Zoya found settling in to her new home to be a comfortable adjustment. It had been several weeks now since joining the hollow, and she was growing fond of its dark passageways and twisting caverns. Yet she craved a fuller purpose. These lands were still largely foreign to the silver lioness, and held knowledge beyond all she knew. She felt a thirst for ambition, a drive to better herself. Her interest in stealth and spying was undoubtable, but she did not know the politics of the lands. The masked assassin paced out of her den and towards the boundaries of the hollow, surveying the empty area and settling on her haunches. It was a bright day; a gentle breeze drifted idly. She was not sure of her intentions for the day, so instead sat in quiet contemplation.

@Magnus

While he'd had a chance to acquaint himself properly with most of his members by now, @Zoya was a figure that had managed to allude him thus far. And so, when the metallic two-toned frame of the assassin came into view, Magnus would chuff to catch her attention. He would close the gap easily between them, despite his noticeable hobble. Being wounded would not hold him back from his obligations; after all, while Zulema and Avdotya had the responsibility and the rank to maintain things well enough, Magnus was in charge and he had examples to set. Zoya, he rumbled, nodding his head to her in acknowledgement. I hope I do not interrupt you?

the finest fury is the most controlled

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The sound of a low male chuff took Zoya by surprise - her head turning to spot the shadowy form of the king. She caught a glimpse of a slight limp to the dark man's gait, but he otherwise appeared well. It was evident that Magnus was a man who had met violence in his past, for she had noted his unseeing eye and the marred skin around it. Therefore, she did not wish to delve into the nature of his injury. Besides, the silver lioness was not well acquainted with her leader. But she desired to make a good impression, so was pleased that he had come to greet her. "Hello Magnus, she said, gaze bright, "No, you do not interrupt me." With a slight smile and polite dip of her head in greeting, she adjusted her footing. "Are you faring well?" An open, non-specific question, for she hardly knew the man, but was curious to see where their conversation would lead. Perhaps Zoya favoured chaos, but she held respect for rulers and held ambition to impress them. She did not say anything more, being more of a listener than a talker.

@Magnus

The wounds on his pelt from his fight with the rogue had mostly healed; a couple would scar, most likely, especially the ones around his neck and shoulders as they had been the nastiest. It bothered him little. But his most recent tussle? While his obsidian pelt concealed most things - the shadows, too - there were a few that were still relatively open and sore. Again, it came with the territory. He would not lament over them, not even slightly. @Zoya would greet him respectfully, and Magnus would smile ever-so-slightly. Relatively, he answered, taking another step closer; perhaps then she might notice some of the crimson flaying along his shoulders and legs. I've trod on some toes. The smile turned to a grin, then - he was rather delighted with himself, actually, for successfully pushing the other man into defeat. Where he, and any other opponent, would belong. Are you keeping busy? Not getting into scuffles like he had been, judging by her pristine pelt.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

As the obsidian king neared, Zoya noticed the lacerations that marred his pelt. She tilted her head with concern, but also curiosity. The evident grin on the man's muzzle however exuded pride; she gathered he had been the victor of this particular fight. If it had gone not so well, she suspected his reaction would have been quite different. Returning his grin, she would offer a brief nod. "Oh, I see- kingly duties?" she remarked, raising an eyebrow, her tone inquisitive and playful. Had she been busy? Well, apart from getting to know the labrythine caverns of the hollow and its surrounding lands, her days had been largely uneventful. "Yes, I suppose. Getting to know my way round these caverns." She paused, her green gaze boldening.

"I wanted to ask you a few things, actually- if there were any tasks that I could help with. I don't know the politics of Amaryllis well. But if you ever needed help gathering information, I'd be more than willing. I have a particular interest in... sleuthing, and espionage." Well, in truth, espionage was only scratching the surface of Zoya's darker interests. But she liked to keep some things a mystery. She had decided one thing since discovering Amaryllis- her aimless days of a wandering rogue were over. And so it was time to develop her ambitions further.
@Magnus

Kingly duties is one way of putting it, yes, Magnus gruffed, a hint of amusement lacing his tones. Putting a jumped-up fool in his place would've been more accurate, but @Zoya had not known the details so he would not have expected such things from her. Ears twitch forward as the hooded figure makes her request, silent as he considered her. That would be useful, Zoya. He debated, internally, just how much to tell her. She was a pride-mate, yes, but she was not one that he knew well. The spy had proven herself the loyal follower thus far, but he would not speak so freely about delicate pride relations while things were still in progress (mainly because the Gwyn/Magnus thread isn't over yet lmao). The dust had barely settled, after all. Still, best to be proactive. I need eyes and ears everywhere. Some places more than others. He'd scrutinize the grey-pelted woman before him, wondering where best to station her. We've already lost one ally - King Diuris of Scilla Lagoon has disappeared without any warning - so I will be planning on making trips to the other prides eventually to see where we stand with them. If you hear word of Diuris, or any developments in any of the other prides, come and tell me. While he did not have much of a personal relationship with the ex-leader, he knew Elijah had fondness for him and it would be nice to give him any sort of news. What do you know of the other prides so far? And I presume you know who we are allied with already? Zulema should have told her of Caladan, at the very least, as Jewel was Obsidian's first allies. The others had come since then, though, so it would be reasonable of Zoya to be unaware. If she was going to be keeping her ear to the ground, she'd have to be fully informed.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

The silver woman listened to the king closely. She knew she had been rather direct with her requests, especially for a newcomer, but could not ignore the pull of her ambition. Scilla lagoon was not a territory she was familiar with thus far, however she gave Magnus a brisk nod as he informed her of the sudden change in leadership, and for her to keep an ear out for information.

"I know of Caladan, your majesty - I met its high sovereign, Jewel, when I first entered Maua's passage." Her masked face tilted inquistively. "But I'm afraid I am unaware of the hollow's other relations." A dash of curiosity laced her tone, for the politics of these vast lands were intriguing to the woman. "I am curious, were all these lands claimed by outsiders, or are there any prides native to Amaryllis?" It was something she had given some thought to, and as the hollow was a smaller pride, she had a feeling it was recently established. She hadn't been here long, and any information would be beneficial. She hoped her questions did not seem ignorant, for she merely wished to gather as much information as possible.

@Magnus

@Zoya would expand on her level of understanding; she was acquainted with Jewel, which not surprise him considering that the Khulani matriarch struck him as the sociable sort. To not know of the others was forgivable, and he would clarify. We are on good terms with High Sovereign Kimagure of Firnen Rainforest also. The others we are neutral with, until I state otherwise. Some he only knew the name of, whispers and nothing else, but most he had a relative comprehension of. He ought to change that, really, and soon. The natives in the Brook were the only established pride in the beginning. Until the newcomers had come and overturned everything, sowing chaos in their wake. They hadn't all been malicious - in fact most of them were do-gooders, for the most part - but they had all, each and every one of them, been disruptive in their own way. Such was the way of nature. When I first arrived, there were only three others; the Cove, the Lagoon and the Hollows. Simpler times then, most likely, but political movement was inevitable in a land this vast and fertile. I have spent more time to the South and the East than I have the North, so that will be my next trip, the titan would admit, considering that there would more than likely be at least one unchartered pride there. You have shown initiative, Zoya. I am pleased that you have come to me. He liked those that had the gumption to ask for these things.

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

Zoya would listen to the king's words closely, letting the knowledge sink in. It seemed Amaryllis provided endless new information, and the idea of discovering new lands and prides stirred an undeniable curiosity within her. It intrigued her to hear of the natives; she wondered of their reaction when newcomers claimed their lands. The vastness of the lands, she supposed, made eventual colonisation by outsiders inevitable. Zoya's body language showed concentration as she nodded at the colossal man's words, making a mental note of every aspect.
"If I gather any new information from the North, I will be sure to bring it to you." Magnus' remark on her initiative was pleasing, stirring a sense of pride and almost belonging in Zoya. It seemed being part of a pride was surprisingly suited to her. The rules and order it brought to her life was unfamiliar, but she enjoyed the change. She smiled lightly. "Thank you, Magnus. I haven't been in Amaryllis long, but I am glad I chose the hollow." It was not aimless flattery; she truly felt settled here.

@Magnus

Judging by the way @Zoya seemed to process everything, Magnus was pleased enough by the interaction. While she hadn't known much to begin with, she seemed attentive and willing enough to expand her knowledge. Sponges made good followers; made good sleuths. And that, for now, was all he would need from her. To listen, to learn, and to inform. Good, Magnus rumbled, in both response to her promise and to her revelation. She'd made a wise decision - Obsidian Hollow was moving from strength to strength, and while he knew better than to take his eye off the ball know he was growing more confident in his opinion that pledging to the Hollows was a smart decision for anyone. He would rise to his paws, casting his attention back over to the neighbouring tunnels. He had duties to attend to, so he would keep the lioness no longer. I will leave you to your work. You know where to find me, Zoya. And, with a dip of the head in farewell, he would turn on his heel and continue on his patrol.

Places to go, people to see.

EXIT

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus