P Beyond my kingdom

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Ember eyes opened to the darkness of her bedchamber, her adult offspring at her side a warming presence. No light shone in her den, but she could feel it was time to awaken, standing carefully as not to awaken them, and stepping out into the main cavern of th Ignis housing. Pale, sickly colored light filtered through the jagged entrance, her dark head poking from its depths revealing that clouds overcast the world, threatening to downpour. The rain did not bother the goddess, for in her homeland when it rained, it fell with a fury. Her thick curled coat allowed water to roll off, similarly to that of a ducks feathers. And so, not dreading the impending storm, she stepped out of the jagged mountainside hole, and yawned, heading down the short rocky outcrop that led to it. Nearly every tree she passed smelled of her, a scent mark clearly on it, or deep score marks from her long claws asserting dominance over the land itself. This was hers. As the goddess stepped over her borders, raindrops began hitting the ground, sending gentle plinking sounds throughout the area around the lake as the work hit its surface as well. For now, there was no wrath, just simple irritation from the sky. Dark paws followed the edge of the lake carefully, the ground changing from the familair white stone leading to her territory to marshy soil and reeds. A frog jumped into the waters depth in a panic, and the goddess watched as it dissapeared beneath the reflective surface, deciding to sit amongst the semi-aquatic foliage, and watching as the storm unfolded.

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare
@Muninn

Muninn,

Lion of Prideless

Played by Tyrannidae

---

Regardless of the seemingly endless rain, the all-too-familiar tinge of thirst pulled and tugged at the back of the dark male's throat. He did not leave the steppe often, but when he did it was to chase unruly prey that decided to flee too far... or it was to indulge in the crisp waters of the lake to the north.

He was thankful that the rain did not come with the God's fury to boot. Instead it was the annoying drizzle... the irritating sprinkle that he had come to hate in his time here. What he wouldn't do to have a good snow, Hel... he'd even welcome a snowstorm if it would break the mundane curse of constant moisture wetting his pelt!

As he approached the water, a scent fell upon his muzzle... one that was slightly familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. Still, it did not stop him. He was unnerved by few things. A scent that was out of place was not one of them.

As he padded onward, breaking through the vegetation that surrounded the waters, he stumbled onto a female that sat amongst the foliage. She was almost completely camouflaged from where he was positioned. Her dark pelt and the grayish-black sky being reflected by the lake's eerie waters made for the perfect illusion.

He stopped in his tracks initially, finding himself directly behind her... and on a collision course with her if he hadn't seen her in time! (Thank the Gods!) He slowed to a walk, his pace almost mimicking a stalk as he braced himself for whatever reaction she might have to him. Turning to try and look into the female's eyes with ears and head lowered in a weary aloof-ness, he would attempt to come around on her right to make his presence known.

Perhaps it was a mistake to stay silent and not vocalize something. An apology, and exclamation of shock at her presence... something would have been better than nothing! But he was quite painfully the quiet type...

"Speak"

Of Mind and Memory

stock by xxxx | manip by xxx | code by twesh

(we didn't finish that thread, so she's gonna just be vaguely familiar to him :3)

@Volcan

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan had been a bit distracted by the plinking of the rain to notice the approaching male, but as he nearly stumbled into her- attention was surely caught. She scrambled to her feet, a slight snarl on her jaws in defense until she realized two things- one, he wasn't showing aggression, just uncomfortable silence- and two, she recognized him from the desert. Her defensive posture subsided, and she stood straight and proud, licking the fur on her chest back into its elegant smooth form. "Go on, its only proper to apologize to a lady." she states, a ghost of a smirk showing upon her maw.

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare
@Muninn

Muninn,

Lion of Prideless

Played by Tyrannidae

---

She scrambled away as he startled her, a defensive snarl rolling from her throat in warning to whatever had snuck up on her. As she finally laid eyes upon him and had the chance to process things, her defenses lowered. This perplexed him... how did she know he wasn’t a threat to her? In truth he had expected her to react the same as Erenvel had: standoffish, ferocious, aggressive. But this woman was familiar. Muninn stayed fixed to the spot, lifting his head and tilting it slightly in confusion and interest in where he had seen her before.

“I... umm, apologize?”

He said, his tone more of a flat question rather than a plea for forgiveness. He had done nothing but surprise her...and to be fair, her presence had surprised him just as much! His ears fell back and disappeared into his mane as he looked her over with his silver gaze. He admired her physique, her pelt color... those gold markings shimmering. Surely he would have remembered her if he had seen her before! She looked like a goddess, and a devilish one at that, the way her ears curled at the tip. He couldn’t stand not knowing!

“Pardon my... forgetfulness. Have we met before? You seem quite... familiar, and I just can’t seem to place it.”

He admitted, his voice emerging from its flat tone to show a more inquisitive nature. His silver gaze returned to her beautiful gold eyes in an attempt to make eye contact.

@Volcan

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan chuckled in amusement at his confused apology- after all, there wasnt actually a reason for him to apologize. It was a simple mistake- she just wanted to see if she could get him to do it. He did, and she was satisfied. A halo of a smile replaced her smirk, the goddess sitting back on her haunches, showing no concern of the man in ash and obsidian. Handsome colors, pleasing to the eye. She met his gaze steadily, head high. "We met briefly in the wastelands, i was collecting aloe Vera for my daughter." she stated, licking moisture from a fluffy paw. "Perhaps a lot has happened since then, the mind would slip such a short meeting. But I do not forget much- last it unimportant, and I could never forget such a handsome face as yours." she purred, giving him a slight wink and a warm chuckle.

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare
@Muninn

Muninn,

Lion of Prideless

Played by Tyrannidae

---

The dark-pelted man processed her wink and subsequent chuckle... blood rushing up to his cheeks with uncertainty as to what to do next. Handsome? HIM? She must be blind... or dense... or perhaps both. No one had used that descriptor for him since... well, that was unimportant. Frankly he didn't even want to drudge up the memories that plagued him just beneath the surface.

What mattered now was that this female took a liking to him, and remembered him from a meeting he could not quite put his paw on (though he felt as though he should be able to).

"I see. Regretfully, I must say I don't often remember brief one-time encounters. I have more luck the second time around. Believe me, I shall not forget your face again."

He promised her, his voice deep and strangely ominous... perhaps too serious for the tone the female was trying to set here. Apparently, reading the room wasn't one of his specialties either.

"I hope your daughter is fairing well. Aloe Vera is a healing plant, I presume?"

It was time to try and build connections. Clearly this female had ties to many more Felide. He could smell them upon her pelt. This would be good for him... and perhaps for her and her people as well.

Of Mind and Memory

stock by xxxx | manip by xxx | code by twesh

@Volcan

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

The empress shrugged nonchalantly at his words, the fact he did not recall their meeting. It did not bother her. After all, it had been brief, and lacking any memorable events. The only thing that tugged at her is how he could possibly forget her radiant beauty. Perhaps not all had the capacity to hold a goddess's form.

From where she sat, his ash and obsidian form almost reminded her of her mother- the same colors, in fact. Even the same silvery gaze. But her mother had never been a large part of her life. My daughter is well. She was born with the delicate skin of an albino, so I use the plant to make a paste for her, to help when she needs to go into the sun. She stated. Volcan loved talking about her children. Especially her current youngest. And what of you.... Are you alone? Or do you have others somewhere, waiting for you?

@Muninn

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Muninn,

Lion of Prideless

Played by Tyrannidae

---

Thankfully the beautiful female did not seem to take much offense to the fact that he did not remember her from this apparent first meeting. It was a blessing from the Gods that he was rather relieved for. The last thing he wanted was to get on her bad side... though, he simply convinced himself that the only reason for this was because her influence may someday be useful to him.

He listened half-heartedly after hearing that her daughter was well. The only other tidbit was that she had been born albino. Interesting... for the night to have given birth to the moon. Strange, and yet, so natural.

"Well, then I am glad she is well taken care of."

There was not much else he figured he could say. He could tell the female loved the subject of her offspring, but unfortunately Muninn did not quite know how to exploit this to his advantage. He simply did not have a clear goal for himself here... that's all. At least, that's what he told himself.

She spoke again, asking the question that always seems to come up in conversation. A lone male? How could that be? Muninn figured it wouldn't be so strange... yet everyone seemed to wonder about him. His voice remained strong and confident as he answered. It was a sensitive topic for him, but that was not something she needed to know.

"Indeed. There is someone waiting, but regretfully I shall never be reunited with them in this life.

I am alone, yes. I traveled here to live in solitude and exile... but just recently i've decided to pull myself back from the depths of my despair."

Well, that was far too much. She did not need to know most of the information that seemed to spill from his heart and out his maw to her feet. He almost physically cringed at all he had said... however, he could do nothing once the words had been uttered. Now all he could do was simply wait for her response and hope he could do a bit of damage control from here on.

Of Mind and Memory

stock by xxxx | manip by xxx | code by twesh

@Volcan

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan listened intently as the ashen male spoke. The goddess felt something from him, a feeling of being lost, perhaps. Searching. She felt an internal smirk spread across her maw, but she kept her true face unraveling of her thoughts. She stood, standing straight and tall, proud, a sign of her royalty. She gave a small smile, one that almost reflected remorse for the male. I see. She stated.

The obsidian woman moved ever so closer, tilting her head in a questioning manner. So you are pulling yourself from the depths.... Are perhaps you searching for purpose? Perhaps even, a purpose to serve? She asked. Perhaps, just maybe, he could put his need to be useful to power in the Ignis kingdom. A sense of security for him, growth for her.... Win win.

@Muninn

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Muninn,

Lion of Prideless

Played by Tyrannidae

---

The female approached, tilting her head inquisitively... and the closer she came the higher his hackles rose on instinct. He did not feel threatened, and yet, he felt he was in the most danger at this very moment. His mouth became dry, his paws clammy. He swallowed, his outward appearance as normal as he could make it.

Suddenly a strange look came upon the Goddess's face. Remorse? Pity?

Pity.

That was what he interpreted it as, and that is what spurred him forward with a growl in his chest. His silver eyes, having been so gentle at first, became stern and angry. He leaned forward, attempting to catch her gaze with one of intensity.

"Heed my words when I say I do not seek pity from anyone. Not even the likes of you, dear Kvinne.

I do not need a purpose, especially one that involves kissing the ground in front of your paws. I am a man who follows his own design, not a lost soul searching for a purpose to serve another."

His growl tapered off as he realized how hypocritical he sounded to himself right now. After that discussion he had with Erenvel... but this was different! It had to be! It felt different to him to his very core! Erenvel offered a rise to power where this woman offered nothing but servitude. Muninn was too proud to find servitude acceptable. He was an equal. She was a Goddess... and he would settle for nothing than to be the God at her side!

"My past may be dark, but so is my very nature. It would be a dangerous gamble to suggest such a deal to me again.

Do we have an understanding?"

The last words he spoke were nothing short of a low rumble. He wore a scowl that now threw his gaze in shadow. His nose was wrinkled in a deep frown, but his fangs were not bared. He waited expectantly for her answer... he prayed it was what he wanted to hear.

Of Mind and Memory

stock by xxxx | manip by xxx | code by twesh

@Volcan