Ivette, Sun Seeker

♦RULES♦
1. Do not sell, kill, chase, or send to nature reserve. If you don't want her or need to make room, send her home to #129483 or send her to the next pride. I've already lost a lioness (on the roaming lioness thread), so PLEASE be careful and don't unsecure her. Thank you!
2. Please try not to keep her longer for a week (7 real life days). 7 months is a long time with one pride, so I'd prefer it if she only stayed around 3 months (3 real life days) in each pride. But considering variables, I get it if she stays a little longer. You are welcome to breed her (she's clean!). If you don't want the cubs, you're welcome to do whatever you want with them. You can send them to me too (#129483).
3. Only send her to Traveler's Guide to Lioden prides. Please do it through the discord or the clan thread.
4. You may add décor, markings, etc. to her. I'm sending her out with basically no décor. Do not remove her Kimanjano Maofelis marking. You can change everything else concerning her genetics and appearance, but don't change her name or footnote please.
Note: Anyone who makes her Kimanjano Maofelis marking 100% will get 2 free studdings, either to my current queen and/or my heir. (2 for one of them or 1 per.)
5. If you remove a décor, please replace it with something of equal value.
6. Feel free to add a small snippet of her time in your pride. Her goal is to visit as many prides as possible and learn about their culture, so have fun with it!
7. Return her to me (Hannbells #129483) when she's 8 years old.

♦BACKGROUND♦
Ivette was always nicknamed the Sun Seeker ever since she was born. As a cub and adolescent, she greatly enjoyed travelling all over the pride's territory, seeking new spots and learning as much about the landscape as possible. She spent the rest of her time at Star Falls, learning from the Eternals about the pride's culture and traditions. The Eternals found her endearing but irritating sometimes, for she questioned the faith in Leos by asking difficult questions. But the queen, Ishtar I, knew the adolescent was only curious and enchanted about everything. Barely after she became an adult, Ishtar offered Ivette the chance to travel the world to learn and search for new cultures. Of course, the Sun Seeker could not turn down such an incredible task, so she set forth on her journey with a curious naiveté that rivaled a newborn cub's knowledge of the world's horrors. What does the world have in store for her?

♦TRAVELING SCROLL♦

Username/ID: ✨kars✨ #210243
Notes: [Put decor/changes to her appearance here please.]
Story/Interaction:

Username/ID: morii #212942
Notes: Changed marking opacity!
Story/Interaction: True to her name, the Sun Seeker followed the sun's trail of light into a desert. She did not know why, but the young lioness's curiosity called her to the dry, arid wasteland. Unlike the other travelers who came before her though, she boldly marched through the burning sands, managing to sustain herself with what little she could find. And when she'd begun to think she was lost, never to escape the desert, she spotted, in the distance, a smudge of green, matched with a shimmer of something shiny and blue. Water! Life!

Filled with hope, Ivette quickened her pace, the sun's heat making the horizons shimmer. But as soon as she stepped paw into the soft, shaded ground of the oasis she'd found, she felt revitalized. In fact, her curiosity had been piqued, because someone clearly lived within the oasis! Why anyone would choose to live in the middle of that awful desert, she could not understand, but maybe they had a story to tell.

She padded through a clearly marked trail lined with flowering shrubs, the damp, gloomy undergrowth lit up by the soft golden glow filtering through strange, woven balls dangling from the trees. Just then, she heard the soft murmur of water, paired with the occasional squeal of...a cub? Ears perking, she quickened her step, emerging from the thick undergrowth in front of a system of shallow pools, with small waterfalls babbling from the top, streaming down into the lower pools like a fountain of sorts.

She noticed a large group of lionesses, along with several cubs and adolescents. Unfortunately for her though, they all seemed to notice her at the same time, and all conversation slowed to a stop. To her surprise, there were no males at all.

"Axcazi!" A lioness purred, rising from the crystalline water of one of the higher pools. With a graceful leap, she landed softly at the edge of the frontmost pool, the largest one, closest to Ivette, who tipped her head curiously. Realizing that everyone was staring at her, she shifted her paws, stammering out a greeting.

"Oh! Uhm, hello! I'm Ivette, the Sun Seeker! I come here in search of refuge and stories. I won't be staying long!"

She felt embarrassed, but the older, heavily scarred lioness let out a hearty chuckle, and, just like that, any tension seemed to vanish. "You must pardon me, young Ivette. Axcazi is our way of greeting. It is our traditional tongue, if you will. Now come, your paws must be weary. I can bring you to a place of rest and relaxation, and I'm sure our king would like to speak with you later. Jyothi likes to formally welcome all travelers to the Oasis. Big on formalities, he is," the lioness purred, and, despite her completely blinded eye, Ivette felt at ease with her. Introducing herself as Malaya, she led Ivette to a place she called the "Weary Paw Inn," as well as introducing her to Amala, the innkeeper.

She was immediately tended to by Amala, being brought fresh bedding of the softest moss she'd ever felt, as well as a hollow rock filled with water. She was hesitant to drink that, fearing it was from the pools she'd seen what must have been the whole pride lounging in, but Amala assured her it was from the heart of the Oasis, a place called Starfall Springs.

"The Springs do connect to Luma Pools, but they feed the Pools, so the water you're drinking is clean and pure," she reassured.

As she was eating the gazelle carcass she'd been brought, she couldn't help but think about the similarities between this place and her own home. Well, in the whole "Starfall" thing. It was interesting how two completely separate, unique, and very distant prides could share any similarities at all, even if only in a name.

"How exactly did the Starfall Springs get their name, if you don't mind my asking?" Ivette was more than a little bit curious.

"Oh? Well, for one, it is because the water is so tranquil, so reflective, that, at night, it reflects every star in the sky, appearing as if it itself is its own sky. However," she said this with a bit of a sly wink, "if you're more interested in the spiritual side of things, then they say that on a special night, when the moon is at its zenith, the Ancients come down from their stars in the sky to whisper in the ears of our royals. Of course, no one's ever seen it, but Jyothi has supposedly been called away to go and listen to their murmurings." With that, she left Ivette alone to process this.

For one, the Oasis was clearly a lot larger than she'd initially thought, especially if it housed an entire pride of lions.

As she was mulling it all over, a dark-red furred lion entered the cave she was in, the ever-present golden glow of those strange orbs dancing off his golden mane.

"Axaczi," he rumbled with a dip of his head. "Formally, I am Smolderstar, but that is mainly to the Ancients-our ancestors-and for ceremonial purposes. You may call me Jyothi, for that is my common name. You are Ivette, yes?"

"Yes," she bowed her head, realizing this must be the king. But once again, her curiosity was piqued. Common names? Formal names?

"I'm very sorry, but what do you mean by common name?"

"Ah, yes, I had a feeling you might ask about that. Come, allow me to give you a tour of the Oasis and I will explain." He led her throughout, showing her all the main attractions and secluded spots, walking and talking.

"We are the Pride of Burning Sands, and this here, our home, is the Starfall Springs Oasis. Like any pride, we have our own unique traditions. For one, every cub born here is given two names. Their common name, the one that they will be addressed with by their pridemates, such as mine, Jyothi, or Honeyshadow's, Amala. They are also given their formal name, one that will be used for aging ceremonies and by the ancestors. A cub will always have their formal name suffixed with 'kit,' demonstrating their youngness. For me, my formal name would be Smolderkit. Then, once the cub becomes old enough to begin their training, a ceremony is held in their name and they are given a new name, such as Smolderpaw. The suffix paw shows that they are training for their place in our pride. Finally, when they have finished their training, they are given their own, unique name, something that represents who they are to the Ancients. Mine was Smolderheart, Amala's is Honeyshadow."

Glancing down at Ivette, he noticed her about to say something. "I now bear the name -star because I have become king. This shows to the Ancestors that I am loyal to them and uphold my duties with respect to them."

They took the scenic route back to the pride's camp area, a place she learned was called the Wellspring Glades. There was definitely a lot of water in this place, huh? After a filling meal, followed by pleasant chatter amongst everyone, Jyothi stepped up to a rocky overhang overlooking the pool they were eating around, a waterfall lapping at the stone under his paws as it tumbled over the edge, splashing into the pool below.

"To all those old enough to walk the Burning Sands, please gather around the Wellspring for a meeting!" Most of the pride was already gathered, so Jyothi continued on.

"Today, a very special lioness has joined our ranks, if only temporarily. I'm sure you've all seen her. She has introduced herself as Ivette, and I sense great promise in her. She has done what few have been able to; she made her way through the desert and reached the Oasis on her own, guided by nothing but the sun and her instinct. After talking with her myself, I believe that our ancestors-and hers, wherever they may reside-smile down upon her and have big things planned for her. As such, I'd like to honor her by presenting her to the Ancients with a ceremony. Ivette, please step forward, if you will."

Ivette blinked in surprise as the full effect of the speech washed over her. Realizing that everyone was once again watching her, she stood up nervously, stepping forward until she was toe-to-toe with the edge of the pool.

"Ivette, by the powers invested in me from my ancestors, I give you this name, Sunblaze, to honor your blazing curiosity and determination. Though you are not one of our own, our ancestors smile down on you and will continue to watch over you even after you leave us."

Her eyes widened as she heard that name-her name, now?-being chanted. That evening, there were many festivities held; one lioness who seemed particularly skilled in herb-knowledge mixed together a concoction of berries that gave her a pleasant buzz. Cubs frolicked around while adolescents showed off their skills. She was deep in conversation with one of the lionesses from earlier, Malaya, when Jyothi drew her away.

She was a little bit confused, but he led her back to Starfall Springs.

"Now, before I say anything else, I would like to let you know that you do not need to use that name, it is simply for ceremonial purposes, and perhaps a little something to remember us by." She nodded as Jyothi spoke.

"Ivette, as I said during your naming ceremony, I sense great promise in you. No one before has ever been able to enter anywhere near our pride without an escort. It is our protection you see. The desert does not allow anyone to come near us, however, it will lead us to find any who have tried to enter and have good intentions. And yet, you were able to pad into the Oasis and walk straight into one of our main gathering spots."

He placed a large paw on her shoulder, covering up one of her dull patches. "You introduced yourself as the Sun Seeker, and yet, you carry the sun itself in your fur."

As he lifted his paw, she felt a warmth spread from her nose to her tail-tip, and when she turned her shoulder, her spotted pelt was practically glowing! She turned to ask him what that was about, but he had already gone, a quivering fern the only thing assuring her it wasn't a hallucination from that concoction.

She fell asleep there, gazing into the pond, realizing how aptly it was named as she watched the stars clearly reflected in the water.

During the rest of her stay, she went on several hunts, learning much about the pride's unique hunting tactics. However, she was never able to get Jyothi alone to ask him about that strange night. So, with blessings from the friends she'd made and tearful goodbyes from the cubs she'd played with, she set off once more, this time with the brightly twinkling stars to guide her.

Username/ID: Thetesslacoil/ID: 213866
Notes: [Put décor/changes to her appearance here please.]
Story/Interaction: Ivette, with her glowing new coat, wandered back out into the desert, feeling in her heart that she would not struggle out there like she had before she found the oasis. She was following that elusive sun and she knew it, with her new connection to the ancestors, would guide her safely to her next destination, wherever that may be. Eventually, the sand gave way to sparse patches of grass, which grew to soft green rolling hills that soothed her rough pads worn by the sand. She lay in the shade of a tree at the edge of a forest and licked her sore paws. Her ears twitched and she perked her head up at the sound of rustling underbrush behind her. Turning around, she just barely caught a glimpse of something moving in the dense underbrush. “Hello,” she called out, “I am Ivette, a traveler. I seek answers to my questions, and a place to rest.”
“What kind of questions?” A voice responded. She couldn’t see who it was coming from.
“Well..” she thought. “Any you have answers for.”
There was silence for a few seconds and Ivette started to worry that the other being had left, then she heard soft laughter of many voices and a lioness with no eyes emerged from the trees. She was adorned in silver jewelry and was sprouting small mane like fur around her jaw and wearing a feathered head adornment. “Very well, Ivette, follow me.”
The strange lioness led Ivette through the maze of vines and trees. They walked for a long time and Ivette had lost track of where the sun was in the sky. It was dark in the forest and every place looked the same. Just trees everywhere. Swallowing her mild fear of the lioness with black pits for eyes, Ivette began her questions. “You haven’t introduced yourself, what’s your name?”
“I am known by many names,” the lioness started, her attention not diverting from weaving between the trees, “Soul Gripper, Shadowed Gaze, scary black eye lady.” She chuckled, “that one is from the cubs. But those who know me simple call me Tamala.”
“Your eyes.. what happened?”
Tamalas tail twitched slightly but she did not slow her pace. “What you see is merely an illusion to keep you safe. I have been...bestowed.. powers by the demons that crawl beneath our paws. In the time of sickness, my king made a deal with a demon in order to save me from the disease that was spreading across the lands. But a favor from a demon did not come without a trick. He purged the sickness from my blood, but replaced it with this power. I am capable of dark things, Ivette, but I have learned to use this power to help my pride.”
Ivette was silent, taking in this new knowledge of the existence of demons and curses. She had heard stories of heaven and hell, but she thought those were just cub stories the elders told to keep the young ones in line. But soon started her questions again, “Why didn’t your king ask the angels? If demons exist, then surely angels do to!”
“Oh, they exist.” Tamala growled, “they exist to serve only themselves. My king, Redtail, tried to ask the angels for help, but they ‘looked in his heart’ and deemed him unworthy of their grace. They didn’t even give a reason.”
Ivette thought on this for a moment. She didn’t know Redtail yet, so he may have done something to offend the angels, surely angels wouldn’t turn away a pride in need if they were worthy. But Ivette kept her mind from taking sides, she wasn’t there, she cannot know who did or didn’t do what.
“Her we are,” Tamala stopped at a wall of rock and vine. Ivette looked right and left and saw the wall continued on in both directions, the top of the wall disappearing into the trees above. Tamala pushed aside a thick bramble of ivy to reveal a hole before slipping through it, the darkness swallowing her.
Ivette sniffed at the hole, not smelling or hearing anything unusual, she entered as well, sweeping the vines back in place behind her with her tail. She couldn’t see a thing, the only way to go was forward, there was only a few inches of wiggle room in the tunnel and Ivette was starting to panic in the tight dark place before Tamala and Ivette exited out the other end, showing a massive clearing bustling with life. From cubs trying to climb the wall, to a pair of lionesses having a tussle. She hoped it was a friendly one. She also hoped someone was watching those cubs.
“Welcome. You must be Ivette, the sun seeker.” A male lion greeted her.
She figured this must be the king, Redtail. He didn’t seem too impressive, but she bowed anyways. “How do you know my name?” Ivette asked.
“Tamala told me.”
“But I didn’t tell Tamala my full title..” Ivette turned to look at Tamala who was standing next to the opening of a cave, staring at her. Her black eyes seemed to envelope Ivette, making her unable to move or look away. ‘We will meet again, Ivette.’ Voices in her mind spoke. Her trance broke suddenly when Tamala turned away and disappeared into the cave.
“Very sorry about that..” Redtail said nervously, glancing at where Tamala had been standing. He cleared his throat, “Come, I’ll show you around. Tamala has already told me you are a traveler! Many have passed through here.”
“Wait, I have so many questions!” Ivette said, jogging to catch up with the king who had already started walking away. “This place is so loud, how come I couldn’t hear you from outside the wall? I couldn’t smell any of this either! What IS this smell anyways?” Ivette opened her mouth to better sense the odd smell in the air.
“The traveling nomads are here in the lands. They gift us knowledge of herbs and medicines to help strengthen our bodies and bonds with the ancestors.” Redtail explained. “One of our lionesses is learning how to create herbal remedies for our pride. It is the mix of plants you smell. And you can’t hear or smell us outside the wall because it’s too dense and thick. The surrounding trees help to further mask our sounds and smells with their rustling leaves and rich earthy aroma.” That made sense.
Ivette looked up and saw the sun, peeking out from just above the tree line. She sighed with relief and continued walking with the king, asking questions about everything she saw. He answered as best as he could until he introduced her to Lema, a pride broodmother, and quietly excused himself to do his kingly duties.
For the remainder of her time, Ivette asked every question she could to whomever would answer. She asked about the stories of the demons and the sickness, of the war between heaven and hell, of the prides ancestors and unborn. She was especially intrigued by a cub named Nakeisha, a mutated newborn who should have died a long time ago. Lema explained it was the whispers of the ancestors that kept young Nakeisha alive, but Lema couldn’t seem to answer Ivettes questions as to how or why. Nevertheless, she learned a lot about and from this pride. She went on hunts and helped gather herbs for medicines and care for the cubs, even birthing one of her own in her months there with the pride. When it was time to go, she sadly said her goodbyes and picked her cub up. Tamala, who she had not seen since her arrival here, appeared to lead her back out of the wall to a path that would lead her out of the forest and on her way to continue her journey. Leaving her with a blessing of safe travels for Ivette and her cub, Tamala stood watch as the two disappeared into the underbrush.

Username/ID: Ashfire #208857
Notes: [Put decor/changes to her appearance here please.]
Story/Interaction: Elio, and the pride of the hidden oasis. (ventures through Lorna's pride, the pride of endless sand)
Ivette excited the strange jungle, following the sun for miles without any signs of another pride... How was she supposed to learn more if there was no one to learn from?? where was the sun guiding her this time?
soon she found another desert... Ivette hesitated, not wanting to set a paw on the hot sand, for something felt off about these sandy hills that seemed to stretch for miles... Her worry washed away as she suddenly spotted the strangest sight of them all!! A flying lion!!! With glowing golden horns!!! this lioness seemed to have been guiding a small sandstorm with her powerful wings and this strange gold dust that seemed to float off her. Ivette was mesmerized by this lioness' strength and grace! but her question was how did she get this way?
once the flying lioness caught her pray, a Warthog, in her mini storm Ivette ran into the desert, ignoring the hot sand, to great this lioness... but the instant she stepped foot into the desert, everything changed all around her... She almost lost sight of the lioness because of this. "What is going on?" she said a little scared as she looked behind her realizing the grass she was just in was gone... replaced with endless sand!

"You shouldn't have entered this desert." a lioness growls as she drops the warthog in front of Ivette. before Ivette could ask why the strange winged lioness answered. "It's cursed to any who step foot in these lands... meaning You can't leave." The Lioness said coldly like she has had to say this to other lions many times.
"but I-I... what do you mean! how am I supposed to go home or go to the next pride if I'm trapped? How does this desert even trap me or work??" Ivette asked scared and filled with questions. the amount of questions overwhelmed the lioness, making her sighs in annoyance. "Calm down! I can't answer so many questions! all I know is that a god placed the spell on these lands to protect himself and my pride, the pride of Endless sand." The lioness scowled flaring her wings and blowing a little sand in Ivette's face. Ivette shook the sand from her fur and face calming down a little, but still in shock. "ok... then how do I leave?"
The lioness makes a sheepish smile at Ivette "Uh... Elio, a god, is who placed the spell. Only he and his most trusted pride members know the way out... my Queen, Lorna, doesn't even know how to exit this desert, and she was born in his pride."
Ivette listened, this Elio sounded like he was trying to do something good, but isn't a desert a deathly place for a pride? especially with no water. She asked that to the stranger, who answered with. "Water is scarce, and my pride doesn't have the luxury of living in an oasis, unlike Elio. but we survive, thanks to Golden Rain and our Queen. They find water filled plants and we also harvest rain water with turtle shells." The lioness explained before picking up the warthog and tossing it onto her back. "Life is hard here, but we are close to the desert god, Anubis, and the sun god, Elio. So we are filled with hope, as they both watch over us."
Ivette asked many questions as she walked with this strange lioness, she found out her name was Tilmessu.
She then finds out that Angels visited the pride of the endless sand. They did nothing to help in anyway, but their presence awakened something within Tilmessu giving her power over the sand and beautiful wings.
The two stopped at the pride of the hidden sand's resting spot... it was a rock covered area filled with shade, but there was no water... the lions there looked beaten up by the desert. this was nothing like the last desert pride she visited. The only thing that kept this pride going was their faith. Most of the older lions where not friendly and stayed far away from the Queen. The Queen herself was a beautiful golden lioness with patches of black all over her. upon a closer look, Ivette could see the Queen's paws where worn and scared from her endless travels. "Why does she do that to herself? and why does it seem like half the pride hates her?" she asked Tilmessu. "She made a decision that a lot of the pride members didn't like... but she had to do what she had to do, to save this pride. if she didn't we could have all died to rabies." Tilmessu answered one of the questions. "Why does she work herself so hard? to repent for the thing she is hated for. hoping that in the eyes of Anubis she'll be redeemed. Even more so to prove herself to her brother Elio."
Ivette understood everything but the last part. How was this lioness related to a God? "That's a question for Elio, not me. for the answer is complicated."
Ivette stayed in the pride of endless sand for a little bit, asking questions and finding out more about these strange lions and how they survive in such harsh conditions. She tried to ask Lorna how she was related to Elio, but every time she went over, The lioness was playing with her son Bisma. He seemed to make her extremely happy, so Ivette decided not to bother them with questions and just play with the happy cub as well.

Soon it was time for Ivette to head to Elio's hidden oasis. Tilmessu decided to guide Ivette to the god, to make sure her Queen rested and stayed home with her son. "How do you navigate this desert? it seems to change constantly!" Ivette asked as they traveled. "We have lived here our whole lives, and know the tricks of this cursed desert, where some pray and other lions would get lost and die." Ivette wondered if she would ever understand this twisted desert, maybe if she stayed a few years, but she wanted to see more than just this.
Once they arrived, Ivette could feel that off presence again, like the creepy rock spikes surrounding Elio's territory where screaming at her to run, run far away from this place. "Ignore that, Elio has been experimenting with demonic fear since the demons visited this desert, along with the angels." Tilmessu said before guiding Ivette into a pretty hidden cave in the spike wall. creepy cave, but the land waiting for her on the other side was beautiful!! This place was even more filled with life then the last oasis she visited. The land was completely different from the outside desert, even the air felt cooler in this oasis. The instant Ivette spotted the Oasis' water supply, she hurried over to it and eagerly started drinking the water. She didn't realize how thirsty she was until she gazed upon the large body of water.

While she was drinking water Ivette saw a beautiful blue lioness approached from behind her in the reflection of the water.
"Hello, Tilmessu says your name is Ivette, sun seeker. You seek answers correct?" The lioness asks. Ivette quickly nods and faces the sparkling lioness, decorated with jewelry making her even more beautiful.
"I'm Stella, Elio's Queen. I can help you gain the knowledge of leaving-"
"Wait! I don't want to leave yet! There are so many questions I have, please don't make me leave yet…" Ivette interrupted and begged the Queen.
Stella was taken aback from the Lionesses boldness, but smiled at her eagerness to learn.. "Alright, you can stay for a little longer. Just stay out of trouble, and only ask Questions when I'm around" Stella purred, not even mad.
Ivette tilted her head a little confused why only when Stella was around. "I keep the peace here, and not every lion here likes visitors. Diopta being one of them, stay away from her" Stella warned with a warm smile.

Ivette heeded Stella's words and only went out to speak with the pride members when Stella was around. But the one lion she wanted to ask Questions to the most wasn't around, and was very aloof, was Elio… he came and went like the wind, and Ivette only saw him entering and exiting 3 specific caves. His cave, his daughters, and the cave out. She was never able to catch him for quite a while… till Solara noticed Ivette.
"Are you trying to get my father's attention?" Solara asked as she examined the lioness who seemed to shine like the sun. Ivette nodded "I just want to ask him how the desert spell works, and why he did it." Ivette admitted. Solara just smiled, seeing this young Lionesses curiosity of the world and anything she doesn't understand intrigued her.
"Hmm if knowledge is what you seek, then you should try being a shaman. Speak with ancient whispers and get the knowledge you so rightfully deserved!"
Ivette was a little intrigued by what Solara was saying, but that last statement gave her an odd feeling… like this lion had other motivations.
However Ivette was too curious and listened to Solara talk about her training. Ivette even went into Solara's cave to learn how she was taught to communicate with the ancestor whispers. One even appeared to them one day!! It was so intriguing and fascinating!
Due to their success Solara invited Ivette to help her communicate with spirits outside the oasis. "We'll learn something new from a non pridemate's Whisper!" Was the words that convinced Ivette to follow Solara
(-)
That day… was probably the worst. Ivette followed the princess out to the middle of nowhere, the simple rule of staying with Stella left her mind in the pursuit of knowledge! She was so excited to see this spirit Solara wanted to commune with! She helped gather the herbs, mash the herbs together, and build the altar to help further the connection! "This is it!! Finally!!" Solara yowled excitedly as she lit the fire to the altar. Suddenly, Ivette was tackled to the ground by Solara. "Sorry sweetie but your special energy is needed!" Solara purred with a sadistic smile. As she raised her paw to slit Ivette's throat she was suddenly nudged off balance by a big paw. "What are you doing?" A male's voice growled, making Solara slink off Ivette and lower herself to the ground embarrassed that she was cought. "W-well! That's a fun question! Dad, I'm trying to bring Gerald's whisper to us! We can set him free! I just need-"
"SILENCE! not another word… now go to your cave!" Elio scolded making Solara scamper off upset. When Ivette got over her shock Elio was sitting in front of her Waiting for her to snap out of it.
"Finally, my daughter thinks she is doing the right thing, so don't think ill of her." Elio stated. "But why?! Why did she do this? What was she doing? I thought she was trying to communicate to a lion's Whisper?" Ivette rambled out. Elio answered all her questions, calmly. Solara thought she was doing something right, she was sacrificing your whisper in exchange to see Gerald's the first king. She was, just not in the way you thought…
(-)
After Elio guided Ivette back to the pride, she asked all her questions that she was dying to ask. Elio answered everything he could and quite enjoyed the days off to just chit chat.
Ivette finally felt fulfilled with the answers she got here. But one last one remained. "How did you become a god?"
Elio chuckled "whispers, the more I have the longer I live and the more powerful I become." This answer was not what Ivette expected… but it explained why Elio seemed so nonchalant about his daughter almost killing her… she might be just a whisper in his eyes, one yet to be collected..
"It's an upsetting answer to most, but it's the only path to godhood... So let's change this subject, I have something to show you." Elio said before guiding Ivette up the kopje that reached over Elio's cave.
Ivette was nervous at first, but again curiosity got the better of her. What did this wise king have in store for her?
"This is the best place to watch the sun rise, and the best farewell gift." Elio stated, right before the sun began to rise. The magnificent sunrise over the desert and oasis was breathtaking… however so was Elio! His hard to see sunset and sunrise Markings began to glimmer in the sun's light! "You've been trapped here for far too long… plus I don't want my daughter trying to sacrifice you again." Elio stated before placing a paw on her head. "Lions in search of answers deserve the right to the truth, now go, scratch that itch and search for the knowledge you yearn for." Elio purred with a big smile. He had a soft spot for lions in search for answers.

Ivette had gained the knowledge to leave the desert! So after saying goodbye to everyone, she left… she could feel Elio's watchful gaze as she ventured back out into the desert. Ivette did drop by the endless sand pride to say goodbye before leaving the desert. She was filled with knowledge of magic and rituals… but also fear, fear of others' goals… Like Solara's desire to save the old King's whisper from the celestial God Apedemak. Guess she was trying to please her father, but was she even telling the truth? That answer Ivette would never get… also didn't she have a son?

♦RETURNING HOME♦
Ivette returned to providence valley with a bounce in her step. She had grown considerably, both mentally and physically, thanks to her travels. With ease, she made her way towards the small cluster of shrubs only to discover that nothing was the same. Ishtar was dead, murdered and usurped by Ur who now called himself Enkidu, a god of nightmares. Her pridemates were all but living in constant fear, walking on glass and eggshells to appease what the new king called his dynasty, the tightknit group of lions who had abilities. Ivette was horrified to learn about everything, but like always, her curiosity about nytox surpassed all warnings.

She approached the dynasty's area, immediately being greeted by Kenshin, who remembered her well enough to keep the other lions- known as goddesses- from attacking her. Ivette was surprised to see Esfir as the queen; she always suspected that Savannah would become queen when she returned from her travels. But something about the lioness made Ivette restrain from asking such a question. Instead she asked about what had happened, why they had done the things they did, and for more information about nytox. Esfir only gave so much in a cold tone, indicating that she did not like the questions.

When Ivette's questions concerning Enkidu and nytox proved to bothersome, Esfir ordered Vigdis, the war goddess, to teach the traveler a lesson. Beaten and bleeding, Ivette ran from the valley, scared for the future of her pride. None in her travels had tried to hurt her for her curiosity. The lioness collapsed on the edges of a jungle and awoke in a different camp surrounded by unknown lions. She learned they were called the Starless, a pride of lions who lived in a deep jungle that sunlight barely came through and no night sky could penetrate the canopy. The king, Kneph, permitted her to join the pride. Ivette enjoys learning about the jungle and the new ways of the pride immensely, but a part of her wonders if she'd ever stop wishing to travel.