It is with a heavy heart Leila picks through her small alcove of a den in the early morning light. The dawn was early at this time of year, peeking up over the slopes of the bluffs she had called home for over a year. Away burned the distant mist, and she knew her time here waned with it. She and Dragos had come to a choice of their own doing, desiring only a peaceful nook away from the politics and troubles of the ambitious and feuding.

It is because she doesn't know what is next to come that she feels she must take her leave. For the sake of the cubs she carried and would soon bring to the world. For the safety of those she cared about that would call Wolfbron their home long after she. It still hurt to leave it behind. Change was hard, it always had been.

Leila doesn't want to think of what Dragos was going through. He was giving up just as much, if not more, so they could finally be with one another. She is desperate to be free of that guilty feeling, the sneaking about to see him.

With her pile of items to take selected, the tigress chooses the largest of the pelts that made her freshly disassembled nest and tucked them into it, so she could carry it in a makeshift sling. She tidies the alcove afterwards with great care. Maybe she was tired from pregnancy, maybe she was stalling.

Eventually, there is nothing left to do and she moves into the soft dawn with a great melancholy, wanting to give the prideland one last glance over before she moved on, parcel clutched in her jaws.

- all welcome

by hinter

Amara walked along the borders of her lands, something that she had done so often that she could swear she could see her paw prints in the dusty line that she had worn. It was something that she found relaxing now. There was almost a peace in doing something and she wasn't sure what she would do when she was no longer the leader of the Bluffs. The time was coming and she knew it. It would either be Louve or someone else, there was no way to know which would come first but as the days wore on, she knew that she had done a fine job keeping the pride safe for her family to grow. She had fought many fights since being here and her body was covered in the scars of them, reminders of the moments when her life's goal hung in the balance.

The sun was starting to lift over the lands when Amara caught the scent of her lead hunter. She trotted toward her but slowed as she saw that she was standing there with what seemed to be items to show that she was going and not coming. Amara came to a stop a few feet away, her golden gaze gentle as she looked her over. She didn't say anything but she couldn't help wonder what @Leila was doing.

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Leila pauses at the cusp of the trail that led down through red stone and sand to the slopes and borders of the bluffs, a great and heavy lump in her throat. She sighs, but it doesn’t shift the burdening emotions like she had hoped, and making that first step down the trail is difficult to begin.

It is the sound of paws that draw her attention, and Leila can only briefly meet @Amara's golden eyes as sadness and- well, no shame was not the word - flooded her striped features. She definitely felt guilty; not for following her heart but for how many secrets she had needed to keep from those she had significantly valued as her pride mates, her allies, her friends.

She places the wrapped pelt down by her paws and stands for a long moment, working up how to even… explain. She had held out hope for too many months that she could have both without outside trouble.

“I need to go.” Leila manages finally, barely above a whisper. “I want to be with… him.” Her forepaws shift together, kneading the dirt absentmindedly as she spoke. “I don’t think it’s long til’ they're here-” a tilt of her head and a glance to her distended belly; “And… I don’t want them to be caught in the middle of anything.”

Her eyes wander from horizon to the stony earth. “I’m sorry.”

by hinter

Amara watched her closely, taking in everything about the odd animal that they had allowed into their pride. She wasn't sure that she was aware of another pride having a tiger within their borders let alone among their ranks. To give that trust wasn't something that Amara did without reason, without thought so as they stand here together Amara can't help but wonder if it was misplaced since it seemed that Leila was willing to leave without letting anyone know. @Leila set down what she is carrying and as her words flow out, Amara tightness against them.

She holds back the NO that snaps to her mind first as she allowed Leila to finish. Amara now knew who she was talking about and who had helped her when she was hurt. That much was clear. The swell of her sides showed even more now then at the challenge. The challenge where she stood in front of the male, put herself between them even though he was not Amara's target. Things went sideways after that and Amara wasn't happy with any of it.

She shook her head slightly. You do not need to go. They... Her gaze went to the cubs within the female. would be protected as any of the others here. Who their father is doesn't play into how we protect those who come to us. Aideen and Laerra are daughters of the family who holds/held(not sure which will be right based on the outcome so pick the correct one once that is known) the Oasis. Far more of an enemy and yet they thrive here. They are trusted here. Amara looked at Leila with a soft look. She could understand why the lead hunter might want to go, not fully understanding what truly made up the Bluffs. Loyalty. Hard work. Family. Amara's thoughts wandered to Louve and how she had worried for the female when she was gone and hurt. It wasn't often that Amara saw her daughter making friends so even if the Lead Hunter didn't think it, Leila was important.

She took a moment to think about things. She knew that what she was about to offer might ruffle some within her borders but she also knew that there was value in showing the loyalty that they ask for. He can come here. Her words were sold as she said them. Leaving no room for misunderstanding. He will not be touched and he will be allowed to become apart of the pride as you have. The ceasefire will be put back in place/keep going (again pick based on outcome of AO challenge) for his family members and any who live under Alex's rule only, not allies or friends. We will not touch them, unless they touch us first. Again. Amara's offer was as clear as she could make it. It was not the Bluffs who broke the ceasefire. It was not them who drew blood after agreeing not to. It was not them that should have not lose someone over those who could not be controlled. Amara would protect the tigress, her cubs, and the male who fathered them to keep Louve's friend here.

She took in a deep breath. What she was offering was abnormal, it wasn't something she would offer to everyone but Amara knew the value of a friend. The value of having someone to lean on and talk with and Louve had that in Lelia and Amara was willing to bend to give her daughter someone that was the opposite of her to help ground her. To help guide her hopefully and keep her from reacting to everything without thought. The young lioness was getting better but Amara knew that it was hanging on by very thing control and that control could very well be Leila. She waited to see if anything she said would matter to the female, would make a difference, let her know it was safe to stay or if she had wasted her words on someone who may have been brainwashed into thinking they were so evil that they would eat the cubs upon birth because of who their father is. That she needed to flee those who trusted her without a goodbye. Her golden gaze remained soft but steady as she waited.

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Leila could feel the Dieudonne woman’s careful golden gaze upon her as she spoke, but the tigress struggled to meet it. She was not proud to be skulking off into the gentle dawn, nor had she made this decision lightly. A year, Wolfbron had been her home - one of the few places willing to take her in, accept her. Sure, there had been growing pains, some odd looks occasionally… but the pride had accepted her and she could not wriggle free of that knowledge without crushing guilt. The trust she had been given; fraying. It eats her up inside.

There’s a lump in her throat as @Amara speaks. She listens, managing to drag her dark eyes up from her paws because she at least owed the starry-pelted woman that respect. Every word she takes in with great focus. She hadn’t known that about the twin lionesses and her frequent partners in hunts.

“I’m scared.” she confesses, voice hushed and thick with emotion. “I met him, before the hollow challenge - the first one. And we were just friends, and I really liked being around him. But then that challenge happened and overnight- he said he had to hate me, because of his family and because I lived here.” Much had happened between then and now, but she still remembered the pain on his face. The fear.

“I did sneak around, and I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.” Her ears tuck to her head, body drooping. “I’m so tired of having to pretend I don’t know who he is whenever I see him in public-” she was doing her best to keep herself together. Big families and the troubles that came with it were alien to her. She hadn’t been wanting to burden another with her deception either. “It hurts so bad to do that. It feels so wrong.”

Leila falls quiet as Amara’s voice lifts once more, seeing the thoughtful look on the high queen’s features. Leila was honestly shocked to hear the suggestion come from the woman’s jaws and she blinked her surprise as the Diuedonne woman outlined her terms.

“I don’t know if he could.” she murmurs after a pause. Leila struggles to find more delicate to words to explain it but can’t find any. “He’s… well. He’s terrified of Apollinaire.” She blurts out. The blunt truth, and she didn’t blame him for it. “You’ve seen his face… his- his paw. Apollinaire did that.” Her face pinches anxiously, “And more - I’ve heard… and seen - to his family.” Not that Leila knew them particularly at all or would place them above the bluffs, but she was a sensitive soul. Violence of any sort deeply unsettled her, frightened her. She couldn’t stomach to see any of those she cared of injured. Seeing Louve return from firnen, blinded had shaken Leila to her core; especially because of how confident and untouchable she always seemed.

“It was why Dragos went for Louve at Caladan.” she admits. They had talked much when she had been nursing him back to health in the grove and that was the summary she had received. “He said he lost control, seeing him.”

She scrunches up her face for a moment of overwhelm. “So. I don’t know what to do. I’m tired, I’m sore. I don’t want to raise these cubs without him.” her banded tail tip flicks by her toes. “Even though every stupid instinct and nightmare I’ve had and felt as of late is telling me everyone will want to hurt them and I need to disappear into the forest.”

Feeling morose and uncertain, she peers at Amara. There was an odd sense of relief to admit, apologise in some regard to her guilts. But equally, she was just worn out. The last few months had been intense, and with birth and children close on the horizon she knew it would not get easier for her.

by hinter

In the aftermath of the Oasis challenge she had spent a significant amount of time with her thoughts. Everything had gone to shit in one fell swoop, and yet none of that felt like it mattered. Not when there was a more pressing matter that weighed on her mind.

Louve could not make sense of her feelings about Leila. The tigress had wormed her way in to the Dieudonne's heart, for all her softness and gentleness, and had somehow become an unexpected friend. A best friend.

One that had fallen in love with the enemy and lied about it. A best friend that had laid with the man that had once tried to attack a pregnant Louve, and that was the betrayal that stung most. It is softened only by the knowledge she had of Leila's struggles, of the understanding that he had saved her life.

It was all a fucking mess, really, and when she heard Amara's and Leila's voices together she could not shake the shock of fear that coursed through her. Immediately she believed the worst, that her friend was leaving, and grappled with conflicting feelings of anger and grief. Louve fights with them the whole way, so that when she emerges before the pair she has no true plan. There is no prepared speech, no carefully crafted bid to keep the tigress here.

Instead she can only choke out a quiet -- "don't go" -- as she joins them, oblivious to all that had been said before.

@Amara @Leila

Star covered ears flick as she listens once more to the female. Scared. That was a feeling that Amara both knew and didn't know at the same time. She had been through enough scary things that it took something really awful to rattle her. She knew fear each time she fought for the Bluffs. Fear that all her work would be lost in a single moment. She felt fear as the life faded from her husband's eyes. Alone again to raise their cubs. She knew the fear of a mother when Louve fought for her place in the family against a stranger. Still there was plenty that she faced down that others would tuck tail and run from. She could understand fear and being scared but as she listened it seemed that the fear was brought on by a notition from someone who didn't know them.

Amara shook her head slightly. It is a shame that he told you that. He knew nothing of us or what we are at that time. Yes, there was fighting and no I wasn't happy with them or enjoyed what happened there. Learning that Mars was used as bait... Her face twitched at the thought. but we aren't heartless @Leila. No matter what our enemies spread around about us. They didn't show it in the same ways as others but the loyalty the family had was love. Deep love that had no way else to show itself but through protection and spilling of blood of those who hurt or wronged them.

Terrified of Apollinaire. Oh the male is going to enjoy hearing that someone is that scared of him. Enjoy every single moment of his life with that knowledge lingering there. Apollinaire is what he was raised to be. A protector of the family. A warrior. She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. But I am sure that you have seen that towards those he knows, trusts, he is even tempered and calm. She wouldn't spoil his name by calling him nice but Amara was well aware that there were worse in the family lingering out there. She tightened her muscles slightly at the mention of the attack against Louve who was carrying her grandcubs at the time. If he is unable to control himself at the sight of one lion, will he be able to control himself with all the dangers that linger out there for cubs? Amara's face was gentle. Being a mother isn't easy. The world is out to get your cubs, no matter what family they are born into. Two of mine were dead before they took their first breath of air. The world is cruel for those so young and adding in the fact that there are those who will attack cubs just because. She didn't want to scare the soon to be mother but Amara wanted to give her the facts of life. If her mate couldn't control himself before, becoming a father wasn't going to help that at all.

Amara sighed and sat down. There is nothing I can say that will take away the fear to hide away. I think it is part of bringing cubs into the world. To find a moment, a breath of peace with them before everything floods in. It doesn't take long to be honest and it isn't easy to deal with. The cubs, you, and ... him will be safe here. You have no way of knowing if going anywhere else will offer you that or not. You have your spot here. You have our protection. Amara's words were cut short as she heard @Louve and looked toward her daughter. Her golden gaze meeting the matching one that was filled with all the pain and sadness that Amara was hoping to help her avoid with the offer she had given.

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It was choking, this feeling. She so desperately did not want to cast aside the hospitality, trust she ahd been given, but equally did the woman not want to give up what she had so furiously fought for with Dragos. It had been a long and winding road for the both of them. She loved him. She loved the bluffs. Her heart ached.

Thinking of the first hollow challenge only made that weight heavier. "I wouldn't just take anyone's word," she murmurs, "But I saw what happened at that challenge too. He only threatened Mars because his family was attacked first." Not that she condoned it. Leila remembered the tormet in his eyes, remembered how frightened she had been of him. The tigress had heard his side, much later. Nobody was blameless here. Not even her. "I know you aren't heartless. I would never think that." she uttered.

Leila didn't know Apollinaire well enough to know if @Amara's vouch for his character was true or not - though she doubted the starry woman would lie. He had been civil enough, as a pridemate but who he was below the surface eluded her. She supposed there must have been something good in him - she could tell Louve loved him very much, and she trusted her judgement. Leila's brow furrowed, conflicted.

Though Amara's words were gentle... they are warnings of her worst fears and the tigress's face tightens in anxiety. Her throat felt dry and her eyes hot with the threat of tears. She hoped she would be a good mother, but to hear of threats and dangers to them beyond her control made her feel like the ground beneath her paws would spin out. Leila fights desperately to push away that feeling of helplessness. "I-" she said, feeling like her mind was far away from her body, "I just want them to be okay." Alive, loved, cherished, protected. She fears for them now, unborn.

Struggling now with her decision, Leila becomes aware that @Louve had joined them. She settles pained brown eyes upon the Dieudonne Matriarch, her best friend, and sees the grief in her's. "Louve..." she utters, voice husky and strained with the magnitude of her emotion.

"Can- I need to-" she battles for the words, head swimming. "I need to talk to him. I- I feel like. Maybe I shouldn't make this decision by myself." her paws knead the ground in her agitation.

"Even if I did go," she utters after a pause, "I don't want to cut ties. It wouldn't be goodbye."

by hinter

Louve misses much of the conversation, joining in when she did, but she knows enough to piece together the important parts. Leila was in love with a Savante, the very family that Louve had tried to broker peace with. A cease-fire that they had broken at the last challenge, followed by her husbands vicious search for revenge.

A part of her felt shamed by it. Gathering her family, promising that the Savante would not attack them if they did the same, only to be proven a fool at the very first opportunity. And yet they would paint the Dieudonne as the monsters.

"You 'ave lived 'ere for months, Leila. Do you not see z'at we protect our loved ones? At z'e challenge z'at ees what Apollinaire sought to do; z'ey showed z'emselves to be a threat... despite z'e peace I 'ad agreed to with z'eir patriarch." The Dieudonne protected fiercely, passionately; the same as the family she feared would reject her. "But eef z'is man were 'ere we would give 'im z'e same protection." There are a thousand reservations in her heart as she speaks, for she knows damn well it is no easy path that she offers, but her love for her friend trumps everything else. "Just as we would protect your cubs with our lives."

"Bring 'im 'ere. Or let us meet somewhere.." She is grasping, desperate, willing to put aside so much for her friend. What right had she to make such steps?

@Leila @Amara

Amara shook her head slightly. The Hollows was ruled over by our family at the time. She knew that nothing she said in the matter was going to help. No matter who attacked who first, using a cub is a kind of low that doesn't sit well. Amara's gut twisted as thoughts of the cubs within @Leila being used in such a way. Would the male care enough to not use his own cubs in such a way if it came down to it? She could only hope not and if she was able to have them here, she would make sure that nothing like that ever happened.

Amara's gaze was soft as they spoke of the cubs. I want the same for them. For them to be alive, well, loved, and cared for. Where that happens, is up to you. She looked toward Louve for a long moment before she moved over slightly so that @Louve and @Leila were able to talk without her in the way. There was something between the friends that Amara wouldn't understand and she had said what she needed to. What she could to help the pair before her. She knew that having the male in the pride wouldn't be easy and she likely wouldn't sleep well but for Louve, she would do this. She would manage it.

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