( Following this thread. )

Despite the curve of his jaw and the strength obvious within his body, the growing mane and the expressions he wore were a stark contrast. He was a powerhouse but he was also still just a young man; a boy only burdened by the loss of a home and desperate to find somewhere to belong. @Rhea had been kind enough to offer him a potential place in the Lagoon when it had been he some months ago that had offered the Oasis and had vouched for Isla and her Lagoon, too. Now he was settling upon the borders and helping to call upon @Isla ♔ that he hoped, and prayed, that while he had the strongest faith in Isla that she might take a chance on him.

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Sif walked through the sands of the Lagoon, eyes of blue resting in a calm yet calculative expression. Thinking, considering her own things. A war was likely coming and she needed to prepare, of course she wasnt going to run away. She was ready to draw blood for Isla and the Lagoon. And nothing will stop her for aslong as she was able to move. As she went, she spotted somone. "Hi," She said shortly as she looked him over. "How may the Lagoon help you today?" She wasnt a leader nor anything but she hopped as Gentry she was able to help wlcoming visitors at the borders. She wasnt trying to step on toes, but she wanted to both help her pride in any way and show she was good at doing this without waiting for approval. @Güelle

Art by Moogle and code by Shazaki

They had traveled in tow from the meadow where she had been admiring the scenery, across the plains and towards the distinct and only path to the Lagoon. She had never attempted to swim and hadn’t heard of anyone else braving the ocean waves. So, as the ground beneath them shifted from hard dirt to soft sand, Rhea gave her friend an encouraging smile. As they got close, the medic became distracted by a pretty seashell and allowed @Güelle to wander ahead and summon Isla. After careful inspection, she scooped up the trinket into her pouch excited that she got to her den she’d be able to add to her decorations. It was a nice break from stressing about preparing for a retaliation. Perhaps if things had been more certain, she wouldn’t have dragged Güelle to the Lagoon with her so soon.

Coming up to stand alongside him, she bows her skull gently at @Sif. “Hello, I’m Rhea one of the medics. This is my friend Güelle, I was hoping the Lagoon would welcome him.” She was not familiar with Sif by name, but had seen her in the pride meetings. Hopefully she’d be able to help them, otherwise Rhea felt fine waiting for the high sovereign to arrive.

"SPEECH"

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

Turning his head briefly over his shoulder whilst he was still un-met, he was suddenly realizing that he was alone. The lioness that had encouraged him to come here had left him and, as a yearling boy he was immediately subject to some dark thoughts. All sequencing around the idea that she did not think highly enough of him to have a chance at joining or that she had better things to do than linger around a boy and his sob story for a moment longer.

So when @Sif appeared and then @Rhea shortly after, he felt a large wave of relief crashing over him like cold water on a stifling day. From the moment the mostly grey lion asked what the Lagoon could do for him, it was clear that he was floundering to find words. A lot of filler words like umm and uhh circling in his throat and upon his tongue. Eventually and forcefully swallowing his concerns and trying to be free with it.

Sif was no Isla but the latter was likely very, very busy with her pride and thus could not be bothered with someone as miniscule and unimportant as he. Uh, yeah. What Rhea said — I know Isla, from.. from the Summit some time ago. I'm a good fighter, not that he had ever really been tested but he had practiced a lot on his own and had done most everything necessary of a warrior. He would never claim to be as well-rehearsed as their High Sovereign but he certainly had the wits and character for it.

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Sif was doing her best to be as polite and professional as possible. She wasn't that versed in diplomacy but she wasn't afraid to try new things when the situation called for it, much like this one when no one else of authority was around at the moment. "My name is Sif, I am Gentry and I can help you in anything you might need." Such as arranging his acceptance which after an evaluation was very likely at least from her end. Another individual approaches, a woman whom she had seen in the previous meeting and in some hunts, so she was pride mate. She returns her gaze to the visitor who voiced his desire to be part of the Lagoon which she gave a bit of thought before her answer for she was no queen and she didn't want to step over Isla but in times of war there was no room for delay. If Isla didn't mind she wanted to let this man in. "Okay, you may join. If you are familiar with Isla then I see no reason to deny your stay. But I should inform you we are at war with a pride so watch out for any Vermeda lion. Just though to let you know so you didn't get in here without being aware of the potential violent times to come." And like that Sif left after dipping her head at the pair. She had things to do after this. /exit if not stopped/ @Rhea @Güelle

Art by Moogle and code by Shazaki

@Sif is quick to grant him entry and Rhea releases a soft breath that she hadn't realized she been holding. "Thank you, Sif" she responds with a respectful bow of her skull as she takes a step forward to lead @Güelle past the border. However, it is the Gentry's warning that causes the medic to pause. Ears slightly pin back when Sif breaks the news to her newest companion. News that she had failed to tell him. She swallows softly, blue orbs darting to him with worry as her expression forsakes her feelings. Her voice drops down into a low tone. "Isla informed us she is worried that Vermeda Brook might retaliate against us. There was a failed challenge against the leader. She said we didn't have to fight if we didn't want to. Everyone has a choice if war comes to our doorstep." Her eyes search for a reaction. For evidence that he was pissed off and reconsidering this whole thing. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier. I have not decided what I am going to do yet, but if you don't wish to fight I can stay with you." She was not battle hungry to just leave her new friend behind and go off to war. No, she was sure she could be used in other areas besides fighting that meant not leaving Güelle to the side. "I hope you still wish to live here for now." Her tone is soft, the lioness feeling timid that he might tell her no.

"SPEECH"

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

The news of war was, in fact, quite a jarring revelation. A part of him told him to decline the offer to join and turn away, to not get invested in a war when all he was wanting was to just join a pride. Guelle had not thought about the things that potentially followed when you joined. The things that you might have to commit to but he also knew that he was a fighter, even if he wasn't the most experienced. That he could help them, even if he had his own doubts as to whether or not he could win. So with a nod, Sif departed and he barely squeaked out a goodbye before turning to @Rhea.

If anything, he just felt numb in the brain as he considered what he had been told. Desperately searching every possible scenario and trying to sort through what could happen in the future before ultimately deciding he probably shouldn't overthink things. No, he shakes his head, no, I will fight. This was something that he knew was meant to be. If he was joining the Lagoon as he had said he would and what he wanted to do, then this was as it was meant to be. If Isla fights for me, I fight for her. So long as Isla was calling to arms then he would show to fight alongside her and whoever the other troops might be. Not only that but he didn't really want to be babysat — even if Rhea would be the nicest babysitter ever.

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She listens quietly and finally @Güelle affirms that he will be staying and in fact fighting. Rhea nods and turns back towards the Lagoon, ushering with her tail for him to follow her. "I understand. C'mon the dens are this way. There should be an empty one that suits you and then I can show you around. Thankfully, it's not hard to get lost here," She gives him a little smile. It was a tease considering the territory was surrounded by water. Internally, she really hoped that the war wouldn't come to them and that her friend could hang out peacefully alongside her until he decided what to do about his former home and family. She would just have to spend extra time sending a prayer to the moon and stars.

/exit

"SPEECH"

ART BY YUMPY, CODE BY LARS, MODIFIED BY GUNNER

There were many things that he felt afraid of and while he did not feel fear about the idea of fighting so soon, he did fear that he might not be enough. That even though he had been shown a substantial amount of kindness, that the opposite was only lingering around the corner. Perhaps not in the Lagoon but in life in general; a worry that maybe he was bad luck but he smothered it down as best he could with @Rhea's words that they would find a den, he would be shown around and to get accustomed to life in the sandy lagoon. So with a somewhat tentative nod of agreement, he followed after her with a hard swallow and hoped that he would fit in. exit guelle

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