He'd decided to do that political thing where he went to other packs and scoped them out. Er, talked politics or whatever. Since he was already in the North it made sense to start with a northern pack. This one was mildly familiar to him, but only because of its longevity. Wasn't it ruled by some old horny geezer or something? Izarksis, or something like that? Gods, he needed to start paying more attention to his neighbors. Reaching the border, Valentine nosed at the unfamiliar scentmarkers. Hm. The dominant smell was feminine, not masculine. A new alpha, maybe? Maybe the old hump-happy bat had finally kicked it. Whatever, it mattered little to him who ran the pack now. He just wanted information. Tipping back his head, Valentine howled for the alpha. "Talk" "You" Think

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Leg lifted proudly in the air Drashiel went about marking up the Regium borders, adding his own scent to Romans.  He wanted to make sure that his fellow canines knew that there was now a King ruling here and anyone foolish enough to trespass would have the lead pair on their tails.  As The King went about his business a howl rang up through the sky.  Rust-colored ears flicked toward the sound and the young male smiled.  He recognized the voice.  Valentine, the Imperator of Imperium.  Well now, wasn't this a treat? Trotting casually along with a swing in his step he came to stand before the taller male.  "Imperator!  It is a pleasure to see you again.  Have you been well?  How may I help you?" "Burn Baby Burn"

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Valentine blinked as Drashiel stopped before him. The brute hid confusion behind a smooth facade. Was this Fehu? It couldn't be. It smelled nothing like the pack scent that had clung to the him in their previous meetings. Perhaps he was visiting too? No, that couldn't be it. He'd greeted him at the border when he'd specifically called for the alpha. What was going on? "Drashiel?" he queried, his tone incredulous, "Forgive me, but, what are you doing here?" He glanced over his shoulder, nose twitching as he searched the way he'd come. For what exactly, he didn't know. A sign, maybe? "Perhaps I made a wrong turn...is this Fehu?" "Talk" "You" Think

Drashiel gazed bemusedly at Valentine as it dawned on the green-eyed male that the Imperator wouldn't know of Fehu's merger with Regium.  He let out a light-hearted laugh.  "My dear Valentine I'm afraid I've come down with a most horrible affliction.  I seem to have fallen in love with the Regium queen.  We merged Fehu into Regium and are ruling together." The young male shrugged lightly, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed, but it wasn't like he was talking with a potential new member.  He and Valen were both alphas and Drahsiel had always felt comfortable around the other male.  He was a kindred spirit in the world of politics.  Drashiel couldn't help it, something about the other male just made him feel relaxed.

Tail flicked lazily as he strove to meet Valentine's sapphire stare. "And how are you doing Valentine?  Still breaking hearts?"  Drashiel winked playfully the conversation with the Abaven alpha all too clear in his mind.  

"Speech"

""My dear Valentine I'm afraid I've come down with a most horrible affliction..." Valentine's browspots rose in concern--a concern that was quickly wiped out by amusement. The dashingly good-looking Drashiel had fallen in love? Well, damn. His mate was one lucky lady. Honestly, the brute was a little saddened by the news. Still, he managed to fake the joy well enough. With a good-natured laugh, he said, "That's wonderful news! I'm glad you've found happiness." The last part at least, was true. He wished Drashiel well. Drashiel's next question drew a soft chuckle from the brute. He grimaced and shook his head slightly before sighing and replying. "My heartbreaking days might be over, sadly." His whorish ways had finally caught up to him. "I'm going to be a father soon." That statement was equal parts exciting and terrifying. "Talk" "You" Think

Valentine's brow knit just slightly in concern before dissolving into amusement.  That little movement, that tiny shift did not go unnoticed by the Regium king.  Valen had seemed genuinely concerned.  Well, that was a good sign he supposed.  After all, Drashiel was rather hoping to breach the topic of an alliance though at the moment he was rather bored of politics and saw no harm in a good conversation.   "Thank you!" he chirped.   "My heartbreaking days might be over, sadly." It was Drashiel's turn to look concerned.  Had something happened?  He'd have been seriously surprised if Abaven's alpha managed to take down Valentine.  The man's mammoth size and muscular frame made him a force to be reckoned with.  Huh… Drashiel suddenly realized how very short he was in comparison to the other male.  Drashiel's gaze tipped upward as his jaw dropped open.  Valentine was going to be a father?  Suddenly he let out a laugh.  "Well congratulations!  Don't tell me it was with the sister of the Abaven alpha?  Bass will be livid!" He sighed softly.  "It's kind of scary though isn't it?  Roman and I have been discussing starting a family and… well we united in more ways than one.  I'm a bit nervous as to what the outcome of that night of bliss was.  Honestly, I'm not quite sure how to go about being a father…" Drashiel's voice trailed off as he wondered when he became so open.  But the thought had been on his mind ever since he and Roman had sex.  He wasn't quite sure he was ready for this but at the same time he hoped to maybe learn more about himself. "You want to walk with me, Valentine?  Take a tour of Regium, I must say I enjoy your company." "Speech"

Drashiel's congratulations brought a pleased smile to Valen's lips. He was excited at the possibility of a family. Scared too, but excited more than anything else. The other brute's comment about Rhythm earned him a sly sideways look. Ah, Rhythm. Musing, he said, "He would, won't he?" A fascinating possibility. "No, not Rhythm." His companion would go on to explain that he too might be a father soon. "Me neither," Valentine admitted, "But I don't know if anyone really does." His companion offered to give him a tour and the brute's ears perked. "Indeed I would," he boomed. He would also be lying if he said he didn't enjoy Drashiel's company. Something about the smaller male appealed to him, something aside from his good looks, although those certainly didn't hurt any. "At some point I'll have to return the favor." "Talk" "You" Think

Drashiel snorted lightly at the thought of the Abaven alpha getting all flustered over his adult sister flirting with Valen in public.  He just found it terribly amusing but as it turned out Rhythm was not the pregnant party.  Interesting, so just who was this femme?  Was Valentine married?  Some how he couldn't see the other male being tied down to one femme but what did he know?  They'd only talked a few times and most of it had been political in nature.

Drashiel nodded.  Yea, who knew exactly what a good father was and he hadn't exactly had the best role model, at least not in his early years.  The time spent outside of Alacritis though, learning from Isardis had been something precious to him and he knew that much, he wanted to teach his children, be someone they could look up to and depend on.  He also didn't want to get to carried away, Drashiel wanted to make sure he had enough time to devote to all of them.  Maybe it would be impossible while trying to manage being an alpha but dammit all he would try!

"Glad to hear you'll join me, right this way and I will most definitely return the favor.  I'd love to see more of the lands you call home." Drashiel turned to head deeper into Regium territory, slowing his pace so Valentine could walk alongside him.  Snow had fallen moderately here, the ground sheltered by the massive trees of the Red Forest.  "This place, the Red Forest, is my wife's favorite part of the North.  It makes for excellent hunting and is well sheltered in heavy winter storms, although every so often I catch the scent of bears and a mountain lion.  No unfortunate incidents yet though."  

The King carried on, weaving around the massive trees, their bright red bark standing out like beacons against the spanse of white, hints of evergreen just peeking out under veils of snow as the light filtered down.  It really was beautiful here.  "Valentine, I don't mean to pry but out of curiosity…. this woman bearing your children.  Is she your Queen?"

"Speech"

"Whenever you like, you're more than welcome to come." The pair moved off, going deeper into Regium territory. Valentine found himself staring up into the trees. No, not simply staring, gawking. It was rare for the brute to feel small, but next to the trees, he was miniscule at best. Their size was awe inspiring and if not for the guide leading him through the forest, Valen might have just stood still and gaped. "I can see why." Hell, the forest was rising rather quickly on his personal list of favorite places. Mountain lions, eh? "I've always wanted to hunt one of those. A mountain lion, I mean. If you ever have trouble with one...come get me I'll gladly join you in a hunt." He'd tackle a cat with suicidal glee. And a bear? He could be tempted to try. Drashiel's question drew Valentine's attention away from the trees. Ah, he should have expected this question sooner or later. Not necessarily from the Linjal, but from someone who knew of his position as Imperator. "No, she's not," he said simply, "I have no Queen and really, no desire to take one." Lovers? Hell yeah. But a mate? The brute wasn't quite sure settling down was his thing. "Talk" "You" Think

Perhaps when the winter snows began to ease he'd make a trip down south to visit Imperium.  Drashiel remained hopeful that a strong alliance between Regium and Imperium was in the future and when he next visited Imp he planned to ask that question.  From what he'd seen Valen was a like-minded individual who valued battle skill and hard work as much as Regium did.  Their interests aligned nicely.

Drashiel chuckled at Valentine's statement.  "I find them to be skittish creatures, rarely the kind to stay and fight though if you ever want a shot at a bear let me know.  My wife is rather well known for her moxie when it comes to driving bears away from young."

The conversation moved to more personal matters and Drashiel wondered if he'd accidentally crossed a line.  It seemed Valentine had no desire to take a permanent mate.  "I planned to be the same honestly.  I'd rule as the sole King of Fehu and if I desired a woman and she wanted me as well then there was no reason to hold back.  Then Roman happened… and I…. I don't know.  It seems like everything's going so fast.  Falling for her was like being struck by lightning.  It was so quick, I was just blinded by her.  Still feels like I'm walking with my head in the clouds."

Drashiel's pace slowed to a stop.  "I'm scared what will happen if I ever come down." Shaking his head he shrugged a little and carried on.  "This is the main den area, most of our members are out in about.  We've separate dens for storing herbs and leftovers from kills.  I'm hoping to lead a group on a hunt for musk oxen.  The fur makes excellent lining for winter dens though they can be a bit troublesome to bring down.  What sorts of prey do you hunt in Imperium?" 

"Speech"