―――― The last time they had seen Sunhaven, it was on better terms, but it perhaps did not end in how either party expected it to go. When Sunhaven had left the Ascendants territory, it had been without an answer, some amount of insult, and a decision for Ascendants to make. Whether or not to make them neutrals again. For Atticus, the answer had been simple. For Agathe, the answer had been woven into uncertainty after witnessing war, battles, and grudges that the iron-woman could not easily let go. But Agathe had gone, and left Atticus there to lead them. Now, he was going to try and do that. With his paws lightly touching the edges of the border, the melanistic jaguar paused and drew in a slow breath, exhaling slowly to steady himself as he straightened his gaze forward and sat his haunches down, sitting tall and proper as his gaze wandered, looking out for any approaching Sunhaveners. "I would like to speak to your Helion, Buckingham, if he is present," he would call out, his voice steady and certain. "I am Atticus, the new Astral Seraph of the Ascendants. Agathe has left us, and with it, I have an answer to the matter of alliances, if you would still hear it." He put his cards on the table, finding no point in waiting and dodging around the topic. He was here for one purpose, and he would leave only when it was finished.

The past few days have been stressful, to say the least. His trip to the Ascendants didn't go according to plan-- he didn't expect his apology to backfire. Back there, Bucky thought he was doing the right thing-- he realized his mistakes, and how the majority of his clan didn't agree on the fighting. He wanted to end the feud once and for all, and for the two bordering groups to be neutrals like he and Marina initially planned. Though, on their journey back home, some anxious thoughts circled in his mind. What if the Ascendants say no to the neutrality? What if he just made things worse by trying to apologize? Bucky never had the responsibility of an entire clan on his shoulders until a few days ago-- the last thing Bucky wanted to do was put his clanmates in danger. By the time they arrived home, the nervous thoughts dimmed down, going to the back of his mind.

When Bucky smelled the Ascendants at the border, the male felt a tinge of nervousness, as he knows exactly why they're here. They finally decided on their answer-- whether they stay as enemies, or become neutrals-- god, Bucky hoped the latter. He silently made his way through the territory, not making a sound as he tracked the scent, hoping he'll be at the border soon.

And instead of seeing Agathe waiting for him, his gaze met Atticus. He heard Atticus call out for him when he made his way over, and he felt surprised for a moment. Bucky didn't know Agathe at all, but from his last interaction with her, he was sure her reign would have lasted longer and longer. But he isn't upset about her disappearance- oh no, he likes who he's dealing with. Atticus was calm, respectful, and mature when Bucky apologized, unlike most of his other clanmates who decided to show up. Bucky had to give him some respect for that. He dipped his head in greeting to the other leader, before looking up to fix his gaze on the panther. "Hello Atticus, congratulations on becoming leader," He meowed, deciding not to get anymore friendly than that- just a simple, respectful congratulations. "What've you and your clan decided on?" He questioned, hoping he'd hear the word neutrality come out of Atticus's mouth.

―――― Atticus, of course, remembered Bex when they had appeared at the border, though it was only now that he was being properly introduced with her name and title. As the woman approached, he smiled swiftly, enough to soften the edges of his face and hopefully make this whole thing less imposing and awkward, at least less awkward than it already was considering the intial reaction to their visit. He had hopes that they would hear them out, and accept his answer even despite all of that, and Bex's answer at least gave him hope that this would all smooth over nicely. "Thank you, Bex," he answered swiftly, quick to mind his manners for this as he straighted up slightly more. He would have offered more in the way of conversation, but he was both not one for small talk, and completely clueless of what he could ask in this present moment. Thankfully, he did not have to wait long until the Helion was approaching. He, too, could not blame Bucky if he had some anxiety over this whole issue, and Atticus was at least hopeful for the future of both their clans.

"Thank you, sir," he answered in a low rumble to the congratulations, dipping his head briefly to acknowledge it as he cleared his throat faintly, continuing on without wasting time. "And thank you for allowing us the time to consider the decision. I still feel that I owe you a word of apology for the reaction you got at our borders. It is not the way that I would have expected it to go, nor is it the standard that I would uphold for the Ascendants now," his voice was confident still, shifting his weight on his paws momentarily as he lifted his gaze higher to meet Bucky's. "If the offer still stands, the vote, as well as my own wishes, has thusfar decided that we revoke the title of Enemies with Sunhaven. I wish to become neutrals- perhaps one day Allies, if I may be bold- but it seems to me that we both benefit in this exchange. We are new leaders, with limitless potential in our Clans behind our backs. I want the best now for my people, and I think that this is the first step." At the very least, Bucky would be getting the answer he had hoped to hear, even if Atticus' own expression remained rather plain and to the point. Was he a little over-zealous talking about alliances already? Absolutely, but he was putting it out on the table, a metaphorical olive branch. Who knew if their political relations would ever come to it, but as far as Kit saw it, it was a new future, and so long as nothing occured in the next few weeks, or months, with their Neutrality with Sunhaven, then it was a possibility that would further them both. All that there was now to do was wait to see the reaction, or any further questions that came from it.