---

Gemini was certainly the farthest thing from Tortuga that the powder princess could get and the closest she’d ever been to her mother. It was a strange concept, being so far from home and yet so close to family; perhaps deep down that was the way it was always going to be. Portia never knew exactly what she’d do when she saw Rita’s face again, her reaction was…. ungraceful to say the least, and despite the begrudging safe haven they were given, Portia felt like she had still been trapped.

Contained without a purpose, without a connection, just a very fragile tie to the women who’d she’d called mother.

It took the ghostly pirate weeks to decide when she was going to approach Rita to… talk, but just as she’d mustered up the sanity to do so since their arrival, unusual sounds came from the den of her parents. Tiny yips, soft milk, youth. Portia had stood nearby the den that day in preparation instead she found herself glaring into it, having little care for the replacements her mother and father had made. Portia was a rational creature, one who partially blamed herself for not approaching Rita sooner since they’d arrived. But communication was a two-way street, and one that Portia wondered if her mother tried to walk since they'd reunited.

Portia made little attempt then to reconcile with her mother, allowing feelings of betrayal and being replaced to fester into her being. She'd discovered other exiled pirates also found these rolling hills of what seemed to be a nomad sanctuary; those of the ex-Captain and her mate, Pandora. Portia spent some time with the indigo girl, crafting herself some home-sick jewelry and adorning herself with such to feel a bit more at home— in the way that she wanted to remember it. A small skull with some teal rocks from the faerie pools, obsidian stone from the beaches, and a few earrings gifted to her by the crafter.

Time passed without a second to realize, her mind wrapped up in the remisscense of the good things of Tortuga through the building of her homage to her homeland; it had been a method of personal healing for the ex-princess. Finally, one afternoon, Portia appeared outside of her family’s new den, one of which she’d refuse to enter even if invited in. Instead, she waited for her mother to crawl out from her happy home hole, sitting with seemingly impenetrable patience. Her posture was as poised as ever, adorning her Tortugan-style accessories. Portia always knew how to play the perfect princess and the snobby sister, neither of those traits served her well in her life but it was the few pieces of her true self she could hold on to.

Fiery eyes stared rather unassumingly at Rita whenever she exited the den. Portia didn’t speak right away, curious to see her mother’s reaction to her sudden appearance. It had been months. The kids were probably walking and talking now. But that isn’t what she cared about.

“How’s dad?” First words in months that came from her mouth.

---

The three found themselves coiled around the tree trunks, their satchels ready to burst but their appetites far from sated.

It seemed, however, that time was no longer on their side. Storm grumbled, his dark grey pelt a shadow in the dimming light of the tropical sunset. Glaring over at Copper and Titan, he scowled, "We shoulda fuckin' left when them fuckers first arrived, I done told ya." They'd been in hiding for weeks now, plucking what goods they could while still remaining undercover, but their scents couldn't stay hidden anymore. They were being tracked. "Now we're done fucked." Deep, seething hisses.

Copper watched as her grey companion paced around the palm tree, her silver white eyes glaring with heavy judgement and little patience as she lay under some giant plant, its leaves acting as a canopy for her. With her own satchels neatly tucked beneath her belly, she found little reason to move - such trust between business partners. "So you've said before, Storm. We will just wait until nightfall and make our move the--"

"Get yer head outta the sand and calm your damn teats, Storm!" Titan had never been one to be coy, and his pale, brindled form had little hope of camouflage in these dense jungles. He, too, hovered over his goods like a mother over her new babe, though with his size he was confident enough to take a step here or there to show Storm he meant business. For days that fucking bastard had been running his mouth, and it all but drove Titan running off the cliff. "Chick here's got a plan, we gonna stick to it!" He noticed a small nod from Copper, though her eyes shot daggers. Like he could care. With a huff and a puff he sat back down by his goods, hiding in the shadows of the cluster of palms.

They were determined to run out the clock...

... but it seemed they would meet their new neighbors sooner than expected. Copper was the one to notice, her thin ears pricking up at the sound of someone's approach. The grey male was too busy muttering to himself, pacing, to realize. Titan only noticed through the dappled girl, his gaze slowly shifting. Someone was coming... but from which direction?

Two of the three were prepared to flee, goods in tow.

It had been a blow to those who had not seen it coming. He did though. Hakan had seen the wear accumulate on her shoulders. Weighing her down to impossible lows. The old healer was silent when the announcement came, his bi-colored eyes had watched the former queen with a soft understanding. Trying to will and gather his own energy to lift her up while she gave the speech, to shield her from the onslaught of confused and stricken voices. He could see again the child she had not had a chance to be.

Now they were on their way to the lands of her birth, her sister at the head, leading them, the next Queen. He was sure Alana had gotten her fair share of words and support and derision from the others. He though sidled up to her, hopefully a comforting presence with his warm smile on his muddy brown lips, and tried to place himself shoulder to shoulder with her, matching her pace as they travelled. Would she stay with the pack or go her own way? For a time he was silent as they walked, he was trying to shield her from the onslaught of the packs emotions over the change, as he was sure there would be questions, complaints, and downright anger from feeling abandoned by the leadership from some of them. Especially so soon after Puffin left.

Eventually he turned to her and tried to catch her green eyes. "Are you ok?" He asked softly, knowing full well she was most likely not.

ooc I'm assuming much of others reactions, but I tried to keep it fairly vague!

---

The moon was alluring tonight, bright and almost glowing. Oriana had found herself staring at the orb in the sky, quite the sight in the open starry backdrop not obstructed by jungle trees. Her travelling party was asleep from what she could tell, their attempted camp had fizzled out into nothingness as the deafening silence across the unmarked lands felt as though they extended into endless distances.

Rising to her feet, Oriana moved away from the make shift camp and decided to stretch her legs. She hadn’t forgotten the heartfelt meeting with her brother, perhaps if she continued to idly wander nearby she’d run into him again… if not him, then Hircine... oh, her sweet son; the reality of his disappearance started to set in as the days drawled on. Oriana decided perhaps soon it would be time to move on, for her own sanity. Move on from Saboro, move on from Hircine… No, there was still something that wanted her to hold on.

For a moment the world felt elated; like she was walking on a cloud in idle daydreaming of if she were to see her boy again, that she could go back and resume her position in Saboro. The thought made her wince rationally, but emotionally for a moment she allowed herself to be tricked by her whimsical creations within her mind; ruling Saboro in the way she'd always wished, without the tragedy and struggle she face, without the heartbreak, without the pain, without— ...a nearby noise clicked in with the paranoia she tried to shelf in the midst of her foolery.

Like a snap of a finger that dream dissipated like smoke. Alerts were on and Oriana tensed, perhaps more than usual as she had been unknowingly taken advantage of by her dreamlike thoughts.

With teeth bared she prepared herself for whoever was nearby, the glistening of ivory fangs easily the first thing to be seen against the moon’s vibrancy illuminating the clearing.

---

---

The air was cool and the waves were active, soothing crashing noises against the frothy shoreline were nearly a lullaby to ease anyone into sleep. However, the black prince was far from sleepy for once. He’d felt an unusual stirring in the evening now, beckoning him to the black beach that would undoubtedly one of his favourite spots to be. It had been the first place his mother had showed him when they moved to Gemini, and place he went to when he felt like he wanted to be closer to her, even when she was within the territory. During his time there he’d managed to wrangle a fish out of the ocean, a skill he’d practiced for months during the Queen’s downtime. Now that she was recovered and active once more, she’d had her paws full with new little ones.

Archer was glad for new siblings, even if he wasn’t sure how to handle the influx of family and was never very good at showing it. He’d forever love the depth and the bond he had with his litter mates; he was touched to see Harriette around more now that the times have gotten calmer. He knew she was distressed some days, the hefty reality of the hole in their family was hard to come to terms with. Deep down, Archer still wasn't sure he accepted it. Siblings couldn't fill that hole, but they proved to be a loving distraction every once and a while. But for today, Archer wanted to sit in solitude and watch the sun set, basking in the energy around him and likely being prayed on by silly spirits. The concept made him snicker at one point, looking at the shoreline and imagining the manifested form of his blue brother, one he never had a chance to spend time with in the ocean but could only imagine how amusing he'd be.

"I'd tackle you right in the water." He murmured to himself, perhaps to the air hoping Kariya would hear it, somewhere. His death was harder to come to terms with, for he was never found but still known to be gone. Archer wanted to ask questions but he knew they hurt; not only him but his parents. Something told him that more knowledge was out there about it... someone must know something. One day he'd want to find out, maybe... just maybe...

The sun was low on the ocean's horizon now as the sky lit up in reds and purples, beckoning the night stars to peel down from the sky as the descending fire star finished another day. Archer wasn't sure if he wanted to leave yet, if anything he felt even more compelled to stay now. Something else pulled him to remain there, with a deep, salty inhale he briefly closed his eyes.

I wish you were here.

---

Motherhood had been everything the young Queen had expected it to be, perhaps a bit more than that, even. The days following the bundles of joy had been nothing but bright and cheerful, truly some of the best reasons to start a new day. They’d all been growing so quickly, certainly at a rate to which seemed too fast and the shield monarch some days wished she could slow it down. From the moment all their eyes opened and they started to walk around, communicate, even laugh and chirp, Xenia’s love for her babies bloomed like spring flowers. They were truly a gift, made from love and rebirth as Inaria only grew stronger with the new hoard of future heirs and royal children flourishing within their purple-lined walls.

Surely she was not the only one indulging the unique joy of motherhood, for Xenia and Haven it had been the first time, but her mind had wandered toward their very close, almost sister-pack, and how their Queen had recently added more little faces and names to their family. Xenia had always been one to participate in Gemini-Inaria relations, right to the first time they’d taken refuge at Inaria’s borders before the creation of their beautiful stronghold as it were now. It was a unique time now, although it was not the first time Gemini had seen royal children, it was a first for both packs to have them all at once; something Xenia felt was too much of a destined happenstance to miss out on a gathering opportunity.

Discussions had begun within the Inarian leadership and the agreement to host a youthful event within Inaria during it’s spring bloom was decided. With a smile upon her face and a kiss to her mate and each of her children, Xenia set off to gather supplies and find her traveling companion, the royal consort, Cockatrice. To some surprise, one of the the Valor daughters had wanted to come, to which the flower Queen couldn't deny. They had been just about to set off their travels with the small gathering when a young, distant voice called out. “Mommmmaaaa!” Then, fast moving feet.

“Oh, my little angel.” Xenia sighed, looking down at her darling daughter, whom she could already tell was not impressed by her mother leaving. “If you go, I go too!” With a frown, Xenia wanted to tell her no, as eyes turned toward Cockatrice, then down to the golden princess who was standing, ready to go with them. It would seem unfair to deny Luna now, despite her having no intentions for her children to come along... however with a quick exchange of glances between two adults, Xenia finally gave in and murmured quietly. “You may come, but you must stay close. Pareidolia, you two stick together. Deal?” A gentle wink to them both before they’d finally set off.

---

The path was simply and memorable, one that Xenia had taken several times before. Their arrival came at dusk, the sun slowly descending down along the horizon line with a few hours of light left before the land would be swallowed in darkness. As they approached, the distinguishable wall of the territory became clear, as well as the skulls that guarded and warned away any who wanted to do harm. Xenia chose not to bring any attention toward them, wondering if the two princesses in tow would take notice. She trusted they’d listen well and not run off, likewise she knew Cockatrice would have just a keen eye on them as her. Had this been any other trip, she would not have been in favour of children coming, but Xenia knew this could be good for them, too.

Raising her muzzle to the sky she set off a gentle, welcoming call as she beckoned sentries to the borders. When they arrived she’d be standing poised with a warm smile and a purple flower-crown upon her head to quietly represent the Inarian culture. “Evening, thank you for taking your time to greet us.” She’d begin, offering a small nod of appreciation. “I am Queen Xenia of Inaria, beside me is the royal consort and Elite Guard, Cockatrice,” Her head would turn slightly in direction to him, before eyes dropped down to the two girls. “And, Princesses Pareidolia and Luna.” Xenia kept an eye on her own for a moment to see how politely she would respond.

“We are here on behalf of Inaria to invite Gemini to our home for a celebration of youth. We cordially invite the Queen and her family, as well as any and all of Gemini’s families.”

Another polite bow before she’d pass off any mentions to her party or Gemini’s greeters.

---

---

The new territory had been an, adjustment.

Time continued to pass and a new future showed it’s shining head with the masquerade of glory and power, of support and security. Cassiopeia felt anxiety slowly ease off of her as days passed and tragedy didn’t seem to follow the Saboran survivors. Like a shadow demon following the cursed beasts, Cassie for weeks had continued to check over her shoulder, that painful paranoia of more heartache, more pain, more sadness would strike them, for that’s all Saboro knew how to handle and to live.

But everything had been quiet, perhaps too quiet, and the biggest weight on the shoulder of the once-princess wasn’t that of fear, or anxiety, nor was it even sadness, but loss. The last glances she had of her mother, father, brothers and sister were constantly on repeat in the memories of the curly girl— no, not a girl anymore, but a full grown adult— one who walked the tightrope of her life and managed to survive and life past it with little damage. One of the fortunate, some might say; but her family’s birth seemed to have it’s own troubles scarred into their bloodline from the moment they were conceived. After all, what family was a good start when the union of their parent's love began on a battlefield?

Gentle maroon curls draped down the side of her face now as the tufty thing had grown into a longer, more elegant look; time had been passing so quickly Cassie had barely noticed the maturity in her own face. Her curls were rounder, coat as longer and her tail still managed to gather bits of things within them everywhere she went. The hellion lineage within her showed more and more as she grew, standing out among the rest although her royal ball-gown of curls she inherited from both sides only added to her regal appearance. Despite all this, Cassie had still been a soft, delicate girl at heart, even with the weight of a hectic past etched into her soul.

The new rings within the territory took a bit to be retaught, but she had less fear of it knowing she had some ability to pass due to her relation to Gray; despite the blip of leadership shift up before the move Cassiopeia was glad she could at least feel comfort in her status, even if she never flaunted it or used it for anything important. Those months were certainly her darkest days, perhaps a large part of Saboro as a whole. She missed her mother dearly. She missed them all.

Crossing through the narrow pathway into the fourth ring, Cassie aimed to find Gray. She had been unsure of the new Sabora’s feelings toward her and likewise, Cassiopeia was intimidated by the younger Queen, but she respected her nonetheless. But today she’d find sanctuary with the silver Sabor, brushing herself against him once he was found and exhaling quietly as she felt her bottled worries dissipate for a brief moment. They were safe here, they were happy here.

“Hi,” She cooed quietly and casually, still finding a way to comfortably use his formal title so instead she opts for what was familiar. If he allowed, she’d take a seat beside him, hoping she wasn’t interrupting anything important. She let silence sit between them for a moment before she inhaled deep, steadying herself for the words she didn’t want to admit, let alone be continued disappointment for them both. “Still no sign of Dirge….” Her voice trailed, looking away for a moment with a frown.

“Do you think he can find… us?” Do you think any of them will?