OOC NOTE: For the sake of timelines, this thread is set BEFORE the drowning ceremony but after the threads where Nadia and Desdemona tell Magnus that they are pregnant and subsequently both join SL. I've deliberately kept it vague as to whether or not the kids are in OH/SL/rogueing it up at this point because I'm not sure who wants to join in this thread (bearing in mind it might take a while due to absences) or who wants a one on one with Papa to speed things up.

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It was a meeting that was long overdue. But as the days passed Magnus - gradually, slowly but surely - began to feel his strength return to him. With it came great revelations; not just one but both of his wives - his dearest loves - were expecting. His eldest were on the cusp of turning a year old, and it would now be time to unite them all under one banner. So, with low urgent calls, he would summon @Desdemona and @Nadia to meet him by the shoreline. @Myrkvi, @Voluspa, @Rasmus and @Hrefna would not be spared either - they too ought to be present for this. After all, they would soon learn of the existence of their half-brothers and sisters, and he wanted such news to come from him, and their mother. Desdemona was to be a crucial part of this family, and he simply wanted them all to mesh well enough together to make that happen.

All he could do was trust that his children knew better than to disappoint him.

Rasmus had a tendency of taking his time when it came to gatherings. Unless of course the individual summoning them was his father. The young prince knew better then to keep him waiting, less he face his wrath and Rasmus had no intentions of willingly seeing that side to @Magnus. So when the low summons came the yearling was moving quickly across the land. He hadn't settled into the Lagoon yet, there was still part of him that was attached to the Hollows. And with the drowning ceremony creeping up upon him he preferred to keep his distance from the ocean until then. He had always had an affinity for the water but for the time being .. distance was best. He crossed easily over the borders to his father's new home, a deep chuff echoing from his own throat as he moved to close the space between them. It was not long until the hulking form of his father appeared in the distance, though it seemed that it was him and only him, for now. "Father." Rasmus cool tones would drift as he approached, no longer a boy but not necessarily a man just yet Rasmus moved to take his place only a few strides to Magnus' left. He rocked backwards on his haunches so he could sit, meanwhile his skull was lifted high and lilac gaze focused despite his disheveled mane drifting across his forehead. And now he would wait .. for whatever this was.

table by ferus

A summons from father meant a prompt response. Like @Rasmus Myrkvi had a form of attachment to the underground caverns he had known since his birth. It would only be perfection if they connected to the ocean. The prince moved with the swiftness of his yearling frame despite the fact he was to be more bulk than lean the more he matured. He didn’t even think twice about stepping over the scent line, he knew he was welcome here even without the call from @Magnus. The spirit called for the ocean after all. It was not difficult to find the gathering place even though the territory was not yet as familiar as the Hollows. So far, it was only his father, his brother and himself in attendance. Myrkvi would choose to sit beside Rasmus (as usual) and wait.

table by ferus, art by munk, unsplash stock

She followed after the forms of her brothers, uncaring whether or not they consented to being tailed. Hrefna had grown accustomed to the trek between the hollows and the lagoon, the sprawling scenes and unique landscapes which she had not been allowed to see in her younger days tucked securely within the caverns. She was quicker in her strides than she might have been with someone else summoning them--anyone except for the expectant figure of their father.
"Pabbi," she breathed with a smile as she approached with the others, this being the only informality she would dare take until they knew the reason behind their meeting.

code by javs | art by irish

dutiful as always, voluspa was never far behind the trail of her siblings, nor the summoning of her father's will as it reached out across the sands of the lagoon. it was thrilling to be so close to the ocean, finally, after so much time -- and while a part of her would always love the hollows for what it had given them, it had never been the endgame for their family. and so, with a small huff, the princess continued to push herself forward, eyes trained carefully upon the shapes of her family as they grew within her vision, appearing as though there was something important that needed to be discussed today. thankfully, for them, vellen had been kind to bless them as of late -- and so she had little fear that today would not also bare good and fruitful news. nonetheless, she would pull up silently along the edge of the yearlings with a curious look looming across her gaze, bowing her head respectfully to her father, before dropping her haunches to the earth below.

she's busy tanning among the foliage of the lagoon and allowing the sea breeze to tousle her fur when her husband calls. while she's always eager to please her husband, the calico moves a little more slowly this time, loathe to give up her patch of sun. there's also the matter of the new lives within her and desdemona moves with all the worry and concern of a first time mother, each step and path taken a calculated thing. when she arrives, the huntress notices the bundle of shadows and a single white pelt and she pants a soft "oh," instantly recognizing these as @Magnus' and @Nadia's brood.

the patchwork cat had watched them been born, had purposely kept her distance at nadia's insistence of introducing them steadily, and she swallows thickly, unsure of just what to say as her gaze flutters from one shadow to the next and then to magnus. instead, she decides to come closer, opting instead to sit just to the side of them all and magnus, hoping to form a blossoming circle. their mother isn't here yet and the woman purrs a lackadaisical greeting of "hey." completely unpostured and lackadaisical compared to the formality that each yearling boasts. ( at their age, she was running rampant, dancing over the paws and warning of her father and mother ) she has an idea of what this is about - introducing her, mayhaps? - but is content to let their father explain and take charge of his family.

desdemona feels that she shouldn't slouch, lest the children show her up and squares her haunches before lowering to her elbows instead, one paw tossed softly over the other as she rasps her tongue over her brine scented chest. one part of her wants to reach out with a claw and deflate the air from the sigrun brood, perhaps urge them to relax, but holds her tongue for now. "if i didn't know any better, i'd think you all were as aged as your old man."

somewhat.

@Voluspa @Myrkvi @Rasmus @Hrefna

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Nadia moved as swiftly as she could manage given the zebra foal that she was dragging. This meeting today would be an important one and what better way to celebrate then to have a decent meal to go with it? She realized that she would likely be holding things up so she moved as quickly as she could as she traversed through the Lagoon. The former Queen was still getting used to the new terrain and with her slightly rounded stomach it was evident that she wasn't necessarily as quick as she used to be. When she finally made her way onto the beach and spied the cluster of ebony individuals save for the two that stuck out like sore thumbs (@Rasmus and @Desdemona) she let out a light chuff from beyond the zebra leg she had gripped in her teeth. Dragging the prey she set it down gently in the middle of the gathering before speaking, "I brought some food for us.. now, children. This is Desdemona, your father and I want to introduce you properly.. She is very special to us, someone that we love and care about and is another wife to your father.. as you know in our lifestyle we accept multiple partners, and if you will eventually be comfortable enough she could be another mother to you all." Nadia said with a soft smile, reaching outward with a dark paw to place it gently on top of one of Desdemona's before moving to sit alongside her, their coats touching gently as she leaned against her. "Whatever questions you all have.. now is the best time to ask them. And relax, you don't all need to be so stiff. She is family after all." Nadia says then with a full grin, dark eyes moving to each child before shifting to @Magnus, surely he would be able to then approach the topic of new siblings that would be joining them in the near future.

@Hrefna @Voluspa @Myrkvi

@Rasmus arrived first, with @Myrkvi shortly behind; both boys seemed sombre, and Magnus would watch both of them settle on the sand, offering a nod of greeting to each. @Hrefna seemed a little warmer - a little less sober - and her sire cracked the smallest of smiles. It lingered there until @Voluspa took her seat, too. Then he would straighten up a little, heeding the approach of both of his wives. @Desdemona cracked the joke, as expected, and Magnus would simply tut in response with a faux frown - offering a nip to the cheek in greeting. @Nadia would take the lead in the conversation, which honestly suited the patriarch just fine. It was only once she fell silent that he would say his piece.

"I expect you all to accept and respect Desdemona as part of our family. She and your mother are both carrying your younger siblings, and you will be expected to set an example to them all." He paused, giving them a moment or two to process the news of the family's expansion before continuing. "Your Drowning is almost upon us. When the time comes, I want for you all to be under the Lagoon banner - as princes and princesses." His attention shifted between each of them equally. "When you are a little older, it will be up to you where you decide to live; once you have emerged from your ceremony you will be an adult in the eyes of the clan. We have friends in the Cove, in the Oasis, in the Brook, and in the Mire. You could even return back to the Hollows, and assist your aunt Ulla in her rule. If you decide to leave Scilla, I would suggest to choose one of those strongholds first; we do not know where we stand with the others so it is unchartered territory." Though that would soon change. His lip curled as the subject shifted. "And as for the Bluffs, I do not need to tell any of you twice that with Zoticus' displacement they are an enemy that we are in active conflict with. In these uncertain times I would prefer for you to stay closer to home. I am sure your mother feels the same." He paused, then, to turn to Nadia and Desdemona before shifting his gaze back to the yearlings.

"If you have anything you wish to discuss, I suggest we do it over dinner." A long pause, to give each of them time to speak, would be issued; then Magnus would lower himself to the ground, keen to sink his fangs into the meal provided.

EXIT

the sigrun waited upon baited breath, her eyes slipping carefully between the adults in a curious, though somewhat apprehensive, fashion while awaiting the news. when it came, however, voluspa found herself relaxing, for the announcement was far less worrisome than previously assumed. "oh, well why didn't you just say so." the valkyrie exhaled, a grin cracking across the edges of her complexion as she twisted her muzzle in @Desdemona's direction. "welcome to the family, desdemona." the words were sincere and genuine, eyes gleaming with a newfound brightness, as she looked towards her father's newest wife with a small nod of her crown. the concept was familiar to her, as it was all to all sigruns -- and though it would be odd to see magnus with someone other than nadia, it would be due to habit more than anything else.

attention shifted once more as their father continued to speak, detailing his plans and intentions for the near future, and his desire for them to join him beneath the banner of scilla. it was expected, of course, but hearing him say it brought an excited sort of thrum to the yearling's chest nonetheless. "father, i'd be honored to join you all in the lagoon. vellen will be pleased." she concluded swiftly and without a moment of hesitation, her satisfaction evident as it loomed across her features. that was where they belonged, and surely, where they were meant to be.

table code by ferus

"Of course, I'll stay, father." The prince would answer as Magnus expressed his desire for his children to move to the lagoon. it was not a surprising request for the sovereign to make. pride adjustments aside, myrkvi looked to the lioness being introduced to them. he had no qualms with offering her the respect that was required of him for her status as a wife of his father. the news did soften his posture some and a rare yet small smile was offered to @Desdemona "welcome to the family." he greeted politely and sincerely. as things settled, the shadowy prince moved to join the group to eat as a crowned lagoon prince.

-exit

table by ferus, art by munk, unsplash stock