I glance between Zara and Teyla with a kind of detached interest, wondering how they'll decide to respond to the cat-kin's less-than-welcoming response. Teyla seems to recover first, her voice adopting a collected, authoritative air.
"Even if it is the cat-kin's position to refuse ties with us, we should at least be refused directly by your leadership, don't you think? Such is the least respect that is owed to two rulers of the other demi-human tribes, especially after we've made a trip all the way here in good faith." (Teyla)
To my surprise, this causes a flicker of uncertainty in the panther-kin soldier's features, as though he's seriously considering Teyla's point. I can't help but evaluate Teyla in a more positive light.
Well played...
As the cat-kin watch expectantly, awaiting their apparent leader's decision, the quiet, familiar hum of the surrounding forest is suddenly interrupted by the sounds of snapping branches. All of our gazes slide to a section of denser forest nearby, and my magic sense immediately flags four new magic signatures closing in on us.
I narrow my eyes, preparing to act if the situation calls for it, and I see Teyla and Zara looking to me for direction. Meanwhile, the cat-kin exchange wary glances and slightly spread out. Before the situation can become even more tense, four people who I immediately assume are lion-kin emerge from the nearby tree line under everyone's gazes. The effect on the cat-kin soldiers is immediate.
"Your Majesties!?" (panther-kin soldier)
The panther-kin man we'd been speaking with falls to a knee reverently, and the rest of the cat-kin abruptly mirror his actions, their voices echoing in unison.
"Your Majesties!"
I raise my eyebrows at the sight, turning my gaze to the newcomers as I relax slightly. There is a man and woman standing together, dressed in ornate armor and exuding an air of authority, who I assume are the king and queen. Beside them is a lion-kin man of similar age, dressed in full armor with his hand resting on the hilt of a short sword. I assume he's a royal guard of some sort. Despite his relaxed posture, his eyes are scanning his surroundings with a severity that makes me certain he's ready to sever heads at a moment's notice.
Finally, standing slightly behind the other three lion-kin is a young man that I'd guess is somewhere around Zara's age. He's also sporting a sword and fine armor that seems to mimic the design of the King's and Queen's. Notably, while the other lion-kin seem to be scanning over our entire group, with brief glances at the cat-kin soldiers, this boy's gaze is locked firmly on me.
I'm briefly puzzled by both his intense gaze and his presence, wondering why they'd bring a child out into the forest like this. Scratch that, why are any of them here at all? I didn't see or sense the soldiers we met alerting anyone, and it can't be common practice for royalty to go walking through such a dangerous forest without an escort, right? Did someone observe the disturbance I caused when I forced us through the tree canopy earlier?
After a few seconds of consideration, I decide that none of that is particularly important right now, and I return my curious gaze to the lion-kin couple standing in front of the kneeling cat-kin soldiers.
So...these are the rulers of the cat-kin races?
The brief, stunned silence that ensued after the lion-kin group's arrival is finally broken by the lion-kin guard accompanying the King and Queen, his voice suspiciously light as he addresses the panther-kin soldier.
"At ease, Jenga. Our...surveillance, spotted a potential disturbance in the forest. The King and Queen thought it best to investigate themselves, then we stumbled upon this interesting gathering. Why don't you tell us what's going on here?" (lion-kin royal guard)
Despite the lion-kin guard's breezy tone, I don't miss the sudden tension that his words seem to evoke in Jenga's posture. On the surface, it seems like my suspicion about what drew them here was correct, but I'm still confused why a basic surveillance finding would cause the royals to come themselves, or cause Jenga so much distress. However, I'm left ignorant in that regard, because the panther-kin soldier merely rises to his feet without elaborating and nods respectfully at the four lion-kin.
"Of course, Commander Skara. We encountered these three walking through the forest during our scouting. They identified themselves as the leaders of the wolf-kin and fox-kin, here in the hopes of establishing a relationship with our people. They also claimed there's a potential threat in the human Empire they wished to warn us of. I was just considering whether they should be brought before Your Majesties." (Jenga)
Recognizing an opportunity, Teyla steps forward and gives a polite nod to the lion-kin royals, drawing their attention.
"Greetings. I am Teyla Zang, senior representative of the fox-kin's governing council." (Teyla)
Zara is quick to follow Teyla's example, her voice carrying a confidence and gravity hard to reconcile with her youthful appearance.
"I am Zara Zuki, Elder of the wolf-kin. As you've heard from your soldier, we bring both a warning about the humans, and an offer to strengthen the demi-human lands with alliances between our peoples. It's our pleasure to meet you both, King and Queen of the cat-kin...I regret that the separation between our races has kept me from knowing your names in advance." (Zara)
The royals' gazes sweep over us briefly, their eyes seeming to linger on me for longer than Zara and Teyla. Then, the King gives a reserved nod towards us and speaks. His voice is deep, booming, and carries a majestic cadence that makes my instincts scream that I should bow out of respect.
"Well met, Teyla Zang and Zara Zuki. I am Mufaza Pride, King of the cat-kin, and this is my wife and Queen, Lyra. I am glad to hear that you come to our lands with good intentions, and I commend your bravery to traverse the Great Forest. Even I would not attempt such a journey alone...your strength must be great indeed." (King Mufaza)
I nearly choke on air at the King's introduction. His...his name is Mufaza? And wasn't that lion-kin guard addressed as Skara earlier? You've got to be fucking kidding me...
At the same time that images of a bipedal mouse disemboweling all of us flash through my head, I'm also struck by the faintly probing intent behind King Mufaza's words, about our little trio traversing the so-called 'Great Forest'. His implication doesn't go unnoticed by Zara and Teyla either, and the latter glances at the former uncertainly, clearly preferring to follow Zara's lead. After so much time with me, Zara doesn't falter in the face of the King's question. She smiles politely.
"I fear few enemies in this world, and I saw no reason to take manpower away from my people when it's unnecessary. However, if this forest is as dangerous as you say, then perhaps we were fortunate in our travels. Should we continue our discussion in your city, where it's safer?" (Zara)
Hearing Zara's masterful redirection, I suppress a prideful smile. I also notice the corner of the King's mouth twitch at her response. However, as though he didn't hear her last question, his eyes slowly drift to me, in a display that could easily be interpreted as idle curiosity.
"Ah...forgive me, I seem to have excluded you from our introductions. Who might you be?" (King Mufaza)
I give him a friendly smile and bow deferentially, not especially inclined to comment on his blatant ignoring of Zara.
"I'm nobody of consequence, King Mufaza. Merely an acquaintance of Elder Zara, assisting at her discretion. You may call me Mizuki." (Mizuki)
Skepticism flashes across Mufaza's face, though he quickly suppresses it.
"An acquaintance...I see. Forgive my curiosity, but you don't resemble any of the races I'm familiar with, nor do you seem to be of the same race as these two. What is your connection to Elder Zara?" (King Mufaza)
My eyes widen involuntarily, incredulity invading my tone.
"You've never seen a human before?" (Mizuki)
They can't really be that isolated, can they? Even if he's never personally seen a human, their ancestors must have. Wouldn't they at least pass down enough information for the cat-kin to be able to extrapolate from my lack of animalistic features, normal height, and rounded ears?
However, I notice that the cat-kin soldiers around us are also wearing confused expressions...ones directed at King Mufaza. That's enough for me to quickly deduce that they're similarly perplexed by his statement. Which means...the cat-kin probably do know about humans? Then why the question?
At the same time, King Mufaza's expression twists in confusion at my response, as though it wasn't what he expected. This only amplifies my own bewilderment. Why didn't he assume I'm human?
A voice interrupts from behind the King, twisted with unfamiliar, guttural phonetics.
"Father, that's definitely the monster I sensed, and I'm certain that he's not human. Every human I've ever seen has the same type of aura, no matter how powerful they are, and his is nothing like theirs. {lion-kin tongue}"
The implications of the words, foreign yet mystically comprehensible, cause me to stiffen. My eyes slowly drift to the source of the voice – the young-looking lion-kin, presumably the Prince, whose presence initially puzzled me. I stare at him carefully, my calm facade barely intact as my thoughts race at a mile a minute.
Aura? That's real!? How is he sensing mine, and what does he mean that I'm not human?
I'm briefly tempted to interrupt their conversation in this 'private' language, to make a point and get to the bottom of these questions. But then I recall how much of a fuss such a tactic caused with the fox-kin yesterday, and I consider that I may learn more if I don't admit to speaking their 'private' language. So, I decide to pretend that I didn't understand what the lion-kin boy said. Meanwhile, the King, having heard his son's warning, surprisingly gives me an amiable smile, though the gesture doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Ah...I apologize. Of course I see the resemblance now, but my other heightened senses as a lion-kin suggested to me that you weren't human. I wonder why that is..." (King Mufaza)
The corner of my mouth twitches in amusement at him trying to subtly cover for his son's strange aura-sensing. Clearly, he hasn't given up on probing me. Considering my options, I quickly come to a decision...then direct my telepathy at the King and who I assume is the Prince.
[That's interesting, since I also find myself wondering whether an ability of the Prince there is the root of your suspicions, not lion-kin senses. Should we continue interrogating one another about these curiosities of ours?] (Mizuki)
The Prince and King suddenly freeze, shock and horror written on their faces. Before they can recover, though, I give the King a small, polite smile and shrug innocently. After all, I still need to address his question publicly, lest the peanut gallery realize something is amiss.
"I couldn't guess your reasons for such a conclusion, King Mufaza. Perhaps I am quite smelly after our long and treacherous journey across the forest. If so, I apologize." (Mizuki)
Teyla, suspicious but ignorant to the full context of the odd exchange and the King's reaction, nervously clears her throat while casting me a subtle, reproachful glare.
"Ehem...forgive Mizuki's sense of humor, King Mufaza. We are rather tired from our travels. Perhaps we could trouble you to continue diplomatic discussions somewhere safer and more comfortable. I assume your city is nearby?" (Teyla)
Pulled from his stupor, the King quickly turns his gaze to Teyla. His eyes study her, flitting to me occasionally, and it's clear that he's hesitant to grant her request. However, before he can comment on it, the Queen suddenly speaks for the first time. Her voice is a composed purr, regal and compelling.
"Yes, I think that would be best, Teyla of the fox-kin." (Queen Lyra)
Everyone's attention snaps to the Queen, including the shocked King and Prince. The King looks like he's about to speak until Queen Lyra turns her gaze to him, her yellow, feline eyes locking onto him unflinchingly. King Mufaza's mouth snaps shut, his expression turning bewildered, but he remains silent. Satisfied, the Queen's gaze promptly drifts to me.
Her eyes seem to search mine for several seconds, her expression unreadable. I raise my eyebrows, equal parts intrigued and expectant, and wait for her to address me. However, she eventually looks away from me to Zara and smiles politely, as though she's lost interest.
"I assume that this is agreeable to you, Elder Zara of the wolf-kin?" (Queen Lyra)
Unperturbed, Zara merely nods.
"Indeed." (Zara)
The Queen nods graciously, then turns towards the panther-kin soldier, her hands clasped in front of her waist.
"Jenga, you and your men will continue your patrol. My family and I will see to these guests." (Queen Lyra)
Without waiting for a response, the Queen turns back to face us and smiles politely.
"Please, follow me." (Queen Lyra)