Varujan knew this sea. Her dark, endless waters hugged his homeland on all sides – conceding only a single sliver towards the mainland. It was upon this allowance where the man stood now, his forward momentum brought to a temporary pause as he examined the sands and the surrounding sea, garnet eyes narrowed against the brilliance of the sun, a gentle frown curving his mouth. It was the scent of brine infusing the air that had evoked his somber musings, sweeping memories of his childhood in the mire to the forefront of his thoughts. It wasn’t often that the man experienced sentiments such as nostalgia, and yet, he supposed he should have anticipated them now that he had decided to retrace the path he had taken all those years ago.

Long limbs were in motion again, pale mitts navigating lightly over the blistering sun-scorched sands until the scent of strangers in the air had thickened, concentrating where the crumbling sand met solid earth, just amongst the two limestone cliffs that guarded the entry. Cast in their deep, cooling shadows and out of the direct glare of the sun, the man decided to pause his advance: he knew what this place was. There was a chance recruiters might take an interest in his presence, and from such he might gain information on the whereabouts of his bloodline. Perhaps he would even be interested in an offer—the possibilities of this entrance were intriguing to the traveler. Garnet hues lifted to the limestone sentries before tracing the horizon, his ears restless within his mane, his tail twitching endlessly as he stood. Patience was not his strong suit, but curiosity kept the wayward Devorre stationary for the moment.

code by corvus

One thing she loves is the sea. An unlikely pair, Sersie has found her love for it with it becoming her newest neighbor. It's lullaby eases the torment of her twisted mind, it provides, it gives and it takes. A weakness and strength all in one. A border to keep their backs safer than the land bridge upfront. It was no rolling dunes, shifting sands, but its glory was gratified all the same. The salt is a smell she is well accustomed to now, it clings to wheaten hide like a second skin.

Her walk is noticeable, it's different. Like a distrusted wave her gait is lumber-y, even at such slow of pace. Her tail does a lot to balance, it swiftly moves and twists when needed. A hop-walk, almost like a comical dance, but there is nothing here to make her laugh. Pale scars litter her hide, marking the triumphs and trials that Sersie has endured. Lost in though, mewling over her own list of things to do-- the Scillan Queen almost misses the newcomer. A scent catches her attention, and she stops.

There they are, face to face. She stares at him, sizing up the young male. Greyish hues and crimson eyes. An evil looking bastard, if she thinks about it. Capable enough. She throws a lure--"Wandering alone are we?" she asks, raspy tones raking against the cords in her throat "I can fix that."

A wry smile.

"Sersie, Queen of the Lagoon" she says "And where do your feet take you, stranger?"

@Varujan

code by daanyan, Art by Rabbit

Once again she's drawn to the gaping maw of the land, hungry to find something — or someone — worthwhile to bring back to the pride. To help it continue to grow in numbers; to help find those that will have its borders bleeding with their enemies. She draws close as she notices two figures upon the horizon; a beast, who faces the lands; is he the one seeking refuge, then? It's confirmed as she slinks forth just in time to hear the lioness crooning about being the queen of the lagoon.

Queen? More like fresh meat.

Ludivine's scathing eyes linger for a long time on @Sersie's missing limb, her eyes washing over the entirety of the lioness' stature before turning to address @Varujan instead. What a novelty to have a three legged lioness with a crown on her head — maybe a throne that the cannibal monarch would be happy to... Bloody. For it's nothing but a disgrace.

“What is it you seek? Perhaps I could offer a home in which you can... Sate such desires,” she croons, caring little for small talk. “Ludivine, Queen of Firnen Rainforest.”

ART BY SCARF — CODE BY SILH

Restive and edgy, even swathed in the refreshing shade of the towering limestone sentries, the silver cat was keen to press onward. At least fortune was sympathetic to his plight, and his proximity on the bridge proved ideal: he was quick to train his expectant gaze to a stranger passing through, her lumbering gait initially catching him off-guard – until the missing limb clarified her bizarre movements. But she didn’t notice him at first, and his lips twitched in a manifestation of the irritation that crackled in his veins at the perceived slight. His own gaze was fastened to her, the depths of his ruby hues shining with an unspoken demand that she would raise her gaze from whatever absent thought entertained her and shift her attention to him instead.

They were face-to-face when she finally regarded him, and Varujan narrowed his eyes without a word as her raspy voice tossed out the lure that he knew to bite. “Thus far, to the edges of the continent.” He obliged her with a rumbling baritone, momentarily entertaining the idea that he might remain silent out of spite for her earlier distraction; it would’ve been the foolish choice, but perhaps more satisfying for his jealous attention. The silver beast was given little time to expand on his answer before another joined their midst, and his now-tempered gaze cut to the newcomer: her fluffy silhouette not nearly as fascinating as the first queen’s asymmetrical shape, but her words were intriguing, and she exuded a venomous charisma that could not be ignored.

His ears twitched and his eyes moved between the two sovereigns. “I seek information,” Had the Mire not been a coiled trek through prairie, mountain, and forest, he would have knocked on their door first, instead of idling about on these hot sands. “and a place to live—a queen to serve, if you will.” He knew how this worked: the highest ranked women of Amaryllis did not entertain him for his charm and good looks—so he would offer his able-bodied services for, what he hoped was, straightforward knowledge of his family's whereabouts. “I am looking for my mother: Gabrielle Devorre. She lived in the Mire when I was young. She is the wife to Adeodatus Devorre, my sire.” His fathers only wife, as far as he was concerned, although this unnecessary tidbit did not leave his tongue as the cat had fallen silent, his eyes shifting with a glittering interest between the two Sovereigns.

@Sersie @Ludivine

code by corvus

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

Well, it seemed like she wasn't the only one drawn to the passage that day. Never was. And for once she wasn't the first to arrive. But that had never stopped her and it certainly never would.

With a confident stride, the pale furred warrior queen approached the small group. Both other women were regarded with a polite nod yet cold and distant eyes. Her tail lashed behind her as the scarred shieldmaiden's emerald gaze lingered on the tall, silver stranger. She'd caught a few words that were exchanged during her approach, enough to bring a subtle, charming smile onto regal features. "Lagertha Loðbrók-Tollaire, of the Cove. Perhaps you'd find the information you seek there," she purred. "Or maybe even a home and purpose. We value ambition and strength in the Cove."

@Sersie @Ludivine @Varujan

code by flea, art by irish

She's quiet as the beast speaks — proclaims his reasons for trespassing upon Amaryllis' doorstep that day. Another slinks onto the scene, but Ludivine only gives @Lagertha a passing glance. She's not interested in making friends here; at least, not when the name Devorre slips from @Varujan's tongue and peaks her interest. Family? Here? She thought Gauthier was the last of his kind, but... Perhaps not. She knows there is bad blood between him and the rest of his family, but that's about the extent of it. And besides — didn't she, also, have bad blood once upon a time?

“I'm afraid I don't recognize those names,” she hums after the other lioness finishes speaking, her salmon-coloured eyes glittering with wicked intent. “However, my mate and sovereign of the rainforest is Gauthier Devorre. I do not know what his relation might be to your sire, but if anyone would be able to help you, I'm sure it's him.”

A glance in Lagertha's direction, and then—

“Join us — join your kin. With Gauthier, you could help make the Devorres a fierce bloodline to reckon with.” She doesn't think Gauthier incapable of doing it himself, nor their little hellions once they earn their names. But if Ludivine believes in anything now, it's that family together creates a force of reckoning.

@Sersie

ART BY SCARF — CODE BY SILH