The wolf could not be sure what was more irritating. The cool connectedness with which she appraised his aggressive approach or the polite smile that curved across her dark lips in response. Rougaru found himself suddenly intrigued by her.

She reminds him a bit of Zjeena, calculated and watchful. The tawny colored drappa had once been queen of elsewhere when she came beneath his rule. She met his fierce nature with the same indifference and calm ease despite his fury. She had quickly become dear to him and he found value in her collected and stoic demeanor, even as he does now. She was his ice queen and he her beast.

Yet here stood the dark queen across the borders, her languid demeanor meeting the venom and fire that smolders upon his coffee colored skin. His question is met by a dry chuckle, her words sincere. A single dial flickers as the beast begins to allow the tension to ebb from his muscles. Coffee colored skin twitches as he too follows in suit to cock a single hind hoof against the jungle leaflitter. "Rest assured there is very little that I find distressing. A challenge is merely a part of the game we play." he muses, a smug grin upon his lips."However, it is a dangerous game you play. Provoke a stranger to war and yet in the next moment approach his doorstep with thoughts of neutrality as though repercussions would not so soon follow after." he muses.

Though not once has the words fallen past her lips, the inclination is there. While he had not yet approached her himself to feel out the possibilities, here it was laid out upon his doorstep with open invitation. Her next words are enough to draw him into deeper thought. Lips draw together as teeth gnash together in deep contemplation. Though her approach is not with the same grovelling he would have appreciated, there is still something to be given about healthy respect. "Strong borders make for good neighbors...." he begins, letting his voice trail off as he takes another step forward, multifaceted eyes of emerald gleaming in the dappled sunlight. "I do intend to control Atlantis, the island united beneath one monarchy. Should you not challenge that, then I see no reason why we cannot be respectful neighbors. I would not dare to expect a response so suddenly." he adds, pausing a moment to shift his gaze to the shadowed forest beyond him. "It is a weighty subject but one that might prove beneficial to you should you take advantage of it."