Paschara. A whole city in a mountain under the sea. Filled with tech, with magic lights, and so many of the giants, that it was dizzying. Momi perched on Ealhhere's shoulders, wings flared and tail fluffed in a perfect mimic of the way Ealhhere himself was fluffed and shedding thorns.
Too many strangers, too much attention on him their group.

How had they even built this place? Layer. Delicate stone and metal work, pools carved into the stone. Elevators. Surely a place like this could be expected to collapse at any time? The throne room, really an entire castle at the heart of the city, didn't help ease those fears. A network of arches and swoops, walls shaped like wrought iron and the floral wallpaper he sometimes saw in the city.

Of course they'd lingered after the rest of the group. Ealhhere scoffed, folded his ears. With that Firefly person too seasick to help Ruairi with this recon job in person, that left Ruairi himself to do it.
Which was fine. But no one had warned Ealhhere how much socializing that would take. How big the crowds were here. He glared at Paleeka as it passed him with a critical eye, and pressed himself against Ruairi's side.
Across the room, Corundum's face was twisted with mirth as she looked upon the quartet.
"So..." she crossed her wrists together, lounging upon her throne, "You're not just here for yer Guild, are you?"
Her voice rumbled low and deep through Ealhhere's bones. Soothing, igniting warmth in his belly that he didn't want to think about. "Someone else sent you."

"Are we so obvious?" Ealhhere bit out before he could stop himself, and he flinched away with embarrassment and guilt. The Queen laughed.

"Oh please, speak freely. Formality ain't something I ever cared for." she drawled low and slow, and idly nibbled at the sheathe of her right kill claw.

———

Every new sight was information to carefully stash away for his later report. The technological prowess on display would be of particular interest to his patron, Ruairí was sure-- a pity Firefly couldn't have accompanied him. Even though the two of them were often at odds, his partner for this assignment had a better eye for that sort of thing then he did. But the civilization in Paschara had been cut off from the outside world for so long, so what sort of alternative tracks had they taken? Better to find out now before it could be commodifed, stripped, and sold to the highest bidder.

That said, the wall of matriarch in front of him likely would have her own opinions on the grabbing hands of the outside world. She was frankly even more intimidating than his old pack's matriarch-- that same aura of quiet, unarguable authority. But this one had no need to reinforce it with casual cruelty. She just was, and everyone around her gravitated towards her. It was fascinating, and Ruairí kept a close eye on her just to see more of how she did it.

Ealhhere was nervous beside him, spoke out of turn-- he turned his head to gently groom his mate's frill in an attempt to soothe him. There were too many people around for a half-feral like him to be comfortable. Still, he was grateful for the company in this strange place. As hard pressed as he was to admit to it. Still, he casually wrapped his tail around the bristling bundle of fur at his side, paying no heed to the thorns.

"You are in fact correct, my lady." Ruairí bowed his head respectfully despite the matriarch's assurance that she preferred plain speech. "My patron wished to send an envoy with this expedition-- and it is on his behalf that I am here today. He would like to build some lines of open communication with your people. Hopefully before the outside world descends like lutas on fresh meat." a dry twist to his voice.

———

Corundum regarded them curiously, red eyes dark and wary. Ruairí's tail around him did little to soothe Ealhhere's fears. His tongue helped though. If only a little.

"Indeed. We figured this would happen should you top-dwellers ever learn of us. However... yer patron..." the queen rumbled, "couldn't come to me 'imself. That doesn't bode well for him, I'm sure you understand." onto the next kill claw, the sheathe of it cracking loudly as a walnut shell. "Yeh'll have te' put in more effort than most if you want me to trust you lot." a flick of her ears. "Are there others with you?"

Eallhere flattened his ears against his skull, and Momi hissed on his back, their thoughts both turning to the seasick harpy back on the surface. "...Our one companion couldn't make it down here." he said, pressing himself closer to his mate.

Pleased with the honesty, it seemed, Corundum nodded. "Pretendin' I believe that." she turned her attention once more to Ruairí, "how do I know yer patron ain't among those who wants what's ours?"

———

"My companion doesn't swim well and got his fill of water for the year already, so he's providing support from topside." Ruairí explains. "As for my patron... oh, he absolutely does want his own piece. But he's at least willing to be upfront about that. We're hoping for a... relationship of mutual benefit. His trade is in information. And he has his reasons for preferring to work through intermediaries." Well, she did say that she liked plain speech. He watched the grooming with interest, ears pricked. Sitting back on his own haunches and starting to wash his face in turn. "What he wants is a business relationship. Information for information. Particularly given how long your people have been isolated-- what you've developed while apart from the rest of Velukaelo is of particular interest to him. What he's willing to offer in return... depends on what you're willing to give him."

———

"I see." Corundum mirrored Ruairí's grooming, swiping a massive paw over her massive face. "Well, I appreciate you being forthright." If Ealhhere wasn't wrong, that was a smile on her lips. "What about you, puffball?" and suddenly those red eyes were On him and his heart plunged into the floor. "What's yer stake in this venture?"

His mouth went dry, "J-just..." he hadn't wanted Ruairí to go alone. Not again. Not to somewhere so isolated and desolate. Not without him. "Wanted to. Help." Momi's weight moved, little paws curling into Ruairí's mane and pulling her weight between their backs to curl against his love's spine.

One heavy brow lifted, and Corundum huffed a sigh, shaking her head. "If yeh haven't been causin' trouble you don' need to be so frightened."

———

"This is my mate, Ealhhere." Ruairí puffed up his chest, showing off his love to the matriarch. "He wished to accompany me so I wouldn't have to face whatever dangers lurked here all by my lonesome. He's just a bit better in a fight than a conversation." He shifted to give Momi a better perch, gently grooming Ealhhere's ears to calm him again. "Not that I need protecting. But I trust him with my back."

———

The behemoth seemed satisfied with that, nodding. Ealhhere leaned into his mate's grooming tongue.
"You haven't given me yehr name." she chuckled. "And I'll be needin' that before I even begin trusting you." (edited)

———

"Ruairí Carroll. It's a pleasure." He dipped his head in a polite bow. "If you'd like to discuss this further, please, allow me to provide whatever details you desire..." he purred, excitement sparkling in his eyes as he returned to grooming his mate.