keeping this vague pending his maim
set a few days after as to not screw timelines

---

He is but a frail riding to what once had been. Shattered, and torn but by bit from the weight of the world that pressed into his fragile heart with ease. Like a sickly bullet piercing a pallet of glass, he is nothing more than the broken and frayed pieces of a lost soul upon the grounds. He hadn’t heard his friends call to arms, nor even knew of the intentions when it had all happened. How pathetic. Nonetheless, he comes to find what is lost in a time that founding is needed. He is dying. Perhaps, not as quickly as fate would want it to be but still it is happening. Amongst the forest floors would he bleed out and succumb to a hazy world, or was this all some sort of twisted mind game? Sole had lost a lot of blood. But not enough to whirl him into an immortal realm. No matter how much the pain stated otherwise.

He had stayed away from here. The palace was cursed by the march of blood and staked heads upon pedestals. It had nothing to offer him but blood and turmoil - and even as the lilac soot defied every civil law that was in his code, he always found that this place could offer him something. sole had heard the call in the fray of battle - but wounded and weary, tended not to the sound of it. rather; he had stayed away. slinking to the darkened holes and crannies of amaryllis as the world died in the whim of actions. he is broken. wounded and festering with an oozing curl of blisters that mottle his once beautifully unscathed form. perhaps - it was time to reach for the palace that would bring retribution.

ash he becomes - crumbling to the dust in a bare attempt to make it over the borders he limps. chromatic hues flickering to take infiltration of light and the crusted crimson that mother earth has so graciously taken hold of already. the scorching heat and looming fog that blisters in the winds forging his wounds unto a further ware than once before. yet - sole moves. presses forward with a heaving breath to crawl to the likes of his friend...king. how long did it take for the infection to destroy the body? he can't remember. I didn't know you wanted this - it is but a croak to the dark. calling outwards to the newly crowned sovereign even within his ill state.

@cupid

The dust has settled over the battleground that his home has become — it is a mess, to say the least. Details of what has happened are still fuzzy to the Beaumont; whether he learns of what truly transpired here that day is a mystery yet to be revealed. But he is the person now in power over this terrain. It is his responsibility to ensure it becomes a safe enough place to welcome the comatose @Riptide to. Just maybe when they wake, he will have a garden done for them to explore in.

The Rainforest, he thinks, is better than cliffs that the blind ward could stumble on — something he has worried about since day one, despite the cub learning the area better than he had himself. Regardless, it is a big change; across the map from the place he was just starting to think of as his new home — a new beginning. It is impulse that led him here instead; calculated impulse, but one nonetheless. He cannot abandon it now—

But he must also face the consequences of his actions. Wolfbron Bluffs is a trip that he plans to take soon. He does not know where the majority of them went following the extensive brawls that broke out here days ago. Whether they made the trip across Amaryllis or made an encampment to heal closer — he will find out eventually. For now, he procrastinates in the form of cleaning the Rainforest so it might blossom anew under his leadership.

He is in the midst of doing so close to the borders when he hears the creep of footfalls behind him. Dark ears swerve backwards first — hesitation stiff in the wounded wheaten’s bulk until he hears the familiar voice of the lilac scout. “I didn’t know you wanted this.” He is tongue-tied. “I—” didn’t per se. He cuts off, however, with the turn of his body to see the injured form of @Sole barely staying on his feet — as if a breeze would be enough to knock him over.

“You are hurt…” Expression etched in concern, he welcomes Sole further within Firnen — if only so he could sit comfortably. Cupid is without his own medical supplies, and his patchwork healing on himself is basic. It is not safe for the lilac to be here.

table by sentinel / lion + rainforest

He doesn't quite know what to expect. Maybe shock, or even distaste fort he fact of trespassing against his livelihood. This was however, something that could be forlorn. Seen within a distant world as the battered scout sways inadeptly among the drawling forest floors. It's nothing. He is torn and broken to a shell of what had once came to find new life in Amaryllis - to be nothing would be a miracle. But, nothing ever was the case for him as the lilac brute finds a sickly weal to succumb to the forests desires.

The Mire declared war on the Bluffs. It is the least that he can do, and explanation is needed in this time. He hadn't been there, but he had heard the call for the forest. So - he had to at least know something about what had happened. The mire king threatened Circe, and Zoticus attacked. It's not the most honorable thing to confess, they hadn't yielded the first attack upon them and yet war had broken forth in a matter of minutes. Perhaps, it was because of the sheer being of rage. Or - even the need for them to keep up within their stature.

arjana fell and i couldn't let them take our family. so - i fought. I didn't want to. It was for you, Arjana. No one else. It seems to hang upon the tip of his tongue as the lilac bard contemplates with a flicker of hopeful eyes. I can't go back. The wind seems to carry the words in an angsty seal of debt, his loyalty lied deep within the blood that ran red for his home but the fighting. The war...it was too much. He couldn't do it anymore. Zoticus...He's been nothing but kind to me but the war is simply something I cannot do. Let me stay...please.

@cupid

Nothing the lilac scout says, and Cupid stares at him blankly — a look that screams how much he believes in those words; which is not at all. It is something, especially for the man to be standing before him bloodied and beaten. He knows of the war — seen them fighting and the bodies that lines it, yet he hadn’t known exactly why, other than tension boiling over.

@Sole gives a further explanation and it helps the once-Gentry get a better picture. First it had been the Oasis declaring on Wolfbron, now it is the Mire. Other than the challenge by the unknown woman that Sole attempted to save, he has no idea what bone the Mire has to pick with the Bluffs. It makes him feel frustrated to see his friends get harmed for… what appears to him as the nothing here.

“I… understand,” the Firnen Sovereign pauses — “I’ve never been much for war either, but it seems to follow me regardless. I cannot say that Firnen will be without it’s battles. I want it to be peaceful, Sole, but I can’t leave the Bluffs either if the Mire continues to be reckless for no reason, too. That said, I’d never force you to fight.” Rest. Heal. They have earned it, that is for sure. “Maybe we’ll be lucky and they’ll be reasonable.” For once. Cupid gives a half-hearted chuckle.

“And of course… you can stay here, if you want.” Sole is one of the people he’s known the longest in Amaryllis — has come to care about after all they’ve been through. He’d not deny him a would-be sanctuary.

table by sentinel / lion + rainforest

Then I'll stay with you. He needs nothing more than the comfort of a friend during this time. He had fallen, what more was there to say? It is not like they can go back and undo the timing that so angrily took home from them. No matter less than that of what took his beauty from him. It is an ache deep within the lilac Hubbard's chest that seems as if it well never dull. Ever growing and deafening within the porous molecules binding his figure together once more.

place me where you need me. where you see fit. you know of my loyalty to you He blinks back any signs of hesitation that would come within the abandonment to their sovereigns right hand. No. Zoticus would understand. Surely he would. After all, their standing alliances were of what kept them linked in a pact. Family was family, even if one of those sides were war hungry battle babies that jumped at any opportunity to sink their teeth into something. Wolfbron had been all that they had, so why turn their backs on them now?

I'll do anything you say of me If @Cupid said stay, he would stay. Fight, he would fight. Rest..well reluctantly so Sole would. His life was now within the hands of that whom he had come to know and trust the most within his time in their foraged home. There was always a comfort about Cupid that Arjana could never understand, or even match up to. It was simply just a connection that would be forged through their times.

He knows @Sole would do what he feels necessary to keep Firnen safe — he’d done so with Wolfbron, and even extended such bravery towards the fallen woman in the Mire. Cupid will in return help the lilac scout, too. He nods slowly, eyeing the fresh wounds and formulating what plants he will need to patch him up.

“For now, we’ll have you be our Lead Scout so it’s a smooth transition from the Bluffs,” and a position that is important to fill within the Rainforest. It is, after all, new to them. Former members might have their lay of the land by now, but Cupid? Nah, he doesn’t quite know what he’s gotten himself into.

“You’ve got to promise me to take care of yourself though… that’s the only order I’d give you. We’re friends.” The paladin gives a smile at that, and hopes it lightens the mood of the lilac just a tad.

table by sentinel / lion + rainforest

perhaps in another life they could've been as lively and youthful as ever. with little to no care of what the whims of a war-torn world would whisk away from them in due time. yet, the reality of it is that these things would only happen in fairytales. they didn't live in a fairytales. the real world was cruel and unforgiving, giving and taking with little to no regards of in how it would affect the circle of life. after all, did it matter unless it shifted the fate of the whole world? no. it didn't. maua would remain silent all until her precious creation was threatened. it was the whim of amaryllis' ways. war and blood shed were a common slate of life, and while his initial intentions upon arriving were to keep the peace. sole had come to realize that this was not possible. those who spoke of peace were regarded as foolish and cast unto the depths of the seas. thus, he had come to forge himself unto something more than what would be of his former shell.

he will take the position with little to no hesitation, after all - it was something that was familiar unto him. scouting, learning the ways of the terrains. it came as a second nature to his sleuth. of course. he had been careless in the past coming seasons - throwing himself unto the fray of battle with little to no regards of his own well-being. yeah. that was an improvement that needed to be made. thank you, @cupid he deserves all the praise and ten-fold. if there was anything that sole knew deep down it was that cupid beaumont, king of firnen, and beloved friend - would do just fine. so, how's life as a king?

@Sole accepts the rank without issue — not that Cupid thought there would be one, unless the lilac wished to remain a regular member until he healed. He would have encouraged that even. Health is so much more important than rankings, says the man who is now High Sovereign with a bum leg at the moment.

“Welcome home then, uhm,” he shifts, glancing towards the Rainforest with hope that it won’t be a bloody mess for them forever. Tensions high in Amaryllis meant that they likely won’t see peace anytime soon — Cupid doubts there ever would be here. He’s learning the hard way that life was easy during his youth until the raid attacked.

“I… I don’t know? It’s not something I was… trained to be or, really know what I’m doing, but I’m going to try my best.” It is a responsibility that the spotted boy took up on his shoulders after all. “I don’t have my stock with me here, but… we should get you patched up some.”

table by sentinel / lion + rainforest

I don’t think anyone’s ever ready for this kind of thing. It is the sincerity that laces his tone, he offers reassurance to the growing king. If there was anyone that sole ever thought would see fit to the fairing of a sovereign life, it was Cupid. He was honest, brave, sincere, truthful - just all around the pristine picture of a worthy man. He’s seen few and many kings in his time, some of which were unfit to ever settle upon their thrones and others who were unjustly plucked from them with little to no remorse. Cupid wasn’t like that though. He would do just fine. Sole knew this, but perhaps, the council would need more than just an adversary to lean upon. you’ll make a great king sugar, honey sweet. He butters up the Beaumont with words of adoration and bashful sincereness. Wishing to bring any worries inside that pretty little head of his to rest, Cupid Beaumont would make history in amaryllis. the best that these lands have ever seen was that even possible? He didn’t know of the kings of the past, but sole liked to think that his friend would rise above them all. Defying the odds of the brewing tensions that broke chains before their very lineage.

we should have a feast he seems to ignore his concerns for the battered scout, brushing away negative connotations to the wanderlust glory that is the throne that his best friend sits upon. a bonfire to celebrate. King Cupid of Firnen Rainforest. The best, and most handsome that Amaryllis has ever seen sole opts to joust, pressing away the oozing pin pricks of pain that trickle throughout his bones. Yeah, he should defiantly get patched up before any of that. After all, he needed all of the strength that he could get to throw such an extravaganza. lots of food, games even, to make a statement to amaryllis yknow? Let them know we’re not like the other prides before. Is he serious? I don’t think he’s ever been more serious in his life about something before. He wants to make a positive impact upon this lifetime, not wither like the others. but yeah, maybe I should get patched up first

@Sole flatters him on a level that takes him by surprise — flustered cheeks tinge pink. Suddenly he goes from “yay friend!” to shy in a matter of seconds. There is much he learns during the open compliments he is showered in; Sole thinks he will make a good leader (a great king!), Sole also thinks he is the best and handsome. Cupid wants to find a rock to hide behind. It’s silly, here he is just as beat up as the lilac scout is and yet he thinks so highly of him. He smiles, small and secret — part of him knows he’s just doing this to cheer Cupid up, but he appreciates nonetheless.

“I don’t… I don’t know about all that,” he stumbles, a nervous chuckle escapes him a beat after. “But a feast to celebrate does sound nice. We’ll talk about it when you aren’t so beat up.” Like Cupid has much room to talk right now. He taps his dark tail to Sole’s shoulder and leads him off towards the area he’s found a few plants that just might help with the healing process.

— EXIT TO FADEY HEAL SOLE —

table by sentinel / lion + rainforest