OOC: Hello! This thread is to establish connections between The Aviary and Caladan Cove. Please let Sammiie post with Azhira, first.

Aria walked briskly, cutting a tall and graceful figure. Their pale pink eyes wide with wonder as they took in their surroundings. Exotic, wide-leafed trees swayed in the mild breeze, and the soft earth still maintained its heat despite the cool breath of winter. Muted bird calls and the shushing of the ocean touched their ears, as they swivelled about atop his skull. Aria paused their scouting to take a break and think about their next move.

They knew little of Caladan Cove – only what he had gathered from the challenge. The lands had been claimed by new rulers after an unfortunate incident involving its former leadership. And that the pride lands were situated by the coast, an agreeable location in Aria's view.

Uncertainty nipped at his heels. Would they be welcome? He assumed that as long as they did not cross the border and behaved with the utmost respect, they should be fine. It felt dangerous to venture so deep into lion territory, and the cheetah couldn't shake off the sensation of fear that made his fur bristle.

Would they accept what they had to offer? Entertainment, companionship, and information. One could not have too many eyes to watch or ears to listen, from Aria's point of view.

He trilled for Azhira, a smile creeping across his features as he waited. They lowered themselves to the ground in a position they'd heard called 'loafing' to avoid pacing instead.

@Azhira @Keligan @Sunder

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Azhira was not far behind her long-legged Sparrow, but Aria easily took the lead in their paced stride with their naturally and gracefully long legs and lithe form. Azhira followed at her own pace, slower because she did not want to arrive at the borders winded and panting. When she finally did catch up, she found @Aria laying among the sparse vegetation that dotted the edge of the shores. "Were ya waitin' long for me, Suga?" she asked him, having no idea just how far ahead he'd gotten over time.

Taking in a few sniffs, she assessed how far out they were from the actual borderline and was satisfied. There was at least a yard between them and it, and that, she thought, was enough to keep the peace between owner and stranger. Dropping the white rabbit she brought as a gift before her feet, she licked her lips (hoping there was no lingering blood on them). She regarded Aria a moment, and then chuffed for the leaders of this cove pride. "Let's hope they're easy to talk to."

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Sorry for the wait! Please feel free to post @Keligan @Sunder <3

I can be your everything; I'm your sinner, I'm your whore

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His days of patrolling were shared with his ranked members and with the duties of being a father split his time. He wasn't complaining as he never thought he would have a family again after leaving Gaia. The King was on the peaks of the cliffs when he spotted a pair off in the distance, just dots on the outskirts. Flicking his ears, Keligan heard the call for the Leadership and descended down the cliffside via the tiny trails against the rock face. Sending out a chuff of his own, I am coming to those waiting while he walked closer. Upon first inspection, two creatures stood there. Raising a brow, he had seen a tiger before but the other creature (cheetah) was new. Shifting to sit down on his side of the border, he finally spoke in gruff tones, Keligan of Gaia, High Sovereign. How may I help you? A brow raised slightly as he studied them. Something indicated they weren't in prides yet not Rogue. But the pair was here for some sort of reason.

@Aria @Azhira

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There were plenty of times where Sunder kept herself hidden when newcomers approached the Cove borders, but this time would be different. Perhaps it was her intrigue towards the cheetah that arrived. After all that wasn't exactly something you saw every day in Amaryllis. She wouldn't be the first to greet them as her husband @Keligan was already heading that way, but she wasn't far behind him. Within a few moments a tiger would also join the other creature and Sunder was floored. Where did they come from? Was there more of them? Her own curiosity would keep her from staying hidden, this time she wanted to hear everything herself. Keligan of Gaia, High Sovereign. How may I help you? He asks and Sunder is sure to make herself known as the floppy-eared Sovereign moves to take a seat next to her husband's right side. She sits poised and stoic, a small smile threatening to curve the edges of her lips upwards. "Sunder of Gaia, Sovereign. Welcome to the Cove." She adds on, pausing to wait for their introductions and explanations as to what brought them here. [sleuth exp] +10 Learn a character's name and rank x2 @Aria @Azhira

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Azhira regarded @Aria first, ensuring they weren't waiting and poised to speak first. When there's was a slight pause, Azhira stepped forward, picking up the white rabbit at her feet by the scruff - careful to not get blood on her face - and placed it closer to the border. "We come bearin' gifts, but mostly we just wanna establish a relationship with our neighbors." Azhira returned to her original position and sat down, dipping her head to the two that greeted them.

"Hello @Keligan and @Sunder of Gaia. I'm Azhira and this is @Aria . We're from the Aviary Band, which is in the Labyrinth not far from here. The Aviary is catered to those who need some temporary lovin', if ya understand. We do parties and pride events - where we would come to ya, if ya'll are comfortable with that. We could work out the small details later, if ya decide you're interested in our services." She offered that as an introduction; she expected they would have follow-up questions because it wasn't everyday that a tiger and a cheetah approached the borders of a lion pride selling services.

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skipped Aria with @Ketsuki's permission

I can be your everything; I'm your sinner, I'm your whore

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Not long after his own arrival did his ever-being shadow appeared and he purred towards his wife as @Sunder moved to sit next to him. Never thinking that a Cheetah and a Tiger would come for him to see them and meet them, he was more intrigued than anything. The Tigress picked up a white hare and placed it closer to the ruling pair. It had caused him to swallow at the flashback of Kohana. Because of his mother's companion, he avoided the pure white hares as meals. But he wouldn't snub at the gift, instead, he smiled. "Thank you." He would let Sunder have it, so the cubs wouldn't get confused about friend not food situation with Kohana and this prey gift. Listening to the Tigress speak, apparently she ran a Band not far from the Cove in the Labyrinth. She talks about parties and events with a response of a raised brow. "Tell me a bit more about these services. The reason why I am asking is because I am planning two different events. One is with our Allies up north in May called the Spring Festival and one is with our Allies in the East in June called the Summer Gathering." Depending on the nature of these services, it would make or break on the offer of taking them. @Azhira @Aria

A wave of self-consciousness washes over Aria, as he watched the couple arrive. He is not usually at a loss for words, but the King and Queen’s striking appearance left him mute. He had never seen such an unusual shade of blue as @Keligan's mane, nor the folded ears of @Sunder. The cheetah's eyebrows rose at the mention of a place called 'Gaia'. As soon as the talks were over, he was sure to ask about it. Aria rose to his haunches as he listened to Azhira's speech and nodded in agreement.

Aria noticed the questioning look on Keligan's face as he replied. He would have to be convinced of the Aviary's merits. With two opportunities dangling enticingly in the air, the wheels were turning in their head. The hint of how he wanted to woo his allies caused the cheetah to nod. “It sounds to me like you want to make a good impression. We can arrange an event that promises to be unforgettable.”

It was a bold claim, but he was confident that the band could meet or exceed expectations.

“Our band can amuse and entertain you with dancing and singing, good company or something… more, if that is what you desire.” Aria made sure to address his words to both king and queen. After all, love and pleasure were not the domain of one gender, and he firmly believed that love was love.

They bent their head to a foreleg as they groomed. “We pride ourselves on being discreet. We do not kiss and tell.”

@Azhira

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Azhira's eyes no doubt glittered at the mention of upcoming events - opportunities that the Aviary could be involved in, could take full advantage of. @Aria beat her to explaining more, but she was actually kind of relieved. They put it in a way that was far more elegant than the jumbled thoughts she had in her head. Selling the Aviary was not her strongest talent. She was always so used to being part of the goods that were sold.

"I couldn't've said it better," she nodded to her companion, glancing at him quickly and smiling. "While this was meant as more of a social call, we'd be delighted if ya wanted us to help ya with your event. Our Ms. Orchid knows how to throw a slammin' party." She remembered the masquerade party she threw not too long ago. There was a lot of mingling, and more lions than she guessed showed up to it, so Azhira definitely knew who she would go to see if the Cove wanted the Aviary to help out.

Dropping her voice slightly and looking between the King and Queen, she murmured, "Sex is on the table, but it ain't the only thing we offer, and if ya'll allow us to, we can help ya with your gatherin's."


@Keligan @Sunder

I can be your everything; I'm your sinner, I'm your whore

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Keligan listened to first @Aria speak and then @Azhira added some more information about an Orchid. At the lowered tones from the Tigress, he flicked his ears before looking @Sunder with a glance before turning his attention back to the visitors. During the Summer Gatherings of Gaia, the adults would get together after the children go to bed and have good times. I'm sure Sunder could make her delights for the party, your Ms Orchid to help with the planning, yes? Coupling wouldn't be mandatory but I'm sure there would be a few between the Cove and Lagoon who would be interested in those services. It was still being planned and finer details worked on. But a glance back to his wife would serve up his opinion on it and wondered if she would be willing to put together her drink for the crowd.

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Admittedly Sunder was fascinated by the two creatures on their doorstep, but what intrigued her even more was these "services" that @Aria and @Azhira mentioned. Sunder was no stranger to court jesters and servicers, it was something that she had seen time and time again during her years as a servant. The idea did make her skin crawl in the slightest, but she knew that Azhira and Aria were not those from her past. They were different, kind from what she could sense. At least they weren't giving her any inclination to think otherwise. @Keligan mentioned the events they had planned with their allied prides and she would nod her head in agreement, grinning when he also mentioned the special tonics she knew how to make. "I'd be more than delighted to share my tonics with the two of you, and the others of course." She mused with a gentle twitch of her tail. "I appreciate the fact that you can be discreet, and I'm sure if any members of ours would like to obtain your services they are free to do so at their own will." She would reassure them before continuing, "We can meet again once it gets closer to iron out more of the specifics. We do appreciate your willingness to help." She says with a soft smile, icy gaze moving to Keligan then to see if he had anything else he'd like to offer to them in the meantime.

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