Let’s not play this game, mincing words, dancing carefully. Diplomacy was a bore. And Avdotya ached for Nymeria to drop the façade of politeness.

There were vermin afoot, that threatened the precarious notion of peace and orderliness that most valued. They took to the darker sway of instinct—greed, brute elitism, masochism against the fairer sex. They spoke of causing ripples of dissent and discord, all but threatened against fairness and laws of more eloquent beings. Swamp rats. Ava openly grimaced, turning her face from the pair at the thought. No, Avdotya held little respect for those that danced diplomacy in the face of open worry.

You have concerns as do I.

Their kind bred discontent; they waged war against refugees; claiming what they would without care for the needs of those seeking safety and warm homes. They reeked of the kin Ava knew from her youth; the same her mother served and worshipped. Abuse of freedom, and choice. Her words held a dangerous edge, blistering with a quiet wrath she’d not known since leaving her mother. We’re lower on the scale of social decorum, and we as lionesses, know better than Magnus and others of his sex of how careful we must be.

Or was Nymeria living some idyllic dream that escaped the rest of them?

Likely not.

And the implications against her king raged and rattled in her stomach. She sucked in a heavy breath and forgetting herself, faced Nymeria with an even challenge. Her brow heavy with a glower. And I wouldn’t be here if I found Magnus to be the alleged same as these... Casimir.

She'd not met them; but the rot in her gut offered caustic worry. And that had never led her astray before.

nymeria remained confident, poised, as she listened to the words being offered in her direction. it was a lot to think about and consider, surely, but it eased her worries to know that they seemed to find kinship in their values, both personal and pride-oriented.

purposefully did her lips go to part, responses dangling upon the tip of her tongue, until there is a brashness to the conversation that the druid had not been expecting to arise. it catches her off-guard, eyes twisting to land firmly upon the other woman’s figure as her voice filled the air with blunt intent, swirling across perched ears and heightened senses. and there, from the depths of her chest, did nymeria feel the smallest flicker of fire, born from the pointed words of the other woman, who appeared to believe that she being deceitful or, at the very least, not forthcoming in her disposition. "you mistake my inquiry for accusation, lady avdotya. i have come here to find peace and understanding — which i would not do if i thought that the hollows was the same place it used to be." her brows furrowed slightly as she spoke, but nymeria kept the same even tone throughout. she was no fool, nor was she blissfully naive to the threat that stood before them — for, as @Avdotya had said, the potential dangers of the casimir were all too real. "let me be clear when i say that there is no place for such barbarism here." an added comment, gaze moving from the noble and back towards @Magnus, as she scorches the bubble of emotion within her chest, trying to subside it back down into ash.

nymeria would allow her words to hang there for a moment, before craning her neck, shoulders rolling in an absent fashion, as she goes to speak once more. "i hope you both understand that i am protecting not only a pride, but a way of life." vermeda was nothing if not for the foundation that it was built upon, after all. it was legacy and ancestry and history, all tied together with a brimming red bow, incomparable to anything else that resided within amaryllis. "in an ally, i’d ask for respect for my people, and assistance and warnings in times of trouble. we are not bred towards violence, but i can offer ample healers, rangers, shelter, and information towards your cause, should you need it. we grew up on these lands long before they were made into prides, and i know each territory like the back of my own paw." nymeria spoke more directly to the czar now, but her gaze continued to shift back towards avdotya periodically, carefully studying her face for further reactions and, perhaps, displeasure. "having said that, i am more than happy to hear your thoughts, and what else we can do to foster a good relationship." because negotiation was apart of that diplomatic game, whether one was privy to it or not.

The conversation took a shift when @Avdotya made her points, firm and succinct. While Magnus could agree with the sentiments, and he could feel the passion that stirred in her gut, the Rurik would do well to remember who it was they spoke to here. An eerie, weighted silence would grip his tongue until the mauve lioness presumed to speak further of his knowledge. His knowledge. It would take his patience - all of it - to keep a level tone.

She may be a Kingmaker, but he was a King.

I am the great-grandson of slaves. I have not experienced oppression but I have seen the lasting effects. He had seen it in the scars on his forefathers flanks; in the way the elders spun their fables of torture, and how they had eaten the hearts of their captors when they'd rallied enough to overcome them. I would not presume to know what it is like to be a woman, but I know enough of war and what motivates men. His words were firm, and his attention would shift to Avdotya first - lingering - and then back to the High Sovereign. His expression made it clear; he would not be spoken over as if he were not here, whether it be an attempt to be relatable or otherwise. At Nymeria's response he would nod, briefly. We can all agree with that, Magnus responded smoothly, seeking to smother any flames that might still linger between such passionate figureheads. Avdotya's testimony would please the Sigrún, and the bristles along his spine would fall a little flatter. Good. I am lucky to have such loyal followers at my side, the titan rumbled, giving Avdotya another glance; this time one that was softer around the edges. Grateful, even with her quick tongue. Avdotya feels strongly about the Hollows, as you yourself feel about your Brook. The attestation would placate @Nymeria enough, it seemed, for her to entertain the concept of positive relations. She would reveal more of Vermeda's inner workings; what they could and could not provide.

Interesting; where Vermeda could offer healing and restoration, the Hollows could handle the brute force.

I understand your wish to protect your people. I would offer the force of the Hollows to any of my allies; I have plenty amongst my ranks who would be prepared for battle, if the need ever came. He would pause then, momentarily, seeing the need to clarify. Should two allies be at odds with one another, I would ensure we remain neutral - of course. To have someone on his side that had such an in-depth knowledge of the island.... well, it would be invaluable. Your understanding of this land would be most welcome. In return, I would be happy to offer protection and shelter, as well as pool any resources that you might struggle to locate yourself. The Hollows are one of the most well-protected locations in the region; the ideal hub for any who need to take shelter, as long as we had a few well-positioned sentinels at every entrance. It was quite possibly one of the most prized cards in his deck.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

I’d that, Lady Sovereign, this world should allow for some barbarism. Insulted now. Pinched at the cheeks and tongue by the audacity of such turn of phrase. Collectiveness of tone or not, it was an affront for the hound. She turned her eyes towards @Magnus.

For in a world brick by brick, war-hewn and greed for mortar, It will not always be words that will protect either of our homes, or ways of life. And we’d do well to speak plainly of that fact.

She bristled as they continued their talks of alliances, their worth for one another. Her lips downturned, though her tongue staved from a bicker. She’d heard what she needed and found the native to be naïve. Politics were a game of savvy and silvery lilts of tongue and lip. She knew that all too well, but in the web being woven before them, it all tinged of a lack of conviction. Weakness.

If you should need me, you know where I'll be. She then provided, firmly a farewell. She paused before her descent back into the halls of their home, to address their guest once more. I apologize if you've been insulted. Good day to you. Giving a nod to both, Avdotya retreated to her quarters. exit.

confusion laced itself across nymeria’s gaze, though her complexion smothered into smoother lines that did not blatantly denote her uncertainty. she tried to follow what is unfolding between @Magnus and @Avdotya, but could not help but feel as though she were missing some part of the story, leaving her oblivious, and perhaps even looking foolish. even as the king tried to ease over the tensions, it seemed as though the damage was done, with the noble departing rather briskly, leaving nymeria dazed where she stood.

after a moment of enduring silence, the druid would crane her neck slightly towards magnus, weight shifting absently upon her heels, as she attempted to formulate an appropriate response. "i’m sorry, i was not trying to offend." nymeria hoped to clarify first, to ensure that her intentions were not misconstrued, as she was still uncertain on where it had all gone wrong. she was no ironclad warrior, nor a woman of greed or clamouring fangs — she simply offered what she could, and left the rest up to the fate and determination of maua. there is a clear disappointment to her eyes, moreso at herself than anything else, for failing to make the good impression that she had set out to, though she knew it was too late to simply sweep it all under the rug.

it was not all drab and dreary, however, as magnus professes his own opinions on the utility of their alliance, allowing both sovereigns to come to a mutual conclusion. "i think that our prides could benefit greatly from an alliance, i appreciate you taking the time to discuss it with me. i look forward to getting to know you and your pride better. " she said genuinely towards the king, meaning the words despite the scattered turn of events. "though, maybe now is a good time to excuse myself. i hope that we can meet up again soon?" leaving the conversation on an open-ended offer, considering that she did not want to overstay her welcome, nor step on any of magnus toes.

Things were taking a strange and unpleasant turn, and it would take one more silver-tongued and soothing than Magnus - with his minimal skill in ambassadorship - to smooth it over enough to keep Avdotya where she stood. It left him feeling out of control; he did not like it. Yet that would not be Nymeria's fault, of course. Infuriated, the King would refuse to watch the Noble take her leave, lest his attention on her sear a red hot hole through her pretty hide. In his mind he had done nothing to earn such disrespect, and in front of company with such high political prestige.... You did not offend me. Forgive Lady Avdotya, Magnus rumbled, using the very same vernacular that the women so insisted upon using. It was not his style, but he was so enraged that he would say anything to stop the curses from tumbling. She has not been feeling herself lately.

Or something like that.

She would still seek an alliance, though, which pleased the King and may just have saved a good section of Avdotya's skin. It perhaps was a testament to the fact that keeping Magnus and his legion on side had enough benefits to outweigh any turbulence; the bulk force, the shelter, a towering shadow-giant.... the list went on. Still, it would not be one-sided. The titan had enough faith in this initial meeting to deem Nymeria worthy of giving a chance. To have the natives on-side - especially if more of them crawled out of the woodwork - was in his mind more of a helpful prospect than a hinderance at this point. They were like yin and yang, but the High Sovereign would much prefer to be allied than be at odds. I would like that, Queen Nymeria. Perhaps I will come to visit you in the Brook next time. It would give him a chance to get a bit of a closer look at Vermeda, as well as potentially avoid any more unpleasantness. Perhaps he'd invite Zulema to come with him again. Please, do not let me keep you. I will call on you soon. Safe travels, High Sovereign. He would dip his head, turning slowly to make his exit.

Only once he was sure the native could not see his face would he let his glower manifest; a gruesome thing indeed.

EXIT

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

though there is a simmering to nymeria's chest, she suppresses it for @Magnus' sake and for the sake of their agreement. the frustration born from coming here in good, honest faith, to be supposedly called a fake was insulting, no doubt, but it perhaps stung the woman's ego more than anything. she heeds the king's assurance that avodtya was not feeling herself with a brief nod, mind churning, as she wondered what that might even mean. the vermedan had never seen any of her own confidants talk out of turn or so boldly in the face of another, political influencer or otherwise, and it confused her to her core, to what could have prompted such a curt and instinctive reaction.

still unsure whether it was something that she had said, or if had been simply a product of external stressors, nymeria would nod her head towards the obsidian czar, her tail giving a brief flicker as she remained thankful that they, at least, could find resolve. "i would like that - you and your pride-mates are always welcome to stop by." she ensured, before casting a glance back across her shoulder, muscles churning idly beneath pale flesh. "until next time, magnus." a final dip of her crown was given, polite despite the sinking feeling with her breast, waiting for magnus to turn to leave before doing the same. exit.