Ever since joining the pride that called Caladan Cove home Rose had taken to camping out in its sandy beaches rather than seeking out the protection of an enclosed den. It was normally a very pleasant awakening, with the suns gentle rays bouncing off the ocean waters and warming her fur as she began to prepare for her day. Today was not a normal morning, and as an autumn mist began to roll in off the sea she awake with a shiver, finding herself quickly becoming soaked in the spray. An irritated groan left her as she quickly forced herself to her feet, shaking a stretching before making a hasty retreat towards the rocky ledges that separated the cove from the rest of the world. Once she’d left the sand behind and felt rocks under her paws she began to climb, choosing a stone perch not at the top of the outcropping, but a few feet off the ground as she hugged close to the rocky wall behind her before sitting and looking out at the eerie fog shrouded beach. As annoyed as she was at waking up soaking wet she also couldn’t help but admire the beauty of it, a sudden poetic inspiration striking her. Within the land of Caladan Cove, on morning where mist leaves the sea, the mistress of muses does sing her siren’s song to thee.. she purred out into the mist, quiet proud of her first verse as she began to hum softly to herself. @Aphrodite

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Aphrodite had been keeping herself tucked away in the Cove more frequently. Hardly going past the borders unless she went to go and seek out Reti for advice and for him to know she was alright, but even that had become far and few in-between trips. Much like today, she had decided to stay in Caladan and began to travel along the pathways that lead from her den to the beach and then up to where Lagertha had shown her when they had their own little conversation. However she was stopped by someone else's voice.

Changing direction, Aphrodite would soon spot the woman she had brought back to the Cove. She had been pregnant then too but this time her face was now covered in scars that looked like someone took their claws and raked them across her face; and they did. Are you trying to become a poet? She would ask as she came up to @Rose. Do you mind if I join you? Aphrodite would go find somewhere else if she was not welcomed.

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The sound of someone else padding in the stones and feeling of being spotted reached Rose just before the sound of @Aphrodite ‘s question hit her. Quickly her yellow eyes flickered to the woman before she rose to her feet and offered her a bow, Trying? You wound me my queen. she spoke with a tone that suggested she was not, in fact, wounded but rather happier for the audience. I like to think myself a patron of all the auditory arts, it would seem more practice is in order. As Aphrodite asked if she could join her she sat back down in her spot and gestured to the ledges landing in front of her- ample space was available for several lions. Who am I to deny a queen in her own kingdom? How does this morning find you? Faring well? she questioned before noticing the fresh scars on her face, eyes going wide. It seems you’ve gained another story recently I would wager. what else were scars other than stories written on one’s body?

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Aphrodite would chuckle at @Rose's words before she settled down near the other woman. Well, your words were beautiful. Practice always makes for perfection. She would state, ears twisting on top of her head as she would glance around the kingdom she ruled, and yet she didn't feel like she was actually the one ruling. Violet jewels flashing from the territory back to Rose as she was asked a series of questions and she would give the woman a small smile, careful to not stretch her fresh scars to much. They still hurt at times.

Well, even if you did deny me, I would not be offended. Many lions like to have their own personal space and time alone. She would admit, she was one of those lions herself at times. These were not one of those times as she continued to lounge beside Rose. This morning is rather uncomfortable. In truth she had been growing uncomfortable in the past few days, this may be her first litter but she knew that her time was coming for these children to come into the world.

I don't think it's much of a story, perhaps a misunderstanding. She would admit when the comment about her scars came to light. She was just glad that Harou hadn't blinded her or worse; taken one of her eyes. Aphrodite enjoyed her violet jewels, it had been one of the things she mother and great grandfather had passed on. Her mother had made sure to inform her of that when she was old enough to know who her ancestors were.

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She gave a small shrug and a nod, conceding that the other lioness was correct she supposed. Others did enjoy their personal space, but Rose thrived with an audience. Then practice I shall. she announced, perfections was in fact what she thrived for. and one day perhaps I’ll captivate the masses, perhaps the great queen of Caladan Cove will even make an appearance in one of the epics I’ll one day compose. -With hair of ink and eyes of amethyst, laws fair but a willing fist if- she sang the last bit before she began to trail into a wordless melody. A sign finally left her as she shook her head, no, that’s much too forced. she admitted before looking back at @Aphrodite with a smile. That smile quickly faded as she listened to the others discomfort - expected in her condition surely. The idea of someone scaring her so badly over a misunderstanding however? She scoffed, perhaps Milano wasn’t completely mistaken, it seems monsters do exist here. To mail a mother to be! As if the body wasn’t busy enough! she shook her head. Was the misunderstanding at least resolved? she questioned Bard tasks +5 sing a song or serenade someone (1/2) +5 make someone laugh (1/2)

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A soft chuckle escaped her lips at @Rose's words. Listening to her rhyme about the great Queen of the Cove making an appearance. But it seemed that some of the words were not finding the right place in her song. It only caused Aphrodite to chuckle and give Rose a small smile. It will come to you one day. She was sure of it and Aphrodite would be there to enjoy every bit of it when it did. Ears twisted on top of her head as she would soon listen to what else was being said. To hear that Milano had been talking about monsters to Rose and now the woman did seem to believe him. There are monsters every where, my friend. Sometimes even in your own home. That was something she was beginning to learn. No it did not get resolved but perhaps one day it will, for now I'm keen to keep myself here inside the Cove's borders.

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Her tail flicked behind her in slight irritation at words that did not come. Irritation soon faded though at the reassuring words that reached her ears, Though royal her blood the ebony queen did rule fair and loyal… she picked up her melody again on response to the kindness shown to her, sighing as yet again the words of her song didn’t seem to fit right. Perhaps it’ll be a song to entertain princes and princesses one day. she chuckled as she finally resigned to give up on singing for now. Especially as the conversation grew more somber. Monsters in your own home? Her brow lifted questioning my, it’s all the worse when the danger is inside the walls. she wanted to question more about this drama - to get all the gossip, but although @Aphrodite had been proving to be all to east to talk to, a trait she didn’t expect from someone deemed a queen, she didn’t feel it was her place to pry. If she wanted to share- or had a particular warning for her, she was sure she’d do it. So, tell me more about my home home, do you come from a king line of royalty? she questioned, very interested in the history of the pride she found herself tangled within. Bard +5 sing a song or serenade someone 2/2 +5 make someone laugh (2/2)

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It seemed that her kindness was proving to be of some help. And yet it didn't last long as @Rose seemed to give up on her singing for now and make a comment about princes and princesses. One day soon. She would muse at the bard before her, chuckling even at the thought of Rose singing to her children. It would be a good way for her children to be entertained when she was not in their company. Telling stories about her time here.

Aphrodite found herself nodding at Rose's comment and even found herself glancing around the territory. She wasn't sure who to really trust and even though she had brought some of the lions into the Cove she knew that deep down, some of their loyalty would lay more with Miaran than herself. She was not the one who carried the heaviest crown. Violet jewels would blink at the sudden question and Aphrodite would chuckle, shaking her head at the question. No, my blood is not royalty but I've made it such.

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As @Aphrodite declared she was not royal by blood but by deed and design Rose slowly began building up all the more respect for the woman. It was one thing to be grown and groomed from birth for a kingdom, it was another thing entirely to gain it by force of faith and determination. Fascinating, and what of our other sovereign? Does she wear the crown of her mothers and fathers, or of her own design as well? she questioned. Rose had actually yet to truly meet the high sovereign, though she remembered vaguely that she’d been spoken about when she’d had to listen to all the rules and decrees around the cove during her initial journey from the sandbar. As she waited to hear a response her posture remained relaxed, but there was an intensity in her yellow eyes as they fixed on Aphrodite suggesting she was highly invested in hearing about the high sovereign straight from the one she ruled along side her. All sorts of gossiping questions ran through her mind. Questions she would withhold for the time being, but hoped she’d find answers to sometime or another. Bard +10 learn a pride or family’s history (learned that the CC sovereigns weren’t born in the pride) 1/2

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She asked about Miaran and Aphrodite had to let silence fall between them as she thought about her answer. Miaran had not mentioned any royal blood in her family and the only thing she had mentioned was the Mob so Aphrodite could only conclude that she was not of royal bloodline either. She isn't either. And that was her honest answer. If Miaran had royalty in her blood, Aphrodite was not aware of it as of this moment. Which meant that it was yet another thing that Aphrodite had been put into the shadows about. And what of you? What family do you come from? She was curious after all about the woman she had welcomed into her home.

@Rose

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