Arcea listens intently to Delilah's explaination of their state of living, coupled with what land is the Empresses, and what was and was not allowed upon said land. It, honestly, made her blood run hot - the empress might CLAIM the land, but it was in no way hers. She didn't earn it, she didn't fight for it, and she certainly didn't have a blood-claim or a family-claim upon it.  Growling gently under her breath, Arcea practically spits the word 'empress', tail lashing in annoyance not only at the claim of the empire staked upon her tribe's land,  but what laws they set upon land that was not even rightfully their. Over it all, here SHE was, the official liasion from the Cal-Drua to actually toss their lot in with the empire instead of continuing the fight. It, suddenly, didn't set well with her. Yet, political machinations were not her forte, and until she truly understood what made her father suddenly change heart and agree to work with the empire....<br/><br/>All she could do was as she was asked, at least until she was into 'the know' enough to make her own decision.<br/><br/>Whatever thoughts had been milling their way through the catgirl's mind abruptly fade when Maribel makes her playful little jab at Delilah, ensuring that she does, indeed 'beat around the bush'. It's enough to draw a soft, decidedly un-warrior-like giggle from Arcea, and though the feline doesn't comment on it, she does give the coon duo a ebullient grin. Mention of GOOD drink seems to further elate the Cal'Drua's mood, and she briskly replies with a "Oh, I reckon if you can trust me with a few good drinks in me..." The slender, pink tip of her tongue briefly makes an appearance between her lips, curling along them in a manner that no longer quite suggested hunger. At least, not hunger of the 'belly filling' sort "...Well, then I can trust you when you get riled. "<br/><br/>As the tension and - most importantly - the adrenaline continued to fade from Arcea's system, the catgirl's mood visibly improves. To the coons, who'd pretty much only seen her swagger and roar and jab a sword into a huge, mechanical construction's side, the change was as clear as night and day. Much as the night-and-day switch between Arcea's normal, cheerful personality and her more 'battlelusty' side had been to Celrie.<br/><br/>Arms crossed over her chest, Arcea listened intently to Delilahs explaination of the situation further, 'Hmm'ing quitely to herself. Well, if they were going to be the so called 'heads' of this new settlement, why not go ahead and start making some decrees? Casting a glance over her shoulder at Yasha - whom was in the process of scurrying back into the train, no doubt to escape the cold on her soggy fur - and Sevana who was dealing with Alexis to prevent the fool girl from blowing herself and half the train sky high (admittedly, something that would have been quite a sight to see), Arcea calls "I'm not runnin' this show alone. However, I think having a few allies around who owe us a lil' favor wouldn't hurt. We're the heads of the new settlement. I say we excercise our power. I'm votin' giving them squatters rights for the immediate area. " Almost as an afterthought, she adds "...Temporary, mind you, until we hash out the details. I think a week will be plenty of time."<br/><br/>Turning her attention back to Delilah, Arcea continues "I reckon if you'll keep an eye out on things for us, as well...oughta only be right we do the same, yeah?  Ain't too far fetched to imagine, if you need some help, we'd end up coming to help you, hrm? Y'know, mutual benefit and all."  It sounded like a heck of a deal to make, at least in Arcea's mind. Turning an enemy into a friend, and a potenial ally...and it really cost them nothing, if the coons could be trusted.  As worst, they'd have to venture out with a larger party in the future and run them off. At best...well, they had an 'early warning' system of sorts, and it kept OTHER bandits, those who'd not been talked to and persuaded, from setting up in the area. It was a win-win.<br/><br/>Delilah's outstretched hand is met with one of Arcea's own, the catgirl squeezing it lightly in her own grip "A week is good. An' the bet about the kiss..." Arcea's beautiful, emerald eyes casually slide over to her elvish companion, a coy little smirk upon her face "...Why, if Celrie would agree to it, I'd say that's as good a prize as one could ask for. Course..." Her grip turning firm, Arcea pulled the coon girl forwards, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Though her grip was tight, the arm draped around her shoulder was surprisingly light, and before Delilah could appropriately react to the sudden light embrace, Arcea's head had darted forwards, her dexterous tongue flitting from between her lips to lightly curl across the cooness' cheek. The small, wet patch of fur left it it's wake immediately begins to cool, but for a single brief moment, the warmth was intense, inviting, almost teasing "It's not to be said there can't be a good...runner up prize, hmm?"<br/><br/>Crazy cats - first all snarling and rage, then all giggly and teasing...<br/><br/>Clearly, the Cal'Drua were mad.<br/><br/>Releasing her grip, Arcea gives Delilah back her space, stepping back up alongside her elvish friend "So, for the moment, keep doing what you're doing. Minus raiding supplies meant for our settlement. Log, hunt, do whatever you need to do. You keepin' an eye on things is the price. Fair? We'll discuss it in better detail in a week's time. I need to talk it over with the others. I bet Celrie won't mind." Again, Arcea eyed her elvish companion, her lips splitting into a smirk. Oh, she seemed quite enamored with her new coon friend, Maribel...and it was not too far fetched, at least in her mind, that the elf would appreciate the company. If that got her away from the snooty wolfess Alexis, all the better.<br/><br/>"Oh, an' before you keep on calling me cat, or Lady Cal...My name is Arcealandria Marlust. Arcea for short. Last in line to inherit the Cal'Drua tribe leadership, assuming I even survive the fightin' and such that would take place. So, yeah - short version, noone immediately important. The tribes might think otherwise, but...eh, I look at the bigger picture." Shrugging dismissively, Arcea casually swiveled her head towards the doomed Marten, her ears perking at the soft little groans and whimpers and squeaks that emanated from the big draconic male's throat. Argh, she'd been so close to snagging that delectable little morsel for herself, and..<br/><br/>...And Yasha along with her.<br/><br/>Shaking her head to clear such thoughts from her mind, Arcea watches with no small measure of interest as he suckled on her like a big, fuzzy lollipop, rolling his tongue around her form, coating her in saliva...<br/><br/>It reminded her just how hungry SHE was, and there were all these prisoners just waiting around....arrrgh, though it was in quite bad taste to eat Maribel and Delilah's kin right in front of their eyes, whether or not they could pay for their release or not.  That might not make further negotiations go very well...<br/><br/>Of course, there was the one...<br/><br/>Breaking off from Celrie's side for just a moment, Arcea reaches down and snags the cooness who'd shot Maribel by the foot, dragging her through the snow only to eventually toss her down right between Maribel, Delilah, and Celrie "Ah, an' heres the one of your kin who shot you, Maribel." The girl looked none the worst for wear, Celrie's psionic assault having thunked her noggin' quite well, but not actually blown anything off or cut her up "Guess it's only right you and Delilah - And Celrie, as she's the what that got her - Decide what to do with her, mm? Seems only fitting, given she was gung-ho enough to start shooting at us that she didn't mind blasting you in the brain-case. Coulda been alot worse. Coulda been ALOT of you splattered all over my shield, if you get my meaning." Again, Arcea shuddered a little bit at the mental image, quite thankful that things had not gotten quite so...gruesome, so quickly.<br/><br/>Noting Celrie's growing shivers again, Arcea reaches out to clasp the elf's two hands, pulling them up against her warm, furry belly. Without a word, the catgirl embraces the elf, pulling her a little closer and pressing the front of her body up against her own - it didn't completely protect against the biting cold, but it at least helped "There. We'll get you a little warm. Will get you back on the train soon, okay?" She had to admit, the elf's rather...vivid display of just how much beyond 'sensual healing' she had coming to her was enticing, and it's easy enough for Celrie to tell that the feline's body was just a little bit warmer than it should have been, especially with the cool air whipping around them "And I...look forward to said private show." Arcea admits. It's hard to tell if she was actually flushing or not, given the fur covering her face...but the interior of her ears did color just slightly more red, a dead give away that the thought flustered the feline, at least a little bit.<br/><br/>The conductor's voice causes Arcea's ears to swivel, thankfully, away from the trio, and she calls back "We'll be ready shortly. Just finishing up business here. We'll be on our way soon."