Vysemala had fallen back into a groove seemingly easier than her mate had. This was a position, a role, she'd loved before and picking up the responsibilties again felt good. She'd been a poor politician anyways. This was where her skills resided and where she found her joys. And with the weather beginning to turn so too would the strength of the herds swell, their meals multiplying in the warm sun. And so the lions would feast. The Cove deserved as much, and so well before the real hunting could begin she was paying a visit to the new High Sovereign to discuss some plans and the importance that this changing weather meant to them.

for @Drakon

He was content in his title and crown. Though he had felt bad for even asking for it from Jewel but what Hecuba had stated made logical sense and so he had decided to take action and ask. Hecuba had help, but he had done the talking knowing his wife would've done more damage than good at that time. Sighing, his mind went to Jewel's wife just as her scent came to his nostrils. Ears twisting he would get up and move towards her scent spotting her fairly easy. "@Vysemala, how are you doing?" He was curious for sure. And did worry about her at times.

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

For all the changes Vysemala seemed unshaken. She was no leader, she hadn't been other than in title for the most part. Serving him now was not difficult. Not so long as Jewel and her family were well taken care of. I am doing well but have something on my mind. @Drakon would get the same dutiful woman out of Vysemala that Jewel had. She did not mean to dismiss the small talk entirely but her mind could not stray from its path. Spring will be here soon. She began. As the weather warms the chance for storms to roll in from the sea increases. We've seen the Lagoon pride suffer for it, I don't want to see the same happen to us. Last year maybe they'd just been lucky and avoided a storm bad enough to tear their home apart, having seen what could happen now Vysemala didn't want to risk it this year.

There seemed to be no room for small talk and for that he was fine with. Drakon was not the type to have small talk. It made him slightly uncomfortable and so when she went straight to the point, Drakon was pleased. Even though it didn't show along his features but it was there in the air between the High Sovereign and the Lead Hunter as he would begin to listen to her speak about the winter going and spring coming. He had never seen the Lagoon suffer from it but he understood what she was stating. "What do you suggest we do? As lead hunter, I have utter faith in you and will help you keep this pride's cache full." He would state, watching her closely.

@Vysemala

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

I'd like to make some new caches further inland where they won't be as susceptible to the weather. For the usual storms it would keep them with enough food to sustain themselves without worry of it. But good food wouldn't help them if a true storm crashed into the Cove. And we should have a game plan if things turn south, a place the children know to go to. But she'd take input from @Drakon on what place would be best, inland and high ground of course but beyond that they'd need to weigh how far they wanted to tell the children to go potentially without adults. Each step inland would be away from poor weather but into what other harm they couldn't be sure of.

"That's not a bad idea. Where do you have in mind?" He was familiar with the Cove but as Lead Hunter perhaps she was more familiar with it than he was and Drakon was alright with that. And then at the idea of having a back up plan for the children if a storm was to hit came across the conversation and it caused Drakon to think for a good minute. Ears twisting on top of his head as he would let silence come between them so that he could think. "If a storm hits bad enough, we can tell them to go to the Hollow? If we are still allies, and Magnus hasn't lost it." Not saying that he would but there was the off chance that the leadership could in fact change at any given time. "They would be safe until the storm went away." And one of his own children could even lead the way if need be.

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

The rocks and cliffs along the Stygian shore should have some safe places to store some food, at least through the storm season. She though aloud, one of her brown ears flicked back and forth while she glanced in the north direction. It wouldn't be the closest most convenient place to hold the food but in a pinch they'd have some. I think east is a good idea, either they hit the Hollow or the adults catch up and find them. South or West would only put them closer to water and likely in the path of any serious weather going on. Defeating the purpose entirely. North would eventually lead them towards the Pit and any possible dangers laying in wait there. No @Drakon had the right idea.

Drakon would glance towards the cliff's and rocks at the mention of them being a possible second place for another cache and he would nod his head in agreement. "It would also help during the colder seasons as well." The cliffs would keep out the cold that could possibly harm their stored food. Regardless, he liked that idea. "We can go look for a place in the next few days or if you find one let the pride know." Drakon wouldn't be opposed to her calling a meeting to inform everyone of the second cache. She was lead Hunter and even though he was High Sovereign, the prides food was on her turf and responsibility. "I'm glad you agree with that." He would state, "I will eventually go to Magnus and inform him of this plan for future references so he isn't caught by surprise when multiple cubs show up on his doorstep with some adults."

@Vysemala

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

She nodded, welcoming @Drakon along to find suitable new cache locations. Maybe she'd actually get a chance to know this man a bit better. They'd lived together for awhile now and she couldn't say she knew him as well as she should. By face and name yes, and there was some formal relationship that she felt with him but she was welcome to getting to know the man himself now that he'd helped Vee and Jewel when they needed it most. I will have a plan for the caches by time you have things sorted with Magnus. She commited with a tilt of her head outwards and away from the Cove. If she'd learned anything this last year it was that there were things precious in this world and a great many forces who would take that away from her if only given the chance. She had to protect them. She had no choice now that she had things in this world that to lose might be the end of her.

He walked with her and would listen to her speak about a plan for the cache. He was completely fine with that and at the mention of Magnus he would think that perhaps Drakon should make that trip soon. "I will make that trip soon." He would admit out loud instead of in his own little mind and world. But just like she, Drakon wished to get to know her better. "Why don't you tell me about yourself, @Vysemala, and I will do the same." He would state, glancing in her direction as they walked, though apart of him wanted to keep everything to himself; Drakon knew that he couldn't. Vee and Jewel both deserved to know who he was and who he had once been.

image by frida bredesen | art by irish