His weary paws simply could not allow him to just rest, and instead, he had set about wanting to know what all had changed within the land in his absence. What a failed spy he was, not knowing what was going on, what he was really returning too. He had left in his own foolish way to protect, and returned nearly starved. Foolish.

As his paws led him northward, he relished in the cooler temperatures, relished in the breeze that ruffled through his darker fur- and took in a long deep breath of the air, as he crested a small hill and stared at a lake. The waters from here were so crystal like in quality, that it was near breathtaking, and as the light shimmered across it- was quite literally blinding.

Yet, the quiet giant descended the hill, and approached the icy waters, lowering his head, to take a drink, and then he stepped back and sank onto his haunches, with a soft sigh- just to watch the ripple of the lake, and enjoy the scenery.

@Talisa ♔

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Talisa was spending quite a lot of time trying to search for random, miscellanous herbs that she knew would help her healers to mend those that had fought. Most of it still vague timeline wise fresh on her mind and filled her with worry, but her focus was on taking care of Morrigan more or less. That woman would fight a whole army without realizing how broken she was but Talisa had to be the one to pull that hellion back and pull she did. So being out near the lake was a nice change of pace as she tried to gather what she could. Having only just arrived to begin her searches when she spotted a very dark but very large handsome figure ahead. Rabbit! she cried, using the only name she knew him by with ease in the hopes of capturing his attention as she made her way towards him. @Eskel

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There is only the light tones of distant birdsong, and the softest sound of the water lapping towards the shore for the longest of moments. In those moments of benevolent grace, perhaps a gift from Maua, herself- a reward for making it home- he breathes easily. Until he hears a word, that shatters his reverie, reminding him of who he is, and what he must be.

'Rabbit!'

It's an almost tired but carefully gaze that he raises to the speaker, only to see the admirable form of @Talisa ♔ as she approaches, and there is a soft sigh of relief, that is peppered with a trace of discomfort. As she nears, he shifts more into a sitting position, a dip of his head, causing his fur to pull taunt over his much to slim frame- and then he smiles at her. "Talisa, it is always a pleasure." A warm greeting for such a peaceful seemingly lioness, "But... Eskel, my true name- I uh... think I'd rather you know me by that and not my alias of this land." An awkward pause. "I explained my name to Cassandra, and decided to alleviate myself of the burden of an alias to some of allies, and those I hope to be... more friendly with." He explains, his words soft.

Well, if she decides to shove him in the lake, at least he tried.

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Was that relief that washed over him as she crushed the distance between them? It was hard to see for as she grew closer it seemed to disappear a little bit with every second. As she neared and was close enough to see, he looked a little bit more sallow than he was the last they had met and she wondered what he had been up to. Wondering why he did not look as well-fed and ultimately curious as to why he did not smell of Vermeda anymore. Oh. she addressed quietly, head tilting in quiet confusion that was quickly brushed right off her shoulders. Eskel then. For she had little business in why he went by different names and the best guess that she had was that he was either running from someone or something or he was after something and didn't need his name out there. I'm happy to be one of those select few, Eskel. This was most genuine for she had liked @Eskel from the moment that they had met. She had usually spot-on feelings for individuals and he was no different.

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He would never seek to expand on why he lived under the guise of aliases different identities to her- no- something about @Talisa ♔ is soothing to his soul, a boon to the wounds of his past. Where he is iron will and sharpened steel, she reminds him of water- cool, cleansing, fresh, free... though not the underestimated. It's funny, to Eskel, that he's developed that view of her so quickly- but he's gotten pretty good at first impressions.

She accepts it, in his opinion with a quieter grace than her daughter had- though, he supposed- that he wasn't in her pride- lying to her when she had young cubs either. He offers her a half smile, a sad sort of things, and rolls his shoulders a bit- a sigh. "I'm honored for you to be one of those few, Ms. Talisa." Formal, but paired with a grin. Yes, her friendship was a beacon of peace to him. "I'm not living in the Brook any longer either- on no unhappy terms.. I'm just... looking for.... I don't know. It didn't feel right." He shares, wondering if she'd even care where he lived- if she'd want to know.

"A lot seems to have changed while I was away," He says slowly, his eyes searching for hers- an unspoken plea, that perhaps she could catch him up on some of the stuff?

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To be a comforting light to someone, anyone, was all that she wanted. Being the helpful sort where she could give someone a shoulder to fall back on. Just Talisa, please. She smiled, not wishing for @Eskel to be anything other than a friend. He need not use such formalities with her. Not when they were friends. It was surprising to hear that he was no longer calling Vermeda home but she could sympathize. Talisa loved Vermeda, everything bout it and it would always be some version of home but she had come to realize that it could still be half home, while the Summit is the other. That can happen sometimes, she expresses that he had no reason to worry. Sometimes a pride just didn't mesh and you could want a change of scenery. Farrow, bless him, had always wanted to see more of the world and had wandering paws so she could recognize that he wasn't the only one with that issue. If you want a change, the Summit'll have you. My wife, Morrigan and I, lead there still. Talisa couldn't be sure if he knew that or not but it was information for him either way. On the news front, though, she wasn't sure where she should begin. Well, where should I begin? She asked sincerely, not knowing what was the most recent news he had received was. Prides had changed hands almost too often so she would certainly need to figure out where to begin.

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Just Talisa, please, and he smiled at that, a genuine smile. "Talisa." He confirms. No need for formalities- suited him just fine. She mentions Illyria Summit, and that she and Morrigan still lead there- and she nods. "I will keep that in my mind, thank you." He wasn't sure where his paws would take him right now, but perhaps that would be an option. "I'm glad to here you've retained your home through all of this time. That speaks to strong leadership." A compliment to her and Morrigan- that they could stand as leaders.

She asks as if she's trying to decide where to begin, and he laughs softly. "When I left, the nightmares were still rampant. I think the last challenge I'd seen was for that Hollows place, but the pride remained there." (Roan vs Vaughn) He thinks for the moment. "I dunno who has remained, post the nightmares, honestly." He admits. "Obviously they didn't swallow everyone up." He adds, with a small smile to her. "Cassandra mentioned that she was challenged, and won. I'm sure you're very proud- she's an impressive leader, for one so young- and to stand through a challenge." He nods thoughtfully, impressed. Yet he knows not about the rest of the challenges in the land, the turmoil, no clue where to go- what to do from here, to gain some sort of insight in the land again.

@Talisa ♔

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My wife, she starts and shakes her head knowing all too well exactly how many saw her. Morrigan wasn't exactly known for her chill, peaceful, hippy vibes now was she? She recently fought to keep our home. Against a lion that came from Ecrosia. As pride challenges seem to do, it sparked a war. At this point, Talisa hardly feared the idea of wars happening around her. She had plenty of friends, allies and comrades that would protect her just as she would attempt to protect them. Her softened nature had hardened over the last several years and Talisa had to see it as for the better. Times were changing and she had to change with them. If not for me, she would've continued fighting until she was nothing but skin and bone. Talisa Valour was the voice of reason to Morrigan Greyflood. It was how it had always been always would be. The song of council among bloodshed. A hum of thought as she considered what all had happened since the Kivuli nightmares had rolled through the island. Dieudonne still rule the Bluffs, the Lagoon and the Oasis continue to fall often. Ecrosia is still held by Alaric; a friend of mine recently claimed the Plains and rules there obviously a little slow to pick up on the fact that she did not, in fact, rule there anymore, and Maia Tolkien rules the Rainforest. That, too, was the last information she had and was still working off of. Talisa couldn't be too sure what all had changed in the time frames but prides seemed to shift regardless of how necessary a time-stop was. Yes, Cassandra fought off a challenger for Vermeda. A bold show of teeth, she was. The Valour-Greyflood-Sigrun would continue to rule the Brook as it was seemingly canon that no lion should rule but one of its original blood. I believe she got her fighting skill from Morrigan. Perhaps the rest from both of us. It was sometimes hard to see bits of herself in Cassandra but every now and then, she could see tiny fragments of herself. The softer side, perhaps. The family woman. @Eskel

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He remains quiet, his gaze peacefully upon @Talisa ♔ as she speaks, and his ears prick listening intently. So Morrigan, Talisa's wife had been challenged from a male from Ecrosia... Hmm. Morrigan had won, though war had sparked. He listens as Talisa speaks that Morrigan would have fought until she were nothing- and that Talisa is her sage counsel, the one who protects her wife from herself sometimes. "She is lucky to have you to advise her, and protect her from even herself." He says, a small smile there, as he considered that. Yes, this Morrigan definitely was lucky- not many warriors had counsel they'd listen to.

Dieudonne still ruled the bluffs, Alaric ruled the Mire, names he had heard of merely in rumors. The plains was ruled by a friend of Talisa's a Queen, it seemed, and another ruled the Rainforest. So slowly, it seemed the island was finding some strange stability in the aftermath of the nightmares though two prides continually seemed to be contested for.

As Talisa speaks of her daughter, Eskel smiles, inserting. "Oh, I'm sure she got some of her drive and wisdom from you as well." Yes, he could see it- could see it in some of the conversations he'd had with the young leader. Cassandra definitely seemed to have some of Talisa's calming traits- perhaps the wisdom the female seemed to exude.

He sighs softly and shakes his head. "I missed a lot." He admits, his gaze drifting over the water for a moment, contemplative- considering. He should seek out the Bluffs and see if Charax's scent had returned there- if he could find her trail. Yet, mentioning his sister is... almost too much sharing- even to Talisa, whom he has realized he feels quite comfortable speaking with.

"Do you know much of the Dieudonne?" He asked, touching on the rulers of the Bluffs- the pride his sister had remained in, curious to see what another may think of them. Curious to gather information.

@Talisa ♔

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You know she caves instantly as a means of throwing the compliment a bit off herself because taking them were always quite hard I have always felt that we make each other better. Morrigan was there to make her more confident and more prepared for the harsh outside world that she had been bubbled away from for years. Talisa was to soften her heart to show her that in all the darkness of the outside, there could always be light. As for Cassandra, and @Eskel's kind words, there were some moments where she could see that bit of her seep through. It wasn't until her daughter had had her own kids that she hadn't been able to see it clearly. That there was this deep set of maternal instinct put into her and how much she loved children. So she was able to hum and side-step away from yet another compliment that her feeling rather light in her heart and almost like the young girl so long ago when Amaryllis had just opened. Oh, uh... not a whole lot? Morrigan, truthfully, knew a lot more about them as she had met with Amara on one or more occasions. Oh! I do know that Vermier Dieudonne rules the Hollow, I think still? So there's two prides that are at least tied together. Though, she chuckles, I doubt that is the kind of information you're looking for.

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