I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before It was day two without his wife at his side. It was different, and a bit of a worry, but he knew that it was for the best. Her family deserved to know of her pregnancy before the children were born, and they deserved a bit of time with the woman who had so valiantly left everything she'd known for the sake of love. She was a strong woman, and he knew she could make the trip with no trouble at all - but her pregnancy worried him. What if there were complications? What if the trip made her go into labor early? What if he missed his children being born into the world? Granted, he expected to be outside of the den when they were actually born, but he did hope to come in shortly after to see the little miracles. You have to stop worrying. He reminded himself. Even if she did give birth in Valhalla, Erani would never let any harm befall his children. They were all in safe paws. Think about something else. He sighed, the sound hissing out from between barely parted jaws. He was near the lake - as he often was now that he was King - and it was alluring him with its placid waters. And yet, he knew he shouldn't be swimming. A bit of patrolling would do his mind good. His hips guided him idly as he paced across his Kingdom, coming to a slow stop rather involuntarily upon the spot where he'd last encountered Bane. It had been nearly a month now, and yet he remembered all of the foul words that had dripped from the man's lips. His head inclined upward, muzzle pointing to the sky. A howl ripped from his larynx, but was surprisingly melodic in nature. He was calling forth Loccian - a wolf he regrettably hadn't spent much time with as of late. She was a wise woman, and there was much he wished to discuss with her. His haunches kissed the earth, tail curling neatly around his hips. Proudly he would relax his head to its normal high position, tilting his chin down ever so slightly. {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

She had just stored some herbs in their new home when a call caught the woman's ears, ears swiveled to the side, recognizing it as Maverick's. She couldn't help but feel nervous yet happy, happy that she could speak to him but nervous because it was bad timing, she was still in heat. With a heavy sigh she went through her little routine, picking certain herbs to rub into her fur to mask most of the scent, it's not because she thought he would try anything, certainly not, she just didn't want to bother him with the smell. It didn't take long before she set off, moving through the forest silently but quickly, hopping over a random rock here and a fallen tree there. From the sound of it he was close, possibly near the lake. In no time she stepped out from the treeline, her grey gaze falling upon the young King sitting not that far away. "Maverick." She said with a smile and friendly tone, dipping her head to him as she approached, stopping just a few feet from him. "How are you my King?" She asked, sitting back on her haunches, tail laying over her paws. "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3

I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before She arrived promptly, as if she had been located in the southern forest. It was curious, as most Seracians didn't spend much time there, but he imagined it wasn't his business where she congregated. A smile creased his russet face as she emerged, speaking his name and inquiring about how he was. "I am quite alright, and yourself?" Small talk was a necessary part of being King, he'd found out rather quickly after being crowned. It seemed many wolves felt more comfortable with a King who could talk casually with them as well as formally - and he knew Loccian was no exception to this rule. His eyes drifted over her frame casually as a curious mingling of scents crossed his nostrils. The most prevalent was a concoction of herbs, which was normal for a healer, but the other two were the scents he knew to be a woman in heat, and there was the faintest aroma of his father. Had Gerhardt returned to Seracia? It seemed as much, since his fellow Ambassador smelled ever so slightly of him. "Have you news of my father?" Of course there was the off chance that it was an old, stale scent, but he imagined it to be fresh. He truly hoped Gerhardt had come back, he had been worried about the former King ever since he'd left after the coronation. The smile faded from his face, taken over by genuine concern. His father had been in bad shape, both emotionally and physically, when he'd left. If he was back, Maverick really ought to check in on him. {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

The young man greeted the grey woman, telling her he was alright before asking about herself. "That is good. I am doing okay considering recent events, feeling a little better." She informed him with a kind smile, shifting her paws. There wasn't really much to tell him, he would know of the pain she had been enduring since Reficul's death, he knew she was nervous about the double births with Song and Silent seeing as it was her first time and considering who was also there. And because nobody seemed to be wounded or sick recently, she had just been sitting around, thinking a lot. Ears perked up when he asked if Loccian had news of his father. Of course, she should tell him of his father, especially since he didn't seem to have heard from him. It made her wonder, why did the man come over to her instead of speaking to his son first? It didn't really matter, she shouldn't worry too much. "I have talked to your father... He seems to be in good shape physically, no wounds that I could see. But he is still hurting from the events, though he may not say it you can see it in his eyes." She informed him, hoping it would help take the concern from his face. She lowered her head, trying to meet his gaze with a kid smile. "He is fine Maverick, no need to worry." She tried to comfort him. Hopefully that would help him relax a bit, maybe he would think his father was just resting before he went to speak with him. "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3

I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before She said she was doing okay, which was a welcome relief to the King. She'd faced the death of an adopted child recently, something he was sure would cause emotional stress. This paired with the still semi-recent death of her brother would certainly be painful to endure, but it seemed she was finding a way. "I am glad to hear it." He didn't want to press her to speak on the matter any further, and so he fell silent while preparing for her answer about his father. He truly hoped the woman had seen him, if only for the knowledge that Gerhardt was indeed alright. It would probably irk him that Gerhardt hadn't sought him out immediately, but he'd soon get over that and learn to be happy that his father was back in the picture. Finally her answer came, assuring him that he looked well - at least physically. However, the man was still on the fence emotionally. It was understandable, but at least he was healthy and back within the Kingdom's borders. "I'm glad he is doing well." He wouldn't mention that he was worried, or that he had lost sleep at night, no, that wasn't something he needed to tell just everyone. A King needed to be collected. A King needed to have a clear head. Lime eyes blinked twice as an ear flickered back. It was time to talk about other things. "I wonder if you've ever met the Clergy, Bane?" Certainly she had, but it was perhaps the easiest way to lead into the subject, and so he phrased it in this way. {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

She gave a dip of her head as he said it was good that she was doing well, along with his father. Loccian was glad he didn't try pressing the matter further with her about her recent event, she was finally feeling something she had not felt in a long time. Peace? She wasn't quite sure, it was still too soon which made her feel a bit guilty. This thought made her sigh, turning her head away and looking off towards the forest she had come from. Maverick's voice made her turn back, a brow raising curiously, was something happening with the elder wolf Bane? She would give a nod of her head, tail moving to lay next to her paws. "Yes I do, I helped him take down a deer and we chatted once or twice." She told him, head tilting slightly in curiosity. "Did something happen to him?" Her voice was kind and a bit worried but didn't show signs she was close. "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3

I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before Rage burned deep in his chest at the mere thought of Bane. The King had never loathed someone so much in his life - especially for no reason. Bane had always irked him, even when he'd been a carefree youth. Just what was it about him that irritated Maverick was still unknown, but it was time he warned Loccian of Bane's intentions. She spoke up with the affirmative, saying she had met him more than once. She seemed worried that something had happened to him. Oh, Maverick wished he was giving such news about Bane. "No, he's quite alright." Unfortunately, he added with the voice in his head. "Bane recently informed me of his.. interest in you." His brow furrowed, upper lip twitching on the right side ever so slightly. "I want you to know that I don't trust him, and I don't like him." Perhaps it was silly of a King to have such prejudices, but he simply didn't approve of Bane. "In other words, Dare he say it, dare he venture that far? "I think you could do better." His tail flickered in a blur of russet, frustration evident upon his face. He might not stop Bane from claiming a mate one day, but he'd be damned if it was one of the best wolves he knew. A sigh crossed his lips, coming out as a hiss due to the fact that his fangs were just barely parted. {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

A look of confusion came upon her face when Maverick told her Bane was aright, for a moment she thought something terrible had happened to the man. Loccian was kind wolf who cared about the well being of her members, of course she would get worried to find out something had happened and she wasn't around to help them. What he said next though made her ears go back, brows coming together, the confusion turning to a lost expression. ?Interest... in me?? She mumbled, grey orbs moving away from the young King to look down at her paws. Why would he be interested in her? Sure they had been in the same pack but she barely interacted with him, just talked once or twice and slightly helped him take down a deer. It had just been a friendly encounter, she didn't flirt with him or anything. She didn't have an interest in him like that. Loccian lifted her head, about to try asking Maverick about the man but he continued. The boy informed her that he didn't trust Bane, nor liked him... and thought she could do better. Better? The look on his face, the frustration, did he really think she was interested in the man? His sigh confirmed it. Yeah, Loccian had a thing for an older man before but this guy, there was nothing about him that she liked to form feelings. With a sigh she turned her head to the side, looking out at the lake not that far form them. Her tail moved to lay over her paws, wrapping around her legs with ears back but not against her head. ?I really don't understand why he would have an interest in me, the very few times we have interacted it was very brief.? She was incredibly embarrassed by this news, had no idea what to say or how to react. She just sat there looking confused, lost, and irritated. How dare Bane say such things to Maverick without even bringing up anything to her? What was he even seeing in her?! ?I assure you Maverick, I have no interest in that man. Our encounters were only friendly as pack-mates.? She finally said, lifting her head to look at him with a small smile. Hopefully he would realize his mistake and wouldn't do it again. It was already a little difficult keeping her composure, she just wanted to snap and race off to say a few things to that man. "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3

I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before He knew he was behaving a bit childishly, but there was no denying his dislike of Bane, and there was no reason to hide it. A wolf was allowed to dislike someone, and a King was allowed to dislike a subject of theirs - it's just the way things worked. She seemed baffled by the news, which was a positive note for the King. Perhaps that meant that she hadn't ever thought of Bane in such a way. Of course, he could have just opened the door by letting her know of Bane's intentions - meaning she could go running right to him. Although, he doubted that she would go against his wishes - and he had made it quite clear that he didn't want her to be with Bane. She went on to say that they hadn't interacted much, and when they had it had been friendly between to pack-mates. So then where did he get off saying he meant to make her his? His fury for Bane only grew hotter inside his gut. She seemed off-put by the news, and the King wished to soothe her worries. "I didn't mean to upset you. Bane is a fool who lives only to be a thorn in my side. I only wished to warn you of his intentions, and beg you not to let him try anything with you." He might've been a child, but Maverick could remember clearly when Bane told him about mating outside of the pack, without permission. He was a lawbreaker, and Maverick was certain he was not about to leave his old tricks behind. Odds were he was screwing every woman he ran into - at least he was in the King's mind. If only he could find proof! "Do me a favor, if he seems like he's getting too friendly with you, call for me and I'll take care of him." The King would like nothing more than to kick Bane from here to Glaciem. A dangerous smile crept across his face at the mere thought of sending Bane packing. Oh, that would be the day. {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

Though it was a bit annoying to have this conversation with the young king, mostly because of Bane's foolishness, she was happy that he had come to inform her of the older man's intentions. The feeling changed though as Maverick continued, he explained Bane was being a thorn in his side, that he was begging her not to let him try anything with her. Was the man really that much of an annoyance to the red King? What had he been doing to get Maverick worked up so much? The more important question, why was he acting such a way? "Do me a favor, if he seems like he's getting too friendly with you, call for me and I'll take care of him." Her brows came together in confusion now, wondering what was really going on between the two males to make Maverick say such a thing. Bane wasn't too bad when around her, he was friendly and didn't seem upsetting at all. She couldn't help but ask. "If you don't mind me asking..." She began in a soft voice, a questioning look in her gaze. "It seems like Bane has really gotten under your skin, did something happen between the two of you?" He didn't have to answer but it worried the woman a bit, that he was so willing to take care of the man if he grew too close to her. "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3

I'M GONNA BE THE MAIN EVENT like no king was before A sigh fell from the King's lips, for he knew he was being a bit overdramatic when it came to Bane. He wasn't sure why the man bothered him so, or - more importantly - why he allowed himself to be annoyed by the Clergy. He had everything he'd ever wanted, why would he ever let Bane steal even an ounce of his joy? Still, what was done was done. The fire in his chest couldn't be quenched, and it would continue to boil and froth until it rose up and overflowed out of him. He only hoped he could diffuse some of his anger before that day came - otherwise it would end badly for Bane. Loccian's voice cut through the air, surprising him for he had once again lost himself in his own thoughts. Immediately his ears pricked to hear her, noting with disdain that she was asking of the history between he and Bane. He feared that if he tried explaining it he would only look foolish for hating the man in such a way, but to not answer would seem like he was hiding something. "Ever since my youth he has been antagonistic and irritating. I plainly told him I didn't want anything to do with my birth pack, and he continued to shove information down my throat. I believe it was he who swayed my brother toward the life he led. He continues now to be irksome and untrustworthy." There it was. Maverick did, in some way or another, blame Bane for his brother's actions. He knew deep down that they weren't Bane's fault - not entirely anyway - but he still blamed him. "I believe him to be more dangerous than he appears." Hollow notes of rage spilled from his lips, for he truly did think Bane was more trouble than he let on to be. Russet tail flickered involuntarily as he stood to his paws, preparing to leave unless she had something else to say. Exit Maverick unless stopped, {Table coded by Lu}

Loccian

What could she say to what Maverick just told her? Nothing, all she could do is give a small nod of her head and sigh lightly. She did not think the older man was such trouble, he was kind to her. Perhaps the young King was right, maybe Bane was hiding something, was actually bad news. With a small dip of her head the woman would lift herself off the ground and give a brief shake to dislodge any dirt or leaves from her fur, grey gaze settling upon the male with a gentle smile. "I see... don't let him get too far under your skin Maverick, before you know it he will be out of your hair." Though she was trying to make him feel bit better, she couldn't help but think what she said was a bit dark, talking about how he would pass within a few more seasons and so Maverick wouldn't have to deal with him. "You have a nice day." And with that she gave a wave of her tail and turned away, walking in the direction of the nearby lake. -EXIT LOCCIAN- "normal. talk. think. you." Awesome table by Briena <3