Daylight did not linger as long as it once did, and summertime kissed the ocean goodbye. Sand shifted underpaw, stuck to his fur, left a grainy feeling against his skin. Saltwater filled his nose, waves lapped gently and seafoam rushed towards him then retreated. The sun sank lower towards the depths of the sea, darkened water shifting in the distance. He watched it for a moment, ears turned towards the horizon. His mane shifted in the ocean breeze, his eyes glowing against alabaster tear and fur darkened by sea spray.

A whisper of new beginnings beckoned him forwards. Vaxis did not care to remember the events that had brought him here. The diceit that cast him aside. A heavy sigh was carried past his jaws by feelings of remorse. His chest heaved. Claws dug into the sand for a moment, anger bubbling within his lungs but not long enough to manifest. He pushed it away. There was no time for anger.

Instead, he ushered himself forwards, drawing in sharp breaths meant to fill him with newfound bravery. There was some of it within him, but his paws dragged solemnly in the sand. Do not let this define you. A voice within him, one that murmured to him often, trying to pull him from despair.

Today, it was successful. He lifted his head which had drifted downwards as he walked, poised to start a new adventure. His aspirations were far grander than his small stature. Vaxis -- that was what he had decided to call himself -- had never let his size get the better of him.

Before him, a rocky maw opened. He moved ever closer to it. Greenery beyond the gap in the mountains beckoned him forward. The promise of water that was not tinged with salt. The promise of a life that was not stained with blood. Vaxis rested between the cliffs, the swirling galaxy of his pelt slowly becoming illuminated as the moon crept further into frame.

The Queen was a bit wary approaching the Passage again. Her last foray had ended up in a fight, and from her understanding the last time her daughter Eisa had come here it had ended in a claim fight as well. Hopefully this time would be more relaxed than the previous times. She could use a relaxing passage foray for once recently. As she wandered further into the passage, she spotted a dark frame with brighter hues on it.

Judging by the mane, it was likely a male. But she knew better than to judge based on looks. Just look at Revnas own daughter. Her eldest was sprouting a nice mane these days, and she'd seen plenty of maned lionesses in her day. As Cassandra approached, the Brook Queen let out a friendly chuff to announce her presence. She didn't want to risk startling the stranger, and would rather give them a heads up.

"Greetings, and welcome to Amaryllis. I am Cassandra Valour-Greyflood, High Sovereign of Vermeda Brook. Is there anything I can help you with perhaps?" She asked politely, keeping an ear put for the approach of anyone coming from behind her - just in case.

@Vaxis

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

His eyes had been trained on the greenery that tempted him forward. In the distance, a silhouette emerged, growing ever closer. He waited for them to come to him. A chuff came from her jaws and he blinked, ears perked. He lowered his head slightly -- he was no threat to her.

"Hello," he said. And there it was -- that voice of his, filled with wonderment and joy and kindness. It was loud, perhaps too loud for his frame. "There... might be?" he answered, tilting his head slightly, curious. His tail flicked behind him. He made very sure not to seem like a threat, even if his small stature was anything but threatening.

Vaxis was drawn to her eyes, the duality of them and the way they shone. So similar, yet so different. "I've come here with the intetion of finding a place to call home," he said, giving his mane a shake. The humidity of the shoreline had made it start to grow larger, stick out in ways that, had he seen it, would have made him shrink from embarassment. Vaxis, however, remained blissfully unaware of the mess that was his appearance. "You say you're a High Sovereign... that sounds important." He had grown accustomed to the terms king and queen, but he knew they all meant virtually the same thing.

@Cassandra

She would flick her tail absent-mindedly as she politely awaited the answer from the lion in front of her. It would seem she could help him - potentially anyways. He didn't seem entirely sure of himself, and she couldn't help but chuckle slightly as he said that she might be able to help him.

"Well, that is something I can help with. My pride is called Vermeda Brook, and we are a place that offers sanctuary to those who need it, and those to help protect those that call the Brook home who can't protect themselves." She said, flicking an ear as she spoke. Cassandra held her head high, proud to be able to call herself the High Sovereign of the Brook.

The male would speak on the term 'High Sovereign' sounding important, and Cassandra would offer a shrug and a slight nod. "I suppose it could also be equated to Queen or King, depending on the lion holding the title at the time." She explained, a dark ear swiveling around to be alert to any signs of anyone joining them on the passage.

@Vaxis

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

Vaxis often liked to think that he could get a pretty solid judgement of someone formed within a few minutes of talking to them. From what Cassandra had told him, the Brook seemed like a place that melded well with his personality. Vaxis shifted where he stood, thinking for a moment.

"Vermeda Brook sounds like it aligns pretty closely with my beliefs," he said, looking towards the greenery that lingered beyond the passage. He grew swiftly weary of the salt, the way it pierced his nostrils and would not let up. The constant sound of waves crashing was beginning to overwhelm him. From the greenery, he looked to Cassandra again, noting the importance of her title. Should he be honored that she had approached him?

The pale tip of his tail twitched and the galaxy-drenched lion tipped his head to her. "Perhaps you can tell me more on the way to your pride..? That is, if you are extending an invitation," he suggested, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She seemed like a formidable leader, someone he would follow -- at least, from what he had gathered thus far. Vaxis waited, hoping that she would allow him to follow her to the Brook.

@Cassandra

"It is a bit of a trek back to the Brook, but it is a lovely place. Been in my family's paws for generations. I'm proud to be able to carry on the family legacy." Cassandra said, holding her head proudly as she spoke. She was quite proud to be carrying on the Valour legacy, and was hoping she was doing her family proud with how she was handling being a Queen.

"I can gladly tell you more specifics about our laws and customs on the way back there - though I don't believe I caught your name?" Cassandra said, turning and beginning to pad in the direction of the Brook before pausing and glancing at him with her query. It had been awhile since she'd managed to recruit at the passage without another pride butting into the discussion, but she was glad she didn't have to deal with that bastard who had taken the Plains. He was annoying.

Once she'd gotten a response, Cassandra would continue to head in the direction of her home after waiting for @Vaxis to catch up and walk alongside her so that they could talk.

-exit Cassandra w/ Vaxis?-

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

Vaxis was no stranger to travel, he had been wandering for what felt like ages now. He continued to offer her a smile, hoping that he would someday become a valued member of her pride. What he truly wanted was a place to flourish, and it seemed like the Brook was offering that to him.

"It's Vaxis," he told her, his voice deep and rumbling in a way that most deemed welcoming and kind. "I look forward to learning more, a longer trek means more time to talk," he said, indicating that he did not mind the distance it would take to reach the Brook. It felt worth it. He twitched his tail and moved to follow her, heading towards the greenery that he had been so excited to approach. Vaxis stopped for a moment, giving one more look back towards the ocean, towards the past, towards the lands he was leaving behind and the events that now felt like ancient history. There would be no reversing what had happened, but he did not care to give it so much weight.

This was a new beginning for him. A chance to prove himself that he would not take for granted.

-- exit w/ Cassandra