It was odd being far from home though he supposed that's it a nice break from Palm Glades and his many children, he took a deep breath knowing that he was reaching the gathering area and quite frankly, he had never been here before. He could only hope that it went well as he took a seat near the tree unable to help but look around at his surroundings and take a deep breath letting himself relax in that given moment seeing as the travel had been rather long if not heavy on his paws. "Well, you're here now... I suppose I should wait until the rest of the leaders get here..." Winnie was nervous to say the least but he just hoped that things would end well and maybe someone had seen Rhinestonestar yet he was a bit uncertain about that entirely. Had she just abandoned them? If that had been the case well, it was rather selfish especially when so many people had relied on her. Win tried to not believe that had been the sole reason but with the passing hours and days, he was starting to believe those thoughts of his.

The legate shoved those thoughts away with a shake of his head and began to sit up realizing that he was slouching, he had to do his best for Palm Glades with or without the woman. A soft breath left him as he spoke slowly with a nod of his cranium "Right... Relaxed posture and take a deep breath," Winnie did such only to relax waiting for the rest of the leaders to show their faces, he would have to go to a few of the groups individually. One being their allies and the other he presumed neutrals, he hadn't been around when the Coalition had taken over but he knew from what he had seen one of them do to his son... Well, he did not fancy them in the slightest. Tanglewood didn't seem to like them either but Winterhymns would be level headed with them and try to make some amends even if he was not Rhinestone herself. And never shall I be. Came a silent thought within his mind.

♛ | GAEL Ó BROIN

BUT I PROMISE YOU I'LL KEEP YOU SAFE ♛  gael ó broin / faerie / ardent

"And I'm Sojourn Malus!" The woman cut in with a bright smile on her muzzle and wide light pink eyes. Who cared about waiting turns to speak. She didn't have that kind of patience and she doubted it would matter anyway. As she walked forward to looked upon them she would tilt her head a bit. Drawing her gaze over Winterhymns primarily given the fact that she didn't really know him. Her smile never faded away with her staring before suddenly she blinked and sat down. This was the place for leaders right? They sat here and everyone looked at them. Felt kind of weird.  The last two gatherings she had been to she had only been a member. Afterwards a Warmonger but never here. It felt almost exciting. Her ears pulled forward as it dawned on her that Rhinestonestar wasn't even here. Oh it would be grand if the other had kicked the bucket. One less enemy to really worry about. After all the traitorous nature came from the head and with that cut off maybe something new could happen. Still not yet. Her anger still festered like an infected wound. "Oh yeah, where is little Rhinestonestar? The fabulous traitor." She mused quietly as she turned her head away to look at the slowly growing crowd.

The woman had been hesitant to come to the gathering. Everything was still too fresh and too emotional within Tanglewood and it felt wrong that she should be here now. This gathering felt almost trivial and she wanted to just stop halfway there and turn back to go home. Her eyes glazed over for a moment before she breathed in and then out once more. It would be over quickly, or at least she hoped that it would be over quickly. She wanted to get back and try to normalize things again. As she approached the gathering area she paused upon the scents that spilled out. Taking her time to process what was happening and who was already here. It almost seemed like everyone save for Tanglewood. Which was okay by her own standards. They did not have to come if they didn't want to. She knew how everyone was feeling and really she couldn't blame them if they wanted to remain with the swamp. The lioness felt her maw curl slightly as the scent of Palm Glades passed over her but it was subtle oddly different. She lifted up her crystal blue eyes and noted the leaders. One, no, two were different. Seemed a whole host of changes were happening.

But instead of walking up there and facing the world she decided not to. Instead she lingered at the back of the gathered animals. Sitting before then laying as if to keep herself from view. It didn't matter or at least she didn't think it would matter and she breathed out before lowering her eyes to the ground. Information would be poured in and she knew she needed to remember at least some of what was said here today.