[OOC: Set vague after the FR fight.]

She moved through the underbrush, her thoughts whirling as the red giant chuffed, calling towards her daughters @Etain and @Andraesa. She would choose to remain if the queen would let her - but it was they that had the choice of where to go from here. Both were old enough to choose and Kireena wouldn't require either to do something they didn't wish. She was moving slowly - but she was moving.. which was more than she could say for Ryker the last she had seen of him. The red giant would settle gingerly to her haunches and then lay down before her den, waiting for the two girls to come so she could let them know what was happening - though Etain knew already.... and give them her blessing if they chose to leave the Rainforest.

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

It was her elder daughter who answered the call first. And she came not bounding and bouncing, not leaping in her usual parkour. No, the now grown lioness came stalking through the underbrush.

Time had flown so fast and the growing and somewhat chubby girl was no longer a girl. No, she was a lioness that had reached a nearly colossal size, with an elegant and curvy frame. The scars that had been more prominent not too long ago were still present, marking her body in so many places, but no longer a concern. They'd no longer be at threat to open again, had finally fully healed. The scar on her face would always remain most prominent and was unlikely to fade, but it too was no longer a bother. And she wasn't quite so ashamed of it anymore. So fast times had come and gone. And the girl had grown and learned.

When she emerged from the underbrush, coming from the nearest border, she snarled, hackles raising. But she settled near @Kireena, floppy ears laced back, tail lashing on the ground, paws kneading the dirt. "That bitch won't keep her throne for long," she growled out before looking at her mother. "Why do you stay?"

code by corvus

Kireena chuckled as @Etain came and crossing the distance between them in an attempt to knock her skull against Etains head with an amused smile. "Such is the way of our realm, my little love.. I tried the very same when I challenged for Firnen the first time.. I'm sure there are those that would think the same of me." She settled back gingerly to her haunches and looked at the grown form of her floppy eared daughter. "You've grown so much, Etain... I'm unbelievably proud of you."

The red woman tilted her skull towards the canopy when she asked why she was staying. "Because Firnen...is my home. It reminds me of one of my favorite places in my old realm.. and it's neither too hot, nor too cold..." She chuckled, shrugging a massive shoulder. "My allegiances lie with the rainforest and those that rule here." She wondered if Etain would understand or if it would be something to elude her. "What of you, little dove? Will you stay or are you going to branch out on an adventure of your own?" She had grown - filled out and Kireena knew she could handle herself.. even though she would always keep an eye out for her.

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS

Andraesa is not far behind her adoptive sister, her lilac eyes dark with concern. She had not been directly present to witness the challenge, but she had heard enough and seen enough to know that whoever had taken over the forest was not a particular friend to the lions who had taken her in.

She stays quiet as @Etain and @Kireena exchange words, words that make Andraesa's mind whirl. A list forms at the forefront of her brain:

One, the Firnen Rainforest was Kireena's home, which should make it her home as well. Kireena was her mother. That only made sense.

Two, Ryker was no longer king. She knew Ryker, she trusted Ryker. Without him as High Sovereign, what would become of the forest she was originally brought into?

Three, she had the choice to go - go anywhere. She could go to the Bluffs, where those two French lion sisters lived. Faustine and Lazare. They were friendly enough, really. Or... or she could travel north...

Kireena poses a question and Andraesa answers it in barely more than a murmur. I'm going to the Summit. There's an heiress up there that I know. She can help continue my training and then... then when I'm stronger, better, I can help you win back the Rainforest.

_{art by inky —code by daanyan}

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

A low rumble vibrated through her form as she softly nudged her head against @Kireena's in return. Though even the loving touch of her mother couldn't quite tame the fire raging in her heart. She'd grown, yes. But now she found herself at a crossroads yet again. She could crumble as she'd done before. Or she could forge onward and create her own path, let loose those flames of rage to forge a path of vengeance. To drown anyone who stood in her way in blood. But what would it cost? Her soul? All that she could have been had her life been different.

When @Andraesa joined them not long after her own arrival, she softly nudged her nose against her sister's cheek before her attention returned to the conversation. For a while she remained silent, tail still moving in the dirt as she pondered her mother's words. There was a little tug in her mind after a while. Just like that. Tug, tug. As if her mind was pulling her towards something. Until a smile twisted her lips. Though there was nothing sweet about it. "Of course, mama. This is home, so you stay." Though her words were still more those of a child, she did hope that her mother understood the veiled meaning behind them. That she understood that glimmer in her eyes for what it truly was.

Of course there was a hint of pride in her posture after she'd said how proud she was of her. Naturally she wanted her mother to be proud of her. And she had already decided on her path. "I will be going to Wolfbron. It's...where I need to be right now." Not for anyone else, but for herself. The first step on her own path.

code by corvus

She was proud of both of her daughters and Kireena shifted when @Andraesa came, to give her the same nudge that she had given @Etain, to cuddle the other female just as she had before. "My darlings..." Andraesa spoke of going to the Summit and she smiled, knowing that Morrigan and Talisa would see to her care. "You are both growing strong..." Kireena smiled, settling between the two. Her gaze landed on Etain as the other spoke and said she would go to Wolfbron.

There was a worry to her as she spoke of going to what the red giant knew would be an enemy pride. "You will both be safe.. and there will be lots of room to grow." And, she would come visit them as often as she could. "I will miss you, my darlings.. Perhaps we should arrange some meetings beyond our respective borders, mm?" Keep in touch. The idea of them branching off on their own worried her greatly - but she knew they would be safe.

She had to trust that they would be safe. "I would like to walk you both to the borders of your new homes.." If she couldn't be with them under the same roof so to speak, she wanted to make sure she could at least see them off.

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS