The scent of freshly-trodden earth is a balm upon her senses, soothing in the inherent simplicity that even the finest incense would never quite capture. It beckons to Kinga like a light in the dark, lacing the air heavily with the promise of family as she slinked ever closer to the hallowed halls that housed her earliest memories, ebon paws flirting with a borderline that held no threat to someone like her.

It has been many months since she had last been held in the Hollow's kindly embrace. The outside world had simply glittered with too much allure, too much intrigue for a child like her to ignore, hungry for knowledge and adventure as she was - and still is. But she had always known that she would return. The call of shared blood was too powerful of a bond to ignore, and as she grew older, the young woman was beginning to see the value in having a stable home to return to once her business was concluded for the day. But practicalities aside -

The Mother had willed her here.

The magpie would pause at the edge of her father's territory, sapphire eyes drifting shut as she took a moment to simply...breathe it all in. Truly, she is tempted to just invite herself in with nary a knock. She held the spare key to this place in her very blood, after all. But that simply wasn't how things were done around here, was it? So, she would sing out a call for the welcoming committee to come out and greet her, her fluffy tail curling neatly around her delicate paws as she sat down to wait.

Of course, she isn't the sort of rascal to fidget in place, but the yearling would raise a paw to quickly smooth down any out-of-place curls in the interim, double-checking on the hide pouch wrapped loosely around her neck with vines to ensure her little collection of odds and ends - both shiny and herbal - didn't end up strewn across the ground. It was only natural that she should look her very best, especially if it was @Alexander ♔ who came to see her first. No doubt her Papa would be impressed by how grown-up she was now.

If he wasn't, he would certainly hear about it.

@Thella ♔ @Karsa

art & code

cain

savante

Cain was growing up, it was an odd feeling but he enjoyed it nonetheless. No longer was he bound by such a young age, now, he could take on responsibilities as a prince of the hollows. So when he heard a song by the borders, he curiously moved towards it.

He had never really done this before. Perhaps he should’ve left it to the older adults, to his father, but he wanted to prove that he could do this too. At least, greet the individual instead of leave them waiting around.

He could smell the faint scent of lavender in the air, his eyes falling upon a girl just about his age. Her eyes were blue, her fur was dark and painted with various splashes of white. They were most likely related, but he didn’t want to assume that just yet.

He offered her a friendly smile, Hello, he greeted @Kinga. I’m Cain Savante, Prince of the Hollows, he introduced himself. I’m sure my father or my brother will be here soon, he added. Can I do anything for you at the moment? Well, that was way smoother than he had expected. At least he wasn’t too awkward.

_{BG — CODE}

The scent of @Kinga was fresh on the air, calling to him and ushering the King toward her. A smile, one of genuine happiness and joy, etched across his handsome features. If there was one thing Alexander was the most proud of, it was that so many of his children remained here - in Amaryllis - or usually always returned. He understood that each one of them would need to go, seek out their purpose, figure out who they were and what they wanted out of this world.

He was glad, that in the end, Kinga's journey had returned her here. Home.

The King wastes no time in reaching her. Before he can give her much of a choice, the Savante Patriarch moves to bump his head against her own, a low rumbling purr vibrating in his chest. "Kinga, I am so happy to see you have returned." He continues to offer her an overbearing amount of fatherly affection before stepping back and humming, "You have grown so much, I almost did not recognize you." There is obvious pride in his voice.

All of his children were beautiful, strong and would one day rule Amaryllis. Of that he was absolutely certain.

Attention shifts to @Cain who had arrived before him. A low chuckle escaped him. He couldn't fault the boy for not recognizing her. Kinga and her siblings had spent a good amount of their time between the Hollows and the Peak, with Fissure. "Cain, this is your half-sister, Kinga." He murmurs proudly, moving over to bump his head against his son's as well. Alexander was happy to see him out and about, and greeting those who approached the border.

artwork • coding

"How do you do?" The first face that appears to welcome her is...well, not unfamiliar exactly, though its identifying details are a bit of a blurry haze in his mind. She's almost disappointed by her half-brother's lackluster greeting - @Cain, right, that had been the name - especially when it became obvious that the boy held no recollection of her at all. Kinga smiles politely, though her bright eyes would regard him with a largely unimpressed air, the silence lingering just a little too long as the magpie took her time in answering. "Oh, do not worry, there is no need for you to trouble yourself with me overmuch. As you say, I am quite certain that our father will not be too late." Her words are as sweet as they are pointed.

Never mind the fact that she'd failed to remember Cain's name, herself. Or the fact that she knew full well that @Alexander ♔ was a very busy man.

Yet in the end, Kinga is proven right. The girl's face would change when the red king himself suddenly emerged from the stone halls, her serious features lighting up with a genuine flicker of delight as he approached, close enough to bump his larger head against her own. She inclines her skull to return the pressure - but only briefly, naturally. Obviously, she was too old now for overly cliingy displays of affection.

"Papa!" She purrs, carrying herself just a little bit higher as he speaks, clearly pleased with his praise. "Yes, haven't I? I've seen...so many things in my time away. There's much to tell you." She even comes bearing gifts. For Alexander, she does not overly mind parting with some of her shiniest souvenirs for free. But that can all wait for a few moments longer. "But I believe that I am ready to return home now, papa. I want to learn more about the ways of the Mother." She continues, soft words meaningful in a way she trusts her father will understand.

It was traditional for women to take up the torch in all things spiritual, was it not?

Sapphire eyes would blink towards Cain once again as their father made introductions, nodding her head more amicably as she chimed in further. "Yes. Kinga Crow-Savante. It is a pleasure to meet you...again." The magpie has never found a reason to choose between one surname or the other. She wears the mantle of both titles proudly - and on that subject..."Does Apa still live on top of the mountain?" Fissure is no less deserving of a visit, of course. She's even collected some pressed flowers that she's certain would look magnificent woven into his dark mane.

Though maybe the darker colors would look better in Alex's, now that she thinks about it.

art & code

Alexander is elated to see that @Kinga was in such high spirits. And so very healthy. Truly, his children proved time and time again that they were resilient and capable. A rumble of affection - and approval, sounds from his broad chest as she begins to explain her reasoning for returning. He wanted to hear about it all! It was relieving to hear that his young daughter was so keen to learn of the Mother. It felt as if too many Savante were drifting away from her guidance. Something he would need to correct soon.

"There are many within our family who would be honored to teach you, my heart. You need only ask. I will talk to some others and get you on the right path." He croons, smiling. Looking to @Cain, Alexander ushers the boy closer as Kinga introduces herself to her sibling. Perhaps now they could properly be brother and sister - rather than strangers. He needed to bring all of his children together so that they could form that unbreakable bond of siblings.

A single ear flicks at the question Kinga presents. Brows knit together somewhat, "In truth, my heart, I know not where your Apa is. It has been some time since we last spoke; I miss him so. If you find him, tell him that, yes?" Alexander left the Hollows less and less these days. Rolling his shoulders back, he moves to walk around both his children and usher them in toward home. "Come, let us continue our reunion within the safe halls of our home." He hums, slowly sauntering inside.

/exit Alexander

artwork • coding

Truly, Alexander exists just as Kinga had always remembered him in her mind's eye. Just as the young girl imagines he will always be - joyous and warm and larger than life. He listens to the magpie's wishes with the easy grace befitting of him, and he grants them no less easily. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that he's opened the door.

Learning always seems to be a journey, doesn't it? No matter how eager she was to reach the end of the path of knowledge. The path of power.

So long as she continued stepping forward, one day, she might even learn that there was no such thing as an 'end' to this journey.

"I'm looking forward to speaking with them." Oh, and there is still so much family that she has yet to truly know. @Cain is only the tip of the iceberg, she realizes that much. Mapping out the tapestry that connected them all may well be its own field of study, and study it she will, if she is to find her own niche amongst them. "Thank you, Papa."

A slight frown flickers across the girl's expression when it becomes clear that her other father's whereabouts are unknown. It is...unexpected. But no cause to panic, if she views her inevitable search for him as a great big treasure hunt. She'd always had a knack for sniffing out whatever she desired. "Of course, I'll be sure to tell him exactly that." Maybe she'll even drag him back here by the ear, if need arose. It simply wouldn't do for her father to be sad, now would it?

The red King ushers her in, and she follows easily enough, flicking her tail lightly against Cain's shoulder as she strode past. "Yes, yes, we're going - Oh! Don't let me forget, I found some really lovely gifts I think you'll like..."

And just like that, the magpid flies home.

/exit Kinga

art & code