Word Count → 399
She grinned cockily as the other congratulated her on her position—typical arrogant Vesper. One wouldn’t think she was haughty about her position within the clan, however; she did not acknowledge her rank often. Equality mattered to her more than power did, and all she wanted to do was have the authority to be able to help and guide her comrades. After all, many still had been in Inferni far longer than she had. What right did she, a scarred young hybrid from the north, have to boss them all around?
“It doesn’t mean too much yet,” she added with fake modesty, although the statement was true enough. She hadn’t needed to use her power—other than addressing the clan at the meeting after Halo’s fall. It was a strain to keep her face from darkening.
She was not relieved from that strain until Kiara had finished acknowledging her children in regards to the luperci. Vesper felt sad still, but she managed to focus on the positive for at least a moment. “I hope this will be a bountiful spring,” she murmured. “It should.” Her tail wagged briefly behind her. It was easier than her early life, she and her sister only beginning to open their eyes in the cold, bright transition between autumn and winter. Perhaps that was what made Sparrow weak and Vesper strong. All of her friend’s children should be strong, however.
Her ears pricked as Kiara explained the situation of X’yrin’s lead, and she frowned faintly. She might have called the Ichikans slow and foolish for not being able to adapt to a better leader—although that was unfair to say, as she’d never known Razekiel or Nayru—but truly, what if Ezekiel was not Aquila? She would be lost and confused and suspicious too, looking for weaknesses to exploit, and she was adaptable.
“Does anyone go to her with these concerns? They wouldn’t think of leaving Ichika, would they?” She was distressed, suddenly. While her leadership had resulted in little nose, X’yrin was so capable, a true Shepard, and she didn’t want to see her golden friend’s reign ruined before it truly began. “I mean, learning defense is smart. I’m surprised more of you haven’t—” Her eyes dropped as she remembered Amy, and she cut off that statement. Not fair, not fair at all. She plopped her butt in the snow and frowned.
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