With the unsettling dreams that he had been having the bronze male couldn't help but to go out and check on one of the newer formed prides. He chose to go to the Plains versus the Summit simply because a number of Brook members had migrated to the Summit and he figured that if anything were to happen there then they would send word. He didn't know of anyone that resided in the Plains, that is what drove him to check on them. It had been a twist of nature that had crafted the pride. He didn't wish to see them torn asunder by another. And perhaps he could do some diplomatic work for the Brook while he was at it.

The male made his way through the Fields until he finally reached the Plains. He kept well away from the border markers to ensure that he wasn't about to trespass. Snow lightly covered the northern portion of the Fields. It was from this side that the bronze male waited. His toes curled in the fresh fall of snow as he sent up a call for whomever might be home. There was nothing left to do but wait.

She hadn't forgotten the nightmare that had jerked her awake in the arms of Nero. It had chased her in the moments when she found herself alone, when she thought that there was something amiss in the world. She couldn't pinpoint the source of the feeling, that something was wrong that something was off. Yet, her duties kept her busy enough that she somehow managed to not dwell on it much, except today. She had been staring at the freshly fallen snow, actually not that far from the border when the call came- lost in the depths of her mind.

She shook herself, blinking trying to bring herself away from that primal terror, that unsettling feeling that something wasn't right. Something was different, and she rose to her feet in search of the caller. As she approaches, she notes the figure among the freshly fallen snow, and it's when she draws closer that she realizes that he smells of the Brook. A warm smile, is what she offers, as she realizes that he flickers at the edge of her memory... "I think I met you before... at the passage." She says, her brow furrowing. "When I first came here... Caligula?" She searches her memory for the name. "Oh, you probably don't remember me- you've probably met so many in the Passage. Ghyslaine Olympe. High Sovreign of Lorien Plains- welcome to our home." She says warmly.

@Caligula

_{— art by yumpy}

Caligula was surprised to have someone living in the Plains already knowing his name. And then she reminded him of where she had recalled it. "Ah yes, I remember. I am glad to see that you have found somewhere to settle. And look, you have even made quite the name for yourself. High Sovereign." He smiled, warmth in his words as he really meant everything he had said. He really was happy for her. "I came here thinking I wouldn't know anyone." And while he didn't really know her as they had only met once it was still a familiar face and there were no hard feelings involved. Granted Caligula didn't bother to hold grudges to begin with. He preferred to see the good in everyone.

"Thanks for the welcome. I still reside in the Brook. Still Noble there." But even though he had been welcomed he didn't take that as an invitation to get closer. "I don't know if you remember the mist from before. It was stealing away pride members. I had a dream with it in it. I am concerned it might be returning. I just wanted to check to make sure everyone here was doing okay as being a newer pride. The changes in the land have brought about this place and I wanted to make certain that you hadn't disappeared already." After all one simply couldn't control nature. They simply had to combat what was thrown at them the best that they could. "I didn't get good intentions from the dream..."

@Ghyslaine

She smiles kindly at the male, welcoming him to cross the border, to join her in the pride-lands- to the shelter the tall grasses offered if he wished with a flick of her tail. "Ah yes- my friend- one of my dears- Violarum founded this place but his daughter Vera has gone missing, and I stepped up to watch over it in his absence." She explains.

"I consider Cassandra a friend, and as such- anyone of the Brook a friend too!" She assures him kindly. "Feel free to take a rest if you need, otherwise- I'll show you what appeared seemingly out of nowhere if you like?" She offered, him kindly. For a male that had been here when she arrived, surely he had been in Amaryllis longer than most- and thus deserved a chance to see what had appeared out of nowhere. Her ears flatten nervously, however, as he talks of mist. "I think my arrival happened at the tail end of that. I heard rumors.. but I thankfully did not experience it. " A swallow, and a long pause. "I had this nightmare though... It seems so silly but something just feels... wrong." She says thoughtfully.

@Caligula

one more day with you

but oh, you taste like wealth. oh i'd risk my health, for one more day with you-- this is a tricky age... we're birds stuck in a cage, wish i could fly away with you. we fit perfectly like milk and honey, but somethings don't mix like young love and old money...

code by corvus||art by dispero

Caligula slipped across the border and came to stand next to the lioness. "He is lucky to have you then. It is not that easy to just take over a pride." Surprisingly enough he actually had experience on that. Caligula had actually been King a time before.

"Cassandra is High Sovereign now. Aquila has stepped down to be there more for our family when the new cubs come. Perhaps you should stop in to talk about an official alliance." If they already knew each other and were considered friends then it certainly couldn't hurt. "And I would love a look around. I must admit that I am quite the curious sort." The maneless lion was always interested in knowledge and learning new things.

He nodded along with what the lioness was saying. "I feel the same way. And Aquila says that Maua would never steal anything." So he wasn't certain what all of the accusations were about. He just knew that he didn't like all of it.

@Ghyslaine

She offers a small smile and sighs. "I'm trying not to let him down, but it's not easy. I wish he was here. Everything felt easier with Vio around." She admits- Ghyslaine misses her best friend- his strength, his swagger.

"Cassandra will make a good strong ruler, I think very highly of her." Ghyslaine admits. "I do not know Aquila well, I'm... not sure he likes me much." She admits with a soft laugh. "I don't blame him- I was a member of the Mire, Alaric was- is one of my good friends. I find myself in an impossible situation most of the time trying to be everyone's friend." She sighs. "Just trying to be kind, and stay out of the drama is particularly difficult." She adds.

"You two are expecting cubs?" She asks, with an excited grin, oh she didn't miss that. "Congratulations!" Perhaps some congratulatory flowers would warm the former Brook sovereign's heart towards her- but then again, why did she care? "I do need to come see her and discuss where we stand on things- even if an alliance will be difficult, I want our prides to be friendly- for you all to know if you need us we're here, if you're hurt hunting or need shelter, whatever-" She says.

She contemplates the nightmare, silently for a few moments. "I am not the religious type but from what I've heard of this Maua... she doesn't seem... cruel, malicious, and this voice... it was... terrifying." She admits. "This land was... it's? Will they take it back?" She worries aloud.

@Caligula

one more day with you

but oh, you taste like wealth. oh i'd risk my health, for one more day with you-- this is a tricky age... we're birds stuck in a cage, wish i could fly away with you. we fit perfectly like milk and honey, but somethings don't mix like young love and old money...

code by corvus||art by dispero

"I understand that. It had been so much easier being a secondary leader and getting to do all of the fun things. I'm not a fighter and so when the rogues came to take over I lost the pride. But at least everyone made it out alive." There was also much more to it than just that. So many things had been going on at the same time.

"I will admit that I hadn't had the chance to truly speak with Cassandra on a personal level. She is family though." At least she is related to his children with Aquila. "I understand that as well. I have no grudges against anyone. I'm a pacifist. I have always found it better to use one's words than to use claws. I have been able to settle many more situations that way." He wouldn't call himself everyone's friend but he did view everyone in a friendly light. It would be more others that held something against him. Being seen as weak and pathetic because he refused to fight was something that he was used to.

Caligula smiled and nodded, clearly excited by the prospect of having more young ones running around. "It will be our second litter together. So I suppose it really isn't all that special. Still, I just adore cubs. I love their curiosity and watching how they shape themselves and grow. They are just amazing." And since they were his they all seemed to possess a love and kindness to all. Fighting aspect they would gain from Aquila. From him they would get knowledge and stories.

"I wish I could offer you the same but I am only a Noble. If Aquila was still ruler I am pretty certain I could bend his ear. I can't say the same for Cassandra but you don't seem to need that if you are already on good terms with her." Aquila had already promised him so much. And Aquila knew him to wish to get along with everyone.

"Maua is a they." Caligula had to learn this fact himself as well. "But no, I don't get that sense from Maua. It was their voice that had called us here in the first place. It doesn't make sense that they would take from someone else." Caligula didn't see Maua as the manipulative sort. Because what else would it be but manipulation to invite a bunch of strangers to live in a place that they did not own?

The bronze male shook his head. "That I don't know. I just know I don't like the feeling I get from that voice. Just like I didn't like the feeling of the mist either. I think they were responsible for the mist but I can't say for certain. I just felt the same sort of intention from both. What I can offer is that if anyone goes missing from here then let me know. I, personally, will help you look." He couldn't say the same for the rest of the Brook but he would offer his own services. He knew what it felt like to not know where one's friends and family were and to wonder after what had happened to them. He would not wish that on anyone and would try to spare them as much pain as possible.

@Ghyslaine

As @Caligula speaks about being secondary leader, Ghyslaine lets out a soft chuckle as she nods in agreement. She remembers that fondly- and being a gentry and heiress- that was much easier. She listens as Caligula mentions being a pacifist, and considers the pairing between he and Aquila with a quiet curiosity-- and wonders how the pair came to be. Somehow, she thinks, based on the sole conversation with each... they compliment each other.

"I met Cassandra after the war in the Mire, actually... and it was... difficult because I had met Talisa before then and couldn't help but like them both." Ghyslaine offers a smile. "I find myself making friends everywhere- and it is sometimes hard when a line becomes drawn in the sand to choose a side. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to simply choose peace- and stand down- refuse battle in favor of words." She admits- though she considers her unborn cubs... and does not know if she could stand by if they were threatened. Would that peace extend to that? "The Mire was my first home in Amaryllis- Alaric is one of my close friends." She explains for further clarity.

The knowledge that Maua is a they- not a deity with a singular gender, is something she shoves back into her memory- and she listens intently as he speaks. "Are they... I'm sorry, I'm not... from here, nor were my family particularly religious- they are benevolent, though- they didn't seem cruel- they seemed kind?" Ghyslaine confirmed, based on what she's heard, and the voice of Maua seemed nice- nothing sinister like the other. "The other voice... seemed sinister- as if it... were something malevolent."

His offer of assistance if someone were to go missing is not unappreciated, and she nods. "My services are to you and all of yours as well- in times like these... I don't think pride borders mean much- to me at least. If you need help looking... if the mists take anyone... I am but a mere call away, and I don't mind helping look." She commits herself.

"I... the mist was bad last time but they all came back, right?" She asks quietly- a deep rooted fear- deep within her.

ART COPYRIGHT RABBIT / CODE COPYRIGHT ANALESE

Caligula could understand that predicament entirely. He had been in a similar situation himself. It had been difficult and had strained relationships. "I understand that well. Before I came to be here, in Amaryllis, I was with someone else. He... well, he got into a death match with someone else, kin to a friend of mine. I had been working to try to smooth over an alliance as I already had cubs with more on the way. It just, it didn't happen. The male I was having cubs with worried too much about retaliation. I just, I was caught in the middle. I loved him, still do to some extent, so I couldn't just completely abandon him. He won. It strained the relationships I had with long time friends. But he was the father of my newest litter at the time. Everything I had ever managed to accomplish had been undone in that single moment."

Caligula paused as he considered Maua. "I'm not from here myself, only have been here awhile. I have not witnessed or heard of Maua doing anything to cause chaos. They had sought to mend the rift with my friend that I had mentioned after we had gotten here. And Maua has blessed me with two litters now. None of that speaks to malevolence to me. Plus the natives have never had anything bad to say of them. There are those in the Brook that worship Maua." Which really wasn't really surprising considering that a good number of the natives lived within the Brook and had grown up hearing all about Maua.

"As far as I know, yes, they all came back. At least those within the Brook did. I can't say about everywhere else for certain. I worry though, with the dreams and that new voice. I have to wonder if they were behind what happened last time. I wonder if they plan to try again. I wonder at what their plans even are. They are unknown, none seem to know anything about them." Which wasn't always a bad thing. But the feeling that Caligula got from the mysterious voice didn't sit well with him.

The male paused to admire a growth of colorful plant within the Plains pride. It was a sign of hope among all the dismal talk.

@Ghyslaine

Ghyslaine

Ghyslaine listened to @Caligula as he spoke of his prior life, and her expression mirrored the sympathy that she felt deep within her. She sighed softly. "That's... horrible, I'm sorry." She breathed out, at the end of his story. "It is... hard to be caught in the middle." Well, that was an overly simple way of putting it.

She listened as he talked of Maua, and nodded thoughtfully. Ghyslaine's whole experience with gods in this land hadn't been great. Take that Vellen for causing so much drama she thought. Yet, Maua didn't seem like a evil being, and perhaps somehow- if they could- they would protect them from this Kivuli sort.

"I'm glad I missed that," She admitted, glad to have missed the mist. "And I truly hope that I don't have to experience that ever." She added- as the pair traversed the plains, and talked.

-exit via chitchat-

_{art by yumpy}