Roarke’s injury worsened — Cupid kicked himself ever since, believing it part of his fault for avoiding the dragon following the… Event that occurred. But it is also the titan’s, for being foolish enough that he hadn’t gone to his crew for healing. He is tired, and perhaps it might not be the wisest of decisions right now, but he knows he cannot run Firnen on his own.

With that in mind, he seeks out someone he has grown to trust over the last few days; who he knows is willing to fight and stronger than she looks. He checks the location on top of the waterfall, in the spot they’d met by chance before @Lexa had gone on her trip to visit her sister.

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Lexa is eager to be home. Much as she delights in her time spent with Hazel, she has grown quite fond of the Rainforest and its inhabitants, and even with her demand for wanderlust, she has missed the familiar faces and verdant greens. She sucks in a soft breath as she slips over the border, inhaling the familiar scents with a flick of her tail.

It doesn't take her long to see out her favorite haunts, ascending paths she knows well towards her most preferred perch, an idle simper curling over her lips when she sees @Cupid there. "Looking for me?" she greets softly, slipping through the brush to meander closer to her king.

Much to his disappointment, he does not find her there — perhaps out with Madelina, then, and that would mean a wild goose chase through Firnen in hopes of hearing the mauve babe’s laughter. It brings him such warmth that @Lexa took her under her wing; the two of them got along better than he could’ve imagined. Hell, despite him hoping the young one would cling to him after the events, it seems like Lexa is the one she chooses — understandably, mind you.

Cupid nearly jumps out of his skin at the sound of her voice. He whips his head to the side, eyes widened with fur ruffled. That’s what he gets for being lost in his thoughts. “Uhm, yes. Hi.” Cue awkward cough. “Do you… have a moment? It’s… kind of important.”

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Her smirk stretches with amusement, having evidently startled @Cupid out of some rather deep thoughts -- though he has those a lot, she supposes. He's something of a pensive man, she's come to learn, but she rather likes that about the sovereign.

A curious tilt of her ears draws them forward as his stilted greeting gives way to a question, one with a serious undertone. "For you? Always," Lexa hums, slinking through the underbrush until she is within a few feet of him and leaning quietly onto her haunches, her expression curious.

It feels wrong now that he is in the moment; as this ought to be Roarke’s home first and foremost… but it has also become his, and everyone in Firnen’s. @Lexa, too. He draws in a breath with a slow nod.

“Roarke’s injuries from the challenge have worsened,” to the point that the giant of a man fainted, but that is not his… to tell. “I’m… on my own leading the Rainforest right now. I know I could do it if I stretch myself thin, but… I’d rather have a helping hand. Are you… interested in being Sovereign with me until he’s back on his feet?”

Granted, he doesn’t know if Roarke will still be interested in remaining within Firnen at this rate. He knows his true heart and soul is with his crew, and after… Cupid revealed his feelings, who… knows what will happen. Lexa has been comforting just as much as she is teasing; her communication has been honest, and though he also is swimming in unknown waters with her, he does so with a sense of intrigue and ease.

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Lexa's expression sobers as @Cupid first seems to steel himself, and then offers information she could never have anticipated. Her brows furrow first in concern -- worsened to what extent? When she'd last seen Roarke in the cold snows of the north, he had been well enough; injured, but not unable. Most certainly not unable.

She purses her lips, allowing Cupid the time to finish his explanation, which at least implies that Roarke's backslide is not life threatening. And with such an adept medic as Calypso within their ranks, she takes some comfort in knowing that he will manage a recovery.

Of course, it leaves a more prudent question upon the king's lips, and her brows arch with a mild sense of surprise. Under other circumstances, she might be more wry about her response, but today she is serious; Cupid has earned that much, at least. "Of course," she murmurs, her tail coiling against her hip. "Whatever you need from me, it's yours." She has no hesitations when it comes to Cupid, and her love for the Rainforest and its inhabitants is true. It's hardly a joyous promotion, but the fact that he has considered her to maintain their stability here is enough to cement her certainty that she belongs here. By fate's design.

Thus he waits, breath held and information launched towards @Lexa for her to decide in which way Firnen might swing. Though the promotion is not a forever, it is nonetheless holding weight that the average lion would shy from. Cupid deflates a moment later with her acceptance.

“Thank you, Lexa,” his voice is honest — and no, he will not shed tears of joy. But he is thankful that he needn’t do this all on his own and keep a ragtag bunch of pirates in pecking order (no matter what Calhoun says, it is still his pride). “Come, lets get comfy and… we can discuss.” About the position, of why he decided on her, and so forth.

He gestures further up to her favorite spot.

— EXIT W/ LEXA —

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She nods, holding back something of a sigh. Lexa would be lying, even to herself, if she tried to pretend she doesn't hold a considerable semblance of concern for Roarke. But such worries do not bode well when they have more serious things to worry about; just now, both @Cupid and Firnen need her resolve, and so she maintains it -- as she is so good at doing.

Lexa follows Cupid up the slope, a cacophony of thoughts plaguing her mind that she stomps down, biting her tongue for the more pressing matters they have to discuss.

Exeunt w/ Cupid