~Aiyenna's Island in Ruins~ ((Semi-lit ~ Always Accepting))

[~Erica~]

(Yeah I'm just waiting for Saeli too at the moment)

[Saeli]

Nio let a low chuckle at the smile he received from Ali. The girl was always a confusing mystery, but now more so than ever. Nio stayed a few steps behind Ali letting his mind wander a bit. It took a turn to his mother and he couldn't help but glance in the direction of the bear kingdom. From their position now they just needed to cross into the leopard territory. He wondered if everything went okay with her after what he did...
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts Nio quickened the horses pace to be up beside Ali. "So what's the plan when we get there, cap'n?"

Gavin bit his lip at the news Rune had brought him. The queendom queenless? This was something they were completely unaware of. But a convoy of what approaching? "Rune as much as I would like to hear your tale, I think the safety of those in this castle is more important. Meet the convoy and let them know the castle is under protection of the fox princesses royal guard until I have spoken with Vel." With his words he turned to the door and knocked lightly. Their meeting would have to be cut short for the time being.

A small smile formed on Mable's mouth. "You have no need to thank me yet," Mable didn't get to finish her words at the slight knock on the door. "Oh, Sargent Denali! We should tell him what is going on, and send word to my brother." Mable stood and walked towards the door to open it to a worried looking man before her. Gavin explained the situation to them briefly and Mable turned to Vel. "Were you expecting a party other than ours to come today?"

[Chadanaiy]

• Vel •

There was a knocking on the door at the end of the narrow room. Vel looked to it and, wanting to excuse herself to her guest for interrupting their discussion and going to open it, looked back. There she noticed the Fox Princesse had been fastest and had already gotten up to answer the knock herself. The young servant immediately rose from the couch and, mildly surprised, watched Mable hold a short discussion with her guard before returning. "Were you expecting a party other than ours to come today?" the royal girl asked from across the room. The servant frowned and hesitated an instant before giving her answer. "No. No, we were not." she said quietly, "Not I had heard of at least..." Her hand slipped off the couch's satin arm. The list of every plausible visit they could be having quickly streamed through her yellow eyes but offered no explanation. She turned to her guest again and asked politely: " Your Highness, has something happened?"

• Rune •

The spy nodded to the Sargent with a small nervous twitch of her long muzzle. Her earrings jangled with the brusque movement and, as if the sound were a cue for her departure, spoke: "Very well." then left, returning to the storm that she'd abandoned for only a few instants.
Outside the rain was as heavy as ever. Still, the black stones of the royal palace were cold under her hand, hating her violating presence, menacing to throw her off with every soaking crevice. The party had advanced, the slow trail of their horses was veiled as everything by the downpour but visible still, nearing the inner city. Already, townsfolk had started to gather around them. The fox found her route among the roofs and leapt.

((Woo, short post! Sorry about that! ^^' ))

[Wildmagic_warrior]

"I am thankful," the Leopard Queen replied. She watched as her knights escorted Vanendra and Shaily out of the throne room, staying on her feet until the massive double doors had shut behind her guests. Then she sank to the pillows beneath her, sitting cross-legged on them and holding her face on her hands. She breathed carefully, keeping herself from crying. She had learned the technique years ago, after her parents died; anyone of royal standing had to keep up appearances, queens most of all, and the easiest way to let an enemy know you'd been crying was to have smudged makeup around your eyes. The habit had stuck.

After a few moments, Amaali stood again. Composing herself, she swept to the back of the throne room and exited through a door that led, by way of several twisting halls, to her chambers. She had a bad feeling abut what the next day might bring, and although she abstained from superstition she could not help but shiver.

On the other side of the palace, the wolf knight Cyndre was escorting the two Tigresses to their rooms. Before she left them for the night, she gently reminded them of their promise to the queen. Then she said goodnight, prodded Fitch in the back to remind him to bow, and took her leave. Fitch would sleep in the barracks, with the other soldiers. Cyndre remained deep in thought throughout most of the night, unable to sleep with the pressing question on her mind of when to tell Fitch hat his sister was not in fact, off being heroic but rather dead under the soil of a battlefield somewhere.

[Vanendra]

Vanendra nodded at the guard, remembering her promise. The princess then slipped into her room and brought out her sketch book, drawing out a plan and wondering if Shaily would keep to her word. Her eyes looked up from her book and at the doorknob, a shiver running down her spine as she remembered that terrible night on the ship. Quickly her eyes moved down to her drawing, she tore out the sketch of the Leopard palace and started drawing that panther.

[Saeli]

Mable stepped out of the way so Gavin could enter the room. "It would seem there is a party approaching the castle," Mable said to Vel with a half smile, "I would not hope to scare them away if they come from a local village of yours. However, if they are an enemy I would like to have Sargent Denali take charge." As Mable promised she wished to aid the lion people in whatever way she could, even if it meant protecting their land from unwanted intruders. She did not wish to appear as if she was trying to take over though.

[~Erica~]

Erica shifted at the sound of a knock on the door, ready to defend her Princess if they need arose, but thankfully it was just Gavin and she grinned. The Sargent was certainly not a threat, though she did listen carefully to the news he brought. What other party could be approaching? She frowned slightly and tapped her fingers against her thigh. That could pose a problem if said party was not invited, and judging by the look on Vel's face it was not.

She rose as well and crossed to a window to take in the view of the surrounding area. Through the deluge of rain, there was a party of horses just barely visible, cloaked, as it were, by the downpour. Squinting, Erica tried to count the number of people in party but couldn't quite manage it. Pursing her lips, she turned back to face Mable and Gavin, wondering how he had known there was an approaching party. Then she remembered Rune and a short look of understand crossed her face.


Ali shifted her position on her horse as she heard Nio speak to glance back at him, green eyes illusive and hidden. She gave a little half shrug of her shoulders and turned back around, taking in the scenery around her. "Not sure really. See what jobs are available for us."

She quirked a little half smile at the idea of a job. No job was ever an honest one for a girl like her, and for some reason that thought amused her. An honest trade had never had much draw, even after Ali had left her old group and sought out a life of her own. That life would always be a crooked one. There were to many habits to unlearn otherwise, and to much history to erase.

Snorting to herself at the mental image of an 'honest Ali', she smiled and shook her head, content to allow her mind simply to wander about. It wandered to Nio. Her embarrassment at her previous display of emotion came back in the form of a tiny blush on her pale cheeks. The whole thing had simply been a mess, and that weighed heavily in her mind as she reviewed their words, picking them over for different connotations and meanings. Perhaps there were none, and perhaps they had all been sincere, but even sincerity had motives. She sighed softly.

[god-and-angels]

Shaily looked at the guard and nodded then lowered her head. She looked around then slipped out of the room shutting the door silently and sat in the hallway by the door. Lifting her knees up she wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her head on her knees. She sat there listening for something but all she heard was her own short breathes. She wanted to explore the castle but she knew better than to go alone.

[~Erica~]

(Friendly bump :) )

[Saeli]

Nio stayed quiet rather than reply to Ali. It would seem odd jobs would suffice for a while in any case. Maybe they could find an inn he wouldn't cause trouble in for once. His gaze fell to his broken arm at that thought. It wasn't like he would be an efficient fighter for some time. Sighing he stole a glance at Ali, she was a strong girl and Nio did not wish to bring her down with his bear like lumbering and temper.

His eyes fell to the ground, he knew she would be more stealthy without him. After all she was a cat by nature. Their attitudes toward each other had also changed, and Nio had a hard time understanding how and why. Once more looking up at Ali, Nio made a decision. He planned to leave her, he didn't know when yet, but he planned it. The girl would be able to get farther on her own, and perhaps find happiness.