come the beginning >> o, AE visitors

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Rhinestone had known that, eventually, the time would come for Alithis Evgenis to take on their own demons. After all, when the two groups had originally met each other, it had been made crystal clear to both that there was a threat lingering over Bai Shi's head, as well as his entire group's heads. Of course, Rhinestonestar also had no issue with keeping his promise to help out in the future. After all, Palmclan was bigger and grander than it had ever been in the past, and they had plenty of warriors who could help in the fight, and queens to watch over the children that Bai Shi potentially brought over. With this in mind, the tom dipped his head to Bai, reassuring them calmly and warmly, "Don't worry, Bai Shi. We will be more than happy to help in your time of need. Palmclan is not the type of group to just turn our backs on a loyal ally such as yourself and your group. Your children are more than welcome to be harbored within our group while the fighting is going on, and I offer myself as well as all of my warriors to help with the fighting. I am... I'm very sorry to hear about your losses. I can't imagine the pain that you must be going through..." His speech lost the professional edge he had been putting on as he came to the end of it, his pale gaze darkening with grief and more unsaid apologies. He had lost members of his family before, but it was never to an enemy. Never to a threat as cruel as the bandits seemed to be when dealing with Alithis. Parents lost to natural causes, and a sister lost to a hurricane wasn't quite on the same level, at least in his eyes.

He swallowed back the bile that had risen in his throat at the thought of such an enemy coming for Palmclan, and could only silently hope that they would never have to deal with such a threat. Hopefully, Alithis Evgenis would be able to wipe the bandits out with their help, thus ensuring that they would never seek to come after either group again. With his fur pricked in slight unpleasantness, Rhine continued on, his claws digging down into the sand beneath him, "I will be sure to announce at the next meeting for everyone to be prepared to form a battle party, and I will ask who is willing to stay with the children, and who is willing to go. We will be ready for when you choose to call upon us, and I can promise you that." There was a new sort of fire in Rhinestone's eyes, brought on by determination and grim resolve. There was no way that the fight against the bandits would be considered easy, but that was fine. Palmclan had never been known for taking the easy route - not ever since they had rebuilt themselves from the ground up, after fighting against a storm that had nearly wiped them out. He knew that the hurricane and the bandits weren't the same thing, but when he looked at Bai Shi... he saw himself. Trying to lead a group against all odds, even when it seemed as though all had already been lost. Family had been lost by the both of them, and Rhine was going to let Bai Shi get the revenge that he had never been able to take himself.

Rhine was reminded of the presence of others by Wuyi speaking up, xyr voice snapping him from his thoughts and causing him to tense. He hadn't meant to get so dark, not in front of ones as young as Wuyi, Tsekani, and Foamkit. He hastily corrected himself, shaking out his fur before he spoke to Wuyi, chuckling, "However... there will be time for talks of battle later. For now, we will just try and enjoy ourselves at your bonfire. It sounds as though it will be a great event, especially if this little one is involved in the event planning." He flashed a small smile at Wuyi, hoping that xe wouldn't be able to detect the tiredness in his eyes. Even with the help of Vaas's medicines and the support system around him, it was undeniable that sleep still didn't come easy. The chill on the air was a contributor, but stress was one as well. Rhine couldn't begin to imagine the storms that would come in soon, if the air was already chilled when it wasn't even November yet. Either way, he knew that he could handle it. He had spent many nights without sleep before, and he could do it again, even if he wasn't particularly enthused by the thought. He was sure that Vaas and his children wouldn't be as well, considering the occasional worried looks that he caught them throwing in his direction - not that Vaas would've wanted him to notice those, he was sure.

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

— Reggan