Gael considered it misfortunate, the only Ardent he had known before those who came during his stay within the Pitt was Jervis.  He knew little of the mad fox's predecessors aside from word of mouth, but he knew enough to identify a white lion claiming to be a former Ardent as Stryker.  Didn't Ry mention a lion...?

"And what is it," the vulpine inquired in neutral tone, "that you want?"

Gael kept his golden gaze level, analyzing, genuinely curious of the former Ardent's intentions; his true intentions, in returning to the desert.  If Stryker had been wandering in the neutral lands all this time, why return now -- well after his usurper had been put to the flame?

The Faerie twitched his ear, willing to see what the lion sought.  For now.

// Mobile

YOU NEVER TRUSTED ME ★
BUT I’M OVER IT NOW
[sub][W]isker[/sub]

YOU NEVER TRUSTED ME ★
BUT I’M OVER IT NOW
[sub][W]isker[/sub]

"That would be me," Gael answered plainly, flicking an ear.  At least the lion cut to the chase, revealing intentions the vulpine found intriguing.  Stryker had found another place to call his allegiance.  "Call me Gael."

While alliances were strategically beneficial, the faerie possessed little interest in them -- considering the Pitt's long history without, and the harsh opinions they suffered from others.  He had yet to hear of a word of this new faction either; another concern -- their beliefs, their system, it mattered before even considering an alliance.

Gael listened patiently, thoughtful as Stryker made his case.  In truth, the faerie knew few among the Pitt who even remembered what the Typhoon and their neighbors did to them -- Jervis' children, though not in great detail, and himself and Aine.  Dante, perhaps, but the hybrid had been away.

He saw little cause to pursue a vendetta against the pirates in the present; even for a seemingly noble cause like home.  His dislike for Goldenluxury did not extend to the Typhoon as a whole -- he may distrust the majority for their blind hatred of the Pitt, but he knew he stood to loose more than he could gain from hurting them.

He hummed softly in acknowledgement at Vale's mention of Roan, recalling his cousin's son's outburst in the prior meeting -- an unfortunate lapse in order, but no reason for vengeance on their part.  Moreover, Gael benefited from the trust of those cousins; members of the Typhoon who saw him as a friend were strategically valuable. He had no intentions of losing those connections for a stranger's gain.

"If you were once Ardent here, then you should remember," the vulpine began, "the Pitt does not have alliances.  That is not our way.  We protect our own."

Gael glanced down at his daughter, inclining his head.  She knew better than him, the details of Trygve's injuries prior to his nights of solitude.  While he would prefer to confirm with the boy himself, the Ardent knew why Aine looked wary -- the vulpine knew of no other lions who matched the description so flawlessly.  We protect our own.

"You will have to look elsewhere for an official alliance.  Your people are not the only who have suffered damage to their home," and Gael had no interest in seeing the trees aflame again.  No doubt Aine had similar concerns in mind.

"That said, I understand the struggle following a natural disaster," God knows he had seen enough of those over the years.  "I have thoughts of expanding our marketplace and I am willing to propose neutrality and trade amongst our groups."

"But I would like to know more, and understand your people better, before cementing any such deals as I am sure you will understand."  In the end, Gael would not hesitate to cut ties with a strange new faction for the safety of his family and the Pitt as a whole.

YOU NEVER TRUSTED ME ★
BUT I’M OVER IT NOW
[sub][W]isker[/sub]