After exiting the room, both leaders felt a type of mantle being lifted off their shoulders. They greeted each other properly.
Taking the hand of the other leader in their own, then tenderly shaking it before letting go. Niro was shocked by how much bigger she was compared to Ether.
It was a height difference she couldn't shake off. While Ether stood comfortably at six feet, Niro towered over him at eight feet.
Both leaders ignored the awkward details and instead walked down to a bakery. Where they served native Yarno treats and warm drinks for cheap.
"Beautiful place," Ether awed at the overhead lights. "Yarno, huh? Each time I come back, I cannot help but to admire it."
Niro waved a worker over. "It took years of trading, offering, and agreements to get us here. The reason why Yarno isn't where Imbushko sits is because of peace."
Ether folded his hands, leaning forward in a comfortable manner. Which surprised Niro again, she did not shake off the unnerving feeling of something was off about him.
"So," he looked out the nearby window. "This is Full-Forward? Beautiful city, truly is. The folk here are nice, too. I was expecting heavy resistance when I arrived."
"I taught them better," Niro locked eyes with the attending worker. "I would like cherry fountains with sweet yulu." She turned to Ether. "And you?"
He awkwardly sat in silence, unsure of what to say. "I... uh... like surprises! Yeah. Surprise me, please."
The worker walked off with their orders in mind, leaving both leaders alone again. Instead of awkward silence between the two, Niro got straight to business.
"Why did you come here?"
"Because I wanted to talk to you," Ether admitted. "Why did you attack one of my packs? The Alpha Male is now dead because of the latest siege and he died a shameful one."
"I'm willing to bet my neck right on this table, that Feral cared more about a single one of his Ferals than anyone of your leaders combined," Ether continued.
Niro sighed, shivering slightly. "I knew it..."
Ether studied the beautifully crafted purple garment Niro wore. "What do you mean?"
She sighed deeply, bringing her forehead into her palm. "This Legion is called Trilogy because of three separate Legions. Ubitwa, being my own, houses peace-talkers and good do-ers."
Her finger drifted across the smooth wood table. "Then there's Hitirus and his Conqueror Legion."
"Did he do it?" Ether eagerly asked.
"I have no reason to believe he didn't," she rubbed her fingers across her head. Trying to process how awkward and shameful this situation was. "I am very sorry for your loss and for misjudging you."
Before Ether could respond, the worker came back with the dishes. Four small cups made from dough sat on a marble plate, the centers were full of cherry frosting.
For her special guest, the dish was a Rainbow Sweet Pie, designed by bored Yonies with too much free time. Beneath the perfectly baked outer crust rested layers of unexplainable flavor coming from berries, fruits, and other greens.
A nice, steamy drink sat beside Ether's sweet pie. It appeared to have just enough mint to make the tongue taste it, but not upset the stomach.
"Thank you very much. I'll pay when we are done," Niro said to the worker. She turned to look at her guest. "Here's our food. Enjoy a Yarno classic."
Ether smiled, nodding in agreement as he cut the pie with a table knife. "I am not going to sit here and pretend like everything's fine. My Legion is having a crisis as we speak."
Niro took a sip from her yulu, she savored the taste of pumpkin and apples. "Why?"
"Half wants to wage war on Yarno, the other wants to sway from conflict. Many of my elites are protesting against the idea and I cant blame them. I wish things were different," Ether sighed.
Despite sitting right across from the foreign leader, Niro couldn't understand what she just heard. "You're weird."
A mouthful of sweet pie went down Ether's throat with a single gulp. He fixed his eyes on her's, trying to figure out why he was weird.
So she cleared her throat and prepared to explain. "I expected you to be more... unhinged. Your Legion, too. But you are not that. In fact, you seem very comfortable."
Ether rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand. "Because Yarno is a great place, I wish we could have unified that first time but we weren't ready. Now it's too late. I cannot risk a rebellion."
"Neither can I," Niro took a bite from her fountain. "My elites are unsure of whether or not to attack Imbushko as well. We are stuck in a conflict and with your presence clear, more might want to strike."
Sudden laughter filled her ears. She realized Ether was laughing at something, at her. Niro felt herself shrink to his size, what was he laughing at?
"You got cherry all over your mouth!" he continued to laugh.
"I - I'm sorry, please forgive me... I need to learn how to be more considerate," Niro sincerely apologized.
"Don't worry about that," Ether cheerfully smiled. "Treat me like your friend, Niro. I am treating you in that manner. Don't apologize, embrace that chaotic bond!"
Niro saw a hint of that Thresher side coming out. She smiled along, showing her warmth. Despite feeling uncomfortable at first, the duo quickly devolved into idle chatter.
Both discussed about their journeys to being leaders, then to their families, and then to their plans. Their meals disappeared within minutes as they enjoyed their time laughing away.
A sweet pie and cherry fountain later, Niro and Ether walked out of the bakery. They talked some more, walking through Full-Forward with their spirits high.
Variants were careless of the foreign elite standing beside their mistress because they saw she was smiling and laughing. Something they haven't seen her do since the news of a possible threat broke out.
When they turned the corner, the war room was in sight. Niro sighed, feeling her pressure weigh down on her withered body. She turned her focus onto an important topic:
What would be their fate?