it was one of the places they had passed by when they came. the trio of women had no need for the passage, where they saw others being carted away to various prides. nox had felt bad for them, then, the ones that had come with no clear goal or path to follow. different than the sister-friends, who knew exactly what they had come for. now she returns to the passage with her proverbial tail between her legs. while she may grapple with feelings of shame or embarrassment she does not show it. nor does she bare the weight of her grief for all to see. instead she holds her head high, sitting proudly out in the open for any recruiters to discover. (No wb or em, please!)

Now that she was feeling more herself and becoming more active again, Tiamat found herself wandering to the passage more frequently. It was almost strictly herself and Dagge who did recruiting here, and the gods knew they needed more members if they were to face the trying times she was certain were coming sooner or later in the shifting political landscape of Amaryllis.

Today she wandered, seemingly alone, with no other fresh scents to tip her off that one of the other leaders was present here at the moment. Not certain if she would find anyone at all, she approached the mouth of the passage, right where it opened up to the island proper. It was then that she spotted a lone figure, dark against the browns of the passage with plum fur and lacking a mane. Tiamat approached, her ears pricked forward with curiosity.

"Hello," she began, confident and cautious at the same time. It was rare to find one sitting so openly in the passage as if waiting for something. "I am Tiamat Anatu," she introduced herself. "High Queen of Scilla Lagoon, a pride here in Amaryllis. Are you looking for something?"

code by anyu, art by CelestialDrift

Reah had not visited the passage in quite some time. She decided she would venture over for the day, just to see what it was like and what she could witness. She moved carefully, her face still wounded but she had been taking care of it. Every day she would apply herbal paste to it and the pain would soon ebb away into a dull ache. Her dark paws left prints in the sand, noticing a voice not far off. Ah, it was that dumb queen once again. Reah said nothing to her and didn't bother to acknowledge her. A plum woman sat proudly, and Reah couldn't help but notice her beauty. "Reah, Sovereign of Lorien Plains," she would offer her name and her title. "Depending on what you desire, the Plains may be able to provide it for you," she said. She paused for a moment, "A stable home, a rank, we have plenty of food, and I'm a medic myself so you won't have to worry about any ailments or injuries," she said. "We're well-fed thanks to our lead hunter, well-protected thanks to our king and lead fighter, and well looked after by our lead scout," she added. She wondered then, was that enough to persuade the woman? She couldn't help but smirk a little, "We even held a party recently if you're looking for something fun, friendly, and relaxing," she added, a friendly smile appearing on her dark lips. @Nox

art by vasilia | code by scorpixia♡︎

It was his first foray to the passage since his new title had been bestowed upon him, and Rainhart moved with no real hurry. He treads over soft sand to this no-man’s land, a curiosity for this unfamiliar culture in his heart. It is a familiar scent that draws him in; memory of a meeting in the dark, dusk-laden forest and a fascination that had left her lingering at the back of his mind.

“Dearest Nox,” he hums in baritone as he emerges amongst the two others; from prides he didn’t recognise. He only has eyes for the aurora-marked lioness. “We meet again.”

He listens to the other two, polite and patient but looming, ever looming. It was hard not to at his size. He takes his turn to speak. “The rainforest - and I - have a place for you. Should you wish.” it is an invitation, even if from his lips it sounds more of a request.

@Nox @Tiamat @Reah

code © hinter

He would've never expected to see @Nox here, at the Passage. She seemed a woman keen on freedom. Not that prides were necessarily...imprisonment, but often times most women found them constricting. It was the only reason he'd never invited her to his home. Her scent, however, was too strong to ignore. They'd had some moments together and she was a rather interesting woman, he found. Their conversations always indulged his curiosity and she was ever eager to teach him.

Ears dance atop his skull, hiding with the thick confines of his mane soon after as the beast approaches, a warm, inviting rumble vibrating his broad chest, "Nox, éjszakai istennő, are you well?" There is no hesitation in his approach as the Savante moves to gently brush his nose along her cheek, settling to sit beside her. Alexander wouldn't force her to come home with him, but oh...he surely hoped she'd consider it. There was an eager anticipation bubbling in his stomach only expressed by the rapid tap of his tail against the earth.

1. Night Goddess

As they came, one by one, Nox began to think she had made the wrong decision. There are two strangers, first, women she does not recognize. A queen -- @Tiamat -- who asks what she is looking for. Another leader, @Reah of a plains pride, who immediately launches in to everything that her pride has to offer. The same things Nox would expect of any pride, truly, and thus not enough to immediately draw her in. For the women she has a polite smile and a nod, but she holds off on answering any questions because -- Two more arrive, but these are faces she knows. Men that she has met, flirted with even. All of the attention makes her suddenly uneasy, for she is faced with the reality that she will have to make a choice. And while the choice itself does not phase her (she trusts the fates of the world to guide her in the right direction) the notion of disappointing those whose company she enjoys is a touch more deterring. "@Rainhart," she purrs a greeting in return, and for all her concerns her expression betrays nothing. Instead it shows only the faint way her lips twitch in to a smile, one that is directed to Alex next. His greeting is far more familiar, bold even, and despite the comfort she felt with him she did not return his affections. Not here, at least. "@Alexander ♔," her welcome is warm, "well enough, hmm." Except she was here in the passage, surrounded by the inevitably decision she must make. Her attention shifts to the queens, then, and then moves slowly across the gathered four. "For those that do not know I am Nox. My fates have unraveled and so I intend to join a pride -- one of yours, most certainly." Surely she could pick the right direction of those that had gathered. Surely the Gods would guide her. "If you could tell me a little more, please, about each of your homes. I am afraid I know very little about the prides here." It was easier to feign naivety than to customize her questions for each, so she lobs the ball back to their court. Let them woo her.

Of course the next recruiter to appear was @Reah, one of the Lorien leadership. there was no love lost between Tiamat and that pride and she was never pleased to see them in the passage.

But then more came - men she didn't recognize but the stranger seemed to know. She referred to them by name as @Rainhart and @Alexander ♔. And while she didn't recognize him, she did know the name of Alexander Savante, and a story to go with it. She studied him carefully for a moment, her gaze curious rather than accusing, and then turned her attention back to the woman she thought was a newcomer. It turned out that she had been in these lands for some time already and had come here looking for a home.

Tiamat dipped her head respectfully to the Rainforest and Hollows representatives before turning her attention fully to @Nox. "I would say welcome to Amaryllis, but it seems you are well aware of where you are," she said, a smirk tilting up the edge of her mouth. "As I said before, I am Tiamat Anatu, the high queen of Scilla Lagoon. I rule alongside another queen named Tinuviel. The Lagoon is a close-knit pride with many allies and friendships among the other nine prides." With that she indicated Rainhart, who was of a pride that they had recently become allies with. "The Lagoon is one of the two southernmost prides on the island. We encourage the development and practice of each member's skills and are always in need of those who are willing to work to keep the pride running. There are plenty of available ranks to challenge for, if that interests you, but we value all members of the pride - not just the ones who hold ranks."

code by anyu, art by CelestialDrift

He cannot expect the night touched woman to be solely affectionate with him, nor would he show any dislike of it. Alexander was not a jealous man, but there was mild surprise when she purrs the name of another. The beast does not let it dissuade his goals, especially as the other male came from Firnen. Nose wrinkles softly as his attention focuses on @Nox, curious to see what she was looking for in a pride.

Of course, she did not disappoint. Ever the woman to demand the attention of anyone in her presence, always eager for knowledge and information. She had both wits and beauty, something many were not blessed with. Conversation with the woman was always intriguing, as were the other affectionate encounters they'd had so far.

Alexander waits for @Tiamat to finish speaking, offer the Scilla Queen the respect she deserved by wait his turn to speak. The mention of Tinúviel prompts a glimmer of emotion in his eyes, but it is not betrayed by his somber, neutral expression. This changes as he moves forward a bit to speak, "Our last encounter did not allow for me to tell you, but I am now King of Obsidian Hollows. It is a cavernous pridelands, hidden away with ebony mountains, hence the name." He muses softly, pausing a moment to give Nox a moment to take in the information.

"Many of my family reside there, but others do as well, many finding solace in the warmth of the Earth - the security. I encourage ambition and drive, loyalty especially. The Hollows praises freedom as well, you may come and go as you wish, there are only a few limitations and rules I ask to keep in mind when living with me." Those he could discuss with Nox if she chose to come with him. He had a feeling she would not object to any of them.

More and more pride leaders would appear. The lioness introduced herself as Nox and she inquired more about the different prides within the lands. Reah had felt that she had already explained her own Kingdom well enough but if what she had said wasn't enough then she would explain more. After the man named Alexander spoke, Reah would take her turn. "Lorien Plains is a vast kingdom, located within the heart of Celosia Fields." she would begin to explain. "I rule beside King Aeistrios and our Heiress Renfri," she said. "We are growing in numbers and work together as a strong unit against all odds, no matter the situations thrown at us," she said. "The food is bountiful as well as the herbs, we hold plenty of hunts and as I said prior we hold events such as parties and celebrations when the time calls for it," she added. @Nox

art by vasilia | code by scorpixia♡︎

Rainhart listens, or appears to listen, to the invitations of the other recruiters. All his real focus is for @Nox, who he is displeased to find himself in contest for. Rainhart does not interrupt yet, however. He takes in the information given for his own taking back home - especially that of the hollows. They were an enemy of the Rainforest.

They all have their little benefits, their unique offerings. Rainhart has no intention of playing such a salesman. Not when he had the option of a direct approach.

“I think,” he hums once it was his turn to speak, “You should come tour the Rainforest for yourself, no? It is quite beautiful at this time of year.” A clear claim he sets upon the plum woman, smile curling sweetly at his pale-marked maw.

@Tiamat @Alexander ♔ @Reah

Rainhart vs ?
For Nox
Round 0 / 3

code © hinter