Helotes acknowledged the appearance of his brother’s in turn and was somewhat surprised that Vesper decided to seat herself beside him and Zana; he gave her a quirky grin. The ragged looking coyote femme had seemed to tolerate him more and more lately and he wondered if perhaps he should bring their tentative relationship to a new place. He decided he must think on this later. The dark Lykoi’s eyes turned to watch as more and more members appeared, like literal moths to a flame. When Kaena came forth from the mansion he suddenly was in awe of her; this woman could single handedly be the one to have created this great clan, through her cunning and lineage, Helotes was proud to be her grandson.
After several pregnant moments the Aquila began to speak and Helotes’ ears swiveled to drink in his words. He spoke of the history of Inferni, of it’s greatness, of Kaena’s fiery loins that had given birth to nearly all of them in one way or another. He then spoke of the reason for this gathering, that Sage, whom Helotes had never met but knew about, had abandoned Inferni to join the wolves. Helotes couldn’t help but make a sneer like snarl at this; making a mental note that if he were to ever see her again that he would give her a piece of his mind on the subject.
Ezekiel then continued and spoke about Inferni’s relationship with Salsola and Helotes ears perked before flattening against his head; so he wouldn’t need to speak with the Aquila on his and Zana’s behalf after all, Ezekiel obviously was more aware of the situation then he had expected. Though his pride stung and he was still angry over the attacks by the blonde Salsolian bitch, he would have to let it be; in the mean-time he would train and become ever more stronger for Inferni.
The Aquila ended his speech on trivial things; preparing the horses for the winter and aiding the new born pups. Helotes took this moment to look over at his brothers and friends to see how they were reacting to the news. Inside Helotes could feel his pride swell that he was a part of Inferni and for a moment even the death of his mother and disappearance of his sister seemed worthwhile.
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I said, I cannot follow the river
of her myth; but I can
follow her sweet desert song
like a stream through the fiery hills.
Word Count → 558
Helotes flashed a grin, and Vesper’s lips twitched in what might have been the faintest of awkward smirks before the male’s dark brother approached with a curt greeting. Her ears lowered, and the only thought preventing her from slinking off to find a seat away from the red-eyed Lykoi was that of, of course, pride. She wasn’t going to relinquish her seat and admit her unease. Besides, it seemed that the last few stragglers of the clan had arrived, including an old grey woman who stood with ancient pride near the flames. Though the former loner had never seen her before, she could only assume that this was Kaena.
Ezekiel stood, and the tawny hybrid looked to him expectantly. After painting the ideal image of the fire clan, he drew their attention to a new point: the departure of Sage, whom Vesper had only scarcely heard about. Her brow furrowed before the Aquila mentioned the wolf pack over the mountain, and suddenly her face grew smooth in response to the cold pit forming in her stomach. Ichika no Ho-en—the peaceful group that Vesper had friends in, even though she might not respect all of their peaceful ways. Sage was with X’yrin and Kiara now, and branded a traitor because of it.
I am not a traitor if I hold allegiance to Inferni first, Vesper thought firmly, trying to ease her misgivings. I would never go to the Ichikans, to the preaching wolves, even if I respect some members there. Everyone had to have at least one outsider they cared for, other than the xenophobic, genocidal extremists that the hybrid frowned upon. She had done no wrong; she had not broken her ties with the clan she had chosen.
Hawk-yellow eyes turned in her direction, though Vesper realized that the blonde man was looking at the acquaintances beside her. The name Salsola caused her fur to bristle as she remembered the secret meeting—but she hadn’t spoken with members of the alliance for a long time. Surely, her hate for the slave-driving pack wasn’t any less since Noir Aston had told her about it, but she would avoid trouble until there was a clear message.
Mention of the AniWayan spy made her snort, and her blue eyes cut across to the pygmy Vigiles. Now she had good reason to bar the albino access when he decided to go on one of his “visits;” she was just glad that they hadn’t allowed him to wander through more than empty fields. She would relish in sending him away and reminding the Tribe-traitor of his place to the clan.
The meeting trailed of as it addressed the winter, and Vesper briefly lowered her body in a weak stretch, eyes cast skyward to the encroaching clouds. She wasn’t much fond of horses, but she knew that she’d be able to grab an extra meal for a comrade whenever she went on her patrols along the boundaries our outside them. Mulling over the points Ezekiel had brought up, she wondered if there would be a formal dismissal or if anyone would revive the meeting with a claim or concern of their own. A former loner, nameless to many others in the clan, she had nothing to add—only more to think about, especially regarding the other northern packs and her ties with them.
Ithiel did not understand most of what Ezekiel was saying. He was too new to these lands, but he listened in rapt attention anyway, dark ears swiveled forward to catch every word. Ithiel's crimson eyes rested comfortably on his blonde leader, though he did not raise his eyes above chest-level; the younger half-brother, he would have been obliged to do so even if Ezekiel had been equal in rank. The dark-hued coyote did not think he wished to have the pressures of leadership. Ezekiel was no more than one or two years his senior, but Ithiel thought the blonde man far more of an adult, far more of a man, than he was himself.
There was something to idolize in that, but Ithiel listened to every word -- though he did not comprehend, he was able to understand the tone. Here was a man who spent nights mulling over these decisions, picking apart these scenarios and careful balances with these opposing groups. The dark coyote did not have to understand the specifics of Ezekiel's speech to see these things. Though his Aquila did not require his approval, Ithiel would have given it freely and openly. The man stood a moment when his leader seemed finished, glancing briefly over the crowd to ascertain whether or not he would be interrupting. When he saw no immediate motion to speak from the others, he stepped forward a bit himself. Tall as he was, the dark coyote did not have to shout to command a moment's attention.
I would ride with any who need to take children outside of the pack, he offered. Or any who feel the need for extra protection. He would be able to scout for dangers with Zedekiah, and he would fight to protect his fellow clan members, if necessary. Ithiel was a ranged warrior, but he could fight with tooth and claw, if necessary. His piece said, the dark male stepped back, expecting no more than acknowledgement for his service, if that. What praise was necessary for doing one's duty?
(352)
Skip this post. Introspection; Myrika does not do anything. :p Bad post anyway.
Myrika is by Bobbi!
The russet woman knew of both AniWaya and Salsola, but she did not know what had transgressed between her pack and these two groups. The rust-hued woman pondered these things absently a moment, turning them over in her head. She did not care much for foreign groups -- they were all similar in her mind, as she had traveled outside of Inferni infrequently since arriving. She was not one for visitation, in any case -- it had made her awkward to visit Ichika no Ho-en and visit her uncle, and she would not have gone there again to visit Sage, much as she had found the woman's merry temperament relaxing.
She was prepared for winter -- the rusty woman had been collecting and drying the grasses that grew to the far west of Inferni and west past their borders. It was a suitable feed for the horses. She supposed she would move her storage to a more accessible area, perhaps in the D'Neville -- it would take many trips on a single horse, though. She would want to grow her stores, as well -- it had been slow work, and she had only enough for her Eira through the winter. Such food needed supplement, as well. Her thoughts were sufficiently attuned to the coming cold season, and she supposed Ezekiel's speech had done its effect.
The rusty woman pondered what it would be like to have children. She had imagined herself with them before, though her daydreams had never contained a man. The act it would take to conceive children required a man, however -- she knew this act well enough, though it would have made her ears shrivel into her skull to have admitted such to any other living being. Admitting she'd done such with a woman, a pale gray waif with the loveliest dark hair, was not such an embarrassment, however. The rusty woman thought it was strange how such things worked -- she did not think she was entirely opposed to a male partner, but to admit she'd had one before and would again... that was the hard part?
Zana had been quietly watching the figures emerging from the woodwork, many faces she knew, some she didn't. She smiled openly when Vesper joined Helotes and herself, as well as granting a rather stiff nod to Helotes burly brother. She would hold her tongue on that one but it was more than obvious that their truce was just for Helotes alone. She shifted her form under the wolfskin to gather more warmth but the chill was soon forgotten as every hair along her heckles rose.
Sharp grey lavender orbs stared straight ahead at the woman who had appeared. Once they could have almost been friends but that had been a long time ago. She couldn't stop the growl that slowly rose in her throat but she shortened it quickly as she narrowed her eyes to mere slits before turning her gaze back to their leader. A much more worthwhile venture than the bitch who would have her throat if given the chance.
While the last few were gathering Ezekiel had finally began to speak. Her heckles slowly fell back down as she turned those eyes to the Aquila. He spoke of what she had come to realize in her duties, that their secondary leader was no more. She flicked one ear back, wondering what had caused one of the stronger, loyal members to turn sides. She had to have been something once to stand so close to Ezekiel's side.. and yet now she was nothing, a traitor to the clan and barred from the lands.
She had once been called a traitor, her eyes flashed back to Halo, who she believed would still cast her as one with every chance she got. Slowly she turned her eyes back to Ezekiel as she realized that he had moved on to another topic, and a flush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks as he spoke of the clan's involvement with Salsola, and how it would end. She had known that she shouldn't have ventured to their lands but the strange woman had sent her mind a churning and she had to know more...now she harbored her own personal vengeance, though she would not take the next step to pursue it just yet.
Instead she turned her eyes up slightly to glance at Helotes as their leader spoke. Both of them had cast stones that had turned their leaders eyes upon them and now for a second time they were being told to yield. She sighed and bowed her head in acknowledgement. She had vowed loyalty to their leader. Ezekiel had given her a new life again and a purpose, she would not tend to such folly as personal vengeance with his direct orders looming overhead now.
Just when she thought that she was out of the woods with small steps of embarrassment Ezekliel surprised her again. This time a flush didn't overcome her cheeks but her body grew ridged as she turned her eyes up to Vesper's waiting gaze. She nodded quietly to her fellow rank holder as she growled softly. She would tear him a new one if he tried his arrogant foolery with her again. It had been a wise choice to show him nothing but the boring Waste and the edge of their borders. It was things everyone else could have found on their own. She would not be made a fool again though as she spoke softly to Vesper. "Next time, there will be no games to play.." She held the other woman's gaze a moment longer, letting her know that she wouldn't be letting the beast past their borders ever again, and hoping that Vesper felt the same.
She barely listened to the last words of their leader. She knew the general duties that fell to all in the winter, and she already spent her scouting time foraging for the horses. Often she would hunt as well, small game was easy to find and finish off for the tiny woman and her delicate yet fierce weapon of choice. Her eyes began to roam as her thoughts churned in her head. She had fallen silent again as she often did when there was too much to comprehend and brooding was the only outlet.
Silence filled the void around her a moment too long before she gave in and turned her eyes to Ezekiel, casting the cloak down off her head and shoulders as she raised her small voice in asking a favor from their Aquila. "Ezekiel, If I may.. can we speak later, when you have time..." She had sat on the information the light hued woman had granted her much too long, and there were other worries that still gnawed at her mind. She didn't wish to press their leader, but at a time when things were getting edgy, with the winter winds beginning to blow, sometimes all one needed was the wisdom and strength of their leader to ease one's heart and soul.
The numbers in Inferni had clearly inflated. There were quite a few that had attended the meeting. With that there were a great number that she knew not the names and faces of. She couldn't say that it bothered her though. The thing that did was there there were so very few true coyotes to be found in a place labeled as the coyote clan. It really was a bothersome thing. But of course that meant it was something that needed to be corrected, at least it did in her mind. There needed to be more coyotes in Inferni.
While she managed to ignore most of who had gathered there were a couple that she simply couldn't. First there was Kaena and then there was Halo. She was related to neither by blood as many of the others were but she felt a strong connection to each. They were her family where she had none previously. The small girl moved around those that had gathered in order to go stand next to Kaena, dragging the wolf along with her. She wasn't thinking about how her place wasn't near the head of the group but her only thought was to snuggle up to the grandmother figure and to show off what it was that she had caught.
The girl looked up at the elder woman, offering up the tail of the wolf to her. It wasn't the most beautiful of prizes but Symera was giving up her kill regardless. She wanted to show that the sparse training that she had been receiving hadn't gone unheeded. She still lacked technique but she had proven herself to be lethal at least. That had to be better than nothing at all though.
Now as the meeting progressed and business was spoken of she couldn't say that she exactly understood. She hadn't really traveled too far from Inferni and had no real experience with those from other packs. It was another series of scents that she would have to learn. But then she didn't really care either. If they weren't of Inferni then they didn't matter to her. She would easily treat all outsiders the same. Wolves would forever be her enemy. It showed by the gift that she had just passed on. So she was already well aware of the threat of wolves and eagerly awaited for them to attempt something so that she might be able to disperse them.
Of course the talk of children had her grinning. She might not have any of her own but she was a big sister now. She was already set on spoiling her younger siblings. Symera still collected dolls, passing them off to her brother and sister now. So yes, she felt proud to be counted among one of those whom were able to support and care for the young ones. Granted the only young ones that she actually cared about now were those that belonged to Halo. She didn't count the ones that Valkyrie was looking after since they were almost adults, nearing the age to shift. At that age Symera was already learning to do for herself. She had already gone out on a hunt before she had reached that point. So to her she saw no reason for them to be counted since they should be considering their paths as adults and not worrying about others to provide for them.
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Halo exiting, unless any characters decides to address her. And Shannon, I assumed it was Halo that Zana growled at. If it wasn't, let me know and I will of course edit my post
It quietly infuriated the warm shaded hybrid that the clan’s hierarchy was openly disrespected without proper consequence. Ruby eyes looked ahead, tracing the outlines of the Aquila’s blonde shape as he spoke, only shortly shifting to an adoring look as the focus was brought to Kaena.
It nearly brought a reaction to her table when Ezekiel dared to talk about family name and loyalty. There seemed to be an endless stream of prime examples of family members unworthy of membership here. But at this point, this leader was as soft as the previous had been; allowing disloyal deserters back into the home they had decided to let down. A clan was as strong as its members, and if they could not be depended on, then what? Halo could have asked herself why their Aquila would allow such a thing, but he too had deserted Inferni, more than once, even. Fuck it all.
She took note of his words, but didn’t offer any verbal or visual response to what he had to say. She knew it when he addressed her, but she didn’t know what to make of it. There were very few she would trust hunting for her and her children, and even less that she would trust to guard them while she was away. Kaena and the young Symera were two of so few. They didn’t need the rest. The true loyalist should stand together.
It was disappointing to hear of Salsola though, for she had to admit—though only to herself, that was—that she found the man the Aquila spoke of quite intriguing.
When the Ezekiel let go of the attention, scarlet eyes searched for the child with the red stained mouth. Symera was no longer a child, and hadn’t truly been one for some time, but she couldn’t help the way she thought of her. Invisibly, the Triarii swallowed the brief disappointment she experienced as the girl decided to dump the dead wolf before Kaena instead. But it was Kaena, and that was all right.
As her curved shape drew closer to Kaena and the darling girl, a cream gloved hand fell to brush along the fur on top of Symera’s head. ”I’m so proud of you.” Her words were true, but there was a part of her that heavily loathed the fact that Symera so eagerly hunted wolves this way. Only because she feared there would be a day where the girl ended up as the lifeless victim instead. But at the same time, she didn’t want to doubt the girl. She was strong and worthy of the head warrior’s adoration. No need to worry.
Turning half around to move away, eyes rose to Ezekiel and the small Lykoi that had moved over to speak with him. Scarlet hues squinted with the feeling of general disapproval, but she was not about to make a scene. She believed she knew what Ezekiel de le Poer stood for, and there was nothing she could do with it. But she wouldn’t tolerate open disrespect as long as she remained above the other in rank, and the warrior’s copper painted audits had caught the audible growl that had risen as she had entered the scene.
Bending down slightly do get closer to Zana’s ear, her words of whisper were genuinely spoken. ”Disrespect me like that again, and I’ll cut off your tongue.” Ezekiel alone had the power to exile her, but the Lykoi female’s temperament would definitely lead her to do horrible thing to clan mates that she thought they were disrespectful in public. They could dislike each other all they wanted, but she couldn’t force herself to ignore it if her rank was ignored. It was all she had, after all. The only proof of her loyalty and skill.
Black pupils moved to the Aquila, wondering if he would in turn attempt to step on her as well now. If he wanted a scene, so be it. But if not, Halo would make her leave. Ears leaned back to auburn locks in a subtle appearance of submission to the leader before she turned to move back to the mansion, where two precious gemstones waited for her within.
It took a while for the rest to file in, and Aemon knew few of these faces. The man he'd helped at the borders appeared soon, and Aemon acknowledged him with a nod and a vague smile. He was glad to see that the tawny coyote was healing well. Scarlet gaze could not help but lock on the woman with eyes like his, and fur like a dying flame. She was beautiful, and he stared longer than perhaps he should have. Ezekiel's voice brought him away from his staring as he turned forward once again.
More foreign words came from the golden Aquila; Sage, Salsola, Sirius. AniWaya. And the old woman standing beside his half-brother. The old woman covered in a large, dark pelt. She was perhaps one of the oldest canines he'd ever seen, and this alone was impressive. He noted her missing eye, the red-striped nose, and the severe scarring covering the visible parts of her body. As he glanced between her and Ezekiel, he noted something similar there, and wondered if he too was related to her. She had Aemon's attention for a while as he absorbed his brother's instructions: Keep this Sage woman out of Inferni. Avoid Salsola. Gather supplies. He could do these things, as soon as he learned where Salsola was. Aemon still had plenty of questions, but chose not to voice them aloud yet, for they were the naive questions of someone new to these lands. He was sure that these terms and places would be known to him soon enough. Winter was coming; it was nearly here, and they needed to prepare.
[/html]Wraith felt herself swell up with pride when Ezekiel mentioned everyone -- no, most -- of them being bloodkin. It diminished slightly when he gestured to an old, terrifying-looking woman. As far as Wraith knew, this lady was in no way related to her, but she looked like she could be. She looked like she could have been daddy's mother and therefore Wraith's grandmother; she was certainly scary enough to have given birth to Hybrid. For a split second, Wraith wished she could have met her real grandmother. She knew she had a father and a mother and many siblings and other relatives, like Ezekiel, as well as new family members, like Sage, but she wondered who else was in her family.
When Ezekiel said that they did not bow to wolves, Wraith again found herself straightening up. She shot a big grin to Lucilla and Nathaniel, who grinned back eagerly. They knew that as coyotes, they lived in Inferni because they were special. Even if they didn't really understand the dislike of wolves, they knew there was something different between them all.
When Ezekiel mentioned that Sage had left, her smile evaporated from her face. What? Why had Sage left? She'd been so nice; she'd taught Wraith how to swim and even said she was a part of her family. Even though Wraith thought Sage would like to be her sister, Wraith had always thought she was too old and smart and was more like an aunt. But if Sage had left and wasn't allowed to return, then... she had lost her?
Wraith frowned and shook her head when Lucilla bumped her shoulder. Lucilla knew of Sage from the story Wraith had told her and Wraith could tell that Lucy wanted to help, but Wraith just wanted them to be quiet so they wouldn't miss anything.
Ezekiel spoke of politics: of Salsola and AniWaya, and then winter, too. Wraith was silent and once Ezekiel was done, she let Lucy bump her shoulder again. She turned to Lucy and gave her a sad look, but said nothing. She knew what Ezekiel said was law, but she was still sad that Sage had left. She felt a little happier when Nathaniel came around and nuzzled her chin, but still didn't feel too happy knowing that Sage was gone. But she knew that she still had her family here, so she was still happy -- she couldn't forget that.
"Can we go, Val?" she asked, addressing Valkyrie. [html]
Assuming everyone left and Zana stayed to speak with Zeke.
Word Count » 189
They all were, for the most part, as silent as stone. Ezekiel was thankful for the few voices who spoke, and gave a slight nod of his head to Ithiel’s offer. While he knew little about the history of his half-brothers, or the strange (but striking) woman who came with them, they were trained and he knew this was enough to keep members safe.
He observed, but did nothing to stop the fire obviously brewing between the small woman and his Triarii. Until Halo struck, his hand would hold. The red dragon hissed something he did not catch, but the blonde did not make as if he had even noticed. Instead, he allowed them to leave. Enkiel was not far behind his sister, though he cut immediately back towards the guest house. Max made a motion suggesting his desire to go off with the newcomers, and Ezekiel dismissed him with a wave of the hand.
“You’re all free to go,”“Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?”
