[center][h2][color=ed1c24]Viranti[/color][/h2][/center]
[@Ryougu][@Darkmoon Angel]
Viranti wasn't at all used to the constant interference that meeting the queen required, originally believing that it would be a simple matter of going straight to her. But the irksome "red tape", in the form of guards blocking his path, had worn away at his last nerve to a significant extent, but alongside that anger - doubt. Had the Oracle not sent word of their arrival? Did her word not carry any weight here? Was their journey not important? What was more, a warrior clad in comparatively different armor than those worn by the others stood between them and the queen. At best, she had failed to be informed of the meeting. At worst, she was one determined to interfere with their quest - it wasn't like she gave any reason to trust her. In fact, Viranti was greatly inclined to mistrust most authority figures, guards especially. Turning away wasn't an option, and Michele didn't seem the sort to relent through mere words, not the kind they could say anyway. Battle was a means to force some answers from her if not do away with her completely.

For a moment, Viranti imagined the resplendent palace and the lively, exciting city that surrounded it to be of little difference to the abhorrent hole he was picked out from. If he had dwelled on it for much longer, all the soldiers in this land may not be enough to stop what ensued. However, he was distracted for a few moments by Elise's sword drawing near, very swift indeed, but not unnoticeable. At first, he believed that the blade was actually meant to undo the shackle over his neck. There was a time and place, and a smaller implement would have been preferable, but he wasn't going to hold that against her should it work. Yet that assumption fell by the wayside as the blade met against his throat, his eye lowering to her in rigid interest. Her intent indeed appeared to be less altruistic, but no less brave. He would have admired this quality more if he wasn't silently brimming with rage, his senses taking a back seat for a second. His expression turned steely, her means of intimidation having as much effect as it would to a wild animal. He was careless in letting her get this far and had he been in the state he was in now, he would have saw fit to rip her world asunder.

But she sheathed her sword just in time, Viranti's fierce gaze redirecting to Michele. Diplomacy had failed, and whether she was their enemy or not, it really didn't matter to him anymore. However, just seconds before he was about to give all his human impediments a royal burning, Queen Salene made her appearance. It would certainly be hard for the dragonute to explain, but he could tell she was the queen, between the way she distinctly carried herself, her regal appearance and how Michele basically admitted as much. It was actually very good of her to do so, otherwise Viranti would have wondered if his suspicion was wrong and started wondering if the large quadrupedal machine was the monarch instead. He finally lowered his hand from his blade's hilt, his arms crossing while he made his way inside the meeting room and sat the best he could, his eyes eagerly taking in the showy nuances of this space.

The queen's question seemed to come out of nowhere to him. Was this really necessary? Even if it wasn't though, she had made good on her agreement to see them and it only seemed fair to answer a question or two. Still, it wasn't a subject that he had given much thought to. "[color=ed1c24]I...[/color]" Viranti spoke hesitantly before his immediate reflection on his uncertainty caused him to abruptly turn his head away from her in a low huff. "[color=ed1c24](Hmph) I saw an opportunity to see the worlds beyond and wanted the challenge. Nothing more, nothing less.[/color]"