rumour had it that a new high sovereign had staked their claim on the dark tunnels of obsidian hollow, forging a kingdom from the ashes of the one that had fallen from its infamy. it was a curious concept to nymeria, and even curiouser to watch the slow ebb and flow of the new leaders -- and though she was a bit late making her visit to the borders today, she knew that it was still a worthwhile, and important, endeavour for her, as well as vermeda as a whole.

tempered steps draw the woman near, having spent the larger half of the afternoon making the journey south towards the passage, her exterior poised despite the subtly rattling of her brain. would they be like the last? better, worse than she had heard? while nymeria would give them the same clean slate that she had offered towards all of the other leaders thus far, she still could not help but allow her mind to wander. finally, after a brief time spent navigating the familiar maze of the caverns, nymeria found herself approaching the borders of the hollows with an even expression, her lungs giving a soft exhale as she placed a small gift against the floor of the chasm -- a wide banana leaf, filled with several bundles of mangos and herbs, that the ruler would hopefully take well. taking a moment longer to compose herself, the druid would drop her haunches to the earth before letting loose a series of chuff for the new sovereign, as well as any other souls that might be looming within the nearby shadows.

@Magnus

The natives.

They were a hot topic; they had been when he'd first arrived, and they still were all these weeks later. He knew it would only be a matter of time before their leader came knocking on his door. While he'd heard whispers of a pride called Vermeda Brook, he knew no more than what he'd garnered through the grapevine. Which, really, was very minimal. They had been on his list of his places to seek out, but the arrival of @Nymeria had saved him the journey. Once Magnus was within earshot of the freckled woman he would chuff a greeting to her. Another Queen, like Jewel and Kimagure. Testosterone still dominated the political scene of Amaryllis, clearly, but yet another female leader was bound to make things interesting to some extent. While his predecessors would have writhed in fury at the thought, such things did not bother Magnus too much. Despite being a hard-ass he was unusually progressive; it had rubbed many of his elders up the wrong way at home, but he didn't have that problem here. Welcome to Obsidian Hollow, the titan offered, not knowing enough about the scent on her pelt to put an association as to where she came from exactly. He would not prompt her for clarification on why she was here just yet; he expected that would come momentarily. The longer he stood close to her the more familiar the scent she carried was. His mind would stir at the meetings with both Luxspur and Aquila - neither of them favourable - but it would not yet be enough to strike instant recognition in Magnus.

the finest fury is the most controlled

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the summons spilled through the many corridors, filling chambers with a rattle of excitement and the subtle crackle of electricity. and as fresh air breathed into the waiting lungs of obsidian hollow, avdotya tasted something familiar. an unflocked arrow of memory wrenched from beneath fastened loathing for the mire; the visitor had been there that day. was this a supporter of the red-fellow? she peered from behind magnus, materializing from the obsidian's yawning atrium. she moved to stand at his right, her shoulder near his. the swift garnet of her eyes held quick to Nymeria. the noble would not speak, not yet. instead, she'd play the role of the stoic sentinel, loyal hound at the master's heels.

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nymeria was rather unaware of how the other rulers talked about her, even if they even talked at all. she thought of herself and her pride almost like folklore -- there, present, but not always seen nor heard. nevertheless, she is not left waiting upon the sullen doorstep of the caves for long, as the mirrored chuff in her direction caused the brief, poised roll of her shoulders and renewed the focus of her gaze. and then there they were -- first came a man cloaked in shadows, haunting and huge, followed swiftly by a smaller shape of mauve and ruby tones, standing in fealty at his side.

"it's a pleasure -- my name is nymeria valour, high sovereign of vermeda brook, the long-residing native pride of amaryllis." velveteen tones explained first in response, smoothed and brimming, as they flowed easily off her tongue at this point in time. taking a moment to sweep her gaze between both @Magnus and @Avdotya, the druid would give them each a moment to register her greeting, before continuing with the remainder of her words. "i had heard that a new ruler had made a home out of the hollows, and thought it was time to introduce myself. i also brought a few things as a welcome, if you'd like." offering each a quick dip her her crown, the woman would motion towards the bundle of herbs and mangos, that had been placed openly across the stone floor between them. her only hope was that the gesture of kindness would be taken in stride, and seen as an effort to pave the grounds for prosperity between them.

He would straighten up and glance briefly in acknowledgement of the ever-attentive @Avdotya, but his attention was quickly snagged back by their visitor. @Nymeria, of.... Ah. The Brook - a pride he'd heard one, one he knew existed, yet a place he hadn't had any first hand dealings with. Magnus could not help but smile - just a little; an expression that looked a little out of place on such dark and rigid features - at the gift that the Queen had brought with her. It was unexpected, and while the man had no reason to believe it to be some sort of trap he could not shake his inner suspicions. His outward demeanour would strive not to betray the paranoid line of thinking that he was being subjected to. Ultimately, while perplexed, he was grateful - he knew better than to shun an act of kindness. You are very kind, Nymeria - thank you. Lifting a paw, he would move to snag the offerings closer; the mangoes intrigued him, and while he knew nothing of the herbs he would run them by Elijah in order to learn more. Moving swiftly onto business, he would turn attentions to the freckled monarch and the information posed. I appreciate your visit - I had intended to call upon you, and soon, it seems you have beat me to it. Truth be told his dealings with the natives had been minimal, and he was curious to know more. He supposed, now, that would all come in time. Pally up with Nymeria and the information should follow suit. I sense my reputation precedes me; or, rather, the reputation of the Hollows. I've heard talk of the King before me - I get the impression that he did not fare well in the eyes of his neighbours. If there was a popularity contest he knew he was unlikely to win, but he liked to think himself smart; he already had politically savvy confidantes, and he planned on expanding that circle as time went on. He planned, by all accounts, to do better and go further than his predecessor ever had. But perhaps you would know better than I, High Sovereign? Respect where respect was due, after all - while the woman before him was a stranger she held command somewhere, and he had seen first hand that the natives were just as keen to scrap as anyone else. They had more at stake here than any newcomer ever would.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

the man smiles, and though it was small, nymeria takes it as a good sign, and a step in the right direction. instinctively, she would offer the same in return, her expression brimming still, as she settles more comfortable into the company of the two pride mates, the slight thrumming of her chest mellowing out into a more neutral state. and even as the other woman remained silent on the sidelines, nymeria took is all graciously and with respect -- how many times had her siblings stood in fealty by her side, after all?

"well, then at least i saved you a trip all the way up north." she mused pleasantly , tail giving a quick flicker, before the czar asked a much more interesting question, one that was certainly much more political. the druid was curious, of course, to know how @Magnus would response to the words that she was about to share, but does her best to maintain a cool composure nonetheless, despite the slightest furrow of her brows as she considers how to best phrase what was coming. "i don't know much more than hearsay. i was warned that they viewed women as lesser than, enjoyed force claiming others against their will, and held prisoners. i didn't have the chance to confirm any of it with my own eyes, but the reputations stands, still." the woman offered the information freely, thinking that the new king might see the opportunity for improvement, if he could be aware of the legacy that he was building on top of. and so nymeria saw it less as gossip, and more as the simple sharing of information, emphasized by her lack of first-hand experience on the matter and her willingness to admit to such. she would be lying however, if fionn's words hadn't immediately succeeded in souring her opinion -- but alas, that was neither here nor there.

"Well, then at least I saved you a trip all the way up North." Magnus would tilt his head a little, expression neutral, but said nothing. He would still make the journey regardless, but it was always nice to have established relations. The sooner the better, really, considering the political climate at the moment. As @Nymeria revealed more about what she knew of the previous establishment, the titan remained silent, listening intently. I appreciate how forthcoming you have been, High Sovereign Nymeria, Magnus rumbled, when quiet fell once more between the trio. He would glance briefly to @Avdotya, wondering what she made of all of this. Gwyn - and the Casimir in general, as it seemed to be a running theme given what he'd heard of Vine - would be one to keep an eye on. Should he get back in to power he could prove troublesome. He had the utmost faith in himself and the Hollows, and their united strength, but others may fall easily. Especially if they managed to amass an army of like-minded individuals. How many of the prides - especially woman-run, who could well be the first targets for any chauvinist - would rally against them? Magnus had already forged an understanding with Kimagure, and she'd smelt potential issues with the Mire from a mile off. Perhaps Nymeria would be the same. Do you know that his kin have formed a pride to the East? The King's name is Vine - I don't know how the two are related, just that they share a family name.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Ah, and then so it was: a kindred heart. If not in the way of might or ability, but belief. A glimmer of appreciation filtered in the deep well of her wine-red eyes, holding their gaze to the native Matriarch. Nymeria. She met @Magnus’ gaze, offering a lift of her brows. An unspoken agreement with the Sovereign’s assessment.

As though to give her the same, Avdotya nodded solemnly in thought—considering what the pair placed at her feet. A fine wealth of unseen truths. The Casimir were quickly being established as a family to be watched, to evaluate. The Noble drew in a hefty breath, contemplative for every measure of it.

Avdotya, Noble. She began, offering Nymeria comprehension of her role and reason to have stood at Magnus’ side. She held comparative amount of dependency on Magnus’ rule, and obligation to the Hollow. To defend him, to defend the Hollow was to act in defense of herself. I was there when Vine took the swamp. And whatever Nymeria knew, it was likely more than what Ava had stood to listen.

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slowly would the woman's head nod, relaxing further as the conversation continued to flow. there was always a bout of nerves that came with these sort of discussions, but it was refreshing to know that, if nothing else, there were threads already present that tied the two prides together -- through personal values, or otherwise. "it is good to know that you share some of the same reservations that i do," she admits, her smile wry, as it was not something that she was particularly proud of, being pessimistic. but still, it was good news in terms of the potential for their prides to find peace, and so it was a step in the right direction nonetheless. "if you don't mind me asking, how do you rule the hollows in comparison, magnus?"

it was then that her gaze flickered back to @Avdotya, eyes brimming in her direction, as the edges of her lips tug up once more. "a pleasure," she offered kindly, the simply words brief, yet genuine, before building off of the conversation further. "i was at the mire, as well. i have not seen vine since, but i suspect that he holds the same laws as the other casimir." her final admittance, tongue pressed against the backs of her teeth in contemplation on the matter. feelings of judgment were not something that the woman enjoyed nor reveled in -- but, alas, she could not help but be skeptical of the casimir traditions and the threat that it may pose to peace. for now, however, it was time to listen once again, she she would fall into a breath of silence.

@Avdotya, astute as always, would offer her sentiments to Magnus with one swift, wordless motion. There was an approval there, nestled beneath the smooth mauve surface, and while the King did not necessarily need the vote of his nobility it always helped. I value the strong and useful above all else, but I will give anyone a chance to prove themselves. He could be merciful, when he wanted to be. When it was appropriate. Obsidian Hollow will be a formidable force under my rule, but I seek willing followers first and foremost. As conversation shifted to Ecrosia, and the women exchanged words, Magnus listened intently. Dark lobes pricked forward, brow heavy in consideration. I would imagine so. I wonder what strife would come if the two joined forces? Was he dangling the prospect in the air in order to endear himself better to not only @Nymeria but any other leaders he encountered? Perhaps. Anything to get more allies on side. May I ask, Queen Nymeria, what you would ask of an ally? Or what would be required to reach a pact? I would like for us to get along. It would be much more convenient than the alternative, and a lot safer for both sides to stay on good terms. He had seen the ire of the natives first hand, and he had every faith that the Brook would not want the wrath of the Hollow bearing down upon them in times of war.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus