Since his meeting with Lucanus, Valerian had been debating his impact on the troubles unfolding for the Oasis and the Savante. With more family members coming back bearing terrible wounds and further signs of trouble within the family itself - the cause Valerian had yet to know - he is restless. Omena at least, is alive and here and that has him some security. But additionally, the troubles of having to introduce her to his family plagued him. It would not be long, and he was uncertain.

So he does the only thing he can think of to settle his worries - action. With changes happening in the pride, he seeks the individual that may be willing to hear his plea, even if he had to be blunt about it. In the shade of the rocks by the oasis lake, Valerian calls for @Scorpius with a low chuff.

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The call is a surprising one, but Scorpius answers it all the same. Of all the Savante, @Valerian is the one he knows best - but even then, it’s a dodgy sort of knowing. Since he took over the pride, he has been too busy to relax much at all, let alone visit his secretive space near the pool. Hopefully the warrior has been taking advantage of it in his absence; someone should.

"What can I do for you?" It’s a phrase he has been repeating of late, and the newly crowned king finds it driving him mad. He has become a servant of every beck and call. That, he supposes, is the responsibility of the king. By the way, I’m engaged to your cousin now. Did that make them family? Did the other Savante even know yet? Scorpius decides he doesn’t want to know, and instead comes to stand before the lion and simply wait to see why he had been called.

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Settled in a comfortable sphinx-like poise by the lake, Valerian is pleased to find he doesn't have to wait long for the new king to find him. He offers a nod as @Scorpius appears, but doesn't rise. Valerian wasn't keen on exaggerated respect, and they were not exactly strangers. So he offers him the casual nod befitting their acquaintanceship.

"How's the crown fitting?" he mused, finding himself enough tact to not demand what he wishes immediately. Had it felt like a matter of time, or a surprise for the striped lion? Valerian was a little curious.

But idle chatter was not his goal here. "I called you to make a request of you." he explained after a small pause. "I think I could do more for the Oasis, if you were to allow me." he cocks his head to review the Miroslav man's reception of the concept, before he reveals his hand.

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"It’s fine." Scorpius says quickly, sharply - perhaps a bit touchy of the subject. He was always meant to wear it, yes. He was born the heir of this place, and had bled for the right to rule it. But he had just begun to accept he would be the heir for a little longer. Perhaps, even, for a good few years. The fact that he does not feel comfortable in the position he was born for, that he chafes at the new confines and expectations, shakes him to his core. What if he does not hold up to the mantle?

All of that goes unsaid, and not a flicker of uncertainty has ever crossed Scorpius’s expression. Instead, one of his ears flicks against his mane. "What did you have in mind?" He thinks he has some idea, but having @Valerian spell it out makes life easier.

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Valerian only hears the quickness of @Scorpius's reply, sees none of the carefully hidden storm. He has never ruled - never expected responsibility in his future but he is hungry for it all the same. The beast in his heart desired approval. And he would have it, however he could.

He takes the reply as a good sign, and he already has the confidence to continue. "I would like to be your Lead Advisor." he answered plainly. "I feel there are trying times in our horizon, and I have been at war for much of my life. I can be an asset." Perhaps not in the politics, and he is not so keen to step on the toes of his great aunt (a scary thing was she) nor his father and uncles. He watches Scorpius from where he lay.

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The request is simple, to the point. Valerian goes on, explaining that he would be an asset. That he has seen war in his life. He is not much older than Scorpius - but the Miroslav does not hold that against him. How could he, when he is the king and barely a man?

"I see," he murmurs thoughtfully, head tilting to the side. "I am expecting war." This admittance is quiet, but if @Valerian is to be his advisor, then he should know. "Between our enemies, shared and not, there won’t be peace for long. Not when they find out I rule."

He considers for a moment. "Tell me how you would deal with the two strongest prides. The Bluffs and the Mire. I want them both to crumble, and the Bluffs is an active threat against my family and pride."

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I am expecting war. @Scorpius says. Valerian had thought so. He shrugs. "War is always somewhere." he answered simply. "If you expect it, you can minimise it's damage." that had been the fatal mistake of the Savante, even if he had only been young when he had experienced it. Built too tall, the feeling of being untouchable, only to crumble like dry earth before your very eyes.

Valerian shifts from elbow to elbow where he lay at the question posed, head tilting as he considers it. He is not wise, as most Advisors tended to be. But he had a quick mind and iron will. "They outnumber us, clearly." he says, "So brute force won't work. I say poison. Take carrion to their lands and lace it with something difficult to detect. It won't kill. But it will weaken patrols, warriors - make them ill. They might catch on eventually, but if we can strike first in that moment of weakness..." Valerian arched a brow. "Could prove effective." Even if they were paranoid, not being able to trust prey could make resources more scarce and their members hungry. Over a long enough period, it would definitely weaken a fighting force.

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Scorpius blinks.

"That… seems dangerous. But effective." He considers it, thinking that perhaps his sister would have the skills to do such a deadly thing. But the risks… he could not ask that of her. "What about getting allies? Having other prides that will fight with us - how would you go about that?" This conversation has quickly turned into a spitballing session, but it is nice to have someone with an outside perspective to discuss things with. "I have yet to visit some prides. You should come with me, if you're to be my advisor." The king suggests, red eyes flicking over the other lion.

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Dangerous but effective was Valerian’s bread and butter. There was no point posturing and threatening when one could go for the throat and have the danger ended, disrupted, nullified. In true war, one did not hesitate and that was why he had lived. There was blood on his paws, and Valerian had grown to numb the horror of his homeland.

”What about getting allies? @Scorpius asks and Valerian shifts where he lay slightly, thinking. Politics was not his strong suit. “Offer them something.” he says, “Food, betrothals, favours.” he makes eye contact again, “Information.” Keeping ones cards against your chest and revealing only what was necessary was incredibly undervalued.

An ear flicks as he hears the next suggestion, and Valerian nods his white-dashed head. “Of course.” he confirms. “Which prides did you have in mind?”

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Which prides?

"My father established good relations with some families that rule the Summit and the Brook. Those would be my first choice." Reforging allienced with them would secure the safety of the Oasis. "I'm not sure who rules elsewhere. My wife's family ruled the rainforest until recently. I had hoped they'd join us here, but..." Obviously that didn't happen. He wonders where they went, but could not afford to look yet.

"It'll be useful to have extra eyes on the unknown prides." To hear what Valerian thinks of them, especially. The lion is direct, and Scorpius appriciates that.

"Come. I have a patrol to do. We can keep talking."

Exit.

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