NOTE: This is for everyone who is interested in joining Abris Peaks. Should be relatively short and sweet! Second round begins in exactly a week from now - Sunday 11th August!

Mathias hadn't needed very long to get himself orientated. It was a new place, yes, but there was so much familiarity within the confines of his new mountain home that he'd felt acclimatised in a matter of days. Hours, even. There had been a lot for him to think about, but with Absalon to keep him anchored and the support of friends and allies alike made things all the more promising. It had been little under a week since his claim, but the Larsen had promised the interested parties that he would call them together shortly. He was no liar.

Morning came and went on the fifth day of his rule. He would give everyone a chance to wake - he was courteous, after all - and upon reaching the main clearing of the Peaks the King would get himself settled before calling forth the lions of the mountain. Come. Join me.

He would make sure they wouldn't regret it.

it was too damn easy for this.

matty's call rouses him from sleep and absalon grumbles intently. couldn't his brother have waited... a few more damn hours? the sun was barely even up! it takes some effort but finally, finally absalon hoists himself up to his feet. each step comes with a bit of drag to his paws but by the time he approaches matty, he is bright-eyed if not quite bushy-tailed. he chuffs out to his brother, a quieter sound than matty had used, as he eases closer. this would be the first meeting - their first meeting - and certainly first impressions must count for something. so absalon seats himself at matty's side. he gives a quick shake before straightening his spine and doing his very best to look kingly.

it might be early, but absalon was here.

Tatiana had been chilling around the mountain, working on scoping out the land itself while awaiting the call of the new King of the land Mathias since he had promised that he would call a meeting for all those interested in potentially joining the Abris Peaks pride She had done some hunting on her own in the peaks while awaiting the call of Mathias, and had actually been up early to do some hunting in the mountains to get used to the types of prey and such that were here in the Peaks. She had run across the scent of a small mule deer herd and thus had been tracking the herd across the paths through the peaks since right before the sun was up. Tail twitched back and forth as she locked her eyes on her target: A female mule deer with a slight limp to her hind leg. The doe had been trailing behind the herd for a little while now, so Tatiana felt she was prime to pick as her target. From what the lioness could tell, the doe had just injured herself in some way. She didn't smell sickness from the herd. She took the opportunity to get into a hunting crouch and then lunged out at the doe. Her lunge sent the heard running, but she was right close behind the doe she had picked out as her target. Green eyes locked on the doe, and the doe eventually began to slow down as Tatiana loped after her. Taking her moment, Tatiana pounced, landing on the doe's back and brought her down. Jaws grabbed at the doe's throat and she quickly finished off the doe with little struggle. Suddenly, a roar echoed through the peaks. It sounded familiar... Was probably Mathias calling for those who were around to come to a meeting or something. Grabbing her kill, the lioness began her walk to the source of the roar. Tatiana's trip would be a little slower than she wanted, since she was dragging a mule deer doe carcass. Perhaps she could share it with Mathias and his brother? Finally coming closer to the source of the roar, she let go of the carcass for a moment before chuffing and letting Mathias know that she was on her way. Picking the prey back up, she continued her trek to the spot Mathias had called from. Coming upon the scene, Tatiana spotted both Mathias and his brother Absalon. Dropping the carcass for the last time (for now), Tatiana dipped her head in greeting to the two lions in front of her. "Greetings, my Kings," the mousey-grey lioness said, sitting down on the far side of her carcass. "I have brought a meal to share... at least with a few lions." She said, her Romanian accent showing through as she spoke. text. "speech."

@Absalon @Mathias

he is late.

however there is little concern in his expression as he drew nearer to matthia's gathering. his single fair eye held to their king, and his kin.

his flesh felt the clench of apprehension in arriving, mostly in part to his delayed approach. he felt an inkling, an impulse to seek out the face of his family amidst those gathered. in his hear
thought, he knew. they would not be here. he was alone. alone as he'd been on the mainland, in the crossing to skaer; alone as he'd been in the grove when they flocked to their beloved caelum and
the new homeland.

it was too warm, too cheery. it lacked the character needed to build stout and capable warriors.

it lacked the charm of their true home.

rodya would take in stride, taking joy in that he was living truer to himself than others for once in his life.

he nodded to matthias and absalon. a glance was made towards the large lioness that had arrived before him, his head turned towards her briefly. he'd nod if she cared to see it,
then move to sit.

a pride. maeve had left hers in search of a home of her own; this stranger's call presented her with an opportunity she could not pass up, security in times of hardship, a net to fall back on. perhaps it was her naivete, but there was no suspicion in her mind, no thought that this lion's powerful declaration could be that of an enemy.

lifting dainty paws one after another, she ascended the mountain carefully, each step soft as the last. not a stone out of place in her path. the climb to the peaks was uneventful, but not fast - by the time the scent of company hit her nose, they were almost before her. head dipped, she approached the group tentatively, wide cornflower eyes flitting between each individual present. three lions, one lioness. ears turned forward hopefully as she hovered back a little, not wanting to overstep her boundaries right away as she tried to establish which one of them was their leader, and if she would be welcomed.

NOTE: Next and possibly final round of the meeting starts Wednesday 21st of August!

He doesn't expect the turnout to be a large one. Not during such early days, anyway. Absalon appears first - naturally - and would move to swiftly take a seat beside his brother. In a show of solidarity as well as silent thanks, he would press his shoulder into the side of his younger sibling, chuffing quietly in affectionate greeting. Tatiana would come next, and both her presence and her gift would be received warmly. "Thank you, Tatiana; that is kind of you." It was clear that she would be a hardworking and loyal member; such actions would no doubt be rewarded further down the line. Rodion is next, and Mathias would chuff a quiet greeting and send a nod his way. It was good to have a Rurik in their midsts, even if - no offense, Rodion - it wasn't his favourite one. The final face is an unfamiliar one; one that wasn't even present at his ascension mere days ago. Clearly new to the Peaks, then. All the same, she would not be turned away. Silver attention would rest over her frame for a moment, before an assurance was given. "You are welcome here, if you wish to stay." He would not press her any further, for now; if she wished to stay then she would, and she would learn more about this place and what Abris could become for her. If she wished to go, he would make no moves to stop her.

"Tatiana, Rodion, thank you for coming; it is clear by now that you wish to join our ranks, and so Absalon and I would be happy to accept you." While he didn't often speak for his brother, Mathias felt that this time they would be in the same mind - the pair had done nothing to warrant being turned away, and should anything crop up they could always rescind their welcome. Attention would skirt over the Rurik male, and then the mouse-pelted lioness, before focusing on the chestnut stranger. "My name is Mathias Larsen, King of Abris Peaks. This is my brother, Absalon, who rules with me. We will not ask much of the lions who live here with us. We have no time for slackers; any who live here must pull their weight, and we don't care how you do it. Providers, hunters, healers, warriors - all are equally important and valued here. Keep petty arguments out of pride business - my brother and I will not babysit you; if you have a problem with someone else here, do not let it become our problem." That last part should go without saying, in his mind, but he knows it's probably best to mention it regardless. "We hope to fill the ranks as quickly as possible, but expect that only the worthy will actually keep them long-term. Certain ranks, leadership roles such as King, Queen and Heir, will not be open for challenge, but any title below that is fair game."

For a moment, he would mull over what had already been said. In that time he would look back over the lions that had gathered, reading them for any sort of reaction. "If you are expecting children we wish to know so that we can make provisions, but other than that your personal affairs are none of our business - unless it affects the pride. Any sign of trouble on the horizon and we want to be the first to know. We have no pride allies yet, except for my personal alliance with the Rurik. Are there any questions?" It is at this point that he cast his eye back over to Absalon, giving him ample opportunity to add anything else.

@Absalon @Tatiana @Rodion @Maeve and others still welcome! <3

Lorem, ipsum, dolor

Beau Dieudonne had finally taken the leap and joined a pride. He hadn't ever thought that he would actually go as far as settling down but over time he had gotten tired of being out in the wilderness without a roof over his head. He hadn't asked for his mother's permission and instead had just done this on a whim simply because he felt that it was right. He didn't need someone telling him what to do when this was his life. So he had managed to make his way to the peaks with no issues and had met the two brothers, Absalon and Mathias. He had been fortunate enough that they were willing to accept him into their ranks. He was pleased considering now if his younger siblings would need him for any reason he would at least have a suitable home for them. They had all been traveling for far too long, it was time that they found themselves a home and although this was a job for his mother Beau took some responsibility when it came to his younger siblings. He wanted them to have a better life then what he had and he would do whatever to make sure it happened. But to everyone else he remained stoic and cold, unnerved. When he arrived he was quick to notice the different faces, and also quick to notice that he was the last to arrive. Thankfully he was able to hear Mathias speak his part about ranks and expectations that they had as a pride. He took a seat off to the side by himself and gave Mathias a nonchalant nod, he was here - late but here.

@absalon @mathias @tatiana @Rodion @maeve

her dark limbs carried her a little closer. he spoke; mathias, king of the mountain. her prettily patterned head lowered as he offered her a home. a nod in acceptance, willing to put her heart and life before the nearest thing to trust. perhaps the angels guiding her had chosen well. perhaps there were no angels, and she would suffer. she knew no better. soft blue gaze cast upward through dark lashes, eyeliner winged above pale cheekbones.

to her future, which now included safety.

Two more lions showed up following her approach to the brothers. One was a massive male with a scar over his eye and a nubby tail was the second one after her to appear. Green eyes watched him for a moment, catching his nod and giving him one back to the large male. He was much larger than she was, even her being a large lioness as she was. Tatiana wondered how he knew the brothers Absalon and Mathias, but her attention was turned towards the smaller lioness who approached as well. An ear twitched and she let out a slight rumble as she settled herself to listen to what Mathias and Absalon had to say in this meeting. "The deer is for you two, and whoever else you want to share it with, my Kings." Tatiana rumbled with a smile, inclining her head towards the two kings. "I will be staying. This place feels like home." The lioness said, smiling at the brothers. Mathias went on, speaking of the general rules and regulations of the pride. Any rank but Heir, King and Queen could be challenged for, of which she could understand. Having those leader ranks be challenged for could be dangerous, especially if those challenging for the ranks were of a different mindset of the ones who originally founded the pride. "Understandable." Tatiana said, flicking her tail. Her eyes caught movement of a dark colored male appearing as Mathias was going over the pride ranks and expectations. Her eyes narrowed, assessing the male's appearance and attitude. If he was here, and appeared to know Mathias, then he must be an okay guy. If not, Mathias and Absalon would deal with him she had little doubt about that fact. "I'm prepared to help Abris Peaks grow in any way I can, my Kings." The mousey-grey lioness said, inclining her head towards the two kings. text. "speech."

Absalon seemed to accept everything that was said, and when a prompt was given there were no queries to anything that had been said. Good. Mathias would nod and smile, focus shifting back to Tatiana, who would very graciously offer the kill up as a meal. "Thank you, Tatiana. I'm glad." The smile he would give is a genuine one; he is pleased that she has settled in so well. He hoped the same for all the lions that sat before him. His gaze would shift back to the gathering momentarily, voice lifted so that all would hear it. "The meeting is over. If you wish to stay and eat, please do." And, with that, all those present would officially become members of Abris. Through their mutual connection, he hoped that they would all grow closer over time, and that their bonds would become strong like iron. With a final nod, he would tuck in to eat.

EXIT