ooc. open for claiming, inviting, whatever! have at thee

"ah, i can find it from here!" it's a soft promise, spoken with a smile lining the words. the dawn is pale and the sunlight lukewarm as it filters through a sky thick with clouds. the bite of the coming winter is not enough to deter the young medic and she ducks her head against the wind, squinting, as it blows in off the nearby sea. the lion who'd been traveling along with her nods in affirmation and waves a dismissive paw as she offers payment - herbs to ease his traveling hunger, at least! she gives a soft laugh as he ambles along and turns back to her task at hand:

figuring out what to do now.

this was the entrance to amaryllis, she knows. the traveler has told her that much. a land rich with opportunity, with enough land to support multiple prides - and famous, on the words of more lions than not. haven knows that if she's a possibility of starting fresh, of blending in and being forgotten by the clan, here is it.

so the greyscale girl snags her mouthful of traveling herbs and, rather than continue to tote them along, swallows them down. they ease the hunger pangs in her stomach and give her just enough energy to push through the weariness that drags at her. there's the thinnest blanket of snow on the ground as she ambles through the arches, eyes awed as they take in the sight of everything, and it numbs the scuffs and travel-aching pads.

cassandra

The sands of the passage were familiar to her, and she navigated them with ease. Her frame spoke of a being born born for a climate of ice and snow, but she walked with ease and efficiency across the sands that covered the Passage. She was happy sith a purpose now, eager to do what she could and get back into a rhythm of things. For now, she would help bolster her mother's pride and do whatever necessary to make the Summit strong and well-protected on all fronts.

As she meandered through the Passage, Cassandra would occasionally stop to look at the different parts of the sands. Occasionally, she would lift a paw to move a shell or scoot a creature back into the water before continuing onward. Nose twitched as the wind blew a scent in her direction, and her ears perked up as she heard pawsteps crunching the sand. Looking up, she spotted another lioness in the nearby distance.

Letting out a soft chuff, Cassandra made her way towards the lone lioness. "Greetings, and welcome to Amaryllis. I am Cassandra, Royalty of Illyria Summit. Is there anything I can help you with? I am familiar with many prides in the land, and can help direct you to one that suits you best if the Summit is not to your liking." She said, standing a polite distance away from @Haven.

text. "speech."

Art by Thrush@dA | Code by Zodiac

she is alone, for the most part - the sand stretching on in front of her, the sea to either side. and it's been so long since she's been truly alone. was it before her father died? she supposes after, of course, but they had always been lurking around, afraid to leave her truly solitary for more than a few moments. they knew she'd slip away when she could. so she relishes in the quiet, the soft lull of the ocean gurgling to her side, and the crunch of her paws against the freezing sand. she looks up, tipping her head back, to bathe in the crisp wind - whispering of winter's impending approach. it burns in her lungs, but in a way that reminds her she is alive and well.

and that she was going to keep going, if only for the memory of her father and what he tried to give them. give her.

the familiar pinpricks of sorrow settle in her throat and she swallows, sighing as she brings her head back down and spies @Cassandra. she blinks owlishly, mouth forming a little o. the other woman chuffs and haven smiles tentatively at her approach. uncertain in the face of strangers, she shuffles her forepaws before finding a comfortable way to stand. she launches into what sounds like a standard greeting here and haven can't help the wry smile that creeps across her lips. ah, royalty? she chirps, ears tipping back a little uncertainly. i didn't expect to find such an important person greeting strangers at the gates. she glances behind her, grey eyes sliding between the stone arches and the confident woman ahead of her. i am haven, she says softly, her smile a little more at ease. i know of amaryllis only by name. i admit i am quite at a loss here....

Violarum

"I'm important," the King would declare, though in an entirely flippant and almost after thought sort of way, coming upon the duo with a typical stride that spoke volumes of his hatred for sinky sand; toes scuffing languidly and leaving tracks that looked more akin to a serpent than lion.

"Lorien is sunny and warm, and we are all friends. Do want friends?" his ears perked, round and baby-like in a masculine burst of dark hair, ruby gaze skimming from the slate lioness to the more familiar @Cassandra - angry lady from the Mire days.

@Haven

coded by flea

cassandra

A soft chuckle escaped Cassandra as the other lioness seemed surprised that someone of her position in a pride would be here at the passage greeting others who had arrived into the land. "Most that arrive here to greet newcomers to the lands are of some rank within a pride. Be it the leadership tier - High Sovereign, Sovereign or Heir. Or someone in the upper tiers of Noble, Gentry or Royalty. Most of the general members of the pride aren't able to come into the Passage." Cassandra explained, flicking an ear as she spoke. It was true - unless a lion or lioness held some sort of rank within the pride they didn't come to the passage to recruit for their pride.

A glance was given to @Violarum, who she knew from their different encounters around the lands at pride challenges and the like, as he gave her a look. "Illyria is always looking for more helping paws. Our pride is large, but we treat everyone as family - regardless of your rank in the pride. We value everyone as a member, and no one is seen as less." She added on, figuring she would make the case for the pride.

@Haven

text. "speech."

Art by Thrush@dA | Code by Zodiac

She was late - but the red giant was slowed by the disgust with the sands. A disgust she would never show as she made her way towards the gathering. @Cassandra was vaguely familiar - as was @Violarum. A nod was given to the pair before she looked towards @Maven. "She would be correct.. I'm Kireena.. heiress of Firnen.." Gaze landed on the herbs that the other carried and the medic smiled, her lips spreading.

"Right now I'm the only experienced medic within Firnen, we could always do with others.." The woman noted the herbs as those of the healing variety rather than of the darker side. "Unlike the Summit - we are still small.. lots of room for growth.." And perhaps ranks if that's what the other was after. She hoped she wouldn't be intruding as she approached, an ear flicking towards the others here, waiting for the rogues response.

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS

@Cassandra is happy to explain and haven finds herself bobbing her chin along, though she finds it... troublesome? odd? that there was such a stringent rule in place. perhaps amaryllis was not quite the land of freedom she'd been told. she opens her mouth to ask another question, but @Violarum cuts in and her grey eyes slide to him with the corners of her lips twisting in a vague sort of smile. oh? she says, quietly amused, even as the quick description of his home sounds delightful. warm would be nice, even with her plush coat - and the openness of a plain? she makes a soft, thoughtful noise in the back of her throat, allowing the royal to say her own piece. it seems that they'd all be vying to add her to their ranks.

flattering, in many a way.

large, cassandra proclaims, and haven can't help the faint grimace that plays around her expression. she's been out of polite company for so long, she's not entirely sure she can handle... large. uncomfortably, she shuffles her front paws and clear her throat, ears tipping back as she starts to say as much. but @Kireena seems to arrive, picking up quickly on her skills and her potential discomfort, with an offer of something small. she cares little for the idea of growth - ambition is not high on her list, after all. but she is intrigued by the idea of a.... cozier home.

with all eyes on her she rocks back into a sit, suddenly feeling claustrophobic with so much attention. ah- she stammers, swallowing tightly, before letting her gaze settle on violarum. do - do you have a medic? because if his pride was without, perhaps she should go with him, to offer services?

Violarum

A low rumble signifies his greeting to the other leaders; particularly drawn to the large, red woman who he had not met before. She looked a rough n' tumble, experienced sort of woman - the kind that drew an interest for warrior-esque reasons. Though, his crimson eyes are readily committed to the grey rogue; soft and plush about her edges and good to look at.

"No..." he answers simply, but it is clear by his distant expression that he ponders his answer, "My son wants to be a medic but he is very bad." Hendrix had a long way to go. True though, the kid wasn't great at it - at least not yet. Enola was a similar story.

@Haven

coded by flea

@Kireena and @Cassandra are quiet, offering noncommittal responses - and she smiles vaguely. they're kind, but the three of them have seemingly come to the came conclusion, in their own ways: their prides were not suited for haven, or vice versa.

but @Violarum peers at her thoughtfully.

she's caught between surprise, amusement and distaste at his statement. surely a father should support his son? she grimaces in a soft sort of way, her lips eventually curving up at the edges. he may just need guidance. she chastises the red-eyed sovereign softly - but not exactly gently. how is someone meant to be good at something if they're never taught? and if his son was the only one with inclination to be a medic... well, it's hardly his fault. not that violarum ever said it was.

i can help with that. haven promises, eyes skirting around the big male in a pensive manner. she shifts her forepaws a half-step forward, tail curling at the tip and twitching where it rests at her heel. she glances back to the lioness and bows her head, whiskers twitching back. thank you for your offers, she assures them - but she was needed elsewhere.

fate has a funny way of pointing you in the right direction.

haven's gaze slides back to violarum and she inclines her jaw slightly, fluffy cheek fur shifting in the breeze. tell me of lorien, on the walk?
exit w vio_{BG — ART — CODE}

Violarum

The perk of his body-language is more than obvious, his ears rolling forward and his posture straightening. He wasn't big on recruiting but @Haven certainly seemed like a good sort to have around, nice and willing to train his son. It's an over-eager nod that greets her decision, sparing a chuff for the other two women before following Haven's gesture to depart.

"The Plains are easy. We have lots of sun, and sunbake a lot. You can do whatever you like as long as it doesn't put our family at risk," and languid strides would pull him in her wake, staying close, crimson gaze trained intermittently to her grey face.

--- exit

coded by flea