Csitri stood silently a long moment, sighing sadly when @Valerian reported having seen neither her husband nor her children. She silently prayed for their safety. Leaning into her brother a moment, she'd break away and trail to touch her nose to each of her parents (@Alexander ♔ and @Celestia ) and nod in greeting to @Scorpius. He had always been a kind man to their family, she was relieved to see his support here. And also to have her family's support here. She'd not truly expected there to be bloodshed to start with, and was happy to see that neither Sunder nor Kvare appeared to want that of her family either.

But the words spoken by the pair had her upper lip curling into a snarl. Thankfully, before words could leave her mouth - probably ones that would set the proceedings into more chaos than necessary - her family began to speak instead. They appeared to refuse to get in the middle of the Cove's quarrel with Arkyn, and for that Csitri was grateful. Their words held truth, there was no way for them to hand over a grown ass man.

Sunder and Kvare were fools to think that the Savante would be cowed into doing their bidding.

"How easily you flip your intentions, @Sunder. My husband isn't here, because he likely isn't aware I've been taken. Since your husband saw it fit to attack me once he'd left. We'd intended to meet after I gathered the children. But you knew that, @Kvare , I've explained this many times." Csitri would scoff. "I thank you for my freedom, but you will never have my mate. I've also told the both of you that he's simply looking for a piece of land to call his own, and this just happens to be the place. He was born here, and wishes to raise our children here. If you can't handle that, maybe leading a pride isn't meant for you." with that, she'd turn to leave.

Let her family speak of allegiances if they wished, she wanted nothing to do with it. Csitri no longer wanted to stand there and listen to them drivel on about her husband like they knew a damn thing about him. And if either of the Cove lions felt the need to retaliate for her words, let them.

-exit Csitri-

art by lars / background from unsplash / code

Even he cannot deny himself the momentary relief of @Scorpius' statements. And yet, Kvare scarcely lets it show—instead, his gaze lingers with trained contemplation, furrowed brows conveying a practiced thoughtfulness, those his rigid appearance scarce let show his hand. This is what you were made for. His shoulders straighten, recoiling to a sit, attentions divided between all those who stood now before him, each speaking their respective pieces. He had not done himself any favors in regards to politics by taking the woman, but all Arkyn had was this woman, and if the man were too much a coward to fight himself, then Kvare had taken the next best thing. It were mere coincidence she happened to be the family of a pride he'd been keen to ally with.

And yet, it seemed their fondness of Arkyn were stale. They loved Csitri—but did they find him just as priceless?

It would be easier to settle the score were the man not a coward, he replied, though not unkindly. His fiery gaze settled on Alexander's, desperate to search for any inflection of knowing or knowledge he could, to search for the patriarch's feelings toward the man. Would they alight with disgust and ferocity as they had for Csitri, or would he share in Kvare's distrust and dislike for the man?

Suddenly he is thankful the choice is not entirely his to make. Kvare liked to think himself a sensible man, one who could have reasoned with @Alexander ♔ and @Valerian, but @Sunder knows best—so long as they held the bindings that tethered their wayward daughter, they would break no ground between their prides. He remains silent in the wake of Sunder's declaration, enjoying not the aching feeling of being left empty-handed. He ignores @Csitri's jabs—she'd become nothing more than a parrot in their ears, reciting words that soothed whatever twisted picture she had painted of her husband, to save herself the agony of the fact that he'd left her behind, and that it had been her own family to show before he ever did.

My Queen-wife is ever-generous, he begins, a pleasant smile unfurling upon his dark lips. I believe we are all in agreement that Arkyn is a blight. He has thrice come to usurp our throne and has thrice failed. You are here to retrieve your sister, your daughter—where is he, then, if not shirking his responsibility and licking his own wounds? His gaze then rests steadily between Alexander and Valerian—one King, and one Patriarch, and ones who loved their family above everything. Just as Kvare did. Impossibility as it is to drag him here, I would ask we share a mutual understanding between our prides: If Arkyn ever graces your borders, call out for me, so that I may end his farce once and for all.

He would find the man, one way or another. But even he were not worth enough to risk making enemies of another pride. Perhaps it were a gamble for he to ask such a thing; but so long as they did not view the man as family as they viewed Csitri, then perhaps they could meet such a mutual understanding.

Art by Rabbit, table by cala

He had already made it clear he wouldn't offer Arkyn up on a silver platter, yet @Kvare seemed to push the subject. There was a blossom of annoyance in his chest, but Alexander wouldn't let it rule him. Inhaling a deep breath, he studies the other leader quietly, grateful that @Sunder would release his daughter regardless. He had no intention of causing strife with yet another pride, so an alliance would certainly be more ideal. If it were under the premise that they prevent Arkyn from challenging again, however - that would be impossible. Blue eyes settle on @Valerian - trusting his son to handle that as he was currently Sovereign and Alexander could not officially speak on such things. For now.

As Csitri left, his brows knit together with further annoyance. It worried him that she was so blindingly loyal to Arkyn, never questioning him and making excuses for his abhorrent behavior. As her Father, it made the beast resentful toward Arkyn for not putting Csitri's safety and well being first, above his own ambition. That was all it was about - a desire to rule and be King. Anyone could say that challenging for a pride was to make a home for their family, but deep down, the truth was that power was addicting. Making a name for yourself in this land was important; creating a legacy for those that came after. Even for Alexander himself.

"Should Arkyn find himself at the border of the Hollows, I will personally ensure he is denied entry. When it comes to calling for you, I apologize, and I do hope I am not overstepping - but I do not want violence on the edge of our home. You can settle your differences elsewhere, but I can make you aware of his location if I obtain that information." It was the only thing he could offer. Perhaps Csitri would hate him forever, but ridding her of the leech that was his "son-in-law" would be a blessing. The Mother could not wish for her to be with this man, already she had turned her back on Her - for him. Alexander feared the Mother's wrath directed at his most beloved daughter.

table by aurora / art

For the most part, tensions seem to ease - at least enough to secure the Savante woman’s freedom and stop a war. That’s something, Scorpius supposes. He really plays no part in the entire event, nothing but a spectator and Valerian’s moral support. When all is said and done, he doubts anyone truly notices him slip away from the growing crowd, now a strong Savante group that does not require the freshly crowned king at all. He’ll be back - when tempers have eased, and Scorpius can secure two allies that are not at each other’s throats.

Exit.

artwork • coding • background

Neeha

The princess listens quietly from her hiding spot as demands are made and refused. Arkyn will not be handed to them but it didn't appear that the others would stop them from ensuring he would not put them in danger. A note to remember. The coward was an enemy a risk to the safety of the cove, and to her family, and his wife was no better not as she turned to snap at her mother who generously released her from the cove.

Neeha watched the rest quietly, watched as Kvare seemed to intend on killing the coward and the red lion refusing to let it be at his border. Neeha guessed she could understand that, probably helped that he offered to inform them if Arkyn should show up again. Then lions started to leave, her mother had already gone and so had the coward's wife, then the colossal brown/peach lion with the white blaze Scorpius as he'd been called. That left just Kvare and the two lions Alexander and Valerian. Neeha watched for a moment more before deciding to take her leave. She was sure Kvare would call for backup should something happen but it appeared the negotiations were over and she felt no need to watch anymore.

The princess carefully stepped back shifting quietly to sneak off back into the heart of the cove. Maybe she should have followed the coward's wife. Maybe she should have followed any of the others. But she didn't think that far, didn't realize it was even a good idea. One day she would, one day she'd be the shadow that kept her family safe...

-Neeha is attempting to hide-
-exit-
Potential xp
Assassin
+10 Successfully stay hidden for the duration of a thread
+5 Spy on an individual exchange
+5 Practice speed or stealth

code by corvus, Art by Irish