Weary paws dragged the slim, golden woman up the slopes toward the bluff. Charcoal, striped paws covered in travel dust, tail tip likewise coated. Since she had returned, she had effectively made a beeline to the Bluffs. Magnus had told her that her family lived within, and so she had come - although she had been gone for so long she was no longer sure if they considered her family.
Dark tipped ears twisted back atop masked skull, pausing once she scented the markers of the pride. Both familiar, and so foreign to her now. Gaze roved left and right, searching for a familiar face, a friendly face, across the multiple plateaus that made up the pride. A sharp gust of frigid wind whistled by, causing the fur along Amra's spine to stand on end briefly as she shivered. What she wouldn't give for a sheltered den.
Mouth opened, uttering a low, carrying chuff into the depths of the pride, both hopeful and uncertain. Would they receive her kindly? Amra had been told that the Dieudonne had enemies, and while that was not uncommon, she wondered if that extended to those who left and came crawling back, tail between their legs.
Limbs lowered her body to a crouch, shoulders hunched forward, trying to conserve as much heat within her body on the unsheltered platform as she could while she waited. If they didn't come soon, she knew she would have to come back another time, lest she freeze to death.

@Amara @Vermier if you want

There had been dozens that had circled around Ambro and Mona during their time together. Some she knew better than others but she had a vague memory of everyone to some degree. She arrived to see one of those. She had come here with them, fought with them, before disappearing as well. The black lioness moved closer and stopped a few feet away from the lioness. Her golden gaze swept over her for a moment before focusing back on her features. You seem well. Better off than some that she had come back across. She wasn't sure if @Amra was expecting to see Amara standing here answering her call or not but this is what she got.

Table by Ice. Graphic by Lars.

Eyes half lidded, shut against the brisk wind that barely let up. The sun, while still high in the sky, was slowly making its decent to the horizon, enjoying spending time behind clouds just to help freeze the poor woman crouched upon the cold rock.
But finally Amra's call was answered, the approach of a dark coloured lioness barely noticed by the girl until she was barely ten feet away. Body stiffly rose from a crouch to a standing position as @Amara covered the last short distance, stopping within striking range.
Although the words spoken were not the words expected. Nor was the individual herself. Amra recalled meeting the woman several times - or rather, she amended mentally, not having properly met but done battle alongside. Head tilted in surprise, that Amara should recognise Amra when they had only seen each other briefly in passing. Amra hadn't considered herself an essential player worth taking notice of. But nonetheless, the woman's greeting was better than being chased away. Not to mention her presence here surely meant that the rest were here too.
Head dipped in greeting, unable to form a smile due to the cold, but also finding the feature, once so common upon her face, now an unknown contortion of her mouth. It had been a long time since she had last smiled.
"It's good to see you while not under the threat of war or during battle," Amra replied, head tilted with a pleasant expression at a push. Hind end lowered gently to the rock below, tail curling around as she tried to conserve the warmth she had maintained in her crouch.

Golden gaze stayed on the lioness as she stood and then watched her carefully till she was sure that things weren't going to spin out of control or anything of the sort. Once it was clear that @Amra wasn't going to do anything stupid Amara relaxed and gave a slight nod at her greeting. For the moment things were calm. For the moment. Amara glanced behind her a little, Anyone else with you? So many had gone missing around the same time, Amara couldn't help but wonder if anyone else might show up with her. She didn't see anyone so her gaze settled back on the younger lioness.

Table by Ice. Graphic by Lars.

The woman was blunt and to the point. After having made herself comfortable, she was looked over, Amara's gaze travelling toward the distance behind for a moment before returning with a question. A frown dances upon Amra's features as she shook her head, mildly confused. "No, I'm alone," Amra admitted, now worried slightly that perhaps all her family wasn't here like she had hoped. "Have others gone missing as well?" Ears folded back against her skull, wondering if perhaps the reason Amara was here was simply because there was no one else left. With no family, Amra would be alone again. And while the thought was sad, maybe it would be a chance for the woman to become her own individual, instead of hanging onto ancient ties to a family that could barely register as such when it was simply a long ago ancestor that tied them. But she waited for a reply nonetheless, not wishing to immediately jump to any conclusions before receiving confirmation.

Amara Dieudonné

---

The frown was echoed on Amara's features as @Amra says she is alone. That was disappointing. "Ambrosine has. We hoped that she would be back by now." Amara turned toward the center of the pride and nodded toward it, an invite as she started moving inward. No reason to stand here at the edge. "Cassine and Mithros are both here as is Vermier and a few other family members who have found us." She couldn't really remember the tie that the lioness had but it had been a close one if she could remember right. "You are welcome to join us here. The lands here are rougher than the last lands and we do have enemies here already." Amara looked toward her as she paused mid step "How did you find us here?" This isn't where she would have guessed anyone from before would go. They would have likely gone to the Lagoon first which could end badly. A wave of suspicion washed over her in an unpleasant way.

---

Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

Weary and footsore, it was with disappointment and sadness that Amra received the information that Ambrosine had gone missing. Before Amra had left, the woman had been scarce. It was disheartening to know that the matriarch had vanished. If the rest of the family knew where the woman had gone, Amra didn't ask. It was not her business to know, simply to trust in the Dieudonne woman that she knew where she was and what she was doing.
Amra allowed her stiff, frozen muscles to pull her body to its feet, following awkwardly as blood returned to toes and paws. Ever so grateful for the invitation within the pridelands, happy that she seems to have been accepted back with open arms. Amra wouldn't have blamed @Amara if she'd run her off, she hadn't exactly been around. Ears pressed forward to receive the information that was offered, naming Ambro's cubs and Vermier. Ears perked forward at the mention of her popcorn buddy, pleased that he was still around. She'd missed seeing his sullen face. She hoped he hadn't changed.
"I would like that," Amra admitted with a relieved smile, thankful that she still had a place here. She nodded though at the enemy part. "So I heard," she spoke, "we had enemies before I left as well." A smile didn't quite reach her features, but she was still happy nonetheless. Until Amara paused mid stop. Amra stopped as well, four feet upon the ground as she became the center of the other woman's attention. "I was directed here by Magnus in the Lagoon. I believe he's one of the enemies you mentioned," she spoke, honesty in her words, her face open for reading. She was happy to answer any further interrogation should the woman seek it.

Amara Dieudonné

---

Amara gave @Amra a long look before she started moving forward again. Deeper into the lands. "Indeed he is. His whole family is. Among others." Why would Magnus send her here? That wasn't what enemies tended to do. The whole thing caused Amara's mind to stumble a bit, she didn't like it. She didn't like feeling that she owed anyone anything. "The pride here is growing slowly and we have some loyal members. I am sure that you will fit in well with everyone." Amara hoped as much. "Verm could use some entertainment if you are up for it." Someone needed to handle him and Amara would gladly pass it off to anyone that she could. "I'll let you get settled in. Call for me if you need anything." Amara turned once they reached the den area to let her get settled and figure things out.

exit

---

Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

Whatever @Amara had read in Amra's face was accepted, although the woman could not tell if it was actual acceptance, or suspicion to be thought about and revisited later. Should the woman deem it necessary, Amra would glady answer any further questions; she had nothing to hide. The simple fact that Amra's first meeting with Magnus had gone well enough without throwing bad blood into it was testament to the fact he was a good man. At that, the young woman began to wonder just why their was a family fued, and perhaps, who had started it?
She followed along once more, like a good pet, when Amara began to lead the way again, explaining the pride was growing, and loyal, and much to Amra's delight, that Verm needed some entertainment. The beginnings of a small smile finally crept upon her muzzle, the motion unfamiliar to her now, as she imagined catching up with him again.
They finally ended up at the den area, Amra taking in the space and already working out the merits and downfalls of each space she could choose from. Gaze swept back to Amara as she dismissed herself. "Thank you for allowing me to come home," Amra spoke, lowering her head in a bow before watching the woman saunter off once more, presumably to think. Once alone, Amra set about the task of making herself a quick bed against the frigid night air, happy to be home again.