INFECTED WITH YOUR GENETICS ☆ o, joining

[wormwood.]

☆ HUNG PICTURES OF PATRON SAINTS UP ON MY WALL TO REMIND ME THAT I AM A FOOL. TELL ME WHERE I CAME FROM, WHAT I WILL ALWAYS BE: JUST A SPOILED LITTLE KID WHO WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL —

Why did he think that leaving Tanglewood's territory was a good idea again? Oh, right, because he thought the Typhoon needed help. Of course, he had turned out to be right, but he was somewhat regretting his decision to do so now. It wasn't as if anything bad had happened at the Typhoon. No, his visit had been perfectly amicable, as always. No, it had been after he left that things had started to go downhill. Aurum had intended to just go straight back to Tanglewood, but... he was so tired. So, so tired. The trip had been exhausting, and he had already nearly been at his wits end thanks to the recent loss of Feza, and the general darkness that seemed to have passed over Tanglewood as of late. One moment, he had just been walking towards the swamp that he called home, and the next moment the world was spinning, with voices shrieking in near demonic voices at him, angry and vicious – you killed her, you killed her, you failure. Why was it that he always lost everyone? Why couldn't he hold on to those that he held so near and dear to his heart? The voices and the questions grew overwhelming quickly, and soon enough the lion was charging forward, rushing haphazardly through the neutral lands without any knowledge of where he was going, or why. All he knew was that he needed to get away. From all the voices, and all the guilt.

He wasn't sure how long it was that he spent running. It could've been only minutes, or it could've been hours, but he found himself leaning more towards the latter. His entire body was aching viciously by the time he arrived on the moors of the Knights of Concord, his chest heaving. His legs were quaking from the sheer effort of keeping himself upright, and his wings were torn and bloody, with feathers awkwardly bent from rushing through closely clustered trees. Allowing himself to fall back on his haunches, Aurum began to preen at his wings, exhaustedly pulling away crooked feathers and licking away blood. It wasn't long before he noticed the unusual scent that resided over the lands he was on. The moors were wide open and spacious, and the markings he could smell were unlike any of the major groups that he knew of. Curiosity piqued – and exhaustion preventing him from returning home as planned – the lion slowly pushed himself up to his paws, moving slowly over the grasslands. It wasn't long before he spotted a structure in the distance – a manor. Glancing around, the angel hesitated for a moment before he called out, tail twitching, "Hello? Is there anyone out here...? Can someone hear me?"

[div style="text-align: right; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0px 0px 2px #1B1B2F; font-size: 24px;"][color=#44437F]— AURUM

#psychosocial.

[icarus.]

Mist whispers and sighs across the fawn-colored heath, shrouding ivory pawsteps as they drift across well-worn paths. Icarus is not entirely acquainted with all of the craggy nooks cradled between the rolling hills, but with each passing day the moor grows more and more familiar. A gust buffets his pelt and the tom stands unmoving against it as his lips part to taste the passing breeze. He thinks idly how the rapid approach of summer will be met with welcome arms here, where the air whips through the uplands with an unrelenting fierceness. It tastes crisp, like sharp winds and cool rains, and yet there is an earthy quality of dirt and grasses and cobweb-littered buildings full of books left untouched for many moons. It's strange, this place — unlike any of the many others he has known — but he suspects he could grow used to it.

The gales of these lands have another strange quality to them, carrying words across the hills towards unsuspecting ears. It's how he hears Aurum's call, scattered across the fields in echoing murmurs, and it's how he ends up padding towards the lion now. Emerald-green eyes flit across the other's form, a spark of curiosity igniting as he lingers upon the wings with faint reverence. Icarus hardly notices the spots of blood, misplaced feathers, and general weariness at first — he's too caught up in his own wistful imaginings of what it might be like to graze the heavens. "You look like you've had better days, stranger." The tabby greets him without warning, gaze only dragging itself to focus on the outsider's face after the words have already passed his lips. There is an enigmatic pensiveness to his features, distant in thought yet speaking with relaxed affability. An ear twitches and suddenly he eases into a warm smile, an olive branch in hopes that his comment will not be misinterpreted as ill-intended.

The wind picks up once more and he holds firm, the soft chill a sharp contrast against the intense brightness of his verdant gaze. The stranger's scent is foreign and strong with recency, he notes, but Icarus has such limited knowledge of the surrounding groups that he doesn't even attempt to decipher what it might mean about his origins. Based on his words Icarus can only assume that he's... lost, maybe? The golden feline adds with mildness, "I'd invite you into the manor to rest, but I have to ask your intentions first." Head motions to the imposing structure of brick and mortar before tilting inquisitively. He doesn't say it outright — name and business — but there's a cleverly-hidden prompt for an introduction disguised between his earlier words, silently urging his address to be corrected with a name despite the casual nature of his tone. Silence falls in anticipation of a reply, and still the Knight's attention remains fixed on Aurum with knife-sharp interest.

[safflower]

safflower's own 'journey' to discovering the knights of concord had been less soul-searching and more of the simple desire for food and shelter. if anything it was more of a symbiotic relationship at the time that developed into an actual sense of loyalty. though at the time, he was genuinely only seeking a place to stay and maybe take a break from hunting for himself. it was an easy life for the most part, learning their traditions and rules. in turn he would keep the garden and crops alive during the winter with his powers.

now he had been here long enough to grow an attachment to the place. though he did put himself and his needs first, he wouldn't seek out to betray the knights or seek any sort of power elsewhere. cav had taken him in when he didn't have to, and tolerated the first few months of him being a freeloader. on top of that he had learned skills that he probably wouldn't have found elsewhere to be taught. he hadn't even known horse-riding was a thing until coming here.

aurum was lucky to catch someone actually out on the moors- he couldn't remember the last time he had actually gone out to check their borders. it was just chance that he had been following icarus along, at least appearing like he was doing something important.

safflower merely nodded his head in agreement with his fellow knight, gazing up at the angel.

[wormwood.]

☆ HUNG PICTURES OF PATRON SAINTS UP ON MY WALL TO REMIND ME THAT I AM A FOOL. TELL ME WHERE I CAME FROM, WHAT I WILL ALWAYS BE: JUST A SPOILED LITTLE KID WHO WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL —

To be quite honest, Aurum found himself jumping a little bit when not only one someone, but two someones responded to his call. He hadn't been entirely sure if there would actually be anyone around, thinking that perhaps the manor was actually just entirely abandoned, and the strange scent was simply an amalgam of passing animals. In addition to this, the angel was simply in a jumpy overall state, barely managing to coax himself into a state of shaky ease after his mental breakdown and rush through the woods. It quickly became clear that the events of just a few minutes before must've been written on his face, considering what Icarus said to him. The lion found himself wincing at that little comment, although he was less offended and more embarrassed with his own behavior. Why was it that he always allowed himself to fall apart? Letting out a slightly shuddering breath, Aurum muttered dryly, "I assure you, I have. It has been... a rough few days, actually." Death after death, the meteor, the tremors, his trip to the Typhoon... it was honestly a miracle that he hadn't ended up in this state earlier, given his habit of pulling away from others when it came to his own issues. He was happy to indulge when he was helping others, but when it came to helping himself? He was still working on that.

Invite you into the manor to rest. The other's words fascinated Aurum, who found himself making mental notes about this place. So they did live in the manor, evidently. The angel wasn't sure he could blame them, considering how appealing it looked even from the outside. Disregarding that, he had been asked a question, and not wishing to be rude, he answered curtly, "I... my name is Aurum, and I'm from Tanglewood. I was going to visit one of our allies, and on the way back, I had a bit of an incident and ended up here. I was curious about what group might be here, considering I hadn't been out this way before. A rest inside the manor does sound very appealing, but I understand if you don't want a stranger from another group inside." Some rest before he made the rest of the trek home would probably help to prevent another breakdown, but Aurum wouldn't blame either Icarus or the silent Safflower for turning him away. After all, he could've been violent for all they knew. He knew he had his fair share of suspicions when others arrived on the border of Tanglewood, and although he had been fighting against that urge to analyze everything as of late, it was a difficult habit to break.

[div style="text-align: right; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0px 0px 2px #1B1B2F; font-size: 24px;"][color=#44437F]— AURUM

#psychosocial.

[safflower]

the tremor's didn't seem to effect their own lands much, thankfully. safflower had noticed a minor rumble against his pads when it happened, and his connection with the ground beneath him had helped sense which direction they would come and go. nothing but light shakes and some toppled shelves in the end. he hadn't expected to see anyone come from whatever had caused them, though, and he didn't think of it when aurum expressed his distress.

looks like a few weeks. he commented internally, glancing to icarus. there wasn't really any rightful reason to turn him away now. he sounded so genuine. so tired. besides, they knew of the places he was speaking of. the blue tabby nodded his head at aurum, speaking up first.

"we're not enemies with anyone. i don't think it will bother anyone to have you here." besides, if aurum just so happened to not be who he said he was, they always had cav to sort out those issues. "my name is safflower, by the way. the knights welcomes you." jeez, he hoped that didn't sound corny. why did hospitality feel so forced, even when genuine? or he was reading too much into it again...

[icarus.]

The tabby tom listens as Aurum greets him in return, only acknowledging Safflower's arrival with a silent flick of an ear as his green gaze remains fixed on the much-larger creature. Though there's a wryness to the lion's tone as he speaks, there's a weariness, too, that suggests some truth to it. Icarus gives a dip his head. "Sorry to hear." Though his initial words were perhaps offered with a jab of humor his next are more genuine, albeit still mild. Whatever aftershocks might've been felt in the uplands were apparently subtle enough to have already been long-forgotten by the Knight. Things are peaceful here, or at least they have been lately. Icarus doesn't think he minds it. He can only hope that Aurum will find the same solace that he seeks among the wind-whipped hills. After all, Icarus doesn't know the first thing about their neighbors in any direction. The name Tanglewood sounds foreign altogether, but to be fair the tom hasn't ventured from the moors since his arrival in these lands. He's only aware of the groups the Knights have come into contact with: none, at this point, though he thinks he might have to make a trip soon, if only to fulfill his own selfish curiosity. Maybe he'll ask this stranger later when he appears less... well, tired.

Icarus nods along at Safflower's words of acceptance, sparing his own thoughtful sideward glance before beginning to turn away with a flick of his tail in a motion to follow. He can't personally think of any good reason to turn Aurum away, though admittedly Icarus has always been on more trusting by nature, and he intends to afford the man the offer of rest he'd already extended prior. "We can show you back and let you get settled in. I can give you a tour another time, if you'd like," he starts with casual warmth. Despite the suggestion, there isn't that much to give a tour of — there's the moors, the wuthering heights, more moors, the cliffs, and even more of the moors. The manor, on the other hand, can be a maze in itself. Regardless, the golden-furred tom is just excited to have another newcomer to get to know, for the estate's halls grow cold when quiet. He pauses, looks to Aurum again, and lets an easy smile fall across his maw. Where are his manners? "Oh, Icarus, by the way. Welcome to the Knights of Concord."

[wormwood.]

☆ HUNG PICTURES OF PATRON SAINTS UP ON MY WALL TO REMIND ME THAT I AM A FOOL. TELL ME WHERE I CAME FROM, WHAT I WILL ALWAYS BE: JUST A SPOILED LITTLE KID WHO WENT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL —

Weary was probably the most accurate word to describe Aurum as he stood before Safflower and Icarus, his entire body slightly drooping downwards as he listened to their words. He was glad that he had run into a kind group, rather than some kind of proto-Pitt that enjoyed lurking in the shadows. Things could've been much worse than a couple of knights welcoming him in with warm words and open arms. He had seen much worse, in his many months of living and exploring. He could only hope he wouldn't be too much of a burden on them, although it hardly seemed as though he would be. Their territory seemed unaffected by the meteor or the resulting tremors that had hit other territories, not to mention that they weren't as large as some other groups. As long as he could keep himself afloat, it seemed as though he would be welcomed on their lands. The thought made him smile, and he lifted his one eyed gaze to meet Safflower's eyes, rumbling from the depths of his chest, "I'm glad to hear that I won't be a bother... if your group is looking for any allies in the future, I assure you this will work in your favor." He didn't have the absolute final say, of course, but he didn't really think that Leroy would refuse the notion of allying with a group that had taken in their proxy at his most vulnerable.

Icarus seemed just as hospitable as Safflower, a fact that made Aurum feel at ease, with his pelt and feathers managing to lie flat and relaxed for the first time since he had gone charging through the woods in a panic. Lifting one of his wings to stretch it out – there was a dull ache from dragging the limbs along that he was sure would not be gone anytime soon – the lion nodded his head, "Having someone show me back sounds lovely... I wish I could be a bit more independent at the moment, but all the traveling has worn me out more than usual, I'm afraid." He scrubbed at his remaining eye with one of his paws, as if demonstrating the exhaustion that pulled at him. The only thing that lingered on his mind for the moment was the image of curling up on a large bed within the manor, finally allowing himself some rest after days of panic and grief. As Aurum began to slowly pad – although it honestly looked more like drag – his way towards the main building up ahead, he said simply to Icarus, dipping his head, "It's also nice to meet you both... I'm not used to the smaller groups out here being so organized... or friendly." The only other group he could really think of was the Halls, but he hadn't heard anything from then in a while, and they and Tanglewood hadn't exactly gotten along well.

[div style="text-align: right; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 0px 0px 2px #1B1B2F; font-size: 24px;"][color=#44437F]— AURUM

#psychosocial.