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For Nate! I've owed this thread for forever and a day, sorry this is so late!

It had been quite sometime since she'd visited the meadow belonging to the Walosi tribe -- and despite her current condition, the empress felt as though she owed the chieftain a follow up visit.

Him and his group had not taken Izumi up as the type that held malice. No, quite the opposite -- the sire in blue had been more than welcoming to her presence the day she had arrived. It was only fair that she'd do the same -- and a hunt was the first thing that came to mind while thinking of things to do together. Yet she was in absolutely no condition to hunt anything in her current state.....the cranebird could feel herself getting heavier and more fatigued as the days went on.

There would come days where she'd even wake up nauseous or even cranky, refusing to leave her den for the day or welcoming visitors at all. Then, there are times where the isolation would make her lonely, and she'd become clingy, nosey, and willingly exist her chambers to figure out what everyone was doing. These moodswings puzzled her in ways she could never deal with on a regular day, and greatly interfered with how her schedule used to look like.

Though if she could not function properly as before, the least she could do was sort out her foreign relations. Izumi would leave the more distant travels to Yoshi, but a place like Walosi which was within their region? She could deal with herself.

The empress stopped at the lining of their boarders, sending out a short call of summons for their leader. Patiently awaiting their arrival, while her eyes lingered amongst the colorful expanse that they called home.

Nate answered promptly, of the mind that it was never a good idea to keep a lady waiting. Especially not the imperial sort.

The Nestle's blues and greens had begun to take on a gilt edge, autumn beginning its first testing paces around the treetops. Soon most of it would be draped in fire, and then — winter. But hopefully not so bitter a season as the last. Time was passing, and with it, hopefully, wounds were healing. Things were certainly changing.

And that included the affairs of Walosi's neighbors.

As Nate crossed out into the open, he realized quite quickly the Lady Fujiwara had... gained weight. He'd never met a Lord Fujiwara (though it wasn't as if wolves wore bands proclaiming eternal devotion), and the realization surprised him.

But, on the off chance he was wrong about the source of her increased middling, he decided not to congratulate her all at once.

Nate smiled and bowed in a way he hoped was appropriate for the occasion, Pleased to see you again, Miss. Missus? Welcome back!

He gestured further in, There's a spring not far from here, it'll be a comfy spot to freshen up, if you'd like. Come in, come in.

The blue chieftain of Walosi came quite promptly, and the Empress greeted the man with a gentle bow of her own head. She’d nearly forgotten how chipper and full of life he’d been since the last time they’d met, and perhaps that played into the reason she felt strangely at ease in his presence. We meet again, Chieftain Nate. It’s been a while. she greets as her head rose again, meeting him with a warmed smile.

To think that once upon a time, Izumi could barely lift her lips to smile at strangers without straining herself. Practice made perfect, as one said, yet this time it was genuine.

Izumi was not blind to the way his gaze shifted to her figure every now and then. It was quite hard to miss the swell in her sides by now, no longer as nimble on her feet as she was before — and within just as short as a month, she was due to give birth. An idea that still made her inwardly nervous, as this was her first time ever carrying children.

If you stare for too long, I fear you’ll burn a hole into my stomach. She quips with a hint of mirth which lifts her lips. Regardless of her inward fear of what would happen come the day of labor , the pregnancy itself was never something she was ashamed of showing. The cranebird not only carried the next generation of her family — she also carried the Dynasty’s future heirs. Osamu’s children, nonetheless — and she carried that knowledge with a swell of pride.

—and while married, she was not yet, there was none else who she’d imagined taking her side other than the samurai…

Upon the chieftain's permission, the woman’s paws would cross over the borders. Approaching Nate’s side to trust that he’d lead the way towards the spring he’d mention. I’d be delighted. Maybe there, we’d be able to catch each other up to speed. The empress responds with a short nod. After all, Izumi had also come to discuss political relations…

At her teasing admonition, Nate flicked an ear like an apologetic hat tip. You're a lovely woman, Miss Izumi, but that's no excuse to stare. Forgive me for being in awe a moment.

He was a perfect gentleman upon her approach, and picked his way over easy terrain free of briars and stones. Even at this time of year, the Nestle blossomed spectacularly, and butterflies danced on the air like currents of wind.

She talked like she had big news. He supposed Walosi did, as well. Foremostly that they had at last elected an Eagle Chief, and it would now fall to Ȟákac'enyu to negotiate formal terms of alliance.

But he could see Izumi to comfortable respite first, and hear her news. She'd sought them out, after all! Sounds right fine, Miss.

It was a picturesque spot. The quiet babble of water mixed with rustling reeds. Here the forest thinned enough for a breeze to cool the air and whisper of autumn's coming. He sat a respectful distance away — not so far as to feel distant, but certainly mindful of her station as empress and lady both.

He grinned again, So, tell me the tales? What news from the Dynasty?

In truth, he did not blame her for staring. Anyone would be surprised with such a big development. The crane herself was still getting used to maneuvering the lands like a long-legged rollie pollie. Carrying the increasing pounds which only grew as the days turned into weeks. Nevertheless, this tall rollie-pollie of a woman followed Walosi’s Chieftain with earnestness. Eager to continue what she came to accomplish.

Autumn was near – she could feel it within the quiet breeze as it trickled over them. She inhaled that air pleasantly in her lungs; what a good season it was, too, despite not being her favorite. Life begins it’s preparations to hide away and leaves begin to change color and die off. Fall was never her favorite season for many reasons. Yet soon, when she brought new life into the world, it would give these chilly mornings and orange leaves new meaning.

The two of them settled along the bank, with Izumi deciding to settle upon her haunches. Curing a tail over her paws — and what a relief it was to finally be able to sit down, too. Her feet were beginning to ache, though she could not complain after being instructed to rest.

Well, as you may already guessed, me and my people have settled amongst Queen’s Rest to claim it as our own some months ago. She hummed, casting her eyes on the fraying reeds that circled the waters edge. The last time they talked, they were merely settlers on the flowering island. To know what she had once lost was now hers again made the cranebird’s chest warm with pride.

Her eyes then traced down to her belly, which she gently brushed over with her forepaw. A fond smile crossed her features. It has been a fruitful couple of months, too. The Dynasty has grown considerably stronger since, I will ensure it continues to do so as the days carry on. A promise that Izumi continued to strive for. Her children deserved to stand within the Dynasty’s glory.

The Empress’s lilac gaze fell back upon the azure man beside her. I don’t…believe I have to tell you that I’m expecting— she humors with a huff of air. —though I am soon to be wed. A coronation will follow afterwards when he is announced Emperor alongside me. I would like to invite you and the rest of Walosi when the time arrives.

It was only natural that the crane would invite him to the island after being welcomed along Walosi’s borders not once, but twice. Among other things, Izumi thought this was reason enough to try to cultivate a stronger alliance with them.

Congratulations. Nate replied, tail wagging.

In the old world it might have been a scandal, new life born out of wedlock. It brought a mess of trouble with it, thinking that way. But he didn't get the impression the Empress was one for shotgun weddings. She intended to name the father Emperor. She might just as easily have stood on her own authority if she found him unsuitable.

And since she'd come here alone, unattended, Nate couldn't find it in him to presume she was overly attached to ceremony if it was inconvenient. Though having only met her, maybe a small part of him still wondered if the Dynasty was real, and this wasn't a solitary daydreamer making grand claims.

Things are going well for you. I'm glad to hear it, and see your hard work paying off. As for weddings! He nodded, I'd be honored to attend. And I'll pass along the invitations. While personal friendship with an Empress would be gratifying, he sort of had the notion she was angling for more.

Respectfully, he added, It's our way to decide things together, where Walosi's concerned. So I'll bring your words back to the Clans and we'll find an accord. If our Eagle Chief comes, she'll be wanting to talk to you about a broader friendship between our peoples. Should I tell them that's welcome?

There was much to consider! Gifts, and grooming, and — Saatsine between their nations. He would have to consult Elk Charm regardless about crossing lands where the Long Marcher's roamed. Though it seemed Izumi had come through it one piece, she also probably hadn't managed to inadvertently antagonize their mothers in meetings prior.