(Set Y12 September, before Aphrodite give birth)

Miaran's heart thundered with the weight of her impending choices, each one a battle scar etched deep into her soul. This war, relentless and unforgiving, had marred her with fresh wounds at every break of dawn. The echoes of her marriage to Aphrodite now felt like chains, binding her to a life she no longer recognized. She longed to break free, to embrace the political dance that awaited her, fraught with risks yet pulsing with potential. The allure of the Dieudonné beckoned with seductive promises, yet the X’uekai whispered of grander dreams, a siren song that tugged at her very essence.

As she ventured closer to the sacred borders of the Brook, a shiver of anticipation coursed through her. Her tongue darted across her lips, tasting the thrill of change in the crisp air, but she paused, respecting the threshold that loomed before her. With a determined motion, she settled down, a flicker of purpose in her eye as she summoned @Icefang ♔, her trusted ally, while leaving the door wide open for the Ice Queen to call others who might wish to join this pivotal moment. The winds of fate were shifting, howling secrets and possibilities that stirred her very core, and Miaran was restless, hungry for the knowledge that would shape everything to come.

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@Miaran's call summons her to the borders, Icefang intrigued by the Caladan woman's beckon for company. They had not spoken since their joining of the families through Velasco, something that they perhaps needed to touch base on as Icefang had failed to realize that her son had taken matters into his own hands to visit Caladan secretly without her. How irked she would be to know he had meddled without her, or rather should she be proud that he was finally taking his destiny into his own hands? Rather than avoiding the laziness that left him sprawled around the Brook napping to her dismay.

Already, she had spoken to Miaran on more occurrences than she had with Wolfbron since her departure a year ago and the queen was pleased to see that this ally was a bit more invested in their relationship. Were the Dieudonne so high and mighty that they couldn't be bothered to stop by and check up on their neighbor? The thought made Icefang's fur prickle with annoyance, especially the judgement she had received when they witnessed Luther's return to his throne. How quick they were to accuse her rather than ask to find out why Rainer had chosen to speak with her. The ordeal had left a sour taste in her mouth and partly urged her to step away from the matriarchal family.

Stepping out from the foliage, Icefang rumbles a warm greeting to the gray female. "Miaran, to what do I owe the pleasure?" An ear flicks before she lets out a call for @Cassius ♔. Let her show him that she was indeed trying to involve him in this family too and what better starting step then by introducing someone that would be merging with this family and possibly extending their bloodline soon?

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It was an odd thing to be called by @Icefang ♔ to come to the border. The call that had initially gone out had not been from anyone he knew. So curiosity is perhaps the driving force that pulls him toward the territory line.

Steps come to a halt beside the white wraith, brows quirked in a quizzical sort of way when he glances between both woman. Then he is taking a moment to examine the Caladan lioness. Marking that she is most definitely not a face that he had come across before.

Cassius says nothing for now. Letting all questions die upon his lips. Whatever this was, whatever he had been summoned for, he was sure to find out soon enough.

@Miaran

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Miaran's heart raced with anticipation, her breath caught in her throat as she spotted the familiar white figure emerging from the dense embrace of the Vermeda territory. As her ears perked up at the sound of @Icefang ♔ calling out for a lion who showed his face, a wave of recognition washed over her—this was the lion who once stood against Isla for the Lagoon and faced defeat. Yet, now it was the scent of Vermeda that clung to him instead of the Wolfbron she had scented at the War.

With a swift flick of her ear, Miaran redirected her focus back to Icefang, her voice laced with sincerity and a hint of vulnerability. "I deeply apologize for my absence," she said, each word weighed down by the gravity of unspoken struggles. "I have been…" She hesitated, the weight of her experiences pressing heavily on her chest before continuing with a palpable sense of longing, "busy. I needed time to heal from this."

As she lifted her paw slightly, revealing the void where her left eye once sparkled with life, her memory flickered with the lost battle at the end of the War. It was a haunting reminder of the fight she had faced, a toll exacted by Morrigan, whose cruel fortune had turned the tables—snatching the Executioner’s eye in a twist of fate that forever altered her face. In that moment, Miaran felt not just the scars of her past, but the fiery resolve kindled within her spirit, igniting a yearning for the vengeance of what lay ahead.

@Cassius ♔

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It doesn't take him long to arrive and as @Cassius ♔ comes up to stand beside her, Icefang finds herself pressing slightly into his side. A united front. Beautiful, isn't he? She's tempted to say and show him off like prized arm candy, but when @Miaran focuses on her with an apology and reveals the startling crater in her face, the queen decides to skip out on her humor today. "Likewise," she rumbles to the woman, an indication of the glassy eye she had also been healing the weeks after the war, the birth, and Cassius's transition into the Brook. She had seen Miaran's initial victory followed by her loss against Morrigan. An eye for an eye it had been indeed. Though it had been Helah that had stolen the show when she felled the Scilla lioness and left her broken body on the Lagoon's bloodied sand.

"Miaran, this is Cassius. He is my heir and the Patriarch to the X'uekai. His word matters as much as mine." Her eye flicks between them before addressing the larger male on who is in front of him. "Miaran is our ally. She leads Caladan Cove and is also betrothed to Velasco," she informs him before stepping forward slightly past the heir with a head tilt. "The look suits you," she says, her tone friendly and an attempt to reassure her that she wasn't disappointed at the outcome. She had at least won one fight. "What brings you here today? Did you discuss the betrothal proposition with Aphrodite?" Inwardly, she notes that Aphrodite is not present yet again. Was it often that she chose to refrain from political matters?

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The Heir decidedly gets comfortable. Taking a seat and offering @Miaran, what could have been perceived as, a kind smile. A betrothal for Velasco. He wondered how his uncle felt about that. Cassius knew that deep down the male harbored more traditional Xu'ekai values. Did he appreciate being betrothed away like a bride? Even if it meant he may be King.

A pleasure.

The Queen of the Cove apologizes for being away. Needed to heal. His eyes rove over her body, noting the many scars and nodding subtly in agreement. He gives no signs of knowing Aphrodite when her name is mentioned. But that was because when he kicked her ass he had never gotten the woman's name. He might have laughed involuntarily if he knew who it was they were discussing.

@Miaran @Icefang ♔

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The Viper Queen’s gaze flickered between the two rulers of Vermeda as @Icefang ♔ introduced Miaran to @Cassius ♔, and she offered a subtle, respectful dip of her head. It was evident that Cassius held significant weight in Icefang's life, enough to melt away any traces of discomfort that might linger in the air. Her tongue brushed against her torn lips, a gesture both primal and refined, as the words slipped from her mouth, "Oui, I have."

The honesty that followed was heavy, laden with the weight of her tumultuous feelings. "But I must confess, there is a widening chasm between Aphrodite and myself, one that deepens with her relentless meddling amongst our allies and her blissful neglect of the crucial politics at play. Each passing day brings new turmoil to Caladan because of it. Should my grip on this crown falter, it is highly possible I will seek refuge here."

The very notion of the crowns in this land seemed a fickle dance, and her bloodied crown felt precarious atop her head; she fought to hold fast, even as uncertainty clawed at her. "Should calamity befall me, my fate ties me solely to Velasco. As long as he remains transparent with his indiscretions, I won’t raise my axe against him," she declared, a dry determination lacing her words. Icefang was all too aware of the Executioner’s ruthless potential, and she had no doubt that the world would continue to witness the depths of her ferocity. "But mark my words, I will return soon. After all, I have a date with Velasco."

With a graceful dip of her head, she turned and embarked on her search for her betrothed, the air around her crackling with unspoken promise and fierce resolve.

/Exit

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There is a subtle acknowledgement towards @Cassius ♔ from @Miaran and while the queen does little to address it, she can't help but feel herself gloat internally. Despite everything, she can feel that the growing crown upon his skull is no match for the established senior version of hers. Even in the family, she could feel that that they turned to her words and lead to guide them and while for a moment she might of grown concerned to announce his purpose amongst the X'uekai, the behaviors of their family and allies alike soothed her.

She was still in control.

Ears prick at the mention of Aphrodite and the declining relationship. She had little hope for the two women after their big scene at the pit, but Icefang listens quietly like a sincere friend nodding her skull sympathetically. Though it is rapidly replaced with a sense of approval and urge as Miaran discusses her plan to reside in the Brook if an ill fate befell her crown. Not to wish bad on another, but...Icefang cannot help but hope that she will add the woman to their ranks soon. Formally. She was a skilled warrior after all and the X'uekai queen preferred those over any other type of skill.

She nods when the Cove queen turns her leave deciding that she will corner her son once he returns from said date. It seemed he has been doing his work to pursue the executioner (even if behind her back). She would need to confront him for the details later. As her blue eye observes the back of Miarans head as she departs, she turns to glance at Cassius with a quirked brow prompting for any thoughts before she brushes past him and heads back to her den to take care of their children.

/exit

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