At first, she balks at the idea of the party.

She isn’t a social butterfly known for intentionally inserting herself into large crowds for the fun (ha!) of it, and even if she were, she had plans to hatch. Iromar wouldn’t topple itself, and attending the party would just be another hour or more spent distracted from the important matter at hand. In fact, she’d all but determined she wasn’t going to waste her time with it when a thought struck her like a bludgeon. Boneskull might be there. Her lip curls into a snarl as the image of her brother floats into her mind, anger burning like a fire in her veins.

Kahina had always hated her brother. He was born defective, weak from his first breath and her father had reminded her of it any time she might’ve considered showing him pity - not that she had ever considered it. His loyalty to Iromar only served to strengthen her contempt of him, labelling him a useless blood traitor on the best of days, fouler things on the worst. He’d been dead to her for a long time; killing him would bring her no sorrow.

Her mind made up, she turns for Spirane, sprinting to make up the time she’d wasted debating whether or not to attend. She runs until her muscles ache and her breathing comes quick and labored, slowing only once she’d reached the border to calm her rapidly beating heart. Inhaling deeply, she closes her eyes and concentrates on regulating each breath - inhale, exhale...repeat.

Then, she surges forward once more, this time at a slow trot as the others come into view. A quick survey shows her that several of her blood had chosen to attend, but the only one that matters to her now is laying in the middle of the group looking as snug and obnoxious as she’d always thought him to be. A low growl rumbles in her chest but she doesn’t attack him. There will be plenty of time for that when she makes her move on Iromar. Instead, she saunters up, her head held high and a cruel expression painted on her face. Her golden eyes shine with malice as she meets her brothers, her lips curling in challenge.

”Hello, Bonehead,” she chirps, knowing he can’t hear her but fully aware he’ll read the words on her lips. She sits down directly across from him, her head cocked to the side as she holds the stare for a half beat before glancing around at the rest of the group.

”For those who don’t know me, I’m Kahina.”

With the crowd here to play witness, she’s almost glad of her late arrival.