Oh he is curious. What little he knows of the newly crowned queen tells him nothing of her plans, or her surprising challenge. Her reasons behind it unknown, Roarke has to wonder if she felt the same as he had when Roan had been simply handed the crown. The giant knew the previous king to be a man of peace, and at times that was not a dishonourable path to take. Amaryllis itself is currently a generally peaceful land, but that can change. He needs to know where @Sangria stands, which path she intends to take the Rainforest.

So he seeks her out, walking through the ever-quiet rainforest, chuffing softly for the new sovereign as he moves. It’s a surprise that there was an exodus of some lions following the change in leadership. But no others had seemed shocked that any had left. But that seemed to be the way of things here; loyalty to a leader ran deeper than tradition and culture and home. Then again, keeping the entirely unwilling was useless if they were no good as trading or bartering chips. Something Roarke himself would have to ponder in the future, if it was ever going to matter to him.

@Roarke's voice called and she chuffed her own answer, approaching the spotted lion with a steady set of footfalls and movement through the familiar trees. She couldn't recall seeing the lion beyond the pride meeting and the clusterfuck that had become the Ecrosia challenge. Bi-colored gaze leveled on the silver lion, and she came to a halt as she emerged from the treeline into an opening of air and sunlight. "Good to see you.." She wasn't sure if he was intending to stay - or if he was going to be stepping away from the Rainforest - but she was prepared for either. After all - it was not often that one rose up within their own pride to overthrow their own leader. Sangria was not unprepared to be challenged by those that chose to remain - but she would stand and deliver those promises, as well as to answer questions that any might have. Her only hope? To see the rainforest flourish and grow to her glory.

code by koi

“Congratulations,” Roarke offers when the red queen answers his call. Still bloody and wounded, but by no means weaker for it, Sangria has earned her rank. He can’t deny that, regardless of his own thoughts on the matter. Captaincy rarely passed between lions while the previous was alive and strong enough to lead, loyalty ran deep and only men gone mad were ever mutinied against. But then again, Roarke and his brother were by far the last who could criticise, all things considered.

An ear flicks idly in the thick red mane atop the giant’s head. “What do you plan on doing with the rainforest?” It isn’t a casual question, despite Roarke’s otherwise light tone. His eyes remain sharp, curious but above all judging. She proved herself a capable warrior, yes, but that does not mean she is fit to follow. He does not give his loyalty lightly, does not plan on bringing his clan in without good reason. They had escaped tyranny once, near four years ago now, and he would not risk their freedom again so easily.

A heavy sigh slipped from her lips before she would shift, settling and giving @Roarke her full attention. "To be what she should be." Sangria's words were still bland, but she glanced around her. "In the last few months, it felt like the Rainforest was struggling - like she was suffering. I wanted her to have the chance to choose her guardian. Now that she's chosen.. I want to see the pride flourish - the Forest flourish.." She would flick her ear - chasing off a fly before glancing once more as the macaw overhead soared beneath the boughs of the trees above. "To build us into a true pride - something to work together.. Not simply numbers on a list somewhere. To have us all know who we are. To find those beyond these trees that need to find the freedom to build themselves into who they want to be. To empower those who fight, who heal, who hunt...who know the spirits of these trees. To give them all a chance to get better - to grow." She would turn her gaze towards the spotted male, her expression taking on a cast of irritation. "I will not guide her as my father ruled his home. An iron fist - subjugation and destruction. I will not see those beneath me left to rot if something goes wrong simply to save my own hide." A snarl trickled between her lips as she thought of Zayns last days and claws bit the dirt beneath her - in the most open show of emotion the Sanguine woman had since arriving here to those beyond her own family. "I don't care what enemies we make - if it gives us the chance to free those from their oppressors, to bring them into a place of safety and power... I will do so. And I will be the first to rise against those that will try to harm those that live here.

code by koi

What @Sangria says is interesting. As expected of a warrior, it’s noble, and there’s some parental issues certainly underlying it all - but he does not have the patience or desire to peel those layers back. Whatever the red queen’s motivations, Roarke can respect them.

For the moment, however, he reveals nothing in his expression. For a moment after she is done speaking, the giant remains silent, pondering. Finally, he nods curtly. “Thank you for the information.” His voice is soft, oddly thoughtful for the man. Obviously the aspect of freedom appealed to him greatly. “I look forward to watching your reign.” Pretty words, if they weren’t a mockery of those too polite, fake politicians he’d known. At least he means them.

He moves to leave, but casts a look her way over his shoulder, sunset hued eyes shining with just an ounce of mirth. “Perhaps I will see you at your first meeting. I hope you enjoy public speaking.”

Exit.