He had been watching ... carefully. From a distance trying to keep tabs on how the previous High Soverign Alexander was recovering. And it seemed to be steady - but slow going.

And given multiple recent exits and losses from the pride Reti was also more than a tad concerned how the swirled lion might be feeling emotionally along with the drain healing from severe injuries had on body and mind.

Yet Reti personally and the Hollows as a unit could not really afford to wait any longer when it came to a particularly important pride related matter.

Retnuh Hodari was after all - a lion of his word. And if no 'true born' Savante was presently a good fit - well then he would have to shift his focus to the best option. Someone Savante by ties... Savante Adjacent so to say.

Sitting in a little side cavern Reti called for @Angelo to come talk.

code by corvus

It was weird being called for by anyone, let alone by the high sovereign. Angelo immediately started trying to figure out what he'd done wrong as he hauled himself up, dislodging a few cling-ons cubs in the process. It was a rare day lately he didn't have to check his mane to make sure someone wasn't taking a nap in it before he moved. They were slowly getting more independent, which was bittersweet to say the least. He loved watching their eldest kids starting to take part in the pride, but he could remember fondly when they were the same way.

Now wasn't the time to worry about that, though, because he was being called to the metaphorical principal's office.

He arrived as promptly as one could be expected to given he was babysitting, and he dipped his head in polite greeting as he approached, still trying to figure out why he was in trouble. What's up? he asked, figuring it was better to hear it from @Reti instead of offering up a guess, being wrong, and making his situation worse. Though really he couldn't think of anything he could have done.

Generally when Reti called for someone to come and discuss things he would be focused on calmly watching for their arrival while keeping track of how long it took before they arrive (for his own curiosity among other reasons).

This time however the shadow and flame intertwined lion's gaze was slightly unfocused and seemingly focused on a random spot on the stone wall - until @Angelo came into the cavern that is.

Once the striped male's scent and then figure drew close enough to register Reti's gaze would refocus and settle upon him. Relaxing his shoulders the High Sovereign would offer a smile of welcome - aiming to indicate the calm nature of the meeting.

Calm - but a brand of serious regardless.

'What's up?'

Reti did not particularly feel like sitting on social protocols as much at the moment, and given Angelo struck him as a more ... casual? Honest? Well relaxed type at the least, he would get strait to the point.

"Welcome Angelo, thankyou for responding. I wish to set you as the Hollows Heir. Will you accept?"

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It seemed like @Reti wouldn't be smiling if he was in trouble, so Angelo started to set that thought aside since he couldn't even think of anything he might have done that could be a problem. Of course, as he was setting that thought aside Reti introduced an entirely new one that threw such a wrench in the works that it was almost visible when it got caught in the gears of his mind and they immediately ground to a halt with a shrill screech.

I- do y- do what now? he stammered out intelligently. He'd have asked if Reti knew who he was talking to or if he'd spontaneously gone blind, but the high sovereign had clearly said his name when he'd approached. His replacement statement would have been that when he mentioned putting a Savante as heir he hadn't meant HIM, but that seemed equally stupid to say. Maybe he did words good a bit better than he'd thought and managed to fly too close to the sun on that one.

Still... hadn't he always had that thought in the back of his mind about being amongst the leadership for the Hollow? And this way he didn't even have to fight the family for it?

I will, he replied, in a more serious tone than he'd used in ages, before he really thought too hard about it and scared himself out of it. He'd do this, and he'd show the family that he was capable. He was just shocked that Reti thought he was.

(ooc: Exiting to get the rank set, feel free to start another thread for them to chat about any concerns/thoughts. )
-----

The stripped male seemed absolutely floored by Reti's words, and for a second the High Sovereign felt a mix of sympathy and humor. Had none ever put that amount of responsibility on @Angelo before?

'I- do y- do what now'

Reti's smile twitched incrementally larger for a second "I know. Its a lot. But you, are the right choice." regardless of how insane it might seem to the male himself, or anyone else looking on.

Reti was confident in his choice. Lions defending their family, working for them, taking up responsibility for the sake family - tended to work the hardest and progress the fastest. Well, they did if they were worth their hide anyhow.

"A lion with something to protect is the most dedicated. One who speaks up if he thinks it needed, is worthy of note. A lion who does not take himself too seriously and listen to others is less likely to fly off the handle and attack another for perceived slights. I believe you are the right choice."

Reti didn't usually feel the need to explain his choices, but Angelo was now his Heir - so giving a little window was fine, it might help them understand one another a bit. And they would be working together to protect the pride and keep it healthy for a while at least.

"I am going now to place a few others in positions to help the pride. Jun as Lead healer, and Zsolt as Lead fighter. If you have ideas of others who would do well ranked let me know. If you want to discuss anything, please call anytime. I will let things sink in now, we can chat this evening if you like?." he chuckled softly and gave the other lion a slight, respectful nod and moved to do as he said - give the other ranks. Angelo could call for him and talk anything over he wished a bit later in the day if there were questions.

--- Exit Reti (ta give out other ranks) ---

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Angelo's tufted ears twitched at @Reti's words, and for a moment he wondered if he was the one who'd gone insane. Yeah, that was probably it. Too much time watching the kiddos and he'd lost his mind.Well, if he was going to lose it, this was probably one of the best ways to do so.

Well, who am I to argue with that logic? he replied. It was very sound. Even if Reti wasn't the high sovereign Angelo wouldn't have found a flaw in it. As it was, he wasn't really looking that closely. It was a tragic truth that he'd never been approached for such a position before, but he'd always figured it was because one of the kids was intended to be next in line for the throne, or so as not to look like favoritism.

Who, he thought as Reti continued, mentioning the one he intended to put in the place of Lead Medic. He would have suggested Lilliana, but to be fair she had only recently returned and perhaps was more busy helping Alexander than anything else. So he had no comment there except to remind himself that he was going to need to get to know everyone within the pride now, not just the family.

He'll be good for that, Angelo said of making Zsolt lead fighter. Teodora would've been a good choice too, or Dmitri, he thought, but the matriarch had been gone a bit and maybe having the tiger be lead fighter would dissuade others from wanting to train. He was kind of just a giant orange wall after all. Not to toot my own kids' horns but Cosmin and Jazmin have been putting in work in the hunts. Maybe one of them would like something. He'd have liked to be able to offer someone outside of the family if only to prove he wasn't trying to play favorites, but uh... alas. I'll keep an eye out at the hunts for anyone else, he offered instead.

Yeah, his brain was still breaking so a little break to let that all settle in seemed like a good idea. Yeah, thank you, for that and for giving me this. I'll talk to you later, he said before he too set off. Now he had a whole lot more than a few little ones to look after.

-exit angelo-