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Dromio moved towards the pride lands. They had been forced into the forest and left to fend for themselves, like they weren't supposed to live in their own home! If not for the groundlings, they might have been completely lost. He would have to find some way to make this all up to them, once they got back to their home.

Because they WEREN'T going to let these invaders steal everything from them. As the new king, he wasn't going to allow it.

He moved slowly, frowning as he drew closer to his former home. He knew guards were around, and they would attack to kill if they saw the new king hovering near. But he was not afraid- he loved his home and he wanted to see if, just maybe, they could find some common ground with the invaders. This whole thing was based on past mistakes. Surely the answer, then, was to show they had changed, right?

He stepped into a small clearing, pausing when the scent of another caught his attention.

Dromio heard the voice- it was not one he recognized. Nor were the threats ones he thought might come from a member of his pride. He found himself growling lowly, though he was more peaceful than most. Usually, he didn't let rage get the better of him, but these... these lions had stolen his home. They had possibly killed his father.

He would not stand for it.

"I have no intention of hiding from the likes of you," the male replied as he emerged from the brush, his white fur almost shining in the sunlight, the faint purple wisps that decorated his body appearing to glow. He was certainly not like any king that had come before him- he was pale and had very little purple on him. But king he was, no matter who claimed to own his home at the moment.

"I am Dromio, king of the Suka'Fumo. State your name, invader."

"My father sought to change the pride after his father's bloody rule," he snarled quickly, "the Suka'Fumo are not the elitist monsters they once were. But, of course, I wouldn't expect you to believe something like that. After all- you attacked us without any knowledge of how we are in this age." He glared at her, his claws gripping the earth.

"I should rip you apart for what you and yours have done- for killing my father! He was a good lion, and wanted nothing but peace for everyone in his pride! You ruined that! You should be the ones to die!" He closed his eyes for a moment, the lion taking a deep, calming breath.

"But... killing you would do nothing to solve hatred between our prides. It is for that reason -for the sake of peace- that I am not going to fight you. Please, lower your guard."

Dromio frowned. "I know your leader and others attacked us at our den. My father allowed the rest of us time to escape and took her on himself. But he is older and was never made for fighting. I can't... I don't know what happened to him, but I doubt your leader granted him mercy. I saw the hate in her eyes. The unforgiving cold." He watched the female a moment, scrunching his nose.

"Something I don't see in your gaze, though." He sighed softly. Being king meant assessing each situation on its own. There were some moments where fighting was needed, but it didn't have to happen every time. For the moment, this female didn't seem like the others. He could see more than just revenge in her eyes.

It made him curious.

"Your leader seeks the destruction of lions who no longer exist," he sighed, "I understand how the pride hurt lions in the past- that's why I intend on changing things. Why my father laid down the path for me to do so. but Oppilan... she is blinded by hate- she will never see us as anything other than enemies. We... we just want to bring you all peace."

Dromio was a little shocked to hear her ask if she could help him. Clearly she understood that the pride they had been attacking and the pride they wanted to attack weren't the same anymore, but he really hadn't been anticipating her cooperation so easily. Maybe because he had thought she wouldn't be willing to listen to him. That she would assume he was lying to try and fool her or something.

But it seemed she had already seen that things were not as they should be. That they were struggling for a cause that didn't exist. He couldn't help but feel a little hopeful knowing that.

If she felt that way, maybe some of the other lions in her group would feel that way, too.

"I'm sorry, "he offered, "that she was so driven by her plans that she couldn't see what was really going on. I know it must have been difficult for you. Not being able to get revenge for the wrongs committed against you. But we understand the mistakes of our past leaders, we really do. And I promise you we have changed in more than just the color of our pelts."

He wondered if it would help at all. She was thinking about standing against her own leader- it was a big choice.

"I couldn't ask you to betray your leader. It would be very dangerous if you got caught! But... but I really appreciate that you wish to help us. If you could see who might join you, it could help us. Perhaps you are not the only one who sees that Oppilan is wrong."

At the idea of meeting up again, Dromio gave a firm nod of agreement, his mane bouncing with his eagerness. He probably looked a bit like a dork for getting excited, bit this was a big step for his pride- it could change everything. But he knew it was also dangerous.

He was a king now, not just some dorky kid who liked to charge into situations without thinking. If something were to happen to him, too...

He sighed faintly, smiling somewhat warmly at the female.

"Yes," he replied, "one week, then. I will meet you right here, and we can continue moving forward."