Forest green eyes blinked in the light of the sun, muscles rippling under pale fur that nearly matched the sand as she stretched very slowly. — So quiet...except for the subtle splashes of waves rolling onto the sand, crashing against rocks. — Her ears twitched, taking in the sounds surrounding her. For a moment she lingered where she had found herself, allowing herself to close her eyes, letting her other senses take over.

Though eventually she took off in a graceful trot, towards the passage. Many lions wandered here, that much she could tell. However, she was unsure what she would find if she lingered.

Interesting, the slender lioness muttered to herself, pausing briefly to take in the passage.

There was no hesitation when she continued walking. Her posture straightened — a queen without a crown —as she gracefully moved towards a rock. With one quick leap she found herself on top of it, curling her tail around her legs as she sat and surveyed the area.

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Amara had been spending more time in the passage over the last few weeks. Hoping to grow her numbers and build off her successful ability to hold the Bluffs one more time. Her golden gaze watching for signs of a stranger looking for a place to be and it didn't take long for her to spot a lone lioness. With her eyes, she tracked her as she jumped up on to a rock and looked around. Amara made no attempt to hide her approach, chuffing to her as she neared. Welcome to Amaryllis. She said as she stopped a few feet away from the pale lioness, a stark contrast to her own dark pelt. Are you looking for a pride to call your home? I am Amara, High Sovereign of Wolfbron Bluffs. One of many prides here. She glanced in the general direction of the island. Not all prides will give you a choice on where you end up. Just so you are aware. She brought her gaze back to the stranger as she let the warning hang in the air.

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The colossal yearling had decided that she rather loved the passage, and intended to spend as much time as she could here. It was full of smells, and others who came through- which could lead to interesting stories and other things. Of course, she was excited! The young fire-cracker prowled forward, her head high, ears pricked and focused on the landscape ahead of her- looking and searching... and

There!.

She moved quickly, at a smooth trot towards the long figure, and as she neared her mismatched eyes studied her, yet her pace slowed... when @Amara appeared. Aideen slowed to a slower trot as she arrived, aiming to stand beside the Queen with a toothy grin. "Amara's Queen of the most badass pride, ever." She announced. "She doesn't lose a fight." She added in a conspiratorial whisper with a grin to the strange female. "I'm Aideen. Gentry. You wanna be a badass? 'Cause we've got the best pride for that."

Okay, so recruiting was easy, right?

Her attention seemed to be on everything, tail tip flicking about. — The scent of the sea and winter. —So familiar, yet so new. For a moment she had to remind herself that this was not the home she was used to. A new home, a new beginning. Hearing the approach of another, her ears flattened ever so slightly, her head tilting to the left.

The pale lioness regarded the dark one with a cold gaze, whatever emotions had shown on her face slowly slipping away.

I appreciate the friendly welcome. Her voice showed a practiced collectedness and calm coming from instructed diplomacy. My name is Lagertha.

Though her attention was on @Amara first, she regarded @Aideen with a gentle expression, more of her fang being revealed in a lopsided smirk. — Such pride in their leader and pride. — She listened to them quietly and intently. And you would be correct in your guess that I am looking for a home. I also appreciate the warning....and the recruiting enthusiasm of youth.

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Léonie, too, had been made aware of the rogue’s presence on the coast. The cold wind carried in more than the spray of the sea — it held the scent of a newcomer, whose location was announced by @Amara. The dark imp moved, charcoal paws maneuvering her down the shoreline, where she soon found the trip: the rogue, of course, as well as the High Sovereign and one of Halimede’s hairballs. Supposedly, they were related, which made it all the more annoying that she served Amara and her cannibal pride.

However, as the Miroslav lioness approached, she wore a easy, borderline mischievous smile. “Welcome, @Lagertha,” the imp hummed in greeting, having overheard her introduction. “Léonie Miroslav, Heiress of the Oasis. If you’d like more options, I offer my home as well.”

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The beast slides up quietly beside @Léonie, offering the young heiress a smirk before the blue of his eyes turn to settle upon @Lagertha - a low, humble bow is offered to the ashen woman, a smile curving those dark lips of his. Ears sweep forward slowly, peeking from the thick tresses of his mane as he briefly glances to @Amara and her sidekick. The child looked oddly familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Brushing that off, Alexander's attention returns to the rogue, "I am Alexander Savante, King of Obsidian Hollows. I offer a home within protective caverns, plenty of food, warmth and opportunity." He murmurs in a low baritone. Shoulders roll back, toes curling in against the earth as he kneads it in a casual manner.

The faintest hint of movement upon the sands, and the recruiters swarm all over it like a moth to a flame. Hubert might laugh, if not for the fact that he was no different on this day. He's not returned to this place since he'd suffered a humiliating defeat at the paws of that flea-bitten mongrel, but the shiny new veneer of adulthood has emboldened him once more.

Yes, welcome. He slides up to the group like the snake he is, purposefully putting himself closer to @Amara and @Aideen than the other two, his lips set in a charming curve. I'm Hubert Starke, Prince of Ecrosia Mire. He might not have the most impressive stature out of those gathered here, but the aura of self-importance he exuded was enough to rival that of a true King's. My home is also open to you. I think you'll find that there are few who can rival the Mire in strength and security - my Vater has ruled for several years. Alaric was too intimidating to even challenge, it seemed.

There's plenty of food, plenty of opportunities if that strikes your fancy - and fine company too, as you can see. Yes, who wouldn't want to spend more time with him? Besides all the people who hated him, of course.

@Lagertha @Léonie @Alexander ♔

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Yet another and two more approached as she introduced herself. — Come, come little moths. — A barely audible noise of amusement at her own thoughts slipped past her lips, a spark in her eyes. This already proved to be a quite interesting time, more interesting than she had expected. Perhaps this would indeed be the start of an entirely new beginning.

With a graceful, fluid movement she slipped off her perch, long claws clicking against the rock.

My my, how lucky I am for so many to come welcome me, she purred out as she slinked past the group.

A low rumble vibrated in her throat as she slowly circled @Hubert and the ones he stood with. — Friends or allies. She suspected. — Sharp claws dug into the ground as she slowly circled everyone who was present, seeming to study them. I must admit...a few interesting offers to consider. And it is an honor to be approached by leaders and high ranked ones. Lagertha gracefully jumped back onto the rock she had perched on before, offering the others a charming smile. Perhaps each of you could tell me more about your prides.

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@Amara @Alexander ♔ @Aideen @Léonie
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Not the first to arrive, his trips to the Passage were not lacking, just slow. Many would already come and give their introductions by the time Keligan showed. Periwinkle gaze looked at the Rogue lioness as he caught the last bits of what she said. After a moment, he came up to the group, recognizing many. I'm Keligan, the High Sovereign of Caladan Cove. I offer the same as the others. A home with shelter, food, companionship and we have ranks open for those who work hard. I rule with my wife by my side, my equal on the throne. Then waiting for the others to chime in with their own comments and information about their prides.

@Lagertha

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Amara knew that she wouldn't be alone with the lioness for long and it was likely why some took to just snatching them up when they could. Sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't. She didn't expect the next to show to be one of her own, an eager thing it seemed. Amara was happy enough with that. It reminded her of the last group of yearlings she took in and took a liking to. Amara braced herself mentally for the day these two would leave as well.

She looked toward @Aideen as the yearling gave it her best shot and Amara couldn't help but feel a touch of pride for herself and the ability to hold on to the pride that she had. Though she knew that she had lost her fair share of fights though, in the moment, she saw no reason to crush the yearlings view of her. Let her feel that disappointment later. Amara looked back to @Lagertha with a mildly amused look crossing her features for a moment before it was gone as others joined them. Amara's gaze flicked to each of the new arrivals as they showed up, her body tensing slightly with the Oasis arriving. Would the Miroslav know that the yearling with her was one of their own? If not, would seeing her standing next to Amara cause them to come knocking to get them back? Would they want them more than their own mother? The same mother who had many times been able to take them away but seemed to chose not to. She couldn't help but wonder if that was because their family didn't value female's the same way that Amara's family did.

Alexander was next and Amara gave him a long look before looking to Hubert who settled in near them. Once again, the clear divide among the prides happening and it was clear to her that Alexander wouldn't waver from what he thought he knew. The stranger jumped down from her rock, walked among them, and then returned to it. Amara's gaze watched her as she moved, wondering why she felt the need to move around them but didn't question it. The lioness wanted more about their prides and Amara always found herself annoyed with this part of the dance but she knew that anyone worth their weight would want to know where they were going, even if it was annoying to hear the other prides try to make themselves seem better. We all offer the same basics. Amara got that out of the way for all of them. The Bluffs values strength, loyalty, and we do not believe that males are greater than females just because they are born male. We aren't for the faint hearted though, no one gets a free pass. Amara knew that she ran the risk of upsetting Hubert some but if he wasn't aware of the differences between their pride, then his father had failed him greatly. I have defended my pride many times over and I am the longest standing leader within the island. My pride isn't so large that you would get lost among the crowd but offers something not all the other prides can, a stable place to live and grow. Amara glanced toward Keligan who had arrived while she was talking. So many young rulers in the island once again. She looked toward Lagertha once again and fell silent, waiting to hear mostly what the Oasis would say. Would the lioness be truthful about the place of female's in that pride or would lies be told?

Artist | Coding by Analese