It had been the previous king that had accepted her into the pack of mongrels in perhaps what had been his final act as their king. For she had not seen the collie since that fateful day when she had crossed over the borders of the court in search of their king and acceptance into their pack. Yet it had been Vigilante that she had given her formal allegiance to when he had claimed the empty throne. Now, it seemed that Jazper had proposed an offer she could not easily refuse and in accepting it the Court would cease to be her home. The terms of their allegiance would change from that of one between leader and subject, but she hoped that there would be no need for it be broken all together. She still held a great respect for Vigilante and hoped that he would not see her actions as one of betrayal. For what she sought would hopefully strengthen them all, as well as the bonds between all packs.

While Anann wished to speak to her King about such matters, it seemed the dog was not an easy man to be found on that particular day. Well, he had not been at home anyway, but Anann had not given up on her search yet as her steps lead her away from the new home of the King and his family. Perhaps he had went to the hotel for one reason or another and so it was in that direction that golden femme headed as she scanned her surroundings for the familiar face of the caramel King. Idly, Anann adjusted one the leather bracers that covered the thin and bare markings on her limbs and tightened it's lacing. Surely Vigilante wouldn't be too far from home. What with the recent birth of Ayita's litter. She would have to remember to congratulate him once she finally found him.

Anann had already begun to think of where she might look next if, in fact, Vigilante was not at the hotel when she caught sight of another upon the path and headed in her direction. She recognized the recently promoted Dauphin immediately, but admittedly she didn’t really know him all that well. They had only met once before and at that time Anann had not yet joined the Court. ”Hello, Strelein. Congratulations on your promotion.” She said earnestly with a soft smile and dip of her head.

If her own circumstanced had been different, both then and now, Anann felt might have felt at odds with red-headed man’s promotion into the leadership. Even if Strel was one of those that had been in the pack longer than herself, she would have felt herself, or even Haven more suitable for leadership. But as it were, Anann herself had been in no suitable position for such a thing in the past months. Not with Keese attempting to interfere with nearly every aspect of her life. No, with his presence she would not have been able to accept had she been granted such an offer and now.. Well now it appeared that perhaps she would not even be staying in the Court for much longer after all.

Anann had seen Strelein on more than one occasion after joining Cour des Miracles at the various gatherings of the pack in last year and a half or so since. He was right that they had not talked and it seemed likely that it was only because until lately that had preferred much different company. Their first encounter had been rather awkward, seeing how she had pounced on the man, but that would not have been reason enough for her to avoid him all together. ”I do believe you are correct and I am doing well, thank you. How are you?” Noss seemed to be the one common between them and it was only scent that told her that much. She was not quite sure what the relationship was between to the men. It seemed rather unlikely that the two had much in common. Maybe it was nothing more than they lived close to one another in the hotel. Whatever the case it was really not her business nor did she care enough to pry on the matter.

”I am looking for Vigilante. You haven’t seen him lately, have you?”

Despite whatever qualms Anann might have had concerning Strel's recent rise in position, in the end she trusted Vigilante's judgement. It would be unfair for her judge considering that she really didn't know the tailor, and now Dauphin, that well at all. In fact, all she could say for sure about the man was that he was certainly no warrior and perhaps a bit of an odd character. Maybe that was exactly what made him the most suited leader for the courtiers. "You're quite welcome and I am sure you'll do fine. Vigilante wouldn't have chosen you if you were less than capable." She said with a reassuring smile. She had enough faith in the King to believe it to be true.

Anann felt the unfamiliar nagging of self-consciousness in the back of her mind as the Dauphin’s face became more grim as he studied her. No doubt looking at the lingering marks on her flesh. It was likely that he was well aware of the circumstances given his new position, but there was certainty. However, Anann was grateful when he did not make mention or inquire about the marks or their origin. ”Yes, that is rather unfortunate. I only wish I had a greater understanding of it’s cause.” War. It seemed an inevitable thing. Even the human’s hadn’t managed to abstain from using violence and force to obtain what they wanted from what their history had showed. No, the wars of wolves paled in comparison to the global bloodshed the humans had created since the dawn of their civilizations. Still it was not without reason. It was simply easier to slay your enemy than to attempt to come to attempt to negotiate a compromise.

Anann shook her head. She too had been surprised that Vigilante had not been home with his growing family. ”Ayita was their with the pups, but Vigilante was not. I was actually on my way to the hotel to see if he was there, but if you’re heading this way then that seems unlikely.” She wondered where he might be, but it seemed unlikely that he was too far and Strel’s own guess mirrored her own. ”Oh no, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to discuss something with him.” She said rather dismissively. Though after she spoke, she considered if perhaps she shouldn’t just speak with Strelein as well. She mulled this over a moment, before she spoke again. ”I am thinking of leaving the Court, once the war to the west is resolved.” As a warrior she could not bring herself to leave her current home in a time of war when they might need her skills. She would wait until the time was appropriate for Cour des Miracles had never wronged her.

It seemed they were both looking for the same man. Vigil was probably out on patrol, with the war looming in the south it only seemed the most likely explanation. ”I’d appreciate that, if you happen to run across him first. I would prefer to break the news to him myself, though.” She owed him that much, Vigilante was more than just her king, but a friend as well. The decision was not one she had made in haste, nor had it been an easy one. ”And I will miss many here.” she said with a sad smile. ”It was not an easy choice to make, but in the end I think it will be best for all.” Her heart had not let her wrong yet.

”I have been approached with the prospect of forming a new pack. One specialized in training warriors and creating alliances amongst the other packs, so that things like what is going in the south might be dealt with quickly.” Her look had grown harder, Anann was disgusted by what she had heard of this Maska and what he had done to their neighbors. It was only more angering that forces had not yet been mustered to dethrone the tyrant. ”I do not plan to abandon Cour des Miracles with war knocking on our door though, and I will remain here until south is in peace again.”

A smile couldn’t resist pulling at Strel’s question. ”A year and half, maybe closer to two.” It was hard to think that it had already been that long. ”And yes, I am afraid I will be taking him with me as well.” The Russian would go with her, or she would have stayed. She wouldn’t be making any more life choices that didn’t involve having the Russo at her side.

Anann had noticed that Noss smelled rather heavily of Strelein in the times that they had spared. Still she hadn’t given much thought to what it might mean really. There were plenty of logical explanations that didn’t have her jumping to the conclusion that they were lovers and she was equally as ignorant of their mateship. So she was slightly puzzled by Strel’s comment, though realization dawned on her soon enough. Though if it showed outwardly it was only minorly so. ”The fact that the Court will still have warriors like Haven and Noss is what makes me comfortable with the idea of taking my leave. I have no intentions of leaving this pack defenseless. In fact, I would hope that once I have help to found this pack that we could be allies.” It was true that Strel was no warrior, and Anann couldn’t help but think of the day they had met so long ago at his comment. Still the man was skilled at his craft, which sparked a new thought in her head.

”Hey Strel, I’m kinda changing the subject here.” Rather radically so, but Anann was afraid if she didn’t ask know she would let the idea slip away. ”I’ve been wanting to do something special for Anatoliy. You know, like a romantic evening or something.” It felt slightly embarrassing to be talking to the Dauphin about this, considering how little she knew the man, but it was his skills as lady in waiting that she was perhaps interested in. ”I just don’t have anything to wear.” She gave him a slightly pleading look, she was really quite helpless when it came to this sort of thing.

Anann could only smile and give soft laugh to Strel’s comments. ”Yes, quite sorry about that. Hording him all to myself and all.” Anann had never given much consideration to how much the Russian had socialized with the rest of the pack. All that had been important to her was the time they had spent together. "I suppose he does, though I can’t say I ever drank with Rurik, so I can’t really compare.” She said with a grin.

Anann gave a nod as Strel explained that he could not speak for Vigil in regards to the alliance she hoped to form, but she hadn't expected him to. She had only thought it proper that as the Dauphin that he be aware of such intentions at the very least and she was glad to have his support towards the idea. Disagreements and tensions between packs was often unavoidable, even if seldom did escalate into all out war. The chances would be even more slim if Anann and Jazper were able to succeed in building relationships between the packs.

Anann had veered off the topic they had been on rather drastically so it was rather expected when the Dauphin blinked rather blankly at her at first. The grin quickly spread across his maw and his wink did not help Anann's slight embarrassment of the request. She gave a shy nod. Strel hardly giving her a chance to get a word as he seemed to start thinking aloud. "Whatever you think would be best. Admittedly I know nothing of fashion." Functionality was all Anann cared about, though the fact that she had just basically turned the Lady-in-waiting loose left her wondering if it was such a good idea after all as she followed him back to his studio in the hotel.