A deep resounding laugh came from deep in Leon’s chest at the report that Kyyre had given, rather proud of himself. If he looked as though he had been running laps, that meant he had been having fun. In their closeness, Leon could see the pearlescent nature of Kyyre’s eyes, the slight difference from pink catching in the light and taking dominance when it hit at just the right angle.

That was when it struck him. Was his entire line like this? Pale and reserved to the point of nervousness. He hoped not, then again. If they were as..skittish as Kyyre, that did make the job of getting him on the throne a whole lot easier. Andromeda could make quick work of weak minds, if that didn’t work Leon could always slip into through an open window and deliver a more permanent fix.

“Not terrible.” He repeated, leaning to the side, Leon flashed a more devious version of his smile before he gripped Kyyre’s arms tightly. His voice lowered into a rumble of a sound. Letting his claws dip into his flesh just enough to poke, using the grip to spin them. He sent them twirling rather happily, outpacing the pairs beside them by a mile.

When they came to a halt, Leon’s hold softened and he was leaning down, head close to Kyyre’s with his smile still in place. “Perhaps you should try this side then?” He all but whispered, hushed as their proximity would allow it, Leon’s torso creating a shadow over the pair of them before he leaned back.

With a flex arm, Leon gave Kyyre a long lashed wink, the red tattoo under his eye crinkling at the moment. Then, in a quick movement he span Kyyre towards the next person in line with a brash chuckle of amusement. In their spinning, he had halted them in switched positions. It was worth a shot seeing if Kyyre was actually try to enjoy this, or if he came back to Leon looking like a deer in headlights. If the latter ended up happening, Leon wasn’t a cruel man, he would take him away from the overwhelming environment. No point in damaging the man more than he appeared to be already in the confidence department.

A short puff that resembled a sigh was her only reply for a long moment, only jerked out of her thoughts by Astrid’s comment on Leon. She was watching as her companion took Kyyre and sent them circling, outpacing those around them. A quick smile landed on her lips and she cocked her head back around towards Astrid, eyes glittering with a slightly sick looking joy.

“My pet?” Followed by an abrupt bleat of laughter. “If he heard you say that, he would have his hands around your neck quicker than you could say woof.” Towards the end of her statement, there was a darker shadow to her eyes before Astrid made the quick pivot towards his convincing. Leon was not a stupid man. Not at all. He was just a creature leashed to his own impulsivity. Nibrook was a strong and overwhelming force of the continent, their numbers alone were enough of a threat to other kingdoms that everyone was always trying to pander to them. Though Nibrook never made alliances, for that very reason. They didn’t know who was going to stab them in the back, Leon and Andromeda were going to change that.

The issue was, at this point in time, there was only pretty words. Other than promises of protection and cooperation, what else could she offer him? There was no chance Andromeda would give up land or her own throne to this man.

“There’s no point dancing around the subject. What is it you want from me as this proof? What I’m offering is only words until the tournament begins, then after it is over we can begin our fun.” With that, Andromeda finished off her whiskey and slid the now empty crystal glass down the counter where the suited bartender scooped it up. Her lips parted in a satisfied sigh, flicking her gaze up to Astrid and allowing a smirk to contort her features.

“That, or when the tournament begins you’ll see that you’ll be protected. Or that you won’t be, been as you think this is some elaborate ploy to kill you.” A sarcastic chuckle tainted her words.

“If I wanted to kill you, it would have been before tonight. It would have been in your chambers, alone. Not out in the open, I’m not one to make a spectacle of myself. At least not one that involves sullying myself with your blood.” Andromeda leaned into the more teasing side of the conversation, perhaps that was the way to go with this. He seemed less inclined to bite her head off now, if she could keep this conversation going maybe he would become a little bit more pliant.

A flash of delight erupted in his chest at the face that was peering up at him, flushed with effort from his bout of dancing around the group. His polite smile that had been directed at the other partners he had flung on by widened, his pupils blowing wide at the elated feeling of cracking someone. Of bringing them into his feverish activities, the chaos he so loved was always better enjoyed with company.

Conveniently, the music was arching up to the final moments, not something Leon had betted on happening but it was a pleasant surprise. He was never one to end something without a good, or rather memorable, impression. His arm snaked its way around Kyyre, pulling him close enough so that he wouldn’t be completely untethered from his centre of gravity. Only when he was sure his hold was secure, the music lifted, Leon dove them back into hasty whirl. Whilst the space around them smeared into obscurity, he kept his eyes trained on Kyyre’s.

When the moment came for the final strike of chords, Leon tightened his hold around Kyyre’s waist, claws pricking at the fabric of his suit. He freed Kyyre with his other hand, but he dipped his other arm, almost feigning dropping him to the ground as he leaned Kyyre backwards. Leon kept close, curled over him, still brimming with glee, evident by his panting grin and burning eyes.

The chord struck and faded into silence, it lasted a heartbeat and Leon remained where he was, only pulled backwards and taking Kyyre up with him when the next, more delicate tune began to fill the courtyard.

“I told you it’s fun.” Leon huffed out, mostly recovered from his own spiraling journey around the dance, but the dregs of effort he used in his turbulent dancing remained in the form of blushed skin.

–

“I wouldn’t sully myself, no. I have Leon for that sort of dirty work.” She confirmed, straightening herself up from the bar, one arm still draped over the counter as she watched Astrid’s ministrations. Trailing down his arm, reaching his hand where a finger twirled around on the wood.

She couldn’t fault him for wanting a drop of proof, words were simply words. One might promise they never lie, but they all do. Especially in their line of work, it was all mist and mirrors, illusions of promises and alliances. No one was ever truly loyal for the sake of being loyal, there are always alternative motives.

Andromeda’s eyes flashed as she looked back up to catch Astrid’s as they evaluated her, she almost hadn’t realised she wasn’t focusing on his face until he spoke her full name. For a second, she felt like a rabbit caught in a trap, allowing herself to become even minutely distracted from their conversation was a blunder. There was a second of surprise in her gaze before she retracted it for the feline predatory one that she favoured.

“Understood.” She turned her head to look back out across the hall, to spot Leon and Kyyre. She considered her words for perhaps a millisecond before speaking them. “What about scratches he asks for?” Andromeda teased, swiping her eyes back to look at Astrid’s dark figure from the corner of her eye. Raising one eyebrow in suggestion, she couldn’t help it if Leon was enigmatic and it drew in those around him. He was rather intoxicating, the thrill of his impulsivity was almost enough to seduce herself sometimes.

“I jest.” She dismissed a moment later, turning to face the bar once again. Her mind couldn’t help but wander towards what these matters were he needed to attend, what on earth could need seeing to here? Most responsibilities were left behind once an heir was sent to the tournament. The urge to worm her way into his head was tempting, but she was not naive enough to suspect Astrid would be rather adept at not only noticing her doing so, but in preventing her access. If he was able to sense her activity, then this alliance would be dead in the water. No point in prying.

With a languid sigh, she stretched her arms on the counter, arching her back and feeling the taut muscles flex and almost protest at the contortion before righting herself. She had to test the waters some more, would he toy with her back, that is what she wanted to know. Or was Astrid so high strung he couldn’t have a smidge of fun.

“If you wanted an invitation to my quarters tonight, you only needed to ask. No need to threaten me.” She purred, letting her words drip from her lips as she peeked over her fur lined shoulder at Astrid. Tipping her head forwards ever so slightly as she let a smile play on her lips.