[attr="class","shivabad"]The blood in her teeth has long since dried, but the taste of it still lingers even after their weeks of wandering. It hadn't been her first kill, but it had been the first time she'd killed so many in one night, yet alone those she'd once lived with. A small part of Shiva mourned for them; but her pride had been naive and foolish, and they had trained her to kill in the first place.
Now she and Amadi can be together without the secrecy, like their love was some shameful sin to hide away. The slightest hint of a smile graces her black lips at the thought, and she brushes her flank up against the hulking form of her mate as they scan their surroundings.
"Finally," She muses, gazing out across the sparse foliage. "Life. And plenty of it past this point, it seems."
[attr="class","shivabad"]Perhaps he would have felt remorse for killing his pride if they hadn't trained it out of him. Instead, he is relieved, now free to be with the woman he loves without having to hide his adoration. Shiva brushes up against him, coaxes his lips to curve into a smile. She's pleased as well. All is right with the world. "So it seems," Amadi agrees, tail twitching thoughtfully behind him. "A good place for reapers like us."
He pauses for a moment, taking in their surroundings. "Shall we scope the place? Find out who else has been drawn to such a lush land?" He asks, leaning down to drag his tongue along the top of her head affectionately, cleaning a stray splatter of blood still clinging to her fur.
The outskirts are an easy trek for Wolfgang. There were mountains to trek through, but roaming the pine and flats of the tundra had taken near no time at all. The granite faces had quickly turne to leaf-strew earth as he picked his way around the Wilds, noting the new scent markers. It meant somebody had taken up residence. It only increased his haste as the emperor approached the ancient gnarled tree, the marker of no-mans land.
There were two fresh scents on the wind, and Wolfgang turned his path to follow. It didn't take him too long to find the duo, darkly marked with brown pelts. Were they just a travelling pair? Or something else? "Seeking shelter?" he rumbled as he drew up to a speaking distance, "Wolfgang, Emperor of Ifari Tundra." He was assessing them, pale gaze neutral.
[attr="class","shivabad"]The woman ponders the question, expression unwaveringly pensive even as Amadi plants a fond lick over the top of her head. "I suppose," Shiva says, slowly. "Though I doubt it really matters. It is new, and it can sustain life; that's all we really need to settle."
But the couple isn't starved for company for long. The dark form of a man, even larger than her mate, draws near, offering introductions from a polite distance. The lioness looks him up and down like she's trying to size him up.
"Shiva," After a moment she gives a courteous nod of her chin, then gestures to Amadi with a cock of her head. "This is my husband, Amadi." There's a warm glow of satisaction that rises in her chest, getting to introduce her childhood sweetheart as such. "Yes, we are. Our journey was long."
[attr="class","shivabad"]Shiva speaks, and Amadi hums in agreement. They've only ever really needed each other to survive, after all. Not long after he's responded to her, they spot a figure approaching them. A man, dark and maneless, greets them from a polite distance. He's huge, certainly not someone you'd want to attack directly, but also doesn't appear to have any scars, so could possibly be lacking in fighting experience. Still, odds would not exactly be in Amadi's favor in a one on one match. Thankfully, he doesn't need to worry about it, both because Shiva is with him and the man doesn't seem to be hostile.
Shiva introduces them both, and Amadi can't help but stand a little straighter, chest puffing with pride ever so slightly at being introduced as her husband. It's the first time that's happened, and it's a pretty great feeling. He offers a nod in greeting himself, allowing his wife to speak for the both of them as he subtly keeps an eye on their surroundings on the off chance the sparse bushes littering the landscape could be hiding on ambush. He's not sure how welcoming the people around here are yet, and he's not willing to take the chance and risk the life of his love.
He was being sized up, Wolfgang could tell. He wasn't offended; he was doing the same to the duo. He didn't need helpless mouths to feed, at least not at this time. The tundra needed strength, needed initiative. It appeared neither of them were outwardly injured or ill, just a little travel-rough. There were introductions made, and a label to the pair's relationship given. Wolfgang nodded conversationally.
"The tundra is a place of opportunity and strength," he supplied with a calm tilt of his head, "If these things appeal to you two, then I would be pleased to extend an invitation." He paused to let them take that in before continuing, "If you have any questions I can also provide answers." He was swift, busninesslike in his proposal. There was no time for patience and coddling at the outskirts. Rival recruiters could be here at any time.
[attr="class","shivabad"]Shiva would be lying if she said Wolfgang's offer isn't tempting. She and her husband have strength aplenty, but there is always room to grow - and, well, they'd been searching all this time for opportunity, hadn't they? The young man has an efficient, professional air about him as he extends the invitation; yes, Shiva thinks this could work. At least for now.
"A gracious offer," The woman muses aloud. "What exactly would you expect of us in return?" As good as the deal sounds, Shiva won't jump blindly into it. Escape the prison of their old prides only to find themselves trapped in another, suffocated by peers? Absolutely not. But not all prides function as severely, or so she'd heard once upon a time.
[attr="class","shivabad"]The emperor speaks, offers an enticing invitation to the couple - there has to be some sort of catch. Shiva voices his concern in a far more polite manner than he probably would have, and for the umpteenth time today alone, he thanks whatever brought them together. Joining a pride could simply be repeating history, and he'd rather not have to slay so many people at once again so soon. Though, perhaps Wolfgang's generous offer was out of necessity more than kindness. Maybe his pride was still small and in need of some muscle? If so, there would be less of a threat to their being together anyway, and the benefits would most likely outweigh the costs. His tail flicks thoughtfully, grazing against his wife's leg absently. ShivaWolfgang
It was a little disconcerning, how quiet the lion was. Not that he expected him to speak for his wife, but just that it was difficult to get a reading on Amadi. Actually, that was kind of the case for the both of them. But he wasn't in a position where he could be picky, and they appeared ideal recruits.
"I would expect you to pull your weight - border defense, hunting, mostly." If they wanted more responsibilities there was room for the ambitious sort, but Wolfgang wasn't sure if that was necessary talk for the outskirts. "I expect loyalty to the tundra, in exchange for protection and resources." And he certainly could give both, if his huge build didn't suggest it already. The gods had provided for him, so he could provide for others.
[attr="class","shivabad"]As always Amadi remains quiet, leaving her to speak for both of them. Not that it's a problem - out of the two of them, Shiva is more of the diplomat, the negotiator. She, at least, was raised with some level of etiquette and decorum; her husband, not so much.
Wolfgang's terms aren't unreasonable. In fact, the amount of freedom they allow is almost shocking; to think a pride could be run under anything but an iron fist. Yes, this could work. This could be just the new beginning they had been craving.
"If you would let us," Shiva speaks, a courteous smile gracing her muzzle. "We would be more than happy to join you. Amadi and I will pull our weight." She knows Amadi won't mind her making the choice for them; she often does choose where they settle.
