Overhead the clouds were fuming; their wispy tendrils did not seem as wispy as they should for the summer nor the spring. Each one of them were thick like winter-time often beheld as they seemed to threaten to drop snow. Cast along the ground were small bits here and there of snow that hadn't quite decided to melt yet. Lasting cold nipping at the air that brushed by as though they had missed the afternoon train to North Amaryllis.

That was where she should be heading.

And yet, she wanted information.

For years now, she had allowed herself to travel the world and learn from others that she had not had the chance to here. Growing up and teaching herself many things that she might not have had opportunity to here. There was a small band of lions that she had met that spoke several languages, Renly had picked them up with ease. Another group told stories from the ends of the Earth that almost seemed too fanatical for Renly's taste but they swore they were true.

A part of her felt that returning here was going to be overwhelming at the very least. A lot had changed since she left — she had changed — and so she worried that it might be too much. Nearing the land she remembered Maua's Passage and as she began to move closer and closer, she could feel a heavy presence. One that immediately led her to stop in her tracks, lower her head and give a silent prayer. One meant for safe travels and an easy transition, praying to Maua that they may guide her paws as well as her heart through what was going to likely be a lot to take in.

When she was done, she raised her head and waited.

+5 - Meditate or pray on your own or with someone else 1/2

ART • CODE

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

As the unusual wintery air, still crisp with frost in some areas, when it should have been a breeze warmed by the summer sun, was blowing across the lands, she wasn't the only one wandering, thinking and searching for what the future may hold.

Yet again, with all those recent events still lingering in her mind, she had been walking to clear her head. And once more, as if it truly was part of her purpose in these lands, she found herself nearing the passage. Emerald gaze swept the area in front of her, searching for what seemed to have called her mind to it again.

It didn't take long to spot the lioness. And how could she not notice such a unique coat? As beautiful as the setting sun over glittering waves. The pale furred warrior queen approached, gracefully, proudly, tail tip flicking behind her as she took @Renly in with a small smile. "Hello dear, it looks like you are in search of your path. Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

code by flea, art by irish

She hadn't made it to the Passage much lately, staying busy with things back home in the Brook. But something tugged her to the Passage this day, something telling her she should go to the Passage and see what she might find there. Perhaps it was one of her wayward children, finally making their way back to this land. Or perhaps it was a soul in need of help she could provide. Whatever reason may be, it felt like Maua was guiding her paws to the Passage regardless today.

The familiar sands crunched under her paws as she strode onto the sandbar that made up Maya's Passage. Her pace was leisurely, not hurried or worried in any way. The breeze felt nice against her fur, and with it carried two scents. One of a lioness belonging to her uncle's pride, the Cove. And one a scent she'd given up hope of ever smelling again. @Renly. Her baby sister. She'd pushed them away at some point when she herself was younger, but had embraced them and did her best to be a good big sister to them once she realized her mistake.

Her pace increased, closing the distance between herself and the two figures in the distance. As she grew close enough, the Valour-Greyflood called out to her sister. "Renly!" Her tone was bright and happy, excitement coating the single word as well. Slowing to a stop in front of her sister, Cassandra would catch her breath for a moment before leaning forward in an attempt to headbutt her sister affectionately. "Where have you been? I missed you, and I know the rest of the family has as well." She said with a smile before glancing to @Lagertha and giving her a polite nod in greeting.

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

Being born of this land and knowing quite a bit about it was to her favor because she knew where she was. Renly knew exactly the kind of lions that came out to this strange Passage and what it was usually used for. Expected to have several lions come to greet her and attempt to whisk her away by coercion or by force, but she was to be pleasantly surprised by the kindness that greeted her. A slender, wheat-hued lioness was the first to approach her and while no name was offered nor a pride from whence they came, there was nothing but gentleness on her features.

I suppose I am looking to get back to my path, yes. For she had long since donned the adventurer's garb and wandered the outside of Amaryllis for as long as she felt necessary but the pull back to her true home had been hard to ignore as of late. Being a child of Maua, she knew never to ignore that sort of sign. I was born here, I — but she was swiftly cut off as her name was brought to light within the air.

A figure that she did know came towards her and called out her name, leaving for @Lagertha to know without having been told from her mouth herself. Renly's face lighting up just a little bit as her big sister came to greet her. With their company not too far from, she gave a step forward to greet her sister's headbutt and then backed to hear. I took to wandering and exploring outside of home. Wanting more and I can't explain it but I felt it was pivotal I return. While she was pleased that her big sister had arrived, her sunset eyes moved to Lagertha, not wishing to be rude. Even though it would seem that the odds were now not in the Cove woman's favor. My name is Renly Valour, sister to Cassandra here. She offered by means of explaining this reunion in more words so that nothing would be wrongfully assumed.

• ART & CODE BY K'SARIYA •

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

Kindness wasn't a given in the world they lived in. That was one thing that was always present in all lands, not just the ones they walked now. Still, it was something that always seemed to be present on the scarred woman's features, especially when there was no reason to show a very different side of hers.

Fluffy ears preened forward as she listened, lips parting ever so slightly as she thought to respond. But the approach of another had drawn her attention just as much. The familiar scent and approaching steps, together with the so familiar voice calling to the sunset lioness, brought a smile to her lips yet again and she found herself stepping back ever so slightly to not stand in the way of the two women reuniting.

"Perhaps there were things outside of these lands that you were meant to see. And now destiny has brought you back here once again." Lagertha eventually said, looking between @Renly and @Cassandra. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lagertha Loðbrók-Tollaire, of the Cove." Shifting ever so slightly on her paws, emerald gaze wandering between the sisters, she observed them before giving the Vermeda Queen and her sister a smile. "A gesture of kindness from the Gods after troubling times, wouldn't you agree? It certainly warms my heart so see such a happy reunion."

code by flea, art by irish

Hearing her sister greet her so warmly made the eldest Valour-Greyflood feel comforted. She knew a lot had happened in recent months, and to have one of her siblings not mad at her was a relief. Her breaking that truce had caused quite a bit of strife among the family, and even had cause for splitting it apart. Tail curled at her hindquarters, unable to hide the happiness she felt at seeing @Renly again. "Maua works in strange ways for sure." Cassandra said simply in answer to her sister feeling it was pivotal she returned to the lands of Amaryllis.

"Our moms still rule the Summit, but a lot has occurred that I'll need to fill you in on in private." She added on, wanting to talk to her sister in private later about everything that had occurred. Hopefully Renly wouldn't hate her too. Attention turned then to @Lagertha as she introduced herself, a polite nod escaping her. "Cassandra Valour-Greyflood, of Vermeda Brook." She said, formally introducing herself to the Cove lioness. Interesting that she shared the same surname as her uncle... perhaps better to not question it.

"You are most welcome within the Brook, obviously. The position of Noble is yours if you desire it." She said, flicking an ear as she spoke. It was the highest rank she could offer her sister, aside from Sovereign - and she doubted Renly would want for that rank.

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

Renly was plaintively quiet as she listened to both her older sister and the sand-and-salt scented lioness. Enjoying the latter's company even though she was catching up with family because there was respect given that many did not openly give. The stranger did not attempt to persuade her to their pride or attempt to enact some form of force and that alone gave Renly more resolve of the territory that she had chosen to pass through.

It would appear so. In conclusion to the fact that Maua, more than likely, had willed her back to Amaryllis for reasons that she had not yet unraveled. Reasons that were dire and thick on the mind of others and so Renly hoped to get caught up however she could. At the mention of being filled in in private, the sunset girl's brows furrowed in deep thought and great pain. Whatever it was, @Lagertha was not privilege to which likely meant that it was a very deep and very personal batch of information.

Perhaps if she had been present in the last few years she might have locked onto the Cove lioness' last name as the same one Mummy had but her mind was too locked into the coming news to recollect that piece of knowledge. As for the commitment to the rank of Noble, she inhaled deeply and gave it great thought. The gears within her mind working as she let the air course out of her nose on the exhale. I suppose I could do that. She accepts the offer, knowing that there was far more going on than a simple rank. It will take me a bit to get accustomed to everything once again, I must warn. It had been far too long since she had held any sort of official rank within the confines of a pride's hierarchy after all.

May Maua continue to bless you and yours, she opted as soon as her gaze wound to the wheat-colored lioness, that you continue to find peace and prosperity. Renly bowed her head in her blessing to the new acquaintance that she had found among the Passage. Bestowing upon her a gift of kindness in exchange for the heart that she received today.

Only then did she let the moment go, her eyes closed as she quietly prayed that good things would stay for them all. That in going to Vermeda that she would be welcomed with open arms as her sister had and that all would be well or was going to be. Delighting in the quiet silence that she expected of the two before her, opening her eyes and inhaling again — as though cementing her prayer with a broad smile in knowing that her path was getting clearer.

+10 - Cast a curse or blessing on a character 1/2
+5 - Meditate or pray on your own or with someone else 2/2

• ART & CODE BY K'SARIYA •

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

As the siblings conversed, the scarred shieldmaiden was content to remain in the background. This was, after all, more of a family reunion now and she for one saw no reason to pull apart the deep bond those two so clearly shared. Forcing another to join her was not something she enjoyed and while in other situations, she may have tried to persuade someone to join her instead, this was no loss. In fact, she saw this as a victory in every way. For if neither she nor Cassandra would have made it so quickly, someone could have attempted to take her by force. And so, things had worked out just the way she felt they were meant to.

"A pleasure to finally properly meet you, @Cassandra," she said with a genuine smile. Emerald gaze seemed to spark ever so slightly as it returned to the sunset beauty. Fluffy ears preened forward as she listened. Kindness shown, brought kindness in return. Something that made her smile again. "And may the Gods watch over you and yours, @Renly." Well, she wasn't much of a Cleric or anything, but she knew the Gods were with them, ever watchful, and she knew they would be there in times of need and bless those who were deserving.

A comfortable silence lingered between them. A moment where the veil felt thin and they could find a sense of serenity so rarely found in their chaotic lands these days. And when she spoke again, her voice was quiet, calm. "I won't hold you up any longer then. You two have a lot to talk about. And if you ever need a friendly ear, either of you, come to the Cove and call for me."

code by flea, art by irish

"We'll have to take a trip to both the Cove and the Summit. Our uncle rules the Cove, and our moms still rule the Summit - no one else has snatched it from their clutches yet." Cassandra said, holding her head high as she spoke. A glance was given to @Lagertha as she spoke of her uncle ruling the Cove, unsure if the other lioness was aware of her relationship to the Cove King. "Noble will always be something you can count on being yours, unless you wish for a different rank within the pride." She added on as she looked to @Renly.

"Shall we head home then? Let you get some rest before we go take a visit to the Summit?" She asked, turning to start moving in the direction of the Brook. A nod would be given to Lagertha, thankful that a member of her uncle's pride had been the one to come across her younger sister first. "We will likely meet again in the future. Safe travels back home to the Cove." She said to the Cove lioness before starting to move off as soon as Renly was ready to do so.

-Exit with Renly?-

actions. "speech."

Art by Rabbit | Table Code by Zodiac

Without question she realized how difficult being in the Passage was for those that were without a home. The fact that she knew upon seeing her elder sister's face that her spirit lie with her, she also could recognize a certain flame of kindness lurking within the depths of @Lagertha's presence. In another life she might have taken the journey to the Cove but Maua's tug was strong and she knew that her direction was home.

Thank you, she offered back to the wheat-coated lioness as she extended the blessing right back to her. Glee in knowing that their hearts had connected, even if momentarily, leaving a memorable moment of union and companionship. As for family, she nodded her head and felt pride well like a hot air balloon inside of her at the news that their family was truly striving. That they were holding their own and never backing down; truly they seemed to be unstoppable. Noble is fine, thank you. She did not require anything fancier than that as she hardly needed the fancy of Noble either but she did wish to help and if being a Noble would do just that, then she would gladly take it.

With a nod of her head she addressed to @Cassandra that she was ready to get to the Brook, find a den before reaching out to their mothers and officially announce her return. With a low bow to the Cove lioness and quick to follow her sister out and away from the Passage, she let her voice hang low and began her own blessings to Lagertha again. Reiterating in the quiet silence and under her breath that the lioness be truly blessed with all good things; that their Uncle continue to rule the Cove and give her home. That she know nothing but kindness and hope, and a fertile life of bounty. Happy to let her blessing become quiet in her head as it whispered into the air around her and off, wandering side-by-side with Cassandra back towards home. exit renly.

+10 - Cast a curse or blessing on a character 2/2

• ART & CODE BY K'SARIYA •