Orlaith nodded firmly, her eyes turning to slits at Pallas. She lowered herself in a calm, but lightly fierce manner. She looked at Pallas with a neutral, perhaps unkind expression. "You know, our queen is right. Let's say perhaps you do have important information. Perhaps you can help us against the masters. How and why should we trust you? My queen may be willing to hear you out. But say if we do accept this alliance. If you were to cross us or lie, do know that we, especially me, will not let you off easy. I am very loyal to my kingdom and will not stand for any harm towards it." The tigress paused for a moment as she stared at Pallas her eyes in slits. "I am the fiercest one out of this kingdom. If my queen were to accept you and your little alliance, you cross us, especially Aquamarine who is the child, you could be a very tasty-" Orlaith was cut off by Tethys's loud bark indicating she had went to far, and silenced herself. She spoke one last time. "Though we are willing to hear you out on your family. I as the second in command of this kingdom, want to hear what will happen if we accept your offer of this alliance." Orlaith took her home and family seriously. She would not tolerate harm to them, especially the little one, Aquamarine.

Zelk's eyes widened at Orlaith's silent and deadly demeanor, and she sent out a message via link with the hive. I would watch yourself. I know Orlaith very well. She isn't afraid to maim or do worse if we slip up. I know how she is. She then spoke to calm Orlaith down. "Orlaith, calm yourself. Let's hear them out on their alliance. Perhaps they could be useful in helping fight against the masters." With that she spoke to the queen. "My queen, I think we should accept their alliance. After all, he came all the way up here. Let's hear them out on what they could offer. Give him the chance to elaborate more." She gave Orlaith a look to back away, then apologized for the tigress's ferocity. "I am sorry. As the duchess she takes her role very seriously, and does not put up with nonsense."

Aqumarine sat down, surprised at Orlaith's neutral aggressive demeanor. Orlaith was always kind to her, because she was a child, and a child of the kingdom. But she knew Orlaith could be serious at times, but not this serious. She watched as the tigress backed away, and her ears wiggled nervously. Tethys and Zelk seemed to be rational, but Orlaith was the more fiercer of the kingdom. That was probably why Tethys chose her as the duchess. Aqua shuffled uncomfortably, staying out of it, and letting the adults talk. She hoped Pallas could could convince Tethys and Orlaith. She hoped that he wasn't scared of Orlaith's words and demeanor.

'Hold still,' was the first thing he thought, his expression souring for the briefest moment only to disguise it as a brief example of disappointment. Best not to look so down. He wanted Lamia to help, and was grateful for her being here- but right now, if things went well, he'd only need himself to talk.

It was good she knew Tethys, though. Perhaps their knowledge of each other could serve well.

He expected push-back from this. After all, he was an unknown to them. But, he curled his head in, politeness drawing his shoulders in a little. "I mean you no harm, of course." In truth? He was wary of the tiger- he knew Zelk would help, at least, but if she pounced now, what would he become? Fresh meat? He wasn't afraid, though. No. If something were to happen to him, he'd die proud that he did this for the hive.

That put some will back into him. Pallas cleared his throat, glancing down. "You raise a good point- why trust me? But I have come alone in this, on faith that I would be safe here. On faith that I could provide the same to others." He paused, glancing down. Yeah, those claws were much bigger than his. "I only mean to give you an opportunity to learn. I would do nothing of the sort to put you in harm's way. Please, trust me." He bowed, again, fur tingling on his skin as he forced down a wave of anxiety flaring up. "I had nothing but Aquamarine's word that you existed. Now, I beg you to extend that kindness in return. If only for a walk- or a swim- there and back."

However, that still left Tethys's question of his hive up in the air. "If it would help- I can provide some light, at least." He straightened and sat, tail curling defensively over his paws- and in an attempt to hide his aching claws that threatened to slip out in a nervous tic. "My family keeps knowledge. Secrets, that we offer those that would benefit from it. Others we can trust not to divulge in our location and knowledge to the Masters. We hope to be beneficiaries of the caves, nothing more." The orange tip of his tail flicked tighter against his flanks. If he didn't convince them now, what then? They were outnumbered, yes, but the hive's members were outmatched in strength here.

"There is not much I can say, myself." He bent his head down, grooming casually over his fur in an attempt to soothe his screaming mind. "The Children of Rot have already benefited from our existence in their cave. I want to give this opportunity in turn to you all, to keep you safe from a certain deer, particularly."

He almost mentioned Aetius, but he held back. Now was not the time to mention her. "If you do not trust me fully, perhaps then, Tethys, would you like to accompany me to see our lorekeeper yourself? I have no reason to cause harm- if I desired food, it would serve me no purpose to come down here when there is enough in Cetus, and I am not a sadistic being." He tensed for an attack at suggesting only Tethys, but he interrupted anything that would come of it. "I ask for you, queen of the sea, personally, as I feel it would be best for the leaders to speak amongst themselves. Sending messengers is possible, but things get lost in translation. Perhaps the tiger- Pardon, I don't know your name- Perhaps she could accompany if you feel I might try to do something rash." He regarded her for a moment- this would be a fitting input, as they were the two left that didn't have Mother's hold.

'If you desire, Lamia, you can speak on your involvement. Go along with the story of this family and secret keeping.' He shot a glance to her, a string of slight fear tainting the line connected between them. 'And, Zelk- thank you. You three all know more about them- if they show signs that I'm making this worse, tell me.'

"Of course, I am concerned if you can make it up the tunnel, no offense. There are waterways into Cetus, if you would want to meet me there. I do wish for a friendship to bud here. I'm not here to make enemies. If there's anything I can do to accommodate you, I would be happy to do so."

If they did decide to fight, they had muscle on their side. Tethys would go down quick. She was just, what, a tube of blubber? Easy. Maybe a struggle to get her out of the water, but Orlaith was easily outnumbered by the bulk they had at their disposal. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

@Lamia

Tethys gave a sigh as Pallas began speaking. It seemed that he was very sincere in his words. After all, Orlaith had made the warning clear to the small creature. Tethys nodded once, and spoke with acceptance. "Very well, Pallas." Since Orlaith has made herself clear, and he seemed to get the seriousness of the situation. "On behalf of the kingdom and myself, I accept your offer of your alliance. Consider The Sea Kingdom and your family, allies. In return you will give us all the information you have on the masters. The Sea Kingdom shall give you kindness and loyalty, on our end." Tethys glanced at Orlaith with a firm expression. "That is an order." She looked back to Pallas, expecting the tigress to obey. "I know where Cetus is through the water. I will meet you there. Zelk and Orlaith, you go with Pallas and Aquamarine to Cetus on land. If you will Pallas, please let the leader of the Children of Rot, and your family, know that I will request a meeting with them to get this all sorted out once I get there. Any questions, Pallas?" She shot Orlaith a glance for her to keep her mouth shut. It seemed Zelk and Aquamarine understood the orders, and had nothing to say.

Lamia listened to the questions of the Sea Kingdom, as well as Pallas's own explanation and found herself a little lost. She was intelligent for a fish, sure, but there were a whole lotta words being spoken and the fear threading through the connection simply wasn't helping. She understood, at least, that they would not speak of the hive, give only the barest of information. They were a family, with a lore-keeper, and secrets to keep and that worked for her.

Okay, she would try to help. Because she wasn't going to just sit her useless. She opened her mouth and tried her best to say something, gathering all of her speech abilities and vocabulary to give something as well. "FAMILY CAN BE TRUST. KNOW WE STRANGER, BUT WE GOOD. FAMILY HELP ME, LOVE FAMILY. ALLIANCE TO TETHYS GOOD. CAN SHOW WAY TO CETUS, WATER TUNNEL." She broke off suddenly, her throat closing up as she began choking and coughing from the stress of speaking so much. It felt like there was salt lining her throat, it burned so bad, but she'd done her best. "Sorry," she moaned into the water. "If you need me to say more, you might need to translate for me."

A heavy sigh was withheld from escaping Pallas. Instead, it ran through the mental connection in the form of a clear relief. "Of course," he gave on the exchange. Alliance, yes- this is what this was. They would give their information and they'd get... Kindness, in return? Well, if that worked with the story, then, more power to them.

Lamia spoke in her crude speech on his behalf, adding in that she may help. It gave her something useful for the Hive, something Pallas wanted to give to her for a while, now. 'That'll be good. Thank you, Lamia.' His eyes fell on her with a warmth that he reserved only for his family, nodding to her. 'Lead her to the hive- not close enough for her to know the rest of the way, but enough so that you can both swim and meet with our brothers.' As for the land creatures, he'd lead them- he demonstrated with a lift of his tail, ready to trail ahead like a leader with a flag.

The Children of Rot would not know of this. They had no need to. "No questions from me, thank you." He turned his snout to Lamia, pointing. "Lamia can help lead you there. I should be able to find you easily with you two together."

With that, he bowed and started to back away, mentally preparing himself for another steep climb. Orlaith was to be watched, to accompany them, and all of them were to follow this stranger to learn. Oh, how he was excited to fulfill his Mother's wishes.

Turning around, Pallas made to lead the way back out of Fornax, intent on leading the three of them to their second home.

;exit Pallas unless stopped
@Tethys

Tethys nodded and went beneath the water as she began to swim towards Cetus. She did not swim fast though, as to make sure Lamia could keep up. She took a gamble and decided to trust Pallas and his family. She swam off, leaving Zelk, Orlaith, and Aquamarine to follow Pallas. She knew to trust Lamia though. She met the creature before, and back then the sea creature appeared to be very kind. Tethys made sure to keep an eye on Orlaith to keep her in check. She knew how fierce the gold tigress could get.

-Exit Tethys

Zelk nodded as Tethys gracefully swam off away in the direction of Cetus. She turned to follow Pallas to Cetus by land. She made sure to keep Aquamarine close, and make sure Orlaith minded her temper. She looked to Pallas with a smile as she spoke. "Come Pallas, lead us to Cetus. I am looking forward to the meeting." The polar bear would then walk as she kept an eye on the rodent child.

-Exit via following Pallas

Orlaith got the message from Tethys to mind herself and her behavior. So, she did. She walked with dignity, ready to follow Pallas to Cetus to meet his family. She was not sorry one bit that she warned Pallas of the consequences of crossing them. Her warning was clear, but for now, she supposed she would trust them. She said nothing as she looked at Pallas, ready to follow him to meet his little family.

-Exit via following Pallas