she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

She felt trapped. And she should, there was a collar around neck and a chain that tied her to the Brook and her freedom stripped. At least her children were safe; for now. But that didn't ease her ever growing madness towards those who had imprisoned her. And more so, Aphrodite knew Miaran was here and the urge to tear into her flesh and rib out her heart was strong, stronger than ever. One day she'd do that. One day, but that was not today. No today she proweled the Brook, keeping her distance from the areas she had smelled both Miaran and Velasco. She had no issues with @Icefang ♔; yet. But now she knew she was related to all of the X'uekai lions in Amaryllis and she wasn't sure how she felt about that.

table by ryuu

It was not a scent she was expecting to find deep inside her borders. Icefang pauses in her pursuit of tracking down a hare, nose twitching as @Aphrodite's smell overwhelms her senses. She pivots her course following the dark woman's trail with a soft growl. She was well aware of her tumultuous history with Miaran, especially once her mate had crumbled from the Caladan throne. And now? With Velasco breeding with the executioner, Icefang already had a good feeling on why Aphrodite was here. At last she finds her way to her, hidden away in one of the spare dens in the Brook. Icefang chuffs to announce herself before lingering at the den's entrance. "Fancy seeing you here, stranger," she rumbles with a quirk of a brow. Her expression said it all. Now, who dragged you here?

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

Of she should've expected to see @Icefang ♔ at any given time. But she was also trying to figure out a way to leave this place before she ran into Miaran and ruined that woman's pelt with her claws and fangs. So, for the most part, Aphrodite stayed in the den she had found hidden away until she was sure it'd be s afe to finally go home. But then Icefang found her and Aphrodite's fur bristled and her nerves went on edge. I wish I wasn't here. The urge to dig her claws into flesh was much stronger here. To drink the life source out of someone and there were at least two that were here that Aphrodite would gladly drink from and not stop. Their blood would be on both her paws and jaws. I'm surprised you didn't know of my imprisonment before me, seeing as I've just found out recently. Her voice was deathly calm as her violet jewels gleamed in the darkness towards Icefang.

table by ryuu

@Aphrodite's fur bristles at her approach, Icefang regarding her with an amused stare as she sits down. She gets comfortable as if catching up with an old friend. "I'm quite busy," she replies at the explanation of not being aware of the ebony female's imprisonment ignoring the pointed remark that she would rather be anywhere but here. "Which one brought you here?" She asks, curious if it is Velasco or Miaran who has done the deed, though the ivory matriarch had a feeling that one of the women would be dead if they had run into each other. "Miaran told me alot about the two of you. I am quite curious what your side of the story is. Did I let a snake into my garden?" The executioner had caused quite a stir politically as she fell away from Aphrodite and her throne. While at the time things had seemed well, Icefang was not too sure as the dark female made her way to live inside the Brook.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

As a Queen should be to insure the safety of her people. She would muse, her violet jewels dimming enough to let @Icefang ♔ know she was not going to attack. That her hatred was not towards the white woman before her or the Brook itself but one - perhaps two - that resided within. Your son. Though he has a new scars because of it and perhaps I should've taken his balls too for threatening my children. He had given Aphrodite no choice. Her children needed to be kept safe and if that meant she had to wear a collar and leash then so be it. She'd sacrifice her freedom for her children. Her life if it came down to it. But as the talk shifted to Miaran her fur bristled and a growl slipped through. I would say yes. But I'm sure she painted me as a coward and not a mother wanting to keep her children safe from the devil. Oh but Aphrodite, weren't you the devil too? She doesn't keep her promises and hides things. I pray you never let her have enough power in the Brook to make decisions for the pride, it would be your downfall.

table by ryuu

As a Queen should be to insure the safety of her people.

"Exactly," she replies bringing an ivory paw up to her face and proceeding to slick her salmon colored tongue along the back of her wrist. She receives confirmation that it is Velasco who had dragged @Aphrodite here and already the queen knows it has to do with Miaran. Perhaps the woman had already whispered her desires into her eldest son and the thought of another woman controlling a member of her family caused her nose to wrinkle with distaste. She can't help but snort at the comment of neutering him. "That would of made me sad. I have always wanted to be a grandmother," she teases knowing that her desire was already about to come true. Though it would not be as simple nor peaceful as she would of anticipated.

For a moment the tension seems to dissolve between them, though Miaran's name brings it all back as Aphrodite's growl fills the den. "Mm," the queen rumbles listening to her side. "She mentioned you running away out of fear for the children due to the past and what she has done to her own. She said you should of trusted her and your bond, but you chose to pass judgement on her history instead. She vowed you would suffer for your actions." It was the extent of what they had discussed as she had come to learn a bit more about the executioner while she still sat on the Caladan throne.

She doesn't keep her promises and hides things. I pray you never let her have enough power in the Brook to make decisions for the pride, it would be your downfall.

Icefang contemplates this statement with a flick of her tongue across her lower lip. "I had a feeling that something was amiss each time she came to speak to me without you. Considering we knew each other, I had expected to see you eventually since you were her mate and sovereign?" A question lingers on her tone, curious if it had been Aphrodite's own choosing not to visit or if she had simply been unaware of Miaran's actions. "Most amusing to me was your scuffle when that male challenged for a Hollows female. I knew there was trouble in paradise then. What did she lie about and hide from you?" She would probe wanting to know every little detail from someone who had known Miaran on an intimate level.

At the mention of power, Icefang flicks an ear and scoffs. "She will not rise in our ranks simply because she was not born into the X'uekai." She decides not to add in the 'she will only be seen as useful if she can fight and provide children' clause to her declaration.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

Even though the woman before her was one that Aphrodite wasn't sure she was related to by blood or marriage, it didn't matter. It seemed that @Icefang ♔ had s clear head and mind on her shoulders and for that Aphrodite could see a possible way out to escape this wretched place without having to cause a few new scars and another war; maybe. However, Aphrodite would continue to listen as Icefang began to explain that Miaran had told her that Aphrodite had run out of fear. That she had judged her for her past instead of trusting the bond that was not there, it all caused a chuckle and scoff from Aphrodite's throat.

But was even more amusing was what Icefang said next. Another chuckle as she remembered that fateful day. That was when it truly started. There was never a bond there, Icefang. Perhaps on my part but hers? I doubt it was ever truly there. It showed when I allowed Haakon to go for his wife without the knowledge of the conversation she had with Reti prior to that. I was forced to go back on my word with Haakon, until even he saw what Miaran was eventually. She would scoff, chuckling when Haakon had attacked her in a manner she was sure no one truly noticed.

Unbeknownst to her, the first time she came here to speak to you about an alliance I was in the shadows listening. She hadn't showed her betrayal then so I never followed her back. Perhaps I shouldve. She would muse, grumbling to herself. But to hear that she would never grow in power again caused a dark grin to form on Aphrodite's lips. Trouble in paradise? It won't matter if she is blood or not. She'll go for it.

table by ryuu

There was never a bond there, Icefang. Perhaps on my part but hers? I doubt it was ever truly there. It showed when I allowed Haakon to go for his wife without the knowledge of the conversation she had with Reti prior to that. I was forced to go back on my word with Haakon, until even he saw what Miaran was eventually.

"Tragic," she rumbles biting on the inside of her cheek in thought. Though to find out that @Aphrodite had indeed been lurking in the background listening in on their conversation causes Icefang's features to convert into a grin. "Sneaky," she chuckles knowing that Arcania could of easily pulled the same move on her. "What was her betrayal to you? If you did not run because of her past, then what was it?" Pulling and poking, hopeful for an answer. She needed to know the pivotal event that destroyed their union.

"I appreciate your insight," she murmurs to the dark female. "Though Miaran's time in the brook is limited," she offers the information knowing that the lioness would eat it up. There were no games or tricks to be had here. Unfortunately, she had ticked off one of the few influential presences in Icefang's history and thus she had to carry out the task of her removal, much like Miaran ruthlessly carried out her Mob traditions.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI

she's got the devil in her eyes
pretty in the light, even prettier at night

Sometimes the shadows reveal many secrets if you look close enough. She would muse to the Queen before her. She had learned many things when she hid in the shadows outside the Brook but those were her secrets to keep and hide away. No reason to reveal them now. But even still, her lips curled when she was once again accused of running away. I understand that is the picture Miaran painted for everyone but I didn't run from anything. I saw what Miaran was becoming, her going back on her words. Her promises, hiding things from me. I simply removed myself from a situation I knew I didn't want to be apart of. She would state bluntly. Harshly perhaps. I was raised by parents that allowed me to think about each and every scenario and if it benefitted me then I'd stay if it didn't, I left. She would soon add.

But at the mention that Miaran's stay would be limited, Aphrodite would lift up an eyebrow. Perhaps the Brook would be more pleasing to be in without her presence here. She would admit. She enjoyed the Brook's territory but Miaran tarnished it. And she'd much rather not be in the same place as her ex-wife. Am i allowed to know why her stay in limited?

@Icefang ♔

table by ryuu

She listens, writing down her notes for later to discuss with Velasco. Icefang feared it would be difficult to make him compliant in this situation, especially if she claimed that his father was the sole reason that she suddenly wished to cast Miaran out. Would he fight the decision? He was older and this was his first mate that he had claimed into the family, the first litter he would add to it. How quickly it was all crumbling apart. "Smart girl," she replies deciding that she will believe @Aphrodite's words and seek these same accusations about Miaran. She would find her own truth in between the two female's stories about the downfall of their relationship. Though already she could point out some instances. "Oh? Considering to stay?" She teases, curiosity flickering in her gaze at the comment. "You would make a valuable addition," she compliments as she strokes her tongue again over her forelimb. "Miaran has pissed off an important figure of the family and something tells me she'll be getting to the rest of us too." Oh, how terribly right she would later turn out to be.

SPEECH

Destroying everything seems like the best option

code by corvus / art by NAKI