AW palace within my dreams

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

There was a cold bite to the gusts of wind that blossomed off the ocean’s waves as they crashed against the beach. The chill from both spray and breeze slithered beneath the fine, pale fur of the lion as he moved quietly along the shoreline. The sand was warm at least, having basked in the scattered sunlight the overcast day allowed, and Salvador was grateful for its meager heat beneath his aching paws as he searched the sand and shallows for something to eat. He was having no luck of it currently, unless he were to count his dubious discovery that seaweed was technically edible if altogether unappetizing. A rather large pile of the smelly, salty vegetation caught his wary eye and although there was distinct hesitation in his step, the demand of his belly inspired him towards it, and he approached with his upper lip delicately curled in revulsion.

His pointed ears folded back against his skull as he peered down at the lumpy, haphazard pile of black leaves and pale shells, but his silver-blue eyes glittered with hope as he began to sift through its tangles, driven by a desperation for a meal more appetizing than the slime salad. Only a small crustacean was managed from the tall feline’s efforts, and while Salvador wasted no time consuming the creature, he found himself wistful and wanting for the taste of a fresh, hot kill. But alas, he was having no luck in honing his skills as a hunter, and so a scavenger he must remain until then. A long sigh escaped from his lungs as he turned away from the pile, the hunger in his belly mollified but still present, and he moved to settle onto his belly a few lengths away from the reach of the water. He would conserve what was left of his energy in the embrace of the tepid sand as he considered where he would head to next.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

It was another day being rightful royalty, and though she had been running herself ragged, the lioness went out once again to see what she could accomplish for the good of the kingdom- whatever she may find. And so as she made her way down the beach, her direction of incoming had her pass through the rocky outcrops where gulls nested- which hadnt planned on giving any interest into, and so she didn't. She had no enjoyment of the seabirds, their constant diet of fish making them taste odd. After all, she could afford to pick and choose.

But as she walked, her large paws indenting the sand, the prints washed away each moment by the sea, she found her gaze upon one who perhaps looked as if he were not as fortunate. She chuffed to him, a simple sign she wasn't going to leap on him- though, maybe he would be a good candidate for her to try killing to eat for herself, for the meat she had tried before brought to her by Hunter was still warm, but striaght from the body was always.... Different. But as thin as he was, she showed no interest in eating him. For now. "Goodness boy, you appear to have had better days."

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

Between the warmth of the sand beneath him and the monotonous crashing of the waves breaking against the shore, Salvador had managed the semblance of a doze despite his hungry and restless reality. Although, this relative comfort did not allow for complete relaxation – he was barely surviving on the scraps he managed to scavenge, and so the thin feline needed to stay alert for any opportunity or danger that presented itself. So, the arrival of the dark woman did not necessarily catch him by surprise; his silver-blue eyes had found her lofty stature several moments before she deigned to greet him. Her presence was, however, unexpected and inspired a wary interest in the lion as he rose slowly to a seated position as she drew closer.

His silver-blue gaze held the woman with a guarded caution that considered all details of her dark, flame-sequined, silhouette but his carefully neutral façade betrayed a wince at her voiced observation. In another time, he might have rankled at being called boy, but in this moment Salvador felt only chagrin for his current derelict and a modicum of dignity encouraged defense against her perfectly valid claim. “While not my finest hour, I have seen worse.” He refuted, a wry smile briefly twisting his lips as a flash of unhappy memory invaded his thoughts. Salvador did not indulge the recollection and instead gathered onto all four feet with a slow, fluid motion as he tilted his head towards the larger lioness. “I am rather new to these parts, I hope I haven’t intruded?” The lilt in his voice implied the question, and he schooled his features back into a neutral expression, with only a single brow lifted over his silver-blue eyes as he considered the woman. In truth, Salvador was certain he had not crossed any scent borders, however he wished to steer their conversation in a direction that did not highlight his current weakness. Especially since it was in such a sharp contrast to the health and vitality of this black-haired stranger.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

The goddess watched with her head held high as the pale male lifted onto his haunches, up into a sitting position. With a tight smile, a small chuckle emitted from the lioness. "Goodness, if you have been worse, hard times have been upon you. Do you struggle to hunt?" she asked, curled ears flicked forward in curiosity. It would make sense- after all, males did tend to have more trouble hunting than lionesses, their forms overall thicker and meant for strength and defense, not stealth, speed, and agility. She sayed in her position, standing a few feet from him, but her cocky demeanor loosened some. She had nothing to flaunt to the hungry beast, after all- he could see her accomplishments in her shining fur. "While I am an empress, this is not my land- you have not intruded. I simply seeked a walk, see what i could find." she sniffed, smirking a bit. Time for charm. "Seems I found a treat."

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

Salvador was better prepared for the dark woman’s forthright remark of his current state of affairs and remained outwardly unperturbed by her speculation into his past, despite the ghosts and anguish those memories stirred within him. The woman at least spared him the discomfort of having to expand on what ‘I’ve seen worse’ meant, and the pale lion was more than happy to smile sardonically at the only question she posed. “That would be an understatement, lady.” He responded, and for a moment, a trace of humor could be seen in the depths of his silver-blue eyes; this gap in his knowledge was not newly discovered, and the lion learned long ago how to laugh at this shortcoming, despite its current real-world consequences.

His brief effort at humor faded with the woman’s next words as she carried the conversation forward with the casual mention of her title. Her revelation startled him, surprise flashing across his expression as his brows pulled upwards and dual-hued eyes blinked owlishly before he attempted to regain his composure and comprehend what this meant. There are kingdoms here. Maybe some of the survivors---Salvador stopped that train of thought before the intensity of his hope could lead his heart astray, and he was fortunate enough that the flame-sequined empress offered him a distraction. Not missing the smirk across her lips, his own quirked upwards in response and he would curl his head downwards in a courteous genuflection. “I daresay the pleasure is mine to meet you, empress. I hadn’t expected to encounter anyone today, let alone a sovereign. You may call me Salvador, if you wish.” He introduced himself as his skull lifted, pointed ears flicking forward and silver-blue eyes maintaining a steady and unwavering contact with her own gilded irises.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan found herself enjoying the scraggly lion's company, settling herself onto her haunches, flicking sand from her paw. He was amusing, to her. Made light of his suffering, something she genuinely found funny. The goddess did not often pity others, but something twinged. He reminded her of her daughter, a sickly little thing- though he was much bigger, his condition was similar to when Volcan had to hunt diligently to finally get her to start gaining weight. Those times were stressful. "Well, Salvador, you may call me Volcan." she said, chuckling lightly, "No promises I can catch you anything, but a bit back from where i came is the full nesting rocks. The eggs may provide some sustenance." she suggested. "May take some of the pain from your gut, put energy in your body so you have better luck with hunting. You body being weak from starvation may be why you can't catch anything."

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

The dark-haired empress seemed comfortable enough in his presence to recline to her hips, and Salvador could not fault her nonchalance. After all, what threat would he pose her in such a gaunt and unhealthy form, not to mention the face of amenability and courtesy he offered freely to her. Therefore the pale-haired lion could not justify taking any offense by her informal, relaxed behavior, and surprisingly, he found himself calming somewhat as well. Tension that had coiled in his belly eased slightly, and he was able to reciprocate her chuckle with a gentle, if somewhat bland, smile.

“Empress Volcan,” He acknowledged with a slight nod of his muzzle, his silver-blue eyes resting on her ember-adorned façade as she proceeded to offer a knowledge that, if true, might save him from some unpleasant nights ahead. Tufted ears tensed forward and there was a sharpened enhancement to his neutral expression that subtly insinuated his keen attention. It was not lost on him that she seemed to offer this information free of charge, and it was a generosity that he was puzzled by, albeit grateful for. “Thank you,” He began, his tenor both sincere and hesitant and his brows wrinkled over his sharp, unwavering gaze. “You say these nests are located from the way you came?” He asked after a heavy, pregnant pause and he accompanied his question with the gesture of his muzzle in the general direction to which he initially spotted her.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

The goddess let out a slight purr as Salvador referred to her with her title. While she didn't even strictly have her subjects refer to her as such, it was simply a sign of leadership, it empowered her to hear it said. Her burning gaze met his cool icy one. She hadn't seen eyes like those.... Since.... Which husband was it? Oh yes, the first one. Havole. She had felt a little remorse as she shoved him off that cliff, his pleads that he could do better, become noble- anything for her, that he loved her. But the truth was, Vokcan had only married for convenience, and to ensure her genes would be spread, the male only to be kept if he could gain her royal status- which he could not. Nor could the others, and the look on her last husbands face as she stood there with her, convinced they were all leaving the tribe together, and then she slit his throat. She hadn't even stopped to watch him twitch, just turned, her precious brood following hwr across the blackened landscape. The memories were dark ones, despite the fact she had done it all in greed and cold blood. It was darker more as her mind fled back to the deceased child she left there. But after all, there was nothing she could do. "Yes, a little over a mile back that way. You will have to climb a bit to reach the nests, and the rocks are a bit sharp, but food is food, hm?"

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

Her gilded irises held his cool toned gaze easily, but Salvador could hardly guess at the thoughts that lurked behind those fiery eyes. The pleased purr that emanated briefly from her throat was enough to convince him that courtesy would serve him well in their conversation, should it last much longer, but there was a lingering suspicion behind her free and easy reveal of crucial information to a haggard vagabond such as he. He did not know what to make of it, or of her, and his inability to form a conclusion unsettled him.

Salvador did manage a smile and with enough sincerity that his curled lips warmed his masked expression, the faint traces of humor returning to glitter in his eyes. “Yes, quite. And I am a better climber than hunter, so there is that, at least.” He admitted with a brief flash of fang to emphasize his wry amusement, his whip-like tail coiling behind him as he shifted his weight, sharp ears leaning forward over his expression. “You are very kind to point me towards such delicacies, I hope I may return the favor in some way.” Salvador laid the implied offer between them without demand or promise, allowing the dark empress to make with it what she may. The cat did not wish to leave her kindness unanswered, but nor did he wish to make any deals with the devil.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan flicked sand from her paw, lifting the satin clad foot to groom between each pad, setting it back down. She chuckled lightly as he claimed his better skill at climbing, nodding a bit. "Good to hear you do possess skills to survive, otherwise I worry you may need supervision to live much longer." she joked, suggesting he may need to be treated as a cub. He made his own suggestion, and her expression became thoughtful. A favor, hm? "Well, currently my kingdom isn't very populated..... All I ask of my people that they can help provide for the good of the empire. I can offer you a place in Ignis if you are able to help provide?" she offered. He wouldn't really need to help hunt- to be fair, her son's didn't hunt much either. Females were better built for it, anyhow. But there were other skills that could be useful.

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare