Of course, the first stop is the Hollows - that’s where most of the family should be, anyway. Whether or not the kids made it that far remains to be seen, but Dragos isn’t fussed. His long-legged gait is quick, but his hurry is only from excitement.

It hasn’t been that long but it still feels like a lifetime since being home - though, when Amaryllis became home is still unknown to him. Out there just isn’t the same, and so this visit is something he’ll enjoy, even if it isn’t whole without his wife here too.

As he gets closer and the scent-markers tell who is around, the strawberry beast chuffs and calls, announcing himself long before he gets to the official border, wanting nothing less than an entire welcoming party at the gates waiting for him.

PIATRA

your wings ache to be saved, the tenderness in you spiels that heaven shouldn’t blister your novice heels – yet ambition famines you greater than fear

The sound was something new to her – something foreign – and it spurred a feeling in her chest that the tiny princess simply could not ignore. For the past several days, she had possessed an intense longing to rid herself of the den and of the plush of the pelts beneath her feet (as nice as they were), and this seemed like the perfect excuse to finally put her thoughts, and her curiosity, into concrete action. Surely no one could fault her for that, could they?

And so it was upon clumsy and unrefined steps that Piatra made her way through the chasms of their kingdom, claws clicking in an improper rhythm as she neared the sound of the call with peaked interest. She wondered absently whether her parents or siblings would find equal interest in the summons, and whether they would be arriving swiftly on her heels – but she, of course, wanted to make sure that she was there first, intent on being a pretty face for their arriving visitor.

It took her a while to get to the borders, but when she did, Piatra’s eyes were quick to land upon the approaching shape of @Dragos – who, though unfamiliar as far as personal relations went, was similar enough in appearance for her to assume that he might be family, somehow. Which only made things more interesting, surely. hi, Was all that she could muster, the single word exhaled upon a rush of airy breath as she peered up towards the much larger creature in interest, caught off-guard momentarily by a twinge of stage-fright.

What else was she supposed to say again?

code by cala

And again, the little beast was restless. But this time she wasn't the first to be gone from the safety of their den. It was her sister. Her sister was moving towards the sound. And it were both the sound and the knowledge of her sister moving towards it that had the tiny princess bristling. Something still unfamiliar stirred in her, pushing its way to the front of her mind. All struggles to arrange delicate limbs was forgotten as she stalked towards the sound, following the more familiar scent.

When she did finally arrive, she saw a beast. So much more massive than they were. With her first true growl vibrating in her throat as such a foreign sensation, the tiny blood huntress stalked from the shadows. Such a tiny, dainty and delicate thing cloaked in red and creamy white velvet, not a sign of potential growth to become bigger. But oh, she was big in her mind. As big as him or even bigger. Not that it was reality. But she moved faster then, to stand in front of @Piatra protectively, baring little fangs as she stared up at @Dragos, pale eyes narrowed, fluffy ears pinned tightly against her skull.

He'd called, looked like he could be family, but the little beast didn't trust. Not yet. Her instinct was to protect her sister, even if protection wasn't needed.

To say this visit was unexpected would be a gross understatement. The Savante hears the call and his heart pounds in his chest. Was this a dream? Surely Dragos had no reason to return? Alexander assumed he'd never see his son again.

There hadn't been any sort of reconcile between the two of them, just an understanding that they were family. Despite this, the Patriarch of the Savante still loved his eldest son dearly. Beyond what anyone could imagine, really. This wasn't something he could outwardly say, however - for fear of rejection, perhaps?

He'd felt that bite one too many times to be bold enough to speak up on it again. So, as he arrived, Alexander tried not to seem too excited to see @Dragos. There was a large smile on his face regardless, a look of pride gleaming in the depths of those blue eyes of his. Tail sweeps behind him, again giving away his joy at seeing his eldest. The King takes note of his newest children scrambling up to the other, and he lets out a low chuff. They should learn to not approach strangers.

Even if they were related.

"Dragos..." He begins, moving to sit beside @Véres and @Piatra, pressing kisses to the top of their head. "Meet your sisters. Girls, would you like to introduce yourself to your big brother?" He rumbles quietly, glancing up to study Dragos' face. What his reaction would be? Would it be disapproving? Happy? Angry? It was so hard to tell and Alexander had never been able to guess what the other was thinking or feeling.

So it isn't exactly the greeting he expects, but it is one he enjoys all the same. Kitten steps alert him to something coming his way, and the size of the cub that finds him matches the tiny little footfalls. Dragos looks down, and down, and then finally flops onto his belly so as not to startle the girl.

"Hello," he murmurs, pegging her as a sibling or cousin or niece immediately. It doesn't matter where she sits on the family tree, she's definitely family.

Before he can say anything else, another cub arrives. This one - even without the tell-tale white splotches - is definitely family. She looks like Alexander, a mini-me if there ever was one. She pushes in front of the first girl, bold and brave and protective. Dragos grins down her at, scarred lips tugging lightly, then places his chin on the ground to bring their eyes level. He can remember when his own kids were that little. It felt like forever ago.

Soon enough, Alexander arrives behind the girls. Dragos lifts his head but doesn't stand, well aware that he is imposing in his size and the girls are already wary of him. "Father," he returns softly, ears flicking into the thick locks of his mane. He watches the way Alexander dotes on his new children quietly. There's... such a gap between father and son. Dragos doesn't know how to cross it.

"Hello, princesses." He murmurs, smiling faintly. "I'm Dragos. Your oldest brother. I've come to join our family for a little while, if you'll have me." Hopefully they don't tell him to take a hike, because that would be awkward.

@Véres @Piatra @Alexander ♔

PIATRA

your wings ache to be saved, the tenderness in you spiels that heaven shouldn’t blister your novice heels – yet ambition famines you greater than fear

She looked upwards with those wide, curious eyes, whiskers twitching as her lips formed an uncertain and paused ’o’ shape – but it was @Véres' arrival that sent her stumbling from her frozen stature, the youthful growl prompting the princess’ head to snap, first to her sister and then back towards the much larger man. Was she supposed to be afraid of him? He didn’t seem scary, especially not as he dropped down towards their eye-level – but she supposed that she could not be sure either way. Nonetheless, her sister’s abrupt advance did not stop a scowl from reaching Piatra’s features, bottom lip swelling as she felt, instinctively, that she was being overshadowed –

But before she could contest the situation, apa was suddenly there, hot on their heels, and offered a cautionary chuff towards his daughters that was enough to pin the babe back into reality. Baby blues darted upwards towards his face, and Piatra knew that she could not – and should not – argue with @Alexander ♔; that much, she had already learned. But there was relief in the fact that this other man – @Dragos ! – was family, after all. And, even better, he was their brother! Piatra, in her youth, could not imagine ever being as big as him, but she was grinning boldly now, and was prompt to introduce herself as instructed.

‘m Piatra ~ She hummed brightly, knees bending as she offered a little curtsy to her now-determined big brother, excitement growing - thrumming boldly in her chest - as the news was divulged that he also wished to join them in the hollows. And yes, please stay! – Apa? Another coo, delicate and jovial as the babe reared her back up towards the king’s face, lashes fluttering as she stared at him with that unspoken look of “pleeeeease?”.

code by cala

OOC: Sorry to skip, just want to get Dragos in. <3

Alexander's elation at seeing his son again was ever evident on his features. And he was happy to see @Dragos didn't seem spurned or upset about seeing new siblings. It was always a worry when his older children saw new cubs. While others were perhaps more reserved about trying to further their family name, the King was - of course - far more inclined to work on this. The Savante name would not die on the wind, it would live on.

Especially if he had anything to say about it.

The mention of Dragos staying for a 'little while' has his heart breaking for a moment, but he knew his son had his own family. Of which he wondered how they were doing. He would have to ask him about that later. Attention shifts down to @Piatra as she begs him to let Dragos stay. A laugh escapes him and he kisses the top of her head. "Of course, he is your big brother. He is always welcome."

Alexander turns then, to leave. A low chuff ushers the girls to follow, as well as his son. "Let us get you settled then." He rumbles, giving Dragos another passing look before turning to head inside the halls of the Hollows.

/exit Alexander

Fluffy fur remained frizzed, more fluffy ball than cub. Even as he lowered himself to be closer to their tiny frames, something in her mind still screamed Protect! and though she didn't quite understand what that voice in her mind really wanted from her, her instincts had tiny claws unsheathing, soft lips pulling back to reveal tiny little needle fangs.

But she was immediately distracted when @Alexander ♔ arrived. Brushing against his legs, she purred before slowly inching towards @Dragos again, little ears laced against her skull. Standing as tall and proud as she could with her tiny frame, she regarded him with a look so strangely cold for such a tiny cub. A strange girl, so very strange. "Véres," she eventually introduced herself. What a strange voice, so youthful as it should be, yet revealing a glimmer of what would one day be a voice filled with power and authority. Apa had said he was family. That he was their brother, which the older one definitely confirmed. So he should stay, right?

The concept of him having his own family was not something that occurred to the girl in any way. Family belonged together. So he should be here, shouldn't he? "Stay, no leave." So few words from such a little cub, yet there was some attempt at projecting authority there. Not exactly the most intimidating thing.

But then another thought crossed her mind and she lightly nudged @Piatra. "Play?"

If either of the older Savantes are capable of saying no, it isn’t to the princesses and their big, pleading eyes and demands at their newly met brother stay. Who is Dragos to deny them? He nods as Alexander welcomes him into the Hollows, and the princesses - seeming now content that their orders have been obeyed - are quickly distracted by a game.

Dragos’s attention flicks upwards, and he moves to follow his father further into the pride. Away from younger ears, they have a few things to talk about, but this moment should be a happy one.

Exit.

PIATRA

your wings ache to be saved, the tenderness in you spiels that heaven shouldn’t blister your novice heels – yet ambition famines you greater than fear

All was right in the world, now that her father confirmed that - of course! - their big brother would be able to stay with them within the hollows. Piatra nearly beamed with contentment at the realization that her wish had so promptly come true, head arching, glancing upwards, as the adults began to make their way away from the borders. She knew that their king had indicated the need for the children to be more careful – but that hadn’t been so bad, had it? Because of her confidence and her grandiose (or perceived to be, at least) welcome, they had successfully been reunited with their family. Undoubtedly, a good result.

It was @Véres' inquiry, however, that ensnared the princess’ attention next. Her offer was tantalizing and Piatra was not one to easily disappoint — and so it was with a girlish sort of smile that the swirled progeny lunged forward, attempting to place a playful nibble upon her sister’s cheek before bounding off into the shadows of their kingdom. Catch me if you can! exit.

code by cala