all the world's a stage

Talitha de le Poer · 05-04-2011, 11:59 PM

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Set after the pack meeting, in one of our new subterritories, Eden. Optime, near the north border, afternoon. Lahvly table by Anna.

Slim fingers wrapped about a bleached cranium as the internal affairs Optio lifted it from the ground. Irate ruby eyes narrowed upon it, bringing it close to her black-streaked jaws as she studied it. Another one. Who in high heaven is knocking these over? Her silent musings left a quandary in her mind. She was sure that the scouts would have brought to attention any creature who had been lingering for an extended period of time on the borders of the clan's territory. It could have simply been that the culprit was the wind, or some wandering animal who didn't adhere to the lives of Luperci. Either way, it did not amuse Talitha, who placed the skull back where it belonged with a huffed exhale. Sharp, delicate claws tapped against the surface.

It was the first time in weeks that she had ventured near the borders of Inferni, watching the outside world with both distaste and curiosity. Since the meeting at the Manor, she had found the world less ugly. Gabriel was no longer their leader, and Ezekiel proved to be the Aquila in his place. She shared her position with a gentle, compassionate cousin who extended her arms to the packs around them. Life was different, but not unpleasant. In fact, things seemed to be packaged for her rather than against her. It was startling. Yet as she came to terms with life, with her place amongst the fold of coyotes, she started to see hope in the distance. Hope that she had been so sure she wouldn't have reached.

That hope drove her to the edge of her home that day, gazing into Drifter's Bay with all the peace and contentment she could muster. "I wonder what it would be like to find a new home now." Ezekiel had changed her role in order to keep her under lock and key, but he wasn't there at every moment to ensure she remained. Of course, she was sure that leaving was simply not on the agenda; he couldn't follow her now, but he could send others. He couldn't chase her as he had in their youth, but she could still feel guilt. Guilt for leaving him behind to pursue a life she had wanted for so long.

Why was there always guilt? "He didn't find me, so why should I feel guilty? He did perfectly fine without me. If we had never come back, he would have survived all the same." She spoke not to any particular being, but to herself, as if reassuring her mind that everything would be fine if she would simply cross the border into the world. Maybe it would have been. Much to her dismay, she realized she found herself incapable of the decision. Ezekiel wanted her there, home, and she couldn't deny him that. Not yet, not when he had no one else. The future hadn't come to him. Life hadn't caught up with the golden boy turned into an intelligent, confident man. Or it had, but his dark twin didn't wish to realize that in him just yet.

She smiled a vague, emotionless smile as her willowy form slipped to the ground, resting her shoulders against the single tree that stood amongst the slowly growing foliage. It just wasn't the right time for her to leave him, but someday it would be perfect. Someday, she knew they would have to go their separate ways. As the realization came over her, calm and comfortable, she twisted the broken pencil out of her scavenged bag, drawing it over a blank piece of time-stained paper. Beneath the chalky point, a world sprung into life, starting with the sweeping branches of a tree.

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