[ LOG ] The King of Naps | Ryner & Sion | In Progress

[Thalion]

Sion ||
The kingdom was slowly coming together. So far he had divided Kaze up into three Providences- one for each border. Each providence had its own commander and a number of soldiers to protect the citizens within their district. The border that they shared with Mizu had been given to Gaddith, a behemoth of a lion formally from the Firekin. He had heard something of the pride and knew that they were militaristic in nature. He had become a guardian shortly after that in the same pride that his queen had served in. Either way- he was large, imposing, and skilled in combat. Any sane lion would think twice about crossing the border. With Mizu's growing reputation and the rumors of the 'god slayer' king, they needed something of a wall between them.

The border of Kori was patrolled, ironically, by another female. A dark one, just like Gaddith, and one from the same original pride. Kori was laid back, peaceful, and their king was said to be quite kind. Still, they had a growing military and it didn't hurt to be safe. He didn't know the female well, and some thought he was risking a gamble, but she seemed to be a good sort. He would give her a chance to earn her stripes.

Finally, patrolling the border that faced the wild lands was Ashur. He was smaller than the other two, less imposing, and seemed to forget his head most days. However, his choice had been tactical. He wanted newcomers, he wanted the weary and the downtrodden in his lands. A kindly, less imposing guard was perfect. If met with hostility, Ashur was certainly no slouch with his claws either. Smaller than the other two, he was quick, agile, and cunning. Perfect.

But his personal guard was not yet complete. He had Vilhelm to monitor the military and Kaze-Ki had his own little assortment of personal guards... but he wanted more. His old friend, the lion with the curse mark above his eyes. Ryner.

Unfortunately, he had heard that his old friend had landed himself into some trouble. This wasn't surprising but it had required that he sent a strong paw out to grab him and haul him out of it. Of course, for the trouble he would require a few things. Ryner would not be pleased- but he'd have a home at long last. A clean slate. A place where no one knew about his...affliction. So Sion sat waiting, listening to Kaze-Ki giving his morning report as just down the hall Vilhelm was seeing Ryner the rest of the way to the throne room.  

[Thalion]

Ryner ||
Blood, carnage, bodies mauled beyond recognition, voices in his head egging him on... Sometimes it felt like it had been ages since he'd lost control of himself and other times it seemed like the memories were snapping at his paws like rabid hyenas. He'd landed himself in quite a mess with that last stunt and had been imprisoned for the better part of- honestly he wasn't even sure how long. It suited him fine though. He had food, water, and all the sleep he could want. Best of all was the fact that from within his rocky confine he couldn't hurt anyone else, couldn't be set off, couldn't do anything but pass the time in peace and quiet. He'd first suspected that he was finally being put to the claw when the guard came for him that last time. How was he supposed to know where this was all leading?

More to the point: That lioness, did she have to be so rough?! He'd swear he'd lost some of the fur on the back of his neck fron being dragged- DRAGGED by the scruff of his neck like a cub -through the grass until he'd grown compliant.

Now he was stuck with the red-maned lion, who was just as mum about who they were headed to see as the female had been. Ryner had eventually given up on asking.

Geez... this sucks. Making a guy go to all this trouble just to meet his maker. They could at least have let me stop for a nap first.

Ryner made no effort to disguise the large yawn that escaped him at the mere thought as they passed through stone corridors. Fancy place... He could smell a lot of creatures coming and going here. Four in particular seemed to stand out. In fact, one was familiar, but before he could place it they had reached the entrance to their apparent destination. Ryner was confused by the lack of the scent of death there as they rounded the corner, but then he supposed the lot he was dealing with might want to try wringing him for information one more time. To what end he had no idea. Maybe beat him up some more for--

Ah.

Wait a minute.

He knew that pale lion sitting there, mane done in an intricate plait, looking regal as all get out- but far less frustrated than when Ryner had last seen him. It was that b*****d noble from before, the one that made that weird comment before blackmailing him onto his squad! There was really no mistaking the situation at that point. He was being dictated some report, he was outfitted with some kind of cloak, the den they were all standing in was clearly some kind of royal chamber and now that he thought about it the whole structure was set up like some kind of palace, like the one they'd had back in their old pride. Ryner raised a paw, heedless of the other male speaking at present, and pointed right at the king with an incredulous stare.

"YOU?!"  

[Thalion]

Sion ||
Poor Kaze-Ki's report was cut short when the commander pushed his escort forward. Vilhelm glanced to Sion with a short smirk, turned, and returned to his post outside of the audience chamber. Kaze-Ki sighed at the interruption, he wasn't even half done with the report. There were favorable grazing fields that could yield more preybeasts if they could be directed that way and left to reproduce for a season. He opened his mouth to voice a protest but Sion raised a paw to cut him off. Sighing, the Saiho circled the throne and came to sit at the base of the dais.

Sion's already present smile widened as Ryner pointed his way and proclaimed the obvious. "Yes. Me." He didn't bother rising from where he had laid down. Instead, he rested his cheek against the back of one paw and flicked his tail playfully.

"Ryner Lute. Still getting into trouble and snoozing your life away I hear. It's been a while, old friend." He narrowed his eyes in a playful sneer. "I thought a 'thank you' or a 'how are you' would have been due given the circumstances."  

[Thalion]

Ryner ||
Yeah, Ryner didn't care much about what the other lion there thought. He was too busy gaping at Sion and being irked by that smug look on his face to care. And didn't he just look cozy up there on his dias?? How?! WHEN?! WHY?!

"YOU'RE the one that had me dragged all the way here? Your little she-lap dog nearly ripped my head and neck from my shoulders!" That female, of course, because we must'nt forget. "And when the hell did you become a king?!"

No. NO! He was NOT accepting this. The lion turned his back and sat his rear end heavily on the stone floor.

"Whatever you had me dragged here for I'm not interested."  

[Thalion]

Sion ||
The reaction was not unexpected, nor was the loud tone. Kaze-Ki's eyes went wide in the wake of Ryner's show of blatant informality and disrespect but Sion only smiled the sly, knowing smile of his. He watched his friend ramble and rave, sputtering in disbelief and frustration. Oh dear, it sounded like his dearest Ferris had been a little rough with Ryner. It didn't help that he threatened to have the Sherei and their exotic foods shut down for the season. He didn't dare call his bluff, not with her snacks on the line. So, begrudgingly, she went to fetch Ryner. If Ryner refused her, that was his own fault really. Still, it was nice to know he had a fitting prodding stick for her.

Ryner was easy.

"Oh? I could put you back on the chopping block where I found you." He offered. "Or I could get Ferris in here- that's a decent idea. Kaze-Ki?" He glanced to his Saiho. The lion turned his head quietly and perked an ear.

"Please get Lady Ferris in here. I believe Ryner has some explaining to do in regards to shutting down the Sherei roads into town. A pity, I hear they have a surplus this year of those berries from outside of the border..."  

[Thalion]

Ryner ||
Ryner was up and turned around so fast that it should have been considered a new record. A paw outstretched, as if telling Sion to stop and think about what he was saying for a minute. Ferris- as it turned out her name was -hadn't said much, but her battle prowess had done more than enough talking for her. Ryner was in no hurry whatsoever to face off against her again, especially in a bad mood over this Sherei road business. "What? Hey, hey! Let's not be hasty, Sion old pal! Your highness!"

Oh well. The least that he could do was hear the manipulative beast out after they'd both clearly gone to all the trouble. Ryner had questions, besides, like how Sion had convinced the pride to let Ryner out of his confinement, and why he'd want him out after seeing what he'd seen. Sure, he'd been the least judgemental person that Ryner had met in his life, but for what purpose would he want a monster roaming around loose in his kingdom?

The lion's expression shifted from nervously cheerful to tiredly resigned, and hoping that was enough to convince Sion not to call his violent guard back into his presence he let out a breath, blowing some of the finer fur from his eyes for a moment before lifting his eyes again to meet Sion's. Pleasantries aside...

"Alright, so what exactly is it that I'm doing here?"  

[Thalion]

Sion ||
"That's more like it." Sion smirked as Ryner swiftly changed his tune. In fact it was outside of the norm for the sleepy male's behavior. He hadn't seen him move so quickly in years. The king's eyes narrowed thoughtfully and he nodded, as if confirming something he had thought of earlier. He'd found Ryner's sore spot. He knew Ferris'. They'd keep each other in check. Everything worked out quite nicely.

"Well, old friend, I remembered the promise that I made all those years ago. Seems I'm the only one who has. I got the foundations set and a kingdom to call mine. As promised, you have a place here." He shifted himself a little and lowered the paw away from his face. "Actually, I would like to make you part of my guard. The more individuals that I can trust the better."