It's a risk, as all things are. Uzma knows this, but she has a purpose she intends to fill, and her face is a distant one -- vague, unrecognizable. If anyone here does recall her from the moments when a war had broken out on this very ground, it will be only as a bystander, a passerby who had taken no part in their fight. The likelihood of her being seen as any sort of threat more than just that of a simple stranger is unlikely -- and she prefers it that way. It's why she is always so cautious, and just one of many lessons she'd learned from her mother. It's been days since she received her orders, taking time to make certain her scent is neutral and her stores are prepared before she makes for the Brook. At the borders, she sets her herb satchel neatly between her forepaws, and her pale gaze sweeps across the lush forest, bathed in the golden glow of morning. Leaning onto her haunches, Uzma chuffs softly for the pride's leadership, her expression placid and expectant. @Aquila

image by yumpy, code by koi

FORTUNE FORTUNE SMILING FATE
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU MUCH OF LATE
NEED YOU NOW AND CANNOT WAIT
BUT WANNA LOOK, YOU'RE NOT AROUND

She is among many strangers who have come to the borders since Viridian, since spring faded to summer. Each one brought the same question to Aquila's mind when he heard their voice, as he walked to meet them and their scent began to drift over the Brook's lands. Why? He'd met more lions in the last few months than ever before, lions joining, seeking refuge, seeking alliances. And he could not forget those that crept around in darkness.

He approached wordlessly, aiming to come up head on to her and stop with plenty of space left between them. Breathing room. His silver eyes moved over her dark features and to her own gaze. "I am Aquila Valour... can I help you?" So far most of the guests came with reasons. He assumed she was no different than the rogues looking to join, or the pride leaders looking for relationships.

ART BY RABS , CODE BY LARS

She doesn't have to wait long -- Uzma is appreciative of a quick response; it's enough to tell her that this pride is well defended, regardless of who sits at the helm. Thanks to Erna, she already knows his name, but she's hardly about to let onto that, and she watches his approach with a docile gaze, patient and calm. Her ears perch casually forward with his introduction, and a respectful little dip of her chin is offered in return. "Hallå," ( hello ) she greets with a mild-mannered quirk of her lips. "Well met, Aquila. My name is Nadira," she lies without faltering, opting to use her mother's name rather than her own. She may well regret that, having to hear it every day, but it's an easy guise to slip into and a familiar enough title that she doesn't have to be concerned about potentially forgetting someone is talking to her when they use it. Of course, she imagines he'll want to know why she's here, and she wastes little time in continuing the conversation. "I was hoping your pride might have room for another set of paws. I've been on this island for some months now, and your home seems to be one of the more stable ones, if I'm not mistaken?" A slight tilt of her skull accentuates the soft swedish accent of her voice, assessing him for a confirmation. A number of the prides have changed paws, have seen chaos and bloodshed and death -- so who could blame her for looking for a more peaceful place? @Aquila

image by yumpy, code by koi

Stability. Not an uncommon want for someone in a home. Especially if she had other reasons to be tired and in need of a place to rest her head. "I suppose it is-" Compared to other current day prides she was not incorrect. But the pride hardly felt as stable as it used to be, from his recollection growing up there was never even the thought they'd have to leave here or suffer a tyrant's rule. "-not for lack of others trying to change that." What could have been a boast of his own power was instead a suffered sigh, Aquila feeling disdain for anyone that would threaten his family here.

Back to the matter at hand. She was here for a home. She was not the first. "We're welcome to those who need a home. Food, shelter, if you wish to move on when you're ready then so be it."

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Uzma cannot help but notice that @Aquila seems... weary. She knows little of him or the struggles he's been through, but she gets the impression that he is the honorable sort of man — one who puts others before himself. "Admirable, then, that you've kept them from succeeding," she hums with a little quirk of her lips; it's a small consolation, but it speaks to his vigor and determination. Uzma is no spring chicken herself, and she can relate to the world-weary demeanor that comes from seeing a great many things in one's lifetime. His following statement is met with an acknowledging dip of her chin. "I should like to stay then, if that's alright with you," she says, perching her ears towards the Vermeda king in a mildly hopeful manner. "I'd be happy to lend my skills as a hunter and medic where they're needed." For whatever it's worth, the Brook will not want for anything she can provide so long as she lives within their walls — whether her ultimate intentions are pure or not.

image by yumpy, code by koi

FORTUNE FORTUNE SMILING FATE
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU MUCH OF LATE
NEED YOU NOW AND CANNOT WAIT
BUT WANNA LOOK, YOU'RE NOT AROUND

Admirable or lucky. Whatever he truly was he'd take it if it meant the days of security they could enjoy like older times. Aquila's shoulders shrugged; he did not seem entirely dismissive of the idea he was admirable for what he'd done but he did not like the label placed upon him all the same. It had to be done, not matter the who what where when or why. And he'd do it again.

"You are welcome then Nadira." He said and tilted his head inwards, shiftd his body so it was less between her and the rest of the Brooks's lands. His silver eyes remained fixed upon her, his voice continued out through the parting of his bronze muzzle. "A number of my cousins are well versed in medicine. You should seek them out if you want to best learn the plants of this area." Aquila intended to wait until she took her time to enter the land and begin to trek inwards where he could show her the food and places to find shelter, to quench a thirst. There were plenty of things they could talk about but no reason not to walk while doing it.

( we can call this an exit if you want for rank change )

ART BY RABS , CODE BY LARS

There is a gracious dip of her skull, playing every bit the world-weary traveler who is simply grateful for a home. "I'll be sure to do that," she hums agreeably, though she cannot help but think that there is very little she stands to learn from other medics. She is a prideful creature at heart, but for now — for this task — that part of herself is stowed away; Uzma knows that she won't learn anything here by being callous. She wastes little time in picking herself up from the border and following after Aquila, willing enough to accept his tour before she settles into her role here. exeunt uzma w/ aquila

image by yumpy, code by koi