While this might be the family home, her birthplace and her inheritance, Jazmin does not find it even remotely… stimulating anymore. Yes, it is largely due to her loss of rank, and she acknowledges that, but her thoughts wander outwards now that the responsibility of being the Hollows princess is no longer hers. The boy on the mountain is gone, but his voice remains unfortunately stuck in her head.

Jazmin paces down the dark tunnels. She could walk down into the cool depths with her eyes closed, in complete darkness. She was born into the earth, a child of the Mother. And yet, does the Mother need her to stay to be her daughter? Surely not - Jazmin is meant for great things. And she will not find greatness here, coddled and kept.

She calls for the man who replaced her father, who stepped up when Alexander was injured. While she should be thankful for her, the bitterness of Valerian not inheriting when he should have still leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. Obsidian Hollows should and always will be Savante land. Despite her thoughts, Jazmin’s expression remains neutral while she waits, sitting back and curling her tail around her pale paws.

@Reti ♔ (or @Juliette)

code by corvus

Since she had been promoted to Sovereign under Alexander so long ago she had made it a point to remember as many faces as possible. It wasn't always easy but she at least knew most of them from hunts and meetings, or seeing them around but the face that she saw waiting for her (and @Reti ♔) was not one she knew very well at all. Truth was that she hadn't ever seen @Jazmin at the hunts and felt she hadn't seen her at meetings either but meetings often had so many individuals that it was hard to lock into everyone.

Nevertheless she tried to be quick and got down to the girl as quickly as she could given the tunnel system. Hey, she said as friendly as she would treat any of the members of the Hollows and then some. She had great respect for Alexander and the family that he held close to him and thus would give Jazmin the same kindness. Though, she hadn't a clue if she specifically wanted Reti or if she was interested in one or the other. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you yet but I'm Juliette. Because it would be nice to put a name to the face.

^{ART BY AURORA, CODE BY CALA}

Reti was checking the edges of the borders when the call for his presences faintly reached ears loosely pressed into waves of thick mane for winter warmth. Giving a quick once-over that last little stretch of scent line the High Sovereign would shift his attention to seeking out the one who requested his attendance.

Calm but ground eating strides would carry him forth swiftly enough to where the yearling waited. Reti's gaze would take in @Julette already on scene, a sight that drew a little true smile to his lips unconsciously and a brief soft rumble of greeting vibrated the swirled lion's chest - before the more practiced expression of calm, neutral friendliness settled into place as his steps drew to a halt.

Julette was given a relaxed nod of greeting and gratitude before the majority of Reti's gaze rested on the swirled lavender youth. One of Alexander's children. He had seen her along with several of the others around the Hollows on and off the last several months, but keeping track of all the names was - a challenge to say the least. He did however welcome the chance to learn about them individually just as the warrior had come to know Karsa.

"Greetings. What can I do for you?" his head tilted slightly with genuine curiosity while regarding @Jazmin .

code by corvus

It’s not long before Juliette arrives, and Jazmin looks the lioness over first, and then shrugs. "I’ve seen you around." But there hadn’t been much reason to seek each other out, really. And then the king himself turns up. "I’m Jazmin - Alexander and Angelo’s daughter." She tells this to both of them before getting right to the point -

"I want to be released from the Hollows."

She says nothing else, falling silent, her gaze expectantly on both leaders. She does not expect to be refused; the thought never crossed her mind really. She will leave, she will carve her own path.

@Reti ♔ & @Juliette

code by corvus

Alexander was silent as he slipped into the scene, his brows furrowing heavily as he catches the last bit of his daughter's words. Coming in along @Jazmin's side, he settles to sit next to her. Head tilts ever so softly, a smile curving his lips. "Out to leave without a goodbye? Tsk, tsk, I raised you better." He teases the girl softly, moving to press his nose to her cheek lovingly. Pale gaze shifts to look between @Reti ♔ and @Juliette, two faces he hadn't seen much since the passing of his mate. "Just promise me you will be safe, and smart?" That last bit was incredibly important.

'I’m Jazmin - Alexander and Angelo’s daughter.'

Ahhhh. It was nice to put a name to the scent and image of the youth. "It's a pleasure to officially meet you. Angelo recently recommended you for a rank." perhaps the youth would have ideas of what might appeal or suit.

And it seemed she did indeed have ideas, although it had nothing to do with a Hollow's rank and more a departure in mind.

'I want to be released from the Hollows.'

His brow arched slightly indicating mild surprise. On the one paw he had not seen her around much, not in the lessons or hunts, however Reti had credited this to perhaps several of Alexander's children spending time close by their father's side as the lion recovered.

But it now it looked likely the youth might have felt a growing distance or restlessness, something many yearlings experienced after their first full season cycle.

As he had made clear at the first meeting as High Sovereign Retnuh Hodari did not keep prisoners, and youths over a year did not require parental permission. But he did hope @Jazmin had warned her fathers of the intent to leave. No good parent found the sudden absence of a child comforting.

He was about to respond to the request when the scent of @Alexander ♔ and sound of an approach gave the King pause and his head turned slightly to regard the larger male with a faint smile. It was great to see the raspberry swirl warrior up and about once more.

'Out to leave without a goodbye? Tsk, tsk, I raised you better.'

Mmmm. Well that answered the question of if her parents had been warned. But now with one knowing he was sure the second would be informed shortly and hopefully not need worry.

'Just promise me you will be safe, and smart?'

Reti's expression softened a hair for a moment - be safe and smart. A -good- parent's eternal wish for their children.

Reti relaxed into a casual sitting position, the usual friendly clam mask easily fitted into place. "Of course you are free to go. I release you from the Hollows. You are welcome to return and visit your parents anytime you wish." as long as she didn't show hostility to the Hollows and her members the youth never need to worry about returning to her past home.

He glanced at @Juliette then with a little head tilt and smile as if to say 'Kids eh?' off to find adventure. They did indeed grow fast. He hoped to raise... one more perhaps...before his time to pass back into the underworld arrived once more.

code by corvus

A pleasure, Jazmin, to put a name to a face. And it was a fitting name and one that she would no doubt forget now. Even though she had not idea as of yet that that name would be less likely to be used and the face less seen because of what the girl was seeking. Not at all in the mindset of one of Alexander's kids wanting to be free of the Hollow's. Perhaps she should have known one or two might want to be free seeing as their father was not currently King and held no weight but it had been far too easy to assume that they would be looking to see him heal on his own time than ascend quickly.

When she announced her desire to leave, Juliette felt surprise bubble within but @Jazmin's face only displayed a small hint of somber. No leader wished to see anyone leave but she nor @Reti ♔ would keep her from going. @Alexander ♔ himself showed up to tease his own daughter and Juliette's own attention wavered to the Savante head. Looking him over to see how his wounds were faring and how he, as much as she could see, was holding it all up within. For now he seemed alright or perhaps holding a very good façade and poker face. It was good to see him out, that was for sure, though she knew that hearing that his daughter wanted to depart probably wasn't so good.

Allowing the two to take a moment to reconnect and talk, her own gaze met Reti's on his say-all stare before she turned to nod towards Jazmin. We will wish you good luck, wherever it was that she wished to go and wherever her paws led her.

^{ART BY AURORA, CODE BY CALA}

(sorry for wrapping this up quickly I've been an ass and need to get things wrapped up)

The only lion that could stop her arrives - but it seems her father does not intend to keep her chained here. With Alexander's blessing, Reti releases her. Jazmin feels lighter immediately.

"I promise, papa." She murmurs, taking only a moment to dip her head in thanks to the sovereigns before fleeing - starting anew, starting her own adventure and her own life.

Exit.

coded by flea + image by rabbit

With all that needed to be said, Jazmin was on her way to whatever had potentially caught her eye. Juliette was mindful of the idea to move away from one's family when the time came and thus could only relate in that regard. Her own family name had felt suffocating when she was younger but as she had grown — and the Valour name being a little less renowned — her time here in Amaryllis had felt a lot less restrictive. Yet, she still coveted her name and kept it close to her chest for she had wanted to earn what she had without it and had done so thus far. Leaving her to bow in silence to Reti and Alexander before turning to leave. exit juliette

^{ART BY AURORA, CODE BY CALA}