(ooc: please let @Eithne post first!)

There's promise here.

Caderyn had felt it when the isle had been little more than a dot on the horizon, a faint inkling of a pull as they meandered in its direction that only seemed to grow as they drew closer. 'The Conqueror's Instinct', Father used to call it, a sixth sense for opportunities that would prove prosperous for the family - Cade never truly believed it something as all-knowing as that, but his gut has proven trust-worthy time and time again.

"Keep up now, mo sgàile bàn," The dark man's lips curl upwards as his gaze turns towards the young woman a few steps behind. He doubts she's enjoyed the long trek without much respite, and the days where he could carry her around by the scruff have long since passed - the sun has fortunately not been too harsh to them, and they've been able to move between spots of shade relatively well, but the long stretch of sandbank they're currently on provides no shelter at all, and Cade is beginning to fret for Eithne and her fair complexion. "Not far now 'til we can rest our paws."

The mouth of the passage yawns open before them, welcoming as it is mysterious, a gateway to a whole new land of opportunities. The stage from which to rebuild their name and wealth.

(No AO god please)

It is boredom, not exhaustion, that drives Eithne on. The hot sun burns her delicate skin, but under @Caderyn's shadow it isn’t so bad. Nothing is bad under his fussy gaze; he has ensured her comfort since the beginning of their travels, and the pale princess has wanted for nothing.

But that does not stop her from complaining.

"Chan urrainn dhomh feitheamh," she murmurs tiredly, her sigh much more dramatic than it needs to be. "This place is so drab," Eithne continues, pointed teeth appearing as she sneers, unimpressed with the sandbar or what sprawls out before her - a lush green paradise. How boring. Still, she walks on at Cade’s side, the ever dutiful sister.

They were quite the pair, even from a distance. One pale, one dark, each in a way that seemed like they might suffer from prolonged time in the glaring sun. How lucky for them, then, that he came with an offer of pleasant shade, yes?

His expression was fixed into a hint of a curious smile long before they'd even come into view, and it remained the same as he approached and paused a comfortable distance away. You both look about to bake. Up close, he could spot the telltale signs of both melanism and albinisim, which only increased the amusement hidden behind the otherwise friendly face. If you're passing through, I won't keep you, but if you're looking for a place to settle, I have a shady rainforest not too far away. His hint of a smile morphed into a light grin as he awaited their answer.

@Caderyn @Eithne

No shackles on the demon in me

I'd rather be dead than average

code by corvus

they were opposites. it was what drew her attention, even from a distance. black and white; an unusual pair. louve approached, moving stealthily across the passage terrain, placing her paws so carefully she is nearly silent.

by the time she reaches them they are no longer alone, but @Ryker is a friend that earns only a quick grin. her focus is almost entirely on the pair before her, lingering longer on the pale princess rather than her stoic escort.

"bonjour," smooth and practiced words, standing a little more tall and proud before the strangers, "i am louve dieudonne." her accent is thick and so she speaks a little slower than normal, taking care to enunciate for those that might not so easily understand her.

"i 'ave a 'ome in z'e bluffs, if eet ees a 'ome you seek." not quite a shady rainforest, but they had plenty of nice cool spots to rest in among the stones. a vague gesture is made towards the towering wolfbron, visible even from here, though her gaze does not leave the yin-yang pair before her.

@Caderyn @Eithne

ART

Holding the title of Noble again, it was a relief. To know he had power - to know he could be of use to Andal, to his family, and never be faced in the situation of not being able to do something again. The passage... he was weary of it, unsure if he should attempt to travel about it, but he also didn't want to neglect the role that was bestowed upon him, either.

And of course, he came across a scent that instantly had his guard soaring up. Two scents, truly. Eyes are stoic as he nears, seeing the two rogues - and then turning his gaze upon the Wolfbron lioness, @Louve , and the distasteful male, @Ryker . Who smelt like the Rainforest - words confirming it as he processes this.

"He fails to mention once you join, he will not let you leave, not if you are female." Disgust rolled off his tongue as he said this, a hard glare in the direction of Ryker, how dare he try to bait them into his fold. He looks to them then, the rogues, softening his gaze some more. "Both of these prides are dangerous - please, allow me to show you to lands safer, where your freedom is your own and you do not have to worry about harm coming to you." He didn't care if they didn't want to join Andal, but he'd be damned he let either of them join to these prides without knowing the reality of whom they agreed to follow.

@Eithne @Caderyn

The infamous passage, she had only been here once and that was when she had first traversed the sands to make her way into Amaryllis. Drena hadn't personally set foot here since but with the newly minted 'Gentry' title hanging over her head and Luther's words echoing she knew that she had to make an appearance, and it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Recruiting others to the Mire could be beneficial to her in the long run, so it was with that in mind that the bear of a woman made her way across the Passage. There was a small crowd up ahead, one that immediately garnered her attention, particularly the sound of a french accent belonging to @Louve along with the man (@Ryker) that she had seen at plenty of challenges prior. Only the words of @Anthonius would reach her, He fails to mention once you join, he will not let you leave, not if you are female. Both of these prides are dangerous - please, allow me to show you to lands safer, where your freedom is your own and you do not have to worry about harm coming to you. She cannot help but smirk and a chuckle escapes her as she nears the gathering. "Or perhaps they might prefer the longest standing pride, Ecrosia. One could argue that we could offer more stability and safety." Her words cut through the air, meant to draw attention as her burning embers lock onto both women, ying and yang to one another. "Drena Dragos. If it's not obvious enough I'm Gentry of the Mire. Anyone here will spat pretty lies to try to coerce you into joining their prides, save for the Bluffs really. Way I see it, Either Ecrosia or the Bluffs.. we are your best options. You both seem capable of taking care of each other, however I can assure you that we protect what is ours." A glance was shot in the direction of the others, dare they try to say anything about the Mire against her. She was aching for an excuse to sink her claws into someone anyways.

@Eithne @Caderyn

ART BY YUMPY

Company arrives much faster than Caderyn had expected for such an expansive land - the entrance must be heavily patrolled by the inhabitants of this land, then, either to keep trespassers at bay or welcome newcomers to the realm. The latter, presumably, if @Ryker's respectful distance and pleasant offer are anything to go by. "Shade is certainly tempting, my friend," Cade returns with a perfect smile, nodding his head in gesture towards his pale sister. "But a rainforest sounds a touch too humid for certain company, I'm afraid."

The dark-swathed form of @Louve appears next, her voice thick with an accent he recognises - many noble visitors to their homeland had spoken with such a lilt in their voice, including one of his old tutors. "Bonjour, madame. Un plaisir de vous rencontrer." He dips his head in a polite nod to the woman, follows the tilt of her head to the hulking shape of what must be the Bluffs. Interesting.

"He fails to mention once you join, he will not let you leave, not if you are female." The voice announces the arrival of another, the mottled @Anthonius' disgust with the other two evident in his tone alone. Cade's whiskers twitch as he casts an amused glance towards @Eithne. "Dh’ fhaodadh seo a bhith spòrsail." Spoken as a soft murmur, intended for his sister's ears only, before turning back to the man who had spoken, kind eyes now upon them both. "You make an interesting claim, sir. My sister's freedom and autonomy are of utmost importance, you see. I won't jeopardise that." Not that he'd allow that in the first place, but they don't need to know that. Better they think Eithne and he harmless newcomers for now.

Yet another joins the welcoming committee, radiating confidence as she approaches. Cade can't stop the smile that finds his lips - it's @Drena's boldness, he thinks, a courage that belies the ability to back it up. She looks ready for a fight as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Reminds him of home, of one of his old bodyguards who had fallen in the revolution. "Well, this is a predicament," He muse aloud, not at all displeased. Dark eyes turn to the pale form of Eithne once more, smile pulling more into a smirk. "What do you think, phrionnsa? Seems we're spoiled for choice here."

In the distance, a dark shape begins to form into a lion - a strange looking one, thick with muscle and a spiky mohawk down his neck. Eithne drops back half a step to walk against her brother’s shoulder; outwardly, it might look like an act of subservience, but in reality he is a meat shield, and she places Cade between herself and the potential threat.

The stranger speaks, and as ever, @Caderyn is quick to take the chance to hear his own voice. As he does, more arrive. Eithne watches them all from the safety of Cade’s shadow, eyes alight as she scans the group - and tastes the sharp, sweet tension.

@Louve has such a pretty voice, a lilting accent the two outcasts are completely familiar with. @Anthonius comes with a warning, a claim that the first man - @Ryker - may not let her leave once within his clutches. A rougher woman arrives, speaks plainly, and Eithne watches her with interest. The brutal, built-for-battle types always intrigued her; the princess was simply not that, and never had been.

Eithne holds back a laugh at the thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. It is ruined completely when Cade whispers in her ear, breaking her composure. She smiles as her gaze flicks around the group. Attention bestowed upon her by Cade, she is in no hurry.

"A jungle does sound… hot." Her long legs stretch forward, and she slinks a few steps before sitting primly. If the heat is bothering her, it doesn’t show. "But security, stability…" She admits, speaking loud enough for all to hear but pretending they can’t. She glances toward @Drena and tsks softly, stage-whispering to her dear Cade.. "Even this one speaks highly of the - Bluffs, was it?" A second spared to glance toward Louve for confirmation, as if every word said has not been stored away to dissect later. That would be her choice, and Caderyn would hear it, even as she continues - her attention lands on Anthonious, her eyes bright with something sharp and calculating.

Eithne walks forward, head tilted up toward the big lion’s face - not once breaking eye contact - until she’s close enough to lean up and kiss him if he does not move back - she makes no such attempt, however, but lingers that close, so that she can whisper so very sweetly to him.

"Do I have your permission to make my own choice, sir?"

A glance toward @Louve would be paired with a friendly smile in greeting as she arrived - which would fade to a somewhat exasperated expression as @Anthonius came nearly on her heels. Eyes rolled lightly at the tone, You know not a single one of them came to me and actually asked for release, yeah? And, whether he believed it or not, Alexander's word did not outrank a High Sovereign's. And considering you all returned to the Oasis so quick, should I have kicked them out of a home they liked well enough? There was no way to truly win here, but at least he could try to twist the impression the rogues got of the man by not rising to the bait.

Thankfully, a brief distraction came in the form of a stranger (@Drena), but her claims earned a raised brow, and a bland interjection. Well, technically, if you want the longest-standing, Amara's got Alaric beat by near a year in Wolfbron. Another glance was cast at Louve, expecting she could back up that bit of history.

Attention settled on the rogues again, and he shrugged lightly at the male's assessment of the jungle, Can't exactly claim a rainforest is dry. He sort of liked it, as the humidity was a nice change from the dry air of desert or the cool winds of the bluffs. And he nodded in agreement that the jungle was, indeed, warmer than other territories And so is the desert he, a nod at Anthonius, represents. Which, incidentally, may drag you into their harebrained war. Ryker couldn't claim credit for starting that one, either. Alexander had attacked Vermier and written his own warrant of execution. Nor would he bother mentioning the war was with Wolfbron.

If you want security and stability, either the Mire or the Bluffs are your best choice. It's just a choice between swamp and stone. He was very unlikely to ever live in the mire by choice, but appreciated the strategic positioning of it, and the natural protection of the surrounding landscape. The bluffs, well, he'd probably always have a soft spot for his first home in the lands.

@Caderyn @Eithne

No shackles on the demon in me

I'd rather be dead than average

code by corvus

Before the strangers can respond there is a too-familiar figure joining them, a man so clearly Savante that her lip instinctively curls. It lifts all the more when he sets about talking shit; her eyes narrow and her claws flex, the urge to set him straight rising hot and fast. Gone was the diplomacy of the passage, clearly, but before she can do much of anything there is yet another.

of the Mire, she notes; an ally. An ally with mistaken information, perhaps, but an ally all the same. And @Drena does not let her down, promoting the Bluffs in the same breath as the swampland.

Ah but her attention shifts away from the politics and back to the newest arrivals, lingering first on @Caderyn as he spoke her tongue. An arched brow, surprise evident, and then a grin. "Toi aussi," she returned, for indeed she was most pleased to make their acquaintance. All the more so now that she knew they shared language.

"I assure you," she continued, with a sharp look at the Savante, "z'at your seestair would be quite safe in z'e bluffs." Her focus switches to the woman in question, watching with evident amusement as @Eithne throws Anthonius' words back at him, in effect.

Ryker makes note of her mother's longevity and Louve merely nods but makes no comment -- she does not think that it would be the defining trait for the pair. "Mon offre stands," she merely adds, "eef eet is stone you choose."

I am not a woman, I'm a god

code x art