Life had a way of creating its own distractions. Knowing that his niece was settled into the Brook among the other family members that had taken refuge here, the mauve lion had opted for just a little time away from it all to settle his own mind and process his own grief. In the process, however, the Hodari had been faced with the opportunity for a new home, and thus occurred the rise to power in Obsidian Hollow. Now that things had settled just a bit for the masked lion, and Roan had healed since the fight, it was time to venture back out into the world and see if @Kallan still wished to stay in Vermeda.

Completely unaware of what had transpired within the Brook, the jarring change in the scent lines brought worry to the Hodari's features. It was not Nymeria's scent along the familiar borders. There was something foreign mixed with what he thought might be Aquila's scent? The lingering scents of many seemed to criss cross all over the place as Roan approached the natives' territory, concern building within his chest. It mattered little to him now, if Kallan wished to stay. If he could not pinpoint exactly who was ruling yet, he just wanted to collect her into Obsidian until he knew more. A few soft chuffs carefully called for the young girl, hopeful that she was here and unharmed. Whatever had happened here, Roan couldn't live with himself if she had gotten caught up in it. Yet another family member he might have let down. He would wait a little ways back from the borders, attempting to remain half-hidden within the surrounding treeline in case a stranger approached first. He just wanted to see the familiar sight of his niece and no one else.

Uncle Roan! Kallan cried out as she sprang forward to try and embrace the mauve lion, whose large form did not seem so giant compared to hers as it used to. She had grown in recent months and was beginning to appear much more of a lanky teenager than the bumbling cub she had been back in the mire.

I was scared you would not come back, she confessed as she attempted to look up at his face with her brows knit together. Nymeria--well, the pride got taken. I don't know what has happened to everybody, Kallan tried to explain, fumbling over her own words as she tried to convey the information as quickly as possible. So much had happened in a short amount of time, and the sight of a family member made her want to cling on and never let go.

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The sight of @Kallan was a welcomed one indeed, easing any fear he had of her well-being. Despite the confusions the mauve lion held about what had gone on here, at least his niece appeared unharmed. She had grown, in fact, even just from the last time he had seen her. This observation, however, made Roan realize that he had been apart from her for longer than intended. "Kallan," the masked man purred as she embraced him, aiming to nuzzle his head against hers if she would allow it.

"I'm sorry I took so long. I didn't mean to," he began his apology in earnest as his darling niece looked to him. "But something happened during that time. To make a long story short, I've taken over Obsidian Hollow." Roan would cut right to the chase, sparing details to be shared later. What mattered was that they had a home again, if she wanted it. As for what little his niece could offer about Nymeria, the masked king could only frown slightly. "Yeah, I feared as much as I got closer to the borders. Doesn't smell right around here. I hope she's okay." He'd need to do some investigating for sure, but right now, all the mauve man wanted to do was make sure Kallan was safe.

It's okay, she responded instantly, eager to shoo away his apologies for being gone. She knew that adults had their reasons for doing things, even if they were always mysterious and elusive to Kallan. Whatever the reason, she found her chest tightening at the notion that he might feel stuck with the responsibility of her.

Obsidian Hollow? Kallan questioned with a furrowed brow, pulling back to study the large lion's face. She did not know much about the place, though she had fleeting memories of visiting with them when she was only a cub. Life felt unrecognizable then, as she looked back--it was a time of princes and princesses, and securing fanciful alliances. She had no such things to offer, now. Are you a king? Is the family going there now? Questions poured out as they came to her, trying to race to understand what this meant for them.

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The mauve lion was relieved that @Kallan didn't harbor a grudge against him and his lengthy absence. He wouldn't dwell on the matter for long either, more interested in figuring out what had happened here as well as getting her to her new home, if she wanted to live in the Hollow at least. With a nod, With a nod, Roan confirmed her question. "Yes, Obsidian Hollow. It is where Magnus once ruled. He was an ally to Ecrosia for a while. But another member of his family was ruling it recently when rogues seemed to have driven them all out." It was ironic to have taken over a pride after its former inhabitants had been driven out in a very similar way the Hodari had once lost their home. It was a bittersweet victory.

"So, yes. I am High Sovereign now after challenging another male's claim of the deserted lands. I'm not exactly thrilled to be living underground, but at this point, a home is a home." Roan no longer had any cares to give about where he lived now, so long as he had some semblance of family around. It wasn't much yet, but at least there was Faelyn, Avana, and Lysander. Hopefully that would be enough for Kallan to wish to go as well. "My sister, Avana, has joined me, and Faelyn, a longtime friend of the Hodari. They were both in Ecrosia before..." the floods, but he couldn't say it. Kallan was young and probably didn't remember them anyway. "And Lysander is there, too. There are a few other members already, but that is it as far as family goes." Roan would answer questions as they were asked, expecting his niece to have many inquiries as to this new change of home. The masked man did, however, have a question of his own. "Do you... do you want to live with us, too, Kallan?" He wouldn't force her, but wholeheartedly prayed she'd say yes.

Will they be angry with us? She questioned thoughtfully, trying to imagine what must have happened to Magnus and his family after being driven out. While she certainly wanted them to have their own home, there was a distinct pit settling in her stomach at the idea of moving into somewhere that was not the mire. Kallan tried to swallow down the hollowness in her chest but only felt it worsen as she could practically see her old life slipping through the grip of her claws. While no one had promised they would return, it was Kallan's unspoken light at the end of the tunnel. If not for normalcy, what was she enduring all of this for?

She tuned back into her uncle's words as he explained the Hodaris who were joining him, Lysander's presence most relevant to the girl's interests.

Did... did you find Taj? Kallan asked, practically already recoiling at the answer she knew she was about to receive. They said not to ask questions one did not want the answer to, but she found herself unable to resist. She needed to know. All of this tiptoeing around the grief left the child disoriented at best and panicked at her worst moments. She could not bring herself to respond to his questions until she knew this.

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Will they be angry with us? That was a fair and valid question, and one that Roan didn't fully know the answer to. He could only guess at the moment. "I don't think so. I hope not anyway. I know no one likes seeing their home getting taken over by someone else, but at least they have the Lagoon to go back to. Magnus still rules there." At least the Sigrun had a backup. The Hodari had not been so fortunate. The Brook was nice, but it was not the same as going back to family. Not like when Roan had gone back to the Mire after losing the Rainforest. He didn't have his brother to clean up his mess this time.

When the maned girl did not immediately answer his question about her joining the Hollow, Roan could already feel the heartbreak forming. What if she didn't want to go with him? What if she wanted to stay here? Even worse, what if she didn't want to be with any of them anymore? It was painfully obvious that providing her with the stable home and family she deserved was a struggle to be had, but Roan was surely trying. Instead, @Kallan went on to ask something else of him, something else that worsened the dread within him. Taj. No matter how much he had looked for his nephew, he had found no evidence of the boy. Surely if Jafar had found in Ecrosia after returning, he would have sent word by now. Or even Magnus if Taj had washed ashore there? But Roan had heard nothing from anyone, nor found him on his own. He feared his nephew was bestowed the same fate as his father. It was only after a long pause and swallowing down the lump in his throat that Roan finally managed to form an answer. "I.... No... I haven't..." The grief threatened to choke his words again. "I'm sorry, Kallan." Just when he thought he had something to finally offer his niece in the form of a Hodari home again, the uncle would continue to fall short in providing what she really wanted and needed; her brother.

"I haven't." The statement echoed over in her mind a few times, the meaning of the words beginning to settle in as their terrible reality. Blame and accusation were the farthest things from the child's mind, but she could not manage to hide the despair etched in every crease of her expression.

Oh, she gasped in a breath, unable to squeeze anything louder through the tight clenching of her throat. Taj was lost to her--just like Hemlock and like Father, and even like Mother, Aphelion, and Delphine. It had been simple to put their rescue on hold when they were first working on finding refuge, but Kallan could do no such thing all these months later. There was no running from the loss of them when it threatened to suffocate her at any moment.

I--Yes, I want to live with you, she answered with renewed firmness, gaze trailing back up to try and meet her uncle's of vibrant green. The thought of another move was nothing short of dreadful, but even young Kallan knew that her greatest chance at happiness lay with the remaining members of her family. If they were nestled in the hollows, she would be, too.

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The silence killed him over and over again. That one little oh escaped his niece eventually, though it did little to reassure Roan of her well-being. He knew what it was like to lose a home and family all in one fell swoop, but he hadn't been this young when it happened the first time, and he at least still had his father. It was only a fraction of what @Kallan was going through now. "I'm sorry," the masked man found himself muttering again, eyes shutting tight as his head shook a bit. If he could just bring them all back for Kallan, even if only just one.

In the end, though, the mane girl accepted his offer to live in Obsidian with the small group of Hodari. The king's gaze opened once more with the words, meeting the pale blues of her own gaze. The firmness in her voice was the only thing that made him believe that Kallan might actually really want to be with them and wasn't just accepting the home because she had to. At least, that's what Roan would let himself believe. "I'm so happy you'll join us. Lysander will be, too, I'm certain." At least they'd have each other.

She shook her head with renewed vigor as she attempted to push forward as if she were about to physically lead him back to the hollows.

There's nothing that can be done, now, she recited the words of a grown-up in her moment of doubt. Can we go now? I want to see Lysander, Kallan explained with pursed lips. Whatever it was that threatened to break free from her, she had no interest in witnessing it right then. She would do just as her ancestors had for generations: pick up and start again, pushing through what felt like the impossible.

[exit]

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