Amet awakens beneath the budding boughs of his wisteria with an uncharacteristic restlessness. It burns hot in his lanky legs, causing them to shift and prance in place for a time before he decides, almost exasperatedly, that it must be time for him to venture away from Hyaline to visit the crown of the East. It's been some time since he has broken bread with Kagerus and Solace, and as much as he'd like to remain curled next to Jah-Lilah at the lakeside for the warm spring day, there are responsibilities on his and Kensa's shoulders that must be handled by them alone.
And considering Kensa's frequent trips to and from the Field (her recruiting efforts have not gone unnoticed by the dragonhide stallion), he plans to return the favor by running point on their diplomatic visits. With a playfully gentle tug at Jah-Lilah's red mane, Amet gifts her a warm grin and then heads east, towards the northernmost portion of Pangea ─ a territory that he, admittedly, has postponed his visit to ─ and then into Silver Cove.
The familiar scents of sea breeze and saltbrush coax his nostrils to flare, welcoming it like an old friend as his rhythmic gait carries him further into the peninsula kingdom. It doesn't take him long to notice the underlying thrum of excitement; it's a difficult vibration to miss when even the avians chirp noisily overhead and the small ground mammals scurry out in the open more than usual, disturbed by the bustle of the equines who call this land home.
Instinctively, his head raises with intrigue. The sunlight gleams against his scales of gold and bronze as he meanders through patches of its rays beneath the budding tree branches that intertwine overhead. The scent of the sea grows stronger and then gives way to both known and unknown ─ Kagerus. Solace. Ilma. Faintly, he thinks... Tangerine?
Amet settles into the congregation that collects before the two caretakers, though he remains a bit further away to allow for the residents of the Cove to move closer to their queens. As soon as the stallion's molten amber eyes connect with the painted faces of Kagerus and Solace, he knows. And it breaks his heart in two.
Despite this, he gives a smile of encouragement and an approving nod of his dragonhide head to the pair should their eyes find him in the crowd.
Listening attentively and with a dull ache in his chest, Amet comes to wonder what this will mean for Hyaline. Kagerus and Solace had been perfect for the helm of the Sanctuary, and in spite of the regality of their abdication, he knows that there is a good chance of a tumultuous upheaval when those who consider themselves worthy all begin to step forward as a replacement. He will need to speak with Kensa and Jah-Lilah about preparations, and soon.
The first to speak after Kagerus and Solace is an unfamiliar emerald-tressed stallion; his words are kind and swift to turn to business ─ smart, though Amet does not recognize the name of the one he has recommended for the throne.
The next, a younger palomino mare, bestows nothing but kindness on the outgoing queens and Amet finds himself smiling warmly at the thin quiver of her words. He finds his amber gaze lingering on the young mare for a few extra seconds, curious at the things that fuel her ─ he, himself, had been young when he had founded Hyaline. He, too, had been quiver-tongued and unsure. Those things can dissolve with time.
Finally ─ Ilma. Amet recognizes her and her warm face instantaneously. His ears press forward to listen closely to her words, though he had already decided his loyalty for her the moment her name had been uttered from Solace's mouth. Surprise shines briefly in the dragon-stallion's eyes as she mentions Hyaline, though it's swift to disappear from his expression as Ilma's skilled and intelligent words come to a close, giving Amet just enough time to begin his interjection. "On behalf of Hyaline, we would graciously accept the Crown of the East ─ but only if that is what you, the residents of Silver Cove, choose. There is so much truth to Ilma's words. The reign of Kagerus and Solace will be difficult ─ nearly impossible ─ to follow, and the good of the entire Eastern quadrant must be considered." He pauses as his molten amber eyes gaze at each of them in turn, knowing full well that there are uncertainties in not only Pangea's future, but also in their relationship with Loess. And with Hyaline at the literal doorstep of the mother-kingdom of the South, Amet would feel much more secure with his home's fate in his own hands.
"Regardless of your decision on Hyaline, I'd like you all to consider the recommendation placed before you by your two outgoing Caretakers. Ilma is intelligent, dedicated, and has already proven herself to be a constant staple in this kingdom. Furthermore, I would be hard-pressed to look to someone who was not sponsored by Kagerus and Solace. They have led you successfully for nearly a decade and you have followed them unquestioningly. There is no reason not to do so now."
His eyes flick to Ilma and he gives her a kind smile before finally turning his gaze to the two former queens, his chest tight as he now faces the inevitability of their departure.
"Solace ─ I once told you that it was my intention to abdicate and turn the throne of Hyaline over to someone who could guide it even further than I. Someone who could cement the virtues of the sanctuary into Beqanna's history. You have done just that. You and Kagerus, you ─"
His words catch in his throat and he chuckles sheepishly before continuing.
"The success in your reign is evidenced by the kindness shown to you today as you step away from the throne for your life beyond the crown. These people love you, and for that ─ for expanding the values that I had founded Hyaline upon nearly twelve years ago ─ I am forever grateful to you both."
─ don't get cut on my edges
@[Kagerus] @[Solace] @[Ilma] ♥
tldr;
Amet agrees to make Hyaline the main kingdom of the East if there are no objections
Either way, he supports Kaglace's recommendation that Ilma take Silver Cove's throne ♥