He had developed over the (many) years into a rather duel natured creature. Calm and reasonable (only on the outside), friendly and stable (until he is not), valuing serenity (but thriving on chaos).

The keys which had drawn him to the labyrinth of tunnels and caverns had fit the Hollows subterranean lock well. Tasks had been accomplished. The work Reti set himself to finished with suburb marks.

Now the whispers of restlessness seeped up through his paws into flowing veins and pulsing soul once more. He was not meant to stay idle for too long. And the fetters of another's authority chaffed sooner or later, even if held by a benign paw.

Sitting in a private side cavern, Reti remained still for a few minutes. Positioned in a puddle of faint sunlight streaming down from a skylight above, faint smile painted across black lips, head tilted slightly.

Then, after several, minutes a refreshing breath is drawn in and he calls for @Alexander ♔.

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The call was heard and Alexander was not one to keep @Reti ♔ waiting. If he could help it. While still a bit slower than normal due to his limp, it was improving day by day.

There was something about the call that made Alexander think that this meeting may not turn out how he would like. After the situation with Miaran, the Savante was unsure if the fiery male still wanted to reside in the Hollows - much less be on friendly terms. The Savante was not a man of idle alliances, and while he still knew nothing about the situation with his once Cove allies, it was not enough to pull him from his previous obligations.

With a sigh, the beast arrives and lets out a low chuff, "Reti..." Alexander begins, those blue eyes searching the male over for any sort of indication on what might be on his mind. The other seemed t to always hide his thoughts unless purposely wanting them be made aware. A dangerous, but useful trait.

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Velvet ears twitched at the sound of approaching paws and the sigh that preceded the sound of his name spoken in @Alexander ♔ 's voice. With a faint relaxed smile Reti adjusted his seat, turning to face the newly arriving High Sovereign.

Reti's near consistent calm composed exterior, that faint smile, it was a cloak whose every stitch was crafted from necessity.

While this practiced mask did indeed frequently hide the reborn lion's inner thoughts - that did not mean the calm and lightly friendly appearance was always only fur deep. At present, for instance, Reti did truly have a fond impression of the lion he faced - a legitimate friendly feeling.

"Greetings Alexander. You seem to continue to heal well, I am glad to see it." but with that bit of a limp...would he be ready to face any threat to the Hollows that might appear? Reti genuinely hoped so.

"There is something I was hoping to discuss. I m, extremely grateful for the trust you placed in me. It was very validating. And I will not forget." that act alone had earned Alexander a position of personal fondness and to a degree, allegiance, from the duel toned lion.

"However do you think that Angelo may take up Heir again? I desire to make an attempt at claiming a pride. In a couple months time I will make my move and do not wish to bring any repercussions to you. A period of time distant should help protect Obsidian." making it clear he was no longer Alexander's problem or charge before attempting a take over would draw that political line showing Reti did not necessarily have the approval or backing from the Hollows.

He enjoyed his time in the Hollows, but his time as leader had painted a very vivid picture and made one thing extremally, sharply, clear.

Reti would only ever be a placeholder in the hollows.

Even should the worst happen and he inherit, it would only be till one of the Savante stepped up to take the crown - he would not be accepted as a true head of this land.

His surname was the wrong one for that.

And eternal second best, a temporary substitute until something more 'desired' came along, following the desires of another constantly - this would not be a satisfying end to his personal tale.

So if a Legacy was to be forged, it would need to begin with force - and the hopefully upheld with alliances and when required, ... blood.

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At the greeting, the Savante dips his head in appreciation. "Thank you, I should be back to normal soon." He muses idly, looking the other over with curiosity evident in those pale blue eyes of his. It was obvious something was on his mind - and thankfully Reti did not keep him waiting long.

There is something I was hoping to discuss. Ears swept back, in his heart knowing what this conversation was going to lead to. Had he upset the other with the interaction concerning the Cove queen? Jaw clenches softly, but he falls quiet - intently listening.

Reti wished for his own pride. Alexander could understand the desire to rule one's own kingdom. During his recovery he'd been wholly unaware of how @Reti ♔ had been treated. Though, he'd gotten a brief look at it with Syanna. Such had surely been a pain to deal with, and made the male feel unsatisfied.

A sigh escapes him, his mind drifting for a moment before the beast focuses, thinking carefully about his words. "I can ask my husband, yes. I respect your wishes and truly hope for the best. Given your previous title, it may be hard to withdraw any association with the Hollows, but regardless we should do our best to support you." It would feel wrong to simply not back his ambitions.

Though, Alexander also knew that many of his allies currently ruled prides. He could only hope it did not come to that. While he knew he couldn't control the male, others usually had a different opinion - and expectation.

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ooc: Exiting so Ranks can be shifted. If you want a longer thread for them to chat, feel free to make one and I'll yeet him in!)

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IC: The sigh was not lost on Reti's ears. And there was a rueful understanding beneath the surface of Reti's features for a moment along with a flicker of faint amusement.

Leadership was mostly a serious of problems, headaches, endless hours of work, threats, and in most cases - not receiving nearly the amount of appreciation and note your work was owed.

If a leader was lucky they would be given some loyalty from the pride, conditional and transient loyalty usually. Unless, of course, you have a tight knit family and they made the bulk of your group ... then...perhaps ... a leader might know actual peace, for a time.

It did seem that @Alexander ♔ was taking the news as well as could be expected, and that Angelo would be offered the position back. Which he was pleased to hear - the easy going lion had done a good job of it. And if he wanted it, should be a chance to hold it again.

His features sobered a bit at the mention of it being hard to lessen association given his prior Heir rank. This was true. And why he was acting this far ahead of his plans, do do what was possible to lessen the impact.

"Agreed. This is why I am giving a season's gap before challenging. So Angelo can establish himself as the known Heir, and my scent can shift. I will make the change obvious where I can." carefully taking steps to buffer risk to the Savante and Hollows. But there would be only so much that could be done.

Some groups of individuals might make leaps of logic that Reti could not avoid. But the Hodari knew himself well enough to be certain - his life was never peaceful for long, it would not remain so, and it would end in a blaze of chaos and blood. And the hollows - did not need to be tied into it.

"I may stay in the Cove before challenging. I am not with concerned bringing them my chaos ... should they accept the risk. It will certainly help shift attention from the Hollow. Any traces of scent on him when he made his move would point the opposite direction from Obsidian.

" I am grateful for the understanding and support you are giving me. I will remember what was done for me, and those who dwell in the Hollows. I will do what I can to buffer threats. As a show of parting gratitude, if you list one pride you want excluded from challenging - I will avoid making a move against that pride if possible." a parting gift to Alexander, and as much a show of thankfulness and fondness as he was capable of giving. Allowing another lion's will to restrict his own - was the highest compliment.

Reti would remain, quiet for a few minutes in order to listen to any responses and thoughts the ruler might have before shifting his weight indicating an intent to leave. "I should head out, give as much time as possible for things to settle. And I hope, if I secure a pride successfully you will allow those who came here specifically to live by my side, to join me."

Ani had seemed to be off to her own devices lately - or he would have warned her first. Several others he would let know personally soon ... if they chose to come when he called.

Before moving to take his exit Reti would pause to add "...and Alexander, Please feel free to call for me in the future if you wish to discuss anything or for assistance. " or even check in. It was a pity they had not had the chance to know one another more before now due to circumstances.

--- Exit Reti (unless halted) ---

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