He'd taken enough time to settle in.

Rielus and Ashelia were seeming to find their own place, too, amongst the new faces and new - and yet not, in some ways - political environment. It must be strange for his cousin, Ebrahim supposed; living as a subordinate in a Kingdom she once ruled. She'd done a fine job, too. A shame. Still, no matter - the Azar male was intent on adapting and overcoming, as he had done plenty of times before. Inevitably, he was not content on being without rank for long. Some of the others here might be happy with wallowing in their own mediocrity, but he was not one of them.

And so he would act, swiftly and without any sign of hesitation.

Once situated comfortably in one of the Oasis' many clearings he would tilt his chin upward, sending out a call for his King - @Seneca - and hoping that he would gain an audience with him shortly.

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

A call rings out across the dunes for him, pulling Seneca's attention away from the current duties and thoughts that plague him. He is hardly the sort to hover and fret over the newer members of his pride, and has allowed the Azars their time to settle in, though he is doubtless intrigued by @Ebrahim's summons. He had promised to be a man of ambition, after all. It's not the challenge he had encouraged, but still, he can well enough suspect why he is being summoned. Seneca is never one to make anyone wait long for his company, and he makes haste across the sands, his ears tilting idly forward as he breaks into the clearing. "Ebrahim," he greets comfortably, inclining his chin and waiting for the inevitable explanation of why he has been summoned.

image by k'sariya, code by koi

It would not take long for the younger man to attend the call; the Azar would turn to watch him, keeping his posture straight - practiced, as he had attended court for years and knew how things should be - and his attention level. A dip of the head, issued for courtesy, and then a subtle turn so that he would be properly facing the piebald King. "High Sovereign," Ebrahim rumbled, keeping his tone level and polite. "I had some questions regarding your council." A pause. "I hope you do not find it impertinent." He rolled his shoulders back, remaining focused on the Miroslav as he continued. "From what I have seen thus far, the Oasis is a large pride. I imagine you have plenty of ranked lions to help support your rule?"

Dig, dig, dig; what will you sniff out, Ebrahim?

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

Seneca has no problem with allowing someone else to fill the silence; he is not a man of many words unless he has to be. His impassive gaze remains easily upon @Ebrahim, rocking back onto his haunches in the shade of the overhanging palm trees. Much to be expected, the man is curious about the status of his pride structure, earning a low hum of consideration at the open-ended question. The Oasis has grown considerably in the short time that he has been seated as its sovereign, but how is the Azar to know of events that transpired before his arrival? "As it stands, I have only a small handful of lions in ranked positions," he hums, thinking idly of the few he has trusted with seats of power without demanding their bloodshed as recompense. "My ascent to the helm is something of a newer development. We were a smaller pride before." Much as he respects Aarani, she had been an idle queen -- passive and lenient, when rulership has no room for it. "Your arrival here was well-timed. Many of the inhabitants haven't been here much longer than you." Andal Oasis has grown tenfold since Seneca's rise, and he has every intention of continuing that upward trend. What Ebrahim will make of his answer, however, leaves the man curious.

image by k'sariya, code by koi

If @Seneca was looking for the silence to be filled, he would be in good company with Ebrahim; the man talked for a living, whether it be constructive or toxic. Advice, judgement, nasty whispers.... His repertoire was endless. Enough to make or break a rule, should he decide to put enough effort in. The Azar tilted his head subtly as the King complied, indulging him in the information he sought.

And oh, what was this? There was room?

"Interesting," the pale ambassador rumbled, "so Andal has thrived under Miroslav control then?" Lips curled upward, subtle. "Reassuring news for any new members, most certainly." He rocked back on his haunches, idly wondering if perhaps he would mention Ashelia's standing here, once upon a time. Ultimately, he decided to refrain for now; that would be her story to tell, should she ever decide to. For all Ebrahim knew, she already had.

The Azar matriarch could certainly be... talkative, when she wanted to be.

"As you may remember from our first meeting, my King, I am a practiced ambassador; my skills earnt much recognition in my family's old homeland." Not to toot his own horn, of course, but no doubt he would have to sell himself a little for Seneca to show any interest. He needed an opportunity to build trust; as a pauper, he would struggle to do that. But within the council? It would help to pave the way for his own family. "I do not like to stay idle. I would ask for any opportunities you might have for me to prove to you my experience; I am confident that I could prove myself useful to you."

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

He can see the threads of ambition well enough. It is a look that Seneca has worn often himself, and @Ebrahim has hardly made his intentions a secret here. He much prefers those seeking ascent to the ones who sit idle, regardless, and he can appreciate the man's drive. "It has," he confirms with a mild simper that mirrors Ebrahim's own. His family may still be very much in a position of still growing, but there is promise that the Oasis has more to provide, and Seneca is eager to see it through, missing brother or not. Ebrahim continues, offering a reminder of his talents -- Seneca has hardly forgotten, though he doubts the other thinks he had. Ah, and there's what he'd been waiting for: the request to serve as something more than just another plebian in the crowd. For the time being, the Oasis is in a good position; he has made allies with the more formidable forces upon the island, and most every pride seems to share the same common enemy. Whilst Seneca is often more interested in a battle to test one's mettle, he also recognizes that there is a lack of benefit in bloodying someone who is better with a tongue as a weapon. "I don't doubt your capabilities," he muses idly, considering his options for a moment. "I have recently made alliances with the Lagoon and the Hollows, both helmed by members of the Sigrún family." If the future bodes well for him, Seneca might be lucky enough to command such an empire. Thoughts for another day, however, when he has been blessed with sons. "I will allow you the chance to prove yourself as my lead ambassador," he decides with a subtle click of his teeth. "You could plan an event, perhaps, to help solidify our standing with our allies," Seneca suggests, leveling his gaze with Ebrahim. Social gatherings are hardly his forte, but the Azar seems like the sort of man who will be up to the task.

image by k'sariya, code by koi

There is a little pause as the Miroslav considered the proposal. As he waited, Ebrahim - refusing to look even the slightest bit restless out of a misplaced sense of stubbornness and pride - kept his attention trained on the King, reading him for any possible sign of displeasure or dubiousness. From what he could see, there was none there, simply consideration. And then he would speak, finally, offering... Acceptance. Good. Very good. Ebrahim smiled, dipping his head obligingly at the promotion. "I appreciate that, and the opportunity. I would be honoured." Talk of an event, too, would garner his attention. "Are there any other allies I should take note of?" The name Sigrún would vaguely ring a bell, he thinks, from back when Ashelia ruled. No matter, he supposed - it would be something to confirm a little later down the line, when he inevitably met these allies. "An event is certainly something I can organise, though. I'd be happy to."

Happy to do that, and happy to receive such a sparkling opportunity.

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

Ebrahim has reasonable questions, though he would have expected little else from the Azar, who has doubtless been successful in such a position before. If they will share the same viewpoints in the long run remains to be seen, but he is willing enough to see where it leads. "Officially, no, though we are on friendly terms with Firnen," koi says vaguely bc thread in progress he answers with a soft hum. "Most of Amaryllis is in a stasis of peace with one another," Seneca continues, shifting idly in the warm sands. "Our northern neighbors, however, have made quite a reputation for themselves." And not a good one. He glances in the direction of the Bluffs, their towering peaks visible from where they sit. "They are a threat that will need to be neutralized. I suggest you practice caution in their vicinity. Their king has proven himself to be brash in thought and action, and previously ruled the Lagoon before it was taken from him. From what I can tell, he lacks the followers to support his behavior. Something you might consider gleaning more information about, if you can." Seneca, of course, has no idea that Vermier has conceded his crown to someone else, but he remembers well enough @Ebrahim's revelation when they had first met, and his knack for collecting information.

image by k'sariya, code by koi

Another pride to note - Firnen, the rainforest. A foe? The Azar's expression shifted from a mask of professional patience to faint intrigue. Ebrahim, along with his travel companions - though he supposed they might be privy to information, via to the grapevine, that he was not - may well have been one of the few to not know of the infamous shenanigans that the Dieudonne had involved themselves in. Still, it seemed that the bad blood had lingered long enough to fuel a full-blown feud; while not in active war, which was always something, it seemed as if tension brewed beneath the surface. "I understand. I will learn what I can and report back."

Juicy.

"If you ever require me to attend the Bluffs with you, for negotiations or.... anything else," heh, "I would be happy to." Who knows, he might be able to make things better. Or worse. Whatever benefited them more, him more. With all the important information on board, Ebrahim would dip his head in ready acknowledgement of Seneca's instruction. It was easy enough to comply and play the role of a good councilman, and so he would. Besides, things could be a lot worse; on first appearance, first assessment, Seneca seemed to know what he was doing.

Seemed.

With a bow of the head, Ebrahim would seek to take his leave. "I will leave you to your business. Thank you, High Sovereign." And then, with another subtle twitch of the lips, he would wait for a sign of dismissal - as any good court-dweller would - turn on his heel and retreat unless intercepted.

EXIT

^{_{CODE & ART BY D}}

What Ebrahim is able to find out will determine how things go in future weeks on the island. With so many eyes looking to see the next moves of the Bluffs king, tensions are certain to be high, though he very much doubts Vermier's ability to come out on top. Either way, he suspects that the new addition to his council will make himself quite useful, and Seneca is intrigued to see Ebrahim's skulls put to the test. An idle incline of his chin acknowledges the other male's departure, a soft hum of thought rumbling in his throat as his gaze shifts towards the towering peaks of the Bluffs. A shame, truly, that Zoticus is no longer his neighbor. It isn't long before he turns away as well, heading back towards his den with an idle flick of his tail. Exeunt Seneca

image by k'sariya, code by koi