Rift glanced back as he stepped out of the clearing and into the thick foliage of the rest of the cave. Since the Kingdom had begun he actually hadn't taken the time to leave his garden alone. He hadn't patrolled the forest like he had before, he was too fixated on bringing life back to his home and making sure the rest of the Kingdom was settling in okay.

But Mercurius hadn't come to live with them. He had elected to stay in his old garden some ways away. Rift could understand why he had chosen to do so but still, he wished a little bit that the lion would come to live with them full time. He was important to many of the citizens, and the hybrids that had once been Bloodberries seemed to rely on him. He sighed. This whole ruling thing was a lot more difficult then he thought.

He was on his way now, though, because it had eventually become a little too much. He was stressed and Mercurius's words were ringing in his head. If you ever have need, Rift, of... a talk and how to restrain yourself and your anger, I'm here. It had become quite apparent to Rift that he wasn't as in control of himself and his emotions as he thought he was. It still haunted him, the bloodlust he had taken on during the fight, the desire to tear apart the children, to rip their skin from their bodies and let them bleed in the grass. And the anger he had displayed once it was over, his impulsive actions. It was at last time to really better himself.

He approached the garden where Mercurius lived and slowed down. Even though he had taken on the role of leader, he still respected the old lion. "Mercurius?" he called softly from a short distance away. He wouldn't intrude on his home unless the lion invited him in.

@Mercurius

Mercurius was busying himself in the wake of the Kingdom's formation--- perhaps a little selfishly so. The Bloodberry children had been settled in both his garden and the main tree (which, Rift had kindly offered a space in and he had responded with a simple "consider me a neighbor, not a guest" with a soft laugh for punctuation.) The old storyteller was certain he would be free to travel between, but he was just too used to the comfort of his moss-grown bed and the specific contours of it that he had spent cycles curating. That, and it seemed to be a meeting place that required quite a bit of upkeep --- the earth seemed to be very fertile and keen on the idea of growth.

As such, he was busying himself: clearing away some of the overgrowth with soft, chiding words; rearranging the number of lights along the edges and half-obscured by tall wheatgrasses; dusting off the delicate snowglobe his son had given him (ah, I hope Arsu is well...); and reorganizing his various trinkets. It was simple busywork, but it was enough to distract him from what the future had to hold, and what bloodshed had plagued the Maw of Mosses. Mercurius hoped, gently, that the ex-Bloodberry children were doing well in his absence, amongst the other members of the Kingdom.

Speaking of the Kingdom--- a soft voice, but clear. It was that of the puma, the green one, yes? The other had a bit of smoke in his lungs. Mercy stopped in his ministrations for a moment, tail flicking idly. Moonlit gaze falling upon the grove's only entrance and exit, he woofed, "no need to wait, Rift. You're always welcome in." Despite knowing little of the smaller feline, the old lion knew he could be trusted. Any cat with an affinity for plant life could allow him to rest easy, knowing that his garden wouldn't be trashed for the sake of it.

Should the puma come in, Mercurius would indicate toward one of the four flattened patches of grass in the grove, "have a seat if you'd like."

@Rift

At Mercy's invitation, Rift ducked into his den and turned his eyes to the lion. He always looked so calm, so peaceful. Rift couldn't help but envy the level of serenity that he always sensed from the older cat. He gave him a respectful nod and settled down in the place that the lion had gestured to.

Well, now that he was here, how to start? He wondered if Mercurius even remembered the offer he had given to him during the formation of the Kingdom. It had been a few cycles ago, after all, and Rift found himself forgetting many things. He could only imagine what it was like to remember everything if he was as old as Mercurius.

His tail curled and uncurled on the ground behind him as he hesitated for a moment. "It's good to see you...are you well? And the two children as well? How are they doing?" It had suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't seen fit to check on the two since he had welcomed them both into the Kingdom. He would have to fit that into one of these days as well. It wasn't the purpose of his visit, of course, but he did not know how else to start.

@Mercurius

Rift eyed him for a moment, but settled easily into one of the beds. The old storyteller blinked, ears flicking as he idly wondered what that glance had held before a respectful nod. Always with the formalities, hm? Mercurius supposed they weren't close at all, and most certainly not enough to skip to a burgeoning friendship --- though, that hadn't quite stopped him and Pride from becoming something of a platonic duo raising twin sons. Judging from the relationship the green cat had with his darker brother(?) Mercy wasn't really content with skipping the awkward acquaintance phase, especially not with a Gembound who was supposed to be his leader.

Anyways.

The conversation began in a friendly enough manner that he was happy to place himself amiably in front of Rift. Dropping carefully into prime loafing position, Mercy shook out his mane. "I am well, yes," he smiled gently, though furrowed his brow, "how are you aware of my sons?" Gears began to turn. "Ah, forgive me, you mean Huckleberry and Yew, yes?" A beat. "I have not seen much of Huckleberry, but Yew tends to come to the garden to sleep with me. I do not want to pressure them, but for them to know that they are always welcome here, for whatever they need."

It was the gentle starts that were the most successful, you see.

@Rift