Word Count → 450
The painted skull rested on the ground before Columbine's eyes, a painted monstrosity surrounded by a rather dull canvas. It was nothing special, really, not something that would arise such utter distaste in the ill-tempered man, but for some reason he could not help but be disgusted by their appearance. Such an obvious display of might did nothing for Columbine: he would rather back up his power with outright attacks, not dated and decaying body parts. Still, there was nothing he could particularly do about it. The Lykoi man knew any outright display of his insignificant malcontent could be viewed as treason and be punishable as such: he did not actively seek that kind of lifestyle in the clan.
Naturally, just as he was getting on a good roll with his thoughts, a distant yet commanding call echoed out to him. Grumbling loudly under his breath, the Optime male whirled around and began a brisk jog to the origin of the song; he knew his leader was calling him. Columbine hadn't had much interaction with Ezekiel since he met the Aquila at the borders, but Helotes had spoken well of him. Estranged as he might be from his former playmate, Columbine had to have minimal trust that his brother would at least take notice if the leader were entirely incompetent. But he had to see for himself at some point whether or not the strange man was worthy of his allegiance; if he were not, the dusky male would most certainly do something about it.
It took him a while to reach the gathering, and as he did not have an intimate knowledge of he pack numbers he could not be assured that he were not one of the last there. As the hulking man grew closer, he did take notice that Jacinto was nowhere to be found - of course. His pathetic scrap of a brother was probably playing that useless instrument of his somewhere, being utterly pointless and inconsequential. Columbine rolled his eyes privately before noticing his brother, Helotes, with their snack-sized cousin, Zana. Coincidentally, Vesper, the little scrap of a female he'd met at the borders, was there as well, seated next to his dark brother. Strange. Before he went to join them, however, Columbine passed the Aquila and ducked his head and flattened his ears respectfully. Ezekiel, he rumbled in greeting.
Columbine stepped back and moved into the group, crimson eyes darting around for a seat. He supposed there was a little bit of room next to Vesper, and he strode over, head held high. Vesper, Zana, Helotes he said in his customary naming greeting; it was rare he ever actually said something normal like hello.
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