He had loitered around this labyrinth for a few days now, interested in getting to know this new land as best he could in the time they had. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon as Sahir sat perched atop a rocky ledge and looked out over the surrounding territory within his view. Surely they would press forward soon with renewed purpose, but he knew that taking the time to recuperate after their long journey was important. Even he knew when to stop asking things of his lionesses. Sahir craned his neck slightly upward to look out at the sky, the faint shimmer of stars still visible despite the yellow tones along the horizon. Their message was clear--this was the place. Only, Sahir did not know how to make their fate come to pass here now that they had found it. || may y7 | three years | rogue lion | at grimoire's labyrinth | tag @Basira @Rhaps ||

Basira had been keeping a low profile since entering Amaryllis. Keeping an attentive eye on her husband, of course, but also doing a little investigating of her own. She hadn't run into anyone of note here, not just yet, but she had every faith that @Sahir had perhaps scavenged up something more interesting than she. The young lioness appraised him with a low chuff of greeting as she reached the end of the scent trail, lips turning up at the corners as his familiar frame came into view. Hers. "Sahir," Basira rumbled softly, seeking to rub her cheek against his shoulder affectionately as she drew up alongside him.

"Sahir," comes her familiar voice, his name announcing Basira's presence before he could detect her. He craned his neck to get a look at her in the dawn moonlight and attempted to rasp a doting lick along the fur atop her velvet crown. "Basira, come sit," he urged her lowly in the tongue of their homeland, his gaze shimmering as he looked upon her--his first wife. Sahir knew better than to add any fuel to the politics of wives, but there was a familiarity that came with the position. Sitting there looking out at their starry view, he felt the familiar yearning to prove her right for following him there. @Basira

His request was not let hanging between them for long. "Of course." Dutifully, Basira would drop to her haunches, tail curling neatly around her paws. Even in this new place, even when it was just for his eyes only, she would still mind herself; still portray herself as neat and tidy and prim. "What is on your mind, husband?" The question is soft in tone but still prying - such was her nature. To investigate, especially when it came to @Sahir and his inner workings. She knew him well enough - more than well enough, most would say - but she would not rest until she knew him inside out. And so she would wait, patiently, trusting that he would at least indulge her a little.

He attempted to settle in at her side, scooting over when she remained sat upright and poised so that he might lean into the soft plushness of her coat. "What is on your mind, husband?" Basira questioned him and he could only quirk one brow upward as he tried to determine how much was worth sharing. "We know we should be here, but the next step is not clear to me," Sahir explained simply. Though admitting to this sat like a weight within his gut, a year of marriage had taught him that his wives had a way of picking up the pieces when Sahir fell short. "This land is different. I do not know where to begin," Sahir sighed. @Basira

The warm, prolonged contact between their flanks would prompt the subtlest of purrs from the crimson-pelted wraith. She was a woman with few desires outside those of her husbands - devoted, always - and so she would listen attentively, keen to absorb anything that he might give her. "It may not be clear yet..." Basira sought to assure the man with smooth, dulcet tones, level and assured. She would lean closer to him, tucking her head in towards him, revelling in the proximity. "But it will be, my love. We must give it time." The scarlet wraith would aim to place a gentle kiss to Sahir's cheek. "But we must not let them see any hesitation." Them being strangers; those outside their tightly-knit sect. "Lest they believe we are without conviction. I have every faith in you, Sahir. You know this." You must do.

He rumbled lowly to acknowledge what she had said, though he could not quite bring himself to verbally agree with her just yet. The weight of the situation was heavier than any other he had faced before. Sahir sat there with his first wife, absorbing the comfort she gave willingly when she was without her own home because of his actions. He knew her to be a loyal creature, and he knew his own visions to be true, but the high stakes of the situation would not stop weighing upon his mind. "You are a good wife," he praised calmly, attempting to meet her pale pink gaze with his of the summer sun. "Let them see our conviction–let them have no doubt we have been sent here and our mission is true." Sahir renewed his resolve with a stubborn nod. "I will not hesitate." @Basira @Rhaps

You are a good wife.

Oh, how Basira would preen inwardly at such a compliment. From her esteemed husband, no less, whose opinion of her would weigh heavily on her shoulders. Kismet was young and inexperienced, sure, but she was competition nonetheless and Basira would not tolerate being overshadowed in any aspect. And so she would take the compliment graciously, dipping her head with the softest of purrs. I know I am. "You are too kind to me," came dulcet rumbles. "I am lucky to have you. You, who are so driven and without reservation. We will rest, regather ourselves,"

A pause, then, as she attempted to catch his gaze with her own.

"And then we will take." It was eerily calm; a statement, as opposed to a proposition. It was not a suggestion, as she knew it would be so - as did @Sahir.

Comfortable in her praise and affection, Sahir bent over in an attempt to rasp his tongue lovingly over the tops of her red ears in grooming licks. He knew he would need her soon, and it was more important than ever before that they were united as a group. He was not stupid enough to anticipate her and Kismet to be the best of friends, but their faith in him could not falter. Not now. "I won't let anyone else stand in our way," he promised lowly. "You were meant to be a queen and I have not forgotten my promise to you." Again he attempted to meet her gaze with intention, knowing it would all fall apart the moment Basira began to doubt him. He allowed the silence to wash over them for a couple of moments, content in how it would aid in driving his point home. Then, he spoke. "Should we perform a blessing? Let our intentions be sealed," Sahir suggested. @Basira +10 - Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group

You were meant to be a Queen.

Basira would tilt her chin upward, regarding the brute in her peripheral as she sent a coy smile his way. It was the same promise made to her on her wedding day, surrounded by scrutinizing faces and exotic decoration. It was the same promise whispered to her by her mother - a woman, wed to a lord, fuelled by her desire for prestige; who had done all she could to mould her daughters into more successful miniature versions of herself. Hearing it again and again did not make the words lose its meaning. Basira was not the most patient of women, but she could see the sincerity in Sahir.

"Good."

She softened a little, then, smiling as she leaned in to brush her nose against her beau's mane. "Lead the way, my love." She would straighten up, then, ready to follow whichever ritual Sahir decided to engage in. They would need all the blessing that the spirits were prepared to offer.