[ P ] a proposal

With everything weighing so heavily on her mind she decided today was a good day to get away from it all. So she headed into the Redwood to be alone... except she knew she wouldn't be for long. She'd sent a message for Leoric to meet her here so that she could get to know him a little before making any choices. It was relieving to hear that she did, in fact, have choices. This was not a requirement of her but theoretically the next logical step in her life. She was not getting any younger and she was still unwed; something that reflected poorly upon her or at least she thought so. Still, she could not help but think that maybe she was better off alone. She had been for so long now it just seemed natural.

"Thank you for coming," she said as she turned to face the larger man. She half expected him not to come, thinking the whole thing preposterous, but she was happy he'd obliged her at the very least. At first glance he was a sizable man; he looked like a strong and worthy opponent but could he provide companionship? She had all the strength she needed on her own and was no damsel in distress, that was for sure. She wanted someone... well, honestly she didn't know what kind of husband she was looking for but she figured she'd give him a chance to prove himself (if he was even interested) given Nassar's high recommendation of him. She had honestly never been in a relationship in her entire life so she had no idea what she was looking for at all. "I am Badari, it's nice to finally meet you Cain... or should I call you Leoric?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in curiosity.

"Badari Tiamat speaking."

A few months had passed since the small rebellion, though the aftermath of it all still weighed heavily on his mind. Ironically though, he was given very little time to process it all, as Nassar had recommended him for a promotion out of the jailer ranks and into something more "suitable" to someone of his skill level. Of course, that comment coming from such a prestigious warrior did flatter him, and he thanked her as he was raised to become a Lieutenant Major. It wasn't long after that he was tasked with preparing the newly drafted wolves with training, and he dove into the responsibility head first, if only to forget what he had seen - or at the very least just not think about it.

What he didn't expect, however, was a potential betrothal to a Tiamat lady. He hardly knew how to react when Nassar spoke to him, offering the paw of her niece - Badari Tiamat. She explained how she had been on leave for a while in search of her sister, but had unfortunately come back empty handed and instead fell back into the ranks of the Army. At the very least, Leoric was quite interested in meeting her, if only to hear about what was beyond the lands of Rionna. He hadn't gone out much farther than the Mainlands in his life, much less even beyond that, and the thought of talking to someone to pick their brain on what those far reaching lands were like peaked his small sense of curiosity.

Funnily enough, Leoric was not the first one to reach out. If he was to be honest (though he would absolutely never admit this), the thought of entertaining another woman was... daunting, possibly even scary. Relationships were hard and complicated, and love was... well, difficult.

He was surprised when a crow appeared and regurgitated it's message of Badari requesting to meet with him in the Redwoods. Ensuring that his duties were completed for the day, he ducked out after letting his men know and made the journey over to the sacred forest.

She wasn't difficult to spot. While not as bright as some of her kin, the woman was still cloaked in the classic Tiamat fire, and he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He approached at her side, but his presence must have already been felt as she spoke first.

"Thank you for coming," he offered a diplomatic smile, dipping his head in greeting as she continued. "I am Badari, it's nice to finally meet you Cain... or should I call you Leoric?"

"Leoric, please," he replied, taking a seat near her to give his paws a little break from standing most of the day. "Soldiers call me Cain - I don't want you to feel we are in the ranks of the Army for... this. We are equal." and he meant it. Purple eyes glanced over the structures of her face, subtly enjoying the different tones that painted her pelt. "Though I'm curious - did you join the Army as a yearling? Purely curious." his tone was thoughtful, almost gentle compared to the last few months of his life. It - she - was a welcome relief.

"Leoric, please," he responded and she nodded her head in acceptance. "Soldiers call me Cain - I don't want you to feel we are in the ranks of the Army for... this. We are equal." At this, Badari raised a brow. It was relieving to see a man that didn't think of himself so highly, despite being talked of as such and holding such a high rank. She had heard he'd earned it in the protests and that was also interesting to her, to see someone earn something rather than be given it because of their name or wealth. These factors were more attractive in her eyes, by far, and she was glad to know that Leoric did not seem like a pompous ass... yet. "Though I'm curious - did you join the Army as a yearling? Purely curious."

"I did, but I was only an apprentice for a short time before the war began and I left Rionnach to find my sister. Did you? I don't recall meeting you before but we could have just missed one another," she said. It was entirely possible, as a yearling she'd been so engrossed in her duties when she'd joined the Army she could hardly remember anyone from her past. Then, with her journey, she'd been away for so long she felt like she didn't know anyone but her family coming back.

"Badari Tiamat speaking."

She responded kindly, diplomacy evident in her mannerisms and reminding him that he was here because of Nassar and her desire to wed off her family members. In a way it was almost comedic, but his experience told him he was poor at choosing a wife for himself so perhaps this route was the better one to take. They were nearly the same age, with - at face value - the same interests in life. While he made sure not to show it, he was almost giddy to find out how they would get along. As the minutes passed, being with her felt less and less... weird, as if they weren't set up and instead happened upon each others company at will.

"I did, but I was only an apprentice for a short time before the war began and I left Rionnach to find my sister..."

He nodded, glad that what Nassar had said about Badari matched up with what the woman spoke of herself. It was not a question he wanted to press this early on, though one day he would like to find out why she pursued her sister. He could relate, being that his fathers body was never found in the previous war, and he wondered if he was out there, somewhere. Would he have come at by now though? Or had his mind been shattered, and he lived some alternate life with a different family now? He could only guess, and years had passed since then that death almost seemed to be the only option.

"...Did you? I don't recall meeting you before but we could have just missed one another,"

Leoric nodded again, ensuring a small smile was visible upon his lips. He was well aware of how he could come across if not displaying the correct body language, and didn't want her to assume he didn't want to be here, or was upset at her questions - he wanted more of them, if he was honest.

"It's all I've ever known - my father would have had me shipped off to the Barracks once I could walk if he could." a deep chuckle reverberated from his chest, though he purposefully didn't think about the extreme ways his father raised him and his brothers. "I was just a cadet when the war broke out... there was a lot of death. After that, I decided to occupy my duties with the prisoners and spent my time down in the dungeons. I felt I had more purpose there. That all changed after these last riots though, now I'm finding myself with new duties I've never experienced before. It was a jarring change, to say the least. Though I'm sure you're experiencing the same, now that you are back from your travels." he mused, thoughtfully wondering what it was like beyond the lands of Rionnach. "I'm not surprised our paths didn't cross then, though your family name is known and highly regarded within the ranks." he paused for a moment, unsure if he should voice his next thought. "I'm honoured you would entertain Nassar's... proposal, though I hope you don't feel obligated to anything. If we were to become anything, I don't want you to feel like you didn't have a choice." his purple eyes found hers, his words earnest and heartfelt. He had made mistakes before, but he was determined not to make them again.

As they talked she felt herself relaxing somewhat, not having noticed how tense she'd been before he'd arrived. He seemed more easy-going than she'd previously anticipated but she did not let that seep into her own demeanor as she kept a respectful and straight pose along with eye contact, though she focused on his face rather than stare too deeply into those dark wine colored eyes. She didn't want to seem like she was leering at him or anything.

"It's all I've ever known - my father would have had me shipped off to the Barracks once I could walk if he could." he said with amusement. Badari entertained him with a small smile and a nod of her head. "I know what that is like," she admitted lightly. The previous matriarch would have done the same if she could, but now with Nassar at the head anything seemed possible. Still, Badari was content in following the ways of her family and she felt like she was right where she belonged. "I was just a cadet when the war broke out... there was a lot of death. After that, I decided to occupy my duties with the prisoners and spent my time down in the dungeons. I felt I had more purpose there. That all changed after these last riots though, now I'm finding myself with new duties I've never experienced before. It was a jarring change, to say the least. Though I'm sure you're experiencing the same, now that you are back from your travels." "What are the dungeons like? I've not spent much time among prisoners." she asked curiously. Of course she knew what they were like, but not as a jailer or executioner. She hardly spent time down there herself, not interested in dealing with the criminals they held prisoner outside of throwing them in a cell.

"I'm not surprised our paths didn't cross then, though your family name is known and highly regarded within the ranks." She nodded her head, but bowed it a little lower in deference being that he was of higher rank than she without the prestige of her family behind him. Yet, anyway. He'd come to his own, on his own, and that was impressive. "I'm honoured you would entertain Nassar's... proposal, though I hope you don't feel obligated to anything. If we were to become anything, I don't want you to feel like you didn't have a choice." he said as he found her gaze. She held his for a moment and felt a strange sense overcome her. "I feel..." she started, a little at loss for words at the moment. That usually didn't happen to her and it made her feel the warmth of embarrassment. Her nose twitched and she shifted her paws lightly, but that was all she showed outwardly. "Honestly, I don't know how to feel about it. I do feel not obligated, but I am interested. I'm not getting any younger and it seems like the next logical step in life," she said.

She hoped this did not offend him in any way, she just wasn't sure how to voice her thoughts in the moment for some reason they eluded her.

"But there are many reasons besides logic to entertain this," she added. He seemed to be more interested in something real blossoming between them than just going through the motions of arranging a marriage and that was good. She didn't want something loveless herself but she had never been in love. She didn't know what it was like or how it even happened but she hoped she would get it some day. "Are you settling into your new duties well? Is it better than being a jailor?" she asked curiously.

"Badari Tiamat speaking."

He was grateful she was receptive to his words, not taking offense to anything he had said. Leoric listened to her intently, focusing solely on her without making it seem overbearing. He simply wanted to show that he was interested and not easily distracted, nor dismissive of what she had to say.

"What are the dungeons like? I've not spent much time among prisoners."

An ear flicked, purple eyes rising from watching her lips to instead read her face. Was she genuinely curious? A gentle smile crossed his features.

"Cold, dark and depressing, to be honest with you," he responded with a bit of a laugh, though it came out more as an amused snort. "I don't know how I ended up staying down there for so many years - comfort, in a weird sort of way, I guess. You feel so much more alive on the fields instead of in the dark, or gathering up the prisoners."

He appreciated how she seemed to listen just as intently back at him as he spoke.

"Honestly, I don't know how to feel about it. I do feel not obligated, but I am interested. I'm not getting any younger and it seems like the next logical step in life,

Leoric nodded gravely, falling silent for a moment as he processed her words. Not obligated, but interested. Not getting any younger; objectively the next step in life. While he could understand her rationalization, he still felt... a little uneasy. Would she take his hand just out of respect of duty, and in 5 years end up hating his guts? Could they get along for that timeframe? Did she want kids?

.... Kids.

All emotion temporarily left the mans face, but he was quick to try and sweep away the expression. His two pups were at home with the only woman he currently trusted, while he was out entertaining the idea of an arranged betrothal. Was the right? Was he doing what he should be doing; would his children be okay with this? Was it right what he had done to ... Nora? Her name still burned whenever he thought about her.

Mentally, he shook his head. Of course it had been the right thing to do - his children were far better off to be raised in the Mainlands, where opportunity and comfort were a paws length away. And Nora had hurt him, not the other way around.

"But there are many reasons besides logic to entertain this," he was quiet as he watched her thoughtfully in his silence, nodding as well to the statement.

"Are you settling into your new duties well? Is it better than being a jailor?"

Thankful for a distraction from his mind, a somewhat nervous smile crept along his lips. "Sort of... it was overwhelming at first, especially at being recommended for the rank by Lieutenant Major Nassar. It was an honour, though they are large shoes to fit, so to speak. I enjoy it though - I'm sure the sunlight helps my aging bones than the dampness of the dungeons." he laughed, Nora forgotten for the time being. "Do you aspire to climb as high as your aunt?" it ultimately didn't matter to him - women could be whatever they wanted to be, so long as she would potentially be home to warm his bed at night.

"Cold, dark and depressing, to be honest with you. I don't know how I ended up staying down there for so many years - comfort, in a weird sort of way, I guess. You feel so much more alive on the fields instead of in the dark, or gathering up the prisoners." His admittance took her a little by surprise, but she could understand where he was coming from. "I can understand that, I do not like spending that much time in the dungeons if I can help it," she said. Badari had taken a few shifts for watch there before and she couldn't say she'd enjoyed them. She much preferred patrols above ground and in the daylight. It was with the sun on her back that she felt most free and comfortable.

For a moment he seemed to quiet and she wondered why; she did not know him well enough to gauge his silence. He seemed to come out of it quickly, regardless. "Sort of... it was overwhelming at first, especially at being recommended for the rank by Lieutenant Major Nassar. It was an honour, though they are large shoes to fit, so to speak. I enjoy it though - I'm sure the sunlight helps my aging bones than the dampness of the dungeons." At this, Badari let out a small laugh of amusement. "I"m sure you'll do fine. Nassar speaks highly of you," she said as she looked at him. He was a sizable man and she was sure he was formidable in battle; those things alone were enough to garner her interest. She liked a wolf who could hold their own. Though she knew this was just her own speculation and she had not been the one to see him in action during the protests.

"Do you aspire to climb as high as your aunt?" The question caused her ears to perk and she looked up at him curiously, thoughtfully. "I hadn't thought about it since I came back but I did use to have high ambitions when I was younger... now sometimes I feel like I'm just living day to day," she admitted. She felt she was not striving for anything as of late and that was worrisome. She felt lost, without purpose... it was frustrating more often than not.

"If I'm being honest..." she began, her paws shifting beneath her as she felt a pang of nervousness. She didn't usually feel nervous but she had also never shared intimate details of her life with anyone before. Still, she felt she owed him something. They were supposed to be getting to know one another, after all. "I feel lost at times, since the lost of my mother and sister. Like I'm just... floating." she said, finding it hard to describe. "That must sound silly," she mused.

"Badari Tiamat speaking."

"I"m sure you'll do fine. Nassar speaks highly of you,"

A warmth he hadn't felt in what seemed like years spread from his chest, cascading down his limbs and giving him a sense of life. A compliment - something a man hardly came by - had been given by a pretty lady, and he couldn't help the twitch of his mouth as a bashful, yet quiet, smile painted his features for a moment. Purple eyes lowered from her face, unable to look at her as he honestly wasn't sure what to say. How did one normally respond in this situation? Leoric had no idea - he hadn't experienced this before. Not in a way that mattered, anyway.

"I hadn't thought about it since I came back but I did use to have high ambitions when I was younger... now sometimes I feel like I'm just living day to day,"

Badari spoke again, the words raw with honesty and his ears flicked in surprise. Not having expected this, the large man remained silent as she spoke, listening intently to her words and processing what she was feeling.

"If I'm being honest... I feel lost at times, since the lost of my mother and sister. Like I'm just... floating."

Dark eyes lifted to study her face, a slight shake of his head the only moment as she voiced how she must have sounded silly. He felt a knot of tension release from his shoulders as he slowly came to the conclusion that Badari was a very down to earth wolf, and he suspected they could get along very well. He would be lying if he said he wasn't attracted to her lineage - his also was once a large and powerful name, though most if not all but himself were taken out in the last war. He wanted to rebuild, but only with the right woman at this point... having thought it was Nora, that dream was quickly taken away. Could this be the start of something worthwhile?

Thoughts for another time, he mused.

"When I lost my father, I had much of the same thought patterns." he responded, though his words were almost mumbled. It was difficult for a man like him to speak about his thoughts and feelings, and now he was the one feeling silly. How would a strong woman such as herself respond to a show of vulnerability? "But at this point in our lives, we should cherish the moments we have with those who are left, and find out own purpose by seeking it out. You will find yours, Badari, just as I will find mine."

He offered a more genuine smile, hoping that he could at least somewhat ease the turmoil he felt in her words. The smile never left his maw as he decided to find something more topical - easy questions so they could get to know each other from the surface down.

"So, what is your favourite colour? favourite meal to eat? are you a summer or winter kind of wolf?" an amused, almost teasing tone overcame his previously somber one as he asked such face-value questions, but he found himself immensely curious on what her answers would be. He looked forward to learning everything he could about Badari Tiamat.

- exit Leoric via asking dumb but cute questions -

Badari, the ever observant creature, did not miss the small smile playing upon his lips at her compliment. She offered one of her own and her ears tilted back slightly atop her head as she lowered her muzzle ever so slightly.

Their conversation grew more personal and for that she was relieved, he did not seem to have trouble opening up to her and that was one thing she would ask of any man she was with. She wanted honesty above all else; even if it hurt. "When I lost my father, I had much of the same thought patterns. But at this point in our lives, we should cherish the moments we have with those who are left, and find out own purpose by seeking it out. You will find yours, Badari, just as I will find mine." "I hope you are right, Leoric..." she said, her smile growing deeper. She would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying the conversation but as it turned more light hearted, she relaxed somewhat.

"So, what is your favourite colour? favourite meal to eat? are you a summer or winter kind of wolf?" "Aren't you a curious creature?" she mused. Though that was good, he wanted to get to know her. It was much better, and more appealing than disinterest. "I don't really have a favorite color, but I'd say... purple is quite high up there," she said thoughtfully as she looked into his eyes. "As for food, I'm partial to rabbit... and season? Well, I'd say I'm a winter kind of girl," she said, a small laugh leaving her lips as she actually thought about such simplistic things.

[ exit badari via chatting ]
"Badari Tiamat speaking."