The presence of his sister was noted, but not as much as the presence of the one with her. Chimera felt uneasy, wondering if his sibling was grasping at straws on the rebound and this was just some random brute to make herself feel better. Any poor decision that she made could potentially bring about the downfall of Ashen and would affect Fenmyre as well. The King wanted to believe that his sister was smarter than all that, but he remembered how broken and dejected she'd been when she came to his border to tell him the news. It wouldn't be unbelievable if she was just trying to feel anything other than abandoned and sad, but emotions and smarts didn't always go paw in paw. So what was a brother to do? Get to the bottom of it all, of course.

Leaving Aliana for but a moment, Chimera approached his sister and the wolf that she'd been dancing with. No doubt the man knew who he was as their eyes had met. Yes, Chimera had given a disapproving stare. Who knew what power hungry scheme this man might have? Consort to the Empress of the Ashen Empire would be a cushy position indeed. He wouldn't warn the man off outright, but he would definitely test his mettle and gauge just what kind of wolf he was.

"Sister," the dual-toned behemoth greeted in smooth baritones. "I see you've found a friend." The man's pale pink eye moved to rest upon the navy and white man, his brow rising in question. It wasn't a friendly expression, but it wasn't one of outward hostility. If anything, it was neutral questioning. How would the brute respond?

"Chimera"

Venom hadn’t missed Chimera’s knowing look when she had been on the dancefloor with Maverick, she knew the confrontation was coming and she almost initiated herself. She told her brother that she would take his opinion on whatever man might wander into her life next, and there was no plan to deny that. Venom couldn’t deny she was curious how Mav would stand up to Chimera’s scrutiny, certainly he would do better than her ex-husband. The two of them were both very aware of the Empress relative youth, there was still time to find love again, to continue her duty as Empress and broaden the spectrum of her royal family. The question was if Maverick was the man to complete her.

Chimera greeted her as well as Maverick with a stern gaze, it was no wonder why he would be so critical. "Hello, Chimera. It’s good to see you here.” She returned his greeting as he continued, nodding to Maverick at her side. "Indeed, this is Maverick Rhydderech.” The grin she wore as she introduced him was revelation enough for the emotions within. "He was just off to get me a drink.” She knew he would offer no protest to working on getting her inebriated. She gave him a subtle wink as he walked away and returned her attention to her brother.

"Are you enjoying yourself?” Venom asked Chimera offhandedly starting a conversation. She knew most of his attention would be with the man decorating her arm. It wasn’t everyday she was seen with a new suitor.

"Venom"

It seemed that the brute wouldn't respond. Venom sent the man away to get her a drink and Chimera's gaze narrowed a bit. Did she not want her brother to meet her paramour? It was obvious by the look of longing and the grin on his sister's face that he was more than just a friend. The black and white man didn't like it. Venom hadn't been picky enough before and this bounce back happened so quickly... He could only hope that she hadn't jumped in without thinking.

Venom gave the name of the retreating man as Maverick something or other. The wolf's name didn't really matter to Chimera. Not unless his sister planned on making him a permanent fixture. She asked if he was enjoying himself and the dire simple rumbled in response. He had been enjoying himself, but that had shifted a bit upon this new worry for his sibling.

Chimera had never been one to mince words. He didn't beat around the bush ever, no matter who he was speaking to and that wouldn't change now. "I hope you're thinking clearly," he began. She knew how he was and knew that he loved her, or at least he thought she did. He was speaking from a place of brotherly concern. "Take care with your choices," he advised, then added both playfully and seriously, "I might have to kill this one if you get hurt again." Chi then leaned in and placed a gentle kiss upon his sisters brow. He worried for her and it showed.

"Chimera"

Venom hadn’t spent a tremendous amount of time dwelling on what would happen in the future. Maverick vowed to ride the high with her for as long as she needed, but already she was siding on the side of keeping him around. He wasn’t like any other man she knew, the exact opposite of her ex-husband. Where she had been with Hattori out of love, there was more duty and honor that held up their relationship than love and affection towards the other. She knew she was attracted towards Maverick already, and thoroughly enjoyed his presence. He made her smile, he cared about her well being physically and mentally, he very obviously wanted to be around her, wanted to touch her, and the attention was like nothing she had ever experienced.

It had nearly been a year since Hattori left her, and longer than that since she had been close to him. The long dark had pulled them apart and there was no putting them back together. She was learning, and did learn, how to be alone. There was still pain in her heart, and that fact alone did have her hesitating in jumping into something real with the man. She hadn’t ever expected or planned to show off their closeness anytime soon, but Maverick had shown up here and things happened.

Chimera grumbled a response to her mostly rhetorical question. The elephant in the room was the man on her arm, and Chi had never been one to avoid saying what was on his mind. Even if it sounded harsh, he spoke the truth as he saw it. He voiced his concern to her gently enough, hoping she was thinking clearly enough. He warned her with deep concern, it was not only her life her decisions effected. Her whole pack, the whole empire even, could see consequences. She sighed softly, knowing he was right, even as she leaned into his rare show of affection.

"He’s a scoundrel, but.. I trust him.” She confessed to Chimera softly, not commenting on her own state of mind. As much as she wanted to be over Hattori she wouldn’t let his actions rule her life or her decisions. The best course of action was to keep moving forward. "If he’s faking how much he cares he deserves what you’ll give him.” She chuckled half joking, but fully aware of the reality in Chimera’s threat.

"Venom"