golden ageRenfri had meant to come to Caladan much sooner, but it seemed as soon as she’d learned of the potential ally, her world had practically exploded. She’d been kept busy, between the numerous fights she’d taken part in, as well as the conception and subsequent birth of her children. She knew that the Cove had seen some tumultuous times as well, had heard in the distance the cries of challenge. It had been quite upsetting that she’d not been able to come see how things had panned out here sooner, but there was nothing left in her way now. She paused at the borders, standing a respectful distance from the invisible boundary. The ground was wet, and the still cold air was even more crisp this close to the shores. A beach pride was definitely at the bottom of her list of prospects when she decided to make her claim, but if the right opportunity presented itself… Really nothing was off limits in her mind, but that was a decision for another day. Tipping her head back, she let out a call, mostly for the leaders of the pride, but she was open to meeting some of the members that called the Cove home, as well.@ |
When she heard the call her posture straightened and ears flattened ever so slightly against her head. Breaking from a graceful trot into a run she headed for the part of the border the call had originated from. The lioness she spotted didn't look like someone she knew and her scent was an unfamiliar one. So she prowled towards the border with flattened ears, pale coat one with the sand before she emerged like some sort of sand wraith.
I don't believe we have met.The lead fighter spoke with a calm voice, though she did seem quite so trusting, her posture tense, tail flicking behind her.
@Renfri
Learning - how the Cove worked, and how to survive within the land that she belonged to. She could not deny that it was the best of her choices, lest she desired to be a starving rogue for all her days. She was able to eat here and sleep here, regardless of being his. She was surviving.
However, surviving might be the last thing she wanted to do upon this day.
She did not hear the call, but rather smelt her scent. There was a fleeting sense of flight or fight thrumming through her veins, and if she was not bound to the Cove by claim - she'd of ran. As fast as she could, and as far as she could. All to get away from Renfri.
Novalie attempted to creep to the gathering. She knew she wouldn't be welcome, but she figured if she couldn't run, she might as well watch. Surely @Keligan wouldn't let harm come to her? Then again, Novalie had stolen from him... what if he threw her to the wolves?
It was too late to back away now, her underweight frame arriving with a slow, limping gait. She notices @Lagertha , remembering her from the day she was taken into the Cove - the nicest of the lions here thus far. Novalie attempts to come up from behind the wheat female, peering from behind her to behold the family who hated her. Ears lay flat on her head, and Novalie simply stares, a swirl of fear registering in her eyes. The past was all she could think of - how @Renfri asked their father to kill her. How all of her hearing was taken from her that day... she didn't notice the slight tremor in her legs until she felt the sand shift from under her paws.
He was less so answering the call sounded upon their borders and moreso following @Novalie. Quiet as she was, Kvare had found himself somewhat enamored with her methods of communication, with her struggles against a world that sought to destroy the weak. And where she went, her shadow was sure to follow; in those first few days, to make sure he could prevent any escape attempts. Now, it felt something of a game.
As he followed her trail closer and closer to the gathering group of lions, the silhouettes of @Keligan and @Lagertha took form against the rolling dune grasses and endlessly blue skies. Amidst them was a stranger, @Renfri, who smelled more of the wheat and grasses of the rolling Plains. And from behind the Lead Fighter was @Novalie, a nervous energy emanating from her in waves, visible in the tenseness of her muscles and the tightening of her jaws. Kvare's brow raised, making his way over toward the woman; and knowing that the possibility she couldn't hear was growing more and more confirmed each day, sought to raise a paw and gently press it onto her rump, hoping to catch her attention. She appeared shaken, though Kvare couldn't quite tell why. The only different variable here was the Lorien Heiress.
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The first to arrive was a pale woman the color of the sand on which she walked, her posture far more tense than Renfri would have expected for a political meet and greet. Though her words were simple, the flatness of them almost came across as an accusation, and the Heiress would confess that it could be considered a crime to deprive anyone the pleasure of making her acquaintance. “We have not.” She replied with a subtle curve of her mouth hinting at a smile. The next to arrive, though, was not such an unfamiliar face. Though the last time they’d come across one another he’d been going by the title of Gentry, if she remembered correctly. Quite a step up for him, and hopefully that meant good news for the Plains. She was about to speak, to reintroduce herself for the benefit of the other woman as well as to refresh Keligan’s memory incase he’d forgotten her name or title, but movement behind the other lioness caught her attention. Her attention locked onto the mauve pelt cowering and trembling, staring right at her. In a moment, her mind went blank, her purpose for traveling to the Cove momentarily forgotten as she tried to process the fact that she was staring at a ghost. Her slackened jaw snapped shut suddenly, and, now stiff, she forced her focus back to Keligan even as another arrived. “Renfri Saxe, Heiress of Lorien Plains. Previously we shared a common enemy, or at least our enemies were allies. I understand new leadership can change these things, so I wanted to see where we stand with one another. If the Plains can consider the Cove friendly, or neutral at the very least.” The words didn’t come out quite as smoothly as they normally did. It was evident that she was thrown off, and if anyone had been paying attention it would not be difficult to figure out what, or rather who had rattled the Heiress.@Kvare @Novalie @ |
Shifting her posture ever so slightly, still standing proud, she turned her body enough to shield the lioness behind her while also brushing her nose against Novalie's in a gentle gesture, a wordless gesture to tell her that she'd be right there, no matter what. Gaze of concern turned to relief when yet another arrived and she gave the large male a small nod before her gaze once again turned to the female of the plains. Her ears twitched ever so slightly as she listened to the introduction, observed her movements and reaction.
Renfri, an interesting name. I'm Lagertha, the Cove's lead fighter.A necessary introduction, for the moment. And while her tone was a little more friendly, she did seem to try harder to keep herself in a more diplomatic mindset.
Her posture remained unchanged despite the presence of other members of her pride. — Protecting, guarding the lioness who had chosen refuge behind her. — Lagertha didn't say anything else, merely tilting her head ever so slightly, choosing to mostly observe the situation and wait what Keligan had to say.
@Novalie @Renfri @Kvare @
Behind him, two more would follow and Keligan didn't miss the beat on noticing how reserved @Novalie was. She was hiding behind @Lagertha and it was clearly because of the visiting Heiress. Raising a brow at the mauve lioness who was under watchful eye of @Kvare, the lion wasn't going to get involved. Flicking his ears, he also paid attention to how @Renfri was acting, her positioning and her words as she spoke. She said why she was here and Keligan nodded slowly, though the back of his mind was on how Renfri acting when the deaf-mute lioness had arrived. Clicking his tongue, he carefully spoke. I'm assuming your enemies are the prides of the North?
The Summit and Brook seemed to be tight-knit with each other and the other prides were not fans of them. Our most cautious enemies are the Oasis and the Summit at this time. I have no direct interaction with the Brook and Hollows to give an opinion but I wouldn't consider them anywhere close to friendly, yet not enemy either. Keligan mused for a moment before adding, I have felt and seen the wrath that the Summit has done and Nephthys is protected by the Oasis. To give Renfri insight on why he had those two on his hit list, so to speak.
Such ownership to her arrives - a firm paw pressing against her rump, the only indiciation that had alarmed her to his prescence. A shiver racks her spine from the touch, the gentle gesture of it tearing her attention away from @Renfri for a moment. Eyes pere to the Mahogany pelt, and she gulps, before she scoots back a fraction from the wheat lioness - and sits down beside the Cove's Noble.
At least he was the lesser of two evils here, compared to Renfri in her opinion.
She almost doesn't wish to draw her eyes back to her sister, but she does, only because she wants to see her reaction. She stared; her condescending eyes sweeping over her in a manner that caused another shudder, and Novalie sees the tensing of her jaw after it had slackened. Brief surprise... turned to anger perhaps? Anger she was still alive, still surviving after all this time?
And yet, just like before, Novalie was thrown to the background.
Her sister turns back to @Keligan , giving him her attention and speaking words she was far too unfocused to be able to try and make out by the movement of her mouth. Pain flared along her chest, and she gulped; it was almost as if Renfri rejected her prescence, her existence as a whole.
Oddly enough, Novalie felt safe behind @Lagertha , and beside @Kvare . Perhaps that was why Renfri didn't say anything - didn't do anything to her. Perhaps the Cove was her lifeline now, her protection. Maybe being his was a blessing over a doomed fate?
She was starting to think so, and while she was silent and staring, she also began to scrutinize her sister's appearance internally, looking over her frame to see how she had been fairing.
Obviously well.
It was hard to focus on @Renfri, his gaze intently on his ward before him. Absentmindedly, he took notice of @Lagertha, sparing the wheat woman a glance before he turned toward @Keligan. Their King was more than capable of handling himself, allowing Kvare to focus on his charge instead of focusing on being the man's looming, broody backup. He is suddenly keenly aware that Lagertha is moving to stand protectively before @Novalie, and Kvare immediately moves to do the same, hoping to slide his paw from her rump toward her hip and attempt to tug her closer to his lumbering frame.
His, he recalled. His to protect.
The news that the Summit is a tense enemy, however, is enough to give the Tollaire pause. His sister lead the Summit, and though he and Morrigan had a terse understanding of to each their own, their destinies interwoven only by the fact they shared a mother, it was still news regardless. And though he was half-tempted to say something, he knew he would fair better waiting until he had a private moment with the King.
No, right now, Kvare had other shit to stir.
Were Novalie able to hear, he might have whispered to her under his breath; but Kvare Tollaire could only work with what he had, and it was plain as day the emotions sprawled across her expression, the way she seemed to lean into his and Lagertha's protection, instead of shirking from it. Are you two familiar?
he asks after Keligan, his gaze settling on the Lorien Heiress.
He can be discussed in OOC settings.
Please tag me after seven days.
He is open to premade plots as well as unplanned threads.
He is open to any IC consequences.