With snow crunching under paw the plum man strolled into Amaryllis once more. The last time he was here was short lived as he hadn’t even made it past the passage. Having not been successful finding his beloved sister he decided to circle back. Maybe he had just needed to go farther into this strange land than he had before. In the time he had been away he had matured and became less of a troublemaker and more refined as to what he was seeking. His mission was all the same find his beloved sister and make sure she is safe and well protected like the princess he believes she is, but what was to come after? He wasn’t sure. Maybe he’ll settle down nearby. Start a family of his own. Hell he might even try to lead a pride or something he wasn’t too sure yet. For the moment as he thought about things he took it all one step at a time as he wandered the passage.

( Pls note his trades are being changed to Pally & Ranger. )

Art by Kim | Code by Zodiac

Yet another day sees Hubert making his way to the Passage once again. Such effort, though he does have to wonder what he really has to show for it all. He's yet to collect anywhere near as many playthings as Luther or even Bruno has, though he supposes a Prince has to start somewhere, and giving up would most certainly get him nowhere. Perhaps today's trip will be one that actually benefits him.

The pale purple shape of a feline moving through the Passage is quick to draw Hubert's attention, and he perks up a bit, his leisurely gait bumping up to brisk trot as he made his approach. Today's flavor of rogue is another male of similar stature, adorned with an abundance of spots to mask his face and splatter his legs. Fascinating.

Welcome to Amaryllis, stranger. He came to a halt a respectable distance away from the other man, sliding a welcoming smile onto his face. I don't suppose you're in search of a new home to wait out the rest of the winter in, are you?

@Hyacinth

ART + CODE By Dee

Renfri made her way back to the passage once more, eager to see what new faces she might encounter. The plum male waiting did not disappoint, and as she took in his appearance, she couldn’t help but notice the speckles on his face and limbs and think of her dead friend Orchid. She would make no assumptions yet, of course, but she was intrigued to find out if there was some sort of connection between the two, or if it was simply a coincidence. The young male from Ecorsia had already asked the important question, to confirm if the other lion was in fact looking for a home, or if they’d just stopped him while he tried to pass through. “If you are, I offer a place in Lorien Plains. Plenty of ranks open for those who desire to move up.” From what she had learned in the land so far was that the Mire had been long standing, and would offer stability, but also the potential to have a lot more competition for ranks. It all depended on what the stranger was looking for, and what kind of landscape he might want to live in. The two prides were on good terms, though, so she would make her offer without any slight against the other pride. @Hyacinth @Hubert

Art & Code by Vasilia

Waiting out the rest of winter in a pride within this land hadn’t crossed his mind so when the young prince of the mire arrived and asked he couldn’t answer him right away. Though he did pause in his steps. A thoughtful look crossed his features as he took in the question. The way the question had been worded did make him wonder on whether or not him leaving come spring would find him on fair terms with whatever territory the young lion hailed from.

Before he could really answer though a lioness of blue hues and starlight arrived to throw her pride into the mix. Unlike @Hubert, she had given a bit of insight about her home rather than just asked a question.

"Thank you young sir for the welcome." He said politely giving the boy a dip of his head. Pink eyes scanned him and noticed he didn’t seem hostile. Soon his eyes turned to scan over @Renfri. Lingering for a few moments on the scars on her neck before returning to her face so their gazes could meet. "I am Hyacinth Fleur. I am on a mission to find someone important to me. My sister. As for a pride to wait out the winter? Possibly. Are winters in Amaryllis harsh?" He asked after explaining why he was traveling and looking between the two who had greeted him.

Art by Kim | Code by Zodiac

Naturally, Hubert isn't to be left alone with the stranger for long. A faint whiff of a grassy scent offers him a clue as to who has come to join them, though he is still surprised when he turns his head to be greeted with the sight of an extraordinarily petite, starry woman instead of the Plains' ebon King. He regards @Renfri curiously as she speaks but makes no comment. He has no quarrel with the lions who live on the prairie. They're rather intriguing, in fact.

@Hyacinth seems to be the formal type. Hubert inclines his head to acknowledge the returned greeting, secretly pleased to hear the word 'sir,' though perhaps the feeling is revealed in the subtle curl of his lips. Fleur? I can't say I've heard that surname before, I'm afraid. The rogue is also a man on a mission, as it turns out. Considering that Hubert likely didn't know this sister of his, winning any true loyalty from the plum male would probably be more troublesome. It was quite possible that the Plains' woman would be familiar with the name instead.

But the Prince's lenient wording seems to have somewhat piqued his interest, nonetheless. I suppose that depends on what part of Amaryllis you're in. It's not so harsh in Ecrosia Mire. We've enough hunters to keep the cache stocked, plenty of trees to break the wind, and warm dens. They were even dry too, during the winter. He tips his skull slightly then, a belated introduction upon his tongue. Hubert Starke, Prince of the Mire. My pride is large and full of many talents - including those that could aid you in finding your sister. In exchange for your own efforts, of course. Hubert himself possessed certain watchful 'talents.' Perhaps a deal could yet be struck upon them.

ART + CODE By Dee

The stranger introduced himself, as well as explaining his purpose here. The most notable thing to her, though, was his accent, so like Orchid’s, and when he went on to say that he was looking for his sister, a memory ticked the back of her mind. Her memory of that first meeting with Orchid was a bit hazy, given the alcohol they’d had, but she had still been sober enough when the woman told her about a missing brother. She’d never gotten her friend's maiden name, but Fleur had those same lilting notes that she heard when the French woman spoke in her native tongue. She let the young Prince from the Mire say his piece, practically biting her tongue the whole time. Could it be possible that she’d gotten so lucky as to find yet another connection to her dear friend? Another tie to further intwine their personal lives, and bring the pretty lioness even closer to her. “Renfri Saxe, Heiress of Lorien.” She introduced simply, eager to get onto the next, more exciting bit. “Your sister… Her name wouldn’t happen to be Orchid, would it? She’s a dear friend of mine, whose husband just recently joined our ranks as well. She’s told me of a brother that she arrived with who went missing right after they arrived.” She practically buzzed with anticipation for his response, hoping that her assumption had been correct. Not only would it add to her prides ranks, but she hoped to be able to see Orchid’s face when she learned that her brother was alive and well, and back in Amaryllis. @Hyacinth @Hubert

Art & Code by Vasilia

He had been searching for a while now having been away from Amaryllis for two years now, give or take a few months. Finally meeting up with his sister might be best done if he had a home base to center himself at. Food wasn’t a problem as he could hunt for himself, but a warm bed to return to sounded nice. Listening to @Hubert he nodded his head every now and again as he took into consideration what was being said. He hadn’t heard of the Fleur surname before which was a bit of a letdown, but he wouldn’t hold it against the younger prince. "Your honesty is much appreciated Prince Hubert." Which it really was as he could have lie and said he knew his sister she was in his pride and tried to trick him into joining. That really would have just soured any type of positive relationship between the two though.

Now as @Renfri spoke his attention changed to her. His ears perked as she spoke of knowing his sister. Rather or not she did or didn’t mattered not for he was pretty sure she was telling the truth as he hadn’t given out his sister’s name to either of them and the starlight lioness knew her name. "Yes. Orchid! She was betrothed to a member of a noble from the Black family." He returned shifting to look fully at the lioness. She had said his sister’s husband was in the Plains Pride. So he was assuming it was a Black. "just her husband not her as well?" He questioned with a raised brow.

Art by Kim | Code by Zodiac

Of course. There's little to be gained from a lie that can be easily disproven within the day. At least, not from a man, who was perfectly capable of strutting himself out of a pride with about the same amount of ease he'd traipsed in with. Though the golden gleam of honey tinging his words may be no less of a facade, in truth. Those who've failed to possess anything the Prince even considered wanting knew just how bitter his own brand of vinegar tasted.

In any case, Hubert's own conjectures seemed worthless in the face of @Renfri's concrete knowledge, the Lorien Heiress producing a name that @Hyacinth clearly recognizes. His nose wrinkles slightly at the perceived snub that comes from the rogue's attention shifting so suddenly to the woman, though he relegates most of his irritation to the barely visible clench of his jaw. How lucky. At least there are other tidbits of this conversation that Hubert finds interesting.

The Black family? Not a surname he's heard often, though it seemed they were a group important enough to deal in betrothals. How curious.

I don't suppose this friend of yours has any ties to Wolfbron, by any chance? Having found the cadence of the plum male's words similar to the frilly accents of the Bluff's' women, he had been toying with the idea of directing @Hyacinth's search towards Wolfbron - if he won the rogue over, naturally. But since it's looking like he might have to write this one off as another lost cause, he might as well try to get a feel for what political relations the Starke wasn't privy to.

ART + CODE By Dee

Recognition sparked in the plum male at the mention of Orchid’s name, and she felt that same satisfaction sing through her that she always did when she could feel her hooks sliding into place while recruiting. Nothing she said was a lie, but it still felt almost like cheating. She’d never realized when they first met just how beneficial a friendship with the lilac woman would be. The Ecrosia male mentioned Wolfbron, and she was reminded that they, too, shared the same type of accent. She’d only had brief encounters with them, and all in the passage, and he mind hadn’t put together the pieces that he may have been a relative of theirs. She’d been too focused on her own theory, and thankfully, it turned out to be correct. “Unfortunately she has not joined us in our ranks yet, but I am hopeful I can win her over to us in time.” She glanced towards @Hubert, almost feeling bad that she’d slipped in and so easily made his presence here seem unnecessary. Renfri wasn’t entirely sure the exact location that Orchid had taken up residence, but she hoped Recluse would know and be able to help her get Orchid to the right place at the right time for them to reunite. Turning back to @Hyacinth, she continued. “I would not withhold information that could reunite you with your sister if you wished to go to the Mire, though. The choice is yours.” Of course, she would much prefer if he came with her, but she figured making the offer would help to continue good relations with the larger pride. They were already on good terms, but things could change so quickly, and she wanted to show in any way she could that it was not a bad thing to have the Plains on your side.

Art & Code by Vasilia

Taking his time to think about the information that had been placed before him the plum male was rather interested in both prides. Though one was sounding more promising than the other. Unfortunately for @Hubert is wasn’t his. Yet if he ever found himself disappointed in @Renfri pride then perhaps he would drop by this mire and see if they were a better fit for him. Though mire was another word for swamp was it not? He doesn’t really fancy himself living in a swamp.

Landscape aside it had been the information that his dear sister’s husband was in the plains pride that had made him decide that would be the best place for him at least for the time being. A place to call home base that could possibly draw his dear sister close enough for him to come across. At the very least he needed to judge his husband of hers to make sure he could keep her safe.

Before he announced his decision though the young sir had asked a question that should be answered and he shrugged. "I don’t know anything about this Bluffs you speak of, but I haven’t seen any of my family in such a long time it is possible." He spoke calmly and respectfully to the young lion. He hadn’t done anything to gain his distain after all. Thinking about it for a moment longer he looked between the two before he finally spoke making up his mind. "Thank you both for meeting me here and giving me valuable information, I shall not waste anymore of your time as I have made up my mind. I’d like to return with Lady Renfri." It was as simply stated as that. Given what had been said he felt it would be the best fit for him. Hopefully he had said it in a way that wouldn’t be seen as him stepping on the Mire Prince’s toes. He wasn’t trying to snub him and his efforts.

Art by Kim | Code by Zodiac