Winter hadn't struck the desert quite as hard as it had other places. Yes, of course it was still bitterly cold, but it was manageable. Perhaps not at night, but that was why she was there in the light of day. Old she might be, but she wasn't senile or stupid. She prayed she never would be either of those things.

She had come out in one last search for snake eggs, figuring they would likely be sleeping in the cold weather, and therefore it might be easier to steal from their clutches should any exist. One might think not, deeming it more of a spring and summer endeavor, but considering her own sides were swollen with burgeoning life it seemed safe to presume.

So she roamed the dunes, looking for holes in the sand and checking underneath rocks and whatever else she could find for the telltale signs of a snake den. If nothing else, it gave her something to do.

@Victoria

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She had left Helena in charge of the cubs, knowing that they would be both safe and entertained at least. Though she would never admit it to her oldest daughter, she was a godsend when it came to the newest litter of Tollaire children and Victoria would miss her when inevitably she was married off to further their political agenda. Unfortunately, her daughter would likely never know of those more tender feelings from the iron willed woman. She did not wander too far, keeping to the desert lands and within hearing distance if her daughter called. Sharp silver gaze roved over the land, taking in the ever changing landscape of the dunes and reacquainting herself with the landmarks she had known in her youth. When the sight of another caught her sharp gaze, she almost continued on her way. Until the others appearance tickled a memory, then a few more. She knew this lioness. It was a surprise to say the least to see Arcania both alive and obviously well. The rounded sides were a dead giveaway, though the red woman had been an adult when Victoria was young. She didn't know how old the woman was now. "Arcania -" She called out, before approaching the foraging feline. "I can't believe you're still alive." Victoria cooed, brow quirked as she examined the older woman carefully. "And still fertile." Ageing had tempered the barbs of her tongue, but Victoria had always been a sharp creature, keenly observing and harshly assessing those around her. @Arcania ♔ +10 Learn something about pride/group/family relations +5 Study the landscape of an area +5 Learn something interesting about a character (Arcania is pregnant)

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Arcania withdrew her paw as a voice called out to her, not one she immediately recognized, but one that clearly knew her. Knew her will enough to be cheeky, no less. Arcania gave her a flat sort of "bruh" look before recognition lit in her features. The child had grown into a fully mature woman in the time since she had last been in the Oasis, it seemed.

Yes, it seems death is wise enough to keep its claws away from me, she replied, choosing to ignore the insolence of relative youth. As to her pregnancy... I was surprised as well. She wasn't going to deny that. Though really she'd somewhat been expecting it after all the time she and her leopard companion had spent together.

And where have you been hiding, all these years? she asked. Two could play at that game, and she did so enjoy having random tidbits of information.

@Victoria

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A scrutinising gaze has swept across the landscape as she'd paused, taking in both topography and the potential for anything threatening to make an appearance. Victoria was not necessarily a paranoid creature, but there was a certain degree of awareness of her surroundings that would likely never dissipate. Especially with cubs on board - her older children could care for themselves, but her vigilance was for the babes as well. When she found nothing of obvious note, when sharp silver eyes had roved over the curves of the dunes, she focused back on the red woman with an almost fond look. "Death would be a fool to come calling for you just yet." She responded, arching a brow as Arcania revealed another small tidbit of information. A smirk curved over the viper's lips - but she decided against goading the older woman further. Whether the pregnancy was planned or not, it was clear Arcania had decided to go ahead with it now. "You could have rid yourself of them early on - you taught me yourself of the plants to do so." A lot of Victoria's early knowledge of plants and poisons came from the red woman - a whole lot more than her own mother had bothered to teach her. She would not be spared the inquisition, though really she did expect it. "I married a Tollaire and have been raising his cubs away from these lands ever since." There was no denying the tone of pride in her voice when she spoke of her children, though she was their own harshest critic. "You do not smell of the Oasis - have you moved on?" She asked, nostrils having gathered that piece of information on their own. @Arcania ♔ +10 Learn something about pride/group/family relations +5 Study the landscape of an area (2/2) +5 Learn something interesting about a character (The pregnancy was not planned)

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Indeed, she agreed, pleased there was another who thought the same way. She felt she had at least a few more years to her, barring the war erupting into further death matches that involved her. But she wasn't planning on involving herself in that further until the little ones were born for just that reason, so that at least if it came to that she would be able to leave them under her son's care. She presumed he could manage looking after his own siblings, or else she'd haunt him from beyond the grave.

I could have, but the father is... not someone I mind, and the X'uekai family needs expanding, she replied. In her younger years, she likely would have done just what @Victoria suggested, but times had changed.

Ah, that name took her back. I once knew the Tollaire family. Drakon and Hecuba. Though I suspect they have either long since passed or are close to it, she said. A pity, because she had always respected the both of them. I have. I lived in Wolfbron Bluffs for quite some time under Amara's rule, until my mother challenged for Vermeda Brook and won. Now we both rule there.

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It was certainly interesting, seeing the older woman again. Victoria had learnt a lot from the red woman and probably had considered her something of a mentor in her youth. A sly smile curled across the Miroslav woman's lips as their discussion had turned to the cubs she now carried and the father that she didn't necessarily mind. However, ears pricked at the mention of Arcania's family and the need for expansion. It was certainly something that her father in law would want to know about. "Perhaps that is something I can assist with - expansion I mean. Who are the X'uekai already connected with?" She asked, not to be nosy but so that she could take the information and make it useful. A smile touched her lips at Arcania's reminiscing and she nodded, stretching a claw out to disturb the sand in front of her. "My husband's parents, recently returned to Amaryllis with us. They are also keeping Death at arms length." Victoria chuckled, though there had been plenty of times in the youth of her marriage when her mother in law had tested her patience and resolve. Arcania's update caused a brief twitch of her brows upwards - "The Brook? I thought it a Valour stronghold? What do they have to say about it?" She might as well get all of the information she could glean from the red woman. @Arcania ♔ +10 Learn something about pride/group/family relations (Arcania knew the Tollaires)

table by koi

Trying to untangle the web the X'uekai had become was difficult for her, only because there were so many threads from her father that she didn't know the termination of. She'd never dug that far into it. But she did know some of them, and so she answered as best she could. My son is betrothed to one of the Devorre daughters, and I believe there are attempts to tie the family back to the Dieudonne and with Miaran in the Cove, she said.

Despite not being privy to the political conversations, she picked up on the scents of those coming and going from the pride, the faint scents of the Bluffs and the Cove on Cassius and Velasco, neither of which she paid much attention to in truth. Well, Velasco she paid some attention to willingly, not minding him, but Cassius... he was better left with a wide berth for her own health, she knew. I would welcome the opportunity to tie our family with the Miroslav, or Tollaires, she concluded. Icefang might not agree, might not think it necessary, but Arcania had fond memories of members from both families, and at this point in her life she believed she could make ties as she pleased.

Her husband's parents... and they were old as well... she wondered if they could possibly be... No, better to assume not and prevent getting her hopes up. That sounds fitting for what I know of the Tollaire, she commented with amusement.

It was, she confirmed. They are displeased, to say the least. There have been several squabbles with the Lagoon, which many of them seem to have taken residence in, including the former Brook high sovereign. Because apparently that "hell hath no fury" thing wasn't just an idle saying.

@Victoria

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Devorre and Miaran were both names that meant little to the Viper at present, but the information was stored nonetheless. One day, she would know who they were, but for now it was enough to know of the connections the X'uekai were making or had already made. On the other hand, Dieudonne was certainly a name that she remembered and her brows quirked briefly in amusement. A friend of a friend did not necessarily automatically make them your friend too, but it would be interesting to know what Drakon thought of any alliance with both X'uekai and their Dieudonne attachments. "Interesting - I'll be sure to let Drakon know." She did not speak for the Tollaire afterall, but her natural inclination towards nosiness meant she could at least gather the information. And Arcania's assurance that she would welcome an alliance was reassuring at least. Victoria nodded, once more storing that information in order to utilise it in the future. Her interest was quickly distracted by what Arcania knew of the relations between prides now and a sly smirk rolled over the Viper's lips. "Oh dear -" Though there was very little sympathy in her tone and absolutely none on her face. "I take it they have been unsuccessful in challenging the X'uekai control of the Brook then?" If there had been squabbles, she presumed there had been attempts at reclamation. @Arcania ♔ +10 Learn something about pride/group/family relations (X'uekai connections/Brook vs Lagoon troubles)

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There it was, the name she knew so well and confirmation that both Drakon and Hecuba were not only alive and well but also back in the lands. She wondered if she ought to seek them out. It had been so long sine she'd seen either of them, and she didn't know how she would handle it if they didn't recognize her. Probably not well, which wasn't good for the children she carried. Maybe she would do it after she had given birth, she decided. Just to be safe. Very kind of you, she said, sincerely for once. Look at her, attempting to bridge families. Her firstborn son was already spoken for, but she had two soon to be born children to offer. Hell, she would offer herself.

A low chuckle left her at @Victoria's comment, and she nodded in response to the question. The former high sovereign has returned to try to take back her throne, but failed once more. Icefang was swift to bring retaliation to the Lagoon where she currently lives. The second war hadn't technically been their fault, but they had taken part nonetheless.

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Whether anything came of it or not, it had been worthwhile to discuss with Arcania. Their families might not align, Drakon might have other plans. But there was a certain satisfaction in knowing the red woman had likely given her useful information and that she could pass that on to her father in law. Her attention was quickly diverted to the update of the pride upsets that seemed ongoing and a low chuckle came from the Miroslav woman at the idea of what retaliation might have looked like. "Sounds like these tensions are very much ongoing." She commented, though in reality this did not bother her. Their families had been part of various amounts of conflict and would likely contribute again one day. "Thank you for your time, Arcania. I didn't think to see a friendly face upon my return." It was a rare compliment from Victoria, but genuine nonetheless. "I should be getting back - unless you needed any help?" A rarity indeed, for Victoria offered help to almost none. @Arcania ♔

table by koi