Kireena moved slowly towards the Brook, her jaws fixed around a small leather wrapped bundle. Within she held small seedlings..well medium seedlings she supposed - ones large enough to weather the transport and subsequent return to soil. As long as @Etain did well and covered them with mulch they would be robust and important plants for her come spring.

The red woman paused beyond the Brooks borders, chuffing through the hide in her jaws, placing it carefully on top of her paw. The delicate plants within were well insulated with soil from the Basin as well as extra leaf litter but she wouldn't take chances in allowing them to perish in the cold.

As she waited for the floppy eared lady to arrive, Kireena took note of the firefly like snowflakes that danced and floated around her, a small smile tugging the corners of her lips

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

Another year had flown by so fast. Almost a year she’d spent at Wolfbron, on her own journey. But she had found her place now, she believed. And among the verdant foliage of the Brook, she’d flourished. Though she’d been grown when she came to the Bluffs, growth still happened. Just in different ways. Childlike innocence and wonder had long since faded from her gaze. Soft features had hardened and gave way to something stronger, more vicious. Perhaps it was the added scarring on her face. Perhaps it was the way her vibrant gaze swept her surroundings.

Muscles shifted under silken fur as she leapt along the border in her usual way of parkour, moving swiftly and elegantly despite her size. She’d heard the call while hunched over something just inside the border. And now she was on her way. Pushing herself off a rock, she caught sight of @Kireena ♞ and within seconds, the floppy eared lioness was soaring through the air, above her mother. Twisting her body in the air, she landed on all four paws, gracefully skidding to a halt while facing her. Briefly, her tongue flicked out past the piece of meat she was holding, a weak attempt to clean her bloodied maw. But there was a smile visible around the edges of the large piece. “Hi Mama,” she managed to get out somewhat muffled before placing her lunch on her paws. “You called for me?”

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Kireena lifted her head as @Etain flew over her head and laughed, amused as the other female landed. You're doing so well. The red giant murmured as she let her gaze cross the floppy eared girls face. The wound was healing well, and she was pleased. I brought you some things... She indicated towards the pelt wrapped plants on her paw. I brought some of the young plants from the basin. If you mulch them after you plant them, they should grow well come spring.

Kireena hoped that they really would take off come spring, but shed help if the pale girl requested it. Of course, she had faith in the others skills. They had learned a lot together the two of them.

ART BY VASILIA, CODE BY LARS

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

In the time she'd now already spent in the Brook, she'd gotten used to moving around in the most efficient ways. She'd even found herself some really good spots. And she genuinely loved how close it was to the Grove. There were so many things to find there and a lot of plants that she could make use of. Still, it meant a lot more that her mother had come all this was to bring her something she thought she might like.

With a low purr, she brushed against @Kireena ♞, nuzzling her before she settled onto her haunches to inspect the pouch her mother had brought. "That's so thoughtful. I'll make sure they'll do well here." She smiled up at the older lioness. It still stung sometimes when facial muscles pulled on the healing marks, but she was used to it and not too bothered. "I found a good spot, I think. Not too dry but also not drenched in water constantly. The soil smells...right. And feels right." Shifting a little, she curled her tail around her legs. "How are you doing? I know I should have come to visit, but things are busy here."

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Seeing @Etain coming into her own had Kireena smiling and she returned the purr and a gentle nudge of her skull to Etain's shoulder. "Well - taking over a pride does tend to do that." She chuckled, remembering how busy Ludivine had been when she had stepped to the helm. Kireena knew that there was likely to come a time the band and Brook would be on opposite ends, and she hoped that Etain would understand it was...nothing personal. "Are you enjoying it so far?" She wouldn't go into detail about what was likely to be coming - Etain was old enough to know that prides rose and fell, and the leaders often came knocking to try to take them back. However, she did have something the other should probably know.. and mulled over how best to explain it.

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The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

For just a moment, it felt like times long gone, more peaceful times. The days in which she'd sit before her mother in a similar way, learning about healing herbs and what to do with them, how to care for injuries and so much more. But now? Now she was no longer that nervous little girl. She was three years old now, after all. An age where so many were looking for their partners and starting families. But not her, at least not that she ever really mentioned anything. Etain had found a different focus, though she wasn't quite sure how to mention it to her mother. After all, this was a very recent change.

"It does require a lot of work, but such is the way of the world." She smiled a little at @Kireena ♞, floppy ears wiggling the tiniest bit. The pale girl hadn't forgotten the loss of the Oasis, the brief time spent helping her mother's friends get to the Summit. And she was no fool. With all changes in the world, war always looming, things would change between different groups as well. And should she stand against her mother, she knew it was for good reason, loyalty to the friends they made, even if it brought them to opposing sides. "I do enjoy it. But I do have a lot of responsibilities now. A lot more than before."

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"Oh?" She smiled at the female, shifting to settle to her haunches and then flop to her side - grunting as the thin layer of snow upon the ground sent shocks through her form before she warmed. The ability to relax felt nice - and Kireena decided now was the time to take the time to do exactly that. Relax - catch up with @Etain and spend the next little while simply existing. "Is she good to you?" Icefang - of course. Kireena had seen Etain hanging with the pale female and her red friend and hoped that the younger floppy eared lioness would be able to discern ill-intent from coyly and poorly hidden pretty words meant to ensnare and entrap those that were weak willed. Etain was not weak in any form - she had grown into a strong and independant woman.. A woman Kireena was proud to call her daughter.

code by koi, manip by tabs, images from unsplash

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

Draping herself across the thin layer of surprisingly soft snow, the floppy eared girl gave a content purr. She bore more scars now than when they'd first met, though the floppy ears and soft curves still gave her that softer, more gentle appearance. Something that others tended to underestimate. Back then she'd been so scared, so broken. But now? Now there was something hard in her eyes, something cold and vicious. And still, there was no sign of this around her mother.

Though she was clearly on guard, sharp gaze wandering from time to time. Relaxing was nice, especially since they hadn't found much time together in recent months. For all the growth, she was still her mother's daughter and would always cherish any moment she could spend with @Kireena ♞, especially if it was just...being together.

"She is." She couldn't help but smile a little. "We work well together. And I don't think she'd trust me with a high rank if she wasn't sure of my ability to do whatever it takes to make sure no one takes our home."

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Kireena chuckled at @Etain, letting her gaze wander the pale girls form before she relaxed back into the snow with a hum. "Mmm..A high rank is in fact a lofty duty." She was pleased that Icefang had trusted Etain enough to grant her the rank of Heiress - something she'd found when she'd gone to visit. It was the note of a doing what it took to defend her home that had her heart tripping. "Etain..." A soft sigh came from the red giant before she smiled. "Should something happen and you and I end up on opposite sides of a bloody battle...know that I would never hold anything you, or those you are loyal to do against you." At least during the fight. Now - if she continued the fight after the dust had settled? Perhaps words would need to be exchanged. But for the duration of whatever fight? It was simple politics - and not something to disown family over.

code by koi, manip by tabs, images from unsplash

The pines, they often whisper

They whisper what no tongue can tell

Floppy ears twitched slightly and she found herself shuffling closer to curl against the larger form of @Kireena ♞ with a soft purr. With a quiet sigh she nudged her head against her mother's. There was something about the thought of standing against her family, should it come to that, that tore at her heart in ways she didn't like. "Mama...." Her voice grew quiet, floppy ears lacing back. "Whatever happens, we're family. And nothing changes that. Ever."

There was the faint hint of a smile on her lips. "We'll always have each other. Nothing changes that. And if you need me, I will be there."

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