It seemed like just a short while ago that she and Aquila had been here forming their initial alliance with Maia, Jafar and their son. And now she was here to make sure their alliance would still stand after he had since stepped down and handed the pride over to her. She excelled at diplomatic things - but knowing she held the fate of the Brook in her paws daunted her somewhat. One wrong step, and they could be thrust into the wrong situation because of her. Taking a deep breath, Cassandra closed the final distance to the borders of Firnen.

Stopping just beyond the borders on the neutral side, Cassandra steeled herself before letting out a called for @Maia or @Jafar. She was fine with either one of them - or both - showing up. She didn't truly need to make a whole new alliance that she knew of, but was rather more interested in securing the alliance that she and her uncle had worked hard to create between the Rainforest and the Brook. Hopefully the Rainforest's rulers would be willing to continue their alliance with the Brook under her rule now.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art by Amphispiza | Table code by Zodiac

It was a pleasant surprise to hear the familiar call of @Cassandra echoing from Firnen's borders. Maia rose from her slumber and allowed her forelimbs to stretch forward gracefully, stretching out her bones and muscles, before making her way to the lioness.

It did not take her too long to find the brown Sovereign, and Maia chuffed to her in greeting as she arrived and slowed down her pace to a halt. Welcome, Cassandra. She hums calmly, fiery eyes checking over the lioness briefly to check for injuries before fixing her gaze onto the mismatched eyes of Cassandra. You've no need to wait at my borders. Come, let's walk and talk. What can I do for you today? She asks, turning to face the belly of the Rainforest, looking back at the Vermedan lioness, waiting for her to follow.

code © flea // art © kraken

She would not be kept waiting long before @Maia showed up at the borders, greeting her politely and inviting her to walk and talk past the borders. Rising to her paws, Cassandra would dip her head politely to the Rainforest Queen and step past the borders to follow the older lioness into the Rainforest. "I am working on making my way to each of the prides that considered the Brook allies to reaffirm the ties. My uncle Aquila has stepped down to spend more time with his husband and children and passed along the Brook to me." She said, aiming to keep at Maia's shoulder while they walked out of respect for the other queen.

"I just wished to make the prides who were allied with the Brook under my uncle aware of the change in leadership, and see if the alliances would stand while under my rule. My husband will hopefully be ruling alongside me as well." Cassandra said, flicking an ear as she spoke. If Maia asked who her husband was, she wouldn't hesitate to let her know - but only because she knew that Maia and her own husband had once been in the Hollows under Roan's rule and she recalled meeting Jafar once when she was younger at a party.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art by Amphispiza | Table code by Zodiac

The two lionesses walked calmly through the Rainforest, holding a conversation that seemed almost as old as time. Their gaits were matched and figures similar: anyone might be led to believe that they were related, at a brief glance. Her orange-yellow eyes turn to look at the brown lioness as she informs her of the leadership change, and the woman can't help but feel a rising sense of concern. Is Aquila okay? She asks briefly, hoping that it wasn't anything serious that led to his surrender of the crown.

Conversation turned to their former alliance, and Maia nodded. Nothing changes with your promotion, Cass. Firnen will remain a safe haven for Vermeda and your lions are able to come here freely. I look forward to meeting your husband, though. What is he like? She asks, wondering what it was that attracted the brown lioness to the man she found home in.

code © flea // art © kraken

They were an interesting pair - one younger and one older. But they were both powerful women to be reckoned with at the front of their respective prides. @Maia’s gaze would turn towards her at the mention of leadership change within the Brook, inquiring after Aquila’s well-being. "My uncle is perfectly fine - he and his husband are expecting a second litter, and he stepped down to be able to spend more time with his husband and children." Cassandra assured the grey lioness with a smile. She knew that her ascension to the head of the Brook would potentially be a cause for concern, but thankfully it was not.

Thankfully, Maia was willing to keep their alliance the same as it was when her and Aquila originally came by to make it. "The same will go for Firnen within Vermeda." The dark brown lioness said, inclining her head politely to the grey lioness. "His name is Myrkvi, and we’ve actually known each other since we were children. You likely know his parents - Magnus and Nadia Sigrun. I believe his sister Hrefna resides within the Hollows last I heard." Cassandra explained. She wasn’t sure if Maia had ever met Myrkvi personally - but perhaps they would change that since he was hopefully going to be ruling alongside her for the foreseeable future.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art by Amphispiza | Table code by Zodiac

The woman nods at @Cassandra's words of reassurance regarding Aquila's wellbeing. It was good that he was taking some time to be with his family, and it was also Cassandra's golden opportunity to shine as a High Sovereign, just like she had destined to be. Please pass on my congratulations to him - I am thrilled to hear that the family is expanding that little bit further. She remarks with a gentle smile before the topic turned back to the alliance that had originally been forged between their two homes.

I haven't met many of the Sigrún family during my time in Amaryllis, but I've certainly heard different stories about them. I'm sure Myrkvi will rule alongside you excellently, though. She hoped. The last thing that Maia wanted was to see Vermeda fall and have many lions and lionesses without a home. I wanted to ask about your attendance to our first multi-leader meeting that I intend to hold in a few weeks time. My intention is to share current allies, any potential threats and any news that might need to be shared. Then any news, you can take back to your pride.

code © flea // art © kraken

"I will - I know he and his husband are eagerly awaiting the arrival our their newest children, and are busily preparing for them." Cassandra said with a chuckle. "Perhaps at some point I could bring my own children here to see the rainforest - it would be quite a change of scenery for them." She mused, glancing to @Maia as she did so.

When the topic would turn back to the alliance specifics between the two prides, Cassandra would realize her husband had never met the Firnen queen officially. "If you’ve met Magnus or Nadia, he is the eldest son of their first litter. I shall have to bring him by at some point, perhaps with our children in tow, to have our families officially meet in full." Cassandra said, flicking an ear as she continued to stride alongside Maia.

When the topic turned towards the multi-leader meeting she had proposed at the original alliance meeting between Firnen and Vermeda, Cassandra would think about it. "So long as its viable to do so at the time, I will do so. Perhaps Myrkvi could come along with me at the time as well. Perhaps we can discuss the politics within Amaryllis as well at the time, get a general lay of what’s going on as well." She suggested, her tone becoming thoughtful as she spoke.

"How is your son Thrain handling his new position within the Rainforest?" She asked, realizing she hadn’t thought to ask about Maia’s son that she’d met. She knew last time she’d seen him that he had been made Maia’s heir, but hadn’t heard much since.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art by Amphispiza | Table code by Zodiac

There was a part of Maia that longed to have another litter of children. Her first had grown up, and they were now nearing their second birthday. The High Sovereign missed the tiny patter of paws running riot around her home, and part of her was jealous of Aquila and his newest litter. But these emotions would not cloud her judgement, and she was still pleased to see that both Aquila and @Cassandra were okay.

I think I have met Magnus in passing, but I can't say I know any of the Sigrún well, despite the ripple they and the Rike seem to have caused through Amaryllis. Maia comments, quite surprised that she had not been involved in much of the drama that had unfolded between the two families. But she nods, agreeing. Yes. I think it would be good for our families to meet properly - at least the closest family. My children, your children, no cousins or such. Things get too complicated then. She remarks with a slight chuckle.

Topic moves to the conversation around alliances, and she nodded at the woman's comments. It is not to keep your members out of the loop. I just think it is easier to relay messages face to face rather than going to each individual allied pride. Maia comments, hoping that Cassandra would agree. Your husband, and heir if you have one, are welcome to come along. She remarks with a smile.

Thrain has taken some time to himself, to focus on his trades and training. Maia remarks with a slight disappointment to her tone, wondering in the back of her mind if it was too soon to put him into such a position of responsibility. But he is doing well, seemingly following in his father's footsteps.

code © flea // art © kraken

"I wish I wasn't sucked into the feud, but I wouldn't change who my husband or children are for anything. I just wish the whole issue would stop with the new generation." Cassandra said with a soft sigh. She hated knowing her children would get wrapped up in all this drama - its why she had instructed them to only introduce themselves with the Valour surname if they could. At least until they were older and could stand up for themselves better. "My children grow bigger by the day - I sometimes wish they'd stay little forever sometimes." She said with a soft chuckle.

"I know Magnus ruled the Hollows for much of my first year - its actually from my moms and Myrkvi's parents bringing us to a little get-together that we actually met as children." Cassandra said, flicking an ear as she smiled. "Oh trust me on the complicated thing - both Myrkvi and I come from big families. I've got more siblings than I can count it feels like." She said with a soft laugh.

A nod would be given at @Maia's explanation of why she wanted to have the meetings. She could understand that. Moving around to inform all of the prides the Brook was allied with under her uncle that the Brook was now under her leadership was exhausting. "Especially with how Large Amaryllis is, making the trek around to the different prides can be quite exhausting." Cassandra agreed. "I don't have an heir quite yet - our children are still young and there's no one else in the Brook who seems interested in the position quite yet." She said, flicking her tail as they walked.

"I do hope he is okay. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and take a break for a little bit. I'm sure he'll step back up when you need him." Cassandra said with a smile, hoping to reassure the Firnen queen that it would be okay. "When I was young I did all sorts of crazy things - didn't stop me from becoming who I am today." She added on.

actions. "speech." thoughts.

Art by Amphispiza | Table code by Zodiac

You do right, standing by your husband and children. You chose each other for a reason, and you shouldn't let anyone force you into changing your mind. She remarks with a gentle smile and a flick of her ear. Regardless of the consequences and what other lions think.

Not to worry about an Heir, I'm sure you will find one eventually. Before you know it, your children will be two and ready to start families of their own. Maia grins, gently knocking the Valour lioness with her shoulder in a jest. Are you ready to be a Grandmother?

The woman nods. I think he's just going through some teen angst. I'm sure, with mine and Jafar's guidance, he'll return to his position soon. I'm not worried. Eyes turn to look at Cassandra with a gentle smile as she attempts to reassure the Firnen High Sovereign. Maia couldn't help but give the woman another grin. I did all sorts at his age too. Must just be one of those things. Come, let's rest for a while and get something to eat. You must be hungry and ready to rest before your journey back to the Brook. Maia suggests, guiding the woman to the dens and to where the food was stored.

Exit with Cassandra via talk & food? (Unless you want to continue!)