This male talked like he was a friend. But obviously he was not. He had come into their home on the heels of bloodshed and shed more blood. Tobles was more keen to rely on her mother's first judgment than the security this male was trying to coax them into. She had been told to be quiet, and so she would be, playing up the model of perfect child. A good and obedient girl would never lie or cheat or steal, right? This male was making sure to emphasize his connections with @Alva's family, noting that he was allied with them, very much going out of his way to reassure the lioness and her staunchy squinting, suspicious charge. Since the 'High Sovereign' mostly seemed to ignore her, she didn't bother trying not to squint and seethe.

His manner of speech showed that nothing was wrong with his tongue or jaw. Pity. If he starved to death that was more food for her. Nor did he seem tired. Not from the battle at least. He admitted that he didn't know all the tunnels of this place, and she thought that maybe she could find a hideout for her mother and her where he didn't know about. It could be only theirs! Because Toblerone didn't believe mother had a change of heart, no more than old mother ever could. They couldn't be tied down. If Alva had resolved to take over the Hollows, then Toblerone was sure those were her plans. She knew that mommys often skillfully lied to leaders. It seemed she was intended to stay, given a charitable nest and trust to suck from. This would be fun. Toblerone unfluffed, thinking less about danger and more about how fun it would be to be part of mommy's plans to Take This Motherfucker Down.

+5 Gather useful information on a enemy lion or pride
+10 Learn something about pride/family relations

Roan talked of having lead before and she nodded in an approving manner. “This will be nothing new to you them.” She stated with a smile. “Back in my home lands I was a leader, just under my father. Should you ever need a helping paw- I have four that I can put to good use. As of my ranks while here under Úlla, I was noble as I said. It was the highest rank I had managed to possess. A grand fight it was- when I challenged for it, a story for another day perhaps and yet a fun one.”

“I would appreciate that, thank you.” Alva told him, nodding. “She stays too.” Alva told him, nodding down at her daughter. “Wherever I am she shall stay and not be far off. My daughter.” She said it as a sort of warning, that they came in a pair. If the male wants to send her child away then Alva would follow. Without hesitation she would follow. It was a done and dusted deal. Toblerone was her responsibility to care for, so she wouldn’t even give the male another choice when it comes to if her daughter stays as well.

“You’ve shown you can lead my old home. My plans of taking it back, consider them gone. I think I shall replace my focus back on the bluffs, should I desire to reign a pride myself. After all, I was afraid someone incompetent would be left in charge of a place I loved, it is good to know that it wasn’t and that I need not worry. As for my rank? I can retake noble or anything you see fit.”

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

Roan Hodari

---

Since the child had been quiet all this time, Roan didn't wish to put undue attention upon her if she did not wish it. It was just an assumption that the girl was silent out of suspicion for the strange male and not out of blind obedience of her mother. Regardless, @Toblerone's expressions had not gone unnoticed throughout the entirety of the conversation. The subject of ranks, however, drew the king's attention back towards the pink lady. Now this was the tricky part. To accept someone back into their home was one thing, but what if they expected to be granted their old rank as well? Roan didn't want another Sangria situation on his paws, but he also wasn't willing to give blind faith to someone he didn't know in the slightest. He wouldn't bat an eye, however, at the mention of the child staying, too. The Hodari already expected that the pair came as a packaged deal. "Of course," he nodded in regards to @Alva declaring that her daughter would stay as well.

The mauve lion was avoiding the naming of a rank. He knew he was, but he knew he couldn't for long. Sure, Alva said she had leader experience and had fought her way to Noble beneath Ulla, but that was all just taken on her word. To be fair, though, Roan was doing the same thing, mentioning his own previous experience as a ruler and name dropping his alliance with the Sigrun. Yet, Alva was willing to trust his words, so maybe it was only right to meet her half-way. The masked man couldn't help his brows from lifting slightly at the mention of Alva having already planned to take back the Hollows. That was not something he ever expected in the first place, so it was a little hard to believe that such a knee jerk plan could so easily be discarded. Still, even if she held onto this plan in secret, the Hodari doubted the pink lady would be challenging him anytime soon in her current condition. Things could certainly change given enough time. "I can agree in a distrust for the Bluffs, so long as Vermier rules them." Even before the Dieudonne had kept the Hodari's apprentice held captive, Roan hadn't liked the man. He would never trust him in power. "As for your rank here? I mean you no offense, but I cannot, in good conscience, name you a noble. Not yet, at least." His tone was gentle, but genuine. "For a king to name a noble is for him to name his most trusted. We've only just met and are taking a lot of faith in one another based on spoken word. I do appreciate the chance you are taking on me, though, so I will not leave you empty pawed. I'd like to start you off as either lead fighter or baroness, just until we've gotten to know each other better." The mauve lion silently prayed that he was not making a mistake in letting this woman stay. Would his lower rank suggestion come back to bite him in the ass? Maybe he shouldn't have suggested she stay at all, but either way, Roan waited for a response, curious if she would accept or counter.

---

Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

“Very well, my king. I shall join your ranks as baroness until it is proven otherwise. Who knows, perhaps my bear will come for me. If not not only must I go through all the hassle of sending some one to go and at least find him, but I will also have to go through the hassle of dealing with a tantrum from him no doubt. I don’t believe he’ll be too pleased with me.” She chuckled at that, shaking her head softly. “He shall have to like it or lump it for I am not walking to a lagoon when I know I’ll be perfectly safe here beneath you.” She told him.

“Vermeir.” Alva hissed the word. “He is a coward- so I’ve been told , and even if the crown is his, and the bluffs is still kept under his leadership. Let’s hope that that’s subject to change.”

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

Roan Hodari

---

Much to his surprise, there is no counter or backtalk against the suggestion of Baroness for the pink lady as @Alva takes the title without fuss. With mention of this 'Bear' fellow again, Roan would take note once more. He was curious if the supposed son of Ulla would be as easy to persuade to join the Hollow when it was no longer his mother ruling it. Would Bear wish to take Alva back to the Lagoon instead? Well, if it came to it, the Hodari would stand by his word of release. He did not want conflict or war on his doorstep again, just a safe place for his family to reside. "I will be going to speak with Magnus in due time to seek an official alliance between our prides once more. I can ask of your Bear while I'm there, if you'd like." Even if not for an alliance, Roan would need to check in with Magnus either way, especially to see if there was any ill will felt with the Hodari taking over a former Sigrun home. He could only hope that his family's good rapport with the monarch would be enough to keep their relationship on friendly terms.

Roan couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him when Alva seemed to hiss at the thought of the Dieudonne. At least they could share in their distaste for him. "Yes, let's," the Hodari agreed. He could have said more on the subject, on how Vermier had kept the mauve lion's apprentice held hostage, or other past experiences with the male, but those were details he was not yet ready to divulge. In any case, if someone wished to challenge for the Bluffs, Roan would be in full support. Anything that pit Vermier out of power.

---

Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

“I would appreciate that.” Alva said with a nod. “He can’t wellow in the hollows defeat forever, he’s got cubs on the way. So I dare to hope should you meet that he shows you kindness .” If not, well she couldn’t control her fiancé. In the same way he couldn’t control her.

“I almost pity those poor lions for putting up with the maniac, but I think that’s where I’ll leave my views on the matter. It’s not a good influence on my daughter.” Toblerone had stayed perfectly quiet, the perfect model of a well behaved child. A perfect example of a future heir to a dynasty. Though perhaps the child would take her own pride, she’d talked about having her own home where she could live with Alva that no one would ever take. Perhaps her child would shape into her own leadership role. Perhaps.

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

Roan Hodari

---

Though it likely wouldn't be the very next day or anything until Roan made his way to the Lagoon once more for a chat, he would still keep his word in asking about the woman's fiance. "I'm sure it will be fine either way," the mauve lion sincerely hoped, if only for his own sake. It was a real fear that the other Sigrun might be bitter towards whoever took over the Hollow in Ulla's absence, even if the Hodari were already allies. "Is that his name, then? Bear Sigrun?" It was an assumption, but Roan didn't want to be caught off guard if he was asking for someone by the wrong name.

"I don't understand it either," the masked lion added in response to @Alva's words. Though he suspected not all who lived in the Bluffs were terrible lions like their leader, he simply could not understand their allegiance to Vermier. How any of them supported a man who would claim without care and keep lions against their will and even try to split up children when they were in need of a home. All the things he had seen the male do, none of it was something the Hodari could support, but now was not the time to dive down that rabbit hole. "But, yes, let's not waste anymore breath on the likes of him. I should probably get back to patrolling the corridors and let you two get re-settled."

---

Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

“His proper name is sjórbjörn, Sjórbjörn Sigrun , but everyone who has ever met him has called him bear.” She told roan, giving a nod of appreciation. When he talked of getting back to patrolling the caves she gave a nod of approval. “You won’t find anyone else down this particular row of caves. I’ve checked them already. It’s my families quarters- this particular little area. My den is here, bears is just down a few, as is Zelie, and Ira is up next but in the other direction. The rest are empty. Saved for cubs.”

Toblerone didn’t have her own room, as Alva thought about it, she mearly stayed in Alva’s den with her, where Alva could watch her easily. She preferred it like that personally however perhaps it was time to give the cub her own room. She bowed towards Roan, before turning, scooping up her daughter in her jaws and laying her down in some pelts still in the corners. Before she busily began to re arrange the room.

Exit via fade unless stopped

Never give up

The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.

code by corvus

She stays too, Mommy ordered, and Toblerone puffed up with pride. She liked Mommy ordering this guy around and she liked that the dark male didn't complain about this very important point. The part about ranks and prides and alliances was far less interesting. Adult stuff. Not even cool talk about the exchange of prisoners or favors or anything. Just who liked who. Alva discussed challenging for another pride, a Bluffs, maybe as a diversion from the Hollows. But Toblerone was sure mommy would be queen someday and that would make Toblerone an important cub.

She could picture herself just now. Everyone bowing before her and bringing her presents. With a sniff and a wave of her paw she would approve or deny. It was a nice fantasy to stew over in comparison to their current predicament. She watched the male carefully as conversation turned toward his departure. She was still keen on seeing how injured she was. But mommy intervened and with a displeased squeal Toblerone kicked her legs. She wasn't done glaring, mom! But the slackened scruff reflex ran out and she was dropped in a fluffy puddle in a very nice and soft pile of pelts. Well then! She bristled silently and turned in a circle while softening them up right nice. Gotta get them to her specifications. Apparently it was time to sleep. She was tired from being all wroth and rageful and moreover from having to keep it hidden from mommy's eye and the king's judgement. He wouldn't know what hit him when she turned him into a frog.

-fade exit via sleep

Roan Hodari

---

Sjórbjörn Sigrun. Yeah, Roan had a feeling a Sigrun wouldn't really be named something as simple as Bear. Good thing he asked, though it sounded like most would still have know who he was talking about. As a first act of helpfulness, @Alva hd already done a little search of her own before informing Roan of what caves were already empty. Still, he wondered if there might be others elsewhere within the cavern system considering all it's nooks and crannies. "Thank you. That will save me some time." To hear her name the previous owners of the dens, though, had the Hodari slightly worried if she would end up taking offense when more lions started to join the Hollow and might end up occupying a family member's former residence. He supposed he would just have to wait and see. "Let me know if you need anything," he'd offer in parting before the mother to work reorganizing her den.

exit Roan

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Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda