the children of a lesser god
#1
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This meeting is mandatory, though if you cannot post for any reason we will assume your character arrived to hear the news. I am hoping to move this thread along quickly, as a note. I'm not putting limits on anyone, but if you take too long you might be skipped. Gabriel, Halo, Ezekiel, Talitha and Enkiel are currently present for reference. Enkiel is probably sitting a chair looking cranky. :>

Three years of leadership had taken its toll on the hybrid. Gray had begun to spring up along his dark muzzle prematurely, though as he approached his sixth birthday Gabriel had begun to recognize his body’s slow decay. His shoulder ached after any type of work, and rain made it far worse. Despite his aversion to pain medication, he knew without it he would be far worse. Enkiel gave him as little as possible, which suited the Aquila just fine.

Of course, he wouldn’t be Aquila much longer. Despite his son’s initial poor reaction to the news (though it had been easier to tell him than Halo), Gabriel was confident in his decision. It was not as if he was dying, and not as if he was leaving. The sable-brushed coy-wolf had cut through the mansion, stopping only to wait for his second-in-command to join him. They met Ezekiel and Talitha on the front porch. Without any words, Gabriel lifted his head and let out one final call for the clan he had led for so long.

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#2
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Unlike her cousin, she'd been told about her father's decision by Ezekiel, which certainly made it easier for her to handle the news. Still, as she paced in silence across the porch of the mansion, she found herself attempting to cope with sudden fears and realizations. Gabriel was stepping down. Gabriel was growing old. And so was she, something the dark princess had never really thought about in the past. The sound of his call to the rest of the pack caused her to look up from her place, crimson eyes shared with a traitor resting upon mottled, doggish form of the man she had looked up to for so long. Despite her desire to hide her thoughts and feelings, her unease was obvious, and her sadness was clear. Gabriel would no longer be the leader she had loved in the past. Instead, they would look to her brother.

She dropped from her standing position to the old planks of the porch-turned-soapbox, letting her legs curl beneath her body and her shoulders to cause the spill of auburn curls to hide her misery from the rest of the clan. She had shown so few her unease. She wasn't about to show them all in one swift motion just how weak their leader's daughter was. Her fingers picked at the wood as she waited. Her mind fantasized thousands of possibilities for the future under Ezekiel. In silence, tried to trump her sorrow with scant joy at the pull she believed she had over the golden male.

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#3
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Word Count → 226 :: Who would've thought the day would come. Sad

The voice was one she easily recognized, and so when the Aquila called for her, Clover easily gestured for Daisy to turn about and head back towards D’Neville. The hippie child’s mind played through scenarios as the white mare brought her closer to her destination. What was the purpose of this meeting? Clover was silently worried that perhaps war or some other dreadful thing had been called upon the coyote clan she knew as home, for Mother Earth had not been kind in the last few months. Even now her faith was still shaken, and Clover had been spending much of her time working out ways to strengthen it.

When she arrived outside of the mansion, the young Vexillarius easily slipped from the mare’s back. A simple pat along her broad neck signaled Daisy that she was free to wander off. Straw eyes swept the front porch of the mansion, noting that many of the highest ranking members were already present. And although her gaze had briefly acknowledged each one of them, in the end Clover let in linger on her Aquila. She did not offer any words to them, but simply let herself settle not far from the mansion’s front steps. Golden waves were pushed away to reveal the rouge mask, while Razekiel’s daughter awaited with the rest of them the arrival of the clan.


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#4
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Word Count → 180 :: --

He did not have to travel far when Gabriel issued his call for the clan, and it was clear he was amongst the first members to arrive, aside from the Legatus already present. The Russian had made his way around the outside perimeter of the mansion, dropping the task he had under taken before the meeting had been called together. Icy blue observed the mansion’s porch, making note of each face that waited there. Like usual, his eyes lingered on the newly appointed Centurion and he offered a slight smile, regardless of whether she saw it or not.

Like Clover, Silas moved along the edge of the porch so that he was positioned in front of the makeshift podium. He didn’t know the nature of the meeting, but studying the expressions of those that accompanied Gabriel made him worry. Was there grave news to share? Giving a silent nod to the hippie child standing not far from him, the Russian let his hands snake into the security of his denim pockets and waited for the Aquila to make his speech.


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#5
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Morning I hope? Derp. WC: 322


Sage had been nearby when Gabriel had called; she'd been spending a lazy morning in the Forest of Nod. Chocolate ears shot forward at the sound of his voice, and immediately she knew to move. Was there something sad in that sound? Worried, Sage's brows furrowed as she called Lennon over, interrupting his hearty drinking at the only small pool of water around. Apologetically, she patted him and with a graceful movement leaped onto his strong back.


The earth child had known little about the status of the Aquila, only understanding that his injury was keeping him fairly limited lately. Sage did not, however, connect this to anything more. So, then, it was with a frown and a face filled with curious worry that she guided Lennon to the mansion's porch.


Her heart flew into her throat as she arrived and saw Talitha there, but she quickly distracted herself and allowed her nerves to be calm. Her auburn-haired cousin was sitting beside the wounded Gabriel (whose appearance alone made Sage's eyes soften further), Ezekiel, and Halo. Sage was quite related to all of them, she realized, but certainly was not as close to them as she was to her sisters, to Micah. Yellow eyes happily saw Clover there--and someone she'd yet to have met--, and she strode forward several steps before dismounting Lennon and dismissing him to go mingle with Daisy.


The tanned girl stepped into the queue beside her sister, gently leaning her shoulder on Clover's own. Whatever the message was, it certainly did not seem to be the happiest. Disconcerted, the girl gave a silent nodded greeting to Gabriel, her sun-colored eyes finding Talitha's whenever she could in an attempt to decipher the meaning of this meeting before it began. Sage could only wonder, for now, and hope that it was not some terrible news. She might not be able to handle more of that just yet.



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#6
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OOC: I love when Mel uses 30stm titles Tongue

Word Count → 403


The howl came through to his window rather quickly, but the man was rather slow to moving about it. He then realized that he had been lazy about the last meeting and did not attend. He figured about five minutes later that it would be nice for the others to know that he wasn't dead or something. He got up from his bed and he walked out of his door. He yawned and stretched out his back and arms as he rose his arms over his head and grasped his hands together and he stretched like that. He shook out his fur before he had knocked on the doors next to his room, first his son's door, Sascha and then his brother's, Marik. His brother came out immediately and spoke to Cotl for a few short moments in which they conversed about what was going on downstairs, on the mansion porch. The two then would descend down the stairs.


They both exited the mansion through the front door to be greeted with familiar and unfamiliar faces. Cotl, nor Marik found it in their interest to introduce themselves to the faces they did not know because it was not the right time to do so. Cotl had taken his place not far from Talitha, but he did make sure that there was enough space for them to know that Cotl had no special rank that was high enough for him to take his place directly next to the Optio. The only thing that was slightly special about him was that he was fucking the Optio, but then again, Talitha could have been fucking more than just Cotl since Cotl and Talitha didn't really have that much really going for them. They both were incapable of producing the right feelings for each other for anything but non-passionate sex to happen. If they made it farther than just the unemotional sex them the world would more than likely come to an ending. He acknowledged the woman though with a toss of his head towards her before his eyes had looked to his brother. He also looked to Halo and did the same, silently greeting the Lykoi woman.


His eyes would go through the faces before he would twitch, and his gaze would land on the wounded Aquila. Cotl could only wonder what the man was going to lay on the table for the coyotes to chew on now.



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#7
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Aeron's mind had been on her growing gut she continued to move her traps and use them to keep the pack fed. She wanted to make sure that she was well prepared. She still wasn't sure what she was going to do. Her talk with Hybrid had not helped her and the day she went to the town in the new portion of the territory was relaxing.

She had almost not heard the call from where she was. Though it didn't help matters that her head was nearly in a hole. Standing up she quickly through the snare pieces in her bag and hurried to the call. Her feet ached and she wished so much to shift but she knew that she could not unless she wanted to lose her pups.

She felt like it had taken her forever to make the short distance she had to go. Though had she needed to go further she would have died. Quietly she joined the group of members she looked around to see who she knew. Giving a slight bow to Gabriel then to Talitha and Halo. She knew not of anything and the young woman she had met still seemed so in her own world.

A smile laced her face as she found something to lean upon and her hands slid to the place they were most often her growing stomach. Life was beginning to to a wonderful thing. She waited not knowing what the news would be or why everyone seemed a little an pins.





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#8
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OOC here!


It hadn't been much of a trek for the hybrid, as she had been close by anyways. White hind leg moved swiftly towards the crowd of people already there before her, all stood before the large mansion porch. Positioning herself beside Aeron, she stood, bowing her head generically to Inferni's leaders. Only wishing she was in her Secui form so she could sit and not look out of place. The mansion was not a purlieu of hers, it had been by chance that she was nearby. Rare chance aswell, she usually paced the borders in her spare time.


The hybrid woman wondered why the clan members had been called to the porch. Last time it had happened it was to announch there had been a change in the leadership. Perhaps that was it. Either way, Io wasn't fussed. She had not been in the clan for long, so she could not judge one reign to another. Frowning softly, she slide her satchel from her sholder and set it to the ground. A stray hand moved to where the bag strap had been, and softly rubbed it. She had not noticed just how heavy it was prior to taking it off.


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#9
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As always, Hybrid quickly heeded Gabriel's call. He arrived to the meeting to see that there were already many-a-member waiting. It seemed as though he had been a bit farther away from the call then the others; though, this made sense. He had been patrolling the northwestern edges of the border, just west of Goldsglen Peak, so it had taken him some time to find a safe path to head south. He normally ringed around the territory and rarely cut through its heart, so it had been a challenge.


He was in time to see some distasteful characters already amassed. He made sure to sneer at Silas as he passed the male and give that annoying coyote girl a glare. He did glanced at the coyote woman who was apparently pregnant, but gave her neither a sneer nor a smile. He didn't know what the fuck to do about her so he just didn't. He wasn't planning on doing anything about the whole situation anyways, so he didn't particularly bother with the pleasantries.


He trotted around the ground and positioned himself near the steps so that he could be close to Gabriel. Whatever this meeting was about, he preferred to be near the leader. He never knew what the others would do, especially that brat Ezekiel. Perhaps the boy would think this was a good time for a sparring session.

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#10
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300+


With a face carved in the most beautiful stone, the Centurion had moved to joint her doggish looking leader as his path was set to cross hers on their way to the front porch. Only Gabriel had been allowed to see the indication of the depths of the warrior’s discontentment about the changes that were about to happen. Knowing her temper better than anyone, she struggled to narrow her thoughts and keep them under careful surveillance. It would do no good to make a scene, but then again she knew not what was in store for Inferni now. She couldn’t see Gabriel’s reasons clearly, for she disliked both individuals that were to lead with her from now on. Why the hell had he decided on her as a part of the leadership if her voice would have no strength? Gabriel’s children would surely work against her no matter what she did.

There was nothing more for her to say, and she kept her silence as they joined Talitha and Ezekiel, the treacherous pair. She wouldn’t offer them even a glance. She didn’t even want to be here, and it was all she could do to just be present. Glittering scarlet studied the front area of the mansion instead, watching as members approached, summoned by Gabriel’s song. Things would have been much easier if he included her demotion in the new changes. But Halo was terribly troubled, for she was proud of her strong sense of loyalty and devotion to the clan. Would she be able to serve with and under these two that, according to her beliefs, were traitors unworthy even unworthy of the clan’s membership? She could have been hurt to see Ezekiel rise higher than herself, she who had never turned her back to this group, but it was not the power that drove her mad, but the individuals that received it.

She paid little attention to the majority of the clan canines as they appeared. She just wanted to get this shitty meeting over with and slither away.


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Table by Siekone
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#11
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OOC herpderp.


Nothing particularly exciting had previously that day to stimulate Euphoria to do none other than what she had been doing for the majority of her time within the pack which was patrolling the borders and what not. The howl had quickly edged a sharp reaction from her mount’s ears, but a stem of concern had sprouted from the girl, questioning of the purpose of the call and with a few subtle clicks of her tongue she has sent the stallion spinning on his haunches and powering off in the direction the call had came.

It wasn’t long before she had reached the entrance of the building and she slowed her steed down to a trot as she approached, his gait of a high and extravagant carriage as always around unfamiliars, especially more so to the purpose of such a gathering of them. Between her approach and arrival there was only a few seconds in which the girl could recognise some of the pack members before she gently clunked her feet onto the ground, caressing her equine’s darkly veiled forehead gently for his obedience then ordering him away from the group quietly for she just wouldn’t risk his unpredictable behaviour around others. With a quick glance over every canine there, she drew her attention to the Aquila, cold orbs hovering over him in need of some answers.


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#12
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Sad

One by one they came. Gabriel saw familiar faces, all with confusion marring them, and felt a twinge of regret for his decision. After so many years as Aquila, so many years as a leader, he had become used to being the rock the clan needed. That stability could no longer rely on him, and this resolve strengthened him. Gabriel stared ahead, but he did not look toward anyone in particular. Especially not his mother, whom he was certain found the irony of the situation droll.

“I have led Inferni since before we came across the mountain,” he began, voice strong and clear as it had always been during meetings. Warrior as he was, Gabriel was an excellent speaker. “But it has become apparent to me that the ability to lead requires a sound body as well as a sound mind. The rockslide has taken the former from me.” A pause. It was apparent he was thinking of how to word things, how best to speak. This was unpracticed. Of course, no one would deny the Aquila’s wound—they had most certainly seen him at the last meeting, or seen him limping around since. “No one person is greater than the safety of this clan. When age or wounds take away our ability, we must admit this. I am doing so today.” The wolfish male looked to his son. “As of this day, I am no longer your Aquila. Ezekiel, my son, will assume the title. He will lead, alongside Halo and Talitha, and I expect you to serve them as you have served in the past. We are strong only when we act as a whole—it would do well for you all to remember this.”

He did not look at the girls whom he shared the porch with, and fell silent so that his son would be able to pick up where he left off.

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#13
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While everyone had been looking at Gabriel, Ezekiel had stared into the crowd with wolfish eyes. He studied each face, each member, remembering their names as best he could. He did not expect to be doing this, and while it would not show on his unusually stoic face, he was unhappy. Yet things needed to be done, and he had a duty to this clan. Gabriel echoed this as he spoke, subtlety warning him, subtlety warning his sister and cousin. When it came time to speak, the coyote moved to his father’s side with heavy steps.

His voice, carrying the faintest trace of that far-away accent, mimicked Gabriel’s tone and volume almost to a tee. “My father is right. Inferni has survived not because of one person, but because the clan is strong. Inferni have seen fire, and war, and the savagery of the neighbors we have. Yet the clan has endured all of this.” The young man, unscarred save those two over his eye, hardly looked like he was used to combat. Yet his body carried itself with natural grace, inherited dominance. He had learned enough to know what was expected.

“More and more wolves have settled here. When I was a child, there were few. They continue to grow, and while our distance allows us safety, we cannot continue to ignore them. For this reason, I am making Sage our second Optio. She will serve as the eyes and the ears of our clan outside of these borders.” He looked at the dark-haired girl, eyes softening for a moment as he realized what pressure might now be put on the star-eyed child. Then he turned back to the crowd, amber eyes fierce. “We will carry on, as we always have.”

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#14
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Yay for changes, boo for bad exit posting.

She didn't look as members of the clan came forward to hear the news. She knew what was wrong. Even as the familiar body of Cotl Ulrich came to rest at her side, her eyes remained focused upon the faded wood of the porch beneath her. Black-rimmed ears listened to the world, waiting for the news she didn't want to hear. Scents filled the air as members came forward. And then it started. Gabriel's voice broke apart silence, explaining his position. She had known it would be coming. As the words came from her father's jaws, it sounded different. When Ezekiel had told her, it had hit hard, yet she had recovered quickly. Hearing it from the dark jaws, in the rough voice she was so familiar with, made it all the more difficult. Still, she remained quiet. Her eyes remained down. Her fingers trembled against the dark stripe that colored the top of her muzzle as she tried to maintain a stoic facade.

And then it was done, and Ezekiel was the Aquila in his father's place. Though she waited to listen, not willing to appear rude in the face of so many, her ears pulled back to flatten against her head. The words he spoke did not stick. Thoughts of the future, of time passing by, flooding her mind while she grappled with the chance to come to terms with what had happened. Gabriel had grown older, had resigned, and she realized that her life had passed before her without a chance for her to truly catch up. As the golden prince, now King of the clan, started in on Sage, Talitha stumbled to her feet. She couldn't remain strong in the face of the clan; without that ability, she found herself unwilling to remain. Hand still before her face, hiding the distress that colored her features dark, she turned from the group and disappeared into the darkness of the Mansion's front hall.

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#15
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The atmosphere preluding Gabriel's announcement was decidedly tense and immediately set Hybrid on edge. He felt the fur at the back of his neck stand on edge as he waited to hear the news. He could see that everyone present was straining to get a better look or leaning in closer, wondering what was going on. Gabriel began slowly and Hybrid felt a sense of dread wash over him. As Gabriel explained his history as the loyal Aquila, that sense of dread grew and grew. Gabriel explained that he was weakened and that he had passed on the leadership of the clan to his son. Hybrid grew very still, silent and quiet, as his mind raced.


Gabriel was no longer the Aquila. Hybrid was completely alone. He did not move when Ezekiel spoke, but slowly narrowed his eyes. This child, who spoke of fire, war, and savagery, who knew nothing of these things, was now leader. Hybrid saw Talitha leave and wondered if he should, too. As always, the loyal soldier of Inferni, he remained beside Gabriel. After a long pause, he finally turned to look at his Aquila. Gabriel was no more, Ezekiel would never be His Aquila. That place would always be reserved for Gabriel.


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#16
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OOC: Sorry I'm late, forgot to put myself on absent >_>; | 341 Words


He was late. He knew it. And it only made him want to hide. His arrival would lead to many eyes being placed on him and he was the type to wish to remain in the background. It was his bad luck that had him just outside Inferni when the meeting was called, which lead to him arriving late. It was something he didn't want to do and he couldn't help. At least he was showing up instead of doing what he truly felt. Yes, finding a good place to hide at the moment was what he really wanted to do but he knew that was wrong. So he hurried as fast as he could to where he needed to be, with his club strapped to his back and his bag hanging from him. Every now and then, the sound of him blowing raspberries left him as he felt more anxious as he became closer to his destination.


Long legs carried him in a hurry till he spotted everyone that had already arrived to the meeting. Gabriel was speaking and even if he wasn't, Sascha arrived as silent as possible. He remained in the background, wanting to find something to hide behind. His frown was slightly harder than normal as he tried his best to avoid any eye contact placed on him. He truly felt bad for his untimely arrival and would make sure to make this known when the meeting was over. He glanced over at his father before eying the ground once more. He had made it in time to catch the end of what Gabriel had said. He was stepping down and naming his son as the Aquila of Inferni.


He then paid close attention to the son who spoke afterwards, ruby eyes flickering to his direction for a moment. He did not let them linger, standing awkwardly as he usually did and seemingly finding interest in the ground once more. It may appear as though he wasn't listening but in terms of Sascha, some looks were deceiving.


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#17
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; ; WC: 520


The handsome Aquila began his brief but devastating speech, and Sage's body, formerly relaxed against Clover's, stiffened to attention. Large chocolate ears fell against her skull. Gabriel was stepping down. This would change everything.


The earth child did little more than stare with full attention at the wolf-blooded Gabriel; she could hardly believe that his body, so seemingly strong, could be so quickly destroyed. He could still move, sure, but the Aquila that she had grown to put her faith in was no more. Now, his son rose to his place. Golden eyes swerved quickly to the young man whom she knew so little of. Sage would need to place her trust in him, now.


What did this mean for the clan? Sage's thoughts raced as she cycled through the possibilities. The future was nigh. Now was the chance to bring about change; when everything else was changing, too. Her hopes had been both crushed and restored in a matter of minutes. The Praetorian was of course sad for Gabriel's retirement, but it meant the chance for fresh ideas to flourish and grow-- if Sage could cultivate the seeds.


As Gabriel fell silent, Ezekiel's voice rose. He confirmed the stability of this clan; it had seen so much, and would see much more still. Sage did not doubt that; if this group was anything, it was resilient. Then, the young Aquila spoke of wolves, and Sage's ears flattened more fully against her skull. She did not want to think badly of that species-- she had grown to accept their presence. Still, Sage knew of the danger Anathema posed. Even she still held animosity towards them. She thought back to the dark face of Theodore, his intimidating, dark presence and shuttered. There would come even more wolves. They needed to be safe.


Ezekiel's golden eyes found Sage's own, as he appointed her second Optio, beside Talitha. Her jaw slackened and she stared wide-eyed at the bronze boy; she had not expected this. Quickly her eyes darted to her auburn-haired cousin, whose face she couldn't see. Swallowing her surprised and sudden, flooding concern for her own ability, she gave a brave nod; she would rise to fulfill her duties with pride. "We will carry on, as we always have," Ezekiel said, and Sage knew that they would.


Talitha moved to slink away quietly, and Sage's small hand just barely reached out, considering trying to stop her. But why should she? With saddened sunshine eyes she watched as the de le Poer girl stumbled away, face still hidden. She itched with the desire to follow her, wanting to comfort the girl during this huge change; but, maybe it was best that she left her alone.


Sage stepped forward, looking between Gabriel and his son, and knelt to the ground. Her knees and shins pressed against the cold ground and she folded her body downwards, hands against the earth. Mother, keep us safe, was all she would silently implore. She would bestow the earth's blessings on this place as long as she remained here. If Gabriel trusted his son to bear this weight, then Sage would trust him, too.


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#18
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300+


She was one of the very few who knew of the earthquake that was to shake Inferni’s existence. It was a choice Gabriel had the right to make, but his second in command did not support him in this. But she understood. The leader had to be a beacon; something that symbolized strength and wisdom that lesser canines could look up to. And his body was no longer strong enough to fit the requirement of a leader. Halo would have followed him regardless, for it was Gabriel she had sworn to serve until her last breath. But her plans were shattered now, and she felt strangely empty within. The woman feared more change, for she knew the Inferni she had sworn her loyalty to and was afraid to wake up one day and discover that this was her true home no more.

Gabriel’s speech finished and Ezekiel was the new head of the clan. The blonde male’s words started to flow, and lids hooded scarlet eyes. Carved in stone, do not make a scene. But now that was a very hard thing to avoid. Halo had believed there would be no surprises in store for her, but she had been wrong. Copper ears leaped to cling against her silky locks, and her face twisted to face the hippie child that suddenly found herself promoted. The fuck? She did not bother to let her sharp and disapproving gaze climb back to Ezekiel, nor Talitha when she revealed to all that she was still a child crying tears. How she would have loved to stomp after the foolish girl and give her a short lesson on how NOT to act in public. But no, Halo had enough with her own inner turmoil.

All she wanted was for this pathetic meeting to end.


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Table by Siekone
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#19
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Word Count → 325 :: --

When her sister arrived, Clover took comfort in the slight weight from her leaning shoulder. Though she slightly turned her chin, straw eyes briefly touching upon her sister’s similar coloring, she quickly reverted her attention back to the Aquila eager to hear the news he would no doubt soon share with the clan.

When the time finally came, a tangible, attentive calm spread the area. No other noise registered in the chocolate dipped ears of the hippie child, except that of her Aquila’s voice. The news was something not expected, at least for Clover, and her gaze suddenly shifted to find Gabriel’s son, Ezekiel. She did not know much about him, but he carried himself in a way that reassured the girl that Inferni would still be in capable hands. After all, Gabriel would not be leaving the clan, only stepping down from his position as their leader. He would still be around to offer his wisdom.

Straw eyes studied the blond male as he addressed the assembled clan, but Clover’s mind had somewhat wandered from his words. Instead, she was once again finding herself traipsing into a daydream, only to be pulled away when the new Aquila made the announcement about Sage. Clover could feel the change in her sister’s disposition, and she quickly snaked an arm around her waist and gave her a brief, light squeeze. It was her silent congratulations; Sage would serve the clan well.

When he was done speaking, Clover took a step away from Sage. She was sure she’d have business with the other leaders, now that she had been promoted amongst them. Clover’s gaze swept across the gathered faces, smiling to herself when she noted a select few, before she turned to head off from where she had come. Though she had love from Inferni, the girl often lived in her own world. These changes didn’t affect her as much as it affected some of the other clansmen.



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