.svg/2000px-Google_Chrome_icon_(2011).svg.png){kind=icon}
The Elephant King felt far removed from Dorobo, now. He had been in Helovia for seasons (—years? it felt like he had lived lifetimes since the Fall—), and had created a new life. A life so far removed from the vengeful Elephant General he had been on the Great Plains. He was King here, dedicated to justice and fairness—but also protection. He had a family, a lover, children. The King’s roots were sunk deep into the Edge’s cold, rich soil—so different from the sandy, dry loam of the plains. So his mind was no where near the thoughts of Dorobo when Khairi’s distinctive, eerie call sounded above him. His navy eyes rotated up, both he and Mbwene moving into a dutiful trot to heed his daughter’s summoning.
His black-rimmed ears tipped back at Kiada’s appearance at the borders, “You left the Edge?” his brows knitted together in concern and disapproval. He already lost his son, he did not need to lose his daughter. Both Katua and Zubari stayed safe within the Edge. Why was it that Kiada and Kianzo felt the need to wander from their homes?
But the Elephant was not left long to linger on the uneasy thoughts of lost children, because his gaze moved past the gilded princess to another equine that time had lost to him. “Mavuto?” His deep rumble was filled with incredulous shock. “Wha—Why—How are you here?” His brows were raised and his dark navy eyes wide as the shocked, stilted question pushed out of his half-agape lips.
The King had made peace with the loss of those that had breached through the vengeful shell he had become in Dorobo. And so he had not expected to ever see the ferociously loyal, wickedly sharp Mavuto again. Ears, which had tipped forward, twitch as memories began to bombard his mind. The false information, the spying, the rebellion—all of which Mavuto had been deeply embroiled in. And it would be a lie to say that guilt did not pepper the King’s thoughts when he remembered leaving after the Fall. A soft, surprised breath pushed out of his nostrils as he continued to stare at the honey badger, mind trying to catch up to the now.
Mbwene, meanwhile, trundled up to Kiada, playing with her silken mane in greeting while eyeing the newcomer closely. There was some kind of manic energy she radiated that kept the small elephant at bay.
@Kiada @Mavuto
Please tag Tembovu.
