On a canvas painted of bright reds and oranges in broad strokes across the sky, a lone lioness made her way across the earthen bridge. She walked with a slow purpose, her mismatched gaze scanning the horizon for any traces of movement that would clue her into company. This land smelled to her of saltwater and of fertile forests, though she made a mental note not to get her hopes up too soon.

Passing through a mouth of vaulted rocks jutting into the sky, Aloe was able to survey the land before her with a thoughtful eye. Silently, she wondered just how long the land went on, or if she was walking into a dead end. It might be worth it to turn around and veer to the west to avoid an overly long detour should this end up being a dead end.

Her curiosity getting the better of her, the lioness pressed forward. She knew she would not be able to sate herself if she turned around without first seeing what lied ahead.

code by corvus

So far, Zulema was not very good at resisting the urge of being in the company of another pretty lady. There was just something so exciting about meeting another. Perhaps it was the beginning test to see if they were susceptible to her charming ways or if they would turn their cheek and dismiss her. At least the Kivasante woman would always know where she stood on the matter so that she didn't end up chasing the wrong cat.

With the steady walk towards the passage and towards the woman, Zulema passed by several lumps of bones that had likely been picked apart by scavengers. Previously having been chomped on by a few wayward rogues, perhaps, but nonetheless not something she was interested in but thought about removing them for the sake of cleanliness. She wanted this passage to looked presentable to newcomers, not like there were vultures lingering.

Upon getting closer to @Aloe, Zulema chuffed and let a sliver of a grimace take form. Good afternoon beautiful lady, she lowered her head in kind greeting as she stood comfortably a few feet away. My name is Zulema Kivasante, Noble of Obsidian Hollow. Should you desire it I can offer my pride as your home or I can simply offer what information I have to give. It was up to the woman though, Zulema hoped she could offer the former moreso than the latter. It helped to have another beauty within the ranks as she seemed keen on finding all the bombshells at the passage lately.

+5 Study the landscape of an area

The weeks seemed to be slowing down and the threats a little more transparent, after all he hadn't had another run-in with the Cove's thief so he was hoping it was a little more covert. After all, Reed had done nothing to hide the fact that she had been diving in and out of dens until she found something worth stealing. Gareth was going to do right by the Cove, until he couldn't any longer. If he would get reprimanded for doing what he believed was right, then so be it he would gladly take his leave and go. Jewel, however, had seen the hard work he put into helping her and he would continue to do so. Meaning also taking over when she managed to not be at the passage into Maua's land. Hello, he greeted both women with a tilt of his head as his eyes were trained mostly to the rogue. Gareth Taur, of Caladan Cove to the east. Did she have questions? What more could he offer her? Gareth didn't know who she was as an individual and couldn't immediately draw an outline to what might benefit her. At least not yet so he remained in case she had something more to offer. The Cove could be a home, if you'd like. Beautiful scenery, a little harsh on the darker skinned or heavily-maned but manageable if you choose the right hours to be active. He tried his hand at humor, but it was realistic as he struggled most days to want to do anything due to the sheer heat that was placed upon his shoulders when the sun was at its peak.

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@Aloe

There are some elements of leadership that became a real drag after a while. Lingering at the edge of their world is one of them. Sure, gathering others for the pride was often interesting, sometimes even enjoyable, but making the trip repeatedly was less than fun. Particularly when he is a later arrival, finding himself the last of a small group surrounding a woman. He arrives with little fanfare, yet, there is something hard to ignore about his presence. Sheer confidence had a magnetic quality to it, even with distasteful arrogance often lingering around him.

"Or, perhaps you would head further east to the Lagoon." he suggests, by way of greeting and inserting himself neatly into the conversation. The repeated journey was annoying, but the amount of talking he had to do was the real issue. He loathed it, though such opinions did not show on his mask. "Gwyn Casimir, Sovereign of Scilla Lagoon. You've stumbled upon the recruiting grounds as you've probably gathered." he continues, allowing his mask to crack for the barest of wry smirks. A fleeting hint of the dark humor that lurked beneath. Thus he falls silent, watching, waiting, to see what she would do.

@Gareth @Aloe @Zola

Code by Saph Image by Kairi

Sure, he was a little late to the party. But he was here to represent the Oasis and the Azar, and represent he would. With swift steps he would seek to close the gap between himself and the group that had begun to gather around the striking @Aloe. Alas, he had only arrived in time to hear the introduction of the latest arrival. @Gwyn. The name sparked recognition in Ebrahim, and his mind would trail back to the conversation he'd had with Fionn. Well, wasn't this something? He'd gotten himself back in power, which no doubt would have put some noses out of joint. Still, that was not his issue to address. He would offer a brief nod of greeting to all of the representatives that had gathered - the Scilla Sovereign, as well as @Zulema and @Gareth - before settling his attention on the rogue. Ebrahim Azar, Noble of Andal Oasis. Good afternoon to you. He could elaborate and give her a little more, but it was abundantly clear that the alabaster-hued Azar was here for the same reason that the others were; to offer her a home, should she wish it.

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The sound of a chuff had her attention quickly snatched by the saturated red lioness, her demeanor seeming welcoming as she approached and even complimented Aloe with her greeting. She watched the female with wry intrigue, subtly sniffing the breeze to try and observe what information she could already take in just from smell.

"Well, hello," she greeted in turn, not quite so forward in her words though certainly not trying to turn down the advance, either. She introduced herself as "Zulema Kivasante, Noble of Obsidian Hollow."

"Your pride? Well, what are you looking for in recruits?" She questioned the lioness pointedly, her attention drifting to that mention of information. "I would love whatever information you are able to give." Aloe offered an honest vow.

She had only a matter of moments to focus on the red lioness called Zulema before they were greeted by a more masculine presence. She could smell a male lion of a different pride, but when she cast her gaze to inspect his form, she was met with a flurry of stripes and colors like she had never seen.

"Hello," she echoed, trying not to stare at the patterns when she knew they would not be the most useful information she could gleam. He mentioned his home of a cove and that the weather might be a bit difficult on someone with a dark pelt like they both shared and she responded with a polite sniff of laughter.

"The night hours suit me just fine," Aloe agreed with a brief nod of her head. While she could spout off with more questions for this lion, the stranger cat opted to hold her tongue at the sight of another two approaching in the distance. It seemed there could be a small crowd gathering in no time, and she thought it might be best to get this all out of the way at once.

Another inserted himself in the conversation by offering his own home as an option, introducing himself as "Gwyn Casimir, Sovereign of Scilla Lagoon". She noted that while the titles were helpful to her, they did not seem quite identical to ones she had encountered in the past and she wondered just how high each of these lions were in their chains of command. Aloe dipped her head in a greeting as another approached.

"Ebrahim Azar, Noble of Andal Oasis," made himself known, offering further niceties and introducing himself. She swallowed her nerves at being faced with a crowd, analyzing each of their gazes under the warmth of the setting sun.

"I'm sure I should be flattered at such a welcoming committee," she noted with a tight smile pulling at her mouth. "Are each of you in charge of these prides, or who is?" Aloe questioned as she glanced at each representative in turn, opening the floor for each to speak. "I seem to have a very big choice ahead of me. Would you mind sharing what you can to help me make an informed decision? I also wonder: what do you have to gain by taking in a lowly stray such as myself?" She seemed to wonder aloud, though the question remained hanging in the air.

"Might I also get an idea of how large these prides are?"

@Zulema @Gareth @Gwyn @Ebrahim

+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank (Zulema Kivasante, Noble of Obsidian Hollow)
+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank (Gwyn Casimir, Sovereign of Scilla Lagoon)
+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank (Ebrahim Azar, Noble of Andal Oasis)

code by corvus

Zulema was clearly very pleased to be in the company of the woman as she was, without fail, attracted to them without a doubt. Not just by means of "attraction" but because they were always the most interesting. Men were predictable whereas woman almost always had a trick up their sleeve that you didn't immediately see. So whereas she grimaced at the hello back, she was a little off-put by the arrival of not one, not two, but three others to the group that were very much not female.

Blood boiled a little bit at their presence as her plans seemed to dash partially out the window. Her chances of success dwindling quickly. The first was a Noble from the Cove, one she was unfamiliar with; the next a reddish brown brute from the Lagoon and the male she'd seen recently -- Ebrahim. Magnus Sigrun is the High Sovereign of Obsidian Hollow. He rules by himself. Though, that was sure to change seeing as how many were currently dug into the Hollow walls lately. Magnus expects allies to be respected -- right now they include Caladan Cove and Vermeda Brook. We are friendly with the Rainforest. Though, that seemed to be hilarious given that the Cove was the only present face within this setting so everyone aside from Gareth Taur was an unknown. Supposedly cautious of the Lagoon, though she hadn't any evidence as to why that was.

Claims are fine, just don't step on an ally's toes. If a claimed individual wants freedom, he requests they ask him first. Ranks can be challenged for, any of them. Don't harm pride-mates over stupid, trivial things. A lot of common sense factors that she was certain that the other woman would know and be able to abide by. They weren't difficult rules set out by Magnus but there was a lot of finite little things to add to every rule. He was a good Sovereign and had proven himself to be nothing but just. And what do we get out of recruiting a stray? Zulema grimaced, knowing how that played out personally. The opportunity to grow with the pride. We can help hone your skills -- whatever they may be -- so that it may help us in the future. We're a pretty close bunch, relatively, so you wouldn't have to go floundering for company. Without giving too much away, I'd say nearly twenty. Because she couldn't trust those around her - aside from maybe Gareth - so she added a few extra bodies to the count.

+5 Learn something interesting about a character 1/2
+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank 1/2

@Aloe

After his arrival, two more males showed up to see about collecting the finely marked woman; a little apprehensive of the man who named himself @Gwyn Casimir as he knew that name just from Jewel alone. Automatically he felt a deep seed of judgment and scrutiny though he did well to hide it on an otherwise stoic facade. Focusing in on the name that @Ebrahim gave and then switching to gaze at their mutual interest, @Aloe.

Jewel Khulani is the High Sovereign of our pride. We look for those interested in hard-work, community and looking after not just yourself but the pride as a whole. We are a large pride; the largest if not very close. But there was likely so much more to every question asked but only so much he could willingly give out to a stranger even if he was recruiting them. Little details that only a resident would be able to figure out for themselves and see what lied beyond just simple words. Force claiming is prohibited unless it is for the safety of those involved. In the event it cannot be avoided, the claimed has the ability to leave the Cove should they wish for it. Because that was a pretty large thing that a lot of prides did not quite have was the claimed to have the ability to go as they wished but also the kindness to never be claimed at all.

Rank challenges and furthering your specific trades encouraged, because that really was that end-all sometimes was working on yourself in the end. Even if it wasn't for the betterment of the pride then at least you had a better understanding of your own skills. Gareth was a decent paladin but he was an even better Ambassador. If only because there hadn't been any recent for him to defend anyone within the Cove recently. By taking you in, we are not only expanding our numbers but expanding our community. The last word a very key word in how he wished to describe the Cove. They were fun and social, not that he was the best at that when it came to groups but they were cozy. We have the opportunity to gain the knowledge that you have and a different story to tell than those already present. No corny here, he meant every word and it showed.

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And so the final vulture arrives and the flesh eating hoard is complete. Questions and queries and curiosities tumbling over each other from the strange woman, the beast silent as she queries and the others answer in turn. Its a song and dance he knows well, and he waits his turn amiably. He is not interested in causing trouble with others while their status is relatively new, and besides, claiming was not an option when one arrived as late as he. Had he been first, then it would be a different story, but for now he was content to wait for his go at the fresh meat.

It was good that he could not hear @Gareth 's thoughts though. He would have been insulted by the close minded nature of the other, the misspoken warnings carrying further than they should. Coloring other's opinions when they had not really encountered him. It was unfair to him, and irritated him to no end. Even with the apology, Jewel's mistake would linger a while yet.

That was neither here nor there though, and Gwyn is not privy to such foolish, dangerous judgments. Good thing too for them both.

Finally it is his turn and the brute speaks now. More than he would usually, but, silence is not useful to convince a stranger to join. "My wife, Pistis Casimir, is the High Sovereign to my own Sovereign but we share and are equal in power." he begins, a touch of warmth in his tones at mention of his wife. Its clear he cares about the pale woman, that despite his intimidating appearance, his neutral mask there is something so human about him. "The cove is our ally as well and our terms with them are similar to those mentioned" he continues, glancing briefly at Gareth. "Claiming is allowed but it is not encouraged outside of safety of the Claimee. Those claimed have the ability to leave after a month if they are unhappy in our ranks." continues the male, touching on many of the same things the others are. Truth be told there is not much different between each pride but location and rulers. Stability, it seemed, was the name of the game. It would be interesting to see how well some of these rulers, these other pride would have survived the violence and upheaval present in the politics of his childhood. "We ask that you contribute in whatever way you can as well and to keep your troubles away from the pride, and to solve issues among yourselves, yourselves. " he continues. Same old same old. "We are smaller, our ranks are mostly kin but growing steadily. Your presence would be welcome as another adult, and I would encourage you to challenge for whatever rank you desire." he finishes. Another body in the pride would be good, particularly an adult. Three youngsters kept even the four adults in their life busy. @Aloe

Code by Saph Image by Kairi

As he listened - both to the rogue woman and the recruiters that so wished to tempt her their way - he would gather plenty of useful bits of information. It was information he could feed back to the Oasis, to Ashelia. There was, after all, a chance she may not know some of it already. @Zulema would reveal that a man named Magnus commanded the Hollows, and according to @Gareth a woman named Jewel ruled the Cove. The Lagoon was held by both @Gwyn and his wife; a joint unit. Ebrahim could make use of all of this. So, when it came Ebrahim's turn to speak, it was only fair that he would be forthcoming also. While there was not much yet to say on Ashelia's rule - considering it was merely a fledging one - the Azar would do his utmost to fluff things up. Not lies, of course, merely frills. The Oasis is ruled by my cousin, Ashelia Azar. Though she is new to the throne she is fair and just; there are six of us so far, myself included. Any new additions currently would have plenty of room to make a name for themselves without having to squabble. That could extend to challenging for ranks, making a niche with your skillset.... the possibilities are endless. The corner of his lip would curl into a smile. Claiming is allowed within our ranks, however only if justifiable; should Ashelia not like the reasoning that the claimee gives her, they will be overruled and the member will be freed. We only ask that anyone who wishes to leave speaks to us before vanishing, which is common courtesy really. Some did not possess that, but alas; @Aloe seemed like a well put-together woman, so he doubted that would be an issue here. I would ask any recruit of ours to work together for the common goal of expanding the Oasis and its reach. Any able-bodied lion, with a good work ethic, will do well amongst us. We are small in number now, but it will not be that way for long.

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