(Zulema is hidden!)

Zulema was methodical in her watch, learning quickly to try not to look at the orange-spotted woman, as her gaze was kept rather firmly now on @Zoticus. A male she was expertly unfamiliar with and thus needed all the information that she could acquire. Lest she appear in the future like she didn't know anything about the other prides while others in her pride did. Ain't no one getting the drop on Zu. Nuh-uh. Zoticus Xanthos. A name that she would remember now that it had been given, leader of Wolbron Bluffs. A name she was unfamiliar with from anywhere else in Amaryllis so this was likely not any family-tied pride.

The white female of the Hollow finally given a name - @Desdemona. Apparently part of @Magnus' council to which Zu also happened to be a part of. Though, the carmine Noble had a feeling it was a much different kind of council and one that she was most certainly not privy to. Magnus did speak true that the Hollow harbored a lot of skilled individuals and had grown exponentially in the past month. That it would appear Wolfbron had much the same idea but it never secured an alliance. There was still much to be said, so she awaited the Bluffs leader and his thoughts. Just as Desdemona gave a lot of hard hitting questions. She was brave, and Zulema respected that.

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Zoticus

...They will fear him.

His attention looks to Magnus, the leader of the other pride, listening as he spoke of the Hollows and their ways. It seemed they were similar in truth, looking to thrive. Zoticus nodded at this while the words of Desdemona came to his ears.

She seemed to take the reign of the conversation and spoke of what they could offer to him and his pride, his interest coming to show with his perked ears. "Treaties to not attack within reason would certainly fare us both well." He agreed, deep voice rumbling with a nod from his head. "Currently, Wolfbron has yet to find a skilled healer- would the Hollows be open to aiding our wounded should anything happen? Or lend herbs to us until we acquire one with such a skill?" Letting the other pride know they had a weakness was a big reach of trust - such information could be their downfall if the pride before him had any ill intentions, but Zoticus was merely trying to look out for those under him, and being able to ensure their health was the most important.

@Magnus @Desdemona @Zulema

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@Desdemona certainly had the gift of the gab, didn't she? Magnus would not complain, though, certainly not in this particular situation anyway - it seemed to be well received by @Zoticus, who would portray promising body language. Receptive to the terms, then. Question was, could the same be said when the roles reversed? The obsidian-pelted titan would be silent for a moment longer as the rose-pelted monarch spoke, confessing of a gap in their skill set. While he could easily have stowed that away and use it to his advantage - and still would, as it would be helpful to know in case things soured here - the Viking saw no reason to be anything other than amenable here. The Hollows would, Magnus rumbled, attention shifting across the horizon behind Zoticus momentarily before focusing back on his face.

That is something we could offer an ally.

He did not feel inclined to share resources with anyone other than that. Or those in a pact agreement, at the very least. The thought of doing such a favour for a pride that could so readily turn around and bite the hand that fed them.... No, the Sigrun had no interest in that. They would secure the deal, and then the aid would come. I have several skilled healers enlisted. Upon instruction they would be more than happy to assist. But at a cost, naturally. Obsidian is not the most fertile of territory; we are having to scout further afield for supplies. The Bluffs seem to be faring a little better in that respect.... Perhaps you would permit us to share resources? On the way up he had seen patches of greenery along the rocky slopes; Magnus had every faith that Elijah and Sidonie would be able to salvage plenty of useful stock.

Should Zoticus allow it.

The Hollows are ideal for sheltering any unfit to fight in times of war, the titan would broach, elaborating further on Desdemona's suggestion. We have tunnel systems that only those within the pride are privy to. Maps and trails that no others would learn the extent of until it was completely necessary.

@Zulema

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

it seems that her query is well met by @Zoticus and desdemona listens as he checks off approval, as well as mentioning the bluff's own shortcomings. she prides herself a little having deepened the exchange before kings - considering both magnus and zoticus each seemed willfully stoic a point, intent not to spare one another too much.

on behalf of the alliance, @Magnus doesn't seem to mind sharing the capabilities of their healers - ah, in exchange for the resources that the crags of the bluffs did have. she had noted the shrub brushes and sparse foliage that didn't look of importance to her, but was sure that elijah or sidonie could make sense of the greenery. desdemona could have sworn she also spotted goat tracks along the ridge. she doubted that the king would eager to go that far in sharing ( a double hunting party could prove amusing ), even for the sake of formalities between prides.

the calico turns her attention back to zoticus and over into the expanse of land behind her, tail tossing at her ankles and ears cupped towards him. it seemed the terms of their agreement were coming to a head and although she was just a part of the council, she couldn't help but to give herself a pat on the back for engaging.

manip by sanctuare

(Zulema is hidden!)

Things were shaping up tremendously and Zulema found herself quite pleased by the interaction even if she wasn't a part of it in the least. Simply a bystander that no one knew was there and that was just the way she liked it. Gathering knowledge on a situation like this where she wasn't necessarily invited but still felt she had the right to be there, to know what was going on the second it happened. Instant gratification and all that.

@Magnus was exceedingly clever in giving a swift rebuttal to @Zoticus' request for a skill healer if the time came. Offering up a chance for healers to scout for resources while the Hollow wasn't quite as plentiful in that regard. There were plenty of plants that were available in the cavernous halls but not as many that littered the grasslands and mountains. Some plants just preferred the bright lights. @Desdemona, of course, remaining a vigilant and intelligent creature beside their High Sovereign and had earned herself a big brownie point for smarts in the Noble's book of things to like.

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Zoticus

...They will fear him.

Magnus spoke on how the terms could be abided by, and offered to an ally - or at the least, a pact agreement. He nodded at this, pondering over what he asked for as well.

"Should you offer your resources, Wolfbron will do the same. However, i'd feel most comfortable being allies if your healers wish to scout for herbs among my lands." He concluded, his head nodding firmly with it as if he was satisfied with himself at the words. "The Bluffs have caves and hidden spots as well, so if war ever came to the Hollows, we could provide shelter if something permitted us from fighting at your side." Though, he couldn't imagine what that would be. So long as the Hollows stuck their neck out for them, he'd make sure the Bluffs did the same.

@Magnus @Desdemona @Zulema

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Well, it seemed as if things here were coming together nicely. @Zoticus was in agreement, and in light of that - and in light of the fact that they seemed to be similarly minded - Magnus saw no reason but to direct the course of conversation in any other direction than the seemingly inevitable. Allies it is, then. The titan tilted his head as he regarded the pale-pelted commander. Very good. I find all these terms agreeable. He would glance to @Desdemona with a pleased expression, and would have done the same to @Zulema had he known of her presence. Then, without hesitation, he settled his attention back on the other King. I will not keep you any further, Zoticus. I am sure we will meet again soon, to discuss further?

the finest fury is the most controlled

code by corvus

(Zulema is hidden!)

Zulema was quiet as they continued their discussions, intent on getting to know as much about the situation as she could. It seemed that had some type of alliance going on where it was a you scratch my back, we scratch yours kind of scenario. They would help each other out when it was needed and that was all the proof that the Noble needed to know here. Taking a long look at her own High Sovereign to gauge his thoughts and posture, perhaps attempting to be a little intuitive as to what he was feeling without Zoticus present only to come up short. Eventually, however, feeling as though she should probably leave before anyone saw her backside rolling around the desert on the way back she chose to depart. Feeling accomplished for having put her nose where it did belong but wasn't invited; she had to get her information somehow! exit zulema

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