Just as the toneless words left him, the grey one appeared in a puff of sand. Her scent engulfed him and finally he knew the face of the elusive one. That fragrance had teased him to no end; one moment there so faintly, the next gone. Just as she'd just done before his own eyes. Hunger flared to life, toying with taunting thoughts of just how difficult she'd be to catch with that clever vanishing act. How does one catch the sand?

His eyes lit bright with interest, but otherwise his impassive expression was unchanged. He gave a delicate snort to dislodge her sand from his nostrils, a grit from her magic still dispersed across his black face. He didn't bother to clarify that laying a hoof on her friend was not necessary to liberate her of that vile tongue. He did, however, find it interesting that she'd protect, and with her show of support, reward someone who would choose to openly disrespect her sister queen. It was almost like siding with the enemy, due to the vicious tone the other woman's voice had adopted. There was a threat in that one if her hostility went unchecked.

But it wasn't his kingdom, and he certainly didn't want it to ever be. Nayl would have to choose on her own who to discipline, and when and how to go about that. It was the Queen's duty alone, and she seemed wise enough to make her own decisions on the matter.

His head tilted curiously at the Djinni's next words, that he seemed to embody what their sisterhood had tried to escape from. Perhaps it was loyalty to and respect for a queen that they had tried to leave behind, for it was the only thing he'd demonstrated thus far. What an odd band of fools to seek out the very thing they didn't want, a solid Queen to lead them. A sly smile swept up a corner of his lips as he considered that if she wished to see more, perhaps a different demonstration from him, he could certainly show her more.

Ah, but the spotted man stepped in then. This one he'd also caught hints of carried on drifting breezes. Simeon played the peacekeeper, placing himself between the black and the delightful gray fury. How did one catch the sand? Well, at least he saw reason in Stillwater's immediate defense. Such blatant disrespect was not something he was willing to tolerate for a newly raised Queen no matter their "sisterly" bond between the lot of them. No wonder they bickered so damned much.

Simeon spared him a pointed look, and he flashed him a wild smile in response, but said nothing, finally turning away from his beautiful entertainment. Nayl answered the questions posed, starting with the brutish one's first. "No, Celeana, I cannot pull alliances out of my ass. Naga never had us visit the other lands so that's where I'm heading after this..." The Queen continued, and he couldn't help but find her abrasive speech amusing. Not one to sugar-coat, that one. Good, that's what these wretches needed. Celeana would not like her answer, he thought, and he was of a mind to tell her only fools take honesty as insult, but held his tongue. He didn't care enough to depart wisdom on a waste.

The Queen went on to say the women would always outnumber the stallions. This had no effect on him, so his expression remained impassive. They have their uses had his eyes hardening suspiciously though, but he didn't consider himself in that group. Not until Nayl's gaze swept the men one at a time and landed on him. His ears tugged back warily as he returned her stare with dark eyes. What the hell did she have planned?
Leave me be, woman.

The small trickle of warmth that snaked into him at Nayl's feeble praise had his eyes darkening further and his jaw tensing.

And when the former queen sat on her haunches and pouted, he ignored her, too. She was no longer a lethal predator, not even an idle housecat would be so weak. Where was the strong woman he'd known? This certainly wasn't her. She'd never have belittled herself to pity parties and moping. His beloved and fierce kitten was gone, and in her place only stuffed plush for ripping apart.

Two others had slipped in to join the gathering, a colorful man and a quiet woman. He had seen enough, heard enough, could practically feel the stench of the crowd congealing to muck on his skin, and he was well and over with this meeting. If there was something that Nayl wished of him, she'd find him in her own time. He'd leave the childish squabbling and haughty feet stamping to the sisters.

He ducked his head stiffly to the Queen in a mock bow, a vague warning in his hungry eyes, and turned to leave, making more room for the late arrivals with his absence.