to feed now, and amaryllis was not a safe place for rogues.

she brushes up against @ansella as she passes the mahogany woman, offering her a small smile and quiet purr — remembering when she’d found the woman on these very borders. delicate paws carry her next to @Elke, where she gives a little tsk of misgivings. you should be resting, sister, she says with a small smile, clearly delighted to see the young mother still among their ranks. the little ones were safely tucked away, she knows, but still — it would not do for elke to push herself, now.

finally she comes to rest at the side of @Mordecai, reaching up on tippy-toes to place a chaste kiss to his cheek. whatever might come from this, whatever regrets she might have, they fade away easily in the wash of firnen and the shepherd.

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Valdi was quick to follow behind Talitha, having adopted her as his family since he had been separated from his biological one. They had yet to find any sign of where Ragna and Rhetta may have gone after Firnen Rainforest had changed hands yet again. Perhaps another youngster might have been more concerned, but he knew that his family could take care of themselves. And why should he be concerned when he was quite happy living with Talitha and her strange family?

It was weird, coming back to the Rainforest after having left it because his father had abandoned it. He couldn't contemplate why his father would have taken this place from Talitha, only to abandon it and leave it to be fought over. Talitha should still be queen, at least in his simple little mind, but now there was a new ruler. And it seemed that today they would get to meet that new leader.

He was only mildly familiar with the rest of the group. They'd been rogues thus far, and not always living together, but Talitha had told him a little of who their family was. He supposed they were his family, too. So as he followed behind her he glanced at the strangers, almost shyly. It seemed that as he grew older he was also becoming a little more reserved and shy. Quiet, even. At least in the first moments of meeting someone new.

He hovered behind @Talitha as she greeted @Mordecai, his ears pricked forward as they waited for the rest of the family to arrive, curious and quiet, the stoic watcher of the proceedings.

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Dumah’s suggestion had taken root, and like a forest vine, it wound itself tightly into the hearts and minds of both Talitha and his father. The idea of returning to The Rainforest sent a pleasant trickle of excitement along his neck and spine. Once again, he could find peace within the deep green shadows.

If we are accepted, he corrects himself. Surely the new leadership would see such a large gathering as a blessing for their pride? Dumah follows his family, his curiosity piqued by a familiar face among The Fellowship.

Dumah notices little Valdi close at Talitha’s heels, yet his family is strangely missing. The yearling feels a rush of empathy for the boy—he too is bereft of his mother and sister, after all. He would make an effort to befriend the two-toned youngster. He favours Ansella with a warm smile, in response to her recent care.

As the scent of jungle blooms drew close, Dumah upped his pace. A twinge in his still healing paw causes him to pause. He hissed under his breath, and held his foot aloft as he waited for the ache to subside.

Shiloh was excited to be back in the rainforest, after all it was the first real place of home that she had known. Instead of sticking close to @Talitha, after all her heels were currently occupied by @Valdi, the strange not-brother that they had adopted, she stays closest to @Dumah. Shiloh had taken quite a liking to the man the very moment she had met him. The young girl flocks to his side, staying particularly close as they near the borders of the rainforest. She glances upward at him, though doesn't say a word as she watches everything around them. That watchful gaze would flicker to her mother and Valdi and then to @Mordecai. A few others were with them as well, all part of their little family, but Shiloh felt most comfortable with Dumah as she waited to hear what all of this was about.

Maia was not yet used to be called for at the borders of her new home. Whilst she had been here for a good month, now, it still took some adjusting to be able to drop what she was doing and answer the call from her borders.

At the time when @Mordecai had called, the High Sovereign had been snoozing next to one of the many waterfalls the Rainforest seemed to offer. She was basking in the summer sun, enjoying a moment's peace before she headed out to recruit some more able-bodied individuals. But it seemed today that Maia did not need to leave her home in order to recruit. Rising to her paws and stretching away any slumber, the ashen Tolkien moved to the eastern border, where the Fellowship seemed to have gathered. Pushing through the dense foliage and out into the open, her fiery eyes looked at those that had gathered. Admittedly, she was a little shocked to discover such a horde, but she was not one to turn them away if they were seeking shelter.

Maia does not recognize any of these lions, so she calls for her husband, @Jafar, to join them. If @Thrain wanted to come too, she would certainly not deny the company. But for now, the High Sovereign would greet these newcomers alone.

Good morning, She remarks as her grey paws slow down to a halt against the humid grass beneath. I was not expecting so many of you to be at my borders - welcome to Firnen. My name is Maia, the High Sovereign here. What can I do to help you? She asks, making eye contact with each lion before naturally returning to Modercai.

@Shiloh @Dumah @Valdi @Talitha @Viggo @Ansella @Elke

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The behemoth was fashionably late but by no means was he going to apologize for having done so. This was his land, after all, and while it might be considered rude to let your guests be waiting longer than they had to, he had no control over it and thus wouldn't fret. Thankfully he was able to see that @Maia had arrived to greet not one but insert jafar counting quietly here eight lions at the borders. My, oh my.

With ease he settled in at his wife's side and allowed his own figure to boast to show that his High Sovereign was not alone. That she had quite the powerhouse beside her as well as hidden within the tight spaces of the Rainforest. Welcome. I am Jafar Casales, Sovereign. Though, he was much more delighted to let Maia take the reigns on the conversation and he would interject if it seemed absolutely necessary or if he was specifically talked to. @Thrain, he hoped, would come and see to the greeting at the borders. It was a task that he was going to have to get used to doing it just as going to the Passage was.

@Mordecai @Elke @Ansella @Viggo @Talitha @Valdi @Dumah @Shiloh