A meeting of the imperials...

[lazuli]

^{Lazuli stood wistfully outside the cave. It was late evening now. After the brief welcome for Snofoxx, Lazuli had meandered about, thinking. He halted in his pacing and summoned Irezu and Tenga. He had an idea that he needed to discuss, but felt that Tenga should be present for it as well. Of course, he also had pondered the thought of Tenga as beta. Tenga just didn't fit the profile for leadership though, and Irezu, his queen, now, had even said that he wasn't the leader type. An idea formed in his cranium...}

[Shadow]

Irezu was grazing quietly, cropping at the damp grass in the cool of the evening. Tenga shadowed her, ignoring the tempting aroma of growing grass at his feet. He'd eaten enough earlier, and his half-sister had wandered close enough to the border that he was not interested in eating anymore. The muscular Arab was more concerned with the possibility of one of the other Alliances taking the chance of attacking the Lady of the Neutrals.

Irezu lifted her head at the sound of Lazuli's summons. Twitching to free her dark chestnut coat of some dew that dampened it, the Arab trotted forward. With hardly a sound, Tenga followed.

A quiet splash sounded as Irezu entered the pool at the entrance of the cave. A few brief moments brought her to the other side. She shook herself carefully, then joined Lazuli.

'You called?' she inquired. Behind her, Tenga drew himself from the water and wordlessly joined them.

[lazuli]

<sub>The stag awkwardly greeted the two.

Irezu, I know you'll take this the wrong way, but I have something to ask you.

His speech cut off in a pause. His tassles flicked behind him as he thought of something to say.

And Tenga, I wanted you present while I discussed this with Irezu.

There was another brief pause, and then suddenly it all came out at once.

Irezu, milday, I... wondered what you thought of carrying my foal... I mean... now... no! I mean, the war doesn't appear to be starting in the immeadiate future, so... I just thought now was the best time... I... mean...

His occuli glazed mournfully. Surely not the first topic of conversation he really wanted to get into, and it was especially intimidating with his queen's protective sibling by her side, although his presence was important.

And there's always the possibility of Snofoxx, if you don't feel you're... ready.

He shook his cranium in frustration.

This all sounds terrible. I value you and Snofoxx much more than... it sounds like... but... the war. I... I couldn't stand it if my colt was harmed-- either injured or terrorized-- by a war.

He gave the closest gesture to a shrug he could manage, then silenced himself, awaiting Irezu and Tenga's responses.</sub>

[Shadow]

Irezu's finely-shaped auds were pitched toward Lazuli, her stance attentive as she listened to what her Lord had to say. An eyebrow lifted slightly as he began by stating that he thought she would take his statement the wrong way. More interested now, she waited to see what he would say that she might find offensive.

Tenga was uncertain how he ought to feel as Lazuli finished speaking of what was on his mind. He knew that such ordinarily happened between a lead stallion and his mares. It had just never actually occurred to him that his half-sister might someday be a mother. He thought she would be a good mother, should she chose to be. The Arab stag knew his half-sister to be a gentle mare, in spite of how intimidating she could be at times. He glanced at her, deciding to gauge his own reaction on hers. If she did not wish to carry Lazuli's foal, then Tenga would be certain to make sure she was not forced. If she decided she did want to, he would protect the foal with as much zeal as he protected her.

Irezu was rather amused by the conversation, but was careful to mask it. It would be unwise to antagonize or otherwise upset Lazuli. She permitted a gentle smile to grace her maw.

'Now would be a good time for foals to be born, before war comes.' she agreed. More seriously, she added, 'As Lady of the Neutrals, bound to m'Lord, it is likely considered my duty to bear you an heir.' Her smile returned momentarily. 'Not that it would be unpleasant.' Serious once more, she continued, 'Besides, I do not think it wise to approach Snofoxx in that manner quite yet. She is new here yet and ought to have a chance at getting to know her new home before having to worry about a little one.'

Taking a step closer to Lazuli and calmly meeting his mournful, frustrated gaze, she said, 'If it is an heir you desire, I am ready.'

[lazuli]

<sub>The stag looked visibly relieve.

Yes, I feared the same thing for Snofoxx. I don't know you much longer, but... I see you understand. That is good.

There was an awkward pause, and Lazuli addressed Tenga.

Tenga, I wanted you here so I could have your input as well. Do you have any sort of objection or question?

He slowly stepped forward and whickered to Irezu, then nuzzled her shoulder. He was beginning to warm up to the strange mare. He was glad she could make sense. With his maw close to her near aud, whiskers gently brushing her crania, he spoke softly:

Understand that in my awkwardness I am not a poor leader, but, as you know, I am but an overgrown bachelor. I have little experience in speaking with the ladies. Thank you for understanding.

He stepped once backwards, watching them both now.

An heir... did Lazuli really have a chance at an heir now?</sub>

[Shadow]

Irezu retained her gentle smile at the relief she could see in Lazuli's stance.

'It is true you and I have not known one another much longer than you have Snofoxx, but I have been in this land long enough to know it well and had a chance to adjust to all it's multifacetedness, while Snofoxx has not had that advantage.' The Arab's eyes glimmered with a mingling of mild amusement that she finally allowed to show and seriousness to offset the amusement. 'I am by no means a hopeless romantic, but I do understand your concern.'

Tenga gave the equine approximation of a slight shrug at Lazuli's query. 'Irezu appears to have no objections.' he responded quietly. 'Nor do I.'

For the protective half-brother, that was enough. As long as she accepted, he would do nothing to object.

Irezu remained in a relaxed position as Lazuli moved closer to her. Admittedly, it was a somewhat uncomfortable situation for her. She'd never had any sort of a relationship with a stallion before, save for strictly "professional" or familial relationships.

She'd known of other fillies her age when she was young who would talk endlessly of the type of stud they hoped to be chosen by when they came of age. Irezu had paid no heed to such foolish talk, finding much more interesting things to do with her time than gossip and chatter about stallions.

Even when she had been a little older, when many others of her gender were busy seeking handsome studs to accept them, Irezu's life had been far too busy with mediating between warring factions in the Maelstrom Conflict and keeping her own herd safe for anything resembling a romantic relationship.

Now she found herself woefully lacking in ideas on how to properly responde to Lazuli's actions. Hoping that her response was what it ought to be, Irezu hesitantly returned his nuzzle with one of her own, then returned to her former position as he moved his maw close to her ear.

Smiling reassuringly, Irezu fixed her gentle brown orbs on Lazuli as she made answer. 'I did not think you a poor leader, in spite of your awkwardness.' Giving a self-depracatory gesture, she added, 'I realize I am by no means an easy mare to approach with such topics. I can imagine it would be more difficult for you as you have not yet had overmuch experience with my gender.' She paused an instant, then added, 'I should hope I would be capable of understanding. Else I could be accused of being just like those of the other Alliances, which I have done my best to avoid.'

[lazuli]

<sup>Lazuli's maw curved slowly into an impish grin. Despite her apparent initial coldness, the roan stag was really starting to like his queen.

I guess now it would be best to inform Snofoxx of her decision. I won't have the lord and lady randomly disappearing and the rest of the herd not knowing where they are.

He stepped past Irezu and picked up a trot towards the direction in which he'd last seen his newest ess as she explored the beautiful lands.

And then we will with haste make our journey, m'love.

The name rolled off so easily, and Lazuli realized he never thought he'd call Irezu that. He smiled, thinking how well the name now fit. His jog increased to a swinging lope as he hurried to find Snofoxx.

[ooc: back to the other thread to find Snofoxx]</sup>

[Shadow]

The impish grin the Lord of the Neutrals wore was infectious, and Irezu found herself grinning in response. Though she'd initially had quite a few reservations about accepting Lazuli to the position of her lord, and Lord her alliance, she realized that it had been a good decision. To have another how could truly help with all the tasks and difficulties associated with being leader eased the burden placed on her and allowed her a chance to enjoy herself on occassion. Tenga was always there for her, but had never been able to supply what she needed in the way Lazuli had in the short time he had been in a position of leadership.

Irezu nodded in agreement. 'Yes. It would be unwise to leave without any warning.'

The Arab turned easily and trotted after the blue stag. A smile quirked her maw at his last sentence. This was all new to her, but she did find that she was actually enjoying it. As he sped up, she followed suit. Her gait was smooth and graceful, swiftly bringing her up alongside Lazuli.

Tenga brought up the rear, his canter easy so as not to pass his Lord and Lady.