Much like her betrothed, Mazel was not all that thrilled of her new siblings. Half-siblings, really. Around her parents and the like she showed a bit more kindness to them but if she could avoid the ankle biters, she did. Skirting around their perimeter without guilt or a second thought. Thankfully she was easily distracted by @Luther ♔'s approach and gave him a wildly sinister grin that likely could've been perceived as "flirting". Luther. She greets, eyes finding his as her paw upon the bird stiffens and pushes down. A live gift. She says motioning with her muzzle down to the bird. For you. For us? The question at the tip of her tongue as she wondered if this was a good enough gift or if she should find something a bit larger for next time. Perhaps one that screamed for help a little louder?

Finally, the Mire king arrived, though he was met with silence from the rest of the group as @Mazel split off to greet @Luther ♔ and @Hadiya joined them. He gave his sister a gentle nudge, comforted somewhat by her presence, as she slid up beside him. There was not time for him to answer her question, though. Kismet and Basira were worse for wear after the ordeal, and really it should be a man leading the group in Rashad's opinion. So he stepped forward, pushing beyond his siblings, and approached @Alaric with a polite dip of his head. He did not like the Mire or the idea of leaving behind their home, but he also knew that there were no other options and that they were better off together.

"We are all okay," he offered the king with a level of decorum that he had rarely shown before. He had learned it from Sahir, of course, but there had never been a time to really practice being the prince he was or the king he was meant to be. "Father is missing," he explained, worry in his eyes and his voice. "You were my father's ally. Is there room for us to stay here for now?" Someone had to ask the important question, and in an effort to do what he believed his father would have wanted, Rashad took the reins.

Luther was thrilled to have his plaything back, and he attempted to mimic her sinister grin without much difficulty. His siblings could easily say that his smug facial expressions came to him naturally. As @Mazel's grip on the bird stiffens, he watches the unfortunate creature squawk and flaps its wings around uselessly, fighting for its life as if it mattered. His cold gaze fell upon his betrothed, his name falling from her lips as sweet as honey. Wasn't she just perfect? Not only did she bring herself back, but she did not come empty-handed. Perhaps it was for the best that Sahir had fallen from Kingship so now Luther could have his future Queen nearby at all times.

"A live gift," he was keen to agree that she was a gift indeed, so caught up in his own self-serving schemes that he forgets Mazel was talking about the creature trapped beneath her grasp. "It's perfect." he replies with a courteous dip of his head. "Thank you." His attention shifted to @Rashad's question, waiting for @Alaric's response which the princeling only assumed would be positive.

this world is dying in our arms

Luther is there, earning a quick look from the king, but mostly his focus remains on the group. The relief at seeing them all alive is significant — he only wishes Sahir were with them. Still when @Rashad presses a question he pulls Alarics focus. “of course,” he is quick to answer, “my borders are always open to your family. Please, stay, rest, and we can continue to search for your father once you’ve all regained your strength.” His gaze slips from one to another in turn, stepping back ever so slightly to indicate that they could make themselves at home..

code // art

Whatever the details of all their individual stories were, it seemed that this was neither the time nor the place to share them. From the sound of it, @Mazel has made her own preparations for her reunion with the Mire's Heir. @Luther ♔ must be terribly relieved to see her, or so Hadiya has been led to assume.

And @Rashad...There is a sense of pride that wells up in her chest, when she hears her brother stride up to the Mire King and address him no less regally than their father would have done, his clear voice sounding so much more grown-up than she had remembered. Yet the feeling wars with way her ears droop, the confusion she feels to finally hear it said out loud - their father isn't here. The most important piece of their puzzle is the last to be found, after all.

@Alaric welcomes them as Hadiya knew he would, and she presses forward so that she can stand at her brother's side, just a few steps behind. "I'll be staying with them." Perhaps the confirmation is entirely unnecessary, but her voice rings clear nevertheless, albeit softer in tone than Rashad's. She may have declined the King's invitation before while she'd searched, but things were clearly different now. She belonged with her family, and for now, that would also mean she belonged in the Mire.

Tomas would understand, she's certain.

/exit Hadiya w/ the fam

@Khadija @Tareq @Saidah

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

As always adult talk had proven to be very boring. Things that for her were hard to understand, to find sense. But instead of voicing her discontent, she simply stood quiet, waiting for them get over it. So this would be their new home? Where they had changed the sea with a swamp? It was likely the case but she was so tired to think about it further. At least they had a new home. Dry and away from scary oceans. "Thanks." She said lowly to those who had welcomed them here. Now it was time to nap right! "Sleep" And like that she followed @Hadiya already picking to live with her older sister. exit

code by corvus