weeks bleed into a month, and now fernweh has been the summit's gentry for two of those. she isn't sure where to begin to realize that she loves pride life, more than she ever thought. before, she shunned it because it had once brought her tragedy and bitterness. but now it's different. there's something for her to keep her mind on, something to make her feel like herself again.

fernweh's den is rearranged, so that the last smell of her first visitor is gone. in its place are new fresh pelts, thinner for the coming summer. yet still, whenever she looks at them, she's reminded of their conversation that took place. the what-ifs and the concerns, all coming into her, swift as a monsoon. something is brewing, could be brewing, and it may be of importance to her kin. it's a gut feeling, one that fernweh feels for certain that morrigan would be the right one to speak to. @Morrigan_{BG — ART — CODE}

Morrigan had wondered whether the responsibility of a higher position would bring her niece closer to being an Illyrian or push her away once more. Given the time that had passed since then, the Greyflood monarch felt that the younger woman would have had time to both settle in and make a decision going forward. She had no idea just yet of the acquaintances @Fernweh had been making and when Morrigan found her niece outside the den she had claimed, her only assumption was that it was time to discuss the position of heiress. "So, how have you settled in?" she asked as she approached.

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it doesn't take long for @Morrigan to arrive, coming in with near-silent steps. the dark of morrigan's pelt is a stark contrast to the white behind her. and fernweh's long used to it by now, the silence each lion brings with them, and the way the environment seems to be soaked into their pelts, motionless only for them. the nature of the summit bleeds and cascades with each beat of their inhabitants' hearts, forever tied to them.

i'm doing well fernweh replied, nodding her head, i've grown to like it here. she wants to say she loves being here, but she's afraid that that admission will eventually curse them. caladan is still a bitter memory for fernweh, but she loathes to ever mention it to anyone. instead, she thinks about what she has to say to morrigan about her surprise guest. the one who gave her yet another mission, another will to keep moving forward. i recently brought in an injured rogue to the summit so i may tend to him fernweh began, eyes scanning morrigan to see any hint of negative reaction, he's rather...eccentric, but i hope i didn't break any laws. i was only trying to repay him back for saving my life. she has still yet to know of andras' true allegiance and history. even so, it's best to let her aunt know.

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Morrigan was glad to hear that her niece was settling in instead of finding the itch to remain a rogue, so she didn't mince words when she brought up the last subject they had discussed. "Have you given any more thought to the position of Heiress?" she would asked the striped woman before her further revelations caused the elder Greyflood to raise a brow. "No, I would expect nothing less than helping someone who could not help themselves when you are able. You just have to be careful who to trust afterwards. Who was this stranger?" Morrigan certainly had no qualms about her niece assisting a stranger, but she wanted her to remain safe from her aunt's own enemies. @Fernweh

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fernweh knows @Morrigan would bring up what they last spoke about. for a few nights now, the thought of rising to the position has kept her from much sleep. not out of worry, but more out of excitement, at the sheer realization that there are limitless possibilities for what will happen afterward.

yes, i have she said softly, voice almost a whisper. and i would like to be your heiress, tante. fernweh loves her family, loves being among them, and she's also come to love this summit, as dangerous as it is beautiful.

just like us.

and what better way to show her awe, then to rise?

fernweh wonders if avaneira is watching her, seeing how one of hers is now in the same position she was. surely her mother would be proud.

his name is...andras, i think fernweh responds. the night with him felt more like a dream. after the male fell into unconsciousness she decided to drag him back, which was no small feat, even for her. and, for the rest of the hours, fernweh kept him guarded, more for the sake of her and her pride than for him. he was only there for a night, but i watched over him. there was reassurance in fernweh's voice, so that morrigan won't have to worry. he left the next morning.

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Morrigan nods her head once in assent to @Fernweh's acceptance of the position. Talisa had no qualms with the idea, of course, but there was always the future notion of their growing children. Something which Morrigan felt she should make her niece fully aware of. "Good, Erbin is it then. But Talisa and I have many children and we will not stop them from challenging for the position unless they are deemed somehow unfit. You many have some competition soon, but I imagine you can handle that? I have no doubt you will make the Summit proud." With the growing number of children coming of age, Morrigan could only assume at least one of their hoard would seek broader heights than royalty alone. "Can't say I recognize the name. In any case perhaps he will be a useful ally to Illyria. The only family of real concern are the Rike, though I feel this eerie calm must soon break." The most recent wars had been more of a small melee compared to times past, after all. Surely it was only a matter of time before things exploded once more.

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fernweh nods, not knowing what else to say. she's not competitive, she's never had that raw streak of hunger for battle other greyfloods had. she takes more after her mother still, that soft gentler side that finds bliss in the normal things. things that cause less harm and more hel. even so, she cannot allow any of her cousins to take what's hers. she'll have to sharpen her skills in fighting if it means winning any challenges.

i'll keep an eye out fernweh said, though her words were to encompass both andras and the rike. regardless, she knows which one takes precedence and which one will not. she doesn't think she'll see andras again, but, from what fernweh learns, fate is always fickle. she inwardly shakes her head, relieving herself of the image of the older man from last night. then, with a dip of her head, fernweh said it's nice seeing you again, tante, but i must head to the passage now - see you soon. [exit]

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@Fernweh promises to keep an eye out, but Morrigan still feels as though she has placed part of her own target upon her niece's back. Fernweh had seemed eager enough to take up the position, though. The elder Greyflood had no desire to burden the younger with more than the most dire of worries. The rest would no doubt come with experience. When her niece turned to leave, Morrigan felt no small relief that someone else would be willing to visit the Passage besides herself. It was one of her least favorite duties as High Sovereign. "You'll be far more charming than me, I'm sure." With that she would turn toward the borders on the side with the beautiful view, content to remain on her beloved patrols. exit morrigan

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