The time for conversation seemed to slip away when @Renfri began to get down to business. His gaze shifted from his company, and peered towards her with a hidden adoration; she truly was a Saxe, and power suited her well. He agreed with all she had said, and always would - he was a unit with his wives, and was determined they all be on the same page instead of always being conflicted and confused. It made things work.

His company seemed a bit shocked when Renfri exposed him at the King - and chuckle leaving his lips as he slowly rose, and began to stretch out his limbs. His attention moved to @Wylodine , a female unknown to him and yet her words rooted a sense of gratitude and loyalty to her at her ease to help where she could. Brave, usually the mention of war made people tuck tail and hide. But no, not her. Which interested Aeistrios as he peered upon her mauve frame.

@Mavour took his attention back, and while she spoke to Renfri about her suggested plan, it was Aeistrios who found himself replying. "It is risky." He comments, right before her brother, @Silas , spoke. A frown forms to Aeistrios' face, and he already knew Renfri and Reah would dismiss Silas' apology for Mavour as nothing but a breeze on the wind. "She is no disruption." Aeistrios corrects him, his voice casual, but his gaze showed he was serious as he turned to face them. "Mavour - you are bold-" beautiful and brave "- but I don't wish to risk your safety so soon. Vermeda would no doubt love to take your prisoner at first chance they get." That didn't mean, however, he didn't have other ideas for her. "Practice those skills - plenty of Brook people roam the lands of Amaryllis, fool them in open regions. Where they can't tuck you away into their arms so easily. Then... then we can consider your idea." But he wanted it to be so when she was ready, and an expert in her skills rather than just looking to start honing them now, he assumed.

He peered to Silas again then, knowing the brother might dislike his words if he had disliked the suggestion his sister had made. "Don't shun her bravery, help her embrace it if you worry so much for her." He advises, a shrug before he peers back to the rest of the pride.

"We have a Gentry, his name is @Wolfgang . His husband and wife will soon be joining us, and they come from Vermeda Brook. He approached me for help after Cassandra refused to lend them aid in freeing his wife from Ecrosia; in return for my efforts of retrieving her, they will aid us in war and give us all the information they can on the Brook." He was sure this was information his wives would love to hear - Mavour too, since it seemed close to her idea.

"Lorien is painted in bad light, and yet you all reside here know the truth of me and mine. I am not like Cassandra, a leader who does not even learn the names of her people." Something Wolfgang had told Aeistrios himself. "If you need help, that is my role. If you want company, I am always open for a meal - I protect and defend this land and all within it so we may live our lives how we wish. Vermeda threatens that - they are my problem, and as your King I will see to it they are eliminated." Help or no help, he wouldn't jeopardize his pride unless they volunteered to aid- like Renfri and Reah had said.

code by corvus

(Let's just pretend that she was here this whole time xD)

The call for a meeting had rung in the air and the Medicine Woman made her way from the den she had claimed for herself to the place where the meeting was being held. Many had already arrived long before she did but she sat down on the outskirts of it as it officially started. @Renfri spoke up and then @Reah chimed in as well. So now, Tulie had some names to faces as others spoke, including @Aeistrios. There was talk of war and someone who came from the enemy pride of the Brook who joined the Plains as a Gentry. During her trek from the Gardens to here, Reah had filled her in on things around these lands. Flicking her ears, she finally piped up. "I'm Tulie, I was invited by Reah. I'm not sure where I would be most useful. I am a Medicine Woman and Pathfinder. I'm not much of a fighter but I've been raised to always lend a paw when it is needed." Then she sat in silence, waiting.

code by scorpixia♡︎

Willow (@Wylodine) was the first to speak after Renfri and Reah were finished, offering her assistance with healing and babysitting, both of which would be undoubtedly helpful in the coming months. The Heiress may be limited now, but once her body belonged to her again, there would be no holding her back anymore. She would need someone she trusted to look after her cubs, and while she doubted Reah would do any harm, she still held a grudge over Aeistrios’ response to her mention of Vatyr the night she’d taken the rank that was one day meant to be his. For as long as she was treated as a threat to her husband's first born son, she would hold Reah to the same standards. Her children would be off limits to the Queen. No part of her assumed Aeistrios would be capable of looking after newborns alone, so that left the mauve lioness, the only one to offer such assistance so far. “Perhaps the role of lead medic would suit you?” She posed the question to the woman, an offer that she was free to negotiate or outright decline if she wished. She would always be welcome to climb higher if she wished, or even remain where she was, if that was truly what she wanted. The sight of the bronze lioness shooting up drew her attention quickly, head snapping to look at the woman who introduced herself as @Mavour. The words that came spilling out afterwards were certainly intriguing to Renfri, but she didn’t respond immediately, taking some time to turn the offer over in her mind. Her brother (@Silas) was quick to jump in, quickly dismissing the lioness in a way that made her lip curl in distaste. She knew what it was to care for a sibling, or at least, she had once, but she holding someone back from their ambitions was not a kindness. Not in her eyes. Not to mention the fact that he made no offer of his own to assist the pride in any way, only seeking to override his sister’s decision. It was lucky that @Aeistrios spoke when he did, giving the Heiress time to soothe her own inner turmoil before crafting her own response. She pointedly turned her attention away from Silas and back to Aeistrios and Mavour, listening to the king until he finished speaking. She did not disagree with anything he said, it would be a risky move to send someone behind the borders without first assessing their skill. “Mavour, I would like to work on honing those skills with you. Seek me out sometime after the meeting and we can discuss more, if you would like.” The kinds of methods she would need to use to be successful in her proposed plan were right up Renfri’s ally, and while she didn’t have a problem taking control of most things anyways, she was particularly interested in handling this matter. She did not bother to acknowledge the girl's brother further, her gaze skipping over him entirely as she glanced around to see if anyone else had anything to offer as Aeistrios continued, ears flicked towards him and listened intently as he spoke about their new Gentry. It would seem that the Brook was worse off than she’d thought. Not only were their own moral boundaries crumbling, but their leader was failing to keep her members happy, at keeping them loyal. For the briefest of moments, she was reminded of how close she’d come to being such a leader, too demanding and dismissive to earn the loyalty of her underlings… She was still both of those things, of course, but she’d learned to cultivate relationships with those who chose to follow her. She’d learned the importance of respect and fear, and how to strike the right balance to keep things in line. When the petite brown lioness (@Tulie) speaks up from the outskirts of the meeting, having gone mostly unnoticed by the Heiress prior, her attention shifts once more. Recruited by Reah, which was no surprise to her. “Your skills as a pathfinder would serve well in the position of lead scout, if it is of interest to you.” Assigning ranks like this wasn’t exactly her preferred method. She would have much rather had them assert their wishes, to lay claim to the titles they wanted, but perhaps this little taste would be enough encouragement. Proof that their offers of ranks were not empty. She would wait for a response before once again looking to those who had not yet offered up any indicator of where their skills lay, gaze assessing, hoping that more would come forward. These were the founding members of their pride, and she wanted them to want to grow and thrive here, to feed that sense of camaraderie and mutual devotion to one another. The more they worked themselves into the very fabric of the pride, the more likely they were to take attacks against their own personally.

Art & Code by Vasilia

Glancing around to the other members who were here in the meeting, Tulie put faces to her fellow pride members. She would need to meet them and learn more about these lands. While @Reah had given her a breakdown of some things, there were still many things that the Mamutoi lioness could learn. Then @Renfri spoke back up. Ranks were given out and to Tulie's surprise, she was given one as well. Though she had originally just spoken up to the leaders to give them an idea of who she was and her skills. Thinking for a moment, she nodded slowly before dipping her head. "Thank you. I will serve the Plains to the best of my abilities." So quickly did she come from Rogue wanderer to a Plains lioness and now the Lead Scout for her new home. Flicking her ears, she then looked to the other rulers before leaving the meeting. With her new promotion, she might as well start learning even more about the lands. About her home.

EXIT

code by scorpixia♡︎

The Lumine continued to listen to her leaders, her ruby-red gaze watching them closely. A woman spoke up about how she could help with healing, which would be helpful in the long run. Another lioness spoke up and introduced herself as @Mavour, however, when she offered help, another lion spoke up and tried to intercept her.

@Aeistrios then spoke up and added that the Plains had a new gentry, his name being Wolfgang. Then another lioness with dark fur spoke up and introduced herself as @Tulie. Queen Reah had invited her and she explained that she also knew about medicine and pathfinding.

The Saxe Heiress spoke up, offering the first lioness lead medic. Then she provided lead scout to Tulie, which the dark lioness accepted. Hexa finally got up to her paws and spoke up, “I wish for the lead fighter rank.” she rumbled, “I promised Aeistrios that I would fight for this pride, as long as I could call it home, I wish to uphold my promise. Unless… Someone wants to fight me for it,” her voice was mostly directed towards the two Saxe women, but she was sure the Plains King would be just as pleased to hear her words too. Besides, she didn’t mind spilling a little blood, whether it was others or her own.

code by scorpixia♡︎

Mavor couldn’t stifle the toothy grin as she stood proudly. The words from their King, as well as the young heiress rang in her ears far louder than those of her brother as he tried to sit her down and shut her up. In fact, on top of the dismissal by the King and Heiress for Silas’s outburst, Mavour herself shot him a rather nasty glare… one that was usually only reserved for outsiders. She was beginning to loathe her brother’s voice of ‘logic and wisdom.’ To hell with that nonsense! She was a grown woman who could make her own choices in life!

And she’d put him in his place if she had to.

She allowed a quiet growl to rumble in her throat as she glared at Silas, before @Renfri spoke up. Glee yet again rose up in Mavour’s throat as the Heiress told her to seek her out personally after the meeting. It was rather exciting, knowing that she would have such a tailored role within the pride. She’d enjoy what she did, and could be a productive member doing so! “Yes, Heiress! I’d like that very much.” She replied with an excited look toward @Aeistrios.

Her mind then wandered to Silas, wondering what he could do for the pride? Everyone else was getting roles to play… but Silas didn’t have many skills at all. Perhaps a Cleric of sorts, but he was just starting out… and had a rather selfish goal of his own, really.

Perhaps the pride would be better off without him?

Exit Mavour

coded by flea + background credit

Deathly Cold

Just as soon as he had tried to take back his sister’s reckless words, it was as though the entire pride pushed back against him. Of course they would! They cared not of her wellbeing and safety! Only that she was willing to put herself on the front line for their cause! His ears lowered in humility as the King (@Aeistrios) told him in front of the gathering that he should try to aid her in such reckless behavior, if only to show his concern for her safety! Such things sounded far more backwards to his mind… but it would seem he did not have a voice here.

Even the Heiress @Renfri would dismiss his concern, instead seemingly becoming angry at his dismissal and apology. In fact, she opted not to even speak to him. She told Mavour that she would like to speak with her after the meeting… and Silas could tell he was not invited. Mavour voiced her acceptance before glaring daggers at him as well. How was it that HE was the antagonist here?! Was it such an atrocity to want to keep his sister safe as she expressed wanting to run head first into enemy territory? Especially when their brother …

He bared his fangs at Mavour, before taking a deep breath.

“Excuse me, sire.” He growled darkly to the King as he shook his head against a snarl rising from his throat in an uncharacteristic manner. His cool demeanor had melted away beneath his anger and feelings of helplessness. With claws outstretched and in a surge of rage, Silas swiped out of the way the etched bone he had been working on. It flew across the ground and hit the side of a stone with a loud crash, louder than he had anticipated… but part of him was glad they would know he was displeased with this selfish display.

(~ Exit Silas unless stopped)

code by corvus

Wylodine spoke up, saying that she wasn’t much of a fighter but she could heal and help take care of the children. Reah nodded to her, appreciative of her assistance. Mavour then spoke up and offered help too, and quickly her brother tried to shoot down her proposal.

Aeistrios spoke up and talked to the pair of siblings, then brought up how he had found a Gentry named Wolfgang. Reah would make sure that she would meet the man one day and get to know him better.

Tulie also offered her assistance and Reah shot her a friendly and proud smile. Renfri would end up offering lead medic to Wylodine, and Lead Scout to Tulie, and she would note to meet up with Mavour later.

Hexa then spoke up, asking for lead fighter. Nobody seemed to wish to battle her for the title, and so Reah would nod to her. Your wish is granted, the rank is yours. Protect the pride and the lands, and I will make sure you are healed after every battle, she told the woman.

After that, Mavour pleasantly left, but her brother did not. Reah remained silent, though she was not very pleased with Silas’ behavior. Perhaps she would have to speak to him later on. Reah spoke up, It seems we’ve gotten a few occupational ranks sorted out, if no one else has anything to say, I will be taking my leave. Feel free to come to my den if you need to speak to me, she said. She then nudged @Elio and flicked her tail, shifting and pouncing off the rock, expecting the boy to follow.

/exit Reah_{BG — ART — CODE}

hexa lumine

your best bet is to stay away motherfucker

---

Nothing else was really said after the Lumine woman had made her claim for the rank. Nobody directly spoke to her or wished to fight for it. Instead a pair she had not met before had taken their leave. The brute seemed particularly upset, but she didn’t really pay much mind nor did she care. After some time after that, the Queen finally agreed to give her the rank. Reah told her to protect the lands and the rest of her pride mates, and after every battle she would be cared for. The woman nodded, “Thank you,” she spoke. The Queen began to slink away and Hexa would take her leave as well.

/exit Hexa

---

code by scorpixia♡︎ | art by vasilia

Renfri gave some time for anyone else to speak, to ask for a rank, but aside from Hexa, everyone remained quiet after Silas’ outburst and swift departure. She was disappointed when @Wylodine did not respond to her offer of Lead Medic, but would try to refrain from taking it personally. She looked to the mauve woman, then. “You can take some time to think about my offer if you need, or you can stay as a normal unranked member if you would prefer.” She waited a few more moments to allow the woman to respond, and giving everyone else one final chance to speak, but when it seemed all one done she gave a final nod to dismiss everyone else and lept from the rock. As she passed, she gestured to @Aeistrios in a silent invitation to walk with her if he wasn’t otherwise busy with taking naps or talking with their pride members. -Exit-

Art & Code by Vasilia