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Curled up on fresh bedding in the den he shared with his family Milano was sad. He had been fighting depression for a few months now but learning that Miaran has died. He was told by his little girl no less. Letting out a deep sigh after he took a big breath. He had went hunting and brought back a goat to the den but he wasn’t hungry. Just a bit numb. He knew he would need to find @Khadija and talk with her. As well as apologizing for not being around much and not being a very good husband to her. He has never really been himself since leaving the cove. Who knows maybe getting out of the Hollows would be a good idea. Maybe he could or should go visit his mother and little siblings.

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Khadija herself wasnt doing any better, herself being there to witness Miaran's unfair death had caused in her a deep anger and sadness towards this world. Lions who didnt have to go that far, yeah she did wrong on going after young lions, but how she was killed was just too much.

The claw marks on her neck were still there, but as she had put on them a paste of mixed herbs it was healing well.

She entered her den, finding her husband also ina bad state of depression. She didnt blame him, he was taken by force. Away from his home. Slowly she walked towards him, laying down, cuddling with him. "My love..."

@Milano

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Laying there letting out another dramatic sigh he allowed his eyes to shut but only half way. He was cold despite it being summer. Emotionally exhausted and a bit numb. Hearing someone coming he smiled as he could smell her. Eyes turned to look at @Khadija taking in her form. She was so beautiful she - wait! "Hello my darling." He greeted gently as he eyed her healing wounds. "Dear whom do I need to bite? Who injured you?" He asked as he shifted while she came over and cuddle up with him. Going silent he would then attempt to gently lick near her scratches on her neck if she would let him.

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She moved a massive paw over his body, aiming to pull him closer to her, knowing he needed her; he needed her affection, even if she wasn't feeling well. Her soul felt heavy, yet he and their girls were the only ones that kept her whole, that kept her away from shattering any further. And they needed her, just as much as she needed them. Her head went to aim to rest over his shoulder. "It's fine, my love, I fought back... " It could have been worse if it weren't for the woman; she, now that her anger had dissipated a bit, could now see further. The other had saved her from her own demise; had she snapped at the wrong lion, it could have been worse. "How are yourself?" she asked as she leaned into his licks.

@Milano

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He squinted at her words. She was fine and fought back. Words that didn’t really put him at ease but if @Khadija didn’t want to talk about it he wouldn’t make her. Being pulled closer he shifted to snuggle up to her more. "I - numb." He admitted. "I found out through Lyla. My love was our darling dove there?" He asked his eyes pleading for the answer to be no. She was too young to witness such cruelty. He wanted to shield them from such things, but that wasn’t always logical. Shifting every so slightly he gently moved his paws kneading tenderly at his love. "Being stuck in the Hollows is suffocating. What would you say about moving? Somewhere less - dark and depressing?" Whispering he asked his question calmly.

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"Lila no...but.."She stopped to gain some breath. "Barilla did... she saw everything...i..." Her eyes started to grow wet, not just from remembering everything but also for not shielding her daughter. She didnt know she would show up. She tucked her face on his shoulder, feeling the weight finally falling over her shoulders. she had shown an strong mask, hiding the real turmoil within. And only now that she was only with him, she was finally allowing herself to let go. "I could not save Miaran...that monster...he...ripped her to pieces...no mercy...I...the Tollaire are the real monsters...no Miaran..." She said as she cried. "I want to leave as well... this place...we didnt chose to be here... we were brought her against our will..yet..." She looks at him. "They arent that mean... but... we should go... but... where?" There was no safe place. "Stay away from the cove...the way Pyrrha talked to them that day...i didnt like the way she asked about how you were doing.." She admitted. "I dont want those devils touch a hair of you and our children... Stay away from them... They are evil.." She saw it as such due to how gruesome they killed Miaran.

@Milano

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Oh good Lyla wasn’t there but then he found himself choking on his own breath. Barilla was. Sweet Barilla. His heart hurt for her, but it hurt even more for @Khadija as she started to open up to him. Attempting to lick the top of her head he frowned. "Miaran had her enemies but didn’t deserve such a cruel fate." He spoke tenderly trying to comfort her. Though there was pain in his voice. He felt guilty for he had given in to Alexander and chose to be a prisoner it was a secret he kept deep in his heart. He had been so tired after all the fighting he had already done and with a declaration of war he had been scared for his family. The Savente’s haven’t been a cruel family to live within but he missed the sea. He missed the sunshine being able to stretch out in the warm sunshine and sunbathe.

"I don’t know. My mother lives in the plains? Or maybe we could try to take a pride?" He suggested but wasn’t really sure what or where. Listening to Khadija speak about Pyrrha he sighed. "Before this all happened I met Pyrrha. We had a nice conversation I even had a small crush on her thought she was as pretty. But that was before I started falling for you and before she challenged for the pride." He admitted to her honestly. "That being said I don’t actively seek her out. She is the enemy."

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"No one does, that was just too much...uncalled for...yes, she did wrongon calling for a boy...but..those she had killed...she never dared to rip them in pieces, she didnt played with their bodies..."

She felt heavy, her shoulders heavy with so many burdens and unwanted feelings of failure and feeling as if the entire world was against her. She leaned into his licks, needing all the affection she could get. All the love she could obtain. "Anywhere but here... I want to be as far as I can be from the Tollaire... They are not to be trusted..the Rainforest too could also be an option... More places to hide and secluded... But the Plains seemed good aswell.." Anywhere was fine for her. Wherever her fmaily was, was her home.

She nodded at his confession, kind of feeling bad but quickly brushing it off. That was in the past, and she knew now that should she spot any Tollaire near her family, both Milano and cubs, she wouldn't hesitate to defend them.

@Milano

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"You’re right my love. No one should ever go through that. I am sorry." He hadn’t meant to be insensitive with his words he was just in shock at the news. No one deserves to be ripped apart not even that desert flea. He might have ripped her apart a bit but he hadn’t killed her. Honestly he hadn’t even really thought of her until just this moment and then pushed her out of his mind as she was insignificant.

Eyes closing as he took in @Khadija's scent trying to keep himself calm. "The rainforest wouldn’t be a bad place. Tons of places for the girls to explore. Plus it could possibly be a fresh start." He mused as he attempted to nuzzle his darling. "Last I heard Aphrodite was in the plains." He said truthfully as he wanted to know how she would feel about that. Aphrodite had turned her back on Miaran.

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Khadija let a heavy sigh leave her lips, as she closed her eyes to enjoy his warmth. The peace she had long ago lost. She missed the times when she and her fmaily were at peace, with Miaran still with them. Yet it was all gone now, leving emptiness behind. But she had to keep herself tough for her little ones, strong for them. Yet now that it was only two of them she felt like she could finally let it all go, be weak for once. "Both would be great for us..." She whispered as she rested her head down on the ground. "Apphrodite.."She didnt like her but she was too tired to even let hate flourish.

@Milano

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