The ivory lioness’s nose was full of the scent of the sea. The sand beneath her paws slipped between her toes, causing her to flex her claws outward. Her gaze surveyed the land before her, a land seeming isolated by the ocean as far as she could tell. The land bridge she had trekked across with her son had offered her this at the other side. It had been a while since she had seen a beach. Her tail-tip flickered as she lingered at the mouth of Maua’s Passage, critically examining what laid ahead.

She had been traveling for nearly a year, drifting through places in search of a new home after leaving her old one. Kimagure had no regrets about leaving. The woman had been tired of the games and nepotism. She had wanted better for Tamotsu, and growing up on the road had offered opportunity to harden him to the world in the way the security of his birth never would have.

He was not long from being grown, and the older woman expected him to be trailing not too far behind her. She stepped to the side, stepping beneath the shade of the canopy of a tree, and seated herself. Her tail was wrapped around her, the tip coming to rest before her. Her eyes fell on it for a moment, watching it flick back and forth as if it was keeping time as she waited for her child. He was old enough now that she did not feel the need to keep a constant eye on him, but the lioness always endeavored to know where he was at the very least.

While she waited, she scanned ahead, watching carefully for others.

@Tamotsu

Pandora was back to the first place she arrived, to the first place her eyes saw upon coming from her previous lands. The first place where others actually spoke to her, where she had the first state of "friendship" a word that for so long has been unknown to her. Inexistent, and all because she didn't work as a normal yearling, she lacked the enthusiasm, the playfulness of a lion this young. But being alone all this time, being raised in hard conditions made of her already capable of surviving alone. She didn't have a normal childhood and that was what made up this ice cold manor of hers. She walked through the trees as she tried to shield her white coat from the sun. Eyes of pale blue like the sky scanned the surroundings looking for food, and for potential dangers. And as she walked further, she would spot another lion ahead. White as herself. But as always the female wasn't one to start interactions with strangers, always keeping herself out of trouble so for now she tried to slip to a safe distance from them as she made her way. @Kimagure

art by CloudyNight

Tamotsu was not far behind his mother. In fact he had only broken away to investigate the scent of a male that had seemed recent. Sunset eyes ever watching for signs of danger. Not that his mom needed his protection. She was the best fighter he knew. And was training him to be one as well.

He trotted quickly to return to his mother's side with a light attempted brush to her pelt with is tail. "Spot anything interesting other then sand Mother?" he replied softly, but with a playful note. She was the only one he really interacted with.

The ivory lioness's eyes spotted movement against the sand, a young white lioness. She tracked the female with her eyes, noting when the female spotted her as well. Kimagure remained still for the time behind, but her pelt twitched as her fur lifted almost imperceptibly. The lioness was much smaller than she, tall enough but still lanky as a youngling was.

Kimagure didn't notice her son's approach and tensed momentarily when he brushed her with his tail. She felt irritation at that, not at the touch, but that he had been able to approach without her notice. The lioness knew better than to become so focused on something as to miss out on the sound and scent of approach, but perhaps it was more forgivable being as it was her son.

She glanced at him before returning her gaze to the stranger, who seemed for all intents and purposes not to be interested in approaching. Expecting Tamotsu to follow her gaze, she watched the girl for another moment before sinking down to lie down.

"Perhaps she knows something useful," Kimagure murmured to him, giving it as a cue for him to investigate. It was good for him to do things independently from her, especially now, and perhaps someone nearer to her own age would be less intimidating than the full grown colossal lioness. Tamotsu was already larger than her, but perhaps the female would recognize his age anyway. She seemed skittish as it was, and Kimagure was as always watching from the wings.

@Pandora @Kitsune

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       Footwork. The sand was beginning to wear at the claws, and it was irritating. Especially how it tended to get caught between the toes and just rub. He much preferred the cool darkness of the Hollow. But he was not lazy. Where there was work, he would do it. Even if it meant bending himself a bit in order to do so. So wasn't it lucky that he spotted two white females and young golden male on the sandy straight? Three for one, if he played his cards right.       The clay-clad colossus strode onto the scene with a casual confidence. Yes, he was well aware that two of the three here were larger than him. No, he didn't care. Size wasn't everything, just as age wasn't everything. Drifting to a stop with all three in his view, he spoke. "What do you seek?" An open-ended question, right? They could answer it however they chose, and it would still incite conversation.       Though, the smaller white female appeared to be skirting around interaction. Having come from the North, Zagan was positioned just so that she would need to pass by him in order to leave. Unless she was leaving Amaryllis altogether, that is. 201 words | @Pandora, @Tamotsu, @Kimagure STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

It seemed her attempts to stay away from other's attention failed as right now she felt a pair of eyes staring right into her scruff. And upon that she feel a chilling sensation on her spine as her hackles momentarily rose due to the awful sensation the yearling started to feel. But as brave as she was she ignored it, calm was her face and she was glad she knew how to suppress her emotions enough to don't having them showing in her expression. But as she intended to return Amarylys after her exploration was done, a larger male appeared right into the access entrance to her new home. Ears switched but she kept with her cold expression, standing her ground feeling no need to run nor be a coward. She may be the smaller here but that wouldn't stop her. "Exploring, I am returning home now." She said without a second thought making a step forward to let them know she wasnt afraid of him. She was returning home and that was it. @Zagan @Tomatsu @Kimagure

art by CloudyNight

Tamotsu watched as his mother gave him the signal to go and talk to the other white lioness. Her being closer to his age he supposed. With a friendly smile on his maw he moved forward in a confident but friendly way. Attempting to approach on her left side. However, seeing another male approach, seemingly blocking her path. She stepped forward, showing her own confidence. This was something that brought a true grin to his face. He liked it when others had a strong will.

He attempted to move to her right side but standing about seven feet from it to give her space but also facing the other young male in front of them. "Exploring this beach? Does that mean there are more lands ahead?" he asked in a very interested manner. "Im Tamotsu by the way, what would be your names?" again friendly and charming. However when he looked at the other male his eyes lids closed partly, giving a mostly friendly face, but also a touch of dare. As if to say dont try anything.

@Pandora @Zagan @Kimagure

Kimagure’s ehes tracked the young male lion that approached the girl, her eyebrows coming together as she surveyed him. She had scented many lions here. Was this place mostly dominated by her own kind? She could just hear the girl’s response to the boy. Was he here recruiting? Or were they nearing an occupied territory?

Tamotsu moved away from her, putting on a good face. He was good at that. His approach was different than hers, but no less valid. She scented the air, but remained where she was, waiting to see how things developed.

@Zagan @Pandora @Tamotsu