come the beginning >> o, AE visitors

[teef]

[table][tr][td]

[/td][td]

THE KINGPIN

golden lung dragon & black jaguar w/ vitiligo & platinum silver fox. god of war - ancient. bai shi lynn lingré. proper chinese name is lin bai. prefers lynn if close. they/them. formerly blind. wind element & electric element. firstborn son of jerisidie lingré & current head of family. courting halo mercer. kingpin of alithís evgenis. demiromantic gray-asexual. parent of veris, arvin, leoku, erian, flos, kekhai, evarhi, laeglin, sloan and colwyn. elder brother of ramona and hope, uncle of quennel and cosette. (strike is deceased/unknown status)

[/td][/tr][/table]

low and relieved the breath heavy upon lips, head drooping to their chest. they could weep with joy at this knowledge so pleasant to their ears. they would not be alone in this challenge, their heart feeling weak in their chest, breath thin. lifting their gaze to hold rhinestonestar's, they trembled, the amount of relief visible on their face, "oh thank the gods ...", they murmured, shaking their head as if to shake off the stresses of their position. "rhinestonestar, i'll send a patrol when the time comes. thank you ... for this, it means everything to me.", they would speak, mind distracted from their surroundings, everything drowned in the feeling of relief beating against their ribs.

the smallest member there caught their attention, foam's voice reaching their ears, their gaze turning to the youth and rewarding a warm smile, "yes, it's me, little one.", they would purr in welcome. exhaling softly, they would look around to everyone gathered around them, their heart steeling in their chest. could they stomach leading everyone here that was old enough to what might be their deaths? or even to have a part in such a thing ... they did not want to condemn anyone to this war, though the call of it lay thick in their blood. shaking their head slightly, they looked to wuyi with a soft laugh, "i don't know any shanties, wuyi, i'm sorry. i only know a few songs in this tongue, and more in my mother tongue.", they murmured softly, feeling bad that they didn't have a better grip on some of these songs.

listening to xyr words, they couldn't help the pain in their chest. did xe think they were tired of them? no ... they might be tired, but not of the children. never of the children. pushing back at the pain present in their chest, they shook their head, "oh? a snake and cat hybrid?", could xe be talking about a member of the coalition of the condemned? hmm. they would have to ask xem about it later, on the way home. hearing tsekani's words, they perked their ears, a smile upon their face, "you would likely be happy to have more playmates, tiny one.", they murmured softly, humor in their gaze before they laughed, voice coming forth sadly, "you remind me of him ... kydobi ... always wanting to look after and protect others, even though it killed him in the end.", they shook their head, pawing their face, trying to wipe away the tears that came forth, unbidden and unable to be controlled. shit. were they really breaking down here? wiping their tears away with a scarred paw, they gave a tense, pained breath, "her name was veris. she was my ... little lantern. she was my daughter with him, with kydobi. i lost him through my own hubris, and i don't know what fate has given him for a path in life.", they murmured quietly before looking up to nine and giving a soft nod, agreeing with his words. no parent would ever want to give up their child, or any time with them.

[SirDio]

[align=center]

Hurricane —  MALE — FELINE — STRONG — HETERO — 3 YEARS

[div style="width: 51%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: georgia; color: #223341;"] In all honesty, he was kinda blanking out and zoning out of the conversation. When a snake/cat hybrid was mentioned, though, his eyes widened and he stepped back. Someone like Medusa? His eyes instantly moved to the forest, ears pricked. Maybe she would be happy to know that there was someone like her in this world. Turning his eyes back to Wuyi, he tilted his head. "What'd the hybrid look like?" His words were hushed, hurried. He wanted to tell Medusa the news! But he also wanted to be respectful of Bai and his losses.

[Grimm]

Continued conversation staged about the issue of political proceedings, though it seemed fine the spirit of both as vital components were remarked upon, agreement leading into further idle talk. Tuned out much of it, even with proximity permitting child a rather easy time of catching all the monarchs spoke, further fanned his worries all the same. Similar to Wuyi confusion ran rather rampant, the mere jist conveyed more than the meaning behind words shared, that enough it seemed.

"No go." About leg did paws slide, grasping at anything Foam may reach as though this meagre restriction may halt Rhine in plans that may lead only to his demise. He bore no influence here, caught only upon the quiet whim of not wishing to part with another family, words bubbling forth without thought. "No lose nother dad." Had realisation over that he voiced in a shaky and broken tone struck was not made apparent, against leg pressed face once more, world blocked out as he held on as tightly as he was capable of.

Once more excited the ceaseless babble Wuyi allowed to drift from xer lips without supposed care, briefly lightened his spirits at the simple chatter. "Big enough to bite nose." Muffled the words, head drawing back only enough the kitten may bite at the air in demonstration, tongue peeking out once it had concluded. "Must be real cool." At the least a good distraction the cub as xer remark over xer mother ignited his imagination, rather wrong the image conjured but breathless the short laugh he voiced at the rather ridiculous mental image he painted, largely a much larger Wuyi with differences he haphazardly slapped on and more wings than she might be able to handle.

[table][tr][td]

[/td][td]

I think I’m not quite ready to let you circle the drain. all the things we’ve broken can be puzzled together again, all your sums and your pieces are enough to clean up all the messes you’ve made

[/td][/tr][/table]

code by Wisker

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

The undeniable grateful lilt of Bai Shi's words was easy to see and understand, at least from Rhine's perspective. It was clear that Alithís Evgenis had been suffering because of the bandits, and Bai had suffered even more personally because of them. Needless to say, Rhinestone felt very little hesitation in offering his clan's help, even if there was certain risks associated with it. They would cross those bridges when they got to them, after all. For now, the tom just intended to keep his promises. He dipped his head to Bai Shi, his voice a half mumble and half purr as he answered, "Of course... Palmclan does not make a habit of leaving our allies when they're in need. I will make sure we have our eyes and ears open for when your patrol arrives." He truly doubted that they'd even be able to miss a messenger from Alithís, considering the wide variety of strange creatures that lived there. Palmclan had certainly become more diverse over time, but those that lived within Alithís Evgenis were so totally foreign to the large clan's usual expectations.

Rhine had been about to turn and depart, figuring he would need to make plans for when the bandit raid happened, but he was stopped by Foamkit growing closer. Pausing, the leader let out a soft oof as Foamkit's paws locked around his leg, despite the fact the kit didn't have much force to him. Blinking in surprise at the boy's words, Rhineestone was once again reminded of the fact that he was essentially Foamkit's father, and the other needed him. His ears then briefly flattened, sympathy in his pale blue gaze as he leaned down to press his nose atop Foam's head. His voice was a mere murmur as he reassured, smile light and loving, "Don't worry, Foamkit. I'm not going to end up hurt, okay? I'm a big strong warrior, and Palmclan has plenty of other big strong warriors, too. You're not going to lose another dad. We're just making sure that other kids in Alithís Evgenis don't end up losing their dads because of the bandits, you know?" He doubted Foam would be glad at the prospect either way, but the child was far from heartless. Surely he would be able to see that Alithís needed the help, even if he knew it in only the basest possible way.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan

[teef]

[table][tr][td]

[/td][td]

THE KINGPIN

golden lung dragon & black jaguar w/ vitiligo & platinum silver fox. god of war - ancient. bai shi lynn lingré. proper chinese name is lin bai. prefers lynn if close. they/them. formerly blind. wind element & electric element. firstborn son of jerisidie lingré & current head of family. courting halo mercer. kingpin of alithís evgenis. demiromantic gray-asexual. parent of veris, arvin, leoku, erian, flos, kekhai, evarhi, laeglin, sloan and colwyn. elder brother of ramona and hope, uncle of quennel and cosette. (strike is deceased/unknown status)

[/td][/tr][/table]

locking gaze with rhinestonestar, they gave a low breath before inhaling tightly, "we are sending a scouting patrol out. we will send someone here in the evening after we send out our scouts. we will attack at dawn, rhinestonestar. feel free to stay in our camp for that time, my group members will be wearing armor, and i'm sure that we will have pieces left over should any of you feel like wearing it. our envoy will bring with them our children, they will come alone. one of my sons will be leading the group of children. he is a young serval with antlers, and .... a physical debilitation. you'll know him when you see him.", the words were tight in their chest, eyes narrowed with the need to find combat and demolish the enemy coming after them. exhaling heavily, they lifted their head to the sky, calming the shivers running down their spine.

listening to rhinestonestar calm foamkit down, their eyes gleamed. they knew the fear that the children harbored about parental figures going to war. they knew how terrifying it was to watch the parent walk away, not knowing if you would see them again or not. gaze softening, they smiled at foamkit, "your dad's going to help us, little one. in turn, i'll personally make sure that you don't lose your dad, okay?", they murmured, heart aching at the sight of the kitten about rhinestonestar's legs. they wouldn't let rhinestonestar become a casualty of this war against the bandits, not as long as they had breath in their lungs.

[Grimm]

To care for another to such a depth, for that to be recuperated, the notion had once been forgein to the once abandoned child. Plague the day that had passed some months ago during that point within time, even as memory proved inadequate to retain such questions still had arisen, no other present that carried the blood that ran through his veins. Once alone had he been, lacking all for a brief moment, welcome among the population residing on the shore without second thought.

Tighter grew his grip, worry pulsing through him as though the slight shift proceeded departure, loosened when proven wrong. Into touch unconscious lean, tightly pressed his lips as Rhine spoke in hushed tones. Heartless may well be too strong a word, possibly selfish to a degree but many children were subject to such before lesson corrected the behaviour, too soon for such. From between clenched teeth a whimper slipped, understood part of his words, his own fear transferred to another.

Known the pain of loss, if only in subjective manner, acceptance begrudgingly given. "Rhi strong." back did he draw, seemingly reassured, though if the situation was accepted only time may tell, attention shifting with direct addressal. Minimal the interaction staged between himself and Bai Shi, time enough impression had been imparted, shallow but noticeable the nod he offered. "Okay."

[table][tr][td]

[/td][td]

I think I’m not quite ready to let you circle the drain. all the things we’ve broken can be puzzled together again, all your sums and your pieces are enough to clean up all the messes you’ve made

[/td][/tr][/table]

code by Wisker

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Relief filled Rhinestone as Bai Shi spoke up, their voice adding on to the reassurances that the leader was offering to his surrogate son. He nodded along with their words, speaking softly, "You are very kind, Bai Shi... I will make sure that the children within our camp remain safe and happy as well. And that our very best warriors are helping in the raid." He then turned his pale blue eyes back onto Foamkit, smiling slightly at the boy's small and soft voice echoing the sentiment of both leaders. He nodded, a soft chuckle leaving him as he spoke, "Yeah, I'm pretty strong. This won't be the first battle I've ever been in, and I promise you that it won't be my last, Foam. No matter what." He was determined to return back home, not only for all of his children, but for his clan as a whole. While he had no doubt that they would be able to function just find without him, he didn't really want to just leave them, especially seeing as no one was deputy at the moment. Someone would surely step up, but... he didn't want to think of that right now. For now, he just shook his head before adding on with a chuckle, "Besides, with the Alithís children here, you'll have a chance to make some new friends. You just focus on that, and before you know it, I'll be back, with everything having gone fine." Hopefully, the bandits would be driven out without issue, and Alithís Evgenis would continue to thrive alongside Palmclan.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan