[[no lp, fr, or wb please, i already have characters there lol. otherwise, open to everything from invitation to claims, idc ]]

Well, it had been a while, but it seemed all roads eventually led back to the place. Attempts to strike out on her own had been...less successful than she'd hoped, and it had turned out that living as a singular rogue was way harder than it sounded. Carrion tasted disgusting after the first day or two in the sun, and picky eaters apparently tended to starve. So maybe it was instinct, or habit, rather than intention that brought her back. A subconscious following of scents and familiar sights, that finally brought salt air to her nose and the sensation of sand under her paws.

Exhausted, probably dehydrated, definitely in need of a good meal if the visible ridges of ribs and points of hip and shoulder bones were any indication, she plodded as far as she could into the passage before her energy and determination gave out and left her sprawled haphazardly on her side. At least the sun was starting to go down, it meant she wouldn't fry in the heat before she'd rested enough to press on.

code by corvus

She's been putting off her next trip to the recruiting grounds for far too long. Myra doesn't quite know what precisely had made her think of it. The realization that weeks, if not months, had passed since she'd last visited the Passage had simply jolted through her suddenly, and with nothing to conveniently weigh down her paws, she'd turned them towards this place naturally.

And what do you know? It seemed the Noble was in luck. She might call it fate, if only she still believed in such foolish things.

"Welcome to Amaryllis." She rumbles dryly, stepping right up to the dark form sprawled out across the sands, staring straight down at @Curse and her sorry state with an unreadable expression. "Shall I offer you a home with food or water, or would you rather that I dig you a grave?" One of those options would be less trouble for one of them, at least.

SENTINEL

She was growing tired of visiting the passage. Tiamat needed nobles to do the recruiting for her, so that she might focus on other aspects of running the Lagoon, but as of yet none had stepped forward to fill the role that Caelum had left behind.

So, here she was again, approaching the passage as the weather warmed significantly, signifying the coming of summer and the ending of the spring rains. The passage was, as always, sandy and rocky and dusty; a bridge from the mainland and nothing more, bordered by ocean on either side. As she approached she caught sight of two figures already standing there, both of them somewhat familiar.

She recognized @Myra from her time in the Mire and other meetings since then, and she dipped her head to the noble in greeting as she approached the two. The Mire noble looked well, but the black-and-white form of the younger lion, sprawled on her side in the dirt, was boney and weak looking. But there was something familiar about the markings that tickled at a long-forgotten memory in the back of Tiamat's mind.

"Now, now," Tiamat clucked her tongue at Myra. "This is no place to be digging a grave. The dirt is no good for it." She swiped at the dusty ground as if to make a point. She stepped up and loomed over the figure on the ground. "You seem familiar somehow," she said, her sea-colored eyes staring down at the girl. "Shall I drag you off to the Lagoon for some food, water, and medical attention?"

@Curse

i confess these sins with a sharp and spiteful tongue

code by anyu, art by 86

Oh he remembered this place very well. If it had only been a brief visit, the sand that had found its way into the middle of his toes and stuck to his fur had been very hard for him to get rid of and yet here he was. Right back into the place that he dread most of all but as a prince to the Hollow and therefore had a duty to the pride to recruit more lions to fill in its ranks. However, what his mismatched jewels landed on was not a sight he liked.

Already there were two lioness there (@Tiamat and @Myra) and he knew neither but they smelled of two different prides that he wasn't all to familiar with. But he would eventually become familiar with in due time. For now, his jewels looked onto the woman of bones and there was an instant that his mind ran across to the sudden idea - and urge - to claim her. Neither of the pride representatives were allies to the Hollow this he knew already. In fact, one was leaning more towards enemies lines than the other as far as he was aware.

Or I just go ahead and take her back to the Hollow and we call it a day. He would state a claim as he moved to stand near @Curse's side rather than stand there and ask stupid ass questions. Zsolt looked down to the dehydrated and worn out woman and leaned down to nudge her. They were both the same size and with her current state, she would be lighter and the Hollow wasn't that far. You can either get on my back or lean against my shoulder. Either way, I'm not going to stand here and argue over where you should go while you continue to starve or get further dehydrated under the setting sun like some ass wipes. He would grumble towards her, mismatched jewels watching the others in case they decided to attack him.

@Corvus ★

we have come into the night

plunder & raise & war are nigh

code by corvus

Alexander knew that his children were new to this land and it's ways. He knew that when bringing him there may be some clashing, but @Zsolt knew well enough that women were to be shown the respect and care of someone precious, no matter who they were.

So to hear the boy making some subtle claim on a defenseless woman rattled him a bit. While he didn't care much what the Mire thought of him, he was more wary on what @Tiamat might think. His large form lumbers into the scene, jaw set tight as he attempts to come up beside the rogue, blue eyes looking to his son. "Of course, should she wish to not go to the Hollows, we can help escort her elsewhere." There is a look given to his son.

To call those he didn't know ass wipes was less than pleasing, but he couldn't expect all his children to settle beneath his paw. Not that he wanted to control them, but he at least expected a modicum of respect and self-control. Especially as royalty. "Forgive my son, he can be a bit overzealous sometimes in his care. He means well." Alexander knew that even with the best of intentions, the worst could still be assumed.

This was a learning moment for his son, no doubt.

An eye cracked open at a new voice, and she found the energy to frown lightly, "Not dead yet." Her other eye opened as another arrived - this one was familiar in that 'we met a while ago and I forgot your name, or never got it' kind of way. Curse lifted her head, forcing herself to at least get her front half upright as she looked the second woman over with a hum. "Hmm...lizards, quicksand." The lagoon was familiar, too. Not surprising since it had been her last home within the land.

But she didn't immediately get to question the lagoon woman further, as a dark male with what seemed like more balls than brains arrived. Ruby eyes narrowed as he approached, a hiss and a swipe of claws at his face as he tried to touch her, "Or how about you go ahead and fuck a cactus. Piss off." She was heaving herself to her paws to step away from the man as another arrived, and she turned a wary gaze on the red man. "He makes a shit first impression."

With some space between her and the grey bastard, she'd sit to preserve what energy she had left. No matter what choice was made, she still had to get to wherever she picked. Attention shifted, largely, back to the Lagoon rep, though she kept the grey man in her peripheral vision, untrusting of anyone who would even subtly imply they might take her whether she liked it or not. "I lived in the Lagoon before, under Alizabeth, has it changed?" Was the rough woman still in charge? Because she'd been someone Curse hadn't had to worry about offending with her mouth, and that had been nice. But even if not, her stuff was probably still there somewhere, right? Her skull and zebra pelt, and other little bits and pieces stolen from the boneyard.

"I'll hear the pitch for the rest of your homes, too, but you're" a jab of a toe to point at the grey boy "on thin fuckin' ice, implying you'd just fuckin' take me." Not a great way to make friends, but at least his old man had come to offer some kind of apology.

@Myra @Tiamat @Zsolt @Alexander ♔

code by corvus

No regrets

and yet, every regret

Something had drawn the pale woman away from her home yet again, though she was not quite sure what it was. Was it simply a drive to do her duty for her home? Or was it something whispered in her ears by something powerful? Whatever it was, it had brought her to the passage once more.

And it didn't take long for her to notice the group, surrounding a lioness who definitely had seen better days. Silent steps carried her forward, ears flattening as she caught the tail end of the...conversation. @Tiamat was greet with a nod of respect and a low rumble, but other than that, the pale woman kept her head high, carrying herself with pride. The others were greeted with a nod as well, though her gaze lingered on @Alexander ♔ and @Zsolt for a moment. Her tail slowly flicked from side to side, a faint noise vibrating in her throat, somewhere between a growl and a rumble. Perhaps a sign of displeasure from the approach.

Though her attention was quickly drawn to @Curse, concern showing on her features as she looked the darker woman over. "The Cove too could provide shelter, food and water. And I don't think any attempts of claiming are appropriate right now." The last sentence was clearly meant for the grey Hollow prince as she gave him a pointed glare. But then she turned her head and pulled something from a pouch at her side, placing a piece of meat near the dark woman before stepping back a little again. We got beaches, nice shade in trees and caves, beautiful cliffs with a view of the ocean."

code by corvus

It doesn't take long at for others to arrive. Somehow, likening the recruiters to vultures had never seemed more fitting than in this moment.

The huntress hummed thoughtfully when the familiar @Tiamat arrived, tilting her chin upwards as if deeply contemplating the Lagoon Queen's words. "Hm, yes. I suppose it would be a shame, once the tide comes in." The more positive sentiments surrounding the idea of being buried at sea were certainly not ones Myra would ever come to understand. Fortunately, @Curse quickly proves too stubborn to be buried anywhere regardless, and a slight smirk twitches the corners of Myra's lips, pleased and knowing.

It fades away quickly with @Zsolt's arrival, the young man all too quick to assert the idea that the inky rogue did not have the mind to choose her own fate. The swift arrival of @Alexander ♔ to soften the 'claim' does little to bolster their favor with the golden Noble, and Myra side-eyes them both, unimpressed. "Oh, if that's the case, I'm sure an escort won't be necessary." She suggests crisply.

Seemed the Mire wasn't the only pride to hold over-enthusiastic Princes. But she's never known Alaric to make excuses for them.

The monochromatic woman seemed to direct much of her focus upon Tiamat - understandable, if the woman had truly made the Lagoon her home. Has it changed? One could say that, but Myra is happy to sit back and let the Queen speak for herself, reptilian gaze shifting to regard @Lagertha's arrival with distant curiosity, before Myra would open her mouth again. "Of course, the Mire also holds all the necessities that you'll need. I won't try to claim that we have any particularly 'idyllic' views of the ocean, but if you value privacy and security, the swamp can offer you that as well." Thorn barriers and all. "We highly value those who possess grit like yours." She adds, after a moment's pause.

She can respect the rogue's determination to stand proud before them all, even in this ragged condition.

SENTINEL

Shortly after his own arrival and failed attempt at claiming helping someone, his father arrives and Zsolt finds himself feeling like a child again. There was no need for @Curse to push away from him or even spit out her words as the Prince moved away from her and stood behind his father. It was there that he would stay and watch, waiting and listening patiently to how his father would defuse his fuck up. Surely he'd have a good ass chewing after this as he had fucked up hardcore right here in thinking Curse wasn't capable of thinking on her own due to her condition alone.

we have come into the night

plunder & raise & war are nigh

code by corvus

Before they could decide just where the younger woman would end up going, a third vulture appeared to hover around the sickly creature. He (@Zsolt) made it quite clear that he intended to stake a claim on the girl, and Tiamat wasn't about to just lie down and allow him to do that. First of all, Tinuviel would have her hide if she allowed a woman to be forced to go where she did not want to be. Secondly, Tiamat was not about to be pushed around by some whelp from a pride that she knew so little about.

Tiamat shifts her stance to one that made it clear she was getting ready for a fight. Thankfully for the boy, @Alexander ♔ appeared before she could launch herself at him. A brow was raised in the direction of the Hollows king, making it clear she wasn't too impressed with his son at that moment - especially if he still wished to seek out friendly terms with her pride.

"Is this how your family makes friends?" she asked him, but there was clear amusement in her voice as she teased him and his son. Lucky for them, Tiamat didn't take things like this quite as seriously as some of the other prides did.

All it took was the girl to mention lizards and quicksand for Tiamat to recall the cub who had used rocks to test the sand in the desert so long ago. "Ah yes, the smart cub," she said with approval. The girl had attitude then, and it was clear that she still had attitude now. It seemed that the young woman was also unimpressed with the boy's attempt to claim her. She swiped at him as she gave him a piece of her mind. Tiamat's tail lashed back and forth with amusement. The girl had fire, she would give her that.

At the mention of Alizabeth she snorted. "Alizabeth abandoned the Lagoon and I took over after her failure," she said with a hint of derision in her voice. "It has changed. I have been running it for a year now. We're always looking for someone useful to add to our ranks. You've got attitude. I like that. You'd be welcome there. Plenty of ranks to take, too," she said with a shrug.

Another approached. Tiamat recognized @Lagertha from the Cove and gave her a nod. She would not be upset if the girl went with either Lagertha or @Myra, since they were both allies. She might not have minded if she went with the Hollows, either, if not for the attempted claim. Turning her head back to the girl, she said, "I also have three of the most skilled medics on the island. We can get you fixed up in no time."

@Curse

i confess these sins with a sharp and spiteful tongue

code by anyu, art by 86