CRY LITTLE SISTER

☾ The heat transmuted the mist that lingered in the atmosphere into a mimic of steam or smoke in the mind of Nusura. It blotted her minimal vision to the point that already vague shapes were more impressions of form, the suggestion of matter. The sound of ocean waves lapping the shore informed her of the land bridge, and she carefully navigated to the water until it was at her biceps. The coolness was a balm on her skin, instantly relieving the summer heat on her back. The sun had never been kind to the parts of her hide that draped in black. Lips parted, and her tongue gently pressed against her bottom teeth, tasting the salty, arid air and the promise of foliage in the distance. As the distance of the water created a buffer around her, she halted, allowing herself to also drink in the heartbeat of the ocean. She was tired, hungry. It had been days since her encounter with the kind strangers who instructed her in the direction of this island, and the food they had given her was a memory in her writhing stomach. Other parts within her writhed, as well. Curiosity, but also a fear and anticipation that trilled in her head like birds beating their wings: she could not go anywhere without he constant companion of apprehension for what might be awaiting her in the coming minutes. At least as she waded in the sea, she could clearly hear the sound of anyone getting too close as they traversed the water. With the fog, and the bright midday sun that did no favors with its glare: this was one way she could give herself some time to react and think, as the scent of other lives swam in her senses like a promise or a warning.

". "

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The mist had not gone unnoticed by the orange faced lady. Since it’s arrival upon the landscape she had made into her home the woman had, had a strange uneasy feel in the bottom of her stomach. Though in retrospect that was probably more likely because she was pregnant more than the fact the land was covered in a veil of mist. Even still as queen of the rainforest she had a job to do a job she intended to continue doing. Hunting, taking care of her family, of the pride and helping it grow in more ways than one. Firnen had more youths now than adults, but hopefully as she returned to the passage once more that would change. As she searched for anyone she could possibly recruit the scent of someone new came to her nose.

Though the thick mist she couldn’t see them, but they smelt not of one of the prides of Amaryllis so she sent out a few chuffs. Calling to see if anyone was there. “Hello?” She called to @Nusura as she walked forward attempting to find her. Or maybe she’d find @Ivaan as she was a little turned around herself, but had left the rainforest with him in order to show the future ruler of Firnen the ropes of recruiting.

code by shelby | art by irish

Ivaan Casimir

((he's here to learn and watch, feel free to skip unless he's needed))

He felt nervous, unsure as he followed @Arjana into the passage, he was here mainly to learn from her, to learn how recruitment worked. What to say, what to do and how to respond and make one's home sound favorable for the potential new members. He had all of that in a mental list, like if this was a lesson as any other. He would be a shadow meaning he will stick beside Arjana but say nothing, keep quiet as he was here just to learn. Any questions would be done later. For now only watching Arjana's actions and words would do. He sat down to give both Arjana and @Nusura to chat unless he would be needed.

code by corvus

she emerges from the mist, a vision in black and cream, and he is drawn to her as he is drawn to all pretty things. cursing the clouds that mar his vision he skirts them to approach, noting quickly that he was not the only one to have done so. @Arjana is there, too, and he gives her a respectful tip of his head before his focus slides to the newcomer.

"hello," his greeting is more certain, standing near enough to take in the sight of the stranger, "i am alaric starke, reigning king of the mire." he loathed the high sovereign title, preferring something more familiar to him and uncaring if the rest of the world did not like it.

"welcome to amaryllis," a sweeping paw and a wry twist of his lips, the dry humor clear in his tone. it wasn't as though there was much to see, after all.

@Nusura

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CRY LITTLE SISTER

☾ Nusura’s head cocked in the direction of the greeting, ears flicking. Two different visitors were soon gently tamping their paws in the sand. There was an inflection that made the woman’s greeting seem like a question, to which Nusura replied with reassurance- "Yes, greetings." The mottled lioness parted her lips, taking in the scent of the strangers as she always did and especially now as the mist further blocked them from visual detection. The olfactory world was like a language all its own, but many people ignored it in favor of their eyes. Now as the sea-air braced in her lungs, it carried information with it that was vital and exciting. Nusura spoke politely, as she always did, and even felt the tug of a smile upon her dusky mouth. A masculine voice joined the anthology, drifting in with a self-assurance and charisma of a practiced chevalier. Nusura thought idly how she appeared to be starting a collection, but her mind went to work analyzing what he said to her. A king...this revelation made the muscles along her willowy spine tense ever so subtly, but her voice was swift, warm and resonant as a heartbeat. "Ah, my lord. It is an honor." Her voice rolled coyly from her throat, and she shifted her body to face them, seawater lapping at the furred underside of her stomach and chest. "I am afraid you’ve caught me in a bath." She joked lightly, and attempted to be casual as her silvery eyes strained to make out their shapes by the way their bodies blocked the mist-bent light. She navigated around them to the edge of land once more where she pressed with grace into the sand to pull herself ashore.

The features in her face shifted as she scented the air, and inspected the shapes of the three strangers. The king, Alaric Starke was his name? The gesture in his voice flirted with grandeur, to which Nusura grinned. Curiosity still plucked at her mind, especially to the female and her partner who had yet to say anything else, as though the excitement of a new land could erase the horrors of her past, as though the wounds were not still felt. "Then I am relieved. I have been searching for Amaryllis." She considered for a moment. "I am Nusura Herceran." She chose the truth, thinking it might serve her best here.

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@Arjana @Ivaan @Alaric

Her initial greeting sounded like a question because it was indeed a question. Being unable to see anyone she relied on her nose to guide her towards the newcomers. Finding @Ivaan by her side she was calm once more. She was sure someone would be upset if she had happened to misplace him in this fog. Finding @Nusura finally the outline of her form came into view quickly enough followed by @Alaric. Ah it was good to see him also out recruiting. If the lady before them went with either pride it was a sure fire way to strengthen their alliance. At least one of the prides in the alliance.

“Greetings Alaric good to see the mire once more out roaming the passage.” She said politely dipping her head respectfully to the swamp king. Grey gaze than turned to the lioness. Giving her a warm smile she spoke more confidently this time. “It is a pleasure to meet you lady Herceran. I am Arjana Huntsong, Queen of Firnen Rainforest another of the eight prides in this beautiful land.” She introduced herself proudly and elegantly to the woman before them. Her eyes turning to Ivaan to give him cue to introduce himself as well. “Though the landscape is a bit foggy I can promise you it holds much beauty once past the mists. So now that you have found Amaryllis what is it you seek here? Family? Food? Fame? Power?” She asked curiously to get a feel for just want the lioness was seeking.

code by shelby

for @Arjana he has a half-grin, a nod, but little in the way of words. alaric chooses his carefully, and finds idle chatter to be tedious. he does not expected the sovereign of the rainforest to be offended, though, as his focus settles entirely on the newcomer.

she was intriguing (as most women were) and spoke in a way that told him they could have a lot of enjoyable banter between them. venom green eyes do not shy from where she lingers in the water, though a shiver rolls across his skin as he fights the urge to slide in to the depths alongside her. "i can hardly blame you with this sweltering temperature. the mire is significantly cooler, if that is something that appeals to you." he wastes no time, even as arjana questions @Nusura about what she is looking for.

"the mire can offer you all of the above," he says with another sly twist of his lips. remembering the delicate balance of politics that he must now walk, he adds -- "as can the rainforest, i'm sure." a brief flick of his eyes to their queen, before they return to the stranger, waiting to hear what exactly appealed to her.

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CRY LITTLE SISTER

☾ "Indeed it is, my lord." She answered Alaric, a small grin nimble at her lips. Nusura always listened with a hunterly precision, and this of all days could not be any different. This island was to be her new home, unfurling before her like a bride arrayed in white. Every word and nuance mattered, and she would catch them all like moths in the palm. Already her mind worked over the three before her: these who boasted a level of power which – before, in her homeland - would have defeated her hope like a dangerous spark that needed extinguished before it could spread. Promptly leashed and restored to her proper position as an ornament and vessel for the satisfaction of others. A symbol of what happens when you don’t obey those in power. Even as a priestess and a Rimari, she had been only been seen as a tool, and her position in life had only been that much more demeaning after the temple was destroyed – because the king was threatened by the strength of she and her sisters. He didn’t want them killed, no, but kept as living warnings. That...that had been the first moment she’d ever truly felt strong, even as she was imprisoned – she knew what she represented. A trophy worth having, like a dangerous pet whose owner delights in taming it.

Yet here, they spoke as though this was a land of pure opportunity. Although she was not naïve, nothing was so simple, she let herself taste the ways she could believe it...if she so dared. After all, she was anonymous here. There was a sweet satisfaction in the knowledge that she could tell them anything and they would never know the difference. "The pleasure is mine, my lady. This is a mighty land, to support so many prides." She observed, "The gods here must be quite strong." At the question, her dappled face lined with consideration.

She wondered if these royals had suspected her vision of lacking, considering that the mist made it difficult for anyone to see. It was an unplanned boon for Nusura to arrive at such an opportune time to dissuade attention from her blindness. She shifted her eyes between them, drinking in the blurry shapes of their bodies as she carefully wove her answer. "I have never been taken by power, or fame. I must eat as does everyone, and seek companionship - She paused pointedly, ear flicking back and a spectre’s grin on her lips. " - but what I desire most is knowledge, and I value my freedom. The freedom to study my chosen trade. I am a healer and seer: I want the rights, time, and resources to perfect my skills. Given that, I will devote those very skills to serve with honor and loyalty." She bowed her head respectfully and waited to see how answer was received.

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@Arjana @Ivaan @Alaric

The orange faced lady had her suspicion about a few things, but she hadn’t noticed the woman’s blind eyes. Through the mist her own vision was a bit lacking but it mattered not for Arjana simply didn’t care if @Nusura was blind or not. One couldn’t always rely on their sight after all. As a huntress she often relied on all her senses, sometimes even forgoing her sight for the prey likes to hide away at times. Listening to the lioness speak she made a gentle hum sound that rolled off her lips as she thought about it. “I have heard some talk of a god this passage is named after. Maua, but I don’t know much of them. I do know that the Great Huntress provides enough food here for all. The prey have food to eat and so we the hunters have enough food in return.” She explained. Arjana doesn’t always talk about the great huntress but has mentioned her in passing raise here and there.

“Amaryllis is full of many different types of beliefs from what I have seen and heard. You won’t be disappointed on what knowledge you can find here. As for companionship it isn’t my place to speak for anyone other than my own pride, but within the Rainforest as long as you pull your weight you are welcomed. Practicing your skills isn’t just a luxury within but something that is expected of all members young and old alike.” She cooed calmly as she explained some of what is expected of those within the rainforest. Looking at @Alaric and @Ivaan she finally paused. To all time for someone else to speak and to allow for the lady to process all the given details. Though she chose not to go too into details as one never knew who else was lurking in the mists.

code by shelby | art by irish

she is not the type he would usually seek to recruit -- but then, alaric had expanded his views as of late. he had added members to his pride that he might not typically be interested in, learning that strength was not the only important quality to have. he needed other skills among his members, and a healer was on the top of his list.

blindness mattered not, to him, especially when she had skills to offer that were so critical.

"you will have whatever freedom you require in the mire," he wasn't much for politics and fancy words, but he had no issue with giving her this. alaric did not make a habit of keeping leashes on his members, and he would encourage them all to strengthen their skills. in the end it helped the pride, and his primary goal was to make it a safe home for future generations.

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