An invitation had arrived to each pack across Boreas and Auster, and while it was not what Azure would call rare to be invited to one of the various feasts and festivals held across the land, he could not deny the incredulous shock to see that it was Fenmyre holding this one in particular. It was an event geared toward children - which was odd, Azure got the impression that the Chimera of old would rather eat a child then entertain one - and while his natural inclination was to decline it outright, curiosity (and his new temporary placement of Warlord) drove him to investigate further. Fenmyre was apart of the empire after all, and shows of strength and allies protected not just the Armada, but Ashen and the other aligned packs as well. They did not need a repeat of Habari's mess.

He had sent his bat with advanced notice of his early arrival, and as he reached the dam an escort was waiting. The mastiff led Azure on through toward the ferry, accompanying him onto it and toward the island where his childhood arch nemesis now lived. The island was larger than he'd expected, and even from the other side of the shore the central buildings were clearly visible. The choice of location did not surprise Azure in the slightest; Chimera had been given an island in Ashen, this was simply a very large upgrade. Nothing out of the ordinary for a Klein. The ferry neared and Azure's gaze swept across the shore, taking in the soft white sands and familiar touch of tropics.

"Speech"

Of all the correspondence coming and going in lieu of the upcoming festival, Chimera hadn't expected anything from the Armada, let alone a visit from Azure himself. When the message came informing the Fenmyrian King of the Armadans intended visit, Chimera couldn't help but chuckle. Would they try to make it more difficult than it needed to be? Knowing what he knew of Azure, it certainly wasn't out of the question.

Preparations for the festival were well underway. The area had already been prepared on the mainland, a wide swath of the longer grass being tamped down to create soft cushion for furs and cushions. Logs had been set up as makeshift tables to hold food and drink. Wood had been stacked in different places for the various campfires and the large firepit had been dug wider and lined with sand and stone.

Chimera was tending to business on the island when his network of eyes and ears informed him of Azure's arrival. Roc was escorting the man to the ferry and by the time the black and white giant arrived, the crossing was well under way. Once the earth and teal brute was firmly on the dry land of the island, Chimera gave a nod. "Welcome to Fenmyre, Azure." Then, with a pull of his blocky skull, Chi motioned for Azure to follow him into the rich, shady jungle. "Just curious or do we have business to discuss?" For someone so reclusive and looked down upon, Chimera was surprisingly good natured.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera arrived promptly to greet him and Azure did his best to restrain himself from snapping in reply. He was not good at the whole 'let bygones be bygones' thing, and every time he saw the brute's two toned face he was reminded of all those things Hana had told him that day on the beach. Gritting his teeth and pushing back the instant distaste, he reminded himself to be diplomatic. He was solo alpha now, he had a responsibility to his pack and to his allies. "Both, I suppose." Azure gave back, striding forward to follow where Chimera led. "My father has taken a step back from his duties while his newest litter is still young. The Armada is my responsibility now, and I felt it appropriate that I come for a bit of a pre-viewing before extending your invitation to the pack."

Tipping his head back to peer through the jungle, he took in the various decorations and preparations that had begun. "I've heard... things." Azure began once more, hesitant enough that it was clear he did not like to speak on rumors. "Things that might make me wary about bringing pups here. Do I have anything to be concerned about?" Eyeing the Klein King, Az waited for him to confirm or deny the indirect allegations.

"Speech"

Chi noted as Azure inspected the preparations that had begun. No outsiders would be permitted on the island, however. Everything being prepared here would be moved to the mainland. Though he was allowing outsiders within his boundaries for the first time, he still wasn't willing to allow them into his inner sanctum. Azure was a special case. They knew one another, in a sense. The saber toothed man was a visiting dignitary. That special circumstance, as well as the request, allowed him to see the island.

Azure began by saying that he'd heard things. Oh, no doubt he had. Chimera had ears everywhere. All the wolves of the world seemed to have an idea of what Fenmyre was and yet none of them had been here. None of them had seen a thing. "Mmm, I wonder what you've heard." It wasn't a question though. "No doubt they're horrible things for you to have come here in person." He gave a friendly little jab at the teal marked man. Gods, it would do Azure some good to lighten up for once.

When Azure asked if he had anything to worry about, the two-toned giant stopped in his tracks. The brutes pale pink eye fixed upon the scarred visage of the other man. "If there was, would I tell you? Would anyone in their right mind admit that they had nefarious plans?" It hadn't been the right question. Chimera shook his head and continued walking, motioning for Azure to follow again. They moved through the jungle and out onto the back end of the island. He took the brute to the wide, wooden gazebo upon the beach which was where he typically had his talks.

Chimera seated himself on the hard wood, though there were many furs and cushions, and looked out over the calm, blue seas. "This festival is meant for my children to have a taste of the outside world. To receive stories and views from those that have lived life outside of the island." He cast Azure a side eye. "I may have been many things during my youth, but there are more important things now. I'm a husband, a father, a King." He then turned his full attention to the suspicious man. "There is nothing more important to me than family. Nothing more important than children. I would never allow harm to come to a child, be it mine, yours, a pirates pup... Never. So in that regard your worries are unfounded. Were there specifics you wished to ask about?" One of the mastiffs approached and delivered dishes of crisp, clean water to each of them. Chimera nodded and sipped from his own dish, waiting to see what else Azure had to say.

"Chimera Klein"

The playful jab went over Azure's head as many other sorts of jokes often did - he did not play, hadn't since he was a young child. Growing up extremely short of both friends and acquaintances had made him more blind to friendly social interaction; wolves did not joke with Azure often, and he did not joke with them. "I'm just doing my due diligence." He replied diplomatically. The things Chimera was said to be doing in these lands were not what Azure would consider evil or over-the-top (though he would consider them beneath a wolf of noble blood) but his opinion was not the Armada's opinion. While his mother and father remained, the Armada could not abide cruelty toward slaves. It was the once-Queen's firmest rule. Azure had no specifics on what went on in the reclusive island, simply rumours and stories from passerby's and travellers who had chosen to partake in the service the King had offered. For all he knew it was lies, but his history with the Klein man led him to believe that Chimera was capable of the misdeeds.

He moved on to explain that if there was something to worry about, that Chimera likely would not tell him. Azure's brow raised. "We are both very close to the Ashen Empress." He replied cautiously. "I would like to believe that should your pack have nefarious intentions towards others, that we would not be included in them. And that I would receive warning, just like I assume Venom would." It had not occurred to him that Fenmyre held any dislike for the Armada (after all, they'd made no moves against them in the seasons since their formation), but it was worrying to think that their adjacent alliances were not enough to warrant honesty if Chimera thought there was reason to be concerned for Azure's wolves.

He did not have long to stew on it before Chimera beckoned him to walk deeper into the jungle, seating himself upon the gazebo and motioning for Azure to join him on cushions and furs. Az sat, watching as the mastiff brought bowls of clean water and listening to the King's assurance that no pups would be endangered here. "You have undesirables on your island." He stated it as fact more than rumour, simply out of the want to not dawdle around the subject and move the conversation along. "You don't think it's possible for a mistake to happen, for one of these undesirables to make their way to your festival, to take revenge on the children who attend? Do they function as servants, will they be serving us meals or drink?"  

"Speech"

Azure's reasoning for why Chimera should be honest with him was far fetched. There was no reason that the Armada should be held in high regard. Any pack not allied with him was held to the same standard and the Armada was definitely not allied with Fenmyre. "Close to my sister we both may be, but you and I are not allies. Safety by association is a silly premise." The two-toned behemoth took another sip of his water before meeting the teal marked mans gaze once again. "I can swear on that self same sister, however, that I intend no harm in this festival. It's simply a bit of fun and a change of pace for my children and island wolves. Not everyone cares to be as reclusive as I."

The conversation shifted and Azure spoke of "Undesirables" being on the island. Chimera chuckled, lips pulling back for a moment to flash rows of razor sharp teeth. "Quite undesirable, which is why they are here." When asked if they would be serving food and drink, the Fenmyrian King shook his head in the negative. "Absolutely not. They are under lock and key, guarded round the clock by dogs that could rip them to shreds."

"Are there any other doubts that you'd like me to lay to rest? Would you care to see the undesirables for yourself?" Chimera wondered if he might be able to entice the Armadan man into sampling the wares. It was an offer that he made to all visiting alphas. Some took him up on the offer, but he wouldn't hold it against any that didn't. Azure was a stuffy, proud sort, so he doubted that his offer would be accepted. He might like him a bit more if it was, however.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera's words were concerning, bringing from Azure a thoughtful hum as he contemplated a diplomatic response. Was Fenmyre not an umbrella of the Ashen Empire? While they were not allies by any means, Azure had never considered the possibility of harm from any of Ashen's sister-packs. After all, if war were to brew between two who wolves whom Venom was close to, which side would the Empress and her Empire then choose? "Silly premise or not." He began. "The respect I hold for Ashen extends to its affiliates. In the interest of clarity, I will tell you now that the Armada would not move against you unprompted, whether you share the sentiment or not."

Azure would not try and prompt a similar promise from the chimeric brute, simply moving into the next piece of conversation and the vows Chimera had made. The King swore that the undesirables in question were perfectly contained and not in any way set to endanger any visitors, even offering Azure to see their quarters himself. He could not help the scoff that blew from his nostrils, the implication almost offensive. "No, thank you. If you say they are contained, then they are contained. I couldn't think of a worse way to end an Auster vacation then wasting time in the presence of the lowest of the low."

"Speech"

Azure was so very uptight. No doubt he would die young of some stress related ailment. It was enjoyable to push his buttons because of this and Chimera just couldn't help giving the man a hard time. Azure went on to give assurances that the Armada wouldn't attack Fenmyre unprompted. With a sigh, the black and white man shook his head. "Fenmyre has no interest in moving against anyone. I'd rather be left alone, for the sake of clarity. Everything that I want and need is right here. I've no desire to kill and conquer, so I assure you that the Armada is safe."

As the offer was given, Chimera couldn't stop the chuckle that rumbled in his chest. So uptight! "You would be surprised. I've held royalty in those cells. High born, rich blood. Their actions having reduced them to naught but refuse." Chimera gave a long, languid stretch, his voice a little strained as be began speaking before the stretch was finished. "Despite what others might believe," Azure included, obviously, "I've no desire to bring harm to the innocent. Those held here are murderers, rapists, child traffickers. Beasts that the world is better off without. By offering their deaths to the highest bidder, I acquire goods that help others. Many that live in safety here are former slaves, my queens included."

"Are there any other worries that I can assuage? Anything else you'd like to discuss or get off your chest?" They were already here and they were both adults. Azure seemed to have a bit of a hardon against him, so Chi gave him the opportunity to air his grievances.

"Chimera Klein"

Chimera's words seemed honest enough, though Azure could not help but hate the implication behind them. Fenmyre would not move against him because they did not want to move against anyone, but wolves were inclined to change. It was discomforting to add to his knowledge that the Ashen-aligned packs did not give each other the same respect he did to his allies-adjacent. It was perhaps something to speak to the brute's sister about - to assure him and his pack that should Chimera one day choose to move upon them, that Ashen would stay neutral in the conflict. He blew out a terse sigh. Diplomacy was not easy, and Azure did not have nearly the experience his father did in these matters.

The chimeric brute's chuckle brought Azure's brow to raise in question. A downside to spending the majority of his life secluded from social interactions, he still was made to feel uncomfortable in the presence of other wolves' laughter. Was Chimera laughing at him? "Highborn or lowborn, they've been caught and enslaved and thus they are worthless." He countered with a shrug. "Slaves who do not serve a purpose do not deserve my time or acknowledgement, and the purpose yours are held to serve is not one I would entertain. There is no sport in coming to an island where the beasts are pre-caught and contained. If I would wish to take a life, I'd much rather earn that kill and not have it given to me."

As Chimera began to speak of his Queens and how they were former servants, Azure's head tilted briefly to the side. He knew little of the man's life from after he'd left Ashen's umbrella, but he was unfortunately aware of his brother's friend Siren. A wolf who was born to nobility and broken - by Chimera. "Can you count your Queen as a freed slave when it was you who put her in the position to begin with?" His musing was perhaps dangerous given the circumstances, but Chimera had offered him to air his grievances.

"Speech"

Azure spoke of the slaves with disdain and, internally, Chimera scoffed. Did he not realize that his parents had been slaves? He wasn't as mighty as he believed. His blood was no higher or lower than anyone else's. The black and white man didn't say this aloud though. They were playing nice together, after all. As Azure spoke of making a worthy kill, the Fenmyrian King shrugged lightly. "Not everyone has the same outlook on things as you or I. Most that come here do so in secrecy, ashamed of their baser desires. Bloodlust is common but no one wants to admit it. When they want to indulge, it's like some great sin. I provide that outlet on those that are worth nothing. I make the world a safer place by eradicating the 'Undesirables' and I make profit to care for the downtrodden." Chimera would make no excuses for his line of business, nor would he downplay what happened here. He was honest with Azure because the man wanted to know. No one ever came to inquire. No one ever showed interest. Therefore no one knew what happened on the island.

Perhaps the comment regarding Siren should have made him upset, but Chimera freely admitted that he had been a horrible child. And so, his response was simply, "Yes." He had used and abused Siren when they were younger. Having raised himself, Chimera hadn't learned adequate coping skills. He had been angry at his father, his mother, the world. Lashing out had been the only thing that made him feel alive. His poor sister took the brunt of that. Now that he was older and had learned the error of his ways through much trial and error, he fought to give his sweet sister the life that she had always deserved. She had forgiven him for his transgressions, and so he hd forgiven himself in turn.

"Any other questions? Any other jabs you'd like to make?" Before Azure could even answer, Chimera continued. "At the challenge you spoke of Hanako not being well. Is this still the case?" He and the spotted fae had made up, in a way. Her visit to Fenmyre had been pleasant. He was curious about her well being. Brows lifted and mismatched eyes shifted to Azure's face, wondering if he would answer or try to change the subject.

"Chimera Klein"

The brute's explanation was lost on Az, who was beyond being able to comprehend any wolf deciding that the best way to satiate anything was to travel across two continents onto a secluded island to beat up captive and broken down slaves in private. He was not a stranger to frowned-upon desires, but doubted that a trip to Chimera's island would even begin to subdue them. There was no satisfaction in killing a beast drug to you in chains and forced to offer you their throat, just like he could imagine none from this business model. "I see." He replied politely, deciding to not argue it further. The things Chimera did and offered in private mattered little to him, and he had no interest or curiosity to drive further questions.

Just as curt, the Fenmyre King offered his only reply. Not making excuses or denying what he had done to his sister once-upon-a-time, only considering himself past it. He 'cared for the downtrodden' in his own words, and Az assumed that Siren was bundled within that, too. While Mortis would likely be up in arms about his childhood friend still remaining beneath Chimera's thumb, Azure with this topic was equally as apathetic as the last. If she chose to be here, she chose to be here. He did not pity her for it.

A question was posed to him on further jabs but before Az could give a reply, Chimera was continuing. The Warlord's lips set into a thin line at the mention, teeth gritting momentarily. It felt monumentally wrong to allow the brute to even say his mate's name, after the way she'd once been driven to such fear by his antics. Though reacting in the way his first instinct drove him to would be childish and petty, and beneath an alpha. Leveling his gaze upon the man, Az gave his diplomatic reply. "She is recovering from a kidnapping. It is difficult to be 'well' after spending weeks as a captive, but she will pull through."

"Speech"