IT'S A TYPICAL STORY ☆ o, merger celebration

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

In many ways, Rhinestone found Vaas to be surprisingly reasonable. When the feline had initially stumbled upon the boardwalk group with his own exploration party, he had expected to be met with hostility. He had figured that they would have to fight their way out, or otherwise suffer losses as a result of what had gone down while they were there. In fact, he had downright expected it, trying to sort the group that had come along in a way that would guarantee the strongest fighters were on the outside. However, that had all changed when Rhinestonestar had met Vaas, and he had realized the reality of the situation. The fact that he actually had a decent chance to negotiate with the other, and maybe make both of their groups all the better for it. When Vaas had accepted his offer without question, Rhine had been pleasantly surprised, and the last several days had actually gone fine. There were a few awkward moments in explaining things culture to culture, but beyond that? The boardwalk group was happy, healthy, and were really integrating themselves into Palmclan. Rhinestone wasn't sure why he had expected Vaas to do something similar, but he supposed it was maybe because of the aforementioned rationality the other had displayed. A rationality that seemed very much absent now.

The wicked grin that came to the other's face briefly caused Rhine's ears to pin back against his skull, his chest clenching unpleasantly. He didn't want to seem like he was intimidated by the other, but it was a bit hard not to be, if he were honest. However, he just took a deep breath inwards, claws scraping against the sand beneath him as he steadied himself. He wouldn't allow himself to be pushed around by the other – at least not to this extent. So, he forced a smile to his muzzle, looking Vaas straight in the eyes as his tail twitched and curled behind him. He spoke softly, his pale blue gaze flicking towards the necklaces he had made before it returned to the former leader, "I'm sorry to learn of your loss. I know how hard something like that can be." Although, judging by the uncaring look that Vaas had on his face, Rhine doubted that it really could've been considered much of a loss. He then shrugged off the other's denial of their traditions, trying not seem perturbed by it – that was exactly what the tiger wanted, "I'm also sorry to hear that you won't be participating... that's fine, though. I'm sure you have your own traditions to focus on." It was unclear whether he was speaking about the boardwalk group or Vaas himself, but that did get him to thinking. Did the boardwalk group have traditions? Would they want them implemented into Palmclan?

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan