The day promised to be pretty, of a long missed air of peace, of calmness. Two things the lioness havent felt in a long time now, seeing them taken away by the past events that brought a broad change to her old life style, one of tranquility, of no worries about hers and her family's well being. Now with the changing times, all of that wasnt a reality any longer, a reality she missed dearly. Back when her family would live in peace, away from the darkness some newcomers were bringing along their steps. Her own home now stained but them, by the evil's wishes. Luckily Aquila and the others were able to drive away their cruel presence, restoring somehow the peace. But for Tullia it was hard to not fear still, to not worry about their integrity as a family. Scattered now, forced to divide. Something hardly done in the past, sticking like an unit, and now gone.

The Grotto seemed to be the last place of peace she would recognize as safe, as a place that still brought the room to think and allow her stormy thoughts to flow away with the cascade outside. Eyes rested around, within the granite walls, being quite the time since she ever came here again. A deep breath let in the air to her lungs, feeling the peace, the quietness. She would lay down, stretching her forelimbs as she closed her silver eyes, allowing the noise from the waterfall flood her ears, her heart. She was slowly feeling the peace, the serenity long missed. @Tamlen

Code by Cloudy, Art By Cloudy

Spring was beginning to bloom across the lands and Tamlen looked forward to the warmer months - the calm skies and the new buds that broke free from their wintry slumber. It would be a little while before the vines covering the granite Grotto changed their colour though, they were a hardier plant by far and didn't die off so dramatically when winter came. It made the Grotto a little bit of a law unto itself - sheltered from most of the bad weather, only the wind that filtered down to the bottom of the hidden grove could be wearing. Tamlen spent most of his days attending to his duties - worship of Maua, caring for the spirits who also called the Grove home, updating his medicinal supplies. And yet, there was a kernel of loneliness to his days that he hadn't felt before.

A recluse by nature, Tamlen often felt that the only company he needed was that of his deceased friends. It was easier to talk to them than it was the living and he didn't feel the need to hide his guilty soul so much with them. They often didn't ask. But as the slipped back towards the Grove behind the waterfall, his colossal form surprisingly nimble for its sheer size and fluffiness, sky blue eyes caught sight of a living visitor and he stopped mid-step. Tension rippled along his piebald body, ears alert and tail quivering. He could turn around and slip away - he possessed at least enough stealth to do such a thing. But he reminded himself forcefully that the Grotto didn't belong to him though he lived there, others were always free to come and go as they pleased. And as he took in the wheat coloured feline, reclined and relaxed in the serene sunshine, there was another thrill - of recognition. The name was hard coming, though her family name was easy enough to remember. "@Tullia Valour." His voice was soft, sweet, high as he stepped carefully from the shadows and into the light. He remembered the Valour girl from when they had been younger, before the invasion and devastation that had followed.

Her recovering body rested into the granite of the sanctuary. The only one she could call as such now, not even The Brook seemed of a safe place anymore. If one was able and had the cold heart to bring wat their doors, she didn't doubt more could easily follow into their steps. She tried to relax, to let her troubled mind find peace. Ears flattened, deep inhalations took place, and there she began to feel calmer, to feel the so missed sensation of peace. But then, ears switched as steps echoed within the cavern's. Eyes opened while her head moved to the side, finding a large figure enter into the chambers. Did the monster who raided their home followed here? But for Tullia's relief, a familiar long not seen face. "@Tamlen?" A figure she haven't seen since she was a teenager. "What a surprise old friend." She said softly. Actually happy to see him

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For several seconds, Tamlen wasn't sure he'd got the right lioness. The name had bubbled from his lips without much more thought and if he got that wrong, that would have been embarrassing. And for a handful of heartbeats, she had opened her eyes and looked as though she was scared, or at the very least worried. Until her masked features softened and his name came questioningly from her lips. He had been right. In spite of his generally reclusive nature, a shy smile warbled its way onto his lips and he stepped closer, drawn in by the warmth in her voice and the familiarity with which she spoke. Perhaps Tamlen did not realise that sometimes, being alone wasn't always what he needed. "It's been... A lifetime." He breathed, voice high and sweet. It had been a lifetime ago - before the outsiders, before the disease, before the ceremony. Instinctively his tail clamped closer around his back end, hiding from view the lack of masculinity that burned hot shame through him. Even so, he was facing @Tullia, she couldn't see anything, he knew that. Taking a breath, to calm his thumping heart, he stepped forward again. "What brings you to the Grotto?" He asked, uncertain how to bridge the years since they'd last seen one another - how has your life been, on this island we share?

+5 Listen to a living character’s problem and try to help them (??)

Her smile rested still in her lips, stuck by the joy that brought her seeing someone from a distant past, way before the changes. Changes in all the ways across Amaryliss, lands once belonging to them alone, to their peaceful existences, now broken by force by Maua's wish to bring new blood, blood that now spilled theirs like if it was nothing. Breathing deeply, she aimed to erase the toxic thinking that threatened to invade her serene mind. Not all outsiders were mean, she knew better, but part of her lacked the agreement the other side held. He seemed, shy, not too confident in the way he approached, but she wouldnt judge. If he had seen what she did, she knew too well the feeling of not wanting to be near others, fear was an strong enemy, stronger than any invader. "It's alright, @Tamlen. We are safe here." Or so she wished to believe. "Dear friend, life has been a rollercoaster. Both good and bad things had come to my existence. And that of my family." She began, feeling pain building in her chest, throat in a knot of sorrow. "The Brook got ivaded, a male came and challenged my sister for the pride. Sadly Nymeria got injured and a war broke there. I... I couldn't do anything..." No one could. She tried to breath deep and collect herself, but as the memories came like vultures, it became hard. "But Aquila chased away the enemy..." Ears flattened, body now rigid from the stress the memories brought back to her system. "What about you?" She asked back, with a wavy voice.

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Tullia sought first to soothe him and Tamlen appreciated the effort, her calm words reassuring him that it was safe here. He had lived here all this time, a shadow, a ghost himself - nobody had ever invaded here. But he had seen plenty of outsiders exploring these sacred walls and to begin with, he had avoided them completely. His friend sounded world weary as she spoke about the ups and downs of life and an almost wry smile tugged at his lips - it certainly did have its ups and downs. His ears settled back into his enormous mane at the mention of her family. And then Tullia gave him the details. The Brook invaded - war - Nymeria injured. The devastation made its way swiftly and easily onto his face, mouth hanging slack and eyes popped wide as he took @Tullia in.

Soft blue eyes flickered around her body, seeking injury (new or old) on her. Was she okay? Again he took another step forward. "I'm so sorry Tullia - " He was breathless as he gave his condolences, truly feeling dreadful for the circumstances his friend had found herself and her family in. Vermeda wasn't too far away, he could have helped, could have done something. And yet, he had hidden in the Grotto, fearful and ashamed. He swallowed softly, body tense. "Thank Maua for Aquila's victory." He murmured, a blessing sent up to the creator for their mercy. It seemed an almost awkward segue for Tullia to drop such a bombshell and then swiftly move on to his own news (or lack thereof in recent years). "Are you okay? Are you injured?" He asked instead, trying to think if he had any herbs that might help her - physically or emotionally. "Is the Brook rebuilding?" His tone was soft, always soft as he considered what he could do to help.

Eyes of melted silver lurked from Tamlen's form to the surroundings, feeling the silence taking away part of the dread she's been feeling the past weeks. Soothing her heart, a heart broken from seeing her home be the scenario of such a chaotic outcome. It still smelled of blood, of old spilled blood from whoever took themselves into a fight. Ears pinned as she tried to collect herself, trying to bring down the sorrow that was threatening with invading her soul. Claws clicking hard against the stone under her. "Oh @Tamlen..." She whispered as a tear came down her left cheek, feeling dreadful. "Maua...i dont know Tam, why did they allow this to happen? We have done all we could to follow her teachings, her lessons, we welcomed the newcomers with open arms and yet...war comes to our door..." She knew better, she knew this was Maua's fault nor her wish. But it was hard not to want to put the blame on who had allowed these hostile individuals to come to a land of peace. Long gone peace. "Im fine, physically a tleast..and you?" She asked back.

"We are, slowly but on the track." Without noticing she let herself come closer to her friend. Seeking comfort.

Code by Cloudy, Art By Cloudy

It was clear to see the devastation that the events in Tullia's life had caused her and it hurt Tamlen's heart to see his old friend in such a way - ears flattened, a tear running down her cheek. It made his chest ache and he desperately wanted to offer comfort, an embrace or something that would make it better. Guilt and shame held him back, locked his legs in place and refused to allow him to move as Tullia questioned the will of Maua. "They have always worked in mysterious ways, Tullia. I can't speak for Their will, but everything happens for a reason. I am sorry that it has brought you such heartache though." He replied gently, knowing that it was unlikely to bring comfort but also knowing that it was his job to defend the Creator against doubt.

Her reassurance that she was physically fine did not negate the likelihood of severe emotional damage, but the news that they were rebuilding the Brook was at least soothing. "Can I help you, or the Brook, in any way? I will offer prayers for you, but any medical help I can give -" He trailed off with an awkward shrug of his shoulder. He supposed it was only right that he give his own account of the last few years. "When the Outsiders came, my cult leaders wanted to steer clear until we knew if there was a threat. They caught a disease anyway that was brought in my them." He murmured, ears drooping and shoulders hunching against the memory. "I couldn't cure it and they sent me away so that the cult didn't die out completely. I'm the only one who survived." He ended in a whisper, the guilt and shame threatening to overwhelm him completely.

+5 Listen to a living character’s problem and try to help them

"I try to remember that, but they even killed one of us, they did without reason." And in a such shameful way, Valhalla was killed cruelly. As Nymeria was attacked also in the worst of ways. But she knew there was good in this world, there were still kind creatures. Those who stood by the Brook's side. "Thank you for offering your help Tam, we need all the help we can right now. Aquila is a capable leader but we need more than that." Ears low as shame crawled through her eyes. Tail curled around her paws, feeling more and more relaxed, now that she was talking her way out of the sorrow. She listened to his own problems, and perhaps she could try helping him. "Come with me, @Tamlen. I am not sure if this is what you would like, but I can offer you shelter with me. We take care of each other, and Aquila will be happy to let you in. We are safer tighter than being alone." It was the best solution she could offer him. But it was up to him if he would like to accept her invite.

Code by Cloudy, Art By Cloudy

Another blow - that they had taken the life of one of their own. It was a hard pill to swallow, but Tamlen forced himself to think of the blood shed between Native families. It was rare, but in the vast history of Amaryllis, death was no stranger. It was a mark of how far he had come in his own journey that he could look at the situation without placing all the blame on those who emerged from the mists. They were all capable of murder, of ravaging peaceful lands regardless of where they came from. @Tullia's gratitude was met with a brief dip of his head in understanding - strong leadership was only one facet.

And then, his own admission seemed to prompt the invitation. He wasn't sure what he expected, but he blinked softly at her swift about-turn. He wasn't looking for sympathy, or anything really - but it hurt that Tullia did not at least respect the memory of his lost family the way he had acknowledged her hardships. His ears fluttered back against his head, which gave a great, swaying shake. "I can't Tullia." He whispered gently, swallowing softly. He had lived on his own for so long, worshipping and hiding, that he wasn't sure he could leave this Grotto for anything. "The Grotto is my home -" My sanctuary. "I can't leave. But thank you." Tamlen murmured softly, body almost tense as he denied her offer.